Tidbits from the Tremaynes

I Made It Through The Rain.

2013-05-20T22:59:00.001-06:00

Sometimes, I worry that I come across like, well. . .this.

I guess I'm asking, 'cause a couple months back I talked about being super grateful 'n appreciating every day, 'n all that,

and then a little bit after that I had a pretty hard week. And I felt ungrateful, but more importantly, like a lame-o phony.

And no one likes a lame-o phony.

And on that note, I'd like to make my apologies for all the serious whining I did in reference to last week's hellacious nightmare that was the music room beam. But I have good news!

After clocking in probably 8 more hours of work this weekend, I am soooo done caulking, spackling, and painting.

Doesn't it look better?!?

Don't you say you can't tell the difference!

Okay. You can say you can't tell the difference. Because I can't either, and so I didn't even bother to take a new picture.

So anyways, in light of the fact that I decided to stop the painting madness (it's really not "done". I decided I was done. Done for good.), and because the rain stopped, the sun came out, my music room is paint tray and ladder free, and I'm on to smaller and better things, plus I got to plant some crap this weekend,

and above all, always above all, summer is coming. . .

I wanna talk about happy things. Summery, flowery, nerdy things. In a totally, non-lame-o phony kind of way. Because I don't want to have a breakdown tomorrow.

Oh, wait! We need to talk about this over the perfect music.

Man, I am such a sucker for a cheesy Ben Folds ballad.

So,
this is kind of like Oprah's Favorite Things. Except you don't get a car. And you don't get a car.
But if I could, I would.

I have this thing I've done every summer since I was like, 13.
I read this book. Again. It is so awesomely 70's teenager novel-y.

Made Jeffro read it last week. (real loud whisper: I also made him read ALL the Twilight series, too! Don't tell him I told you!)

So, yep-- I re-read this every summer, and I listen to the same album each time I read it: Bread. Anthology.

Wanna listen to my fave song from that album? Course ya do. What's a "Fave things" list without music?

Well, unless you have no soul.

It's a goodie.

And since we're talking about music, which is like tied for my #2 favorite things with moulding-- I like to pick a theme song for summer. Get in the right mood.

This was last year's song:

Man I love this song-- actually, the entire album rocks my world. Go ahead; fall in love with Safetysuit. You deserve it.

But anyway, this year, we're going the cheesy Lowe's commercial route for a theme song. I can't help myself.

I turn this up real loud in my kitchen in the evenings, sing at the top of my lungs, and watch all my kids' friends pretend like they're being tortured and run screaming like a bunch of girls outside.

It's times like these when I know why I became a mother.

Now--

go with me on this. Hear me out. I know what you're going to think.

You are/were like me, and you don't love Tom Cruise anymore since his couch hopping, "You're so glib" days. I totally get it.

But I am telling you, this movie is calling your name. I have seen it twice, and if I still had it, I would watch it again right.now.

And not only that, but "Knight and Day" is a personal new favorite.

"I've been trained to dismantle a bomb in the pitch black with nothing but a safety pin and a Junior Mint. I think I can get you in and out of some clothes without... looking. I'm not saying that's what I did. "

And "Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol" was totally awesome, too. And I've heard "Oblivion" is a good one, as well.

So he's totally won me over again. As an actor only, of course.

And finally, because this is getting a tad long don'tchathink?, I would list some of my favorite foods, but since I'll eat anything put in front of me, well, let's put it this way: food: it's good.

This Is a Labor of Hate.

2013-05-16T21:57:00.000-06:00

There's a lot of projects I've taken on that I regretted simply because they were stupid.

But then there's only two things that were great ideas, but they sucked to execute.

And I hated those projects, so, so much.

This project will forever be my number 1 mistake:

I mean, I like it 'n all, but I would never, ever do it again. Unless my family wants to start visiting me at the state hospital, or the "stay-ho", as I like to call it.

I've never called it that. I just felt like it should have a nickname.

Anyhow,

Beams. Beams in my entryway. Definitely forever my numero 2 of big, fat mistakes.

Suckiest bunch of sucky work that ever sucked. I can't even explain why it sucked so bad--

it just did. Hours of caulking, spackling,

I can't even discuss how much drywalling with the corner tool I've done this week without an eye twitching.

I mean, I still love the idea, but this was one of those things where it makes you wanna rock back and forth in a corner, and swear to never come up with an idea like this ever again, and you want to divorce yourself.

Let me put it another way--

Doing the other side's beam sounds as awesomely fun as going to the DMV, retaking the driver's test, then getting a commercial license, just because it's so fun, and bringing all my kids with me, plus their friends. And no one's eaten for hours.

And we all know that's pretty darned fun.

If I could go way back in time and warn myself, and I only had like 10 seconds, then I'd yell as fast as I could something along the lines of:

"Do NOT go on that high school tour! You'll regret it I promise! Oh and also don't make your son a window bed AND don't even think about doing beams but other than that 2 thumbs up okay bye!"

I don't mean to be a downer today, but the thing is, I am still not done, here. I just ran out of paint.

I wish it was done. I want more than anything to move on and not caulk one more thing--

(Steam cleaned my carpet, just for you. Thanks for noticing.)

So I promise to be more upbeat next time we talk. Swear. Just please, please for the love, tell me I don't have to do the other side. Ever.

If you say I do the friendship is over.

So Much Better Than Strawberries.

2013-05-13T13:32:00.001-06:00

I wanna share about these strawberry flats today.

They are not what you think they are. Let me 'splain. No, there is too much. Let me sum up:

a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away,

I set out to tame the beast that is the laundry room.

(Why do I keep showing this picture? What is wrong with me?)

It was a catch-all for crap. It was always the dirty eyesore of the house. The cesspool of shoes 'n stinky undies 'n tools and whatever else didn't have a home.

And so we did things to it.

Good things, like put in an extremely practical, but particularly not height of style, tile floor. Function first. We're rebels.

And I'm happy to say, that even when the floor is mucked up, you can't really tell. And if you can, you are looking waaaaay too hard so stop it right now for goodness sakes what is wrong with you.

And the work went on, like hanging cheap cabs. I still love my No Smoking sign. Because everyone needs a reminder.

And I poorly installed some left over glass tile. 'N I pronounced it my final tile project, because it was tile project #175, and that's enough for anyone. Or everyone.

And you know what? I always wanted a neat little row of galoshes. And I loved the idea of having a bench, like so.

'Mmm hmm. I even had bench plans all picked out from Ana White, and my galoshes dweam could come true.

And then I came to my senses.

This is a small space. I would love the bench I built for 10 seconds, and then it would make me feel claustrophobic. Chaotic.

And so I chose cleanliness and function. Again. (Borrrrrr-ing.)

Shoes hang on the back of the door, and they're out of sight, out of mind. Lucky us, but there's a row for each person, and it goes down by age. Clearly Jeff and I don't really keep shoes down here.

And then I also used my brain and realized that my kids should put away their own dang laundry!

Changed my life, this has. 'N it's not just because I don't have to put away 6 people's laundry anymore-- I also love that clean clothes can be found on the main floor in a hurry. If needed. It's kind of awesome.

And then I can just throw these baskets up top here and make them go away when they're empty!

And my washer and dryer are clean again.

So I was feeling pretty fat and sassy about the functionality of this laundry room/mud room area.

But.

I realized that I spend a lot of time in here. Too much time in here. And therefore, I should do something fun in here.

I mean, I really like this wall 'n all. . .

And I love how the carbon monoxide detector compliments the un-moulded window just so. . .

but I wanted this as an accent wall. And I've been thinking for months. Pondering-- letting it percolate in the noggin. . .

My sister suggested this striped, one color accent awesomeness:

Source: etsy.com via Mandi on Pinterest

And I love the idea-- I was this close to busting out the painter's tape--

but I wanted something that would wow me. So I thought 'n thought 'n thought some more.

Stripes? Beadboard? Planked wall!?

Getting warmer, but still. . . no.

And then it hit me. Probably when I was about to drift off to sleep, or when I was in the shower, probably.

I want. . .

you know, if I were cool, then I'd play this cool, and I'd show you this ALL done and be like, "LOOK WHAT I DID IN HERE HELLO!"

But we all know I am not cool. We are sooo past that.

And plus I get excited and I want to tell people stuff.

So anyways, I wanted,

an accent brick wall.

Source: 26.media.tumblr.com via Lisa on Pinterest

Source: ziprealty.com via ZipRealty on Pinterest

Source: urbangypsiesboutique.blogspot.com via Megan on Pinterest

A good bloggy friend uncovered one in her kitchen re-no,

Source: froufrugal.blogspot.com via Mandi on Pinterest

and I felt nothing but cold, hard, jealousy.

I do not know what is wrong with me today, but I have word vomit. How long can Mandi talk today? A heckuvalot, apparently. You'd think I haven't seen a lot of adults lately or something.

Let me be as brief as possible:

I couldn't get over the brick idea. And I looked into it, a lot. Fake brick, those sheets of "brick" from Lowe's, thin brick, full brick. . .

I knew thin brick was the look I wanted-- but let's put it this way: I am so seriously pissed about the price of thin brick that I refuse to even give any company an ounce of advertising with a link because hello?? Over $8 per square foot for thin brick? When the cost is more than real brick? What are we playing at?

And so I've been disappointed. Downhearted.

Fast forward to last week.

The bro and I were working on a project at his house, and I was snooping around his garage because that's what I do. It's all I know.

These ain't strawberries.

But they are sooo much better than strawberries. And my totally awesome bro and sister in law let me have 'em.

I don't know why, but they did.

I kind of cried a little bit. It was a little awkward.

Expect the Tutorial On This In 20-Never.

2013-05-09T14:03:00.000-06:00

You know,

I don't like to be a Deborah Downer. I don't like to be negative. I want you to feel happy! and uplifted!

I want you to feel like you came into my house, and you got to change your shoes, switch cardigans 'n zip it up halfway Mr. Rogers style, and then maybe you enjoyed some cookies and milk.

So in light of the way I want you to feel, today must simply be

Opposite Day.

There's just no way around it.

So!

This week's the week to work on my whole entryway beam idea,

and I am happy, nay, overjoyed, to tell you that I jigsawed these babies out like a total pro.

I am so amazed with my skills I could just cry tears of joy. And it didn't need to be sanded a lot to be fixed. No problems, whatsoever. Not discouraging in the least.

Oh! And finding the joists in the ceiling so I could add my supports?

Piece of cake. Taking candy from a baby. Loved every minute of it. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. And all the ceiling texture coming down? Added body to my hair. Win win.

And actually getting the beams up? I wish every project went as smoothly as this one. Plus, I love to have to ask other people for help when doing such fun projects that require two people.

And man, am I glad I wear this shirt all the time. I should wear it more, because it totally hugs my body in all the right ways.

I don't know why I didn't do this sooner! Best choice I ever made!

I'm so glad I know this is all going to turn out perfectly. I'm not worried at all. No regrets whatsoever! Not concerned. Sleeping like a baby.

Kay. Opposite Day's over.

Now I need to go find someone to kick in the groin.

Moms Who Eat Their Feelings, Part 3.

2013-05-06T21:33:00.000-06:00

Let's talk food.

Man, oh man. . . I love talking about food. . .

you know what's better than just talking about food? Eating something good while we talk about food. Grasshopper cookies opened? Great. Let's do this.

So I have cooked a lot, lately. Like, a lot a lot. More than Lloyd likes Mary, a lot. Please allow me to share the goods.

Oh! But first, I really need to clarify: my TRIED & TRUE Pinterest board is what you want to follow, as opposed to my "Reasons Why I Jiggle" board, because the latter contains the stuff I am going to try. TRIED & TRUE is stuff I tried. . . and loved. Not just liked, loved.

I'm so glad we could have this talk.

So I tried this Cheesy Potato Soup on a cold night recently, and I know it's kind of not soup weather anymore (who made up this rule??),

Source: healthycookingrecipes101.com via Mandi on Pinterest

but wow. This is the best potato soup I've ever had. It has so much flavor. You throw in a dash of hot sauce (or two or three if you have a Jeffro in your house). . . wowie wow wow. I cut down on the fat in it, and it was still good.

I was weary about this dish,

Source: chefmommy-brandao.blogspot.com via Mandi on Pinterest

but I thought it was so deliciously spicy and hearty, and it was super duper easy, too.

If I was just gonna cook for myself one evening, and cook something that I preferred, (pfft when is that gonna happen?),

Source: jamiecooksitup.net via Mandi on Pinterest

then I would cook this up for me, because I loved it. Totally hits the spot for me. The hubs admitted that he doesn't care for it because apparently, he "doesn't really like teriyaki".

Wha?
I'm not sure I even know who you are anymore.

Also,
I made these chocolate mint brownies for Jace's baptism,

and they were a little extra work with the two layers of frosting, and making 'em all pretty like,

but two thumbs up, people.

Oh! And since we're talking (and eating) dessert, (dusts off a row of grasshoppers),

I love these lemon cookies. Because I love lemon. (Note: leave out the oil in the icing. No one needs oil in their icing.)

I would also like to take this opportunity to say that I probably won't ever post my own recipe to the blog, because some people scare me. I totally TOTALLY get being frustrated when you tried someones "best ever!" recipe and then it sucked and you wasted time and money and ordered pizza or had cereal for dinner, and I actually really appreciate a review to warn people. I get that, BUT

"Can you please alter this recipe to fit the nutritional needs for my lactose-intolerant cat before 5 pm EST?"

OR

"I tried this recipe, and it called for chicken but I didn't have any, so I substituted it with anchovies, and it called for heavy cream, but I didn't have any of that, so I substituted orange juice, and it came out SICK. This recipe is awful, and I want your head on a platter!"

People!

?.

Okay, enough of that. But let's still talk about food.

I've mentioned before that I have this weird thing I do--

I feel the need to greet my children at the door when they come home from school. I also feel the need to have an after school snack whipped up for them. In my head, it makes them feel loved. Comforted. Welcomed.

Don't be annoyed with me-- I have to make up somehow for all the millions of other subpar parenting crap I pull.

So,

I've found that after school snacks are very similar to cooking dinner. If you have a plan, you don't mind it. If you can't figure out what to cook, then it's a really sucky chore. I think this e-card sums up my feelings nicely.

Source: 24.media.tumblr.com via Mandi on Pinterest

Yep. Hit the nail right on the head.

So allow me to give you my after school snack list! Would you?

Just know, that Fridays are thee most awesome day of the week (Fridays rock my world), and so I believe the weekend should be rung in with a sweet treat.

Caramel apples, any kind of cookie, a malt, Italian cream sodas, tarts, jell-o, little individual cakes,

(there's always room for jell-o)

these were really fun (dipped pretzel rods-- hehehe she said 'rod') for the kids to come home to.

Sigh. I love Fridays. The first 5 days after the weekend are always the hardest.

But on those other hard days, I try to be all "healthy" mom.

Hot dogs are healthy, aren't they?

Ooh, gah. I have to say, I have always loved hot dogs, and you couldn't say anything bad about them to make me not love them. . .

but I had a bad one recently, and I am sitting here feeling the chunks rise.
(oooh gosh ew.)

Oh! And guess what I stole from the parental units' house?!?

The TATER TWISTER! (Hey Mom and Dad I have your Tater Twister. How old is this thing??).

This thing has been fun.

Boing. ("Annie Herman, Boy-yoy-yoing." name that movie.)

Allow me to give you our top 10:

1. Cheese 'n crackers (how in the world can you go wrong with cheese 'n crackers?)
2. yogurt parfaits (little granola sprinkled on top. . .)
3. fruit salad
4. Apples 'n this dip
5. Peanut butter apple sandwiches

Source: babble.com via Mandi on Pinterest

6. Tuna sandwiches with a pickle on the side
7. muffins
8. nachos (these are . . .um. . . healthy nachos)
9. right-outta-the-oven rolls
10. crepes (fruity crepes)

And finally,

I tried to make this once for my butt munches.

Source: Uploaded by user via Mikayla on Pinterest

They guessed that my creation was "A parachute, right?!?".

Nailed it.

This One Goes Out To All The Ladies With a Handheld Router.

2013-05-02T23:03:00.002-06:00

I told a friend a month ago that I'd do a router tut.

She's like,

"Can you show me how to get started?"

and I'm like,

"Well. . .you just clamp the board down and then go for it.?."

But duh, that's silly, because I needed more than that when I got started. "Clamp it and go" just isn't enough. So let's talk.

Aw. . look how cute mine is. I was gonna clean it all good for ya, but then I'm like,

hello this is a tool, not a medical instrument.

I have a handheld router. If you have a router table complete with plunging router, then I hate you. I mean, I LOVE YOU, friend. Can I borrow your router table, friend??

This same tut-wanting friend also told me I basically suck at giving tutorials. It's 'cause I figure no one really cares, so why talk your ear off when you don't really care, right? But this time I solemnly swear to try and be as clear as possible.

(clear as mud.)

But First!:

--You need to know what size of collet your router is, so you can buy the right size bits. As far as I know, there is 1/4" shank bits, and 1/2" shank bits. I'm pretty sure I've got a 1/4", but I've got a terrible memory and I'm too lazy to go out to the garage and check.

--I'd give, as part of this tut, info on how to put in and remove a bit, but I have no friggin idea if all routers are even remotely similar, and I'd wager they're not, so we won't bore anyone with that. So. . .

Step 1. We can have lots of fun.

You need clamps. Clamp that board down to a sturdy surface. Isn't this easy so far?

Step 2. There's so much we can do.

Regard:

One side has a little cover on it. Other side, not so much. Crap is going to be spitting out the side without the cover, and you want that away from you, because it kinda hurts to get barraged with little pieces of pine or whatever.

Not that I would know. Just take my word for it. . .

Step 3. It's just you and me.

I'm bringing sexy back.

You watch: safety glasses will be the shee this summer. And hee-uge ear protection. Watch.

You are gonna grab this bull by the horns, because this is not your first rodeo, woman.

And you are gonna go for it. NOTE: do not make stupid faces whilst using a power tool, instead of paying attention to what you're doing. This is why I only have an annual picture of me on the blog. Because crap like this happens.

Kay:
You're gonna make a first pass over your board, and you're going to be firm, slow, and steady. If it's not coming out clean, go ahead and make a firm, steady, second pass.

(Closeup! Not my arms.)

(*And all the while, watch your cord-- keep it out of the way.)

Step 4. I can give you more.

A handheld router, and even a fixed router on a table for that matter, doesn't always do a perfect, factory finish. Just plan on that. If you've got little things that bug you, (if you're a perfectionist) then run a little sandpaper over the little grooves and give 'er a light sanding.

But I am not a perfectionist and ultimately am fairly sloppy so I don't need the sandpaper ever.

Expect to have to move your clamps around, so as to get 'em out of the way and be able to route the entire board. Yeah. It's a little annoying.

Step 5. Don't you know that the time has arrived? ("Hoo-uh!" pelvic thrusting noise)

Okay-- so-- let's talk what can be routed. Better routed pieces are going to come from better cuts o' meat.

-i.e., Pine routes okay, oak routes better.
-Knotted pieces (when the knot is in the path) don't turn out as well

-Plywood looks like POO. So, no plywood.

-MDF? Hmm, let's find out, shall we?

MDF:

Well, I'll be. I was thinking it was a "NO" for sure, but it actually routes better than pine. I am shock. Ed.

And then expect to look like this after just one pass on MDF. But this is okay for me, since all my clothes are paint clothes. But it might not be okay for you. Or to the State of California, as this is known to cause cancer.

So pretty much, once you've started routing crap, you're having so much fun that you're finding anything you can to route, and the family is like,

"When are you coming in?"

and you're like,

"I am done when I am done! When you pry this thing from my cold, dead fingers!"

So, it can be a problem.

NOT The Entryway Again. For The Love.

2013-04-30T14:08:00.000-06:00

You know what's missing with this picture?

Besides, well, doneness of this project?

The door. It's the only one without beefed up moulding. And this is so wrong. It's been keeping me up nights. It invades my dreams. . .

and then a few peeps commented on my "thin" door moulding, and that was just the final straw.

("But I have a transom! What do I do with the transom!" I said.)

So, the other day, I was showering my hot and bodacious bod.

(I'm 33. I am so sick of hating my body. Plus I don't want my kids to pick up on this kind of crap.)

So,

the water was running over my luscious curves, (I come up with my best ideas whilst showering), and it was then that I realized!

"Duh! I'm sure other people have moulded around a transom! Get some inspiration, here! This is so doable! Der!"

("Der" is my other "Duh" word. Try it in a sentence today.)

I mean, isn't this one beautiful?

(source)

And so I ran on downstairs and crow barred my existing casing right off, because I meant biz-nis.

And it left a huge, dusty mess, and I had vacuumed this entire area right before. Sometimes I just don't make sense.

So, um, my door doesn't photograph well. I swear it looks better in real life. Well, better enough not to bug me. Let us not speak of this anymore.

And so I started slapping random pieces of moulding up here-- I wasn't even sure exactly what/how I wanted this--

But I knew it needed to involve this moulding, because it is so very choice.

And yet, it's not beefy enough, so I decided to add some height to it.

Okay-- okay. Let's just get this out of the way--

My monogram "T" that sits above my door-- it's. . . I. . .

No. It's too soon. I can't talk about it. Something went very wrong and now I have to get the stupid huge ladder and fix my wall and it's so heavy I can't even carry it, and I'm very upset, and let us not speak of this anymore! It is dead to us. DEAD.

Moving on.

So! Some fluting for the sides, a couple more pieces of whatever left in the garage slapped up there for good measure,

and it's a little less "thin". I like it. Now someone kick me in the buns to get the beams done in this area, because I need that little push.

Keeping Up Appearances.

2013-04-25T20:43:00.000-06:00

You know that staple sitcom plot line,

where someone gets bonked on the head and acts the opposite of themselves, until they get bonked again?

That's me, right now. Although I'm pretty sure I didn't get bonked on the head.

I don't wanna hear any guffaws, or anything, and don't have a heart attack and die from this surprise, but I have actually kept my house **spotless for over a month.

**My version of spotless is not your version of spotless.

Lemme 'splain:

we all know I'm on the "GREAT SPENDING CLEANSE OF 2013". And I also dubbed this year "ORGANIZATION 2013" as well--

do you know what you get when you mix the two, and add a dash of boredom?

You get a totally anal, neurotic, cleaning lady who is making the bed around you before you even get out of it and is wiping the table around your plate of food before you're done.

But also, since no purchased crap is coming into the house, annnndddd. . . you're organizing the crap you have now. . .

suddenly, it's boomshakalaka,

you're staying up 'til midnight, organizing the crap out of your filing cabinet, you totally gave up your "kids are in bed let's get crazy!" time,

and you're left with an entire bag of paper shreds, and if I needed an insurance policy, it wouldn't take me an hour to come up with it. (We were keeping two residences ago of utilities? What the?)

I know what you're thinking: you need me to address your wedding invitations with my fantastic penmanship. I get that a lot.

And then, you get a little free time, and you find yourself completely overhauling Thing 4's bedroom closet, and the floor has literally not been seen since the first day you moved in.

And I wish I was joking. This is a miracle. I should sell tickets and put this on display like a circus freak show, people.

I'm feeling so good-- I feel in control of my life and my house.

Do you do this? Where things have a "place", like the shelf up high in the closet, but it's a mountain of crap that will avalanche if you even breathe on it?

That's how it was in here, until I had the should-have-been-obvious idea to store winter shiz in baskets. That took me 3 minutes and solved 90% of the problem in there.

Seriously,

I have only a couple little nooks 'n crannies left in my house to organize, and no one is more surprised than me.

Boys' church clothes closet? (Yeah- there's one closet just for dress clothes. That's kind of weird now that I think about it.)

Fully organized. And if you judge the cheap-o hangers then you can just go back the way you came in!

(note to self: get real hangers.)

I can't even believe I can see the top shelf in there. I could almost cry.

Boys regular clothes? Culled and organized. My closet-- Bam. ONLY what I actually wear is left in there. Jeffo's side is organized by weekend shirts, work shirts, long-sleeved shirts. . .

there's a spot for basketball shorts and undies and socks and ties--

and suddenly, the hubs and I, we were like Hans and Leia, and Jeffro was Leia, and he was like

"I love you."

and I was all,

"I know."

And there's even this spot under the stairs, that would be soooo cool as one of those cool little kids' secret hideouts that people are doing, but I just know it will end up like the tent where I will put all this effort and money into something that my kids will play with for 5 seconds and then I'd be totally T.O.'d--

and so instead it's this totally fugly spot for all the camping crap we have for the camping we never do!

Seriously-- you couldn't even walk in this little space before I got all up in here and started shoveling stuff out of here.

So, is this what one does before they have a mental breakdown? Tell me. I need to know.

Source: someecards.com via Mandi on Pinterest

Kay, so--

know what I said about my version of clean not being your version of clean? Crap is picked up. Almost everything has a "place", and I'm actually keeping it there. But. BUT. I like big BUT's and I cannot lie. . .

I'm not a cluttery gal, but I'm not a "my floor is so sterile you could eat off it" kind of gal. And I just. . .can't make myself be that gal.

You know those cleaner commercials where they show this immaculate kitchen and there's that one spill and the mom wipes it up and then like hackey sacks the wipe into the garbage can on her way out the door?

I wanna be that mom, but it's not in me.

I have a point, here. But I forgot what it was.

Oh! So, my house is "picked up". But I like to call that clean. And I hate mopping so bad could someone please tell me how to love doing that sucky project thanks. And this cleaning phase? It happens once a decade. It's like how often I have a good hair day.

"I'm having a bad hair day. Bad hair decade, actually."

Source: someecards.com via Mandi on Pinterest

What I'm saying is,

I give you my personal guarantee that I will get discouraged, and my house will go back to the cesspool it normally is.

I think I'm telling you this, because I can already feel myself slipping, and I want you to keep me honest. Keep me accountable.

I once showed you the disaster in my mudroom, and it shamed me into solemnly swearing on this here blog that I wouldn't let that room become a trash heap ever again.

And I swear, I've done pretty good! I try really hard to not dump stuff in here, anymore.

Two weeks ago, I swore not to put any junk on my window sill,

and I've done it. My word is my bond! So bite me neighbor who told me I make you feel better because my house is always dirtier than yours!

Right now, I'm into all these organization and cleaning tips, and I kept reading this one tip over and over again, and it sounded awful, but it's something I HAVE to do:

Leave a room better then when you found it.

This has seemed soooo painstaking and torturous to me--

but it must be done. I have 4 buttmunches and their friends to contend against, and I feel so OCD and this is sooo not me,

but I can't leave a room without straightening it, IF I wanna keep up with this house.

Do you have like, a list you keep to? Is there a cleaning/organizing tip that has changed your life? I'm all ears. Help a sista out. And someone help me stay strong, here.

'Cause we can't go back to this:

Well, actually, we could. Like a dog to his vomit, we could. I'm sceered.

Phase 33 and 1/3. In Which Mandi Complains About Painting Again.

2013-04-23T22:23:00.000-06:00

Is anyone paying attention to how long this entryway makeover is taking me?

What is this, like, week 4 or 5 of phase 3?? Sheesh.

Recall this dreamy entryway that is the lofty and unattainable goal:

Source: houzz.com via Mandi on Pinterest

(How many times can one post this picture? A lot, apparently. And is there such a thing as too many?)

I blame all this time I'm taking on painting. Good grief it takes forever. And you know?

When I painted this wall white two weeks back, I surprisingly. . . actually. . . found it soothing.
I figured it was because I'd complained so much about painting that I'd hit rock bottom, and there was nowhere to go but up.

Well that lasted about 5 seconds and now I'm back to the dark side. ("Anger leads to Hate. Hate leads to suffering. . .")

I suffer.

I'd estimate it takes me about 1/10th the time to rip, cut, and nail my pieces up,

And the rest to paint. I'm saying "paint" like a swear. Or the word "panties", because we all know I hate that word, too. Just had a hard time typing it.

So,

I purposely left the gap between my pieces of ply and my routed 1x3 pieces, so as to add in some lovely, expensive rope moulding.

It's not because I made a stupid measuring error, okay? Get off my back!

And since I'm full of nothing but whiney honesty today, know that these still need more caulking. They could use another coat of paint.

And so could the door. But let us not talk about that right now. Finding my happy place. . .

But we're getting there, right?

And. . .um, I've also decided that the door casing needs a massive moulding re-do, and since I had all that time to think while I've painted, I've concocted 2 other massive projects in this space, too. So "Project Entryway" will be done in 2027. Ish. Wait for it.

The One Where I Talk Too Much About Money & Show No Pictures How Boring.

2013-04-18T14:18:00.000-06:00

Crap I've Learned From Cutting Myself Off From Money.

1. It's amazing how much materials are still in the garage, making it possible for me to continue working and moulding, and rarely having to head to Lowe's. Pathetic.

2. No matter how much money I want to save, I'm not going to "save" on other people. In other words, I'm not cutting back on charitable donations, or suddenly giving people crap (or nothing) for their birthdays. Allow me to put it this way: know the person who comes to the family party, and brings a half dozen rolls for 3 dozen people and doesn't bat an eyelash when they're gone in an instant (I'm convinced everyone knows someone like this)?

That person is cheap. You can be cheap with yourself. That's called being frugal. Being cheap with other people? You're cheap.

3. Know the term "nickel and dime to death"? I was doing this to our family, 'cept I was $40 and $50 and $60 ing us to death. I still walk around my house, looking at things I hhaaad to have, or that wall art I don't even care for anymore, or that $30 pillow (hello why do pillows cost $30??), and I'm shocked. Awed. It wasn't any one thing-- it was all of it that I was doing on a daily basis.

4. I never have cash on hand. But now that I try and not spend like a crazed lunatic, I had two twenties in my purse for months. THIS NEVER HAPPENS, PEOPLE. It's like we're in some sort of alternate universe!

5. There is no limit to how many excuses and justifications I could make towards buying crap I don't need. ("Oh, well that doesn't count. . .". Actually, it does.)

6. And speaking of #5, I've heard that if you stop eating sweets, you eventually stop craving them. I wouldn't know, because I eat like I'm 3 years old, but I think spending might be this way. I can now stop and think: do I need this? Will I hate storing it later?

I can walk out of a store with just what I came for.

7. I have a list of crap I want to buy but can't in my journal. This is sick.

8. My main goal was to save up 50% of our annual salary this year, not including what was already in savings. We have saved up 40% of that, thus far. This is mainly due to a hefty tax return but hey who cares where the cash comes from as long as it's not blood money am I right or am I right?

9. April's main goal is to figure out how to stop hemorrhaging cash at the grocery store. I'm gonna stick to a list-- maybe even make a meal plan. But don't hold your breath to the second part because that would require organizational skills I don't possess.

10. Not eating out is great for the pocketbook 'n all-- it adds up BIG time, and my kids don't appreciate it enough and all that, but cooking meal after meal and cleaning up over and over and over like it's Groundhog Day also backfires on me. I got to the point where I was chasing people around with spatulas saying the kitchen was closed and I couldn't take turning out one.more.meal. and the cook was on strike and have you ever been hit over the head with a frying pan because it's about to happen?. Tell me if it hurts.?.

So I guess 5 buck pizza occasionally does everyone a favor.

11. Still can't believe my Chinese place is staying in business without me.

12. I would like some egg rolls.

13. Still haven't purchased any clothing for me. I find it so interesting that I always felt like my "wardrobe was not complete" like it was the deathstar or the circle of life or something, and yet I could never find a hanger, or fit more clothes in anywhere. Now I'm actually wearing everything I bought, and if I'm not wearing it, it is gonzo.

14. My only belt, that is now around my jeans that sit around my flab, is hanging by a couple threads. It's a joke.

15. My "belt" will not make it til the end of the year.

16. I realized that I have subconsciously grounded myself from Hobby Lobby. I'm not stepping foot in the hob lob for one year. Seriously. I am a craft supply hoarder. I have scrapbook paper. I don't scrap. The only supplies I might not have is for soap making or leather crafting, but that's it.

(did you need to borrow something? I'm sure I've got it.)

Plus I'm curious if your hob lob employees are as ornery as mine. I swear it's as if it's part of the hiring process. ("Are you grouchy? Good- you're hired.") Good grief people put on a smile you're around all this crafting good-ness.?.

17. Final. Finally:

I feel in control. More peaceful. Smarter. It's worth it.

So Little Time, So Few Walls Left To Mould.

2013-04-15T10:21:00.001-06:00

So--

where were we in "Project Cover House With Moulding"? Ahhh, yes. The music room. Recall that we went from this,

to this.

And I pronounced the work good. Ish.

I knew the other wall needed this same box treatment, and this week was the week to get all up on this.

I've had meeeelions of people ask me about using plywood for moulding projects this week (translation: millions=3 people),

so let's discuss shall we? Yes, let's. My favorite plywood is what has made this,

and this,

and this (and a thousand other projects)

possible. It's so versatile. And most importantly, so cheap. (FYI: when I do this type of board and batten, the distance between the slats is typically around 16-18"-- it's whatever begins and ends correctly for the wall I'm working on. But you can do whatever you want. I've seen super wide distances-- I've seen closer together. There's no rule, here.)

Get yourself a sheet of 1/4" plywood. I typically have the dudes at Lowe's cut it down the middle length-wise so as to fit it into my mommy van easier.

This costs $13. If you buy the top pieces on the pile that are kind of messed up and wavy-like, you can get those on a huge discount-- like $5 or $6, and then hello $6 project. I've done it before and once it's cut up and nailed to the wall, you'll never remember that it was warped. Pinky swear.

So I take my pieces home, and I rip them on the table saw to 3" pieces.

And now, the world is your oyster. Get crazy with the stuff. It's the same thickness as your baseboards, so you don't have to deal with it sticking out at all. Isn't this fabulous?

Anyhow,

back to the music room. We were here.

And I want the other wall to have the same treatment. A friend suggested I paint first, cover with plywood second, just to see which is easier. So I went ahead and tried that this time around.

Survey says? Yeah, I think it was a little easier to paint first.

And speaking of paint! I had an epiphany last week!!

I realized that my wall color is thee exact color of a Wendy's Frosty.

Exact. My walls are delicious. I shall now refer to my wall color as Wendy's Frosty. I picked up a frosty just to make sure I was right. You know, for scientific purposes. And yes, this picture sucks. It was late and dark, and that frosty wasn't going to take care of itself.

I don't even know what that means.

So I got to work.

Someone had a question about this "box" treatment--

regard that I keep the vertical pieces long, and it's the horizontal pieces that are the short ones. The distance between boxes is totally dependent on the length of your wall and what size of grid you want. Once you decide how many boxes, use an online inches calculator to divide so you can have an exact distance. I highly recommend using a laser level if you've got one. I didn't, but I should have. I drew it all out on the wall with my 4' level before I started nailing, and that makes a huge difference to keep all your horizontal pieces straight. Ish. ish-ish. . .

And. . . we are done here. Mostly because I completely ran out of white paint.

Yes-- I have floating crown up there from the music room shelves. It will all come together soon in a nice little package. Trust.

Oh yeeeah-- I am TOTALLY getting all up on phase 3 of Project "Entryway Beam" this week. Let the plywood ripping continue.

Scenes From A Kitchen Window.

2013-04-10T15:57:00.000-06:00

Gah, I love Pinterest. It's had me in stitches the last couple nights. Wanna see what I think is heeelarious?

Some other time, then.

Anyhow,

I've been pinning crap like this.

Source: bhg.com via Mandi on Pinterest

Or this.

Source: pin4fun3203.blogspot.com via M on Pinterest

And I love this whole kitchen window shelf idea.

I mean, how much time do I spend staring out my kitchen window in a day? I deserve to see something beautiful whilst I scrub my pots and pans and my hands dry out and look old and witchy! I even have a blog post dedicated to scenes from a kitchen window!

So, yeah, I was like, must.do.this. . .

And these shelf brackets I just so happened to have lying around sat like this in my kitchen for two weeks. I could have cleaned this area up before I took the picture, but that is not the way of my people.

And the hubs was all,

"So, um. . . what's going on here, then?"

And I'm all,

"Oh I think it'd be just lovely to have a shelf there."

And he's all,

"I think it'd be in the way and kind of annoying."

And after two weeks of having those brackets hanging out there, I knew he was right. Dang it I hate how he's always right.

But I couldn't give this idea up-- I'm stubborn like that. And ya know, the only reason why I put the shelf brackets there was just to cover up the crappy job I did on the ends of my backsplash.

Why not a shelf above the window? Why not?

Got myself a cheap-o piece of 1x10. Oh! GOOD NEWS! My router is fixed! Yay!

Also, expect an actually real tutorial on using a handheld router, soon. Promised a friend. Contain your excitement.

Nobody gives a shite,

but I used a 3/8" double roman bit today.

And question not my shelf level-ness! I checked for level and the bubble does not lie!

Ta da.

I don't know what my problem is, but my window sill gathers junk like it's nobody's business. I solemnly swear from now on to keep this area clean. It makes the world a happier place.

Also, this is a dollar store project with dollar store moss that no one cares about and the moss smells the end.

I could have cleaned the outside of the windows, but that is not the way of my people.

And so I like it!

And the hubs never even noticed it, so there!!

I Have ALWAYS Wanted To Do This.

2013-04-06T23:28:00.000-06:00

So I'm not a morning person.

Some people like to have conversations early in the morning, and it's okay to kill those people.

I believe that it is wrong to have to wake up before the sun, and that the sound of an alarm clock is the most annoying sound in the world.

And behold the most annoying of all alarm clocks! The most unreliable, change the time zone in the middle of the night, p.o.s. alarm clock!

I have always wanted to do this.

Okay, this one was probably a little too much. But only a little.

But all in all, I found this to be deeply satisfying.

What'm I Gonna Do, What'm I Gonna Do With All That Junk? All That Junk Inside My Trunk?

2013-04-04T09:20:00.000-06:00

Good question! You know-- I don't think it would hurt to dust off thee ole air compressor or anything. . .

So, I have this friend. She's having a baby today. Possibly even.as.we.speak.

Mind=blown.

And she wanted this:

as her baby girl's nursery. Aw. . . ca-ute!!

So one day, couple weeks, ago, we got together and talked shop. You know, the ease and costs of beadboard vs. board and batten, crown, built-ins, alllll the good stuff.

And I think we both sat back and were blown away by the costs of just one wall of treatments. ($30 per wall for beadboard? $30 per wall for moderately sized crown? What is this world coming to??)

And so we decided on a sensible plan. Yes, friends-- we went my favorite plywood route again. But you probably knew that, due to all the junk inside my trunk.

And behold the room before!

The color they chose is so fab-- it's this deep blue-ish purple.

Oh crap-- I shoulda taken a picture of this friend's hair-- it is amazing. There are no words. It is like spun gold. If you could cut her hair and glue it on your own head, you would. (Heather: watch your back.)

But back to the room. We got to work, and a few hours later, we had this:

annnnnd I told her it would take me an hour, instead of 3 and 1/2. And it would have, had every single piece I cut not been too long. Now, I know I know-- better long than short, right? But I coulda had this up lickity split had everything been right on.

So? Wanna see their room all done? Do ya? DO YA?

Aw!!!

I love it! So sweet. Didn't they do awesome?

Love the sonogram pics on the magnet board! Oh my gosh-- don't look-- you can see my reflection in the vase and I'm naked!

You think I would have learned from the ebay teapot dude.

Made ya look. Why would I be nude in someone else's house? That only happened that once but that was it.

The framed "K" is my very favorite touch. Great job, guys. Clearly I had difficulty snapping a pic near the window. Judge me.

So, they took all their baby furniture they already had and had it sprayed black professionally-- it looks totally awesome, and brand new.

Kay so-- guess how much the board and batten was? $13 for the plywood. A little bit more for the chair rail, of course-- but HELLO the point here is $13 for the plywood!

Can't beat that with a stick.

State of the Tremayne's Union.

2013-04-01T13:35:00.000-06:00

So last week, it was all,

and this week, it was all,

And since this beautiful weather just happened to coincide with Easter break, I've been feeling pretty happy. And fat and sassy.

I have been chomping at the bit to add more molding to the front rooms (it's a sickness, really--), but I knew, while the kiddos were out of school and the weather was behaving so nicely, and there was a lovely holiday going on and all,

that it was time to put away the tools, vacuum up the sawdust, and focus on things like boys 'n sun 'n dirt,

and going to the park and making various flavors of snow cone syrup that has made my floor endlessly sticky.

I'm saying it's been a good week. 'S what I'm saying.

Oh! And so we had this neighborhood Easter egg hunt 'n stuff, and it was then that I realized--

all I have to do is out-run these kids and hip check people out of my way and the world could be mine?!?!

And so I hooked myself up.

SUCKERS. But then the hubs was all,

"Honey! What are you doing?? This is for kids!"

and I'm like,

"WHAT?!? EW. Next time I'm marrying for money!"

And there was this audible gasp.

Oh, I kidd. But my neighbors are cooler than yours.

Unless you are my neighbor. Then you would have cooler neighbors, because I would be yours.

Oh, I kidd. But seriously, there was a lot of eating. Because good weekends always include a lot of eating, don't they? Of course they do. Oh good grief these were heavenly.

And have you tried my world famous triple berry syrup? It's AMAY-ZING. So amazing, that no one knows about it and no one ever asks for it.

And the nude 5 year old chose maple, instead.

But he can't even dress himself so his opinion doesn't count.

And there was a couple evenings of indoor shmallow roasting-- and half the neighborhood was over here toasting shmallows,

(that's my arm on the right. Okay it's Jeffro's.)

and you should know that I have an unnatural fear of fire, so whenever they caught fire, I was like freaking and all "BLOW IT OUT BLOW IT OUT!". So I might have ruined it a bit by being the freaky mommy.

But other than that--

it was awesome.

I Got A Wild Hair.

2013-03-27T23:17:00.000-06:00

Dudes,

(I say "Dude" before anything even mildly important-)

I think I am out to completely cover my front rooms in molding. And I am having a hoot while doing so.

Also? I'd like to officially announce that the month of March is now "Quarter Inch Plywood Month". Or at least it should be.

Gah. I don't even want to show you the inspiration of this idea I had-- it's like comparing apples to oranges. Men to women. It's a champagne taste on a beer budget.

No. Make me. ("I don't make monkeys- I just train 'em." Pee Wee voice).

Okay-- keep in mind what I said-- champagne taste on a beer budget:

Source: younghouselove.com via Mandi on Pinterest

Isn't this lovely? I mean, c'mon! The crazy hard work and the math and the cuts and routings to get this look?

my head spinneths.

But I thought my music room could use a similar look (and by similar, I mean only faintly resembling).

And this wall's the first to get it.

Oh my heck, I have to tell a story. Stop me if I've already told it.

So when I first moved in, a neighbor stopped by, and she was all,

"I think it is soooo funny. . ."

(and she didn't mean "funny haha". Sorry I'll stop interrupting.)

". . . that you own a grand piano when you don't even play the piano."

So, naturally, I told my sister this story. Naturally. And she was like,

"Tell me you corrected her, hello!"

And I was like, "No, I was stunned and I sat there with my mouth open, especially 'cause she'd seen me play the piano already several times for church.?."

Some people are so funny.

But not "funny haha".

Okay, so back to this wild hair I had.

I have an idea! Let's count how many cuts this wall took! Yes! Let's!

47! With a dull blade. And an air compressor that still leaks and refills every 5 minutes or so. And if you come by and check for square I will cut you. (said through clenched teeth. Flared nostrils.)

Um, so, if there was the painting police, I would be up for a huge spanking. I hate to tape stuff off. I rarely move or cover anything. And I never change my clothes.

I made this e-card. No, really. I did.

Source: someecards.com via Mandi on Pinterest

But I did cover up my piano. I'm not a savage!

And then I did a coat and stepped back and was like. . . hmm. . . I'm not seein' it. . .

2nd coat. Still not seeing it. . .

Final coat. . . Okay. I think I made the right choice.?.

Shelf, music print I made eons ago, and tchotckes back up. . .

now step back. . . frame with thumbs and forefingers. . .pause to let the tension mount. . .

I like it. Guess it's time to do the wall next to it, too.

Phase Two, In Which Doris Gets Her Oats.

2013-03-24T22:36:00.000-06:00

(It's an intro to a strange but good Beatles song. Sorry).

Where did we leave off with the funnestest molding project I've ever done? Oh, yes.

Right here. I don't know what it is about this project--

maybe it's that I am doing all the ripping, the cutting, the routing, and the making of my own molding-
and maybe that it's cause I haven't had to purchase one thing because I have all this in stock out in the garage--

and despite that it's ultra time intensive to get each and every piece done, I'm thoroughly enjoying myself. Who knew?

Let us stare, once again, at the dream hallway:

Source: houzz.com via Mandi on Pinterest

Oh yeessss. It's a tall glass of water.

I knew I needed to get the other side of my posts done, so as to have nowhere to go but up.

My music room subway art needed to be removed. Sad.

And the other side houses my old school phone. Have you seen my cool phone the Daddy-o made? It's cool. It doesn't have to go, yet. . .

but soon it will need a new home.

You know what sucks?

My air compressor is now leaking massive amounts of air. It's missing an o-ring on the pressure release valve component near the trans-ionic conduit.

(I just used "treknobabble" to come up with that description. Also, this blog owner is a nerd.)

You know what else sucks?

I need a new saw blade for "Severus", because even cutting through pine is making it smoke and it's eating my lumber.

You know what else sucks?

It hasn't had a blade guard on it for almost a year because mine broke, and it really should have one on it, so I guess I'll get that while I'm at it, too.

And what else?

For inexplicable reasons, my router is also eating my lumber. I think it has to do with the tachyon boost field. (I'm sorry. This nerd could not help herself.)

(Serious.)

So I'm feeling pretty frustrated, right about now.

So? What to do, besides purchase a whole bunch of new parts and throw my router against the wall?

Paint the door black.

Hubs is all,

"I'm not sure I love the door black. Every time I walk past I do a double take that we've left it wide open."

And I'm thinking, "Oh, c'mon."

Until I walked past 10 minutes later and was all,

(Yes it needs another coat. Thank you for noticing. Your noticing has been noted.)

"Eee-gads! My house is open/someone is standing in my doorway in very dark clothing and he's rectangular shaped!"

I guess it's something we'll have to get used to.

I Could Be Pretty Comparable To Oscar The Grouch.

2013-03-21T14:32:00.000-06:00

I don't mean to get all "Read my diary" on y'all for the hundred thousandth time or anything,

but I've had something on my mind for a while, and I need to get it off my chest.

Okay, so-- where to start. My parents like to say that bad things come in threes. I've found this to be true. But for the last couple months, a lot of bad things have happened to a lot of good people I know. Like, one after another.

Have you had that happen? Where you're like WHAT IN THE WORLD IS GOING ON, HERE?? Like, serious sicknesses, injuries, deaths.?.

And it shakes you up?

And you're spending double the time on your knees, praying for people you know and love?

I don't think it's really a coincidence that I chose this quote as my year's resolution.

Now, something I don't want you to know about me that I guess you should:

My personality could be comparable to Oscar the Grouch from time to time. You know, he's all,

"What's right in this world? Nuthin! What gets me hot under the collar? You name it!"

That could be me.

If you know me real well, then you probably have picked up on that I can be a serious whiner. It's part of my mental situation.

"That's the understatement of the year."

"Yeah she's not really a glass-half-full kinda gal."

But I see myself as a happy person. I can just have a bad attitude. But I'm happy! With a seriously bad attitude!

I swear these things can work together to form a whole Mandi.

Source: dishfunctionaldesigns.blogspot.com via Mandi on Pinterest

I have nothing profound to say, today. I don't even know that I have a point. It's nothing I haven't said before, (or a million times too many),

but I am really, ree-hee-heally appreciating today.

"Live in the now!" (Thank you, Garth.)

I'm grateful for every single day I get to wake up, and have another go.

Making today a special occasion doesn't mean I went sky diving. Or rocky mountain climbing. Or 2.7 seconds on a bull named Fu Manchu. That's not what it is for me.

But it does mean that the morning I sent my kids to school crying (yes, this happened. To my everlasting shame, this happened), that I realized what a hag I was being, and I chased my kids out in the yard and grabbed them both, bear hugged them, told them I was sorry, and in so doing embarrassed the crap out of them in front of their friends.

Plus I think I was pretty stinky from a "run" so, double whammy.

Source: humortrain.com via Mandi on Pinterest

This talk was also super timely to help me realize how I can oft times take what I have for granted, and lose sight of my priorities.

(this is one of the many good parts.)

I've talked before about cutting down on my interwebs time, and about priorities, and being happy with the life I always wanted that I have now-- so again, this is nothing new.

Source: pinterest.com via Shawn on Pinterest

The Daddy-o has told me many a time, that the best time of his life was in his 30's. He's not just saying it. It's a "hint hint, Mandi".

I guess, two of my main thoughts that have been percolating in the brain the last couple months would be,

1. I don't want to waste another minute being the wife/mother/daughter/sister/friend/neighbor/fish owner/whateverer that let my pride hurt my relationships with people around me.

Source: happytoinspire.blogspot.com via Mandi on Pinterest

Because goodness knows I've had a problem, lately. Would it be inappropriate to throw out a blanket "I'M SORRY FOR BEING A BUTT MUNCH TO EVERYONE I KNOW AND LOVE" right now?

and,

Source: betteronabudget.com via Mandi on Pinterest

2. If tragedy struck my family, heaven forbid, I would miss and plead for the days I have, today. The calm ones. The ones that included cooking and cleaning, and kissing my kids goodnight.

I can't promise I won't have this problem again, down the line. That I won't have yet another stupidfreakin'postaboutblahblahblah again. But thanks for listening. 'Preciate cha.

I'm So Excited. And I Just Can't Hide It.

2013-03-17T21:27:00.003-06:00

I've heard a lot of bloggers lately comment about how they've finally found their decorating "style", and I find it all velly, velly intellesting.

Wanna know what my style is? I thought I knew before, but I can truly pinpoint what kind of style screams "OH MY HECK I HAVE TO LIVE IN THAT HOUSE RIGHT NOW".

Anything like this. If it's covered in moulding, 'specially box moulding, I'm gonna love it.

(p.s., the show's really good, too.)

Anyhow, I've had a pinterest board dedicated to entryways. I have wanted to beef up my entryway with moulding for-evar.

If we've been friends a while, you know this caught my eye:

Source: bing.com via Mandi on Pinterest

and then of course THIS:

Source: houzz.com via Mandi on Pinterest

oooh goodness this just speaks to my soul. I want this. Must.have.this. . .

Here's the thing:

(pre-move in entryway picture)

I've been pondering, planning, and discussing how to do a fabulous entry with beams for almost 2 years, now. The beams: it's my hang-up. I find it daunting-- how do I hang them? Joists are hard to find and I hate standing on a ladder, running the stupid stud finder along a textured ceiling getting crap in my eyes and hair. . .

And then I decided:

phases. Phases! This project can be done in phases. One part gets done, looks complete, and no one's the wiser! Plus the Daddy-o told me he knew exactly how I could get that beam look up there and it involves plywood and we all know that's my favorite thing, so I decided to gird up my loins and get all up on this.

Headed out to the fridge. That's what Thing 4 calls the garage: "the fridge". I like this new name. And speaking of the fridge!

My awesome 90's boombox I've had forever stopped reading my CD's for NO APPARENT REASON!

Gosh.

Let me first just say, this project was massively cut-intensive. And this is only phase 1.

I took all these 1-by-whatever orphans I had lying around (seriously- one of them is a piece broken off from a bigger piece and the longer one I ripped on the saw with too deep an angle rendering it previously unusable),

and ripped them to a good 1x3 size. Then, I routed 'em all.

And I needed some 1x2. And I knew JUST where to get it.

From here. (Project gone way wrong.)

Heheheh. Heh. Heh.

And they all got routed. And sawdust was everywhere. And I tracked it in inside. And it was a beautiful thing.

But just this once.

This is the point when I was like "oh crap I think I've made a big mistake. . . how much time before the hubs gets home??. . . "

This is where I tell you how much I enjoy using my quarter inch plywood. One, it's as thin as most baseboards, so you have no overhang and they compliment each other just so. Two, it is DIRT cheap. Three: I always have it on hand. Always.

But when I got to this point, I knew it was all gonna be okay.

More than okay. I already loved it. Do you see what I've done here?!? the pieces of 1x3 I routed have become the chair rail, and the top is the tent's pieces of 1x2, routed, set on its side, and nailed into the 1x3 for support.

IT'S INGENIOUS! IT'S MARVELOUS!

It was the Daddy-o's idea. Don't expect much from me.

And here we have phase 1 in all it's glory:

See?! I love it! I'm so excited! And every single piece I already had in the "fridge"! I could totally leave it like this, and call it done, and no one would be the wiser.

But I must go on. And while I'm at it, I'm contemplating painting the front door black, too. It all just snowballs, people.

The Follow Up.

2013-03-14T13:39:00.000-06:00

It's been over 6 months since I made the decision to start running. And I want to talk about it, today, if ya don't mind. Do ya mind? I'm not listening. . .

First,

I guess I should say "running" (huge air quotes). "Running" is such a relative term.

Wanna know what my favorite "running" song is? Well do ya? DO YA?

This one. It's a great beat to "run" along to. It makes me feel like I'm doing something ultra important. Spee-ecial. Every time, it's this big life-changing moment.

And I had to check to make sure it was the clean version, because mine's the clean version and this is a family blog, okay?

Also, I would sooo appreciate knowing your favorite running song. It would mean a lot to me. Double pound to the chest, real runners.

Anyhow, just know--

that while I'm pretty sure I run like a dufus (and if you tell me so you better protect your face), and I run very slow, and I might not run very far every day, BUT, in the last 4 months at least,

I have not skipped a day. Except for Sunday. Oh and Christmas Day, because I had too much to cook. Oh, and that one day the pipes froze and we were up all night trying to thaw them, because that sucked and I was tired.

But other than that: 6 days a week. An average of 20 miles per week. You can stop snorting, now.

I've run in the snow. I've run while it snowed. I've come home with snow all over my head, and times when I kinda couldn't feel my legs, kinda. I ran the day we had freezing rain. I went out all those days it was nearly zero degrees out. I've frozen my buns off and alternated between totally chilled and sweaty chested.

So I might be a slow, weird-looking, bum-jiggling, short distance "runner" who oft-times keeps going by motivating myself to not get eaten by imaginary zombies,

but at least I am not a quitter.

(I was gonna show you my awesome hot pink shoes on, next to my man-calves, but that would require shaven legs, and I don't have that.)

I heard recently that if you started running, then you get to call yourself a "runner". But I just don't see it. I can't do it.

"I didn't know you were a runner!"

"Oh I'm not really- I just am um, . . . I just started "running" and. . . "

I'm still a poser.

A few things I've learned?

People have super strong opinions on exercising and eating, and people give me a lot of unsolicited advice, now.

Also, people who run feel instant kinship with other people who run. Even people like me who "run". I gained some instant friendly-like people.

(This song's also a goodie. Um, I've heard you're not supposed to bounce when you stretch. Just what I've heard.)

I don't believe my body shape has improved much. Don't believe I've budged in the weight department. Oh, wait-- there is that one weight loss in the only 2 areas I didn't want to lose weight. And there wasn't much to spare. So that sucks.

But my husband is an extremely smart guy, and tells me my legs are lookin' good. He's such a liar. And I love him for it.

I've learned that I am still embarrassed to wear this shirt.

I have only worn it a handful of times, and all but once it was under a jacket so it didn't matter anyway.

I also keep a running log in the back of my journal now, because someone told me to. So I do.

I worry that signing up for an actual race will kinda ruin things. I've heard a lot about people who trained for something big, and then they quit running for months after because they felt like they met their goal and what was the point.?.

And this brings me full circle. Why am I doing this? What was the point in the first place? Ahhh, yes. It was for the simple reason of being healthier. And getting my crazy high resting heart rate down to something a little bit better.

'N so I checked. Recall that my BPM was in the 90's. Laying down. Almost comatose. Today it was in the 70's. So I think I'm doing better. Someone high five me. Don't leave me hanging.

And Then I Manned Up.

2013-03-11T09:40:00.000-06:00

Remember that little thing I started a week (or was it two? Stop counting) ago? Where was I?

Ahhh. Yes. The last time I showed you my derriere.

I suddenly have this overwhelming desire to start in on: "Oh.My.Gosh, Becky-- look at her butt. It is so big." (tsk)

I had a dream the very next night after this picture was taken that my husband took me aside and said "Honey, I need to tell you that your A#$ is HUGE. Like, HUGE."

I was very upset in this dream. And my husband thinks this dream is hilarious.

Anyhow.

I didn't want to get back up on the freaking step ladder and finish this off--

but I have this new rule. I can't start something big-ish until the last big-ish item is done. Cuts down on the chaos. And since I've got all these crazy ideas rolling around in the noggin these days, I knew I had to finish.

Oh, thanks for asking! I want to talk about my most exciting project, too. Here's a little hint. A sneaky peeky.

Source: houzz.com via Mandi on Pinterest

My entry way will look nothing like this. Except for in my dreams. But I'm going to try.

Anyhow,

so Mckenna "Mckiller" Tremayne's room needed to be finished up. Fine-nuh. Gosh. Give me a paintbrush and the stupid step ladder again.

I honestly lost count of how many times I moved the step ladder to give this crown another coat. It was like, "Oh. . .just one more and then I think we'll be done. Okay, one more. ONE more. . ."

And then I realized it really, ree-hee-heally needed to be caulked. So I had to get up there and caulk all the way around, and that sucked.

So, to be perfectly honest--

do I love all the millions of coats and the money and the work it took to get this crown up there?

(BEFORE)

(AFTER)

Um. . . ? I honestly don't think it made this massive difference. I don't walk in there and go. . "WOW that crown really made this room." I just don't.

I mean-- I do like it. And I like more white in here, I do. I'll tell you what I DO like in here, though--

(I brought up a nightstand I made-over eons ago and I really like the look of it in here)

Her room seems sooo peaceful and serene. Probably just because I cleaned all her crap up just to take the pictures.

Now if I'll just get off my buns, finish one more piece of furniture that's meant for this room, possibly rearrange some of the wall hangings, and then maybe move everything around to another angle, then, you can stick a fork in this room. Because it will be done.

And let's just hope I can do all that before my daughter's old enough to have her own opinion and then wants to start all over in here.

Cats & Dogs Living Together. Mass Hysteria.

2013-03-07T10:56:00.002-07:00

Before I get into the whats of this project, first allow me to tell you the whys.

(Yes, the water is green.)

Mornings in this house-- it's cats and dogs, living together. Mass hysteria. If you were a fly on the wall in this house? First, you would have a lot of crumbs to eat, but second,

you would hear crap like this on a day to day basis.

"Hey bud, your fly is down."

(said in a totally annoyed and exasperated voice): "WHY DOES IT HAVE TO MATTER? GOSH."

"Both your shoes are untied, buddy. Lemme tie them for you."

"NO! I like them that way!"

Also, I say "buddy" a lot. Especially when I'm trying to keep the peace.

Daily, I come at my boys, wielding a spray bottle and comb. Oft times, I make the water in the spray bottle warm, just to be nice.

"OH MY GOSH, MOM! You do this every.single.day!! ARRRR!"

Now, this last one is said in the same tone you might use for this accusation:

"My gosh, Mom! Every morning, before 9:00 a.m., you get drunk and pass out on the couch, and I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!"

Yep. Same tone. I had noooo idea I was such an evil mother. The crap my kids have to put up with.

For the record though, it is pretty annoying to get sprayed at or near the face with a spray bottle. I tried it once and thought, "Ew that's annoying". So I'll give them that.

Oh, man--

let us not forget this month's new curve ball: the one where my son absolutely refuses to take a shower.

(not this son, though.)

I don't get this. I'm so confused-- he absolutely loved baths and showers, and then suddenly, BAM, next thing you know I'm lecturing him about hygiene, man-handling him, and practically tossing him into the shower.

I wouldn't be more surprised about this new turn of events then if a boot came out of this monitor right now and kicked me in the head.

So, I'm saying mornings are rough, sometimes. That's what I'm saying.

I'm also keeping all these comments close to my heart for when my kids are old enough to care and start asking for specific brands of hair gel, deodorant, and Axe body spray.

"Really? You want me to buy that for you? Remember that time, when you were 5, and you gave me a hard time about zipping up your fly before school?"

Kids. Can't live with them,

the end.

So whatever I can do to make things a little smoother, right? I've seen this idea in its various forms all over the interwebs, and it is ingenious. I've pinned one here, and Mandy did it here.

Got myself a couple scrap boards of 1x3 (and we all know that the true measurements would be 3/4" by 2 1/2", don't we?),

and routed them to make them all purty-like, and then painted, for which I wanted to cuss.

Okay here's the thing: I have discovered that my life will be infinitesimally easier, if I had certain items on alllll the floors of my house.

Let me 'splain. No, there is too much. Let me sum up:

we have what I call "teeth" problems in this house. Genetic gifts of the teeth, if you will. Some of my kids have soft enamel, and soft enameled teeth can look yellowed in a jiffy. Thus, I ensure that my kids brush their teeth right before they leave the house, to give them a sporting chance.

I mean right before they leave the house-- they hand me back their toothbrush when they open the door.

Thus, I need toothbrushes on my main level, as well.

And here it is, inside the over-the-john! With absolutely no regard to the ancient art of spacing!

Toothbrushes for all children who leave in the morning, combs, and even some rubber bands to tame the baby girl's hair in a hurry, and of course, the evil spray bottle.

And then upstairs? Before bedtime? Bam.

I am dealing with pocket doors on both sides of this bathroom, and do not have studs to rely on for strength, so this was a bit of a challenge.

If I were cool, these cups would be beautiful glass ones. I give you my personal guarantee that beautiful glass ones would break, and again, this needs to be lightweight due to the lack of studs.

Everyone has a cup for their 5th cup of water before bedtime, and life is just a little bit simpler. Take a tip from me: do NOT go in this bathroom. WOOOO. I do my best to avoid it, and you should, too, if you know what's good for you.

Help Me. I've Fallen, & I Can't Get Up.

2013-03-04T22:39:00.000-07:00

Do you know how this whole "SPENDING CLEANSE 2013" thing is turning out to be? I'll tell you how it's turning out to be.

Ever been in a bad relationship? You know your boyfriend totally sucks and you need to break up, but it's just easier to stay with the stupid loser so you keep falling back into the relationship?

Well, my spending habits are like that. They're a totally jerky boyfriend who needs a swift kick to the A.

I can feel myself slipping. February started out awesome, and then . . . gah.

Remember how I gave myself a star for every day I didn't spend cash in January?

I tried that again in February and I don't need both hands to count them.

THE SHAME.

Let me tell you what I didn't do. I never bought myself clothing. I don't think I bought a movie, or a book, or any music. . . I didn't rent a movie. There were zero random "anyone want a burger?" stops.

So I did good, right?! I never went nuts at Lowe's. I did step foot in a Target and I even looked at the swimsuits because I couldn't stop myself, but I walked out with only what I came for!

Baby steps.

But.

There was a lot of frozen yogurt trips. And I justified them all because it was a "girl's night!" or I was on a "date and that never happens!". I have this crazy weird obsession with fruity flavors and sorbets and self-serve frozen yogurts. And I just know it's going to be like that episode of Seinfeld where I think I'm eating this healthy (ish) stuff but my pants are getting tighter. . .

anyway.

I've got to get back on track. I am NOT a quitter! Someone throw a big bucket of cold water at my face. Give me a good smack back to reality. I can't promise I won't punch you back but I'll thank you for it later after I'm not pissed anymore.

Let's talk March goals. Can we? Is anyone still with me?

1. NO frozen yogurt for the REST OF THE MONTH. (notice I didn't say the whole month because I already had some at the beginning of this month)

2. No clothing for me. (Ya know what? The whole family's got enough socks and underwear, and no one seems to be wearing floods for now, so I'm extending this to the entire family. Barring some crazy clothing emergency, I see no need to budget in clothing.)

3. I hereby give myself the right to one takeout meal night. ONE. That means I get to order my hot and sour soup and pon pon chicken extra spicey and pizza for the kids and not cook. ONE time. Oh, and no random "I need a burger so bad!" trips.

and finally, the last goal of the month? This:

Do you get these? This is letting us know how we're doing with our power usage. And I just have to say,

WHAT THE HE#@ ARE WE DOING IN THIS HOUSE?

Our bill is through the roof. I nearly died when I turned the statement over and saw our "rating".

Um, is this like I got 94% out of a 100%? So I got an A, right?!? Oh. Crap.

WHAT?? My rank is improving.?.

Look. Over there. The December rank. I cannot explain it. But if I had to guess, I'd say a basement with 3 computers and a massive TV might have a part in it.

In The Spring Time, The Only Pretty Ring Time.

2013-02-28T08:08:00.001-07:00

If you're not already so sick of hearing about this from me,

you will be. "You will be". (said in my best, serious Yoda voice).

This.

This is how I feel about seasons in my area. And I don't love it.

But I tried, this year! I swear, I tried. Said to the hubs in like, November:

"I'm going to try to love winter. I'm going to embrace it. You'll see."

He just laughed, and then said I couldn't change who I am.

But I did try-- I even picked up my own snow boots and snow pants (with a gift card-- remember I'm el cheapo) so I could join in on all this winter "fun".

'N it helped a little.

But I can't wait for a little a this.

Or this.

And heck, I'll even suck it up and push my little buttmunches on the swing for hours, I swear! Just make the snow stop!

I want to get outside and play with my kids and make a fool of myself in front of the neighbors in the warm sun so bad I can taste it.

Anyhow,

remember the contraption I built for my only south-facing window?

Well, last year, I started all my garden shiz from seed.

And it was awesome.

This year, I'm doing it again, except I'm using white trash cups to house my seedlings. Hey! It worked for the Daddy-o last year, okay?? I use what I have, okay?
Gosh.

I'm being more thorough, this time around. I'm even planting my own flowers. Yep. Trying not to spend a dime at the nursery, here. Do you think a 10 cent packet of flower seeds will grow? We'll find out.

Now. Let's talk.
I have a dream. For three whole years, I've saved up ideas and pondered and planned and schemed and discussed the idea of a pergola.

I've been carrying around a mag clipping with one of my fave ideas in my purse and it's dirty and ratty and smells like gum.

Source: Uploaded by user via Laurie on Pinterest

(This is the very one.)

I see our deck as the promise of an awesome warm weather place of entertaining. I wanna be eating out here! Grilling out here! Playing cards out here!

I wanna maybe grow some grapevines that wind around said pergola! I want an awesome lighting design when the sun goes down!

But I'm on a spending cleanse. Sometimes I want to punch myself.

Years ago--

Years ago, I talked it over with the Daddy-o. He warned me to expect the materials alone to cost one grand.

ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS?.? Seriously?? Say it ain't so!

Source: houzz.com via KellyRae on Pinterest

I talked it over with the hubs again, for the millionth time. Told him I just "wanted to price things out and just know what we're talking about."

First, know that I called for a quote on a vinyl pergola. Guess the price, kay? Guess.

ROUGHLY $6,000.

I just dry heaved a little.

Wanna know my findings? Wanna know what the cost in lumber alone would be for our massive deck?

$666. That's what it came out to. It's a disturbing sign. We figured with the cost of cement and hardware, it's gonna be right up there with the Daddy-o's estimate.

The Daddy-o is always right. Always.

To my everlasting surprise, Jeffro took over the measuring and started sketching up some possible plans.

And then I fell out of my chair from surprise.

And then when I said "Oh I don't want you to waste your time", and then he said "Actually, it's kinda fun to plan this out." ,

was when I nearly suffered the heart attack from shock.

Keep your fingers crossed for me. Oh heck, and your toes. And your eyes.

We Eat Food, Here.

2013-02-25T16:03:00.000-07:00

Do you remember when I wanted this pantry?

Source: sugarpiefarmhouse.com via Mandi on Pinterest

No. I can't talk about this. It's too soon.

Well, about that time, I had this crazy idea that I could make my pantry

(say hello to my pantry. Ew, I do not miss that carpet. I need a new picture.)

fabulous on the inside. You know, like clean. Orderly. Like, you might even want to leave the door open just to show people how fabulous it is inside.?.

Sorta like this awesome pantry.

Source: escapadeblog.com via Mandi on Pinterest

Or this one.

Source: luxefinds.com via Mandi on Pinterest

Here's the thing, though: we like to keep food in our pantry, mainly. You might be surprised by this, but we don't eat paper towels or Kitchen Aids. But, you know, everyone's different. And that's okay.

So. What I'm saying is, is we keep a lot of food in our pantry. And once, I cleaned it out once, and I showed you what it looked like once, and I pronounced it officially as clean as it could possibly be.

On the day I showed this picture, my bestie left me a comment. Something along the lines of:

"Does that tag seriously say 'Crap we don't eat'??" Yes, Dena. It does. Did.

Why in H was I letting 'crap we don't eat' take a whole shelf in my closet-sized pantry, when I have a friggin' food storage room downstairs?

(Are you in the mood for cereal?)

So I got all in the mood to "get up in the kitchen, rearrange somethings, and then we certainly could party with the Haitians." (name that movie.)

So, back before I had my money meltdown, and came to my senses, I spent a small fortune on pantry pretties.

These awesome (and large) oil thingy mabobbers:

and these massive rice jars, too. Do you eat Jasmine rice? I find it to be so choice.

And then? I got out in the garage and started building my own crates. 'Cause everything was gonna have it's place, and everything ugly was gonna be concealed.

And then, the insides of my pantry looked like this. And the heavens opened. Angels sang.

Um, I'm thinking that if you have a whole shelf dedicated to Jell-o, then you might want to stop buying Jell-o.

I make no excuses. But this is Utah, okay?!? And we like our Jell-o!!

But as I was saying: the heavens opened.

OR. . .it would have,

except it was time to figure out what to do with the rest of my crap that didn't make the cut.

This cannot be done, I said. I have deemed the mission impossible. No one who really eats and cooks their own food can possibly make their pantry like so!

Actually, to be honest, when I carefully put it it all back, culled, and discarded, I have reopened the possibility of perhaps making my pantry the thing of the gods.

But meanwhile, back on earth,

I had the clever idea of using the inside bottom of my dutch door for shelving. Got outside and built a few pieces of crap with scrap.

And got a little crazy with the wood glue. apparently.

These are just Ana's gallery ledges, except I like to put molding on the front, because that makes me feel happy-like.

I had to scrub down the fingerprints and drips off the door just to be able to take a shot of it. I don't know what is going on in this house but you people are sick!

Yes. I have spice shelves. But I still have "other" spices I don't use as often. Does this seem like overkill? No, don't answer.

Oh my gosh-- I have such cheap spices. This is so embarrassing. . .