Young House Love

Home Decorating & DIY Tutorials

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Blogiversary 5: Goal Tending

It’s time for some annual goal declaring (because nothing lights a fire under your keister like a big ol’ public proclamation). Let’s do this thang.

Goal Tending Foosball

Goal #1: Embrace The Crazy (aka Be Flexible): After five years of blogging and over two years of both of us doing it full time, we’ve learned that no two days are ever the same. But this upcoming year is about to get crazier than anything we’ve ever experienced. Between the release of our book on Nov 6th and a 15 city+ book tour along with some secret side projects that we can’t wait to reveal to you guys (no mom, that’s not a we’re pregnant euphemism) the next 365 days are guaranteed to be like no other. So our goal is just to be flexible and resist the futile attempt to cling to any sense of “normal.” We figure the less we stress about it, the more we’ll be able to enjoy what’s in store for us. And you know we’ll share every last crazy detail as it all goes down.

Goal #2: Smorgasbord it up. Looking back in our archives – especially as demonstrated in this morning’s post – we realize there used to be more variety in our posts (we blame the change on our Type A personalities, which make us quick to fall into a routine). So somehow we’ve lost that sense of mixing it up and a smidge of the spur of the moment randomness that we had in the beginning of the little ol’ blog of ours. So in addition to our usual routine of projects, giveaways, and reader redesigns, we’re hoping to add more of these ingredients to the proverbial YHL pot:

  • House Crashings
  • Window Shopping
  • Budget Blooms
  • Fast and Free Upgrades
  • Advice-Seeking (from you guys for ourselves or even for other readers)
  • Table Setting
  • Holiday Decorating
  • Mood Boards
  • Using/Tweaking What We Have
  • Round-Ups & Top Ten Lists
  • Road Trips (or other travel-related adventures)
  • Random Off-Topic Chitchat (looking back, these usually end up being some of our favorites)

We feel like this mix will be a truer reflection of our real life (since we’re definitely not doing projects 24/7 around here). Sharing two or three projects a week has always been a pace that works best for us (it’s amazing how much you can accomplish when you look back, as seen in our monthly recaps) and that pace also helps us avoid burn-out and keeps us from busting our budget. So we’re recommitting to bringing back some old stuff, trying new things, and generally smorgasbording it up along with those two to three project-related posts per week – which is definitely what got us here in the first place.

Hoohat

Goal #3: Less Typey-Typey, More Lifey-Lifey: Finding balance and not writing such wordy posts probably go hand in hand, and both have been goals from past years that we haven’t quite mastered. So while we’ll still probably work a few nights and weekends and ramble on from time to time, some of our favorite posts in our archives don’t have 2,000 words, and many other blogs that we love are less long-winded. So this is our commitment to keep working on it. Here’s hoping the third time’s the charm, and that you guys are down with short & sweet along with the long juicy stuff that we serve up on the regular.

Chihuahua Mascot Bloggin Do

Goal #4: More Of You. We’re not fully sure how we plan to do this, but we want more of you guys on our blog. So from crashing more of your houses to getting your take on how you like to live in your home, and just working harder to create a sweet little community over here, we’d love to work you guys in even more. Our casa is su casa. Come on in and get cozy. I might be found inside posing like this, but it’s all good.

Deck Furn0

So there they are. Four probably-won’t-all-be-accomplished-but-we’ll-try-our-darndest goals for year six of blogging our pants off (figuratively speaking). While we’re on the goal tending topic, we also like to annually revisit the prior year’s goals to see how we did. You can read them a bit more in depth right here, but we thought we’d just summarize the ones from last year to evaluate our progress:

Last Year’s Goal #1: Find Balance: As we mentioned above, we’ve been working on this goal for a few years (we actually mentioned it during this 2011 resolutions post). We said we wanted to avoid the trap of putting all of our time, money, and energy into the house to the point that we have no life, no savings, and Clara doesn’t see the light of day. Since the internet is 24/7, we’re still plugged in on nights, weekends, vacations, and even holidays. So one reason that we started Young House Life was to remind ourselves to take a minute to have fun, be spontaneous, and step. away. from. the. laptop. The verdict: Blerg, still working on it (see Goal #3 of this year), but we’re getting a little better I think. After all, we did take our first ever break from blogging this year.

HI Beach J C Sitting In Wat

Goal #2: Not drone on in every post. We noted that this actually might be the key to accomplishing more of the balance that we craved in our first goal, which is why we worked it in again this year. The verdict: Oops, still working on this too.

Goal #3: Bring back before & after inspiration. Back in 2010, we phased out our Reader Redesigns and invited folks to share their makeovers on our Facebook page instead. But after a year of missing them dearly, we decided to bring them back. There’s just too much amazing stuff that can leave us all inspired/encouraged and you know we love to share the love. The verdict: Wahoo, mission accomplished! So glad they’re back.

Goal #4: Be Secure In Our Own Bloghood. This was about how we’d love for every single person to love every single post, but we’d also love a goose chihuahua that lays golden eggs. The truth is we just have to be ok with not everyone loving everything, or even anything. And in turn everyone reading will hopefully understand that projects, decor choices, and post-writing is as subjective as favorite foods and hairstyles. We vowed to remember that and blog more fearlessly and confidently. The verdict: We’re finally in a just-doing-our-thang groove these days (it only took five years, haha). And there’s a little more on this topic in this post and this post if you’re a fellow blogger who is struggling with it.

Goal #5: Be Grateful. This goal was about how sometimes the stress of a project or a long blog to-do list can make us momentarily forget that this is a dream job. So this goal was more of a mental shift than anything else. In those oh-crap-we’re-stressing moments we just wanted to stop, breathe, and remember how geeky giddy we are over this amazing opportunity. The verdict: We definitely took this to heart, and whenever we felt crazy-overwhelmed by book stuff, life stuff, and all of that project/blog stuff, we tried to take a breath and smile. Life is good, even when it’s full of chaos.

Goal #6: Try New Things. We wanted to have an open mind about some weird half-baked decorating idea that might pop into our heads or some other new adventure, like what writing a book might have in store for us. So we just wanted to be open to those new things – and try not to dread them or turn into a big ol’ ball of stress. The verdict: We wrote a few awesomely random and spontaneous posts, we shot book photography for three solid weeks in our house without killing each other, and we have just generally tried to be more open when it comes to spontaneous post/life/project ideas. Hopefully there’s even more of that to come this year!

John And Sherry Petersik Go

Now it’s time for us to change out of our hockey uniforms and slip on some grass skirts to do a little love hula for you. Oh yeah, these swaying hips mean that we love you more than words can say. Without you guys our goal would be: get back into advertising because we’d be out of a job. Haha. So just know how much we appreciate you. Not in that “thanks for holding the door for me” way that you toss out five times a day to strangers. More in that genuine “thanks for making our life possible” way. And speaking of meeting you guys, we just heard that next week we’ll have all of our book tour dates nailed down, so we can finally announce them! Here’s hoping we can meet some of you and sincerely thank you for dropping in on our life. You guys are not only the reason we can do this for a living, but you’re also the reason that we love doing this (you encourage us and make us laugh in ways you’ll never know). In short: you guys make our day every day. How’s that for a lovefest?

Psst- First image found here and last image found here (without our heads on them of course, we added those).

Psst – We announced this week’s big giveaway winner. Click here to see if it’s you.

Comments

  2. Casey @ wafflingdesign says

    Maybe you could do a “in the life of a fellow blogger” thing. You could interview other bloggers or let them guest post. But then I guess you would have to sort through 10,000 requests to be featured. hahaha

    PS- your photoshop skills are getting way good. I really feel like you are actually foosball players :P

    Reply

    • Maureen says

      I was thinking of this one also… I think it would be awesome!

      Few thoughts here…

      1. WOOT for mood boards!!!!!! I use yours ALL.THE.TIME.
      2. Don’t beat yourself about being wordy. Some things require it, and can’t always be explained so easy.
      3. I think you guys have definitely improved on giving yourselves a break now and then. I really find your approach to life very inspiring.

  3. ryan says

    Sherry, how sick are you of people always jumping to the conclusion that you’re pregnant? I’m in a similar age bracket and it always surprises me that everyone always wants you to be pregnant. It goes like this:
    “I have great news” “You’re pregnant?!?”
    “I’m tired today” “You must be pregnant.”
    “I felt like eating a peach today” “You’re pregnant.” Seriously, people there is more to women aged 20-35 than the status of our wombs. : P

    Mini-rant over. Great goal setting post you two!

    Reply

    • Angie Tobias says

      Bahahahahahaha! So freakin true. I fall in that age range too, and our first one is 6, and despite the fact that we’ve told everyone we don’t plan on having any more — they are relentless!

      I’m glad I’m not the only one :-)

    • Emily says

      The question just seems SO rude to me! It’s such a personal decision that I don’t think everyone should be asking away. It’s different I guess if it is a very close friend, or a parent, but then I think it should be asked in private. I hear people asking all over the place.

    • Jess @ Crunchy Hot Mama says

      I feel ya on that one! Poor Sherry having to defend herself every.single.time she writes a post.

      It seems the norm to ask when you’re having another even if you haven’t decided one way or the next. Our daughter is Clara’s age and I’m not sure I want another and that will just have to okay with some people. Leave my uterus alone ;)

      In other news…the foosball pic was hilarious and I really appreciate/needed to hear the confession of writing shorter posts. I seem to be long-winded too, and have observed from other bloggers that not every post needs to be over 1,000 words. I can defintely benefit from you guys and your goals. Makes me want to get on board the same train and keep things fresh! Happy Blogiversary :)

    • CATHY says

      Also, not everyone is capable of having more. My husband and I are really happy with our 6 year old and don’t really want anymore, but we can no longer have more children. Few people know this and it upsets me so much when we say “oh, we’re not planning on having anymore” and people say “she’ll be so lonely. She needs a brother or sister”.
      That really fires me up.
      Speaking of fire, Love the Calgary Flames goalie photoshopped picture! Love the Canadian Reference!! Go Canada Go

    • Jaime says

      Seriously!!! Why do people think its ANY of their business?! It drives me BONKERS!! I don’t understand why its considered rude/inappropriate to talk about someone’s weight, age or how much money they make, etc, but people have no problems asking about or making comments on your reproductive plans which I personally think are a WAY more personal and private matter.

      I have to hand it to you, Sherry, you handle it so well when you get these types of comments, I don’t know how you do it!

    • julieK says

      Ryan,

      I second that rant completely! I know everyone who asks is well meaning but I think it can be a bit rude, maybe a couple is unable to conceive, maybe they have a good reason not to have children, or maybe they’re like me and happen to crave random foods every so often.

    • Kristin says

      Thank you for saying that. I’ve always cringed when people ask this question for two reasons. First – knowing how difficult it can be to get pregnant and stay pregnant, I think it’s best to err on the side of caution and not ask people until they are ready to share. I would feel terrible if I asked someone and they broke down and told me they’ve been trying (unsuccessfully) for months / years, or just lost a child.

      And on a lighter note, second – if you remove the sometimes necessary medical interventions to get and stay pregnant, most people’s pregnancies are preceeded by other, more personal aspects of their relationship. I found the best way to get a parent (or anyone) to stop nagging you about family planning is to rephrase their question back to them as “Hey, having much sex lately?” They might think twice about asking.

      Hooray to being more than just our wombs!

      Hope to see you in St. Louis.

    • Jennifer says

      SO TRUE!
      Just this week alone I’ve gotten, “hmm, maybe your pregnant”, “are you pregnant?” and from a five-year-old: “why don’t you have any kids in your house?” And then from the pedicure lady, “Did you have your baby?” WHAT?!
      And Kristin, can I borrow your reply? :)

    • Reghan says

      I had a baby 6 weeks ago and everyone is already asking when the next one is coming!! Ummm maybe a few years or maybe never? I can see it becoming old fast haha

    • Krissy says

      I, too, am in that age bracket. My boyfriend’s family thinks I am pregnant all the time. I had a migraine. I asked if they had any pickles (to eat with dinner, not just on their own). I was sick to my stomach (food poisoning, not a baby). I feel like no one will believe us when I finally am pregnant and we tell them!

    • RA says

      This is not a new phenomenon. We waited 10 years to have our first. The hubs was in grad school and it was just not feasible to have a child. He finally put one nosy woman in her place with a comment I cannot repeat here. ;) Now people ask if we are grandparents yet. I think I’m going to borrow from Kristin and say “I’m sure my kids are having great sex but they do know how to use birth control.” Thanks for the laughs y’all.

  4. Sarah says

    I love that Burger looks so devious at his computer:) I’m a nurse, so cheers to work/life balance! Good luck to your goals and your book tour. We are so excited!

    Reply

  7. Briel K. says

    That first picture is kind of creepy! haha Good luck on your goals for the next year! They all sound pretty attainable. Looking forward to hearing about your secret side projects! Do you know about when the book tour dates and details will be revealed? That’s what I’m most excited about! :)

    Reply

  8. Emily R says

    I think your goal number 3 will be great for you and for us. I love your blog – but sometimes it gets too wordy for me, and I tend to scroll down to the end to see the finished product. I think sometimes there are also too many before and after photos repeated in the same post. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE your blog with all my heart, but I think goal number 3 is a win win for all of us. I like short and sweet, and you get a part of your life back!

    Keep up the good work!

    Reply

    • Lesley says

      I totally agree with Emily. I remember when I saw this goal last year and was like “yes good goal!” I still love your blog but some days I just cringe b/c it takes so much of my time to read and I don’t want to miss a word. But I have to begin the scroll to see if it is worth reading.

      I also like the mix it up. I did feel like this year I even got into knowing your routine. Like when you would have a giveaway or a reader redesign. I am sure it is easier for you to plan it out but I did like the old method of being surprised. I do click on younghouselife when you have a link on FB but otherwise I wouldn’t think of going there. I kind of liked when you had stuff like that on this blog. It made you more real and like us. I also understand some people think of this as a decorating blog so maybe that is why you made the change.

      I love to see new posts but at times I think 2 a day is a lot and I wonder when you get stuff done to write about for the blog. I wouldn’t be mad at you if you missed a post once in a while to do ‘stuff’ whether it is blog related or not. You deserve some time to yourself.

  9. Jen Migonis says

    Love your goals! You two are doing such a great job with what you have! Thank you for always inspiring! And I just love that you are bringing more of a community focus, I adore the house crashings and reader redesigns. Have Anniversary!

    Reply

  10. Courtney says

    Every year when you do this post, it makes me smile to see your heads on the bodies of my hometown hockey players. It’s the little things… :)

    Looking forward to another awesome year of checking in on your slice of the world. Keep up the great work guys!!

    Reply

  11. Erin @ The Impatient Gardener says

    You’re doing great … keep up the good work. And, as for No. 3, one of my journalism professors always said, “Your words are not your soul. It won’t kill you to cut them.” And then she’d promptly make us cut the stories we’d stayed up all night working on in half. It’s a drastic exercise but her point is well taken. Every time I find myself writing longer than space allows I repeat that to myself.

    Also, perhaps your first request for next year’s blogiversary: I think you should count the number of times you’ve had to deny being pregnant on the blog. God, you must be sick of it!

    Reply

  13. Ryan says

    I just want to say that I really love your site and I’ve enjoyed this past year more than the others because there’s a noticeable shift in how you write. There’s more humor in the posts, more personal stuff and it doesn’t feel like you’re pushing yourselves too hard on the DIY stuff. We all love your projects but, in reality, we come back because you and John seem like the goofy, funny and a little dorky (in the best possible way) friends that we have in real life.

    Less work, more dork! :)

    Reply

    • Jill says

      I’ve also really noticed and enjoyed the added humor. I actually was not reading your blog for your personalities, just your projects, but in this last year, I’ve totally been reading for both.

      Also, have you thought about scaling back from two posts a day to one? The very best, most dedicated bloggers out there are usually one-a-day bloggers. Two just seems nuts! (Unless you’re doing a giveaway, then I can see real post + giveaway post on that day.)

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Aw thanks Jill! We definitely think about it but worry that the fun spontaneous little posts (which are often our favorites) will fall by the wayside and it’ll be all bread and meat and no pickles and cheese and fun toppings – haha!

      xo
      s

  14. Valerie says

    I LOVE your blog and always check your blog mid morning. It’s the highlight of my day.

    That being said, as a reader, if you don’t respond to all comments right away I’m ok with that knowing that it keeps you from getting burnt out so you keep up with the blog.

    Work Life Blance is key and needs to be a priority! :)

    And I hope you come to Boston too!

    Reply

  16. Allyn says

    I totally feel the pregnant thing. I swear, if my husband or I ever put a hand on my stomach in front of people, the looks and questions come flying. Which is annoying, because we’re pretty cuddly people. Sometimes I feel like wearing a sign that says “No, not pregnant. No, not trying. You’ll be the first to know, I’m sure”
    This makes me want to write up a list of goals for us for the year!

    Reply

  17. Keri Beth says

    Glad your bringing back the before and afters can’t wait to submit to you our before and afters of turning a 11′ x 12’9″ weirdly placed master bathroom into a kids functional bathroom

    Reply

  18. Stephanie says

    I am so excited to see “Advice-Seeking” on that list. I don’t know if you were going for anything like this but when I was reading your archives and the Design Dilemma’s were posted, I always read the comments. And still today I make it a point to read comments on your blog. I think you’ve got a really great community here and with so many people reading you get so many different view points. How cool would it be to be able to send an e-mail to you two saying “I’m having THIS design problem. HELP!” (ahem. I mean.. HALP!) Maybe you guys could include a quick blurb and then open it up to readers to comment. It would be SO COOL. (Or would it be PHAT? ;) )

    Also, I should say I love that you guys are wordy. Somehow it makes you very relatable. But it might just be that I’m wordy, as evidenced by the last like 5 comments I left on this blog. :) I’m going to stop now.

    Reply

  19. Pamela says

    “Iss my hoo hat,” is my favorite quotation of all times. I actually use it quite at lot, even if nobody knows what I’m talking about. Bill Shakespeare cannot write better dialogue.

    Reply

  22. Nicole says

    Do Reader Redesigns have to be people with their own blogs? I’ve thought about submitting pictures of a few things my husband and I have DIY-ed (a complete overhaul of useless 2nd floor space, including adding a bathroom & a new kitchen), but we don’t have a blog. All of the RR posts I’ve seen (I think) link back to the person’s own blog.

    Just curious!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      No, not at all! We love sharing the love to fellow bloggers and DIYers without a blog alike! There are definitely like 10% that aren’t bloggers (it just seems to be the percentage of folks who send them to us, there’s no preference showed to either group or anything).

      xo
      s

  24. Abigail says

    I’d be excited to see more house crashing and table setting. I’d love to see something on entry way organization. Mail, bills, keys, shoes, etc. Maybe let people post pictures of their room and get comments or ideas from other readers.

    PS – your blog is a bit addictive.

    Reply

  25. Janelle D says

    Blogiversary week is just like one big YHL lovefest and I’m so down with it! Thank you for sharing your happenings with us. I smile everyday when I read your blog. :)

    Reply

  26. Lindsey says

    Thank you, thank you for all that you two do! I have been reading your blog off and on for a little over a year (read quite a bit of your older posts during that time), but have been a daily reader for about 6 months. I’m looking forward to all the new spicy additions you are going to put into your blog, but even if you didn’t change a thing it would still be a place that I visit daily. Happy blogiversary and keep doin’ what you are doin’. You two are making a huge impact on people, myself included.

    Reply

  28. Thais Bessa says

    Hi, about the Goal to have “more of us “readers)”, here is an idea: the book The Happiness Project (which I bought after Sherry mentioned it here) has a forum where people can talk about the project. I though a similar thing linked to your book would be awesome, so readers can send you guys photos and testimonies when they implement some/many/all of the 243 tips and projects. It would be a cool way to showcase the applicability of the tips and also include the readers.

    I like the Reader Redesign, but sometimes I feel it applies more for people that have a blog (and let’s be honest, bloggers would kill for being featured at YHL). The showcasing of reader’s execution of projects from the book would give an opportunity for folks like me, who don’t have a blog (and therefore no interest in promoting anything), but only and simply want to engage more with you guys and other readers.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Oh yes, you’re on our wavelength! We think it would be awesome to have a way for folks to submit their projects so we could see them! That would be awesome!

      xo
      s

    • Chrissy Henry says

      I totally agree!!

      I have been a long time YHL fan and while I enjoy everyone’s comments on your posts and of course your replies. After seeing this years “day in the life” post it was a real shocker how much time you actually have to spend approving and responding to comments! How in the world do you guys get anything else done?? Maybe a more open forum/chat area would help with this? I mean if YHL keeps growing (and we all hope it does!), it just won’t be possible for you two to keep up with all the comments, right?

      I also agree re: Reader Redesigns… they seem so unrelated to YHL. It is not like these people followed one of your tutorials, or a previously made mood board. It sort of feels like they are just bloggers looking for traffic, which I guess is fine, we should share the internet love it is a great big place with lots to see. I just wish they were more relevant to YHL specifically and not just any old DIY project.

      Oh, and apparently I am long winded too… so don’t worry about being wordy. We all like it ;)

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Thanks for all the thoughts and ideas everyone! I think we really love Reader Redesigns since they’re not our house, and even we get tired of posting day in and day out solely about our house, so we love sharing the love. Some of them aren’t even from bloggers (just readers) and some link specifically or call out things that we did in our house that inspired them, but we don’t want to make that a requirement because we just love sharing a good idea when we see it. Heck, sometimes it’s more fun if it’s a new idea not from us since it’s something we haven’t even thought of and we think that might help other readers out there too, ya know?

      But we’re definitely excited to add other ways that folks can interact and submit things to us (including projects big and small, from non-bloggers too for sure!).

      xo
      s

  29. Brittany D says

    Holy crap, my heart skipped a beat when I checked the giveaway winner and read “Britta”. Then, I became really sad because the rest of my name was missing. I was SO CLOSE! ;) But, seriously, I love this: “Life is good, even when it’s full of chaos.”

    Reply

  30. Sophie says

    I’m definitely looking forward to more of the old style posts! Not that I don’t love your blog as it is, but I do feel like over time as your blog has gained more and more attention, you’ve been doing many more project oriented posts (understandable) instead of the mixture of things that you used to have. And I think that the videos of your road trips and posts like that really got a lot of your personality through, which I guess was toned down a little bit more recently.

    I kinda hope that you guys are going to let your freak flag fly just a *little* more this next year, your goofy side is the best side!

    Reply

  31. Karen F says

    The smorgasboard goal is a good one – I’m one of those people who went back to the beginning and read your archives (I originally discovered you via Apartment Therapy (I think) when your gallery wall got written up in the Washington Post). I always especially loved the fast and free upgrades from the old days – some of them were so easy, but so clever. I’m not the handiest person, so I won’t be building a deck anytime soon (but I loved watching the progress of yours) but I can certainly tackle some of the smaller, fun things!

    Also, I CANNOT wait for the book tour update! Based on where I live, I’m fairly certain you’ll be coming nearby and I will be putting a HUGE circle on the ol’ calendar for the day you’re here!

    Reply

  32. Eileen Catherine says

    So I just read goal #4, and immediately thought of a way you could incorporate your readers more in your blog. Of course it’s just a rough draft idea, but I’m sure you guys could place your twist, thoughts, spin on it (if you so choose). haha Buuuuuuut what about showing how we (your readers) fuse the projects you do on the blog, into our homes. I’m sure some people repeat a project exactly to a T, and others place their own personal spin on it. For example, I have a verrrry narrow short hallway, with one blank wall. I LOVE your hallway art, but couldn’t replicate it exactly. So I did black frames, with a 7ft by 3ft version of it. As for the artowrk, I did a lot of the projects exactly as you showed on your blog. I guess it would really rely on people sharing their projects with you, but you would be a better judge of the chances of that. Either way, just an idea! Congrats on your 5 year anniversary!!

    Reply

  33. Kara says

    Please do an advice column. I need so much advice. Back when I read Apt. Therapy regularly (I got stressed out by so many posts in my Reader)0 so I quit), I loved the reader questions and discussion in the comments. Plus I like your DIY, minimalist sensibility about stuff.

    Reply

  34. Jennifer Harrup says

    So I cannot wait for you to release the book tour info!! So. darn. excited. **fingers crossed** “please come to houston. please come to houston.” The crazy woman chants.

    Also, in reference to this year’s goal #4- have you ever thought about having a message board for your readers, where we can chat with each other, maybe you guys start different topics or dare I say burning questions?? I would hate for it to become like additional comments you have to approve or comment on…because I think you’re already maxed out in that area. It would have to be something you didn’t have to monitor…but then it might be hard to make sure it stayed squeaky clean and nice over there…hmmm…maybe it’s not such a great idea. But it’s worth a thought :)

    Reply

  35. keapdx says

    Your blog often beats out my email as the first thing I look at the morning. I like the idea of some advice seeking (by me). I’ve been putting off painting my bedroom because, for the life of me, I can’t figure out how to prep one of the walls. All sorts of ickiness there — kind of textured except for the one spot where it looks like somebody painted over a bad spackle job and another spot with what appears to be a horrible wrinkle (but I don’t think there’s wallpaper underneath?). If you’d like to see in inglorious living color tell me how to send a photo :)

    Anyhow — I count you among my good neighbors even if we are a continent apart. Hoping that Portland is on your book tour. Congrats on 5 years and all you’ve accomplished in your lives and houses.

    Reply

  36. Thais Bessa says

    PS: Forgot to say: I already pre-ordered my book, do you happen to know whether it will arrive here in the UK at the same time as the USA? I hope so, I am really looking forward to it! :)

    Reply

  41. Kaylee S says

    Love your blog and love that you used my good ol’ hometown hockey team (Calgary Flames) for your head photoshopping!

    Reply

  42. Cali says

    Great update!

    One thing I would love to see more of is general home maintenance (it can’t all be fun DIY updates right?!). Little things like cleaning grout, re-caulking counter tops, power washing sidewalks, etc.

    Reply

  44. Blair says

    I just want to say thanks to you two (or four if you count Berger and Clara), for such inspiration! You have given my husband and I courage to completely demo our kitchen in the home we bought in April. We love it…and love that we did it ourselves!!! I love reading about your “do-it-yourself” projects, but maybe love reading about your everyday life more!

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  45. Jacky says

    When will you be announcing your book tour?! I already pre-oreder your book for my soon-to-be sister-in-law and myself! I can’t wait to get it, but going to one of your book signings would be the cherry on top of my sunday!! Thanks for all the great inspiration! :)

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  46. Gabriella @ Our Life In Action says

    LMBO!!! I love the photoshopped heads…almost got me to spray my water all over my monitor. I think you guys are so humble and grateful – you can tell you don’t take anything for granted. That is what makes you so endearing and why we all follow you daily (and some of us more than once a day….okay so I have your blog up multiple times a day, so sue me. ;-) )

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  47. Amanda C says

    Two things…

    Oh My Gosh, I LOVE the foosball photo of the four of you!!! Awesomely hilarious and so cool I might actually put it in a tiny frame somewhere so I could get a little laugh out of it every time I saw it! :D I also adore the pic of Clara!! And of Burger!

    On that note: Someone mentioned there were too many pictures in each post and I’d like to strongly disagree. I love the pictures in your posts!

    And for the second thing: Hmmm… I’ve never once thought your posts were too wordy, or longer than they needed to be. In fact, more often than not, I’m surprised they’re over when I get to the end. So I think that means they’re probably about the right length for the topic you’re posting about. Now if the topic didn’t deem an in depth post and you went on and on that would be another thing!

    Having said that, I’m all for you guys having balance in your life, so do what you gotta do.

    How’s that for a wordy comment? Hah! =D

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  48. Alan says

    You guys are great! Have you ever seen the show on the DIY Network called “Blog-Cabin?” I think it would be fun for you guys to do something like that on your blog- basically you let your readers vote on things for your home updates (like what color curtains you guys will hang in the office, or what color you will paint one of your ceramic animal…things like that).-AG

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  49. jillian says

    I absolutely love your foosball (never had to spell that word before) photo! You guys are such an inspiration to me! Keep up the amazing work and hope to see you in ATLANTA!!!!!

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  50. Katie says

    Really looking forward to more of these topics:
    •House Crashings
    •Window Shopping
    •Holiday Decorating
    •Using/Tweaking What We Have
    •Road Trips (or other travel-related adventures)
    •Random Off-Topic Chitchat (looking back, these usually end up being some of our favorites)

    Any idea what time of year you will be traveling? After the new year? I ask because I am due in December and knowing my luck you would be in St. Louis (YAY!) when I am in the hospital (Boo!).

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