Well, here it is Thursday of my Spring Break and I only have two more days to really be productive. I have accomplished much, but today is already full. I woke at 5:15 to the sound of my dead phone battery chirping...ugh. I decided I might as well get up. I have been to the Y, gathered financial documents, done a bit of filing, and now I'm going to hop in the shower before settling in to a morning of grading papers. I have such a pile of labs waiting for me and I promised my students I would get it all done.
In more exciting news, I'm just about ready to share my bedroom pics. I just have to find time to take pictures and compose that kind of post. I got a new bed and mattress and it looks so pretty up against the red wall. On Tuesday I was able to finish up much of one side of the playroom. Yesterday I got paint to paint one wall at a time up there. I'm not going to change the color, sticking with plain "Builder Bone" for now, but it is in very bad need of touching up and I got a washable flat this time so I will just paint the whole wall with one coat after using primer on the dirtiest areas. The first wall to be done is the one we have had our white board hung on. You can imagine the stray marker marks and eraser dust that I need to prime over. Don't know if I'll get to that today since I MUST get the grading done and I have a 10 o'clock appointment with a CPA to look at taxes. Owning my own business means I need to learn how to deal with this stuff.
If I have time later in the day, I'll be back..............
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
A Project from B
I love to share projects I have done around here, but even more, I love to share the accomplishments of my children. B is a very accomplished knitter and crocheter. She has done some truly beautiful things. Her most recent was a blanket using the four elemental symbols (earth, fire, air, and water). These are actually related to a Disney show she loves. When she found the pattern online, she knew she had to make it. Here it is all spread out:
And here it is wrapped around her. You can see how HUGE this blanket is in this picture.
The project b completed before this one was an adorable little sweater for her cousin. Here is the cutest recipient, wearing the sweater:
And another bonus pic of my sister with her baby girl:
They are coming to visit this weekend and we are all SO excited...Come on Friday!
And here it is wrapped around her. You can see how HUGE this blanket is in this picture.
The project b completed before this one was an adorable little sweater for her cousin. Here is the cutest recipient, wearing the sweater:
And another bonus pic of my sister with her baby girl:
They are coming to visit this weekend and we are all SO excited...Come on Friday!
Monday, March 10, 2008
Mission Organization
This is my favorite HGTV show. They send a professional organizer into a disaster of a room and transform it into a beautiful and useful space. I have one of those disaster rooms. We are tackling this project but it will be a longer process for us than 30 minutes :).
We have a very large playroom upstairs that is open onto the downstairs. It has always been our school room... and sewing room... and playing room... and computer room...you get the picture. It is a great space and in the early years, we spent most of our day up there. Here are some pictures of it in it's better days:
In the last few years, it has fallen into disuse, partly because the kids are older, partly because we're on the go more now. We do school in the living room and kitchen, I don't have time to sew, and the kids' computer is the main attraction in that space now. The rest of the room has become mostly storage. And it has been so long since I purged the curriculum and toys, that it is now just a cluttered mess. Well, at least it was until this morning. I made boxes and signs for all the categories and lined them up against a wall. Then I had the kids come in shifts of boys vs. girls, working 15 minutes at a time to sort, clear and pick up the room. we have totally filled our outdoor trash can. (It's a good thing our garbage truck comes tomorrow.) We took down an 8 ft table that held the computer and replaced it with a much smaller desk. The floor is mostly clear, but there are boxes of things to sort all over the place. Lots to donate.
The plan is to totally change the purpose of the space. I am moving the last of the true toys to W's room, since he is the only one who really plays with them anymore. The side that was for toys will now hold the computer, a TV, the Wii game, a couch and other things to make it a cool teen hangout. The school side will still hold our curriculum, but it will be condensed to make room for my sewing machines and the craft supplies. Books will be pared down, yes, and even fabric. I am moving the sewing machines to the windows to provide better lighting.
Don't worry, I'm documenting the whole process with my camera and will share pictures, but not until the whole project is done. I'm too embarrassed to share how bad it looked until I can share how much it is improved.....
Just stay tuned.
We have a very large playroom upstairs that is open onto the downstairs. It has always been our school room... and sewing room... and playing room... and computer room...you get the picture. It is a great space and in the early years, we spent most of our day up there. Here are some pictures of it in it's better days:
In the last few years, it has fallen into disuse, partly because the kids are older, partly because we're on the go more now. We do school in the living room and kitchen, I don't have time to sew, and the kids' computer is the main attraction in that space now. The rest of the room has become mostly storage. And it has been so long since I purged the curriculum and toys, that it is now just a cluttered mess. Well, at least it was until this morning. I made boxes and signs for all the categories and lined them up against a wall. Then I had the kids come in shifts of boys vs. girls, working 15 minutes at a time to sort, clear and pick up the room. we have totally filled our outdoor trash can. (It's a good thing our garbage truck comes tomorrow.) We took down an 8 ft table that held the computer and replaced it with a much smaller desk. The floor is mostly clear, but there are boxes of things to sort all over the place. Lots to donate.
The plan is to totally change the purpose of the space. I am moving the last of the true toys to W's room, since he is the only one who really plays with them anymore. The side that was for toys will now hold the computer, a TV, the Wii game, a couch and other things to make it a cool teen hangout. The school side will still hold our curriculum, but it will be condensed to make room for my sewing machines and the craft supplies. Books will be pared down, yes, and even fabric. I am moving the sewing machines to the windows to provide better lighting.
Don't worry, I'm documenting the whole process with my camera and will share pictures, but not until the whole project is done. I'm too embarrassed to share how bad it looked until I can share how much it is improved.....
Just stay tuned.
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Family Game Night
It's finally Spring Break, and that meant a break from the Sunday night driving routine. Most of the school year, I make at least 4 trips to and from the church on any given Sunday. I'm not crazy about the routine, but they are so involved in their activities and I want them to continue those. But it does get old and on a night like tonight, when we don't have to do it...I rejoice!
We declared this a Family Game Night. We had a nice dinner of Salisbury Steak, Dill Potato Salad, and Cucumber Salad, rolls and Blackberry cobbler a la mode for dessert. Then, while we cleaned the kitchen, the girls set up Monopoly by a fire in the living room. We played until almost 11 PM, when a clear winner was coming through and we were ALL disintegrating into giggles. I sent them all off to bed after prayers of thanks for such a nice and FUN night together. They'll sleep well and wake up to the smell of Monkey Bread (recipe here) fresh from the oven.
I'm tired tonight, but it is a happy tired.
We declared this a Family Game Night. We had a nice dinner of Salisbury Steak, Dill Potato Salad, and Cucumber Salad, rolls and Blackberry cobbler a la mode for dessert. Then, while we cleaned the kitchen, the girls set up Monopoly by a fire in the living room. We played until almost 11 PM, when a clear winner was coming through and we were ALL disintegrating into giggles. I sent them all off to bed after prayers of thanks for such a nice and FUN night together. They'll sleep well and wake up to the smell of Monkey Bread (recipe here) fresh from the oven.
I'm tired tonight, but it is a happy tired.
A Sneak Peek
Wonder what I've been doing this weekend? Well, here is a peek. Hopefully this time next weekend, I can share the end result:
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Just Do It!
As promised, here is a very cool project you can do to pretty your space and be more organized at the same time. I looked at fancy cardboard boxes and some of them were upwards of $20! I couldn't see that, especially since I wanted LOTS of them. In cleaning out the closet, I found a bunch of sturdy shoe boxes, many in identical shapes. They are the kind with hinged lids, and are in great shape. It was a lightbulb moment for me.
Before:
After:
And inside:
This one holds office supplies. The other one holds banking supplies. Since I have a business, I have two sets of checks, deposit slips, a deposit stamp, and othe miscellaneous supplies.
This is how I did it:
You'll need a few supplies.
Spray paint primer
Sand Paper, fine
Spray paint in a color you like
Mod Podge or other decoupage medium.
Some fancy paper or tissue. I found a red toile set of tissues made just for decoupage that coordinated at Michael's the squares are about 6".
Sponge brush
Label holders (in the scrapbooking section), picture below
1. Spray the box all over the outside with primer, I use two coats for good coverage.
2. Sand lightly to remove the "cardboard" looking fuzz. It becomes obvious when the primer is on it.
3. One more coat of primer to seal; that cardboard really will soak up the paint and you don't want the "swoosh" to show.
4. Spray with your base paint one or two coats until evenly colored.
5. Let dry thoroughly.
6. Using Mod Podge and a sponge brush, coat one surface at a time and arrange the tissue or paper in a way you like. Tissue will be delicate once wet with glue, but has more give than a thicker paper. Let dry 15-20 minutes.
7. Apply layers of Mod Podge over tissue, allowing to dry 15-20 minutes between each. I used 3-4 layers. You can use more, but you might want to sand lightly after 4 or 5 if adding many. The sponge brush will leave a "grain" and you'll want to minimize that.
8. Once thoroughly dry, make a little paper label for your contents to fit the label holder. Here is a picture of the holders:
They attach with tiny brads, which went nicely through the front of my boxes. I used a labeler to print the labels and stuck them to pretty paper.
Fill and display. I am proud of these boxes and I'm now working on two more that will coordinate with these. If you try it, let me know.
Before:
After:
And inside:
This one holds office supplies. The other one holds banking supplies. Since I have a business, I have two sets of checks, deposit slips, a deposit stamp, and othe miscellaneous supplies.
This is how I did it:
You'll need a few supplies.
Spray paint primer
Sand Paper, fine
Spray paint in a color you like
Mod Podge or other decoupage medium.
Some fancy paper or tissue. I found a red toile set of tissues made just for decoupage that coordinated at Michael's the squares are about 6".
Sponge brush
Label holders (in the scrapbooking section), picture below
1. Spray the box all over the outside with primer, I use two coats for good coverage.
2. Sand lightly to remove the "cardboard" looking fuzz. It becomes obvious when the primer is on it.
3. One more coat of primer to seal; that cardboard really will soak up the paint and you don't want the "swoosh" to show.
4. Spray with your base paint one or two coats until evenly colored.
5. Let dry thoroughly.
6. Using Mod Podge and a sponge brush, coat one surface at a time and arrange the tissue or paper in a way you like. Tissue will be delicate once wet with glue, but has more give than a thicker paper. Let dry 15-20 minutes.
7. Apply layers of Mod Podge over tissue, allowing to dry 15-20 minutes between each. I used 3-4 layers. You can use more, but you might want to sand lightly after 4 or 5 if adding many. The sponge brush will leave a "grain" and you'll want to minimize that.
8. Once thoroughly dry, make a little paper label for your contents to fit the label holder. Here is a picture of the holders:
They attach with tiny brads, which went nicely through the front of my boxes. I used a labeler to print the labels and stuck them to pretty paper.
Fill and display. I am proud of these boxes and I'm now working on two more that will coordinate with these. If you try it, let me know.
Progress in the Bedroom
I'm so excited. My bedroom is coming along quite nicely. My new quilt FINALLY came yesterday, 3 weeks after I ordered it. See it here. It is a red toile with more of a floral pattern than the French country scene I wanted. That just wasn't to be found in my price range. I'll make some curtains out of that kind of toile in the summer, maybe Roman shades?
Anyway, I mentioned the desk area. Here it is, all ready for my blogging efforts and paying bills:
This was given to me by a friend who needed something bigger, but it meets my needs perfectly. I love all the cubbies and the monitor stand. Those boxes are my latest craft project and I'll share how to make them later today or tomorrow. They were very easy and practically free. That's my favorite kind of decorating.
Now that the quilt is here, I am off to Home Depot to buy paint! I'll be
painting the last wall tomorrow, then I can set up my new bed. Oh....I'm so excited....
More later...
Anyway, I mentioned the desk area. Here it is, all ready for my blogging efforts and paying bills:
This was given to me by a friend who needed something bigger, but it meets my needs perfectly. I love all the cubbies and the monitor stand. Those boxes are my latest craft project and I'll share how to make them later today or tomorrow. They were very easy and practically free. That's my favorite kind of decorating.
Now that the quilt is here, I am off to Home Depot to buy paint! I'll be
painting the last wall tomorrow, then I can set up my new bed. Oh....I'm so excited....
More later...
My New Relationship...
His name is Randy. He wears a uniform. His hands are usually greasy. He talks too much. But I still seem to see him about once a month these days...it's so bad he knows my name when I walk into my local Brake Check, and he even commented on how nice my new haircut is.
Seriously, Randy is old enough to be my father and happily married, but he's my brake guy...and I have had brake needs to be met.
Since last September, I have been in about every other month...new brakes...new shocks...new struts and strut mounts (I never knew what they were either until I had to pay $650 for them)....new pads-twice over again...and today...a new brake switch. WIll this never end?
I also had to get a new radiator at Aamco (felt somewhat unfaithful to Randy, but hey he can't meet my radiator needs). All told, I have about 50% brand new parts on my 8 yr old minivan. The bad news is it cost a small fortune. The good news is the vehicle has been paid for for some time. And the even better news is that all those new parts came with lifetime warranties. I'm driving this baby til it dies!
So, if you see me in my silver minivan driving around town, stop and wave. I brake for friendly waves.
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Funny things kids do
Two things happened today that just made me laugh out loud at my adorable children.
First, W tried to run away today. That may not sound funny but you have to realize that W is 7 years old and this isn't the first time he has threatened to run away. This time he came to me loaded down with two large stuffed animals, a tool kit, and a blanket. He came to say his goodbyes since he was indeed running far far away this time. What is it that makes his life in our household so miserable you ask? Well, this time I was asking him to sort his laundry and pick out outfits for the week. The horror of it---the abuse---can you believe any mother would ask that of her son? And before he plays with his friend, even.
Then, on a lighter note, I took H and R to Target tonight looking for a few things I needed for classes tonight. When we left it was almost 8 o'clock, well past sunset. I noticed H had her sunglasses on. When I commented on it, she said, "Mom, It's a style statement!" and left them on. Anybody reminded of a certain 80's song by Corey Hart?
That just goes to show you that unless you're paying attention, they just might run away on you, and even take YOUR sunglasses!
First, W tried to run away today. That may not sound funny but you have to realize that W is 7 years old and this isn't the first time he has threatened to run away. This time he came to me loaded down with two large stuffed animals, a tool kit, and a blanket. He came to say his goodbyes since he was indeed running far far away this time. What is it that makes his life in our household so miserable you ask? Well, this time I was asking him to sort his laundry and pick out outfits for the week. The horror of it---the abuse---can you believe any mother would ask that of her son? And before he plays with his friend, even.
Then, on a lighter note, I took H and R to Target tonight looking for a few things I needed for classes tonight. When we left it was almost 8 o'clock, well past sunset. I noticed H had her sunglasses on. When I commented on it, she said, "Mom, It's a style statement!" and left them on. Anybody reminded of a certain 80's song by Corey Hart?
That just goes to show you that unless you're paying attention, they just might run away on you, and even take YOUR sunglasses!
Monday, March 03, 2008
Whataweek
I needed a Whataburger, bigtime last week! I started the week with 3 kids sick. They were all still sick by the end of the week, and W had even ruptured his ear drum. He was in such pain, poor thing. After a morning in the dr. and the pharmacy, and 3 days on medicine, he is a new kid now. They are still coughing but all else is well.
In addition to that, I worked an extra day, subbing for a teacher in another location who does the same thing I do. I enjoyed it and she had done all the prep so it was much easier than my own days. It left me exhausted, though and one day shorter in my week.
Over the weekend, I worked in my bedroom, setting up a desk area. I had formerly had stuff upstairs, but didn't really work there. Papers were everywhere...lucky to find a pencil, you get the picture. Now I have a very nice area to work. I will share that later in the week, along with a cheap shabby chic storage idea. But right now, I had better go do some of that work for tomorrow.
In addition to that, I worked an extra day, subbing for a teacher in another location who does the same thing I do. I enjoyed it and she had done all the prep so it was much easier than my own days. It left me exhausted, though and one day shorter in my week.
Over the weekend, I worked in my bedroom, setting up a desk area. I had formerly had stuff upstairs, but didn't really work there. Papers were everywhere...lucky to find a pencil, you get the picture. Now I have a very nice area to work. I will share that later in the week, along with a cheap shabby chic storage idea. But right now, I had better go do some of that work for tomorrow.
Camouflaging the Toys...
Literally! I shared the little wooden box I made for W's cars. This box is bigger and was designed to hold his new army collection. He has trucks, soldiers, tanks...you name it. But it's bulky. This box was easy to sponge paint in camo colors and pattern. Again, spray with several coats of polyurethane to protect.
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