Betty and the camera crew follow Charlie into the foyer.Charlie: "From the foyer we have several doors and a hallway. We will get to each of those in a moment. In our foyer, we ask that you please remove your shoes. I have an appointment to get the carpet stain guarded, but until then we do ask that all guests remove their shoes. Please feel free to sit on the bench and you can put your shoes neatly under the bench. Ok...on with the tour. The first closed door on your right (left in photo) is the coat closet. The closed door on your left (right in photo) leads to my library, which we will look at in a bit. And the opened doorway just past the coat closet leads into our kitchen - which will be our next stop."
This is the foyer perspective from inside home - what you see when you walk through that beautiful front door above.
Charlie: "Ok, lets move on to the kitchen. I really love my kitchen - it has a huge pantry, the island stove, and we're standing in the breakfast nook, the awesome french doors just behind us on our right lead onto the patio. Also, my washer and dryer are in a laundry closet over to our left by the garage entrance. The garage entrance alone has been sooo beneficial to getting groceries in, not to mention on those blustery winter days - it saves me tons on doctor bills! Shakespeare's dinner bowl is also in the garage."
Charlie: "The kitchen is really the only room that I did any serious renovating to. I hired a crew to come in and raise my cabinets closer to the ceiling. I have all of those shelves that I put up in my old apartment's kitchen and I wanted to use some of them so I decided to put one right below the cabinets to hold my most-used dishes - plates, glasses, and mugs. This way they are easy to reach and put away. I white washed all of the shelves to match the trim in the house as well and hung some of the shelves in the pantry. If you look, you will find those shelves all over the new house."
Charlie: "The dining room is our next stop. The matching table, chairs, and hutch I found at an estate sale just after I moved in. I got an unbelievably great price on the set - it was under 700 simoleons! I couldn't pass them up. They did need a bit of sanding and a repainting to look all nice and new again, but that didn't take too long. The table and chairs that are in the kitchen breakfast nook were my mom and dad's original set. They had a small home and since I was an only child, we had a small table. I remember all the dinners we use to eat from that table...I was glad that dad kept them and brought them along when he moved in."
Charlie: "If you remember from my application to join the show, I originally wanted a formal dining room for entertaining friends and colleagues. While this one is not formal, it is really a great space for entertaining. My guests can enjoy watching television from the dining room (for those big game parties) and I can also enjoy their company while I finish preparing snacks or dinner. I have had a few get togethers already and my friends all commented on how much they loved the openness of the dining room, kitchen, and great room. And I never felt like I left my guests unattended - which, to me, is somewhat rude."
Charlie: "As you can see, the great room is just that! It's great, it's big, it's great big! I love the fireplace - it barely takes up any room. The furniture you see in here came straight from the Ikea store in Bluewater. They also had the area rug below the furniture and those nice end tables. I went to Best Buy and got the big screen television and that is my old game system that I had in the apartment. I repainted my wooden cd stands and got a new book case for the room. This is probably the only room with almost all furniture brand new. The only used things in this room are my cd stands, stereo, and Shakespeares chew toy."
Charlie: "I sooo love my library. It is small - smaller than most libraries - but it's mine and I love it. As you can see, I have a great view of the front yard from my desk. It's so nice to be able to write for a while, look up, and not see someone staring at you through your window! Apartment living was just so uncomfortable. I used a few more of those shelves from my apartment kitchen in here for some of my books plus I picked up three great racks at the same estate sale with the dining room furniture. Over in the closet, I have a few more tons of books! Oh, and with all the peace and quiet I have had, I managed to finish another novel just last week. It sold quite nicely - I earned more from that novel than I had from any of the other 4 novels I have out." 
Charlie: "Now let us move on to my spare bedroom. By the way, its no longer a spare bedroom, my dad fell in love with the place and has visited so often I just asked him to move on in." Charlie giggles. "He was basically living here anyway - he seemed to always make it over just in time to make pancakes for breakfast 4 out of the 7 days of the week. Anyway, I am very happy to have him here. I no longer have to worry about him being alone or lonely now that mom is gone."Charlie: "Remember that estate sale I told you about earlier - they had this bed and another just like it - buy one get one free! Can you believe it! I got both bed frames for 500 simoleons along with the 4 side tables - all of which just needed sanded and refinished. A guy at the estate sale also gave me a tip where I could get end tables to match the side tables at a really good discount. There is this little furniture resale shop down by the Cove - it's owned by a really nice couple who happen to be big fans of my Lou Dobbs books (go figure). I picked up three end tables that matched for under 150 simoleons and they delivered them. I wonder if they offered to deliver just to see where I live." Charlie chuckles nervously as she ponders that thought for a moment. "I did end up buying new box springs and mattresses for the beds though, but all together I only spent about 1,000 simoleons on the beds and linens."
Charlie: "The bathroom next door to dad's room isn't that special to me in case you were wondering why its decorated so sparingly, I rarely use this bathroom. My bathroom is the master bath - I love it completely! Oh, and in the hall here, there is a linen closet as well - the door to it is right next to dad's bedroom door. I worry that as he gets older and his eye sight gets worse that one of these days I will be pulling him out of the linen closet." Charlie chuckles to herself.
Charlie: "Now the queen's chambers! I really love the master suite. I could spend the whole day in here and not even realize I missed anything. As you can see, I have a really nice window seat. Shakespeare loves to get up here and gaze out the window - well, that was until we got him his own little house in the yard. He still comes in and visits now and then, but anyway, I love the window seat for watching the butterflies in my garden. It gives me a way to relax and unwind - counting butterflies. I also took up another hobby - something besides writing. I am sewing! That couple at the furniture resale shop had this old sewing machine. It was broken and they couldn't fix it. Dad used to fix mom's all the time so I offered them 50 simoleons for it and they took it. Dad fixed it for 5 simoleons - it needed new bearings. Oh, and in my learning to sew process, I made all the curtains in the house...Dad was really impressed. Apparently, I did learn something from that Home Economics class in high school."
Charlie: "Dad and I spent last week going to a few garage sales. Much of the art work and decor throughout the house were found at the garage sales, as well as some furniture. I bet we spent over four grand at garage sales in Belladonna Cove and neighboring cities, Bluewater Village and St. Lucas. We found a vanity and a chair set at one of the garage sales. I recovered the window seat chairs and the arm chairs so they were a matching set. The only way you can tell they aren't is by comparing the legs of both chairs. That sewing machine sure came in handy for this project. Those end tables over by the window seat and by the arm chairs are the ones that I got from the resale shop."
Charlie: "The master bath is exquisite! I love having the double sinks and the shower! Also, the walk-in closet has enough room for a ton of clothes! I would feel like a princess every time I walk in there if I had enough clothes to fill it! Once I sell a few more books, that baby will have plenty of clothes in it." Charlie grins. "Its also nice to have the toilet area separated from the rest of the bathroom. Just the other day, I needed to go and Shakespeare followed me in the bathroom while I was cleaning - I just shut the door behind me and I didn't get funny looks or panty sniffs! Dogs sure can be a pain in the bathroom so it was nice to have the privacy!" 
Charlie: "Well, the only room left is the garage...it's really fairly bare and boring. The only exciting thing in it is my first car! Now, it isn't new or anything and I did get it pretty cheap, only 2500 simoleons, but with all the money I saved by buying the cheapest (and best) house I was able to splurge. Actually, I had to splurge - there is no public transportation out here in the boonies - and taxi fare is expensive from this far out - so I had to buy a car so I could commute to work when necessary. Not all things can be done via the internet, try as we might."Charlie: "Now I am sure you want to view my landscaping. I was thinking that since you have already seen the front of the home, we should just head right out of the patio doors, here, and walk around to the back yard."
Charlie: "I have a really awesome patio set up back here and once the weather warms up I plan to have a few bar-b-cues. I plan to bask in the sun, read a few books and get a nice tan in the process. The deck set with the umbrella is brand new - it was a house warming present from my book publisher. The Adirondack chairs and table were my parents - they are both antiques. Oh, and Shakespeare's house is right over here by the flowers - he has already chased away a few skunks who were attracted to the flowers."
Charlie: "Dad loves the lake. After I got my stuff unloaded from the truck and just after you guys left the other day - Dad left me high and dry! Actually, he took the rental truck back and got a cab to take him to get his fishing gear - he must have remembered where it was! The taxi pulled up and left and I waited for dad to come in. Twenty minutes went by and Dad still hadn't come in. I went looking for him and there he was holding his pole over the lake, grinning from ear to ear. He had already caught a rainbow trout which was our first dinner in my new house! And the Jacuzzi - I installed that last week, it was a present to myself for selling my first novel from my first home!"
Charlie: "I want to thank you for picking me for the show from all the applicants, helping me find this wonderful house, and coming by today. Dad is extra grateful because he now has much more to do in his retirement! I think he likes the house as much as, or maybe even more than, Shakespeare and me. At any rate, you have helped make all of our dreams a reality. Thanks so much!"
• What have the positive aspects of this experience (besides the new house!) been on your family?I learned a lot about how to pick the right house. You asked a lot of great questions - about why I wanted to move. Instead of just moving on a whim, I had to think about why I wanted to move and what exactly I needed and wanted in a space to call my home. I learned to make sacrifices and that some sacrifices, no matter how big or small, will turn out in your best interest, and some will not. In my case, letting go of the formal dining room for a semi-formal one ended up being a blessing.
• What have the negative aspects of this experience been on your family?
It did take longer than I had hoped. I mean, I am a bit impatient, I suppose. I ended up taking off work a couple of extra days to do the application and filming of everything. Having someone follow you around with a camera is a bit annoying. I guess that is why I chose to be a writer instead of a movie star!
• Are you happy to have participated in this show?
Happy, grateful, ecstatic! Although I have no real estate shopping experience to compare it to, as this is my first home purchase, it really was the best experience for me. I enjoyed filling out your questionaires and bringing you into my home, even if it was via video...you took my ideas and helped make them all a reality, and for that, I am really grateful!
Below is the layout of the home fully decorated via an arial view.
Samuel: “Wow Charlie! This place is awesome! I love the lake! Now where did I store my fishing gear? You know, ever since your mother passed away, it sure has been lonely…”
Charlie: “Wow! This place is huge! And it’s a bit more expensive than I envisioned spending too! The gardens are over the top – colorful and look -the place has a sprinkler system built in! That should save hours of time in watering the flowers. Shakespeare, lets take a look inside.” 
Charlie: “The den is super nice. It has an open walk-in closet where I could store my tons of books and a great spot for a window seat. I think I could turn this room into a really nice library. I really like the walls! What a yummy color – chocolate!”
Charlie: “The master suite is amazing! The bathroom has plenty of space to give Shakespeare a bath when needed. And look at the recessed lighting above these his and her sinks! The walk-in shower is really cool and the toilet has its own little private room! The walk-in closet is amazing too! I can’t believe this place – it’s completely awesome!
Charlie: “The kitchen is amazing as well! It has a walk in pantry, beautiful windowed wall between the great room and kitchen, and a cozy breakfast area with plenty of lighting and a view of the back yard. And this place definitely has the formal dining room I wanted.”
Charlie: “The only thing I don’t like about this house, besides the huge price tag, is that there is no pond in the back yard. I was hoping for a pond or lake. My dad really loves to fish and it would be an extra excuse for him to visit me more than twice a year! I also love to hear the frogs croaking just before sunrise when the rest of the world is still sleeping. I seem to get lots of writing done at that time. Well Shakespeare, I like this house – but I am just not sure. It is really huge and more than I expected to spend too! Let’s wait for Bette to call with another place to look at – keep our options open.” 
Wednesday 4:15 pm: Bette meets Charlie and Shakespeare outside the house just as it begins to rain. Bette runs ahead into the house while Shakespeare and Charlie explore the exterior of the house.
Charlie: “Oh wow! The water is so clean! Look! I can see the fish swimming around in the lake! Fishing here is going to be great! Dad will love visiting now! And this yard is so perfectly peaceful! Not nearly as busy as the apartment – very inspiring!
One of the biggest problems Charlie has with her current apartment is the teeny-tiny apartment bathroom. As a puppy, Shakespeare had no problems with bathing in the tub, but now that he is full grown there just isn’t room for both of them in the bathroom at the same time. And Charlie would soooo love to be able to take a shower for a change!
As a writer, you tend to collect those items you love most – books. And Charlie has tons of those, just no room for bookshelves! The one thing that Charlie would love most is to be able to get her books out of every room and floor in the house and onto shelves in a comfy library. The space needs to be large enough for her computer desk and a comfy chair for relaxing and reading. A nice view of a yard would be great inspiration for writing as well.
Living in an apartment also means a small eat-in kitchen. Charlie would like to have a formal dining room for dinner parties with friends as well as a kitchen and a breakfast nook with plenty of morning sun shine to get the day off to a great start. 
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