Projects!

I think I'd mentioned that as part of the insurance work on the house we got new flooring in the craft room, downstairs landing, master bedroom and all 3 kids' bedrooms.

Here's the new flooring downstairs.  What we had before was a cardboard like dark wood laminate (?) that swelled and buckled as soon as it got wet.  We now have water resistant vinyl planks.

 

I added a nice shaggy rug to each side of our bed.

And some artwork!  All our clothes are in the closet and the dressers ended up in the kids' rooms.  We got rid of the IKEA bedroom furniture that V was using (It's gone through all 3 kids-it was the first "big kid" set we got), split the bunkbeds to give V and H each a bed and C has been using the futon that Paul brought with him to the marriage (don't worry, it's quite nice as most things Paul bought while single are-inner coils, etc. and it's a double size). 

We only had one nightstand between all 3 kids.  I got it in a thrift store or at a yard sale, painted it up and it's currently next to C's bed.  V's bed had drawers under it so we couldn't put a nightstand in front of it. When the boys bunked, the nightstand was next to the lower, and I used some pockets over the railing of the upper bed as a place to stash stuff, the bunks have gooseneck lamps that are attached to the headboards.

The kids all got Carpet.  H's room had cheap laminate that didn't match anything, C and V had parquet that had been installed when the house was built and either needed to be covered or refinished.  We opted to refinish since the kids all wanted carpet and it would mean one flooring for all three bedrooms.  While everything was out of the rooms, I also put a ton of storage shelving in the closets to make more floorspace.

V got Pokemon themed items for her birthday and opted to paint the walls gray to cover the pink.  The curtains were found on the clearance rack at Walmart in the US and the duvet was purchased off ebay and I cut down her Dora the Explorer blanket and shoved it inside.   (Note new carpet)

 

The lantern was from her birthday party (check the blog post in July for how it was made-dollarstore paper lantern).  We got Pokemon wall stickers off Amazon.  The mattress on the floor is normally tucked under H's bed, but we have family coming and the kids will be bunking together for the week.

 

 

H's room was not repainted but we put up coral and fish stickers as he thinks it is neat to pretend he lives in an aquarium! (see new carpet)

 

I took all the shelving I could find and stashed it in the kids' closets to make more floor room. We also moved a lot of toys and books into the kids' rooms after the big decluttering while the house was under construction.

 

Those dressers were in our room but we gave them to the kids.  They are dark wood like the beds.  But they needed bedstands.  I found these on Kijiji (ie: Canadian Craigslist).

 

 

And decided to take a stab at them.  After conversing with the seller I got them for $20 each and was assured they were hardwood.  Well, they sort of are.  The sides, drawer fronts, bottom, were but the top, back and bottom of drawer were all laminate.  Also, there was some evidence of mold/mildew on the skirt.

 

First I unscrewed the skirt.  Makes them a little shorter but the skirts were in bad shape anyway.  I knew I wanted to sand and stain.  I did with a mohagany gel stain I had on hand.  It turned out ok, I'm happier with H's than V's, which I accidently left on too long and it ended up splotchy (we're calling it "rustic").  H's is a little more even toned.  The backs I replaced with some darker laminate Paul had from some dark IKEA shelves that he hadn't attached.  The tops were a problem though.  I searched the internet and found this post:  https://www.hometalk.com/12829999/staining-laminate-yes-it-can-be-done?expand_all_questions=1

 

It suggests applying gel stain with a brush and not wiping off.  So I did that on the top and it turned out very nice, I think.  If you try this yourself, brush on then STEP AWAY.  The gel will settle into the brushstrokes. If you get some sawdust or something on, sand lightly and just lightly brush more on and step away.  It takes many days to cure. 

 

V's "rustic" bedstand

 

 

Nice, shiny top (was a light laminate before!)

H's turned out a little more even.  They sit flat on the floor now that the skirting is off, but they are still just higher than mattress height.

 

While I was out there I also purchased the matching "dresser" for $30. Those are very beat up brass handles (I tried to salvage them and ended up painting them.  I could eventually end up putting the black painted ones on, but for now I've set them aside.

 

 

It sanded up much nicer than the nightstands.  I took off the skirting (beat up and kind of moldy-plus it was too tall for a bench). 

 

I changed the handles (I could only find 3 " and 96 mm handles which are slightly smaller than the 4" holes I had) I had to put a dowel in one side and drill next to it to get the new handles to screw on.

 

I sanded it up, put two coats of Natural stain on it, then 2 of clear Varnish. Way easier than the nightstands. 

 

I had a cushion for the bench Paul took for a TV stand, however the new bench is wider. I got another 6 feet x 4 inches of foam from where I'd originally gotten the foam for $9.  (Note: Foam is not cheap).  I had some leftover fabric and could have extended the cushion fabric, but then I'd have weird seams.  Also when I originally made it I'd cut out all the pieces and they were fraying and splitting in some places. 

 

 

 

Paul and I went to Fabricland (basically the only place you can buy fabric where we live) and I found some upholstry/drapery fabric I was ok with that was about 54 inches wide.  It was also $34.99 a meter and I needed 2 meters.  Ack!  I talked to the cashier and found out that on the 27th they would have their boxing day sale and everything would be half off.  Sad I didn't have a Christmas project to keep me busy we headed off to Home Depot to try to find new stair runner carpet.

 

On our way to that department we came across the drapes.  We looked at them-heavy fabric that was 84" long and 54" wide.  Enough for one cushion.  And there were FOUR I liked that were on clearance for $15 each, score!  I picked one out and we headed home.

 

 

 

I figured out how to use my fabric:

 

 

 

 

(OK, I actually drew this after I'd sewn all the seams to show what I'd done I did it all in my head first!

 

Only the top rod loops were "spare" I used everything else and very much was happy to have all the hems done for me!

 

I got out the iron (I hate ironing clothing but seem to have no problems dragging it out for a good project!)  And ironed in where I wanted my seams.  I'd cut out my previous cushion and it was fraying everywhere because I have a sewing machine but no serger.  Using the drape allowed me to put seams in that weren't actually cut, more to shape the cushion cover.  My foam is 2" deep, 6 feet long and 20" wide (the bench top is 6 feet x 19 inches).  I folded at 2" and ironed the length. This would be my back. Then I made 3 folds 1/2 inch apart and ironed them, then I went 20" and folded, this would be my top, made my 3 folds 1/2 inch apart,  then I went 2" for my front, then did my 3 folds 1/2 inch apart, then another 20" for my bottom, then my 3 fold's 1/2 inch apart, then I had 2" left with a hem for the bottom back flap. I then did similarly on the sides for my 2" flaps.

 

I then put my folds together and sewed along the 2 outside lines, the 3rd line is the middle of my seam.

 

"right" side-so pretty! I'm not at the level where I'm matching up pattern yet!

 

I used these adhesive velcro circles to attach the two back tabs.  I stuck them where I wanted and sewed a few stitches through.  This made a huge mess of my needle and I probably should have hand sewn, but I'm not a huge fan of hand sewing.  You could also do a strip of velcro.

 

 

If the seam is in your way and you want to make it sit nicely but don't want more seams, you can use iron on hemming:

 

This will make them lay nicely.

 

 

The sides work much better if you make a "box". I'm not good at doing this part or explaining it!

 

I already had everything sewn together in a nice, flat piece. 

 

I took the end of the "front" 2 inch piece and cut the side seams, then ripped out the seams.

 

 

Then I fold one side over the flap, then the other and you end up with a "box corner"

Folding over other side. 

Sewing the box. 

It's the front corner.  This makes a pocket to put the foam into.

 

Don't forget to add some carpet non-slip gripper pad so you don't slide  around.

Finished product!  It's now the right size to sit on.

 

I also got a little stool for my computer/writing desk.

 

 

It's very cushioned and nice-it was $35 at the Hart store which opened this year at the mall in town.  I had a hard time finding one I liked.  This tucks into the corner and out of the way when I have the desk folded up.

 

Now I can park my car in the garage! Nothing like a week of snow every other day to motivate one to complete projects! I did these 3 wood pieces in under 2 weeks and it's snowing again, so the timing could not be better.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Halloween & Prepping for Christmas

Well, we got the house put back together!  The kids now have carpet and it looks like we won't owe anything for it due to all the work we did on our own.  Insurance settlement still to be signed off on.

We left off in Mid October.  I started tutoring 4 4th grade girls next door.  It's been interesting seeing how math is taught differently than I was taught and It's going alright.  We're making progress and I can see that it's helping. After one teaches them how to multiply 2 digits x 2 digits using distributive property apparently my old school ways make more sense.  I showed the kids and H was particularly interested to see how it worked to go up to really big digits. 

V caught up to H weight wise and now weighs about 54 pounds, H weighs just over 50.  He's still taller and about a size up in clothing. We'll see how long it lasts.

V's started educating me about things she's read or learnt in school. There's not much warning except that it usually starts before I've had coffee, over breakfast.  Her talk about Komodo Dragons:

Paul got to talk to Glen Howard, the best Canadian curler, ok, curler EVAH!! Here's proof! they were in a bonspeil together, not on the same sheet of ice, but he did offer to buy Paul a drink.

I baked cookies for H's class at school.  I had enough left over to make "poop" cookies to try out my newest cookie cutter. 

Halloween: C went with a friend, V stayed home to pass out candy, only H trick-or-treated around our neighborhood, up and down about 2 blocks.  It was actually kind of nice! H likes to chat people up and usually his brother and sister are more down to business and quick, H had a chance to talk to all the neighbors and it was pretty neat. 

 

H lost the last of the 4 teeth on top. He's now eating lunch at the hockey player table.

 

 

 

V learned a Remembrance Day song

 

 

 

We got our first carton of Egg nog. 

F V says, “oh egg nog, we’re back with a old friend.” She drinks it at every meal if possible.


Parent conferences were the best ever. Worst problems are that oldest is sometimes not interested in topic and middle is not eating enough lunch. All are doing fantastic-V does math and reading at a 4th grade level.  The boys are at the top of their classes. Well, C still has issues with French and P.E., but I'm not so worried about that.


We had a bday party for H with a few friends from school.  C and I made a bit of a treasure hunt/role play for the goodies. 

 

 

After H's birthday we decorated the Christmas tree

 

 

We put the lights up!

 

 (Note that this plus the tree lights are all the lights we own!)


A Christmas miracle, all 3 children had school pictures worth keeping

 

Paul and I had our 14th anniversary!

 

 

I finally installed towel racks in our upstairs bathroom.  Why it took me 4 years and why there weren't any in there in the first place I'll never know, but now that a certain someone is showering daily we need more towel racks that people can reach.

 

V practiced for her school Christmas concert.  A lot.  The boys are going to be excited when it's over and she stops practicing.

 

H and V are back to curling.  I've kept H with the 6-8 year olds that I instruct due to his size and maturity level. This means my kids make up about 1/3 of the Little Rockers at our club.

 

  There is a competition for curling in Ontario where they have to draw, hit and tap. He's been playing with the 6-8 year group even though he turned 9 last month because he's tiny! They play with little rocks (about 20-25 pounds) on a 1/2 sheet of ice rather than a full sheet. He's been a great help to me as he's experienced in the game and does demonstrations and is a leader for the other kids (it's his 3rd year). Unfortunately when they are 9 they have to do the contest on a full sheet of ice with rocks that are regulation (about 42 pounds). He tried for 1.5 hours to push the rock with his 50 pound body and can't get it a full sheet. Even though there were lots of tears of frustration, he did not give up. I was proud of his spirit!  We've since done some brainstorming and are working on some ideas of ways to help him throw the full sheet of ice.  I'll keep you all updated after the holidays. Meanwhile, his speech after playing in the Holiday Bonspeil (a competition-2 games with lunch in between.) We played a total of 7 ends.  As per usual, H got pretty frustrated by the end of the second game so as soon as the game tied up the other adult and I looked at each other and called it finished.

H's acceptance of prizes speech on behalf of all the players as the other boy had to leave and none of the girls would speak into the microphone.

 

 

 

We've had snow-last week we had 3 dumpings of about 3-4 inches each.  It then warmed and melted but there's a fresh dusting tonight. It's looking like a White Christmas is in our near future.

 

 

I've started physio (physical therapy for you Americans). My 13 years of diagnosis of carpel tunnel looks more like TOS (basically a neck that needs to be stretched out and the nerve pathways between it and my hands is messed up).  So between physio, tutoring, reading with V's class and curling I've been keeping busy.  Oh, not to mention both H and I had a wicked 24 hour stomach bug over the last week.

But tonight the holiday concert!

 

 

I'll show pictures of how the house turned out and my recent furniture projects when I get them done in the next few days.  Merry Christmas!

 

 

 

 

 

Why I'm so tired and progress on the house

September is when I get all my projects done that I've put on a "when the kids go back to school" list.  The last two years I've been lucky enough to have Paul home to help me, but this year he also went out of the house each day. 

The first two weeks were spent talking to contractors about how to fix the damage from the March storm, signing kids up for activities, getting caught up on laundry, grocery shopping (we had pretty much used up everything in the fridge and freezer), touch up painting around the house and other odd jobs, including a much needed tidy up of the house and the neglected yard.

As soon as I got the house clean, everything caught up, etc.  the contractors let me know they were ready to start work. 

Work list:
V's room: repair ceiling drywall inside and outside of closet, scrap the ceiling (we have popcorn and since a lot would need to be scraped anyway, we figured it was a good time to update it to a flat ceiling); repaint all walls (due to drywall tears when taking the mold out as well as expected damage as the ceiling redo was done)

H's room: repair ceiling drywall inside of closet and paint closet (I opted to do this as I'll explain later)

Workroom/office: repair ceiling drywall where the mold barrier ripped it, repair drywall that had to be removed (2 bottom walls) due to drywall remediation, repaint all walls, new flooring that also extends to hallway and bedroom.

There was also some tape/ceiling damage in the rec room that we are opting not to have repaired at this time as a) it will save a headache of trying to get everything moved around from rooms that need stuff out of them (when the flooring is put in, our bedroom AND the office will need to be emptied.  We'd also need to empty the rec room if we did the repairs now).  It's a lot of money.  The rec room is not terribly noticeable and will be fixed at a future time, however we're going to hold off at the moment.  We do not know if the repairs will be done by us or hired out.

I opted to move the contents out of the rooms and paint H's closet because in addition to all of the above, we're opting to put carpet in the kids' bedrooms.  2 have 1960s parquet (not a tragedy, but they really could use a sand & stain-big job) and the other has a pretty cheap laminate in it.  The kids all have expressed wanting carpet and to thank them for all the upheaval we're doing it. We also get a discount on the installation because they'll already come out for the floor, so it made sense to do it now while 2 of the rooms will be empty. By doing all our own heavy lifting, painting the closet and opting to save the rec room for later, we will almost (I think!) have paid for the carpet.  We'll still need to address the rec room and I've been very busy, but I think it will be worth it.

First-unload the workroom (formerly my office, but after all this it will be a studio where both the kids and I can create) and 2 smaller bedrooms:

I'm invading the rec room and bathroom

 

looks like a super-fun place to do laundry right?

 

 

The living room has all the kids' stuff. You can't even see their dressers, which surround the TV.  C's stuff will be added to the mix in 2 weeks when the carpet arrives.

 

All the kids are bunking together. Guess how fun it is to get everyone to bed on school nights?

 

 

My hope is once the paint smell dissipates a little I can move the mattresses back to other rooms for the 2 weeks until carpet arrives.

 

Last week and this week the drywall and paint was done.  A sneak peek of V's no longer pink/white room which will soon be transformed into a Pokemon paradise.

 

 

Paul thinks the flat ceiling makes it look even bigger than before.

 

So, while the inside has been driving me nuts and torn apart, I've turned my sights to the outside. Namely the drains.  2 of the drains can go into the dip between us and the elementary school, so I've decided on the advice of the office of the siding guy (I'll fill you in on that later)  to bury the drainage rather than keep hitting it with the mower.

 

The side drains: front has a dry well as it ended up a little deeper than I was expecting due to roots, etc.

 

 

grass seed has been planted hoping the rain will get it watered and little sprouts will show with all the nice temperatures we are having.

 

The back side drain:

 

 

more grass seed planted

 

I like this one better-it has a bit of a little dry river bed that ends next to a tree and the fence.

 

The front drain, though had no where to go and had been buried into the garden but was in about 4 pieces and full of dirt, so I dug it up and had originally thought about putting in a PVC french drain and running that through the garden.  Then I consulted with my dad and Paul and it was decided to connect the front drain to the back and shoot it out past our deck/gazebo and down the slope.

 

  The drain previously went along the front of the fence (buried) under the walkway and out to the garden. I dug up the old drain.

 

sloping along the house. I told Paul if the white bothers me I'll spray it brown or red to match the brick.

It goes underground by the time it connect to the back downspout.  We've not glued it together so in the summer the rainbarrel can be hooked up and it's in a few pieces right now. at some point we'll make it a little prettier with one spout at a proper angle.  This back spout goes into an upside down T and diagonally under those really heavy paving stones (they are about at my weight limit for what I can lift and have to be lifted a few times each to be properly leveled back into place. 

I finally gave up for the evening when my arm looked like this from the mosquitos feasting while I tried to finish up before dark

 

 

I keep telling Paul I'm not tired from all the digging, I just have West Nile Virus (it was found on the trail behind us, could happen, just saying)

 

 

The pipe then straightens under these pavers which I made with the kids using flower bucket bottoms and cement, both left from other projects with some dollar store glass rocks.  They kept getting dirty and gross in every big rain though. Their purpose is a clean place to put my bare feet so I can uncover the hot tub since the pad is just wide enough for the tub itself, so since I was playing with pea gravel generously donated to the project by my sister-in-law from her now-gone playset, I used a little to solve this problem as well.

 

It then turns under the pad and heads down the hill between our deck gazebo/outdoor eating area/bike storage area and the fence

 

The reason there are bricks on the fence side is that due to the fence being held up by that lovely stick wedged into it down below, it is being replaced next summer, so I bordered the gravel and moved the pipe closer to the gazebo side from the fence side so that when the fence is replaced we have less things to work around.

 

I was also tired of mowing behind them before, but now that the stick is there, I can't get the mower in there, so I'm stuck weed eating. Now I won't be.

 

On the left is my little dry riverbed which actually continues through a hole under the root. I couldn't continue any further down the slope directly due to HUG roots from a tree just where the gravel stops. I'm hoping as I find small rocks in the garden and around the yard I will gradually cover the last bits of landscape fabric.

 

 

I also beautified where our sump pump exits.

 

The sump pump wasn't hooked up when we moved in, so we hooked it up, removed a few deck boards and it now comes out on the back of the gazebo.

 

 

So this is why I'm tired, I've been moving furniture, digging about 70 feet of trenches, hauling pea gravel between my inlaws and my house and all around the yard, not only are my arms and legs sore (the legs are new and started last night, I'm guess from hauling gravel) but my carpel tunnel is acting up and my hand go numb with alarming regularity these last two weeks.  I am drinking lots of water and I have started calling around to find an acupuncturist to see as it's helped in the past when other things didn't and now that Paul has insurance through work, I can get a few appointments covered with only a copay.

 

 

We are now in a holding pattern for 2 weeks when we empty the last two bedrooms-the vinyl laminate flooring for downstairs comes the 30th, the carpet comes the 31st and the 1st will hopefully be spent finishing up baseboards (some are changing due to flooring, some pulled off when the drywall was replaced, etc.) and while Paul's curling that first weekend in November the kids and I will be putting everything back together.  I've had the windows open all day but suspect the kids will still be sleeping together tonight, but maybe not tomorrow night!

 

 

First day of everything

The kids started school!

V and C started in split classes, but all 3 have now ended up in straight 7th, 4th and 2nd grade classes as the school has done a little reshuffling between teachers hired for expected students and the students that actually came on the first day.  C will be next door this year and next year before going over to the elementary school.  His teacher is new to the school and seems young (not brand new, but a little younger than me I would guess) and very excited with her new job.  H is in a classroom that is between the upstairs and downstairs in an alcove.  He says that there's not much noise from the hallway, but there is noise from the nearby gymnasium.  V is still downstairs in the primary grades.  H is very excited to apply to volunteer to hand out milk and pizza at lunch time.  They all seem pleased with their teachers.  They have a new principal and no vice principal this year. The PE classes will be taught by the former learning resource teacher (who has worked with both C and H in the past) who is also the cross country coach.

 

And in big news, the hubby is going off to work as well!  After 2 years off work, he's got a low-stress, 35 hours a week job at a University that's only a 15 minute commute door to door.  It's a little different work than he's used to, but he's hopeful it will be something to keep him busy.

 

It's been very quiet this first week, but I've been very busy with projects I'd put off while the kids were still home and I haven't yet had a chance to sit around with my feet up and eat bon bons.  I'm enjoying cooking and baking back in my own kitchen and even made a pie with the cherries I froze from our tree this summer.