HGTV... it may be reality TV, but it's a far cry from reality

Late at night, in our little brownstone apartment, the husband and I have taken to watching home makeover shows on HGTV, Fine Living and Discovery Home. We watch rather unworthy couples find and purchase homes and are left wondering what on earth they do for a day job so that they can afford these homes. These shows seem to note location OR price, so we spend time guessing where these houses are or how much they cost. We nod in agreement as the couple makes fun of the previous owners taste, and at least half the time, end up equally mortified by what the new owners do. If only we were in charge...

This Saturday, armed with keys to our new house and a 5 minute drive to Home Depot, we attempt to make the house "ours" We strip wallpaper, pull up carpet and paint. Our rather ambitious agenda has left the lovely house we bought looking like a fixer upper. And we move in next week. Brilliant. Now that we have trashed the place, where are we going to put our stuff? That is, assuming we pack on time. We have not yet started that project... The good news is, in spite of minor injuries, and endless sources of frustrations, the husband and I never argued with one and other. It may sound a bit odd, but given all of the stress, it seemed like a fairly major accomplishment.