Y'all know I love a good DIY (hello, look at my DIY tab!). Probably more than the next girl. I think my sudden gasp/squeal and subsequent "oh, heck yeah!" every time I see a great do-it-yourself project on one of your blogs might give that little fact away.
But I also love when bloggers keep it real. And you know I'm on that train- I mean, have you seen my vlogs? (If not, get excited to laugh out loud at my awkwardness in both vlog part one and vlog part two.)
our dining room
So today I want to talk about how, even though I love it, life around the Ten June household is not all DIY. I know, you're shocked, right? ; ) That just shatters all of those images you have of David and I slaving away around our little casa, my almost-ten-month belly crouched behind the sewing machine and David covered in splashes of paint.
But for realz. Lately, David and I have really started a mission to put value on our time. Between his long commute and my uber-pregnant status, our free time has become quite valuable these days! And from what I've been told, there's nothing more important at this stage in our life then ensuring that each of us rest, relax and enjoy our time together before the baby gets here. And when our pea pod actually gets here? We plan to spend 24-7 loving on that little boy, not worrying about anything else. Now that is a priority I'm looking forward to! : )
Um, but what about this OCD/nesting girl's before-I-give-birth-to-do list? Well, we decided it was time to drop the DIY and bring in the troops. It was time to ask for help.
A couple of weeks ago, David and I realized that there was just no way he would have time to finish the slate room paint makeover in a timely fashion (ie. before the baby came, without working 24-7). It's a big room and he had to paint every surface- ceiling, trim and walls. So we called in my sister (who is a teacher and was on summer vacation) and she hopped in her car and came on over to help paint. SO awesome.
And when she ran out of time, we called our handyman and his crew, who came over and finished the job for us. Sure, it was a few hundred dollars we hadn't anticipated spending. Boo. BUT, last weekend, David and I had time to piddle around the house, sleep in, finish the baby's room and basically enjoy life without stressing about the room. I think David even got in a few well-deserved hours at the driving range! Priceless.
Now we're completely moved into the room (pictures to come!) and enjoying every last cotton-picking minute of it. Totally worth every penny spent.
our master bathroom
This week, David and I did something we thought we'd never do- hire someone to help us clean the house. After spending six months regularly scrubbing down our house for showings (check out my tips for showing your house here!), you'd think we have our house cleaning routine on lock down. Not so much. Again, David's commute and my uber-pregnant status simply prevent us from keeping up with it... unless we stayed up until midnight or spent our entire Saturday cleaning toilets. And with the pea pod's arrival being imminent, that's not our priority.
So we asked a few of our neighbors and were so surprised to find out that almost all of them had some help in the cleaning department! Crazy. I thought housekeepers were primarily for mansions and real housewives. Definitely not for this girl. But I have quickly learned that simply for the price of sacrificing my Starbucks non-fat, decaf latte each day, we can have someone help us clean the house every other week. Amazeballs.
David and I- happy, in love and relaxed this summer
Anyways, I write this post to tell you that while you see a flurry of DIY projects coming at you from this end, it's not all DIY here at the Ten June household. In fact, we're proud that we've been getting some help lately- it's been really good for us! Now we feel relaxed, content and ready to welcome this baby into the world!
If you're debating whether or not to spend your Saturday finishing up a DIY project or spending that last long summer day at the pool with your kiddos, hubby or best friend... hopefully this post reminds you that there can be more important things in life than DIY. Sure, it's an amazing hobby (one that I, particularly, am obsessed with!) but sometimes it's time to put down the tools, ask for help and then prop your feet up and enjoy that beautiful life of yours!
Have a great weekend, everyone!
PS. Now who wants to come help us in the yard? ; )
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Wise decision!! The hubbs and I have been debating getting someone to help us with the deep clean every other week. Yeah, I could be scrubbing the showers and mopping floors every Saturday morning, but I would MUCH rather spend that time experiencing things with my family! PS- doesn't a lazy weekend morning feel SOOO good every once in a while?
ReplyDeleteHey, youre working on the most important DIY- that baby! Of course it is money well spent to have peace of mind in the state of your house so you can relax!
ReplyDeleteI love this post! I was a little bummed I only have 2 posts on my blog this week (I aim for 3-4)... but I only have 2 because I spent more time enjoying my house then fixing it the past few weeks. And I think that's just fine!! Good for you and best wishes while you wait for your little one :)
ReplyDeleteyou two are so darn cute! I need someone to clean my house too! SOOO looking forward to seeing your 'pea pod!'
ReplyDeleteIt's all about balance and clearly you know what's important in life, Michelle! I'm all for outsourcing if you'd rather spend your time doing something else. It's good to know when it's time to get some help…especially when your time is so limited. Ya gotta put your feet up, sister. That little boo boo is going to need a well rested mama!
ReplyDeleteExcellent decision!
ReplyDeleteI may have to have a discussion with my husband about the pace of our work this weekend...we talked last night about how we need to kick it into high gear, but maybe it's ok to stretch out timelines a smidge.
I wish we had the money to outsource a bit. I think you made a good choice--no one gets a medal for overworking themselves.
ReplyDeleteAwesome post Michelle! Mike and I talked about hiring a cleaning person for the few weeks before and after the baby came, but we never did it. Currently, we're thinking its a good idea to hire out painting our master because it is a HUGE undetaking with loads of space, high celings, trimwork to be caulked and painted, a new wall and french doors that need priming. We've put it off for two years and at this point, we want our weekends with Easton! It's all about balance :)
ReplyDeletei couldn't agree more!
ReplyDeleteAlways a struggle for me - I obsess over spending money when I think I can do something myself but the reality is that there just aren't enough hours in the day most of the time to get it all done alone!
ReplyDeleteWe hired cleaning help after our firstborn. A lawn service after the second. :)
ReplyDeleteThe biggest thing that helped us reclaim time was using our deep freeze and stocking it full of either precooked, or partially prepared foods. I spent a month or so before our second was born making things like meatballs, meatloaf, taco meat, enchiladas, lasagna, marinara, chicken spaghetti, chicken & rice, quiche, muffins, pancakes, waffles, cookie dough, burritos for lunch and breakfast, biscuits, etc. It was a huge lifesaver. You might consider doing that before going back to work so that you don't spend all of your time in the kitchen or money on takeout :)
Congratulations on the baby, and enjoy your time with him. It's so awesome, although the sleep deprivation isn't :)
Amen to asking for help. It's liberating and life is all about savoring whatever it is you do. Funny, we were on the same wavelength today {athough your post rocks!} Hugs, cutie.
ReplyDeleteGirl, my housekeeper comes every Monday and it's my FAV day of the week!!! Xoxo
ReplyDeleteGood for you - great post! We get help with quite a bit around here. My hub doesn't even mow our grass - when you spend 5 hours on a soccer field every Saturday - the last thing you want to do is come home to mow your yard! And I finally hired a housekeeper - she comes every Friday - why did I wait so long to do this?!
ReplyDeleteIn theory, I'm all for all DIY, all the time. In reality, it's just not always possible. If you have the financial resources to outsource, go for it! As more babies have entered our nest, our outsourcing has gone up. We still do small projects here and there, but anything that would take more than a day or a weekend has been outsourced and I love it. The job gets done right the first time, the way I want it done, and we can get on with our lives. No frustrating Saturdays of trial and error, running back and forth between home and the hardware store, and we don't have to spend weeks on end stepping around project materials. As for cleaning, I never thought I'd need to hire a cleaning crew either, but we're there too...for the last year or so I have had a gal come in every 4 weeks and it has made a huge difference. Sure, we still clean a LOT between her visits, but her day is the one day a month when our entire house is tidy and clean at the same time and it's lovely.
ReplyDeleteYou're working on finishing the best DIY project yet...little baby boy!! Good for you for pampering yourself a little bit before he gets here! You're right to spend quality time, just the two of you! It will be valuable time that you won't get back!
ReplyDeleteBefore I went back to work full-time after maternity leave, I insisted we hire a cleaning person. Best $ ever spent, and a total marriage/sanity saver! They come every other week, and now we have someone who will even change bedsheets and throw a load of sheets and towels in the wash. It's fabulous! I didn't grow up with that kind of help and it seemed really excessive/snobby at first. But now, there's a lot I would give up before giving up our cleaning lady.
ReplyDeleteLoved this post. I have been spending more time with family and friends lately and less on being Type A about my house. It really has taken me down a notch. Also, we hired a cleaning lady about 2 years ago and it is amazing what a load she takes off just coming every other week. Good for you for accepting help and focusing on the real stuff.
ReplyDeleteGlad you're getting some help! If I lived close I'd be over all the time helping :) And dirty little secret- we get our house cleaned every 2 weeks. With a puppy who sheds and both of my parents working, it's just not always possible for my mom to get to it!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I know what you mean about asking for help. When we first purchased our current home, I had just given birth to our third child and my older two were 2 1/2 and 1 1/2 years old. We definitely had to call in reinforcements to get some things done around here. No shame. I love DIY too, but sometimes you cannot put a price on time spent with those you love.
ReplyDeletegirl if i lived closer i would prop you up with some ice tea and happliy come work in your yard. cant wait to see the room!! i love what you have done with the nursery. (and that our dressers are similar!!) enjoy these last few weeks.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you have such great perspective! I've only had someone come help clean our house a couple times, but it was SO worth it. Especially after I delivered our son, worth every penny!
ReplyDeleteOh do not feel bad about that housecleaner! We have one and I LOVE it!! You won't regret it....it's such a treat.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see pics of your little bambino when he arrives!!
Jen
athomeinthenorthwestblog.com
Good for you girl!! I think that you guys are making some wise decisions!! It's nice to have some down time & de-stress a bit....especially before your little one arrives!!
ReplyDeleteNow you've got me thinking that maybe I should sacrifice one of my daily vices in exchange for a cleaning lady!! That sounds fabulous!
Good for you!! Getting your rest and staying healthy is more important. :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great call to me. Enjoy this last time with hubby. And I cannot wait to see the finished slate room.
ReplyDeleteYour house is amazing!
ReplyDelete:-)
I'm glad you guys have taken some time to relax before the baby comes. :) You guys look so happy!
ReplyDeleteYay for YOU!! I have to remind myself of that sometimes -- my time is WORTH something! We're unplugging for the holiday weekend, letting the boys skip school tomorrow (!) and headed to Destin for one last hurrah of summer. I love being a rebel every so often.
ReplyDeleteCounting down to meet Baby Ten June!
xo Heidi
You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic to be really something which I think I would never understand. It seems too complicated and very broad for me. I am looking forward for your next post. I will try to get the hang of it!
ReplyDelete