We're in the process of moving and currently homeless, so I'll do an update sometime in the next week before we shove off to Kansas.
Cheerio!
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Kansas - Little Critters and the HeebieJeebies
Waking up at 4am after finally falling asleep at 12:30am isn't my idea of a fun Saturday morning activity, BUT, we had a 6:30 flight to catch and with all the driving and things we had to do, only option. So now it's 9:30 (well...it's 10:30 here in KS) and we just spent 5.5 hours looking at the most down and out houses in and around our new territory.
Critters everywhere. There are the cutest little cottontail bunnies hip-hopping across the street and in and out of this bush or that. REALLY adorable. See?
And FIREFLIES! The first time I ever saw a firefly was in Pennsylvania, right after Ryan and I were married. They're possibly the coolest bug I've ever seen.
Seriously, if you haven't seen them before, you'll think it's the coolest thing when you finally have the opportunity.
So, we looked at tons of houses, as I mentioned, cuz, ya know, that's what this whole trip is about. We looked at about 20 houses. Some of these were bad. BAD. The worst was a foreclosure that had a cute layout, really good bones and structure, but the bonehead to lived there (was kicked out from there) lived in filth. Serious, ridiculous (think of the dirtiest word you can) filth. Based on the looks of the carpet there was a dog using all three bedrooms as a personal bathroom. The laminate floor was installed incorrectly and it reeked of cigarette smoke. It would be a total remodel.
The best part about above house is when Ryan and I got into our realtor's car and he stated, "oh, crap. I think we all just got FLEAS." Yes, fleas. He knows because he lived in Portugal and had them for about a year. So, of course, I hop out of the car and my long pant legs and shoes are swarming with hopping little buggers. EWEWEWEWEW. Just typing it again is making my body shiver and I'm mentally making my legs feel the creepy crawlies. So I de-flead him, he de-flead me and I think some of the residents of this otherwise charming town probably saw my religion as I pulled my pants down in the driveway and made Ryan check my butt for any remaining sickos.
I'm still not over it and it's been 4 hours. I don't know if I'll get over it. Welcome to life in Kansas, huh? I was hosting a flea circus, apparently!
I changed my tune after seeing all the old, one-time charming houses. It's really a shame that they've fallen into such disrepair, but I'm not the gal to fix them up at this point in life. So, the search continues. We have 2.5 days to find a house we like and make an offer on it.
Wish us luck and a flea-free trip!
Critters everywhere. There are the cutest little cottontail bunnies hip-hopping across the street and in and out of this bush or that. REALLY adorable. See?
And FIREFLIES! The first time I ever saw a firefly was in Pennsylvania, right after Ryan and I were married. They're possibly the coolest bug I've ever seen.
Seriously, if you haven't seen them before, you'll think it's the coolest thing when you finally have the opportunity.
So, we looked at tons of houses, as I mentioned, cuz, ya know, that's what this whole trip is about. We looked at about 20 houses. Some of these were bad. BAD. The worst was a foreclosure that had a cute layout, really good bones and structure, but the bonehead to lived there (was kicked out from there) lived in filth. Serious, ridiculous (think of the dirtiest word you can) filth. Based on the looks of the carpet there was a dog using all three bedrooms as a personal bathroom. The laminate floor was installed incorrectly and it reeked of cigarette smoke. It would be a total remodel.
The best part about above house is when Ryan and I got into our realtor's car and he stated, "oh, crap. I think we all just got FLEAS." Yes, fleas. He knows because he lived in Portugal and had them for about a year. So, of course, I hop out of the car and my long pant legs and shoes are swarming with hopping little buggers. EWEWEWEWEW. Just typing it again is making my body shiver and I'm mentally making my legs feel the creepy crawlies. So I de-flead him, he de-flead me and I think some of the residents of this otherwise charming town probably saw my religion as I pulled my pants down in the driveway and made Ryan check my butt for any remaining sickos.
I'm still not over it and it's been 4 hours. I don't know if I'll get over it. Welcome to life in Kansas, huh? I was hosting a flea circus, apparently!
I changed my tune after seeing all the old, one-time charming houses. It's really a shame that they've fallen into such disrepair, but I'm not the gal to fix them up at this point in life. So, the search continues. We have 2.5 days to find a house we like and make an offer on it.
Wish us luck and a flea-free trip!
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
thank you thank you thank you
As made obvious by the title, I wanted to express my gratitude to everyone who came by on Saturday and hung out and was able to find a schnazzy pair of new kicks. I had a lot of fun just hanging out with people and I hope you all know how much I appreciate your friendships. That said, WE'RE MOVING IN NINE DAYS!
Yes, I'm a little excited, and I'm very nervous about finding a house in 4 days (that's how long we'll be in Kansas to look) and starting our transition.
Here are some beautiful flowers to share. Well, okay, they were beautiful a few days ago. I went to the florist on Friday afternoon and hand-picked this bunch. Being so expensive, you would think they'd last longer than what...4 days? I'm going to call them tomorrow to see if they have any kind of guarantee, because honestly, they're not cutting the mustard. I already had to toss one of the gerberas and the stocks are brown and crispy, not to mention droopy daisies :( The only ones that have improved are the ranunculus.
On a happier note, I passed on peonies at said florist because they were $9/stem. Out of my price range. When I went to Costco this afternoon to get my Clomid prescription, I saw they had peonies priced as their growers bunch: $9 for 5 gorgeous blooms. See for yourself!
Yes, I'm a little excited, and I'm very nervous about finding a house in 4 days (that's how long we'll be in Kansas to look) and starting our transition.
Here are some beautiful flowers to share. Well, okay, they were beautiful a few days ago. I went to the florist on Friday afternoon and hand-picked this bunch. Being so expensive, you would think they'd last longer than what...4 days? I'm going to call them tomorrow to see if they have any kind of guarantee, because honestly, they're not cutting the mustard. I already had to toss one of the gerberas and the stocks are brown and crispy, not to mention droopy daisies :( The only ones that have improved are the ranunculus.
On a happier note, I passed on peonies at said florist because they were $9/stem. Out of my price range. When I went to Costco this afternoon to get my Clomid prescription, I saw they had peonies priced as their growers bunch: $9 for 5 gorgeous blooms. See for yourself!
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
A Recipe and Show-and-Tell
My house smells warmly of delicious cake and the sweet aroma is not only making my mouth water, but I decided everyone should have this recipe:
Butterscotch Poppyseed Cake
1 pkg yellow cake mix
1 3.9oz pkg INSTANT butterscotch pudding
1 c. water
2 eggs
3/4 c. oil
1/4 c. poppy seeds
mix together and plop (i say plop because the batter has an odd consistency. You'll know what I mean when you make it) into a greased and floured bundt pan. I invested in the Pam baking spray with the flour added and I'll never go back. It smells of a sickly sweet vanilla and does the job.
Bake at 350F for 50 minutes.
I made a quick powdered sugar glaze - powdered sugar, a dash of lemon juice, water - to a drizzling consistency and top it, but it's really moist and delicious regardless.
*#$(%#$^$%^@(#$*@#$@#%^$%&*#$(%#$^$%^@(#$*@#$@#%^$%&*#$(%#$^$%^@(#$*@#$@#%^$%&
I decided I couldn't stand the paper in my blue frame project and made a quick (i say quick but it was more like 15 minutes) switcheroo to this more subtle and less conspicuous background. I love it more.
Last weekend I wanted to get started on my chair refinishing project. This project pissed me off. I seriously spent my WHOLE saturday on this one chair and it didn't even turn out exactly as I wanted it.
Here's the before:
And the after:
together.
I picked up 6 of these for about $8 each from craigslist a year ago and just finally got to them. I'm changing the color of the seat again. The picture doesn't show how minty green it really is. It will be a light blue by Saturday, as will the others (except those will probably still be natural/wood colored).
I refinished this ADORABLE cheese board and cover in a soft pink with a dark stain, then I coated with a foodsafe lacquer. I can't wait to use it!
Finally, this came to me yesterday:
My picture doesn't do it justice, so here it is from her etsy shop:
I'm thinking I'll frame it with something green to match the eyes.
Anyone else have Ms. Martin's work?
Butterscotch Poppyseed Cake
1 pkg yellow cake mix
1 3.9oz pkg INSTANT butterscotch pudding
1 c. water
2 eggs
3/4 c. oil
1/4 c. poppy seeds
mix together and plop (i say plop because the batter has an odd consistency. You'll know what I mean when you make it) into a greased and floured bundt pan. I invested in the Pam baking spray with the flour added and I'll never go back. It smells of a sickly sweet vanilla and does the job.
Bake at 350F for 50 minutes.
I made a quick powdered sugar glaze - powdered sugar, a dash of lemon juice, water - to a drizzling consistency and top it, but it's really moist and delicious regardless.
*#$(%#$^$%^@(#$*@#$@#%^$%&*#$(%#$^$%^@(#$*@#$@#%^$%&*#$(%#$^$%^@(#$*@#$@#%^$%&
I decided I couldn't stand the paper in my blue frame project and made a quick (i say quick but it was more like 15 minutes) switcheroo to this more subtle and less conspicuous background. I love it more.
Last weekend I wanted to get started on my chair refinishing project. This project pissed me off. I seriously spent my WHOLE saturday on this one chair and it didn't even turn out exactly as I wanted it.
Here's the before:
And the after:
together.
I picked up 6 of these for about $8 each from craigslist a year ago and just finally got to them. I'm changing the color of the seat again. The picture doesn't show how minty green it really is. It will be a light blue by Saturday, as will the others (except those will probably still be natural/wood colored).
I refinished this ADORABLE cheese board and cover in a soft pink with a dark stain, then I coated with a foodsafe lacquer. I can't wait to use it!
Finally, this came to me yesterday:
My picture doesn't do it justice, so here it is from her etsy shop:
I'm thinking I'll frame it with something green to match the eyes.
Anyone else have Ms. Martin's work?
Saturday, June 21, 2008
More Thrifty Finds
After I dropped Ryan off at work today I headed to DI to see if I could find any cool dessert plates.
Well, I couldn't, but what I DID find were components to make one.
Here's what I started with:
I can't figure out if that squatty lil number was a candleholder or an unusual egg cup.
So then the question was how should I put them together? This way
or this way?
I ended up going with the second way. A simple $0.97 epoxy (that's dishwasher safe!) and it's good to go 30 minutes later. Each piece was $0.50, so I spent a total of $2 on this project. Steal!
I picked up this frame for $2:
And with these trusty tools
I turned it into this
as inspired by this.
I'm not sold on the paper/pattern, but it'll do until I find a replacement.
Well, I couldn't, but what I DID find were components to make one.
Here's what I started with:
I can't figure out if that squatty lil number was a candleholder or an unusual egg cup.
So then the question was how should I put them together? This way
or this way?
I ended up going with the second way. A simple $0.97 epoxy (that's dishwasher safe!) and it's good to go 30 minutes later. Each piece was $0.50, so I spent a total of $2 on this project. Steal!
I picked up this frame for $2:
And with these trusty tools
I turned it into this
as inspired by this.
I'm not sold on the paper/pattern, but it'll do until I find a replacement.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
I love
a few things right now.
These pins:
I'm considering adding a few to my etsy shop. They're so cute on projects and I can't wait to start creating and using them. They're actually like, 3 times the size of a regular sewing straight pin. LOVE the colors. I actually have a candyapple green, too. I had to look forever to find a source for them, so I'm keeping that to myself :)
I also love this print:
used with permission from here.
I got a few of the postcards (the prints are out of my price range right now) that I'll use to frame, but I just love her work.
These pins:
I'm considering adding a few to my etsy shop. They're so cute on projects and I can't wait to start creating and using them. They're actually like, 3 times the size of a regular sewing straight pin. LOVE the colors. I actually have a candyapple green, too. I had to look forever to find a source for them, so I'm keeping that to myself :)
I also love this print:
used with permission from here.
I got a few of the postcards (the prints are out of my price range right now) that I'll use to frame, but I just love her work.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Shoe Party
Hi Everyone! - friends and lurkers alike -
So remember the shoes I showed you a bit ago?
Well, I want a few more pairs of shoes like them before I move to Kansas and so I'm having a Shoe Party!
Where:
My House - leave a comment or email me for the address: chelsealexander(@)hotmail.com
When:
June 28th, 2pm - only two weeks from tomorrow - put it on your calendars
Why:
We all love shoes. I'll be making fabulously delicious treats and have a lovely spread for everyone (think cupcakes, brownie bites, fresh vegetables and fruit...maybe even some chocolate fondue) while figuring out what shoes to try on and purchase. They'll have all sizes available for you to take home with you.
Also, we're moving July 10th, so come say goodbye to me!
Here is the selection we'll have. So many awesome summer shoes.
I'll be sending information about it to everyone in the area. If you're not local and want to order, let me know and I'd be happy to ship them to you.
As you can see, they're pretty cute shoes and good brands (Soda, Classified, etc.). They're all under $20. Bonus!
So remember the shoes I showed you a bit ago?
Well, I want a few more pairs of shoes like them before I move to Kansas and so I'm having a Shoe Party!
Where:
My House - leave a comment or email me for the address: chelsealexander(@)hotmail.com
When:
June 28th, 2pm - only two weeks from tomorrow - put it on your calendars
Why:
We all love shoes. I'll be making fabulously delicious treats and have a lovely spread for everyone (think cupcakes, brownie bites, fresh vegetables and fruit...maybe even some chocolate fondue) while figuring out what shoes to try on and purchase. They'll have all sizes available for you to take home with you.
Also, we're moving July 10th, so come say goodbye to me!
Here is the selection we'll have. So many awesome summer shoes.
I'll be sending information about it to everyone in the area. If you're not local and want to order, let me know and I'd be happy to ship them to you.
As you can see, they're pretty cute shoes and good brands (Soda, Classified, etc.). They're all under $20. Bonus!
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