Eighteenth Bag Of Mail: Rental Income

"...I'm curious how much of your income is derived from rental properties... Love your blog!"

Approximately 57%. The other 43% comes from selling sea monkeys. I'm kidding.

About the sea monkeys.

Next question.

Part 2: Walk Away?

If you had any interest in this, then you really need to listen to this NPR conversation.

Before + Progress: The Historic House By The Water: Master Bedroom, Part 2

Before + Progress is an ongoing series keeping you up to date on whatever project is currently occupying our time. There is still lots to be done at this point to make the Progress photos actually qualify for the coveted After stage.

Double click on the photo for a close up view.

Have no fear my blog-o-happy friends.

Despite a minor blip today, we now return to our regularly scheduled program. Meaning, progress was indeed made on The Master Bedroom and The Living Area at The Historic House By The Water. Two points for The Mister and I, please. Or a high five. Or a brownie. Or something.

Besides an epic shopping trip, prepping downstairs, overdosing on fiber pills (a gruesome story which I'll spare you, lest I lose half of my readership), and playing out The Great Lamp Debate Of 2010, two of the handsome gentlemen below were invited into our bedroom.



And now, we rest.

Bed time at our house just keeps getting more interesting.

See Part 1 here.

Ambush

And to think that I complain when Andrew hogs the sheets...

What Kind Of Bike Are You?

We're bike shopping. The Freckle and I. And we've discovered an itsy bitsy problem.

This is him:


The Specialized Sirrus Expert that Frecklehead is eyeing.

And this is me:


The Raleigh Retroglide that I'm salivating over. Pretty, no?

Surprised?

If you know us, you probably are.

I'm the one who can't sit still. I'm the one who will sprint 10 miles on a whim. I'm the one who's high strung, who's an anxiety sponge, who was nearly booted out of kindergarten for kicking the elementary school principal in the shins when I didn't get to go outside when I demanded. I'm sort of like speed on wheels. Eighteen wheeler wheels. On the freeway. Being driven by that Earnhardt kid.

Not Andrew.

He's cool. Calm. Serious. Mellow. He makes plans for things and then goes about accomplishing them. In order. He's orderly like that. He's a cardioglider. A golfer. A softball with friends kind of guy. In our 'fridge, his beers sit crammed onto the shelf next to my perfectly lined up and facing forward EAS shakes.

He should be the beach cruiser. He should.

But he's not.

He wants to take 20 or 30 mile treks up the coast on one of those toothpick topper seats that I fear will rob him of his manhood. He wants to get those helmets that channel the people of Avatar.

Ride or die, dude.

Pray for me that he doesn't start wearing spandex.

Me?

I want a basket so cute that it makes you vomit. I want to cruise up and down the beach and around the town square slowly enough that my bikini stays in place. I want to hold a coffee in my hand, an Ipod in my pocket, and a peanut on my lap while still steering like a champ. The only piece of gear that I think should grace my noggin is a pair of exceptionally stylish shades.

The problem is, a good chunk of the time that we'll be riding these bad boys, we'll be riding them together. And if he's zipping around in a Maserati, I've got to be able to keep up.

What to do?

Knowing that we couldn't resolve these differences on our own, we did what any married couple does when they're at a breaking point. We sought professional help.

Kailee, the pint-size girl at the bike shop, listened to us argue for about 15 minutes. It was probably the most unexciting 15 minutes of her life. While fights with my former lovers used to include airborne objects and dramatic exits, Andrew and I use such civilized lines as, "Well, I disagree, I think..." and "How about we try this..." Reading the encyclopedia is probably more interesting than our arguments.

Anyway, like a good psychologist, I mean bicycle sales girl, Kailee took stock of all of our needs and wants. Then she recommended this beauty to me:



It's a Raleigh Hybrid model called Coasting. And I fell for her. Hard. Besides being insanely attractive, she has gears and gadgets designed for me to keep up with my very own Mr. Freckled Armstrong. Keep up enough, anyway. Not a bad compromise, eh?

The brown leather seat is just screaming to meet my tushy.

So what do you think? And what kind of wheels are you?

Wait, That's Not A Tootsie Pop

I just caught Crazy Pants sucking on a Centrum Ultra Men's.



Uh oh.

I hope this doesn't effect her lady parts.

A Little Poll Of Our Own

There are polls for everything these days.

Fifty-four percent of Americans approve of President Obama's performance. Seventy-eight percent of Floridians believe that our state needs to embrace greener legislation. Sixty-two percent of viewers think that Charlie Sheen's wife is in rehab.

Everything.

And they always seem to be so off base. Or rather, I never agree them. Well. Hardly ever. Maybe it's because I've never voted in a single one of those polls. Obviously, it's a conspiracy.

So.

On that note, let's do a little poll of our own, shall we?

Here are the questions:

1. How long do you think it will take the real estate market to recover in your area:
a. 1-3 years.
b. 3-5 years.
c. 5+ years.
d. It hasn't recovered yet?

2. How long do you think it will take the real estate market to recover nationally:
a. 1-3 years.
b. 3-5 years.
c. 5+ years.
d. Foreverever.

3. What do you think the scariest problem facing our nation today is:
a. War and the fact that everyone hates us.
b. Healthcare and the fact that people like you are hanging off of roofs.
c. The economy and the people running it.
d. Heidi and Spencer.

Feel free to answer anonymously.

Open Mouth

Insert every flipping piece IN MY LINGERIE DRAWER.



Why must my under things be infinitely more appealing to Satchel than her stuffed moose or bacon bone?

WHY???

Please let this only be a phase. Do any of your peanuts prefer traipsing around in your lacy bits to digging up holes in the backyard? And are there support groups for this sort of thing?

My Downloads

Inspired by you.


As Lovers Go by Dashboard Confessional


Lake Of Fire (Live) by Nirvana

Daughter by Pearl Jam
Hurt by Johnny Cash


Piece Of Me by Britney Spears


Rosalita by Gomez


I'm On Fire by Bruce Springsteen

Uncle John's Band by Grateful Dead


Scarlet Begonias by Grateful Dead

If You Intend by 10,000 Maniacs


Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of by U2

Come Away With Me by Norah Jones
Over And Over by Tim McGraw with Nelly
Don't Stop Believing by Vitamin String Quartet


The Distance by Cake


So Nice So Smart by Kimya Dawson

You Give Me Something by James Morrison


The Only Exception by Paramore

Do You Remember by Jack Johnson
Blue Clear Sky by George Strait
She'll Leave You With A Smile by George Strait
Gold Digger by Kanye West


The Sign by Ace Of Base


So that's it.

And if you're wondering, I did listen to every song emailed to me and posted in the comments. Every single one. And let me just say that you have stellar taste in music.

Like you didn't already know that.

Thanks again, everyone.

Super Freak

Some days, I just feel like dancing.

You know?

Form Versus Function

So remember that stylish puppy lounging pad that we picked up for The Office for Slate and Zoe?

Well, apparently, it wasn't quite doing the job for them. No worries, though, they worked it out...

My peanuts prefer to nap on the walls thankyouverymuch. They're cool like that.

Before + Progress: The Historic House By The Water: Master Bedroom, Part 1: Hints

Before + Progress is an ongoing series keeping you up to date on whatever project is currently occupying our time. There is still lots to be done at this point to make the Progress photos actually qualify for the coveted After stage.

Double click on the photos for a close up view.

I know I'm supposed to be working on The Living Area right now. And I am. Sort of.

But, unless you'd like to peruse dozens of sketches with X's drawn through them and hear about the wall that we didn't expect to have to nurse back to life, I suggest that you don't ask about that space at the moment. Let's just say that the minor kitchen re-design we'd planned is turning into an entire ground floor overhaul.

Get ready to have some fun, friends.

But for now, I give you a few of my new scores for The Sexy Room. I mean, The Master Bedroom. Behold...

Any idea what I'm up to?

And, yes, I've still got these guys on my mind.

Slate Muys Wood

Does anyone else call their monkeys by their full name -- first, middle, last -- when they're pulling time-out-worthy-behavior?

WHY are you snorting like that?

Don't judge me.

This Is Love: World Market Sale Rugs

This Is Love is an ongoing series showcasing products or services we dig. Don't worry, we're not being bribed to expose any of these; it's just stuff we're truly crazy about. If you have something you love that you'd like to share, please email me at kellymuys@yahoo.com.

Double click on the photos for a close up view.



These are each on sale at World Market right now for around a couple hundred buckeroos.

I like 'em.

Part 1: Walk Away?

My friends have done it. My colleagues have done it. Even my neighbors have done it.

Read here.



During the years that preluded The Great Depression my great-great-grandfather was the president of a national bank which was failing. As a result of the pressure, he took his own life.

Today, I have a number of friends who will chat about the properties that they've "let go" (they never seem to use the word foreclose) as passively as they recount what they ate for lunch.

Could you?

Would you?

Is there something morally reprehensible about "2010: The Year Of Strategic Default" to anyone else? Or should we take a more pragmatic approach to passing judgement? And what about the author's comment that, "Defaulting strategically can entice more walk-aways by buying all the major items they may need in the near future, such as a car or even a house, right before they take a hike..."

You're telling me that an acquaintance of mine who purchased an almost million dollar house using a down payment that he swiped from re-financing his current place -- right before foreclosing on it -- is the wise one? True, his credit is subpar for a few years, but he doesn't care. Why would he? He has everything that he needs.

So should we all just view this sort of thing as a sound, strategic business decision?

Excuse me while I pick my jaw up from off the floor.

Your thoughts...?

Keep in mind that we are not discussing foreclosure that is the result of job loss or tragedy. We're talking about "Strategic Default" specifically.

See Part 2 here.

He Shops, Too

Andrew (waving frantically and yelling across the store): Look! Look! I think I found them! I found them, Kelly!

Me (squinting and yelling back): What?

Andrew (picking up and displaying it triumphantly above his head while nearly knocking over an unsuspecting shopper): The pillows for The Master Bedroom! They're perfect! Look how big they are... And soft...

Me (still yelling after trying unsuccessfully to motion him over): Honey, those are dog beds.

Andrew (bright red): No, they're -- oh.

And a minute later: I, uh, I knew that...

Seventeenth Bag Of Mail: Secondhand Stores

"Hi Kelly! I just recently discovered your blog and I am really enjoying following your progress. And I have to tell you the post the other day about the sticks in the trash still makes me laugh.

I wanted to email you about the shops where you bought some of your things in The Guest Bedroom. My husband and I recently moved to South Florida, and I've had the hardest time finding good antique/thrift/secondhand stores -- we've found a couple but a lot of places are either really expensive (like the antique stores near DCOTA) or just have junk. Can you recommend some of your favorites? We live off Ives Dairy Road/Interstate 95 if that helps, so we're close to Fort Lauderdale and Miami.

Thanks so much! And good luck with the rest of your renovation! Jacksonville is a lovely area.

Jennifer"



Hi Jennifer! How do you like South Florida so far? It's a great place to live.

Unfortunately, though, you are correct -- South Florida does seem to lack well-priced quality antique dealers and thrift stores. One of the reasons, in general, is that the rent is just too high for those types of businesses to thrive in majority of that area. But you'll have no problem finding a plethora of very overpriced boutiques!

When I lived in South Florida it was always in East Fort Lauderdale (Lauderdale-By-The-Sea). Since I hate driving more than 15 minutes -- actually, I hate driving at all -- most of the places that I frequented are within a few miles of that area.

Three -- yes, THREE -- of my favorite shops in the world closed the last few years and, in my opinion, it was a huge loss to the community. Here are some of the other places that I managed to score good finds at, though:

1. Wilton Manors
They've developed a little design district just off of their square where you can sometimes find good antiques or refurbished furniture. The planter in my guest bedroom came from there.

2. Goodwill
I used to go to the one off of Oakland Park. They get all kinds of good stuff there. I once even saw an authentic Louis Vuitton. I've gotten dishes and books and even a chair there.

3. The Swap Shop
This one might gross you out. I actually had a really hard time getting anyone to go there with me. It's an, ahem, interesting crowd. Here's the secret, though: Don't go to any of the shops. There is a little area outside where people can sell their own goods (I gather it's mostly things they've picked up at estate sales), and I've gotten some fabulous buys out there.

4. Carole's Antiques
On Oakland Park Boulevard. I've bought a sculpture and some small pieces from her in the past. Her prices are good, her selection? Not so much. Every once in a while you'll find a diamond in the rough, though.

5. 26th and Federal Highway
In that little corner (behind the egg place) there is a string of FABULOUS little shops. I've bought tons of stuff there over the years.

My last recommendation would be Little Havana. You'd never guess, right? In the 10 years that I lived in South Florida, I never ventured there until the last couple of years. They do a festival every Friday night now, and the food and art is some of the best in the city.

I hope this helps a tad? When we arrived in Jacksonville, I was shocked at the availability (and PRICES!) of the antiques and furniture at the shops. Pleasantly SHOCKED.

Good luck with your treasure hunting! Let me know if you have any luck at my old haunts!

Sixteenth Bag Of Mail: Paper Bird Trend

Holly sent me the email, below, about the new friends we have flying around in The Office. It made me smile.

We're, like, so cutting edge over here.



Seriously, though, check it out. Definitely some interesting ideas.

"Houzz Idea Book. You started a trend.

Holly"

Julie's Built-In Bookcase

Yes. Just yes.



This bookcase has been whispering softly in my ear lately. And it's now turned into obscenely loud chirping.

It cannot be ignored.



p.s. See the entire room here.

Who Is Prettier?

I'm looking for our Master Bedroom in The Historic House By The Water.

The Blonde will set us back a few Benjamins, while The Brunette (which is actually a deep purple) will only run us eighty some-odd dollas. Or as Andrew says, "Less than the cost of Bingo."

Don't ask.

So who should win the pageant?

(Oh and, if you're wondering, think dark deco-inspired wood furniture, old wood floors, 1920s ornate gold mirrors and fixtures, big lamps, deep gray walls, heavy silk or velvet window treatments.)

The Calm Before The Storm

Because Micah asked.