My husband and I decided to make a one day trip to our house in the upper part of lower Michigan. We feed the deer up there and it was about time to make another trip with goodies to eat. This past fall we had delivered a few loads of sugar beets so now it is time for some yummy 3rd cut alfalfa hay.
We woke up early this past Saturday morning, packed some water for the dogs, and headed to the feed store to load up on hay. My husband and the man at the store managed to jam 19 bales of hay in the bed of our truck. Unbelievable how much that bed holds!
There was a snowfall predicted for our area which is the opposite of what we are used to when we travel upnorth. We usually leave our home here and hit a bit storm on the way up there but not this time.
There is alot of snow upnorth. They started getting hit with storms on Nov. 15th and it really hasn't melted in between much. We had at least 2 feet in our driveway so we knew we weren't even trying to pull in there .... 4 wheel drive or not. We didn't want to take the time to plow it out first since we weren't staying the weekend.
My husband Tom decided he would make ump-teen trips in 2 feet of soft snow and carry hay bales. I felt so bad for him because I couldn't help. They are just too heavy for me. I had suggested bringing a tarp so we could drag a few at a time but he insisted on carrying them himself and have me rest. What a nice guy he is :-) Once Tom made a few trips with some hay he had packed the snow down so it felt like 1 foot he said instead of two!
Sadie had decided to take it easy on this trip and relax LOL! She is usually running around like a crazy girl but I guess she was tired this time.
It didn't take long before she got nice and warm in her blanket and took a snooze.
I think these eyelids are getting a bit heavy....
Gretchen, on the other hand, was having a blast in the snow and a big help to Tom....NOT!
She loved climbing up the mountain of snow to watch Tom and wait for his return.
Tom got all the hay set up at the back of our fenced yard and we were ready to go when my cousing Mel stopped by to say HI. He invited us down the road to his house for a drink or two. We decided to take a break before heading back home. We sat and talked, had a few drinks and talked some more. Three hours later (and dark now) we started our trek back home. We knew there was a winter storm hitting our area at home but we honestly weren't sure how much was accumulating. We definately found out as we got closer south. The expressway finally became totally snowcovered and slippery. You couldn't see any lanes and there were vehicles and emergency vehicles off the road and all over the sides of the road. It was a long trip home but we made it! Tired and hungry we unpacked and crashed for the night.
On Sunday we chilled most of the day. Tom said he actually was feeling his age after carrying all that weight and I was achy from doggie day care responsibilities on the trip. I did alot of walking with the dogs and playing and then of course they think they are lap sized dogs (even though they aren't )so my hips were feeling the extra weight. Of course we had to shovel our driveway and decks here Sunday morning. Whew....lots of work this weekend.
All is normal today but more snow is predicted soon and some really bone-chilling temps coming up in a couple of days.
Keep warm everyone!
Darlene
Monday, January 12, 2009
A Full Weekend
Friday, January 9, 2009
A Few More Organizational Goodies
I added a few more labels to my roller organizer yesterday. I have a couple extra drawers. It is nice to have a backup in case I still need to seperate some items later. I'm sure once this room is totally completed I will make a few small adjustments with where I have things placed but mostly everything will be perfect the way it is for how I work when I scrap and craft.
I've been working on my wall unit sketch for the East wall of the scrapbook room. It will be made out of hardwood and stained walnut to compliment the dark damask wallpaper accent wall I will have. I want the melon wall color to show through so I am not putting a back on the shelving units. They will be secured to the black countertop however. We sure don't need to worry about too much weight toppling any shelves down!
I have a nice window located approximately in the center of the wall so I will totally fill the wall with shelves and a nice work space for everything I think I need.
This is my rough ( really rough LOL) sketch of the wall unit. It will run completely to the ceiling so that I get the maximum storage.
A few accent items like plants placed here and there should give it a nice comfy touch. Of course my tiffany lamps and some copper containers will be placed throughout too.
TFL....off to strip more border :-). I took yesterday off!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Scrapbook Room Re-Do - The Closet... continued
I've been working most of this past weekend setting up all the supplies into the closet. It feels very good to actually know where everything is now. This was a big accomplishment for me to achive. It's been haunting me for years.
This is where I store the Sizzix and die cuts.
My glitter and embossing powder area. This area will grow because you can never have enough glitter! haha
My camera, tripod and scrapbook albums are stored on this side shelf.
My little shipping supply area for Etsy sales.
I store all my stamp pads, rub ons, bling, stickers, etc. in individually labeled containers here.
I'm just beginning a ribbon collection so I am storing those in clear glass jars for the time being.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Scrapbook Room Re-Do
Part 1 - The Closet
I headed off to Lowes with my wonderful husband a few days ago to get all the supplies for the closet. I had done a sketch of how I wanted to place each shelf and mounting rail/bracket. I then made a list of all the supplies necessary (including hardward) and off we went.
No matter what store we go into we always seem to have a large quantity of customers end up in the same aisle as we are in shopping for the same items. As funny as it is this happened again at Lowe's. The closet organizer aisle was totally empty when we arrived and within 5 minutes there were 5-6 shoppers coming down the aisle with their lists! More came a few minutes later and we had a total of 12 people waiting for the employee to cut their wire shelving. Luckily we were first to ask so we had our large shelving cut and we were able to then move onto all the little parts like, screws and brackets.
We were also very lucky get all all the supplies for 10% off! We didn't know there was a sale and it was close to the last day too. We had compared both Rubbermaid and Closet Maid and decided on the Rubbermaid brand just because we like the installation better and then, to our surprise, the sale too....woo hoo! Our supplies totaled $160.00 and off we were to unload the goodies into the house.
We began ...well I should say Tom began, the installation of the top mounting rail and uprights. We got lucky hitting a few 2x4's but mostly installed anchors throughout. We all know how heavy scrapbook supplies can get :-)
These are three views of the finished closet. It's mighty small (65" wide, 23" deep and 8 feet high). As mentioned in an earlier post I will be making wooden stained shelves for each side of my window above my work desk. These areas are where I will put my pretty baskets, copper containers and holiday wooden stamps. It will be a more decor based storage than the closet. I will get alot of storage out of this little closet area. I have spent 2 fullndays going through my whole stash. I will post those pics sometime next week. I'm very happy how much room I now have.
Top and right hand side view
Top and left hand side view
Partial front view
I have everything placed in and on the shelves now but I am still looking for some 12x12 paper/cardstock organizers and also 1 magazine file to finish the total project. I really feel like I have accomplished alot this holiday time and I found some scrapbook goodies I even forgot I had! I think we all know what "out of sight, out of mind" means.
Monday, December 29, 2008
High Winds in our Area
I woke up around 2:30 a.m. Sunday morning hearing super loud winds beating at the south west corner of our home. I had a small thought run through my head..."Hmmm....I did clip the straps that hold down the spa cover didn't I?" I then confirmed that I had by re-tracing my steps. Whew...I was satisfied. Yep everything is secure, no problem.
Boy was I wrong! The winds kept blowing, sometimes the gusts were 60 mph. We finally got up around 7:00 a.m. since the dogs needed to go potty. When I opened the doorwall blinds I found NO spa cover and NO outside light fixture! Hmmm....I knew what had happened but I didn't know where they were. I couldn't see them at all. We later found them in our yard. I can't imagine how this 100 lb. spa cover looked as it was flying through the sky completely sheering off our outside light fixture during the process. I honestly am thanking our lucky stars that it didn't pull down our electric and phone wires since it some how flew right by all of them on it's way to the ground. I really thought the light would have been in a million pieces but just a small crack in the glass and a large chunk of metal is missing by the connection.
The clips and straps that just tore away.
This is our temporary solution to the problem so we can still keep the heat in the spa during the winter weather. Too funny!
Today will be filled with an insurance claim and price checking. I thought I'd write about this crazy weekend ride my husband and I took because it was a crazy day and quite funny when you think back on it. It could have been so much worse but still I hate to have to pay deductible and repurchase what we already had. UGH!
Have a great day!
Darlene
Saturday, December 27, 2008
The Painting has begun...
This pretty melon color will go great with all the ideas I have in store for this room. I want to accent areas with copper items also. There may be a need to go antiquing! I am going to build two wooden wall storage units for each side of the desk area/counter by the window. These units will store all the pretty ribbons, buttons, boxes and wicker baskets filled with goodies. The closet will contain mostly other craft items and books I have collected over the years such as embroidery thread, acrylic paints and yarns. I drew a rough sketch for the closet organizer considering that we will be selling our home in a few years and this closet may be used for a child's room. This way I can add small 16" shelving units in certain areas for my current storage needs but they can be moved or removed for small children's clothing for a new owner. I hope this proves to be a smart move.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
A little Holiday Cheer
....very little I may add. Due to the puppy a.k.a the "Gretchen-ator" we are not decorating for Christmas this year and I really miss it. I have a few discrete simple items placed around so she won't notice!
I always need to have the cinnamon pine cones somewhere during this time of year. I decided a glass vase was the best option instead of the wicker baskets I usually have them in. Gretchen doesn't even care that these are out. She also doesn't care about this cute little angel I just received from my friend Irene last week. We went to Johnny Carino's for a nice long lunch and she surprised me with it. She's a very nice lady and we worked together for many years before we retired. We usually get together once a month or so to catch up on all the latest news.
These are Gretchen and Sadie's poochie bells that I made. My husband and I were at JoAnn fabrics a couple days ago trying to use up my awesome 15% off your total bill including sale and clearance items. We ran across sets of these jingle bells in the Christmas aisle. We purchased 2 sets, 1 for our home here and one for the house in the woods. They love to ring the bells when they need to go potty and it really helps me to know someone need to go out if I'm in the other end of the house. They only cost $2 for 8 and they are quite large. Pretty shiny too since you can see me and the camera in the reflection LOL!
The next storm has begun here so it's time to sit back and see what mother nature is sending us today! Have a wonderful Christmas everyone and stay warm and safe. Enjoy your family times and take alot of pics!
Merry Christmas!!!!!
Darlene
Monday, December 15, 2008
A Blistery Bitter Cold Day
Woah, I didn't expect it to be this bone chillin' today. We are in the single digits due to the wind chill and we had rain yesterday. Who'd a thunk!!!
I had a very small quiet time today, and let me say VERY SMALL. This 60 lb. puppy doesn't like so see me craft at all. Nope, no painting, scrappin' or even organizing my goodies. She loves to play so sometimes I have to wait until she naps to get any creating done. Gee you would think she was a child and not a dog!
I did get to play a bit with my new mirror cardstock from Club Scrap. I really like how heavy this paper is and I love how reflective too.
Of course I was in a snowy mood because of this crazy weather so I also made a set of snowflakes.
Stay warm everyone if you are in a chilly climate!
