Inception...a must see.

This weekend the hubster and myself had a wedding reception we had to attend. We didn't make the actual wedding due to Clint's football obligations, but did make it to the reception late---after dinner to mingle for just over an hour. We decided in the beginning that we wouldn't stay too long as we wanted to catch a movie since we had a babysitter for the first time in a long time.


Since I don't watch much TV, I had never seen the previews for or even heard of Inception starring Leonardo Dicaprio. I half watched the trailer the day before because Clint wanted me to see it to see what I thought. I say "half watched" because at the same time, I was amusing Jude. I was glad that I didn't really watch it though because it made the movie that much better. I must say that this was the best movie I have seen in a long time. Granted, I haven't been to the movies that frequently in the past year and a half. Regardless, this movie was captivating. It's one of those movies that keeps you wanting more and afterward---questioning possibilities. I completely recommend that everyone go see this movie. I would actually like to go see it again...and I am not the type of person who sees movies oevr and over and over again.


I must warn you though--the ending is priceless.

Buffet Makeover (pt. 1)

It's been a long process...but it is finally almost complete. It's taken quite a while since I am only able to work on my projects in shifts....and those shifts revolve around balancing work, the upkeep of the house, cooking dinner and a very energetic 15.5 month old and his naps.

I sanded, primed and painted the buffet that I scored for FREE at a garage sale early this summer. I think that it turned out amazing. The piece was outdated and simply an eyesore before the transformation. It was dark and rustic which wasn't the look I was going for at all. The new one is fresh and vibrant. I actually even repainted all the hardware with spray paint in a Bahama Sea color. I considered swapping colors and making the buffet the bold color and the hardware the almond color, but knowing that I get sick of things easily, I decided I should save myself the trouble. I know that had I done it in the Bahama Sea color that within a few months, I would be shopping for a new color to repaint it.

Here is a look at the colors up close. I don't know why...but I tend to always go with the Krylon brand. It covers so well, dries fast and I love that you can switch the angle of the nozzle.

I got a great idea while preparing to paint the screws. I wanted to paint the screws because they would all visible...but I did not want to get paint on the anchor portion because I thought that the buildup of paint would be a mess when I replaced the hardware on the piece. I sure as heck didn't have time to tape them all off....so this was my solution.

I found an old piece of cardboard from the hose I purchased for Clint awhile back and poked them through. It worked like a charm and was proud of myself for being so resourceful.
I want you to remember what it looked like originally. See what I mean...yuck! I do appreciate that its real wood and is a solid piece though!

Now---for the after. Still a solid piece, but fresh and much more current. The blue is much more teal/Carribean in person.

The only thing that I have left to do to is refinish the backer board. If I set this buffet against the wall now, you would see the wall behind it when you open the doors. I removed the backer board because I plan on covering it in a coordinated wallpaper, fabric or wrapping paper. I want it to look cute even when its doors are open.
I have also been debating whether I wanted to get a stencil and do a design on the sides of the buffet. We'll see. You'll have to wait for pt. 2 to find out what I decide.

Garden Bridge---complete!

First things first, my dad constructed the Garden Bridge for me and brought it over Tuesday night. It was SO heavy. It is quite large because I decided I wanted it big enough to drive the riding mower across in case Clint wanted to start using that instead of push mowing that side of the yard. The lumber my dad used was just stuff he had left over from previous projects so it was a little rough in some areas. I decided to sand it by hand to get rid of some discolorations, flaws, etc. I had decided earlier that day that I would put Jude to bed about 45 minutes early so that I would have some day light left to get it sanded and stained. Putting him to sleep went perfectly, as it usually does. I retreated to the garage with the baby monitor to gather my supplies (stain, sanding wedge, rag, paintbrush)...until I realized after searching for about 15 minutes that the paint brushes were not in their usualy place and that Clint must have moved them. Obviously, I couldn't call and ask him where they were, so I called my wonderful father in law who was kind enough to bring one over. I literally had about 10 minutes left to get it stained. It turned out wonderful. I have all the lumber to construct the side rails but am unsure now if I want to put them on because I like the way that it kind of blends into the yard. Maybe I will for a few years until I feel comfortable with Jude not falling over the side since I can always remove them later. We'll see.

Here is a photo of it in the yard now without the side rails.

Happy Father's Day

I always thought that Independence Day would always be my favorite holdiay. I don't know what it is exactly about it that I have always loved...but its the feeling I get when it approaches and arrives that has always made it my favorite. I think that its the romance potential that it holds and the nostalgic and historical meaning behind it that really makes it special. Now that I am a parent, Indepence Day has taken a back seat to Mother's and Father's Day. Who would have thought that these holidays could change in meaning so dramatically? Although I think that parents should not just get one day per year to honor them or tell them how special they are, I think its a great way of saying "here is a day just for you". It's more than just a Hallmark holiday.

Unfortunately, my husband is out of town this year (only his 2nd Father's Day) for a class he must complete for his Master's program in Traverse City, MI. He left yesterday and won't return until this coming Friday! I hate that he is away, but glad that I will be able to complete a great project for him while he is away. I decided to work over the weekend so that I only had to work two days during the week so that I could work on the project and have it completed before he returns.

We have a narrow creek that runs through our back yard and since we moved in over three years ago, we have talked about putting in a garden bridge to go over it so we can cross from one side of the yard to the other. This would eliminate having to "hop" over it every time we want to cross and would save Clint the hassle of trying to get the push mower over since he can't get the rider over. My husband isn't handy, at all. Therefore, I thought that with my dads help of getting all the wood cut--I could knock this project out and have it in place before Clint returns. I am trying to think of a way to make it special and commemorate that it was a Father's Day gift but am undecided. I was thinking that I would carve our son Jude's initials into one of the posts, that way we can add to the post as we add children to our family, but am still brainstorming ideas.

I am so blessed to have found such a wonderful husband who happens to be an excellent father. Hopefully he will love his gift and know how much love went into it.

Wish me luck on this project. Here are a few ideas of what I am looking to create.

I like the simplicity of this one but unsure of how safe it would be with a one year old.

I really like this one but would like more of an arch.