Stop to Smell the Flowers

 

Prepping Your House for Showing and Selling: Painting

One of my favorite things to see in homes is striking colors, even on the walls. I'm a person who adores color, and a black statement wall in a red room, in my eyes, is beautiful. However, I am definitely a person who would need to take the advice of painting before putting a house on the market due to such tastes! 

It is highly recommended that if you have walls that aren't neutral, you look into putting some new coats of paint on the wall to tone things down. While this may seem to take away from your home's intrigue in your eyes, in another's the bright walls could very well be a major turn-off towards buying. In cases involving a successful sale? It's best to play it safe so grab your brushes and rollers, and start priming for some new paint! 

Of course, it doesn't have to be plain white. While strong colors are off the table, it seems to be agreed that variety still helps. Think about some warm tones of beige or tope, some creamy off-white. Maybe mix in some grays or other neutral, light tones. If you have any wooden notes or details already painted white, this will certainly help them stand out!

Painting is a taxing job, but when you're looking to sell? It's worth the trouble. While bold colors might be something that makes you feel at home, going with something more neutral can increase your chances of an eager buyer!

Games, Collectables, and More: C4 Entertainment

 If you're near Fort Campbell and interested in games, collectibles, comic books, vintage toys, cards, and more, there's a place you have to visit! C4 Entertainment, located at 15858 Fort Campbell Boulevard in Oakgrove, is a shop dedicated to this sort of thing. I found this shop by chance when C4 Entertainment was holding a 'Geek Paradise' event that included a costume contest-- my boyfriend had driven by and when the two of us spotted the Mystery Machine parked outside with Spider-Man and Stormtroopers, we turned right around!

C4 Entertainment was packed that day, and for a great reason-- the shop has a great deal to offer! But I was thankfully able to make it back over the weekend to really give the place a look around. I've already talked about some great game shops, and C4 offers some of the same products. They sell video games as well as some different card packs, some of which can be hard to find. I was finally able to find the Animal Crossing Amiibo cards at this shop and I was ecstatic! However, beyond that, C4 has a vast amount of products. There is an entire wall of Pop figurines and then some, more rare boxed figures being held behind the counter. There are also manga / anime figurines, superhero statuettes, and loose blind box figures available for sale. While I perused the racks of action figures, my boyfriend was able to look through the numerous long boxes full of comics.

This shop has an especially warm atmosphere and the workers are friendly. The two times I have been into C4 Entertainment, I have been able to fall into happy conversation over my favorite nerd culture subjects. It seems the perfect place to peruse around with an arcade machine and plenty to look at with a staff that is more than happy to help out.

If you have time and you're near Oak Grove, be sure to check out C4 Entertainment 15858 Fort Campbell Boulevard.

Deer for Days

 

Prepping Your House for Showing and Selling: Depersonalizing

 Home is where the heart is. It is a personal place and therefore your home will obviously hold pieces of your personal life. However, when inviting potential buyers in to view the space, it's better to have the home appear like a blank slate. While cleaning is an obvious must before a showing, some people don't realize how important the act of depersonalization is. 

To depersonalize a home may seem like it is taking away from its character to the owner. However, it is actually allowing potential buyers to picture themselves in the area rather than feel like they're intruding. Things such as pictures, diplomas, and religious symbols are better to be taken down and stored. Bare walls invite the opportunity for a buyer to imagine their own wall hangings rather than be distracted by wedding photos of people they don't know. In addition, you will want to store things such as collections and craft / hobby supplies which may create a cluttered feel. Again-- you want the buyer to see the space as somewhere they might live, not your scrapbook room!

While depersonalizing is something often suggested, many only think to do it to the home's interior. However, depersonalizing the exterior is just as important in most cases. That 'blank slate' feel is just as valuable outside as inside after all! Things such as team flags should be rolled up, and extensive fairy garden accessories packed away for after the move. These kinds of things may be viewed as clutter as well, no matter how loved they are... and, of course, it may not be the kind of thing the buyer sees for themself and distract from the vision that will sell them on a property.

The home is the place in the world where we all can truly leave our fingerprint. It can be a place of self-expression, housing everything that makes us who we are as people: photos, collections, identifying factors from heritage to what football team our family cheers for. However, when it comes to selling your house, it is best to clean away your fingerprints-- and store them in a unit or at the new home. When you sell, you're inviting other families in to take a look around and see the space in a way that expresses who they are. To allow this fully, depersonalization must take place! It may be sad to see your pictures packed up instead of on the walls, but they'll be in their new home soon and you're letting buyers see a clean slate of what they can have.

Game Shop on Riverside: Sanctuary Gaming

Clarksville may feel small to some of us who have lived our full lives here, but the truth of the matter is that Clarksville is a pretty big city. And a big city has room for more than one game shop. Sanctuary Gaming is a newer shop for things such as Pokemon cards and board games, established only last year in 2020. My boyfriend and I made our way over on a quest for Digimon cards and while we didn't find that, we are pretty sure we've found a place we want to visit again for a game night.

Like most game stores of this caliber, Sanctuary Gaming has an impressive selection of board games ranging from more notable titles like Catan to more obscure selections. While they do have copies of these games for sale to the customer, the main perk of shops like this is being able to rent the games for a small fee to play in-store. While in the shop, I spotted a sign that even mentioned being able to take rentals home for a night for an additional fee for people who might not want to hang around. However, the atmosphere of Sanctuary Gaming is amazingly friendly. When I arrived, they were hosting a day camp for children to help them learn how to play the Pokemon card game, and the staff was extremely friendly to us while still monitoring the excited kids. 

Sanctuary Gaming offers packs of cards from games such as Pokemon and Magic the Gathering, and single cards for purchase. We also spotted a good few things from dice to miniatures to Funko Pops-- not to mention crocheted items such as Eevee-lutions and other Pokemon! It also seems like Sanctuary Games is set up to allow for computer or consul gaming in their location. I personally thought the coolest part of this particular game shop was the row of arcade machines they had set up. It's definitely a place I'd be happy to spend time.

You can check out Sanctuary Gaming's website here, but I would suggest stopping in and visiting them yourself at 101 N Riverside Dr. Go on Saturday if you feel up to the special treat of Vendor Saturday that supports small local businesses
! 

Axe Thowing? Check out the Flip'N Axe!

If you're looking for some active fun that comes with a challenge, I have the place for you today! Axe throwing has become an increasingly popular activity, and with that has come spots to participate-- such as axe throwing bars. The Flip'n Axe is one of Clarksville's spots to check out if axe throwing sounds like something to check out. Spoiler: you'll want to check this out.

The Flip'n Axe, located at 2121 Wilma Rudolph Blvd, is a great place to go even if you've never thrown an axe before. I personally had never so much as picked up one before stepping into the place. After signing a required waiver, my group was shown to one of the axe throwing lanes that consisted of two racks of axes and two wooden targets. The great part about an axe-throwing bar is that there are people to teach you the basics. Our 'broke-axe' instructor told us the safety precautions and then the basic throwing technique. While the instructors leave groups to their own throwing and games-- there are posters with game suggestions for throwers-- they do walk around the area and (thankfully) are happy to give further tips. I was happy to be further advised after several frustrating minutes of more or less flinging my axe against the wall. 

In addition to axe-throwing, the Flip'n Axe also functions as a bar with a variety of drinks-- both tap and cans / bottles-- and snacks for sale. There are also other activities for times between throwing and breaks. My group of four threw two at a time, and occasionally the two not throwing would break off to play the corn hole toss that was between the axe aisles. Skee ball, pool tables, and some arcade games were also available throughout the venue. 

A veteran-owned and operated business, military and veterans are given a flat rate of $22 from 6-9 pm on 'Military Mondays' to include axe throwing, cornhole, and pool. Other daily specials include 50% off for teachers and students on Tuesday, 50% off for first responders on Wednesday, and a 50% off ladies' night on Thursday. For more information on the weekly fun at the Flip'n Axe, check out their website here!

While I was incredibly nervous walking in, I had an amazing time at the Flip'n Axe. Like any other place, the experience will be what you make of it-- but my experience was fantastic. After some struggling, my frustration was overtaken by success as I started sinking the axe into the target while cheered on by my group. I certainly had many more misses, but between the axe throwing games and conversation, it was hardly a thought. At the end of the night, I felt more confident in my throwing and my arms felt like jelly. Take my advice and take an afternoon to go to the Flip'n Axe. It's an amazing time-- and something I will definitely be doing again!

A Great Day to Garden!

 

Hungry for Everything? Check out Fat Shack!

 If you're really wanting anything and everything to eat today, Fat Shack is the place you'll want to go! With only 26 locations in the United States, Clarksville is lucky to have one of these unique 'late night' food shops. Featured on Shark Tank in 2019, Fat Shack has a wide array of food from 'fat sandwiches' to deep-fried desserts.

While Fat Shack certainly doesn't have food I feel I could eat every day, I can see the appeal-- especially when it comes to college students. As someone who recently graduated, I know how much a lot of food at a low price is valued. Looking over the menu? There is a lot of food on the fat sandwiches alone. While you might be thinking of something with extra pickles, bacon, onions, and tomatoes, that isn't exactly right. Take the namesake sandwich, the Fat Shack. This one sandwich houses the following: cheesesteak, chicken fingers, jalapeño poppers, mozzarella sticks, french fries, and onion rings. Every side right on the main course! Of course, next time I make my way to Fat Shack, I think I'll be trying the Fat Cow which is filled with both mac & cheese and mozzarella sticks. 

With deep-fried Oreos, Twinkies
, chocolate chip cookies, and more? Fat Shack is the perfect destination if you're wanting the kind of food you'd expect at a fair with the chill atmosphere of a hole-in-the-wall restaurant. Even if this kind of food isn't your usual, I'd suggest checking out this spot at least once at 1715 Wilma Rudolph Blvd. It's an experience through and through.

Frontline Games: Gaming Needs from Pokemon Cards to Tabletop

While most of my game experience is limited to video games, there is a large gaming community in Clarksville outside of the consoles and computers. Frontline Games is the place that caters to them. Recently, my boyfriend and I delved into the new Digimon card game as a nostalgic trip back to a childhood love of the show. While yes, many do find card packs at places like Target or Walmart, we decided to take a trip over to a game store that we know of at 287 Stonecrossing Dr. 

When we arrived, one of the usual weekend tournaments was taking place. Frontline hosts a great amount of card game competitions including Magic the Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh, and Pokemon with the entry fee usually costing $5. While I have never taken part, the group that day seemed to be having a blast! For those not as interested in card games, Frontline also has free board game nights on Fridays with rental board games being only $1. They have a large selection for rental, and of course for sale as well! It would definitely make for a fun evening with friends if you're looking for something new to try and you don't want to commit to buying a game yourself. For more information on the event schedule of Frontline Games, check out their website here!

Frontline Games also carries a large array of figures, some of which can be utilized in games, such as the popular HeroClix. And, like any good game store, they have a good selection of dice as well as a variety of card sleeves.

My boyfriend and I were met with friendly staff when we approached the counter to look at playing cards. The young woman working showed us the different packs and starter kits, answering any questions we had. At the end of the day, we left happy with exactly what we were looking for. Frontline is an excellent shop that helps bring the community together with the shop's frequent events. Card competitors of all ages and all skills
have a place in the different competitions, and board game enthusiasts are sure to find something new. Even if you think this might not be your scene, take a moment to pop in sometime. You might see a new game that really catches your eye.

Happy Father's Day!