So, let’s start this post with a great big HOLY CRAP, WHAT A WEEK. Or, more accurately, what a couple of weeks it has been!
It feels like just yesterday I was knee-deep in a backyard cleanup project, unearthing a veritable island of lost toys, and sharing that rather random but heartfelt story with you all. Little did I know, the universe had much bigger, wilder plans in store for me. You might have noticed a slight drop-off in my usual posting frequency, a fleeting silence that wasn’t intentional but rather a symptom of an incredibly intense, whirlwind period. I had a stack of blog posts ready to share, brimming with DIY inspiration and practical tips, but life, as it often does, took a magnificent detour.
That detour involved hopping on a plane to sunny Phoenix, Arizona, with a mission that felt both exhilarating and slightly daunting: filming five (yes, FIVE!) episodes of a brand-new TV show! In my somewhat optimistic, perhaps even arrogant, pre-trip planning, I genuinely believed I’d carve out ample time at the hotel to finalize edits on those awaiting posts. Oh, how wrong I was. The reality of TV production quickly swallowed any spare moments, leaving me barely enough time to share a few cryptic photos on Instagram, hinting at the monumental undertaking unfolding behind the scenes.
Stepping Into the Spotlight: My Journey to SheKnowsTV’s Homestretch
So, without further ado, this is my big news, the monumental secret I’ve been itching to share! Later this year, mark your calendars for November 1st, you can catch me on this season’s Homestretch with SheKnowsTV. It’s a show that encapsulates everything I love about DIY and home transformation, but with an added layer of exciting competition and tight deadlines.
What is Homestretch? The Ultimate DIY Challenge
The premise of Homestretch is simple, yet incredibly captivating: two passionate DIYers, two challenging rooms, and an intense two days to completely transform them. It’s a race against the clock, a test of creativity, skill, and adaptability, all while under the scrutiny of cameras. I can hardly wait to reveal more intricate details about the projects, the creative process, and the nail-biting moments, but for now, much of it must remain under wraps until the premiere episode. However, there are a few exciting tidbits I can absolutely share, starting with the identity of my “competition.”
A Familiar Face: Teaming Up with Sawdust Girl’s Sandra
Do you recognize this fellow sawdust lover? Here’s a little hint, an insider’s peek into the camaraderie and friendly rivalry that defined this experience:
It’s none other than the incredibly talented Sandra, from the hugely popular blog, Sawdust Girl! The entire opportunity came together rather quickly, a whirlwind of planning and preparation. I discovered that Sandra would be the other DIY host – that’s what they affectionately called us, even though a fantastic “real” host would pop in to check on our progress and offer guidance – just a couple of days before my flight to Arizona. The news filled me with a surge of excitement. The thought of reconnecting with Sandra, a fellow creative spirit and a dear friend from the blogging community, was just as thrilling as the prospect of doing the show itself. In our busy blogging lives, opportunities to see blog friends in person are rare gems, typically happening only about once a year, so this reunion was particularly special.
Behind the Hammer: My Unforgettable Filming Experience in Phoenix
The entire experience of filming Homestretch was, in a word, crazy. It was an overwhelming, exhilarating, incredibly fun, and entirely new adventure that stretched me in ways I never anticipated. From the moment I landed in Phoenix, it was a literal hit-the-ground-running scenario. My flight arrived, and that very same day, I had to squeeze an entire room’s worth of shopping into a single, frantic day. Talk about pressure!
Navigating New Tools and Tight Deadlines
One of the unexpected challenges was adapting to unfamiliar tools. In my own workshop, I have my trusted equipment, each piece a familiar extension of my hands. But on set, I was using tools I hadn’t selected myself, and I quickly realized how much not having my own familiar gear could slow down the process. Every minute counted, and even a slight adjustment to a new saw or drill bit felt like a precious commodity. Furthermore, learning to delegate significant portions of a major DIY project, while simultaneously losing large chunks of time due to filming requirements, was a steep learning curve. Like a “doof,” I honestly hadn’t fully factored the filming aspect into my initial planning phase – a rookie mistake for sure! But I must give immense credit to the crew; they were absolutely amazing, incredibly supportive, and truly the backbone of the production.
The Emotional Rollercoaster of On-Screen Renovation
Throughout those intense days, there were so many funny moments that lightened the mood, but also incredibly frustrating ones (yes, I admit, I may have thrown a tool or two in sheer exasperation!). There were times I felt like a complete moron, questioning every decision, and moments of profound gratitude for the incredible people I was working with. The dynamic on set, the pressure to perform, and the constant need to think on my feet made it an unforgettable crash course in televised DIY. Every night, I would return to my hotel room utterly exhausted and sore, physically and mentally drained. On top of the demanding schedule, I was also adjusting to a three-hour time difference, which only amplified the fatigue.
My biggest worry, undoubtedly, was whether I would be able to pull off the ambitious room transformations in time and, most importantly, if I would disappoint the homeowners who had entrusted their spaces to us. Truly, it was one of the most unique and challenging experiences of my life. I don’t have many of the pictures taken during the actual filming (understandably, I was a little preoccupied with, you know, transforming a room on national television!), but I hope to get my hands on them soon. When the first episode goes live, I promise to give you a full play-by-play, sharing all the behind-the-scenes stories and insights.
Expanding Horizons: New Roles in the DIY World
Neat, right? But I did mention that there were new things – plural! Beyond the thrilling television debut, there’s a good chance you’ll be seeing my face and my DIY advice popping up in a few other exciting places. My journey into broader media has truly taken off!
Becoming the Home Repair Expert for Answers.com
First up, I’m thrilled to announce that I am the new Home Repair Expert for Answers.com. Now, I’ll be the first to admit that the word “expert” feels like a bit of a stretch for me; I would never pretend to be something I know I’m not, always preferring to learn and grow alongside you all. However, they were looking for someone passionate about providing practical, relatable DIY advice to a wide audience, and that’s precisely where my heart lies. This new role presents a fantastic opportunity to share my experiences, triumphs, and even my blunders, hoping to empower others on their own home improvement journeys. Who knows? It could be incredibly fun, and anything that involves more of what I genuinely enjoy writing and talking about is right up my alley.
Joining Society South: Sharing Trends and Inspiration
And (since this post has delightfully morphed into a general update about all the exciting things happening in the “blog part of my life”), I’m also going to be a contributor for a brand-new magazine called Society South. They’re on the cusp of launching any day now, and I’m incredibly excited to be a part of their inaugural team. You’ll be seeing my mug as an online contributor, sharing my insights, tips, and observations on a variety of topics. I’ll be diving into current trends, highlighting inspiring projects, and generally talking about everything that catches my eye in the ever-evolving world of home decor and design. It’s another fantastic platform to connect with fellow enthusiasts and spread the joy of creating beautiful spaces.
Back to My Roots: Exciting Kitchen Renovations on the Horizon
Phew! How’s that for a Monday announcement? From absolutely nothing, suddenly BAM, a whole list of reasons explaining my recent quiet spell. And if all that wasn’t enough to contend with, midterms are also starting this week – talk about a full plate! But you all know me well enough to understand that I simply cannot go for too long without diving into more DIY projects, especially with my own home calling. The urge to create and transform is a constant hum in my life.
This week, I’ll be channeling that energy directly into my kitchen, specifically starting on the upper cabinets. In fact, I have to run out this afternoon just to grab the paint! The timing is perfect, as my aunt and uncle are coming into town in just a few weeks. My primary goal is to get these cabinets completely finished before their arrival, so that we can seamlessly jump right into the next phase of the kitchen overhaul: installing the counter, the sink, the faucet, and tackle several other related DIY projects. I’ve already picked up the new sink, and let me tell you, she’s an absolute beauty – I can’t wait to show her off and get her installed!
I think I definitely need another cup of coffee to power through all this excitement and planning!
P.S. Update: My wonderful co-host, Sandra from Sawdust Girl, also wrote a fantastic recap of her experience on the show! You can check that out here. And don’t worry, I’ll be sure to nag (remind!) you about the premiere and subsequent episodes when things really start heating up next month! Stay tuned, you won’t want to miss it!