Quiet again

[Heather]

Ok it's quiet on here again! What is everybody up to? How's the ole' to-do list?

For me it's been painting pickets - we think we'll need 214 of them. Yikes! I have a little picket painting factory going on in the basement. As well I just finished painting new-to-me dining room chairs we found in a dumpster and they look fantastic! Outside I've got the new fence line all cleared and planted 2 new gardens on the fence line (perennial wild flowers with a butterfly bush and hydrangeas), the herb garden prepped, and the fruit trees pruned.

So, ladies over to you - whatcha all doing?

[ChapterTwo]

Heather, what is the weather like up there in BC for you to be doing all that outdoor stuff? Kudos to you! :)

I can't wait to see your painted dining room chairs. Ya know, my dining room chairs literally fell apart in the recent past (gee, they were only purchased in 1975! lol) One day I was driving down a street and couldn't believe my eyes...there were four d.r. chairs, with two matching arm chairs! I don't have a truck, just a car, but I threw three of them in the backseat and drove home (only about 5 minutes away), but I was SO nervous that the garbage men were going to come and whisk the others away before I got back. In fact, when I got home, I just tossed the chairs in my backyard...no time for unlocking doors and dodging kitties!

Anyway, they were still there when I got back and they match my d.r. set perfectly. Of course, I do have visions of painting it all white...

Just the thought that you're planting is soooo wonderful!

[mac78]

I am at week 4 for my classes. I have lots of homework for the weekend. I am still trying to decide on a color for the bathroom. This weekend I am reorganizing my daycare stuff and putting most of the toys back into covered containers. Yesterday the kids had every toy pulled off the shelves and I stepped on one and about fell on my touche. So I am putting things back in covered containers and limiting them to how much is out at once. Austin has a job interview today for a STNA job in Columbus....I hope he gets it. Dave started cleaning the church this week and I will start next week. I am so glad it is Friday. Lots to do. Patiently waiting on the snow.....we are on the edge of snow or no snow.

[Nikki]

Heather- WOW thats a lot of pickets! What kind of paint are you using for them? I'm disappointed that my pickets are peeling badly after only a year and a half, I think my mistake was using latex outdoor primer instead of oil.

We're still plugging away on our bungalow bathroom remodel. The tub is in, so now we are going to work on the subway tile surround. Hopefully the radiant floor heating system will be here by next weekend, and then we get to figure out how to install it and the oct and dot mosaic tile that we purchased.

[cheapdiva]

I am still cleaning up holiday items. Took my snowman collection out of one cabinet earlier this week and am now trying to figure out what to put in there. I do this several times a year to keep things fresh.

We are hoping the last of the bead board will be put up in our kitchen next week, then painting and finally the new open shelves on the big wall. This kitchen project started last May - OMG! Fortunately, the new cupboards, appliances, countertops etc. have been in since October. But I will be glad when all the big work is completed.

Then we'll be moving on to the half bath/laundry room (which was what got this whole project started). Ugh!

[vintage girl]

We are going to start a new project within the next few week. Didn't I just say I was done??;) I have decided I want to repaint our tiny bathroom and put up white beadboard on one wall. We only have one very very tiny bathroom and it is currently painted a light almost teal green. What was I thinking?? I want to make it lighter and fresher looking. I found some really pretty ooopsy paint at Lowes last weekend. It is a lovely creamy white with just a very very subtle hint of yellow to it. We already have white beadboard around the window and about the shower enclosure, just will add more on one wall. I also have been doing some rearranging of furniture, accessories, etc. I recently found two antique church pews (one that is from the 1800's and from a mission in San Pedro, CA) and I am using those as dining room seating. I also was given a very beautiful angel from a dear friend to keep my church pews company. Have also added some lovely crosses I have found at Goodwill and the Salvation Army. The rosary on the angel was given to me by another friend. It is a bit of a unique look, but I like it. Here are some pics:)

[Heather]

Hey Nikki - I'm using CIL Smart3 - it's supposed to have a built in primer. I used it last summer to paint the entire exterior of my house and I'm happy with it. I've had to use 2 coats though even though it says one coat coverage. The pickets are the same white as the trim on the house - yes, matchy matchy!

[ChapterTwo]

I've had to use 2 coats though even though it says one coat coverage.

It was the same for me with the indoor Behr paint that had the primer in it. Took two coats.

[chyna]

Hmph imagine that Behr needing more than one coat. :eek: I laugh at people when they tell me how superior it is to say the paint I get at Lowes because it is supposed to be one coat but the stuff I have got of Behr's needed two coats like everybody else. I do like the ultra white high gloss Behr's paint though. :)

My parents bought some of that exterior paint with the primer included and it is peeling too. They got it a couple of years ago though so maybe it was before they really nailed down the whole concept.

[CohenCottage]

our internet has been down, and it was tough, but i survived. i missed you all though!

i've been training lots of dogs and have felt really busy but haven't seemed to have accomplished much. i think it's because i work a little bit every day instead of having some designated days off each week. also, i tend to work the most on weekends when dh is off, so i miss out on 2 back to back days of projects.

we did paint swatches on the walls at dh's office today, and tomorrow i'm taking the whole day off to closet purge and clean our bedroom. it is a huge mess. if i get over my embarrassment, i may show you before pictures, but if not, you will only get afters. all of our clean clothes are on the bedroom couch and all the dirty ones are piled on the floor. it's terrible.

i need to purge/sort/organize/clean each room, but it's so much that i'm overwhelmed. any ideas for getting started or working a little bit at a time?

we are trying to come up with projects to keep my inlaws busy when they visit in April. i think we might plant grasses in the front bed, plant shrubs in the side yard, and/or stain the fence/deck, and build a front porch railing. i also need to get some veggie/herb seeds started and work on the garden. the weather has been so wet and yucky here that it's been tough to do any work outside.

i really want to redo the guest bath, refinish the floors, and rearrange the kitchen. tammy - it all started with wanting open shelving and now i want to totally gut the kitchen and change the layout to something that actually functions.

whew. sorry for posting a novel. i missed you ladies.

[shabbychick]

our internet has been down, and it was tough, but i survived. i missed you all though!

i need to purge/sort/organize/clean each room, but it's so much that i'm overwhelmed. any ideas for getting started or working a little bit at a time?



I would do one room at a time, and I'd start with the guest room (assume it's the least cluttered and least used). Then when you have overflow piles from the closet in your bedroom, you'll be able to lay them out in there while you decide whether to keep them, give them away, or store them. That'll make it easier to see what's in your bedroom.

Take your time and don't be embarrassed about the mess. It's a work in progress. Make sure you keep some delicious nibbles and a cup of something wonderful in the room you're working in so you can keep yourself refreshed. Frequent naps help, too, even if you have to sleep on the pile of clean clothes. Then while you're sleeping they can whisper in your ear about where they'd like to be hung in the closet. :)

[CohenCottage]

Thanks shabbychick! We tackled the majority our guest room (aka nursery) awhile back, so it has been de-cluttered. It is in disarray, but it's waiting for cabinets to be installed and floors to be refinished. I'm thinking about taking the bull by the horns and tackling the master bedroom first.

[ChapterTwo]

We missed you too, CC!

I do understand how overwhelming it is when all of our "stuff" takes over.

I wholeheartedly agree with Shabbychick - you have to put "blinders" on, to keep yourself focused on the room and task at hand, and not get distracted. I'm sooo guilty of bringing something to another room, and then getting caught up doing something there. And there goes a half hour! :rolleyes:

So, good luck with it all and I think most of us have dealt with these out-of-control situations at one time or another...please don't be embarrassed! You'll be so pleased once you get it all under control.

[memmey]

Go slow and don't be dragging things around missy! Slow and steady wins the race. I wish I could be there to rock the baby.....I love to rock a little baby. They smell sooo good and are so sweet. Baby-magic fever :p
I rocked Emil till he said one day..."Ma..I'm too big.....I a big boy".
When he first could talk he would say..."rock the baby".
Some people don't rock their babies but me...I DID :D

[ChapterTwo]

Some people don't rock their babies but me...I DID :D


I was just having a conversation with a friend who has her first grandchild...and I said I miss those days in the rocking chair, just rockin' my baby. Those times are too fleeting...

[vintage girl]

There is absolutely nothing to compare to cuddling a sweet little baby, kissing it's head and rocking it to sleep. I miss those days terribly. Can't wait until I am a Grammy. Of course I have a soon to be 20 year old daughter who has never been on a date, so it could be a while yet. She says all the guys are too immature and stupid. I guess I should be happy she is so picky:)

[ChapterTwo]

She says all the guys are too immature and stupid. I guess I should be happy she is so picky:)

Yes, you SHOULD be! There are a lot of creeps out there, nowadays.
There's no rush...she's young!