Yesterday, some neighborhood ne'er-do-wells knocked down the last few tulips that were blooming in my yard. In the background you can see their former place of residence. Please ignore the dandelions as they are unstoppable and I wasn't in the mood to style up my yard for this photo. The tulip beheading didn't make me happy, but at least I got to try out my best scary grown-up voice on the little brats and hopefully, they'll think twice next time.
First off, the nice part. The lovely tulips pictured above will be adding some cheer to my dining nook for the next week or so. Aren't they lovely?
Cheer is definitely needed because another big project just got moved to the top of my to-do list. I knew my front stairs would eventually need to be replaced, but it seems that winter took its toll and part of one of the stairs has started to give way. This is in addition to a similar situation on my side stairs. I'm a bit frustrated, but what can you do buy move forward? Here's hoping my first-time home buyer credit comes through soon so I can take on these rather spendy projects soon.
It feels very Pa Ingalls to know that I'm now officially a homesteader (or at least I will be when I mail in what I hope is one last form).
Promise me you'll never move in between Thanksgiving and Christmas, unless those aren't holidays you celebrate. It just isn't much fun and leaves little to no time for unpacking. That said, one of the first things I did after some good friends helped me schlep a metric ton of crap to my new place, was set up some Christmas decorations. It just wouldn't feel like I was home for the holidays without some sparkly Christmas decor.
The first thing that went up (after my wreath) was a new to me nativity set that I purchased off Etsy. I love it, but shamefully busted Mary's head off a couple of days ago. At least baby Jesus is OK. Here's hoping his mother will feel better after a little Gorilla glue.
This year's decor was a little spartan, but I still made the place feel very Christmas-y.I even had time to watch Miracle on 34th Street in its entirety for the first time ever. It was all very holly and very jolly. Happy holidays to you!
Until I started redecorating my house, I never realized how expensive quality paint is. So, I'm shamelessly asking you to vote for me in the Natura Your World contest sponsored by Benjamin Moore Natura paint.
Just look how sad and pathetic this room is in its current state. If I win, I get a dream room makeover. If you vote, you are entered to win $500. You can vote once a day until the cost ends, so please vote for me!
I've been stretching out my wrists this morning in anticipation of my appointment to close on my first home. If someone had told me a year ago that this is what I'd be doing today, I would have laughed in their face. But here I am, getting ready to sign my life away and start this new adventure.
My first chore of the day is loading up one of my iPods with music. 20 GB really doesn't go all that far, so there were tough decisions to make. I'm guessing that Johnny Cash and J-Pop will keep me more in the mood to work than Joy Division. I WISH I was ready to start painting like the dreamy couple on the album cover pictured above, but first I have an appointment with some less than charming wallpaper in my kitchen. That might require me to break out the Suicide Commandos.
This isn't a DESIGN blog. It's a chronicle of my adventures in fixing up and decorating my first home -- a circa 1953 rambler.
