Hi world! I know this blog has been seriously neglected. It’s no ones fault but my own… and my house. I have had the whole month of August off and I spent every weekend on the never ending project I call home. I blogged a little blurb back in December saying I bought a house. I still can’t really wrap my head around it. Me, myself and I purchased this bad boy all on my own.  Is it a lot of work? Yes. Is it expensive? Yes. Am I proud of myself? Yes…. and that’s not something I say often. This house could NOT be possible without my family. They were here over my Christmas break EVERY.SINGLE.DAY. My mom cleaned her heart out, my stepdad, Jim, washed walls with me for hours, they cut the grass that had not been cut in what looked like over a year. They hung blinds, moved all my furniture from their house. My amazing mom spent HOURS on her hands and knees ripping out the nails left from the carpet I tore up. She’s the most dedicated woman I have ever met.  Painting was a nightmare. Not because painting in general stinks but because I am THE most indecisive person… EVER. Thank you to Judy, my stepmom, for picking color swatches for me. I would probably still be staring at them if it wasn’t for her. Thank you to my brother, my sis-in-law Megan, my Uncle Richard and my cousin Adam for painting. The WHOLE house was painted. In the very slim chance you will ever read this… Thank you Mr. Walton for lending me that paint sprayer… my dad and his back can’t thank you enough, either. Speaking of my dad… this house would be NOWHERE without him. NOWHERE. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU to my dad. I’m pretty much his #1 fan. Knowing I had his skills and his knowledge backing me, I had the confidence to purchase this house.  The man can fix anything… what can I say, I am one lucky girl. In 1 hour the stove, dishwasher and garbage disposal were fixed.  Those 3 things are seriously minor to the work he has put into this place. I mean, who do you know that would replace EVERY ELECTRICAL OULET AND LIGHT SWITCH to white because I hated the ugly tan ones? My dad, that’s who. In the meantime,  I have become one amazing tool-go-getter-hander-girl!   I plan to blog the progress of each room as it comes together.  You will see just how much work my dad and my family put in.  They are still not blog worthy, but when they are internet, I will show you! Promise!

When I was looking for houses, the only thing I wanted was an office. Is that crazy?  It was the first room I put any furniture in. My stepdad and I put my desk together IMMEDIATELY.  I wanted an office dedicated solely to my photography and graphics. My first year of business was conducted out of my bedroom at my moms. I knew having an office would make me so much more organized and productive. I was right. Room for a filing cabinet? Yes, please! An amazingly long desk? Yes, please! My office is still not quite where I want it… still looking for the perfect cabinet/table to store my gear.

I did want to show you one little piece. And for real, if you’ve read this far, I believe you deserve a photo. It stares at me every time I sit at my desk. Surprise… my dad made me this.  He has something similar hanging in his house out of copper. I knew he could make me the same thing with a silver look.  I love it. It’s hands down my favorite part of the house. No holes in my wall… photos hanging from the pipe and some garden hooks!

Without further adieu, the view from my desk…

Lauren, Christine & Amy and Brad keeping me company in Ikea frames!

Thank you again to my amazing family for helping me through such a big step in my life. You all are my heart.