Big Brother

So, I learned moments ago that the school I work for, my Alma mater, is hosting the only Iowa audition for the tv show for "Big Brother," in 3 weeks. I can't wait to see the amount of crazies...er people, that show up to audition. I might have to make a trip over to work that day, just to people watch!

I've never actually watched the show. However, I did see several clips since a hunky guy on the show wore several shirts bearing my Alma mater's name. Have you ever seen the show? Is it something I should watch? Give me your thoughts! :)


Thanks for stopping by, see you soon!
Kendra

I just fell in love...with a house (or two!)

Okay. Really it's two houses. I love them both. They are gorgeous! Each in their own separate way. One, is very cozy (small), cottage-y (is that a word?), the other very modern (small) and beautiful. Both are relatively cheap, although the modern one is less than the other one, which makes me smile even more! The absolute worst part, other than not having the money to buy a house, is that the cheaper one was flooded pretty badly this past summer in our 500 year flood that totally brought havoc upon our fair town. The first, is on my street, I see it EVERY-DAY, when I go to and from work/working out. Highly overpriced in my opinion. Both, sad to say, are not fixer-uppers, which is on my wish list. They are both newly remodeled, and the first even has granite counter tops! The second has a gorgeous, most-white, kitchen. But hey..what would I do it if I bought either one since they are both newly remodeled...aww well..I'll just have to keep window shopping. Maybe someday my boyfriend will finally be done with college (next May..woohoo!!) and we can decide where we will start our first years of post-college life, and buy a home (I hope! He may decide grad school is an option..which just delays my plans even further. darn.)

ok. I'm done rambling. I just had to share that with someone. If anyone is interested in pictures, I will post them. But, I'm off to work out. I love spring days! It's 69 degrees here, how lovely is it where you are?

Thanks for reading, stop back soon!
Kendra

Quick weekend update...

Happy weekend!!

I hope you've all been having a good one so far. I've been on my couch since I got done cleaning my apartment after work, even forgot I had laundry in the dryer for over an hour..ooops! I've got a good excuse though..I've been working on figuring out how to change up my layout, make it less blogger, and more ME! :) I've not gotten very far, pretty stumped, even though I went to college for design, particularly for web design, and I've got to say...I'm confused! I found a layout that I kind of like, and it's been designed for blogger, so I thought it'd be a piece of cake. But then I started reading about how to make sure the widgets were compatible, and what not and I hit a brick wall. Does anyone have a good tutorial on this, with examples? I just hate being so factory, I can't wait to show you all what I'm made of...but until I get over this hump, I am not sure if it's possible.

So...HELP!! You've all been so great so far, I know I can count on you! No rush, I'm going shopping with my two favorite ladies (my adorable mom, and grandma) tomorrow, and then my boyfriend returns from spring break (I know what you're thinking...its too early for a spring break. I AGREE!!) on Sunday and I can't wait to see him! So anyway, whenever you get the chance I'd love to hear your inspirational thoughts on making your blog your own!

Thanks for stopping by, see you again soon!

Kendra

Amazing Kitchen Remodel

As promised, I've returned to give you some pictures and details of my parents' amazing remodel of their 1889 farmhouse kitchen. As I said, it was a YEAR long remodel, and was done entirely by my parents (pretty amazing if you ask me!).

First, a little history of the house and my family.

The house is on a large acreage located in north central Iowa. It was built in the late 1880's, and was later purchased by my great-grandparents. My dad's dad, my grandpa, lived most of his childhood in the house, and my dad grew up on that farm as well. When my parents got married at the ripe age of 20, they moved right into the house. At that time it was a 4 room house, it was absolutely tiny. Soon after, my parents decided it was too small, and they needed to make some additions. They added on a second level with two bedrooms and a bathroom, as well as a very large family/living/great room. They were married 7 years before having my brother, and four years later they expanded their family by having me. The additions and remodels didn't stop after that. I can remember at least 2 other major remodels during my childhood, and now this amazing transformation. I wish I had a before picture to show you all.. (I'm going to see my mom this weekend, I'll see if I can come up with one to show.)

What they did:
First..they absolutely gutted the room. Down to the cinder blocks. Replaced all of the floor joists and re-laid them the opposite direction. They did this because the floor was never level, so my dad being a huge perfectionist (it's where I get it from!) decided it was necessary. They then laid a new subfloor, repurposed some of the old cupboards and then built new ones from scratch where old ones didn't work, then refaced the old and built custom doors and faces for the drawers. Changed the plumbing, and rewired the whole room. Installed new wood floors, painted, and installed a custom backsplash. The only thing they didn't do was install the granite countertops. (Again, I'll work on before pictures!)

And...what you've all been waiting for...the AFTER pictures!!


So...what does everyone think? Aren't my parents amazing? The backsplash is incredible!

Oh, and I also need some help with putting my email up on the side of my blog..can anyone help me out? I told you guys I'm green at this!

Thanks for reading, stop back soon!

Love, Kendra

Why Thank You!

I have to admit to you all, I haven't been very faithful about checking my own blog, I spend all my time reading up on all of your blogs. I'm still new to the blogging world and had no idea that if I received comments on my posts that I wouldn't be made aware somehow, so when, by chance, I decided to check up on my own blog, and saw that I have FOUR WHOLE followers, I was so excited!! :) I'm glad you all have felt what I'm feeling, and can help me feel a little less pathetic!

Thanks for all your reassuring comments, and advice! They may seem like little to nothing to you, but to me, they mean a lot!

I do have an exciting post to share with you all! My parents just finished a YEAR long renovation of their 1889 farmhouse kitchen. But I'll get back to that in an hour when American Idol is over, I'm OBSESSED!! See you in a few!! :)