Watching former homes change under new ownership can be surprisingly emotional. This week we talk about how we handled seeing our old design choices undone, how we found the silver lining, and why it ultimately didn’t sting as much as we expected. Back at our current house, we finally took a long-overdue step to make our driveway safer and more playful for the kids — it was easier and quicker than we thought. We also cover which items you should avoid buying used, why Sherry’s Invisalign timeline got extended (welcome to “tooth jail”), and a fascinating true-crime-adjacent book connected to our beach house area.
You can download this episode from Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and TuneIn Radio — or listen using the player below. Use this post to follow any links, photos, or show notes we referenced. Note: If you’re reading in a feed reader, you may need to open the post to see the audio player.
What’s New
- We finally paved the driveway. The lighter and darker patches in the photo are from a recent rain, but you can see how overgrown the weeds were before. The kids were itching for a smooth surface to scooter and bike on, so this project immediately improved both safety and playtime.
- The crew we hired was impressively fast — we spent the afternoon watching their progress and the kids loved it. If you want a quick way to entertain the family, paving the driveway is oddly satisfying.
- On a lighter note: Sherry’s Invisalign treatment was extended, so she’s sporting more elastics. For distraction, she posted a playful GIF to her Instagram stories using a dog filter — a classic attempt to divert attention from dental hardware.
What’s Not
- We discussed Apartment Therapy’s roundup of “8 Things You Should Never Buy Used” — helpful when thinking about safety and hygiene for secondhand purchases.
- We also referenced Kiplinger’s list of “12 Things You Should Buy Used,” which inspired an item in Sherry’s quiz.
Listener Question
- For context about any rooms we mentioned, you can tour our first house and our current house in our photo galleries.
- Sherry was right: we did talk about our first house being on the market again in Episode #13 — a throwback we nearly forgot to mention.
- Below is a photo of the bedroom as we used it, with built-in closets flanking the bed that added much-needed storage. The new owners later removed those built-ins, returning the room to its original layout before we added them.
- Here are a couple of shots showing the fence at our first house. On the left is how we kept it — low-profile and open between yard and driveway. On the right is a photo from a visit a few years later; the new fence is well built but creates a stronger separation between spaces.
- We also reflected on some kitchen layout choices from our last home — especially the opening to the dining room that formed a “P” shape. It’s one of those things you rethink with hindsight.
- And in case you caught it, I mangled the advice from Kristen Bell about Chris Pratt and Anna Faris — I captured the spirit, if not the exact wording.
We’re Digging
- I’m currently engrossed in American Fire, a book about a series of arsons on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, the same county near our beach house. The story grows more compelling the deeper I get into it.
- The photo above isn’t from the book — it’s a coastal shot Sherry took earlier this year in the county where those fires occurred. The contrast between the beautiful landscape and the tragedy of abandoned, burned homes is striking.
- Also on our radar: Sherry’s new favorite drink. Is it a healthful boost or something to be wary of? We’re still debating whether it’s a harmless treat or a slow enemy — jury’s out, but she loves it.
If you want to find recommendations we’ve shared in earlier episodes, check our master list of past “We’re Digging” picks for easy reference.
Finally, a big thanks to Grove Collaborative for sponsoring this episode. Their offer includes $20 off your first order of $40 or more, and a free bottle of Mrs. Meyer’s All-Purpose Cleaner with qualifying orders.
Thanks for listening, everyone — we appreciate you tuning in.
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