Redoing It - with DIY and PSE

Love Letter to Cameron’s

2012-02-03T15:58:00.001-06:00

Dear Cameron’s,

I love you.

Over the years you have filled my home with so many lovely things. Here, only a few of the favorite things in my home that you have provided for me.

Table and picture
.

Table and lamp.

Chairs, Ottoman, Table and pillows.

Sunburst Mirror

Springtime Door Swag

Bookcase (our first “big” purchase!)

Desk and picture

Lovely adornments on our Dining Room Buffet.

Cabinet, vase, arrangement and rectangular plate.

I can’t consider going to Downtown Lees Summit without stopping by for a visit.

Every time I see you, you make me happy.

When I am away from you too long, I miss you.

Cameron’s, will you be my valentine?

Wreck survivor Jacob Fischer now beats expectations every day - KansasCity.com

2011-12-29T16:29:00.000-06:00

I have been MIA for quite some time. A surgery (of which I am fully recovered!), work, family, etc. You know how it goes.

But I had to share this inspiring story about the son of one of the sweetest, strongest ladies I have ever had the pleasure to work with.

Wreck survivor Jacob Fischer now beats expectations every day - KansasCity.com

Have a wonderful and blessed New Year!

DIY Fabric Headboard

2011-10-06T09:29:00.001-05:00

We loved our headboard. But in our Master Bedroom is this weird niche in the wall, and it just seemed awkward and weird. It was time for a new mattress, so we decided to move this bed to the guest room and get something new that was lower than the bottom trim on the niche.

Once that proved impossible, we tried the bed without a headboard.

That was a little too dorm room for me, so we decided to make a headboard out of fabric.

It’s a subtle difference, but a very important one, and now the hole makes more sense.

We got fabric, 2 inch dense foam and batting from Joann. All on sale. We had talked about tufting the piece, but because it would be covered up, didn’t want to go to the trouble. We wound up finding this great fabric that has a tufted look.

First, we laid out the fabric and foam and then cut the fabric roughly 5 inches bigger than the foam.

Next we cut out the batting to the same size as the fabric

Then, we got a plywood board from Lowe’s (around $7) and cut it the same size as the foam.

Next, we used spray adhesive to attach the foam to the board and then layered it up. Fabric, batting, foam and board. And then stapled everything together: just like recovering a seat cushion.

The finished product.

Then, using Flush Mounts, we hung the headboard on the wall, making sure it was level.

The entire project cost about $75 and took about 3 hours from start to finish. It looks and feels great. I would do this project again and do it on a larger scale if there wasn’t a big hole over my bed.

DIY Outdoor Curtains in One Day for under $70

2011-09-21T12:12:00.001-05:00

Under the deck we have a patio, which is a perfect place to sit except for a couple hours in the evening when the sun blares in. We loved the look and practicality of outdoor curtains, but not the price.

After a trip to Lowe’s, less than $70 and an afternoon, we wound up with these.

For the actual curtain, we used painters drop cloths attached to clip-on curtain rings. The drop cloths are pre-hemmed canvas that come in a variety of sizes and weights.

Here’s how we did it.

For each curtain we used

2-floor flanges
2-90 degree street elbows
length of pipe

We screwed the street elbow onto the pipe, then screwed the floor flange onto the street elbow

Before attaching the second floor flange, we slid the curtain rings onto the pipe.

Next, we determined how high we needed the rod to be. We did not want the curtains touching the patio or the ground.

Then, Ryan attached the rod to the outside of the deck, making sure it was level. We chose a shorter rod, because we only needed the curtain to be 4 feet wide to give us the sun blockage in the afternoon. This set up is strong and sturdy enough to support a much longer pipe. You could do chin ups on this bar (…you could, I can’t.)

After the rod was hung, it was a simple matter of attaching the fabric to the curtain rings

and then putting in some brass cup hooks for the tie backs.

They’ve been up for over a month now and are doing very well. We’ve had some big winds and thunderstorms, which they have been fine through. Unfortunately, they have been getting regularly watered by the sprinklers recently. There is a bit of mildew on them, but nothing horrible. I plan on bringing them in this winter. I’ll give them a good bleaching and treat them with a water repellant spray before rehanging them next spring.

Not only can we open them up to block the sun, we like the finishing touch it gives to the space. A fun and easy project!

Linked to A Bowl Full of Lemons and Wow Us Wednesday.

Growing Herbs in a Strawberry Pot

2011-08-01T05:25:00.002-05:00

I like using fresh herbs and have found growing the perennial sort pretty painless. I’ve had luck with Oregano, Sage, Thyme, Catmint and Chives in the garden. Easy-to-grow, I’ve just stuck these in the dirt and kept them watered. I’ve found regular Mint to be entirely too invasive, so will grow it in a pot.
For the Annual Herbs, I’ve had good luck using a Strawberry Pot on the deck. It takes up very little space and gives you tons of fresh herbs. But in the heat of the summer, I have some trouble keeping everyone evenly watered. Solution? PVC Pipe.

Start with a Strawberry Pot.

Cut a piece of PVC Pipe a couple inches taller than your pot and drill some holes in it. Also, with PVC glue, attach an end cap. (I didn’t do this the first year, and the water would just run out of the bottom of the pot.)

Stick the pipe in the middle of the pot and start filling with dirt. (If you like, you can use rocks or broken pieces of a pot for drainage at the bottom). Fill with dirt up to the first level of holes in your strawberry pot.

Place your herbs in the first layer of holes and then keep going. If you like, you can add slow release fertilizer and/or water crystals as you go. I also plant the identification tags that come with the herbs next to them in the pot. This helps me see what’s what. This part also gets messy; it can help to do this over an old bedsheet or towel to contain the soil.

When you water, just pour into the PVC pipe until it’s full.

Here is the finished pot two months into the summer. Kept right outside the kitchen door, I have easy access to fresh herbs all summer long.

Outdoor Furniture

2011-07-31T15:44:00.001-05:00

We got a great deal on outdoor furniture at Cargo Largo a couple of years ago. It’s comfortable, but I was tired of taking the cushions in and out every time rain threatened.

We shopped around for outdoor cushion storage, but could not find anything that was both the right size and the right shape. Solution?

Ryan made this.

Basic construction, using pressure-treated wood, we stained it black. Originally, we were planning on a mosaic tiled countertop, when Ryan got the great idea to do a poured concrete top.

Underneath the concrete is plywood. He build a simple frame using 2x4s around the edges, laid some metal mesh inside, mixed up the concrete and poured. After pouring, we beat on the edges in an attempt to get the air bubbles out and then used a screed of another 2x4 to level the top. After it dried, we sanded it smooth and applied concrete sealer.

The edge was not pretty.

To hide that, we got some mosaic tile from Lowe’s and tiled just the edges.

It’s turned out to be extremely functional, too. When working in the yard, it holds pots and tools. It also works great for entertaining, too-for drinks and food. And, of course, it holds cushions when it’s raining.

Technorati Tags: outdoor furniture,Ryan works very hard,cushion storage

Giveaway and Countertops

2011-07-29T11:43:00.002-05:00

I’ve learned so much from reading The Granite Gurus blog, and they are sponsoring another really cool giveaway.

As we’ve remodeled and redecorated the house, we’ve chosen different types of finishes for countertops. My all-time favorite is still the Silestone in the kitchen. (Some pics of the big project are here, here and here).

I love the look and feel of the product. It was very comparable in price to granite, and I just love how durable it is. The only maintenance involved is cleaning, and it still looks brand new. The majority of people that come to the house think it’s granite, which is exactly the look we were going for. That’s good, too.

Also in the kitchen is an entertainment Center/Bar, we had done at the same time.

The two smaller side countertops are Black Galaxy granite, and the higher middle countertop is wood.

This is one of my favorite pieces in the house. I love that it is a bar, but not too “bar looking”. In some of the older homes in our neighborhood there are bars in the Living Room…most of them wind up with that ‘70s vibe of polyester, ABBA, shag carpet and swingers…that’s not what we wanted. I hope we pulled it off.

In the Master Bath, we went with a mixture, too. (see some of the BEFORES here and here)

Crema Marfil Marble on the Sink Countertops and Baltic Brown on the Vanity-turned-Morning-Kitchen countertop.

I think the marble is beautiful, but I don’t love the etching of the surface. Even liquid hand soap left on overnight will etch the surface. And while I recognize that is the natural process, it’s not my favorite.
Which I do find interesting, because I enjoy the gradual “distressing” of a hardwood floor….?

The last countertop we’ve redone is the Family Room Bar.

We went with Granite down here, and it is beautiful. We had considered Vetrazzo Alehouse Amber, but at the end of the day, the price was right on the Granite. We use this space a lot: especially the kids. There’s a microwave tucked under the counter and a stove right around the corner of that arched doorway; it works really well when they need to “fend for themselves” for lunch or dinner. As such, the space does get a fair amount of abuse. It’s holding up great, but just doesn’t seem to have quite the same original “Shine” as the Silestone has maintained.

All that being said, in a heartbeat, I would do the Silestone in the kitchen and the Granite in the Bar the exact same way over again. Now, the marble in the Master Bath…? It IS beautiful, and if I was redoing AGAIN, I am not 100% sure I’d go with it again, but, I’m not 100% sure I wouldn’t either. So, there ya go!

Linked to Remodelaholic's Anon.

Late at Night While You’re Sleeping…

2011-07-28T17:43:00.003-05:00

We have tons of Poison Ivy in our yard. I’ve done a lot of work to keep it out of the proper landscaping, but in the untamed parts of the yard, I can’t keep it under control. When we moved in, even the professional landscaping done to the front of the house was full of the beast.

I have a fantastic reference book, Missouri Wildflowers by Edgar Denison. Regarding poison ivy, Mr. Denison writes “…either a vine with aerial roots, climbing high into trees, or a shrub to 10 feet (3 m) high.” Boy Howdy! When putting in our new composter, we discovered some of those aerial roots and the leaves high above. Ryan cut through them with a hacksaw and a few days later we discovered how high above that poison ivy could grow.

Check it out. I’ve red circled the dead poison ivy in the tree. It’s over 40 feet high!

Mr. Denison also writes that the fruits of the Poison Ivy, “white sticky berries (botanically drupes)”, are "relished by many birds.” The birds are going to have to do without in our yard.

I’m not Kidding Pool

2011-07-21T17:10:00.001-05:00

It’s always hot over at the Karmic Kitchen, but with this heat wave, Shamy was suggesting a solution to the oppressive high temperatures might be a kiddie pool full of ice, which reminded me of this:

When Tanner was about 3, we had one of those little hard plastic kiddie pools.

Ryan had set it up for him in the backyard, but there was too much sun, so he moved it to the front.

Tanner begs and begs Ryan to get in the pool with him. Ryan tries telling him that the pool just isn’t big enough, but Tanner will have none of that. After more pleading and whining, Ryan decides to get in and he squeezes into the tiny pool with Tanner.

Suddenly, Tanner scrambles out of the pool and takes off like a shot for the backyard. Literally seconds later and before Ryan can chase after him, our neighbor, the Blue Springs South High School cheerleading coach, drives by in a convertible Mustang full of high school cheerleaders, slowing down to point and stare at Ryan, sitting shirtless, beer in hand, in the kiddy pool in our front yard, all alone.

One of his proudest moments!

Fix for Blog Commenting with Google Account

2011-07-17T11:16:00.004-05:00

I haven’t been able to comment on Blogs in AGES!

My problem: I would type in a comment, choose my Google Account, which would take me to the Google Account log in screen, type in my User Name and Password, and then would be taken back to my comment. The comment would have been changed to read that I was ANONYMOUSLY posting. But I still would not be allowed to post my comment this way.

I Googled fixes to the problem and ran into tons of suggestions for enabling third party cookies, telling the blogger to change settings within their own blog, updating JavaScripting, blah, blah, blah. What worked for me?

Simple! When I got to the Google Sign in step, UNCHECK “Stay Signed In” Box. That’s it! Woo Hoo!

Let me know if that works for you.

Perfect Pergola

2011-07-15T14:51:00.005-05:00

Something was up with my Google Account, and I was unable to post comments on blogs FOREVER!

I’d type up my super witty, well written and intelligent thoughts and then be in some endless loop of User Names and Passwords, but TODAY, I found the solution. It feels so freeing!

And now that I’ve had time to figure out my comment-posting problem, I decided it was time to share our best summer project so far: a Pergola.

We added some patios, a sidewalk and landscaping a couple of years ago to the backyard, and there was this one spot where the hot tub is that was missing something. After much discussion, contemplation and wine to boost our creativity, we decided a pergola was the answer.

Never one to use a plan, Ryan started researching and found this inspiration piece. (I don’t have the source-if anyone recognizes it, I’d love to know to identify and try to thank these people!)

In just one weekend, it went from THIS

To THIS!

And THIS

To THIS!

We looked all over for some kind of template for the Ogee edges, but to no avail. I ended up hand drawing them on a piece of cardboard and tracing them onto the beams. AND Ryan let me use the scroll saw to cut some of them out. It was quite thrilling for me!

All in all, a relatively easy project, made easier with two people working on it, and we love it!

Linked to Met Mon.

Cameron’s has done it again.

2011-05-03T17:52:00.002-05:00

They have the coolest metal flowers! We got the vase, the flowers and the rectangular plate a few weekends ago at our favorite store. I have Negative ability to put together a florally arrangement, but these metal flowers were too cool to pass up on the opportunity to try again. Plus, we needed to brighten up this hallway AND had a perfect spot for the arrangement that had been there.
This is what we got!

good night, sleep tight

2011-04-28T17:51:00.001-05:00

As far back as I can remember, I hated going to bed. On any typical night, no matter how tired I was, I fell asleep between 1:30-3 AM. I’d toss and turn in bed, and when sleep alluded, I’d get up and do something: read, work, blog, sometimes even CLEAN. UHG!

Then, about 4 months ago, my doctor prescribed Ambien. It’s Fantastic! I now look forward to going to bed—sometimes as early as 10:30 at night! CRAZY! I am bright eyed, well rested and in a much-improved mood. It’s a wonder what 7-8 hours of sleep a night can do for you!

But I’ve been so stressed lately with so much to do, I’m thankful the Ambien has me well rested so that I can deal with everything…but then I realized, I am stressed and have more do to BECAUSE of the Ambien.

The Ambien has taken 3-5 hours of productivity away from me EVERY DAY!

No wonder I can’t get anything done anymore. I’m behind on my blog reading, haven’t had time to read any books, can’t remember the last time I dusted…but, maybe that’s okay…

I do love my Ambien, and it does love me!

Alas, poor Ryan has to work

2011-04-09T11:59:00.002-05:00

It’s supposed to get to 91 degrees today. I think the paper said the record was 80-something in the 1930s. wow.
Thus, while I should be working on my taxes today (I am so far behind this year), I will be out in the yard weeding and planting seeds and bulbs. But poor Ryan has to work, Tanner is at a campout for Boy Scouts and Harper is hanging with a friend. nice!
Here’s what’s abloom and agrowing right now.
Hosta – We got several two years ago at Blue Ridge Nursery. If you are in the area and even remotely like gardening, you should swing by. They have the largest selection of hostas in the KC area, and a fantastic garden. And some of the trees in that garden….just wow. It’s off Blue Ridge Boulevard in Raytown.

My peonies are coming up! I got these from my mom last year. They came from my Granny’s garden in Parthenon, Arkansas. My mom got them from my granny over 25 years ago. To me, that’s just one of the coolest things ever. (There’s also some variegated oregano growing in there, and I have no idea where that came from.)

Of course, the daffodils are blooming. I snatch these up when the bags of bulbs go on sale for under $1 or the spent plants are super cheap. There have been years when I get the bulbs in the ground in February and still get a bloom from them.

The Hyacinths. For me, second only in scent to the Lilac.

Can’t remember what these are called? Teeny tiny bulbs with teeny tiny blue blooms…Starts with SC, maybe? Scilla? yep. I just googled it. These were super cheap after season, too.

The Royal Star Magnolia in the front. It’s really lovely.

And the other weekend we picked up this Spring Arrangement for the front door at Cameron’s. I LOVE that place, and they have great prices!

And this lovely fella! We got a nice rain last night, and I’m hoping I can get these suckers out with the entire root intact. That’s my favorite!

Happy Weekending!

Family Room Foyer

2011-04-03T14:09:00.002-05:00

At the bottom of the stairs in the basement is a transitional space. Similar, in a way, to an entryway or foyer at the front of the house. Forever we had Tanner’s computer desk here and it was always a wreck, thus, your first impression when you got to the basement was UHG!
But now, since Ryan finished the Kid’s Den and all the crap is contained behind a door that can be closed, we decided to focus on making this area more welcoming. We moved the wine cabinet over, got two new chairs from Pier One, a table and lamp from Cameron’s and then some art on the walls and here you have it.
When you are coming down the stairs, now you see this. (It appears we have drank all the wine in the wine cabinet.)

Across from the cabinet you see this.

And we found these cool mirrors at Old Time Pottery. They were on sale for $7.99 each.
t
It’s got a retro feel to it that we both really like, and it’s nice to have a punch of color in our Perpetual Sea of Brown.

Diva Inspiration

2011-03-29T13:54:00.001-05:00

La Diva Cucina (shhh..I have the HUGEST crush on her!) posted this meal using Meyer Lemons. Next day, guess what? I’m at the grocery and, lo and behold, MEYER LEMONS. I knew it was time to try something new.

That night I (mostly) replicated the meal. I used boneless, skinless chicken breasts (because that’s what I had in the fridge) and baby carrots (because my local store does not carry rainbow carrots: in fact, I’ve never seen them before.) and then made Parmesan green beans.

I don’t know if my sauté pan will go into the oven, so I put everything into a casserole after the browning. (Plus, Ryan will do the dishes if I cook, so who-the-heck cares how many pans I use. Right?) I wish I would have browned the chicken more and got some more “carmelization” on the carrots before throwing it all in the oven, but it was FANTASTIC.

I must say, however, I was a bit disappointed in the lemons…I don’t think I could tell a difference between the Meyers and straight-up lemons? (Perhaps my palate was fatigued?)

Again, it was a great dish, and my family loved it, too. Thanks, La Diva!

Hola! Te amo, Mismaloya!

2011-03-23T19:51:00.001-05:00

Back from vacation with the family and it was fantastic!

We stayed at Barcelo, which is just south of Puerto Vallarta in Mismaloya. And it was fantastic. It’s in a little cove, next to a fishing/sell-you-stuff village and Riu Mismaloya, which means the River Mismaloya. super cool. About a 40 minute beautiful drive from the airport. We would go back again!

We left the house at 4:30 am on Monday morning in snow and ice and arrived in 81 degree Mexican weather, with the salty smell of the Pacific at 11:45. FANTASTICO.

After checking in, walking the resort, (similar to “walking the estate”, but much cooler than OUR “estate”) then eating a scrumptious late lunch from the buffet, we decided to swim until exhausted, ate some more and then crashed hard in our fabulous TWO BEDROOM/TWO BATHROOM room, with balcony overlooking the sunset on the Pacific Ocean.

The resort, service, pools, food, EVERYTHING was perfect!

Some pics from Day One.

The fam in the pool. That’s Harper, Ryan and Tanner. (don’t expect to see a pic of me in a bathing suit!)

We got some great underwater photos!

Here are some of the plants and a waterfall at one of the pools. There were waterfalls and tropical plants everywhere!

The swim up pool bar and then the jungle of the Sierra Madres in the distance. “Night of the Iguana” was filmed right next to the resort (Rest in Peace, Elizabeth Taylor – although she wasn’t in the film, but came to the site and stayed with Richard Burton at the time.) And very nearby in the jungle, Predator was filmed.

That’s the building our room was in. sigh…it was fantastic. The bathrooms (that’s right, I said bathroomSSSSSSSS) were tiled-floor to ceiling in marble, with rainhead, doorless showers.

This is ANOTHER pool, next to the pool with the swim up bar. It was built like a figure 8 with this tunnel, waterfall thing in the middle.

The sunset on our first night from our balcony!

Thanks, family! You guys were great! Let’s do it again next year! hah!

Adiós, amigos

2011-03-14T04:36:00.001-05:00

Espero que tengan una semana maravillosa.

Good Morning, Morning Kitchen

2011-03-12T14:24:00.004-06:00

Hello, Sunshine!

This weekend we FINALLY finished the Master Bath Remodel, which began in 2009.
We ripped out and rebuilt just about everything, but one project we just couldn’t seem to finish: the Morning Kitchen.

We started seeing Morning Kitchens, sometimes called Morning Bars, in Model Homes around our area about 3-4 years ago and immediately loved the idea. A small space in the Master Suite dedicated to a cup of coffee, some wine or champagne—and all without having to leave your own room. Like being at a hotel on vacation.

And, as our kids become teenagers, the idea of being able to shut and lock the doors to the Master and hide from them becomes more and more appealing.

Our Master bathroom has two sinks, separated by a bench on one wall. Opposite those sinks is a linen closet, then the shower, and then a Vanity. The Vanity is right next to the tub. The PERFECT place for a Morning Kitchen.

We really liked the idea of reusing the existing cabinetry—being both eco and cost friendly. And it worked out great that the original space, which was designed for a small chair or stool, was very close to the size of a small refrigerator.

First, we removed the icky, stained, formerly white, wood countertop, and replaced it with Baltic Brown granite. It complements the Crema Marfil Marble countertops for the sinks, and I knew I didn’t want marble on a countertop where I might spill wine or coffee.

We pulled down the big mirror and replaced the light fixture.

Next, Ryan removed the drawer above the stool/chair opening to give it enough height for a refrigerator.
We added some trim, painted the whole thing Black, ran an electrical outlet and there you have it. Good morning, Morning Kitchen.

I think we’ll keep coffee, a bottle of wine, bottled water and, of course, a bottle of champagne there. (we don’t really drink champagne, but won’t it appear to be sexy-sexy by the tub? hah!) I’m interested to see how much we will really use it. But, we would never have used the vanity as it was. AND, it would be easy to convert back to a vanity, if anyone in the future preferred it that way. Plus, it’s just cool!

Here are the BEFORE and AFTER photos. I had completely forgotten how bad it was.

I may be hiding out in here tonight…or for the rest of my life. If I never comment on your blog or post again, well, you know where I will be.

What Gran Gran gave me

2011-03-03T18:07:00.000-06:00

Work has been INSANE busy….I have to keep reminding myself that I love my job. And I do, but I am missing the bloggy world. I’ve only been able to visit 1-2 blogs each day, and then just for a quick look through. I have really been surprised at myself by how much I enjoy seeing what other people are cooking, fixing, creating or just doing. That sharing and connecting is really cool. Thanks to everyone that takes the time to share.

And, on to some sharing of my own! Ever since we finished the office, I’ve been looking for some kind of bookcase or something for one of the walls. While I was visiting my grandmother in Jasper, Arkansas, I saw this great piece she had stuck in the corner of her basement and was using for storage. I asked her if she would loan it to me, and she said YES!

But, alas, it wouldn’t fit in our car for the ride home. So, my super sweet mother arranged to get it the last time she was visiting and bring it to our home. How great is that!?!

It is in need of more work than I originally thought when it was covered with items in Gran’s basement. The original(?) finish is full of runs and uneven spots and then it’s faded and dinged in spots, too, but the size and look of it is EXACTLY what I wanted. And even better, now I have a project!. Ryan thinks we should paint it, but I’m really considering stripping it and staining it. I really like the current color, and was hoping some clean up and Liquid Gold would save the finish, but that’s not going to fly.

What do you think? Paint? Strip? Embrace the drips, fades and imperfections and do nothing?

Today

2011-02-13T14:56:00.001-06:00

Today we had these visitors at the bird feeder.

It was warm enough for Ryan to do this outside.

While this group created a frenzy inside.

I work with one of the best groups of people anyone will ever know in their lifetime. These ladies took an afternoon off to make meals for one of our coworkers as she starts her first round of chemo in her fight against peritoneal cancer.

They left the kitchen spotless, made 25+ meals for our dear friend Vicky and her husband John and even recycled!

The luxury of a heated tile floor

2011-02-09T17:18:00.003-06:00

Here’s comes another cold snap. The low tonight is supposed to be –3F, that’s warmer than last week’s –15F, but it’s still so cold.

Last year we completed the Master Bath remodel. (here, here, here and here)

BEFORE

AFTER

One of the improvements we chose to make when replacing the grody carpet with tile was to do heated floors. Initially, after researching our options, we had decided that heated floors were out of our budget. But then we found Warmwire at our local Tile and Stone Warehouse. It’s about 1/3 of the cost of the warming pads sold at Lowe’s, and the clerk there was also a contractor, and he explained the product and the installation with such knowledge and excitement, we were sold on the spot.

The cost for the Warmwire, strapping and thermostat all came in under $700. Ryan had already put down the concrete board and on a Saturday morning, we went to work.

The real trick with the Warmwire is you cannot cut it. You purchase the amount you need for your square footage and then lay it all out: difficult for the mathematically challenged (that’s Ryan and me). The actual installation was quite simple, but the first time we wound up with not enough wire at the end of the job, the second time too much, but then the Baby Bear time was just right! The closer the wires are together, the quicker the floor heats up and the warmer it will be. The guy at the store recommended 2.5” to 4” spacing, depending on what you are going for. We varied the spacing in some spots: putting the wire closer together by the sinks, where we would be standing and spacing it farther apart over by the morning kitchen and by the linen closet.

After installation, you tile right over it, encasing the wire in your mastic/adhesive. And because one break in your wire will destroy your project, we spot checked throughout the installation and the tiling process with a voltage tester, but never had any problems at all. That wire is tough!

Tough and Amazing. It feels great underfoot. It runs on a thermostat and works like a dream.

We asked the guy if we should install it in the water closet and he said “YES! and in the middle of some cold night, you will be sitting on the toilet and you will think of me.” And it’s happened!

It’s important to keep it the appropriate distance from the wax ring, but that’s close enough to warm the tiles under your feet.

Sometimes you’ll be standing in there and think to yourself that it’s not working. At those times, if you go to the linen closet, put one foot in and one foot out, it’s painfully clear (painful to the cold foot) that the floor is HEATED!

I would recommend this in anyone’s remodel. The Warmwire comes with a 25-year warranty, and if I had to do it again, I would have done it in the other bathrooms, too.

Linked to Remodelaholics.

Replacing and Centering a Light

2011-02-07T14:59:00.002-06:00

When we moved in, the main light in the Dining Room and the niche for the buffet were each centered on different parts of the room. And it drove me crazy. You can kind of see in this photo how the table is centered on the buffet, but the light is not centered over the table.

Turns out there is a bedroom immediately over this room, so we had no real access to the space in the ceiling. But, when we replaced this light

with this light in the entry,

I knew that when Ryan centered the Dining Room light, I wanted him to swap it out with the old Entry Way light.

This weekend, he went to work.

We moved the furniture, threw down some old sheets, took down the original Dining Room light and started measuring. After we decided where the new light would go, Ryan cut a new hole

When that was done, he used this from Home Depot.

It slips into the new hole and tightens (like a tension rod for a shower curtain) until it “bites” into the joists for support. The electrical box is then attached to it, pulling the wires from the old hole through the new.

We’d taken the light apart, too, for easier hanging. That sucker was heavy!

But not nearly as heavy as the replacement light in the Entry. Wow!

And we also used a medallion from Lowe’s so that we could hide the old hole. Much easier and cheaper than repairing the ceiling, and I really like the look.

And here she is all put back together. And centered at last!

My mom came by and was NOT blown away by the change, but I love it!

Linked to Savvy Southern Style

It’s good to be back?

2011-02-02T17:33:00.000-06:00

…sniff

We left THIS

Yes, that is the resort's private off-shore island. sweet!

And came back to this.

At least the birds got something to eat.

Now I just need to catch up on work and then on BLOGS!

ah, yes!

2011-01-25T15:10:00.001-06:00

Tomorrow morning we are leaving this….

For this!

See ya next week!

Kidz Den DONE!

2011-01-19T07:36:00.000-06:00

And they are loving it.

Well, it still needs some minor touchs, but that will come in time.

It’s a fully interior room underneath the Dining Room. It ended up about 12x11, and the storage space being about 4x11.

We let the kids lead the decorating, which led to this carpet from Big Bob’s.

And this wall.

Built in cabinet and desks allow just enough separation!

And then the fantastic storage hidden behind these doors.

Not done with the decorating yet, but that will come with time. It’s really neat in there, and the TV is hooked up so that you can either watch TV or a DVD, use the gaming systms OR use it as a computer screen and stream video. I feel very high-tech!

And it came JUST in time for all of the snow days we've been having. It's been the perfect spot for them to hang out, behind closed doors on snow days when their poor mother still has to work from home.

And I think it's going to be a very versatile room. We also set the wii in here, and it works really well. And the carpet squares are a perfect combo of warmth and functionality. It's going to work great doing double duty as a sewing room, too. (If the kids will share =-D)

See that little speck?

2011-01-17T19:54:00.001-06:00

That was the neatest thing about the Chiefs playoff game.

The stealth bomber flew over our house six times!

Kidz Den Almost Done

2011-01-10T05:02:00.000-06:00

The kid’s play/computer room is almost done. And they’ve helped with some of the design decisions.

Got the shelves in for the storage

Walls painted

And carpet squares installed

Ryan found some office chairs and some furniture off of Craig’s list. Still quite a bit to do, but it’s coming along.

I’m a Big Fat Cheater

2011-01-08T16:44:00.003-06:00

It’s true. If given the chance, I cheat.

I cheat at cards. I also cheat at crossword puzzles and Sudoku. I even skip to the back of the book if there is an especially suspenseful part to find out what happens; but, in my defense, I still read the entire book.

And, for the second time in my life I cheated where it really matters.

The first time I did it the kids were little.

I dressed them up in Chiefs gear and tried to get some good pictures around the Christmas tree.

Not my best work.

BUT, I had this cute picture of the kids from late summer where they both looked great, but not at all
Christmas-y.

So, I cropped Harper’s pink and yellow flowery wallpaper out of the background and replaced it with a picture I had taken of the Christmas tree.

That was in 2003.

In 2010, I had the need to cheat again.

We were able to go to Jamaica over Spring Break, and the kids really wanted to use some photos from then. In case you haven’t already caught on, it’s probably time to admit I am not the best picture taker in the world. If you would like a blurry, poorly composed, unflattering photograph of yourself, I’m your gal. Thus, and sadly, the photos either made the kids look great and the background look crappy or vice versa.

I took this photo of the kids by the elevators. And for ME, this is a GREAT picture!

And this photo from our balcony

Cut the kids out,

And combined the two in about 20 minutes.

Perhaps not Fake ID-worthy, but not a soul guessed.

Next year, I think I’m REALLY going to cheat. Who knows where we might wind up?

Go with the flow

2010-12-22T20:00:00.003-06:00

For the past 5 years, after seeing the matinee performance of A Christmas Carol at the Rep, we head to a Plaza restaurant—around 4 pm—put in our name and get seated within 45 minutes. This year, without thinking that we were going the SATURDAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS, we thought it would be the same.

Nope. At 4, we were told we would be seated at 9:45 PM. So, we headed south.

After a wonderful dinner at Accurso’s, we walk outside and it was SNOWING! We then went to Union Station and enjoyed the trains.

Found the kids’ donation bricks. (thanks Aunt T)

Headed downtown to see the lights there.

Then to Barnes and Noble for book shopping—our favorite!

The next morning, Harper and I made treats for the neighbors, which were returned 10- fold!

A very merry holiday outing! Thanks, family!

A Christmas Carol is Back

2010-12-18T08:20:00.001-06:00

Since 2002, we see the Kansas City Repertory Theatre production of A Christmas Carol at Helen F. Spencer Theatre on the UMKC campus.

If you are even the tiniest bit of a Scrooge about Christmas (you know who you are!) or if you just aren’t feeling the spirit, THIS show will knock it right into you.

Last year, the Rep chose a different route, and for one year only, did A Christmas Story – you know, the movie with Ralphie, the Old man, and the Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle. It was really good, but not the same. However, should it come to a town near you, it’s a watcher.

Happily, this year, like an old friend you love to see, A Christmas Carol returns. I’ve head rumors that there were some changes in store, but can honestly tell you, one doesn’t go back to the same play year after year to see something different. And I think the very smart and talented folks at the Rep know that, too.

After the play, we will join the crowds and head to the Country Club Plaza for some dinner, walking and Christmas light enjoying!

IF –and notice, that’s a BIG IF—I can get some decent photos of the family, I’ll post them, but here’s some photos from our first year.

Side note: I got in trouble for taking this first picture. NO PICTURES INSIDE THE THEATRE!

Merry Mantel

2010-12-15T07:14:00.001-06:00

Got the Mantel in the Living Room decked out.

Here’s the WAY before

And the WAY after

And the room all lit up at night

On the mantel hangs an ornament from my parents’ very first Christmas tree. It was hard to get a good picture because that thing is extremely reflective. But I think it’s so cool. And I’m not that great with simple Arithmetic, but I think that would be 1962?

Small Christmas ornaments are good things to hand down to your kids. Much better than large items!

Thanks, Mom!

I miss the Cookie Tree…sort of…

2010-12-12T18:17:00.001-06:00

When the kids were younger, we would always make salt dough ornaments each Christmas and hang those on the Christmas Tree in the Kitchen.

This is one from 2002. We'd always do their hands and my plan was to save them each year. Sounds really cool, but after a few years we got a literal interpretation of “how the cookie crumbles.”

Last year the kids had ZERO interest in making the cookie ornaments; a bittersweet moment for me. I tried to focus on how we did do this for so many years and how much fun we had each time. Also, I didn’t fool myself into remembering only sugarplums and gumdrops…I remembered the mess and the fights, too! Plus, it’s just not really the same anymore; they certainly don’t need my help at all for this project. Still, I am going to see if they have any interest while on Winter Break, but I’m not holding my breath.

Now, with no cookie ornaments, the Kitchen tree is filled with the collection of Hallmark houses and shops my mom got for me year after year, until SHE got tired of that tradition.

The ornaments are fantastic; like dollhouses, they are finished inside and out, with so much detail.

And, I got the Hearth Room mantle decorated. It looks very nice at night with the candles all lit, too.

Now, with Harper’s help, we have 66 cookies to make for a cookie exchange for tomorrow.

Okay, I should say, with MY help, Harper's making 66 cookies--I am so not a baker.

Thanks, girlfriend!

Holly Jolly Memories

2010-12-10T16:23:00.002-06:00

I do love Christmas. The hustle and bustle. The lights and glitter. The shopping and anticipation. And the food! I even love the crazy mean folks. They make me feel so good about myself!
One thing I really love is our big tree in the Living Room. It was a hand me down tree, given to us by our dear friends Bob and Stacey. It’s 9 1/2 feet tall and takes a good 3 hours of solid work to get it put together, and that DOES NOT include any decorations.

Ryan would also want me to point out that it has to be stored in two 5 x 5 x 4 foot tubs, which do not include the stand and two metal poles.

ohhhh…but I do think it’s worth it.

Especially at night when it’s all lit up.

Plus, it’s filled with some of my favorite ornaments. We collect them when we are on vacation.

What we get is not always a Christmas Ornament, but just something we can hang on the tree

As we hang each one, we talk about all those special memories.

Some other favorites are the wood ones made by Hallmark from the previous year’s Mayor’s Christmas Tree, which is on display at Crown Center–also the home of Hallmark.

For several years, when the kids were younger, we’d take the Amtrak from our town to Crown Center (about 20 mins by car and about 1 hour and a half by train!). We’d shop, eat pizza, go swimming in the outdoor heated pool (really cool when it’s snowing), then eat candy, play games and spend the night. It was such fun and a great start to the season. And we’d always pick up that year’s ornament, too.

We’ve also got some that are pretty, just to be pretty. But with all of them, I think this one is my favorite. It hung on our family’s tree when I was a child, and I remember looking at it at night, when the tree was alight and thinking it was the most beautiful thing ever.

All these memories may be the main reason I love Christmas so much.

Christmas-fying in the Living Room

2010-12-07T05:42:00.001-06:00

I really enjoy decorating the house for Christmas, and I really like being able to use stuff we have around give it a holiday twist.

This is a table from Cameron’s in it’s everyday-ness.

For Christmas, I added some wide ribbon as a runner (much cheaper than buying a runner and MUCH easier than making one) and some other decorations. Then, I stuck a ribbon and some bows and poinsettias from the Dollar Store in the tree thing that was already there to make it look more festive.

On the other side of the room is this planter. The feathers and greenery are in it year round, but for the holidays, I stick the extra poinsettias in it, too.

And another super easy decoration is hanging this little pillow on the armoire.

Easy stuff! My favorite!

Kid’s Art: Part III

2010-12-05T06:48:00.001-06:00

Found a frame to hold photos on super sale.

We took a picture of a daisy in the yard and recolored it with some free photo software on the PC then printed the pictures and stuck in the frame! Super easy!

Linked to Fabulous Friday Finds.

Ugly to not quite so ugly

2010-12-02T06:00:00.000-06:00

Ugly Fireplace

Ugly Fireplace after doors removed, cleaned, brass painted black and then put back on

Trust me on this one….big things are in this fella’s future!

Happy Birthday to Me and a Trip to the DMV

2010-11-30T05:36:00.001-06:00

Yesterday was my birthday! One of my most favorite days of the year because I am a little bit selfish that way. And, it’s true. I completely love a day devoted to ME!

But, my driver’s license expired yesterday and while the DMV had generously given me over 6 weeks to renew, I put it off until the last day.

So yesterday morning I wake, shower, fix my hair, get dressed and apply makeup. I know it’s only a driver’s license picture, but I will have it with me for the next six years.

After a bit of trouble actually finding the place, I arrive

And it was pleasantly uneventful. I took my yellow ticket – number 48. They were on 46 when I got there. About 15 minutes of waiting I get called, pass my test, get wished a Happy Birthday, take a lousy picture and head out.

And guess what!?

Sadly, I can't pee at the DMV.

But I can try my luck at winning an awesome toy in the CLAW MACHINE!

Harper’s Gingerbread Shelter

2010-11-29T07:16:00.000-06:00

Harper has been volunteering at our local animal shelter for the past few weeks and has started blogging about it here.

She also entered a gingerbread house competition and went with her most favorite theme!

Check it out! I am most proud!

Busy, Busy, Busy

2010-11-28T09:12:00.001-06:00

whew…

Can’t get my blog-reading in. It’s going to take me a day to catch up!

Got the mantle glazed, though!

I used Stainless Steel glaze from Lowe’s. It’s subtle and only took about 30 minutes!

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

TWO AFTERS

Fireplace Corbels

2010-11-20T11:40:00.002-06:00

I always thought the Fireplace in the Great Room needed a little sumpin-sumpin. The mantle just seemed too big and heavy to me.
Here it is when we got the house.

After paint and and some accessories.

Then, I finally found the-size-I-wanted at the-price-I wanted corbels. They were black, so I spray painted them white and then glued them to the fireplace. I also removed the glass doors and painted the brass edges and the wood handles black with high-heat appliance paint.

I like it much better. And it was super easy! I think my next step is the glaze the mantel with a stainless steel glaze I found at Lowe’s. If I hate it, I can always paint the whole thing white again!

Lifting Elephants

2010-11-16T17:55:00.004-06:00

…Ears, Cannas and Gladiolas.

That time of year.

Remember my Black Magic Elephants Ears? They did GREAT this year. I bought 2 bulbs from Lowe’s at $20 a bulb! Not a typical purchase for me, but I wanted them REALLY bad. Ryan was with me and I pretended shock when we got to the check out. But really, what’s he going to do then? Not get them?!

Plus I told him that I could lift them in the Fall, so next year, they really only cost $20, then the next year $10, then $5…and so on and so on. If you think about it, those things are an INVESTMENT!

I also had two fabulous Cannas in a pot with some bamboo my neighbor gave me. I think I paid $5 for the Cannas. The did great and bloomed all summer.

And I’d gotten about 50 gladiolas for $5 in mid-summer, which is late. I got them in the ground, but only about 5 bloomed. I’ll get them in the ground earlier next year, and they should do better.

Starting to get some early morning light frost, so, last weekend I dug them all up, separated what I could and have spread them out in the basement to dry. I’ve got all my originals, plus about 18 baby Elephant Ears! about 10 more cannas, and about 80 glad bulbs. YAY! If I can keep them from rotting, it’ll all be good.

I typically have good luck with saving bulbs (or corms or whatever). However, last year I had a bunch of caladiums, but failed to dry them properly before storage. ugh….they were a soft, mushy mess when I pulled them out in the Spring. I learned my lesson.

Here’s to having a plan and sticking to it. And really, it’s like growing money…right!?!?

Prepping for the Kids’ Den

2010-11-15T09:08:00.001-06:00

Next big project? Finishing the space under the Dining Room.

It’s an oddish space. A completely interior room. In model homes of our floor plan we’ve seen this space finished as an Exercise room, an extension of the bar, even a room devoted to wine tasting: with a wine cellar and a small table and a few chairs!

Our plan? An all-purpose room! How’s that for flexible living?

For the right now, it’s going to be what the kids are calling the “Kidz Den”. A place for them to hang out: we’ve got planned storage, some built-in desks for computers, homework and projects; a TV and all the gaming stuff.

First step was to move the security alarm box, which would have caused difficulties in framing the room. Check!

Second, was to build the storage. But, because we like to reuse stuff, we needed the “already built shelves” that are in unfinished basement that will some day be a bedroom. (see Future Bedroom above.) So, Ryan moved these to the garage.

And he put all this on it.

It’s all of our camping gear and coolers, which is BRILLIANT since this is where we need the stuff. Before these shelves were built in the garage, we would haul it from the back to the front in a wheelbarrow.

Then, he moved more shelves into the “Kids’ Den”—making this. We will have two sets of double doors to hide these shelves. He also spray painted it all. We are leaving this “closet” unfinished (this area also includes water pipes and the sprinkler system drainage), but thought painting it all white would give it a more finished look. Also, when we do the carpet, we will also carpet into this closet.

Next, Ryan will start the framing. Luckily, there will only be two walls requiring framing, and one of those walls will have the double doors.

Also, because this is an interior room, we are going to replace the solid door with a glass-paned door, to allow natural light and parental peeking.

Here’s the rest of the room….long way to go. Oh! Side Note: see that light hanging in there? That’s the old light that was over the pool table in the family room.

Here’s the new one.

Ryan promised the kids he’d have their room done before Christmas. Knowing him, he’ll probably keep that promise.

I love my Kitchen…Island

2010-11-12T09:24:00.000-06:00

Before the Gut and Remodel, the Kitchen had a Center Island. It was entirely too wide and very inefficient.

Since we decided to remove everything and start from scratch, we were able to customize the new center island. We lengthened and narrowed it, which fits the space so much better.

We chose to have it painted with a glaze. We also put in lots of drawers.

Drawers that include dividers for all of my Tupperware lids.

And a rollout trash bin, which is right across from the main sink, put also right by the Prep Sink, too.

I love cookbooks and wanted a spot to keep those I was using most frequently. These shelves work great for that. We also included outlets on the island, too. There’s this one that’s hidden, and another over by the prep sink. This works great for using the electric knife for carving, when doing lots of batches in the food processor and for crock pots when we have parties.

We debated a long time about the prep sink, especially since we went with the pot filler faucet. We both love the look of a seamless island, but I’m really glad we finally decided to put the extra sink in. It’s right across from the cooktop, so is perfect for draining pasta. It also faces more towards the main television, so when prepping foods is nice. Also, I can still pile the main sink with dirty dishes, but have access to a garbage disposal.

Best of all? When we have parties, we fill it up with ice and beer!

Also, the second oven is here. It’s fantastic, too. Being right across from the cooktop, I can pull something off the heat and put it right into the oven. We tend to use this one for casseroles and breads and the other for baking and frozen corn dogs.

We went with an Ogee edge on the island countertop and the fancier corbels. The countertop guy also added the extra detail to the side with the stools. No lie, that all added up quick, but I really think those details make a difference.

The BEFORE

And the AFTER

Linked to Remodelaholics.

RIP Ginger

2010-11-09T18:01:00.001-06:00

Today Harper’s Hamster Ginger passed away. She was 2 years and 3 months old. She left behind a sister, Cinnamon, and the rest of her loving family. She was buried in the backyard this evening.

Rest in Peace Ginger, you were a sweet hammy.

Extension COMPLETED and a Bonus Chalkboard Wall

2010-11-06T12:39:00.005-05:00

When Ryan was finishing my office, we also knew that SOME day we were planning on adding a bedroom in the basement, which would require us to extend the hall that led into the workshop/where-the-workshop-and-bedroom will be some day. So, in the interest of making the biggest possible mess that we could (saw dust, drywall dust, general chaos, etc.), knowing that all future projects could be done BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, we extended the hall at the same time we did the office. And it’s DONE!
Here’s where we started. This is the door that leads into the workshop, right before Ryan ripped out the walls. You can see the WIP HERE.

In this picture, I am standing in the EXACT same spot as the picture above. See the Red arrow above? Ryan put a door in there to give us storage access to under the stairs. The door to the left will be a bedroom, and the door to the right will remain the workshop.

Our plans were always to hang the dartboard at the end of this hall, and while Dave and Renee were visiting for the Chiefs/San Francisco game (go CHIEFS!), we were discussing the cool uses for blackboard paint. Out of that came the inspiration for the following.
First, I prepped the area, then painted it with two coats of Chalkboard paint from Lowe’s.

Then, Ryan and I went shopping for trim. What we were trying to do was give it an old-time School board slate feel. Like this piece. This was Ryan’s grandmother’s slate board and school bell from when she taught school. really cool.

When we got to Lowe’s and started looking at the options, they weren’t terribly cheap. Until we happened upon THIS stuff. I have NO idea what it’s made of, but it was only $5 for a 10 ft piece, and I really thought I could make it look good. Ryan had his doubts, but for $15, he was willing to let me try. The color was russet, and it almost feels like Styrofoam, in a way?

Using these tools, I “worm holed” and lightly hacked at the edges of the trim pieces. There’s a FANTASTIC video for worm holing at the Magic Paintbrush HERE. I’m telling you, Jennifer has some mad skills. If you aren’t familiar with her work, you need to check her out. super talented.

Then, using Gel Stain leftover from another project and paper towels, I wiped on and wiped off. trying to get extra stain into the wormholes and the hacked up pieces. TIP: No matter what, use gloves when working with Gel stain. The first time I used it, I did not wear gloves. A week later I still had stain-stains on my hands. grody.
Ryan hung the “frame”, using those square corner pieces, which I also beat up and stained. We didn’t know how the trim would cut. It cut well enough that we could have mitered the edges, but I’m glad we went for the square corners.

Next, up went the dartboard and a shelf we got 50% off at Hobby Lobby. (Is there any other way to get something at Hobby Lobby?)

Before

Middle Before

After

It’s already gotten a ton of use. I’m going to get some chalk today, and make a little bag to hang the extra darts and tips in from one of the hooks on the shelf. Total Cost for the “chalkboard”: About $30. And super quick and easy.

oh! And total side note. Ryan got the dartboard at an Estate sale about 1/2 mile from us. It's the same house where David Cook's brother now lives. Once, driving by, I saw David Cook in the backyard: a celebrity encounter!

Linked to Met MON and the Power of Paint!

White Rainbows

2010-11-04T14:11:00.001-05:00

I was walking Tippii the other morning around 8 am and saw a White Rainbow. At first I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me, but it was there. I got this picture with my iphone and Googled it today. It’s called a fog bow? And I guess they’re kind of rare? Cool!

I love my kitchen….Cook Top

2010-11-03T11:31:00.001-05:00

When we redid the kitchen, we moved the cook top from the Center Island that was there to the perimeter. We wanted it on the most visible wall when you entered the room, and we wanted it to be pretty.

The BEFORE

And the AFTER

The BEFORE

And the AFTER

I love the lighted glass cabinets above, the fantastic job the cabinet makers did on the curved cabinetry, which is hiding my Zephyr Twister Power Pack for ventilation and light (HIGHLY recommend), my Pot Filler Faucet, and the tile work back splash, with four different sizes of tile, which I designed myself. And I got to help the tile guy, too. He may have not thought I was being helpful, but I had fun.

We swapped out to a gas cook top, which I love. And then underneath that are these huge drawers to hold our pots and pans.

I love my kitchen cook top!

Linked to Remodelaholics Anonymous.

Peeping Tom or Nosy Neighbor?

2010-11-02T11:25:00.002-05:00

I loved Erin’s picture of “peeping” into your own kitchen, inspired by Mama Pea’s post, which I believe was inspired by someone else, too! And, in truth, just like Mama Pea, my favorite time to walk or drive through a neighborhood – especially a neighborhood with fabulous homes – is at dusk, when you can still see the outside of the house, but can also have a peek at the rooms and decor inside.

I thought it was such a cool idea to do these “peeping” photos, but, at first, I laughed at the thought of it for our house.

That’s our kitchen window: the arched one to the right.

But then, I was all DUH! I can get pictures of the kitchen from the OTHER side by simply standing on the deck.

Here’s Day.

And Night. Yup! That’s Ryan cleaning up the dinner dishes. He didn’t even WANT to know why I was taking pictures at night time through the window.

And while I was at it – I went around and snapped photos where I could reach the windows.

This is a second story window into the Living Room – I had to lean over the deck railing to get this.

From the Front Porch.

See the deck in the back? That’s where I was standing for the photo above.

Lower level now – looking into the Family Room.

At the front of the house again, peeking into the Dining Room. And as I was taking this picture, a friend was dropping off one of the neighbor kids at the house next door and saw me. It was funny how I almost felt like I was doing something I shouldn’t be doing ... either way, I know she thinks I'm crazy.

So with all that, I would really love to see your photos, too. I’m going to try a linky tool to let folks post links to their photos, if anyone is interested. Sincerely hope it works.!

Brrrrrr….It’s getting cold!

2010-11-01T10:49:00.000-05:00

Each Spring we take our tropical plants out and put them on the porch or patios. But we are starting to get some overnight freezes, so time to haul them back in.
Not sure what we are going to do with this guy if he keeps growing! We’ve got 9 foot ceilings in the basement, and he is touching them! And I’ll keep these guys in the office until I get a bookcase for this wall. Winter is on her way!

Haunted Trail

2010-10-30T22:28:00.001-05:00

Happy Halloween!

My mom’s neighborhood has this great path that cuts through the woods and ends at a pond with a shelter house and playground. Every year, volunteers get stations along the trail where they decorate and the kids go trick or treating to the end of the path. There you find more volunteers serving up hot dogs, hamburgers, cider and hot cocoa. About five years ago, we started hosting a station.

Here’s the path and our station during the day.

And at night.

It was a great time!

Bedroom Bench Bed

2010-10-30T16:18:00.002-05:00

When we moved to the new house, the kids each got larger rooms than the 10’ x 10’ rooms they had at the old house. And Tanner’s room has this totally cool “loft” thing in it.

Harper’s room was great, too, but lacked that extra special something. After some thought and discussions, Ryan built this really cool window seat/bed in Harper’s Room. He built it in a weekend. The width was just 2-3 inches shy of fitting a regular twin mattress, so we had Hawn Bedding make a custom mattress for us. The custom mattress was actually CHEAPER than full price foam by the foot from JoAnn’s Fabric! Some pillows, a comfy throw, shelves and lights, and now, Harper has a great spot for sleepover guests, reading and hanging out!

Linked to FIF.

Office Flooring

2010-10-28T16:10:00.002-05:00

I am just loving my new home office. I usually work 45-50 hours a week, and at least 35 of those hours are here at home. Having the office complete and not being shoved into various holes around the house has really made me realize how your environment impacts what you do.
A big question mark for us as we made decisions on this space was the flooring. Since I work so much from home, it’s vital to have a flooring that will hold up. At the old house, we did a berber, but after less than a year, it was showing wear, so I got one of those plastic things for under the chair. I’d always catch the wheels of the chair on it, which I found irritating.

Options:

Tile – but I didn’t want to bump across that, either and the office is in a basement, so I was worried about the cold. Couple that with the fact that Ryan JUST finished tiling the Family Room Bar, Bath and new hallway, he wasn’t super keen on the idea either.

Stained Concrete - as I researched it, I realized the amount of work involved in that. And while an inexpensive option as compared to others, the cost still adds up, and there are maintenance issues, too.

Laminate Flooring - This looked like our best option: at about $4-$6 a square foot, I could roll around on this floor to my heart’s delight. One problem, I didn’t love the look.

Engineered Wood Flooring - Cost: $6-$11 a square foot. Can lay right down on my basement floor and is real wood. In fact, some of these products can be refinished up to 3 times because it’s real wood on top of the manmade product. Downsides? The price is going up AND now I have to be careful with my chair.

We had been checking out the products at various stores when we stopped in at Big Bob’s.

We started looking at the wood products, and then found CARPET! Specifically Carpet Squares that are used in Commercial Office Space! Cost: .99 – 1.99 a square foot! woo hoo!

In addition to solids, there were plenty of other options.

And we went with this. In person it looks like a nice wool rug.

Installation? Super easy. We laid it all out and cut our squares before putting it down. Next, roll on some sticky adhesive – use very little – wait about 45 minutes and then stick the squares down. The squares don’t slide around, but can be pulled up, repositioned and even replaced. It looks great and feels better! We will use this when we finish the kid’s room. It would be great in a lot of places. It took us about three hours to complete. See more the final pics here.

Linked to Remodelaholics.

Random Vacation Thoughts

2010-10-22T17:01:00.000-05:00

My SIL, Renee, was discussing Christmas. I cannot believe that it’s only 63 days until that Day (yes, they have an app for that).

So much to do for the holidays, for work, around the house, blah, blah, blah. All I can think about is vacation.

Here is my ideal – Jamaica or Puerto Vallarta or really any place tropical with some adults in late January.

Spring Break in Estes Park at the YMCA of the Rockies with the kids.

And then Sanibel the first of June.

Sound like a plan?

My New Camera in NW Arkansas

2010-10-20T12:10:00.000-05:00

We went to visit my Gran in the Boston Range of the Ozark Mountains over the weekend. It was great! AND I got a new camera. Here are some pictures I got.

A tree in Ponca.

A bluff reflected in the Buffalo at Pruitt.

Tanner and Ryan climbing down from Cobb Cave at Lost Valley.

The view NE from the Scenic Point tower on 7 Highway, south of Jasper.

This was GREAT! There were TONS of wasps flying around at the top of the tower. I have no idea why they were there, but these two fellas flew right in front of the camera as I was taking pictures of the vista.

Sunset over the Jasper School.

There wasn't a ton of fall color, as they've had very little rain, but the weather couldn't have been nicer. It was a fantastic visit.

Stairway to Heaven or Hell

2010-10-19T19:08:00.001-05:00

While we still have TONS of projects, one that is way down on the list for me, but that I am really considering starting soon is the railing.

I'm thinking about painting it BLACK. I saw a very similar railing, which really inspired me - inspiration. And you see railings painted all the time. And, I really think I would like it better.

But we just have SO MUCH railing. And because it's all open, I really don't think there's a stopping spot....

From the bottom, looking up.

Looking down to the basement from the Main Level

When you walk in the front door.

From the Main Level...going up.

At the top of the stairs on the Second Floor

Looking up from the Living Room

Looking down from the top level - ALL the way down. Makes me kinda dizzy. I like it!

I don't think Ryan is even remotely on board with this one, but you bloggers carry a ton of weight with him.

So, what do you think? Yay or Nay? Is it worth the trouble or not?

Headin' to the Hills

2010-10-15T14:29:00.002-05:00

We are heading out of town for the weekend. Destination: Jasper, Arkansas. It's about a 5 hour drive from here - going to visit my grandmother. Gran-gran will be 85 in January. She's great! I was looking through old photos, trying to find some pictures from Jasper and ran across these.

My dad passed away 5 years ago this November 1. He was 62. He died from a Glioblastoma Multiformae--a brain tumor. yuck. I was very fortunate that we lived close by them through everything. He was a wonderful man and I miss him very much.

He was buried at what I consider one of the prettiest places on this earth: Low Gap, Arkansas. We'll be visiting there over the weekend. It's just a few miles from where Gran-gran lives.

My pictures don't do it justice.

This is the entrance to the cemetary. My Great-great-great grandparents are buried here, too.

The Low Gap church, across the road. At one time this was the church and a one-room schoolhouse. My mom went to school here in the early '50s, I believe. (Don't worry! She'll correct me if I'm wrong. :-D)

The kids goofing off on a pile of dirt after the funeral. It was a beautiful day. wow! Look how little they are.

My MIL is going on this trip with us, and I'm really looking forward to showing her all the sights of the Ozarks!

Where's the Fire?

2010-10-08T16:44:00.001-05:00

I'm all about the outdoor posts lately!

Last weekend we had a fire in our backyard. In a good way.

You know the leftover Pavestones from under the deck - HERE? When we poured the patios and sidewalk, Ryan piled them up in the backyard. Can you say "White Trash Hillbilly"? Ryan, of course, wanted to haul them to the dump. No, really, he did.

Then, the inspiration came. He turned this

Into this!

And all in one afternoon.

But we needed a better way to get up and down the slope - especially after it got dark and after a few beers.

So, he built this.

And last Saturday, we did this!

It was a ton of fun. We laughed, talked, sang, did skits, told stories...a really great time.

And all FREE! Or, as Ryan likes to say, Free, except for his Chiropractic Bill.

Linked to Remodelaholics were we were just featured - HERE! Thanks!

Are you kidding me!?

2010-10-07T18:35:00.001-05:00

So!

Fantastic Autumn weather is here, right?

Time to get the fireplaces ready, right?

We are fortunate to have four fireplaces. Living Room and Hearth are both Wood Burners where we have put in gas logs. Master Bedroom and Family Room are gas only, with pilot lights and on an electrical switch. SWEET!

Now the one in the Family Room was in AWFUL shape. It had been Brass when new, and some previous homeowners had decided to paint the Brass black. BRILLIANT idea! And I mean that with no sarcasm: really! I did this with the frame on the Fireplace doors in the Hearth Room here. But, they did not use High-Heat paint, thus it was all peeling and nasty. If you touched it, the paint smudged off on your hands and huge flakes fell on the carpet.

I decided to take the door off, clean it with water, sand off the paint, repaint, clean out the fireplace and put the glass back up. It took me just over an hour and things went perfectly. That night, I lit the pilot light, flipped the switch, and a beautiful fire blazed forth. It had been on for about 20 minutes, with our family gathered 'round, I mentioned how lovely it looked and how happy I was. I swear to you, not 1 minute later, there was a loud POP! followed by a gently shimmering sound.

THIS had happened.

That's right. Come on, take a closer look

...heavy sigh....

Were we really crazy?

2010-10-02T10:15:00.003-05:00

Wow! Things have been crazy around here. We had WONDERFUL house guests last weekend: Ry's bro, Dave, his wife, Renee, and their son, Cayman. And Ry's sis, Terri and her H, Scott, got to come by Saturday night, too.

So much fun: talking, laughing, eating, drinking and making merry! And then the Chief's game! oh, yes. (sorry, Renee, but, at least this year someone went home happy!)

As it always seems to happen with house guests, you rush-rush to finish up all those tiny details, which is great, but can be tiresome. One of mine was to finish up the office (not there yet...but almost!), and in the midst of my getting organized, I ran across a couple of pics from the home inspection report that was done before we bought the house. Here's the before and afters of the deck and under the deck. I think this gives you a really good taste of where this entire project began.

Here's the upper deck. The broken railings are obvious, but it's really hard to appreciate the sad state of the wood. I don't believe the cedar had ever been retreated. And there was that weird greasy/oil stained area in the lower right of the photo. Oh, and some rotting boards, too.

We repaired the railing, replaced the rotting boards, powerwashed, sanded and stained the deck.

Here she is now.

She'll need another stain job soon!

Here's below the deck. This was great! That's all gravel and tree-like weeds growing there. The rotting hot tub was filled with grody water and tadpoles. yummy.

The gravel was contained by the Pavestone blocks. And the gravel wasn't really thick enough to cover all the mud and dirt, that's why we had so many of those tree-like weeds growing in there. We cleaned, rebuilt and moved the hot tub, poured some patios, put in a stone path and landscaped under here.

And here's the after.

Man, looking at these before photos make me question our sanity. I think I have forgotten the level of disrepair this poor house had been left to. But it also makes me thankful that we have the opportunity to bring her back and really make her ours.

And while we're at it, we are having some windows replaced in our bedroom. I was taking pictures of the workings of the casements for window guy, and got this pic by leaning out the window from our bedroom.

It sure looks pretty from up here! Makes me want to add a door and a deck off the bedroom. Think Ryan will go for that?

Linked to FIF at Chic on a Shoestring Budget and RemodelAholics!

Outdoor Decor - Potted Trees and Shrubs

2010-09-18T11:25:00.001-05:00

I was reading Crystal Coast Gardener yesterday, and Kyna mentioned she had gotten a Japanese Maple on the cheap and was trying to decide where to plant it. I suggested keeping it in a pot for a few years. We've done this with several trees and shrubs. Not only have we had success, but it's also a great (and Cheap!) way to dress up your outdoor spaces.

This is a Contorted Willow on the upper deck. This was FREE! It started out as a clipping from Ryan's uncle, which was rooted in water and grown by my mom to a good size. It's been repotted a few times and is close to 20 feet tall. Two good things about raising this one in a pot: 1. we were able to move it when it was in a spot that got too much sun and 2. it requires a lot of water and having it on the deck helps me remember to keep it watered well.

This one is a Maple. It started out as a stick from the Arbor Day Foundation and was a gift(?) from my MIL. Sadly, out of that bunch, this is the only one that made it.

We have several of these guys. It's an Emerald Green Arborvitae. Got it at Lowe's two years ago. Regular price $6.98. End of season clearance 50 cents. These grow to be 15 feet tall and 4 feet wide. The plan is to replant into larger pots every 2-3 years.

These are some small "starters". Another Arborvitae, some kind of Cedar and in the third pot, there are three trees--all volunteers--the large maple, a much smaller redbud, and one more, even smaller, maple. Next spring, I'll move the redbud and tiny maple to their own pots.

We leave the plants out all winter, and I try to water about every 6 weeks. We are in the Midwest, Hardiness zone 5/6 and will get some temps below 0 degrees Fahrenheit with an annual average snowfall of 20 inches. If we are having a particularly good cold spell, I'll move the pots so they are right next to the house, but have never brought them in.
So, for very little cash, we have plants for our outdoor spaces. Plus, it's fun to nurture these little guys.

And while I was out taking pictures, I had to throw in these.

My Black Magic Elephant Ears! Aren't they doing great?

And my coleus. It was so slow to start, but once it took off, it's been doing great!

My most favorite...about the bar

2010-09-16T06:51:00.005-05:00

We redid the Family Room Bar this Winter/Spring. Here are the Before and Afters and pictures of the "wine cellar" and oven HERE.

We are using this space much more than we imagined. We've even used the oven a ton. Here are some of my favorite things about it right now.

First, the glass tile we chose as the back splash. Can you see how it catches the light. It's really lovely. I also love these corbels. They were reclaimed from my Mother-in-Law's house when she pulled them out of a bathroom. They sat in her flower shed for several years and were headed for the dumpster. They were dirty and had spider sacks on them. We cleaned them up and held on to them for the perfect project. Here, they simply got a new paint job and then were installed.

Now, one might argue that this is Ryan's favorite part. We built this for wine storage and to display different whiskeys and bourbons. ( I still don't know the difference between the two.) It turned out just as we designed it. Below this is a cabinet and wine chiller. This area is functional and attractive.

This is inside the bar area. It's the tiled area between the counter top and the bar bump-up. We knew we wanted to tile it and had these really cool hand-made art tiles from Cuba. (Another hand-me-down from my MIL.) She had these in a garage sale, but I snagged them. I'd been looking for some neat way to use them and when we started this tile job--inspiration hit. We used the black pencil liner tile on the bottom to eliminate the need to cut the glass tiles lengthwise, and it provides a neat accent. And the 1x1 brown tiles are Emprador Dark Marble leftover from our kitchen and hearth room fireplace remodels. The addition of those tiles was a last minute decision as I was waiting for Ryan to cut some glass tiles for me with the saw.

I like this so much because it's such a neat surprise. You won't ever see it unless you come behind the counter and look for it.

It's turned out to be such a great and useable space. I'm REALLLY glad we redid this one!

If you didn't already, don't forget to check out the Before and Afters and pictures of the "wine cellar" and oven HERE.

Linked to Remodelaholic Friday.

Just call me Heather!

2010-09-14T10:24:00.004-05:00

I am most popular and won a Major Award!

Rules to acceptance of award:

1. Thank and link to the bestower.

Thank you, Bub!

2. Tell 7 things about yourself
3. Give away to whomever you want to

First, I'm giving to

Renee at Modus Operandi Designs
Dani at Gardening Under the Florida Sun
Brandy at You Don't Know and
Lori at Projects Plenty

My seven things.

1. As great as I think I am, as I start to write this I am realizing I may not be my most favorite topic. I'm kind of boring.

2. I like puzzles of all kinds: crossword, sudoku, ken-ken, jigsaw. I especially like substitution cyphers - like the cryptoquip in the Kansas City Star.

3. We have three cats, a dog, two hamsters and a fish. Trooper, our oldest cat is 17. We got him from underneath a real cat lady's porch. He's the best cat in the world, but he's getting old.

He will go into our bedroom, stand in the corner and meow at the wall. It cracks me up, but then I feel bad about it. But I still keep laughing at him. sweet guy.

He's the reason why we got the other two cats, Sonic and Sugar. Because he is such a great cat.

The fish, Angel, is a gold fish and is officially Harper's, but I clean the bowl. Angel is going on 2 years old. For a gold fish in our house, that's like living to be 108.

4. I love plants. I like to read about them and pronounce their names like Martha Stewart does. CLEH-ma-tis and PEE-uh-nee, rather than cle-MAH-tis and pee-OH-nee. I do draw the line at pronouncing Herb with the H sound.

I like digging in the dirt, walking through the yard and checking on my plants. But I don't like to pay for plants. When I pay for them, they die. When I get free ones, they do great. My mom doesn't like to garden, but my grandmother does.

5. My grandmother and my mom rock. My mom's just plain awesome. In so many ways.

My grandmother, Gran-Gran, will be 85 in January. She lives in a small town in Arkansas. She has her own home and still takes care of her yard. I love to hear her talk. I used to spend several weeks in the summer with Gran Gran and PaPa. They lived on top of a mountain.

For real.

They'd just let me go and I would roam the hills all day.

And my dad's mom, Granny, lived in a REALLY small town in Arkansas and would give me the soda bottles to return for the deposits to this old store for candy. She didn't have running water. So we had to carrythe water in pails and use an outhouse. And this was in the late '70s/early '80s.

6. I like to data mine. I love, love, love doing SQL queries and writing reports with Crystal to pull data out of tables. It's one of the things I get to do for my job.

I work for a group of Emergency Room Physicians. And they are awesome. It's amazing to sit in a meeting with them and they are discussing how they saved someone's life the night before. And not bragging about it or anything, just talkin' about how their shift went.

They are really, really, really good people.

7. Seven is my lucky number. And I'm a bit superstitious. I hate chain letters and stuff, and I read my horoscope.

I'm also claustrophic. Oh my gosh! A few summers ago we went to the Lake for a week and went to Aunt Angie's Haunted Hotel.

Not really scary, BUT, they turn out the lights and you have to make your way through this place in the DARK! All they give you is this little flash light with copious amounts of red duct tape over the light. Believe me, you cannot get the duct tape off.

Even with your teeth.

gross, I know, but I was desperate.

Me, Ry, Harper and Tanner.

Tanner was fine, Harper was scared and I was a wreck. Ryan would have been fine, except for Harper and me hanging on to him, panting and crying to get us out. We spent like 20 bucks to RUN through this pitch black place in about 5 minutes. AND! they locked us in. The gal that took our money was also working the old timey photo shop across the street.

Hah! Now that I started, I think I could go on all day. Only seven things, really? Maybe I'll re-award this to myself. Oh - that's one more thing....I think I'm really funny.

And, Bub, thanks, again. this was actually fun! For me!

The Office and a Major Award

2010-09-12T17:42:00.006-05:00

Okay. First things first.

I won a Major Award! I think it may be our shared secretive geekiness, but Bub at I'd Like To Hold a Tarantula (who, BTW, cracks me up) awarded me this.

Thanks!

There are some rules involved in my acceptance of this Major Award, which I fully intend to follow, but I have to share the Office NOW! Thus, I will devote my next post to my Major Award. (also allowing me to discuss my Major Award again.)

For today, on to the OFFICE!

Remember, we had unfinished basement that became this.

And now THIS!

and THIS!

and THIS!

and THIS!

After we replace Ryan's chair in the Family Room, his chair will move to the Guest Room and replace a Wing Back Chair, which will fill this corner along with a side table. But, that will have to wait.

We also made this

There were four separate metal squares from Old Time Pottery - $4.99 each. I brought them home and Ryan riveted them together. I couldn't find any cute magnets, so made these out of magnet tape and doodads I had around. It works great, and I really like it!

And now, instead of looking at a furnace, I get to look at this!

Much nicer.

Ryan finished tiling and grouting the hall extension today, so we can call the carpet guy to finish all that up. Then we just need to hang doors and trim and get a few more accessories for the office and then this project will be complete.

It's so nice to have the office clean and functional. oh....and I do still need to organize....well, it might happen - right?

Linked to MetMon at Between Naps on the Porch
and
FIF!

I may be the only one that cares

2010-09-10T14:50:00.003-05:00

WARNING! Computer Geekery and Cabling Follow.

My KVM Extender came! My KVM Extender came!

NOTE: KVM stands for Keyboard, Video Display (or Monitor) and Mouse

It was last Friday. The UPS guy dropped it off 20 minutes before we were supposed to head to Grand Lake for a family reunion. No time to hook it up. GRRRRRR! We got home Monday evening and then I got SLAMMED at work. Double GRRRRRR!

But, with Tanner's help and patience, everything is now hooked up. And, while we are still having technical difficulties, it's a dream.

This is the KVM extender after I unpackaged it. I think it's really cool.

Turns out you can also use this to have TWO KVM stations running off of one PC - One could be in the kitchen and one could be anywhere you could get the wire to--as long as it's less than 328 feet. Neat, but, that's not how we used it.

I set up the keyboard, monitor and mouse on my desk and plugged them all into the REMOTE piece of the extender, which I placed Under the desk.

The Orangey-yellow Cat5 cable runs through the wall and to the closet--like the red line depicted here:(The blue lines are supposed to be the cable and telephone lines coming from the street.)

The orangey-yellow Cat5 plugs into a LOCAL piece of the Extender, which looks almost identical to the REMOTE piece.

A cable runs out of the LOCAL piece that plugs into the KVM ports on the back of your computer OR, in my case into this KVM Switch.

The KVM switch allows me to use the same Keyboard/Monitor/Mouse for two different computers. I just have to switch between computers, so I can't be using them at the same time. (but they can be on at the same time.) Out of the KVM switch comes TWO cables, which each have plugins for the Keyboard/Monitor/Mouse. I plug one into my home computer and one into my Work Computer...sort of.

Because my work computer is a laptop, (and I don't do well typing on the laptop keyboard and I need a larger monitor) I actually plug the second KVM cable into a Port Replicator. This is it.

The port replicator has the KVM cables and my work printer all plugged into it, and then ONE USB cable comes out of it. That USB cable plugs into my Laptop. (I have the same Port Replicator in my other office.) Like this:

This means, when moving between offices, all I have to do is plug the Laptop into Power and one other cable, rather than all the cables that go into the Port replicator. It just makes things a little easier.

Here's a rough drawing of it all.

Red = Cat5
Pink = USB Cable
Purple = KVM Cable
Blue = Telephone cable (the red cable to my work phone is correct, it's a VOIP phone)
Brown = Cable cable

wow. If you made it this far, drinks on me! But, totally worth it. Right?

Now ALL that crap is in the CLOSET! YAY! And I have no crap on my desk.

Note to Bub: Don't say it!!!!!

Done with the Geekery!

Pretty pictures in next post.

I promise!

Thank you, Master

2010-09-01T15:45:00.003-05:00

Still waiting on that KVM extender.

In the meantime, can we visit the Master Bedroom? We haven't done a lot in here, but it's one of my favorite rooms in the whole house.

First, you get to it by going through it's own little hallway.

Here's a closer look. Renee at Modus Operandi Designs, who just happens to be my SIL, has suggested we frame this massive built-in mirror. Love the idea and have put it on the to-do list. The arrangement and the table both came from Cameron's. One of my favorite stores in the world.

Ryan replaced the original light with this one, which matches our Dining Room fixture and is on a dimmer switch. SEXY! (BTW, the old light -- we thought it was frosted glass. It wasn't. Just years and years of dust on it.)

Turn to the left and you go into the Master Bathroom. I've shown LOTS of pictures of the Master Bath. here and here and here and here . (Sadly, I am not done with that room yet!)

Turn to the right, and that's where the MAGIC happens!

You know it!

His and Hers Closets!

I am on the left and Ryan on the right. My mom says the double closet situation will save our marriage and add 20 years to Ryan's life (I'm a wee bit of a slob.)

Once in the Bedroom, you see this to the right side. The bookcase also came from Cameron's, and is filled with many of my favorite things. We just got the bedspread on sale at JC Penney, and one day will replace the nightstands and headboard.

And you see this to the middle-left-ish. I LOVE this part. Chairs, ottoman, pillows, table and the mirror that you can barely see due to the picture being so dark - all from Cameron's. The pillows and ottoman were in the "Clearance Cove." SWEET DEALS! My mom made the curtains - more on those later! The cats belong to the children: Sugar on the left belongs to Harper and Sonic on the right belongs to Tanner.

There's also a fireplace and a rather largish TV to the left of the chairs. The picture was super blurry, and I'm too lazy to take another right now. Plus the fireplace REALLY deserves a post all it's own (and in this case, that's not a good thing!)

Last - help me out here. See this hole over the bed? REALLY don't know what to do with it. Is it cool or like a college dorm room? Is it OKAY to have the headboard covering up the bottom? I suck at accessorizing. What to do with it?

And THAT concludes the tour!

Another post about Extensions, this time the KVM kind

2010-08-31T06:02:00.002-05:00

I look at all those fabulous offices in Ballard Designs and such; how do they do it? I'm not talking about the design, which is gorgeous.

I'm talking about where do they put all their crap?

First the books.

They have the attractive, leather bound kind.

I have the dog-eared-neon-yellow-Dummies Guide to SQL or the Fat Spiral Gregg Reference kind. Not to mention the mismatched-Binder-holding-various-reports kind.

Computer Equipment.

They have a laptop. Or, at the most, a monitor, keyboard and mouse.

I have two printers, a fax, a scanner, the modem and router, the PC, a laptop, an adding machine, home phone, VOIP work phone, port replicator, and of course the keyboard, mouse and monitor.

The Decor.

They have Giclee prints, handcrafted acanthus message boards and animal print file folders

I have sticky notes, manilla folders and arts & crafts created by my children.

The MONEY

They have $129 to spend on a desk organizer.

I have a house payment.

The REALITY

I can't do much about the money, BUT, I am working on the hiding of the crap.

First, Ryan built a closet in the office where I planned to house the printers, scanners and such by running USB cables through the wall by the desk into the closet to connect everything. Except, a USB cable max length is 16.4 feet. I need 20-25 feet. My first reaction was "well, shit."

Now there are ways to extend the cable, yes, however, we found an even BETTER solution.

A KVM extender! Just over 100 bucks at monoprice.com.

It allows you to plug your Keyboard, Monitor and Mouse into a little box. Attached to that little box is a CAT 5 cable - technical maximum length 328 feet! You run that cable to another little box (Mine will be inside the closet). Out of THAT little box are the Keyboard, Monitor and Mouse cables, which you then plug into your PC - OR, in my case, into a KVM switch, which allows me to use my Keyboard, Monitor and Mouse for either my PC or my laptop, using a keyboard hot key to make the switch. (Scroll Lock, Scroll Lock, Down Arrow).

Here's my fancy interpretation of how the KVM extender works.

Why am I so handspring-happy about this - aside from my natural geekish tendencies?

This means ALL my crap will be IN THE CLOSET! On my desk will only have to be Keyboard, Mouse and Monitor, the first part of the KVM extender, my adding machine, my work phone and my home phone. That's it! WAY cool. Almost like the fancy office people's homes in the Designer Photos.

Monoprice sent me an email and said the extender shipped yesterday! I hope to have it before Friday. And will be sure to share all my wiring.

tee hee! I'm loving it!

Hi Ho! Hi Ho!

2010-08-30T13:40:00.001-05:00

I am sitting in the new office on the computer! It's still not all set up, but will be VERY soon!

First, just let me tell you...

I ran across THIS desk at Cargo Largo.

List price $1,573. Can be had all over the web for $1,099 plus shipping.

Cargo Largo price? $499

The desk is HUGE. 68 1/4" wide by 32" deep.

And I like to spread out. (Which is a nice way of saying I am a slob with poor organization skills and my crap is all over the place.)

SO! I went home to measure and although I LOVED it and LOVED the price, I was concerned that it was just a bit too big.

bummer.

We kept shopping, but could find NOTHING in the right size/quality/look for the price I wanted to spend, which, unfortunately was now $499 because of the Cargo Largo desk.

We visited nine furniture shops,including Cameron's (where we did buy two pillows and an end table.)

No Luck.

Getting tired, we decided to head back to Cargo Largo for one last look.

Cargo Largo's selection changes quickly from day to day, and we were hoping they had more options for us.

The stars aligned, the angels sang and-because we were in Independence-to paraphrase our 33rd president, Harry S Truman - "the buck stopped there!" Guess what!?!?! The desk was marked down to $349. It's mine, all mine.

Ryan called Sweet Bob, and the two of them - in one manly move - got the desk out of the truck, around the back, through the door and into the office. And it fits perfectly.

And now I am waiting on a KVM extender to clear up the clutter.

That's right! Check back tomorrow for the techie details OR skip the techie stuff and wait for the pretty pictures, which will be coming very soon!

So close, yet so far away.....

2010-08-24T23:30:00.002-05:00

A close friend's father passed away, leaving more important matters ahead of the soon-to-be-glorious office.

AND the week has filled up FAST! This is my "to do"/"get to do" list for the rest of the week:

1. go desk shopping

2. reschedule my missed hair appointment.

Dear Marsha,
I and my roots apologize...

3. Tomorrow and Thursday - Work in the office.

I love meetings!

4. Thursday night - go to Starlight for The Producers

5. Friday night - SeeBig Head Todd and the Monsters with the BODEANS!!!!! at Grinders

6. Saturday DAY - Shop for BABY clothes for seeing the !!BABIES!! at Grand Lake over Labor Day

7. Saturday NIGHT - See Paul play in Tonganoxie

8. Sunday - Move into the new OFFICE. hope, hope and fingers crossed!

So, there you have it. Only one full week behind!

The best laid plans of mice.

Don't Panic.

I can almost taste it!

2010-08-22T13:04:00.001-05:00

Friday Night we put the carpet down!

Then Saturday while I painted this

Ryan and Tanner hung doors, put up the ceiling fan, installed the baffles, and finished up the electricity.

And check out the new hallway to the Office. This is before. Please note the empty blank wall to the right of the Entertainment Center.

And now the fantastic arched doorway with lighted sconce leading to the almost finished office.

Oh BABY! I could be in it by tomorrow!

Wildflower walk with Tippii

2010-08-20T12:48:00.001-05:00

Taking a break to get outside.

Getting back into the school routine. Some mornings I take Harper to school and then go to a local park to walk Tippii.

Note: Harper was 11 when she chose the spelling of Tippii: pronounced Tippy. I think that says it all.

It was a beautiful morning. And there are so many lovely things growing and blooming right now. Got all these pics with my iphone.

These are some grasses that are part of the landscaping the city did around the shelter house and playground.

Danger! Poison ivy on Thorny Locust

Thimbleweed, maybe? Kind of like a coneflower?

Flannel Plant - Early settlers used the soft basal leaves for diapers. Not going to tell you what the Native Americans used it for. I don't want you getting any ideas!

Queen Anne's Lace. I love the look of this, but only in these kinds of settings. VERY invasive.

Looks like morning glory or Bind weed? But not tall or viney at all?

Crown Vetch

American Feverfew or Wild Quinine

No idea - kind of aster like?

Not sure. It's a bush that gets the black/purple grapelike clusters on it?

some kind of sunflower? Sawtooth, maybe?

Tall or Bull Thistle - A Goldfinch favorite

Birds-foot trefoil

This spidey was working in the back yard when we got home. Thanks, fella!

And as I was going through iphone pics, I found this one from the airplane when we were flying home from Phoenix a few weeks ago. Threw it in because I think it's pretty.

Have a great day!

Shower Time!

2010-08-19T23:31:00.011-05:00

The Office is getting so close; I might cry. (of happy excitedness!)

So! Back to a what I consider a remodel success - the Master Bath.

Funny. RD and I spent a part of the evening discussing the merits and drawbacks of the daily shower with our kids. Is it my unconscious inspiring this post?

While I plan on letting the photos drive the story--I must remind, the shower had one glass block wall, which had not been properly sealed, causing rust of the corners and inside the block. There were also two doors - like a car wash. You could enter dirty on one side and exit clean on the other. Sweet!

That was the before and afters. This is the new niche Ryan built into the formerly glass-block wall. For blog-sake, I tried a picture without all of our crap, but was so happy with how the "Crap"-one still looks good, decided to go with it. (And we're about honesty, right?)

That travertine FRAME around the edge? Isn't that fantastic? Regular price? $29.99 for a 9-inch section. I am not kidding. Found it CLEARANCED for $5.99. I've said it before and will say it again...It's important to be flexible when remodeling.

Another thing. Don't be afraid to mix items. While we chose some high end finishes for the bathroom, the main tile in the shower is a middle-priced porcelein. But, we chose to install it in the brick battern and then apply the vertical border on top with the inlays for more interest.

And we did use the more expensive diamond travertine on the floor, in the niche and on the bench, but those are 'impact' areas.

The black accent tile was very inexpensive, but gave us exactly the contrast and tie-in to the granite we used on the floor of the bathroom proper. And then that fabulous travertine trim! We used it in the shower as a trim on top of all the tile, as a frame around the niche, and also as an accent around the tub surround.

And, no longer in the shower, but I love the beautiful mosaic polished Crema Marfil...that was a job of it's own! More on it later.

Linked to FIF #21!

Extensions and Breaking Down Walls

2010-08-16T22:47:00.002-05:00

Since Ryan is finishing an Office downstairs (YAY!), we decided to also extend the hall on the other side of the basement. Someday down the road there will be a bedroom off that hall. It made sense to get it completed now since we were cutting into the wall for the office. After the hall extension and the office are done, any future dirty, dusty, drywalling projects will be behind closed doors.

Plus, Ryan really wanted a place for his Dartboard.

This is looking down the hall into the unfinished area, which will one day be a Bedroom to the Left and remain Unfinished for the Workshop to the Right.

This is where Ryan started the framing of the Hall Extension. He hasn't torn down the original door yet.

This is inside the Unfinished area where the Workshop is and where the Bedroom will be someday. These are the studs that are forming the end of the hall pictured above. The door closest to you is the door that was on the Right and will be the door to the workshop - opposite, will be the door to the future bedroom, and is the door that was on the Left. When we get around to finishing the space, we will build a wall to separate the two areas.

And here is the new extended hall.

* The first door on your left is new. Ryan cut the doorway and finished the unused area underneath the staircase for new CLAIMED storage.
* The next door to your left will someday go to the Bedroom.
* The first door on your right, where Sonic the Cat is, goes to the bathroom.
* And the Second door on your left goes to the workshop.
* The dartboard will hang proudly at the end of this hall.

Seeing these kinds of projects blows my mind. It makes me realize that you can really do ANYTHING when it comes to redoing and remodeling. We aren't limited by the walls that are around us.

And check this out.

In those first few pictures, where you can see the exterior wall all covered in plastic and insulation. I stood with my back against that wall and took this picture into the Family Room.

In this picture, I am standing in the EXACT same spot, facing the backside of the end of the new hall! CRAZY!

Linked to Met Monday.

Once upon a time, in an unfinished basement far away...

2010-08-14T21:30:00.001-05:00

It's getting exciting around here! At least for me.

I have a full-time job where I am fortunate to work from home about 70% of my time. Before we moved, I had a great home office that was PERFECT. In the new house, there have been so many MUST DO and REALLY MAKES MORE SENSE TO DO projects that we kept putting off finishing a space for the office. And, because of my work, I need to be behind closed doors; thus, I have been working in different parts of the Unfinished basement.

Right now I am shoved into the room with the Furnace and Hot Water Heater. It's MAYBE 4 1/2 feet deep, so I keep banging into the door knob behind me. Here! I just swiveled around in my chair and took pictures to the left and right, front and rear.

Go ahead Fergie, say it! It's G-L-A-M-O-R-OUS! But not much longer!

What was Unfinished basement became this:

Then THIS!

Pete (our FABULOUS mud and tape guy) completed the drywall finish today and Harper and Savannah volunteered to help me with some painting. These wonderful ladies did almost ALL of the Wall priming. Thanks, ladies!

It shouldn't be much longer!

Rocks, Broken Hot tubs and Backyard Hardscaping

2010-08-13T15:55:00.001-05:00

It's so very hot outside right now. I've been watering the container plants twice a day, but that's about all the outside I can stand. I miss hanging out there.

The backyard was an icky mess for starters. It consisted of a small patio, a river rock bed and a broken hot tub. Oh, and lots and lots of weeds. Interestingly enough, the poison ivy appeared to confine itself to the Professional Landscaping in the Front Yard? Go figure. We moved the rock to the side and the front of the house and had two patios and a sidewalk poured.

The first patio is here. It's under the deck and Ry installed an outdoor ceiling fan, which makes a tremendous difference. We also have this great gas firepit from Costco. It's super comfy and runs off of a regular propane tank, which is hidden in the table.

In the area between this new patio and the pre-existing patio, we chose to leave open for landscaping. We installed this stone pathway to link the two areas. Other than the obvious VERY HEAVY rocks, this was pretty simple.

Luckly, since we had already moved the river rock, there was really not a lot but hard, clay dirt to dig up. We dug out the pathway about 4 inches and then installed metal edging to "outline" the path". Next, we put in a thin layer of sand and then laid in our rocks, jigsaw-puzzle-like. That was the hardest part - moving those around to get them to fit just so. Then we filled in the spaces between the rock with pea gravel. Next, we mulched around the path and then pulled up the metal edging, which we reused in other landscaping.

This is the second patio. We poured it for the previouly broken hot tub, which Ryan fixed AND redid all the sides so it looks pretty again. You can see where the older patio ends and the new one begins. One day we may stain or do an overlay, or just wait patiently for it all to naturally color? We shall see...

A view from the other side.

This fall we hope to build an arbor over the hot tub, with a stone wall facing toward the woods.

This is the original patio on the back of the house.

We struggled with the placement of the furniture, as the patio is on the small side. This works really well. Behind the loveseat, the crank out window can still open, and there is plenty of space to walk out the back door between the loveseat and the chair. But it's still all close enough for easy conversation.

And here's a picture where I try to capture it all. There is a slope and lots of trees behind the house, so I can't get a photo that shows the entire project.

But, you can see where we finished off some landscaping around the patios and under the deck. We also placed a water fountain to the right of the firepit group, which is very nice. And we put a heater in it and leave it on in the winter. We've gotten over 20 birds splashing around in it! We also refinished the deck.

The plantings around the decks include:
Hosta, Iris, Peony, Lilies, Vinca (annual), Daffodils, Aster, Chrysanthemum, Chives, Oregeno, Thyme, Solomon's Seal, Yarrow, Fern, Heuchera, Gladiolas, Surprise Lily, Nandinia, Wild Onion, Clematis, Catnip, Geranium, Zinnia, Ferns, some Tropicals, Morning Glory and a variety of stuff in pots.

I am still struggling with getting a handle on the light and moisture around the entire house...Live and Learn!

Sewing some Custom Curtains

2010-08-11T11:23:00.004-05:00

There are gorgeous windows on the back of the house, especially in the Living Room. But they MUST have curtains to block the sun during the hottest part of the day. Luckily, there are enough trees to provide some shade, as I have no clue how I would cover the really big windows on top.

Here's the windows and curtains before we moved in.

I was lucky enough to find THESE curtains at JC Penney Outlet. They were having a 75% off sale on curtains AND I was shopping with my mom. She, of course, had coupons for an additional 15% OFF. Love HER! Thanks, mom! So, we got these curtains for about $50!

While I really love these curtains, Ryan and I both felt the room needed more...Something?

AGAIN, I get to turn to my fabulous SIL at Modus Operandi Designs, and she suggested something "beefier" and also suggested raising the curtains to just below the big Palladian windows. (I pay her back in wine and Chiefs tickets. I wonder how that's working out for her, because it's working out GREAT for me!)

The don't make "off the rack" curtains in the length I needed: about 105". Custom was going to cost me a minimum of $3500. Another option is "made-to-length" curtains, which would cost a minimum of $1800 for what we want. (These prices ONLY include the curtains, not the hardware)

SEW, I get out the sewing room, which consists of me dragging my sewing machine and ironing board out into the middle of the Family Room (which, you KNOW Ryan just LOVES.)

Pluses to working in the Family Room?

1. It encourages me to finish up the project quickly, since all my crap is in the way.
2. I get to iron while I am watching TV!

We waited until Jo-Ann Fabric had their 54" Decorator Fabric on sale. We got the fabric at 65% off: bringing our total spent to just under $300. Still a lot, but a significant savings over full price and a HUGE savings over having someone else make them. I also asked the clerk at Jo-Ann to cut my fabric into four equal pieces, which saves me time AND they cut very straight at Jo-Ann. Me...? Not so straight.

First, I ironed in double hems on the tops and sides and then stitched them. This could also be done with double sided Ironing tape with no problem. In fact, that could have saved some time, as I was ironing anyway. The ironing process would take a bit longer to get everything heated well enough to bond, but there would be no sewing.

We bought some nice, heavy wood rods and rings and installed those. (Cost: about $150) Then, after the top and side hems were complete on the curtains, at my mom's suggestion (still loving her!), I hung each panel and pinned the bottom hem in place. Since we open and close these curtains daily, I didn't want any puddling on the floor.

After pinning, I ironed in the double hem and stitched again! And then hung them all.

The LONG TIME Before:

The Middle Before:

And the AFTER:

And then just one more picture with them open!

Raising the curtains makes the room feel more substantial and raises your eye up, where before it stopped at the top of the old curtains. And the heavier rods make more of a statement, too. AND, we were able to reuse the OLD curtains downstairs in the Family Room! YAY! I'll post that pic soon!

Funny side note: Ry and I thought we were really going out there on the color of the curtains. They have ORANGES and GREENS and even TURQUOISE BLUE in them! Once hung??.......they look pretty BROWN...HAH!

The Sweet in my Suite

2010-08-09T13:12:00.004-05:00

When we were redoing the Master Bath, our goal was to get an upscale hotel suite feel. Thus, many of our finish decisions were driven by that: shiny silver fixtures, cream marble, black granite and a clear and frame-less glass shower door.

Imagine my delighted surprise when I got to my room at the Mandalay Bay Hotel for the ACE Conference last week and saw this:

image courtesy Kayak

And how it compares to THIS!

Even the floor. While the Mandalay Bay bathroom had an Absolute Black Accent strip inlaid in the Crema Marfil Marble floor, and our bathroom has Absolute Black Diamonds inlaid in our Polished Porcelain floor (which matches the Crema Marfil Marble counter tops, mosaic tiles and other accents), the colors and feel were really spot on.

AND the pivoting flat screen, which can be seen from the sinks or the tub were both there.

While Mandalay Bay has more modern lines, and we were going for more of an early century look, the feeling when you are in the rooms is really similar.

The one drawback our bathroom has compared to the fancy hotel suite: I have to clean my own toilet.

The YUCK in my YUM

2010-08-04T09:53:00.001-05:00

First, the YUCK!

When we remodeled the kitchen and decided to take out the cabinets ourselves, I was not prepared for the amount of icky, nasty crud we would unveil.

Now this isn't just normal dirt: it was sticky, greasy, NASTY dirt. We should have expected it...remember the kitchen cabinets?

"Don't worry about losing that Pizza Hut number, I'll just write it in PERMANENT BLACK SHARPIE MARKER on the cabinet door! Problem solved."

Remember Harper's bedroom?

Really, what were the former owners thinking?

The great thing about unveiling the crud was that we had the opportunity to get rid of it. First we shop vac'd it all up and then even mopped the sub floor. Now that it's all done, no one but us will ever know, but WE know!

And here's my YUM!

Curb appeal doesn't include poison ivy

2010-07-30T08:10:00.003-05:00

Really - this is the only before picture I have of the front of the house. It's from the realtor's online ad.
You cannot see the POISON IVY, the overgrown blue rug junipers, some dead barberries, a half dead spruce and a 3/4 dead japanese maple. Oh! And the weeds! LOTS and LOTS and LOTS of weeds! And lastly, don't forget the peeling paint and rotting wood! yummy!

After pulling all that stuff out, we drank beer. Then we replaced the red mulch with plush brown on the upper side, and on the lower side hauled rock from the back to the front. (We also painted, repaired, replaced, and got a new roof - but that's a tale for another day. Today - focusing on the landscaping.)

Here she is in early Spring, awaiting further transformation. See the Royal Star Magnolia getting ready to bloom! That tree makes me so happy!

We put in this berm over a weekend. Hot and dirty work, it's pretty simple. First, we outlined our space with a garden hose. Then we spray painted where to dig. Next, we tore out the turf with a garden spade. Next, using metal edging, we outlined the space. Then, hauled in a load of dirt, dumped it and shaped it. Then we put the mulch on top and got to planting.
On the lower side, where we had already ripped out overthing except for the River Birch and added the rock, we expanded the space. It was awkward and difficult to mow. Similar to the berm, we outlined with the garden hose, graffiti-ed then spaded the grass, and metal edged it all. Going from this

to this (SPOILER for Dirt Digger at ONG: Look away from the Knock Out Roses!)

And I believe the end result has some curb appeal!

Can you believe I have no good before picture of the front of the house? Sheesh! I mean, really?!?!?!

KIDS ART: Part 2

2010-07-27T16:01:00.001-05:00

Another Kids Art Freebie!

Tanner is a techie dude. He enjoys building things almost as much as he enjoys taking things apart. My mom gave him her old computer that no longer worked, and he tore that sucker up. He made a lot of different things with the parts, one of which is this cool art piece for his bedroom.

In addition to the light and the electrical outlet, it's also an ipod charger. At one time it was even a speaker, but as I mentioned earlier, Tanner likes to take things apart.

KIDS ART: Part 1

2010-07-24T13:17:00.000-05:00

The kids have had a lot of input on decorating their own rooms. No, not complete creative control. That would mean Harper's room would be covered in pictures like this.

And Tanner's room would look like this.

One of the projects Harper completed was this awesome painting. She took an old picture that we had and painted over it in the same color as her bedroom walls. Then she painted different flowers. Beautiful and FREE. Way to go, GIRL!

The Mother of all Mothers

2010-07-23T17:58:00.003-05:00

Anyone else find it interesting that my mom has NEVER posted a single comment regarding a single post until the last post regarding our Hearth Room fireplace.

And her first official post is about?

Me being wrong.