Month: April 2013

House Update

/ LeopardandGrace

Yesterday morning we closed on the condo. It was so bittersweet — this was the first home we shared together. We got engaged here, got married here …we’ve made so many amazing memories. We’re really excited about the next chapter, moving into the new house, starting a family and making many new memories :)

That all being said, we are currently homeless and living out of our car and staying in a hotel. We were supposed to close on the new house today, but the sellers are dragging their feet in getting the work done.

They *should* be paving the driveway today, which is the last thing that they needed to complete.  Hopefully they get it done this morning, the appraiser signs off on the work this afternoon and we can close tomorrow. There is a light at the end of this ridiculously long tunnel.

Obviously we’re frustrated with this process. I’m at my wits end with promises being made, and then broken again. I hate that my entire life is disrupted and we’re at the mercy of these people, who seem to have zero sense of urgency.

But we’ll get there. Slowly, painfully and now broke — but we’ll get there :) Please keep your fingers crossed for us!

To anyone going through this process, a word of advice: expect the unexpected. Don’t say “oh sorry that happened to you, but it won’t to me”. Guess what … it WILL. You will have your heart broken, you will cry, you will yell. People will tell you things you do not want to hear. Trust the process. It’s the most infuriating, exhausting and exciting thing. And from what they tell me, it’s all worth it in the end.


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Boston, you’re my home

/ LeopardandGrace
boston-1

Yesterday was a day that forever changed my world. On April 15, Patriots Day here in MA, at the historic Boston Marathon — there was a terrorist attack. Two bombs went off near the finish line, killing three people and injuring and maiming hundreds of others.

Our hearts are broken. Boston is my home, my city, my backyard. Having a senseless, cowardly tragedy like this happen on my doorstep, affected me in a way that I didn’t know was possible.

The air is different. People are interacting differently. We are exchanging looks — “how are you? are we ok?” kind of looks. This tragedy has pushed us to all dial back a little bit. Focus on our friends, our families and our community. Each other.

Something that touched me so much was seeing the outpouring of love and support from our community. An image that will stay with me forever — seconds after the first explosion, people were running towards the explosion site. They were ripping down barricades, in order to get to the hurt and injured. People selflessly forgot about themselves and focused on helping those around them. It gives me goosebumps.

In the midst of this tragedy, there IS beauty. We will overcome this. We will recover. And we will be stronger than ever. Whoever did this, caused this hurt and pain — they had no idea who they were messing with and I am confident that justice will be served.

 
I took both of these photos tonight while driving home through the city. 

Tonight, my heart is heavy. But I am proud to call this wonderful city home.


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Pick a table, any table!

/ LeopardandGrace
diningtable1

I’ve mentioned before (I think….) about my obsession with dining room tables. It was one of the first things I wanted to purchase for the new house, because to me, a dining room table just means home.

A place to gather with friends and family, for holidays and dinner parties — or just quiet dinners alone.

Here are a few of my favorites:

 
 

 


 

 

 

I have searched high and low for a rustic, farmhouse table. Just the table. I want to add fun upholstered chairs, amd those I can find anywhere — but a table? Pottery Barn has one I love for $1799. Not only would my husband kill me, but even I think that is a ridiculous amount of money. I found a set from Jordan’s for $749, that I almost settled for. The wood is a little too light for my tastes, and Keith doesn’t really love the white legs. But it was a decent price, so we almost went for it.

But then …. a lightbulb went off. My father is a great woodworker, and loves spending his spare time building things. He actually built their dining room table, and my parents have had it for over 20 years. So I asked him if he would be willing to help us out and he said yes!! I sent him my inspiration photos and he’s going to source some local wood for us and give us pricing.

I am so excited that we’ll have a unique and very affordable table for our new dining room and can’t wait to get started on this project! Now, I just have to pick out some chairs…..


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