2 Throw Blanket Throw Down

A couple of weeks into life with Michael and I under the same roof, one very big difference between us has become quite apparent. While Michael’s internal body temperature hovers around the same temperature as the surface of the sun, my fingers and toes are practically icicles at all times. If he’s cool and comfortable, I’m shaking and shivering and if I’ve cranked the heat on full blast, he’s sweating bullets.

After putting the time in to “man-ing up” the den for Michael—missed that adventure in de-girl-ifying? Click here—I didn’t want bring in a fluffy prissy blanket to ruin all my hard work. This DKNY throw blanket was the perfect solution. Comfy, cozy and completely gender neutral. A new throw blanket just for me but still man den friendly…
 

That is, a new-throw-blanket-just-for-me-until-I-get-up-to-go-to-the-bathroom-and-return-to-find-a-little-gremlin-in-my-spot…



While I love this little bearded angel more than homemade mac n’ cheese on a rainy day, there is no way I’m sharing this perfectly clean ivory throw blanket with her not so clean puppy paw prints. Not going to happen.

Solution: Remember this coffee table I painted a while back?



Over the weekend, I stumbled upon a basket just the perfect size to fit in its belly.



It’s been bothering me to look down through the glass at an empty basket bottom BUT there was no way I was going to let this space turn into a clutter pit for miscellaneous items.



Good thing my new throw fits snuggly in this spot. Just out of June Bug’s reach but not too far away from the sofa where my inner couch potato will find it just too dang difficult to fold and put away.

 
Cara – 1. June Bug – one million and three. I think I’m gaining on her.

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0 A Dresser for Doggie

Between the dog kennel (or canine condo as we refer to it around these parts), toys basket and food bowls, this little nook in my den has officially been taken over by June dog. Let’s also note that the precious little white canisters are chock full of dog treats.

I love my little bug and she can have as much space as she wants—Let’s be honest. She rules the roost—but how fabulous would this setup be?!

Leashes and treats up top. Toys in the middle. Consolidating puppy gear in one centralized location. Genius.

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3 Life Outside the Construction Site: Swim Lessons

I can think of no better way to kick of a Monday than with a montage of June Bug’s first float trip.

On the way, canoes in tow. More concerned with squirrel activity than what’s ahead…



Where are they taking me?…



You want me to do what now?…



Action shots of my little water bug gliding through the water were not in the cards at the risk of my iPhone sinking straight to the bottom of the river, but this puppy hairstyle proves that she has more than one doggy paddle up her sleeve.
 


Prime squirrel watching…



Gaining her sea legs…

Practically a pirate already…

A lazy trip down the river…


 
…topped off with a pit stop by a drive-in movie. Two lawn chairs. A bottle of wine. No June Bugs invited.

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4 Queen of the Mountain

It’s good to be a gremlin.

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1 Sweet Dreams

I know this blog has been a little heavy in the yuck department this week (with the moldy banana post and rotting insect carcasses) so let’s dedicate today to focusing on the pretty.

Nothing revs me up for kicking off a home project more than daydreaming of what the final product will look like. Since my soon-to-be-oh-so-fab laundry room will not only serve as place for washing clothes but also as June Bug’s puppy palace, I’ve had a ton of fun with Pinterest and Google Images lately.

Let’s take today to fantasize…

Shelves with baskets will definitely be working their way into the mix…



I feel good about wallpaper in two very specific areas of the house: half baths and laundry rooms. Maybe, I should bring a fun print into my new laundry room—not this print. Definitely a different print…

Love the framed Whirlpool and Tide ads from long, long ago—even though my washer is Maytag and I’m waaaaay too cheap to buy something fancy like Tide.



June loves an ikat print. Like mother like daughter…



But really it doesn’t get any better than this DIY goodness (or just pick one up on Etsy)…




Too cute. June needs one of these personalized puppy canvases from Red Envelope ASAP. I wonder if they can whip one up for a schnauzer-and-some-kind-of-terrier-but-who-really-knows-which-one mix?…

Oh, dear. The wheels are starting to crank and the demo itch is creeping back up on me. I’m determined to finish out this week with zero signs of construction debris, but next week, we’ll talk.

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4 No Alvins Allowed

One of the serious perks of my job is that I am able to spend a good chunk of my time working from right here…



You can even make out where my caboose has made a clearly identifiable indention in the couch cushion…lovely.

Other than when I’m out and about running around showing houses, as long as I have my laptop close by and my cell phone even closer by, I can work from just about anywhere. Pretty great right? Absolutely, but don’t go getting the idea that working from home means lounging in PJs until noon with the TV blaring. Work still has to get done and I’m not the only one with business on the brain. My little June bug works her little tail off from sun up to sun down.

You see, while I’m typing away from my perch, June’s on a mission of her own. A mission to kill.

Notice anything particularly schnauzer intriguing in this photo? (Pardon the gutter-cleaning debris, friends.)…



Oh yeah, baby. We have a chipmunk living underneath the back patio. A chipmunk who June has had her eye on for the past two years and who I may or may not refer to as Chip-y Munk-y.



I’m fairly positive June’s sole purpose for existing is to protect our house from Chip-y Munk-y. The second the sun rises? She’s looking for Chip-y Munk-y. Before she takes care of business (you know what I mean here)? She’s sniffing around Chip-y Munk-y’s front door/hole in the ground to see if he’s home. She’s even gone so far as to rip a section of guttering off the side of the house when she saw Chip-y Munk-y scurry up it. That was a fun experience.

It may seem like a fruitless task, but for June, a tiny chipmunk head on a silver platter is the stuff dreams are made of. And for me, Chip-y Munky is one hell of a puppy sitter.

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1 True Confession: Living in the present(s)

Very little DIY gets accomplished around these parts on Christmas Eve Eve aside from wrapping presents. Fortunately I have a killer assistant who dishes out tons of puppy snuggles and smooches as reward for a hard day’s work.



Don’t worry, friends. My dining room table rarely doubles as an actual eating space.

From my construction site to yours, Merry Christmas, y’all!

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