Month: July 2011

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Staged

I started this post TWO MONTHS AGO, but it’s only going live now because I am lazy. I was waiting on this post because I wanted new photos to show you the handiwork that’s been done. But then we got busy, and we didn’t get anymore showings and we put the punch list aside…and it never happened. Then Tuesday we got the text message that we had a showing Wednesday. We kicked into the high gear, and then documented it.

Here’s the part I wrote as the summer was just starting:

Happy June, Everyone! (how is that even possible?)

We are into hour 4 of summer vacation, and so far, so good. Actually, if I’m really, really, quiet, I think maybe both kids could fall asleep at any moment. Shhh…

This week, I called in a professional for something.

Thankfully, it wasn’t a repair, it was an enhancement.

It turns out, a friend  of a friend (whom I met through blogging four years ago) does house staging, and she graciously offered to help me out.

After looking at my house for nine years, I’ve stopped seeing it. After having the whole thing painted last winter, we didn’t put any wall hangings back up. I couldn’t picture our furniture being positioned in anyway that would change the visuals of the room.

I stole the before pictures from our MLS listing, and while it was clean in the pictures, in hindsight it was stark.

Living room, empty mantel
Kitchen, with one big table and one little table.
Dining room, with a side table and a large, black, trash can.

 

With a vision, talent and some furniture moving, my home was warmed up and rearranged, all with things I had either stashed in a closet or out somewhere already. The only thing I need to go find are two pairs of table lamps and matching nightstands.

July 28, 2011: The showing went well, but they’ve opted for another property (we think). Want to see what they saw? Here you go:

The kitchen, minus an odd table.
New living room set up, little visuals on the mantel, console table behind the couch with a new lamp....
Dining room has the side table at an angle, with a new lamp, and a print on the wall.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I still need to get night stands, and I ended up only getting one set of matching lamps. But it’s an improvement, right? Anyone interested in a townhouse in a nice neighborhood? You know where to find me.

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How to Get out of Cooking for a Nearly a Week

Don’t get me wrong, I actually do like to cook. I like to cook when I have ingredients on hand, when I have time to put together a nice meal, and when I have time to sit down and enjoy said meal.  I like to cook when turning in the stove, oven, or grill won’t result in mass sweating by anyone who’s in the house. I like to cook when I’m really hungry, and want something warm to eat.

I don’t like cooking when it’s 90+ degrees out. It’s hot, it’s tiring, and while people need to eat in this heat, the hunger is different.

So, due to a perfect combination, I haven’t had to really cook since last Friday, I think.

Saturday night, I attended my 20th High School Reunion. I wrote about it on Persephone. It was a good time, and it involved a buffet, bar and fabulous dessert selections.

Sunday night, we picked up a roasted chicken at the grocery.

Monday we ate something, I don’t remember what it was. I know if anything, it only involved the microwave.

Me, smiling, because I'm not cooking!

Tuesday night, we went to Victory Field, and had a yummy picnic, compliments of Family of Farmers. Victory Field is SUCH a fun place to be, and if you can snag free food and beer, well, it’s even more fun. The fox was in his glory, watch “the guys” and MaM learned that “the thrower” is called the pitcher. We made it through five innings, I think, before we had to call it a night.

MaM was marginally aware there was a game being played. Marginally.

 

 

Guys! I can't wait to see the guys!

Wednesday night we went to the pool at the gym after work/school/day camp and fed the kids at the snack bar. Technically, I did microwave food for Bgk and I when we got home, but I don’t call that cooking.

Last night, we celebrated our tenth anniversary with dinner at Shula’s. I knew it was football-themed restaurant, but really wasn’t expecting the menu on the regulation football. But hey, it worked. And I didn’t have to cook! (Actually, it more than worked. A delicious steak dinner, with my honey, in a quiet, well air-conditioned restaurant, sans kids? I won’t lie- it was amazing!)

The steak menu was printed on the football, instead of the paper menu.

 

 

 

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It’s Been a Decade (full of cake, laughs, and love)

You know you’ve been blogging a long time when you peek back to your past posts about your wedding anniversary and um, there are FIVE of them (all of which I linked up nicely last year).

Tomorrow is our TENTH wedding anniversary. How is that even possible?

This past weekend my parents surprised us with an anniversary ice cream cake that we all enjoyed. My family has a thing about taking pictures in front of cakes (does everyone do this? or is it just us?), and Sunday was no exception.

Our cake ten years ago
Our cake, ten years later!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It probably sounds corny, but life keeps getting sweeter. I can’t imagine taking on the world without the guy I’ve been eating cake with for the past ten years.

Happy Anniversary, BgK– I Love You!