Saturday, September 24, 2011

That overwhelming time of year...

It must be September. This happens every year. Finally when the weather gets to be mild enough, yet sunny enough to be outside and enjoy it, life throws me curveballs and I can't get out. Yes, I'm whining. You've been reading about my renovation exploits, but to add to that, I'm altering a wedding dress for a good friend who is getting married "sometime in October." Well, they finally got the ok from the priest, and yes, the date is...........October 1st ! Whaaaaaaaaat?
I don't do well with deadlines, but this one is sneaking up on me. We finished her dress this week, and last night I finished switching out the white flowers on the flower girl dress to pink bows. I washed the veil - it was yellowed, and it came out very well, but now I'm going to sew tiny, as in TINY pink beads around the edge of the veil. Thanks bride, I needed that. I'm trying really hard not to transfer my anxieties to the bride, as she has enough of her own, but, ahem, just where am I supposed to find a dress for me to wear to this wedding in one week? I sew well, but fabric for a dress, or buying a dress just isn't in the budget before the first of the month. Hmmm, I wonder if I could buy a dress between the stores opening at 10 am, and the wedding at 11 am on saturday. I suppose stranger things have happened.
At least the downstairs boarder is moving in today and not next weekend.
And this week did have a high point - my son met his new drum teacher and "like" happened. He was actually smiling and practising without nagging!! this week. Oh bliss - please say that's going to last :)
Oh, and remind me never to get married in the RC church. There are waaaay too many hoops to leap through before you get "approved." As if that's going to make the difference. I'd rather spend my energies on my fiance and my wedding instead of worring if the priest will do this, and the bishop will do that, and etc, etc, etc. From my view - they're lucky that anyone goes through that.
Don't get me wrong. I am a Christian, and if I were to get married it would be in a church before God and "all assembled there". But as for man made red tape? I have no patience for that.
Just sayin'

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Oops, it didn't happen

Last night was FNSI. I remembered it this morning.
It just didn't happen here last night. I spent the evening picking up my son's friend, seeing a lady about a quilt that I will quilt for her, taking said friend home and spending the evening tossing food into the 'man cave' every so often to keep the 11 yr olds happy on their sleepover. They actually did get some sleep, and so did I.
This morning I spent an hour sanding drywall mud. Woohoot! What a party - not!
At least the room is ready for paint now. All I have to do is buy it and use it.
Right now, however, my hands are killing me, so I've got them on ice, and I'm resting my bones.
The boys are outside having a Nerf gun war, and in a half hour I need to bring the friend home.
That's why FNSI fell off my radar last night. Sorry. Maybe next month.

Friday, September 9, 2011

Getting there.....

Well, the stud walls are in. After spending two days trying to get the electrical repairs figured out- to move two fixture boxes, move an outlet, add 2 outlets, and move 2 switches, I gave up. I tripped that breaker box so often I should have hired someone just to stand there and turn it off and on!
Seriously, there was some screwy wiring going on there.
So, I broke down and hired an electrician. Jim came to my rescue and even he, a licensed electrician took 3 hours to get things straightened out. (and he told me it was screwy!)
So now, da ta daaaa! We're ready for drywall. The walls of course, but also all the fixits for the new openings, old openings, and "oops" openings.
Hopefully, if all goes well, the room will be done before the young man moves in :P
And if he doesn't, well then I get my studio! Win win! I like that.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Traded in my seam ripper for a cordless drill,

Well, not really. It's just that the drill has been getting more of a work out. And the circular saw, and the screwdrivers etc. You see, I'm getting a boarder in my basement. So I rearranged the furniture so he would have an "area" of his own. Then I thought about hanging large curtains to make at least a private space. Well, that went out "with the bathwater."
After some thought, and a trip to the Habitat for Humanity ReStore store, I found a door for $10, and a counter for $10 and a nice 2 door lower cabinet, that one cost me $60, but it's nicer than what I have in my kitchen.
So, since you don't put doors on curtains (lol) yes, I had decided that a real, stud and drywall wall it will be.
Before you start thinking I'm over the top for a temporary boarder, let me explain that this is a self serving project.
You see, I'm designing it so that when I don't need it for a boarder - it will be perfect for my very own quilting studio!!
So, yesterday with some help, I got the one half of the wall up. Today I was going to get the second wall section done, however, where I want the wall is right where there is a light fixture. So I spent the better part of the day moving it. And then there is the little problem of balance problems. I don't do ladders well, and I did have one fall - right on my butt! So, it's on the "to do" list for tomorrow again, and for every day until said wall is up and ready for drywall.
The scariest part of this project - was cutting a strip of carpet out for the base stud. Talk about committing to a project! I had to cut a 4" wide by 7" strip right out of the middle of the room. Tomorrow I will be doing the second one. It's scary!
So, when it's up and photo ready, I'll let you have a peek. Until then, trust me! I love power tools, now if they only came in pink - like my screwdriver! :)

Thursday, September 1, 2011

WISP, WWGDWIGHD

Ok. We all know a WISP is a "work in slow progress", right? Well, my denim quilt(s) are going to be delegated to that category.
Have you figured out the WWGDWIGHD? I'm sure everyone has a few of these too. Oh, you didn't get it you say? Well, here goes.
Work Will Get Done When I Get Housework Done.
There. Don't you feel better now?
Bwahahaha. Yes, some days I'm evil when I get up before 7 because someone's coming over, and then they cancel. :(