BEFORE & AFTER

When we pulled up the carpet to replace it, we decided to have the original hardwoods refinished instead. I'm very happy with the results.

We are in the process of tiling the kitchen and bathroom, and will paint everywhere. We think we have it rented to an ideal tenant; she has lived in an apartment for the last 10 years (prim and proper, nonsmoking), but the owners have sold the complex to a nearby university, and although they are making the tenants have to move, they aren't willing to let anyone out of their lease early before the actual sale goes through... later in the year. So, she's trying to work it out.

What is this you ask? Is it snow? Noooooo....it is hail. HAIL! Terrible weather today.

Dylan's all state chorus group. I love the energy in this song.

click on pic to enlarge
I did it! I am finally buying my first investment home. :) (notice I said first- ya gotta view it like that)
It's so cute. It was built in the 1920's and is in a very desirable section of the city.
I blogged nearly a year ago http://sharisnewblog.blogspot.com/2007/04/something-im-focusing-on-now-is-looking.html about beginning the journey of investing in real estate. We finally landed on a deal that made sense all the way around. The whole process of acquiring this house went smoothly and I could feel God's hand on things...
I'm not scared...not like I thought I would be. It's fairly small; around 1500 square feet, and it doesn't overwhelm me like many others I've looked at.
I'm not intending to sell the house for profit. This is a long term investment and will be for rental income.
We're busy getting it ready to rent. Paint, carpet, clean, etc.
We had fun buying one of those 'For Rent' signs, realizing this is the beginning. Maybe I'll have some amusing landlord stories to share on here. Actually, I hope not. I definitely hope not.
The sellers of the house had the ideal renter in there for seven years. They said she had allergies and didn't smoke or want pets and you could set your watch to her timely rent payments.
That sounds good to me. :) We've received one call so far. Anybody looking for a place to rent? ;)

Click here for pictures of the inside.

Dear Blog,

It vaguely seems that I've read something similar to this letter on another blog a long while back, and maybe that gave me the concept to write this to you, but overall, I just feel a need to express to you that I'm aware we aren't communicating like we were at one time. It bothers me at times, and I do wonder why we've been drifting apart...and why I've allowed things to become like this. It's not that you aren't interesting to me anymore... It isn't that I have a lack of things to talk about with you...
I think about you frequently, and even stop by to visit. Sometimes I intend to chat for a while, but more often than not, when I try to talk to you, something makes me decide against it. In general, I feel like I can't open up as freely as I once did. Although, when I really think about it, from the beginning of our relationship we've had problems with communication barriers to a certain extent... I've backed off before, but never for this long.
It's not your fault, little blog. I refuse to give up on this relationship. You are too important to me. For one, you're always there for me. You allow me to express myself in so many ways. Through knowing you I have been introduced and established friendships with interesting people. In many ways you've actually helped me grow. I just want you to know that I still care.

Love,
Shari