Yup, it’s official: I’ve hired Kate to write fulltime on the blog. Can you believe it? We created an American job. Well, two, if you count me. Three, if you count Leo, but, don’t tell the IRS, okay? Kate’s official title is Managing Editor, RetroRenovation.com. She will be doing lots and lots of writing and chasing stories, helping me to ensure that the best new products, reader projects and vintage love get on the blog as fast as possible. Our goal: To continue to be The Action News Leaders in Retro, live online at 4:30- and 11:50 a.m. Monday through Friday and 24/7 whenever there is Breaking News.
As the blog has grown — to more than 200,000+ unique visitors every month now — it’s been increasingly difficult for me to juggle it all. In fact, I’m giving Kate as many writing assignments as possible, because I need to focus more than ever on being a better webmaster managing complicated tech stuff behind the scenes… to reach out to new sponsors… to research new story ideas — and to catch up, then keep up, on all my emails, too. I’ll be super duper active on the blog each and every day, no matter what, though! It’s my baby, you would have to pry it from my cold dead hands. Oops sorry for the not-happy imagery, but the emphasis is real.
Working together, we want to (1) make the blog even better than ever… (2) ensure that homeowners eager to renovate their homes in a way that’s sympathetic to their original styles can find the blog to get the information they need and to join in the fun… and (3) make enough money so’s we can keep the blog boat afloat. Curious how we make money? See my explanation here, it’s kinda interesting if you ever wonder how bloggers make a living.
Oh. Kate is way more the DIY maven than I am. So there’s that, too. What the heck is that she’s holding? A jigsaw? Kate is ready to get started, buckle up! 
Kate also will continue with her personal blog, RetroRanchRevamp (which is where I discovered her.)
I am so excited and energized to have Kate on the team. Thank you, Kate!
Congrats! “Made in USA”!
Yup! Made in the USA!!
CONGRATS! It’s so awesome to see this little blog that I started reading years ago blossom into such an awesome site that now has a paid staff. Livin’ the dream…
Fantastic!
Thank you!
AMahZing!!! This girl is on team Pam, Kate, & Leo!!!!
YAY!
Awesome! Wonderfully fun news! Congratulations to both of you! Pam, duh! That’s a sawz-all! If you don’t have one, you should! Quite the handy, do-it-all (almost) tool! DH Jim should get Kate a congratulatory Fein tool (unless she already has one!) Another tool that works wonders!
duh, like i said, i ain’t the DIY maven. i’ll work on it, though!
Pam, you totally count as a DIY maven in my book! Pretty sure you’d create a great sounding cackle with a sawz-all in your treasure trove. If you put up the sconces in your living room, you may have to spring for one. FUN power tool!
Great: Sawzall, electrical wiring — and me. Not so sure about that combo! xoxo
Oh, and Kate, *ADORABLE* pic! Love the dress!
Thanks Kersten!
Leo is not the hugest fan of wearing things on his head, but he was such a good sport and received many treats as payment!
The dog with the goggles gave me a huge laugh when I zoned in on it. And yeah, you look great. I think you’ll fit right in.
I should post some of the “outtakes” of this shoot on my blog. Leo was such a sport while posing for this photo, but it took us a while to get a good one! (Many treats were involved!)
Yep, that’s a sawzall – goes through just about anything! And looks way better (and prettier) than mine! Makes me wonder what Kate’s planning on doing with it in that sweet kitchen! Welcome, for real, Kate!
Awesome news! And congrats!! I love Kate – and Leo too!! You ladies are livin’ the dream, for sure! I appreciate your quest to continue to bring us high quality, cutting edge, high-volume-to-satisfy-our-obsession content!
Thank YOU, Jeanne (and so many others) for your almost daily active participation! That’s what REALLY has kept me going all these years! xoxoxoxoxoxo
My pleasure! This place is my home-away-from-home.
Thanks Jeanne!
You’ve been such a great reader and commenter of both this blog and RetroRanchRevamp! Pam is right, it is people like you (and many others) that keep us going!
Leo’s tail is all waggy from all these happy comments!
You’re welcome, Kate! I haven’t been commenting lately on your blog because there must have been a format change (?) and it won’t let me log-in with any of the choices it offers. Not sure why, but I’ve wanted to comment on a few posts. One thing I wanted to mention (after seeing your office tour) was that I have you beat in the Post-its-on-iMac contest. haha.
Hmmm that’s weird Jeanne… I have the same problem when I try to comment on some Blogger hosted blogs. My comments just disappear instead of posting. Not sure what that is, I’ll look into it.
Post-its on the iMac — it’s the way to go for reminders!
A true American Success Story — times two!
thank you, ohHolland, that is so sweet to say! we’re tryin’!
Thanks OhHolland!
I’m so lucky to have my dream job–and Pam is THE MOST AWESOME BOSS EVER!
Congrat to all! Pam, what is this going to do to your OCD, having someone else in the mix! LOL I had to laugh when I read about your working style… I do the same thing… especially when shopping… I have to shop moving from the left of the store to the right… or I feel like I might miss something, or have an anxiety attack!
haha, in an antiques store I must move counterclockwise!
SA-WWWEEET!! Congratulations to both of you! I love your web-site – it’s easy to maneuver….full of great stuff and I look forward to opening up the site and reading all your new stuff. Time Capsules are my favorite — absolutely the best stuff on the web! Way to go and please don’t ever stop!!!!
Thank you, Holley. It’s getting harder to get the time capsules up, boo hoo — because they are selling so much faster then ever before! They are HOT! Good news, I guess. I’m having to work harder at it! All the more reason to have Kate on board to help!
CONGRATULATIONS KATE & PAM!!!! That’s fabulous news! Creating an American job to boot, is a real bonus.
Thank you Kate, for adding to the fun here, and to Pam who’s done such a fabulous job giving us retro renovators a place to call home, and to hang out at.
Best wishes!
Aww thanks Hannah!
Thank you, hannah, for all you do, too! xoxox
Congrats! I’m so happy to see this site growing and prospering. I stumbled upon it while my husband and I were looking for a house. He wanted mid-century ranch and I wanted a 20′s or 30′s arts & crafts home. Since I needed to learn to love MCModest, I googled and found this place. I found so much that touched my growing up years that I couldn’t help but fall madly in love. We found a 1954 major fixer upper. Although the road is long to get it looking like some of the readers’ beautiful homes, I keep coming here to get inspired and to keep motivated. This is my favorite place on the web.
Keep up the excellent work. May you both have lots of fun and joy.
Thank you, Suzanne — yup, I think a lot of us are “accidental modernists.” It’s like our houses found us, not the other way around, but it was Love!
I’ve been a daily reader since we put the offer on our 1956 ranch in April 2010, except for the few times I’ve had no internet access and then this is the second thing I’ve checked, after my e-mail
. This is, by far, my favorite blog and I have enjoyed reading Retroranchrevamp, as well. I think you and Kate will make a great team and I’m looking forward to many more years of retroliciouness. Thanks to both of you! And Leo – woof.
Thanks Jenny A.!
We’ll keep the retroliciousness coming! And Leo will surely add his two cents here and there…
Thank you, Jenny!!
Congratulations Pam and Kate!!! I, too, have followed this blog I think since the beginning; and it continues to be a DAILY go to for me! I have loved everything!!! I can’t believe how it has grown! Your hard work and dedication, Pam, have certainly brought it the success it is! I look forward to your continued success, and for many years to come.Enjoy Ladies!!!!!
Thank you, RetroSandie, it is SO COOL for me to know so many of you for so many years, since the blog was a wee babe calling out into the darkness!
Congratulations! Hope you both have many years of prosperous fun. I’ll look toward to the future “Save the Granite and Stainless Kitchens” blog coming from the RetroRenovation family!
Thank you, Bill, for all you’ve done to help with the blog, too! Your tile archives are STUPENDOUS!
I, too, celebrate Kate! I spy lots more home grown retro happiness on the horizon for the RR family. Welcome aboard full time, little Duchess of DYI (Pam, of course, being the Queen!).
Ha! I like that…Duchess of DIY! Thanks Annie B.!
Yes, and don’t forget that Cullen is Crown Prince of Kitsch: http://retrorenovation.com/2012/04/12/cullen-meyer-crown-prince-of-kitsch-40-photos/
You are officially a Job Creator! Congratulations to all.
Thank you! And I have the federal and Wisconsin ID’s to prove it!
Congrats!
Kate, that polka dot dress is adorable
BTW, I have the same problem mentioned above trying to comment on Ranch Dressing with Eartha Kitsch’s blog. It asks me everything but my blood type and then it makes my computer freeze up
I will have to be happy just to read it.
Thanks Sherree!
I wonder what’s up with the blog commenting issues. I haven’t changed anything on my blog recently that would cause this problem. Maybe it is a tech glitch?
I think this must be a setting in Word Press template????
congratulations!!!! this is totally inspirational.
(but what the what 4:30am!?!?!)
I am able to pre-program the publish times. I publish the first story at 4:30 a.m. so that there’s something live by lunchtime for readers in Europe and early evening for readers in Australia and Asia. Also for folks in North America who get up early!
While I have been reading RR for about a year, this is my first comment. Couldn’t resist as I am Kate’s proud mom and Leo is my granddog.
Kudos to Pam for a great hire … and congrats to my darling and talented daughter Kate. Your family, friends and especially your Mid Century parenti are VERY, VERY proud of you. All the best!
Awww thanks Mid Century Mom!
Oh My Gosh, it’s Kate’s Mom! Hi, Kate’s Mom! You did a great job with that one!
Golly, I just noticed that Kate and I both look pretty formidable with our power tools. BaM! POW! sPLat! I think I better switch to my flower power photo so’s not to look too… Charlies Angels???
Hi back to Pam! Thanks for the positives on my parenting
…. Every minute of being Kate’s mom has been fun, interesting and very rewarding. As you can tell, I’m her biggest lifetime fan and always will be. Thanks for making her so happy in her new job … she truly loves what she is doing now and that is a dream come true. 
That’s really great! Congrats to both of you.
Thanks, Uncle Atom!!!
What swell news! Congrats!
Thank you, Rosemary!!
Pam and Kate,
CONGRATULATIONS! Oh how its grown! I thank you for letting us readers and posters have a small part in this wonderland everyday!
I still want to take and send photos of my retro rental! Hopefully someday.
Thank you, Allen. YES: Send us your photos!!
I read this blog all the time, congratulations!!! I couldn’t figure out how you get all this info posted here anyways…lol….I tell people all the time to check you guys out…great job!!!
Thank you, Leslie! We’re CRAZY about the retro, that’s how!
I have to wonder if Astro is feeling left out?
Yes, probably! Turns out, he’s not much into blogging — he sleeps all day…or is Mr. Vacuum Cleaner looking for crumbs everywhere and anywhere on the floor!
Congrats Kate and Leo!
Isn’t Leo cute!
Congratulations! It’s encouraging to see Retro Renovation go from strength to strength during the last year or so since it put the site in my favorites.
But I can’t help but notice, the way Kate is holding that potential weapon, I hope I never anger her. I best think twice before I post something. YIKES!
hahaha…no worries Tom, I don’t anger easy and I would never use a power tool in an unsafe or unkind way.
Just ask Leo the saftey mutt.
Thank you, Tom!
Congratulations Kate! You are soooo pretty! You and Pam are soooo very Gorgeous in your Retro Renovation Pictures. Pam….you are sooooo Beautiful in your Black dress and Kate you are sooooo Beautiful in your Black and Pink dress! You Women Rock! You’re both very gifted! Thanks for this Phenomenal Blog! More Fun times are ahead! Love it!
Well, golly, thank you! It took a lot of makeup for me. I am old enough to be Kate’s mother, so she didn’t need so much!
Ahhh Pam you’re so modest. Makeup or no makeup…I’ve seen both type of your photos and you’re still Mrs. Beautiful!
I have been a faithful reader from the beginning. I’m always interested by your amazing, varied and positive stories. You also give us so many laugh out loud moments. Kate was a great addition and I am looking forward to more of her delightful DIY stories.
Thanks for the memories Pam and Kate.
dear faithful reader puddletown, xoxo
“One of the worst pieces of career advice that I bet each of you has not only gotten but given is to “do what you love.” Penelope Trunk
Apparently this lady doesn’t know you two as you not only do what you love but we all love what you do.
Wishing you both all the best of everything!
I just read the Penelope Trunk article — very fast, mind you. I very fundamentally do not agree with her arguments, if you can call them that. This is a big discussion but in a nut: I think that you should definitely try to find what you love… and do what you love… for no better reason than You Will Be Doing It A Long Time. AND, because you practice at/work harder at something you love — and will as a result become better at it… more *successful* at mastering it, because of all that practice. Relatedly: Even if you are in a job you don’t love, you can usually find something about that job that you do love — and work on that. It’s making the most of all our life experiences that makes for growth.
I could go on and on. I am actually very opinionated about this subject.
I feel fortunate to be able to do this now. But, I am 53 years old. It took a long time to get here. And lordy knows, it’s all a journey — who the heck knows how it will all *turn out*? Oh, did I say *journey*? I think THAT is the point.
Congratulations to you (and to Leo) for the promotion/new position. You are a talented woman with quite a flair for reno.
(Leo has quite the flair for the dramatic and we love it!)
We wish you all success in this new venture and look forward to seeing more on this site and on your own blog.
All hail the Blogging Princess! All hail Princess Kate!
(from your Tennessee subjects!)
Thanks Donnna and Jim!
Congratulations, Kate and Pam! Great photo, too.
Thank you, Jen. Turns out, we both have quite the closets full o’ vintage dresses. Kinda … goes with the territory, I guess!
This is such amazingly cool super fabulous news and put such a big smile on my face! Congrats, Pam and Kate, so happy for both of you. The coolest part (besides Leo)?? The growth of this blog means that more and more people are starting to recognize the beauty of MidCentury Modest, which means more of this part of our history will hopefully be preserved!! Bravo to you both for being a part of something that powerful. Wow.
Yup! THANK YOU, Lauryn!!!
Lucky us! More to read more often!
That’s the goal. Maybe some day soon-ish, we’ll get to three stories a day! Oops, don’t mention that to Kate, we’ll scare her — I’m already crackin’ the whip!
Ack! Let’s ease into that, okay Pam???
Howdy Kate,
I’m your mom’s friend from Tennessee! Congratulations on your new venture, we sure are proud of you!! Keep up the good work and keep renovating! Next time you are in TN, I’ll show you the historic bungalow my husband & I fixed up! You’d LOVE the bathroom!!
I’m glad to see Kate’s mom is spreading the word!!!
Yay!!! The more the merrier! Congratulations Kate (and Leo too)!
Thanks, Stephanie!
Two words – Woo Hoo! So glad I found you a while back; so proud of your growth and good work on RR!
Thank you, Laura T — more to come!
I couldn’t help but notice that Kate is wearing the classic PINK BATHROOM colors!!! How appropriate… Glad to see that your site is doing so well, Pam.
BTW: I found out about this site a few years ago when I was looking high and low for some replacement tiles for my 1949 bathroom (pink, of course) and found your reference to B&W. They definitely saved the day!
In any case, good luck to both of you!
Thank you, Ellen. Well yes she is! I gotta get her to find a pink bathroom to do a photo shoot in!
Hopefully one of these days, I’ll have my own pink bathroom for the photo shoot!
Congrats to both of you, Pam and Kate! Reading your posts is always an enjoyable way to start the morning. Looking forward to many more…
Whoot! I love you both. Can’t tell you how much help and inspiration you have provided to me in the last 9 months! Here’s to a continuing, long-term relationship!
Congratulations ladies I always looking forward to reading articles from this blog and learning new things
Congrats to Pam, Kate, and assistant Leo!
Big congratulations to both of you — well, all three of you I guess I should say! You retro ladies always make my day. Thanks for being so inspirational, for sharing your resources (and resourcefulness), and for all of the wonderful eye candy you provide us readers with on a daily basis. So many wonderful vintage products I never knew I needed!
Congratulations to you both! I’ve loved Pam’s stories from pretty close to the beginning of the blog, and I am so impressed with Kate’s visual and writing skills. You two are definitely a dynamic duo and the blog will be even more amazing with this synergy!
Congrats! Congrats! This blog has been such a big help to me – all the best of luck!
Leo is so, so cute! I’d never get my Ivy to pose like that, treats or not!
Well may be off the subject but I love the kitchen background of the picture.
Kate- Great pic. Congrat on the dream job. Hope to see you house agin in person some time. Sue J
Congrats! This is fantastic news you 2! xo
Congrats! We are so happy for you. Kudo’s to you Pam. Keep up the great work Ladies.