Blinded by the light!

Think way back when I was painting my hallway last winter.  You may recall a photo with a dangling skeleton of a light fixture which has been a hallway eyesore for close to a year.  I tried fixing it once, but I was obviously proven unsuccessful.   

I kinda got tired of hearing through the grapevine that certain people (cough cough - you know who you are) were eager to see me finish my hallway (read: replace the light fixture).  That, I decided, was my #1 house goal for this past weekend. 

About a year ago, I read about a DIY bubble chandelier.  I procured the materials and got busy one night and subsequently, never installed it.  It just so happens that this weekend a Navy sailor was on hand (cuz that's how I roll).  He kindly offered to the the electrical dirty work (and it wasn't because I already got electricuted. twice.) and suddenly after a year of dark hallways and a few words spoken like a true sailor, I was shown the light! 


Cue the heavens parting and the angels singing. 

Navyman Tim deploys at the end of the month.  Obviously my gratitude extends beyond my hallway and his friendship to our family, but also for his service and devotion to our country (THANKS TIM!).  His mom also makes the best darn chocolate chip cookies on the planet - that's not necessarily related to this post, but if you had her cookies, you'd agree its worth noting.   

Outdoor Cinema

Poor landscaping aside, at a recent shin-dig hosted by yours truly, some friends came up with the fabulous idea to show movies against my garage wall as we all sit with blankets and lawn chairs with popcorn and soda and red licorice. 

 Great summer activity, don't you think?! 
(yes, my friends are brilliant)


My plan this summer is to get this place into shape (landscaping wise).  I am clueless when it comes to watering or even planting, so in lieu of birthday gifts, I've requested my family's help in terms of irrigation and plants and something other than dirt!  Hopefully by early fall or maybe even next year I can host an outdoor 'Cin-ANNE-ema!

Well... While the funiture was outdoors for Operation Floor, and I was hobnobbing with Doris Day's employees, my sister hosted her own version (we'll call it a Cin-Jen-ema'). 

I came home to discover Cannon Ball Run II on the back porch. 
Complete with Pizza and Beer!  



Yes, she's brilliant too!!

Dog Gone to Carmel!

Not too long ago, a friend invited Riley and me to check out Terry's, a dog-friendly restaurant in the first floor of the dog-friendly Cypress Inn.  



Cypress Inn is located in Carmel and owned by the great film star, Doris Day.  There were pictures and mementos from her films everwhere. 


With Jazz playing softly in the background, Riley and his Weimaramer friend Gage sat with us in the restaurant next to other guests and their dogs; all of whom were spoiled with water and puppy treats by passer-bys and the wait staff.  When it came time to order our dinner, the pups got their choice of chicken or beef.  Riley chose beef and he thought it was well done!



So, if you're ever in Carmel with your canine, check out the Cypress Inn.  Great Music, great staff and great food - the dogs would agree! 

PS - there's a dog beach nearby too!  What are you waiting for?!  Go. NOW!

(images via the Cypress Inn and me)

Floored

Ah... so you know how one moderately sized project can snowball out of control and you've either 

  a) accomplished way more than you ever envisioned or 
  b) uncovered about eight more projects that you currently don't have the time/money for

As was the case this weekend.  
Meet my two helpers. 

 (Hi Helpers!)

So Steve (above) and his girlfriend (not pictured above) bought a house about a year ago.  It is a beautiful 1930s Spanish style home that needs way more work than my house, so we often get together to discuss our latest project and we recently made a deal. I'd make them curtains and he'd come and help me retile my entryway.  

So first, the good news!  
1.  we no longer have to look at the ugly tile OR worry about pieces flying out from beneath painters tape whenever the dog, cat, or stilettos (cough Cough) walks by (see exhibit a).  

Exhibit A.
2. Under the tile was hardwood floor.  

work in progress
3. We decided to keep the hardwood floor.  Which in my mind meant it was less squarefootage to (re)tile.  (Don't get your party hats on just yet, we still have some bad news to come)

4.  We also decided to check under the living room carpet for more wooded goodness.  We moved the furniture to the back patio and said 'Adios' to el Carpet-o!


So, now I have to share the love with the bad news and a Spanish Lesson. 

UNO: it appears I was taking blurry pictures on Saturday.  (Mental note: don't forget to clean the lens after you get a slimey dog nose to it)

DOS: TERMITES. Yup.  There is termite damage in the first 9 feet of the entryway which would explain the tiles flying off when animals or high heels walk by (NO BUENO)

TRES: While hardwood floors are coveted amongst most home-owners, the fact I already have them is GOOD... but I didn't necessarily have a repair and refinish in the budget (bad)
TRES-A: We brought back in the living room carpet and (for now) are covering the post-tile-and-termite / pre-repair-and-refinish entryway floors.  I don't know which is uglier... the tile, the carpet or the termite injested floorboards.  

QUATRO: Also not budgeted is the new sink/vanity I decided would go great with the freshly tiled floors in my I-wasn't-ready-to-strip-wallpaper-(again)-and-paint front bathroom... But the Floor is pretty and it looks like this is my next room to tackle! 


Thanks a TON to Steve and my sister for your help and hardwork!