This Halloween Emmett decided to dress up as Licorice (well at least virtually).
Have a safe and happy Halloween - hopefully I'll have lots and lots of pictures for you tomorrow.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Happy Halloween
This Halloween Emmett decided to dress up as Licorice (well at least virtually).
Have a safe and happy Halloween - hopefully I'll have lots and lots of pictures for you tomorrow.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Paging Mother Nature
Hello!! I live in south Florida, practically in the tropics! What is with this weather?! I'm not suppose to even have to think about sweaters until the end of November at the earliest! It was so cold and windy this morning that Licorice (the cat that won't let you get within 3 feet of her) tried to follow me into the kitchen.
Landscaping Update
My dad has been a very busy man! He started with pulling out the bushes, then he moved on to planting.
He planted three coconut palms (all which he started from fallen coconuts, from coconuts palms that he had started from other fallen coconuts that fallen from coconut palms that he had started, and so on) and a few butterfly plants that my mom picked out in the south east corner of my front yard.
After he was done planting he moved on to making a pathway from the driveway to the front door. This turned into a much bigger project than he planned. It involved leveling and anti-weed liner and cementing in borders. It took him the better part of a Sunday, and about 3 evenings for it to meet his standards. All the stepping stones were reclaimed - I love the mix of the round with the square, and it had majorly cut down on the amount of sand that gets tracked into the house.
Here's a quick picture of the front of the house as it is now.
Once it gets cooler out we'll work on laying some sod and adding some more flowering plants.
He planted three coconut palms (all which he started from fallen coconuts, from coconuts palms that he had started from other fallen coconuts that fallen from coconut palms that he had started, and so on) and a few butterfly plants that my mom picked out in the south east corner of my front yard.
After he was done planting he moved on to making a pathway from the driveway to the front door. This turned into a much bigger project than he planned. It involved leveling and anti-weed liner and cementing in borders. It took him the better part of a Sunday, and about 3 evenings for it to meet his standards. All the stepping stones were reclaimed - I love the mix of the round with the square, and it had majorly cut down on the amount of sand that gets tracked into the house.
Here's a quick picture of the front of the house as it is now.
Once it gets cooler out we'll work on laying some sod and adding some more flowering plants.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Linen N Things: It's Just Wrong
As we've all heard, read, or seen by now, LnT is going out of business. I'll be honest and say that I am not the biggest Linen N Things fan, ( I did take advantage of their almost weekly 20% off coupons) but I will be sad to see them go.
When I originally planned this post it was only going to be a quick little good-bye, but after going to the store to check out their "sales" I changed my mind and this post is now going to be a quick little rant.
This past weekend my mother and I decided to go check out the amazing going out of business sale LnT was having. We get to the store and the biggest discount is 30% off - and the only thing that was marked down that much was window hardware. . . most everything else was only 10% off - you would have gotten a better deal 2 weeks ago when they were still taking their 20% off coupons. This was only mildly annoying so we continued to wander around the store. It was when I found their summer section in the back corner of the store that I got truly annoyed. . . All their summer merchandise was a whooping 10% off their original price!! Now these are things that had been on clearance less than a month ago for up to 75% off. . . and the worst part was that they didn't even do a good job of covering up the clearance prices, you could still read the old much cheaper price through the marker. . . so basically a originally $20 raft that had been on clearance just a few weeks ago for $5 was now $18!! That is insane - who marks up prices when they are going out of business?!
Okay, my rant is finished.
When I originally planned this post it was only going to be a quick little good-bye, but after going to the store to check out their "sales" I changed my mind and this post is now going to be a quick little rant.
This past weekend my mother and I decided to go check out the amazing going out of business sale LnT was having. We get to the store and the biggest discount is 30% off - and the only thing that was marked down that much was window hardware. . . most everything else was only 10% off - you would have gotten a better deal 2 weeks ago when they were still taking their 20% off coupons. This was only mildly annoying so we continued to wander around the store. It was when I found their summer section in the back corner of the store that I got truly annoyed. . . All their summer merchandise was a whooping 10% off their original price!! Now these are things that had been on clearance less than a month ago for up to 75% off. . . and the worst part was that they didn't even do a good job of covering up the clearance prices, you could still read the old much cheaper price through the marker. . . so basically a originally $20 raft that had been on clearance just a few weeks ago for $5 was now $18!! That is insane - who marks up prices when they are going out of business?!
Okay, my rant is finished.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
The Secret of the Front Bedroom
I've talked about my kitchen, I've talked about my "great room", I've talked about my bedroom, bathroom, even my carport - but I haven't talked about my front bedroom.
Originally I had planned to make the front bedroom a den so that the "great room" could serve as a dining room with a seating area, but that is not the case.
So what has come of this hidden room?
See I have a secret. . .
One of my oldest friends was looking to move out of a not so healthily living situation - and I was buying a house with two bedrooms - so I got a roommate.
So while I'll be sharing pictures and updates on my kitchen, "great room", back bedroom, bathroom, and even carport, the front bedroom with remain a mystery.
Originally I had planned to make the front bedroom a den so that the "great room" could serve as a dining room with a seating area, but that is not the case.
So what has come of this hidden room?
See I have a secret. . .
I have a roommate.
One of my oldest friends was looking to move out of a not so healthily living situation - and I was buying a house with two bedrooms - so I got a roommate.
So while I'll be sharing pictures and updates on my kitchen, "great room", back bedroom, bathroom, and even carport, the front bedroom with remain a mystery.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Virtual Shopping: Creepy, yet . . . well, just Creepy
There is less than a week left until Halloween and it's time to wrap up this month of creepy Virtual Shopping with a bang!
We've covered classy, crafty, cool, and congenial. . . now it's time for just plain creepy!!
We've covered classy, crafty, cool, and congenial. . . now it's time for just plain creepy!!
I discovered Grandin Road by accident one day, and boy am I glad I did! They have awesome and affordable home decor and a huge Halloween selection!
These are the kind of a Halloween decorations that will not only scare all the neighborhood kids, but that you can use year after year and they'll never get old!
These are the kind of a Halloween decorations that will not only scare all the neighborhood kids, but that you can use year after year and they'll never get old!
I'm especially fond of the tombstones.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Virtual Shopping: Creepy, yet Congenial
Halloween may be a time for ghosts and monsters, but not all things that go bump in the night are scary. Plum Party offers a few more friendly Halloween options, all at very reasonable prices. So if you're looking for a giggle instead of a scream some of these decorations may be for you.
click the pic for the link
Kitty Update
Well, Licorice has decided that the hood of my car is her bed, but she still won't let anyone near her. She getting much more comfortable hanging out in my carport, but she keeps about 3 feet of distance at all times. I have a friend who is a vet-tech and she said that most likely Licorice will never really become a lap cat or even really let us hold her for matter - if anything we may get to scratch her head. . .
Right now I don't really care about petting her, I just want to get close enough to her that I can take her to the vet. As it is, it may be too late - a boy cat was chasing her around the house last week. . . It looked like something out of a cartoon, if it wasn't so sad it might be funny.
Right now I don't really care about petting her, I just want to get close enough to her that I can take her to the vet. As it is, it may be too late - a boy cat was chasing her around the house last week. . . It looked like something out of a cartoon, if it wasn't so sad it might be funny.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Bye Bye Bushes
The landscaping project that I had planned for next spring has started. . .
I came home after a long day of running Saturday errands and I get a call from my mom - my dad and G.C. are coming over to pull out the bushes that block the house from the street.
So much for my lazy afternoon!
Normally when pulling out a plant there is some plan to replant it somewhere where it may be more suitable, that was not the case with these bushes for two reasons.
Getting rid of the bushes really opened up the front of the house, makes it more welcoming, and almost doubles the size of my front yard!
(please ignore all the sand all over the driveway)
I came home after a long day of running Saturday errands and I get a call from my mom - my dad and G.C. are coming over to pull out the bushes that block the house from the street.
So much for my lazy afternoon!
Normally when pulling out a plant there is some plan to replant it somewhere where it may be more suitable, that was not the case with these bushes for two reasons.
1) they had been planted the same time a fence had been put in (most likely sometime in the 80's) and they were so bad entangled in the fences that where was no way to salvage them.2) they were ficus bushes, and I don't need nor want anymore ficus.and
Here are some shots of the men at work.
Getting rid of the bushes really opened up the front of the house, makes it more welcoming, and almost doubles the size of my front yard!
(please ignore all the sand all over the driveway)
The only downside to pulling out the bushes is that now I can't put off landscaping the front yard. . .
Monday, October 20, 2008
Virtual Shopping: Creepy, yet Cool
We've done classy, and we've done crafty, so now it's time for cool. Even hipsters need Halloween decorations! (I really don't know any "hipsters" so I am making a broad generalization, forgive me)
When looking for cool what better place is there to hit than Z Gallerie not only do they have trendy home decor, they've got trendy Halloween decor as well!!
Oh, and there is an added bonus to the cool factor, all of Z Gallerie's Halloween decor is currently 20% off!
When looking for cool what better place is there to hit than Z Gallerie not only do they have trendy home decor, they've got trendy Halloween decor as well!!
Oh, and there is an added bonus to the cool factor, all of Z Gallerie's Halloween decor is currently 20% off!
Monday, October 13, 2008
It's Electric . . .
One problem down. . .
Friday night my dad came over to putz around, because I've been having some electrical issues, he decided to go take a look at the brand spanking new electrical box on the back of the house. . . you know the one that just went in like maybe 3 weeks or so ago - good thing he did. . .
It turns out that one nut/bolt/screw thingie (I know nothing about electric) hadn't been tightened correctly and it had been arching and sparking and burning!! So basically I am lucky the house didn't burn down! My dad shut down the power to the house and I spent the night on my parents couch (fun, fun, fun). Luckily for me my electrician is a really great guy and he was there first thing Saturday morning, he had the power up and running by 9:30 am.
There hasn't been a flicker or crazy outlet since!
Friday night my dad came over to putz around, because I've been having some electrical issues, he decided to go take a look at the brand spanking new electrical box on the back of the house. . . you know the one that just went in like maybe 3 weeks or so ago - good thing he did. . .
It turns out that one nut/bolt/screw thingie (I know nothing about electric) hadn't been tightened correctly and it had been arching and sparking and burning!! So basically I am lucky the house didn't burn down! My dad shut down the power to the house and I spent the night on my parents couch (fun, fun, fun). Luckily for me my electrician is a really great guy and he was there first thing Saturday morning, he had the power up and running by 9:30 am.
There hasn't been a flicker or crazy outlet since!
Friday, October 10, 2008
Virtual Shopping: Creepy, yet Crafty
Back for more Halloween Goodness (I think that may be an oxymoron)!
For those of us looking to be a bit more hands-on with our Halloween decor, Martha Stewart Crafts has tons of semi-DIY decorations for us!
You can find these at the Martha Stewart website and at Michael's Arts & Crafts stores.
For those of us looking to be a bit more hands-on with our Halloween decor, Martha Stewart Crafts has tons of semi-DIY decorations for us!
You can find these at the Martha Stewart website and at Michael's Arts & Crafts stores.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Going in Circles
For every step forward in the home owner thing there seems to be a step back.
I haven't been living in the house for a whole week yet and I'm already onto my second electrical issue. The first was a flicker (not to be confused with flickr) in the "great" room, kitchen, and outside lights - turned out to be an easy fix, something about an old breaker (I know nothing about electric). The second issue is now all the outlets in the kitchen are on the fritz, I was trying to make dinner (White Castle in the microwave) and the power to the outlet kept going out and then coming back on. . . so I plugged the fridge into an outlet in the "great" room and went to bed hungry.
One bright spot - I've got cable!! No having to go to my mom's for Mad Men or Grey's, woohoo!
I haven't been living in the house for a whole week yet and I'm already onto my second electrical issue. The first was a flicker (not to be confused with flickr) in the "great" room, kitchen, and outside lights - turned out to be an easy fix, something about an old breaker (I know nothing about electric). The second issue is now all the outlets in the kitchen are on the fritz, I was trying to make dinner (White Castle in the microwave) and the power to the outlet kept going out and then coming back on. . . so I plugged the fridge into an outlet in the "great" room and went to bed hungry.
One bright spot - I've got cable!! No having to go to my mom's for Mad Men or Grey's, woohoo!
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Kitty Update
Well, it appears has though someone has taken Bunny in. I figured it would happen, she was so cute and tiny, and unlike Licorice, she was not people shy - so it was only a matter of time before someone scooped her up and made her a house cat.
Licorice on the other hand has become quite comfortable as porch cat. She still won't let us within 3 feet of her but she doesn't run away either, she just keeps her 3 foot distance. We gave her her first taste of cat nip last night, she was rolling around on the front porch like she was possessed, then she past out on the bench in the carport - I found her there again this morning.
(this is where I found her Sunday morning)
Licorice on the other hand has become quite comfortable as porch cat. She still won't let us within 3 feet of her but she doesn't run away either, she just keeps her 3 foot distance. We gave her her first taste of cat nip last night, she was rolling around on the front porch like she was possessed, then she past out on the bench in the carport - I found her there again this morning.
(this is where I found her Sunday morning)
It seems as though she figured out that my house is her home, now she just needs to let us get close enough to her so we can take care of her properly.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
A Door of Another Color
One Sunday when I had to work (yuck) my mom decided to surprise me by painting my door!!
Before the door was painted Jean Martha from Renovation Therapy suggested I go with a blue door, while the pink won out I decided to make a quick Picnik version just for her. . .
(I've added two more coats of Flamingo Pink after this picture was taken)
Before the door was painted Jean Martha from Renovation Therapy suggested I go with a blue door, while the pink won out I decided to make a quick Picnik version just for her. . .
Monday, October 6, 2008
Blinded
As I mentioned last week, I finally got my dad to install my blinds.
Because the house is so small I decided to go with bamboo blinds in every room*. I bought 4 sets at Walmart on clearance (cha ching) and I picked up two sets at Target at full price (ouch), but they all tie together nicely.
Target
Walmart
Woohoo, my windows are no longer naked!
Because the house is so small I decided to go with bamboo blinds in every room*. I bought 4 sets at Walmart on clearance (cha ching) and I picked up two sets at Target at full price (ouch), but they all tie together nicely.
Target
Walmart
Woohoo, my windows are no longer naked!
*the kitchen window has a white cafe curtain
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Friday, October 3, 2008
Virtual Shopping: Creepy, yet Classy
* In honor of my second favorite holiday every "Virtual Shopping" post this month will be Halloween related *
I love Halloween, which is funny - because I hate scary. . . I don't like haunted houses, I don't like scary movies. . . but I love Halloween, and I love Halloween decor!
This year the Pottery Barn has a great assortment of creepy yet classy Halloween decorations.
I love the idea of a black and white Halloween versus the traditional black and orange - it's a bit of maturity on a typically immature holiday.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Meet the Kitties
I would like to formally introduce you to Licorice and her daughter, Bunny.
Licorice is still very cautious, she won't let us get to close, but she won't run off if we're outside now either - so we're making progress.
Bunny has let us get close enough to tell that she is a girl - she is very curious about us when she is by herself, but when Licorice is with her she pretty much follows her mom's lead and keeps a safe distance.
Licorice is still very cautious, she won't let us get to close, but she won't run off if we're outside now either - so we're making progress.
Bunny has let us get close enough to tell that she is a girl - she is very curious about us when she is by herself, but when Licorice is with her she pretty much follows her mom's lead and keeps a safe distance.
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