First things First

I'm counting backwards on this post for you.  Technically, we've been in the house just over 3 weeks, so let's skip back to right before we closed  ::imagine wavy vision and throwback sound effects::

Since the house had been rented out for much of the 5 years it had been on and off the market, I wanted to make sure the house was well cleaned before we moved in.  We were at the top of our price range, so I really didn't want to replace the carpet yet, but a good professional cleaning of the house and the carpet would be a great temporary fix! 

Yeah.  Our seller was kind of a jerk.  We put in the contract that the house had to be professionally cleaned with special attention in the kitchen and cabinets and that the carpets have to be professionally cleaned as well.

Here is what the kitchen looked like during our walk through:

It seemed pretty clean right? WRONG.  Grimy, dirty, greasy, nastiness is what you are looking at here folks.  The gas stove was not my favorite .. and I felt like the vent under the microwave was way too close to do any big pot cooking like I do (Mom's Brunswick Stew!); however, the plan was: have the kitchen cleaned, keep the kitchen as is for a few years, and then we can replace the stove/hood and possible paint the "I'm-not-sure-if-they-are-dirty-or-painted-that-way" cabinets.   
Oh, I digress. 
The day before the closing, we went to check in on the house to make sure that everything had already been done.

The carpets were still full of nastiful nastiness.  There were stains all over the place and you could tell that absolutely no attention had been paid to spots.  I was so disappointed.  Michael and I threatened to walk away from the deal, but the seller basically was "here you go, take it or leave it and I'll be taking your earnest money with me."  Already packed and ready to move, we went ahead and closed anyway, accepting the carpets and the not so clean house.

Now, let me tell you.  I have the most awesome In-Laws.  I hear so many horror stories of in-laws, and I've seen it first hand with many people I know.  It's a struggle to get along, no one really likes anyone, and every get together is filled with tension, side comments, and rude looks.  But not my in-laws, no sir.  They have been lovingly accepting of me from the beginning and it's evident everyday that they care dearly for their sons and both of their daughters-in-law.  That being said, my mother-in-law, aka SuperWoman: Savior of Worlds, decided to stop by after we closed.  She was also disappointed in the carpet and decided that for our birthdays (in 3 months) she'd go ahead and replace the carpet in the bedrooms for us!!!

I know I know ... you hate me for having awesome in-laws.  Well, hate on haters!  She even went to the carpet store, brought us samples to choose from. Which I'm sure she agonized over which colors, which styles, which texture, etc for too long and we chose our favorite in less than 2 minutes.  She was even here for the install so we didn't have to leave work.  I didn't take any photos of the old carpets, but here is the new beautiful carpet!

 

 

 Faith and Hope also say "HI!"

So the carpet was step #1.  We did have to move several things twice, but no worries, it was well worth it.  My toes are happy on the new carpet and you can just about hear them "squeee!!" when I walk around barefoot.