TREND SETTERS VS TREND LEADERS

This time of year we like to peruse the latest over-priced, over-hyped domiciles on the local Parade of Homes tour.  Each year I desperately search for something different, imaginative or just not a carbon copy of every other house.  Granted using the same wall colors, kitchen accents and wooden floors is safe, but hardly interesting.

Question 1-who the "h" buys these things?  $400,00 for what? Who are you trying to impress and why would you want to pay that much monthly with nothing left over for anything else. A lot of young people with children apparently. Though I would think a typical parent would cringe as their children did their usual thing on those pristine walls and immaculate floors. Some houses had more than one laundry hook-up I guess for obvious reasons.

Question 2- why do people think white "subway" tiles are all the rage for kitchen backsplashes. I digress.  When did kitchen backsplashes become the norm and why do they need to all look the same? Has anyone ever heard of a sponge? Anyway why would I want my kitchen to resemble a subway bathroom and I ain't talking about the sandwich store.  Ugh.

Question 3- with their usual lack of imagination all the builders put in white cupboards, gray counter tops, gray or tan walls and dark brown hardwood floors.  Do they have these secret little meetings early on to decide what blah style they plan on pursuing each year? Boring. ...I suppose they are trying to appeal to the masses, whoever they are and bland is apparently in. But we found out that these are already sold so apparently there is no individuality, no imagination in the home buyer of today; they just want to look like everyone else in an over-priced, totally impractical residence. Six bedrooms, 4.5 baths-again who is buying these McCastles- in the middle of a farmer's field? They will be complaining about the barnyard smells this summer no doubt.

Question 4 - is really a statement. Booties, booties, booties.  Not wanting to be subject to "other people's funk" the B-Man and I snatch brand-new, sanitized booties at the first house and then carry them to each stop. I must say Mayberry has the nicest booties, dark blue and hardy. Able to withstand multiple trips. Just installing new carpeting myself I must admit I cringed at my recent party when people with shoes on actually walked on my floor. I thought if I advertised my own unshod feet on the new carpet, pointedly slipping off flip flops, others would follow.  But I hope I would never demand people expose their unholy socks or naked feet if they were uncomfortable about it. Carpet does clean after all.

All things considered it was an excellent night to cruise around the neighborhoods (recently farmer fields) with the top down on the convertible. Perfect weather and looking cool as we made our stops notwithstanding the BMer convertible that unapologetically parked itself half in and half out of a Parade home driveway blocking the street. Those Germans are pushy you know.