I'm totally uncomfortable with the fact that it's August 7th, just thought I'd put that out there.
I think Micheal and I have pretty much decided we're not going to dive into any major projects over the weekends since we only have a few left until I leave. So the "weekend updates" might be a little slim but hopefully I'll have fun stuff to post during the week!
We did pick up a new piece of furniture this weekend (I know, I know...) - but how could I pass this up for $15?? I'm gonna flip it, I swear.
We're gonna try out some new products that get good reviews on the blogosphere. Howard's Restor-A-Finish and Feed-N-Wax.
I also used Floorplanner.com to create a mock-up of my apartment in Wilmington. Just a beginning plan but gives you an idea of what I'll be working with - the bedroom is pretty small but the living space makes up for it so I'm excited to decorate!
What We Learned
Don't go for a walk the night before garbage day when it's 95 degrees out. Phew.
The "small frosty" rule now must be applied to the champagne drinking. "Small Champagne."
People can still have stupid teenager "firsts" well into their 20's.
Disassembling the guest bed to take with me was a mini gut-punch.
Our neighbors are doing some DIY and it's "[our] fault" - we inspire! Woo hoo!
Latex paint continues to be sticky or tacky for up to months when used on furniture because of "blocking."
Team S was totally ready to hit the reno hard this weekend, so Saturday rolled around and everyone took their places.
I started the weekend making ONE cushion out of the SIX that are needed for the outside furniture.
Yes, I'm blogging about finishing the one. It was an accomplishment, trust me. :)
We also did some painting...
...and I worked hard to keep my tomatoes alive in the 100+ degree weather.
It's been no easy trick!
After I typed that all out it doesn't seem like a ton but we were very busy this weekend and I have lots of fun projects to share this week!
What we learned...
The 60 year old sewing machine in my cabinet works better than the 5 year old one I had on top of it!
Always be nice to your pharmacist. There may be a day when you're going to be without insurance the next day, it's five minutes before they close on a Sunday and you need to beg them to fill a new prescription. Fortunately, I am their favorite customer (no joke) so it was nooooo problem.
Champagne + Sparking Cranberry Juice is deeeeeeeelicious!
Micheal and I both look good in turquoise (and Micheal needs to work on his toe painting skillz).
Our neighbor is also not mowing his lawn because it's too damn hot, so we're off the hook for having a jungle lawn!
I really need to stop buying things in the "green apple" color...
I picked up this little green guy at C&B outlet for my new place for $5.95! I laughed at myself when I moved it over to the side table to get a better picture and realized I might have a bit of a green obsession. :)
C&B is discontinuing my line of dinnerware (insert super sad face.) So we went on a scavenger hunt to finish out the set with four place settings of each color I want, green (ha!), teal, and purple.
After three stores I only need two more Max Green Dinner plates and two more Max Green Salad plates, so if you see some shoot me a message!
The cushions from this chair fit almost perfectly in this chair so when I recovered them they were temporarily snagged for this chair in the living room while the other one waits to be painted!
No matter how long or bad your day was, coming home to a kitty perched on your reupholstery project with her tongue sticking out will make you smile.
Moshe doesn't like the new pantry door...he likes full access to all areas of the new house!
GASP!! New pantry door?!?! Yes folks, it's done. More pics to come! Woot woot!
I'm kind of looking at the past 10 days like a mini-bootcamp for parenting. :) Granted I got to be the "cool aunt" and let him stay up, drink soda, say "yes" to a lot of cool things, but I also learned the more you say yes, the more you have to say no! We did LOTS of fun things and I took TONS of pictures, so prepare yourself. :)
Cost: Free!
Outside Food/Drink: We brought our own lunch and ate in the cafe
Hours: 10am to 5:30pm (was open late our day until 7:00)
Metro: Smithsonian Metro Stop
Tips: Butterfly house is FREE on Tuesdays!
Tyrannasaurus Cafe Lunch
Big Bugs
The Butterfly House was free on Tuesdays so we checked it out, it was truly amazing!
There are two buildings for the Air & Space museum, one on the National Mall and one by Dulles Airport. We were told that the one by Dulles was much better so we trekked out there.
Cost: "Free" ($15 to park!)
Outside Food & Drink: No, McDonalds
Metro: No
Tips: Flight simulator $8/pp and other VR machines $7/pp
Cost: $25/adult regular admission $20/child regular admission (you can add dolphin show and 4D immersion for extra.) Parking garage $20 - $3 coupon=$17.
Outside Food or Drink: No, Cafe
Metro: No
Tips: Buy your ticket online and go on weekdays!
I love these guys...
Check out these fish!! They "spit" their prey off of low hanging branches!
After this we went for a paddle boat ride on the inner harbor, Ezra gave up paddling after about.....5 minutes. :)
WHEW!! Alright, and WWL this week:
All nine year olds should try out for Jeopordy because they KNOW everything. Duh.
Bedtime is very exciting.
When I was referred to as "mom" I felt old but when the waiter called us "family" it made me feel warm and fuzzy.
According to Micheal my purse is simply an extension of his pocket.
Never take a 9 year old to a thrift store when he has money to burn, the have LOTS of CHEAP junk!
Re-reading a chapter book from childhood with a kiddo is super cool.
Having my mom come was the BEST idea ever!
My sister Jolene is SUPER WOMAN! How she does this with four kids under 10 on a regular basis I'll never know (really, no more than 2 for me people!)
When your alternator fries it can mess up the rest of the systems on your car.
The more you say yes the more you have to say no! (Ah positive reinforcement at it's best!)
If you don't plan on buying anything either avoid the gift shop altogether or go first so you get the disappointment out of the way early.
Ezra's favorite part of the Air and Space museum was getting bacon on his cheeseburger.
The word "technically" should be removed from the English dictionary.
None of those little annoyances really matter, because man we had a good time!
Today is what my mom and I regularly refer to as a "Monday/Tuesday." The Tuesday after a long weekend that feels like a Monday, but generally is even worse than a regular Monday.
SO I wish you a HAPPY Monday/Tuesday and I hope you enjoyed your long Memorial day weekend! We were really productive this weekend!
The biggest step forward though was in the kitchen. When we first moved in we removed the sink cabinet in the kitchen to install a new sink, garbage disposal, and plumbing. Knowing that we were going to renovate the kitchen at some point we didn't put the cabinet back. So for a very long time our kitchen sink area has looked like this:
This weekend though, with the aid of the fabulous new table saw, Micheal knocked out the necessary pieces to put everything back together!!
Be still my heart!!
The original doors for this cabinet were water damaged, I tried to save them but could never get one totally smooth. So we snagged these guys for FREE off craigslist this weekend and will use our handy dandy router to cut them down to size.
I also whipped up a few new throw pillows for the couch - super easy "how to" coming tomorrow!
What we learned (recently):
According to the 10+ mosquito bites I got in about a 20 minute period and the 90+ degree heat, summer is OFFICIALLY here!
Always always check your extension ladder to make sure it's locked before you climb it.
New screen doors cost about 40 bucks...
While HGTV is motivating...we actually get a lot more done when we turn it OFF! :)
One of our outdoor spigots is leaking inside (awesome).
Wendy's can run out of Frosties...(there should be a law against this)
When discussing dinner plans with a friend and her husband, if you ask if she is "adventurous" you should specify that you mean in regards to food choices. ;)
Hey all! It was a beautiful weekend here in MD! Unfortunately that beautiful sun-shiney weather is being replaced by a severe winter weather warning for tonight. You'd think I was back in Kansas!
We took advantage of the nice weather and hit up a few estate sales and picked up these cuties...
(I plan on turning them into candle holders!)
...and jetted up to Baltimore to check out another building surplus and salvage warehouse, The Loading Dock. In comparison to our local warehouse, the Community Forklift...I was not impressed. They had a larger selection of tile and flooring, but the prices were a lot higher for most things including doors and windows.
On our way we got caught up in the smoke of a brush fire that ultimately closed I-95 North and South (which is a BIG deal!)
It was pretty ominous in that cloud!
We also retrofit our wonky wobbly drawers with fancy new slides and put up a few more doors. Here is Micheal trying to determine if everything is level...
What we've learned (recently):
Evidently the tissue box is a good place to store Neosporin (??)
Kansas and Missouri aren't the only states that are 70 degrees one day and snowing the next
When you're #1 and you lose it's not as big of a deal if EVERYONE else loses too! (Even though Duke then gets to be #1...lame)
Audiobooks greatly cut into my phone conversation time
I need to get a notepad to write these down, because I SWEAR I had more moderately amusing ones
Parsley is one HARDY herb!! I just picked 1/2 cups worth of parsley from my "garden" that has been covered in about 5 inches of snow, frozen, rained on, AND there is new growth!
Waiting really REALLY sucks
Funny cat pictures always make me laugh
There is only so long in life that you get to be "that girl" that can eat anything and not gain a pound
The Jetta truly cannot go into the shop and leave for under 1k
