Hi, I’m Denise! I just realized that I never wrote an About post for this website. I started this website when me and my husband began an adventure in real estate. We bought a 4-unit property that was built in 1969 and is a bit of a fixer upper. Hence, the realty in the website name. And housewife b/c I am a stay-at-home Mom to my three daughters.
We were looking for something that I could do from home that was flexible and provided us with a little extra income and so we became landlords. Plus, my husband is handy and that helps significantly, so he’s basically taken on a second job. We’ve had many experiences through this adventure and I thought we’d blog about it here and if anything helps or encourages or entertains anyone else through this then great! We also rent out our old house that we used to live in – that comes with different adventures also posted here.
My hope for this site is that you’ll be able to find recipes (easy, mostly), tips on property management (landlording), cleaning tips (b/c I have to), home decor ideas, renovating ideas, and mommying shenanigans (the most fun and challenging part but also most rewarding). But through all of it, I hope to convey humor and make someone laugh b/c if we don’t laugh we cry, right?
The name of the website also came from a play on the Real Housewives shows. I do love those shows and I watch every season and every city. I know some people are going to look down on me for that and I understand. My husband feels the same way. He can’t even stand for them to be on if he is in the room so it’s a secret pleasure of mine. As I’ve told him, I only watch them as a way to know what not to do. I really do learn a lot from the shows.
There’s usually a voice of reason on the show and there’s some give and take so it’s not all bad. It’s not like watching Jerry Springer or anything – which I don’t watch. I used to watch the Real World but I gave that up several years ago b/c I felt like there was no voice of reason on that show – just bad behavior and I felt dirty after watching it. I think the Real Housewives casts pretty well to have a variety of people – there’s usually a voice of reason, a pot stirrer, a big spender, and someone on the verge of divorce every season. I don’t even know why they call them housewives b/c most are not married but whatever – details..
I’m not sure how my About Me post became all about Real Housewives. I am not one of them nor do I look up to them – no way no how. I just love analyzing the psychology of relationships and I’m always watching reality shows that involve groups of people and group dynamics b/c I find it interesting. I also love Big Brother, Survivor, Bachelor, and Bachelorette. When groups of people that are different are forced to be together, conflict arises and I like to see how it’s dealt with and analyze it. Could they have said this or that to make it better? Etc. Or I take mental notes: Never bring sprinkle cookies to a dinner party (those who have seen The Real Housewives of New Jersey will get that). I really should’ve gone into the psychology field but I didn’t b/c career paths there were less clear. But I can practice it secretly. :-p
For myself though, I absolutely abhor conflict and avoid it at all costs – it gives me anxiety. Maybe that’s why I watch the shows – I’m in shock that people actually willingly put themselves through that. I couldn’t do it. This post is indicative of how my website is – lots of tangents, analogies and analyzing things b/c that’s me and I have to be me. I might veer off topic every once in a while, but I’ll try to make it interesting..
Here’s my NOT AN EXPERT clause: I am not an expert – just a person that does a lot of diy stuff so don’t sue me (literally) if it doesn’t go well for you – not my fault. :-p When things don’t go well for me, I only blame myself – I don’t understand today’s philosophies of people being sue-happy and that’s another tangent for a different day, but I don’t hang around people like that so hopefully that’s not you and we can be friends. :-p Unless, of course, a box falls on your head at Wal-Mart or something.. That might be a little different. I suppose there are appropriate times for people to sue, but you know what I’m talking about. People should use it sparingly and judiciously. Besides, I have no money so sueing would be pointless – as I mentioned earlier, I’m a stay-at-home Mom. :-p I just feel the need to put a disclaimer in here somewhere: not an expert. :-p
Which brings me to the next point. The bible warns against quick money: Proverbs 13:11: Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it. Remember: Hard work pays off. It may not always pay off financially but it may just feed your soul and that’s the best kind of pay.
On that note, last but not least, me and my husband are Christians and we do our best to follow the principles set forth in the Bible. We fall short constantly but that is the human condition. We do our best not to judge others b/c we ourselves aren’t perfect. The only perfect person was Jesus. Jesus was all about love and compassion so if you don’t have love and compassion then you are doing it wrong – ok, so maybe I am being a bit judgmental on that point. We enjoy good people and especially people that point us toward God and we’d like to give all the glory to Him in everything we do that’s good. Everything bad – not God’s fault – the fault of our human condition.