Since we couldn’t cram all of your questions into last week’s video, we’re bringing you the follow-up where we’re tackling more funny and random personal questions that were submitted before last week’s big blogiversary extravaganza by our curious readers via Twitter and Facebook. We’re basically back to answer a few more of those quirky queries that had us laughing and cringing as the camera rolled (“what was your first thought when you first saw your house?”, “what chore don’t you trust the other person to do?”, “when do you guys get a chance to work out?”, “does Sherry wear her pajamas all day since she works from home?”). And this time I promise Sherry controls that potty mouth of hers a little bit better (see what we mean by watching Part 1). And enjoy Part 2 below or over here on YouTube.
Oh, and for those who can’t watch the video, here’s a quick recap of what we cover:
- I don’t trust Sherry to load the dishwasher (a total surprise to her) or mow the lawn, she’d rather I not do toilets and prune things. I think I can agree with that.
- We think we discovered our true “Petersik Style” a few months into blogging, once we refined our home’s color palette.
- Sherry’s interest in home decor definitely spurred mine, but I’ve always taken an interest in design and enjoyed flexing my creative muscles.
- Sherry’s looks can be attributed to a combo of DNA, make-up and lots of photoshop.
- We’re a one-car household and we drive a Nissan Maxima now, but dream of getting a used Honda Element (if I had my way) or a used Nissan Rogue (the ride Sherry and I actually agree on). And somehow I make Sherry think she’s pregnant in this answer.
- We use our living/dining room to entertain (and eat the occasional sloppy dinner that might ruin the couch in the den), but other than that, Burger’s the main occupant of that room (he likes to sit on the back of the couch and gaze out the window).
- Sherry likes to credit our punny writing style to her copywriting background, but I reveal that we really have our weird dads’ senses of humor to thank. Shout out to Tom and Ken.
- We usually read blogs or magazines, but when we crack open a book it’s either pink-covered chick lit (Sherry) or nerdish non-fiction (me and sometimes Sherry too).
- Sherry’s first impression of our house was “we have to have it” and mine was “that’s A LOT of yard work.”
- Even though she works from home, Sherry manages to change out of her pajamas 99% of the time – but still misses the old days in NYC when she got all gussied up for work and tottered around in 4″ heels (I had no idea she was 5’2″ for the longest time).
- We decided to get a chihuahua because I wanted a cat, but Sherry’s allergic. Hence our cat-sized dog, Burger – whose manageable size makes him a breeze to travel with.
- Sherry only runs when being chased (working out just isn’t her thing), but does go on long walks with Burger (in addition to banging out all of those sweat-inducing home improvement projects). I’m a runner and I go on my lunch breaks.
We know there are probably still questions out there, so feel free to hit us up with more. After all, we’re Talky McTalkersons when you get us going. We can’t promise they’ll all be addressed in another video, but you know we hate to leave any question unanswered…
Click here for Part 1 of our Q & A video series, where we tackle things like “when will you have kids for crying out loud?” and “when are you getting your own TV show?”
Jill Stigs says
oooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh………thanks for the recap to hold me over until I can watch it @ home.
can’t wait!!
Noelle says
Hey Youngsters! You know what I love about your site? That it is so user-friendly and organized! Everything about it from the colors to the layout and design just rox my sox! :) I’ve been a reader for about a year now and I’ve perused other blogs, but to be quite frank…this one takes the cake! Keep on doin’ what you’re doin’ cuz its definitely working! xoxo
Noelle
Pamela says
Thanks for the recap! That’s a good compromise for those of us that can’t watch it vs. the extra fun for those that can.
Jaime A @ Simply Arizona says
LOVE IT! Keep them coming!!! :)
Katie says
Thank you for the video synopsis!! It probably just adds to the heap of trabajo you guys have to do but it’s a great compromise for those of us who can’t (or maybe just shouldn’t) watch at work. I always feel so unsatisfied when you put up a video and I can’t watch it, but now I feel like I went to the party too!! As always, great work YHL!
sarah says
Thank you for the written recap of the video…. now my cube neighbors will never know :)
ChristineMarie says
The written version is much appreciated! (by me & also my coworkers. mainly the coworkers)
Marianne from France says
Great ! Thanks for sharing details of your life ! You look really happy together (I mean, the 3 of you of course) in your beautiful house !
Cindy says
John, I’m TOTALLY with you on the Element! It’s my dream car.
Jenet says
Thanks for sharing! Love it! And thanks for spelling it out for those of us that can’t quite watch the video at the moment…
OMG-YHL says
Love the video!
As the question came up about favorite books, I was thinking of mine and how I really liked The Outliers. Great minds think alike!
PS: I love Burger!
Wehaf says
Oh, I have a question. Have you seen letterfu (http://www.letterfu.com/)? Any chance you’ll do a YHL design?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Wehaf,
We haven’t seen letterfu yet. Off to check it out…
xo,
s
Melanie says
You guys are the best! Thank you so much for following through on posting a synopsis! You did way more than I envisioned when I suggested it, but I appreciate it so much! And I’m glad to see others are digging it too! (SO many exclamation points!)
Susie says
Sweet – thanks for the recap!
Jacci says
Fun stuff, guys! :) Loved the corny octopus joke. But, I think my favorite part John’s impersonation of puppy Burger. Priceless.
Oh, and by the way, my 60 year old in-laws drive an Element ;)
XO,
Jacci
Anna See says
That was seriously fun! Loved the questions, answers, and music! Keep it up.
sj :D says
i just had to tell you, you two were the stars of my dream last night. i happen to be in the richmond area and because i read your blog it made perfect sense to me that we should all hang out. so i came over for a visit. and then we went shopping. to payless shoe store! of all places. and john was so friendly, but sherry was so preoccupied with looking at shoes i hardly got to know her at all, which was kind of dissapointing. and burger of course was as cute as can be. anyways, love your blog. congrats on all of your success with it. xo sj :D
YoungHouseLove says
Haha that’s hysterical. I promise if we ever run into each other around town I’ll give you my full attention!
xo,
s
Tiki says
I have an Element and LOVE it!!
Sherry – Kudos to you for getting out of your PJs. Not gonnna lie, I wouldn’t!
Julia says
I would love to read a post on how you function as a one car household. How do you do groceries? Must everything be super planned? Does Sherry run John to work?
Sorry I’m nosy. I would love to know.
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Julia,
Coming from NYC where no one has a car, it was an adjustment to get one, let alone two. We figured we’d end up with a second car sometime down the line but over three years later we’re still living with one. It’s actually not very planned at all. I just stay home and blog away while John takes the car to work and on evenings when we’re both home we duck out for groceries or paint or whatever else we need. I’d say we run errands about one to two nights a week which isn’t bad, and the rest of the time I’m pretty much house bound. But surprisingly enough I don’t mind. In fact I love eating at home and settling in for some mindless TV. And only having the expenses of one car really is great. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
vika says
Husband and I have a Honda Element. At first, when I suggested we look at it, he was against the idea. He thought it was super ugly. But when I got him to sit behind the wheel, he completely fell in love. It’s such a great car and we’ve gotten a ton of compliments. It’s great for random trips to ikea, where I bought my lovely hubby a recliner or for moving Christmas trees (from the store to our home).
Dagny says
Thanks for the summary of the video, GREAT idea. And, makes me want to watch it more once I get home!
I also wanted to let you know that I found your blog using Stumble Upon and read just about EVERY post in about four days. My boyfriend thinks I’m crazy, but I just found your blog so interesing and inspiring. I love the before/afters, as well as the DIY tips, and would love to see more zero-cost transformations in the future. Rearranging furniture is one of my things, so I like to see rooms that are transformed just by a simple switcheroo.
Anyway, sorry for the long comment, but thanks for putting so much work and effort into your blog. It truly is amazing, and it helps give me fun ideas for my apartment!
Cheryl Joy says
I love your videos. So lovely.
CJ says
You two are so much fun–I look forward to reading your blog every day. Thanks for all of your hard work.
I’ll join the other Element owners with a plug–it is a GREAT vehicle. True, it is ugly as sin, but oh-so-handy for DIY and outdoorsy adventures. It’s looks will grow on you–kind of like Burger’s did! (He’s adorable, by the way).
Lindsey says
I loved the video! But I’m not gonna lie…I watched this while working from my couch…in my pajamas…after only walking my dogs less than a half mile this morning!
Sherry, you have inspired me to put on my short jeans (because you’re right, who needs long ones when working from home!) and go walk the dogs. Thanks for a great video!
emilyr says
GET AN ELEMENT!! We’ve had one for three years and I’m still happy every time I drive it. We are in the middle of a major home renovation (on our first house!) and we loaded it with a new 40 gal water heater, 10 sheets of cement board a bunch of small misc items AND three adults!
Jeannine @ Small & Chic says
Okay…the Honda Element thing. Did you know that the 2010 edition will include the option of ordering the “Dog Friendly” edition? I’ve been lusting after one since it debuted at the auto show in the spring.
It’s like a toaster on wheels…for pets!
Beth@321home says
So, Sherry, since you guys are becoming pretty well known around the globe, do you ever have people in your neighborhood stop you when you’re out on those walks with Burger? You know, running up to you saying, “You’re Sherry from YHL! OMG I love you!” or anything like that? :-)
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Beth,
We sort of touched on that in the first video (see it here: https://www.younghouselove.com/you-asked-we-answered/ ) but we do get recognized in a plethora of places (on walks, at Target, at the farmer’s market, etc). John also often gets spotted during the day since he works downtown and walks to the gym and to lunch sometimes, so that’s always a trip (someone will comment to say: does John wear aviator sunglasses? I think I just saw him on main street!). So in short we do get recognized and we’re pretty sure we’re always awkward (I blush and we’re always so flattered that we just sort of stand there beaming like idiots). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Meredith K A says
My husband loads the dishwasher by putting whatever he’s holding in the middle of the biggest open space he can see, which means I have to totally re-org the entire thing to fit in a full load. I can fit in at least 50% more than when he does it! I guess it’s reversed in your household!
Nowhere near John’s commitment to home design, but I am positive you’re right that most guys do care. Sometimes Paul looks at me like I’m crazy when I ask for his opinion on things, but whenever he expresses an opinion I try to go with it, and the result is that he compliments how nice our house looks a lot more often than I ever would have expected, which makes me feel great!
You should check out the Toyota Matrix, it’s a 4-door hatchback that gets great gas mileage (basically the equivalent of the Honda Fit but less expensive and a bit more roomy). We have one and love it; it has even served us well with many a home improvement project, with its hatchback and easy-to-fold-down seats!
I HAVE A PUNNY DAD TOO!! It’s a good thing to have a punny dad, I wouldn’t trade him. Does your dad also say something and then laugh hysterically at himself?
All the non-fiction you mentioned are some of our faves too, so yay! Freakanomics and Mary Roach especially.
And finally, another case where we’re the same as you two but with the roles reversed: I grew up with a cat but my hubby is allergic, so we just adopted an Italian Greyhound! She’s so shy from being rescued that so far she’s basically the same as a cat except that she loves going on walks.
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Meredith,
Yes, both of our dads crack themselves up! And your little Italian Greyhound sounds adorable. Burger sends his love!
xo,
s
Jo says
Sherry & John,
I have only read ya’lls blog a few months now, def. hooked ya’ll are so much fun! :) BUT Sherry what do you do at home? And John what do you do at the office?
thanks guys!
-Jo
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Jo,
Maybe this will help explain what I do at home, it’s a post we wrote all about how the blog became my full time job…. which definitely keeps me busy!
As for what John does, he’s a senior account executive for a local advertising agency downtown, so he coordinated photoshoots and commercials and all that fun stuff. I sure could use some help at home though!
xo,
s
LauraC says
The funniest thing for me to learn was that Sherry just puts dishes where ever in the dishwasher, and John knows there’s a place for everything. Hilarious, considering you are Queen of Organization, Sherry! Nice to know you’re normal too. ;=) Thanks for the video!
Laura says
Aw thanks for answering my question in the video — You have no idea how happy that made me to see my name on there! :) Living in a 700 sq ft apartment with an open floorplan, I can’t really get the feeling of two living rooms (basically), but I can understand having a casual front room then a lounge-around den. I can’t wait to have to space! (But not thrilled about the money required to furnish it)
Thanks again, you guys rock! (And yea, one day, I may move down there — I’m @grafxnerd on twitter)
YoungHouseLove says
You have to move here Laura! You’ll love it, and you can’t beat the house prices!
xo,
s
Kathy says
Hey Sherry & John!
I just found your blog yesterday while helping a friend look for window treatment ideas for her bay window! I spent hours reading, and had to bookmark you because I ran out of time! You two are amazing!
LOVED your videos! TOO FUNNY! I cracked up laughing when Burger said “What he had to say!” LOL!
Thanks for taking the time to share all of your ideas and talent with the rest of us! You are an inspiration!
Amy E. says
Love the videos! I think it’s the best thing you could have done to get even more people hooked: make us feel like we know you as well as a friend or neighbor.
I have a couple questions for you:
Who do you socialize with on a regular basis (NY friends, college buddies, neighbors, family, etc) and what do you do for fun when you socialize?
And we all know John’s from Virginia, but did we ever hear where Sherry grew up?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Amy E.
Good questions! We actually hang out with a pretty good variety of people (tattooed ones, old ones, young ones, preppy ones, sporty ones, vegan ones, etc). Mostly they’re friends and family who live here in Richmond and nearby-ish in Northern VA but occasionally we’ll meet up with old college buddies if they’re ever in town (and we even go out to dinner with John’s middle school friend and her hubby from time to time).
As for what we do, we love eating at some majorly delicious restaurants here in Richmond (Kuba Kuba, Mamma Zu, Comfort, Sticky Rice, etc) and even going to fun events like the Carytown Food & Wine Festival, the farmer’s market, or exploring art galleries when they throw open their doors the first Friday night of every month. We also like going over our friends’ houses or having them over ours for a game night (Bananagrams and Catch Phrase are our favorite two). Pretty normal stuff I guess.
And as for where I’m from, I was born and raised in Parsippany, NJ but moved in NYC for college and lived there 6 years before agreeing to hightail it to Richmond with John. Best decision I ever made!
xo,
s
Alison (a girl in her element) says
Hi John and Sherry,
I’m loving the videos! And I have to give kudos to John for wanting a Honda Element! I have one, hence, the ‘a girl in her element’ blog, and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Alison,
No kidding! Love your blog name by the way. Who knew that would be the hottest topic on the video by far?!
xo,
s
Lindsay says
Vid’s hilarious!
Maybe you should put a vote out there for your next car – you could do a Bracket! How hilarious would that be!??! final Four cars!
Lindsay
Melissa says
Honest question: I love you guys, but wondering why there’s no love for American cars? And on that note, do you guys typically try to buy American when possible?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Melissa,
We not only love supporting American made items but we work hard to support our local farmers and even our local charities (like this housing one that we adore). But when it comes to our car, we’ve have had a great amount of luck with our foreign one (our current Nissan Maxima is almost ten years old, has over 180,000 miles on it, and is still going strong). Which hopefully explains why we’re attracted to the idea of another Nissan (hence our infatuation with the Rogue). And I worked on GMC ads in NYC so I totally have a place in my heart for them, we’re just feeling the price, quality, and crossover capabilities of the Rogue (which is really only comparable to a Honda and not any American cars as of yet). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Mollie says
Yea! I was anxiously awaiting part 2! Loved it!
Becka @Studio222 Photography says
Love it.
Amy says
John- I’m totally with you about the dishwasher. Everything has its place!
And Nissans are great cars, they last forever. My mom has a 93 quest that has over 300,000 (!) miles on it and is still going strong (and has never had any major repairs). We have had 2 Honda civics and love them!
YoungHouseLove says
No way! John’s parents drive a Nissan Quest and it has over 250,000 miles on it! Those things will outlast cockroaches I bet!
xo,
s
Tiffany says
Sherry, where did you get those awesome earrings you’re wearing in this video? I love them and I need a pair! And don’t worry, I live in CA so we most likely won’t have one of those embarassing moments where we show up at a party wearing the same thing. ;)
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Tiffany,
They’re actually from Target of all places! I always browse their super cheap jewelry section (it’s hit or miss) and sometimes even snatch up a $7 pair or two. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Katie C. says
Please, please, please don’t get a Honda element. I hate them…..no I LOATHE them!! P.S. Love your site!
Val says
Get the Element! For real! I hated them, too, Sherry, until I got in one. The interior is huge and comfy and sleek and the car is so much fun to drive. We’re saving for one.
We’re a one car family, too and we love it. Our offices are near each other, so we just carpool. It gives us some extra time together, which I really enjoy. And it’s so much cheaper.
Krista says
Thanks a ton for the sum up under the video!
Mercedes says
Your videos are great guys! You should really do more, fun to watch. Also, what program do you use to edit. I’m specifically thinking of the video you did for your road trip. It was so fun and creative!
Keep up the amazing work!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Mercedes,
We use iMovie 09 (which came with our Macbook) to edit all of our videos. It takes a while but it does the job. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
LauraC says
Burger was a hit – my two-year-old made me replay the last 10 seconds about 50 times! Ok, maybe I only did it ten, but then I said, “No more!” :=)
Erin F. says
Just wanted to echo the sentiments of others and say thank you for providing the video recap. Reading it at work made me super excited to watch it once I got home. Your witty comments about the video add a whole extra layer of entertainment!
Amanda says
After watching this one I had to go to your video tab for the first time ever (gasp, I know!) and just wanted to let you know that when I clicked on the actual video for Cardboard Safari Adventure it went to Vimeo for How To Make A Crib Skirt. When I clicked on the actual link it went to the post vs the Vimeo page. Where I could still watch it nonetheless but not sure if you meant to to link that way or if it should be like some of the others on the Vimeo website. So, just wanted to let you know :) See, now you know people are actually clicking around watching things!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the catch on the bad link, Amanda. Consider it all fixed – and glad you’re enjoying what you’re seeing!
-John
Paige says
I love these videos!!! Pretty sure I’m going to come up with a whole list of random questions for you just so you have to make another one! :)
Adrienne says
Too funny! Thanks for answering all of those questions. It’s fun to get to know you guys better. We too are a one-car household and this morning as my hubby was taking me to work, he informed me that he would like our next car to be a Honda Element. Sherry, I’m with you. I vetoed that idea immediately!
By the way, walking three miles a day is way more of a workout than I ever do with my gym membership! You go, girl!
christina in nh says
I cheated and didn’t read any of the comments but just wanted to say that Elements are awesome! I drive an ’06 and it is far and away the best car I have ever EVER owned. I will probably be driving Elements until they stop making them! There is a crap ton of cargo space, water proof/airline grade seat material, and rubber floors so you can just kind of open the suicide doors on both sides and hose the whole thing out if it gets dirty! Plus it’s about the same on gas as a regular car, how many SUV’s can you say that about??