Realizations This Morning

That's not fair. Although I did indeed sleep, I was sick and exhausted in my dreams so guess how I woke up feeling.

I chugged my water and went back to the basics - banana/strawberry smoothie - and after dwelling in the land of the conscious, I'm realizing I'm not sick, although I wouldn't exactly say I'm feeling rested.

Yesterday we primed DS15's new room. The fumes stuck in my sinuses are probably what's triggering this downfall. Today I should paint, but after wearing too much primer to work last night, I'm wondering if heading to work a little green would be a good thing.

At least we have the color choice picked out. After looking at paint chips, DS15 & I chose one only to come home and realize its almost the same color that's in his current bedroom.

I'm also coming to realize that although I've been practicing relaxing meditations, I'm still not relaxing before I eat something. I've been trying to make healthier choices, but it dawned on this Dawn yesterday, I need to consciously stop before I eat anything, take several deep breaths, find peace and then begin to eat. On a subconscious level, my body is still in survival mode so my fat switch is still on.

I've been stuck in an exercising rut with this hot summer weather, yet I noticed my body felt achy. Am I getting old? Nope, its the physical work I've been getting trying to fix up the nest. Scraping wallpaper and rolling paint woke up some muscles I wasn't using walking.

Yumi, You Will Have To Move

I began installing our kitchen flooring this past weekend. Its been on the project list for quite a while, since last fall really. Its nothing fancy, but I like how it looks. I wanted something that looked like stone that would hide dirt.

I was so tired of trying to keep our original floor looking clean. Its 15 years old and white. Keeping it looking good was an impossible task. I've made my boys promise one day if they are blessed with a wife, make sure she doesn't have a white floor to try and keep clean.

It wasn't in our budget to rip up the old vinyl and use real stone. With this peel and stick vinyl tile from Armstrong, we don't have to remove the existing vinyl. I really like that. With some old vinyl it can be dangerous to remove it if its older. It could have asbestos. Our vinyl isn't that old, but I still like that it doesn't have to end up in a landfill.

Installation is going in pretty easy. The only problem I'm having, other than keeping cat fur off the floor, is I keep staring at the tiles and trying to figure out how best to position them. I need to let go and go for a random look, but I'm obsessing, worrying about patterns popping out with the stone look. I'm sure I'd be faster if I didn't stare at each tile for several minutes.

I'm going to finish up the corner and then DH will move the heavy furniture tonight so I can continue working my way across the kitchen. DH will then be able to help me cut and install the transition pieces between our living room and kitchen. It may be taking time, but we'll get there.

 

Coming Off Of A Great Weekend

Running away helped.

Saturday we ditched the nest and took a mini-road trip. We drove to K-town to visit the always wonderful G-Ma. We enjoyed lunch together and afterward left the boys with G-Ma, while DH and I made a side trip to visit a high school chum for supper.

Driving down to the area near where I grew up, so much had changed, we got a little lost. Funny how landmarks can change leaving you feeling like you're traveling someplace new.

Our friend made us a wonderful supper and we enjoyed seeing her house and new car. I marveled at her garden, never having seen sweet pepper plants grow so big. She told me to pick all I wanted, and I kicked myself later after realizing I had forgotten my bag of picked peppers as we left. (Sorry Karen!) We won't allow so much time to pass again before our next visit.

The boys walked the lakefront with G-Ma and fed the seagulls and ducks. They also saw a loon which really surprised me. I've never seen a loon on Lake Michigan before. They returned to her house to watch their favorite cable channel which we are not privileged to get, the Chiller channel. They also watched Sharktopus on the SyFy channel. Gotta love those cheesy thrillers!

We drove home late rather than stay over because we wanted to get a jump on our flooring project the next morning. I'm very happy with how much progress we made! The first row took some time, but then we got moving much more quickly. Its a math thing. You have to stagger those seams, and we try our best to use as much square feet of each board, trying to eliminate waste. We only have 1.5 rows left to complete our living room area and all that will be left is the hallway and tricky angle transition between the living room and kitchen. Today I'll be picking up some mighty movers for our furniture to slide around on and ordering a Water Hog door mat. Its all starting to come together!

I'd predict we'd finish by this evening, but the dentist just called with a cancellation, and I scheduled DH in for his cleaning. Working on this floor, has taught me a new meaning of patience. It will be done, when it gets done. Life happens.

Floor Progess Moving Slowly

Yumi doesn't mind the furniture being turned over, but its starting to get to me.

I feel like I'm going through the motions, but not getting anywhere. I suppose its because our Sleepyhouse is still in disarray. The flooring project is taking longer than expected, due to the reality that living our lives has to continue throughout this process. We must work, learn, exercise, clean, eat, sleep. We can't be fixing the nest 24/7. I have to let go and go with the flow. I want this project finished though because I'm already planning others.

I am learning quite a bit working on this flooring project. Maybe I should focus on that rather than worrying about when the house will be back in order? Before we began, I admit I felt a bit overwhelmed. Once I began cutting and ripping up carpet, I could feel the fear leaving. With each carpet tack strip I destroyed, I knew there was no turning back. Seeing all the layers of dirt, pulling up each staple, I just knew this change was going to be for the better.

We're hitting speed bumps, but so far, we haven't come across any obstacles we haven't been able to overcome. I'm so thankful for the Internet!! Its come in so handy when we needed to research how to make two seams come together after that first row of planks went in. The manufacturer's DVD makes the installation process look so easy, but they don't show you how to lock two seams together at 90 degree angles after that first row. Hint, you can't knock those planks too hard with your mallet or you'll break off those tongues for your next row! You have to place some weight on the previous seam to prevent it from coming apart and gently wiggle and press until you find that sweet spot.

You may also not realize how much math goes into laying this floor. We are carefully trying to ensure the seams are properly staggered, at the same time trying not to waste too many boards. We have to calculate how long each board needs to be and exactly where the cut boards can be placed to best use them.

When its all finished, I know we're going to love it. Its going to be easier to keep clean and should help with our allergies.

Laminate Project 9/10 Before and During

Here's a few before and during photos. Its moving along slower than I expected but we are taking our time and getting it right. Having an engineer for a husband means every board is being measured and those seams have to be perfect. :) I don't mind. I know when its all done, it will hold up nicely. I just hope our knees hold out!! I'll be sure to post after photos when we are finished. 

Recovering From The Weekend....

Two days of parties, two days of family, it will take us a while to get back into the groove of things. The Sleepyhouse is full of left overs, but at least a good portion is veggies and fruit. I'll have no excuse not to bring healthy munchies with me to work this week.

The partying alone could have worn me out, but I've noticed my head feels thick, my throat and eyes scratchy. I think this is the first Fall season where I've noticed allergies. My sister told me Ragweed is off the charts, so maybe I do have Fall allergies? Spring didn't bother me this year, but I guess fall will.

I'm grateful this will be a short week, but on the other hand, that just means I have to cram more into 4 days instead of 5. I always seem to keep adding to my to do list before checking everything off.

Our new flooring is sitting in the garage. We wanted to buy it before the sale ended, but we won't have time to install it for a few weeks. We still need to self educate ourselves as to how we're installing it. We're receiving advice and opinions from everyone, even strangers in line at the home improvement store, but when it comes down to it, its our baby. I find it funny, the analogy. I had the excitement knowing it was coming, the worry, what will we do when we get it, and the realization, boy, this is going to be a time suck! LOL! I'm sure when it's all finished it will feel good and we'll move on to the next project.

I better get moving on my to do list today. I know this week will fly by.

Getting Ready For Changes In The Sleepyhouse

Today's the last day of freedom for our public school friends. My basement, ahem... I mean Mancave, is filled with boys, and I'm left to my own amusement. DS11 still walked with me this morning, but other than that, the boys' time has been occupied with their friends.

I've been working on cleaning and organizing my kitchen. I'm excited that soon we'll be replacing the flooring. For 9 years I've lived with the floor that originally came with this house, which is 15 years old now. The kitchen has a white vinyl floor. I've told my boys several times, when they are blessed with a wife, make sure her kitchen does not have a WHITE floor!! It is impossible to keep clean looking.

My new kitchen floor will be nothing fancy, vinyl again, only its a tile this time that looks like stone. Its a peel and stick that can go right over the existing white vinyl sheet flooring. I'm excited about that. Easy to install and I don't have to rip up the existing flooring.

This all came about because DH decided we need to get rid of the living room carpet. It too is 15 years old and its at the point where even shampooing can't help it. We're going to put in laminate flooring that will look like wood. I'm excited about doing this installation ourselves as a family. I'm hoping the boys learn quite a bit. (Learning through living!)

Our living room area flows through to our kitchen area, but we didn't want to put laminate in the kitchen because it really shouldn't get wet. Plus with wooden kitchen cabinets, a wood looking floor would be too much wood, in my opinion. I like the look of a stone floor better.

I'm looking forward to how much easier it will be to keep clean, free of cat hair and dander! Eventually, we'll probably do the same in our bedrooms, ripping out the carpet and putting in laminate and room sized rugs. It will be better for our allergies. 

I thought my week off would be a complete break from the pool, but I am working on projects at home, and I will have to go in to the pool to work this Friday. At least I'm able to enjoy suppertime with my family every night!

I'm trying to come up with something special to do tomorrow, our "not back to school" day. We won't see our homeschool posse until Thursday so we'll be on our own all day, or at least until after 3:00pm. :) When I ask the boys, they mention going to McDonald's. Blah! I want to do something better than that!

Maybe we'll go to the big library, which will now be empty, and load up our giant canvas bags with goodies. Or maybe we should try golfing, but of course its suppose to thunderstorm tomorrow. Hmm...maybe we should try the indoor mini-golf and then take DH out for lunch?

Well, I better get going. While I have one last afternoon of free time from boys and work, I think I'll take another walk and check out our town's Farmer's Market. Hopefully I'll be inspired to make something yummy for supper.

What's Up on Wednesday

Its so beautiful out, what am I doing inside?

School is officially out in our village, so I once again have a basement full of boys. Fed them hotdogs and watermelon so they are happy. I'm going to have to get used to flying solo. At least the boys are still sharing their mornings with me.

I made chocolate covered strawberries after deciding the berries were too big. I broke down and bought California strawberries at the store, but truthfully, I like the local smaller berries we should be able to pick in a few days. The tiny ones taste better to me. When I see a humongous berry, I naturally think it needs chocolate. I'll serve them to my homeschool posse moms tomorrow.

I'm taking baby steps to making over my bedroom. My original goal was to prime and paint this coming weekend, but I'm discovering there is just way too much junk to move first. I want a true love nest to share with my husband.

Yesterday we moved book shelves, including all the books stacked on them, from our bedroom. DH found room for them alongside the treadmill in the Mancave. My first reaction upon seeing the empty space in our bedroom- HEY! We could buy more book shelves to fit there! No, no, no, Dawn. You are building a Love Nest, not a library.

I'm trying to take inspiration from the forest, but choosing paint colors is difficult. I want it earthy, but not too brown, not too dark. I should just go for it and remember its only paint.

Well, I better get back on task. Hope you're enjoying your week! 

10 For Tuesday

Life has been keeping me away from the computer. Here's ten quick updates.

1. DS9 turned into DS10 over the weekend! YEAH! His party was great fun. We had 10 feet of submarine sandwich and 10 feet of cupcakes. We made ATCs and he scored some great gifts from our generous family.

2. A new computer is coming! Although its scary making such a big purchase in this economy, my friend reminded me its really an investment in my children. Having a decent home computer does make home schooling much easier. It will be wonderful to have two PCs up and running, making it easier for the 4 of us to share.

3. I'm wondering if Yumi is dry heaving because she keeps licking the windows. I'm thinking that really isn't a clean source of water for her. I also think she's been trying to drink the water coming from the furnace as well. I've covered up that drain and I've been trying to dry the windows. We change her water dish daily and I often allow her to drink from the faucet. Too bad those water fountains for cats are so expensive.

4. Our cleaning and purging project is coming along nicely. We still have miles to go, but its been a relief knowing everyone is on board with this process. I'm getting tempted to have a garage sale this spring, but I'll have to talk myself out of it. Its just not worth the effort it takes. Plus I appreciate the instant gratification knowing the clutter is gone for good. After a garage sale, it seems there are always boxes that linger in my garage waiting for ride to Goodwill.

5. I'm a tad disapointed we aren't going to the Unschoolers Winter Gathering at the Kalahari in Ohio. It would have been so awesome to be in a resort filled with unschoolers like us. When it came down to it, we wanted a new computer instead of a week's vacation. Plus, its difficult for DH to take the time away from work. It wouldn't have been any fun without him.

6. Its time to paint! We've lived like college students long enough and we deserve a grown up bedroom. My problem is, I can never pick a color. I always thought I wanted romantic jewel tones, but the room is small and I don't want dark paint making it seem smaller. Although I've never stayed at the Sundara spa, I like the room photos. I'm thinking we need something nuetral, but then I also want some color. I'm leaning towards chocolate milkshake brown, with cranberry accents. The windows are strangely placed, according to my symetrical needs, so I may just drape an entire wall in cranberry curtains.

7. I'm trying to convince DS13 to build a cat tree for Yumi. He keeps eyeballing them at the pet store, but I point out how expensive they are. I know he could probably build one if he wanted to. I keep dropping hints hoping he'll take the bait.

8. Got any Superbowl plans? I'm thinking we need to have a party. Now that Christmas has come and gone, and DS10's birthday has passed, I need another excuse to make party food. Its what you do to get through the winter. Create reasons to celebrate! I don't think I want to stand outside and grill. Got any ideas?

9. I know how to kill someone with my bare hands. The boys and I watched a self defense video. I told DH it also qualifies as science because they went into the physics and physiology. Don't mess with us now. LOL! 

10. I might be able to fix our washing machine myself, thanks to my brother's advice. This should be a service available. Instead of a repairman coming to do it for you, it would be better to have someone who would show you what the problem is and how to fix it yourself, for less money. I'm sure there are some people who don't want to do the labor themselves, but being able bodied, if we knew how to do it, we would. Hmmm... home repair coaching. Maybe that's the business to start? Or a home repair co-op?

Busy Babble

I really don't feel like I have the time to blog, but I want to be able to look back and see what we were up to.

My van turned over 200,000!! Whoo Hoo!!!! I only hope it makes it to 300,000. Can't afford a new or even used new car right now. Yes, I was driving when I took this snap. I was even speeding, going 26 in a 25!!! Oooooh!!! I'm so bad!!

DH turned 40 and we celebrated with a rare supper out at Outback. What was that I was just saying about going veg and meaning it? There is something in their steak rub. It tastes so good especially when you first swirl your fork in garlic mashed potatoes before stabbing the tines into that delicious juicy bite of mammal flesh.

I did go back to veg after Friday night. Saturday we drove over the river and through the woods and welcomed Grandma back from Arizona. We celebrated DH's birthday again with pizza at Kaisers. I went with thin, crusty, cheese goodness with a side of fried green beans. SO YUMMY! Its a good thing I can only get fried green beans in Kenosha or I would eat them way too often.

I tried to do some Christmas shopping yesterday and it depressed the hell out of me. I was so uptight and tense by the time I hit the sheets. I just am not a shopper. Never have been. Even shopping online drove me batty. I have this thing about getting the least expensive price and I don't want to pay for shipping. I have too high of standards too. Everything looks like crap to me.

My one glorious moment of retail bliss was the box of sunshine spheres from Spain I bought from the Wiggler. Can a person OD on Clementines? I may be the first. I picked up a crate for only $3.99. Why did I worry about buying two and having them go to waste? I'm already almost half way through the box. The $3.99 price was a weekend special only. I'll have to go back to paying $8.00 now that I'm hooked on a Clementine high.

I haven't finished decorating for Christmas yet. I'm very tempted to call it done and put the storage bin away. Less is more right? So why do I feel I'm emotionally letting down my family if my house isn't transformed into Santa's cottage workshop?

Tomorrow we are suppose to be hit with a few inches of ice with a few more inches of snow on top. The boys are stoked but the adults who have to drive in it, are not too excited. Maybe I need to think sled dog team instead of worrying about how our next vehicle will materialize?

Have you heard of photo walking? Its simply taking a walk and snapping photos as you go. Often there are groups that do it together. I'm thinking of trying this. My camera is crippled, but what have I got to lose? If I can stay upright during the ice storm tomorrow, I'll try my first photo walk and I'll let you know how it goes.

Well, I better get to chores. Our bikes need to trade places with the sleds and hang from the garage ceiling. I'm sure DH will want to pull the car into the garage tonight too.

My cheap pot rack project

I realized I never did show you my ultra cheap, yet highly functional pot rack!  It has cleared up congestion in the pot storage cabinet, although, you know what, I'm realizing I don't use several of these pots, even on a weekly basis. I should get rid of the pots and pans we don't use.

I used a simple piece of Aspen and screw in hooks I bought at Menards. Total cost was probably under $5. I'd have to search for the receipt.

Its resting on my cabinets. It comes down very quickly if I believe guests will think it makes my kitchen look cluttered. Although, I like my Revere wear pans. My mom had this style of cookware only with the copper bottoms. I should buy some Revere wear polish though.

The largest fry pan didn't come with my set. I picked that up at a garage sale for a quarter. After I bought it, I figured out why they ditched it. Its not non-stick. I think I've ended up using this pan once or twice. I should ditch it as well.

My other pans and pots I can't hang up, unless I buy some leather rawhide to make loops to hang them from. My Revere wear came with metal rings already in place.

I still may stain or paint the wood to coordinate with my kitchen, but for now, it works. The hooks came in packages of 4. You can see I could still fit one more in the middle. I haven't decided if its worth it to buy one more package and only use 1 of the hooks in it.

I may take down my curtains. That rod doesn't really fit. I may buy a new shade. I know I should take down the Christmas lights, but hey, Christmas is just around the corner now! Maybe for Christmas, I'll stick Tomte walking across my pot rack!! 

Pot Rack Idea

I'm so tired of trying to pull the correct pan out from my cabinet and having them all crash. I was considering buying a pot rack until I saw how much they are. I was shocked. Who spends thousands just for a place to hang cookware? (Google Pot Rack and you'll see what I mean.)

I decided I could make something much less expensively. My kitchen isn't that big, so I was thinking of trying something over the kitchen sink window. I found this plan, and I thought I'd stick it here on my blog, so I can refer to it later. I don't have time today to make the rack, but its going on my to do list.

Do you have a pot rack? Do you think they are handy storage solutions or eyesores?

Pot Rack Valance

Materials:

measuring tape

wood

sand paper

stain

double point staples

S-hooks

toggle bolts

hammer

drill

rawhide lacing

Steps:

1. Measure the length of the window opening. Cut the board to length and soften the edges with sandpaper.

2. Stain the wood to match the other wood in the room and let dry.

3. Tap staples over one end of the S hooks and secure them.

4. Use toggle mounts to secure the board to the ceiling above the window

5. Hang pots and/or drill holes into wooden handles and secure with rawhide lacing

Feathering my nest....

My back is still bothering me but thankfully, DH was feeling strong. We had a very productive weekend. I convinced him to give up on the Yumi's pee couch and we moved it to the garage. Of course, this meant first we had to clean up the garage enough to be able to move the couch in there!

When we moved the couch out into the sunlight, I knew we had made the right decision. We bought that couch in 1993. I hadn't realized how dirty it was, even before Yumi peed on it. We saw the original color of the couch when we removed the cushions. The couch will sit for now, in the garage until we can figure out the best way to send it to a better place.

We rearranged the living room furniture and now there is a much better flow. The space has opened up and there's still enough seating for everyone. I've decided to buy a waterproof futon mattress protector and a new futon cover. This way, if Yumi decides to pee on it, I can more easily wash the covers than have to worry about trying to wash a giant absorbent cushion.

I'm hoping she won't pee on it though. We did change back to the Feline Pine litter, despite how our vet feels about it. I don't think Yumi really liked the S'wheat Scoop. I admit it did hurt my feet when I stepped on it. Maybe Yumi and I are princesses, but those little wheat husks are sharp. (Of course Yumi and I are princesses!)  The Scoopable Feline Pine is soft, like sawdust. So far Yumi isn't puking so I really think it was the food she was eating with corn in it that made her sick months ago. She now eats grain free, "Taste Of The Wild".

We couldn't afford the $300 to have our Blind Melon tour poster matted and framed at Michaels. Instead I bought a $19.99 frame at Joann's and I think it works just fine. DH says we'll try to buy another $10 poster and keep that one in an archival tube. Maybe this time, we'll have the band autograph it as well as Nel hoon, the artist. If she thinks that's ok.

Can you spot Nel's signature in the poster? Nel is the mom of the original Blind Melon singer, Shannon Hoon. His favorite necklace was drawn into the piece. I really like it because not only is it a great reminder of our Blind Melon shows this year, its got a beautiful nature motif. I want to bring my love of nature into my home, so I feel like I'm living outdoors, only with central air and heating and mosquito free!