Visions of Vintage

Has it been that long...

2011-04-29T09:52:00.002-04:00

Hello,

Is there anyone out there still listening?? I have been playing catch up since my life has had some drastic changes in the past year, to say the least. I'm happy to report all GOOD changes!!

Last April I had my first date with the man of my dreams. I didn't know that at the time, however, I can assure you now, he is beyond a shadow of a doubt the man I should have married 28 years ago! Instead, I married him on New Years Eve 2010. We were pronounced husband and wife on 1-1-11.

His name is David and he is the most amazing, wonderful, kind and loving man! He truly treats me like a princess! I say this on the day a true princess was crowned when kate married William. And yes, I awoke at 4:30 a.m. to watch the festivities.

The only downside to our recent marriage is David lives 2 1/2 hours north of where I currently own a home and work. I have been actively looking for a job to be with him all week versus just the weekends. He lives in northern Michigan and for any of you who are familiar with northern Michigan you can understand why I travel north to see him each weekend. It is so beautiful up there and we have a view of Traverse Bay which is truly spectacular! We hope to have the logistics taken care of soon, and I will be a permanent residence of his home!

I have included a few photos of the past year, thanks for checking in and I hope to post more often!

We have a professional photographer friend!

We couldn't be happier!

Happy to have both of my amazing children home and together!

Survived a brutal winter!

It was beautiful though...as will our life be together!

It's a Wonderful Life!

2010-07-01T13:55:00.002-04:00

Hello,

It's has been months since I last posted and so many wonderful things have happened in my life, namely a new love interest!

I have met the most amazing, wonderful, kind, compassionate, thoughtful and sincere man EVER! His name is David. We currently have a long distance relationship of approximately a two hour commute. We see each other primarily on the weekends, however, his job enables him to work remotely from my home as scheduling permits.

I have included a few pictures of him and some events of the great times we've been sharing both together and apart.

I also hit the BIG 50 in May!! I must say having such a wonderful man in my life made the reality much easier to accept! ;-)

Happy summer Everyone and I'll attempt to post more regularly!

Tammi

February was enjoyed by a visit from my daughter and a trip to Frankenmuth for the Ice Festival!

A business trip to Chicago...I couldn't resist the Chicago style hot dog from Portillos!

So good but soooooo bad!

During spring break, my son I headed to Raleigh to visit my daughter/sister during the Duke/MSU basketball playoffs! Who do we root for?? We cheered for both!

Parties for friends turning 50!

A Jimmy Buffet concert in Indianapolis was loved by a sea of people!!

Yup! I turned 50!!!!! Yikes, that makes me a 1/2 century old!

But this guy makes it all OK!!

Fun in the Sun in Northern Michigan!

Good times with my daughter while visiting in May!

Coffee in the morning by the water with my Mr. Wonderful!
Ahhh, life is good!

This was the view...

More friends turning 50!

Beautiful Sunsets...

...and Sailboat Races

Weekend of Weddings! Wedding #1...

With Mr. Wonderful of course!

Wedding #2...

Poor guy he endured the torture of two weddings in two days and barely knew anyone!
He was a great sport about it all and participated with a great attitude and a smile!

And...he was my biggest cheerleader during our 5K race the morning of the second wedding.
I took third in my age division, but only because of his encouragement!!

Life is good, I am blessed!

Pink Christmas Cactus

2010-01-09T04:22:00.005-05:00

Happy Pink Saturday Everyone and Happy New Year!

First off I would like to thank Beverly from How Sweet the Sound for hosting Pink Saturday each week. Click on the Image in the right sidebar to visit her site. I have been away from blogging for a while. I'm so happy to be back! You can catch up on my life while I was away in the So Many Updates post below.

Today I am blogging about my beloved Christmas cactus. I have been trying to get this poor thing to bloom for 6 years. I have re-potted it, put it in a dark place for several months, watered it and lovingly cared for it. It just wouldn't bloom. It has flourished in size but just no blooms...until now!

I think I have finally solved the problem, the location! I moved into my current house just over a year ago and found a nice window with indirect sunlight. I was told it should be in a southern facing window but this one faces the north. I suspected I would be bloom doomed again this year, but low and behold I have these beautiful pink flowers! I'm so excited! I have more buds appearing daily, a little after Christmas but that's okay with me! It's BLOOMING!!

Enjoy your day and stay warm if you're in the northern climates like I am. A foot of snow and temperatures in the teens...I want to live somewhere warmer than this! Hopefully soon!

Hugs,

Tammi

It's a Birthday Party!

2010-01-06T12:00:00.002-05:00

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to share with you that Sue from CollectinTexas Gal is having a Birthday Party and of course there is a give-a-way. Click her Birthday Party invitation on the right and sign-up today!

Have fun and good luck!

Tammi

So Many Updates!

2010-01-04T22:48:00.002-05:00

Hello everyone...it has been months since I last posted and so much has happened in my life, some pretty ordinary, some fun and some very sad.

The photo above is from one of the highlights over the past few months. My daughter Elizabeth, lovingly referred to as Betsie (she hates that name) came home for a visit in late October. She currently lives in Raleigh, North Carolina; I have been searching for months to find a job there to be closer to her and to get out of the miserable Michigan cold weather!

I mentioned some bad...well, while Betsie was home, I was sooooo sick. My "unofficial" diagnosis was the swine flu. I missed 6 consecutive work days which has never happened before! I had body aches, a temperature, sore throat and major lung and head congestion. It was awful!! The doctor diagnosed me with a variation of a strep infection and prescribed antibiotics. One week later, I left for San Diego.

This photo is from our recent trip to San Diego, my first ever trip to southern California. What a breathtakingly beautiful place! I would love to live there. This was our view from the patio of the quaint restaurant where we had breakfast on the last morning of our visit. What a great place to recuperate from the flu!

Let the holidays begin! Dinner for two on Thanksgiving. We had a nice time, but I missed my kids and the family togetherness!

Christmas decorating...my favorite time of the year!

A very very sad day for me was December 17, 2009, the day I said goodbye to my sweet boy Toby. He suffered through liver cancer for weeks and I held him for hours on his last night on earth. I love you Toby and your memory will live in my heart forever!

Cookies for the neighbors! I put my baking skills to the test, they were enjoyed by one and all (including me, hehe)!

Christmas with the family (my son and me) at my sister's beautiful home, minus my daughter. She stayed in Raleigh working both Christmas eve and Christmas day; we missed her!

The week between Christmas and New Year's was spent in Raleigh with my daughter! We had a great time and enjoyed a lot of Mother/Daughter bonding. In addition, I got to meet the new man in her life! What a great guy, she seems truly happy!

Now it's back to work and surviving the winter doldrums...did I mention I hate the COLD Michigan winters???

I promise, I'll be back soon!

My First EVER Award!!

2009-10-19T14:07:00.001-04:00

I am so incredibly flattered! Sue -Collectin in Texas Gal left the nicest comment about my recent post and...she gave me an AWARD! Needless to say I'm thrilled. Thank you so much!! Please visit her incredible blog! You can find her here.

In Turn, I get to pass this award on to 10 other deserving bloggers! These are just a few of my favorite blogs. Please visit them and see what inspiring things they have to say about life, love and home! Enjoy!

Coralie @ Vintage Cottage Home

Tami @ Cottage Style Pinkbuttercreme

Caroline @ Forever Vintage

Dolly @ From My Cherry Heart

Kim @ Happy @ Home

Stefanie @ Rose Petals and Rust

Cass @ That Old House

Sandy @ The Shabby Cottage

Lynn @ The Vintage Nest

Sandi @ Wayside Treasures

To accept this award: 1) Show the Image of the Award and State the Rules.

2) Post the Link of the Person who gave you this Award.

3) Display 10 Blogs in which you grant the Award.

4) Advise the Blogs Listed.

Better Late Than Never

2009-10-12T13:10:00.002-04:00

You know how the saying goes...well, I FINALLY decorated my mantel for fall. It takes a visit from friends to force me to find the items and make it happen and that is exactly the reason it's done now. I am hosting our first ever Bunko night tomorrow evening so I spent the weekend with my dear friend Ann searching high and low for the items that complimented my decor'. This is my first actual fall in my house, last year I was moving in at this time, so needless to say, decorating wasn't a priority.

In this house, I didn't want the expected fall oranges, reds, etc. I wanted something a little lighter and decorations that would blend better with room colors, etc.; I think I found the perfect mix! I spray painted the grapevine an off-white, added white lights and the remaining decorations are artificial items I found over the weekend. I'm so happy with the end result. This will take me through Thanksgiving and then it's on to the Christmas decorations! What do you think?

Peace to all of you!

Pink Saturday

2009-10-03T01:15:00.002-04:00

Happy Pink Saturday Everyone!

For all the new Pink Saturday visitors, this wonderful event is hosted by Beverly at How Sweet the Sound. You can visit her blog here, I promise it's well worth the click!

Today I put together a collage of photos I took of my teacup collection. To me this collection speaks pure love. It was given to me after my Mom passed away several years ago. She collected these teacups for many years. My favorites are displayed in the shadow box you see in the photo. I included individual photos of most of those that have pink in them!

My wishes to all of you for a wonderful day and a relaxing weekend!

Pink Saturday!

2009-09-26T01:28:00.000-04:00

Hello Everyone,

Here is my second PS post. Sorry about the blurriness of these photos. I have to work on my camera settings. I quickly shot these this morning before I left for work and I didn't realize until I got there how poor the quality is.

This is a collection (that I never intended to start) of vintage pottery vases and planters. I found the first two at a garage sale last summer and from then on I was hooked. They were the perfect compliment to the book shelves in my family room. I have no idea which (if any) are considered to have any value in the world of collectibles. They were all under $30, and really their value doesn't matter, because I love the way they look! I will do my best to stop my collecting obsession...ummm, no guarantees!

I'm off to a local antique festival, the last for the season, and I WON'T look at vintage pottery. No my fingers aren't crossed, really they're not!! hehehe ;-)

Have a great day and blessings to all!

Pink Saturday Rookie!

2009-09-19T04:20:00.000-04:00

Hi Everyone,

This is my first ever Pink Saturday post! Beverly from How Sweet the Sound hosts this wonderful event each week. I've been following the posts for some time and finally got in ahead of the deadline (I remembered)!

I have many, many pink treasures to contribute in the coming weeks, but this week I decided to add a final glimpse of summer from a photo I took last month of my bucket of pink petunias.

Bask in the memories of the warm sunshine, the chirping birds, the laughter of neighborhood children, the warm breeze gently blowing the curtains, the aroma of freshly cut grass, leisurely evening walks, the smell of a BBQ wafting from a neighbors yard, a glass of wine on the patio, the sound of crickets in the still night, fireflies blinking so sweetly and...

Goodbye summer, you will be missed.

Before & Afters

2009-09-15T17:58:00.001-04:00

I'm finally posting the before and after photos of some of the projects I have completed this summer. Earlier in the summer my neighbors had an estate sale. Their Mother had passed away in November and they had a LOT of stuff to unload. The family had lived in the house for over 50 years. I purchased a few treasures, one of which is this dressing table.

This is how it looked after a good scrubbing! It was painted to look "antiqued" over a dark wood veneer. It was very dingy and dirty looking! The pictures don't do its poor appearance justice.

After the first coat of paint. It took two more coats!

The finished product, complete with new crystal knobs, I love the wooden wheels. The drawers are really really hard to open, I even bought wax to run along the edges but their still tough to open. Any ideas? I think I may need to do a little sanding.

I now have the perfect place for the old dresser set I purchased in Raleigh last spring while visiting my daughter. We love to junk around together! I really miss her! :-(

The next project was painting the porch...ummm, do you think it needed it???

A couple of closeups of how bad it really was!

I didn't want a midnight black, I wanted more of a charcoal color. Do you think I could get it right the first time? Of course not...it took one coat of the dark grey that had a bluish tint. I thought for certain it would dry darker, um NO, it still looked blue! I took the paint back and asked the paint person if she could darken it. I told her about my blue concern, she said "hmmm I don't know why it's showing blue" she read off the colors and in no way did any of them seem BLUE. After a couple attempts we got it darkened up and I must say I'm about 90% happy with the finished product...maybe just a little darker/blacker would have been nice, but I'm not going to add a third coat (not this year anyway)! ;-)

These photos look much lighter than it really is...I think another coat next year may be on the agenda!

Anniversary Blog Give-away

2009-09-14T16:12:00.000-04:00

These are my babies - Toby and Josie

Hi Everyone,

Check out Sandi's blog at Wayside Treasures. She's celebrating her one year blogging anniversary and she's giving away a great gift! You can enter to win and find her blog here:
http://waysidetreasures-sandi.blogspot.com/2009/09/blogiversary-giveaway.html

Happy Reading...

Tammi

Timeless Treasure

2009-08-28T09:39:00.001-04:00

Patty and me August 25, 2009

I recently had dinner with a very dear friend of mine, Patty. She and I have been friends since we were 5 years old. Our friendship started when my parents moved from a family farm house to a country setting where finding playmates was a little difficult. Once Patty and I discovered each other, we became inseparable.

Patty lived down a very long driveway back in the woods and I lived down a quiet country road about a block away. I remember thinking it took forever to get to her house while my Mom and I walked down her driveway. Patty and I had completely different lifestyles, her father was an orthopedic surgeon and my dad was a farmer. Her mom was a doctors wife, with an active social life, my mom was farmers wife, cooking, canning, cleaning and working part-time outside the home. We both learned so much about life from each others family. We shared some of the greatest times of our lives as best friends, growing up together. We started as little girls in kindergarten and grew into women with families of our own.

Our friendship continued on into young adulthood. We planned our weddings together and had our babies together. In time we grew apart as our families took priority in our lives. We continued to stay in touch occasionally over the years, however, we didn't spend time together sharing our lives and nurturing our friendship. All that changed a few months ago when Patty and I ran into one another at a restaurant during her daughters wedding rehearsal dinner. A few weeks later we met for dinner and talked for hours! This past Tuesday evening was our second dinner date, this time we included her wonderful husband Dennis. Again we talked for hours, sharing, laughing and enjoying each others company.

Friendship is a true blessing and friends are a gift from God. I marvel at the fact that friends can lose touch for several years and pick up exactly where they left off , as if they had never been apart. Patty is dear friend and a timeless treasure! I love you Patty!

Michigan's Beauty!

2009-08-17T22:35:00.001-04:00

Hello again, I just returned from an amazing weekend with the man in my life and had a wonderful time!! We live in the lower peninsula of Michigan and made the lengthy trek to the Upper Peninsula crossing the Mackinaw bridge. Our destination was Sault Saint Marie, Michigan, the home of the Soo locks just across the water from Sault Saint Marie, Ontario.

The weather was phenomenal, we were so lucky! It was in the upper 80's and sunny Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I must admit I was a little apprehensive to leave what little nice summer weather we've had this year in Michigan to travel nearly 4 hours north to a much colder climate. I was pleasantly surprised, the weather perfect!

Saturday we headed an hour northwest to Whitefish Point on the shoreline of Lake Superior. These beautiful rocks were everywhere; I collected a few to bring home for a lasting memory.

On our way back from Whitefish Point we stopped by Tahquamenon Falls and viewed the upper falls. These are a few images of the beautiful nature we experienced during our visit.

This was at the top of the falls. See all the pennies in the water? I hope all their wishes come true!

The falls...also referred to the Root Beer falls due to the brown water from the tannis leached from the cedar swamps.

What beauty God has given us to experience and enjoy! I feel so blessed!!

Have a wonderful day!

Summer's Bounty

2009-08-06T21:25:00.000-04:00

Today I was fortunate to visit a local farmer's market to pick up a box of amazing produce on behalf of my dear friend Ann; she is away for the weekend. She offered to give me her weekly 1/2 share of produce she purchased from a sweet woman of Garden Gate Farms. Opening the box and experiencing its contents was a true pleasure! I must admit some of the items were foreign to me, so I was forced to do some produce research to understand exactly what I received and how I was to go about preparing it. As you can see the box was colorful and full of healthy nutrients.

I forgot to add this amazing red/purple broccoli to the basket for the photo.

From bounty to table! Yummm, I love the purple potatoes! The green beans were amazing!

Blogging for Bliss...why?

2009-08-04T11:18:00.000-04:00

Good Morning,

I recently purchased a book called Blogging for Bliss written by Tara Frey. Today http://www.artsymama.com/ hosted a blog party to celebrate the release of Tara's book. She asked those of us who attended the party to write a post about why we blog and how we got started. So, here goes...

I started my first blog named from House to Home last summer as a digital diary for a house renovation I was working on. So many friends and family regularly asked for updates and were curious about the progress. I decided a blog would be the perfect solution to keep everyone up-to-date. They enjoyed watching the changes (as slow as they seemed at times) and were eager to offer their suggestions and compliments.

As time went on, I began following other blogs that peaked my interest in decorating and collecting. Before I knew it, I had been consumed with daily surfing to satisfy my hunger for wanting more inspiration and enlightenment. I was so impressed with what I saw and what I was learning, I decided it was time for me to create a blog to share what I was doing. It doesn't matter if anyone finds my interests and inspirations meaningful, for me it has become a hobby and a journal to give others a glimpse of who I am and what I love - my life, my home, my family, my beloved pets and my friends! I share bits and pieces of all of these things in my blog.

My House to Home blog has now been converted to Visions Of Vintage at http://visionsofvintage.blogspot.com/. I hope you enjoy what you see and feel free to leave a comment!

Happy blogging...

Favorite Things...

2009-08-03T21:42:00.000-04:00

So far, so good...two days in a row of posting to my blog. I have so much to share with all of you; today I'm going to talk about a few of my favorite things. Oh so many, where do I begin?

This sweet little canister was my Mom's. I filled it with antique cookie cutters some of which were hers and some that I have collected. My Mom passed away over 5 years ago at the age of 83. As you might have guessed, I'm the youngest of 7 children. I'm one of 5 girls so I feel lucky to have acquired this piece.

I love these little bird salt and pepper shakers I bought at Anthropologie! They add such a whimsical touch to my kitchen counter.

And...it wouldn't be summer without a luscious quart of fresh strawberries.

These photos show another one of my favorite things along with a plant stand I recently discovered at the local summer antique market. It is perfect for the Christmas cactus that I have been caring for over the past several years. This plant has NOT bloomed in 4 years until this spring when I moved it to the perfect location on this adorable vintage table.

Summer Love

2009-08-02T20:31:00.000-04:00

Okay, it's time to get blogging! I hope to give you updates on a regular basis, in a perfect world that would be daily, however, I must be realistic and shoot for several times a week.

I haven't introduced you to my latest summer love - Mo! Mo was born sometime in March and appeared on Mike's front porch with his brother Rosco on April 15. They were so small they fit into the palm of our hands. Keep in mind I had no intention of adopting another pet, considering I already have two adopted golden retrievers (Josie and Toby) and an adopted cat (Gracie).

I agreed to help feed and pamper both kitties until they were old enough to go to their adoptive homes. Betsie my daughter intended to take Rosco back to Raleigh, NC with her in May and Leah a student from work was eager to adopt Mo and take him to Cincinnati with her. Needless to say, neither kitty ever left Michigan. Mike was convinced they couldn't be split up, they were too attached to one another. So, yep you guessed it, Rosco went to live with him and Mo stayed with me. I have become so attached to him and he is a true love boy! He and Rosco have regular play dates!!

Introducing...Moses - adopted date: 4/16/09
Rosco is the tiger guy in the lower portion of the photo

With his new sister, Gracie

The New Site

2009-07-21T14:56:00.000-04:00

Hello Everyone,

I have moved the content from my old site (My House Renovation blog) to this site. I will be removing a great deal of the content and adding some of my decorating ideas and favorite things!

I just visited a site of a fellow blogger who creates amazing backgrounds/templates. Here is the link the her site: http://shabbycreations.blogspot.com/ Check it out when you get a chance. She is giving a way a pre-made template and custom site template to two lucky winners...wish me luck!

Keep Checking back, I will be making additions and updates regularly!

An update, FINALLY!

2009-03-10T22:01:00.000-04:00

Hello Again,

As many of you know, it's been several months since my last post. I'm finally back with the "after" photos of my house. I moved into my house in mid October, however, I had several projects to finish up. Closets needed to be painted, touch up's here and there, etc. Once I unpacked boxes and made my way through the sea of "stuff" stored in the den, I began to make my house a home.

Shortly after I got somewhat settled, Betsie and her friend Karissa called my house their temporary home. Suddenly it was home of 3 females, two dogs and one cat. Our lives were busy and people were coming and going all the time. In mid December, Betsie and Karissa graduated from Nursing school at SVSU. They packed their bags and prepared for their big move to Raleigh, NC to begin their nursing careers at Duke University hospital.

I celebrated my first Christmas in my new house with a LOT of snow. I decorated with outdoor lights, decorated a real Christmas tree and had a cookie baking day with Betsie and her friend Nicole. Memories were being made!

Shortly after Christmas, I packed my bags, a rental van and Betsie's car with all her "stuff" and hit the road for Betsie's new home in North Carolina. Yet another move and another round of unpacking. She is settled in and I must say I'm very envious of the mild winter she is enjoying!! How soon can I move there???

I opened my home again right after Christmas for a friend and her daughter (Brenda and Lizzy), they had some housing issues and were patiently waiting for their new rental home renovation to be complete. They moved into their new home on Valentine's day and I became a single homeowner for the first time in my life.

I hope you enjoy the photos!

Tammi

The After Photos

2009-03-09T21:33:00.000-04:00

This is outside which is waiting some additional improvements: landscaping, painted front porch, updated front door paint, new garage door installed and a picket fence to disguise the neighbors un-kept house.

And yet another Michigan snowstorm (Feb. 21, 2009)

My babies love the snow!

And Gracie loves the closet...

Come on in...this is a vintage looking piece I found at the antique show last fall. I use it as a coat rack, etc. It's the first thing you see when entering the front door.

Another photo of the front door/entry area. The key rack hanging next to the front door, I found in a cute little shop in Guelph, Ontario.

Dining Room and Kitchen

2009-03-08T22:22:00.000-04:00

This is the dining room looking from the kitchen toward the front door entry. Notice Toby? this is his favorite spot to lay during the day and in the evening too! He's always ready and waiting to head out the door for a walk or car ride! Hoping for company too!

The chairs were a Christmas gift from Mike that I found in an antique store in Bay City.

This is one of my favorite things...my vintage, white metal chandelier with tear drop crystals and tulip shaped candle holders for the lights. Notice the apple green shelf on the wall? I found that in Midland last spring at the antique show. It is the home to many of the treasured bone china tea cups from my Mom's collection that she left to me.

The photo below and the one above are taken from the front door entry, the kitchen is to the right.

This is the dining room, this photo is taken from the kitchen, facing the front of the house. The front entry is to the left. The coat closet is also on the left.

Below is the kitchen, which I love! I found the island online and it is perfect for my pots and pans, conveniently located near the range. I love the checked floor and the kitchen layout!

This is a close-up photo of my milk glass plates and Virginia blue ridge pottery collections.

Another photo of the plates. This one shows the top of the refrigerator.

This photo is the right side of the kitchen. The doorway leads into a hall and laundry/utility room. The hall area opens into the family room. The opening above the sink opens into the family room with a bar/eating area on the other side.

Hall & Den

2009-03-07T17:00:00.000-05:00

This is the hall off the dining room. The first room on the right is a third bedroom, however I refer to it as a den.

This is the den, the walls are whisper pink.

Basically another shot of the same space, just more of the window that you see straight ahead when walking in the room. The window is looking outside the front of the house.

I bought this daybed from a co-worker. It's works well in here. I still need to add some wall decorations. I have a really great mirror, however, it's so heavy I'm having a hard time figuring out how to hang it. I had the idea to use brackets but I can't find the studs...urggggg

Bedrooms & Main Bath

2009-03-07T15:00:00.000-05:00

This is the guest room that was originally going to be my room. All my furniture was moved into this room and I liked it because it was in the back of the house. After I slept there a night or two I decided the queen size bed took up way too much room and decided to move to the yellow room. Both rooms are the same size so swapping the furniture wasn't an option. I would like to add some window treatments and change out the duvet cover, I think the bed needs more color but for now it's all fine the way it is. I do miss this bed though, it's a little firmer than the one I'm sleeping on now.

I found this mirror an a garage sale a couple of years ago, it's the perfect fit for the this room. The door is the very SMALL closet. Ya gotta love the 1940's era, they didn't have large wardrobes back then.

This window is on the side of the house and basically looks in to the neighbors dining room. Not a lot of privacy to say the least! I have a huge back yard with a very narrow lot.

This is the main bath.

Panning to the right...

I love these curtain rings, pink rhinestones! I like my ruffled shower curtain too!

A close-up of the shower curtain rings.

This is the opposite wall from the sink/vanity

I left this photo in because it shows the tile floor.

This is the room I sleep in. The brass bed and bedding is on loan from my sister! Thanks Deb, you're the best sister in the world!!! Love you!

Slightly different angle.

As you can see, part of my bedroom furniture is in this room. The rooms are so small I had to break it up. This room seems much roomier with the full size bed versus the queen. Plenty of floorspace for the dogs to sleep, well one of them anyway, Toby usually sleeps in the bed with me!

Laundry/Utility Room

2009-03-03T23:03:00.000-05:00

This photo shows the door to the utility room, coming out of the kitchen.

This is looking at the same door from the family room. That great sunflower picture was a gift from Betsie for Mother's day, 2008. It was hand painted by someone in Vietnam, she bought it in a local market and watched as he painted other pictures. I love it!

Laundry/Utility Room - great pantry storage!

Another shot of the same room.

The opposite side of this room - storage and laundry.

The Family Room

2009-03-02T15:58:00.000-05:00

This is a shot of the family room from the kitchen opening, overlooking the bar. The patio doors face south.

Opposite side, looking into the kitchen from the family room.

Following the room around, this is the east wall. The door leads into the breezeway. The breezeway/mud hall is still under construction. It is piled with stuff and it was way too cold to work on it during the miserable winter! That project will following planting flowers and cleaning up the yard.

This photo shows the same door to the breezeway, kitchen opening over the sink and door to kitchen. The open door you see on the left is to a half bath.

This is the east wall of the family room. The patio doors are to the right.

A closer view.

This is from the east wall in front of the fireplace looking toward the northwest. Again the open door is the half bath.

We added the windows above the bookcases and cabinets.

Bath again and doorway into kitchen.

Half bath.

Half bath again...

Half bath floor. As you can see it's tiny but serves the purpose.

South and west walls.

Again...I love this room!

I collect antique lightning balls. They are found on lightning rods installed on the top of barns. This one happens to match the wall color. One was recently broken by Gracie the cat who decided to jump up and look out this very high window. Even though they are secured down, she still managed to knock one off...urggggg

A few more from the collection.

The built in bookcases display some of my favorite things.

This is a painting my sister brought home to me from London during their 40th wedding anniversary trip. They were surprised by their children with an amazing trip last Spring! By the way...I love daises and sunflowers!

This is a winter photo of the roaring fire in the fireplace. I must say this is one of the best things about this house!!

The new garage door was recently installed (after the weather warmed up a little). What a difference!!

Time for a sneak Peak!

2008-08-28T15:04:00.000-04:00

Okay, things have been moving along lately. Bathrooms are finished (except for lighting), bedrooms are painted, kitchen is coming along and the laundry room is taking shape.

The last two weeks have been exciting and exhausting. I've been spending most of my free time at the house cleaning, organizing, painting and feeling overwhelmed at times. But, there is an end in sight. Mike K. has been working ALOT and I know he is ready to put this project to an end.

Decisions, decisions, decisions, and money, money, money those are the two things that have occupied my mind lately. Of course I'm waaaaaaaay over budget which is distressing in itself. The longer the project drags on the more money I'm spending on labor but the flip side of that is, why not do it while it's tore up and why not do ALL? I know there are things that could have been left in tack but most of it was really disgusting stuff!

I have questioned some of my decisions and thought there were things I could have let go but in the long run, I'm confident the work that is being done will pay for itself. I have been really careful to not buy high end anything, since this isn't a high end house, yet I've been mindful of not doing things that look cheap and are a waste of money. I have shopped sales and bought many clearance items. However, I wonder about the cabinets I bought for the laundry room, I hope they hold up, they were half the price of the next step up, so... who knows.

Now, on to the photos, this is the last round until the work is done!

Main Bedroom in progress...

Main Bedroom painted

Guest bedroom painted

New Living Room chair

Half bath off family room, I love this vanity. It's the perfect fit for this room. The tile looks so great!! Very cute little bath now!

Main bath. I was hesitant about the black grout but now that it's done, I really like it. I planned on grouting the tile in a dark grey but I think I charcoal more!

Kitchen Cabinets installed.

General idea of what the granite tiles will look like once installed.

I traded stainless steel sink that I had bought months ago for this one. I LOVE it! Mike bought it for me, I wasn't a big fan of the other and this one looks great!

Bar area in family room for eating, etc.

That's all for now! Check back in a few weeks when I'm moved in and I will give you the before and after tour!! Thanks for your support and encouragement!

It's Starting to take Shape!

2008-08-12T20:52:00.000-04:00

Mike K. has been busy in the Family Room. He spent the last couple of weeks working on the cabinetry and trim work on the wall with the new window. He is truly a Master Carpenter. I give him an idea of what I want and the next day it's taking shape! He is meticulous and wants things to be perfect. He craftsmanship is evident in all he does.

Check out the bookcases and window detail. For a while I thought it looked like a kitchen, the next thing I knew he made some additions and now it looks like an entertainment area. I couldn't be happier! Once the paint goes on, a new look will been evident!

I love the way this looks!

He also enhanced the existing fireplace mantel and added a shelving area to the open side of the fireplace on the left. It had no purpose before Mike started working with it. He will be wiring this area so I can put a flat panel TV above the fireplace.

Up close photo of the area left of the fireplace.

I've been getting my treasures ready for their new home. Most of these things I bought at the antique show back in the spring. The all needed some painting and little TLC. This day I was busy getting them cleaned up.

The chandelier is my favorite find! I love it!

Priming is a pain!

2008-07-30T13:10:00.000-04:00

Mike and I worked like crazy to get everything covered before Mike K. started priming. We covered all the wood floors and all the windows with paper and tape. He started spraying the primer today. The wood floors are getting sanded on Thursday, things are starting to come together!

Freshly primed bedroom with covered windows and floor.

Freshly primed hallway with floor covered (gotta love the archway and coved ceilings)!

Freshly primed kitchen! Appliances are ordered now too! They are silver but not actual stainless steel (not a noticeable difference between the two other than cost)!

** oops, I lost the picture...I'll add it back tonight!

Drywall has begun...

2008-07-29T22:00:00.000-04:00

Mike K. framed in the windows and hung the doors. He also tore out the laundry room cabinets, sink and counter.

New laundry room door opening and installed door.

Framing on bedroom window

Laundry room counter and sink tear out.

Laundry cabinet tear out.

New bedroom doors installed.

Break Time!

The electrician is done for now, check out the new exterior lighting.

Front porch light.

Lights on back of house.

Tony the drywall guy started Monday, July 21. He spent all of last week and Monday of this week and part of today! His job is done!

Kitchen

Family Room - looking into mud hall and towards kitchen.

Family Room - looking toward new window and 1/2 bath.

The long floor fight has ended! It is finally, completely tore up! Mike K. helped us immensely, he did 2/3's of it in alot less time it took us to a 1/3.

Collection of "stuff" - items to be installed.

Back Outside & Inside Work - Finally!!

2008-07-15T16:09:00.000-04:00

The Siding is complete! Photo's coming soon with all the "junk" cleaned up and looking a little better. Landscaping and adding the finishing touches won't happen until late summer, early fall! Now to the inside!

The photo below shows what an amazing job Mike the contractor did with the attic doors. Much better than before...the old ones didn't close correctly and were an eyesore to say the least! These look like they belong here!

The new window is in! I couldn't be happier with final result! This was money well spent!

Inside view of the new window! It adds so much light to the Family Room! What a huge improvement!

The framing has begun. This is the framed doorway to the utility room. The drywallers begin Monday, July 21!

I know, not very exciting, but these are some of the new recessed lights in the Family Room.

Yet more lights!

And the final photo of lights!

Expanded opening between the Family Room and Kitchen (Family Room View).

Kitchen view.

The floor tear out!! Brutal, that's all I can say! Painstaking, backbreaking BRUTAL! Hours and hours of miserable work!!! But...it WILL be worth it!

Yup, that's Mike, working his fingers to the bone, litterly!

Mr. Toby hates the pounding! He waits in the car for hours, he doesn't want to get left behind!!

Siding, Door and More!

2008-07-03T10:13:00.000-04:00

The siding is nearing completion, we just need to wait and wait and wait for Consumers Energy to come over and disconnect the power. See the progress below!

Check out the new Air Conditioner and the hole for the new window in the family room!

Okay...so I called Consumers Energy to disconnect the power from the house the week of June 22. I schedule July 2 for the date to have the work done. July 2 comes and goes, July 3 comes and goes, still no word from Consumers. I call them on Saturday, July 5 and explain the importance of having this done because it's holding up our siding project. They apologize for not making it out and tell me there was a scheduling error. They will be out that day (Saturday). The status is now RUSH since the first appointment was overlooked. Well...as you can probably guess they didn't show up on Saturday! Now I'm beginning to think someone must be at the home when they come by and that is the reason it hasn't been done.

I call first thing Monday morning (7 am) and wait 1 minute to talk to a representative. After explaining my story, I'm told I will need to talk with a senior representative. I get connected, hear the voice and wham! the phone goes dead. Okay, no problem I'll have to call back, these things happen. I call the second time and now my wait time is 15 minutes. I finally get connected and tell the representative I need to talk with a senior representative and explain I've already been disconnected. She wants to know my story, so once again I tell another representative, gee big surprise she puts me on hold and sure enough wham! I get disconnected again! Now I'm getting really irritated, I call again and this time it's another 15 minute wait! As soon as I get through I beg the representative to please put me through to the senior representative and the reason why! Thankfully she cooperates and I FINALLY get to talk to the person I need to. I once again explain the situation and she assures me someone will be out on Monday to disconnect the power! It does in fact get done. Mike Kushion finished the siding on both gable ends. As soon as the window comes in the and that side gets done the siding will be complete!

The new Patio Door has been installed.

And...the mess from the new patio door installation.

A box full of broken glass! Mike and his son Eric needed to break the glass in order to get the old door out! Guess who cleaned up the mess? It took 4 smaller boxes to transfer the glass and get it removed from the backyard. It went in our dumpster at the condo!

The demo'd kitchen!

The boarded up hole in the center family room wall is waiting for the new window! Mike had a challenge cutting the hole and holding up the roof, etc., but as usual he worked his miracles and all went well! I am installing an awning window that will add much needed light in the room. Bookcases will be added to both sides and cabinets below. I can't wait to see the finished product!

Furnace, Bathroom and Siding

2008-06-22T22:30:00.000-04:00

I know it's not terribly exciting but the new furnace is in, along with central air! The furnace is so small.

After ALOT of revisions, the bathroom is put back together. Some bozo decided to cut through the floor joist in order to install the toilet. You can imagine what that did to the stability in the floor, not to mention there were a few leaks over the years and the floor was disintegrating. But...all is good now. New floor, new tub, new green board on the walls, just waiting for the finishing touches.

Siding tear off is underway!

Drum roll please...the new siding is going on! It was between dark grey, yellow and ivory. I finally decided on the yellow and I couldn't be happier. The new roof is on too! Progress is beginning to be seen by passersby. As a matter of fact, someone from the township stopped by and thanked Mike Kusion for fixing up the house. He told her to thank the homeowner, he was only doing the work. She was taking pictures for some paper, now we just need to find out which one!

Josie making herself at home!

Great view of new door, new roof, new windows and new porch re-enforcements! The old porch posts were rotted, hmmm I wonder why the overhang was drooping??? We also cut down the bush type tree between the two small front windows!

Toby and Josie say hi!

The Dumpster and MORE!

2008-06-22T21:52:00.000-04:00

So...the "hopper" was delivered for a two week visit! Needless to say it was jammed full of junk in no time! We kept up with the demo and Mike Kushion did more than his share of adding to the pile when he started installing the new windows!

The "Hopper" It's HUGE!!

Mike organizing the trash to make room!

New windows in the Dining Room

New windows in the bedroom

And the other bedroom

Another bedroom

Let the Demo begin!

2008-06-22T21:14:00.000-04:00

So the shopping has begun...lighting, cabinets, bathroom fixtures and more! This all took place while we waited for Mike Kushion to add us to his work schedule. We also started demo by pulling out carpet, taking off old doors, pulling down wood paneling from the family among other things. Check out the demo photos below!

Family Room Wood Tear Off:

More Family Room tear off:

Yours Truly - Working Hard

Hall hardwood floors revealed!

The Kitchen GUTTED!

The Bedrooms and Bathrooms

2008-06-22T20:00:00.000-04:00

Hallway to Bedrooms

Smallest of three bedrooms (VERY SMALL)

Second Bedroom: Identical size of Third bedroom - side by side, closet between)

Third Bedroom

Main Bathroom

Half Bathroom: Off family room

The Inside: Laundry/Utility, Family Room

2008-06-15T18:18:00.000-04:00

Laundry/Utility: Spot for Washer/Dryer

Laundry/Utility Room: Spot for furnace

Laundry/Utility: Storage

Family Room: Looking towards kitchen

Family Room: Toward rear of house (left), looking into Mudd Hall (right)

Family Room: Looking out to backyard

Family Room: Side wall next to half bath

Family Room: Fireplace wall

The Inside: Entry, Dining Room, Kitchen

2008-06-15T17:50:00.000-04:00

Entering the front door:

The Dining Room:

The Kitchen:

Leaving the Kitchen toward Laundry/Utility Room:

Inspection and Beyond 4-4-08

2008-06-15T17:44:00.000-04:00

So far so good, the inspector gave us a green light. He crawled under the house, explored the attic and did a thorough check. Of course the water/plumbing couldn't be tested since the house had been winterized and the water was turned off.

Now it's time to get the financing in order and explore my options!

I became a homeowner on May, 6, 2008. For the first time in my life my name is the only one on the title! Many thanks to Mike for his moral support and positive energy, he kept me going when I wanted to give up! There were many bumps along the road but persistence paid off and now the real fun begins!

Opinions, Inspectors, Relators and more 4-2-08

2008-06-15T17:38:00.000-04:00

Sunday night we talk and talk and talk about our options can this work, will this work and are we CRAZY!! As our excitement builds, my first call is to our contractor friend Mike to ask his opinion. If Mike is willing to do the work and check out the house for an honest opinion we'll move forward. Mike was in Arizona when I called him to return on Tuesday night. We set it up to meet with him on Wednesday at the house!

He seems optimistic about the prospect and willing to work with us. His advice is to get it inspected before we do anything else. $150 is a small price to pay for peace of mind knowing it is sound and solid!

Jameson House 3-30-08

2008-06-15T17:18:00.000-04:00

And this is where it begins...out of the blue I open the paper and glance through the Open Houses. Much to my surprise I see a listing on Jameson just outside of Lathrup park for $49,900! In complete shock and disbelief we decide to check it out (Betsie, Mike and me). I'm thinking it must be in the city but what the heck for that price in that neighborhood who cares.

Upon arriving at the house I realize it's in the Township, how can this be? We make our way inside with several other prospective buyers and discover the house is in complete disarray. No furnace, appliances, hot water heater, etc. It smells like cat pee and is FREEZING! The kitchen is a 1970's wreck, cabinets made from particle board of the cheapest quality!

We continue to check it out and the entire time my wheels are turning I'm envisioning what this place could look like! My shabby chic cottage type house!!

And so it goes...