Virtual Vakay

Mi Miguel and I haven't the funds or the energy for vacations right now. We're what you would call, "house poor." 

All this hard work will be worth it because when we're finished with the house, we'll be debt-free and living a simplified life.

Our goal is to have a lifestyle that even when we're staying at home we feel like we're on vacation.

For now, we're doing the little things in life that makes living here in Florida feel like a vacation...staycation. That's me on a group bike ride.

A staycation that involves exercise and weight loss is a productive one. Oh, the calories I left on this bike ride. 

You throw in the great conversation with the bike group at our 7.4 mile stop at Maggie Mae's, and it makes for an enjoyable ride.

The fixer upper can be quite a money pit, but we do have to take breaks on occasion to build our funds back up and to regain our sanity. To travel with no cost and no effort, I'm going to start a virtual trek around the United States while we're renovating our sweet little home.

A few weeks ago at a local flea market we picked up vintage post cards from each state in hopes of posting one each time I blog. My first virtual stop is Alabama. Here is the Governor's Mansion in Montgomery from way back in the day.

Here is the Governor's Mansion today, what a difference clearing out shrubbery can make. What else is in Alabama? 

When we actually go there someday, I'm going to seek out soul food, doesn't it look yummy?

Got this little road trip map handy for that day when we can hop on a plane and head to Alabama. Should we ever go there, I want to see this...

Sipsey Wilderness. Isn't it gorgeous? I wonder if I could talk Mi Miguel into camping here one day...you know, when the fixer upper is finished. But for now it's the little things in Florida that we appreciate.

Like this for example. Here's an aspect of our Florida life that makes it such a staycation. Having our next door neighbors over for roast beef, potatoes and carrots. It's quaint dinners like this that makes our home feel like a cozy, welcoming bed and breakfast. 

If it weren't for great neighbors I think I would have jumped in our canal by now to become fodder for the gators.

In reality, we are simplifying our lives by working hard and spending lots of money to make our home as eclectically basic and stress free as we possible can. Spending lots of money so we can live a simple life...makes sense doesn't it?

Oh if I had all of our fixer upper money, I'd hop on a plane and...well, you know. I don't need to play the song for you, because I'm sure just seeing the meme will have "Leaving on a Jet Plane" stuck in your head for the rest of the day.  

Here is where some of our money has gone lately. The first guest bedroom is finished as far as painting, light fixture and furniture placement. 

A new bedspread would be nice too; comforters are too hot for Florida.

Here is one of the two nightstands that I chalk painted. I learned real quick that chalk paint is not ideal for a room that gets a lot of sun. I'll post about that later with before and after the move from IN to FL projects. 

The first guest bedroom is going to be all about adventure and travel. We still have to find a few more pieces to pull the room together but we're getting there.

Here's a better view of the light fixture that I created.

This is from a shower curtain that I bought over a year ago. It's been my inspiration for color in all of the rooms that we've done so far. 

I do feel like I'm on vacation when I get great nature photos like this one. I just took it from my backyard. But there is still oh so much to do with this house. I'm leaving on a jet plane...