Ever wake up one day and think, "my life is going nowhere"? Join me as I take back control of my life and finally do all those things I've always wanted to do. Every day I'm going to do one thing on my Pinterest or bucket list and share my experiences here with all of you. Live vicariously through me or better yet start living and share your experiences with me.
Here I go, wish me luck.
I know Halloween is still pretty far away, but my niece keeps asking me when I'm going to start on her costume and my husband keeps asking me when I'm going to start on the curtains. So I guess I'm just going to have to start getting the craft/sewing room ready. I still have everything packed away in boxes from our move two months ago.
As I was unpacking, I thought why not organize and improve my craft room while I go. First things first, I would love a bigger cutting table. I'm tired of hunching and crawling across the floor to pin and cut out my patterns. Why not make it easier on by old lady back? And of course, I have just the pin for that. Or thought I did anyway, but as it turns out all the links I had went to websites for other things or needed you to sign up to view the article. No problem, it looked easy enough to replicate from the photograph.
The basic concept is to use stand alone bookshelves and wood planking of some kind, I used old shelves that no longer had a home, to create a table. For now I just did a quickie job to see if it would work out nicely and I figured I would improve upon it the next time I had some more time and money.
DIY Desk
Step 1: Space two identically sized bookshelves to whatever distance you want the length of your table to be. If you want to be real sanno you could always secure the bookshelves by nailing 2x4s to the sides (i.e. hooking the bookshelves pictured together via the sides facing the front of the picture and the two sides opposite).
Step 2: Use a sheet of plywood or old wood planks of any kind to span the distance between the bookshelves. Again you could nail them down to the tops of the bookshelves to make it more secure, but I like having the ability to easily take it apart for moves or even if I just want to use the pieces for another project.
That's all it takes. Super fast and super easy. Of course in the future I will be getting a longer piece of plywood to span a longer distance and also be all one piece. I think I will also paint it black to match the bookshelves. Don't worry I will be sure to update this post when I do so you can all follow along with me. Until next time, wish me luck.
Hung out with the girls today and decided to get crafty since it was way too hot to go outside and play. We decided to make some luminaries which will require some pressed flowers for the inner decoration. Lucky for me I pinned a million things, one of which is how to press flowers. Turns out it is pretty easy.
A and I set about gathering leaves and flowers while B finished her homework. We picked some beautiful four leaf clovers and little purple flowers. By the time we were done B was ready to help. After a long extensive search for sister's iron we came up empty handed. No problem while using an iron appears to be the quickest way to press flowers, we ended up doing it the old fashioned way, with a really heavy book.
If you want detailed instructions with beautiful pictures to go with it I definitely recommend the link above. Really quite amazing with multiple ways to complete the process. If you would prefer the quickie version follow along below.
Step1: gather leaves and flowers to be pressed
Step2: place leaves and flowers between two sheets of paper towels making sure to leave a little space between each leaf and flower.
Step 3: put the sheets of paper towels in the middle or between two heavy books and leave overnight.
UAs I stand there letting out a huge sigh and thinking thank god I'm finally done I can't help but puff out my chest just a little and grin stupidly. Of course that wasn't the case fifteen minutes ago when I had sweat dripping down my face, grunting with effort as I crawled under and around my sink. Or even half an hour ago as I stared aghast at the horrible directions included with my new sprayer. Looking at the allotted pin didn't help either as you'll find out later. But alas here I am satisfied that I was able to install my new sprayer all on my own and it actually works. Better yet water no longer drips under the sink every time I turn on the faucet. To all you women or unhandy men out there who think you're not up to the task, I beg to differ. It can be done, it just takes time and effort with a few fumbles along the way. And don't worry since it was so hard for me to figure out the process I have included here for your viewing pleasure extensive directions with lots of pictures to help you along the way. Good luck.
How to Install a new sprayer hose and base
Note: If the directions provided with your sprayer are as lame as mine just discard entirely. Mine told me to remove the old sprayer head and base and then attach the new ones. No joke that was it. Joke was on me because I had no idea how to do either one. My handy dandy pin I had all picked out only told me how to remove the sprayer head and it turns out not all that well. So I did some hunting on the internet to make sense of it all and found a lovely youtube video that shed some minor light on the whole fiasco. Here is the link if you wish to look or just follow my directions below.
Step 1: Make sure to shut off your water to the sink just in case, mine were located underneath the sink as pictured below. There are two, one for cold water and one for hot. Some of the resources I looked at said to do it, some said you didn't need to. I did it just to be safe and good thing I did too because it turns out the nut on my shut off valve was loose and was also a partial culprit to the puddles under my sink. No problem there it was easy enough to tighten the nut (righty tighty) and water stopped pouring in a deluge under my sink when I turned the knob to off.
Step 2: Unscrew the sprayer head from the base as pictured below. Good news is if you are just replacing the sprayer head and not the base or bottom of sprayer head your struggle ends here. Just screw on the new sprayer head and just like that you are done. Easy peasy. Not so for me as my husband bought a fancy new one that didn't match the current crusty old base.
Step 3: Here's the hard part and what I got from the video above. Remove the washer if there is one as well as this dreaded C clamp as seen below. Nasty little bugger is harder to remove than keys from a keychain. Use whatever you can, I ended up using a fork tine to wedge underneath it and bully off the hose end. Be sure to plug up the drain or do it over the counter so you don't lose it down the sink. It is just a miniscule little piece of metal in the shape of a C.
Step 4: Once the C clamp is removed, in theory, the metal piece should detach from the rest of the hose as seen below. I warn you however, it takes some serious muscle power and not a little bit of grunting and hair pulling to get it to come off. Just when you are about to give up though it will pop right off and laugh in your face. Be warned.
At this point we again return to the choose your own adventure portion of the article. If you are also changing the base ignore the following and skip ahead to changing the base.
Now again if all you are doing is replacing the head of the sprayer and that little metal piece that came off you are all done. Just reassemble with the new parts following the reverse directions. Replace the new metal piece on the end of the hose. Then attach the C clamp (hint use needle nose pliers or see below), add the washer to the top and screw on the new head.
Changing the base
I know I feel your pain but don't give up yet we are almost done.
If the base is still attached securely to the sink there is no need to secure it with a clamp as I have done below. If, however, the idiots that owned the house before you didn't bother to attach anything in the first place you will need to secure it first. I know, I have issues.
Next you will need to crawl underneath the sink and unscrew the plastic thingy (sorry don't know the real lingo) from the bottom of the base. See picture provided below.
Once unscrewed you should be able to return above the sink and remove the base from the sink. If attached you will probably need to pry it loose from the sink.
The end is in sight. Now that the old sprayer and base have been removed you just need to reassemble with the new fangled parts. Open up your package if you haven't already and put the new base on the hose.
Note: If you like you can replace the plastic thingy underneath the sink or if in working order just reuse it. It can be removed easily by pulling the hose under the sink through the hole and then removing the plastic piece and replacing with the new plastic piece.
Now comes the part where again you need something from the store you didn't realize you needed, and that is adhesive of some kind to secure the base to the sink which I will have to do tomorrow. In the meantime I left it unsecure and reassembled the rest of the sprayer as this will have no impact on completing the project tomorrow.
To reassemble the sprayer head you will need to attach the metal piece you removed in step 4. Just push the new one on over the end of the hose, it should snap on easier than it came off :) Make sure to have it facing the correct way. Then replace the C clamp in the groove (second groove down). As pictured below it is actually quite easy of you use your nifty needle nose pliers to clamp it on. Don't be like me do this right away and save your fingers.
After C clamp has been attached, slide washer over hose nozzle and then screw on the sprayer head. You can then turn the water back on at the valve under the sink and test your sprayer out. It should work properly but unfortunately for us water still comes out at the faucet whilst the sprayer is on indicating that I have yet another fix to make, replacing the diverter valve. Ugghhh. Will it never end?
When a tornado comes blowing through your life it's easy to become overwhelmed. When that happens I've decided it's best to lay down the law and insert a little order in the midst of all the chaos.
Now what I had intended for today was to fix the leak in my sink but as it turns out I need something called pipe thread tape in order to install the new sprayer and I just couldn't bear the thought of a return visit to Home Depot. Note to self: next time read the directions before leaving the store.
On the verge of a precipice between total depression and insanity I decided to create some order in the chaos instead and bring back a modicum of control to my life. Aka I decided to make some lemonade.
Running through my pins in my organization board, I came across one called thirty five ways to organize your kitchen. Awesome, if I can't fix the kitchen, I'll organize it. As I'm flipping through the thirty five tips on organizing your kitchen however, only two actually have to do with actual organization the rest are on how to display your china, etc. Par for the course.
So I decide to take on the two tips that look good and ignore the rest. Number one, use a partitioned drawer to put away your Tupperware. If you are anything like me your tupper is scattered a million ways to the wind under a cabinet and every time you open the door stuff comes flying out. Just trying to find a lid that fits takes an hour. Who wouldn't want everything neatly placed according to size and easily accessible instead of piled under a cupboard?
Fifteen minutes later I have everything stacked by size in the drawer, lids placed neatly beside the containers and dozens of odd tuppers without matching lids laying beside me on the floor. There must be a leprechaun that runs off with odd lids as well as socks. Now the only problem I had with using the drawer was where to put the Tupperware and other stuff that is too tall? Hmmm no idea so back under the cabinet they went, albeit a little more organized this time.
Number two, organize snacks and food in the pantry (except I don't really have a pantry just extra cupboards). I had some extra baskets laying around that I thought would work great so I rounded them up and started stuffing my husbands snacks in one and mine in another. I then put breakfast items to the right of the baskets with packaged foods lined up in the bottom cabinet. After I was all done it looked great and I could actually find stuff, like my Oreo cookies, don't mind if I do. ;)
Big sigh. Ahhhhh. I feel better now. Time to go smell the roses and head to bed. Wish me better luck tomorrow.
I remember the euphoria I felt when I first bought my home. The house, while older, was absolutely beautiful. As my husband always says, "it has character."
And as I slowly come to realize how much of a money pit it is I find I still love my home, but am not sure I can afford it. In the two months we have lived here we have found out that we have a cracked slab and sinking foundation, our AC unit broke down yesterday and today we found out that the kitchen sink is leaking water. On a good note though my husband bought me some beautiful flowers to make me feel better.
I didn't quite do a pin today so much as utilize a variety of pins I had in my handyman board on plumbing and how to fix a leaky faucet in order to pinpoint where the leak was actually coming from. I have found that the leak is coming from the sprayer, I think. We noticed when we first used the faucet in the kitchen that the sprayer handle had a crack in it and would shoot water out at you when the faucet was running. We stupidly did a quick fix and wrapped electrical tape around it. Now the sprayer leaks water down the side in a trickle and I think this water is then somehow flowing under the faucet and then under the sink. So number one for tomorrow, we need to get a new sprayer from Home Depot and replace it to see if that fixes the leak. I believe it will, but we will find out tomorrow.
Too emotionally drained to do much else today. Wish me luck for tomorrow. It can only get better from here, right?
I love being barefoot in the kitchen. No really, I hate wearing shoes. Here I am in the kitchen, starving and wondering what to make for dinner. With nothing in particular in mind I search through Pinterest for the perfect dish. Hmmm Roasted Garlic Alfredo? Nope looks like it takes too long, definitely another night though. Honey Balsamic Pork Chops? Yes please, oh wait no honey. Then I stumble upon it. A quick stir fry, the one, the only, PF Chang's recipe for Mongolian Beef.
Begin by gathering your ingredients.
Onion, sliced or diced
Garlic, minced
Flank steak (I used skirt steak), cut into thin strips
1/4C corn starch
Oil
Sauce
1/2C soy sauce
1/2C water
1/2C packed brown sugar
These are the ingredients I used but feel free to change it up with whatever veggies you like. Don't be afraid to adjust recipes, that's the best part of cooking. I also changed things for use in a wok instead of the saucepan the recipe called for.
After all was said and done my husband and I polished I off every last bit it was so good. I definitely recommend this dish and will cook it many more times in the future.
Looking forward to what other scrumptious dishes the future holds. Wish me luck.
Since I didn't have any acupuncture appointments today at my business and I don't have to work at the casino tonight (my secondary job) I did what any lazy bum would do and slept in until noon. I stretch lazily and roll out of bed, head downstairs and run myself a bath. After adding some Epsom salts I gingerly step in and luxuriate in the scent of lavender wafting through the air. I sigh and wonder what could be better than this as I relax further into the watery depths of my cavernous bathtub.
My hands slowly sink into http://itisagoodmorning.blogspot.com/2014/08/a-little-inspiration.html?m=1the water and I cringe as they come into contact with the hairy forest that are my legs. I suppose I should shave, it being summer and all, but I just don't want to deal with putting on lotion to combat the dry skin leftover from a good shave. Speaking of dryness I reach for my homemade sugar scrub and as I am scrubbing my heels I wonder if the scrub can be used to help with the dryness of my legs after shaving. I seem to remember a post about that on Pinterest. Something about baby soft legs. Sounds great so I look it up on my phone and try it out. You can follow along with the post below.
After my lovely bath I gear up to finish my pin on how to preserve garlic only to find that some moisture got into the tupper I left the peeled cloves in and they molded. Argh. What to do now? Well definitely learn the lesson that it is never a good idea to procrastinate. I may have taken some well deserved rest last night but in return missed out on the opportunity to try out my pin and at the same time ruining all the garlic my niece gathered for me from her garden. I'm sorry baby I'll make it up to you somehow.
The day wasn't a complete waste though. I didn't let it get to me and managed to put up a towel rack in the bathroom, listed the old one on Craigslist and since my nice hubby put together a new bookshelf for me, I also put away the rest of my books. Yay! Well that's it for me today. Off to do even more amazing things. Wish me luck.
Apply the sugar scrub to your legs and scrub to exfoliate the skin. This will remove any dead skin left on your legs while also adding a layer of protection to the skin in the form of oil. After scrubbing rinse off and then shave your legs. Note: use a razor that is near the end of its life or be prepared to clean it afterwards as it will be coated with a combination of dead skin and oil sludge. Then feel up your legs as they will be super soft and silky. Look out boys here I come.
