Do It Herself Chick

Ta-da! It's back porch living...sort of

2011-06-08T08:21:00.000-07:00

I have pretty well completed my back porch painting project. I am currently remodeling my grandparents' house and will be moving into it at the end of summer. Grandma passed away last spring and Grandpa passed this spring. While I am updating and remodeling in the house, I decided to start at the back porch--an enclosed room at the back door where the laundry hookups are.

Grandma and Grandpa's house is out in the country, on a farm, and the back door was always the main door. The front door might as well not have existed. I expect it will be much the same when I move into the house. I started at the back porch with intentions to work my way into the house and I am so pleased with the results! I know Grandma would love it too and that makes me happy. Allow me to give you a look-see...

Picture one is of the inner back door, leading into the kitchen, and to the left is a small storage closet and the steps leading down into the basement. As you can see, I tried out a little of the paint BEFORE taking my BEFORE pic...oh well. You get the picture. This pic was taken while standing at the back storm door steps.

Picture two is of the outer back door. This pic was taken standing at the kitchen door and storage closet area (as seen in picture one).

Now, I realize these before pics aren't the greatest, but if you want to see what it looks like AFTER the painting has been completed, just watch the following video...

So whaddaya think? I'm quite pleased and maybe, just maybe, when I get moved in I'll actually look forward to doing laundry. Hmmm, we'll see about that...

It's hot baby, hot!

2011-06-07T19:50:00.000-07:00

I've been reading about record-breaking heat all over the United States so far and man has it been hot! Here in southern Illinois the heat is oppressive and I can't wait for a break. My air conditioner needs services so that means my house is hot, hot, hot!

A friend who works at a local gas station had to deal with a 100-degree day of heat with no air conditioning in a small, outdoor fuel kiosk. His solution? Pretty nifty and redneck rolled up into one but it worked well enough to keep him from becoming overheated. He filled a Styrofoam cooler with ice and placed an oscillating fan behind it.

For some more great tips on keeping cool when the heat is blazing, check out my friend Marie Anne St. Jean's article How to Keep Your Cool Without Air Conditioning.

Stay cool!

Trying to declutter? Here are some tips!

2011-06-06T10:33:00.000-07:00

Clutter is my enemy...but unfortunately my enemy seems to win. If you have the same problem, here are a few of my favorite tips for trying to overthrow that evil Clutter Dictator. Check out 5 Tips for Spring Decluttering and maybe you can get a handle on all the stuff in your house.

New projects

2011-06-06T10:30:00.000-07:00

In preparation for a move, my summer is going to be frantically busy. I am currently painting at the house I will be moving into and today's painting project will be a bathroom, which will be followed soon by putting in a new vanity, floor covering and trim around the floor.

The first project--repainting and decorating the back porch/laundry room is all but completed (new light needs to be installed and some minor trim painting needs to be finished) and I'm thrilled with the results. Plan to post pics later.

One thing that is definite with this project--I love color! Lots of color! Don't worry, you'll see when I post pictures.