Our First House Before/Afters

Our first house is currently on the market, so I thought I'd share some before and afters of our house. We loved this house, but we are wanting to be in a better school zone before Hailey starts Kindergarten in the fall. So, someone come make us an offer!

Well there you have it! I am very happy with what we've done, and can't wait to more updating on a new house! Speaking of another house, we have an offer on one, and should hear something soon! Yippee!

What a steal of a DEAL!!- Computer Nook

Here is our new little computer nook. We used to have our desktop computer in our third bedroom. The problem was we never used it in there. So, we decided that we should move it into the kitchen area where it would be more convenient.

Problem #1: we didn't have a nice desk to put it on.

Solution: Find a cute simple white desk from Ikea on Craigslist. I wanted a white desk to match my new white cabinets.

Problem #2: Ugly hunk of junk 15" computer monitor

Solution: a new flat screen 22" monitor.

Doesn't it look wonderful? We found the monitor on clearance at Target. It was originally $160, but we got it for about $50. I was so excited!

Now, I have all the important calendars and information within arms reach of the computer (Look on the fridge to the left of the computer).

Here is a close up of the desk! Yay! I am so happy with the results!

A New Hobby

When I found this blog, I instantly fell in love! Ana is the creative genius behind Knock Off Wood. She designs furniture plans for the true DIYer. Her plans not only Knock-Off stores like Pottery Barn and Land of Nod, but they completely knock them out! Go visit her blog and take a look yourself.

For my first building project, I wanted something simple. I have been on the hunt for a nice inexpensive entry table for some time now. When she posted these plans for the "Easiest, Rustic, Modern Console Table Ever" I knew this was my answer. So, I headed off to Home Depot and bought the lumber and had them cut it to size.

Then, my husband and I built the table from Ana's plans and added a shelf for extra storage space. Here it is after being built. It still needs paint.

Then I sanded and painted. It took two coats of paint.

Here is the table with a lovely model.

DONE!!

I am so excited it! I turned out better than I thought it would. It was so easy to build! I can't wait to start on more building projects. Maybe a table? a bed? entertainment center? cubbies? Oh the possibilities are endless. And she posts new plans just about everyday!!

I am linking to:

Kitchen Makeover: Part II- Painting the Countertops

If you remember in a previous post we took my kitchen looking like this:

to this:

After I had my cabinets painted and looking MUCH better. It was time to tackle the countertops!!

First, I painted all surfaces and edges of the countertops using Glidden Gripper Primer in Grey. (Notice how nasty the original counter look in this picture)

Then, I covered all walls, cabinets, and sinks that would be exposed to the spray paint.

 I used  Valspar Stone spray paint (from Michaels) and sprayed about 2 coats on all surfaces of the countertop.

It then looked like this:

I let the spray paint dry overnight.

Next I used Envirotex Lite (from Michaels- using 50% off coupons) and covered the countertops with a thick layer.

I let it dry for 72 hours without putting anything on the countertop.

And a close up:

To review here are the 3 stages of my kitchen transformation:

What a difference a little paint can make!!!

I am linking to:




and  

 
And speaking of makeovers Traci has a giveaway on her blog for $50 gift certificates for interior design services. Go now and enter!

the Local Taco

Hailey and I ate lunch with KK at a cute little joint called the Local Taco. We enjoyed seeing KK before she leaves for a mission trip to Guatamala.

Kitchen Makeover: Part I- Painting the Cabinets

Alright, here is the LONG overdue kitchen makeover post, beginning with the kitchen cabinets. When we bought our house the kitchen looked like this (it hurts my eyes just to look at it):

Note the lovely wood paneling and wallpaper pictured below....

We removed the wallpaper and painted the walls the day we moved in. Which turned into this (yes, I know... horrible picture)...

Yes, better.... but still completely horrible. So, I finally decided to paint the cabinets (best decision ever). Here are some photos during the makeover:

Here is the easier on the eyes AFTER:

There was not a dishwasher in the house when we moved in. In order to put one in, we moved the fridge to the opposite wall. The dishwasher is in the fridge's old location. We bought a cheap peice of countertop at the habitat home store, and cut it to fit. It obviously doesn't match, but it was fine temporarily....



Click HERE for Kitchen Makeover Part II: Painting the Countertops.


I am linking to:
http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2010/03/welcome-to-63rd-metamorphosis-monday.html

Memorable Moments of 2009

These are some of the most memorable comments (that I thought of writing down) of 2009. I already have a list started for this year. ENJOY!

"That one is a crack house Mommy."- HGJ (Feb. 2009) **refers to picture below**

"I want my teeth to fall out." -HGJ (Feb 26, 2009)

While praying....
"Thankyou for those big things.... in Mommy's shirt." -HGJ (Feb 28, 2009)
"Your tummy's big, suck it in." - HGJ (Mar. 1, 2009)


"KK's outside talking to herself." -HGJ (Apr. 16, 2009)

"Daddy's a genius. He can put things upside down." -HGJ (Apr. 16, 2009)
"Nobody comes into my room until they bring money to put into my piggy bank." -HGJ (May 25, 2009)
Mike: "We're such a weird family."
Hailey: "Yeah, ya'll are." - (June 3, 2009)
Mike: "Hailey did you know we are going on a trip?"
Hailey: "Yes. Are we going on an airplane?"
Mike: "No, we are taking a long car ride.
Hailey: "To God, or Jesus, or Heaven?" - (June 3, 2009)


Hailey's Prayer Tonight:
"Dear God,
Thank you for Gmom and Gpop. Let us all go to heaven so we can see gmom.
Amen." - (July 9, 2009)

Hailey: "I want to see the rock obama."
Mike: "What do you want to do?"
Hailey: "I want to see the rock obama."
Mike: "What do you want to see Barrack Obama do?"
Hailey: "I want to see the rock obama eat." (September 14, 2009)


"Do we take an airplane to heaven?"- HGJ (September 20,2009)

"Is there a potty in heaven?" -HGJ (September20,2009)


Hailey: "I don't know who I am."
Mike: "You're Hailey Grace Jones."
Hailey: "I don't really feel like Hailey Grace Jones." (November 3, 2009)