Speaking of Catching Up...

... here are the long awaited Before and After pictures of my office. For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, a few months ago I proclaimed on this blog that I was going to clean up and redecorate my room of shame - my office. It had become the room where I put everything I didn't want to deal with, a true horror show. And I did it! But, I've been holding off on showing the Before and After pictures because it's not completely done. I wanted the room to be completely finished (knick knacks and all) but, I've realized that's still a long way away and there's no point in holding out. So, without any further ado, here they are.

Before

Horrifying, isn't it?

After

Much better, yes? Still not finished, but it's getting there. As you may have noticed, Widget and Poppet are in separate cages, as I've discovered they're both boys. Although they love each other like crazy, they're also just a little too young to get fixed, which makes them too competitive/aggressive to leave in the same cage. But that willl change as soon as they get fixed. And there we have it! I'm actually very proud of myself for following through and getting it done. After all, you saw the Before pictures. You can't tell me they weren't terrifying.

 

 

Update

I thought I'd take a moment today and give you an update on what's been going on in my life lately.

For those of you still waiting for the Before and After pictures of my office, please stay tuned. I've been holding off on taking the After pictures because I've been waiting until I get the bunnies in their big cage, which may take a little while, because on the bunny front there have been some new developments. First of all, they're doing great. They are ever so slowly losing their fear that I'll eat them, and have even climbed up on my lap a few times. We still have a ways to go before they'll be giving me as much affection as they give each other, but I'm being patient. Speaking of the love they have for each other, I've actually had to put them in separate cages. I'm not entirely certain of how old they were when I got them, but around now is when they should be becoming sexually active, if they aren't already. I haven't caught them humping each other, so I'm remaining positive that my little Poppet isn't pregnant, but I decided it was better to be safe than sorry. I'm calling the vet today to get her opinion on when I should bring Widget in, and then hopefully I'll be making an appointment. Because although their cages are right next to each other, it still makes me depressed every time I go in there. I feel like the evil jailer keeping two lovebirds apart. Not my style.

I"m still loving the office job, and my writing is progressing nicely. The April Platform Building Challenge is going well and I'm feeling pretty good. Overall, things are holding steady. I've also started eating healthier and bringing my lunch to work. It's amazing how much better I feel. My husband doesn't notice a difference as much, but I really have. Apparently all it took for me to wake up in the morning is vegetables. Who knew?

For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about when I refer to the office, the bunnies, or the April Platform Building Challenge, feel free to check out the links below. As always, please feel free to follow this blog, as well as myself on twitter @MelanieKCole. Your comments are always welcome!

The Big Surprise
Introducing...
Too Busy
Oh The Horror!
Office Reno Update
The Quest for a Lamp

The Quest for a Lamp

Yes, I know. You all raced to your computers today, delirious with the expectation of stunning Before and After photos, and here I am disappointing you again. Unfortunately, the office just isn't quite there yet. But it's very close. There are just a few small details left to be finished. But those will come with time. Every day I get a little closer, and yesterday I took a big step in the right direction.

Yesterday, I spent most of my free time in search of a lamp. A floor lamp. With no overhead lighting, the office relies solely on the power of assorted lamps for proper illumination. And I was currently not in possession of anything suitable, both in brightness and style.

I should tell you, my husband was away this past weekend on a ski trip and due to arrive yesterday evening. The office had gone through its weekend transformation entirely without his knowledge, and I was desperate to have it completely finished for his return. So, I only had until 6:00PM to find a lamp and assorted artwork to finish the room and surprise and delight my husband. The most important object being the lamp. If I could just find a lamp, I'd be satisfied.

I don't know if you've ever been on the hunt for a reasonably priced and stylish floor lamp, but it's not easy. I spent most of the day on the internet, perusing the websites of various local stores trying to find the perfect floor lamp. It was not to be found. Finally, I discovered a possibility ot Rona, but I couldn't be sure due to the poor quality of the photo.

After work I hopped in the car and raced to Rona. It wasn't there. When I found an associate and had her look it up on the computer, she immediately cried, "Oh! THAT lamp. Yes, we don't have it anymore because it was always getting returned due to problems with the wiring and the stand. But if you like, I could order you one."

I looked at her for a moment, silently contemplating why she thought I'd still want one, before politely declining and leaving the store. Undetered, I went to Pier 1, Home Outfitters, Canadian Tire and Home Sense before I finally ended up at Urban Barn. I didn't have high hopes. Although they have beautiful lamps, they're always way too expensive. ($350 for a floor lamp? No thanks. Knock off $200 and then we'll talk). But low and behold, I found it. Sylish and a modest $140. And to top it off, they had it in stock.

So, I returned home with a new floor lamp and a few decorative accessories I'd found along the way, with just enough time to set it up and surprise my husband. But it is done? Not quite yet. Stay tuned, faithful viewers. Stay tuned.

Office Reno Update

As you may recall, I've been working at cleaning up and redecorating the shameful mess that is my office. This weekend I made a huge leap forward, thanks to the help of my very good friend and design genius, Chelsea. All this past week I'd been cleaning out the clutter and reorganizing all my receipts, files and so on, until at last the office was clean. On Friday night, Chelsea met me at home depot, helped me pick out a paint color and wall paper and we got to work. In that single evening we painted the entire room (two coats) and wall papered the focal wall. It was amazing. Not many people have a friend so willing to drop everything and spend their entire Friday evening painting and working with wallpaper. Which let me tell you, is a frustrating endeavor. I chalk it up to the strength of our friendship that we weren't at each others throats by the end of the evening. We'd made it through without a single fight.

The next day (Saturday) I repainted the trim around the window and the closet door, fixed up a few oops on the ceiling, cleaned and put away all the paint stuff and moved the furniture back in. Not only that, but I cleaned the entire house from top to bottom, walked the dog and did a few loads of laundry. (Yes, I am the champion of productivity).

Today was all about accessories. I went shopping for cute knick knacks and things to put in the room, a new floor lamp and some wall decor. I only found a few knick knacks, so the search continues for a new floor lamp and wall art. I did however, manage to make it to the fabric store and picked out some nice material to re-cover the office chair. I don't think I'm going to do the whole thing, probably just the arms, which are getting a bit worn. I might make a matching throw pillow to go with the chair as well. To top it off I walked the dog and had coffee with my mother in law. There's still more I want to get done tonight, but I'll have to wait and see if I can pick up the tools I need.

So, to sum up, it's coming along nicely. I was really hoping to have it all done and be able to put up 'before' and 'after' pictures, but it's not quite there yet. Instead I'll try for Tuesday. I decided not to put up midway pictures, I'd rather give you the shocking 'before' with the jaw dropping 'after'. That way you're duly and properly stunned. Not to mention, I don't want to show you how bad it was before without a truly awesome after to redeem myself. So stay tuned, there's more to come!