various DIY projects

We got a little bit of work accomplished this weekend, but really there hasn't been much to blog about lately. Brandon found some storm windows a month or so ago on Craigslist that amazingly fit our windows...we thought we would have to order them custom but he's been watching the listings like a hawk...finally it paid off, and for a mere $25 each, we got enough storm windows to do all the windows on the sides of the house (the back already had them)! He cleaned and painted them today and got two installed on our bedroom windows. Of course, it took longer and was more difficult than expected, which I think is the first rule of DIY, am I right? The other two bedroom windows will have to wait, because an additional piece of trim is needed between them. I assisted minorly from inside the house, holding the windows (pretty lightweight) in place while Brandon attached them.

We've been decorating for Halloween, a little at a time. We're having a party on Halloween, and hoping to turn the "serial killer" basement into a haunted house! Some of you I've already added to the Evite, but if I missed you, just let me know.

Brandon spent part of yesterday working on a small bedside table for me...we bought it recently at a thrift store for $10. We think it began life as half (or a third?) of a vanity table. A cool idea to divide one up like that, but I just wonder where the other half is now?? It would nice to have both and use them on each side of the bed. Oh well.

Blogging for the immediate future may be sporadic...it's a little early to share our news, but we've been working on a little DIY side project. If everything goes well, as we hope and expect it to, you can soon follow our progress as we turn our current library/office into a nursery! Expect lots of photos of Grandma Patrice painting, I think ;) Morning sickness has my computer time limited these days...it's gotten better but makes blogging (checking email...driving...getting work done at work, etc.) difficult because I feel ill if I look at the screen too long. Will update as we know more!

ajc features east point

There was a great article in the Sunday Atlanta Journal Constitution Homefinder today about East Point! The article is very positive about living in East Point, and also features our neighborhood association president, Dustin Drabot. Check it out! The secret's out — East Point is in: Affordable houses, small-town feel spark revival in southside city.

I'm not sure East Point is like Va-Hi was just two years ago, but a good article nonetheless. The city's had some issues recently, so it's nice to see the good points of living here highlighted.

doors, doors, everywhere

I've had a couple of people asking about the door we found. The dimensions are 36" x 89". We listed it on Craigslist but haven't gotten a response yet. If you're interested, make sure the door is hinged on the right side for your door frame, or you've got a lot more work ahead of you :)

In other news, we found a guy selling a Craftsman style door that DOES fit our house! And for an affordable price. It's taller than our current door, but it looks like our frame has been retro-fitted for a modern door, because there are extra boards in there to fill up the space at the top of the door. We'll probably have to redo our hinge spacing, but hopefully the rest will work out. So...I think we're going to let him know we want it, and then we'll have to decide what to do with the cedar one, which we still love. Hmm...original style door (that even matches our window style) or new door?

georgia houseblogger party?

I was talking to Jenni over at ThirteenEleven the other day and mentioned that it might be fun to get some of the local housebloggers together for a cookout or similar get-together. What do you guys think??

bistro set

Thanks, BITH! We found a little bistro set at the Walmart on Gresham for $40! You saved the day!

I'll post a photo tomorrow, if I remember.

Will also post a link to the listing for the condo...keep forgetting.

patio help needed

We're trying to find a very small bistro style table with two chairs for the patio at the condo. It's a very tiny patio surrounded by concrete walls (basically mostly underground with an opening at the top!).

I was wondering if anyone either knew where we could find an inexpensive set right now, since we seem to be heading out of patio season, or had one they weren't using that we could borrow (either until we can find one to buy or borrow for three months or so).

We had one until a few months ago, when we gave it back to Brandon's mom for his sister to use! I've looked all over and all the outdoor furniture seems to have disappeared from Lowe's, HD, etc. I remember IKEA had one this summer, but haven't been back to check. I don't remember seeing it the last time we were there, though.

the condo

We've taken the plunge and relisted the condo for sale. You probably don't even remember that we still own the condo, or that we ever owned a condo, much less that we've been landlords for the most of the last year. Everytime I mention it, the standard response is, "You still own the condo?"

Sigh. Yes, we do.

While we have a great tenant living there currently, she's decided it's time she move on soon, and so we've decided to go ahead and list it for sale again. At almost exactly the same time that the air conditioning unit decided to die. So last night, we met both the a/c guy and the realtor at the same time. Both of them want lots of money from us! We may end up losing money on the condo sale, but we figure we're losing about $5k annually on it anyway, unfortunately.

I'll post a link to the listing once it goes up. Keep your fingers crossed for us!