Tidbits from the Tremaynes

It's a Tardis.

2012-01-27T08:26:00.000-07:00

I kidd. It's not a tardis. But that's an awesome idea.

(What's a tardis?) This is a tardis.

(What's she talking about?) I have no idea.

A couple people guessed I was building a tardis for my "MovieCase" that I had to be all secret-y about. Remember? My "MovieCase" that has taken me a decade to finish because I just had to stain and poly it and each coat took a decade to dry, dangit?

And clearly we need another evening-out coat here. . .

I wanna tell you that it's done. Ish. My 6,983 coat of poly still has to dry. Apparently I want to be able to see my reflection in the wood before I'm done with my coats.

Um, can we talk about this some more? Later? When I get it in it's final resting spot? When it's not tacky to the touch, like, after, say a decade?

But I digress.

I'm kinda nervous now. You guys thought I was cool enough to build a tardis? I'm not that cool. Maybe you'll be like, all disappointed 'n stuff. Crap.

Crap.

Okay. I'm gonna show you anyway. I wanted it to match the hubs' double desk, since it's going in that area. I wanted it to be vintage. Classic. Whew. Deep breath. Here we go.

Here's my source of inspiration:

Yes, friends. I wanted an old-school movie ticket booth.

I got myself a sheet of 1/2'' ply, cut it to size, and then I started marking. Planning.

Laying stuff out.

I realize that's not straight. 'S okay. I fixed it when it counted. TONS! of dark walnut stain, GALLONS! of polyurethane, some plexiglass, curtains, trim, gold glaze, vinyl (THANK YOU RACHAEL!), and I got 'er done.

Do ya wanna see how it turned out?

Nighttime shot.

Early morning light.

Ta Da. Show ya when it's all filled up with movies.

Living In Denial.

2012-01-24T10:50:00.000-07:00

You might already know this about me, but it's worth repeating: I hate snow. I hate cold. I hate dark.

So, I pretty much have a hard time every January. I'm kind of living in denial, actually.

And on that note,

Source: strawberrie-heart.tumblr.com via Mandi on Pinterest

I decided to skip waaaaay ahead and do a spring project. It soothes my soul.

So, we're like, bonafide farmers now 'n everything, remember?

I decided that this year I would love to get my own heirloom seeds and start everything from seed. No $50 trip to the nursery for plants for me.

Hopefully. Maybe. One can dream, okay?

I'd love love! to have a cute potting bench like some of you awesomes, but that's not really a possibility here when it still snows/freezes clear into May.

So! Unlike the Daddy-o, who has his own south-facing greenhouse all set up, I've got one window that is south-facing. ONE. A house with a thousand windows, and one window will work for me.

Wanna know where it is?

Right up there. In my master bath.

Sigh. I wasn't going to let that stop me. I had to figure out a way to utilize that window. . .somehow. . .

I've got it. Shelves. Shelves in the windowsill that will still make it possible for the blinds to close over them. 'Cause no one needs a peep show through my bathroom window all spring, ifyaknowwhatI'msayin'. Hehehehe. Heh. Heh.

No, seriously. Scary.

And so I got to work. It's so beautiful. Said no one ever.

Personal reminder: be aware of where you hands are at all times.

If the dryness of my hands is all you see, be advised that they've been that way since I grouted my kitchen backsplash. But I'm talking about the injury. Drilled my hand. Got crap from the hubs. He's all, "First you put a nail through your hand and now you drilled it?"

No, duh. I've drilled my hand a half-dozen times, so there. Oh. Wait.

The real embarrassing part of this is that I injured myself during such a wimpy project. Injuries should only be for massive projects. Am I right?

But I digress.

Wasn't even gonna paint this thing-- you know I hate to paint and no one's gonna see it.

And then I changed my mind and decided to paint it a happy color. Because in our world, we can do whatever we want. And since I'm quoting Bob Ross today. .. "let's get crazy with the paint brush."

Kids are so proud. Do you know I get guff for painting everything white in our house? If they had it their way, it'd be a circus all up in here.

And here we are. Waaaay ahead of schedule. Fits inside the windowsill, can be screwed into the studs surrounding the window for stability--

And I can water them while I take a bath.

Sorry for the visual. Scrub your brain.

Let Me 'Splain.

2012-01-22T09:29:00.000-07:00

I was one of those peeps who kind of subconsciously thought that blogging advertisements (say it the British way-- it's so much cooler) were, kind of, "selling out."

Don't be mad. Like I said: subconsciously. And I've never thought that about someone else. Just me.

So perhaps you noticed a little flashing ad on the side of thee ole bloggity blog--

Let me 'splain.

No, there is too much: let me sum up.

One day, as I drove away with another $100 worth of products at Lowe's, I felt super duper guilty. Again. Just like this weekend's $100 worth of lumber booty (cough):

guilty.

I said to myself:

"Self, Lowe's should sponsor you."

Lowe's, you should sponsor me. You have no idea who I am, and you never will. BUT YOU SHOULD.

But I digress.

I thought-- "man-- my crazy ideas cost me a lot of moolah. I wish I could. . . somehow. . . offset that a bit."

And you know, that little ad on the right? It'll probably bring a good, decent, chunk of change at the end of the month. Possibly 50 cents or so. Maybe 60 cents.

But it's 50 cents less guilt. Or 50 cents more lumber. I'm a glass is half full kinda gal.

So does that make me a sellout? Are you disappointed? Would you judge me? Do you mind? Is this enough questions for you???

Thanks for listening. And answering.

Everybody's Doing It.

2012-01-19T22:30:00.000-07:00

Meanwhile, while I wrestle with my "MovieCase" out in thee ole gay-rage,

I wanna tell you about something I actually finished.

Allow me to start from the beginning, would ya now puddin' pop?

See, the Mommy-o -- she's been working on family history, and she began scanning in these totally freaking awesome, old, family pictures.

And I have been so taken with them. I am in love with these old shots. It's stuff like this.

And this.

Or this.

It's my grampa. And he is pretty much adorable, isn't he??

Well, since I saw these pictures, I knew I wanted to use them. . . somehow.

The Mommy-o has used them in a totally awesome way, and believe you me, I'll be showing you soon--

but this is what I came up with. You know the gigantor engineering prints?

You know. Everyone's doing it.

Cheri & Mandy (respectively) hooked us up with this awesomeness.

Well, I got my buns on down to Office Max and printed out an engineering print for the low, low cost of $3.99, and I (finally!) knew just where to put it.

Do you remember my hellacious bathroom makeover?

I just had this blank, boring wall in there. Obviously, it is not this wall. And I just couldn't decide what to put there. Until now. . .

Wanna see which picture I chose? I freaking love this shot.

There's just something, so, je ne sais quoi about it, no?

I, too, attached my print to foamboard using spray adhesive, and sealed it with a coat of spray Mod Podge.

Folks: spray Mod Podge stanks. Stanks. I just thought you should know.

Is this photograph not perfect for a water closet?

NOW I consider this bathroom done. It's open for a #1. Or a #2. And my ancestors are there to laugh at you while you do it, too.

Next Time: Remind Me.

2012-01-17T13:46:00.000-07:00

Please, please for the love of all that is holy and decent,

remind me to take an extended trip to Lowe's, before the hubs goes on a long business trip.

See, I'd compare my trips to Lowe's with my children the equivalent of having my gums scraped--

and so last week, I had nothing to do. Nada. I was ree-hee-heally bored--

my house was spotless. It was totally lame.

And so! This week, I've got sumfin' fun up my sleeve.

Allow me to explain what I'm buildin', here. This, is DVD shelving. See, we have a DVD problem around these parts.

All we own sit in crate after crate, all over the house.

It's kind of ridiculous.

And I've had it in my head to create my own shelving, see. But not just any shelving. . . oh-ho, no.
I'll be finishing the staining and shellacking of my new DVD shelving today:

I know-- it's just a work of art, isn't it? The attention to details-- the intricate work. . .

Just wait, okay? I'm so excited I'm doing the potty dance. See, this DVD shelf, or a "MovieCase", if you will, is going to have a faux front.

Now I've been thinking on this for a long time. Perhaps a giant Domino? Something cool and game related? A gigantic Monopoly Board??

Nothing quite caught my attention.

Oh heck, I'm just gonna tell you.

No, I can't.

I have to play this cool-- I have to wait until it's all done. I have to be spiffy, and all surprise-y.

Let's just say, that at the top of my list of ideas, was a copycat of the Daddy-o's Telephone Booth.

Can you imagine?? You open it up, and inside is shelving for all your movies??

It got vetoed by the hubs for it's red color. It doesn't "go" with the rest of the space. Whatevs.

So wish me luck-- it's gonna take me a while to plan and execute this. But it'll be worth it.

Pintellicious.

2012-01-15T17:46:00.000-07:00

I've said it before, 'n all say it again:

I have a love/hate relationship with cooking.

I don't want to get into the hates at this juncture. I don't want to start getting TOTALLY MAD thinking about my kids crying over dinner,

so, let's talk about what I do love, shall we?

Yes, lets. I love cooking "dishes". I love cooking for OTHER people. I love desserts. Breakfast foods. Appetizers. Snacks. Fancy stuff.

And I'm tellin' you, pinning delicious foodstuffs on Pinterest; it's an addiction.

Let's get into this, shall we? The stuff I've been trying out on Pinterest? This isn't the tip of the iceberg, but we'll start from here.

Source: jamiecooksitup.blogspot.com via Mandi on Pinterest

Pineapple. Green peppers. Cheeseball. I was worried about this combo, but I liked it. "I liked it, a lot"(said like Lloyd Christmas.)

Holy crap balls. This? Banana Coconut Bread with Lime Glaze. Di-vine.
If you like coconut, this one's for you.

Source: ourbestbites.com via Mandi on Pinterest

If you don't like coconut,

what is wrong with you?

I tease. Coconut hater.

So very simple: Hot Ham 'N Cheese Crescents. I tried. I liked.

Source: cooking4carnivores.com via Mandi on Pinterest

4 stars out of 5.

Have you seen this "Easy Cheesy Hot Bean Dip" floating on Pinterest?

Source: mylifeasamrs.com via Mandi on Pinterest

It was. . . eh. Probably the only thing I was mildly disappointed in. Just. . . eh.

Chicken enchiladas with green chili sour cream sauce:

Source: joyful-mommas-kitchen.blogspot.com via Mandi on Pinterest

as seen here. Pretty good. Pretty darned good.

Oh, you vixens at "How Does She"-- you've done it again. Here, we have:
"Sweet Potato Souffle".

Source: howdoesshe.com via Mandi on Pinterest

Made it three times this holiday season. I am now officially sick of it. But I will be craving it next holidays, mark my word.

"Mississippi Sin Dip."

Source: plainchicken.com via Mandi on Pinterest

It is sinful, indeed. Really enjoyed this one. 4 1/2 stars out of 5.

I think I can hear myself getting fatter, just looking at this food.

AHA.

2012-01-12T20:54:00.001-07:00

If we're gonna be friends, there's a few things you should know about me.

One of these things, is that I'm kinda/sorta obsessed with ice cream glasses.

Be a friend: don't let me buy one more of these. Unless they're banana split dishes; those I just have to have. Now those: enable me. Tell me where you've seen them. I must have them.

Anywho,

not long ago, I put in my own, craptastic plate rack.

As seen here. Do you remember? Aw, you're so sweet.

I never really liked how those dishes just, sat, up there. It was lame. Uninspired. Stale.

But, see, I had other plans.

I wanted some of my glasses hung.

Like so. (Via The Handyman)

Now, don't think I a big jerk. BUT, that glass hanging project I have pinned up there? He uses floor transitions.

HELLO BUT THOSE ARE EXPENSIVE. DUH.

Maybe the "duh" was a little much. My apologies.

Now, long, loooong ago, the Daddy-o gave me some molding.

Are you seeing what I'm seeing? "T" molding. Purrrrfect.

Why has it taken me so long to complete this project? I couldn't find that bleeping piece of molding for the life of me. Thanks to my boy toy, I can now find pretty much anything I want.

Thank you, boy toy.

And so, I got to hanging. And cussing.

Tools barely fit in there-- I've got my arms over my head, I'm standing on a step ladder,

it got ugly.

But it got done. And I reserve the right to change up this open cabinet as I see fit.

Some stripe-y straws in my vintage milk bottles, and I'm likin' this much better. (Um, there's something you should know-- I have a slight obsession with straws. . .)
See it with my brand spankin' new backsplash?

Come have a malt with me? And no, you can't clean my stove top, but thanks.

The Daddy-o Should Have His Own Bloggy-o.

2012-01-10T20:55:00.001-07:00

He should, shouldn't he? He's always doing something nifty and fun. And today is no exception.

Lemme back up here (*beep beep beep*- back up noise).

Not long ago, the Mommy-o and the Daddy-o took the plunge and purchased a house up at the lake.

(Note: this is not the house. But it is the lake.)

(Note: this is the view from the house-at-the-lake.)
And I'm pretty much about to wet my pants with excitement to have a place to crash at that's 2 blocks from the lake, and one block from main street and all its food joints.

(Note: this is the view from the lake. Of the lake.)

But I digress.

And while I will have much, much to say about their renovating of said house-at-the-lake, today I want to talk about what's going next to the house-at-the-lake.

Lemme give you a hint. It involves lights. Black & White stripes. It's an ocean-y theme.

Any takers?

CAN YOU IMAGINE YOUR OWN, MINI LIGHTHOUSE BY YOUR HOUSE-AT-THE-LAKE??

I know, right?

And so, the Daddy-o got to work. Made the base,

and, aw, it has a little door! (voice rises in pitch to a squeak)

The main part of this is a salvaged, ginormous pipe:

painted with the heavy-dutiest outdoor weather paint available.

And the top?

A solar light sits up there. It lights the way. . . (queue the cheesy, motivational lighthouse poster saying)

So wanna see it all together?

I'll definitely show ya when it's in it's final resting spot. 'S what I'm here for.

What My Boy-Toy Will Do For Me.

2012-01-08T18:37:00.000-07:00

Many moons ago,

I got a string of emails from the Daddy-o. No subject; no words. Just attached pictures. Pictures, like,

this.

And here:

we have Napoleon's brother, Kip.

And this:

Yes. Lumber storage racks.

DO YOU HAVE A PROBLEM, DADDY-O? Huh? HUH?
(totally wagging my head all up in your face)

Are you saying there's a problem in my garage?

Just because the whole family trips on lumber every time we go to get in the car. You act like that's a bad thing. Yeesh.

And you know what? Maybe I enjoy watching the hubs cuss and kick crap out of the way.

So, um, I may have a problem. It's called "Hoarders: Lumber Edition."

Told the hubs I had big plans to build a lumber rack.
(Just as soon as I had nothing more fun to do. . . )

And so, the hubs took matters into his own hands.

Aw. He's a good man, that boy-toy of mine.

And it was right prior to this point in the construction,

that I had zero idea where he was going with this lumber storage rack. But I knew he was a man with a plan.

Can you see it?

A bin to hold all my crown, casing, chair rail, baseboard, and 1 by whatever scraps?? With longer slots for full pieces? Like my 2x4's and so forth?

I would like you to know that as we moved this thing around the gay-rage, I was convinced a 2x4 was going to come down and slam me in the noggin'.

"It hurts. . . not so much here, or here. . . but right here."

Shoulda done this a looooooong time ago.

The back holds longer sheets of stuff. Like my beloved plywood.

Or my Halloween picture thingies. (And that jagged piece might be the one I hit with my car, cough.)
And, um,

we've already completely filled it. And we still have scraps around.

Bonfire, anyone?

Smoke 'Em If You Got 'Em.

2012-01-05T13:41:00.000-07:00

So, guess what?

My backsplash is done, man.

And it was really fast. And yet, it wasn't fast.

That picture you see up there was about the time I needed to pull the oven away from the wall.

And there are no words. (shudder)

But I will try:

Rubbish. Filth. Slime. Muck. ("boo, boo, booooooo").

(randomly placed, slightly blurry child shot.)

Here, stare at my bum for a minute while I talk.

This is my 8th grout project-- and somehow, I keep forgetting just how freaking long it takes to clean up grout mess. It's like having a baby-you forget how painful it is until the next time you do it.

You wipe it clean, and then you wipe again, and again, and again, andagainandagainandagainandagainandagain,

and then again.

I'd also like to mention my ultimate freak out during this project- the shadows at night gave it the illusion that the tiles were going in every direction. Made the hubs keep coming up/down over and over to tell me I was imagining it.

It's how I roll.

Psst: I totally splurged and bought a fancy light switch cover.

Isn't it like, totally, molding-ish cute?

So, smoke a doobie if you've got one, 'cause we are done here.
A before and after?

And another?
Before,

and after:

I'm not taking a picture of my floor. I do have a word for that:

cesspool.

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things.

2012-01-03T21:10:00.035-07:00

Today, because I spent one evening ladling freezing cold water out of a full, broken washer,

(It can't handle 8 towels and a couple pairs of jeans? Puhlease. Wimp washer.)

and then I got to ring out the freezing cold water out of 8 towels and a couple pairs of jeans,

and then I spent another evening removing my broken washer for another one,

(and two kids intermittently peed the bed. Why? WHY?)

and I have been otherwise up to my elbows in thinset,

(well, not right now because you know, I like my keyboard 'n all)

and will spend tomorrow up to my elbows in grout,

I wanna talk about things I do like. Love, in fact.

First up? Music. I'm kind of sort of totally absolutely obsessed with music.

This:

right here. If you want a disc that you like most if not all of the songs-- this is the album for you. Love.
(psst: their new album arrives next week. Squeal!)

Favorite right this very second song? Right here.

Fave band of all time?

Right here. Have I professed my love for Blue October to you yet? I've been listening for years. Same songs. Love their old stuff, love their new stuff. Try out this song. And this one. And this one, too.

Shows? You know I love me some shows, and I've been O.D.'ing on a few.

You knew I was gonna say that, didn't ya? It's only a slight obsession, umkay?

So when I was suffering from withdrawal from sucking down every.single.episode of Damon & Stefan, I turned to:

Go kick some snooty, Hampton butt, Amanda. Or Emily. Whatevs.

And last but not least, food. Because that's what it always come down to with me.

This meal:

right here. I am making it every week. And I'm not getting sick of it. It's crack pasta.

And that's all for now. Wish me luck with the grout tomorrow, would ya?

If You Wish It, It Will Come.

2012-01-01T21:22:00.000-07:00

I don't even know why or how,

but not long ago, I had it stuck in my head that I just had to have a tile backsplash in my kitchen.

And you know me. Don'tcha.

I started looking. Searching. Investigating, if you will.
I turned to Pinterest for some inspiration:

because we all know by now that Pinterest is thee best, relevant, search engine out there.
(Oooh, that white subway tile is just like what Elena has in her kitchen! Lowe's sure does not have that fancy "stencil-y" tile. Holy frijoles!? They make glass tile now?? What the what?)

And then I walked up and down 'n up 'n down Lowe's tile aisles, studying and pricing things out.

And it's when I checked out the price tag for just one 12x12 tile mosaic, that I knew I was totally hosed.

Seriously? Seriously? Would I drop nearly $200 on a small, needless tile backsplash?

Nein, Fräulein.

Couldn't I get this, at, say, a fourth the cost? Or an eighth? IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK??

And then, it happened. One day, as I walked past the tile section:

there they were. Glass tile mosaics.

AT 90% PERCENT OFF.

Now! Ssssshhhh. Shush. Don't tell me you don't like this color scheme. Don't burst the bubble. Don't poop on the parade.

Because this project? Instead of nearly $200, it will now cost me under $20.

Yep-- a whole box full-- an entire project-- for less than what it costs me to feed the butt munches at McDonald's. So I don't care if people don't love it. Heck, I don't care if I don't love it.

Honestly, it's really, really totally got it going on with what's going on in my kitchen. Honest. And one day, when the whole kitchen gets a remodel, I'm not gonna cry about $15 of glass tile, knowhatI'msayin'?

And the hubs was all,

"So when are you gonna start this project, then?" With a raised brow.

Oh, in a week. Maybe a month or more. Or maybe tonight.

Yeah, I'm thinking maybe, like, now.

Party On Wayne. Party On Garth.

2011-12-30T14:51:00.000-07:00

Dudes,

it has been party time around these parts. My sister (a.k.a. my BBFF) and the hubs (a.k.a. my boy-toy) have been around all week long, baby.

Party time. Excellent.

And since I was feeling fat and sassy (emphasis on the "fat"), I've planned a New Year's Eve Extravaganza.

(I've always wanted to do this.)

Can I tell you about it? How you humor me.

We-he-hell, it's an appetizer's night, for one. I'll probably be making a little a theeeeese.

Bingo. Because you can't have a lame NYE party without Bingo, can you? I mean, really.

Did you know I'm a big fan of awesomely craptastic (emphasis on the "crap") prizes?

Players really could win this fabulous prize.

Or this "Cake Knife". I'm pretty sure it couldn't cut room temperature butter. And that's what makes it so fabulous.

Noise makers? The kind that make you want to tape your kids' mouths shut? Mais oui.

So what else is on the agenda? A discotheque. A flash mob. (Seriously. Should we do Britney's "Hit Me Baby" or "Gonna Make You Sweat"? I'm stumped.) And. . .THE DRINKING GAME. (It's epic.)

And! Totally! Totally cheap and disappointing fireworks.

(psst. . . get free NYE printables here)
If you're in my fam-dam, and I invited you to this party, you better come. I will take it as a personal affront if you don't.

Similar to if you rang my doorbell, and without a word when I answered punched me in the gut. Or the hubs in the junk.

But, you know, no pressure.

Switching Teams.

2011-12-28T08:58:00.000-07:00

This may come as no surprise,

but I might have a wo-man crush on Ana White.

I've got a half-dozen plans all lined up for the next few weeks (hopefully) or . . . months (probably).

Psst! Like this one or this one!

So. . .

what's on today's agenda? Oh, the awesomely easy-peasy book ladder-shelf.

I thought this would be purrrr-fect and very much needed in my son's room.

Yeah, I built this in my kitchen. On my kitchen island. Judge me.

I'm freezing my baguettes off out in the gay-rage. Think: Harry & Lloyd's frozen snot icicles. Serious. I'm not going out there again. And you can't make me!

Do you wanna know what's nice about this project? It's cheap, and more importantly:

it took an hour to build.

Oooorrrr, it would have,

Had I not seriously jammed the nailgun. Never fear-- my boy-toy fixed it for me. That's what he's here for. (I asked him if I could call him that from now on; he just rolled his eyes.)

Man, I love a quick project. (Unlike that time-sucking dollhouse I just completed.)
So do you wanna see it? 'Cause I love it and am sorely tempted to make another.

Voila.

Totally worth an hour (ish) of my time, right? Right?

Queue The Cheesy Christmas Music.

2011-12-25T12:25:00.000-07:00

I think Paul McCartney's "Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time" song will suffice. Play that in your head--

'cause I have a few things to say about today.

I want you to know,

that I am big, huge, on the holiday breakfast.

I want you to know that we've got Christmas treats coming out of our heehaws.

I want you to know that it's not a White Christmas here. So clearly, this is not today.

And I'm the weenee who's secretly glad. Don't be mad at me.

I want you to know that a super duper awesome friend whipped me up a pipe chimes holder.

And personally, I thought our "Christmas Bells" were the shizzle last night.

I also want you to know that I am in amazement of how long it takes to prepare for Christmas morning,

and how quickly there's a path of destruction in it's wake.

I want you to know that we are on not our first, or second, but our FOURTH, edition of the board game "CandyLand".

We (and I say "we" meaning my children) have a talent for board game massacre.

And finally,

I wanna say Merry Christmas. And if I don't see ya, good afternoon, good evening, and good night.

The One Where You Laugh At Me.

2011-12-23T12:40:00.001-07:00

Wanna know what I've been up to all week? Besides last-minute, Christmas procrastination?

Finishing this.
(Mandi's phony "I'm working" shot.)

And it's been real-- but not real fun. Well, okay, parts of have been fun.

Let me tell you about this little dollhouse:

Although I love the look of bright! and vivid! colors, I wanted it to somewhat match my little girl's room. The colors in their are soft and fragile ("frageelay! It must be Italian!").

So, um, would you laugh at me if I ~~wasted~~ took the time to put in a little "hardwood" (huge air quotes) flooring?

Daddy-o, close your eyes at this "hardwood" disaster/catastrophe.

Hey! I like to think of it as a "rustic" look. They're "hand-scraped", okay?

"Could" I "use" any more "quotes" today? Do ya "think"?

Have I ever told you that I've always wanted a good, old-fashioned, black & white checkered floor?

Someday. Some. Day. For now I'll live through this dollhouse.

How funny/crazy/insane would I be if I ~~squandered~~ spent my time making little mini baseboard?

Crown molding?
Chair rail??
Board & batten?

Hey! A chalkboard wall! How original! No one's ever thought of that before.

What would you think if I took the time to cut in little windows?

I know. It's borderline ridiculous.

So, while I have zero energy to make furniture now, I'm gonna call this good. For now. BECAUSE I'M SICK OF IT. I have years to home improve this bad boy as my baby grows up.

Anywho- I've got good news and bad news.

The good news? Even the boys are excited to play with it. They're making plans on just where the bathroom will be.

Bad news? I just checked, and I don't know how in H I'm gonna fit it through her door. Sunuva.

Pssst, don't judge my stairs. They've got "issues". Thanks.

Careful- she's got that crazy look in her eye.

2011-12-21T12:03:00.000-07:00

Maybe it's 'cause it's been cold, dark, & gray for days, or maybe it's 'cause I've parented, cleaned, Christmas prepared, taken out the garbage, wiped bums, etc. largely by myself for weeks upon weeks--

Source: weheartit.com via Mandi on Pinterest

OR it's just that I've had 50ish comments plus one really annoying text from a very anal family member,

BUT, I've got a bone to pick.

Source: piccsy.com via Mandi on Pinterest

Heads to bust.

Butts to smack.

Please regard that I don't get many "rude" comments (and for that I should be grateful)-- these are just annoying. What am I referring to?

Oh. . . ya know. . .

-Did you know that my pantry overwhelms the space?
Have you been in my kitchen to know? Do you know my pantry? Do you call him at home?

-Did you know someone had the cajones to tell me my "EAT" sign is off centered? AGAIN?
Have I not addressed this and the reasons for it one beeeeelion times?

-Did you know that the mirror in my bedroom is in an awkward spot?
Awkward? You're awkward. How's that?
-Did you know that I've been chastized for blogging non-project posts?
I thought I addressed that here.?.

No-- none of these (and the 50ish others I've got in the last month) are a biggie. BUT.

Source: thinknice.com via Mandi on Pinterest

BUT--

Can't we all, just, get along? Even if it's true, do ya have to say it? Do I have to pull a "Miss Manners" and tell you that nitpicking people to death is bad manners?

You know how I see it?

Our blogs are the virtual equivalent, if you will, of an invitation into our homes. It's similar to inviting me into your house, and the second I step foot in the door, I start pointing out every little thing that bothers me.

"Hey, there's a sock under your couch."

"Did you know how badly your baseboards need to be cleaned?"

And so forth.

Source: matchbookmag.tumblr.com via Mandi on Pinterest

I guess I'm tired of taking a picture, and going, "Oh I should re-take that picture because someone will comment on _____." Or "I'll just photoshop that out because I don't want a comment about ______", Or "I'll have to put a disclaimer to stop comments on ______."

To be Frank, (I'll be Frank, you be you) if it's my house, and I took the picture, I'm aware of it. None of us should have to attach a disclaimer to ev.er.y.thing.

"Yes I know my house is messy. . . just ignore that. . . "

Do you get these too? Will you share them with me? Maybe over some ice cream with hot fudge sauce?

Thanks for letting me share with you. I'm feeling better already.

It's a Love/Hate Relationship.

2011-12-18T21:16:00.000-07:00

Picture it:

1977. Or somewheres around there. The Daddy-o makes my sister a smokin' hot awesomesauce dollhouse.

I'm telling you, it was the bomb diggity. You need to see a picture of it. I looked and looked. Mom: get right on that and dig up a picture, would you?

Imagine: 3 stories, spiral staircase, wrap around porch, yellow,shag, carpet, people.

So I've pretty much had it in the back of my head that I'd make one for my little girl one day, too. Maybe not shag carpet- but you know, awesomesauce.

And then,

Ana's Dream Dollhouse plans sealed the deal.

It's pretty much all I've been up to the entire week.

Measuring, cutting, pre-drilling, cussing,

and so forth. It's taken over my bedroom, and it's taken me forever. And it's not because I insisted upon watching Vampire Diaries at the same time. I'm telling you, forget Edward and Jacob. Because it IS ALL ABOUT Damon & Stefan.

I am not obsessed.

But I digress.

I have been soo excited to do this project. And yet, and yet--

I hate this project. It's been a pain in my behind. It's not about trying to watch Vampire Diaries and work at the same time, okay?? Gosh.

But I'm glad, nay, overjoyed, to tell you, that the construction of this dollhouse is DONE.

And I've got ginormous plans for decorating it. And this, I am excited about.

Check out my butt. Shingles. Hee.

Grab my butt. Shingles. Hee.

If there were points for maturity, I just lost, like, 50.

Yep. Big plans for decor.

Wanna see how big this bad boy is? 'Cause Ana's picture up top there doesn't really show ya.

It's pretty much massive. Fingers crossed it even fits in her room.

Come Use My Can.

2011-12-16T09:29:00.000-07:00

Would you judge me,

if I did this door "treatment", from ze hallway,

to all my downstairs doors?

'Cause it's already done.

And look!

Now I have a "Number 1" door! Remember how I was too impatient to wait for numero uno from the Hob Lob and started on "2" upstairs?

There's a method to my madness.

So very simple, this molding is. Huh- that last sentence was a little "Yoda" like.

And I've even resurrected my restroom sign:

I missed you, sign.

Speaking of bathroom doors--

if you haven't been with me for a while, then you might not know that once upon a time, I switched out my old, chalkboard, pantry door for my bathroom door.

I couldn't let the chalkboard go to waste, see.

And just for kicks 'n giggles, wanna see the message on the inside of the ole water closet is for today?

Sure ya do.

Come on over. Flush yourself on down. See where it gets ya.

Crap Happens.

2011-12-13T21:25:00.000-07:00

Just so you know,

this

sweet little moment, was just seconds before my youngest dropped a deuce. And the tub cleared out faster than you can say "floating Baby Ruths". Yes. Plural.

This

photo was taken days before a few crazy boys ran up and down my hall, slammed a few doors, and

then this

happened. You break my mirror, I break you.

This

was cooking out of my old Betty cookbook again. This was moments before my son said "Ew, these taste salty." I figured he was messing with me.

This

was how they turned out. And right now, houaaaa, I'm trying really hard not to. . . houaaaa. . . dry heave just thinking about them. . . Houaaa. . . .

Have you eaten Play-Doh before? Come over and have one of these cookies.

And finally,

this

was moments before my youngest waddled out of the pool and into the hot tub. I watched her, followed her, but was just barely short of grabbing her,

before she tried to drown herself in the middle of the hot tub.

This

is a mommy who had (past tense) zero intentions of getting wet at this pool trip. Cell phone in my pocket was 1 inch, 1 inch! away from ruin. Shoes took 2 days to dry.

I chafe.

Just thought you'd like to know.

The Hills Are Alive, With The Sound Of Pipe Chimes.

2011-12-11T22:12:00.003-07:00

I love other people's pipe chimes. Tell me you played Christmas pipe chimes as a kid. Did you not love it? It's the shizzle.

You know, kinda like when you get to try the recorder in elementary school, and suddenly you feel all, musician-y?

Well, as I was talking with my sissy, we both decided we want our own set of pipe chimes.

Not because we don't want these:

because we do. But they are the cost of one of my limbs plus my firstborn, so I'll stick with the pipe chimes, thankyouverymuch.

So? How in the heck do you make 'em? I turned to the trusty interwebs and found out. And now I'm gonna find you out. Er tell you.

Get yourself some EMT conduit pipe. Don't be a dufus like me and first go to the pipe aisle. Go to the electrical aisle since this is conduit pipe.

My electrically inclined husband hangs his head in shame.

They come in 10 foot lengths, and you need two. Guess how much they cost?

$2 each. I may have done an Elaine dance in the aisle when I saw the price.

Now, you need your lengths list for all your notes:

I got my lengths here. Thank you, Roger, for taking the time to make this awesome list/instructions. You're the bomb diggity. (psst: he also lists some songs to try out.)

You're gonna cut these down to size with a pipe cutter.

Fear not! I'm going to tell you the secret that will keep you from wanting to tear your hair out after messing with this pipe cutter for 40 minutes.

Yep; my annoyingly frustrating mistakes become your advantage. 'S what I'm here for.

When the hubs heard me screaming from frustration/my abandoned pipe, he suggested this:

Hold the pipe down with channel locks or pliers so you can get a good grip, and then you can EASILY! EASILY! twist the pipe cutter to make your cuts. (Twist the pipe cutter around and tighten each time. If you can't twist it, you've tightened it too much. And watch where you're putting the blade-- it really needs to be on the exact measurement. 1/8th of an inch off, and your pipe chimes will be only good for a tone deaf audience.)

(Wanna see this awesome guy cut pipe chimes like butta?)

And voila, you are in biz-nis.

Drill a hole (you can use a drill with a good drill bit) about 1 inch down from the top, run some string through,

and you've got yourself a pipe chime symphony.

New Christmas Eve tradition, baby!

Linked to Creations by Kara Look What I Made!

When I Get Bored, Drywall Starts Going Down.

2011-12-08T22:23:00.000-07:00

I'd like you to know, that it's the one year anniversary of my spice shelf creation. 'Mmm hmm.

I celebrated with chocolate today. Not that I do that every other day. 'Cause I don't, okay?

Anywho, in honor of this, I decided to put a plan into action--
I've toyed with the idea of having my very own, built-in, apothecary cabinet.

It'd be like my spice shelves, 'cept taller. And thinner. Maybe the spice shelves should be jealous.

Now, if you've been with me a while, this may confuse you. The apothecary cabinet I did for Crafting with the Stars, as seen here:

is actually in the parental unit's house. And I need my own. Don't I?
And this spot in my bathroom, as seen here:

where my robes used to hang is thee perfect spot. Let's do this. Let's get cuttin'.

Borrowed a sawzall from the Daddy-o--

I'm telling you, using those things makes you feel like Ahnuld, with a machine gun. You're just mowing people down by the dozens. It's totally awesome.

People, don't take pictures of yourself like this. I had no idea I had muffin butt. You did?? Well why didn't you say anything? Geez.

Cross my heart, and hope to die-- I checked this wall with the stud sensor a dozen times. It's a 17 inch wall. So imagine my shock when I discovered studs placed 8 INCHES APART, HELLO.

This is where I said things like,
"Oh. . . ssssnnaap." And, "Oh. . . .doodoo." Because, even though I believe that a well-timed swear is reasonable and oftimes hilarious,
the parental units have told me otherwise and told me to clean up my language.

So. . ..

"Oh, Poo. There's another stud in this wall."

But that didn't stop me.

There's no reasonably reasonable reason why there's a stud there, so I removed it. With my Ahnuld machine gun.

And I started making my "box" to put inside that hole I just cut out. I wanted to make it just like the spice shelves ones. I wanted to be like the Daddy-o.

Grooved some slots in some 1x4 with "Severus" like so:

and then the shelves just slide inside for a "perfect" (huge air quotes) fit.

Wanna see the box? I made it all out of scraps. Never headed to Lowes for nothin'.

And ya know, I think it looks just fine like this.

I'm just gonna leave it. We're good, here.

Alright fine-nuh. Ya know, I joke about how many coats of paint 'n all, but this really did take one meeeeelion coats.

Yay! It's done! Now I can display all our bathroom things. Like our Tucks! And "Nads" hair removal cream! And Tinactin! And feminine products and such!

I kidd. I don't use "Nads".

Et Voila.

We are done, here.

If I Had A Million Dollars,

2011-12-07T10:23:00.021-07:00

I'd buy you a fur coat. But not a real fur coat; that's cruel.

Let me 'splain--

After the whole hardwood flooring gigantor project/debacle,

I was sooo tired. I tole ya before that there a few times in my home-owning life that I've not wanted to do one thing ever again.

This was one of those few times.

After the massive Thanksgiving cooking/cleaning/set up was over, I tole the hubs I wasn't doing one thing. Nada, zippo. Hope everyone has a couple extra pairs of clean underwear.

And in less than one day, I said,

"Dude, I am like, totally bored."

To which the hubs replied,

"That's because you're a busy-body."

Gee, thanks, hon. I guess.

Anyhow- after 2 more days a being tooootallly booooored. . . I also realized I felt devoid of smokin' hot awesome ideas, too.

And then I was even more boreder. (it's a word.)

Betwixt talking to the Daddy-o (who may be the only person on the planet who has more ideas than me AND doesn't laugh when I tell him my crazy ideas) and Pinterest,

I'm happy to say that I am brimming full of ideas and non-boredness.

It's nice to feel like "me" again.

Allow me to share with you? IF I had a million dollars? And a million, un-interrupted (i.e., "Mom come wipe my bum", "Mom I need a pencil", "Mom I'm scared will you come down to the basement with me", "Mom where are my SOCKS?") hours?

Thank you so much, you're very kind.

First off-- a new, fabulous, molding-covered entryway is in my future.

Source: bing.com via Mandi on Pinterest

I'll start with the music room, and work my way on over to the living room. . .

Turning my son's door into a hidden door/bookshelf?

Source: bookshelfporn.com via Mandi on Pinterest

It will be mine. Oh yes, it will be mine.

This:

Source: shabbytochicdesigns.com via Mandi on Pinterest

would already have a home in my basement. Not because it doesn't belong in a more viewable area, but because that's the only darn wall space I have left.

What is it with me and bookshelves?

And finally, I've saved the best for last. Told the hubs I'd do this in like, a decade.

("Decade" in Mandi language means more like 2 months. Maybe less.)

Surely you remember my pantry? Of course ya do.

And let us all cry sweet, sweet tears of joy that that carpet is GONZO.

Well, if you haven't visited me, then you might not know that behind said pantry,

is this awesomely odd walkspace.

Now, here's what I propose:

Can you see me knocking out the wall that my "old door" is on? Extending my pantry? Making it a WALK-IN pantry?

CAN YOU SEE IT? IT'S BREAHTAKING!

Allow me to show you my inspiration, from the awesomestestest pantry ever:

Tell me you don't love this. Tell.me.you.don't.love.this:

Source: sugarpiefarmhouse.com via Mandi on Pinterest

I dare you. I'll frame in a new wall, and it will have a window, and and and and. . .

Whew. Better stop now due to near pants wetting purposes.

Down To The Dungeon.

2011-12-04T22:44:00.000-07:00

If you've been with me a while, then you know I refer to our basement as "the dungeon". Even though we finished it this year; still the dungeon.

Anywho--

Remember this disaster/catastrophe of our TV being broken?

I still shudder when I see this picture.

Well, after it got fixed, we got TV Armor to protect it. And that TV Armor made already severe window glare much, much worse.

Wanna watch a show in the middle of the day? Well then, hope ya don't mind the window reflection semi-permanently burned into your rods and cones.

Yee-ah. It was an issue.

Do you own plantation shutters? If you do, I want you to know that I love your plantation shutters. I covet them.

So, um, guess how much plantation shutters would be on our huge basement windows? Even checking the "cheap" websites and such?

Nearly $300. Yep. Three hundred buckaroos.

PER window.

I put my foot down. No way in H was I spending that much on mere shutters. I can think of a lot of things to do with 600 big ones.

So?

I would like to take credit for this idea. But alas, it's not mine. To my everlasting surpreese, it's the hubs idea.

Don't think I'm a jerk. I've said it before and I'll say it again: the hubs is a perfectionist. There's one right way and everything else is wrong. So this is a definite "thinking outside the box" moment for him.

Go Jeffro, go.

Here's what you do:

get yerself some doors. Now, I go to Lowe's like every other day, and so when I went, I asked the Door Dude (I think his name is "Jason") if he's got a dinged up door he'll sell to me on a discount.

Hey-- I don't want to pay full price for 4 doors-- that defeats the purpose. (Ahem; one of the doors I got I paid as low as $3 for. Serious.)

And then, you saw them right down the middle on "Jaws".

Jeffro, that drill hanging from your belt is totally boss.

I'm not laughing at you! I'm laughing next to you.

Seriously though you'll probably see me hang the drill from my belt next time I work, too. So sick of searching around for the dang thing.

And so?

Get yourself and install some closet tracks.

Make it pretty and cover it up with some molding, and you've got:

Very cheap, and VERY effective blinds.

Dudes, do you wanna see just how effective these blinds are?? Huh? Huh?

I know, right??

Bad to the bone for TV viewing.

But kinda bad for the whole "dungeon" darkness feel. . .

Caution: May Contain Awesome.

2011-12-01T14:58:00.000-07:00

I simply must tell you what the Daddy-o's been up to these days.

Among many other things, they're working on a massive kitchen reno. And while I'll definitely get into all a that some other time, I want to tell you about this awesomesauce project you see here.

Picture it: Sicily, 1920. Er, I mean, picture it: the daddy-o talks about big plans for a new kitchen island:

"It will be on wheels, so you can move it out of the way. The whole entire top will be a lazy susan. And the sides will have drawers and pull-out seats for all the grandkids."*

*not a direct quote.

I'll be honest with you-- I thought the daddy-o's plans were unattainable.

Thought they were too grandiose, and I thought he'd give up and go with something simpler. 'Cause I know I would.

Daddy-o, I'm sorry for underestimating you. It won't happen again.

I want you to know that this entire thing was paneled and detailed with "the shaper", all done by the Daddy-o.

As far as I know. I'm not gonna bet on that or anything.

And here we are with a beautiful dark stain and 4,508 coats of poly.
Also, your gay-rage floor is looking more like mine every day, Dad.

So? Ready for a little look-see of how this kitchen island comes alive?
Transformers style?
(Ee-rrr-eerrr-rr; that's the Transformer transforming sound effect)

Voila. Do you see this? Every side pulls out to make a bench strong enough to hold two grandchildren. Each. They have their own little table. On each end.

See it inside? Sure.

Huge, roomy drawers-- I swears all the dishes I own could fit in here.

And the top? Just like he said. The entire working space lays on casters and can be spun a full 360°.

One last thing.

Look down. Down, down down. . . there. See underneath? Another entire lazy susan is under the whole thing for yet more storage.

So all that's left to say is,

Where can I get one??