Barstool Make Under
Maybe you remember 137 years ago when I posted this photo? It was more like 3 weeks ago, but who’s counting? That was a chalk paint fail. I was trying to make over these barstools, which I loved 8 years ago. What do I feel now? Definitely not love, but I don’t detest them. That would require too much energy. The wood base was actually in good shape on all three of the stools. The faux leather tops, however, were looking like they’d been mauled by a pack of animals used by small children for the past 8 years. The barstools had admirably served their purpose, but it was time for them to go.…
Interesting 5-Minute Reads
Let’s get a little random today! I haven’t read any books worth talking about lately, but I have read some awesome essays on a variety of topics. Regardless of whether or not I agree with the opinion or topic, I love it when an author propels me to contemplate the issue at hand. Here are 4 articles I found interesting this week. Having It All Kinda Sucks I have wasted far too much time questioning my life choices related to working and motherhood. It’s ridiculous and I know I’m not alone. The essay Having It All Kinda Sucks by Amy Westervelt sums the issue up much more eloquently than I ever could. That Amy,…
Oh Happy Day
I feel extraordinarily blessed to have a few really close friends. They live in different places and entered my life at completely different times. I say with all sincerity (and minus my usual sarcasm) that I cherish the unique role they each play in my life. Oh, and in case they haven’t figured this out yet, no matter where I go or what I do, they are stuck with me! One of those friends has a birthday today. HURRAY!!! She is smart and capable. Funny and kind. She is beautiful on the inside and out. She gives her love freely. She’s an amazing mom. She’s always prepared – her purse is like a…
Step Stool (from High School Shop Class) Makeover Part 2
We have two step stools that were made during high school shop class. Anyone else have such a treasure? After all these years, the stools are still super sturdy. Education for the win! I made over the first stool last year, but the second stool was still in dire need of a refresh. As you can see, it has been lovingly cared for for many years. I decided to makeover the stool using natural wood and stained wood. That’s how my thought processes start – very vague. While I was mulling the direction the makeover should go, I dived in and sanded the stool down with my Ridgid Sander. With the stool freshly sanded,…
Friday Funny
I recently started reading How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell with my children. Do you remember that book? One boy takes a bet to eat 15 worms in 15 days and if he does his friends will give him $50. A movie was made in 2006 based on the book. From what I can tell from this trailer, the premise is a little different, but something my kids would probably eat right up. Pun definitely intended. My kids are loving this book. It has the kid factor, the gross factor and the “would I really do it” factor going on. On the day we started reading this book, I took the kids…
DIY Wood Blocks
Most of the projects on this blog have one thing in common: me. This project is the exception. Besides taking pictures, I had nothing to do with this project. I’ve got to tell you, doing nothing felt GREAT! Ever since we went to Discovery Place in Charlotte, North Carolina, my husband has been talking about making some blocks for our son to play with at home. Because we don’t have enough Legos. On Friday of last week Handy Husband came home with 8 strips of door stop moulding and announced he was going to make a bunch of blocks for our 5-year-old. “You might want to write about this,” he said. “Stop sweet…
Leather Wrapped Basket Handle
I may have to ditch my felt obsession and move on to leather cording. Kidding, kidding. Felt, I will always love you. I have a large, but plain, black basket that is currently pulling duty as the keeper of random books in our living room. I’d say the basket dates back to approximately 2 B.C. That’s 2 years Before Children. I have a vague recollection of that time in my life. I believe it involved power lunches and sleeping in on Saturdays…and Sundays. Anyway, one day last week, the basket really started to bug me. I think it’s the brain’s way of saying you can’t control the twists and turns of life, but you can makeover…
Homemade Thin Mint Ice Cream
I consider myself fairly progressive and that’s why on Sunday I had my trusty circa 1999 boombox with the crooked antenna tuned into NPR’s Weekend Edition. I was ready to get caught up on the news while I ironed some laundry (yes, my life is that glamorous) when I heard the show’s host ask her guest if Girl Scout cookies are oversaturated in the market. Huh? Was there not any real news this weekend? The show went on to talk about what you can do if you are just so tired of eating your regular ol’ Girl Scout cookies straight from the box. I’m all for mixing things up and we’re going to…
Learning Fractions the Banana Bread Way
Last week bananas were piling up on my kitchen counter. It was quickly becoming a DEFCON “EWWW” situation. I needed to bring resolution to the predicament ASAP because I really, really don’t like to waste produce. Enter my favorite banana bread recipe which uses 4 bananas. Not a problem! I had 6 bananas. I was going to leave the other two bananas sitting there all lonely and forlorn on the counter when I realized I didn’t have to waste them. I could make a batch and a half of banana bread because I’m good with fractions. I went to public school, folks. I know what you are thinking. “Annisa, this is starting off as…
How to Crew for an UltraMarathon Runner
“He’s a beast!” “Is he crazy?” “Oh, I KNOW he’s a special kind of crazy to do that.” “I wouldn’t even drive that far!” These are all things people said to me about my husband running an ultramarathon. An ultramarathon is any distance over a traditional marathon of 26.2 miles. To which I replied: Yes. Yes he is. Probably. You seem to know a lot about crazy. Neither would I. Here’s the deal. All ultramarathons are different. In some way, shape or form that runner is going to need support. There’s the practical stuff: food, supplies, medical, transportation. There’s also the intangible stuff like providing emotional support. Sometimes they need a cheerleader,…
