Wicked Winter

Oh my.  They say we have exceeded the total snowfall record for Iowa.  It is only the 7th day of January, only the 17th day of winter and there are 71 days left until the first day of spring.  Wow.  I don't know how much more snow we can handle. Everything is white.  Blinding white.  I stood our Christmas tree in a drift on our deck, just to add a little color to the scenery.

I stepped outside the front of the house today to try to take pictures of the blizzard .  Here's what I got

It's not a very good picture, but that is pretty much what it looked like, neither pretty nor good.  The drastic changes of the seasons never cease to amaze me. 

On a clear day up here on the hill we can see forever.  Today we couldn't see our neighbor's house about a half mile away, or any traffic on the highway. Nothing.  It was like our property line was the world's boundary.

Outside the wind was howling and blowing and carrying on like, well like little boys cooped up inside the house all day.

  There were serious debates

A couple of gun fights

 

A Power Rangers movie marathon

And all sorts of juvenile behavior

Tomorrow may bring more of the same.  Inside the house that is.  The winds are finally supposed to calm down and then the digging out can begin AGAIN.

Boredom and the Beauty of Farm Fresh Eggs

I am getting a bit bored with all this snow.  It's white, it's pretty, but when the worry about whether or not everyone will make it home safely has passed, it gets boring after a couple of feet on the ground.  There are plenty of things that need to be done around here but doing the same things over and over again drives me crazy.  Okay, so it's called housework.  That probably explains why my house is never in good order unless I know company is coming.  So to mix things up a bit today I decided to play the little game I call, "What Did This Used To Be?" 

This gem is courtesy of our resident teenager.  It's petrified pudding.  Soaking it in hot water for an hour did nothing.  It had the consistency of vinyl covered tar and it was no easy feat trying to scrape it out of the bowl.   He cleverly hides his personal leftovers in order to put off getting yelled at for being too lazy to cover his creations.  He is getting better though.  I haven't found any dirty dishes under his bed or behind the recliner in ages.

Caine

Ah, but there was beauty to be found in the fridge as well.

Confession:  I dressed them up for the photo.  Eggs aren't very pretty on the outside.  Heck, they really aren't that good looking on the inside either.  The beauty of these particular eggs is freshness.  One hundred percent certifiably, undeniably fresh.  (That big white egg is a goose egg.  We usually give the goose eggs to Mia, our spoiled rotten Great Dane.)  Glen gathers the eggs every day, even though the chickens and Lucy, our only goose, have every right to go on strike on days like these:

Are you wondering what we had for supper tonight?  Leftovers.  Just the freshest ones though.

When Plan B Fails

They say it takes a village to raise a child.  The same is definitely true when it comes to raising grandchildren.  Sometimes it gets a little hairy around here.  I am extremely grateful my parents are not only able, but very willing to help out at the drop of a hat. I can't imagine what we would do if they weren't.

  Mom and Dad

Having them help out with the boys' needs is not the only thing for which I am grateful.  I am glad they are close so the boys can still have the "grandparents" experience.  Glen and I would love to spoil them - and sometimes we do, but not to the grandparent degree.  Great-grandma bakes cookies for them and takes them to Wal-Mart to buy them things for no special reason.  Great-grandpa has the shoulder to cry on for injustices large and small.

 Chandler

Today was almost Plan B day.  Chandler, the youngest of the boys, wasn't feeling well.  Nothing serious, but enough to prevent him from sharing his bug with playmates at preschool and day care.  On days like this, Great-grandma usually converts her living room into a recovery den complete with blankets, DVDs and all the amenities.  But Great-grandma had her plate full for the day.  There was no school, Cole had  already been dropped off at her house and Great-grandpa had a doctor's appointment.   

  Cole

So Plan C was implemented.  I took the day off work, hauled Chandler home and Cole stayed at Great-grandma's.  I was so pooped after all the rearranging, Ethan had to make supper tonight.  Not really, of course, but he does love to help.

Ethan

The pineapples in the background are fresh from Hawaii.  Our friend Elena gave them to us last night.  I don't know if I will be able to cut them... Chandler thinks they are Sponge Bob houses.

Nothing Mundane About Iowa Weather

The one thing in Iowa that's rarely mundane is the weather.  2009 bid us farewell by blanketing us with more snow than had ever fallen in the month of December since 1898.  It was almost as though the exiting year was tucking us in for a long winter's nap.  There is more snow in the forecast for our first week of 2010.  This morning the radio announced we could get anywhere between three and seven inches, which would leave us covered with a total of about two feet of snow.  At lunch time I overheard someone in the next booth state ten inches was headed our way.  By the time I was standing in the grocery check out line, the total had increased to twenty inches.  The only things I know for sure is that snow is in the forecast and nobody settles down to sleep during a snow storm.

There is something about heavy snowfall that makes people batty.  Some venture out to drive in it, even though they have nowhere in particular to go.  Others, like me, stand by the window and watch, although there's rarely anything to see but frenzied flurries of white.  I think it's the knowing that you can't go outside unless it is absolutely necessary that gets to us.  We worry that someone will  become seriously ill and it would take an hour or two instead of thirty minutes to get to the hospital.  We worry the lights will go out and we won't have power for days on end.  We worry about fires from over-worked electric heaters if the power stays on.  We worry about our friends and family and we call them and ask, "is it snowing there?"  "how bad?" 

I don't know what to think about this new storm that's headed our way.  If human nature is any indicator of what will come, there are hints this one will be brutal.  The brunt of the storm isn't expected until Thursday.  Today is Monday and people were already buying groceries and supplies, filling their cars with gas, preparing, preparing, preparing for another storm that's rumored to be worse than the storm that canceled Christmas, which was worse than the storm that stalled us in our tracks December 9th.  Maybe it's because it is extremely unusual to have three big storms in such short succession.  Maybe we will just have to wait and see.  There is always the possibility that it won't amount to much of anything at all.

I am prepared.  Tomorrow begins our week to have all four of the grandsons.  I purchased the last two gallons of milk in the grocer's cooler, stocked up on "Batman" and "Cars" fruity snacks for the little boys, cheese curls and crackers for the big boys and filled my tank with gas.  The candles and flashlights are handy  and there's plenty of firewood in the garage and my prayers are headed in the direction of safety for friends and family.

When it has passed we we marvel, as we always do, at the wonders the storm has left in it's path:

Laundry Room Part III - Painting the Countertop

This is our laundry room sink.  The old countertop and backsplash had seen their better days, but I didn't want to spend a fortune updating.  I researched the dos and don'ts of painting countertops and encountered more don'ts than dos.  Then I came across a new product:  Giani Countertop Paint.  It was well worth the price and minimal effort required to transform our countertop from mundane to marvelous.

After my handy helper removed the sink (which isn't required but does make things much easier) I filled the deep nicks and gouges with wood putty, sanded the entire area to be painted with 220 grit sandpaper and thoroughly cleaned it to remove any grease and dust.  Then it was time to begin.  First step:  primer.  As you will see, the black primer adds depth and character to the finished product.

The kit comes with everything you need, but I was delighted to learn different colors can be incorporated to create your very own super-coordinated look.  I began by dabbing turquoise acrylic craft paint to give it a little pizazz.

After that it was a matter of dab, dab, dabbing on the three special mineral paint colors with a sea sponge.  It is soooooooo simple

If you follow the directions, paying special attention to the drying times for each layer, you absolutely cannot screw up this project.  The final step is applying two layers of the special, automotive grade clear top coat.  It is very durable, water will not weaken or dull it like other poly coats and it doesn't chip, crack or peel.  The really cool thing about this countertop paint is its feel.  It is subtly rough, just like real granite.  If all of these pluses don't impress you... all of the paint from primer to topcoat is water based and non-toxic.  Clean up is a breeze.

We were so pleased with the end result we decided the new countertop deserved a new sink.  (Plus Glen wasn't real crazy about having to lift that old 150 pound cast iron sink again.)  We completed the area by sanding, painting and adding new hardware to the cupboard doors; replacing the old backsplash with vinyl coated faux beadboard; and topped it off with painted trim.

Here's a quick look at the difference this project has made, which can easily be accomplished on a weekend.

 So what do you think?

Laundry Room Part II - Dresser Makeovers

Back in the late 50's my dad bought his first bedroom furniture.  A blonde veneer set that has held up well through various makeovers.  The dresser was tucked away in the attic because it was so hideous looking.  I snagged the matching chest of drawers from Grandson #1's bedroom, hauled them both to the garage, plugged in my how-did-I-ever-live-without-it Black and Decker random orbital sander and went to town.

 

It took two coats of Kilz primer with a foam roller to conceal their past lives. (Meet hubby/helper Glen.  He won't like having this picture on here, but when you jump in front of the camera:  too bad, so sad).

Waiting for the paint to dry - two coats of primer - THREE coats of Color Place "Buffalo" semi-gloss paint and two coats of Minwax Polycrylic top coat was the hardest part.  (Someday I will learn my lesson and buy decent paint).

It's a good thing there is plenty of space and lots of things to do out here while waiting for paint to dry.  After watching the boys ride, I rummaged for something else to create from my junk stash.

 
Ahhhh.  Irreparably damaged church bench.  Perfect.  More on that later.  Back to redressing the dressers.

I would have liked to use the original hardware for drawer pulls, but that was not to be.  Way back when the dresser went Goth, the pulls were replaced.  Matching dressers requires matching accessories, don't you think?  So, it was Glen to the rescue!  Exclamation point necessary here.  He drilled holes into the work board and set up all 26 of the wooden knobs we decided to use for pulls.  What you see is his brilliance at work... with loaded paint brush in one hand and and power drill in the other, he spun the knobs and they were painted in no time at all.

Oh happy day. The dressers were finished and put to use - but not before the final must do, old fashioned, make sure the drawers glide with ease trick.  Bar soap.  Yep.  Rub the bottoms of the drawers and the guides for smooth sliding.  Works like a charm.

Now if only I could train the boys not to "paw and claw" through the drawers.  I think drawers should look as good on the inside as they do the outside, don't you?

Laundry Room Make Over Part I

My laundry room is most often the point of entry for everyone who enters our home.  It needed a little help...

It probably wouldn't have been so bad if I weren't so lazy.  You see, I keep the boys' clothes in dressers in the laundry room because I don't like making 500 trips up the steps - and if you think I can make them do it when it needs to be done, don't plan on making any reality t.v. shows.

I started by stripping the wallpaper and wood.  I lucked out because the wood had been  coated with shellac rather than varnish and removing it was very easy.  All it takes is ammonia and water.  It took less time to strip the wood than the wallpaper.  Next, I gave all the woodwork two coats of Minwax clear polyurethane (satin finish) and then it was time to paint the walls.

Suddenly, it was... "WHAT THE HECK WAS I THINKING?" 

Raising Grandchildren is a Project

I started this blog with the intent of posting only my artsy-fartsy projects.  Alas, a review of my early efforts revealed three obvious points:

#1  My posts would be few and far between.
#2  The boys (two full time and two part time) are the most interesting and most important of my projects.
#3  I am an exclamation-point-aholic.

Shameful as it is, I admit I thought adding exclamation points to almost every sentence would make my mundane life in the middle of nowhere appear more interesting. I've decided mundane is just fine.

Raising grandchildren isn't all fun and games, but for the most part the joy they bring to our daily lives cannot be purchased or fulfilled with the ordinary middle-age forms of entertainment.  I'd much rather be outside in the rain watching the boys "muddin'" than sitting in the house wondering how to amuse myself. 


 
  
    

    

Goodbye 2009

     Farewell 2009.  I spent my last day with you stuck at home looking down the road you buried in ice covered with snow.  Not my idea of closing out the year but at least the electricity was restored.  You brought us joy this year with the birth of our Princess, Marlee, which lessened the sorrow of the passing of beloved uncles.  Thank you for delivering Drew, Ethan and Chandler safely into our corner of the world. Thank you for surprising us with a mild spring and enjoyable summer and filling our house many times over with the laughter and love of family and friends.  Thank you, 2009, for the blessings bestowed.

Boy Oh Boy!

Boy oh boy will I be gettin' my Martha on now!  Santa Glen gave me this Tomboy Tools set for Christmas! Nice, heavy duty GIRL tools!  I am just giddy with excitement.... my very own hammer, level, utility knife, screwdriver with changeable heads, pliers and needle nose pliers, hack saw, tape measure, safety glasses, pry bar, knee pads and the tool box is a nice and sturdy step stool/storage bin!

I was pleased with the tools, but look, there's more!  My very own garden tools too!  Bucket, digger, claw, gloves and a pruner!  

Frugal Christmas Gift

Seriously, another window?  I'll bet you think that's all I can do.  WRONG.  Soon as I get my laundry room put back together, I'll surprise you with something different.  ( I promise)

Here's what my boss is getting for Christmas.  Luckily, he is computer challenged  :  )  so he won't see it.

An old window, newspaper clippings about his big project of building a new hospital (he's the Board President) and a few foo-foos to make it interesting and, of course, vinyl lettering from my new Silhouette QuicKutz vinyl cutter.

Mr. Chair - the Cats' Affair

     Shame, shame on me.  Captain Chair, the oldest and most regal of my chairs was found in the basement when we moved in.  Back then I obviously had no imagination because I set him outside every summer and used him for a potted plant perch.  Poor thing.  He got uglier every year - and it's all my fault!

     After confessing to him the error of my ways, he forgave me and loved the resurgence of attention.  He was most appreciative of the wood putty - it was like elbow replacement surgery for him : )

    The cats, of course had to be in on everything and they were sure surprised (not to mention a bit snooty) when I took Captain back into the house, promising to never, ever abuse him again.

    

Happy Fall!

By far my most favorite time of the year because nature makes decorating so easy!  Pumpkins and Mums, a must, of course and a few "weeds" from the roadsides.  A trip to the shed yielded the old chair (who is most happy with a new coat of white paint and an old tractor seat), a metal bucket and that most awesome old cart!

Sarah's window...

     It's a picture frame.  No, wait, it's a coat hanger.  No, wait, it's a picture frame/coat hanger.  Heck.  I don't know what to call it, but it turned out cooler than I thought it would!  I found this adorable brown with aqua polka dots ribbon at Wal-Mart and it just reminded me of Sarah, so I bought it and decided to create something around that ribbon.  Didn't use much of it though - just glued a strip on Marlee's picture mat and that was enough.   Some brown spray paint for the window frame, aqua craft paint for the wooden knobs and it was shaping up nicely.  A couple buttons here and there and coordinating striped ribbon for Nolan's mat (polka dots just don't work for boys!) and it was good, but something was still missing.  Hmmm.  Walked around Wal-Mart for an hour trying to find something... lo an behold.  There it was.  Aqua piping and brown dotted ribbon to adorn.  It was just perfect! 

Happy Birthday Sarah!  Sorry.  Not posting the picture of your most awesome present until AFTER you see it - lol : )

     Glen stars with "G"
     So do "G"ripe and "G"rumble!
     And Glen Griped and Grumbled when I said, "You know that pile of old tires out back?"
     But he's a real trooper - which makes him a keeper - because he not only followed me out to the pile and harvested this nice old truck tire, he also drilled holes in the bottom of it to drain out the water that had collected in it all summer; cut blocks of wood to hold the tire open so the plant would fit inside; AND hung this heavy devil for me!  Today Mr. Tire (who thanked me profusely for saving him from the landfill) holds a potted Mum.  Next spring I will put potting soil in him and a nice viny plant because Mr. Gripe and Grumble drilled those nice drain holes  : )
This little project (which took less time to complete than all the griping and grumbling) was snagged from that nice lady in Canada at www.funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com
     Because we were unable to center Mr. Tire on the shed due to the location of the sturdiest stud we could find to hold the weight, I must put something next to him - but I'll wait a bit.  Too may G & G (gripe & grumble) projects in a row make Glen a grumpy old man!

I love no-brainer projects!  However, I hate to admit how long this lovely chair has been sitting in an obscure corner of my home adorned with a really ugly silk flower arrangement in a basket to hide the fact it had no seat.  El-yucko!  Seven dollars later (for the wicker hanging basket) I have a very happy old chair who is proud to be the center of attention!  My new mantra?  "Think outside of the box, Coleen"!

I've found the Martha in Me!

I could hardly wait to get my hands on the OLD windows because I had big ideas! Fortunately for the crew, I didn't purchase my new Black and Decker Random Orbital Sander until AFTER they were finished with the windows on the south side of the house. But it wasn't long before I transformed these babies....


...the old windows on the left into birthday presents!

Happy Birthday to Mardi! 9-9-09. Old window becomes new chalkboard and it turned out even better than I imagined because I had Glen trim the sides down and the remnant had this perfect groove in it that made a perfect chalk holder to attach to the front. An old piece of pressed board was found out in the machine shed and the chalkboard spray paint worked like a charm on it. I don't think Mardi was too impressed with the whole thing until I told her I made it from one of the old windows - lol.

Seven days later, 9-16-09, it's HAPPY BIRTHDAY DREW!

This project had to be a little different because guys just aren't into chalkboards (even if they're made by Mom), so I decided to go with a Hawkeyes color scheme for his manly new duplex apartment. He needed something for his walls and this little idea just popped into my head! I left the glass in this window and with my brand new Quickutz Silhouette vinyl cutting machine... Happy Birthday to me from Glen : ) I cut and transferred PERRIEN onto the window pane all by myself!

Next Wednesday, 9-23-09, it's "HAPPY BIRTHDAY SARAH"! Hmmmmmmmmmm. Wonder what she'll get??