light bulb

I have figured out that to get my husband to clean, we just have to invite some of his friends over.

here's what I'm doing.

First I'll greet you with updated pictures.

Can we take a moment to appreciate the fact that a few weeks ago pretty much everything looked like this, and didn't change until recently? This is really the only area that's cleaned up, but it makes a difference.

We actually got a lot done last night. The piles of trash & tools & who knows what else finally got moved. No more taking detours around it. While you still can't see the kitchen table, you can now see floor. It's pretty.

[Now my newest attention hijack has swung towards bookshelves. I want to make ours look nice, instead of a jumble of knick knacks.]

My coffee is pastry-less this morning. Partly due to the fact that my 1980 oven likes to lock itself (while on), is too small for a standard cookie sheet, and heats unevenly. I'm going to be making good friends (and small batches) with the toaster oven for a while.

Here's to another busy weekend. We have visitors next weekend and you know, we need a place for them to sleep. It's surprisingly motivating.

tea, coffee, cookies, pastries

I feel like there is never a bad time for tea & cookies. Or coffee & cookies. Or tea & a muffin. Or any combination of tea, coffee, and various pastries.

This morning's coffee & cookie-- atop an alarm permit application. Excuse my crumbs...

A hot beverage and a baked good is truly one of my favorite things. Nisha said that in Australia they have tea time every day and I felt so left out because certain parts of the world get tea & scones every afternoon, and we don't do that here! Not cool! I mean, I get it with our history as a country and all, and in my situation it's difficult to have tea in a lab (details), but man. That sure would be nice. So would siestas.

In other news, this responsible adult thing sure is fun. During my quick shopping trip with mom yesterday, we conversed about how little free time there is when you're trying to unpack/move/fix up a house. I used to see her at least once a week. I think yesterday was the first time in a month.

It's like every free second lately is consumed with obligations and shit that just needs to be done. Not that we aren't enjoying it. This is our home, and we knew it needed some love, and it's looking a little bit different and a little bit better each day.

Today's project involves removing some of the jungle in the backyard. I feel like even though we've had pest control, it's a major home to the hordes of mosquitoes and flying roaches (OMG) we've experienced lately. How are we going to have parties on Chris's Big Deck if there are bugs everywhere??

Retail Buzz

My mom and I went on a quick shopping trip today. Hobby Lobby was our first stop, and had AMAZING clearance finds. We are both on a serious budget, so our picks were only things that were absolutely calling our name.

Ignoring the clutter on the table, here's what I scored:

1. Pink glass patterned tray, $5
2. Framed star with chevron background that makes me want a beach house, $2
3. Fabric that will soon be kitchen curtains (and possibly pillow covers), $6
4. Birds + hooks, cast iron, $6 each. Probably will find a home in the laundry room.
5. We stopped at a garage sale on the way home and I grabbed this sparkly jar for $1.

We both left the store with a serious retail buzz. I love finding great deals on cute stuff.

Back to fixing the shower door, unpacking, and all that jazz.

cruise

This kind of clutter is generally not tolerated.

However, this happened:

 

Toilet paper holders are underrated. You don't realize how essential they are until you don't have one. I installed it myself! (Along with a hook and a oops-way-too-high towel bar.)

Again, I love driving home without passing countless strip malls & convenience stores. This stretch of road is a natural speed trap, but I just set the cruise and enjoy the view, and hope there's a good song on the radio. I feel like that should be a motto for a lot of things.

We have been coming home late every night, taking care of various forms of business. We are officially no longer tenants in the rental, and we were told we'd get the entire deposit back. Baller.
So last night when we came home from work at a decent hour, and spent the evening with friends instead of being consumed by responsibilities, it was nice. Really nice.

updates on updates

Oh, hey there. Didn't see you because of my home improvement blinders.

I was talking to a neighbor yesterday about how Chris and I would love to join them this weekend camping at the lake, but we have wires hanging out of our master bathroom walls and we should probably take care of that. She and her husband are slowly fixing up their old house, too, and she said that you just learn to live with constant updates. We are just one big giant work in progress over here, in every aspect of that phrase.

Speaking of, we got the blinds in the office hung, so the neighbors jogging by and walking their dogs can't see me sitting here with my coffee, typing and coaxing the cat to poop outdoors.

 Well, 2 out of 3 got hung, since the 3rd set had the hardware stolen out of it. So the privacy is there unless someone crawls up into my bushes and takes a peek, and at that point they deserve to see something just for their efforts. Just another trip to Home Depot, which, by the way, should just get my paycheck direct deposited into their accounts. Also I'm getting really good at hanging blinds.

The garage sale went well. I ironically finally met a lot of the neighbors and made about $150. And this sweet little munker had a good time, too.

 At the end when I was closing up, I just started giving stuff away. One lady took a whole box worth of stuff. Good, because it's less stuff I have to shove in my car and donate.

Suze came by and saged any bad vibes out of the new place, and then we checked out the fancy Randall's down the road.

I have to go back today and start the deep clean of the old place. Hopefully we can knock that out quickly and efficiently. I want our deposit back. And I want to relax a little. You know, the finer things in life.

checking in amidst chaos

This is what my life looks like right now:
P.S. We just got internet, yay! (Thanks Ash!)

Despite how hectic and exhausting these past few weeks have been, I'm loving the light at the end of the tunnel.

• I love that I drive past a good half-mile of cornfield & forest area before I get to my neighborhood.
• I love instant access to ice & cool water. I'm talking to you, new fridge.
• I love that someone drove past us on the way to the mailbox yesterday, and stopped to welcome us to the neighborhood. (Ignoring the Stepford creepy factor)
• I love the backyard that will actually get use. Now that padre has applied copious amounts of poison to the deck, the roach infestation won't be a deterrent. As much.
• I love the natural light. Yes, I sound like an HGTV renter, but seriously. Scroll back up and admire that glow.
• I love the developing coffee nook next to the fridge
• I love how the house looks & feels fresher with every small update. I'm talking to you, A/C return air vent.
• I can't find my mousepad. That's ok. We'll unpack it sooner or later. Along with everything else.
• I love that the door to the master bath area closes so we don't wake each other up getting ready in the morning.
• I don't know where to put anything. The chaos is tangible.
• I love that there are no broken down cars sitting in driveways, or visible hoarders, or skid marks on the street, or overgrown yards, or traffic cones covered in holiday garland... I love living in a neighborhood where people are taking care of their homes.
• I love that hubs will be installing the cat door this evening. 

So anyway, the list of things to do is still a mile long and we still don't have any window treatments on the office windows. I'm talking to you, chick walking her dog on rollerblades and all my neighbors who are forming opinions about us by peering in the windows. Yeah, we make Ikea furniture look gooood.