Thursday, April 10, 2008

Before and After

So, we've been hard at work making the house our own, so I thought I'd show you some of our progress. The former owners had a lovely shade of powder blue in the dining room, befitting perhaps a small clan of infant boys. Well, since we don't need a dining room (and coincidentally sold our gorgeous Mission dining room furniture only six months ago), we decided to turn the room into an office. My office. And it's awesome. Although I don't get to use it very much because it has no doors and my boss says the kid noise is unprofessional (what does he know?), so I typically sit on my bed with the laptop and work (I'll save my work bitching for another post...but suffice it to say I'm not lovin' it). Anyway...here it is!

The office before (camera seems to wash out the colors a bit, but you get a sense of the nursery-blueness of it all).


The office after. Note the wine glass on the desk. After putting that mother of desk together, and doing what I could to prevent the children from learning any new swear words, I needed it! I have since added a nice potted plant on the top left of the desk and pewter lamp next to the monitor to finish it all off. You like?


Couldn't resist a new one of Vinnie. I found him sleeping in Maggie and Libby's dance tote bag on Tuesday night, looking even more pathetic and cute than I thought possible. Bless his little heart.

That's it for now!

Updated to add close up of rabbit for other art enthusiasts (Brighid?).

35 comments:

Bird said...

I think you and I have the same desk! I don't have the hutch and then extended piece. And I too office in our former dining room.
We're morphing into the same person.

I love the colors you painted the office. Who's the decorator?

From the picture of the dog it could be Wilson! He climbs into any and all bags that are left on the ground. If we leave his Sherpa bag (what we carry him around in) on the floor he climbs in and hides there when we go out. That way he thinks he's guaranteed to go. Good thing my brain is bigger than his...

Bird said...

Is that a rabbit skeleton hanging on the wall? That's f'd up Mart.

Martine said...

Rabbit skeleton? What?! It's a wooden outline of a rabbit leaping, hung with rusty wire off a piece of drift wood. That's ART, my friend. Please don't make me ask for a recount on the brain size vote.

I love the desk...and the black sharpie I have to keep in the top drawer to cover up the dings the kids make in the front from the dang chair. Dang children.

Bird said...

I don't know how I got that wrong. Of course it's art.

We had tornados here last night. Why haven't you called to make sure I'm OK?

Martine said...

I was looking for drift wood.

Are you okay?

Did any of those softball size hail hit you in the bigness of your brains?

Bird said...

We are OK. I went and inspected the yard in my wellies this morning and declared us undamaged. Then UPS dropped off stuff in the back and we saw our driveway....with the half of the neighbors friggin tree lying in it.

Do you want me to save some branches for you?

Martine said...

Only if the branches drifted into your driveway. Fallen limbs have much less appeal.

Anonymous said...

Right, so I have Mum here and we're in tears, laughing at the bigness of Bird's brain and the driftness of her limbs. Needless to say we've had a bit of wine. But like I've pointed before it's 9.30pm here and we have good reason.

Am still trying to find the computer cord for the camera. Am willing to swap Mark for Vinnie. Keen?

Anonymous said...

Darn it! Just remembered that you veto-ed the swap. Miser. What kind of cousin are you????

Dad's gone to bed. He's already been given 30 projects to work on while he's here - modelled off your house. If you can't model off 'celebrity homes' then what can you model off? No Paris Hilton decor, that's for sure!

Bird said...

Em - lay off the wine. Clearly you're drunk if you're still going on about Vinnie. However you did acknowledge the largeness of my brain, so I forgive you.

Mart, I'm whittling the branches into raccoon shapes for your collection. Christmas is coming early sistah!

Martine said...

Winks, get thee a plane ticket and come to admire my art work in person. So much more interesting than admiring Brighid's brains (Em, for shame...don't you at least have a TV for the poor woman to watch?).

Brighid, raccoons are so yesterday. Nice try, though.

Pieter said...

It's taken me three days to read the thread and post this comment - dang name and password.

I was eating my raisin bran breakfast as I read. The raisins fell off the monitor by themselves but the bran's a bugger.

My predominant thought - whoever said education is an investment was an optimist. And misguided.

The Butterfly said...

Thank you all for a really comedic experience. I had to blow my nose three times! I wonder what would transpire if you all got together with a box of red wine. I can only imagine the chaos! Martine I do reserve commentary on the rabbit and will post my thoughts on it after I see it in person in 10 days time!!!

The Butterfly said...

Thank you all for a really comedic experience. I had to blow my nose three times! I wonder what would transpire if you all got together with a box of red wine. I can only imagine the chaos! Martine I do reserve commentary on the rabbit and will post my thoughts on it after I see it in person in 10 days time!!!

The Butterfly said...

Thank you all for a really comedic experience. I had to blow my nose three times! I wonder what would transpire if you all got together with a box of red wine. I can only imagine the chaos! Martine I do reserve commentary on the rabbit and will post my thoughts on it after I see it in person in 10 days time!!!

Bird said...

Speaking of a box of wine.... Mom stop hitting the enter button.

Anonymous said...

Good Christ Almighty! I officially disown the both of you as my sisters. Dear God, please don't let this mental disease be hereditary! So many things need correcting here. First. Bird. I have told you MANY a time to never talk of Wilson in public. NEVER. That whole mess is just crazy enough to suck the whole family down with you! Emily and Mart, it is your duty to the van Meet family to not encourage Bird! You carry your damn dog around in a bag! Of course Wilson's brain is bigger! Mart. Love the rabbit corps on the wall. Whats next? Mummified dolphin? Art? I heard of a guy who makes pictures out of his own snot. He called it art too. Did I read something where Bird told Emily to lay off the wine? Are you serious? Pot calling the kettle black there I think. I believe I was 10 years old the last time I came across Brighid sober! Drink away Em. I have developed an unhealthy attraction to red wine myself lately. A little(?) red wine equals a lot of feel good without the excessive urination problem associated with beer. I like the desk/office Mart. Anything involving the use of wood is good with me. One last thing. Dad. It is not the lack/quality of our education that is in question here. Be reasonable. You admitted to spraying your raisin bran all over your monitor, and that you are unable to clean said monitor. I think the issue here is "genetics". The fruit does not fall far from the tree my boy.

Anonymous said...

Brighid, leave mom and her excessive drinking problem alone! You and I both know mom is a WHOLE lot more fun to be around when she is tanked. Which is quite often lately, now that you mention it. HMMMM. Problem? Only if we run out of red wine. Mom, no need to do things in triplicate. The last time you did that we all ended up with Brighid, and look at the mountain of crap that came with that.

Anonymous said...

Brighid, leave mom and her excessive drinking problem alone! You and I both know mom is a WHOLE lot more fun to be around when she is tanked. Which is quite often lately, now that you mention it. HMMMM. Problem? Only if we run out of red wine. Mom, no need to do things in triplicate. The last time you did that we all ended up with Brighid, and look at the mountain of crap that came with that.

Anonymous said...

UHHHH. Scratch that whole triplicate thing comment I made. Appears I have no tallent in this area either. Frick.

Anonymous said...

You guys really need to a get a tv show contract, this is great material. And how I miss all of you in one room together!! Ahh the chaos and the love.

Bird said...

I'm officially writing to Angelina and Brad. I hear they're looking for another African baby. I think I'd be perfect for them.

Martine said...

Well, Mom sent an email requesting that I remove two of her comments, but the aftermath would then become senseless (or senselesser). Mom, it's okay...I'm still your favorite.

Brighid, I think Brangelina would take Justin. Ya know...strong like ox, dumb like...well, ya know (wink, wink, Justin).

Dad, thanks for the mental image. I will now need to replace my breakfast of choice for something less...ummm...sticky.

Martine said...

Denise...do I get a sense that you're distancing yourself from the aforementioned chaos? Do I need to post a picture of you with both legs behind your head? Mmmm?

Pieter said...

Bird, don't worry! I'll sign the adoption papers.

Pieter said...

So THIS is the insane assylum run by the inmates.

Pieter said...

Ijust figured out that if you left click on a picture, you get a HUGE version of it.

That rabbit is strange!

Anonymous said...

Strong like an ox, hung like a..... No need to thank me for the correction my dear. Hey Brighid. If we can convince Brangilina to take you, I will see if they can have a bag made where they can carry you around in it. Dad, no need to sign adoption papers. Martine and I sold Brighid to Keith, so he is the legal owner now. You are in the free and clear. Denice. It is WAY too late for you to play the sane one here. Sadly(?), I know the picture Martine is talking about too. It is in your best interest to pay Martine what ever she wants to keep it hidden.

Anonymous said...

This was a lovely reminder why I will never be in politics, due to the fact of the incriminating photos of my past. Remember, Brighid is in most of those photos! Explaining to my 4 year old why she can't get a tattoo like mommy's has been quite entertaining this week as well as telling her all about this "Texas" place where mommy got her tattoo. I am in so much trouble if I don't burn those photo albums before my daughter finds them.

Anonymous said...

Dear, dear Denise. It is not your photo album that should have you worried!
Martine, I want 50% of the proceeds off of this little business venture.

Bird said...

Angie and Brad are here.

Or as I call them now, Mommy and Daddy.

Martine said...

Brighid, leave Wilson with Keith. I hear they eat dogs in Cambodia...he might be on your new brother's special diet.

Justin, at least I had the decency to only demand 40% of the "a gasoline" deal. You get nuh-teen...

Martine said...

Denise...I have ALL the negatives stored in Steve's gun safe...for real.

What? You want me to come over for a really good bottle of red? Just name the time...

Pieter said...

Martine, two items:

1. Your mother has filed three non-parental-responsibility petitions at the county court house, so share THAT with your business partner in Texas.

2. How much do you owe Brangelina for the haul away?

Anonymous said...

Mart. I am still waiting for you to explain what a gasoline is. I mean, if i went to the gas station and asked for a gasoline, what would I get? We have already solved the Brighid versus Wilson big brain issue (way to go Wilson), but it appears that maybe Steve is also the brains behind your outfit. Just saying.