Fun Monday - Mi Casa es Su Casa

Before I get into Fun Monday, I ask you to visit my other blog: Creative Karina, where I'm participating in Pensieve's Poetic License.


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Okay, so Fun Monday this week is being hosted by Kitten and she wants to know the "story" our our homes.

"Today for Fun Monday I thought it would be neat to hear about the story behind your home and the road you live on. It doesn't have to be historical, maybe just something that stands out to you. It would be nice to have pictures to go with your little story. I also would like to know who has the oldest house. Whoever has the oldest house will get a little Christmas treat from little ole me. "

Well, I'm not really sure how much of a tale I can tell you. I live in a condo complex, and I'm pretty sure nothing much exciting exists in terms of a history of this place. My complex is made up of two buildings, each with about 18 units. I live in building A, and my understanding is that back in the 80's there was a fire in Building B, so it has been rebuilt. But Building A has been in existence since the 70's I think. Like I said, not much of a history to tell.

So, here's a little about how I came to own my condo. Here's a picture taken the day I closed on the place...that's my brother and I, walking into my building for the first time as a homeowner. See the balcony in the top right corner of the picture? That's my balcony.

In February it'll be 5 years since I've owned my unit, and I do love my little home. Our complex is at the top of quite a steep hill, a private drive that is quite the challenge in the snow. When my realtor first drove me up the hill to show me the place, I remember thinking "where the hell is she taking me? There are buildings up here?" That was pretty much a selling point for me, because I live off of a main street, but from the street, you'd have no idea these buildings are up here. It's very quiet and private.

The hill in the spring looks harmless enough:

This is the hill in winter:

Those shots, by the way, are the view from my balcony. Not bad right? We had a pretty nasty snow storm this weekend, and the hill looks a whole lot messier than that right now, but I didn't get any pictures this time out.

My particular unit faces the hill, so I can see the comings and goings which is helpful when I'm waiting for anyone, as I can see them coming. It is also quite entertaining, because I see when anyone gets stuck in the snow trying to come up the hill (yes, I'm evil).

When I bought the condo, I took one week off of work, and together with my parents, painted most of the rooms, redid most of the floors (dad laid down tile in the kitchen and living room and refinished the hardwood in the living room and mom and I actually laid down the hardwood in my bedroom). I feel a great sense of pride in how it all turned out, because I had such a hand in doing it.

Here's me pulling up carpet staples on my bedroom floor:

Here's my kitchen before the new floors went in:

And after:


And here's the atrocious wallpaper that covered one wall in my living room:
Here's what that wall looks like now:

And that's about it, that's the story of my home.

Next week there will be no Fun Monday, we're taking a break for Christmas Eve, but check with Peter to find out what the assignment is for New Year's Eve.