Date Night

 We have been doing some remodeling lately and thinking of some projects so we thought it would be fun to go to the Home and Remodeling Show. We got there soon after it started for the weekend so it wasn't very crowded at all. And, of course, we always wear masks.  I was a little disappointed that I didn't get to see fabulous finished room vignettes. Most of what we saw was brochures, photos, and granite and siding samples. A couple of interesting moments did make it worthwhile. 

When I go to places like this, I always try to not make eye contact. I never know how to get away from vendors once they start talking to me. I usually say very little. That's why John was so surprised when he found me in very animated conversation with Iowa Legends Roofing and Remodeling. The truth is, I was talking to a hometown hero! I can't help it, I am a fan of accidentally famous people. Carson King is known as an Iowa legend. In September, 2019, he had a homemade sign asking for "beer money" at the Iowa-Iowa State football game. It got a lot of press, and he got a lot of money. And he gave it all away! He donated over a million dollars to the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital  after that weekend. He has continued with fundraising and philanthropy and started The Carson King Foundation--Helping children and families in times of need and uniting communities to make a difference. 

We had one other bit of humor. A chiropractic booth was offering three minute posture exams. It was to demonstrate how poor posture can cause all sorts of problems. I chatted with the woman but John just walked away very quickly. When I caught up with him, he asked me why they were giving prostate exams at a Home Show. I can't help it. I am still laughing.

For us, here in the Time of Covid, being able to go anywhere new and without a lot of people, is a treat. Masks don't make communication an easy process!  We are still staying home most of the time. And we watch a lot of tv. He likes documentaries, and I like cozy English murders. But we both agree on buying, selling, remodeling and renovation.   We also love the lake house properties. You know the ones---you buy a house for a lot of money, and then tear out almost everything, and replace it all. There are always a few expensive catastrophes that the inspector missed But, at the end, everyone is happy, and usually under budget. We have learned all the key code words. The word we hear the most is "outdated". New home owners like to tear out the outdated kitchen cabinets and replace them with new white cupboards. And counter tops need to be granite or quartz. Floors are usually replaced with hardwoods. Everyone wants shiplap on their walls. (Thank you Chip and Joanna). I like to see the houses that are rejected because the prospective buyers don't like the paint colors. They don't want to paint, but knocking out walls is never a problem. The open concept idea is the most popular change. Many of the rooms have to be a "total gut job". All through the shows, we hear ways to make it POP. No one wants a cookie cutter house. Everyone needs a firepit. Don't forget the guest rooms for all the friends and family who will be coming to visit and to grill hot dogs. And someone always wants to make it a little more glam. There needs to be a garden tub and double sinks in most of the bathrooms. Am I the only one who thinks a bathroom is a private place? Or should I say space, because space is something that everyone wants more of. There has to be a lot of space for the family dogs. Of course, the dogs and children all have opinions too. We have lived in several old houses, and done lots of taking apart, and putting back together again, and it is never like the ones we like to watch. And now we even watch reruns of the ones we have already seen.  I am just waiting for the trends to change. I want to see contractors putting walls and doors back in. I want to see islands with waterfall sides disappear, and cupboards to no longer be white. I also want to see them serving something better than hot dogs!