What I did this weekend.

This weekend I really wanted to do the floor. Then we had a wedding to go to.
It was absolutely beautiful. I love weddings.
I stayed up until 4:00 a.m. Sunday morning.
do you like the new floor? I still need to do some finish work around the edges.
I wonder what we will do next weekend.
Also a few notes: Mike the picture comment was not about you but thanks for forgiving me for losing your template.
Claire and Kathryn: I would love to come tile your backsplash.
I have to order some fabric online to make new drapes for the kitchen now.
hugs
Janae

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Bathroom Ideas

So I want to re-do some of our bathrooms (read: all of our bathrooms.) The house is in such good condition but really- having an all yellow bathroom is an eyesore. With original Mustard Yellow Toilet! We have proof that they never broke a toilet seat since you can't buy that color anymore. Since all the homes in this neighborhood sell for way more than we got our home for I thought we had a great opportunity on our hands.
I read somewhere that the easiest way to increase the value of your home is to re-do the bathrooms or kitchen. Then I read that it was to keep your lawn looking nice. Then I read that it was to put in hardwood. Or put in a new front door and garage door to increase the curb appeal. Too much reading...

When we bought this house I was excited at the prospect of picking new things for a bathroom and personalizing it a little. Our bathrooms are TINY though. One of the bathrooms needs a new cabinet since I accidentally spilled bleach toilet bowl cleaner all over it and burned a HOLE in the cabinet. No wonder those things can clean toilets.

I like the Harrison Magazine Rack from Pottery Barn but it's not really a need. OK but wouldn't this be cool to hang fabric on too? Maybe not in the bathroom... I want one. and they are on clearance. They also have a shelf and a towel rack. A while ago a train rack was on clearance but I didn't get it. sigh.
I love the idea of white subway tile on the bottom half of the bathroom and a painted blue wall. This is my plan for the sink in my bathroom. and I'm thinking about getting a pedestal sink. OK honestly I'm thinking about not spending money on anything because I don't have any but that's no fun and who wants to blog about how they have no money? boring. We already have a medicine cabinet we just need to mount it. I thought I could do this but then realized it is an option to put them IN the wall- I LOVE that. so it is still in our basement.

I like this shower curtain from Viva Terra. I got their catalog in the mail one day and I love it. They also have a butterfly pillow that I would die to have for my bedroom. I like it so much I still have the catalog and I look at it every now and then and plan to get it for my bedroom.

Peter and Kathryn had the most beautiful octagonal white bathroom tile on their floor. I would love that. and I would love heated tile in the bathroom because that would be so fun. Rambling Renovators has a really classy white palate and it looks like they might have floor heat. I have a dream of learning how to put in floor heat. Then I could put it in my bathroom and my kitchen.

maybe I should start this once the wall isn't plastered with potty posters...

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The Cleaning Crew

Do you ever dream of paying someone to clean your house? Do you ever wonder if they will do a good job or not? Once I thought of hiring our babysitter to clean our house and making a checklist. Then I realized that my mom checking off our bathroom chores as a child has ruined my appreciation of when John does chores. He may have done the dishes on my turn but he forgot to clear and wipe off the table.
I am honestly a little happy about being critical. Even though I live in constant fear and shame when people are coming to visit, I know HOW to clean my house.
and now I have a rotating checklist to prove it.
Today I Did a few chore lists
Dishes
Straightening
Danielle's Room
Hallway
Living Room
Piano Room
Kitchen
I didn't do the bathrooms. That would have been a catch up since it is on Monday's list. This week is a little different since we were out of town and I am tired.
tomorrow is technically Etsy day where I focus on the office and try to make lots of stuff. That might mean I get to work in the basement. Or I play outside with my kids and try to mow the lawn. Or catch up from being out of town on the day I was supposed to deep clean my bedroom- I tried to do that today and missed laundry day. Yesterday I missed the bathrooms. I started them today and got a little distracted. I will be re-finishing the sink and cabinet and painting the walls. Also maybe replacing the sink and faucet. I tried a stone spray paint for funsies for the counter top. It looks great so far. At least all of Danielle' drawers are folded and her closet only has clothes that fit her. My room can just be messy until Saturday I guess. Does anyone want to donate money for new light fixtures, toilet, sink, and wall tile? I didn't think so- so this no money but I have some paint lying around renovation might not be the most impressive thing you've ever seen. I am convinced it will be a little bit of an improvement though.
right after I did the piano room I had a picnic with my kids on the floor in there. smart. very smart.

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My First House

I am finally posting an exterior photo of the house we got. Everyone will still have to wait to see the yellow bathroom which I think is really the highlight of the house. Who doesn't want a vintage yellow fiberglass tub with a matching sink and toilet?
I really liked it and also a split level house with a bigger yard. We decided to get this one because I guess most people don't like split level houses. I was so scared and nervous to actually buy a house and I still can't believe that we bought a house. You can see the nicely mowed lawn. I mowed the lawn Monday and I am really proud of myself. You see I saw that I needed to clean the kitchen floor so I did what any sane mother would do- went outside to mow the lawn in the hopes that I would be able to tell someone about being 39 weeks pregnant and mowing my lawn. Now the two readers of my blog know. Mowing the lawn will not make you go into labor. Neither will planting bulbs. Or trimming the shrubs. But it will ensure that you walk inside happy that you didn't clean the kitchen floor first since you just trudged in some grass.
I used a bag this time- mulching lawn mower my eye. Which brings me to the next thing- do you see the entryway?

ENTRYWAY: BEFORE- I need ideas. I want to replace the side windows that are painted (off white even though the rest of the house is white) with wooden side panels and different glass. We are also thinking about a new front door but we have a screen that you can see in this photo. I like screen doors but I have a hard time opening the one we have.
I think some of the things in our entryway are hideous- the bushes are overgrown (they have been significantly trimmed back for this photo) and the walkway is super narrow. Not even normal sized- non pregnant people really make it. I guess only parts of it are hideous. This photo features John's ripstick and the tie out I put Austin on the other day. You might also notice that we have a fence in our driveway. Lots of work to do if anyone wants to come I still haven't torn out the bushes yet because I feel like maybe I should wait until we have a fence in and fixing the front is a remote possibility. I've been looking at front yards and getting ideas- it is exciting to think about putting in a walkway myself. I'm going to probably wait until after the baby which might mean I will wait until next spring- but hopefully I will be putting in the new steps sometime in October.


Now if only I can get those boxes in my basement unpacked...

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Before. Well, before it is done

Here are some pictures of our dining room/future office. We decided to copy Mark and Sara because we liked their Ikea built in desks so much. Mark helped. But what should I do with the light? It is too low right now and John always hits his head on it (when there isn't furniture obstructing the way.) Diane said it would look cool if we painted it a different color. I think she recommended black. Do you have any advice? Do you hate it or love it? There is no in between after all.
Stay tuned for the next few steps. sadly, the fantastic window coverings with tassles had already been taken down when we took this photo. Luckily they are still in the front room so I might be able to capture a picture before I have to burn them.
Or if you like them maybe you could win them in a bloggy giveaway. They are green silk drapes after all, and they could fit over a very large window. Much larger than the ones in our front room, as a matter of fact.

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This 80's House

I thought everyone should know that just a few hours after starting our first home improvement project with Uncle Mark we finally found the SD card for the camera. John found it. After I looked for a few hours. So I won't have before pictures for the office (when it is done that is). Mark visited even though our house is still in quite a state of disarray. He worked really hard the whole time. So hard I want to take a nap just thinking about it.
After hours of slaving away installing three ceiling fans in the bedrooms upstairs Mark wanted to shower. I guess he didn't want to use the dirty towels that John and I have been using. Danielle shares with me but I try not to shower very often. Just because I store my towel a pile on the floor doesn't mean it isn't company ready.... maybe. So finally we went to the linen closet and the only towel we could find was Danielle's hooded Valentine Towel from the pottery barn. You'll be happy to know I got it on clearance and she looks so cute in the hoods. Actually maybe it is from the outlet.
The next day when Mark pointed out that rather than look for a towel for him I fell asleep on the couch like a wonderful hostess I felt bad about not being able to find a towel.
I should have looked to this 80's house. Since the last owners, an elderly asian couple, left all the window coverings and some other special prizes we will have lots of fun adventures. This 80's house just keeps on giving, and Mark should have known that this 80's house always has towels. with lace. They're on the windows in the bathroom- especially for a situation like this. Even if I wasn't the best hostess ever, our old friends who owned the house before us are looking out for our guests. Thanks house! (I added the air freshener clip to the window- they had some really stinky air fresheners in when we moved in so it had to be changed)

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