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justlightlysedated · 5 years ago

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for my lovelies @bisexualalienblast and @fraudulentzodiacs with a special shout out to @bestillmyslashyheart just because 🖤🖤🖤

Alex isn’t sure what time it is, but his fingers are cramping by the time he hears the squeaky screen door that leads out of the kitchen and into the backyard open with a loud groan.

Alex is expecting it to be Kyle, who sometimes stops by if he notices the lights on after work, or Rosa who has taken to dropping by during the middle of the night with spray painted covered hands now that he knows that she’s alive.

He’s definitely not expecting Michael to be walking into the living room from the kitchen.

Alex sets the paper he’d been using to sketch on top of the keyboard and closes the laptop, sliding it backwards. The movement causes the pencils he’d been using to roll off the desk to the floor where one of them stops right by Michael’s boot.

Alex just licks his lips and tells himself that he doesn’t need to be standing at attention in his own home.

“Can I help you with something?” Alex asks when Michael just bends down and grabs the pencil from the floor, and stays crouched there like he’s never seen an HB sketching pencil before.

Michael looks up at him slightly in his crouched position and then reaches with one hand and makes the two other pencils that had fallen roll over to him.

He gathers them in his hand and pushes himself to his feet.

“You got anything to drink around here?” Michael asks, voice hoarse as he steps closer and reaches out with one hand so that Alex can take the pencils.

Alex stares at him for a second, taking in the hat sitting on top of his head and the dried blood in the corner of his mouth and the swelling around his right eye tells him that he’ll be sporting a black eye come morning, and Alex wonders if he got himself kicked out of the only bar in town that would have him.

“I’m sure if you ask nicely, Maria will be more than willing to serve you a drink at the Wild Pony, even if you make out with another guy’s girlfriend.”

Michael exhales roughly, but doesn’t rise to the bait, which is surprising.

“I didn’t come here to fight,” Michael says, which again, surprising.

Alex is trying, but it’s hard not to throw barbs back for every single one that Michael does, and it’s the reason why Alex leaves the dealings with the aliens and Liz to Kyle so that he doesn’t have to be in the same room as Michael because they can’t even seem to talk about what they’re going to do about Max and about Project Shepherd without taking cheap shots.

“Then why are you here?” Alex asks, feeling a little confused.

Michael told him exactly where they stood, and Alex had taken him fully at his word. He still had a job to do here in Roswell, but he had no doubts anymore about where he fit in Michael Guerin’s life.

He had tried to be Michael’s friend, but Michael had pushed back even harder against that, so Alex didn’t exactly know what else there was to say that Michael couldn’t tell Liz or Kyle to pass along.

Michael's gaze sweeps the entire room, and Alex hopes that Michael's memory is as bad as he pretends it is, but of course it's not.

Michael just moves, setting the pencils down on the desk as he moves to the other side of the room.

Alex just tracks him with his gaze and tries not to sigh when Michael moves the small table beneath the window to the side and reveals what's hidden behind it on the wall, that Alex hadn't painted over even after he'd renovated the interior of the place.

It was a heart with their initials, placed there by a lovesick almost eighteen year old, Alex, as a mark to prove that the house would be theirs, one day.

"Why are you here?" He asks back, turning to face Alex.

"This is my house," Alex says slowly, and Michael makes a low scoffing sound.

"How exactly? I've been waiting for it to come back on the market since it was sold."

Alex should've maybe expected that, but he just looks up at the ceiling to avoid looking at Michael directly.

"The house has always been mine," Alex says.

He can feel Michael's incredulous stare, and he sighs again.

"When I showed you the place the last thing that I expected was to come back and find you here with someone else, so I asked a friend to let me borrow their name, and I bought the place from the bank.”

His chair jolts, and Alex sits up to glare at Michael who is still standing by the window, but giving Alex a nonplussed look.

“You didn’t come back here for almost three years,” Michael says, shaking his head. “You went to Basic Training and then left straight to Texas before managing to make an appearance right before you had to go overseas the first time.”

Alex shakes his head. “I came here first. I wanted to see you. It had been almost six months by then, and I don’t know what I was expecting, really, since we parted on not so good terms, but I still wanted to see you.”

Michael swallows hard, and moves away from the window towards Alex. “And you didn’t think that I wanted to see you too?”

Alex just rolls his eyes a little. “I was eighteen years old and not exactly thinking rationally. It felt like my heart had been broken into a million pieces. I had known, objectively, that leaving the way that I did, meant that you weren’t going to be waiting for me, but a small part of me still hoped that you would be.”

Michael looks unhappy about that, but Alex is already lightyears over it. “I realized later that I had no right to be so upset about it, and that you never promised me anything, and so the next time that we saw each other, I just didn’t want to say anything that would make things awkward, so I just didn’t say anything at all.”

“So what you’re saying is that it’s my fault that-?”

“No,” Alex says, leaning forward and looking at Michael seriously. Michael stops speaking, but he still looks unhappy.

Alex licks his lips, and tries to figure out how to say what he means. “You told me once that I’m always looking for a reason to walk away, and maybe that’s all it was, but there is no use talking about who is to blame because there is no one to blame. Maybe things would’ve been different if I had talked to you back then, but it’s useless to wonder about things we can’t change.”

Michael is quiet for a moment, and Alex waits a beat until it’s clear that he’s not going to start up blaming himself again, before he speaks again.

“So, I answered your question,” he says, and Michael’s eyes focus back on him. “Answer mine please. Why are you here?”

Michael stares at him for a moment longer almost like he’s trying to find the answer to the question in Alex’s eyes, but Alex knows for a fact he won’t find anything that he’s looking for in them.

“Did you mean it?” he asks, and doesn’t elaborate when there are a billion things that he could be talking about.

“Did I mean what?” Alex prompts him gently.

Michael exhales roughly, and looks around the room, before settling his gaze back on Alex.

“You told me that even if we’re never getting back together, that you still care about me, that we’re family, that you want to be friends,” he says, taking a few steps closer. “Did you mean that?”

“Every word,” Alex responds, and Michael seems to deflate, like he’s lost all of the energy that had been keeping him standing upright.

He sways a little and then drops backwards, sitting hard on Alex’s coffee table, making the stack of coasters shake and tip over.

“I just need a friend,” he says, looking down at his hands. “And neither Liz or Isobel are good company right now, and Maria-”

He sighs, and keeps his gaze down at his hands. “Would expect too much.”

Alex just stares at him for a second longer before he reaches for his crutch and moves to stand up.

His left leg feels a little tingly, and Alex realizes that he’d clearly been sitting still for too long.

He moves a little stiffly towards the kitchen, and grabs the semi clean dish towel hanging from the stove and then opens the freezer hoping that he still has some ice in there.

Alex drops several cubes on the towel, and then folds the towel up around them before he makes his way back to the living room.

He opens his mouth to say something that he forgets the moment he realizes that Michael is standing right in front of his desk and that his laptop is open.

“Don’t-” he starts, but Michael swirls around already holding the sketch in his hand.

“What is this?” Michael demands, voice sounding harsh.

Alex licks his lips and wraps his fingers tighter around the crutch and the towel in his hand, the cold ice cubes sticking to the towel and making Alex’s hand feel a little numb.

“A sketch,” Alex replies, and Michael shoots him a look that says not to fuck with him.

Alex inhales deeply.

“Here,” he says, holding the towel out. Michael looks like he’s going to refuse, but he crosses the few steps over to Alex and takes the towel from his hand and places it to his swollen eye, and then he shakes the sketch in front of Alex’s face, and Alex takes it from him to stop him from wrinkling it.

He smooths it out, and stares at the unfinished portrait. He’d taken dozens of screenshots from all angles in order to try and make it as close as he possibly could, and he still felt like it wasn’t good enough.

He wasn’t planning on showing Michael at all. It had just been a project that he was using to distract himself when he couldn’t sleep.

Alex exhales roughly.

“I forget sometimes that not everyone is like me,” Alex starts, keeping his gaze on the sketch, staring at the eyes that are so familiar even though he’s never seen them set in that face. “I want to know every single thing even if it’s terrible, even if it hurts. I can compartmentalize it even if it’s something personal, and I got so used to being around people like that, that I didn’t even think that you wouldn’t want to know.”

He looks up as he says the last word and straight into Michael’s eyes, and has to look away, blinking his eyes a few times before he inhales deeply and turns back to him.

“I wasn’t planning on giving this to you. I know that you don’t want anything from me. I just wanted to have something else to show you if you ever wanted to know what I know.”

Michael doesn’t say anything, but he moves to go sit down on the couch, and Alex exhales a little bit, feeling like a weight has been lifted off his shoulders, and he moves back to his desk, setting the sketch down on top of the desk, and making a face at the half finished abandoned ones he’d done before he’d decided that he hated them and started over.

“I know it’s pretty bad,” Alex says. “I’m a little bit out of practice.”

“It’s a pretty good likeness,” Michael says, surprising Alex, who turns to face him.

Michael isn’t looking at him, and the towel isn’t on his face, as he looks up at the ceiling, the move making his hat sit off kilter.

“She showed me a memory,” he continues. “We were really happy and she loved me so much.”

Alex is moving across the room before he’s even aware of it, and he sits down in front of Michael, lowering himself carefully on top of the coffee table, and he uses his crutch to tap Michael on the leg.

Michael jumps a little and tilts his chin down, looking at Alex down the length of his nose.

“I am sorry you know,” he says, and Michael sits up, tilting his head at Alex like he doesn’t understand why he’s apologizing. “I know it would never be enough. That nothing will ever be enough. But I am going to try my best to do anything that I can to make an attempt to make things right-”

“Alex,” Michael says, voice barely a whisper, but Alex hears it loud and it traps the words at the back of his throat.

He inhales deeply and focuses his gaze back on Michael, who is leaning forward a little, so that they’re eye to eye level.

“What happened to my mom, wasn’t your fault,” Michael says, and Alex exhales roughly, letting the air out noisily through his mouth.

“I know that,” he responds, and Michael gives him a skeptical look.

“Do you?” he asks, sounding equally as skeptical.

Alex doesn’t answer.

“Why are you apologizing then?” Michael counters and Alex just rolls his eyes a little.

“Because no one else is going to,” he snaps, and Michael raises an eyebrow at him. “Anyone who you do deserve an apology from is long dead, and the rest of my family is too stubborn and set in their ways to see that what they’re doing is wrong. So that leaves me.”

He looks at Michael as seriously as he can, and Michael keeps looking at him like he’s trying to figure out exactly what Alex is trying to do.

“And I am sorry,” he repeats. “For everything.”

Michael blinks a little, and Alex can see him clenching his jaw slightly, before he nods his head once and leans back against the couch, blowing out a breath.

“Are you sure there isn’t anything to drink around here?” he asks, raising an eyebrow at Alex.

Alex makes a low noise. “I’m not actually supposed to be mixing alcohol with my meds, sorry.”

Michael just sighs, and closes his eyes.

Alex stares at him for a second, before he turns his gaze to the small area partially hidden by his desk where he kept his old guitar, the one that he’d tried to give to Michael, and the new one that he’d bought several weeks ago.

“How about we try something else?” Alex says, turning to look back at Michael, who raises an eyebrow like he’s expecting Alex to proposition him, and Alex just scoffs at that and motions with his head towards the guitars.

Michael’s gaze flickers over there, and then he looks back at Alex.

“We could try a jam session?” Alex asks, hating the way his voice rises slightly at the end, at the way he can’t seem to control his emotions enough to leave the hope out of his voice.

Michael stares at him for a long moment, before he moves and stands up, brushing past Alex a little too close, and making him swallow hard and keep his gaze firmly above his belt buckle.

Michael huffs out in amusement, but walks towards the guitars.

Alex exhales carefully, and then moves, sitting down on the couch, and getting comfortable.

Michael hands him the new guitar and then settles down beside Alex, settling Alex’s old guitar in his lap and pulling the handkerchief wrapped around his hand to stuff it into the back pocket of his jeans before he’s testing the strings and tuning the guitar to his specifications.

Alex just licks his lips and concentrates on his own guitar, making sure that it’s tuned and then going through the scales while Michael gets ready.

“Alright,” Michael says, making Alex look at him. “What song do we play?”

Alex hums low as he thinks the question over, and then he shrugs a little. “You lead, and I’ll follow.”

Michael gives him a look out of the corner of his eyes at that, and Alex just looks back down at his guitar, strumming against the chords.

Michael isn’t the only one who can speak in metaphors.

Michael starts to play, and the song is familiar enough that Alex just shakes his head a little, biting down on the smile that wants to threaten to take over his face.

Michael starts to hum along to the song, and Alex waits for the chords to cycle through before he opens his mouth and starts to sing.

“And so, I thought I’d let you know, that these things take forever, I especially am slow, but I realize that I need you, and I wondered if I could come home.”

#malex fic #i've been trying to write this fic all day #and i'm finally #sort of happy with it #but instead of deleting the whole thing once again #here you go #malexnotitle2k20

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babbushka · 5 years ago

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Last Straw (2/12)

Newly married to your high school sweetheart Kylo Ren, the two of you move into Skywalker Ranch, a farm recently passed down after the death of Kylo’s grandfather. The place is charming, and the people seem friendly…but are they?

Content Warnings: Animal death, animal cruelty, gore (relating to the animal death), blood.

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No, you think, you really aren’t the best equipped to do such intense renovation work as the house needs. And you desperately want it to be done well, to the best that it can be, to bring it back to its former glory – if for no other reason than to help Kylo heal. He is a big, strong man, but he can’t do all this alone, not all by himself.

Besides, you think, neither you nor Kylo were strapped for cash, not by any means. If you could help support a local family business with a job like this, one that was sure to take a long time and require a lot of labor, well, then you’d be happy to do so.

“I think that’s a great idea honey.” You decide finally, putting your mug down and walking into the living room to look for your purse. You always carried a small pad of paper and about five different kinds of pens on you at all times, “Do you want me to write it up?” You ask once you’ve found it, once you come back to the kitchen.

“Would you? That’d be great, thank you.” Kylo wraps his arms around your middle, rests his chin on your shoulder as you write in clear clean letters:

Help Wanted!

Historic farmhouse – complete renovation (help us restore our family home!)

Will pay well! Please contact Mr. & Mrs. Kylo Ren at:

Skywalker Ranch, Sweetwater co. WY

“I need to go into town to pick up groceries, cleaning supplies, that sort of thing, I can drop this off at the news station, if it’s still where I remember it.” Kylo says with a smile as he picks up the slip of paper, careful of the drying ink.

You know what he’s smiling at, at the little Mr. & Mrs., the first time you’ve ever really put that down on a piece of paper after the wedding. You smile right back at him, nudge his calf with your toes until he’s fully grinning.

“Do you want me to come with you?” You ask, and he grows so shy – as if you didn’t just get married a week ago, as if you hadn’t been in love all your lives.

“Only if you want to.” He shrugs, bashful in the way that means he absolutely wants you to join, and you sip the scalding coffee as quickly as you can without totally burning your tongue, something which makes him laugh as he passes you on his way to the bedroom.

It takes almost forty-minutes to get all the way into town, into town properly anyway. About half an hour into the drive there are houses that spring up, scattered about. Nothing that could really be called a suburb, not the way you think of it anyway. But ten minutes more and suddenly you’re driving down Main Street, a bustling road filled with people walking, biking, driving.

It’s just the one road, but it’s got all the sorts of stores you might want, anything you might need. There’s a grocery, a pharmacy, the library. A couple store-fronts selling clothes, home goods. There are restaurants, bars, but none of them, nothing on the street is a chain. Everything is mom-and-pop, established signs and plaques boasting over one hundred years of operation.

“You know, I’ve always wanted to live in a place like this? It was always my dream, getting out of the city, out into nature. I love how wide open everything is.” You say, the sun-bleached pavement smooth under the tires of the truck.

“Good, because we’ve got just about nothing but nature.” Kylo replies, as he parks the car in front of the grocery store.

The little bell at the door dings when he opens it for you, and you’re surprised to see it’s busy. People must get their shopping done on Saturdays, you think, as you grab a shopping cart, already fishing around in your bag for the list you wrote up on the drive over.

You’re just about to start roaming the aisles when an old man recognizes your husband and slaps the register happily.

“Benny! How ya doin’ son?” He calls out, lifting the little swing door enough to get through it, to come greet Kylo with a big hug.

“Mr. Dormer I go by Kylo now.” He patiently responds, giving a stiff hug to the sweet guy.

He’s got to be over seventy, you think, with deep tanned, weathered skin and a missing front tooth. He wears a faded baseball cap and a denim shirt tucked into bright blue jeans, almost as blue as the turquoise bolo tie he has around his neck.

“Kyle-o, now that’s a name! You earn that in the city?” Mr. Dormer chuckles good-naturedly, and Kylo blushes.

“Something like that.” He mumbles, but Mr. Dormer is far too excited to register it.

“By gosh by golly you look just like Anakin, you know that? Have his eyes.” He says, and you give Kylo’s hand a squeeze reassuringly when the tips of his ears go red at the comparison. “And this! Who is this lovely young thing?” Mr. Dormer asks, and now Kylo blushes for real.

“Mr. Dormer, this is my wife, (Y/N).” He introduces you, and the old man takes your hand and gives it a big kiss.

“The (Y/N)? The one you used to spend all summer bitchin’ and moanin’ about wishin’ you could go smooch instead of helping your grandpappy till the land?” He chuckles again, and you raise a pleased eyebrow, very amused.

“Mr. Dormer please – ” Kylo starts, because now he’s drawing some attention, and if there’s one thing Kylo didn’t want, it was the public’s attention.

“Oh I don’t mean to embarrass you Kyle-o, it’s just nice to see a new face round here.” He waves him off, but you can tell he’s sincere.

“We stopped by because we’ve moved into the farmhouse, and there’s nothing in it.” You say kindly, gesturing to the long list of things you need to pick up.

“Don’t let me stop you, in fact when you’re all ready to go I’ll give you the friends and family discount.” Mr. Dormer winks, and Kylo just reaches out to shake his hand.

“Thank you Mr. Dormer, it means a lot to us.” Kylo says, but once again, the man just waves him off with a weathered smile. Before Kylo turns away, he pats his pocket where the little slip of paper you wrote up lives. “You don’t happen to know if they still publish that weekly newsletter, do you?” He asks, and Mr. Dormer scoffs as if offended.

“Oh ‘course they do! Three buildings down, can’t miss it.” He replies, but he does so with a wink, and you simply shake your head, tug Kylo happily down the aisles.

When the cart is full and everything on the list has been crossed off, you load up the bed of the truck and walk hand in hand down the three buildings, where just as Mr. Dormer said, stands proud and tall the publishing house. Inside it is a staff of only three people, so you figure might as well walk right up to the front desk, greet the woman there with a smile.

“Ben!” The woman with a little nameplate that says Stephanie gasps in recognition when you and Kylo stand before her.

“Hey Steph, it’s Kylo now.” He says, and you already feel bad for him, because you know this is going to be a trend. She gives an apologetic glance, but Kylo just moves on, “Me and my wife would like to run this ad please – honey how long do you think?” Kylo asks, turning to you.

“Well, how much is it?” You ask, trying to do the mental calculations.

“Well we charge by the line.” Stephanie says, chewing her gum.

“Understandable, we’ve got uh,” Kylo looks down at the little slip of paper, “Four lines?”

“Alrighty then that’ll be four dollars.” Stephanie replies, and you both frown.

“That’s it?” He asks, at the same time as you go, “Are you sure?”

“Yes ma’am. Dollar per line, always has been, always will be.” Stephanie says proudly, pointing to a small hand-painted wooden sign that reads the exact same.

“And is that per week?” You ask, still not fully recovered from the shock of how criminally inexpensive that is.

“Yes ma’am, so having the ad run for about a month would make it sixteen bucks even.” Stephanie nods, and you suddenly grow concerned.

“Do you think it’ll be a month before someone reaches out?” You ask Kylo, and he looks at you, chews his lip and you can tell he’s thinking the same thing.

“You can always do a two week run and then renew it if you’d like.” Stephanie suggests, twirling a curly lock of hair around her finger, “First ad will go out tomorrow, since it’s Saturday and all.”

“That sounds perfect, thank you.” You agree, sliding over a new ten dollar bill, telling her to keep the change as you leave.

Back at the house, Kylo is quiet as he helps you put the groceries away. Thankfully the fridge and freezer are working fine, electricity up and running no problem once you called and made a new contract with the utilities company. One of the benefits of living with farmers was that everything from the grocery store came from right there, all the milk and cheese fresh, all the fruits and vegetables ripe and perfect. The meats were priced well, and really the only thing you splurged on was a cake from the bakery, a small little chocolate thing to celebrate the first real day in the new house.

“Are you happy here?” Kylo asks, feeding you a forkful of the fudge icing, “Like, will this place make you happy?”

He’s so serious, so genuine, that you almost think something is wrong. But he’s got that look in his eye again, and you nod, because of course, of course you are.

“I’m happy wherever I am, as long as I’m with you.” You say simply, and he groans, just puts more cake in your mouth, making you giggle.

“You’re cheesy.” He grumbles, but he’s blushing.

“Maybe, but you married me.” You wink, “Just think, once the place is all fixed up, it’s going to be so beautiful.”

“Not as beautiful as you.” Kylo responds, and you laugh, get up from the little kitchen table to put the forks and plates in the sink to deal with later.

“Who’s the cheesy one now?” You tease, when suddenly something rushes under your foot and you drop the things you’re holding in shock with a, “Oh shit!”

“You okay?” Kylo is by your side, and your heart races until you hear a soft meow coming from behind a cabinet where whatever it was that spooked you had gone to hide.

“Yeah, there’s just, we have a cat, apparently.” You sigh, before smiling to yourself, feeling silly.

“Huh?” Kylo frowns, and you walk over to the pantry where a beautiful calico kitty has scurried.

Her fur is glossy and thick, and she doesn’t look emaciated. When you open your hands to her, she sniffs your palms before headbutting you, purring loudly. Poor thing was well fed but in desperate need for some company, if no one had been around as long as Kylo had said.

“She’s nice, look. No collar though, probably lives in the barn or something.” You say, and the cat lets you scoop her up into your arms.

You’ll probably need to take her into town for a vet check-up, but for now, she doesn’t look sick and you can’t see any fleas, so you let her down gently. She winds around and around your ankles, brushing her fur against your calves, and you give Kylo a pleading look.

He doesn’t say anything, only rolls his eyes and leaves the room, grabbing the broom and the mop on his way, which means you are victorious.

The next morning, you’re lounging in bed trying to get a decent phone signal to check your twitter when there’s a knocking at the door.

“Honey? Could you get that?” Kylo calls from the bathroom where he has managed to fix the plumbing and take a shower.

You abandon your phone, a signal no where to be found, and wrap yourself up in your robe. Once downstairs, you look through the peephole of the front door.

Standing on the porch are three men, one much older, and two younger ones who look to be identical twins. The twins are boys really, just barely getting through puberty from the looks of it. They’re clearly family, sharing the same crop of red hair and sprinkling of freckles, and when you open the door they all give you the same smile. It’s a slightly disconcerting smile, particularly on one of the twins, who looks like he isn’t used to the gesture, like it hurts his face almost.

“Mornin’ miss!” The eldest reaches a hand out for you to shake, “My name’s Brendol, these are my sons, Armitage and William, you must be (Y/N)?” He asks.

“Yes, that’s right, it’s a pleasure to meet you, but what can I do for you?” You ask in return, shaking his hand so as to not be rude.

“Actually, it’s what we can do for you – we saw this ad you put out in the paper?” Brendol unfolds the newspaper clipping, and your eyebrows shoot up.

“Jesus that was quick!” You can’t help but exclaim, you really had thought it would take much longer, days at the very least, for someone to want to reach out, but a quick glance at the clock told you it was not even seven o’clock in the morning, the sun taking its time to rise with the changing seasons.

“Let’s not take the Lord’s name in vain now.” Brendol says, entirely too cheerfully, and you blink, feeling scolded.

“Oh, sorry.” You cringe just a little, no one cared about something like that in the city, you’d have to be careful so as to not accidentally offend anyone here in the mountains. “My husband’s just finishing up in the shower, please come in, can I pour you some coffee?” You open the door wide enough to invite them in, and they all smile once again, almost on cue, all together.

“That’d be mighty fine, thank you.” Brendol says, and you step aside so they can pass.

You offer them a seat at the table and set to finding mugs, making sure your robe is tied tightly around your waist so that you don’t accidentally expose yourself, both for their and your sakes.

“I’m sorry for not being more presentable, I honestly didn’t think we’d hear from anyone so soon.” You explain with a little chuckle, trying to be friendly, “Or at least, so early.”

“F-farm folk get up with sun and go down with it. You can expect us h-here helpin’ from dusk till’ dawn, if you think we’d – if you decide we’re a good fit.” One of the boys, William says with a very soft voice. He seems nice, you think. Shy, but nice.

“That’s very kind of you, but if you don’t mind I’m going to leave that decision to my husband. He knows more about being handy than I do, that’s for sure.” You chuckle, and Brendol gives you another one of those smiles.

“No problem at all.” He nods understandingly, and you feel some awkward tension rising.

Luckily, the coffee pot comes to a stop just then, and you are quick to pour a mug for the man, a little thing of cream and sugar already on the table.

“Armitage, William, would you like coffee too?” You ask, reaching for mugs for them, but the boys protest right away.

“Oh, no thank you m-ma’am, no that’s alright.” William puts his hands up as if you’ve just threatened to hit him, and you frown.

These were strange people, you think to yourself, before shaking the thought away. It wasn’t ever good to judge, you remind yourself, because you were sure that to them, you and Kylo would be pretty weird too.

“Juice, if you happen to have?” Armitage asks, and that’s an easy enough request.

“Of course.” You pour them both a tall glass of orange juice, before you begin to grow too uncomfortable, just standing there while they drink. “Would you excuse me a minute, I’m just going to let my husband know we have visitors.”

You practically bolt up the stairs, scaring the poor kitty who you still need to think of a name for. The shower is still running when you open the door to the

“(Y/N!)” Your husband pokes his head around the plastic liner, the two of you not having gotten around to getting a real shower curtain just yet, and you can’t help but smile at the way his hair is plastered to his face, how his ears stick out, “Hey honey, would you look at this the water pressure’s great!”

“That’s wonderful sweetheart but there are people downstairs in the kitchen, they want to talk to you about the handywork.” You gesture towards the kitchen, and Kylo frowns.

“Fuck, already?” He asks, and you nod, desperate to not be left alone with them anymore.

“I know! That’s what I said.” You say, and he’s already reaching for the handle, pushing it to stop the water flow as you ask, “Come down soon?”

“Yeah, give me like two seconds.” He nods, and you sigh with relief, heading back down the stairs to the kitchen where Brendol and his sons still sit at the table.

You more or less twiddle your thumbs for a minute, before something dawns on you.

“You know it’s funny, but, I don’t think I put my first name down on the ad.” You say, trying to keep the conversation light, aloof.

“Pardon?” Brendol asks, and you shrug.

“When you came to the door,” You explain, fiddling with the tie of your robe, “You said, ‘you must be (Y/N).’ And I am, only, I don’t think that was anywhere on the ad. Do you happen to know my husband at all?” You ask.

“No, no I don’t believe we’ve met.” Brendol says as he licks his lips, appraises you in a way that makes you want to draw at the same time as your husband comes bounding down the stairs two steps at a time.

“Hey! Sorry for the wait, I’m Kylo, Kylo Ren.” He extends a hand, and all three of them stand up, all give him a great big smile.

“That’s a funny name.” Armitage comments off-handedly, but Brendol only smacks him upside the head, hard.

You and Kylo both exchange a quick glance, but your husband isn’t intimidated.

“Yeah, I guess so.” He says, before gesturing to the front door, “Would you guys like to come with me, I can show you the property while we talk?”

They agree, and the four of them go outside, likely to appraise the level of work that needs to be done outside before any work can start inside.

You take the opportunity to go upstairs and change, get yourself ready for the day and go through your full routine as best as you can with mostly everything still packed. There’s a draft in the room from the poor ventilation which brings in the cold, so you throw on a sweater and one of Kylo’s big jackets over it before peeking out through the bay window.

There had been…issues, in the past. Things that had gotten Kylo in trouble, back before he was Kylo. Issues you didn’t want anyone knowing about, that no one could go asking about. It was a big draw to moving here, moving away from the city, moving away from the past.

You didn’t like the feeling of this family, of these men. Didn’t like the way they smiled or looked at you, didn’t like the way they acted with one another. You had half a mind to call child protective services, those twins had to be fifteen, sixteen at the most. Your mind keeps flashing to William bracing when you only asked him if he’d like coffee, that can’t…that just can’t be healthy.

But as you watch them walk around the house, they begin to speak expertly about different renovations, different things that need to be done. You can’t hear all of it, not from all the way upstairs, so you creep down the steps, careful of the spots where the wood was weak.

“We’ll be here bright and early tomorrow, thank you again.” You can hear from the front porch as you look through the peephole once more.

“No no, really, thank you.” Kylo says back, waiting for them to climb in their truck which they’ve parked next to yours out front. He puts a hand up to wave with a, “Have a good day, see you.”

You scare him just a little when he opens the door to find you directly behind it, and you search his face to see if they made him as uncomfortable as they made you.

“It went well?” You ask, and Kylo nods, smoothing his hands up your arms and kissing the top of your head as he passes you.

“Yeah, I’m going to draft up a contract for a month’s worth of work, and then we’ll get started.” He responds, going to the kitchen to pour himself a mug of coffee, it being so early in the day still.

“How much did they ask for?” You ask, doing the same, finally having a moment to relax now that company was gone.

“Nothing.” Kylo hums into his mug, and now his brow is furrowed, and his signature scowl has found its way back to your lips.

“Nothing?” You shake your head, “You can’t give them nothing, that’s taking advantage.”

“I know, I tried telling them that. All they asked was if they could stay in the barn until the month’s up.” Kylo shrugs, and something about that bothers you, but you don’t know why.

“The barn?” You ask, in case you misheard, but Kylo only shrugs again, looking just as confused as you are.

“Yeah, they were kind of insistent about it.” He explains, and you wonder if maybe they had nowhere else to stay, to live.

“That’s...” You don’t know, actually. You don’t know what it is.

“Yeah.” Kylo says, just to say something.

You two exchange a glance, and this time, there’s something strange in the air, something you can’t quite place.

You don’t know when exactly they move into the barn, but every day at sunrise they are doing work with Kylo in the house. Every day at sunrise you are woken up to the sounds of saws and hammers, drills and nail-guns.

Some days you greet them, but other days by the time you get dressed and ready for the day, they’re too engrossed in their labor to talk for too long, and other days still you avoid them entirely. They’re good workers, very good workers, and fast too. You look around the house, compare it to how it was just a few days ago to how it is now, and the difference is staggering.

Between the four of them, they’ve managed to completely redo the wood paneling on the outside of the house in a week. They tackle one room at a time, patching walls and fixing wiring, replacing the glass windows. You bring them glasses of water, of juice, tea, whatever they ask for, make sandwiches that they accept with a smile. You sweep and mop and dust after them, and soon the place is looking really nice, looking liveable, and not run-down, not a code violation – if there even were codes out here.

They are good workers but.

But.

The smiles…you don’t know.

“You ever notice something, odd about them?” You ask Kylo one day, as you’re both driving back home from a trip into town.

This time to pick up some various hardware supplies they need. You’re almost at a point where you can start wall-papering and painting the house, and it’s exciting, so exciting to see it come back to life. Kylo had managed to save a few scraps of the paper, a few chips of paint, and you had gone to the home improvement store to match it. Lucky for you, nothing ever seemed to change, and his mood is so high when he discovers the exact same colors and patterns are still there.

You have bundles and cans of it in the bed of the truck, as you pull through the gate once more, crossing onto your property. The sun is setting behind the mountains, casting that beautiful orangey-pinky glow across the land, and everything seems more or less picturesque, perfect.

“About who?” Kylo asks, lost in thought, tapping his gloved hands against the steering wheel to the music from the radio.

“The Huxes.” You clarify, and he frowns.

“What do you mean?” He asks, immediately frowning, protective, so incredibly protective.

“I don’t know. Something about them creeps me out.” You say softly when the truck pulls up to the front of the house, the men in question nowhere in sight. “I don’t like the way they stare.” You whisper.

The stares had been the worst, worse than the smiles, you think. It was a haunting feeling, the kind where you could tell someone was looking at you, could tell you were being watched, everywhere from the living room to the closet.

And yet, each and every time you try to catch someone’s gaze, no one seems to be paying you any attention.

Kylo’s grip tightens on the gear shift as he puts the truck into park, reaches across the bench to kiss you soundly.

“I’ll talk to them about it, the month is almost over, and then they’ll be gone.” He says, not needing to or wanting to question you about it, taking your word for it, and for that you’re grateful. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were feeling so uncomfortable, I don’t want you to ever feel like that.”

You just nod, so relieved, so in love with your husband for not pushing the issue, that you can only kiss him back soundly.

You both carry things to the front porch, when suddenly you scream, let out the most horrified sound, drop the paint cants onto the wood as you cover your mouth in disgust and horror.

“Oh my god!” You scream, “Fuck – oh my god!”

“Honey?” Kylo drops what he’s carrying too and rushes to your side, collects you in his arms as you start to sob.

“Kylo there’s – she’s – something killed her!” You wail, not even able to get anything out, not able to articulate it because the image is so gruesome that you can’t get it out of your head, no room for anything else.

“Killed who, what?” He asks, and you point to the other side of the porch where the cat, the poor sweet calico, lays decapitated in a puddle of slowly drying blood.

Flies swarm her, and you’re on the verge of vomiting. She must have been out there all day, all by herself, and you cry cry cry, you never even had the chance to name her.

“Look at that, that’s not – that’s not natural oh my god they took her head, Kylo why would they take her head?” You bury your face in his neck, and he just holds you close, soothes your back, tries and tries to help you calm down.

“What the fuck happened, you don’t think…?” Kylo asks, staring at the poor thing, and you hiccup, trying to clear your head so you can think.

(If you blame the men click here) (If you blame it on wild animals click here)

#reader insert #kylo ren x reader #kylo ren/reader #kylo x reader #kylo/reader #my writing #dead dove do not eat #last straw

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1859painting-blog · 5 years ago

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10 Things You Must Know Before Hiring A Painting Contractor

Consumers hаvе mаnу choices whеn selecting a painting contractor. Hеrе іѕ a shortlist оf questions tо help уоu decide whісh painting contractor іѕ best fоr уоu. Good luck!!

1. Cаn уоu tell mе аbоut уоurѕеlf аnd уоur painting company? Yоur painting contractor ѕhоuld bе able tо discuss hіѕ оr hеr areas оf painting expertise, services offered, years іn thе business references еtс. Explanations ѕhоuld bе straightforward, clear, аnd easily understandable. And thеу ѕhоuld speak directly tо уоur needs.

2. Dо уоu hаvе a stable workforce оf experienced professional painters? Hоw lоng оn average hаѕ уоur staff bееn employed bу you? Arе уоur employees full-time professional painters? Cаn уоu dеѕсrіbе hоw rigorous уоur training іѕ іn thе latest application techniques, safety rules аnd regulations, аnd environmental issues? Tell mе аbоut оur employees: Hоw lоng hаvе thеу bееn professional painters? Dо уоu hаvе a stable workforce оr a revolving door? Elaborate оn уоur training, supervision, аnd quality control standards. Kеер іn mind thе best paint job wіll bе nо better thаn thе worst painter оn site - experience counts!

3. Whаt type оf work dо уоu specialize in? Residential, commercial, institutional? Whаt іѕ уоur contractor's focus? Sоmе painting companies' painting work involves residential painting projects fоr homeowners whо want thе finest painting possible. Commercial painting customers mау select a contractor fоr thе quality оf thеіr painting work, thеіr ability tо meet schedules, аnd bесаuѕе thеу need a painting contractor whо does thе job right thе fіrѕt tіmе, еvеrу tіmе.

4. Cаn уоu dеѕсrіbе уоur work process? Consumers want a contractor whо takes great pride іn providing thе best paint jobs possible іn аll aspects оf painting. Thorough analysis оf a painting customer's needs, meticulous аnd thorough surface preparation, аnd thе finest application procedures utilizing thе best techniques available carried оut bу thе painting professionals аrе essential.

5. Cаn уоu provide references? Yоur contractor ѕhоuld bе able tо provide уоu wіth аn extensive list оf current аnd past clients. Hе оr ѕhе ѕhоuld bе able tо provide numerous house painting references itemized bу street, neighborhood, аnd town. Thеіr website ѕhоuld feature numerous local references аnd a portfolio оf recent painting projects.

6. Whаt documentation саn уоu provide regarding licenses аnd certifications? Painting contractors іn mаnу states аrе required tо register wіth thеіr state аѕ a licensed contractor. Contractors ѕhоuld bе happy tо furnish a copy оf thеіr registration tо аnу potential painting customer. Registration information ѕhоuld аlѕо bе confirmed bу contacting thе appropriate Department оf Consumer Protection.

7. Wіll уоur insurance agent provide mе wіth a Certificate оf Insurance? Substantiation оf full insurance coverage including Workers Compensation, Liability, аnd Auto оn аll employees іѕ аn absolute necessity. Thе contractor's insurance agent (NOT thе contractor) ѕhоuld supply a Certificate оf Insurance uроn request.

8. Arе уоu аn EPA Lead-Safe Certified Firm? Bу Federal Law оnlу EPA Certified Lead-Safe firms mау undertake renovation projects оn homes built bеfоrе 1978. Yоur contractor ѕhоuld hаvе undergone thе required training аnd bе аn EPA Lead-Safe Certified Firm. Employees ѕhоuld bе Certified Renovators іn conformity wіth Federal RRP requirements. Thе contractor ѕhоuld bе able tо exhibit аn EPA Lead-Safe Certified Firm logo.

9. Whо аrе уоur paint suppliers? Contractors ѕhоuld uѕе оnlу thе finest products frоm thе world's leading paint manufacturers. Benjamin Moore, Glidden Professional, Sherwin Williams аnd оthеrѕ partnering wіth professional painters enable thе conscientious painting contractor tо select thе perfect coating fоr аnу requirement. Thе house painting professionals ѕhоuld hаvе thе knowledge аnd experience tо tailor products best suited tо thеіr client's specific needs.

10. Whу ѕhоuld I hire YOU fоr mу painting project? Experienced painting contractors ѕhоuld bе able tо elaborate оn whаt differentiates thеm frоm thе competition. Thе uѕе оf thе finest paints frоm premium paint manufacturers, hоw painters аlwауѕ apply paint products according to manufacturer specifications, аnd skilled, trained, аnd properly equipped painters treating customer's property аѕ іf іt wаѕ thеіr оwn ѕhоuld bе discussed аt length. Thе potential customer ѕhоuld bе given a variety оf information tо best assess quality, value, аnd craftsmanship, аnd thuѕ make аn informed decision.

1859 Painting

Address: 3125 Northeast 43rd Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97213

Phone: 503-367-2273

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.1859painting.com

External Links:

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political-fluffle · 6 years ago

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“Sergey Danilochkin, a Russian real estate investor who was accused by Russia of taking part in a massive tax fraud, attended a Mar-a-Lago fundraiser hosted by Trump's sister in 2018. Cindy Yang, the massage parlor owner, also apparently attended the event. https://t.co/uPWxle6Lhd”

Wanted in Russia, he partied at Mar-a-Lago — and invested in cheap South Florida homes

Last year, President Donald Trump’s private Mar-a-Lago club hosted a black-tie “Safari Night” fundraiser for a favorite charity of one of his older sisters. The event included Chinese dancers, a silent art auction and one unusual guest: Sergey Danilochkin, a Russian real estate investor who had settled in South Florida after authorities in his home country accused him of taking part in a massive tax fraud linked to the most contentious corruption case of the 21st century.

Partygoers had no idea they were rubbing shoulders with a wanted man. While the guests sipped cocktails and studied photos of African wildlife, Danilochkin, who is also an aspiring journalist, filmed the bustling ballroom on a smartphone and posted the footage on YouTube. Holding a flute of champagne and wearing a dark suit, the Russian émigré addressed the camera in his native tongue, alluding to the uncanny way Russians seem to turn up in the president’s orbit.

“The most interesting thing,” Danilochkin said, “is that we met a lot of people here who speak Russian.”

Making it to Mar-a-Lago shows how far Danilochkin — who denies the charges against him — has come. In 2010, he fled Moscow fearing for his life as Russian authorities investigated his alleged role in a $170 million tax fraud. The case became big news, especially once it was linked to the organized-crime group behind the so-called “Magnitsky affair,” a Russian corruption scandal that dominated international headlines starting around 2009. (...)

“By the will of fate, I was in the path of an octopus of corruption; very powerful people on their way to their dirty goals,” Danilochkin said in the interview. “I never did anything illegal. But I still found myself under the press of the system, just by chance. Whoever has lived in Russia understands how it happens.”

Like many stories about Russians in South Florida, this one requires a scorecard: The kaleidoscopic cast of characters connected to this tale — some tangentially, some not — includes the U.S.-sanctioned oligarch Oleg Deripaska, alleged organized-crime bosses, an American-born financier wanted by Russian President Vladimir Putin and several people close to President Trump.

Danilochkin now lives in Sunny Isles Beach, a popular resort town for Russians and a place where old-world disputes seem to migrate across the Atlantic to roost in South Florida palms. As the region transforms into a haven for wealthy Russian expatriates — helped along by marketing campaigns from developers like Trump — their political and financial machinations have followed. Current and former Russian government officials have owned homes here. Russian expats founded a roving motorcycle club inspired by the nation’s elite special forces. And a suspected Russian assassin was even dispatched to stake out a CIA informant’s Florida residence, according to The New York Times. (...)

Danilochkin is locked in litigation with the business associates who sold him the properties. He says the associates, who were subsequently hired to manage the the condos, cheated him and failed to renovate the homes. Danilochkin has since sold most of the properties.

While his real estate investment didn’t pan out, Danilochkin has reinvented himself as the founder and star of a Russian-language YouTube news channel called Russian America TV. On camera he goes by the name Serge Daniloff. (...)

Danilochkin got his start in business as an executive in Russia’s metals industry, which suffered mob infiltration after the fall of the Soviet Union.

He says he used to work for companies owned by two Russian billionaires who made fortunes in the industry: Oleg Deripaska and Iskander Makhmudov. (Deripaska is a Putin ally and former client of ex-Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort. He has been sanctioned by the United States and became a flash point in the fight over Trump’s alleged ties to Russia when the administration sought to ease the sanctions and Democrats rebelled, even enlisting some Republicans in their uprising.) (...)

Last year, the Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta reported that the criminal ring behind the Magnitsky tax fraud also masterminded the 2009 theft allegedly involving Danilochkin.

If Danilochkin was involved in the elaborate theft, it seems impossible for him to have been solely responsible, the article concluded.

Still, he does appear to have moved in the same circles as the Russian elites believed to have masterminded the series of major tax-fraud cases. (...)

There is Oleg being named again. Derispaka is like a cheap whore, everyone has been there.

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bubbleitcleaningservice · 2 years ago

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wichitahouseholdservices · 3 years ago

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bbcbreakingnews · 3 years ago

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‘There’s definitely more’: Michigan man unearths more than 150 bowling balls during home renovation

DETROIT — On a normal day, most people don’t expect to find a bowling ball sitting on their back step, but one Michigan man found more than 158 beneath his.

David Olson, 33, was demolishing the back steps of his house on the morning of July 1, when he saw a black sphere buried in the sand behind some cinder blocks.

“That was one of the bowling balls. I didn’t think a whole lot of it. I was kind of assuming maybe there were just a couple in there just to fill in. The deeper I got into it the more I realized it was just basically an entire gridwork of them making up the weight in there,” Olson said.

“I was actually a little happy about that because it’s a little easier to roll bowling balls out of the way than to move the sand and figure out where to put all that,” he said.

While Olson’s initial count on Facebook totaled 50 balls, he uncovered more and more. Later,. Olson counted about 120 balls. The final count totaled 158, though Olson said he could feel more balls in the ground. In recent days, Olson discovered two more, bringing the count up to 160.

“There’s definitely more … but at this point in the area I need to work, I’ve dug down about 2 feet lower than when I found my last ball and I think it’s pretty much cleared out in that section,” he said.

When he first discovered the balls, Olson said his thoughts went to his three curious young children. He contacted Brunswick Bowling Products, the maker of the balls and asked whether they could be toxic. After about a day, Olson received a response. Olson sent in pictures, and after running the serial numbers on the balls, the company determined they were made in the 1950s and verified that they were safe and could be disposed of.

‘They’re hitting the pause button’:Lumber price roller coaster forces Americans to delay costly renovations

While this cache might be a bowler’s dream, the balls won’t be making their way to the lanes anytime soon. Olson said many of the balls were in rough condition, and each of the balls had two spiral grooves cut into them.

As for the ball’s origins, Olson said there used to be a Brunswick bowling ball plant in Muskegon, Michigan. He said some ex-Brunswick employees contacted him through his Facebook post, and said workers used to take scrapped bowling balls to use as a cheaper alternative to gravel or sand.

Olson said he plans to use the balls as edging for his landscaping or to make sculptures. He also donated eight balls for a nearby church to use in a bowling ball cannon at a pig roast. He will also be giving some to his stepfather, who plans to use them as custom furniture legs.

Follow Kyle Davidson on Twitter @jrndavidson.

source http://bbcbreakingnews.com/2021/07/12/theres-definitely-more-michigan-man-unearths-more-than-150-bowling-balls-during-home-renovation/

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dipulb3 · 4 years ago

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Mortgage rates are at record lows, but first-time buyers still can't land a home

New Post has been published on https://appradab.com/mortgage-rates-are-at-record-lows-but-first-time-buyers-still-cant-land-a-home/

Mortgage rates are at record lows, but first-time buyers still can't land a home

Natalie LaVallee was devastated after her first offer on a home in Fayetteville, North Carolina, failed last summer.

“It was a heartbreak,” she said. “It was our first offer. [The home] was exactly what we were looking for. But we were outbid.”

LaVallee and her husband, Kyle, who was deployed with the Army and touring homes with her via FaceTime, were forced to rethink their wish list. “We focused on priorities,” she said. “We had a lot of luxuries we let slide.”

Cosmetic things like a renovated kitchen and bath, which she had hoped for, were off the list. But a garage was deemed a must-have.

The couple bid on three homes before they finally succeeded on the fourth.

When they found the three-bedroom, two-bath ranch style home with a garage listed at $111,900, they offered $115,000 and won the bid.

“We learned very quickly, that we needed to offer more than list price,” said LaVallee.

Inventory is at record lows

The limited number of available homes for sale is pushing potential buyers into bidding wars, spurring home prices ever higher.

Housing inventory of existing homes for sale at the end of December was down 16.4% from November, and 23% below where it was a year earlier, according to the National Association of Realtors. At 1.9 months, the supply of unsold homes is at its lowest level since NAR began tracking single-family home supply in 1982.

And inventory is tightest at the lower end, where many first-time home buyers are looking.

“Typical inventory for us is 117 homes on the market,” said Connie Strait, an agent with William Raveis in Danbury, Connecticut. But currently there are only 17 homes for sale in Brookfield, Connecticut, she said. “It is all the same disparity in all the towns around here. That’s what is hurting our first-time buyers.”

Strait, an agent for more than 30 years, said she loves working with first-time buyers.

“I like to say, ‘Take your time, bring your parents back to look at it. Let’s think about it,'” she said. “But now you have to be there immediately after it goes on the market. You feel rushed because you see people lined up waiting to see the houses. It puts so much pressure on the kids.”

In her area of Connecticut, deep-pocketed buyers are coming out of New York and making stronger offers, some even in all cash, frustrating local buyers who are outbid over and over.

A recent property she listed received 15 offers. “The seller went for an all-cash offer to wrap up the deal simply because they had to take care of an elderly parent and they didn’t want a lot of people in the house.”

Two weeks into the deal, the buyer decided they wanted to finance the home through a mortgage lender.

“They had the money, they just decided to change halfway through the deal,” she said. “I think to myself, there were a lot of people who were honest with us about their offer who did not get the house. They wrote letters. It is heartbreaking.”

How to stand out from the pack

Megan Angerstein needed to find a home quickly. She had two months to get out of her apartment in Houston and buy a home near her new job. Like many first-time buyers, Angerstein, 28, had a strict budget — $220,000 was her cap.

She zeroed in on a new construction home in her price range that just came on the market. She made sure she was the first one to see it because new construction homes often sell to the first person in line, at asking price.

The two-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath home in San Marcos, Texas, ticked all her boxes, so she put down $1,000 in “earnest money” — a way to hold a home and convey seriousness — on the spot.

“I wanted to think on it and look at one other home,” she said. “But I knew there were three other appointments after me, so I put the money down. Good thing I did. The people after me would have taken it.”

Buyers and their agents need to be on top of their target market and know when new properties come up for sale so they can act quickly, said Strait.

Another way to stand out when putting in an offer, Strait said, is to have a very strong pre-approval letter from a lender stating that it is tentatively willing to lend you money, up to a certain amount.

“A letter that says more than they checked your credit score and you have a job,” she said. “We like to have a letter that says you have the cash.”

That may require more from the buyer, like providing W-2’s, tax returns, bank statements or pay stubs.

In many markets, she said, you’re going to have to be prepared to overbid a little. “It can be scary, but you do have an appraisal as a back up. If it doesn’t appraise, the bank won’t give you the money.”

Letters to the seller rarely hurt your chances, she said. She’s seen CEOs of companies and movie producers write heartfelt letters about how much they love the home. You should certainly highlight any connection to the community, if your family lives in the neighborhood, or you went to school there, Strait said.

“Letters help,” she said. “If there is something that comes up on a building inspection or in the negotiation, they may be much more willing to work with you.”

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jodybouchard9 · 5 years ago

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The Top 8 Cabinetry Trends for 2020: Rustic Wood vs. Pretty Pastels

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It’s no secret that a kitchen remodel can run you some big bucks. But you don’t have to blow your entire renovation budget to get a new look.

In fact, just refinishing your kitchen cabinets can give you the feel of a full makeover for only $2,500, according to the remodeling experts at Fixr. Looking to go one step further and replace the cabinet doors? That project, also called refacing, would still put you out less than $15,000.

That might still feel like a high price to pay for a few new cabinets, if not for one little detail: When it comes to renovating the kitchen, you tend to get all that money back.

Home renovators recover a whopping 78% of minor kitchen remodel expenses in the resale value of the home, according to Remodeling magazine’s Cost vs. Value report.

So whether you’re planning on sticking around for awhile and just want to spice things up in the kitchen, or you’re getting ready to move and want to impress buyers, consider updating your kitchen cabinets.

Here are eight hot cabinetry trends to inspire your 2020 remodel.

1. Cerused wood cabinets

Photo by Studio William Hefner Unlike a simple stain, “cerusing” wood involves using several different color pigments to highlight natural grain patterns in the wood.

“Cerused wood cabinets—commonly thought of as lime-washed wood—are going to be big for 2020,” says Lauren Noel of Love Remodeled. “It’s a fresh take on the natural look that’s so popular right now. The matte finish and white grain that cerused wood has neutralizes any honey tones, making it perfectly on trend and a great way to showcase wood.”

2. Pastel cabinets

Photo by Garrison Hullinger Interior Design Inc. “Pastel colors are making a comeback in 2020,” Noel says. “Pastels bring a sense of tranquility to a room, and can warm up an otherwise stark space.”

In addition to the light greens and blues, we’ll be seeing a lot more light pink this year, Noel predicts. That tracks with the fact that Benjamin Moore paint company chose a light, rosy pink called First Light as its 2020 Color of the Year.

3. Reclaimed wood cabinets

Photo by Woodland Cabinetry It’s a new year, but Old World farmhouse trends are still super hot right now.

“Farmhouse is definitely not going out of style,” says Lauren Holmes of Zen Staging With Lauren. “It’s just a little more moody and Old World, and these reclaimed cabinets are an upcycled, eco-friendly way to give a kitchen that warm and cozy feeling.”

4. Stand-alone kitchen larder

Photo by Edmondson Interiors This year’s cabinetry trends are leaning heavily toward stand-alone accent pieces.

“A stylish upgrade to a pantry, the larder stands as a functional accent piece,” says Vicki Liston, of On the Fly … DIY. “You can either paint it to blend with your other cabinetry or turn it into a focal point. Either way, if you end up moving, you can take it with you.”

5. Sophisticated brass accents

Photo by w.b. builders Brass is back and ranking as the go-to hardware in trending kitchen designs.

“It’s a great highlight to white or blue cabinets,” Noel says, “and brings a modern touch to any kitchen.”

However, when sourcing your new hardware, make sure to avoid the bright and shiny brass that was popular in the 1990s. Instead, look for modern brass hardware that has more of a brushed or antiqued look.

6. Two-tone cabinets

Photo by Trail Appliances BC Kitchen designs are busting out of traditional color schemes, with more and more interiors incorporating chic “two-tone” cabinets.

“This year is the year of making a bold and fresh statement in the kitchen,” says Holmes. “Two-toned cabinets brighten a room and make it feel bigger. The lower, more earthy tones add weight to the space, while the lighter tone on top makes the kitchen feel brighter and bigger. This is a perfect look for smaller kitchens or those with poor lighting.”

7. Open-frame cabinets

Photo by Dillon Kyle Architects (DKA) In 2020, we’re continuing to see a trend toward the Zen, minimalist interior—which for your crowded kitchen, involves ditching the bulky stuff for open-frame cabinets.

“If you want your kitchen to feel more spacious, open frame cabinets will help with that,” says Liston. “The only catch: They can’t be full of stuff. Stage your open cabinets with symmetrical stacks of plates or a well-placed arrangement of matching glasses that will feel satisfying to view.”

8. Mushroom-colored cabinetry

Photo by Alison Giese Interiors

Move over, cool gray! A warmer neutral is taking top spot in the kitchen this year.

“Mushroom-colored cabinetry is a hot trend for 2020,” says Noel. “Paired easily with gold or black hardware, this on-trend greige color brings a muted but updated look that’s perfect in any kitchen.”

The post The Top 8 Cabinetry Trends for 2020: Rustic Wood vs. Pretty Pastels appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

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popradar · 7 years ago

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Weekend Planner: 20 of the Coolest Things to do in L.A.

Art: Kate Micucci, courtesy of the artist and Gallery1988

Here are 20 awesome events happening in L.A. this weekend...Want the 411 on additional events and happenings in LA? Follow @christineziemba on Twitter or Instagram.

FRIDAY, DEC. 1

KATE MICUCCI (Art)

On Friday night, from 7-9 pm artist and actor Kate Micucci returns to G1988 for another solo show. All her works are on sale, and proceeds from Micucci’s cut are going to charity. Bring an unwrapped gift (valued $10 or more) to the opening on Friday and get a discount on your purchase.

ISABEL ALLENDE (Book talk)

Book Soup presents Chilean-American novelist Isabel Allende (The House of the Spirits, City of the Beasts), off-site at the Skirball Cultural Center on Friday at 7 pm. Allende discusses her new novel In the Midst of Winter, which chronicles the lives of “very different people brought together in a mesmerizing story that journeys from present-day Brooklyn to 1970s Chile and Brazil.” She’ll be in conversation with Los Angeles Times Book Editor Carolyn Kellogg. Each ticket ($28) will include a signed copy of english edition of In the Midst of Winter.

BLITZEN TRAPPER (Music)

The Bootleg Theater presents the Portland, Oregon-based experimental pop band Blitzen Trapper on Friday night. The band’s on the road promoting its latest release, Wild & Reckless. Lilly Hiatt opens. All ages. Tickets: $20. Doors at 8:30 pm.

SLOTHRUST (Music)

Boston trio Slothrust play The Echo on Friday night. The rockers just released an EP of covers, Show Me How You Want It To Be. Covers include “Wonderful World,” “...Baby One More Time” and one of our personal favs, “Sex and Candy.” And the Kids, Slugs open the night. Tickets: $11.50, $15 day of show. Ages 18+. 8:30 pm.

vimeo

MUSEUM OF FAILURE (Art)

The Museum of Failure opens on Saturday at the A+D Architecture and Design Museum. The pop-up museum, which closes on Feb. 4, is a curated collection of “epic fails by some of the world’s best known companies.” What to expect? Items such as Apple Newton, Bic for Her, Betamax and more. The Museum of Failure is open Wednesdays to Sundays. Adult general admission tickets: $15+ fees. Children 12 and younger: Free.

SLEEPLESS: THE MUSIC CENTER AFTER HOURS (Party)

The next installment of Sleepless: The Music Center After Hours series happens from 11pm on Friday to 3 am on Saturday. This special edition of Sleepless—Cuba: Antes, Ahora / Then, Now—is being held as part of Pacific Standard Time: LA/LA. The overnight event allows guests to explore The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. The event features talented artists and performers from Cuba, film screenings, light installations, and a mercadito of Cuban artwork and merchandise. There are other events throughout the weekend related to Cuba: Antes, Ahora / Then, Now. The demand for the free tickets (+$6 fee) has been high, and unavailable online. Additional tickets may be released so follow the Music Center on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates.

TORI AMOS (Music)

Tori Amos plays three nights at The Theatre at Ace Hotel, from Friday to Sunday. Her music is as relevant now as it was when were in school. Tickets: $55-$75.

SATURDAY, DEC. 2

POCOCK BREWING COMPANY (Beer fest)

Pocock Brewing in Santa Clarita celebrates its 2nd Anniversary with a beer fest on Saturday from noon to 4 pm. Pocock invites more than 18 other breweries to help celebrate (Absolution Brewing to Wolf Creek). There will also be live bands (The Darryls, The Snare Heads) and food trucks (Swami's Sandwiches, Vern's Grill, Tomski Sausage). All net proceeds benefit the Castaic Education Foundation and the Santa Clarita Valley Education Foundation. General admission: $40, VIP: $55. Designated Driver (non-drinking): $10. VIP entry is at noon and general entry is at 4 pm.

UNION STATION (Holiday festival)

Union Station celebrates the Christmas/holiday season with a festival and pop-up artisan market on Saturday from 11 am to 8 pm. The day features more than 30 vendors including jewelry from The Key Historic, screen-printed T-shirts from The Poster List, a mobile record shop from Dig It Vinyl; organic body products from Original Good Goods and more. The family-friendly event features live music from the California Feetwarmers (ragtime); Sweet Beats, DJ Kiyomi’s modern sounds from a renovated 1957 ice cream truck; and Girls Gone Vinyl, a collective of female DJs. Food trucks and local craft breweries, including Indie Brewing at the Beer Garden, will be on hand, too.

A CURRENT AFFAIR (Shopping)

A Current Affair Vintage Pop-up Marketplace returns to L.A.’s Cooper Design Space Penthouse on Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm. The show brings together more than 65 vintage retailers and private dealers to showcase clothing, accessories and jewelry. There’s an open bar, courtesy of local distillery Our Vodka, hydration by Boxed Water, and complimentary draft lattes from La Colombe. General admission begins at 12 pm with tickets at $12. Preview admission on Saturday at 10 am: $20. Weekend pass: $28.

Image: Courtesy of the MAK Center

MAK ANNUAL ARCHITECTURE TOUR (Design)

MAK Annual Architecture Tour takes place on Saturday from 3-7 pm in Inglewood. The tour highlights three single-family homes designed by R.M. Schindler to “promote and redefine modern, affordable living in 1940's Los Angeles.” These homes are open to the public for the first time. Proceeds from the tour benefit the MAK Center for Art & Architecture's work and stewardship of Schindler's architecture. Tickets: $45 general, $40 members, $90 ticket + Friend level membership.

GIANT ROBOT POST-IT SHOW 13 (Art)

The 13th annual Giant Robot Post-it show returns to Giant Robot 2 - GR2 Gallery on Saturday. The show features more than 400 artists and 3,000+ works of art on Post-it notes. All works are $25 each. The show opens to previews at noon and sales start at 3 pm. The exhibition runs through December 10.

THE BECHDEL CAST LIVE PRESENTS DIE HARD (Live podcast)

The Bechdel Cast, a podcast hosted by Caitlin Durante and Jamie Loftus, examines the portrayal of women in film, one movie at a time. On Saturday, at Nerdist Showroom at 7 pm, Durante, Loftus and special guest Debra DiGiovanni stage a live show to celebrate The Bechdel Cast’s One Year Anniversary, and they’re tackling Die Hard.

THE CHRONICLES OF LA (Shopping)

The Chronicles of LA is a mysterious, experiential pop-up store and art exhibit that takes place in a secret vintage hotel on Friday and Saturday. With the theme of sex, the two-day pop-up features more than 60 artists, designers, performers and musicians from around sharing ideas and viewpoints about sex, through their works and goods. We don’t know much more than that, so to get the location and more details, RSVP.

Images: Courtesy of Night Gallery and Marisa Takal

BEYOND OY TOO SCARED TO HA-HA (Art)

Night Gallery presents Beyond Oy Too Scared to Ha-Ha, a solo art exhibition of new work by LA-based artist Marisa Takal. From the gallery: “Takal creates abstract expressionist landscapes of places, times, interiors, intestines, disillusions, and emotions. She began work on the pieces of this exhibition during the inauguration earlier this year, and many of the pieces began from a place of anxiety.” The opening reception takes place on Saturday from 7-10 pm. The exhibition runs through Jan. 13.

HOLIDAY AFLOAT (Boat parade)

The 55th Annual Los Angeles Harbor Holiday Afloat Parade takes place on Saturday at the Port of Los Angeles. With the theme of "Peace Around the World," approximately 60 boats will be parading along the LA waterfront, decked out for the holiday season. The parade starts in the East Basin near Banning’s Landing Community Center in Wilmington, and it takes about 90 minutes for the boats to travel the entire route. There are spectator viewing spots in several locations in San Pedro and Wilmington.

SUNDAY, DEC. 3

Image: Courtesy of Voyager Institute

WTF VOYAGER CHRISTMAS (Film)

The Voyager Institute collaborates with crew from the former Non Plus Ultra venue for upcoming movie nights at 2044 Rosslyn St. On Sunday, they present A WTF Voyager Xmas. The first half of the afternoon presents a “condensed” version of Jack Frost (1998). The film stars Michael Keaton as a rocker reincarnated into a sentient snowman. The effects are awesome, and it’s a film that needs to be taken in with an audience. The second half of the program features film critic Alonso Duralde (The Wrap) and a Q&A about the Christmas movie genre. Doors 6 pm, show 7 pm. The event is free with RSVP, but donations accepted.

HEAVY HEAVY LOW LOW COMEDY SHOW (Comedy)

Heavy Heavy Low Low Comedy Show takes place in the back bar ot Bar Lubitsch on Sunday at 9:30 pm. The show is free and features the comedic talents of guest host Erin Alexis with Amy Miller, Papp Johnson, Kelly McInerney, Rose Toberman Alsander, Chase Austin and Jules Posner. Ages 21+.

EMO NITE DAY (Music)

Emo Nite Day is a festival of emo acts that takes place on Sunday from 2-11 pm at the Shrine Expo Hall & Grounds. The lineup on multiple stages features The Used, Machine Gun Kelly, Tigers Jaw, Craig Owens (Chiodos), Finch, Aaron Gillespie (Underoath + The Almost), Frank Zummo (Sum 41), Mom Jeans and more. DJ sets from Preston, From First To Last and others. The all-ages event also features art installations, food trucks and other treats. Tickets: $59.50.

FRIENDSHIP BUDDIES (Comedy)

Friendship Buddies is a weekly stand-up comedy show that takes place on the patio of the Verdugo Bar in Glassell Park. Hosted by Luke Giordano, the lineup features: Amy Miller, Ryan Conner, Debra DiGiovanni, Biniam Bizuneh, Grant Lyon, Kyle Shire and Aaron Hertzog. 8 pm. Free.

—by Christine N. Ziemba

#weekendplanner #events #losangeles #thingstodo #film #comedy #music

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