August was certainly stressful for me, and for some reason I decided an excellent way to “unwind” after a super stressful day of frantic writing was to start watching the Walking Dead! Three sleepless nights later, I submitted my PhD dissertation before the deadline!!!!! And we accepted a conditional offer on the townhouse, one day before my deadline. The day after the deadline, we held a yard sale to de-clutter a little, then I made the 1500km journey to the lakehouse to start painting (sans Hubby, who has to work).
Here are the many copies of my dissertation that I had to photocopy, and submit in person. Did I mention my department is on the 11th floor? Feels crazy to see it all ready like this . . .
Because I was so focused on my research last month, this is all that happened around here:
I linked to a few fun features, including a mention in Canadian Home Trends magazine, a feature on Love on Sunday and, what I forgot to share, another feature on Apartment Therapy!
I did manage to sneak in a little DIY (we have to keep that a secret between you and me). Hubby and I refinished the arms and legs on our vintage curbside find (which is currently at Kessels Upholstery, getting a new look).
I reviewed two Villeroy and Boch serving pieces (and shared my delicious turkey meatloaf recipe).
Eager to start work, I shared photos of the new kitchen, in addition to my plans for a quick and affordable makeover (along with photos of every turquoise kitchen out there, for a little inspiration).
I also started to figure out floor plans, so I can decide what furniture to keep and what furniture to sell from the townhouse. I’ve already sold a lot, including the living room side tables, the living room orange tweed chair, the kitchen table, the dining room hutch, my swirly teak table, Hubby’s desk . . . We are really starting fresh, mostly because the new space requires a new configuration. It was sad to see so many pieces I lovingly picked out or hunted down go (some still need to be picked up by their new owners), but it was also nice to see my vintage finds find new homes!
To make up for the lack of great “Before and Afters” around here in August, I shared some amazing makeovers from a new favorite read.
Next up for me: months of waiting to hear news about my dissertation. My committee needs to review it and will give me a grade of 1 (some revisions), 2 (more revisions), 3 (it needs substantial work, so re-register, pay tuition and try again), 4 (GTFO). If it’s a 1 or 2, I get to defend my dissertation, where I can receive the same grade system. I will likely defend November, December, maybe even January. Luckily I have a house in need of updating to keep me from worrying!! I’ve already primed some of the teensy oak trim and will have updates Monday. Feels good to have tools and paintbrushes in hand again!
Isn't that the way with graduate studies? Work work work like crazy, then… Wait. Good luck!
Haha, yes, they should hand out t-shirts at orientation that read: work, work, work, then wait. Not sure which is harder . . .
Congratulations on submitting! That must feel so wonderful, after so much hard work. I'm glad your last chapter got sorted out. Looking forward to keeping up with all the work you'll be doing at the lakehouse. What an exciting journey that will be!
Thanks!! My supervisor is still a little blown away that I was able to completely revise my last chapter so thoroughly. It's almost all brand new!! But I had so many ideas (and had done so much research and analysis) that it was just a matter of getting it out. Whew. Hopefully I don't need to root through my brain for more!!
congrats on finishing your dissertation- that is a huge, huge accomplishment. 🙂 have fun painting this weekend!
Thanks!! Free time to paint (without the furniture moved yet) seems like such a nice reward. I'm feeling pretty good right now 🙂
Congrats!! I was in a similar situation last year (finishing a Masters) and man is it a crazy time! It's taken me almost a year to be comfortable with having so much free time (as opposed to stressing about my thesis non-stop) so I think it's great you have the lake house to keep you occupied. What a fun and rewarding project! Yay for freedom!
Congrats on finishing your Masters!! I can totally see not being used to the feeling. I feel like an elephant has been sitting on me for a few years, and now it's gone. Don't know what I would do without this other distraction (and the stress that comes with it). Exactly: yay for freedom! I'm so close to not being a student . . .
Congratulations on finishing your dissertation and on getting an acceptable offer on the townhouse. I hope the sale goes through quickly. I can't wait to watch you transform the lakehouse! 🙂
Thanks Dana!! Such miraculous timing, it has to work out, right?? I'm hoping it's smooth sailing for a bit for us.
Congratulations on finishing, Tanya! I bet you did awesome
Awww, thanks!!! That means a lot to me.
Congratulations on finishing your dissertation! That's awesome!
Thanks Michelle!! I've been so excited to share the news (and get back to blogging)!
Giant giant congratulations and kudos to you for surviving the whirlwind of life that August served up for you. Now that the dust is settling I'm sure there will be lots of time to tackle all the DIYs and projects I'm sure you're already planning. 🙂
Thanks!! Oh gosh, I'm so excited to have free time again. Right now, I'm logging long days eradicating oak and dusty rose.
Yay! Congratulations, you did it!!
Thanks!! I'm so relieved!!
Congratulations on submitting your dissertation. I work in graduate education and know how much work and personal commitment it takes to get it done. Well done! Keeping my fingers crossed that your committee likes it and you get to defend it this Fall.
Thanks for your kind words! I hope my committee likes it too!! I'm actually looking forward to their feedback, and am open to criticism, but hope I don't get a 3!!
HUGE, HUGE CONGRATULATIONS on completing your dissertation! I am rooting so hard for a 1!
Thanks!! Yes, everyone should think "1" and maybe my committee will mysteriously all be thinking that number too, lol.
Hooray for you! So glad you met your deadline with time to spare, Tanya. Is it really peculiar of me to be sad over a few of my favorite pieces of yours that you are letting go? Such is virtual life! Congrats on checking off one more item on the PhD to-do list. Now, go paint your heart out!
Thanks for much for all of your encouragement through the PhD process. Your insights and kind words have been invaluable to me!It's not weird to be sad about some changes. Blogs help us get to know people and spaces, sometimes more than we know spaces (and people) we see in person. I've shared almost every nook of the townhouse. It will be weird (but fun) to move on.
Congratulations on finishing–and early! I should make you my role model. Wait, let me just go Google whether a procrastinator can truly change…Meanwhile, sending more wishes for a "1." Also, hurray for the offer on the townhouse!
Thanks!!! I am definitely a procrastinator myself! I should have had chapters in to my supervisor months and months ago (technically, a year or so). I actually feel terrible because this means my supervisor was editing in a compressed timeline and during her summer break, no less. She deserves a medal for putting up with me, but I got it done, which, in the end, looks good for both of us that it was submitted on time. I have learned my lesson, though, no more putting things off. Maybe.
You are very lucky to have an advisor that reads your thesis; mine did not read any of the ones in my cohort (4 of us graduated within 2 weeks)
Congrats! You made it in time. Now I've got my fingers crossed for you.
Thanks!! Toes too 🙂
CONGRATS Tanya! You did it! I know you feel so great and proud! Way to go!Your August sounds like my June…working towards the PhD deadline, buying a house, starting renovations. When it rains it pours! Congratulations. I hope you're finding time to celebrate!!!
Oh gosh, we're definitely in similar boats!! So nice to hear of someone making it through the other side, unscathed. Congrats on your own accomplishments and fabulous news!! So exciting.
Big congrats, fellow doctorate! And a big congrats to your family too, I know their support has been integral to the whole process.
My family has been SO supportive. I feel very privileged to have had them contribute so much, especially my Mom who helped me translate so much Hungarian material.
Sounds like a busy but very exciting time! Best of luck with your dissertation! Can't wait to see all the house updating! ps. Love spotting your projects on AT:)
Thanks Jane!! I've already got crisp townhouse-white walls in some rooms, lol.