Audio Books

When I was in college, going "home" for the summer meant heading to Upstate New York or Maine.  Do you know how old the radio gets in 15+ hours?  I heard "Sexy Back" too many times to count in the summer of 2006 while driving up and down the eastern seaboard.  Surprisingly I still love that song, but you know how many times you heard it that summer.

To rescue me from hours of overplayed pop music (that I usually love), I finally discovered audio books about a year and a half ago.  That particular trip was a logistical mess.  I had to work on a project in New York, so I drove up there for a few days.  My husband flew into New Hampshire and I picked him up on my way from New York to Maine.  After visiting my family in Maine, we drove back to SC together.  I listened to "Last Song" on the entire trip up, and again on the trip back.  It was a new release and we really liked it... little did we know that Miley Cyrus was about to get her hands on it.  Anyway, it passed the time like nothing else could.

On a side note: regardless of Miley, the movie is particularly special to us.  It was released the day that I was to be induced, so I trekked through Wal-mart at 3am with a gigantic belly looking for someone to get a copy from the storage area for me.  It hadn't yet been put on the shelves.  I fell asleep during the intro and my husband ended up watching it with our Doula while I got a good nap in (epidurals are incredible).  He then complained about how they left out so many good parts.  I got a good giggle that this macho man of mine had an opinion about a Nicholas Sparks movie!

Now back on track.  A few weekends ago I drove ten hours to Miami, and then drove home two days later.  This time I listened to "The Help" on my iPhone.  More on that book another week...

I'm taking another long trip this weekend and I'm trying to decide what to listen to.  It will just be me and the dog for 17 hours or so (depending on traffic).  I've heard that "Hunger Games" is about to come out in theaters, so I need to read all of them.  I don't know much about the books, but I've heard they have a Twilight-esque cult following (TEAM EDWARD!).  Whichever book I decide on, I'll be sure to let you know how it rates

Happy 4th of July everyone!

"The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

Before I got my real estate license, I traveled as a business consultant.  Those of you who fly regularly can attest to the many travel delays as of late.  I can handle a baggage fee or flights without snacks, but travel delays irk me.  It was during one of these delays that I finished the book I had been reading and had nothing to occupy my time.  I visited the airport Barnes and Noble and checked the Bestseller Wall.  It had the Twilight books that I'd already read, some Jodi Picoult that I had finished, and a few thrillers that I can't read because I'm a chicken.  Then I saw a little book with a name that stuck out...

I'm not sure if all families are like this, but mine is very into genealogy.  I know that my first ancestor on my father's side to come to America came from the Isle of Guernsey in 1633 and landed in what is now Southern Maine.  He married a sheep farmer's daughter and our clan has lived happily in Southern Maine ever since... until my immediate family moved south in 1993.  Anyway, the Isle of Guernsey always sounded weird to me.  I thought of a hospital gurney.  When I saw it in the title of a book, I knew I had to read it.

 Little did I know what a great read it would be.  It didn't need to be, it was just to pass the hours until I finally got home from my trip, but I'm thankful that it was.  Here's the "Publishers Weekly" description:

"The letters comprising this small charming novel begin in 1946, when single, 30-something author Juliet Ashton (nom de plume Izzy Bickerstaff) writes to her publisher to say she is tired of covering the sunny side of war and its aftermath. When Guernsey farmer Dawsey Adams finds Juliet's name in a used book and invites articulate—and not-so-articulate—neighbors to write Juliet with their stories, the book's epistolary circle widens, putting Juliet back in the path of war stories. The occasionally contrived letters jump from incident to incident—including the formation of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society while Guernsey was under German occupation—and person to person in a manner that feels disjointed. But Juliet's quips are so clever, the Guernsey inhabitants so enchanting and the small acts of heroism so vivid and moving that one forgives the authors (Shaffer died earlier this year) for not being able to settle on a single person or plot. Juliet finds in the letters not just inspiration for her next work, but also for her life—as will readers." (Aug.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Support the Arts: Local Theater

Some friends and I recently attended a local production of "Hairspray!"  Though Columbia is a rather small city, there is so much to do if you do some digging.  Three of my friends go to the same hairdresser who happened to be in the musical.  I was very surprised to see the receptionist from Ellie's pediatrician in the lead role!  She is incredible and should be performing full time.  I intend to tell her so at our next appointment.

There was so much talent.  I have seen both versions on film.  I love 1980's Ricky Lake, but you can't discount John Travolta!  The local production was so much better, as is not often the case.  This particular performance was at the Workshop Theatre.  If you are interested in the performing arts, you may want to check out Trustus Theatre, Newberry Opera House, Township Auditorium,  Broadway in Columbia at the Koger Center, and Town Theatre just to name a few.  I'm totally going to get my husband to take me to see "My Fair Lady" for my birthday in the fall!

 

Ikea Kitchens!

I walk into so many homes that aren't living up to their potential.  I recently showed one in a gorgeous and upscale neighborhood that has been on the market for over two years.  I WISH I could get my hands on it to flip and stage.  It has fantastic bones with the master on the main floor, two large bedrooms upstairs, and a finished bonus room over the garage.  It has a beautiful screen porch, great big fenced backyard (that would suit a pool perfectly), and the exterior is brick!  All this in over 2500 square feet of heated living space.  Everything, especially the kitchen, is sorely outdated but it has a nice flow.  The home needs some lipstick for sure, but it doesn't seem to have mold or structural issues that you sometimes find in something that is just sitting vacant in humid SC.  I don't feel like moving, or I would tackle it myself.  Here is what I would do:

1. Add Berber carpet to the upstairs bedrooms and the bonus room.

Martha Stewart Living Winterthur Collection in Pip

2. Add classic red oak hardwood floors to dining room, living room, family room and master bedroom and stain them a java color.  Not too dark, but not too warm.

R.L. Colston 3/4" by 2 1/4" Unfinished Red Oak

on sale at Lumber Liquidators for $1.99/sf

3. Drumroll please... Add an Ikea kitchen with white cabinets to the ceiling.  I like the "Lidi white."  The great thing about them is that while they are cost-effective, they aren't thermofoil like you usually find at this price.  If you google "White Ikea Kitchen" here are some of the images that you will find:

from apartmenttherapy.com

from adland.tv

from Better After

A little paint on the walls and this place would be in business.  It's more work than these particular clients want to take on, so I'm off to find them another.

"Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers

This is one of the most powerful love stories I've ever read.  My mom sent it to me for my 21st birthday, and it would sit on my shelf for years before I finally opened it up.

I read a review about this being a love story between a farmer and a prostitute and that turned me off to the book.  I couldn't imagine the premise being something that would interest me.  A friend mentioned that she loved it, and then I started seeing it in "favorite books" sections of Facebook profiles all over the place.  If you haven't yet read it, I would highly recommend it.  It isn't at all what you will imagine from reading reviews, and it may even change your thinking about love and forgiveness.

Many of you may not know that I'm a minister's daughter.  A sermon that my dad gave many times in different churches was the story of Hosea and Gomer.  It's a story of obedience to God, forgiveness and unconditional love.  Gomer was a "harlot" whom God instructed Hosea to marry.  She ran off time and time again with other men, and Hosea kept taking her back and loving her through it all.  My dad made great points, and I understand obeying God, but I never could quite understand Hosea's side.  Why couldn't he could forgive her for his own sake, but let her go?  "Redeeming Love" is based on the story of Hosea and Gomer and it helped make sense of the Biblical story for me.  Hosea loved her and he was willing to take whatever crumbs she had for him, and in the end he taught her how to love him back.  To go really deep, the story is supposed to represent God's love of Israel though it kept turning its back on Him.  "Redeeming Love" isn't set in Biblical times, but in the late 1800's Gold Rush.

I call it my favorite book, but I haven't read it since I've been married, so that's at least four years.  This weekend may just be the time to open it up again.  I remember all the important parts, but I've forgotten enough of the details to make it a great read.  I would encourage you to try it, too!  You won't be sorry.

Wear Sunscreen!

A friend had this posted on Facebook, and I thought it was too important not to share.  Pass it on.

Invitations!

You've seen the favors and the fabric. Now it's time to share what will get it all started... the invitations!

I searched Microsoft clip-art for a peanut image.  I used paint bucket in Photoshop to make it pink, used "flip" and "duplicate layer" to make a pattern.  I haven't figured out the text box part yet because I don't love the font, but I love the design!!  Perfect for an "Ellie and the Elephants" first birthday party!  I can't believe my baby will be one in two months.

As soon as the font is figured out, these are heading to Office Depot to be printed.  Still the best deal on printing that I've been able to find.

Diaper Cakes

I love a great creative project.  I took a cake decorating class, then a floral arranging class, and next will hopefully be sewing.  Wes made fun of me two Christmases ago when I pulled out the rafia, ribbon, hairspray and curling iron to wrap gifts.  They looked pretty darn beautiful if I do say so myself!  I get a kick out of using a glue gun and ribbon and "prettifying" things... even humdrum things (like diapers!).  I was excited to have a creative project to gift to Baby Margaret and the beautiful Mommy-to-be at her shower this past Saturday.

I have been wanting to try a diaper cake for ages.  Very few of my friends have children, and the ones who do and are local (since large stacks of diapers don't travel well) were pregnant while I was.  I knew that tears would ensue if I tried a new project while pregnant.  This weekend was finally my opportunity!

I didn't have much time to shop and put it together, so it wasn't perfect, but it came out pretty cute.  I was 15 minutes late to the party due to a hiding glue gun, so I didn't have time to take a picture.  Thankfully Miss Lollie was on top of things.  I stole this picture from Facebook.  You'll have to excuse that it wasn't ready for its closeup!  It's a little wonky while being held instead of sitting on a flat surface.

It contains 97 size 2 diapers (Huggies Pure and Natural), a rubber duck faucet cover, a pink rubber duck that plays music when in the water, and Burt's Bees bath items.


We are so excited for Ellie to have a new friend in Baby Margaret when she finishes baking!!

Notice: Wednesdays, they are a-changin'

So I have gotten over "What to Wear Wednesday."  I am a white button up, black shift dress, pearls kind of girl.  I don't wear exciting clothes, it is always my goal to be classic.  While in Miami, my friend Erica and I went to the Gap.  The other ladies were laying out on the deck of the rooftop pool (I felt a little bit famous up there), but I had had enough sun for the day and wanted to check out the stores.  I know Gap is everywhere and I should have gone somewhere new, but it's a great old faithful for someone like me.  I got two pair of "perfect khakis"... one in khaki and one in gray... for $17.99 and $23.50 from $49.50 each.  I thought it was a score!  Meanwhile, Erica gets a fabulous maroon and orange striped maxi dress that looks perfect on her.  Fabulous as it was, it was full price, and I never pay full price for anything (except at Target).  And then I realized that I am cheap and boring (but I like to say Classic), and it is so sad that I share with everyone what I buy.

So, instead, I'm going to start sharing what I read.  I may not have great taste in clothes, but I do have good taste in books!  Each Wednesday I will recommend one.  Some may be old because I've read lots of great ones over the last few years that deserve to be shared.  Very exciting for me!  I would rather read than watch TV and now I'll have a place to share all of the fabulous finds!

Take a Personality Test

I spent a few days last week in Miami with my best friends from High School.  With jobs, babies, weddings, and simply the passage of time, we have all changed at least a little since the days of school dances and sleepovers.  Boo mentioned that she had recently taken a personality test and that Mother Theresa and Adolf Hitler were listed as famous individuals with that personality type.  Interesting, right?  One of the best people that ever lived, and one of the absolute worst.  This got the rest of us wondering which personality type we had.  Jess pulled out her iPad and we each took the Myers-Briggs personality test over the next two days.

I'm an ISFJ.  Introverted Sensing Feeling Judging.  I must admit that I've been thinking about it ever since.  This particular personality type is conducive to real estate because you are always paying attention to how people are feeling.  Buying a home is usually such an emotional decision that this comes in handy!  Ten years ago I tested as an extrovert, but now I prefer to be with family and those I know well.  I like meeting people, but I'm not a fan of crowds.  I thought "introvert=hermit," but the description said this personality type is very friendly, it just doesn't get energy from people.  I never realized that my inability to say "no" and my desire to be excellent in my career endeavors were personality traits.  I guess I thought all of these traits as a set were unique to just me, and not "an ISFJ."  It has been thought provoking to research, and I would definitely recommend that you try it for yourself.  What better way to spend a free hour than to learn about yourself?

I can't wait to share pictures from the trip.  I look like a soccer mom carrying around my Nikon, so I always have to rely on the kindness of others in sharing their photos :)

Maybe next week's tip will be to find a cheap digital camera that is easy to travel with and easy to charge :)

PS.  I looked up famous ISFJs and among those listed were Robert E. Lee, Queen Elizabeth II, and a number of first ladies.

SOLD! Lexington, near White Knoll

This home received an acceptable offer within 2 1/2 weeks of hitting the market AND sold within $900 of its list price.  Very exciting!

Great Party Favors

Two weeks ago you saw the fabric that we are using for Ellie's birthday party.  Cute, right?  Next came the party favors.  We wanted something fun and safe for the little ones, but also something that could actually be used.  Since our family is working on our financial health, I though these little babies painted bright pink for the girls and green (or grey, haven't decided) for the boys would be the perfect party favor!