Sew, Now What?

Since someone gave me the bug about tablescapes, I've decided that I want to try to make a few simple placemats and napkins and such. I could probably have faired ok with fabric glue and/or fusible tape, but thought I'd see if someone had a sewing machine collecting dust that I could give a new home to.

I emailed my local freecycle group and had an answer from a very nice woman within the hour. She had a vintage model Singer machine that she had purchased very cheaply at a yard sale several years ago and had never used it, so she was more than happy to gift it to me.

Now the fun begins. I don't know how to sew!

Ok, I did learn the VERY basics as a young lady, but that was 35 years ago or better. I do remember being terribly intimidated at learning how to thread the machine, so that's the first thing I googled when I got this machine home.

Fortunately for me, you can get instructions for just about anything on this earth with just a few keystrokes, so within minutes I had a pictorial walk-thru on how to thread this beast, as well as a full manual available for download should I decide to be really daring.

Since I have no thread or any other supplies, sewing notions are on my list to pick up in town tomorrow.

Sew ...

... my new windows are on the back burner.

... the bathroom sink that won't drain is no longer at the top of the list.

... patching, priming and painting my bedroom seem less of a priority.

... my land that needs 'scaping will just have to wait.


Sew what?

It's Not Easy Being Green

My only dining table is green, with green chairs to match. I bought it at a no-frills closeout furniture store in NC many years ago and fell in love with the style of the table, even though I wasn't crazy about the color. It has a tile top (green also) where you can pull the sides out and the leaf pops up - very convenient, and I don't think I'll ever go back to another style.


Being green, it limits what I can do with the room that it's in, and taxes my very limited decorating skills. I stared at it long and hard this morning and pondered on a solution. They are dinged and chipped anyway, so ...

Paint.

The seat of the chairs are a brown/cherry color and they're just fine, but I can paint the legs and back of the chairs and the legs of the table and pull it all together. I don't think I'll attempt to paint the top of the table because it's rubbery stuff between the tiles and I'm not sure how that would work, but keeping it covered will solve that little problem.



Now that that's decided, what color?

I thought about white, but I don't think it would look well with the seat color. Thought about country white/cream, but not sure how that would look with the white bead-board I plan on putting on the lower portion of that wall.

Black.

I had a can of black spray paint on hand so took one of the chairs to the garage and painted two legs so I could see the contrast next to the seat. It's a flat finish and I'll want something with a bit of gloss to it, but I think the color will be great. I might even consider distressing them.



Cementing the idea is the fact that my new desk on the other side of that large room is a cherry finish with black accents. Perfect!

(This is the pic from the box - mine is almost this neat)

This should be a fairly simple project even for me, so for the cost of a couple cans of spray paint, I'll have a whole new look. Whatdya think?

My Journey Towards Table-Scaping

It's all her fault, the sweet lady that lives in the Little House in the Desert.

I've never lived in one place long enough to really turn it into a home, and of course never had money for extras anyway, but I'm determined to make this house 'mine', whether I ever have a single person walk through my doorway as company or not. I always have my cyber-visitors to share with, right?

I stopped at the Salvation Army while running errands yesterday and during my wandering I happened over to the section with dishes and glassware and such. I stopped and looked, picked up several pieces, hunted for coordinating pieces, put down, picked up more, walked to the other side of the store, came back, got a cart, put things in the cart, decided against them and put them back on the shelf - yadda yadda yadda. This went on for quite some time and then I walked out of the store with nothing.

Almost everything was half price but stupid me couldn't decide, so I didn't get anything at all! I saw a good number of pretty dishes, but I honestly hadn't given much thought to what I'd need for a tablescape so rather than buy things that wouldn't be used, I chickened out until I could think on it a bit more.

I remembered to look for tablecloths and place mats and did find a pretty pink tablecloth at Goodwill (my next stop) for $1.50 and then made the mistake of stopping at Big Lots following that. They had several tablecloths and runners and loads of place mats. I opted for plain yellow linen-like placemats at $1 each and also a crocheted table topper that I think will work catty-corner on top of a tablecloth, and a matching table running that I can use on my sofa-table or the dining table. At $2.50 each they seemed like a good investment.








The next find at Big Lots was chargers. I know what chargers are, but I've never set a table with one in all of my 51 years, so this was virgin territory for me. They had them in metallic gold and platinum color, a box of four for $6.00, so I got a box of each. I figured those along with black and white chargers in my china cabinet (that I don't have yet, but will probably now need) would be enough for most any tablescape I might try to construct.

Next stop - the local $1 store. Oh, I could have filled up several baskets worth of Easter goodies, but I restrained myself. I did pick up a packet of pretty grass in 3 colors, a bag of plastic eggs, some pretty purple paper plates (say that 5 times fast!) - purple for My King - small white bowls, small white paper doilies, and one other little goodie that reminded me of my childhood that I'll try to incorporate into a centerpiece somehow. I'm hoping to find enough other things to put together a simple table for Easter.

Oh, and I can't forget the two rooster placemats. They were $1.50 each and they had only the two of them, but they will be just right for my small kitchen table after I paint the kitchen and find the rest of my rooster and sunflower things.


I did find the box that had my pretty blue dishes that I fell in love with at an antique/country store when I was living in Minnesota several years ago. I was able to fill in some pieces that I found on the internet and I have the cups and saucers too, but goodness knows where they might be right now. Since these are the only 'pretty' dishes I have so far, I'm sure they will show up on my first real tablescape.



Now mind you, I have just about run out of funds since purchasing my house two weeks ago, I have windows that need to be replaced, a bathroom that needs everything from the sub-floor on up, more than one plumbing issue, land in desperate need of 'scaping - the list is endless - not to mention there is still a 10' x 25' storage locker full of things that I've got to move and settle in here somehow - and here I am thinking about tablescapes, when I can't even see my dining room table.

Will I ever put a table together worth sharing on Tablescape Thursday? Probably not, but it gives me something to aspire for.



Tablescape Thursday is hosted by Susan at Between Naps on the Porch. Click the link or photo to visit and learn more.

Moving Out, Moving In, Moving On

It has been a long, tedious process moving out of the old rental home since we did everything without a moving truck, rather used a small, flat trailer for the large things and then just the back of the SUV for everything else. I couldn't count the number of trips back and forth! Each time I put things away in the kitchen and thought I had things halfway organized where I wanted them, here came another box or two and I had to start all over again. I think I have used up the entire water supply for my area between washing dishes and doing laundry, but I am determined to have things cleaned and put away (somewhere!).

Sunday afternoon was spent picking up the last few miscellaneous items and then cleaning up. I met with the landlord yesterday and he was pleased with the way the place looked (which isn't saying much, believe me) and wrote a check for my entire deposit. I had that $500 earmarked for one of several different projects that need attention in my new house, but as is the norm, that is likely to change.

While finishing up the un-wallpapering in my bedroom, I took a closer look at the two windows. They're in pretty sad shape and since I don't have air conditioning I will need to be able to open/close them easily for ventilation. I've never dealt with replacing windows and I'm having a tough time finding prices online, but as best I can figure it will probably be $150-200 per window, plus installantion. Uh oh, there goes the $500 rent deposit refund. While I'm not happy with that news, I am thankful that the money is there and pray that something else doesn't come up that is more urgently needed.

Here are pics of my naked bedroom, which I will probably wait to clothe until after I get the windows fixed.










The nasty splotches in the photo with the chair were an unexpected gift. The baseboard heater made the area right above it so dry that when I removed the wallpaper, the paint in that area came with it. It will require extra attention when patching and priming, but hopefully it won't turn into a major project (Ha! Who am I kidding?).

Did I say in my earlier post that little miss Molly wasn't getting into everything? I think I may need to amend that! Here she is with the towel she nabbed that was hanging on the stove handle, her food dish and placemat, and this morning, the curtains. Ah, gotta love puppy-hood ...












The more I watch her, the move I'm convinced that the chow/mastiff mix that I was told is not correct. I'm sure they said chow because she has big black splotches on her tongue, but those are really like freckles and can appear in many breeds.  I see no signs of any form of mastiff or chow, and my veterinarian agrees. I still think some sort of retriever, maybe golden or lab, and my vet says she has the face of a beagle. (Edited:  Molly's DNA test says she's St. Bernard/GSD/Golden Retriever, and I believe that).  She already has one adult tooth so she thinks she may be closer to 4 months old rather than the 3 months that I was told. If that's true, then she would probably be bigger than she is now if she was any amount of mastiff or other large breed.

I still don't care what her parentage is, she's a lovely little girl and an absolute joy in my life.

Meet Miss Molly

(click images for larger view)

Most of you know that I've been wanting to get a dog as soon as I got into my new home as I've been miserable in a rental home that didn't allow pets.

I visited the local county humane society a week or so ago and while there were a lot of pretty neat pooches, there just wasn't that 'one' that reached out and grabbed me, so I waited.

I went to run a few errands yesterday and decided to stop in at the shelter for another walk through. I went into the puppy room first and this cute little furball was wiggling her little puppy butt to beat the band, so after visiting with the rest of the dogs, I asked if we could take that pup out to play with and check her out further.

Oh, she was so excited to be out of that cage, jumping and playing everywhere, grabbing every toy she could find. It was all over for me, so I filled out the paperwork and said I would be back to pick her up after I finished my errands (which of course now meant buying collar, food, dish, toys, etc).

Without further ado, meet Miss Molly.

Molly is a 12 wk old Chow/Mastiff mix. (Edit:  I had Molly's DNA tested later and found she is a mix of St. Bernard/German Shepherd Dog/Golden Retriever!  Of course she more favors the Golden).  I probably wouldn't have chosen a full Chow because of some of the issues with that breed, but even as small as she is, Molly is exhibiting none of the negative behavioral characteristics. She is a sweet, lovable little girl, loves to play but isn't obnoxious, enjoys romping with us on the floor or in the yard, yet is quite content to go find a spot to nap when she is done. She's inquisitive, yet not overly so where she is getting into everything. Very alert, she checks out every sound she hears.

I don't know who was responsible for the first 3 months of her life, but they did a very good job of socializing and helping her to be the sweet young lady that she is. Miss Molly now has a forever home, and I couldn't be more blessed.

Welcome home, Molly.

Decisions, Decisions ....

(Click images for larger view)

I'm anxious to get my bedroom put together and have been 'window shopping' online to find bedding. I think I've decided on a warm taupe for the walls, but it's probably best to get the bedding before making a firm decision on the shade or opting for another color.

I've gone back and forth between several colors and styles, but I really needed to get this done, so just now ordered this set from JC Penney. It comes with the comforter, bedskirt, two pillow shams and a bonus quilt for $99.

I had a coupon code for either free shipping or $20 off an order of $100 or more. The shipping was $19.25, so the $20 savings was a better deal. I was debating on ordering any of the accent pillows, so since I got the $20 off I splurged and got one of them, which put me over the $100 needed to use the coupon. Unfortunately the accent pillow is on back-order, so I'm hoping I won't have to pay a separate shipping fee when it comes in.

Oh yea, I went through ebates and will get an extra $5 in my account for this purchase, so this was a really good deal all the way around. If you'd like to know how to get cash back from your online shopping, click on the word ebates - you get your first $5 just for signing up!

My bed is still in storage, but here's what the footboard looks like. I think this bedding will look nice with my bed - it better, after all the time I took to make the final decision!

They Are New Every Morning

Another shiny new day is upon us here in south/central Ohio. It was cold enough to frost overnight, but the sun is out and making quick work of that. I think it's only supposed to get into the 40s today, so it will be a good day for a little physical work cleaning up my bedroom walls.

I forgot to mention earlier about the other issue with my shower - I didn't have a shower head! The only thing that was there was the little pipe that you attach the head to, but no shower head attachment at all. I don't recall what I had seen when first looking at the home, but I'm assuming it must have been a nice one and the former owner took it with her. No big deal, I added that to my list of 'must haves'. As it turns out, I found a nice one at Lowe's that was originally somewhere around $45 that I got on sale for $17 - can't beat that! It has three different settings and feels wonderful, so it was a happy ending.

I took this photo out my front door this morning and it reminded me of Lamentations 3:21-23 (NIV)

Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:

Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed,
for His compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;
great is Your faithfulness.

He is faithful indeed. Have a blessed day...

Busy - But Loving It!

Things are starting to come together a little at a time, but there is still so much to do. I have the basics - a bed to sleep in, the couch and recliner, refrigerator and stove, and most of my dishes/pans in the kitchen, so I can't complain. I don't think I'll ever be satisfied with how the cabinets are organized and I think I've changed something around every day, but that's ok - I didn't even have cabinets in the little rental home I was in, so I am enjoying the opportunity to move things around as I want.

I have counters! I have room to put my canisters without laying them on their side! (Yes, I am easily pleased). The cabinets are in good shape, but I do want to paint and/or stain them and change hardware. What's up there now has too much of a mediterranean look for my tastes - definitely not 'me'. That should be a pretty easy fix, but I've got other things that need my attention (and $$$) first. I did take one handle off a cabinet to see what it would look like, and I really think they will look better with something smaller and more casual.



I'd really like to get my bedroom set here, but I need to get the nasty wallpaper off and paint before I do. I think it will be so much easier to do without the bed and dresser to move around. Here's what I started with and where I am now:

Yuck

The first day here I went to take a shower only to find out that the thing you pull down in the faucet to make the shower work wasn't functioning - uh oh. Tom's brother stopped by a day or so later and he investigated and saved the day. He took the faucet off and pried it open to find a small rock stuck in there. He thinks that it may have been a chunk of calcification that had come loose and embedded itself after the water had been turned back on after recent plumbing in the kitchen. The hot water in the bathroom sink only comes out at a trickle too, so he thinks it may be a related issue and is going to tackle that project on another day. Ahhh, the trials of home ownership.

Yes, I've uncovered minor pitfalls and I know there will be more, but it has not dampened my spirits one bit. To go from a tiny, cold, 600sf house with no closets and a bathroom where you can take care of all manners of your daily toilette from one spot - well, anything is a blessing after that, and my 1400sf with a real kitchen, huge dining/living room area, garage and an acre of land is a dream come true. I am truly thankful that this opportunity was made available to me.

Shirley loves it here too - she has her own private fish pond!


































I hope to be sharing more 'after' pictures soon!

I'm Home!

The evening of 3 March 2009, I became a land-owner again.

It's been a long time coming and I didn't think I'd ever see the day, but with a lot of persistence and sacrifice and of course the Lord's help, I am in my new home.

I had hoped to blog more often and chronicle the process, but I guess that just wasn't meant to be. I'll try to fill in some blanks as I start anew.

Closing was a nightmare. We were under an extreme time crunch due to changing rates, lock-ins, seller pending foreclosure, both realtors going out of town - you name it. We had issues with the VA appraiser, structural engineer, contractor and insurance that had to be tied up at the last minute. As it is, they were still emailing some of the necessary documents while I was signing others and some of it was done backwards, but I am very thankful that it did get done.

Moving is still an ongoing process but we were able to get enough things moved so that I am now living in my home. I found out after closing that cable isn't out here so have to go with Horizon telephone. After visiting their office, I was informed that even they don't carry television service out here, so there goes my cheaper bundled rate. I was able to get telephone and ADSL for my internet, and opted to go with DishNetwork for TV, and that is hooked up and working fine, now I just need to get a bit more educated on how it all works. The phone was working at one point, but I realized yesterday that I no longer have a dial tone, so I think the installer for the DSL might have kerfoodled something, so I will have to call them today.

Living on my military retirement income alone didn't allow for a very lavish home, but I am ever so thankful for the opportunity to purchase a home at all. There are many projects to tackle, but I'm more than satisfied with what I was able to get and know the rest will come together in time. There are so many more things on the plus side that outweigh the smaller issues.

See what I woke up to my first morning in my new home?

The farm across the street has 9 yearling bulls that greet me twice a day. Yep, I think I'm going to like it out here just fine ...