Projects

While I said that I feel like we don't do anything, I really meant it. But today I was thinking of my list of projects to finish, and what we have finished and I realized that we do something. Ty is always telling me to get a hobby to keep busy, and I think I have found it. I like building furniture that will last, or taking something old and turning it nice looking again. It all started with the desk. We wanted a new desk and we wanted one that wasn't a cheap one from walmart. So I found this shop that had a pretty nice and sturdy one, but it certainly needed something to make it look nice again. It was just the old "honey oak" color that I HATE. So we got it and miraculously, Ty and I decided separately that we wanted it painted a light green, almost a 70's green. So that is what started it. Here is a before and after.

The before is when I took the picture at the store to show Ty, and the after, well, sorry it is still a mess, but it has been used quite a bit since I finished it a few months ago. Next was a bed for L. We had to replace his bed. He had been sleeping on a futon since we got him out of the crib way back when we lived in Ridgecrest, so for over 2 years now. Probably more like three years. And with all the moves and everything else, it broke. And since it broke, it was starting to ruin our nice hardwood floors. So I bought some bunk beds at a yard sale and we trashed L's futon. Well, the beds were old. Like, seriously old, and not meant to fit a mattress now. It was long enough, but it wasn't wide enough for a mattress. So we put L on the floor and got to work getting a bed made for him. I love how it turned out! J really wants one now too. We learned quite a bit on our first real woodwork project together, but still. I love it. I got the plans from Ana White, but we changed it a little to make it our own. We will likely get most of our woodwork plans from there now on.

We go to the Library about once every week and a half, and end up with tons of books. I have been searching hard for something to corral them at home, but had no luck until I went to a thrift store here in town. I wish I had taken a before picture. It wasn't much, just a plain stain, but I wanted a vibrant color, so I got some red spray paint and went to town. I am not completely finished with it yet, but almost. It is hard to spray paint without a garage or anywhere to do it when it is always rainy. Looks good though, huh?

The next two projects aren't finished yet, but I figured I'd show you what I am working on. One will be a star wreath for our front door for Christmas with the word "JOY" on it and some cute little decorations glued on. I found that idea on pintrest. I have the pieces stained and ready to glue and nail together, but I need a nice weather day when I am home that I can paint my JOY for it. The other one we are doing is a couple end tables. Remember how I mentioned that we are sick of cheap furniture? Well, in our price range we couldn't find just plain simple end tables that we liked, so we decided to make some. We have the tops done, but Ty can't figure out just yet how he wants the bottom set up, so that is as far as we have gotten. Hopefully not long after the New Year we can get those finished. We really need them to hold lamps for our living room area as there is no ceiling light over there, so it is just so dark and dreary right now. And last, I just took a picture of the next bedroom we will be working on finishing but for now is our woodworking room. Fun stuff, huh?

So there you have it. Those are our not so big, but still sometimes big projects we have going on right now.

Alive and kicking.

We are alive and kicking! I know I haven't posted in a long time. I feel like we aren't doing anything worth blogging about most of the time. But I will just give you a bunch of pictures of things we have done, so that you have proof that we really are here... ;)

Firsts...

Since the end of July, we have had a few firsts... First time playing soccer for both kids First time donating blood for me First day of school for both kids Ok, so not that many first, but they have seemed like big things. Most places, at 4 years old, L would still be too young for soccer, but not here. As long as they are 4 by the time soccer starts, they can play. Both kids have been having fun with it. I donated blood for the first time ever on the first day of school. I had often thought about doing it, but up here, I could only go after school is out, and didn't know if they would be able and willing to watch the kids while I donate. Since I now know that they can and are willing to watch the kids, we will probably go every other month. Both kids started school full time. J is now in 4th grade. When did she get that big? I keep wanting to say she is 8 and in 3rd grade. But nope. She keeps growing up without asking me. L started Transitional Kindergarten. What that is is basically a pre-K class for kids with birthdays in September, October, and November who will be turning 5. Why do the offer it? Well, California cut off for kindergarten used to be Dec. 1 and they have moved it up to Sept. 1 and didn't know what to do with those kids who used to qualify for kindergarten and now don't. Hence, transitional kindergarten. It is full days, which I was worried about at first, but the teachers are amazing and just deal really well with it. He will go to kindergarten again next year, but will have harder work than he has now. But he loves school and loves his teacher and class.