Library Set Up

Still "setting up" I added a 3rd row to our, thankfully very sturdy, bookcase and got our books organized.  I know I should be doing more outside work while it is nice and saving the indoor projects for a long winter, but since it has been 90*+ outside this past week, the coolness of the basement was very inviting.

Future Garage Widow?

And so it begins: insulating the garage. Now he can be in the garage warm & toasty. Hmmm, he'll still have to come in to eat so I'll still see him often! Lol

David's New Toy

We found this 2000 truck online for a great price and in pretty good condition. So we made a call, took a trip, met some really nice people, and bought their truck. The man we bought it from had to clean out the bed of all their fishing stuff because they weren't really trying too hard to sell it & were still using it on a semi-daily basis (good news for us). It's got a little bit of rust, but it is otherwise all over pretty good. We've had our eyes peeled for the past few months (years) for a good deal and we found it. Here's hoping it treats us as good as we will treat it. Welcome to the family -- Big Red.

Christ's Chore List

After doing some research, making an initial template, and trying it for a few months, I've finally temporarily finalized (yea, I said that) my weekly chore list. It's really helped me to not be overwhelmed on Saturdays and when I would try to do it all with the hopes of being able to relax and enjoy my family on the weekends.
I debated whether or not to blog this, but I looked at numerous other blogs, so I figure...why not post what worked for me? And actually, Elizabeth and I get most of our chores done in the morning before work so we can focus on dinner and walks w/ puppy after work.
Sunday:
Cut coupons
Make weekly menu
Empty compost buckets

Monday:
Shake out rugs
Mirrors & windows
Microwave
Groom Dog

Tuesday:
Garbages
Kitchen drain
Water Plants

Wednesday:
Dusting
Ironing

Thursday:
Stove top
Fridge – inside & outside

Friday:
Sweep & mop kitchen
Bathroom: sinks, toilets, floors
Water Plants

Saturday:
Laundry
Vacuum crevices of house
Scrub tubs & shower

Monthly:
Bathe dog
Wash dog's linens
Fridge drawers & door shelves

(I never dusted pictures before until I saw someone else post it. I then went to my pictures and saw what they were talking about -- ewww! Who knew picture frames needed to be dusted...I do, now.)

Last Weekend's Project

I forgot to post last weekend's project. I keep this online journal so that I can remember when we do things. It helps when I remember to post what we did. Our shed was just east to the garden, sitting on rotting boards and slowly sinking (thanks to previous owners). We tag-teamed it so that Dave would lift a corner and I would slide a cement block under it, doing one corner and one block at a time...praying the entire time the thing wouldn't fall on my husband or my dog. The next day we backed the trailer under the shed, put some 12' 2x4s on the trailer, and took the blocks out, one at a time, one corner at a time, to lower it onto the trailer. Drove the trailer w/ the truck onto the cement slab David poured when the garage slab was done (Aug '07). Did the block thing again, said prayers again, pulled the trailer out, and lowered it to the slab. Good teamwork, Babe! Now lets never move that thing again. (Funny, with the shed up on blocks, it looks like one of those redneck pictures you get on email. This would be labeled "redneck A/C". Not that there's anything wrong w/ rednecks.)

Bedroom #2 Complete

We FINALLY finished the yellow bedroom. It started out yellow and finished (more mellow) yellow, but with new walls, insulation, carpet & ceiling. It's Christi's room to do with what she wants. I'm slowing moving my stuff in and making it mine. Great job, Honey! We're a good team. What's next? :)

Gifts

I received two gift certificates for JCPenny's from my Mom and my Parents-In-Law. I bought myself new flannel sheets for my bed and three pairs of Cuddl Duds. They are the best long-underwear for women. I wear mine to bed, but they fit under all clothes without being bunched up. And for being so lightweight, they really keep you warm. I recommend them. AND, everything I bought that day was 40-50% off, plus another 15% with my coupon so I spent ~$66 and saved around ~$66. Happy Girl. Thank you Mom, Candy, & Gary! You've warmed me up for the winter!

We've Come a Long Way, Baby

Raspberry Wine

Before & after of our homemade raspberry wine.

How We Remodeled Bedroom#1

After the bathroom was done, we figured we would tackle the first of the spare bedrooms.

In the first picture to the left was the bedroom before. Spackled ceiling, blue walls with "clouds" & glow-in-the dark painted stars, and tan carpeting. (11/14/2007)

We chiseled off the ceiling & painted that and the closet white. We then pulled out the carpet. The walls were primed, taped, & painted. (04/12/2008)

David insulated & replaced the window frame. He used a beautiful wood that he worked hard at sanding, priming, & painting to smooth it out. See left.

Summer was spent on the garden & garage, so the bedroom stayed dormant until winter again. (02/14/2009)
Wainscoting was put on the walls and chair & crown molding that Dave & his Dad created was painted & put up. 03/07/2009


The doors were sanded, primed, & painted. We found that hanging a door is easier said than done!

The outside of the door was polyurethaned as well as the molding. (Pretty, huh?)

Medium Grey carpeting was installed on 03/28/2009

We already have a matching full bed, dresser, and desk that will be going into the room once they are touched up a bit. They are Christi's old bedroom set that need a little TLC, but we hope this room is warm and welcoming for our future guests!

How to redo Bathroom#1

We redid our bathroom. We took our time at it, but it was well worth the wait. The 1st picture is of David in the original bathroom (11/25/2007).
As you can see we scraped off the old painted-over wallpaper and re-mudded & taped the seams. He pulled down the textured ceiling & painted it.

We primed & painted the walls, pulled up the linoleum & put down cement board and laid tile (12/15/2007).

Eventually we added a wallpaper boarder, reinstalled the toilet and sink/vanity (12/19/2007). I sewed a new shower curtain & decorated; (1/3/2009).

How to Build a Garage

Click on pictures to make them bigger
First we picked the spot and had Bertram Co. dump & level dirt (08/03/2007)

Then it was the frame, foam, plastic, rebar , & tubing (08/19/2007) Cement work. Good job guys! (08/25/2007)

Next: the cement blocks around the perimeter, & then the framing (09/13/2008)
Take time to feed the hardworking crew! (09/13/2008)
Back to work w/ the trusses (the weather didn't cooperate & got a little drizzle) (09/13/2008)
Roof on w/ tar paper, and the outside walls being put on. (09/21/2008)
Weatherproof: house wrap, metal roof, sofeting & fascia board (Brown garage doors from the Overhead Door Co. ) (02/10/2009)It took 2 summers and major budgeting to complete. This summer will be siding.
Thank you everyone for all your help!

The Magic of Dawn Original Blue

1. Dawn Takes Grease Out of Your way! (Often used for wildlife birds in oil spills.)
2. Dawn Dishwashing Detergent Kills Fleas. (Wash your pet & their bedding w/ Dawn, it is much more mild then on-the-market flea & tick sprays. Remember...a little goes a long way!)
3. Dawn Repels Ants. (Dilute and spray on kitchen countertops. Kills ants if sprayed directly on them.)
4. Good For a Manicure. (Not only does it make the cuticles soft and easy to work with, but Dawn dishwashing detergent actually helps to remove the natural human oils in the fingers and the nails, thus making the polish adhere better to the nail and spread smoother.)
5. Shampoo Buildup? No Problem! (Shampoo w/ Dawn original blue to remove shampoo and styling product build-up once a month.)
6. Use Dawn As a Laundry Pre-Treater. (Lipstick is an oil based stain, as is grease, butter, motor oil, cooking oil, and some pen inks.)
7. Dawn Is Fun to Play With! (Dawn makes the best bubbles!)
8. Dawn in Your First Aid Kit? (pour Dawn dishwashing detergent into plastic baggies, seal it, and then freeze it, and the cold effect last longer than using regular ice)
9. Wash That Driveway. (Use a solution of Dawn dishwashing detergent & warm water to effectively remove excess motor oil from the pavement.)
10. Soak your Tools. (Soak tools in a solution of Dawn dishwashing detergent before you put them away to remove all the oil and grime from them. Also prevents rust!)