I've been busy and not on the computer like I would like to. I have not done too much on my home lately. School keeps me as busy as the kids. I have been exercising regularly and eating better so I do feel better than I have. So, exercise or computer has been a choice of how I spend my free time. Anyway, we're getting ready for summer and swimming in our pool and watching movies outdoors! I found an Epson Moviemate online,a floor model in a store in New Jersey and bought it for half the price. It works great. We had a white sheet on our fence and boom, an outdoor theater. It's so much fun! Now shopping for outdoor floor pillows to put on the grass, and other fun stuff.
Now for a quick announcement. My 5 year old daughter, decided she wanted to ride the sky coaster at Sig Flags Discovery Kingdom yesterday. As soon as she saw the coaster in the park, she bugged me to ride it. Half a day later, I got up the nerve to ride with her. She barely stood taller than the red zone, which determined she was able to ride. It was amazing! 100 feet, we were lifted up looking over the entire park! I had the pull chord and when they said pull, off we went! We were flying in the air like a bird. My daughter absolutely loved it. I don't need to do that again. I was shaking afterward due to the rush but more so, in amazement my daughter had absolutely no fear! We did not get it on video as I did not have any idea my daughter was going to want to do such a thing! I'll get it next time as I know I'll have to do it again! In Florida, they have a 300 ft. sky coaster. That's pretty high!
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Merry Christmas
Wow does time fly! I cannot believe Christmas is three weeks away. I'm sorry it's been awhile since I last blogged. Time gets away from me and as my mom suggested, I need to simply set time aside each week and blog my week! I promise to try and do so!
We have enjoyed decorating the house and putting up our Christmas tree! We buy our tree at, you guessed it, Home Depot. We do go to a beautiful tree lot where Christmas music is playing and hot cider is served to take in the season. Then we head to Home Depot. Can't beat the prices. This year I purchased a remote control switch to turn off and on our Christmas lights on our tree. In years past, we simply plug and unplug the lights. Not such a smart idea now that the kids are more involved. The remote control device is only 9.99 at Target. It does have a battery in the remote but it'll last a while. No more bending down behind the tree to reach, possibly falling onto the tree, the plug! This is my "fun find" this Christmas season and as you can tell I am very happy about it! My neighbor has tree lights that have different settings and can blink, flicker; etc. You may already have this system but it's going to be ours after Christmas this year. I'll find it on sale somewhere! That will be my "next years" purchase. I love the idea!
You know, this time of year we spend lots of time indoors and half during the night time since daylight is short. This is the time to tackle the "little" stuff like re-caulking areas in the bathrooms that desperately need it! If the nice white caulk is cracking, peeling or discolored, it's time. It really makes a difference in the look of your bathroom too! Get the waterproof type that comes in the can, like I've mentioned in previous blogs, with the attached tip. The old stuff comes off easily with a caulk scraper. Seriously, it's easy and the difference will make you smile!
Oh yes, I have to tell you my very latest find yesterday! I have a tri-ply stainless steel pan that I severely burned rice in last week! My house was so smoky and stinky. I forgot it was on the stove since I have the smooth cook top system. I left to talk to my father in law next door asking some general questions about pruning. Anyway, I was so upset as my pan looked destroyed with dark black residue inside and out. I boiled water to cook some of it off and that worked but still, lots of black residue remained. I asked a worker at Bed, Bath, and Beyond if they sold this particular pot individually. Most pots are sold in sets. And when I checked online, the price was 95.00 (ouch!). This pot set was a wedding gift. The worker shows me this can of cleaner called Bar's Keeper. It's packaged like comet cleaner and cost 2.99 for this nice size can. I read the instructions, and went to work on my pan. I'm ecstatic to report my pan looks BRAND NEW! I can't believe it! This product has been around since the 1800's and originally was used in bars for clean up. It also works on brass, fiberglass, glass cook tops like mine, and stainless steel. I shared this discovery with my friend and then she remembered using this product back when she used to bar tend. Interesting, huh? So, it'll clean up all the stainless steel pots and pans making them look brand new! How wonderful! And only 2.99! Beats a new 95.00 pan!
Finally, I thought I'd share how I do most of my Christmas shopping online at amazon.com. I only purchase items that are cheaper than the local stores and with free shipping or if shipping is being charged, that it's still less than the local store price. Also, some toys stores just don't carry particular toys so it's nice to be able to still purchase them for my kids! So, I'm done with all my shopping. I just need a few more stocking stuffers. Oh yes, Costco usually has a sale on photo calendars in Sept. every year which prompted me to get those done before the sale ended which was the last day in Sept. The calendars are the gifts to all the grandparents this year! They've been asking and how nice to have been done with that a month ago. Now, I just have to remember where I put the darn things! Can you believe that? We all do it! We are so smart to get stuff early and then forget where we hid them! I don't have many spaces to hide so I've have to split stuff up. Now that makes for a hard scavenger hunt! Wish me luck!
I'll blog soon! Stay tuned and take care!!!!!
We have enjoyed decorating the house and putting up our Christmas tree! We buy our tree at, you guessed it, Home Depot. We do go to a beautiful tree lot where Christmas music is playing and hot cider is served to take in the season. Then we head to Home Depot. Can't beat the prices. This year I purchased a remote control switch to turn off and on our Christmas lights on our tree. In years past, we simply plug and unplug the lights. Not such a smart idea now that the kids are more involved. The remote control device is only 9.99 at Target. It does have a battery in the remote but it'll last a while. No more bending down behind the tree to reach, possibly falling onto the tree, the plug! This is my "fun find" this Christmas season and as you can tell I am very happy about it! My neighbor has tree lights that have different settings and can blink, flicker; etc. You may already have this system but it's going to be ours after Christmas this year. I'll find it on sale somewhere! That will be my "next years" purchase. I love the idea!
You know, this time of year we spend lots of time indoors and half during the night time since daylight is short. This is the time to tackle the "little" stuff like re-caulking areas in the bathrooms that desperately need it! If the nice white caulk is cracking, peeling or discolored, it's time. It really makes a difference in the look of your bathroom too! Get the waterproof type that comes in the can, like I've mentioned in previous blogs, with the attached tip. The old stuff comes off easily with a caulk scraper. Seriously, it's easy and the difference will make you smile!
Oh yes, I have to tell you my very latest find yesterday! I have a tri-ply stainless steel pan that I severely burned rice in last week! My house was so smoky and stinky. I forgot it was on the stove since I have the smooth cook top system. I left to talk to my father in law next door asking some general questions about pruning. Anyway, I was so upset as my pan looked destroyed with dark black residue inside and out. I boiled water to cook some of it off and that worked but still, lots of black residue remained. I asked a worker at Bed, Bath, and Beyond if they sold this particular pot individually. Most pots are sold in sets. And when I checked online, the price was 95.00 (ouch!). This pot set was a wedding gift. The worker shows me this can of cleaner called Bar's Keeper. It's packaged like comet cleaner and cost 2.99 for this nice size can. I read the instructions, and went to work on my pan. I'm ecstatic to report my pan looks BRAND NEW! I can't believe it! This product has been around since the 1800's and originally was used in bars for clean up. It also works on brass, fiberglass, glass cook tops like mine, and stainless steel. I shared this discovery with my friend and then she remembered using this product back when she used to bar tend. Interesting, huh? So, it'll clean up all the stainless steel pots and pans making them look brand new! How wonderful! And only 2.99! Beats a new 95.00 pan!
Finally, I thought I'd share how I do most of my Christmas shopping online at amazon.com. I only purchase items that are cheaper than the local stores and with free shipping or if shipping is being charged, that it's still less than the local store price. Also, some toys stores just don't carry particular toys so it's nice to be able to still purchase them for my kids! So, I'm done with all my shopping. I just need a few more stocking stuffers. Oh yes, Costco usually has a sale on photo calendars in Sept. every year which prompted me to get those done before the sale ended which was the last day in Sept. The calendars are the gifts to all the grandparents this year! They've been asking and how nice to have been done with that a month ago. Now, I just have to remember where I put the darn things! Can you believe that? We all do it! We are so smart to get stuff early and then forget where we hid them! I don't have many spaces to hide so I've have to split stuff up. Now that makes for a hard scavenger hunt! Wish me luck!
I'll blog soon! Stay tuned and take care!!!!!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Busy
Hey all,
I had to caulk our leaking shower tonight. I keep a small can in the garage just in case of things like that. I scrape out the old and put in the new. We'll see if I did it right in the morning when I take a shower. I'll let you know. The shower is old and rusty. We will replace it someday but not for a while. My dad was visiting all last week which kept me away from my computer. He did manage to help me extent our gas line in the garage so I was able to move my gas dryer next to my washing machine. Yes, my gas dryer was right next to the water heater in the garage at the end of the wall while my washing machine was right near the door to the garage from the house. It's been two years of hauling wet clothing from the washer to the dryer, dropping wet clothing on the garage floor. I am so happy! And it was so easy. We simply shut off the gas line at the source. Gas lines usually have a shut off lever so you don't have to turn off all the gas to the house. We added a gas line by screwing both ends to the existing line on one end and the other to the dryer using gas tape! And dad wrenched it by tightening with two wrenches. I had two bids for this job by plumbers. One charged 700.00 and the other 450.00. Am I a happy girl or what? No, it's not to code but we will eventually do it right someday but for now, we saved money and it's done safely. I'll check it every so often! Now I don't mind doing laundry as much!
This is Thanksgiving week. I plan of pulling up our floor for so my husband can tile it. He won't know my plan but come home to it done. It's old hard wood flooring severely damaged by water from the previous owners. Can't save it. So, out it goes. I'll let you know what and how he reacts when I do it. Probably this Tue. or Wed. morning! Anyway, going to bed!
See ya!
I had to caulk our leaking shower tonight. I keep a small can in the garage just in case of things like that. I scrape out the old and put in the new. We'll see if I did it right in the morning when I take a shower. I'll let you know. The shower is old and rusty. We will replace it someday but not for a while. My dad was visiting all last week which kept me away from my computer. He did manage to help me extent our gas line in the garage so I was able to move my gas dryer next to my washing machine. Yes, my gas dryer was right next to the water heater in the garage at the end of the wall while my washing machine was right near the door to the garage from the house. It's been two years of hauling wet clothing from the washer to the dryer, dropping wet clothing on the garage floor. I am so happy! And it was so easy. We simply shut off the gas line at the source. Gas lines usually have a shut off lever so you don't have to turn off all the gas to the house. We added a gas line by screwing both ends to the existing line on one end and the other to the dryer using gas tape! And dad wrenched it by tightening with two wrenches. I had two bids for this job by plumbers. One charged 700.00 and the other 450.00. Am I a happy girl or what? No, it's not to code but we will eventually do it right someday but for now, we saved money and it's done safely. I'll check it every so often! Now I don't mind doing laundry as much!
This is Thanksgiving week. I plan of pulling up our floor for so my husband can tile it. He won't know my plan but come home to it done. It's old hard wood flooring severely damaged by water from the previous owners. Can't save it. So, out it goes. I'll let you know what and how he reacts when I do it. Probably this Tue. or Wed. morning! Anyway, going to bed!
See ya!
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Moving right along
It's Tuesday, again, and I've been busy with family stuff, not house stuff. The week went by fast and after staring at two holes in our walls, small 3x4inch square holes, due to opening a pass through between two rooms and needing two electric sockets to be re-located. Today, I patched one hole by following a u-tube video on how to do so. This is my second patch and I'm pretty proud of the outcome! My first patch was in our ceiling when we relocated our ceiling fan 2 feet over to center the fan since the previous owners did not center it. I also patched a small hole not requiring patch tape, screws; etc. I just needed a glob of sheet rock and filled it in. Once it dries, you paint over it.
So, I am no longer looking at holes. Feels great! I did this this morning. The next thing I need to get to is to seal the new grout. I like using a special seal brush, like a painters brush, and then brushing just on the grout lines until it soaks it all up. It's very time consuming but then you know it's sealed plus you wipe any extras on the tile up immediately.
Oh yes, I also bought a toilet today. We used the city voucher so I only paid like 90.00. That did not include the toilet seat since we have a fun one for the kids!
I hope to write more but it's dinner time!
So along!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So, I am no longer looking at holes. Feels great! I did this this morning. The next thing I need to get to is to seal the new grout. I like using a special seal brush, like a painters brush, and then brushing just on the grout lines until it soaks it all up. It's very time consuming but then you know it's sealed plus you wipe any extras on the tile up immediately.
Oh yes, I also bought a toilet today. We used the city voucher so I only paid like 90.00. That did not include the toilet seat since we have a fun one for the kids!
I hope to write more but it's dinner time!
So along!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
It's Tuesday and I'm installing
Hello Everyone,
Today, I have decided to replace some light switches from old, cream colored toggles to white flat push switches. Some of our old switches have some brown coloring near the center of the switch. Not good. That's a sign they are old and in need of replacement. It's very simple. Turn off the power! That's a must. Test the switch you are going to replace turning if off and on to make sure it's off. Then unscrew the switch. Two wires are attached inside and need to be "pushed" out. Right below each of the wires attached to the back of the switch is a tiny opening. I used a small needle nose tool (like a wire cutter tool) and used one of the noses to push inside the hole. You must push hard and then the wire pops out. Pushing in releases the wire. Do both wires. My home was built in 1967 so inside our switch outlet does not have a green ground wire. Because both wires are safely installed behind the switch, and we have a circuit board, the circuit board will trip before any loose or unsecured wires gets hot ultimately causing a fire.
So, take the new switch and push each wire inside the holes the tiny round holes until you feel a catch. They sort of snap in. Then push wires and switch back into the outlet box and screw in place. I usually test the switch before screwing back into place because on switch I exchanged was a double toggle meaning the one box had two different lights assigned to each switch. The one wire had to be wrapped around the screw instead of locking in and that was loose at first. When I went to test it, it tripped my circuit box which made me double check the wire connections. Sure enough, that one was loose. Anyway, it's all in the directions in the switch box! Once you've done one, you're a pro! It takes less than 10 minutes granted you can get the old wire boxes separated from the box. Forty years is a long time for a wire to settle in its little home.
If you want to install dimmer switches in place of regular for the bathroom or dining room, read the box! It's easy!
Today, I have decided to replace some light switches from old, cream colored toggles to white flat push switches. Some of our old switches have some brown coloring near the center of the switch. Not good. That's a sign they are old and in need of replacement. It's very simple. Turn off the power! That's a must. Test the switch you are going to replace turning if off and on to make sure it's off. Then unscrew the switch. Two wires are attached inside and need to be "pushed" out. Right below each of the wires attached to the back of the switch is a tiny opening. I used a small needle nose tool (like a wire cutter tool) and used one of the noses to push inside the hole. You must push hard and then the wire pops out. Pushing in releases the wire. Do both wires. My home was built in 1967 so inside our switch outlet does not have a green ground wire. Because both wires are safely installed behind the switch, and we have a circuit board, the circuit board will trip before any loose or unsecured wires gets hot ultimately causing a fire.
So, take the new switch and push each wire inside the holes the tiny round holes until you feel a catch. They sort of snap in. Then push wires and switch back into the outlet box and screw in place. I usually test the switch before screwing back into place because on switch I exchanged was a double toggle meaning the one box had two different lights assigned to each switch. The one wire had to be wrapped around the screw instead of locking in and that was loose at first. When I went to test it, it tripped my circuit box which made me double check the wire connections. Sure enough, that one was loose. Anyway, it's all in the directions in the switch box! Once you've done one, you're a pro! It takes less than 10 minutes granted you can get the old wire boxes separated from the box. Forty years is a long time for a wire to settle in its little home.
If you want to install dimmer switches in place of regular for the bathroom or dining room, read the box! It's easy!
Friday, October 23, 2009
Another Day, two more projects
Today is Friday and I'm excited to report what I'm doing today in my home. My husband layed new tile in our kitchen. We re-located part of our kitchen cabinets, the island with cooktop and our double oven to different places within our existing kitchen. We wanted to create the footprint for newer cabinets later but wanted to get the tile in now since it's less expensive. We had to pull off the "fake"baseboard underneatht he cabinets (you know, that white or beige rubbery stuff) to lay the tile. With the dried up glue right up aganist our new tile, it distorted the beautiful tile. So, I bought a can of flat paint and painted that base board area (on top of the dried glue) with a dark, dark brown. WOW! My tile looks so much better because that's the first thing you look at is the floor and then move your eye up. So, the dried glue looks like the texture in wood. You would never know! This is my happy and inexpensive fix for my favorite place in my house, the kitchen!
And then after I pick up my daughter from pre-K, my friend is coming over to help me put on a mirrored privacy film on my front family room window! We opened a wall between our kitchen, breakfast room and our family room. Now our front window exposes our insides. With this film, people from the street will only see a mirrored effect. We have a nice honeycomb shade for the sun in the mornings and for evenings when it's dark. This is a fantastic and cheap way to keep the light in your house plus have privacy! When I was 8 years old, my dad put this type of film over our windows on the second floor as we looked out over a greenbelt. I would have my window opened a little bit and then say something silly to folks walking by and just stand in my window area. They could not see me because it was reflective. That was so fun and cool and now I'm applying that to my own house! These are my two projects for a Friday!
I don't do much over the weekends because my husband is in and out and when he see's me doing stuff, he gets concerned. I say hey, you want to do it? He's always pleased with the finished results.
Have a happy weekend! I have more projects to do Monday so stay tuned!
And then after I pick up my daughter from pre-K, my friend is coming over to help me put on a mirrored privacy film on my front family room window! We opened a wall between our kitchen, breakfast room and our family room. Now our front window exposes our insides. With this film, people from the street will only see a mirrored effect. We have a nice honeycomb shade for the sun in the mornings and for evenings when it's dark. This is a fantastic and cheap way to keep the light in your house plus have privacy! When I was 8 years old, my dad put this type of film over our windows on the second floor as we looked out over a greenbelt. I would have my window opened a little bit and then say something silly to folks walking by and just stand in my window area. They could not see me because it was reflective. That was so fun and cool and now I'm applying that to my own house! These are my two projects for a Friday!
I don't do much over the weekends because my husband is in and out and when he see's me doing stuff, he gets concerned. I say hey, you want to do it? He's always pleased with the finished results.
Have a happy weekend! I have more projects to do Monday so stay tuned!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
For all those stay at home moms!!!
Hello to everyone reading a blog written by an 8 year now stay at home mom with an 8 year old in 2nd grade and a 4 year old in pre-k. My purpose for blogging is to reach out to all those mom's who are waiting for their husbands to get on their "honey-do-list". Either wait for hubbie OR pay lots of dough out of pocket (unless you have friendly connections).
My honey-do-list in my home has become the "honey I'm doing it list". And over the years with help from good ole' u tube and home depot, I've done tons and tons of simple home improvements. It's been fun and rewarding plus my kids get a kick watching mom switch out old light switches for new ones with dimmers, paint walls, install faucets, run speaker wire under and through the attic, texture ceilings; etc. So, when you are sick and tired of looking at all that needs to be done, let's get started! You can do it! All the tasks I've done have all come with some kind of instructions. So, my take is if there are instructions, anyone should be able to do it! But the key is to follow the instructions carefully and ask questions if you are unsure.
My husband works two jobs. Weekdays 40 hours and then weekends whatever he can get done. Ironically, he owns a small constructions company who works on weekends so he cannot possibly get to my things, especially those I need now and I know I can do. Yes, he's pretty pissed off at times because he wants to take the credit but he's simply too busy working so I can stay home and raise our two awesome kids! He's in a catch 22. I don't brag about what I do but I'm just glad to have things done. My home feels better and then I'm better mom because of it!
So this morning after walking my kid to school, I'm out tending to our pool. Yes, I'm our swimming pool gal too! I keep the pumps working and the pool maintained! Now, I have a stack of papers I've neglected to file this year to go through and either file or destroy. This will take a few hours.
You know, my husband wonders what I do all day. I'm tempted to keep a time log one of these days as know one knows what it's like to be a stay at home mom until you are one! It's tough, rewarding and tiring. I have no housekeeper, landscaper, pool manager guy and no accountant to manage my tight budget! I do it all!
Anyway, gotta go and do my paperwork! UGHH!!!!!!!!!!!!
My honey-do-list in my home has become the "honey I'm doing it list". And over the years with help from good ole' u tube and home depot, I've done tons and tons of simple home improvements. It's been fun and rewarding plus my kids get a kick watching mom switch out old light switches for new ones with dimmers, paint walls, install faucets, run speaker wire under and through the attic, texture ceilings; etc. So, when you are sick and tired of looking at all that needs to be done, let's get started! You can do it! All the tasks I've done have all come with some kind of instructions. So, my take is if there are instructions, anyone should be able to do it! But the key is to follow the instructions carefully and ask questions if you are unsure.
My husband works two jobs. Weekdays 40 hours and then weekends whatever he can get done. Ironically, he owns a small constructions company who works on weekends so he cannot possibly get to my things, especially those I need now and I know I can do. Yes, he's pretty pissed off at times because he wants to take the credit but he's simply too busy working so I can stay home and raise our two awesome kids! He's in a catch 22. I don't brag about what I do but I'm just glad to have things done. My home feels better and then I'm better mom because of it!
So this morning after walking my kid to school, I'm out tending to our pool. Yes, I'm our swimming pool gal too! I keep the pumps working and the pool maintained! Now, I have a stack of papers I've neglected to file this year to go through and either file or destroy. This will take a few hours.
You know, my husband wonders what I do all day. I'm tempted to keep a time log one of these days as know one knows what it's like to be a stay at home mom until you are one! It's tough, rewarding and tiring. I have no housekeeper, landscaper, pool manager guy and no accountant to manage my tight budget! I do it all!
Anyway, gotta go and do my paperwork! UGHH!!!!!!!!!!!!
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