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This is my home.....

We moved in late 1995. (I think in November, but I can't remember for sure.) We'd been married for a little over a year and I was pregnant with C. We were so happy to buy our first home.

We looked at a bunch of new homes and even having one built to specification, but M and I both were in agreement that we didn't want to live in a cookie cutter neighborhood controlled by a home owner's association and covenants. We were lucky to get this house because the price was right and it had had a lot of work. Many of the older homes that we looked at were in varying states of disrepair. We knew we wouldn't have the time or money for a fixer-upper. After 14 years of hard living, that's exactly what we have now. Moving isn't an option.

The house was built in 1916 according to M. He also says that the addition was added in 1920. The upstairs is about 850 sq feet. We have a basement, but it's unfinished. (My washer and dryer is down there with a lot of other junk, including all my fabric.) We have the one bathroom. There are three bedrooms. My living room and dining area are in the main room of the house.

I'm happy to have a roof over my head so don't get me wrong. I'm unhappy with the state of many things, though. We're cramped for space. We've destroyed more than we've worked on. The dogs have chewed and scratched up so many things. The kids have written on and banged up the walls. I've never been the best housekeeper and so baseboards and my walls are simply dirty. I have to nag everyone to get the simplest of things done around the house. I haven't had a shower wall in the only bathroom for about 10 years. We've only ever painted the bedrooms. The carpet was pulled up long ago to reveal unfinished floors that we still walk on today. M replaced the windows in the first couple of years after moving in to help with energy efficiency.

Our financial situation hasn't changed and, in fact, is worse than it ever was. We've not done things around the house because of financial issues, but mainly because M and I can never agree on improvements. We have different ideas, goals, and styles.

I'm overwhelmed by the state of my house.

I've got to get going on fixing things up or I'll go crazy....

I know my house needs more than a quilt in every room to be right again. When I imagine my house, though, I see a quilt in every room and other homey decorative touches. I see wonderful colors on the walls. I've got to make it happen!

Next Up: How bad can it be: A photojournal of the good, the bad, and the ugly.