So. John and I brought home a whole boatload (or trailer-load, rather) of furniture from my mom’s house last week. Among all the awesome schtuff was my great-grandma’s china hutch, a red couch, a glider chair, a dark coffee table and a matching end table. This was totally awesome except for the fact that we had to, you know, FIND ROOM for said items.
The couch was bigger than our old one, the coffee table was taller, and finding room for another chair, end table and hutch was going to be like telling my boys that every single hug can’t turn into a wrestling match, because it then ends up in someone getting hurt and then results in tears from one or both parties and then someone ends up with a pouty face and has a bad attitude and then there’s more crying and maybe some whining and PLEASE, NO MORE HUGS FOR THE BROTHERS. Thank you.
In other words, while I was crazy excited and grateful that my mom gave me this stuff, I wasn’t exactly thrilled at the prospect of finding room for said stuff.
But when all was said and done–mostly thanks to that husband of mine who has all the good ideas and puts up with me when I am the one pouting and whining and asking if we can just leave it all in the garage, prettysuperplease–it looks purty awesome. And makes me happy.
It’s cozy and warm and the two tall bookshelves flanking the couch give the whole thing a library quality that makes me just want to curl up against the fluffy couch pillows and read Madeline L’Engle or Virginia Woolf all day long while sipping tea from an heirloom teacup. Perfection.
SO ANYway, I was trying to describe the new digs to my mom and my mother-in-law and thought video taping it would just be easier. And then–epiphany! Why not take all this wonderful mediocrity and display it on the blog? Because surely you’re all as nosy as me and would like to see the inside of someone else’s house.
And also, you get to see the truth in the fact that I make more sense in writing than I do speaking. Mostly because my brain moves faster than my mouth can keep up. Just sayin.
Also, bonus points and possibly even a real life prize to the first person to correctly identify my pet word-slash-phrase. Or maybe count the number of times I say it. It’s quite annoying. Keep in mind this video was completely last minute, so I didn’t exactly get myself all beautified–or beautified at all–before filming. It’s the end of a long, makeup-less, ponytailed hair day. Whatcha see is whatcha get.
One more thing. Please video your house. And send me the link. Thank you. That is all.
Amber says:
Love it Ash! Such a TOTALLY awesome place! =) Is totally your pet word?? =)
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October 16th, 2009 at 10:59 am
Janelle says:
Ashleigh, you are SOOOOOOOOO cute!!!!! The new look is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!! LOVE what you did with the bookshelves and the hutch there looks great!!! Your house is just so cozy!!! The red couch is great too!!!!
By the way, is the word “totally” your catch-phrase??? :) Still think you are so adorable and loved how your video!!!
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October 16th, 2009 at 11:06 am
April says:
You totally crack me up. :-) So much fun seeing your now-house…I think the last house of yours I saw was what, four houses ago? Yeah…umm…wow. *Love* the red couch.
Oh…and this little industrious seamstress has no less than…one apron. Sad and pathetic, yes.
Oh, and I will come visit you just to sit in that glider. I ♥ gliders. The only thing in my house that rocks is a recliner, which is quite comfortable, except that if you rock any more than the tiniest smidgen, it bangs against the (very dusty) treadmill. And why did I feel the need to tell you that? Hmm… ANYwho.
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October 16th, 2009 at 11:41 am
Kaylene says:
I love your house! great to hear your voice :)
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October 16th, 2009 at 11:48 am
LeAnna says:
You are so cute, Ashleigh! And, I am with Janelle, I think your catch phrase is “totally”!.:)
Your home is very cozy!:)
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October 16th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
LeAnna (The OTHER One You Know) says:
I like your house, you’ve got it decorated up really cute. I need to do a virtual tour of mine sometime. Sometime when it’s clean. Spotless. Like the bride of Christ. You totally said totally a lot, but you also said “So, anyway” a bunch. I say “So, anyway” and “You know?” all the time. They’re great filler words.
I want a red couch.
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October 16th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
Chantel says:
:) Make up or no, you are perfectly adorable and sound so much like Alicia, minus the slight southern twang, that it is crazy.
And, it was good to “hear” you again. I miss hearing peoples voices… :)
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October 16th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
Natalie says:
I love your house! Thanks for the video. I’ve read your blog the past couple years—You’ve inspired me and the stories you share always bring a smile to my face. Keep pressing on, you are a blessing to others!
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October 16th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
Christine says:
My vote for your pet phrase is “totally ridiculous”! And may I jsut say that the videao was adorable b/c you’re right, I’m every bit as nosy as you admit to being. I love driving by peoples’ houses at night and seeing them in the family rooms or the kitchen, especially in my neighborhood…to see where people put the couch or what wall is the TV on!
My mom is totally an apron person, ahs been forever. I can never be bothered but I just unearthed the one I do own and I’ve realized I need more of them. I love them. I love to sew them. Why do I not have more?
LOVED the Marine shrine atop the hutch – I’d have one too if my man were a Marine. Way awesome!
I’ve been a fan of the words on the shelves like you have around the fireplace and I really need to get with it and get some.
Thanks for the tour – and the inspiration!
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October 16th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
mishel says:
You are *so* funny!!! LOVE the way everything looks!! But I love you more! ; )
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October 16th, 2009 at 6:58 pm
Todd says:
Hey Ash … looks great … loved your video … you guys did a great job :)
love you kiddo …
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October 16th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
Elizabeth in Alaska says:
It was so much fun to see your house and hear your voice again! Like, totally. ;) I miss that SoCal accent…
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October 16th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
jAne says:
You are a delight, through and through. :o)
Love your home. It’s coziness is welcoming and the red couch inviting for an early evening snooze, which us old chicks *totally* need. ha!
Bless you,
jAne
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October 16th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
Nicole says:
It’s a toss up between “So yeah” and “totally awesome.” :)
I love the way everything looks! So pretty, and it fits your family well. :) Seeing your house made me miss you all over again (not that I ever really stopped . . .) Meh, wish I could see everything in person.
Love you oodles and oodles!
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October 17th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
heather says:
Oh…I love you :)
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October 17th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
Angela Nazworth says:
Holy cow you’re right…we are the same person! :-) I totally relate to how you were both grateful and slightly terrified…although I don’t think you used the word terrified.:-) I only have 1 boy…he’s two and wrestling seems to be his sport. Very sweet tour too! lovely
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October 17th, 2009 at 8:44 pm
Megan says:
Cute! I loved the home tour! I might think about doing one if I could figure out how to get video onto the computer. Oh yah, and if there wasn’t crayons, cars, and clean clothes all over the floors (along with many other messes on counters and tabletops!) Our home is NO BUENO right now! It’s my ‘to-do’ today, but right now I’m enjoying Andrew on my lap. Just took a video of those fun bright-eyed smiles and him trying to find his voice… I love those first little babbles! I will be praying for you and your family during this move. I never moved you guys off my prayer list from when John was in Iraq, and then through the more recent situation, I had added your mom & bro. So I will continue to do so. *hug*
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October 18th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Ana says:
I hear Fernando Orgeta in the background!! :) He’s so great.
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October 18th, 2009 at 3:30 pm
Stephanie A. says:
Loved the tour!
Question: What CD/tape is playing in the background? So peaceful – please share!
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October 18th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
Samantha R says:
I totally loved it! :D
I noticed you say “totally” a lot but also “totally ridiculous”… so is that it?
Your house is cute and beautiful and lovely!
So, um, will your next move be really soon or?
Ah, and who cares about the make-up; you’re the same person with or without it! :) Besides, I rarely wear it myself ;)
Thanks again for sharing with us! I loved seeing you and hearing your voice; almost like I met you in person now!
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October 19th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
vickie says:
very nice!!
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October 19th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
Melanie says:
You are so funny. Your house looks great! Please tell me you don’t live on base, cuz that would be an awesomely big base house.
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October 19th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
Melissa Searle says:
Hey Ash!
Long time no talk/see! Sorry, i havent popped by your blog in a long long time… Rude i know. :) Thanks for the tour of downstairs of your house, looks gorgeous!! Love it. Hehe I would do a quick one of ours, but hmmm dont have a vid camera. So photos will prob have to do. Haha Will try and get that done in the next couple days for ya… will be quick, our house is only wittle. Hehe Anyhoo, hope your having fun! Pop by and say hi! xo
Mel
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October 20th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
Carrie says:
It was so fun to “see” you!
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October 21st, 2009 at 11:08 am
Darcy says:
1) Was awesome to put a voice to your face. :)
2) Your home is adorable.
3) Seriously? You wear aprons? I wish I had a place to hang mine, like you do, then maybe I’d wear mine more than just on holidays. LOL.
4) After watching your video, I discovered You and I are sooo much alike.
5) Love all the new furniture!
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October 21st, 2009 at 12:44 pm
Kirsten C. says:
Thank you for the little video tour of your home! It was wonderful to put a face and a voice to your blog posts, and your home is so delightfully cozy and comfortable and…homey. :) I never would have guessed I’d like a red couch, but it matches the darker furniture and looks so inviting. You may have started some things I’ll imitate in my own little home someday. :)
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October 29th, 2009 at 11:56 am