Monday, February 14, 2011

" Hello Friends "

Hi everyone, I hope that you all are enjoying this Valentine's Day.
I also hope that everybody had a good weekend. 
The weather here has been improving and we were actually able to open up our front door today. The storm door is still closed of coarse but it was nice to let a bit of the sunshine and air in the house.


My dogs always enjoy it when the door is open as it gives them plenty of excuses to bark and bark and bark! So I finally closed the door just a bit ago. I've also noticed that the sun is setting later which is so nice.
We, well I, had a very busy weekend. I wanted to do another "Collections" post but I was just too busy with Jake being home with bruised ribs and Katie, well Katie was gone most of the time.


She went to my son's house to babysit for this one....


most of the day on Saturday. Oh but I'm jumping ahead of myself. I have a rare photo to show you. If you've been here long enough you know that Katie's (My youngest,16) best friend spends the night nearly every Friday night. Also on Friday evenings, the girls get ready and go to church for kids night.

They really enjoy this and now that Kate is driving it makes life easier for us! I'm sorry, on to the photo that I actually got "Permission" to post, which for Katie is rare! And if you've been here enough you will know which one is Katie, if not, just guess!


The girls were getting ready for church and I thought the double turban towel heads were cute!

So,
now I can go back to Saturday. Katie was gone all day and I had to wait on, I mean take care of my helpless husband all weekend!
When he is home, the dogs are ALWAYS by his side, always!




They are so spoiled, all three of them!!
As badly bruised and injured as my husband was this weekend, I was amazed that he was able to play so many video games! This is a good thing as it kept him busy while I worked on a project of my own.
Our teeny, tiny downstairs bathroom has a teeny, tiny wood vanity that had seen better days. It was stained wood and had been scratched and stained over the years. I have no idea how old it is as it's been here before we were which is over twelve years now.

 I only regret that I didn't get a before photo of it but I just sort of last minute decided to work on this and jumped right into it on Friday afternoon. I sanded it first, primed then painted it. One of the drawer fronts was broken off and the drawer itself had long since been broken. So I decided to paint the drawer front and glue it back on the vanity. I also painted the little shelf that sits next to it.

The shelves will be hard to see in the photo as this bathroom is so teeny, tiny that I couldn't get far enough away to get the whole photo but you'll get the idea. I finished it today and was very pleased with the results!


Little by little I have been learning to use more of my husbands power tools and fix things that I never have before. I don't like having to rely on others to fix everything for me and since my husband is only home four days a month, I'd like to be able to take some of the burdens away from him. 

I am getting better with the tools and handier but I still have to learn to tackle some basic plumbing. This very much intimidates me. And my stepfather was a plumber! My husband is excellent with plumbing but I just feel that I should be able to learn to change a faucet at least! And while I know enough to shut of the water before doing a plumbing project, I still have a fear of water flowing uncontrollably, everywhere. It's just a fear that I need to tackle some day.

If the weather keeps cooperating I plan on caulking and painting all of the outside windows in a few weeks. This is something that I have done before and am quite good at, but there are 15 windows on the first floor that need to be done desperately and I am not looking forward to this!!

Well that's enough about work. I have one last photo for you. I love this one. Jake and I were having homemade popcorn Friday night. Our pug, Ruby loves popcorn. The picture is self explanatory! 


That, my friends is her look of desperation! And yes, she did get a piece or two. I don't like to give the dogs too much table food, but every now and then, I'll let them have a piece or two.

Well friends that was my exciting weekend. Oh I almost forgot. After Kate got home from babysitting Saturday, Jake and I were able to go to church together. This is rare. I am usually alone. So I thoroughly enjoyed having his company!

I have a busy week scheduled but I still want to do another post on 
"Collections" so I will try and fit that in. And if I haven't visited you yet this weekend, I will be there I promise. 

I can always find the time for a visit with a friend!
Happy Valentine's Day, you are all sweethearts to me! 

30 comments:

Rebecca said...

Di, the bathroom cabinet turned out BEAUTIFULLY! I'm very impressed.

Loved all the pictures & the fact you got to go to church with your hubby. I hope he is making steady improvement & can be back to work making $$$ soon :)

I'm sure Katie is the shy one in the background of that picture, right?

Gary said...

Rebecca told me about your vanity, Diana. It looks great. I am sure it made it seem a little bigger with the white vanity as opposed to wood. Nice job!

Diana said...

Hi Rebecca!
Jake went back to work today. He is pretty uncomfortable but from what we've read, that lasts for awhile!
I was so happy to see Gary here as I was going to ask you to show him the vanity!
Katie is the one making the face!
Love Di ♥

Diana said...

Hi Gary,
Believe it or not, the first person I thought of when I finished the vanity was you! I did what you said and was very pleased with the results. And yes, the room seemed immediately bigger! Thanks for the help and encouragement Gary! Love Di ♥

Cindy said...

Di I think the cabinet looks great, wow 15 windows will keep you busy. glad you had Jake home with you for a few days. love to you, c

Arlee Bird said...

You could go into the home remodeling business. That's a very professional looking job.

Lee
Tossing It Out and the Blogging From A to Z April Challenge 2011

Lois Evensen said...

Wow, what a great job on that vanity. It looks so very nice. It's amazing what a fresh coat of paint will do.

The doggies are wonderful! I love the pictures. Ours get excited about popcorn, too.

Hugs,
Lois

Barb said...

Di, you are always on to the next project! That vanity looks brand new. I hope Jake is healing well. He and the pups look quite content. My Mom was also very handy - she tarred our roof when necessary and could get under the sink and fix a leaky pipe, too. I did not inherit those handy genes unfortunately! Happy Valentine's Day, Di and Jake (and Katie)!

Wanda..... said...

Hi Di, you did such a wonderful job on the vanity. You've accomplished so much, on things around the house this winter. Come Spring everything inside will be done, no spring cleaning for you!
I'm wondering, what's next on your list.

Have a good week!

Bernie said...

Di what a lovely job you did on the vanity. I should be like you and learn to use tools, I have an electric screwdriver and everything is tight around here but that is about it. I think I just may tackle my brown vanity in my powder room. I know I would like myself better if I accompolished something like this. So glad Jake was home this weekend, I know how much you love having him home. Katie looks great in her picture, she is a ham! Happy Valentines Day sweetie, hope it was a great one.....:-)Hugs

Rae said...

The girls are cute in their turban towels. Glad to hear your hubby is feeling better.
I am impressed with your handy work. That vanity looks fantastic. Looks professionally done. lol- Now you can make your way north to work on mine:)

anupama said...

Dear Di,
Namaste!
Good Morning!
The new paint and vanity looks awesome!You know a lot of job to do alone!:)Great!
Happy to know your sweetheart was with you on Valentine's Day!
Let the love be eternal!God Bless You!
Wishing you a beautiful day,
Sasneham,
Anu

Jackie said...

Di....Cute photo of Katie (I guessed which one she was!! :)) )
I'm sorry that Jake is still in pain. What a good nurse he has in you, my friend. Please tell him that I have been diligently praying for him...for his pain to ease and that he will feel better soon.
You are a master cabinet restorer, Di. Impressed I am! Good on ya! Very good, Di.
I am glad to read that you and Jake were able to go to church together. You are such a sweet couple.
Love to you,
Jackie

Gutsy Living said...

Now I'm jealous. You know how to replace a faucet? I need to learn that. Isn't it tough to only see your husband four days a month?

Diana said...

Hi Cinner,
Actually we have 19 windows on the first floor but unfortunately only four have storm windows. So a painting I will go!
Love Di ♥


Hi Arlee,
Thank you, I love working with my hands. Love Di ♥



Hi Lois,
Thank you! I loved the way the cabinet came out. And it wasn't hard at all! Love Di ♥

Diana said...

Hi Barb,
I can't sit still very long. It is was drives me to learn!
Love Di ♥


Hi Wanda,
I am wondering what's next on my list too. And yes, I do intend on having the spring cleaning done way early! This way I can get outside Way early!!
Love Di ♥


Hi Bernie,
If you decide to do your Vanity just let me know. This was surprisingly easy. I miss you! Love Di ♥

Diana said...

Hi Rae,
If I'm up your way, I'd be happy to help! It was easy! Love Di ♥


Hi Anu,
I am glad that you liked my handy work. I am still learning and don't intend on stopping! Love Di ♥


Hi Jackie,
It is a sweet treat when Jake and I can go to church together. I always feel like a widow all alone. But every now and then the timing works out. Thank you for the prayers.
Love Di ♥

Diana said...

Hi Sonia,
Yes it is very tough. Being a truck drivers wife is not easy and takes a lot of faith and determination. I've been one for 21 years and it's still hard.
But we can't help who we fall in live with. You have to be a very strong person to live this lifestyle.
It's definitely not for an insecure personality! Love Di ♥

Maria said...

Hi Diana!
Wow... the vanity looks great!
Kate looks like she's enjoying life! It IS great when they can get themselves where they need to go... I remember all the hours spent in the car- before they were on their own... Wishing her safe travels!
Glad to know that Jake is on the mend ~ and that you could worship together this weekend.
Wishing you love and joy today and all year long!
*love,
Maria

Anvilcloud said...

You are quite the handywoman. You could begin a new career.

jules said...

I love how the vanity turned out. It's amazing what some hard work can do for something that's older.

Lena said...

Wow, Di! Busy, busy weekend you had!!
Have the best of weeks!!

Love, XXX

Unknown said...

you are such a handy-woman! that is so great! The vanity looks brand new! Hope your hubby feels better. I have been so lousy doing my blog, but I read everyones EVERY DAY! hehe I always think of really fun post when I am ready for bed, then sit and think and think of funny things to say then forget them the next day....hey this could be a post huh?

All Dolled Up Doll Clothes said...

Hi Di, Your vanity now looks brand new. Beautiful job. It sounds like you are really becoming quite handy, using power tools. I am a bit envious of you. My husband has a scroll saw that I would love to learn how to use.

Hugs, Terrie

tattytiara said...

You did a great job! I love the photo with the two dogs - looks like he's applying them like heating pads to his poor sore ribs. Hey, I swear I once cleared a chest cold just from having my little dog sleep on it for a couple hours!

Lynilu said...

Wow, you dd an awesome job on that vanity! I'm really impressed, Di!

Love the pictures, especially of the two girls, er, that one girl and the other tongue. Chuckle! The 3 spoiled babies .... love it! Is he going to be home for a while? I think my fav is Ruby with popcorn lust in her eyes, though! OMG, she is looking for trouble!

Margaret Pangert said...

You're so talented, Diana! Power tools! The shelves are beautiful; do you remember when you wanted to do something with that triangular closet? Whatever happened to that project? The pug is adorable! I saw one just like him at the Westchester Dog Show this weekend... Did you see it? There was one German shepherd (my dog), too! And yes, I think we're getting a teeny, tiny taste of spring! Love, Margaret ♥

Ronda said...

Hi Diana,
Your vanity looks wonderful!! It's amazing how good it makes you feel when you've accomplished something that you might not have been comfortable about to begin with. Loved the picture of Ruby. I have a thing for Pugs...I grew up with 3 of them. If it weren't for my husband and his 'thing' about small dogs I would have a Pug. They're so darn cute!! :-)

Anonymous said...

Enjoyed reading your post! Hope your hubby is healing!

The Bookworm said...

Lovely photos, thanks for sharing. Ruby is a trip!!! The wood vanity looks great.