21 October 2009

Have You Ever Danced on A Bar?



I have. Once. On my wedding day. It was a tradition in the small town I got married in.

Jump up on the bar and dance in your wedding dress.

I am not one to draw attention to myself. Frankly, that day was tough for me for that reason alone. But I loved, loved, loved to be surrounded by my family and friends and... I loved hopping up on that big old piece of oak and dancing my heart out!

There was something so wild and carefree about it. Especially for me. I never did stuff like that. Never, not even as a kid. So serious. So responsible.

So whenever I am feeling a bit lost or down, I put on a great song and dance like a total idiot in my living room. Damn, if it doesn't pick me up!

So go ahead. Dance!

----

Update. I am stepping out again. This time to make my company all it can be.
I haven't been spreading much JOY lately, so I found a new determination. You can read about at justorganizeyourstuff.org.

20 October 2009

Master Bedroom Not Done. Yet. But Progress.



It all started months ago. Heck probably a year ago. Ugly drop tile ceiling. Dirty dingy gray carpet. A closet not deep enough for hangers and lets not forget the peeling paint.








The procrastination party start about here. Room stripped and sanded. Radiator stripped. Ceiling holding out for wallpaper. Extra old doors crafted into new closet. The room was primed and ready for a least a month.



Let the party begin! Radiator painted. New shiny air vent. All hooked up a letting out heat.



All doors painted. A few hung with their beautiful crystal knobs. :)
My dear h and I are a bit DIY challenged. Couldn't get a few of the doors to hang straight so we put it off for another day. Better than a fight. :)





Closet done. Almost. Some of the hardware is installed. Still have a few organizing tricks up my sleeve. Have to maximize that space. But isn't it awesome?



The ceiling is wallpapered. Can't really see it. It's not the tin like stuff, just a random pattern. Love it.


The crown molding is primed and painted. Ready for install. Waiting on the pros. Even if I owned a compound miter saw, I am not willing to teach myself on $200+ worth of crown. One day I will accomplish that goal. Hey, TOH or Steve I'm a quick study!








The project will be finished when the floors no longer look like this.Thanks for the kick Melissa at the Inspired Room, I still have a lot to do. But I am happy to have made such progress.


18 October 2009

Ok, Feeling a Bit Foggy Brained.



It could be because it has been cold and rainy for the past week. So done with cold rain.

It could be because I haven't taken my niacin supplements in weeks. I ran out.

It could be because the video I am trying to finish for my moms surprise 70th is taking way too long. I know, it doesn't have to be perfect, but...

It could be because a website(s) I have been working on since, I don't know, January, is finally live. (I only organized and designed it. Did not program this huge site. Wouldn't even know where to start.) Now what?

It could be because my master bedroom is still not done. And Yes I am still putting other priorities first.


But I think its because one of my best friends just told me she was pregnant. 42 and not trying. Her first. :) Oh to be blessed.

17 October 2009

And on the 655th Day, There Was Heat.




I know you can't feel it. But I can.

After a day outside in the cold rain and our first year freezing our butts off, it's fantastic to feel the heat coming out of our old radiators. The new bling paid off. Thank-you!




Hi Melissa and everyone else at the Inspired Room, I am getting little things done!




BTW this was one thing on my get it done list. Our bedroom is not going to make the 2 week FINISHED deadline but there are a lot of little things getting done. That's what it takes. A lot of little things getting done.

16 October 2009

Not Sure it Could Be Better Said.



"Live life by appreciating every moment as a miracle, and you'll want for nothing. Appreciate the people around you, for the crazy complicated uniqueness they are, and you'll need no further entertainment."

~Leo Babauta of Zen Habits.

11 October 2009

Papers Gone but I Still Have a Few Good Memories.




We have had two big boxes of old papers sitting on our basement floor, forever.
I am certain it is safe to shred 20 year old bank statements from the years right out of college when I was making a whopping 14k a year. I was getting really close to a bonfire in the backyard. The community shred came just in the nick of time.

They're all gone now. But the memories of those really great simple fun times, living on nothing, make me smile every once in awhile.

10 October 2009

Steam Radiators Get New Bling.

DSC01097

Many of our radiators are still awaiting their makeovers. But yesterday they all got some new bling. Pretty silver air vents. I didn't know squat about steam radiators and after freezing our butts off last year I knew we needed to do something to avoid some really high gas bills this year.So here is what I know now,

  • Radiators don't need much looking after and they produce nice warm moist heat. When they work properly.

  • A clogged air vent will keep a steam radiator from heating up

  • A really old air vent will keep a steam radiator from heating up.

  • Air vents can sometimes be cleaned by boiling them in a water and vinegar solution.
    Which I tried last year but they should have been replaced.

  • There are two types of air vents, adjustable and standard.(In the photo, the top one is adjustable)


  • DSC01086


  • Typically there will be two adjustables house wide, one on the radiator nearest the boiler and one on the radiator farthest from the boiler. This apparently helps balance the distribution of steam. We had adjustables on every radiator.


  • Here's hoping our investment will produce a bit more heat.

    09 October 2009

    Finding the Sunny Side of Stuff

    DSC00327

    We woke up today to "partial power" in our house. That meant, no computer. Couldn't work. The sunny side, I could get started on the veggie garden beds I have wanted to build in the back yard! It has been gorgeous for the past few weeks and I have wanted to get outside to the back yard. It's funny how things work out. I had just noted a few days ago on my "Done List" - Plan our Veggie Garden. Well I am taking the first step.
    Even though our power is back. (Thank-you Alleghany Power!) I am still going to get dirty today! Fresh air and sunshine here I come.

    06 October 2009

    Whatever it takes to Finish MY BEDROOM!

    During - Doors - Stripped, Sandend and Ready to Paint

    I hate to admit it but I am a procrastinator. This project was supposed to be done by the end of July. It is now October and I still haven't moved into my new room. I could blame it on the wallpaper guy, but really it's just my priorities.



    I am joining Melissa and everyone else at the Inspired Room and I am getting it done. Two weeks and counting!


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