Hank 1886- Complete with Bomb Shelter

So I sent out an invite for my housewarming party this weekend. It's not until April 12 because I wanted to get through the slush of March before having people trample in on the new carpet. (if you didn't get invited, either a) you don't know me or b) you may know me but are a scary stalker and I don't know why you'd be reading my blog (if you fall in that category, no, you're not invited) or c) you live far, far away and wouldn't be able to come to Minnesota for a couple hours on a Saturday afternoon just to see my house.

In my invite, I told guests that "bomb shelter tours are available upon request." The bomb shelter has become a bit of a joke. It's like my own hatch. Complete with an Air Defense sign. In reality, it's an old root cellar and a great place to hide from a tornado. But, really, how many people can say their house has a bomb shelter?

So, for those who keep asking, I've done enough now to share a few photos. Here's a glance at Hank....

So the basement isn't the most exciting place in the house, but the cats love it down there. Next weekend's project is finishing last weekends. Jillian (God bless her) helped me paint the walls with a fresh coat until we ran out of paint and next weekend will be finishing that... then it's painting the floor. How's red sound? (I must admit, I love red. So the floor is becoming red.) Painting the basement is on the list due to requirements by the appraiser who was concerned that the current paint may be old enough to be lead-based... In the end, while it wasn't on the short-term list except that I am required to do so, it really will freshen it up down there. And, I must keep the cats happy (and safe from lead paint!)

Note the singing dancing penguin under the sofa table. He's Kelsey's buddy.

The living room has been painted, the carpet is new and the drapery and blinds have been hung. Prior to my paint, the walls were a dirty cement color with a teal accent wall, yeah it was weird...

Roman is welcoming you to the kitchen.

This room was easy. The paint was OK and the cabinets are newer. Not too much work! I'm still all for new appliances, but that is down the road a little while.

I like to entertain. Who's coming for dinner? I'm so happy to have a proper dining room rather than having my table jammed into a small aparment. Jillian and Paige and Krystle and Chris have been dinner guests. You can be next! Just call. I love an excuse to cook for others.

Ok, so I honestly rarely make my bed and the leapord print blanket isn't part of the decor. If you are likely to visit, the bed is likely to be made (unless you are family, Jillian or Ryan who are like family)... but for the purpose of this photo, you all can see how my room normally looks... it's the one place I'm not a big neat freak.

This is the second bedroom I turned into a den. It's where I'm sitting right now on that green sofa with that Dell computer in my lap. This room got the new carpet and a fresh coat of "champagne" colored paint on the walls. I also gave in and bought a few new furniture items at my favorite place- Ikea!

And finally, the bathroom... new paint on the walls and new flooring made this room look fresh and new! (Thanks Martha Stewart... sheesh...) Being the homemaker that I am, it also has new bathroom hardware, rugs and towels.

Hope you all enjoyed the virtual tour. Come visit anytime! I'll make dinner. (Unless you're one of those scary stalker people.... then you can just live vicariously through my blog.)