• Home
  • Start Here
  • Lifestyle
    • Organization
    • Intentional Living
    • Friday Favorites
  • Travel
    • Guides
    • Microadventures
    • Hidden Gems
    • Midwest
      • Illinois
  • Wellness
    • Self Care
    • 52 Week Gratitude Challenge
  • Outdoor
    • car camping
    • hiking
  • Contact
    • Discount Codes
    • Let’s Work Together
    • Photography

Fit Traveler Blog

Travel + Lifestyle Blog

6 months of homeownership

Spread the love

I can’t believe we have been in our house for 6 months. It seems so surreal. I knew that we would get a house here, but I thought it would be after the season. I’m glad that we got the house when we did because prices are going up. The weekend that we went looking was the perfect time because it gave us just enough time before the season. Seriously, 6 months of homeownership just blows my mind! I just can’t believe it.

There are a few things that I would have changed but overall I was pretty happy with the 6 months of homeownership . Next time I will ask more questions and be more involved until I understand. I let a lot of things go because I trusted the people.

January

We closed on the house at the end of January. The whole month of January I was ready to move in if I’m being honest. We could have closed sooner because everything was done fairly quickly. At closing we had both cars filled and ready to move in. We moved everything in the next day. We decided to get help moving our stuff from the apartment to our house. I am so glad that I pushed for this because it worked out so well. The guys got it done quicker than I thought they would. Once we got everything in the house it took a while to figure out where we wanted everything to go. We also quickly realized that we needed to get more storage and organizational stuff.

February

February was a month of home improvement. We knew that we needed to fix somethings that the previous owners didn’t want to fix. When we purchased the house we knew that we would want to change the bathroom. We started small by changing stuff in the bathroom like the shower and light fixtures. February was our first taste of home ownership because the heat went out in the house. We had to call someone and they came out to fix it. I am so glad that he came out because he has become someone Gary and I trust to ask questions. He was also the same guy who came out when the AC went out a few months later. We also had to replace the washing machine. I wish we didn’t have to spend the money for it but I am glad that we got something we both liked.

March

We did a lot of yard work, and by we I really mean Gary. He killed it on getting the backyard looking amazing. There were some things we didn’t like and didn’t know we could ask for them to be gone until it was too late. But I doubt that they would have repaired because I think they were done with the house. There were some broken and dead flower boxes in the back yard. Our goal for the yardscape was to get rid of everything to see what we have then add what we want. Our backyard looks so different but I can’t to see what it looks like when it’s finsihed.

April

This month we did a lot of work on the outside of the house. We have a firepit in the backyard, and the previous owners left us with a lot of wood to burn. If it was nice outside we were probably outside burning wood and drinking beer. Gary finally got to purchase a lawn mower. I personally think he mows too much, but it makes him happy.

The guest bedroom got finished. We had a lot of family coming this summer. So we got a bed, new sheets, put a quilt my mom made, and working on getting a night stand. We are slowing figuring out what pictures or things we want to hang up around the house. I haven’t put anything up for so long that it’s just natural for me not to have pictures.

May

This was probably the worst month in homeownership. Our AC went out during the hottest week. On top of that we had family coming in town that weekend and having a dog sitter come for Heisman while we went to Milwaukee. I really wish we would have gotten the home warranty when we purchased the house, but our realtor said we didn’t need to.

The season is in full swing, so we didn’t really much around the house. I mostly worked in my office, and trying to get the setup that I wanted to be the most productive. This month I was trying to get the house more efficient in organization.

June

We have been talking about how we want the house to look both inside and outside. One of the things that I wanted to get rid of was all the plants/weeds in the front yard. One weekend we went out and bagged everything. We still need to get rid of the 2 small trees, but that will a project for another day. Other than that I don’t think we did too much. There were a lot of events at the ballpark, and I worked a lot of overtime at work.

July

We are moving things around the house. During July 4th weekend, we moved the bed from the spare bedroom down to my office to muffle the sound of fireworks. Usually fireworks don’t bother Heisman, but this year he was stressed out. So we lived downstairs for about a week. During that time, we realized that this space would make a great spare bedroom, and I would move my office upstairs. We also moved the master room to the where the spare room. So recap, old master room is now my office. Old spare room is the master bedroom. Old office is new the spare bedroom.

Gary also surprised me by getting a patio set. it was the EXACT one we had in California that we loved so much. We have grilled and dinner so much outside. It has been so much fun minus the mosquitoes. Check out the next 6 months of homeownership.

Leave a Comment Categories: Lifestyle
About Me

Hi! I'm Jessa! I'm here to talk about all things travel and healthy living without giving up all your favorites.

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • TikTok
  • Twitter

Categories

Search

Featured Posts

Pack My Gym Bag

Pack My Gym Bag

My Quiet Time

My Quiet Time

Things I Always Travel With

Things I Always Travel With

750*350

Subscribe to Fit Traveler

Subscribe to Fit Traveler

* indicates required
/* real people should not fill this in and expect good things - do not remove this or risk form bot signups */

Intuit Mailchimp

fittravelerblog

Solo Travel 🧳 Outdoor ⛰️ Simplistic Living
📷 Digital Journal 🗒️ Tips, Guides & Itineraries 🥾
📍Always Exploring
💌 fittravelerblog@gmail.com

Route 66 Welcome Center in Conway, MO I loved thi Route 66 Welcome Center in Conway, MO

I loved this picnic benches were made into popular places on Missouri’s Route 66.
# Peoria Area Farmers Market List Monday - Peori # Peoria Area Farmers Market List

Monday

- Peoria Metro Market: Everyday May - Oct 31 8am - 4700 N. University St., Peoria

Tuesday

- Morton: June 4 - August - from 3:30 pm until 6:30 pm - 225 E. Jefferson St., Morton
- Peoria Metro Market: Everyday May - Oct 31 8am - 4700 N. University St., Peoria

Wednesday

- Peoria Metro Market: Everyday May - Oct 31 8am - 4700 N. University St., Peoria
- Junction City: May 24th - ? - 3pm to 6pm -
- Sheridan: May 1 - September - from 3 pm until 6 pm - 3827 N. Sheridan Road, Peoria, situated outside of Relics and Sheridan Nursery.

Thursday

- Peoria Metro Market: Everyday May - Oct 31 8am - 4700 N. University St., Peoria
- Pekin: June 6 - August 29 - from 330pm to 630pm -551 S. 14th St., Pekin, in the Miller Center parking lot
- Pekin Fall Market: Two fall markets will also be held − Sept. 12 and Oct. 10
- 3rd THURSDAY ONLY - May 16th, June 20th, July 18th & August 15th - 3pm to 7pm -

Friday

- Peoria Metro Market: Everyday May - Oct 31 8am - 4700 N. University St., Peoria
- East Peoria: June 7 - August 30th - from 4pm to 7pm - 396 W. Washington St., East Peoria

Saturday

- Peoria Metro Market: Everyday May - Oct 31 8am - 4700 N. University St., Peoria
- Peoria Downtown - May 18 - Sept. 28 -  8 a.m. until 12pm - 212 SW Water St., Peoria, in the River Station parking lot.
- Germantown Hills: June 1 - Oct 26 - from 9am to 1pm - Germantown Hills Crossing
- Metamora: June 1 - September - from 8am to Noon - 113 E. Partridge St., Metamora

Sunday
Glow Wild at the @therealpeoriazoo Dates: Friday Glow Wild at the @therealpeoriazoo 
Dates: Friday - Sundays until April 27
Time: 5:30p-9:30p

We got there around 6:30pm, and didn’t leave until 9:15pm. The website says the walk will take about an hour, but you can go at your own pace. There are so many lanterns in each animal exhibit.

We started going through the Asian Trail, there was year of animals. The Africa section was my favorite, but I am not going to tell you why. But it was a nice surprise, and I was way too excited.

There were hands on activities throughout the zoo, but by the time we got to some of the areas it was closed.
-make your lantern
-paint rocks to be placed around the zoo
-tattoos
-music each night

🎟️Tickets:
Advance Online: Adults $19.95 | Kids $13.95
At the Door: Adults $25 | Kids $15
What are your “musts” when traveling? Let me k What are your “musts” when traveling? Let me know in the comments! 

These are the things I always have when I travel: (arrow down)

1. Spare credit card/bank card - I typically bring this, but before my last trip my regular bank card got hacked. Now I make sure to always have 2 cards with me. 
2. Portable charge/power banks - I have a charger that I keep in my car all the time. It's a 4 in 1 charger, but I also have portable charge that I keep in my bag. It has come in handy more times that I can count for me and other people. 
3. Reusable water bottle - I have my Stanley when I am driving. While I am hiking I use either a water bladder or a hydroflask. 
4. Reusable Bags - My favorite is the Mary Kay roll up bag. It has 4 plastic bags that holds everything I need for my morning/evening routine and shower time. 
5. Books - I will most always have a physical book along with my kindle app. I love to read. During my hikes I stop throughout for snacks and reading. 
6. Wet Wipes - My favorite is HyperGo because they have so many different scents. They are also 12x12 so usually 1 works for the whole body. 

In the reel - Things I won't travel without

Caption - What are your travel musts? let me know in the comments because I am going to compile a list and share later. 

Here are mine:

portable charger - I have a small bag where I keep all my cords & portable chargers. 

spare credit card - 

iPad - I have everything on there. books. writing. 

snacks -

reusable water bottle 

headphones -
Follow on Instagram @Jessaolson_
Design by SkyandStars.co
Back Top

Copyright © 2025 · LOVELY Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in