Today...

is my golden Birthday :)

Just a Quick Note

I've been super busy lately - work and home. I just moved and don't have internet access yet (I'm taking a quick break at work to post this) so I'll update more once I'm all settled in and have internet!

Not Me! Monday

Another week has (not) gone by. With work being busy and me hunting for an apartment in the evenings, this week did (not) go by really quickly. I have (not) been slacking on blogging and did (not) think about skipping Not Me! Monday this week.

This week I did (not) successfully find an apartment (again). This time is with a complex instead of a private owner, so I’m (not) confident it won’t fall through. I will (not) post pictures once I move in. I have (not) started the countdown to moving and then realize how much of a pain it is to change my address.

I did (not) go to the drive-in movie theater this weekend. It was (not) the first time I went to a drive-in since I was about 8 years old. Even though the movies were (not) ones I would normally pick (Transformers and Star Trek), I did (not) have a lot of fun. I am (not) already trying to plan going back next weekend.

This weekend I did (not) completely skip doing the laundry. I will (not) have to be creative for my clothes for work tomorrow. Maybe I should (not) stop blogging now and go start a load.

Head over to MckMama’s blog and see what everyone else has (not) been up to.

Crazy Product of The Week

This one is kindof funny, but I wonder who thought of it. It’s a ball for dogs that has a tongue on it.

They have it in different sizes – for large or small dogs.

Not Me! Monday

Another week has come and gone.  There is a HUGE list of things that I did (not) do.  I will (not) bore you with all of them. Here’s some of them.

This week was (not) really, really long.   Work did (not) entail putting out one fire after another.  I am (not) complaining about work in a public forum.  I do (not) enjoy the work I do – that comes out wrong when I turn it around.  I DO enjoy the work I do.  Typically.  Most weeks.  Most parts of it.

New topic.

This week I did (not) find out that the perfect townhouse place I planned to rent is (not) going to work out.  Grrrr.  So I am (not) back to apartment hunting.  I do (not) hate apartment hunting.  Maybe if I repeat it I’ll believe it.  I do (not) hate apartment hunting, I do (not) hate apartment hunting. 

I do (not) really like using the strikethrough.

I did (not) attend my first pro baseball game this week.  Twins vs. Astros.  I did (not) have to practically beg to get someone to go with me.  All my friends did (not) have other plans for Father’s Day already (Happy Father’s Day!)  It was (not) a really good game anyway – even thought the Twins lost.

There are a LOT of other things that I did (not) do this week, but I promised I would (not) bore you with them.  Head over to MckMama’s blog to read about all the other things that were (not) done this week.

Crazy Product of The Week

This must have been created by someone with hate in their heart.

It seems like a cute little singing chicken, but according to the website “Aren't chickens annoying with their clucking and flapping? Imagine one that clucks, flaps, waddles and dances the Chicken Dance to music! So annoying it makes you want to grab the Crazy Cluck Chicken by the neck and lift him up while doing his wacky little Chicken Dance Go right ahead, the Crazy Chicken will quawk and cluck like crazy, flapping his wings wildly as if he is gagging and choking! Set him back down and he continues to dance and cluck! Hilariously funny! Great fun for parties or just plain crazy times!”

Now, I had my sound turned off when I found this (and I didn’t want to turn it on to test it out!) Oh – and they advertise this as “It’s Time To Choke The Chicken”. That means something completely different to me!

Not Me! Monday

Another week, another Not Me! Monday. I am (not) writing this late evening on Monday. I was (not) too busy visiting with my sister to write it on Sunday night.

We did (not) spend the whole weekend sleeping in, shopping, and visiting. During her visit, I did (not) take multiple pictures of a baby giraffe (check out those knobby knees),

a chipmunk,

and a sea lion (who saw my camera and stopped to pose in front of me)

and forget to take a picture of us together until I was dropping her off at the airport this morning (I’m on the right)

That’s all I’m (not) admitting to this week for Not Me! Monday. Head over to MckMama’s blog to read about all the other things people did (not) do this week.

Crazy Product of The Week

Does the idea of lifting a man’s head to use the toilet freak out anyone else?

To quote the website “This soft sculpted, friendly mustachioed face gent seat cover with non-skid rug completes the set and adds a touch of class to any bathroom.” Really?!?!

Not Me! Monday

I did (not) almost skip Not Me! Monday today.  I was (not) still recovering from a long week last week.  That is also why I did (not) post much last week.

Last week was (not) a very long week.  I did (not) have a full week meeting that took me away from my “regular” job during the busiest week of the month.  That does (not) make for a very long week.

On the positive side, I did (not) find a place to live!  Now I do (not) feel the need to complain about apartment hunting on here.  This place was (not) actually found by a co-worker.  My current place was (not) found the same way.

This new place is (not) exactly what I was looking for.  It is (not) the right price too!!  You will (not) have to wait until I move in to get pictures.

I do (not) believe that MckMama is doing Not Me! Monday this week, but just in case, feel free to head over to her blog here.

Crazy Product of the Week

Please tell me you’ve seen commercials for Bumpits! If not, this is a piece of plastic you put in your hair to make it taller. I wish these had been around in the 80’s when I wore the poof. Not really sure what I would use it for now. They come in different colors to match your hair and different sizes – some for bangs, different heights.

Maybe I’m just out of the loop!

Not Me! Monday

Another week has gone by and it’s time again to talk write about all the things that I did (not) do this week.

I do (not) hate apartment hunting.  I do (not) think that whoever invented it should die.  I did (not) text that to a friend of mine this weekend.  I did (not) spend the weekend online looking for apartments and driving around looking at apartments.  At happy hour with work friends on Friday the conversation did (not) turn to apartment hunting.   Even though it consumed my weekend, I did (not) tour any apartments in person.  I have (not) already turned in my intent to vacate, so I am (not) committed to moving.

My cat has (not) taken up staring at the back of the couch while sitting on it.  She has (not) done it enough this week that I am starting to wonder why she does it.  If you were a fly on the wall, you would (not) have seen me checking the couch to see what she was staring at.

The highlight of my week was (not) booking a trip to FL for this fall.  I was (not) really excited to find a cheap flight out for my friends’ wedding.  The wedding is (not) a couple of weeks after my sister’s baby is due, so I will (not) be in FL for two weeks for both. 

I did (not) finally break down and look into getting my drivers seat upholstery fixed.  It has (not) been torn for a few years and just now start to bother me.  Getting the piece replaced will (not) cost me several hundred dollars, so instead, I did (not) just buy a seat cover.  I (never) cut corners like that just to save some money.

There are plenty of other things I did (not) do this week, but I do (not) need to keep a list throughout the week in order to remember them.  Now, if you’ve had enough of the things I did (not) do, head over to MckMama’s to see what everyone else did (not) do.

Chair Re-Done

I finished! I’ve had this chair for a month. Here is the re-do in pictures:

Before pictures. Notice how much the seat sags.

The bottom of the seat (after I got through a layer or two) – it was all broken.

About 2,000 staples later, I had just a frame, then I put a new seat in (I got instructions from my mom over the phone and she mailed me a tool I needed).

I used the original foam (I was surprised at how expensive foam is!) I used cotton batting to replace the thin foam around the frame that was too damaged to use. I took my mom’s advice and bought an electric stapler. I HIGHLY recommend it if you’re planning to reupholster something.

I took (mental) notes when I took the seat apart. One of the things was that the seat had to be completely finished in order to put staples in the back. Just in the area where the fabric (or batting) tucks behind the seat.

The back was trickier. There were two long pieces of metal with teeth all down them that hold the sides of the back on. I had to wrap the fabric around them and hammer them into place. I should have taken pictures of that part.

To spray paint the bottom, I had to go to the park (I have no outdoor space). This was my little set up – using everything in my car to keep it from blowing away!

The finished product! I think it turned out pretty well for my first attempt :)

Even though the chair only cost me $5 from Craigslist, the supplies added a bit to the price.

Chair $5

Cotton batting, just for seat and upholstery tacks for seat $12

Material ordered from Canadian company Tonic (because I’m too picky for any of the fabric in stores here) $35 – with a lot left over

Sandpaper, spray primer, spray paint $10 – also used for another project

Total $62 and that includes extra material and supplies for another project.

Crazy Product of The Week

Don’t you just hate when you have a fancy dinner and the gravy in the gravy boat gets cold? Ok – I have one, maybe two meals a year that use gravy and are more formal than just microwaving the jar of gravy. Anyway… apparently many people have this issue of gravy getting cold. Hence the invention of the Gravy Warmer

Now, I’m not sure how many formal dinners involve the use of extension cords on the table, but just in case, you can order this As Seen on TV Gravy Warmer for only $24.99!

New Old Chair

Here is the before picture.  This was a $5 purchase from Craigslist. 

Aside from it being ugly, the seat had broken, so I learned how to reupholster.  I’ve watched my mom do this many times, and it’s not as hard as it seems.  The after pictures will come as soon as I finish.  Right now I’m just waiting for the paint to dry :)

Not Me! Monday

It is (not) that time of the week again.  Where I – and others – tell about all of the things we did (not) do this week.  Head over to MckMama’s blog to read all of the things other people did (not) do this week.

This week I did (not) travel to our Nation’s Capitol for work.  I do (not) work with a fantastic group of folks who (whom"?) I hardly see since they are spread across the eastern US and I am in Minnesota.  (I do (not) know when it is proper to use who and whom.)

It was (not) great to be in DC the week before Memorial Day and had I (not) realized earlier that it was a holiday weekend, I would (not) have thought to stay longer.  I think the ceremonies would (not) be amazing there.

In traveling from the airport to the office, I did (not) take the Metro.  Waiting on the platform at the airport, a large bug did (not) fly into my hair causing me to jump around like a crazy person.  I do (not) think this kept people away from me on the Metro.

Since I do (not) always travel in jeans instead of work clothes, I did (not) have to change in the bathroom before arriving at work.  I had (not) planned ahead and chosen a skirt, ironed it, and set it on top of my suitcase so changing would be easy.  I had (not) tried on this skirt since last summer and it was (not) a bit snug.  If I had been at home I would (not) have changed, but since I was traveling, I was (not) stuck wandering around all day in the (not) quite snug skirt.

When we meet in a large group, it does (not) always surprise me when the gentleman get up and plug in the woman’s computers so the women do (not) have to crawl on the floor or walk around the table.  Did I mention that I do (not) work with a fantastic group of people? 

Almost all of the people I work with are (not) veterans.  Which is (not) appropriate since we work with Service Members of all branches and their families. 

And, since it is (not) Memorial Day and I do (not) want to pretend this is something I do (not) do, I’ll just say it normally -  I want to thank all the Service Members and their families for their service, especially those who are, or have been deployed.  A special thank you to the families of those that gave the ultimate sacrifice.   Happy Memorial Day!!

Crazy Product of The Week

Ok – I have to admit it. I’ve seen this one for years and I think it is FUNNY!! I wonder who came up with it and who would actually have it in their homes, but I like it in concept :)

I think it is more fun than a regular knife block on the countertop, but I still don’t think I would ever buy it. Just in case you want to, it comes in black too.

Slowly Going "Green" - Window Cleaner

I like windows. It may not be surprising considering I would like to live in a glass house and have a slight obsession with sleeping outdoors. I hate streaky windows. I will take half an hour and use half a roll of paper towels to clean the windows just so they aren't streaky. So after reading many, many reviews for these microfiber cloths (just wet and wipe the window - no cleaner needed - no streaks) I finally gave in and got them. I LOVE them! I cleaned all the windows in my apartment, the bathroom mirror, and the car windows. LOVE them!

I don't typically clean my car windows. I had heard that windex messed with the tint (not sure if it's true - I just didn't want to test it out). Now they are sparkling - well, actually, they were sparking a couple weeks ago when I cleaned them - I may need to do it again.

And, it doesn’t hurt that they are purple – how fun!

Not Me! Monday

This week there are many, many things that I did (not) do, but I am (not) writing this on Sunday night again and I did (not) block out forget most of them.

I have (not) had my new old desk chair disassembled since two days after I bought it (the first week in May) and sitting in parts in the living room.  I did (not) go to approximately 5 fabric stores in person and another 50 or so online before finding a fabric I can live with.  I am (not) that picky when it comes to decorating my place.  After the fabric arrived this week, I did (not) need to go to three more stores to get other things I needed for the chair.  I will (not) post more later about the chair re-do - just as soon as I finish!

A woman at my office did (not) stumble across the most perfect apartment ever!  It does (not) sound like it has everything I wanted plus some.  It is also (not) about $200 over my price range.  I have (not) been wondering if I should make the woman show it to me even though I don’t want to pay that much.  I do (not) dream that she will rent it to my at MY price.

I did (not) spend WAY too much time on the computer this weekend looking at all the pictures on desire to inspire. It does (not) have the best collection of interior photos.  This was (not) my way of procrastinating apartment hunting.  I did (not) forget to wear my glasses for this and now do (not) have a headache.

There are lots more things that I did (not) do this week, but rather than try to remember them all, I’ll just send you over to MckMama’s blog to read all the things other people did (not) do!!

Visit

My sister just booked a flight up to visit! Yay!

Crazy Product of the Week

This may not seem like a crazy product….. until you look at the price tag.

These lovely porcelain sculptures of pears, apricots, horse chestnuts, and fig range in price from $72 - $400 EACH! I typically prefer real fruit over fake, but who pays $400 for fake fruit & nuts? Maybe someone who is nuts?

Slowly Going "Green" - Freecycle/Thrift

I don’t really like to throw things out, and I hate the idea that there are items just sitting around that other people could be using.

When I discovered Freecycle I was excited. You go online, list the items you want to get rid of, and put them out for pickup. Craigslist also has a “free” area. I’ve gotten rid of hotel soaps, kitchen appliances, photo frames, other random items. There have been a few times that people don’t come on time (or at all) and my building doesn’t really care for “stuff” just sitting out in the hallway.

Thrift stores are actually a little easier. You just load it up and drop it off. I’m starting to like this way of doing things more and more. No waiting :)

I do attempt to shop at the Thrift store as well, although I’ve only really bought corkboards there recently. My desk and chair (more to come on the chair) were from Craigslist. Of course, I don’t have a No New pledge, but it’s nice to help out those that do :)

You had me at…

Sleeping Porch!! I’ve mentioned once or twice (or three, four, or five times) about my weird desire to sleep outside (not camping style).

Check out this prefab home from Michelle Kaufmann Designs.

It has a screened sleeping porch!!

I love how it’s a modern take on a farmhouse. Isn’t it cute?!?

sigh – I always find the best homes when I’m apartment hunting.

Hmmm, need to start looking for the perfect piece of land and the winning lottery ticket.

But first, I should probably find an apartment to live in between now and then.

Sigh……