DACH the hall with .... well....Dachshunds!

So... I've never been a huge fan of the Christmas Holiday. I mean, as I kid, I was super crazy about Christmas morning...waking up and running down the hall. Skidding to a stop in front of my families christmas tree, to see what wonderful things Santa had brought me.

Well, as most will agree, Christmas is wonderful for a kid. These day's it's more, running around, finding the perfect gift, stressing over where or not it is actually the perfect gift, possibly taking it back and buying 4 other "perfect" gifts. Stressing some more, until it is given and opened. Woo Hoo for holiday stress. (I know first world problem, kids starving in ... but it's what we do here in the good ol' U.S. of A) That, and being that I'm the last single (never been married) kid in my family, my holiday gets relegated to a few celebrations prior to the actual Christmas day, where we eat, swap presents and be merry. Sooooo.....that then leaves me with a bit of a lonely Christmas morning....wan wan.

Thanks to my best of bests, Bran, I know I will always have somewhere to open presents on Christmas morning. Still, it would be nice to be able to celebrate at my house for a change. Maybe wake up at my home, fix a wonderful breakfast, drink coffee (or cocoa) and look at my Christmas tree. I mean, I do have some skills when it comes to the holiday decor. And in the spirit of the holiday....

BAMMM!!!!

Ain't she a beaut! Love it this year. (Nice work Mr. Tedder with the new camera...fiddled a bit with the scene mode. Like?)

Here's another....

If you'll notice....my fav new ornament (I get a few every year). Bottom right...pink and angry. That's right folks. I've got an octopus on my Christmas tree.

Lest I forget to mention, there is a bit of an over abundance of Dachshund holiday ornaments and decor in my house. I owe that to the two lovely critters that share my home, Charlotte and Hazel. Every year I get them each an ornament. Last year, I made them those cute little stockings. Dachshunds pulling reindeer! What will they think of next!

And not that you can see it in the photos, but that theme continues onto the tree skirt. Yes, I made that too!

Now, I can't forget to mention my yearly wreath. I make one every year to hang on my front door. I'm not one to go overboard on the decor. I don't put crazy lights all over my home. I don't have 'crap' strewn all over every surface in the house. I just like a pretty tree and a tasteful door decoration.

Check it out!



Regular Shooting mode



Night Scenery Mode (Me like!)

 Well, that's it for this year. I probably won't have too much more than this in the years to come, but I just thought I'd share.

Hope you're homes have some beautiful and personal touches this holiday season.

Merry! Merry!

Oops! MY BAD!

So, if you scroll, you'll notice there are some major issues with past blog posts. Please bear with me while I do some upgrading and consolidating to the blog. All will be restored. My apologies.

It's an Etsy kind of life!

Well, well, two post in one year! What a miraculous thing. I come to you today not to peddle my wares, but rather to gloat a bit about something that I in near and dear to me....creativity.

I've always been the creative type. I love to produce. Make new. That was the ulitmate reason I opened my own shop on Etsy.

Well, to be honest, it's been up and running for a while (since January 2012). I'm just now getting around to mentioning it.

Anyway, it's been a great place for me to share my interests with others. I find that if I make all of the items that I'm find interesting or cool, then someone is going to have to call Horders to get me on an episode. I just can't handle the clutter. So, this is a great way for me to continue to produce while, off-loading the products.

I've been in to knitting for a few years now. I've made approximatly too many of these beautiful neck wraps. But they are a hot ticket item.



Etsy Store

 I've also been experimenting with adjusting the designs. Adding different attachements, changing up the cabling and the yarn. Not that I don't love making them, it's just that I like to try new things.

Moving on, I've also gained a new found love of quilting. I know! I know! I K-N-O-W!! You think of your grandmother. Old ladies sitting around a quilt, hand stitching away. Well, no. Not me. I am so facinated with updating a classic craft. I am building a library of modern quilts. Something everyone could be interested in. I've not made too many to date (maybe 10 or so). But I'm sure there will be more to come.

That being said, here are a few of my favorites to date.



Etsy Store



Etsy Store

Cute right! Well, I think so. I've also been bitten by the Pinterest bug. As I'm sure you have. Here's a link to my inspirations for the Craft. Enjoy!

Situations in Housing

So..... Long time no post. Sorry for the hiatus, life got in the way.

So, recently (and to be honest not so recently), I've been toying with the idea of listing my home for sale. 


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 It's a scary topic to think about. Being that this is my first home and I would be a first time home seller, it's maybe I topic that I don't have much expertise in. That being said, I'm looking at enlisting the advise and help of a family realtor. I think it best to have her walk the home and give me pointers as to what I can do to make it sellable.

Now keep in mind, I've been DIY-ing my way through this home since I bought it in 2009, so it's looking pretty snazzy. My ultimate goal was to remain in the home for the required amount of time (3 years per the New Homeowners Credit that I received back when I purchased the home). I had thought that I would stay in the house for at least 5 years, but that's not seeming like it's going to happen.



My main reason for considering the move is space and location. I've grown to tolerate my neighborhood. It's good, not great, but good. It's old......worn.....but good. I had high hopes that the neighborhood was in regentrification. I get our FRIday newsletters (neighborhood initiative newsletter) saying that "big changes are a-comin'!" I have yet to see this. I have been waiting. I can wait no longer. Plus, ultimately, this is not where I want to be.

That being said, let me get back to the topic at hand....sprucing up the house for sale. I've created a running list of items that need to be tackled (at least I think the do) in order to entice the right buyer (a.k.a the right sales price).

My TO SALE LIST: (as it is today)

KITCHEN

1.       Re-paint Kitchen Ceiling*

*There was an bit of a mishap with a hand and a misguided (tipsy) perception that the ceiling was bowed out in one place. Long story short, spackle and spray acoustic texture. Super white and my ceiling is off white. Hmm.....this could be a bear to fix.

2.       Caulk @ kitchen countertop/backsplash

3.       Caulk @ Backdoor/tile transition

4.       Cut and install pantry cabinet

5.       Paint trim Antique White

6.       Repaint Chalkboard wall to match Kitchen Color (Olivewood)

7.       De-clutter and box up unused items (kitchen and laundry closet)

8.       Stage Breakfast Bar

LIVING ROOM/DINING ROOM

1.       Touch up paint

2.       De-clutter/pack away unused/personal items

3.       Remove heavy drapery and install light and bright option (Ikea)

4.       Clean Floors/Baseboards

5.       Install Crown Molding

6.       Caulk @ gap in floor going into hallway

7.       Install bottom drawer on Credenza for uniform look

8.       Fix/Repaint window sill

HALLWAY

1.       Install new light fixture (positioning track) and motion sensor light switch

2.       Paint all trim and doors Antique White

GUEST BATHROOM

1.       Paint baseboards/millwork Antique white

2.       Caulk/repair tile in shower/tub area

3.       Install tumbled travertine tile @ sink wall (Maybe...this may just remain as is)

4.       Replace sconce lighting (Maybe...this may just remain as is)

5.       Paint walls Chocolate Brown (Maybe...this may just remain as is)

6.       New, light shower curtain and tie-back

GUEST BEDROOM

1.       Paint trim/doors Antique White

2.       De-clutter/De-personalize

3.       Remove Zebra Rug (Anyone want a free rug?)

4.       Stage Bedding

 OFFICE

1.       Clean and organize

2.       Stage for selling

3.       Add felt pads to TV cabinet to stop rattling

MASTER BEDROOM

1.       Paint trim/doors Antique White

2.       Re-install closet doors (This is coming this weekend. Stay tuned for an update)

3.       Refinish Dresser (paint)

4.       Center bed on wall

5.       Recover ‘Dog’ chair with white throw (own)

MASTER BATHROOM

1.       Paint trim/doors Antique White

2.       Add bead board wall covering and trim

3.       Replace baseboard behind sink

4.       Repaint warm neutral (brown satin)

5.       Add framed mirror (Paint black one from Master Bedroom)

6.       Properly vent fan unit out of exterior soffit (get quote)

7.       Clean and re-caulk master shower

8.       Add shelving above toilet for open storage (floating)

ATTIC

1.       Replace broken truss support (2x4, cut to fit)

EXTERIOR (Front of House)

1.       Spray paint pots at entry steps; replant with topiary/flowers

2.       Paint gables dark and light colors

3.       Add bushes to front flowerbeds

4.       Remove soaker hose

5.       Add gutter across front of roof @ living room

6.       Fill in hole made by water run off

7.       Clean out flowerbeds, add mulch

8.       Add new surround @ tree, plant flowers

EXTERIOR (Back of House)

1.       Finish Fence (At least add the last panel at the front of the yard)

2.       Relocate Bushes to flowerbed by back door; chicken wire

3.       Add bushes @ Garage flowerbeds; chicken wire (A necessary evil due to a darn digging dog)

GARAGE

1.       Paint remaining side and back of garage

2.       De-clutter and clean garage

3.       Add new tar paper between studs (see if it comes on rolls)

4.       Remove old wood in rafters

5.       Add planters/topiaries @ sides of garage door

6.       Dig trench @ driveway for water run-off

Suffice to say, I've got a big task ahead of me. I know I can do it, one-thing-at-a-time. You'll just have to follow along to see the progress. Enjoy!

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