My “new” desk twice removed

 

While I was in a meeting all day today, Dustin was hard at work on my desk. (I think there was most likely some XBoxing happening as well)

The desk started as this:

Well, technically when I got it, it was wood. Then I primed it and painted it red and used it for a few years. Then tried to paint it hammered metal, then painted it orange that REALLY didn’t look this shade of orange.

I gave it to Mom after it didn’t sell at a yard sale (good thing!) and she just gave it back to me.

It isn’t wide enough where my legs go for my chair. It also isn’t wide enough for a keyboard try. I’ve been researching carpal tunnel and ways to avoid it. Apparently my current set up of leaning into my desk with my arms raised and laying on the desk from elbow to fingertips is a very inviting environment for carpal tunnel. oops.

So, thanks to Gail and her repurposedlife :), Dustin got to get to work! My plan was to cut the center out above the drawer. Good thing I have Gail in my email address book :) She suggested looking for screws.

Unscrewing the screws that held the top on is less glamorous than just cutting the desk in half, but way more practical. (THANKS GAIL! We probably would have seen the screws after we cut it all up)

 

So, whist I was gone today, Dustin got the sides apart and sanded them down. They aren’t painted at the top because that’s where the middle drawer was.

 

I said I thought they’d look cute as bedside tables, but Dustin told me to focus on the task at hand :) (note to self: start looking for an old desk to take apart for bedside tables…)

He also put a coat of stain on the pine panel that we bought for the new top.  I asked him about the pics when I got home and he answered with a “I got a lot done today….” Photographing, however, was not one of those things :). So, this is what we started with:

We got one that is 2 ft deep by 6 feet long. I wanted it to be a bit deeper, but this was the best we could do. The sides/drawers are 12 inches wide each, so this gives me plenty of wiggle room for my chair, new keyboard tray, and chair with arms. It also gives me plenty of space for all my stuff. I’m organized, but I take up a lot of room. We plan to let the sides “hang over” on each end by about 6 inches, so that also gives me room to stash a trash can too.

The new top isn’t very photogenic… at night… in our wood stove room. The close-up is more accurate for the shade of the stain.

 

I’m not sure if I should call the top done and poly it or dry brush it/whitewash it over the stain. The jury is still out on that. Much like the jury is still debating on what color to paint over the orange.

When the desk is done, my office will move to the spare bedroom. (the funky curtain that half covers was for the California guests we just had :)) The bed is gonna go, but I’m sure the cat will stay (found her yet? I canNOT take a picture without an animal showing up at just the perfect time).

I think the sewing table might stay too. who knows, I might actually get the sewing machine outta the box!

Hopefully, by next week, I’m blogging (oh yeah, and working) from my new desk in my new office…that was actually my office when I used the desk when it was red….

jackpot of freebies

Yesterday and today I scored some great free stuff.

My aunt has a shop that sells Vera, sandals, jewelry and other gifty type things. She needed a store watcher for a day, so my cousin and I hung out there on Thursday. It was once a flower shop and when they stopped doing flowers, they pretty much just shut the door on that room. So, I loaded my car before Jo came back made a stack to be approved upon her return.

I also knew that there were a few things that she wouldn't part with, so I taped notes on them letting her know that I would take them off her hands if need be. (I do things like that for family... :))

I had to fight Sophie over these. She wanted to eat the grape vines and started pulling apart the greenery.

I went was THISCLOSE to buying some of this last week when I was killing some time before my night class. Good thing I'm too cheap and held out!

This little box was also in my pile.

When I saw it, I thought, "Wow, I'll strip that and clean up the hardware and repaint it". Now that I have it home, I love the finish on it. I couldn't replicate this if I tried. And, I have some greens and golds/oranges going on in the livingroom so this might just stay the way it is. I don't think I can do it any better right now! It would look good redone, but it looks great as is!

And then came the potpourri. This is only half of it...

She had it on clearance and I said "Next time I'm here, I'll take some of that if any is left". 

Jo's response: "Do I have to wait?" and she got two bags and started loading me up.

I didn't expect to come home with THIRTEEN bags of the stuff! It smells pretty good, but it is so strong it gives me heartburn (yeah, I know.. that's weird). I currently have some "Ginger Tea" in a bowl-- with Saran Wrap on top of it to help dilute it a bit. I wanted it more for the great shapes than the smell though! It has little pine cones, pumpkins, flowers, balls, and all kinds of great shapes that I have no ideas for yet. 

I also had a sandal tragedy while I was leaving. My $4 flip flops that I bought before we got married... ummm.. yeah, 5 summers ago... broke. My cousin fixed them and that lasted until my first step onto the gravel parking lot. Jo handed me these and later said "I know Shannon will wear them even if they are ugly. She'll take anything free". 

She knows me well. So well that I now own green and orange elk flip flops :)

And finally, I know.. you thought the end was never gonna come, right? I helped my neighbor with her yardsale today. As I was walking around I saw a piano and said "that looks like the one in my living room except this one has a bench". I later discovered this little music box piano, with bench, in my car.

I was told that I have to keep it on my big piano and think of them every time I look at it :).

(Ignore the strips of beadboard wall paper that are also currently part of the decor up there :))

We've also been canning beans and beets and are about to do a round of salsa this weekend. I need to collect all the pictures from my camera and from Mom's and I'll post about them soon. So, get ready for some more long winded posts with bad pictures :)

We're hot and painting

Gimme an M

Gimme an O

Gimme an E

What's that spell?

Well, technically, "moe" but I don't think that was intentional... their hearts just weren't in it. They were too hot and tired to really play along.

But, this was the kind of help I got today... and most days, actually.

Not only are the animals typically too tired to do much ALL day, but we're doing an experiment here right now. We've turned off our AC... in mid June... when it is 99 degrees and 300% humidity. 

Instead of running the central air, we've put a window unit from the wood shop in our bedroom. We're only running it from about 7pm-7am. There is another one at the other end of the house in the upstairs that stays on most of the time. The downstairs is build into the ground in the back and is all concrete under the carpet. So... we're a bit warm, but we'll see if it saves any $ and electricity in a few weeks! And, it hasn't bee HOT in here yet.

Well... minus the pics from above from today when the little 'uns and I were in a room upstairs painting an unused dresser.

I was using the Behr Black Suede paint that I got for free at the Shop and Hop I attended. But, it was about 1/18th of a cup shy of really giving it the coat it needed. When we go to the dr Friday morning, we plan to swing past HD and getting another little pot of it. Then, I'll show the disaster of a dresser and closet I have right now because I need more drawers!

I heart free stuff!

It doesn't matter what it is-- if it is free, I'll take it!

Well, if it is furry and cute, I WANT to take it, but I know my hubby would keel over if I bring any more critters home....

On Sunday, I scored big with some freebies.

My aunt recently purchased a gift shop and has been doing some cleaning in a back room. She has a yard sale box where she's putting some stuff. Is it really stealing if you say, "hey, I'm stealing stuff out of your yard sale box" as you do it? I didn't think so either...

The little boxes/crates are going to get their labels peeled off and a coat of paint. The labels aren't as cool looking in real life as they are in the pics. They are basically a paper/plastic sticker and are super shiny. I may try to see if I can make them look better before I attack them with a scraper. The little canister is getting a coat of paint.. or something. The basket is just going to get it's liner washed, most likely. I only have plans for 2 of the 4 pieces right now though.

Then, I went to my mom's to pick up the puppy who wore herself out playing there all day and then swimming. (we already bought the pup from the shelter, so she wasn't a free find on this day... but the puppysitting was :))

Mom has one greenhouse this year and we have been slackers haven't decided where to plant things yet. So, I went through before we left and got 12 tomato plants, 6 yellow bell peppers, 6 green bell peppers, and 6 jalapenos. I planted them today in a bunch of pots we had around here. We have a great yard, but we have a lot of trees, so there isn't a "best" place to plant a garden.

The vine in the front is loofah. I got some from her last year and it stopped growing after 2 inches. This already has a leg up on that!

Not a bad day for free loot!

Slow going

Maybe I got ahead of myself yesterday. Today was THE day... but... it was more like "the day that Dustin put windows in the shed" rather than "the day Dustin built the chicken coop".

The side of the building getting "coop"ed. 

I was inside working and checked on him from time to time. Ellie is a daddy's girl, so she helped him for a while. She's not a fan of being hot though, so she really just wanted in. This look says, "Just take me inside so I can sleep on the couch and use a pillow...."

Meanwhile, this crazy thing that we let sleep in our bed was dying to get out and help.

She's still only outside on monitored visits. She's just insane. And, we live near a fairly fast road, so we're trying to keep little, crazy Sophie safe.

So, today, Dustin cut two holes in the building, framed up the windows, and then installed them. I told him it looks like he's making a lemonade stand. This was early enough in the day and pre-glass breaking, so he thought it was funny :).

Note in the above picture that his head looks like it is IN the glass? No, we are not magic. This was when I came out and noticed that the window was glassless. A big gust of wind knocked the whole window out the the frame while he was an inch too far away to catch it.  Of course! So, I think we'll get some plexiglass for this window. Luckily, my lemonade stand comment was earlier.. not sure it would have been funny (to him, ha) this late in the game :)

He put hinges on the windows so they will open and hooks and eyes on the bottom and the ceiling so they'll lock shut and can be locked open.

And... that's all that got done today. We now have big plans for tomorrow!

For now, though, this almost chicken farm girl has gotta get her heels on!

Recycling & Chickens

Tomorrow is an exciting day. First, I am guest posting at Fireflies and Jellybeans. It is my first guest appearance! So, check me out there and you'll find out why I've had so many stinking Styrofoam balls to craft with lately!

AND, cue dramatic music, tomorrow is THE big day. Yes, tomorrow, Dustin is beginning his long awaited chicken coop.

Disappointed? Sorry... it is big stuff here in our house right now.

 The view from the back steps (last summer).

He has been wanting chickens for a long time. He wants fresh eggs. Since we eat a grand total of less than a dozen eggs a MONTH, it makes perfect sense! :)

But, I'm on the chicken bandwagon now too. I hear they eat tons of bugs and will kill snakes. We may become bff. I'm tired of being a feast when I walk outside... and snakes.. we've had some snakes. And, of course, snakes are the ONLY things that just creep me out. Our first summer here, between Dustin and Dyna- the cat/killer extraordinaire (who was in a car accident last summer.. RIP Dyna-so-fina), killed TWENTY SEVEN. Yes, that's right 27. Bring on the chickens.

The only parts we will have to purchase are the chickens and the wire. He is converting a shed in the back into the coop and is using lumber from when we gutted the bathroom a few years ago for the rest. And, we just went to my mom's and got two old windows. (She has enclosed her porch with them and is about to build a greenhouse with the rest... I've threatened to make her "guest" blog about that here.)

To be honest, I've not seen the plans that have been drawn, edited, altered, and poured over yet... so I'm a bit confused about what we are doing.... but hey, they eat bugs and kill snakes. Welcome home, chickies, welcome home.

We are also going to a fancy, schmancy dinner tomorrow night in support of my neighbor's upcoming county commissioner race. No sweat pants there...

Nothing like building a chicken coop by day and then pretending I can walk in heels by night!

i carry your heart with me

Over the past month or so I have really wanted to do something about this....

Hopefully those of you who commented on the last blog about her creeping you out don't get haunted. But really.... she's creepy...

 

If you see her twin on Antique Roadshow or Pawn Stars and she's worth $2 million if you don't do what I'm about to do to her, please don't tell me. 

Yesterday, I posted about the new look her frame just got. Well, she got quite the make over as well. Once I popped her out of the frame, I realized that she was one with her backing. It was thick, good stuff, so she got to stay.... sort of....

My BA is in English and I've always loved literature and a handful of poets. ee cummings is one of those I randomly enjoy. His poem i carry your heart with me speaks to me on many levels. 

i carry your heart with me(i carry it in
my heart)i am never without it(anywhere
i go you go,my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing,my darling)

First, this poem is true about Dustin and me. We have a great relationship and I do carry his heart with me, as the poem states. Everything about this poem is us.

i fear
no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want
no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

It also speaks to me about our son. I've not mentioned it here, but our first born was stillborn on May 27th, 2009, on our 3rd wedding anniversary. We were 37 weeks. So, this poem speaks to be also because I carry Lane with me. I carry him in my heart.  His stone has a stanza of a poem with the moon in it, so moons are Lane to me. I carry both Dustin and Lane every day everywhere I go. So, this poem needs to be in our home. 

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart) 

I also love tree outlines, so I searched the internet for a clip art tree. I messed around with the sizing; I stretched it around; I changed the colors. Since the poem refers to trees and roots and buds, I felt that this was appropriate as well. We don't have anything fancy. I messed around with the pic in Microsoft's Picture program... it was free with our computer apparently.

I put the poem in Microsoft Publisher and messed around with size, color and font until I had it just right. Then I put the clip art in. I have never used this program before either, but it was perfect. I made the sheet the size I wanted and messed around until I had it the way I wanted. (I started THIS part of the process in December.-- I wanted it JUST.....RIGHT)

 

I printed what you see and planned to cut and match it all up. I was editor of my high school newspaper and this was how I had to put the paper together each time to send off to be printed. Not the best solution, but a solution. Once I printed all 4 sheets on photo paper, I realized that if I made it just a bit smaller that I could print it on TWO sheets and only have a horizontal line to match up.  Oh, hindsight. So, I tweaked it a bit, moved it off to the side and up a bit more and printed it again.... on two sheets this time. I already had the glossy paper. If I had to buy some, I would have done it in a matte finish, but I used what I had.

Then, I needed something to matte the pic with. I didn't have any fun fabric... or paper.... or anything, really. But, I'm impatient and have 700 pages of the dictionary left from when I wallpapered the hall with it. So, I used it. I didn't want it to be noticeable or to take away from the poem so I cut it in strips with no words really sticking out. I also glued it to the scary girl (yeah, right over the top of her) sideways and upside down. 

 

My hope is that she won't be angry since I didn't cover her face :)

I didn't cover the whole "painting" because, well, I didn't need to. I just used clear tape rolled onto itself and stuck my poem on it. It did take some precise cutting. (I wished that I was a scrapbooker and had the cutting tools while I did this). But, overall, it was super easy.

Then, I put it all back in the frame, hung it up, and took some pics. 

The book page border might not stay, but for now, I still like it. 

 

Ole creepy gal has had quite the makeover this week! 

I know my directions aren't the best here. I was trying, unsuccessfully, not to be too wordy. So, if you want to try it out and need some tips or better directions, leave me a comment or shoot me an email.

Filing bliss

One of these days, we will get this office/room above the garage/bonus room put together.

I have been officially working from home since July. Luckily, I get a lot of help from my staff.

 

Working wears a kitty out.

(this was before we moved the desk and before I crackled the entertainment center that is in the background.)

Since July, I have gone through 3 desks. All have been arranged randomly about the room. We finally found THE desk at a yard sale randomly driving to the bank in October (two weeks after I started blogging). All have been free, minus the one that I have now. It was still a good deal on a huge, antique desk though. I am cheap, but we are are willing to shell it out if it is a good deal.

We have also been on the hunt for a file cabinet. Between tax paperwork, military paperwork, work paperwork, important paperwork.... we have accumulated a lot of paperwork. Three cheers for graigslist..... no? Well, we love it.

A few weeks ago, I found this gem on there for $30.

 

Isn't she a beauty in all her random colors and bad paint jobs?

 We thought so too. Dustin attacked it with his air tools. I think that he just used a buffer to smooth it out, clean off the hardware and give me a good surface to paint.

 

Look at that bad photo SHINE! You can also see one of the buffed drawers behind. 

Then it was time to paint. Yes, I painted this in the bonus room/office/room above the garage....we need to figure out what to call this room... I had some paint left over from 3 years ago when I painted the living room so Canyon Tan it was. I planned to paint the hardware black, but it cleaned up so nicely that painting it is still under debate. One coat of Kilz and 2 coats of Canyon Tan later, making her blog debut....

...Our new old file cabinet!  No, it isn't a drastic make over, but it is so cleaned up now! (and all one color!)

I have a neat story about the picture above the cabinet, but I'll post it when I post my "Office Completion!" post. I know, I know.. the suspense is eating away at you.

 

I just made the little numbers.I found a font I liked and just printed them on computer paper. They are my 'good enough for right now' numbers. They will be printed on cardstock at some point, but I wasn't sure if they needed anything else first. And, I might still do letters.... decisions, decisions...

 A $30 purchase and some left over paint....

Now all that paperwork has a home! (and Margot has another object to sleep on)