In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, love, and romance, I’m participating in a fun “So I Married a Blogger” blog hop today where the spouses are spilling all about their blogger wives! (Chris and I have been married for 12.5 years, so romance…. not really so much, but it is Valentine’s Day weekend, right?) You might recall that I did something like this last year, and staying true to form, Chris once again was a man of little words when it came to answering questions. I felt interjections were necessary for explanations and to keep you from being bored to tears. He’s really a funny guy, but he doesn’t convey it well in his own writing. That’s where I come in.
Photo by Jalapeno Photography 2013, taken for our 10th Anniversary
How involved are you with Cassie’s blog?
Chris: I’m not super involved in Cassie’s blog unless I’m helping with a project or she asks my opinion so she can rule a choice out.
Cassie: I love those couples that design, build and write together. (Hi John & Sherry, Chip & Joanna, Sonny & Cher! OK so that last one didn’t quite work out…) They fascinate me because we will never be that couple.
How often do you read the blog? Are you an avid reader or do you see enough at home?
Chris: I don’t read the blog much unless she is writing about our family.
Cassie: We could test this and I could start sharing embarrassing anecdotes about Chris on the blog and see if he notices. Coming next week a new feature- mortifying moments in our house!
After finishing the Kiawah Half Marathon December 2015… I trained for months so I could beat him… He trained for less than a month and came in only a few minutes behind me. Jerk.
How much time does Cassie spend on her blog? What are her hours like?
Chris: Cassie spends a good amount of time on her blog because she enjoys it and when she has a project due it’s pretty intense.
Cassie: I’ve actually started saying no to many opportunities that come my way so that I can cut out so many deadlines… feels great! And honestly with Sweet Clover, I don’t have the time anymore so I have to be more selective. My blog is a business, but it’s barely profitable, and Sweet Clover is where my real investment lies.
Are you the cheap manual labor or is there hired help for that? In other words, does Cassie use you for your handy work?
Chris: I’m not very handy but I’m definitely cheap labor although I might cause more headaches than I’m worth.
Cassie: He’s not giving himself enough credit here. He solved my mathematical headache when we built our industrial pipe shelves and planked our angled bedroom wall.
Describe Cassie’s style.
Chris: Cassie’s style is hard to describe except to say it’s eclectic. Whenever she describes a room design or project I don’t always see her design but it always works.
Cassie: I am not sure he actually listens to my design ideas anymore as they frighten him. When I speak, I’m certain he hears a choir of angels Charlie Brown adult-speak… “wah wah wah wah.”
Describe your style.
Chris: I’m much more simple and modern.
Cassie: You know what? I would love to see him design a room… I am not even kidding. I might ask him to design a room so I can see this simple modern look he’s referring to. Oh, this is going to be fun!!! Another new feature… “The Simple Modern Man: Designs for your basic needs by Chris.”
How often does your home change?
Chris: The house changes quite a bit but she has gotten to a point now that the basics are in place and now the changes are mostly aesthetic.
Cassie: That’s what he thinks.
How many different sofas have you had since marrying Cassie?
Chris: About 5 sofa changes. The last was by far the weirdest but she liked it. I’m a ride a couch til it dies kind of guy.
Cassie: In my defense, we’ve lived in 3 different houses since we were married, and the sofas didn’t work from one house to the next. This last one was purely indulgent though, and it’s my most commented on piece of furniture. I am not alone in my love for this blue velvet beauty.
How often do you offer decorating advice? Does she consider your opinion?
Chris: I never really offer my opinion but she does ask for it. It is not followed though. I think she uses my opinion to rule things out more than choose something.
Cassie: I would never. Of course his opinion matters….
What’s your favorite room in the house? Why?
Chris: Living room. Its bright great view and I love how she chose to paint the fire place. It worked so much better than I thought it would.
Cassie: This space is really cozy and what I can never capture so well in photos is the breathtaking view and sunsets out these windows.
What does it really look like behind the camera?
Chris: Kids stuff and dogs. Sometimes the dogs make it in the shot.
Cassie: He’s being kind so as not to share our dirty truths… I think what he means is dog fur tumbleweeds, paw prints, wet nose prints, fingerprints, piles of Emmy’s stuff everywhere, legos galore…. When I shoot rooms, especially the kids spaces, I have what I refer to as my “traveling mess” and I move the stuff around the room to make sure it’s not in the shot.
What is a project that you hate but have never voiced (or maybe you have)?
Chris: Our guest bathroom. It’s pink. Enough said.
Cassie: Confession- I hate it, too. I mentioned repainting it to my kids though and they both protested and professed their love for the pink walls. So for now it stays.
Do you know of Cassie’s blogger friends? If so, who’s your favorite?
Chris: I have met a few but I haven’t really gotten to know them that well.
What’s your favorite aspect of Cassie being a blogger? Least favorite?
Chris: She loves that she is able to use her English degree and it makes her happy. Plus the free stuff is nice. The worst is that she tends to bite off more than she can chew. It’s her nature.
Cassie: I always joke about actually putting my degree to use, but I am not really serious about that. And yes…. I do bite off more than I can chew. Always. Currently I am getting ready for our Sweet Clover February sale, starting a blog challenge I will share soon, taking on a few projects with companies I wanted to work with, and chairing the school talent show. Currently I am not cleaning the house. But it really is just how I roll. Chris is the yin to my yang in this way which helps me stay sane through it all.
After the Turkey Chase 10k on Thanksgiving 2015
What are your household chores?
Chris: I’m the laundry and bed maker. Plus we share the cooking.
Cassie: With his retail background he’s a legitimately better folder than I am and he used to refold all of the clothes I would fold for him. So I very gently and kindly suggested that he could do the laundry and he said he would. That was before we got married… I haven’t looked back since! As for the beds, he makes only our bed and the kids make their own; and that’s because he’s always in bed longer than me anyhow! On the rare occasion I sleep later and he’s already headed to work, I make the bed. But that is one of those chores that always has to be done in our house for me to function calmly.
What’s something about Cassie that her readers might not know (but she would be okay with you sharing)?
Chris: She went for a while with this fascination of brass animals and then she went a while fixed on Owls. She does this a lot.
Cassie: Pfft. Tell them something they don’t know.
Photo by Jalapeno Photography 2013
What does Cassie REALLY want for Valentine’s Day, and what are you getting her?
Now make sure you visit all of the participating blogs to read some ridiculously funny answers! Make sure you’ve gone to the bathroom first, because if you don’t you are sure to wet your pants!
