Project for the Beach Cottage Room....

Here I am, working on project after project

and truly enjoying my time right now.

My daughter and family moved out of my basement

(sad, but happy day for them)

as I was doing a look around

I decided the paint needed a little fix up in the bedroom. 

Project for this week, paint the top half of the bedroom.  I changed the color a bit, not nearly as intense of deep antique gold, but still the same feel Hope had established before when she chose the color.  Ready to reassemble the bed (which also received a fresh coat of paint), and put the room together.  

While yard "saling" the other day 

I discovered an antique looking knock off table.  

I am really excited to start this project 

because I am going to use it in this same bedroom, 

with an antique mirror above it 

and I don't know what else.

However, this is not what I am excited about.  

This is what I am excited about...

I found this at DI and thought it works for my plan. 

 A bit taller than an end table, has that rather cool second shelf and a drawer...it also is a nice rectangle in shape.

  Should work for the bedroom redo which is in my head, but not underway.

  Right now, I am gathering.  Gathering for me is fun, it is the time when I look for "things" which will be wonderful for the upcoming project.

(This happens to make my children crazy

 because sometimes I "gather" for years before the project ever gets started!)

After looking at the table for a bit, my son Chase determined it was an "abortion", just bits and pieces of who knows what knocked together into a table.  For me, I thought, "perfect".  Exactly what I want for my Beach Cottage Re-Do Master Bedroom Plan.
  
I started by stripping off the poorly applied black spray paint, runs everywhere and discovered the table was made from cherry wood.  It did have several "knicks" and "owies" however, so I filled them, then sanded them, wiped them down and painted the table. 

I even had a bit of coppery spray paint which I used to accent the "tips" of the table legs. Chase then informed me to put a layer of varnish on top.  This I did.  However, my varnish was rather old (as in extremely) so I now have the "interesting" glaze effect on my table.  The drawer was old enough I had to "dig" for the handle.  But, I think it really works.  The handle came from a re-purpose store.  OK, I know you want to know what the finished product looks like!  

So here it is...

My new nightstand for the Beach Cottage Room!

I think

 it looks

 rather nice

 and

 I am

 pretty sure

 it

 will be

 perfect

 beside my bed.

Now do you want to know about the cost? 

• Table $10
• Drawer Pull .50
• Ocean Breeze Spray Paint 3.27 x 2

• White Spray Paint 3.77
• Screws for the Pull .38
• Old Dead Varnish....no charge!

So, I spent a bit

Before, didn't even have a handle!

 over $21.00 for this way cool,

After, ready for the Beach Cottage Room

 gonna be absolutely perfect night stand!

If you were wondering about the legs

Spring Break?

Here it is Spring Break!

For years Spring Break was a time for two things...

skipping away for a mini vacation which would be unbelievable or

 cleaning out every single room the children inhabited.

  Dusting and polishing,

 tossing and putting away

 or basic cleaning and packing,

 planning and anticipating.

Not this year...

this year was/is enjoying time with Scarlet and Tyler,

 replacing the washing machine,

 Hope's Birthday

 and....Yep, that's right, not anything.

  I might fix Hope's pants today, I will be doing some more laundry,

 I would love to clean/paint something, but most likely not.

Hope is definitely

 having the most lame Spring Break ever.

  I think this is one of the things not so fun when you are the baby.

  

However,

 she could of just as easily messed up any vacate plans we had

 by getting a job.

  Hmmmmmmmmm, can I place the blame of non-plans onto Hope?

  Yep, I think so.

  No way can she start a job

 and then immediately ask for time off so she can vacate.

  So everyone, it is HOPE's fault we are at home. 

 I even thought perhaps we could do another quick trip to Vegas to finish up a few things.  But, honestly, no.  

I can't even fit in a quick trip with Hope to St. George.  

I could have yesterday,

 however, it was her birthday

 and I didn't want to "drag" her everywhere

 so she could complain years from now...

 (instead I wasn't here for breakfast,

 didn't see her at lunch,

 wasn't home when she returned,

 and said, "what? there isn't anything left over in the fridge to eat?")

  That's right, she did NOT have one thing made for her

 except a wonderfully colorful batch of cupcakes (thanks Brice and Erica)

 and then a sinfully delightful 4 layer stacked chocolate cake from Costco.

We did sing Happy Birthday however,

 she did complain

 it wasn't as painfully off key as it usually is.

Here we are,

 Happy Spring Break!

  Yes, we are staying at home,

 no we aren't "super" cleaning,

 and we definitely have no new projects going.

Rain and Cinnamon Rolls

So Sunday my girls start saying to me...

"Hey Mom, will you make cinnamon rolls today?"

"NO, it isn't raining"

"Can't you make them anyway?"  

Of course I can.  But, do I really want to make them.  Not really.  Occasionally I will make cinnamon rolls just because I want to.  Sometimes when someone asks, but usually when it rains.  I don't mean just a sprinkle, or maybe it looks like it might rain.  But when it really rains.  I love the rain.  If I feed my kids Cinnamon Rolls when it rains, perhaps they will learn to love the rain as well.  (What I really should do is make something special when the wind blows...however, I would be making something special almost everyday then).

When we came home, I went and looked at the weather site.  No rain for 5 days.  Ok, I am off of the hook for cinnamon rolls.  I made homemade fudge sauce to go with yummy homemade brownies.  A special enough treat.  Then my girls kept asking for cinnamon rolls...I replied with "is it raining?"

I actually thought to myself "I wonder if they will team tag it and grab the hose to water down the front/back of the house and tell me "See, it IS raining".  However, they didn't.  They just smiled and winked and every now and then grinned.  

Yesterday was a beautiful day, the sun was shining, birds were singing, no wind.  Completely lovely.  We played "ball" in the yard, did back flips, played tag, rode on bikes, jumped; some of us even picked up a bit of sun.

Late last evening I walked outside to let the dog out and to look at the stars for a bit...no stars.  In fact, the sky was a bit patchy with clouds...quite a few of them.  Hmmmmm.  And of course I think of the grins, and smiles, and knowing winks I caught glimpses of earlier in the day.

This morning I get up to let the "needy" dog out, as I am letting him out the front sidewalk is a bit wet.  I think to myself, "so who was the wiseguy that watered down the sidewalk?"

I look a bit closer and that "wet" goes all over the sidewalk and porch.  Not only that, but the road has a glistening shine of "wet" as well.

Those darn girls prayed for rain so we could have cinnamon rolls.

  No, it isn't raining like I usually require...the clouds aren't imminently ominous and hanging dark and heavy and low.  But, rain was the requirement, rain was plotted and planned for and here I am....on my way to make cinnamon rolls.

Money is Money...

I recently read a post on FaceBook apologizing...

 for paying someone in dollar bills.

I am a firm believer in Money is Money.  Whether it happens to be dollars, hundreds, quarters or even the dreaded penny.  I have been to stores where you have to actually recount your change back to the cashier so they will take your "change" as payment.  Whatever happened to Money is Money?

We can look at money in so many different ways.  If you have none, a dollar bill is a treasure.  For some reason guys would rather pay for a 25 cent item with a five dollar bill, then they have 4 single dollar bills, and change.  The change is then carried home and dumped into the never ending change bucket, being saved hopefully for "something" special.  The singles might stay in their wallets, but most likely will not ever be spent.

Ladies, think about it...how often does your hubby count out the exact change to pay for something?

  Rarely, I think it has to do with the male ego.  Me...I am probably just the opposite, I am always trying to pay for everything with the smallest I have, if there is extra change floating around in my purse, I am wanting to spend it.  

Change is heavy and it hurts when you get hit with it, and it pulls your shoulders down when you are carrying it and it makes your purse break.  These are just a few of my whines about change.  

Think about dollar bills, come on just for a bit...If you have a 20 dollar bill in your wallet and you have 20 single dollar bills in your wallet and the item you are purchasing is 18 dollars what are you going to use to pay for it?  I can almost promise, not 18 single dollars.

  It takes a lot longer to count those single bills,

 they take up more space in your wallet as well. 

 You have seen those rolls of money people carry around?  You bet, single dollar bills with a couple of larger bills on top, just to look important.  

Today, I paid for my lunch with single dollar bills.  When I was done, I looked in my wallet and realized...

Gee, there isn't as much money in there as I thought there was.

A few years ago, I came to the conclusion...

Ten dollar bills weren't being made anymore...or there was hoarding or maybe a run on ten dollar bills.  For about three weeks, every time I paid for something I used a  20.  (Not normal for me, but I did have a plan).

  For those three weeks whatever change I received back was not a 10, I would get 2 fives or even 3 fives, but not a 10.

  I actually started asking for 10's.  I was certain there was a conspiracy to stop manufacturing 10's.  When I asked for a ten...

the clerk would look at me with a "dumb" look on their face.  (I secretly decided they had never learned to count by tens).  It was almost as if they didn't know how to change the "change" to include a ten, and then I would hear....

"ummmm, I really am kinda low on 10's, you don't mind do you?" 

 So much for my "what happened to the 10's quest".  Next time you are getting change, stop and look and wonder...could they have given me a different grouping of money?

Then I do sometimes think it could also be a "higher" plan from my children.   You know, they need some money for whatever it is they are doing, a 5 doesn't really cover the need, and no way are they going to be "embarrassed" by counting out a bunch of ones...

A 10 would do the job, but because of $10 hoarding, there is not $10 in your wallet, reluctantly....out comes a $20. 

 Bless it and smell it and touch it one last time because not only will it be the very last time it will be seen, there will never, ever appear a drop of change from that $20.  Definitely a teen age conspiracy.  

So perhaps not being able to count by tens is an act put on by all of the young cashiers in the country today to enable a larger bill to become available for all of their friends to enjoy?  Perhaps they split the profits or take turns in requesting or who knows.  Me, I think I would be thrilled to just have a dollar bill to treasure every now and again.

Something to think about...

As I quickly scanned through the FaceBook  "stuff"

 I noticed a friend had said,

 "Hey, watch this, it's amazing".

Usually I don't,

 but for some crazy reason....I did.

Now, I am one to put my tree up in October or Early November,

 I love the holiday season.

  I truly enjoy the feelings which come to mind at this time of year.

  I like focusing on giving.

I like thinking of others and things which they might enjoy.

  I treasure the yummy smells wafting through my home

 as I bake and stir and create.

I find great Joy in the unexpected drop ins, 

planning parties, working on gifts, listening to music and so much more.

  I love the way my family all of a sudden

 starts thinking of things to do when we get together.

But, enough rambling,

back to the post from my friend...

Yes,  I clicked.

  Yes, I thought...

Yes, I was touched.

  But, what really comes to my mind is this.

  How is it you can take a huge mall full of frenzied shoppers,

 people who would just as soon push you down to get that "perfect item", ones who grumble while they wait in line,

 and seem to have perpetual frowns...

 and

 get them to pause for just a moment.

Yes, 

a flash performance of vocalists.

  I love it!

  One begins and then others join in and then more and more.

  I wonder how they practice

 because it all just seems so perfectly suited to the location.

  But, what I enjoy most

 is the shoppers/watchers who join in.

  Tell me,

 how amazing is that?

As the camera scans the crowd of "watchers" 

some of them are singing as well!

  Folks just don't seem to remember

 why is it they are shopping.

  And this "flash mob" caused a huge group of shoppers

 to pause in their hurry and reflect. 

 Awesome and amazing and fantastic.

Once again, thanks friends for sharing...little moments.

Pajama Pants

Such a funny thing....several years ago 

(like maybe 2 or 3) 

I told my friend Marilyn...

flannel pajama pants will be my legacy to my children.

  They will be cleaning out stuff

 (which they haven't yet burned)

 and discover a little pile of pajama pants.

  Pajamas tucked here and there which I made because I had to and then hadn't gotten around to giving them yet.

I had been pulling out flannel for a project 

every piece was just a bit too  small, yet

too big to throw away.

She laughed

 and we giggled

 and that silly thought

 has been niggling about in my brain...

Pajama pants.

  For birthdays this year I made Pajama Pants,

 for everyone

 (I still have a few to make),

 but I pulled out flannels,

which I already had and made Pajama Pants.

Necessity, the mother of invention.

Some of the pajamas I knew would not be favorites,

 but they made me smile as I made them

 as well as have caused the occasional giggle every now and then...

  Some I fretted over

 and worried 

Just for Tia

and others I just made!

Well the other day I had/have a special order for 4 gowns which need a bit larger piece of flannel for each.  I was determined to find the flannel

which would be perfect, of course,

 in my flannel stash...I have an entire box full of flannels for the holidays.

  I knew there would be

 just what I needed in there  and

I remembered an extra large piece with snowflakes...

I got down on the floor

 (does not happen very often

and dug through this holiday flannel box.

  As I was digging I would pull out a piece,

 perfect..

Then I would open it up

 to discover it was not nearly as big as I needed it to be.

  Frustrating would be the most applicable word right about now.

Then, I started giggling

 as I thought of all of the pajama pants

 I could make out of these bits and pieces of flannel.

  Not big enough for a gown or a pajama set,

 not the right type of print for an accent piece or a way cute sleeve?

 Done,

into the pajama pant pile it went.

  I then took the pile to the big table, and

 cut out 14 pairs of pajama pants.

Most of them are a size 2 to 3, I do have a bunch of 1's, and there is not too many 4's or 5's and definitely no 6's.

  The scraps were tossed except for the pieces which I cut 2 1/2 inches wide for a Christmas Quilt which

 is swirling around in my mind.

My box is no longer overflowing,

 I have a stack of flannels cut and ready (of course, I will need tons more) and pajama pants have been made.

Does anyone remember these?

The funny thing is,

 while I was digging and  looking

I ran across a couple of pairs of pajama pants already made... 

and then I found a couple more which were almost finished.

   Smiles and giggles and

 a secret bit of joy...

I wonder if my kids would like fun pajama pants again this year?

Male Free Home

What to do when Hubby isn't home?

During the day,

 this is easy...

everything you usually do because Hubby isn't home during the day.

Me, I got up and made a batch of cinnamon rolls for the "BOYS",

 cooked a breakfast,

 fetched a few things,

 packed a bag with a malfunctioning pillow,

 and forgot to pack a towel.

Smiled, and waved, and sighed

 and off the "BOYS" went.

To George I went,

 gathering supplies for the "BOYS" for when they come home,

spent a bit of time wandering around

 looking at what I was interested in,

 at stores I don't usually go to,

 and came back home just in time to get Hope from school.

Actually, quite a lovely day,

 doing some things I like to do.

Put up my feet and relaxed for a bit,

 read in a book for a minute,

 looked at  the clock and

 got "cleaned" up.

Erica and Scarlet and I went to George.

  We left at 5.

  Stopped and got our toes done.

 Happy Mother's Day to me, thank you so very much Erica and family.

  My toes are now a nice deep red.  They are ready for my new sandals Hubby gave me for Mother's Day as well.

After toes, we went out to eat dinner,

 Erica was starving...

As we were finishing dinner it was an,

 "OK, now where do we want to go?" moment...

The list is endless,

 everywhere we don't like to take our children shopping.

  So, this was basically an Erica decision

 as the rest of our party was without children responsibility at the moment (Hope had 2 different evenings planned without us,

 unfortunately, both cancelled and she could have gone and played with us).

We went to Target`

 and to Old Navy.

 We were on our way to the mall

 when we realized 9:30 was a bit late.

   A quick stop for gas and

 another for salt and we were home.

  A night out with a few of my girls

 and home a bit after 10:30.

  I didn't even have to go to Vegas!

Temple Walk 2012

22 Mile Stroll

Yes, we did it, 22 miles through the barren dessert, through the sand, through the wind, through the dirt, through the town, and through the streets.  We walked in the dark lit by truck headlights, we walked led by flashlights and headlamps and Sister's voices.  We followed footprints in the dirt and watched for the porta pottie marking our passage.

We chatted, and discussed and commented ...and we thought.  We munched and crunched and trudged.  Some walked backward, some walked forward, some jogged and some jogged here and there.  Some sprinted to the finish line with smiles of joy on their faces.  And some, even rode for a bit.  But, all finished!

Who would have known what a fantastic experience this was to be?  The path was marked with signs telling us how much farther to the finish.  In between were thoughts, scriptures, and statistical facts.  All things to ponder on as we walked and watched  for the next marker.

It was interesting how we began to look forward to the porta pottie in the distance. This gave us a physical statement, we had accomplished another segment of the 22 mile stroll.  As we started in the dark, we had in our mind where we were heading, we had a vision of our end goal.  So we walked.  Just for fun we stopped and turned off our lights and looked at the night sky...we also looked directly around us and realized we were alone.  Beautiful night with Sister's voices murmuring in the distance.

Then a little more than half way we were rewarded with a vista, our goal was now in sight!

Some of us finished with blisters, some with killer knees, some with sore toes, and aching calves, and shins which would not quit.  Some were nonchalant in their aches and pains, and a few of us were without physical pain.  However, I feel all of us have an inward smile of "Yes, I did this".

As one sister commented, "You know, it's kind of like child birth....hard while you are doing it.  But, you kind of forget once you get there and can't wait to do it again."

 

So just what have I been up to???  I would love to say something terribly amazing, however...this is the List!

• Trying to reclaim the shower so it may be used
• Helping Scarlet with a blessing gown
• fixing a formal for a friend of Hope's
• finishing Hope's formal so she can wear it
• washing dishes
• washing clothes
• planning a 22 mile hike
• playing with grand-kids
• helping dad
• helping dad some more
• playing spider solitaire
• looking things up for dad on the computer
• finding parts
• driving around
• watching a few games
• watching a $3000 week houseboat trip never get bid upon
• lending supplies
• finding new patterns
• thinking about Yosemite
• talking with my family
• driving Hope everywhere
• working on a 22 mile hike
• watching the last of the NCIS season we own
• buying pink flannel
• thinking about making over my bedroom
• and the bathroom
• and the kitchen
• and the....
• trying to put Tia's room back together
• going to meetings
• taking pictures
• reading blogs
• catching up on facebook
• and a gazillion other things I just haven't mentioned.

No More Drippy faucets, more like running faucets...

Please notice that small circle thing-y, this was my problem

This was my Monday project, I thought to myself...

"Self, I have had it with the crazy shenanigans we have to go through to turn off the kitchen faucet".

So, I turned the water off to the house, pulled the kitchen faucet apart (a call to Grandpa for back up), went to Ace, and came home with the repair kit for the kitchen faucet as well as a replacement cartridge for the family room shower, and a special tool.

You know, that shower has been dripping for so very long we just have stopped using it.

Call Grandpa and verified my procedure, a while back when he was visiting he talked me through the kitchen repair,

"Remember to use Vaseline!"

Which I did, in all took me about 30 minutes, including the trip to Ace.

Next, on to the shower faucet..

Tyler had already taken the handle off, I already turned the water off to the house, so I used the handy, dandy, tool Ace loaned me and pulled that problem out.  Just like pulling a tooth, no problem.

Then, I looked at the replacement part and it was different than the part I had pulled out.

Hmmmmm, another trip to Ace (I had to return the tool) and I did a quick exchange on the cartridge.  Back home I went, Vaselined the cartridge up and went to slide it into place.  To no avail, it wouldn't go in.  There was a part of the cartridge still stuck in the pipe/faucet.  Some of the cartridge came out with a little coaxing,

however there was a large chunk that just had to stay in there.

Ross came to give me assistance, we heated it up, drilled it, scraped it, dug around on it, still, no success.

Well Ross was busy with other things and he said with a smile, "Keep on trying, just be careful with that hammer!"

Tap, Tap, Tap...  for two hours!

Still that blasted little piece of plastic was stuck in the pipe.  I went and had lunch with Hubby, came back and tap, tap, tap.

Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap.  I changed strategies with my hammer and my screwdriver, tap, tap, tap.

And something happened.  I took out the flashlight and peered through the pipe, the blasted piece of plastic had shifted, I could actually see it!  I dug with the screwdriver this way and that, and pushed the blasted piece back into place.  

No more tapping, I dug again with the screwdriver, flipped that crazy piece around again and grabbed hold of it with a paint can opener.  Plop, out it came!  "WhooooHoooo!" I shouted with glee.

Vaselined the cartridge up, slid it into the pipe/faucet and pushed real hard.  Thank goodness Brian was here, he came in and pushed a little bit and slid the "keeper" into place, then I finished installing the guards, and the handle and Scarlo turned on the water and no leaks!

No Drips!

And best of all, I had a 50/50 chance, Hot is hot and cold is cold.

A final call to Grandpa informing him it was done.  He told me he was just packing so he could come out and fix it for me, ha ha!

It appears I have an unofficial new job....

Going with Hubby!

Riding with Hubby!

Being with Hubby!

Who would have known

 changing Hubby's job description would include me?

This past week,

 I have been to the splash pad with "parts",

 gone to Purgatory so many times I have lost count,

 been to the diversion dam,

 out to the Ivins roundabout,

 gone to get cement,

 delivered lunch (repeatedly),

 been to school,

 attended a happy meeting,

 followed a moving piece of equipment (more than once),

 and have read in my book while I am "waiting".

I have become extremely adept at locating parts catalogs on the "net",

 have figured out some of the clues to what the part numbers really are,

 and then I can even call

 and ask for a part price by name

 or by number or by...

something other than than dohickey on top of the thing-a-ma-jig!.

Fun!!!  I wonder what next week will bring?

Happy Hatters Event

 

The Happy Hatter Social

What happens when you get together with a bunch of wonderful, fun women and direct them to a table filled with stuff?

 

 I wasn't quite sure

 how the ladies would respond to this part of our Social...

I pondered it a bit...

and we chatted as a committee...

and then decided we would give it a go.

 

So, on Wednesday morning

 I wandered around the house

 picking up this and that,

 I wandered into my sewing room

 and looked in all of my buckets,

 I picked up a bag full of tulle

 and stuff for hair bows,

 and grabbed the curling ribbon rack

then into the basement I went...

 

I looked into box after box

 and found a whole bunch of interesting stuff; feathers and pipe cleaners,

 beads and lace,

 lots and lots of ribbons;

 bits of flowers,

 parts for corsages;

 stuff left over from projects...

I also had purchased some colorful paper plates, pipe cleaners,

 and silly little party hats.

We covered a couple of tables

 and tossed all of this stuff

 into the center

 added a stapler,

 glue sticks,

 wet glue

 and hot glue...

Our lovely Day Care Providers

 Truly is amazing

 what can be

 created

 with

 a pile of stuff.

The sisters did this and that,

 some walked up,

 dug around a tiny bit

 and then walked away with a "hat".

 Others stared,

 some truly walked away with a "masterpiece", some had hats

 worthy of the derby.

 Definitely, a fun visit time activity.

We enjoyed a scrumptious dinner

Chicken salad croissants,

a delightful salad

 with walnuts, cranberries, and feta cheese,

the most refreshing fruit salad I have ever had, berries and grapes...yum.

And for dessert,

 all of our favorites...lemon cakes, creme puffs and brownie bites.

And of course,

 the required unbelievable

 collection of Chocolates.

We enjoyed some shared talents

 (thank you so very much)

Amazing displayed talents

 (and truly, what a selection of talent)

And a fantastic speaker.

Great evening.

Oh yes, 

I forgot 

and I went home

 with a few less boxes of stuff!

With a bit of string,

 some watered down glue,

One was enough for Hope, she didn't care for "sticky fingers"

 small water balloons

 and a broomstick

Hope and Kate

 we gathered 

for a very quick 

"project" 

for Easter.

Erica and Scarlet

   

Yarn Easter Eggs!

The stage 1 finished project

What I was in the middle of--Grandmama's Cheesecakes!

Thank you Scarlet

for figuring everything out 

ahead of time 

and so we had an "expert" 

to teach us.

Can't wait for tomorrow to see

how everything turns out!