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Sunday, July 19, 2009

Metamorphosis Monday and a birthday party!

I am joining Metamorphosis Monday this week. This is a weekly event sponsored by Susan at Between Naps on the Porch. She also sponsors Tablescape Thursdays!

This week, I am showing you the transformation of my empty apartment into a home. Some of you may remember these photos of my place from February. I finally had the place clean enough to show some pictures of how it looks now.

I'll tell you right off the bat that I am no Susie Homemaker, and my home will never be spotless. I am also a clutter queen and have a lot of stuff. It makes me happy. I have also packed a lot of furniture into a little space, but you know what? It feels comfortable and cozy, and I have had several people comment on how homey it now feels.

So with all its warts and blemishes and coziness, here is my place.

It started with this empty living room.


Now its full of personality. Sorry this pic is so dark. I added pics from several angles.










I hated these blinds, but the landlord wouldn't let me take them down. They are still up there and I close them at night, but during the day, you can see my curtains.




I still hate the wallpaper in my kitchen, but have learned to live with it. You probably won't see my counters this clean again for a while. Here it is empty.


And again with all my things.




My big bedroom empty...


...now filled with a LOT of my things! I love this room.


Here is the boys' room, empty.


And here it is as clean as its going to get. It was no easy task getting two rooms full of stuff into one room, but they succeeded.

The chest of drawers is taped off so it can be painted. It won't always be like that.

They created their own media centeer. Have you ever seen so many wires?



So what to do with the clean house? Have a party!

Jared turned 17 on Friday, the 17th. I bought him a cake at the grocery store.




I put some fun plates out.


And I wrapped up his present. Drove him nuts wondering what was inside.


We invited a few friends.


He has more friends that are girls.


There was some hand holding...


...and time spent with good friends.


I had planned to have his party outside, but the sky looked like this. Not to worry though, these were just teaser clouds. No rain. It was chilly however.


We sang Happy Birthday to the birthday boy. He was a poop and put out his candles before we sang.


He thought the cake was pretty good.


He was eager to open his present.




I got him a case for his laptop. He bought a laptop with his own money since he is a working man now.


Sean decided to entertain the guests by playing this guitar.


This made Nick hide. I thought he looked funny, like the footrest had decapitated him.


The kids all decided to go outside. My nice next door neighbor loaned us their cornhole game.


This lasted only a short time.


The guests just wanted to hang out. Jakey decided to terrorize the bunch, and the tall blond boy just about had his hand bit off.


They are an affectionate bunch with some hugging too.


You could tell they had fun though, and they left with full bellies, as evidenced by the almost empty bowl of taco salad...


...and the half eaten cake.


It was a fun day!

Be sure you don't miss my next posts. My daughter and I went somewhere amazing, and I got some great pics to share! I'm sure you'll want to join us.

7 comments:

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

The apartment looks fabulous and the party looks like it was a ton of fun. What a great time. Hugs, Marty

Edie Marie's Attic said...

HI Kady!

Congrats on your job! I'm so happy for you!!

Your new place looks awesome! Very spacious and you have decorated so nicely - even with the wallpaper you don't like. Great job!! It looks so welcoming and cozy.

Happy birthday to Jared too!! Looks like a wonderful celebration.

Big hugs, Sherry

Bonnie said...

Awww! Everything looks great! Very homey and inviting.
On a side note, I used the flowers from napkins that matched your party plates to decoupage some end stands. I haven't posted pictures yet because I forgot to photograph the before. Check out my post next week for photos.

Justine said...

Wow, you really have made that place into a real home, Kady. I LOVE that hutch you have!!!!

Mmmm... that cake looks like it was SO good. And wow, is it even possible for Jared's face to have changed since the last time I saw a picture of him? He just looks so much more mature in the face or something.

So glad he had a good day and you all had fun! But corn hole? What the hell?

Justine :o )

Kammy said...

What a fun party !
thanks for sharing your home pictures - you have warmed up the place. I really love your hutch in the living room !
Hugs ~ Kammy

Bill said...

What a cozy home new you have! The party looks like great fun too!

Thanks for stopping by and leaving the nice comments.

Bye for now,
Bill

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

It really does look like home now. Amazing what you've done with it. It also looks like you hosted a fun birthday party. I haven't fixed Taco salad in years. Made me want to get up and fix some. Also made me want a piece of that CHOCOLATE cake! laurie