Change in the Air

I had quite a busy day today.   

I gave in and hired a man to come install my recessed  lights in the kitchen.
I'm tired and the thought of trying to pull electrical wires under the
ceiling did not appeal to me.. I'm good but not that good!

I think I've had these little lights sitting in the bag for several months and
finally I've had them installed.  Only trouble is, "Now I want a few more"
One more in the kitchen and 6 in the dining room.  I'm going
to remove the chandelier and go for the 'Clean look'!

So far I'm really happy with the look.  The new lights were put on a dimmer switch  and it's perfect lightening...
Next step "Smooth the ceiling" and that part of the "Ever on going Reno" is DONE!   Then to finish the wallpaper.

While the electrical guy was working on the lights, I was taking out the carpeting on the stairs.
This will be another post because it may take me a week to get this project finished.  It's not as easy as I predicted.  
So until then!

I've got a million little carpet tacks to remove. Measure each stair step for the new plywood to be cut.  Then paint!  (What color?  What else, White!
 I'll be back... More than likely bruised and sore,  but I'll be back!

Until then I may not leave the house... might just get my hair done and sit in a chair mostly.  Maybe a mani....  but then that may get ruined next week.. Ok, no manicure! 

 

"Happy Super Bowl Weekend"

I'm linking up to

Remodelaholic Friday

Metamorphosis Monday!

Sandy

Sending the Sun....

I'm sending the  "Sunshine" to all of you up North today...

I know how much you must want and need the warm weather...

Sending this up especially to my bloggie friend  

Jackie @ "Grannys Place"

She and her hubby have been housebound for several days now!

Wishing the ice and snow melts really fast... 

Take care all!

(((((("Hugggsssss"))))))

Sandy

concrete floor

Now that I have the 'fireplace wall unit   finished it was time to pull the old carpeting.   I was up early and got to it with my really sharp paring knife... it was really easy to cut and I was so ready to put it out in the trash!

Good bye ugly carpeting!

The one thing that was the most work was pulling the side wood that has all the nails in it, to hold the carpet along the wall board.  My poor hands are sore from building the wall unit, now I had to pull this.  It had so many nails holding it to the concrete.  Later  I will have to patch the holes before I can paint it.  

What a mess it was!  But I was in luck, Mr. N came home and gave me a hand. He pulled and I cleaned as he went along.  
While I was cleaning the dust and pulling nails I thought of all the people up in the North today, stuck in the snow and cold weather.  It's hot here today, well hotter than it's been for months.. in the 70's.   Just know, "I'm thinking of you all and wish your safe and warm"!

I spent the better part of 5 hours pulling nails and cleaning the dusty floor.. it was so dirty and my vacuum  kept getting clogged with the dust. Time to bring out the mop.  It was so much easier to get the drywall dust cleaned away.
This carpet was laid on such a large amount of white drywall dust.. wonder if all new homes are the same?   Like the contractors do not clean the concrete before the carpets are installed.. it was nasty!   I so hate wall to wall carpet!  Especially for the Mr.  who  has asthma and suffers from it!  We were lucky, the living room was the only room to have such carpet.
I'm happy to say the concrete floor is smooth and no need to sand or level any spots.  Now to make the decision as what color to paint it?

The "Ikea"  truck came today and delivered my new sofa.. (Faux Pottery Barn) and me and the Mr. put it together.. so easy!  Then we laid out the new extra large throw carpet I also got at "Ikea"  Put the sofa in place and tried to make the "What Color" to paint the concrete decision?

Notice Mr N's feet in the above photo,  he had enough of me  and said loudly,  "No more work for me today"!

I have no idea what color to paint the concrete?   I laid a shelf from my birds stand next to the tile that runs throughout my entire downstairs.  It's a tan color, I thought this might be right?  Then my neighbor came over and told me "Grey"... look at the color of the concrete, why not paint it Grey?  Mr. N.  said, "White".. hmmmm?  No, that is not right either!
 Then I got a call from my daughter in Palm Beach and she also said, "Grey". We will see tomorrow?

I'm so undecided on the color!   Please, anyone who has a suggestion for the color of the concrete floor, leave a comment.  The above photo shows my terracotta tile and the new   throw rug that will lay on the concrete! 
Tomorrow I'm off to the "Home Depot" to make the choice for paint color .. might just bring home a few samples?   
My brain is tired tonight and I just don't want to make a decision....decisions, decisions?




To be continued........

I'm linking up to

Show and Tell 

Sandy
x0x0x

Crochet Tablecloth

For almost a year now my daughter has been looking for a tablecloth, any kind of table cloth, but one that fit on her triangle glass table.  She has been using sheets that were not very fashionable.  She told me she was on the internet looking for one as she does not have the stores we here in the States have.. I laughed and told her "We here in the States can't find a triangle table cloth either"!
She asked me "If I would make her one"  I did not have access to the table to know the size... "Well", she said, "It is 65" from one tip to another, as if that would help me, but I gave it a try!

We talked about making the cloth with fabric, one she could wash and not worry about stains.  Then I went on a fabric search.. sure there are lots of cotton/linen that could be used but none wide enough to make a table cloth without seams... 

"Crochet", that would be perfect.  I could start it with a teeny triangle and continue from there.  I love to crochet and this one was done without a pattern.. I just went round and round.  Once it was large enough I laid it on the floor and measured from one tip to another to get the 65" she needed.  Then I added another 11" to be sure of a over hang.

The only problem for me, it was not getting large enough, fast enough.  It took me for what seemed like forever to complete.. I did not clock my time but I think it was about a months worth of sittings each night. Was good for my spare time.  I also have no idea how many balls of thread I used but I was thrifty and only bought a ball when I had my 40% off coupon from JoAnns. Can't tell you how many times I went into that store for more balls... Also, I didn't count how many balls I bought, did not want to scare myself with the cost of this tablecloth.  It was for my baby girl after all!

Gina has her table cloth now and sent photos of it on her table.
I want it back to add more rows.  Seems a bit short to me, but she is happy with it.
I still have the crochet tablecloth my Mom made me many years ago and I'm hoping Gina will enjoy it as much as I did mine.

Look how nice it is on her table.  

She told me "Now I can have people over without putting on a Sheet"!

But then, she said, "Everyone uses sheets because they can't find tablecloths"

The commissary only sells small rectangle cloths and no one likes them.

My daughter likes to keep me busy. (She has three baby boys)  See the sectional sofa in the background of the above photo.  She asked me if I can help her make 'slip covers' for it.

Long distance slip covers. I'm in Florida, she is in Guam.  

"I'll send you the measurements", she said!

Silly girl!

I'm linking up to

Making the World Cuter Monday

Get your Craft on Thursday 

Show off your Stuff 

Picture Perfect

There are not too may days in the year that we can say the weather is

"Picture Perfect"

If only I could offer you a 'Scratch and Sniff' or add a photo of "The warmth of the sunshine"...

 I made a pact with myself.. If I get my, "oh so lazy self outside and do a bit of yard work", I would allow myself the afternoon off ( haha)  To sit and watch all the programs and movies I have taped on  DVR!! 


I used this day to transplant some bulbs that were hiding under a large tree in the front yard.. I dug them all out and carried them to the back of my yard.. then I found my Bromeliads in bloom, peaking out from under all the dried leaves.

My yard is pretty large and these flowers were to be seen by no one.. so I picked them to go into the house, for my own pleasure.

No, this is not a sign of an early Spring.  In South Florida  Bromeliads grow all year. These few were a welcome sign, after the cold we have had these past few months.
I'm glad I got out there today.  Did so much more than I expected to do. Even got down by the creek and clipped a lot of vines that take over our trees.  They call them "Potato Vines" and they are deadly.  Rumor has it the Japanese brought them over to our area and planted them for food.  I see maybe thousands of those little potatoes all around.  Too many to pull from the ground each year so we simply cut down the vines before they take over. No, I have never tried to eat the potatoes.. the are round, and have many eyes in them? When I find them I toss them into the creek.

 These little beauties are now sitting on my kitchen counter!

Today it reached 68' and perfect to work in the garden.  

As I said, I did more than I expected and now am tired, feet up and feeling "Oh so happy"

I know many people Up North are suffering through cold winter weather so I do hope my bit of sunshine helps you smile.



I'm linking to
Tuesdays Garden Party 


Out Door Wednesday

 

Fireplace wall unit....

I've been giving little snippets of my Faux Fireplace wall unit for a few weeks now and am happy to say "It's finally finished"... or at least almost finished. I have a few tweeks left and a touch here and there of paint in spots I might have missed, but, it's finished!  I  am so happy with the results.

My fingers have several bruises  and blood blisters from the hammer and my wrist is suffering a bit of pain.  It will all heal in time, but the smile on my face will be here for years to come.  Although it's been hot I have turned on the heat and it works!  I can't wait for winter to set in.. but in the mean time I can just use the fan and just let the glow of the flame surround my senses.   Now I'm thinking of buying a second  unit for the upstairs hallway.

From what I understand this heat unit uses the electricity of a light bulb!  

That is a good thing!

It all started with this 'blank canvas wall'.  The heater looks dwarfed against the wall and a fireplace is something I've always wanted in this house. The HOA will not allow me to knock down the wall for a real fireplace so this is the next best thing.
 I went to my local Home Depot and gave the cutting guy my measurements and he cut a 4' by 8' sheet of cabinet plywood. I bought nails, glue, wood filler and got to work!

(but first I said a prayer and crossed my fingers)
I also might add, "The only help I had was when Mr. N. helped me hold the wood together while I hammered"
(he thought I was nuts for taking on such a project) 

Here are the tools and items I used most to create this project.
Simple Items really, glue, hammer, nails, paint and a much needed measuring tape.

I had to take out the carpet along the wall, then put inside the surround two cinder blocks to give the heater a bit of height.  The Amish are very proud of their beautiful wood cabinet but I did not want the cabinet showing, I wanted a white wall unit.... it had to be hidden. 

I then Put together the book shelves on both sides.

Did a bit of hand sanding to smooth the wood then sat for a full day looking at the unit to see how I could make two half doors to allow the cable guy to get in and our getting the heat unit out, if repairs were needed.  After I cut the doors I found my measurements were so wrong.  I had to  cut off a fraction of an inch.. only to find "I cut it crooked"!!  There was not enough wood left to cut new doors so I did a bit of patching with wood filler.

This is when frustration set in and I had to walk away from my work for a full day.  Went shopping and cleared my head.
The next day, mind refreshed, I got the doors to work and put on a topcoat of primer. Also I found a little scroll decoration to add to the front of the face.  A little too traditional for me but it added something.

  All in all the entire project took me about 5 days.  I did not work non stop or rushed through it.  I found if you have the measurements exact and someone can cut the wood for you, it makes for an easy project.

After putting on two coats of Satin Enamel Paint I let it dry for two days then gathered items from around the house to decorate a bit... I think I want to get a lamp of some kind to stand on the book case.  Guess I'll have to do a bit of shopping this week.
Now I need to think about a new floor. Why is it that one project always leads to another.  Can't leave it as is now!

Under the old carpet is a slab of concrete. My thought is to take a piece of tile from the back of the laundry room and go find paint to match it...My entire downstairs has such nice "Spanish Terracotta Tile".  I'm going to simply paint the concrete   then get a large throw carpet.  I have a photo of one from Pottery Barn but they want about $900.00 for it.  I think not!  The search is on.
As I said, the entire project took about 5 days and I spent just under $100.00 for all the supplies and wood.  The Faux Flame seems to feel real when the room is dark and it is gives a nice calm feeling at the end of the day.  Did I tell you an added extra came with the fire heat surge, a remote to turn the flame high or low, heat has 5 settings and you can turn off the heat and just have the glow of the flickering flame.... 
One more thing,, I put down a new floor. A light wood throughout the entire downstairs....

Nice, very nice! 

I'm happy to be joining 


Saturday Night Special

Shame....

I had to laugh when I read this article but they were so right about my state, "Florida"!
"Florida"  is the worst in "Identity Theft"!   This I do believe!  I had my identity stolen  several years ago when someone got the number of my ATM card after I  swiped it at a gas station.   My bank called me two days later and told me about it and said the FBI was  investigating... they also were kind enough to put back my $645.00 in a weeks time.
They told me the store, a gas station food store, is where it was used (the card was still in my wallet).. somehow the person got my number after I swiped it in the little machine at  the counter!   I also know several friends who tell similar stories here in Florida.   Several clerks have told me to never use my debit card, with my using my pin number at a gas pump.  Whoever,  can be standing behind me with a camera and click, while I punch in my pin. Always use your debit card, as a credit card and to this day  "I never use it with my pin number".


What state do you live in and do you believe what the map says about yours?


I think what they say about "North Dakota" is rather mean....All of you in "New Mexico" are "Anti Social"?   "Ohio",  your all a bunch of "Nerds"..... "Illinois" highest rate of robbery.   Yes, when I lived there my house was robbed!


Don't everyone yell at me all at once ... it's something my daughter posted today and I had to share!  What I want to know is "Where they got the stats"?


Here is the link...    

See what it says about your state..... 

Resting and Remembering....

Today I took off.. literally!

Got in my car and drove.  Made a few stops, shopped, ate things I had no business eating and just enjoyed the day!
I also remembered so clearly, my Mom.   Somehow I felt her sitting in the passenger seat beside me while I drove.   I could feel the smile on my face as we talked and laughed together...  She has done this a few times over the years, since her death.. spent some time with me.
This may sound silly to some while others can relate....

It was nice.

Once I was home I walked by the above wall sampler my mom made in 1981. It has hung in my home with pride since Mom died in 1998.   As I walked past, it seemed to draw me in..  guess Mom came in with me, after our ride.  The house on the sampler is a replica of my house back in Illinois.  Life was really good back then.  All my kids were young.   I was so busy and Mom and my brother Tom were both alive and well...


We all have to start somewhere and my beginning
started with my "Mom"... she always had a needle
or a hammer in her hand.  I can still see her making or
fixing something.  She also worked right beside me during
my days as a Caterer.  Nobody made cheese cake better
than my mom.

I have tried to teach my two daughters some
of my crafty self.. and yes, they both have
done some good work.. Cyndi can cross stitch
better than I.   Gina is now so busy with
three baby boys that take all her time.  She
home schools,  but manages to do a bit
of crafting in her free time.

Thank you Mom, for all your lessons! 

And Thank you for going out with me today....



Love you 


 

Frustration

I started a project this past week and today "Total Frustration" has set in.

Fireplace Surround!

I cut two small doors, to  allow the cable guy or a space to remove the insert if needed repairs are required.   
I cut the doors wrong!  So I had to cut a fraction of an inch off each to allow them to close properly.... Well, I cut them crooked!  So I tried to patch the mess I made.  I just did not want to go buy more wood to cut new doors....

I patched the mess as well as I could with wood filler, then let it all dry.  I think it worked but that remains to be seen. Literally!  
Spent the day hand sanding the entire unit and used a primer as the first coat of paint. May re-sand tomorrow, depending on how smooth it is to the touch.
All in all, I'm happy with the results so far.  The room feels cozy with the faux fire going.

Rather than loose my mind, I went out in the beautiful weather were having and raked the leaves that blew last night. We had quite a stormy, thunderie night!  


Although I really like the look of traditional I did not want to put too many doo-daas on the face of the fireplace but I found a nice little face plate, a scroll of sorts and glued it on.  

I think after 4 days of non stop working on my new fireplace unit I need to walk away from it for a full day.  Tomorrow I'm going shopping for a few hours.  Might be just what I need to get the frustrations out of my system because the more I look at it, the more I see that needs doing.  The more I see wrong!

Tonight I'm thinking it might have made more sense to have hired a carpenter to do this job.. but so far I've only spent $89.00.  Way less than it would have cost to hire someone.  But then the satisfaction of my making it will shine through once it's done, the room put back together and the decorations set up on the shelves... yes, I will feel better.    But until then all I can say is.....

Ug!

Sandy

I think I need a hug!

 

Shelf Life

Did you ever go into your cabinet or pantry and wonder "How long should I keep this item"?


Well I found this really interesting article today and thought everyone might like the information about every day products and the shelf life.

A handy keep-or-toss guide to 75 foods, beauty products, and household goods.

 75 Surprising Expiraion Dates

Brown sugar
Indefinite shelf life, stored in a moistureproof container in a cool, dry place.
Chocolate (Hershey bar)
1 year from production date
Coffee, canned ground
Unopened: 2 years
Opened: 1 month refrigerated
Coffee, gourmet
Beans: 3 weeks in paper bag, longer in vacuum-seal bag (after this time, color or flavor may be affected, but product is still generally safe to consume)
Ground: 1 week in sealed container
Coffee, instant
Unopened: Up to 2 years
Opened: Up to 1 month
Diet soda (and soft drinks in plastic bottles)
Unopened: 3 months from “best by” date.
Opened: Doesn't spoil, but taste is affected.

I don't think I have had many of the foods or cleaners in my closet long enough to worry about the shelf life.. I don't buy in bulk or have more than two of each item around the house... I do keep one cleaner in the down bath and one in the up bath.. but what is under the kitchen sink is usually 'it'!
I'm so not one of those people that keep stuff,, if I don't use it I either give it away or toss it... I like no clutter in my closets.


Now Make up.. I'm guilty of keeping that much too long.. but I do toss it after a year if it's not used up....  Take a look at a few of the items mentioned in the article and click on the link at the end of my post to see the page...
Very interesting indeed!

Body bleaches and depilatories
Unopened: 2 years
Used: 6 months
Body lotion
3 years
Conditioner
2 to 3 years
Deodorant
Unopened: 2 years
Used: 1 to 2 years
For antiperspirants, see expiration date
Eye cream
Unopened: 3 years
Used: 1 year
Face lotion
With SPF, see expiration date. All others, at least 3 years
Foundation, oil-based
2 years
Foundation, water-based
3 years
Hair gel
2 to 3 years
Hair spray
2 to 3 years
Lip balm
Unopened: 5 years
Used: 1 to 5 years
Lipstick
2 years
Mascara
Unopened: 2 years
Used: 3 to 4 months
Mouthwash
Three years from manufacture date
Nail polish
1 year
Nail-polish remover
Lasts indefinitely
Perfume
1 to 2 years
Rubbing alcohol
At least 3 years
Shampoo
2 to 3 years
Shaving cream
2 years or more
Tooth-whitening strips

Fire extinguisher, nonrechargeable
12 years
Laundry detergent, liquid or powdered
Unopened: 9 months to 1 year
Opened: 6 months
Metal polish (silver, copper, brass)
At least 3 years
Miracle Gro, liquid
Opened: 3 to 8 years
Miracle Gro, liquid, water-soluble
Indefinite
Motor oil
Unopened: 2 to 5 years
Opened: 3 months
Mr. Clean
2 years
Paint
Unopened: Up to 10 years
Opened: 2 to 5 years
Spray paint
2 to 3 years

The article talks about the 'Fire Extinguisher'... mine has been sitting under the kitchen sink for 6 years now.. wonder if it still works? They say 12 years!

I've enclosed the link to the article if you would like to read it.  I need to look around the house for some of these products and maybe toss a few.... hmmm?

Click here to read the article

 

"Happy Tossing"