Flip 1217 - A success!

Whoa... I am way behind, as usual. But in any case thought it would be worth it to document a pretty awesome project we took on in 2010. Flip 1217. The short of a long story goes something like this... we partnered with Matt's cousin and his wife to 1) start a company... Raybill (named after both the guys' dads) 2) combine capital to purchase a foreclosed property and 3) flip that shit! (apparently it's the corporate tag-line, FTS for short).

It started something like this.... According to our partner one of the most important things to do first was tackle a corporate logo.

Next was to secure a production crew in the hopes of making it big on ? HGTV, perhaps? (I really have no idea... at this point it was all the guys, which probably explains a lot). Until the "production crew" actually showed up it was imperative to take homemade videos on site.

Umm yeah, quality programming right there.

Finally we documented the "pre-flip" condition of the house. Please excuse my crass humor, I felt a little guilty attempting to make money off of someone else's misery. But at the end of the day, with condo living, Matt & I were in dire need of a project.

And then the fun began. We ripped carpet out of the main floor, completely demo'd the lower level, upper story and porch. As for one bathroom and kitchen it wasn't a complete demo but close enough. The entire main floor was painted in a beautiful pink color, hard to tell in the pics but it was a light shade of pepto. Thankfully the exterior, windows and mechanicals were relatively new and in good condition. And to top it all off we were blessed with a brand spanking new 2 car garage. Not too shabby for a big project at the start of the best time of year in Minnesota... summertime.

Overall, we logged way over 600 hours between 4 people. We did most of the work ourselves with the exception of carpet installation, mudding and taping, bringing the electrical box up to code and installing new flex plumbing in the basement. Everything else... paint, new electrical fixtures, tiling, bathroom install, framing, sheetrocking, egress window, curb appeal, new door installation, counter/cabinet install, trim and refinishing the hardwoods was all us. all raybill. It was a lot of sweat, a little bit of tension but overall a ton of fun. Would we do it again? You betcha! Here's the finished result... oh and we sold the house ourselves in a short 6 weeks! at a profit! Cha-ching!

The Great November Hunt.

(consulting his trusted advisor, while scouting for the best spot)

It's December, which for me means getting used to having my husband home on the weekends again. We are in weekend #2, a vast improvement from weekend #1. I am actually starting to like him again ;)... well it does help when your bff is in town and you get to catch up with old friends. Anyhow, over the past few years, November has become the month of the hunt. The month of the disappearing husband. When I met Matt, I could have sworn he didn't even know what hunting was. He never did it. Never talked about it. Never came home outfitted in camo. Back in those days, I don't even know he owned a gun much less ever found it in the trunk of my car or back of his SUV as I was making a grocery trip. Nope, hunting just did not exist in our world. Not the case anymore. Now I find random game in our freezer, get text messages on the sweet sounds of nature and have to tend to my pretty, city dog's hunting wounds. I am really not a fan. It's another one of Matt's things I just don't understand. In my mind there is just something very odd about sitting in a tree, by yourself, with a gun. very odd.

Although I will say he does look pretty good in orange.

And nope, the hunting was not successful. Well not in term's of a hunters mind. But a lunch stop at the casino and $10 jackpot hit and I'd say it was a huge success! Hello winter shopping spree! Matt thinks it was luck. I say it was karma and mother nature's way of saying thank you.

Matt's Eternal quest to get me to like the State Fair

For two years in a row now I have agreed to tag along with Matt as he does his annual trip to the State Fair. this is huge! We have know each other for uhhh... 9! years now and prior to the previous two years our trips together consisted of a whopping zero. I just don't get it... the concept of the MN state fair does not register with my idea of a fun filled day. Try as he may I am not sure he will ever be successful on this one. Now a county fair, a true-county fair, I'm down. But this fried food, fat, smelly festival is usually the last thing I want to do. Matt on the other hand LOVES it............ as evidence.....

How can you not love him? and all his State Fair infatuation?

Soon to be...

RV'ing the BIG Sur! OMG... so excited! Cali! Cali! We hear you! We are coming.

Sweet, Sweet Unemployment!

So far lots and lots of quality time with my fav peeps....

Sittin in the morning sun...

Now this, this can make a girl happy. It doesn't take much. Matt may argue with that one. but for real. one fav blanket, check. a big steaming cup of Joe, check. urban livin', check. tunes, tunes that make your heart dance, check. electronics that I can't live without, check. and best of all MAY! and SUNSHINE! This is starting out to be a best day ever. It is also practice day #1. so good so far....

At some point I will get around to updating on move numero dos. But today, today will be spent sittin' in the morning sun, watchin' the clouds roll on by....

2010...

when the photo booth malfunctions, improvise.

Well, its that time again... we made it through another year of wedded bliss. And our reward... fruit! four years = fruit! Ours came in the liquid form via miami vices and mango margaritas poolside in Mexico. ahh... it was lovely.

And the past four years... lovely as well! We've ticked another continent off the list, visited my childhood home, witnessed mother nature in her prime, played realtor, kicked the country boy for the metro man and started paving the way to our future move to mexico - flip that shit!

Bring it to #5....