Saturday, January 15, 2011

In the beginning...

I can't believe I'm actually blogging. I've thought it starting my own blog for a long time. My husband and I have talked about different types of blogs we would like to start. Hockey. Parenting. Becoming a Teacher. Newlywed stories. Then we talk about what we would name the blog. We can never come up with anything interesting and then we quickly move on to talk about something else.  
This is where it all started.

This is our home. (I just love this old photo from the late 1940s)

After we bought our house 6 months ago I started reading a ton of DIY home improvement type blogs. I love them! I have found a ton of inspiration from these blogs for my own home improvement projects, like sanding and staining the basement stairs(before and after pictures below), painting wood paneling, how painting wood furniture can makeover any goodwill or craigslist find and turning our house into a home.  



 Project: Stair Decrapification


Before
After
We are a broke young family just planting our roots.  I enjoy making our home nicer, one small project at a time, while working with a tight budget. It's amazing what a can of paint can do.  I am totally addicted to painting. I'm crazy, madly in love with painting. I dream about what to paint next.  Ceilings. Closets. Unfinished part of the basement.  I have paitned every room in our house since we bought it six months ago.  I even painted two rooms twice! 
This blog is my way of sharing my life.  Everytime I pull out my blue painters tape I get this rush of excitement.  When the tape comes off I'm always so proud.  I want to share those feelings of accomplisment (as well as mistakes) on our never-ending journey of the joys of homeownership!  
Don't worry I wont be boring you all about my office job.  I work as a paralegal at a busy medical malpractice firm.  I love my job but I spend over 40 hours a week at work. I leave work at the office. In addition to sharing my home projects with you, I plan to blog about many other areas of my life.  
Such as, being a wife to a smart, loving and supportive husband.  

Being a mother. 
Our evil cat. Our jedi pup.  
Our growing family.  My love for houseplants.  
You get the idea.




This is me


and my family.  
Welcome to my blog.  I encourage comments and welcome e-mails. 
If you are also new to blogging, be sure to check out Debbie's Newbie Link Party!




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Posted by Erika . . . with a K at 2:59 PM

52 comments:

  1. DebbiedoosJanuary 26, 2011 at 8:26 PM

    You did a fantastic job! One thing my husband told me when we were young and first married, was that ROME was not built in a day....Enjoy it all...you will have so many memories along the way.

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  2. Erika . . . with a KJanuary 26, 2011 at 9:15 PM

    Haha thanks Debbe, my mother-in-law tells me all the time that Rome was not built in a day. I try and keep that in mind but I wish it were all done yesterday!!

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  3. LucyJanuary 27, 2011 at 11:05 AM

    Good job on the stairs. You had me at decrapfication. Too funny..love it.

    Nice intro -- welcome to blog land. I've been doing it since 2005 - with a few breaks here and there. It's fun.

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  4. SewPaperPaintJanuary 27, 2011 at 2:01 PM

    Love the title and result! I so want to do this, but our stairs are too steep and I am afraid that if I remove the carpet and someone gets hurt... But LOVE this look! Stock up on magic erasers to keep the white fresh. :)

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  5. ChristinaJanuary 27, 2011 at 10:13 PM

    The stairs are b-e-a-utiful! AND, you've hooked me in already...I'm now a follower! That's why my blog is called "Christina's Adventures"...because I couldn't just pick one part of my life to dedicate my blog to! I can't wait to hear about the fun stories in your life :)

    Thanks so much for linkign to "20 Below Thursday"!! I hope to see you back soon :)

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  6. HeatherJanuary 27, 2011 at 10:49 PM

    Beautiful stairs! Welcome to blogging!

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  7. Handy Man, Crafty WomanJanuary 27, 2011 at 11:02 PM

    Great job on the stairs! We "decrapified" our stairs, too, much better! our stairs had old, dirty carpeting on them. yuck!!

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  8. Self SagacityJanuary 28, 2011 at 11:46 AM

    Nice job@ I redid my stairs too, unfortunately I regret it now. It looks too painted and un-natural. I like how you did yours!

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  9. AnonymousJanuary 28, 2011 at 12:43 PM

    I have done stairs in a previous house and have yet to do our old stairs..you did a find job...one that you can be proud of everytime you go up and down those stairs!

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  10. Savannah GrannyJanuary 28, 2011 at 4:57 PM

    Fantastic job on the stairs. The difference is amazing. Hugs, Ginger

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  11. UnknownJanuary 29, 2011 at 10:06 PM

    Beautiful job with your stairs-found you through a blog hop and I'm your newest follower-stop by for a visit!-Claire

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  12. SkinnyMegJanuary 30, 2011 at 8:07 AM

    Welcome to blogland! I love your stairs, you did a fabulous job!! I'm a new follower and can't wait to see what you are up to next :)

    Megan

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  13. VanessaJanuary 30, 2011 at 10:50 AM

    Hi Erika! I'm just stunned at how well those stairs turned out! You did a fantastic job and I can't wait to see more of your home projects and transformations. I so agree that blogland has provided me with more inspiration than anything I could have dreamed of and I know you will enjoy being apart of this great community. Thanks so much for linking this one up to Inspiration Friday this week!
    Vanessa

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  14. Katie @ OhhBabyJanuary 30, 2011 at 9:31 PM

    I LOVE the stairs! It kinda reminds me of Sarah at Thrift Decor Chick's stairs! If you haven't seen them...you should check them out. I love it! Great job! :)

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  15. Erika . . . with a KJanuary 30, 2011 at 9:34 PM

    @Katie @ OhhBaby

    Hey Katie, thanks for stopping by! I am touched that my stairs remind you of Thrifty Decor Chick's... I got the courage to do my stairs after seeing Sarah's a few months back. She did such an amazing job it inspired me to take the leap and do ours!!

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  16. Grace @ Sense and SimplicityJanuary 30, 2011 at 10:05 PM

    Great intro to your blog. I still haven't done a very good one and it was a year before I even added an "about me" page.

    I love your basement stairs. If they were mine I would sit and stare at their beauty all day.

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  17. The Polka Dot ClosetJanuary 30, 2011 at 10:34 PM

    Great job and what a beautiful family, blogs will absolutely inspire you! I have garnered more ideas than I thought possible and you blog and the whole world appreciates it! I am visiting from Debbiedoos, I am your newest follower and wishing you tons of luck!

    Carol

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  18. A Vintage VineJanuary 30, 2011 at 11:32 PM

    Your house has so much great potential! Love your blog....Isn't this newbie party fun! Thanks for visiting over at my place...I'm so glad to have found your blog. Can't wait to see your house blossom!

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  19. AnonymousJanuary 31, 2011 at 12:02 AM

    Your stairs look FABULOUS! You did a fantastic job! I found your blog via Debbiedoos newbie party! I'm following you now!

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  20. KathyJanuary 31, 2011 at 12:35 AM

    Nice to meet you..coming from Deb's party and I glad I did, your family is beautiful and so are your stairs, great job

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  21. CathyJanuary 31, 2011 at 1:03 AM

    Drop by from DebbieDoo's party. I am a newbie also. I know how you feel when you take off the painters tape. Check out my blog to see what I completed this week.

    Cathy@cathy'scupboardcalamity

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  22. LoriJanuary 31, 2011 at 7:14 AM

    I work40 hours a week and find a little time to blog. You will enjoy it and get such great tips for your home. Came over from Debbie's.

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  23. KLMJanuary 31, 2011 at 8:32 AM

    Lovely job on the stairs. As a fellow 40hr-a-weeker... I know how time is very sacred [especially on the home front]. I know for me, my blog is a great way to keep me grounded and focused on my hobbies and home-life, while keeping 'work at work'.

    Im one of your newest followers! :)

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  24. Ricki TreleavenJanuary 31, 2011 at 9:12 AM

    Hello, Erika with a K!!! I like this post. I am a newbie blogger, too. I hope you are displaying the 1940's picture in your home. How cool is that!?!?!??
    I linked over from Debbiedoos, and I am a new follower.

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  25. Custom ComfortsJanuary 31, 2011 at 11:48 AM

    What a sweet blog and family you have. It is so nice to meet you and welcome to blogland~I'm your newest follower. It is a wonderful place. Your steps came out beautifully. I've been in my home for 21 years and there are still projects to do, always will be projects to do. So exciting to see how much you enjoy them.
    Cindy

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  26. AmandaJanuary 31, 2011 at 1:10 PM

    You have a fab blog! The stairs look great, would love this look on my own stairs.

    I've come over from Debbiedoos for a look around and will definately be back!

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  27. RachelJanuary 31, 2011 at 1:23 PM

    Nice blog. The stairs look incredible.

    Found your site from Debbiedoo's link up party

    Hope you have a great week and can't wait to see what you do with paint next. :)

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  28. AnonymousJanuary 31, 2011 at 7:16 PM

    You look like you have a great family! I'm looking forward to reading your blog. I'm following you from the "newbie party" linkup!

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  29. Nicole @ Wohler's WorldJanuary 31, 2011 at 9:58 PM

    Welcome to the blog world! I'm a newbie too! Your blog looks amazing! My husband and I purchased out house almost 3 years ago and we're still changing things, painting, trying to find the perfect spot. I love your stair makeover! Visiting from Debbiedoos

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  30. MichelleJanuary 31, 2011 at 10:12 PM

    Wow... your stairs look fantastic! I found your blog via Debbiedoo's newbie blogger party & will follow :)

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  31. Tammy@Beatrice BanksFebruary 1, 2011 at 9:27 AM

    So nice to meet you! Welcome to blogging. Looks like you are off to a great start. Your stairs look fab.
    Finding you via Debbie's Newbie party. I'm your newest follower and would be delighted to have you follow me back!
    Have a great day!
    Tammy

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  32. ~The Bargain Babe from *Zucchini Summer Blog*February 1, 2011 at 4:58 PM

    Visiting from Sugar Bee's linky party.

    Good job on the stairs.

    LOVE your doggy. :)

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  33. Dearest HomeFebruary 1, 2011 at 6:14 PM

    Great job on the stairs! They are beautiful! Isn't blogging a blast?? Visiting from Debbie's Newbie party ... would love if you'd stop by!! www.dearesthome.blogspot.com

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  34. Tammy @ Type AFebruary 2, 2011 at 11:15 AM

    love the old photo of you house, very cool. i want my next house to have some charm and character like that. great job with the stairs. thanks for linking up to type A

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  35. An Oasis in the DesertFebruary 2, 2011 at 5:10 PM

    Your enthusiasm jumps right off the screen, Erika. You are destined for greatness here in wonderful "blogland" and I'm happy to be a new follower. Those stairs look amazing.
    CAS

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  36. cleverlyinspiredFebruary 3, 2011 at 8:52 PM

    great job! I just finished mine too!!

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  37. Wendy@Once upon a rose havenFebruary 5, 2011 at 10:15 PM

    Hello Erika, It is nice to meet you. I'm your newest follower. The stairs look beautiful, great job.
    Blessings ~*~ Wendy ~*~

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  38. KellieFebruary 11, 2011 at 11:05 AM

    Did you just start your blog in January too? I started mine Jan 7th! Smile :)
    How do you have so many followers already, fabulous! I'd love some tips. I'm so happy to have this new hobby now! :)

    -Kellie
    http://sixtieshome.blogspot.com/

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  39. Debra@Dejarenew.blogspot.comFebruary 23, 2011 at 9:28 PM

    Hi found ya at the newbie blog hop. I love the steps! Nice job. I am your newest follower. Love to have you come by and join me as well.

    take care
    Deb
    http://dejarenew.blogspot.com

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  40. DebbiedoosMarch 27, 2011 at 8:19 PM

    Thank you Erika for joining me.

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  41. emilysnanMarch 28, 2011 at 8:14 AM

    hiya , visiting form debbie doo's and am following you , your finished project is gorgeous i love how you called it decrapification ..lol , i am going to have a look around your blog now x hope to see you at mine soon
    xmaggiex

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  42. KimMarch 28, 2011 at 3:08 PM

    Awesome blog and beautiful home. Oh, and you are beautiful too!
    Kim

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  43. LisaApril 7, 2011 at 8:39 AM

    Welcome to the blog world! I love having a blog to document the updates we do on our house and it's really fun to look back and see how far we've come. Great job on the stairs too! I'd really love to do that in our house!

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  44. JacquelineApril 7, 2011 at 9:39 AM

    Great transformation! My simple home life

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  45. UnknownApril 7, 2011 at 5:04 PM

    What a great makeover on those stairs! You are very lucky to have nice wood stairs to start with.

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  46. Jill and EricApril 8, 2011 at 12:33 AM

    How awesome!
    There is nothing quite like fresh, white paint!!!

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  47. Petie@inspirednesting.comApril 8, 2011 at 11:49 AM

    Great job on those stairs! I want to re-do our stairwell trim from light to dark, but it's intimidating?! You've motivated me to make it happen.

    Welcome to blogland! Looking forward to seeing more of your projects.

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  48. abeachcottageApril 10, 2011 at 6:27 AM

    Great job with the stairs. Looks lovely

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  49. andiejayeApril 13, 2011 at 8:47 PM

    i love your stairs! they look sooo nice! that's the look i would like for our :) stumbled across your blog through a link from someone else's (paisley passions, i think!). you've got a new follower in me :)

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  50. DebbiedoosMay 2, 2011 at 8:30 AM

    Thanks for sharing Erika!~

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  51. Jane@Cottage at the CrossroadsMay 2, 2011 at 8:45 AM

    I started our blog in January also for some of the same reasons you did. I get so much inspiration from other people's projects. Your stairs look terrific.

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  52. SusanMay 2, 2011 at 1:16 PM

    This is very nice! I'm wondering about your stairs--did you ever have a problem with scuffs over the white paint? I had a similar stairs in my last home and I had to paint once a quarter. It makes me afraid to do it again. What's your secret??

    I came here from Debbie's!

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