The Great Snowthing Of 2012

The day after the blizzard, the sunshine turned the heavy white blanket into the the kind of snow great things are made of.  :)  My guys looked at the picture on my fridge of The Great Snow Buggy my brother and I made when we were younger.  Then they decided it was their turn to carry the snow sculptor’s torch.

My two oldest boys began working together.

  The snowballs turned to snow boulders in no time! 

 

Greta, of course, got busy making landmines which we had to detour around, lol!  Some help she was!

 

Thankfully, my husband came over to help my oldest son lift the “head” into position.  At this point, they still weren’t sure what they wanted to make.

 

It just kind of evolved. :) A little packing here…a little carving there…and a whole lot of discussion.

 

With the fading daylight, the snow lost it’s magical packing quality and we had to call it finished.  Though we still couldn’t decide what exactly we had made, lol!

 

It was part lion, part dog, a little cat, and who knows what else.  Eventually, the boys began calling it Greta, lol!  My little guy loved riding on its back.  Of course!

 

Sadly, the warm weather and rain have taken their toll… Still, I love the green grass and warmer temps.  It makes walking our real dog SO much nicer!!  Lol!

Have a wonderful weekend friends!

A Photo Journal Of My Porch and Deck Projects

If you’ve known me long, you know that when we added the two porches to our sunroom, it was a hurried thing.  After a hail storm damaged our roof, the insurance company agreed to replace it and we had a limited time to get the work done. We had always wanted to add a porch and felt it made sense to go ahead and do it before the roof was replaced.  That way, everything would match.   

It wasn’t an expenditure we had planned on.  It just felt like it was now or never. 

So we built just what had to be done to get it under roof.  We left many of the finishing details, like wiring, steps, lights, etc. undone.  Which is fine.  We’re still kind of thinking about what we want to do.

That said, we have been doing little things to both maintain our investment, and make it more enjoyable while we think.

Back Deck

Last week I finally got around to staining the decks.  I’m not real happy with the color.  But at least the wood is protected.   I can always go darker next time.  From a distance, though, it looks ok.  :)

We looked at several options for a deck skirt.  In the end, I went with something unconventional and really pretty inexpensive. 

I bought several screen-replacement rolls from Wal-Mart.  After I unrolled each screen, I cut them in half long-wise.  Then I stapled one side of each strip to the bottom edge of the face boards, and tucked the other side under the mulch.  Does that make sense?

I like that it inconspicuously keeps out leaves and critters and takes NO upkeep.

As for steps, we set a few 2x6’s on cinder blocks.

I know, it’s kind of hokey, and I just noticed they aren’t even level, lol!  But, remember, it’s a temporary fix while we think.

When I stained the deck, I added a light coat to the steps—which helped.  A little.

A few more hosta plants, too.  :)

As for the very back side of the deck, what a mess!  I wasn’t at all sure what to do with it.  But it felt like we needed some sort of steps on that side, too.  Last year, we used a giant log among other things as a stepping off point.  However, it stuck out too far for me to get between it and a nearby tree with my mower.  So I set out to change it around this spring.

My teenage sons and I moved the giant log to the back of the deck--closer to the house--and added a few more cinderblock steps in a gentle curve. 

 

Then, in place of that big log we had up front, I arranged a tidy and more compact set of three cinder blocks.  Finally, we added some plantings along the edge of the deck, and I stained everything that showed, lol! 

It will do for now!  I know steps wouldn’t cost that much to build.  It’s just that we aren’t sure yet where we want to put them, yet.  We are hoping that having various places to go up and down will help us decide where we would use steps the most. 

Side Porch

I also stained the side porch, along with the old set of green stairs we are making do with.

I guess it helped to tie things together.  Remember, it’s all just to make it look as nice as we can until we decide how we want to finish things out. :)

I still need to add the screen deck skirt to the bottom of this porch.  Until I do, I’m using the white gate and a couple ratty boards to keep the puppy from dragging everything we own underneath it. 

Ask me how I know she would do that.  (I’ll be getting another roll of screen very soon!)

Cushions

The last “deck” job I tackled over the last few weeks involved my 17 year old chair cushions.  I hated to pitch them because they are larger, more comfortable and much more durable than the expensive replacements you get these days.  The cushions are covered with a vinyl-like mesh that is easy to rinse clean.  However, the colors just weren’t working for me.

So a few cans of spray paint later, my chairs have a whole new look!  I really like how they came out! And something I learned in the process?  The can of paint that costs more but says it will paint twice as much as the cheap-o cans?  

In a scientific experiment my husband would be proud of, I determined that it took two full cheap-o cans to adequately cover one cushion.  While the more expensive can literally covered four cushions beautifully!  From now on, I will be buying the better paint!

Well, that about covers my little deck projects.

Tomorrow, I’ll tell you about a whole ‘nother job that was both sad and gross--all at the same time. 

DIY Soccer Wall/Goal For Kicking Practice: Our New Design

This spring, my boys outgrew the simple ready-made soccer kicking wall (pictured below) which I put up for them in 2009.  Three years of growth and LOTS of training were bound to make their kicks more powerful.   But when they started blasting holes in it for fun, I decided it was time to replace it!  Lol!  You see those holes?  (And you thought I was kidding, didn’t you?)
We thought about buying a portable rebound net/wall.  But if we left them out, the elements would take their toll on the net and poles and we would be looking for a replacement (again) in a year or two.  Plus, we already knew how much fun it was to kick against my trial wall, and we were happy with the three years it gave us.
Long story short, we decided to build a wall. 
Our Supply List:

• six bags of cement
• three 4x4x8 treated posts (edited 6-9-14)
• Fifteen 1x6x10 treated decking boards  (13 to make the face of a six foot high wall, and a couple spares)

We figured if the boys were old enough to blast holes in the old wall, they were old enough to do most of the work for the new one.  Right?
While my hubby and I went for supplies, they did an awesome job digging the three post holes.  Each needed to be 24 inches deep and roughly 18 inches in diameter.   
When we got home, they helped set each post in its hole, mix the concrete, and brace them in line, making sure to keep them plum.
After the concrete was set, they removed the braces and attached the decking boards.  It wasn’t hard.  They just had to make sure the first board was level.  The rest went up easy!
Using galvanized screws is a good idea, and making sure the screws are set below the surface of the wood is very important.  Otherwise, the balls could be damaged.
I was really proud of them for the job they did. 

They had the face of the kicking wall up in no time, and even mulched around the base.
Once it was up, they tested it out and decided it needed a little more bracing on the back. 
We found enough old 2x4s and 2x3s laying around to add a 6 foot vertical brace to each edge, plus one between each 4x4 post. 
Holding the brace in place from the back, someone screwed the face boards to it from the front.  The added braces firmed up and flattened out the kicking surface very nicely.  The boys even sanded the edges.  :)

The extra deck board on the top is mainly just to protect the tops of the posts. 
The new wall was up and in use within a week of removing the old one.  If you look closely, you’ll see they added targets to the corners using sidewalk chalk. 
I really recommend something like this for every little soccer player.   My boys are out there every single day.  It can be a lot of fun whether you have just one player, or a dozen.  It’s also great to practice on whether you are a beginner, or a veteran.   
When we scrimmage, we use our portable second-hand soccer net (you can see it in the sixth picture) as the other goal .  Depending on the age of the players, we can adjust the field length by moving it closer or father away.
Incidentally,  the wall doubles nicely as a backyard backstop for the occasional neighborhood baseball game.  :)
This will no doubt be the last soccer practice wall we will have to build. 
If they start kicking holes in this one, their future in pro-soccer will no doubt enable them to afford much better systems…on their own estates!  Lol!

Non-Conventional Bed Frame

My son’s loft bed would have taken up a huge amount of space in the new bedroom.  So, sadly, moving that in wasn’t really an option. 

But since he wanted to move in right away, I decided to try something on a whim.

My husband left two very large book cases in the room that wouldn’t fit in his new office space.  One was exactly the size of a twin mattress.  See where I’m going?  Lol!

We put that shelf on it’s back and flopped the mattress on top.  Then we slid it up against the larger bookshelf.  Instant bed and headboard!

I was concerned at first that the shelves of the “frame” might not stay upright.  I still think I need to put a couple tiny screws in the side of each shelf to keep them from shifting or collapsing to the bottom.  But with two days of flouncing and sleeping without any mishaps, I’m thinking this is a great temporary bed. 

And a bonus?  He has lots of dust-free storage under his bed!  That is, if he doesn’t mind lifting his mattress to get to it!  Lol!  Good thing he’s young and strong!

Oh, the things we mom’s will do…

Come See!! The First Bedroom Is Now Complete!

Whew!  I really pushed yesterday.  But I’m so glad I did!  As you can see, we picked two shades of grey as our color scheme.  If you are just stopping by today, and don’t know what the room looked like before, scroll down—or click here.

The crown molding looks SO much better in the dark grey.  The painted-brown-look from before detracted from the room, in my opinion.

We don’t have a desk yet.  But for now, we placed two low bookshelves in a T-shape to conserve space.  Then we topped it with a scrap piece of plywood which I painted to match the molding.  Not bad!

The chair was made by my dad’s pop-pop.  So as old-fashioned as it is, it’s still a keeper.  I’m thinking of letting my son paint it pewter to go with his room, though.  What do you think?  One part of me hates to put paint on such an antique.  But the other part realizes it is a functional chair that I think my son would appreciate more.

The fan blades were walnut grain and “old” looking.  So I took it apart and painted them dark grey to match the molding.  Now instead of being an eyesore, the fan is one of my favorite parts of the room!  I think it makes the room brighter, too. 

Oh, and the bed?  It isn’t really a bed.  We don’t have a frame.  But since I forgot to take pictures, you’ll have to come back tomorrow to see how we managed! 

We still need an armoire since there is no closet in this room. 

And there are still two bedrooms to re-do!  Onward and upward!  Isn’t that what they say?  Lol!  My other sons are hoping their rooms turn out as well!

I Need Your Help

I got this set of book shelves off of Craig’s List for 25$.  But once I got them in the new office area, they really emphasized the dark windowless-ness of the room.

Plus, the only place for them is next to another big book shelf (in a lighter stain) that my father made years ago. That factor also emphasizes their darkness.  So I decided to experiment with one shelf. 

First, I took the whole cardboard piece off the back.  My theory:  Let the wall color show through the shelves and it will look built-in.

I quickly confirmed my hunch that doing so would necessitate my putting some braces in the corners.  Having it rack from side to side isn’t a good thing!  Lol!

And even then, it needed something more to stiffen it up.  So I compromised.  With the help of a (wonderful) visiting girlfriend and her (equally wonderful) daughter, I took the back, cut it at the level of the middle stationary shelf, and only removed the top portion. 

Resecuring (ack!  I sure wish this program would cooperate with my highly appropriate made-up words!  Red underlines are so distracting!)—Anyway, as I was saying.  Resecuring just the bottom portion of the back with extra tack nails seemed to make it plenty rigid.  

So I did the same thing to the other shelf.

The dark shelves don’t look quite as dark, and I think the lighter wall color shows off my husband’s World War planes much better.  What do you think?  Does it look silly to have part of the shelves backed and part not?

Also, every once in a while I’m catching a smoky smell.  The shelves must have been around smokers in their past life.  Any ideas for limiting the smell?  They’re particle board, so I’m guessing the smoke penetrated the particles.  :(  Maybe painting the open backs of the boards to seal them up?

Negotiating My Own Coupon Book

“Just a hug.” 

That’s my standard answer each year when my boys ask me what I want for Christmas.  They usually smile, shake their heads, and then they say, “No, really, Mom, what do you want?”

So this year, I suggested, “Why not make a coupon book of things you are willing to do for me.   It would mean more than anything you or your dad could buy because you are giving of yourself and your time.”

So here is a cover and coupon pattern I made for them to print out and use.  If you like them, feel free to copy, paste and print as many as you like.

Here are some things we thought of for my coupon book:

• Oh how I would love to have someone vacuum my car.
• Or clear the table—completely, including the wiping.
• Make a batch of cookies for lunch snacks. (My 12 year old loves to do this anyway.)
• Give me complete control of the remote (or pick a movie of MY choice) for a whole night.  (I’d settle for an hour slot, though.  And pretty much anything but Star Wars or the History Channel)
• A dinner date where my children make and serve dinner for my husband and me.  Whatever they choose.  :)  (I’m good with PB & J.  But I’m hoping for Omelets!)
• Vacuum my bedroom.  I’m embarrassed to say that it hardly ever gets done.
• Wipe down my kitchen cabinets.  (They used to be white…)
• A totally fight-free night.  (a highly valuable coupon when you have three boys)
• How about a free tub scrub/shower cleaning?
• Organize the linen closet

I’m still trying to get them to throw in a “multiple use” clause.  But my oldest isn’t buying it.  Smart kid.

My boys liked the idea so much that they asked if I could make them a coupon book too!  Although they have just begun their lists, they put in requests for such things as:

• A sleepover with up to three friends.  Terms to be negotiated.
• One junk food item.  Our treat.
• A Saturday play date with up to 6 friends.
• A movie night with favorite snack.
• A stay up as late as you want coupon.
• Ice cream for dinner.
• Dinner at Krispy Kreme  (Hey, that’s a GOOD one!  Add it to MY list)

…You get the picture.  :)

What are some other ideas you could put on a coupon??  I’d love to hear them!

P.S. Boys, I still want my hugs.  :)

This week’s Works For Me Wednesday is Themed: Gift Ideas: handmade, homemade, unique or frugal! Go check out all the great ideas!

Martha Stewart’s Glow Stick Spiders

While camping at the dunes, we helped the boys make Martha Stewart’s Glow Stick Spiders to decorate our camp site. WHAT A HIT!! They were pretty easy to make, and the boys just loved them dancing in the wind under our canopy. I know I talked about our plans to make them last week, but I needed to show you how they came out!And, yes, the Styrofoam really does light up with the glow from the sticks! We liked the red and blue sticks the best. They seemed to show up very well.

For economy’s sake, we used smaller Styrofoam balls and bracelet size glow sticks for the legs. But other than that, we pretty much followed Martha’s directions.

We picked up a low temp hot glue gun to secure the eye hooks in the top and we’re glad we did. They wouldn’t have stayed in the Styrofoam very well without the hot glue.

I have to say, this is probably the only type of spider I don’t mind hanging around!

Don’t forget to check out DIY Day at Kimba’s A Soft Place To Land!

AND, did you know that Mayhem and Moxie is hosting a FLIP give away? I just read that if you share your Halloween craft in her meme, you can get extra entries! I love it when something I’m posting anyway fits a new purpose!! And I would LOVE to win a FLIP. :)

Play Dough Recipe

Most kids love play dough.  My just-turned-five-year-old is no exception.  It might be obvious to you what he is making.  But I had to ask.“Mom,” he said, “dese are tanks an’ artiwery and d’ey’re having a battle!” 

I knew that.  

Heh-hem.   Anyways…

I love the smell of new Play-Doh.  And the feel of its soft smoothness in my fingers.  However, I usually have the worst luck trying to keep store-bought play dough (of any brand) fresh.  Often, it turns sticky or hard long before I think I’ve gotten my money’s worth. 

So when I began working with children, I experimented with different recipes for homemade play dough.  Many of you probably have a recipe tucked away.  But I wanted to share mine for those who don’t, or who have one which doesn’t work well. 

With this recipe, I could make a batch of homemade play dough at the beginning of the school year and it would stay soft and workable (without getting sticky) pretty much indefinitely.  I’d keep it until I imagined the germies from all those little fingers were breeding like bunnies.  :)   

It’s quick, easy, uses things most of us have on hand, and cheap to make!

Homemade Play Dough

• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup salt
• 2 T or less oil
• 2 t cream of tarter
• 1 cup water
• food coloring (if desired)

Stir over heat until it pulls from the sides of the pan, then turn it onto a piece of aluminum foil to cool. Store it in an air tight container.

You can read lots of cool stuff about Play-Doh at How Stuff Works. They even refer to the same ingredients that I've posted. They said the cream of tarter acts as a stiffener. I always wondered why cream of tarter was called for!

Saving a little money, having fun in the kitchen with your kids, and ending up with something that they’ll play with for countless hours-on-end definitely works for me! 

For other great Works For Me Wednesday tips and ideas, visit We Are That Family!

And We’re Off!

To a brand new school year, that is!

Today is the first day of Middle School (Oh, my) for my oldest.  He had to get up at 5:30!  This was him checking his schedule and map of the school one more time before he left. 

We (I) spent some time yesterday charting his class schedule as well as adding color and labels to a school diagram so it would be easier for him to see at a glance where he was, and needed to go.  I think he’ll do just fine.  :) I must say, I was pretty proud of my work!  I should get an “A”!

My middle son is in the fifth grade this year!  Although he knows his new teacher some because of past extracurricular events, he was still pretty nervous.  This was him down at the bus stop.  Although you wouldn’t guess it from this picture, he woke up this morning with enough energy to make a sprinter jealous.  I’ve said several prayers for his teacher, already!  Lol!

Seriously, I have no doubt that this will be one of the most enjoyable years of his schooling so far.

I can’t wait to hear how things went when they both get home!

So, what am I doing with my time today?

Trying to catch up, for one.  The last few days have been hectic, and the house has been neglected.

But I’m also starting preschool for my youngest.  Preschool at home, that is.  We’ve made a desk area by the window seat for him to work.  It’s close to my computer (but separate from my desk, where he usually camps out).  So, potentially, we can both be working at the same time.  Who knows, I might even get to post more often!!  :) The surface is a piece of countertop I found at Good Will for three dollars.  The shelves are an upturned Citrus Punch box (with it’s cardboard dividers) from Aldi’s which I spray painted the outside of.  We’re not talking fancy.  Just practical.  We’ve had fun stocking the area with all kinds of fun school supplies!    

The Lego Clones and Firemen are standard issue to Preschoolers in this house.  In case you were wondering.

DIY Outdoor Coffee Table

If you’ve been reading my blog, you know that I’ll use logs for just about anything if it will save me from having to buy something.  We have plenty of logs.

These two pictures show umbrella stands and end tables (so to speak) on the stone area we use as our patio.  I talked about how to make them here.  We’re saving to get a real patio poured someday soon.  But my project for this week was for the front of the house.

   

We recently hung a swing on our front porch, and I felt like we needed a foot rest/coffee table/catch all to go with it.  I looked everywhere for something that would work.  But, I found little I liked, and nothing in the price range I was willing to spend.

So, I decided to make my own--after the fashion of our patio umbrella stands—one that wouldn’t tip over easy or crack with the weight of a boy sitting on it.

This is what I came up with.  My husband cut the log I picked into two equal parts.  Then I took a plank (which I got in the scrap bin at the lumber store) and cut it to the length I wanted.   I rounded and sanded its edges, stained it with cedar stain and finally, screwed it to the logs using really long screws.

The result wasn’t half bad, and I didn’t have to buy a thing!

I’m thinking it will last much longer under my boys’ abuse than one of those cheap little plastic tables.

The height is nice, too.  It’s low enough to put a foot or two up and and still swing a little.   Yet, it’s high enough to set a glass of lemonade or a checker board (or Star Wars figure) on and play.  It will do for us! 

Lucky (our kitty) and her buddies like to lay under it, too.

This post is being linked to the following parties, so don’t forget to see what others are talking about and/or link your own ideas up as well!  I’m looking forward to seeing what you all are up to!