I Adapt-Daily Tips and Time Saving Ideas...and other Things!

Umbrella Sandbags! Yes!

2011-09-07T10:14:00.001-04:00

Sounds like a medical condition!

I haven't been here for quite some time but have been very busy with work and around the house doing "fall cleaning".. It is what I do here in Florida....getting ready for the nice cool temps. Cleaning out closets, looking for fall things and looking forward to being outside more often without wilting. It has been HOT! But it finally feels a little better, at least here in the northern part of the east coast.

We finally got more patio furniture, table chairs and an UMBRELLA! If you have ever gotten one like mine, that has the three feet at the bottom, you know that you need sand bags or stones to weigh it down. We went for the 50lb sand bags at $2.50 each....and of course sand bags are ugly. After my husband brought them home I decided I had the perfect thing to cover them with.

To do this I had just purchased from my not so favorite big discount store, a vinyl tablecloth. It measured 72" X 52". I laid it face down and began cutting it up like I was wrapping Christmas presents! I used my hot glue gun to seal the seams, and my husband came along behind me and sealed the seams again with heavy duty clear packing tape.

Cutting, Wrapping and Gluing

It worked out perfectly. I put them face down over the feet of the umbrella stand and they at least look nice and can be easily moved, and recovered if necessary in the future... The cost was minimal.

What do you think??

Signs and Mileage! Updated

2011-07-21T22:31:00.004-04:00

Since posting this a few weeks ago ,(below) my sister finally sent me a picture of the sign just about completed. I think it came out pretty cool! What do you think?

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Haven't been here for a while. Besides working all day at a college, I have a ton of things to do every day and don't like it sometimes. But this project kept me busy last weekend. It wasn't even mine to keep, but I get to visit it occassionally when I go to my sisters Condo in Clearwater, FL. This is the cute place if you want to see.... http://fivepalmscondo.com/ She has many many projects underway as she is the manager and trying to make the place a little more festive for guests. She has guests from all over the world and this is what she wanted. It's not quite done because we ran out of time to assemble all the signs up, but she will get them all hung up soon.

First we had Lowes cut some cedar boards 24" in length. They were great and cut what we wanted! Then we got some paint in all tropical colors. She looked up some of the most popular places of where the guests come from and we got to painting. First the boards....

Then we painted city names....

Then after using a post hole digger and adding some quickcrete, the 4 X 4 went in. We painted a cute little cap for the top that had a copper top fixed to it...

We also found some items to add to the signs. Miami has a fish....Key West has a Star Fish and shells, Tampa will have a "Buccaneer", Orlando might get some mouse ears and a few countries might get some flags.... All signs get a final coat of polyurethane for protection. When they are all up it will be very colorful!

The Gecko was a last minute thought, and it is perfect. I can't wait until she sends me a pic of the finished product. This is an easy project and can be done at your dock, pool or vacation beach house. The signs can also be mounted to a tall tree!

Now...time for a tropical beverage with an umbrella!

Quick Hiding Places

2011-07-08T19:06:00.000-04:00

Ok, well it has been a VERY crazy week. I have had friends move right down the street which is fantastic, but we have all been busy unpacking, laughing, eating, drinking.....visiting and did I say eating? Wow! And so much catching up to do.

But recently I had to hide a few things I am so sick of looking at. I had this bare place in my office of which I have NOT found the right piece to put there. So in the mean time I got this great deal on a nesting set of hamper type of baskets. They are of the Cocoa palm type of basket as some of the other storage baskets I have. This outlet on this wall was the only place the modem, router and phone line can be connected. And with so many wires, it looked horrible just dangling around. I fed the wires through the bottom and back of the basket to the inside.....NOW, it is hidden and because it's a basket, I have no interruption of service. It's all inside! The other baskets hold a variety of things from around the office that don't need to be out. So it's my quick fix until I can find just the right piece. And a guest can still use them as an end table of sorts!

Remember the Transformers post from June 24? Proud Momma!

2011-07-01T15:25:00.000-04:00

Well this is the final product!!! I feel like I just had a baby! ..Ok, well, not exactly. We discovered this pretty lady flying around in the screened patio yesterday as a result of the caterpillars I had a few weeks before! So this......

June 24th

Became this................

I eventually set her free so she can start the process all over again..... I just watched her for a while flutter around....

Pretty huh?

Thankfully Peaceful Thursday

2011-06-30T11:54:00.006-04:00

It has been quite the week so far. I have been extra busy at work because my co-worker is out on vacation. Ugh! It has rained every day for almost a week now, so happy about that!
I was here this morning looking at this awesome sounding tropical cake.....I want to make it! Check it out at:

Come here to see some other great links!
Today is a PARTY!!

One of my oldest, dearest friends who shares my same birthdate (I call her my twin) is moving to a house right down the street from me this weekend...... so happy about that also! We were in girl scouts together and I can't wait to work on different DIY projects with her!

It is the weekend for me because I am off every Friday in the summer.....yay!....Very happy about that!

And I am thinking of refinishing an old drop leaf/farm table I have. Hopefully soon. It will be the second "re-do", so I will be studying some of my favorite blogs to get some good techniques.

In the mean time, a former HS classmate took this fantastic picture of the sunrise today from Melbourne, FL. It is so peaceful......enjoy!

Coming Tuesday-My Phone Collection Featured!!

2011-06-25T21:03:00.001-04:00

If you have a chance, go see Sarah's blog all about Decorating, Collecting, going to auctions and being thrifty! She has done some amazing things with turning some discarded items into wonderful useful and fun items! She has inspired me to really look past the drab! She goes to the best auctions too!

She will be showing off my phone collection on Tuesday. She loves collections and seeing what everyone does with different collectibles from all over the world! She also has a website with some great items to purchase.......Take a look!

Transformers....

2011-06-24T18:35:00.000-04:00

I have been rather lazy lately because of the extreme heat and no rain. Although rain is predicted for the next few days, so let's hope it cools us off and puts out all the fires. Maybe I will get focused and get back to some good projects! Otherwise this weird thing happened to me. I guess sometimes you just have to get with what's going on around you....I like doing that anyway. I find bird nests, honey bee nests, and one time last week a wounded squirrel trying to hide.....he better or the hawks will get him. (or my dog!)

While weeding the other day I saw a wild passion vine growing through a bunch of palmetto palms. I really want to get the passion vines growing on my property, so I cut some to root. While walking with the vines in my hand, I noticed a butterfly following me. It was as if I took his home away. Well turns out it must have laid eggs either on the vine or nearby. So after putting the cuttings in water, I again noticed something weird....caterpillars all over the leaves. Some big and some no bigger than a pin head. So I had a to go get more vines for them to eat because that is what caterpillars do before the big transformation. They are all gone now, hopefully hiding somewhere on the patio and I will see a new batch of butterflies in the next few days..... I will let you know!

One of the caterpillars crawled here and turned in to this! It is stuck to the wall on the back patio!

Birthday Treat

2011-06-21T08:34:00.000-04:00

Thanks Susan over at Naps on the Porch !!

for posting this idea. I made one last night for a co-worker who likes chocolate and her birthday lunch is today. She is an odd one who does not like flowers or much of anything at all, so hopefully she will like this! It's a bit bigger than the one Susan had and I added a "cupcake" type lolipop along with the straw.

Picture Treasures

2011-06-20T11:15:00.001-04:00

My daughter....she is so creative and thoughtful. When we celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary, she decided to create this unique collage of pictures of us and some nice family pictures. At the time, she found this window looking wall hanging, which originally had a mirror in it. When working in the retail store it came from she noticed that the mirror was broken, so she asked if she could get a discount on it. She did, and removed the broken mirror. She cut a board, attached the pictures, then mounted it back where the mirror was. We keep it in a hallway in our bedroom. It gives the pictures a little dimension and covers them just enough to not make them "stand out" just plain on the wall. We love it. So if you happen to see something similar in one of the better discount stores, and it looks like it's a little beat up, you can distress it, paint it or use your imagination. It would make a nice gift for a special occasion!

Just Homemade...

2011-06-10T14:23:00.000-04:00

My husband has made so man nice things in the past 32 years that I wish I had a digital camera back then. I would have to get out my pics from the albums and scan all of them to show him off! From no on, I will definitely whip out the camera now to catch him at work. He has some plans upcoming for some things I have saved for him to make. Here is one he did about four years ago for a specific place we needed a few simple cabinets for storage. We couldn't find the size we wanted anywhere, so we designed these for the perfect fit. Since then we moved (of course) and gave one to our daughter for her office and I kept the other for the mud room we now have. I needed a shelf unit for above it to keep the dogs things, lunch bags, kitchen towels and miscellaneous. On a trip last year back to the NC mountains, we went to one of the antique stores and found this old top part of a hutch. It originally had doors from what I can tell by the hinge marks and holes. We matched the paint from the original cabinet and distressed it a bit. In honor of father's Day coming, I thought I would show off his handy talent. I have so much more! He is a keeper!

In Raw finish- Just 2X4's and plywood

Then stained, painted with a soft black, then sanded slightly to distress in areas and varnished

Look carefully. I took the dremel and carved out stars in the top

Found the knobs on Ebay

Finished and now.......

...... in the Mudroom

He also made me these wonderful little business card holders from some scrap oak. He cut them about the size of a business card and drilled tiny holes and used a heavy duty wood glue and clamped them together. I drilled tiny holes across the back on the top edge and used my many miles of copper wire to add beads and some frilly string fabric for a whimsy look. I give them as gifts!

And just something pretty to look at today as my Petunias are looking so nice

even as hot as it is!

Saturday is in my office!

2011-06-04T18:40:00.002-04:00

In my office, which is my hide out, I needed a bed or lounge or big chair.... but ended up finding this on Craigslist. It was the top part of a bunk bed which someone didn't use anymore. I bought it.....it was cheap and I had a vision.

I got a colorful quilt, a bunch of pillows and a very reasonable mattress. It can also be home to a guest of my granddaughter. I lay around on it when I am chatting on the phone or hiding from everyone else.

Now, the space under this bed was very high....higher than the normal bed, so I measured and managed to find five baskets to fill the space which are great for extra blankets, sheets, toys, office supplies or anything you need to tuck away.

Above the "lounge" on the wall are a collection of antique telephones. And a poster/collage I made by finding high resolution photos online of phone parts, antique phones, etc. Saved them and made the collage from Kodak.com. That was fun! Now I have to just finish the rest of my office and I will be happy!

Looking Past the Ugly

2011-06-01T10:37:00.003-04:00

I was driving down the road one day in one of my resident towns and saw this garage sale going on so I stopped because I was attracted to this old beat up wood dresser or whatever it is. Just three drawers. At the time I was redoing a guest bedroom in a tropical theme, so I painted this to match a wall hanging that had a fish on it that had sunglasses on! Mostly sponge painted the background then painted the fish on the side. Sprayed with a clear coat to protect the paint....The rest came from my head and from what my trees looked like in my yard. I changed the drawer pulls to a wicker type I found at Lowes. It was fun.

Head over to http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/. You will see some adorable things! Alot of projects give life to old things! The link is on the right. Or go yo my Party Link tab and look at all of the others!

So... look past the ugly if you see a useful item. Think deeper.....

This tree on the front was painted from a tree in my yard that blew down in the hurricanes of 2004

It's hard to see, but the fish has on small sunglasses!

Wicker Knobs

Next up.... Hurricanes and Cocktails

2011-05-31T16:51:00.001-04:00

It's upon us here in the south. We can tell by the very hot humid weather. If we could just get a little rain I would be happy. It has been so dry...Before I post my next project (of which I was going to do today but my photos did not down load properly), I will share some Hurricane experiences and tips. Given the fact that there are storms EVERYWHERE across the country these days one might think they will never come your way..... Not so fast my friends! I had 30K in damage and no power for 6 days.....

Boxes of Baby Wipes!!- The best when no water or electricity! And they are cool if you keep them in a cooler or fridge!
Cases of water....
Make bags of your own Ice from the icemaker prior to a storm approaching
Also...freeze empty containers to make cubes for coolers. Like empty 2 liter coke bottles. Works great!
Buy a cooler!!! or two!
Battery operated hand held fans...they sell them everywhere this time of the year
Gather up all the rag towels or old towels you have and keep them handy
Buy garbage bags or have at least a box around for storage of wet things, throw away bad food or to protect valuables.
If you have that gas BBQ- make sure the tank is filled. Cook all the food going bad
Plenty of easy food ...like bread, peanut butter, etc.... & Plastic utensils
Games for kids if you have small ones and batteries for the hand held electronics
Batteries......obviously! For everything from flashlights to Coleman lanterns
Weather Radio- We DID NOT have one for two hurricanes and wish we did!
Generator if you can get one...
Garden gloves or good leather work gloves for picking up debris outside
A regular land line telephone. You can probably find one at a garage sale or thrift store! Portables do not work without power! Cell phones are "ify" when towers are damaged
And if you enjoy the cocktail or wine.....trust me here, liquor stores will be closed! We had to trade ice for some rum after one storm!

Many of these things you may have on hand, but please check! I also put a lot of photos in plastic and then in my clothes dryer! Of course those storms were a direct hit for us, so it was a bit drastic. And you know those bags you get sometimes when you buy a new comforter or nice sheet set??? They have a zipper and a handle sometimes? Great for quick storage! They are a nice thick plastic! Some people have many of these already stored in a big Rubbermaid bin in the garage or closet. Usually you know the storm is coming, so you have a little time, but I can tell you that once it's announced over the air that it is approaching, everyone is at the store looking for the same items.... so better to be prepared.

If you chose to leave, gather up what you are taking, but secure everything else you can't! If you have a smart phone, load all the info on it, like phone numbers to insurance companies and your neighbors phone numbers.

There is so much more, but I could be here all day..... so see you tomorrow, hopefully!

Love Saturday

2011-05-28T10:56:00.000-04:00

It still will be the morning to finish what I did not accomplish yesterday, but at least I will be done early to "play" a little. I have spent at least an hour doing online paperwork while looking out the window at my crazy dog chasing squirrels away from the bird feeder. While it is a holiday weekend and we do tend to "celebrate" I was reminded of the wine glasses and martini glasses that I have designed. I can't tell you how many of these I have done for silent auction charities and gifts. (you know who you are) It fun and pretty easy. Although I don't have a step by step tutorial, the visual of the final product might do. Next chance I get I will take photos of the process. Years ago, back from the 3rd house, I was lucky enough to aquire spools and spools of copper wire. I pretty much triple the length of the wire and cut two. After wrapping the ends and leaving some extra to make a "curly' design, I start adding glass beads. It's kind of like braiding but with only two strands. Anyway, I make at least four the same theme of color or make the beads match the shade of the glass. It just gives the stem some flair and gives you something to play with when in deep conversation while holding your wine or cosmo! Also tagging a special bead or charm on the end give the glass a ID of who it belongs to! Cheers!! Have a super Saturday!

Fri....turday!

2011-05-27T21:04:00.000-04:00

That what it feels like. I was off today as is every Friday in the summer. But somehow lost the whole day just doing "stuff". Now it is almost Saturday! Dixie got groomed, had the nails done, soaked my feet, and just tried to do some catching up around the homestead..... BTW...this is Dixie...my out of control schnauzer who hates squirrels!

Anyway, when I painted that window wall hook thingy for my mud room, I tried to pick up these colors. This mudroom was horrible when we moved in, and this window had a gingham curtain that had to go. I made a straight panel (leftover fabric from the kitchenette chair re-do and the bar stool arm covers) and measured the size of that window in the door. I cut it a couple of inches bigger to sew it. The underside was a shower curtain that I never used and it was perfect in color to face the outside. I sewed the two fabrics together with the right sides together and left the top open, then after turning right side out pinned the top across then sewed and left a pocket for the rod. After all of that, I figured I like to get some light in that mudroom, so put Velcro squares on the bottom (backside) and some Velcro on the backside at the midway and now I can put it up when I want. It was so easy and adds some color. As you might be able to tell, I have a slight thing for the colors!

This is the underside and Velcro. I like it better that anything I could find in the stores....Guess I could have done a custom shade but if I get tired of this I can make something else!

Looking out...

2011-05-26T14:34:00.001-04:00

Going back to windows....and not the computer kind, I have done several with antique windows reclaimed from old houses in NC. These I used to fill a bare wall that needed something!

I put tropical posters behind them. I found the best sizes online and only had to trim a tiny bit. You can put the poster on a thin foam board or heavy stock poster board, then mount to the back however is easier for you. I used double stick tape so I can remove if I want to change it up another time. Both windows have a slightly different beach scene. Fortunately these windows are in great shape with good glass and all I had to do was clean them up and give them a lemon oil finish. To hang, I used two round eye type hooks that screwed in on both ends and I attached a picture wire then hung!

Now, this was used for my mud room where I needed more hooks for the dogs leash, purses, bags and whatever comes along. I painted after applying a small amount of crackle medium from Lowes then sanded a little to distress.

I attached a small 2X2 piece of wood to the bottom for a "shelf" then gave the glass and edges a little flower design to match a window treatment I made on the door. (will share that later on)

I have a thing for windows I guess....if I can find the other pictures I have from my NC house, I will post those later. They were pretty. I had a 30 patio under the second story deck that was a chocolate brown wall of "brown".... so I found three matching old windows and distressed them and painted Ivy leaves on the glass. then hung unique wire flower planters under each one. It was perfect! Oh yeah...and the medicine cabinet my husband made!! Yes, I will get those pictures tonight! My buyers of the NC house said besides the light fixtures, appliances, etc.... I had to leave the window cabinet in the bathroom! Darn! Ok fine!

Ok, I found these pictures from mentioned above. The patio windows and the bathroom window/cabinet. I don't have pictures of how they were made but just these from after the fact to show how they came out.... I did use window spray frosting to the inside of the window glass so you couldn't see through it. Using the flash on the camera made it look alot more "see through" but it wasn't as clear as it looks. Have a good one! Thanks for visiting!

Hump Day!

2011-05-25T12:29:00.002-04:00

It's another week and I have been swamped at work, so not too much fun with posting anything. BUT I did get to look at a few link parties and saw this fun blog...

http://takeitfrom-me.blogspot.com/

Not only were there great Blogs in the Blog Hop, but some great ads! And the Blogs were everything from Food to How to survive a Teacher's Salary...of which my daughter is a teacher so a lot to relate to there! So look below for some very cool topics!

When I left NC to move back to FL, I brought back some cool "old" windows and did a few fun things with them, so when I come back tomorrow I will share those. Speaking of windows....Moving with antiques and alot of delicate glass items is always tricky. Besides bubble wrap and moving blankets, I had to get creative when we ran out of all that stuff! I used the piles of old towels and old comforters that can be easily washed later. No need to buy more bubble wrap! I just taped them all around and safe and secure!

Anyway enjoy looking at these blogs....

Saturday Thoughts

2011-05-21T14:16:00.003-04:00

As I sit here and think of all the little projects I WANT TO DO, I decided to share this one before I figure out what is next. You know how it is when you move...most of the furnishings don't look right from the other house (unless you are very lucky). I only had a few that were ok and still working on replacing a bunch. I didn't have a kitchenette set in the last house, but needed one here. I prefer to look first at some of the nicer furniture consignment stores that specialize in furniture. The savings is amazing and most is perfect condition. I found one set that just needed the cushions recovered, so that was easy. The bar stools came from another consignment store and needed paint to match the table and the cushions recovered, so that was easy too BUT not thinking about the arms of the stools hitting the counter....not so good. Poor judgement on my part, so I made little "arm" covers to prevent them from getting scuffed up from hitting the stone counter. There are so many INCREDIBLY talented people out there in these blogs I read. Wow! And what they do with Gadgets, Linkys, etc....I am way behind, but learning slowly. Anyway, I have learned to think about what furniture you really have to move! I didn't need most of mine...my husband begged to differ....so I still have it....for a while.

I had left over fabric...of which you should always buy extra.....

I cut them in double the length of the arm and stitched a small hem all around. Doubled so they would "shir" down the arm rather than be just a straight cover.

(Sorry for the blurry), but I then hot glued velcro tabs down the length and velcro closed them all

You can see how the stool arms would get damaged

So now they are protected from scratches from the stone counter!

Simple Things

2011-05-19T09:36:00.001-04:00

This is the best and cheapest way to pass the time if nothing else

Bimini Ring

going on. Great "ice breaker" for a gathering. The twine or thin rope is attached to the ceiling and the hook on the wall. Here are some directions. The ultimate word here is "should". If you get close- Go With It!

The hook should be 5’ up the wall.
The string should be 5’9” away from the wall.
The ring should be 18” from the floor when hanging at rest.

You can create your own "rules" and scores. As there are just the two of us now....we have marathons!! However you can fine some different games/rules on the Web.

We didn't have this until our 5th house in NC. We definitely needed it after a trip to the Exumas in the Bahamas... We played often when visiting Bimini. We thought about leaving it for the new owners of the house in NC...but I already left them my Gnome which didn't go over well with some of my friends.

Bimini and the Bahamas are a great place to visit. Now you need a passport so a little more of an inconvenience, but nonetheless a reasonable place to go. Pack light...you don't need much! If you ever get invited to go by boat, do it!!! And I don't mean Cruise Ship. Going off to some of the isolated islands is the best. We did discover that if you stay and are in control of your own cooking, it is necessary to bring your own staples and some food, also bring detergent, soap and first aid!!! A bottle of Tide was $16 and that was NOT a large bottle! Don't even think of any beauty products! I guess this is why most people do the cruise thing.....

Sometimes you just need to take a breath!

2011-05-18T09:44:00.000-04:00

Went to the beach to watch the moon rise but got clouds instead... so watched the waves and birds.

Thought about taking the lifeguard chair for my backyard, but it wouldn't fit in my car!

Speaking of cars....I always keep an old jacket, towel and a pen or pencil in my car. Also a small pair of sissors believe it or not comes in handy more than you know when driving around. I have cut fresh flowers, tags off a new pair of flip flops and sometimes that irritating tag off a t-shirt!

Ever Wonder?

2011-05-17T15:49:00.000-04:00

Why you have that crap? Even if it's your first move, start sifting through your "stuff"!! Do you really need to pack that great pair of jeans that don't fit? How about those college books from eight years ago? They have new editions by now! I have learned to sell whatever I can on E-Bay or Craigslist first...(not real fond of garage sales) but will have a garage sale if the time and neighborhood is good for it. The rest goes to Charity. It's hard to get rid of some things...I know, but it is healthy and gives room to start fresh. My first move didn't involve anything but a garage sale because the alternatives were not invented yet! It worked and I made enough money to cover some moving expenses. But it was my first big move and my "stuff" still meant alot to me...........

So..... get rid of it!!!!!!!!!!!! This could take a weekend!

Back in the day....

2011-05-16T14:45:00.000-04:00

Before kids....before marriage....life was easy and care free........almost. I never thought being organized back then would come in handy later in life. And now with the age of computers, internet, social networking and smart phones, wow! Amazing and I love it. Some people think it will be our demise; computers that is....but it's too late to worry about it. Everything is out there already, so "Go With It"!

I have moved six times...and let me tell you, I have learned from each and every one. From selling with realtors and the problems with closings to packing and renting a U-Haul and moving ourselves, then unpacking. Actually, it is much better if one can afford to have someone else do it. We had the luxury of that only one time. However, there are sometimes problems with that too.

If you are a younger person you have so many advantages to help now. The first move didn't involve a cell phone, mapquest, internet/online payments or a GPS device for the car! We used big paper maps that were hard to fold back up. And when calling a business you were lucky if they had a hold button! I don't even think there was call waiting back then. "Then" would only be back in the mid to late 70's. Look how much has happened now in just 37 or so years! It's so exciting.

The physical part of moving is the same.....for the most part. Everything else is so easy!

More later!