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Step three? I hope you’re seated!

Published October 11, 2009 life and pups , local 7 Comments
Tags: dogs, house stuff

In a shocking turnabout, we’ve decided to take the house (er, condo) off the market. What? But, Kate, you just put it on the market! I know, I know. But, in getting ready for last week’s open house (to which only one, but seemingly genuinely, guy attended and liked the place); I pretty much came to the conclusion that it was not the right time to move; that I love the place; that I love the location; and that moving now is just not necessary. I know, peeps, you must be shocked and worried about my mental health. I assure you all is ok (or, rather, as ok as it has been).

So, stay tuned for possible updates on fixer-upper stuff…And if anyone has advice or suggestions on peeps to talk to/hire about doing kitchen or “lover level” (I’ve decided calling it the basement is just bad sense) remodeling, I’d love to hear it…

And stay tuned for pics from the 3rd annual Cambridge, WI Barktoberfest! Though damn chilly (the snow held off!), it was a fun time for peeps and hounds. Wait, wait…here they are! Make sure to try to fully understand the size of the English Mastiff (200 lbs.); my pics don’t do him justice.

UPDATE: Design appointment scheduled with Big Box Depot on Thursday evening.

Step two? Check!

Published September 23, 2009 life and pups , local 4 Comments
Tags: mid-century modern furniture, selling my place, Valentine-Seaver Original

The vintage couch is mine! And it’s glllllllllllllooooooorious! Enjoy…

The couch!

Ok, maybe it’s not for everyone, but I just love it. I wish the curve were on the other side so that it could define the space a little better, but what am I going to do, complain? Heck no! I got this sweet couch for $100 and that included delivery. The kid probably would have taken even less, too, but I didn’t want to be a jerk. $100 for such a cool couch! It’s a Valentine-Seaver Original and my trained eye places it at Vintage 1961 (I completely made that up — well, the year, not the brand). I think it’s just so peachy. And the best part is that it really made the lower level (not ‘basement,’ people!) so much better for much less than I thought I might have to pay. I know there’s still more work to be done, but I feel we’re on our way. And now, I don’t want to leave. I just love it here.

Also, let me point out to those of you with a critical eye, the space really is not crowded, though it may appear that way in my zoomed photo. The treadmill is in plenty of space behind the couch and there is a lot of space to the side of the couch, so that the murphy bed can still be pulled down without having to move furniture. So, there.

Attempt to sell #1

Published September 22, 2009 life and pups , local 6 Comments
Tags: selling a house

As you probably all know by now, I’ve decided to try to sell my home. I’m not exactly in love with the idea of leaving it because (a) it’s my first home; (b) I really love living there; (c) the location can’t be beat; (d) it’s affordable; (e) who wants to actually move?; and (f) I don’t know that I can do any better. So, why am I trying to sell it? I think it’s mainly two things — (1) Sorry about all of the lists. Ok, that’s not really (1). (1) I’d like to have a house house with a yard that puppy can run around in and relieve herself to her heart’s content without me worrying about a particular neighbor grilling me about Gracie’s bathroom habits and I’d really like to have a more traditional second (or — gasp! — third) bedroom. As much as I love the murphy bed, I’d like to have a real guest room or office or whatever. And (2) I think I just want to see if I can sell it. I know it’s not the ideal time to sell, but what do I do? Wait another five years? I’ve lived here for 4 1/2 and I think it may be time to see if I can move on to something else. We’ll see. If it doesn’t sell, it doesn’t sell and I stay put in a place I truly love coming home to.

That said, if any of you know anyone looking to purchase an exquisite (if I do say so myself) near-west side condo, I’m the one to talk to. And I know peeps say the condo market has bottomed out, and maybe that’s true, but I don’t think that really applies to the place I call home. It’s not a high-rise, it’s not cookie-cutter, and there are only 13 units in the entire association. And really, it’s nice not to have to shovel.

Check it out.

So, for a bit, it’s possible this blog may turn into a boring old blog about trying to sell a place. Step one, put it on the market. Check. Actually, that’s probably not step one, but it pretty much was for me. Step two, try to buy this cool old vintage, mid-century couch off of craigslist to try to stage the basement. Wish me luck.

Burned, take twenty-seven

Published August 18, 2009 life and pups , local 6 Comments
Tags: favre, jerkstores, packers

Favre. That’s really all I can say right now.

Well, and this: what an ^%$#&*(%.

From the jaws

Published July 23, 2009 life and pups 3 Comments
Tags: dogs

I really hope my mom and Terry see this. They have wheatens. Click on the video. The dog is pretty damn cute.

I wonder if I could have done that for Graciehead. The only thing I don’t like about the article is the part in which the son says that he doesn’t like calling Mandy a ‘dog,’ that it seems demeaning. Um, what? Aside from the fact that she is a dog and there’s nothing wrong with that, I’m fairly certain she doesn’t really care what you call her. It reminds me of the time I was calling to book a kennel for Graceface years ago and was asked, “What kind of dog is she?” I said, “A mutt.” [Usually I say a ‘supermutt,’ but I played it safe]. The woman corrected me, “You mean a ‘mixed breed.'” Well, maybe, but I don’t think Gracie cares what you call her. As long as you call her.

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