Monday, May 30, 2011

New Home

Nah, we still haven't closed on the house, but we've got new virtual digs. Find us at www.reluctantrenovator.com.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Monday, May 23, 2011

Rain, Rain Go Away

Mother Nature's initial housewarming was a cold, windy and rainy day for our house inspection. That made it difficult to get the best look around the outside areas including the roof, but we learned a few things from the inclement weather. Enough to give me bad dreams about the vacant house each time it rains.*

And it's been raining just about every other day


*For example, a neighbor's house is just a few feet away and has their gutter downspouts aimed directly at the foundation of "our" house. I wonder how they will react if we buy them a housewarming gift--rain barrels.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Spouse Vs. House: Would You Let Your Significant Other Decorate Without You?

When I first heard about TLC's new show, Spouse vs. House, I thought it was going to be like that show Me or the Dog. You know, either he finishes everything on his "honey-do" list or he gets booted. But no, it's even crazier.

Spouse vs. House is a home makeover show with a twist. In a nutshell:
  • Couple wants to update their house.
  • TLC give couple a chunk of money to remodel or redecorate.
  • The money comes with strings attached. One member of the couple must move out for three weeks, during which time they are not supposed to have contact with each other.
  • The person who stays home with the money gets to make all of the decorating choices.

Would you do this?

I would not.

Not ever.

Not even for $25,000, which seems to be the going rate on the show.

You?

Mortgage Approved!

The number of road bumps on what's been a long and winding road to home ownership is getting smaller. Last week we learned the house appraised for more than our purchase value (phew!) and our mortgage loan was approved! We've also secured homeowner's insurance

All that's left on the to-do list is the staked property survey and the final walk-through. Well, that and the actual closing, which is still a few weeks away.

Also, maybe a prescription for Xanax for me.

DH has been busy drawing up plans and we're checking out the house again this week with a contractor in tow. As with unmarried couples in days of yore, our visit will  supervised, natch.

Read more about our mortgage adventures at Hormone-colored Days.

Friday, May 20, 2011

Ikea!

Since I've yet to put together my own tribute to Ikea, The Source of all things pre-fab and inexpensive, I thought I'd post this.

Friday, May 13, 2011

In Praise of the Workshop: Shop-Vac Video

One of the fabulous elements of these 1950s houses is the workshop, the corner of the basement where a person can hammer, saw, paint and generally create in peace. My boys look forward to acting out there own little version of Build, Destroy, Build (uh, without the explosives, natch) and I even have a few projects brewing in my head.