Young House Love

Home Decorating & DIY Tutorials

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Blogiversary 5: Since You Asked…

…we did our best to not be completely and utterly awkward beyond belief. Did we succeed? You be the judge. Just like in past blogiversary weeks, we invited you guys to ask us some personal (i.e. non-decorating) questions over on our Facebook page last week. And after over two hundred questions came rolling in, Sherry and I sat down and answered as many as we could while Clara napped one afternoon – and then culled it down into this 20 minute video. Among all of our shocking and jaw-dropping revelations (note the sarcasm) you’ll learn:

  • If there’s a bun in Sherry’s oven
  • What kind of money we’re earning for our book
  • How working together has affected our marriage
  • How many readers have knocked on our door asking for a tour
  • If we fear stalkers
  • If Clara will be home-schooled
  • How many bras Sherry owns
  • When we’re moving again
  • If we’ll ever get started on the playroom
  • If Sherry’s dad is invisible
  • What we’d change about our old house’s style
  • Why we try not to pick our noses in public
  • What we hate most about our job
  • What we each find romantic about each other
  • How Sherry plans to bribe me into seeing the new Twilight movie
  • Who we’d want to play us in a hypothetical YHL movie
  • Sherry’s thoughts on Ramona from the Real Housewives of New York City
  • What part of DIYing we like the least
  • If Sherry feels competitive with Katie Bower
  • How long it takes for a project to get posted about
  • How Clara acts like a toddler

So now that your appetite is sufficiently whetted, here goes nothing…

A few notes:

  • Sherry’s insanely embarrassed that she leans in towards the camera the whole time. We didn’t realize this was happening until we were done with the whole video and watched it back, so there you have it: my fidgety wife.
  • You might notice the lighting/focus changes towards the end of the video. The camera actually fell asleep and shut off, so we had to tape the end part in a second take. Yup, we actually chatted long enough to bore the camera to sleep. High five.
  • Clara (and Burger apparently) were napping, hence their non-appearances, but we decided to do a little bonus Q&A video featuring the real stars of this show – Clara and Burger. Since this is the first blogiversary where Clara can actually string words together into something semi coherent, we thought it’d be fun to let her take a turn in the hot seat. And by hot seat, we mean handling questions like “what’s your favorite number?” – oh yeah, we’re grilling her.

So there you have it folks have it – nearly 25 minutes of us blathering on about all things personal and not much home stuff (which feels weird and fun at the same time). Did you learn anything that surprised you? Or hear something that sparked another question in your brain? We can’t promise we can get to every answer in the comments of this post, but feel free to ask away as potential fodder for next year’s video…

Psst- Speaking of other years, here are the Q&A posts for 2011, 2010 and 2009 (and 2009: part 2).

Comments

  4. heather says

    “when we first moved to Christian, I took you, on our first anniversary, to a prostitute.”

    Holy *(*@$balls. Caption transcription is amazing. Nicely done John, nicely done. Every ladies dream.

    Reply

  5. Jessica Jolly says

    I am a daily reader of your blog, and it daily makes my heart sing. I can’t say enough great things about Young House Love. It keeps me sane!

    I sent the link to this post to my sister, with the caption “I love Clara, I wish I could put her in my pocket and carry her with me all day”

    I love y’all!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      You sneaky girl! We didn’t even hear that was confirmed yet. Even more confusing, it’s not the first stop. We actually start touring in late Oct – how funny is that?! I guess there are advance copies for those events!

      xo
      s

    • YoungHouseLove says

      She most likely attend any of the signings themselves but she will travel to some of the cities with us. But for others we may just leave her home with the grandparents. A two year old with jet lag does sound like a good time!

      -John

  7. Janice says

    oh my gosh – that was alternately hysterical and informative. :) You two are just too darn cute. (ok, you 4…)

    Burger is REALLY big! my chihuahuas are so tiny by comparison!

    Thanks for sharing the vids – great fun!

    Reply

  8. heathyr says

    damnit! why do I have to be at work? I want to watch this NOW.

    oh well. at least there is something to look forward to (as if ending the work day isn’t enough).

    Reply

  9. KathyL says

    ok, I didn’t have time to watch your big video, but I MADE time to watch Clara. I love her so much, and thank you for sharing her and the burger with us. I’ll watch you guys this afternoon. xo, Kathy (just read some comments before I hit summit, and now I can’t wait to watch yours too!! LOL, I’m a goof)

    Reply

  12. Heidi S. says

    Can’t wait to watch all of it later. My daughter (who is 3) wants to know why Clara is wearing her dress! She is quite cross about it. Time to show her that her dress is still in her closet.

    Reply

  14. Mizden says

    I didn’t even felt those 25 minutes to go by….I love how random some of the answer are…I’m at work and I def watch it :P but I couldn’t keep my laugh down when you said about the tampons at target! LOL I’m sorry but that was hilarious!

    I wish I would have known you ask the readers on FB about theirs questions, maybe next year you can put a “psst” on the blog when you do…maybe that will help more inquiring minds like mine that didn’t catch up on FB and didn’t know tyou already did it :( I was totally waiting on that and when you ask about us….first time I ever make it :D (past years the date just past for some reason and never made it for the polls) so I’m excited to be part of the stats! haha

    Reply

  15. Lynn @ Our Useful Hands says

    I was thinking that John was going to say Paul Dano should play him (“Being Flynn”) and I was so happy that my thoughts would be validated, but then he made a hard left and said Rudd. Still funny, but not a true doppelganger like Dano. Imho…and sorry if you totally hate the suggestion of him. I usually tank on celebrity lookalikes. I once told an older friend she looked like Vanna White and she looked crushed. I’ll carry that with me always. Love the video guys! Both were delightful. Clara gave me many LOL moments.

    My best, Lynn

    Reply

  17. Lindsay says

    I can’t wait to watch the video when I get home from work. Maybe next year’s post on blog stats needs to include an estimated number of work hours lost by all your readers who read the blog at work! I love your blog and it totally gives me something fun to look forward to during the work day! Congrats on 5 years!

    Reply

  18. Sue says

    I’m at work right now and the video is blocked and I’m so jealous of everyone who’s already seen it!!!! I can’t wait!!!

    Reply

  19. Koliti says

    You both should just play yourselves in the movie – HILARIOUS! – and I would definitely go see a YHL movie over a Twilight movie any day! (sorry Sherry!)

    I’m interested in which questions you would deem “None of your business”. You could have a question pop up on the screen and reply “MYOB” (Something like the bra question might qualify. I know you guys like to share, but sometimes people need help with boundaries.)

    Love how your personalities and humor shine! And if Sherry is described as “chatty” – it’s nice to see that John certainly holds his own! Love all your facial expressions!

    Clara’s face TOTALLY fills with delight when she hears the word “dance” – you can SEE her JOY radiate!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Aw you’re so sweet Koliti! As for what we won’t talk about on the blog, we decided back when we started that anything having to do with politics or religion was something we wanted to steer clear of (we just want to keep it light and fun and drama-free since this is our happy place). We also shy away from talking about anything we wouldn’t chat about at the table with a group of relatives and friends (we figure if it feels to personal to talk about with them, we definitely shouldn’t put it on the internet). One example of that might be how much we paid for our house – although we’re happy to chat about project costs, big and small (we’d probably chat about how much a new furniture piece or project might cost over dinner with friends, but definitely wouldn’t talk about how much they paid for their houses or how much we paid for ours).

      xo
      s

  20. cappy says

    Love this post, and thank you for sharing!!! Boy, Clara will make a great “big” sis someday! I love her intereaction with Burger!

    Reply

  21. Jennifer Harrup says

    John, I am so glad the holla bothers you in the RHONY intro…I really like Heather, but it’s so awkward. I’m so glad you said that!

    Question. I notice that Clara sucks her thumb- my son is only 2 1/2 months and I have family that keeps urging us to give him a pacifier because he is “eating all the time” (their words not mine). But I would rather just feed him when he’s hungry and maybe one day he will find him thumb and that will help… Was it a conscious decision for you guys to let her suck her thumb instead of using a pacifier…or did she use a pacifier and now sucks her thumb? I’m just curious, I really don’t want to use a pacifier so I’m just wondering how that came about. If this is too weird and personal just ignore :-) But since you guys are self proclaimed weirdos maybe you don’t mind answering this weirdos question!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Our theory about that is that they might record them saying a ton of things and then pick what they want, so I like to think she got tricked into the holla. Hahah! As for the thumb thing, Clara never took a pacifier or a bottle, so she just preferred me (while eating) and her thumb (while sleeping, because I wasn’t about to climb into her crib topless, haha). John and I were both thumb suckers too, so maybe it’s just a genetic thing? We both outgrew it later in life, so here’s hoping it’s not a big issue for her down the road – it definitely seems to soothe her for the time being :)

      xo
      s

  23. steph says

    weird question- but how do you keep your kitchen rug clean?!?! I have a huge empty floor space in my kitchen but I am terrified that a rug would become filthy when I cook….

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We just vacuum it about once a week and do our best not to tempt fate (ex: we don’t shake a jar of spaghetti sauce while standing in the middle of it). Thankfully since there’s around a foot of space on all sides of it where we actually stand at the counter to prep, if we drop things they seem to go onto the floor and not the rug in the middle of the space.

      xo
      s

  28. Ashley says

    You guys are so fun. I think it’s great that you are so honest, especially when a lot of people will not talk about finances or their personal lives. It’s great to know that there are other people that have things in common!

    And, of course, your kid and dog are adorable!

    Reply

  29. Blair M says

    2 super cute videos, well done!

    Quick question, and I know you’ve answered it before, but where did you get your kitchen rug?? It’s sooo awesome. Love you guys!

    Reply

  30. Megan C says

    I just started following your blog recently and you have already inspired me to take on my first project. I just finished painting a dresser turquoise and ordered paper to line the drawers. I’m so excited for how it turned out and I just want to thank you for the inspiration.
    The videos were hilarious and fun to watch. Thank you!

    -Megan

    Reply

  31. GreenInOC says

    The famous YHL video “ting” is no more?! As silly as that sounds, the deviation the YHL production style totally threw me! Loved the videos anyway.

    I can’t stop thinking of a day in the life post from yesterday. I was exhausted just from reading it! You guys work SO hard!!!! I for one appreciate it and long for 3 or 4 post days but then I read that and I feel guilty for wanting more YHL!

    Happy Anniversary!!

    Reply

  32. Lisa Van Gemert says

    Okay, so I’m the one (maybe not the only one!) who ran into you with no attempt at concealed excitement at the National Book Festival (I was there because I wrote the children’s guide and so you saw me in the middle of the highlight of my professional life).

    When I got home, I told a friend about seeing you there, and she said, “Aren’t you worried they think you’re like some freaky groupie?”
    And I said, “Oh, no. Everyone loves them that much. And I have this feeling they like me as much as I like them.”
    And she said, “You do know they have no idea who you are, right?”
    And I had to admit defeat.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Haha, no way! We truly like you as much as you like us. Probably more since we’re forever grateful to you guys for making our life possible. You make our day :)

      xo
      s

  33. Mary says

    Cute! Anyone else dying for a whole post about ONE BRA? I mean that in a totally non-stalkerish hetero female sort of way. How, which one, why, when, wha…??? LOL

    Reply

  34. Karyn says

    Yay for answering my question! I love that you and KB are BFF’s too, especially when one of you makes a guest appearance on the other’s blog. It’s kind of like when you’re watching a show, and one of your favorite actors or actresses makes a guest appearance and you’re like, WOAH! I love so-and-so!! It’s like getting a double bonus when reading!

    And I love when I heard Clara say about not pulling Burger’s ears or tail… My past life of rescuing dogs, it was something I must have said a million times… teach your kids how to respect animals! You get a high-five from me :)

    Reply

  35. Erin in Detroit says

    Thanks so much for posting! I’m very pregnant (a few days past my due date) and have been looking forward to this all week. The Clara/Burger video was a great added bonus. Thanks for entertaining an otherwise cranky pregnant lady!

    Reply

  37. iva says

    I had a wide smile on my face the whole time I was watching, with laughing out loud from time to time :) Clara and Burger are the cutest!

    Reply

  40. Andrea Ferree says

    Can you say reupholster? Ahaha, I die.

    And also, you totes picked my question to answer and therefore I am now famous. Autograph requests may be mailed.

    Reply

  41. Christine says

    Ugh!!! Love you guys! And love the Clara/Burger video! I LIVE for these video’s (which kind of makes my life sound slightly lame but I don’t care!)

    Keep up the good work and congrats on a very successful 5 years!

    Reply

  42. laura says

    Just watched the video while the boss-man is on his lunch break! All I can say is I love you guys even more now. :) Sherry you are beautiful and seem so fun to hang out with and John, you are adorable. And you guys are so cute together!! Can we be friends? haha. :)

    Reply

  43. Ali says

    you guys are awesome! Loved it :) Happy Anniversary, and many more. Funny point: I think a sign that I follow your blog too closely is when Sherry says “and I’m buying tampons (at Target) ” and my first thought is, “no way, she only uses the organic ones from Ellwood Thompson” before she could correct herself :)

    Reply

  44. Cindy says

    Shut the front door! That was hilariously awesome! ;-)

    I’m siting here all by myself (except for the pup) with the living room window wide open, cackling out loud at some of your comments! I’m sure my neighbors think I’ve lost my ever-loving mind (probably not the first time, either).

    Thank you so much for opening up and sharing so much with us! It really does make it feel like we’re old friends…but don’t worry, I won’t show up at your front door. LOL

    I hope your book tour brings you to the Hoosier state (i.e., Indiana). My husband doesn’t know it, but he is about to buy your book for me for my birthday present. Yippee!

    Thanks again,
    Cindy

    Reply

  45. Diane says

    Still waiting for photos of John & Casper…

    Sherry – Where did your mother attend law school? I think I recognize her.

    Reply

  47. Crystal says

    This is great!! I love your Red Robin story! A few of my girlfriends and I recently visited NYC for the first time and we were so excited about all the unique restaurants and stores that you can’t find in central Illinois. We walked past a cool looking place with floor to ceiling windows and I was all “Ooooo, that Mexican Grill looks good!” And then my friends gleefully pointed out that it was a Chipotle!

    Reply

  48. Sarah T says

    Wow. Captions are not helping me watch this video at work! At 0:49 the caption read” “when we first moved christian I’ll take you for our anniversary as a prostitute.”

    Oh my lanta, you two!

    Reply

  49. Sammy says

    Love these videos!! And Clara is sooo cute. I didn’t know she could talk that much =) Burger actually made me jump when he first jumped up, I thought he was gonna eat the camera!! Haha. Must have known he wanted FOOD!!!
    xx

    Reply

  50. Beth R.S. says

    This is kind of nosy, but I’m a big jewelry fan, and I’ve always wondered about Sherry’s engagement ring. Is it from Tiffany’s? It looks really gorgeous and classic, and Sherry’s so petite, it looks huge!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Aw you’re sweet! It’s just because my hands are small, but John definitely picked out something I love! He got it in NY (there’s a big diamond district there, haha) and I’m forever grateful.

      xo
      s

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