Sunday, February 3, 2013

2012: My Year in Reading (Full Book and Audio List)

I was going over my 101 in 1001 list before uploading it to the blog, and was adding titles to Number 38, when I realized that I hadn't really read much last year.

To be honest, it's not that I didn't have time to read, because I probably did. I spent a bunch of time online, which takes away from longer chunks of reading time. Some of it was because I just wasn't in the mood for reading, or the books took longer than normal.

I had less non-fiction than I usually do, but I found that it's easier to listen to it rather than actually read it, and during the summer, I challenged myself to explore a different genre from what I am normally drawn to, with some success.


Grand Total: 78
Audio: 14
Non-Fiction: 5



January 2012 (5)
• Borrower of the Night by Elizabeth Peters
• Playing for the Ashes by Elizabeth George
• Jazz Funeral by Julie Smith
• 6 Killer Bodies by Stephanie Bond
• Audio: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by MaryAnn Shaffer

February 2012 (7)
• Dancing at Midnight by Julia Quinn
• The Evil That Men Do by Jeanne M Dams
• DC Dead by Stuart Woods
• In the Presence of the Enemy by Elizabeth George
• Au Revoir Crazy European Chick by Joe Schreiber
• Vigilante by Stephen J Cannell
• Audio: The Medusa Plot (Cahills v. Vespers 1) by Gordon Korman

March 2012 (8)
• The Falls by Ian Rankin
• The Titan’s Curse by Rick Riordan
• The First Rule by Robert Crais
• The Paris Vendetta by Steve Berry
• The Resurrection Men by Ian Rankin
• The Sentry by Robert Crais
• Audio: A King’s Ransom (Cahills v. Vespers 2) by Jude Watson
• Audio: The Titan’s Curse by Rick Riordan

April 2012 (6)
• The Affair by Lee Child
• Wormwood by Susan Wittig Albert
• Fault Line by Barry Eisler
• Non-fiction: London Under: The Secret History Beneath the Streets by Peter Ackroyd
• Hex and the City by Simon R Green
• Audio: The Dead of Night (Cahills v. Vespers 3)

May 2012 (4)
• Angel Condemned by Mary Stanton
• Inside Out by Barry Eisler
• A Gentleman’s Honor by Stephanie Laurens
• Audio: Changeless by Gail Carriger

June 2012 (12)
• Deception On His Mind by Elizabeth George
• A Summer in Europe by Marilyn Brandt
• The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen
• Sisterhood Everlasting by Ann Brashares
• Never Sit Down in a Hoopskirt and Other Things I Learned in Southern Belle Hell by Crickett Rumley
• Magnolia Wednesdays by Wendy Wax
• Queen Bee of Mimosa Branch by Haywood Smith
• Some Danger Involved by Will Thomas
• Best Staged Plans by Claire Cook
• Fourth Day by Zoe Sharp
• Audio: The 39 Clues Cahill Files: Operation Trinity

July 2012 (11)
• To Kingdom Come by Will Thomas
• Explosive Eighteen by Janet Evanovich
• Day by Day Armageddon by J L Bourne
• Wife For Hire by Janet Evanovich
• The Religious Body by Catherine Aird
• The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen
• I’d Tell You I Love You, But Then I’d Have to Kill You by Ally Carter
• Tin City by David Housewright
• The Tuesday Club Murders by Agatha Christie
• A Question of Blood by Ian Rankin
• Audio: Blameless by Gail Carriger

August 2012 (6)
• Fiddle Dee Death by Caroline Cousins
• Summer in the South by Cathy Holton
• Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen
• Non-Fiction: I Suck at Girls by Justin Halpern
• Creole Belle by James Lee Burke
• Fleshmarket Alley by Ian Rankin

September 2012 (5)
• The Detachment by Barry Eisler
• Henrietta Who? by Catherine Aird
• The Naming of the Dead by Ian Rankin
• The Limehouse Text by Will Thomas
• Audio: Heartless by Gail Carriger

October 2012 (5)
• The Best Night of Your (Pathetic) Life by Tara Attebrando
• Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy by Ally Carter
• The Emperor’s Tomb by Steve Berry
• Audio: The Bayou Trilogy by Daniel Woodrell
• Audio: Shatterproof (Cahills v. Vespers 4)

November 2012 (5)
• Non-Fiction: American Sniper by Chris Kyle
• A Wanted Man by Lee Child
• Hardball by Sara Paretsky
• Audio: Dear John by Nicholas Sparks
• Audio: The Long Road Home by Martha Raddatz

December 2012 (4)
• The Jefferson Key by Steve Berry
• Don’t Judge a Girl by Her Cover by Ally Carter
• Only the Good Spy Young by Ally Carter
• Audio: Into the Fire by Dakota Meyer & Bing West

101 in 1001 January 2013 Happy New Year Edition

Finished: 48
In Process: 10
Percent finished: 47.52%
Left to go: 52.48%



Finances/Giving (7/12) [in Process: 0]
1. Get Emergency Fund up to $1000 [Done 15 March 2011]
2. Pay off and close Chase Visa
3. Pay off and close Target Visa
4. Get Emergency Fund up to 3 months (~12,000)
5. Get a used truck
6. Put a $50 bill in the second collection basket [Done 5 November 2011]
7. Put a $100 bill in the second collection basket [Done 14 April 2012]
8. Donate to the Food Shelf 10 times ($25 or equivalent) (10/10) [Done 28 October 2011]
9. Leave a 100% tip 5 times (5/5) [Done 15 October 2011]
10. Choose 2 kids from the Jesse Tree during Christmas & get them presents [Done 29 November 2011]
11. Give to a family in need during the holidays
12. Buy a scratch-off lottery ticket & donate 25% of the winnings to charity [Done 18 September 2010]

House Inside (7/12) [In Process: 2]
13. Hang up 5 pictures (5/5) [Done 17 November 2010]
14. Frame Tree picture [Done 9 September 2010]
15. Paint back room and closet [Done 13 October 2010]
16. Paint hall storage closet & set up shelves [Done 17 August 2010]
17. Spruce up front door area (outside: welcome mat, flower pots/ inside: bench, mirror, lamp)
18. Finish basement
19. Back door/entryway re-do
20. Repaint & redo my office
21. Hang curtains or blinds in master bedroom & the Kid’s room [Done 18 October 2010]
22. Get dining room chairs
23. Repaint Laundry Room [Done 19 October 2011]
24. Repaint/redo master bathroom/closet [Done 5 October 2010]

House Outside (3/12) [In Process: 2]
25. Plant 5 trees in yard (5/5) [Done 4 August 2012]
26. Put in back flower bed
27. Paint Storage Shed same color as house
28. Back entryway outside re-do (transition between steps and red rock)
29. Build garage
30. Put in front flower bed
31. Put in front tower flower bed
32. Put in side flower bed
33. Level out north side of house & put down the decorative rock
34. Get covers for grill & fireplace
35. Get rid of stumps in back yard [Done 28 August 2010]
36. Get a flag for front porch (and install said flag) [Done 3 July 2011]

To Do/Watch/Read (6/12)
[In Process: 4]
37. Watch 101 movies (84/101)
January 2013
• Pink Panther 2
• Silver Linings Playbook
• Arbitrage
• Zero Dark Thirty
• Jeff Who Lives at Home
• Our Idiot Brother
• 17 Again

38. Read 101 books (247/101) [ The 101 was done 2 May 2011]
39. Go to a Cowboys-Vikings game
40. See 5 Minnesota Tourist Attractions (0/5)
41. Visit 5 art galleries in Minnesota (1/5)
42. Watch all seasons of “24” (3/8)
43. Watch all seasons of “MI-5” (10/10) [Done 16 April 2012]
44. Complete a crossword puzzle book
45. Watch 5 documentaries (5/5) [done 10 February 2011]
46. Read 5 Non-fiction books (5/5) [Done 3 November 2011]
47. Donate 100, 000 grains of rice on FreeRice.com (100,000/100,000) [Done 31 May 2012]
48. Do 5 things from the “365 Things to do in the Twin Cities” (5/5) [Done 17 December 2011]

Health (2/12) [In Process: 0]
49. Walk to work 30 times (30/30) [Done 14 March 2011]
50. Bike around the lake
51. 175
52. 165
53. 155
54. 145
55. 135
56. Get eyes checked
57. Get new glasses or contacts
58. Get annual physical [Done 16 September 2010]
59. Do the 200 sit-ups challenge
60. Track my progress with Wii Fit for 28 consecutive days.

Grown-up/Family stuff (3/12) [In Process: 1]
61. Change life insurance beneficiaries
62. Write wills
63. Write living wills
64. Get family picture taken
65. Send out Christmas cards with aforementioned family picture on it
66. Host Brother/Sister Christmas party [Done 18 December 2010]
67. Have a family board/card game night 5 times (2/5)
68. Buy a new “grown-up” outfit (shirt/pants) [Done 23 July 2011]
69. Take a family vacation
70. Make a picture family tree
71. Get first aid certified
72. Get the Kid a car safety kit for her car [Done 28 December 2010]

Spiritual/Church (5/12) [In Process: 2]
73. Learn the Rosary Prayers
74. Go to a Latin Mass
75. Go to daily Mass for a week
76. Donate time, talent, or treasure for the CCW Bazaar [Done 1 October 2010]
77. Read the Tao te Ching [Done 18 September 2010]
78. Get a new St Christopher Medal
79. Do the Advent readings and wreath one year [Done 7 January 2011]
80. Do the Lenten readings one year [Done 9 April 2012]
81. Do the Rice Bowl project one year [Done 17 April 2011]
82. Light an intention candle 10 times (10/10) [Done 25 August 2012]
83. Attend Mass in the Basilica
84. Attend 2 Lenten dinners

Food (10/11) [In Process: 0]
85. Make a cake & icing (or cupcakes) from scratch [Done 24 July 2010]
86. Try 3 new restaurants (3/3) [Done 17 June 2011]
87. Do one week of meal planning [Done 31 December 2010]
88. Do one month of meal planning [Done 3 July 2011]
89. Eat 1 serving of fruit a day for a week (7/7) [Done 12 July 2010]
90. Try a new recipe [Done 1 October 2010]
91. Make cookies from scratch [Done 23 September 2010]
92. Try a different flavor ice cream (no vanilla/chocolate) [Done 12 August 2010]
93. Limit Diet Coke to 2 servings per day for 1 consecutive week (0/7 days)
94. No fast food for a month [Done 9 April 2011]
95. Try 5 different kinds of apples (5/5) [Done July 2010]

Just Because (4/6) [In Process: 0]
96. Donate hair to Locks of Love one more time [Done 3 September 2012]
97. Take part in a pub quiz [Done 16 January 2011]
98. Complete a 500+ piece puzzle
99. Fly first class
100. Start a Tumblr [Done 8 July 2010]: http://daughteroftime.tumblr.com
101. Do a 365 day photo challenge [Done 31 December 2011]

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

101 in 1001 November & December 2012

Finished: 48
In Process: 10
Percent finished: 47.52%
Left to go: 52.48%



Finances/Giving (7/12) [in Process: 0]
1. Get Emergency Fund up to $1000 [Done 15 March 2011]
2. Pay off and close Chase Visa
3. Pay off and close Target Visa
4. Get Emergency Fund up to 3 months (~12,000)
5. Get a used truck
6. Put a $50 bill in the second collection basket [Done 5 November 2011]
7. Put a $100 bill in the second collection basket [Done 14 April 2012]
8. Donate to the Food Shelf 10 times ($25 or equivalent) (10/10) [Done 28 October 2011]
9. Leave a 100% tip 5 times (5/5) [Done 15 October 2011]
10. Choose 2 kids from the Jesse Tree during Christmas & get them presents [Done 29 November 2011]
11. Give to a family in need during the holidays
12. Buy a scratch-off lottery ticket & donate 25% of the winnings to charity [Done 18 September 2010]

House Inside (7/12) [In Process: 2]
13. Hang up 5 pictures (5/5) [Done 17 November 2010]
14. Frame Tree picture [Done 9 September 2010]
15. Paint back room and closet [Done 13 October 2010]
16. Paint hall storage closet & set up shelves [Done 17 August 2010]
17. Spruce up front door area (outside: welcome mat, flower pots/ inside: bench, mirror, lamp)
18. Finish basement
19. Back door/entryway re-do
20. Repaint & redo my office
21. Hang curtains or blinds in master bedroom & the Kid’s room [Done 18 October 2010]
22. Get dining room chairs
23. Repaint Laundry Room [Done 19 October 2011]
24. Repaint/redo master bathroom/closet [Done 5 October 2010]

House Outside (3/12) [In Process: 2]
25. Plant 5 trees in yard (5/5) [Done 4 August 2012]
26. Put in back flower bed
27. Paint Storage Shed same color as house
28. Back entryway outside re-do (transition between steps and red rock)
29. Build garage
30. Put in front flower bed
31. Put in front tower flower bed
32. Put in side flower bed
33. Level out north side of house & put down the decorative rock
34. Get covers for grill & fireplace
35. Get rid of stumps in back yard [Done 28 August 2010]
36. Get a flag for front porch (and install said flag) [Done 3 July 2011]

To Do/Watch/Read (6/12)
[In Process: 4]
37. Watch 101 movies (77/101)
November and December 2012
• Casino Royale
• Quantum of Solace
• Ironman
• Skyfall
• Bad Boys
• The Rise of the Guardians
• Bad Boys II
• The Battle for Marjah
• Argo
• Hancock
• Twilight
• New Moon
• The Bourne Identity
• Armadillo

38. Read 101 books (238/101) [ The 101 was done 2 May 2011]
39. Go to a Cowboys-Vikings game
40. See 5 Minnesota Tourist Attractions (0/5)
41. Visit 5 art galleries in Minnesota (1/5)
42. Watch all seasons of “24” (3/8)
43. Watch all seasons of “MI-5” (10/10) [Done 16 April 2012]
44. Complete a crossword puzzle book
45. Watch 5 documentaries (5/5) [done 10 February 2011]
46. Read 5 Non-fiction books (5/5) [Done 3 November 2011]
47. Donate 100, 000 grains of rice on FreeRice.com (100,000/100,000) [Done 31 May 2012]
48. Do 5 things from the “365 Things to do in the Twin Cities” (5/5) [Done 17 December 2011]

Health (2/12) [In Process: 0]
49. Walk to work 30 times (30/30) [Done 14 March 2011]
50. Bike around the lake
51. 175
52. 165
53. 155
54. 145
55. 135
56. Get eyes checked
57. Get new glasses or contacts
58. Get annual physical [Done 16 September 2010]
59. Do the 200 sit-ups challenge
60. Track my progress with Wii Fit for 28 consecutive days.

Grown-up/Family stuff (3/12) [In Process: 1]
61. Change life insurance beneficiaries
62. Write wills
63. Write living wills
64. Get family picture taken
65. Send out Christmas cards with aforementioned family picture on it
66. Host Brother/Sister Christmas party [Done 18 December 2010]
67. Have a family board/card game night 5 times (2/5)
68. Buy a new “grown-up” outfit (shirt/pants) [Done 23 July 2011]
69. Take a family vacation
70. Make a picture family tree
71. Get first aid certified
72. Get the Kid a car safety kit for her car [Done 28 December 2010]

Spiritual/Church (5/12) [In Process: 2]
73. Learn the Rosary Prayers
74. Go to a Latin Mass
75. Go to daily Mass for a week
76. Donate time, talent, or treasure for the CCW Bazaar [Done 1 October 2010]
77. Read the Tao te Ching [Done 18 September 2010]
78. Get a new St Christopher Medal
79. Do the Advent readings and wreath one year [Done 7 January 2011]
80. Do the Lenten readings one year [Done 9 April 2012]
81. Do the Rice Bowl project one year [Done 17 April 2011]
82. Light an intention candle 10 times (10/10) [Done 25 August 2012]
83. Attend Mass in the Basilica
84. Attend 2 Lenten dinners

Food (10/11) [In Process: 0]
85. Make a cake & icing (or cupcakes) from scratch [Done 24 July 2010]
86. Try 3 new restaurants (3/3) [Done 17 June 2011]
87. Do one week of meal planning [Done 31 December 2010]
88. Do one month of meal planning [Done 3 July 2011]
89. Eat 1 serving of fruit a day for a week (7/7) [Done 12 July 2010]
90. Try a new recipe [Done 1 October 2010]
91. Make cookies from scratch [Done 23 September 2010]
92. Try a different flavor ice cream (no vanilla/chocolate) [Done 12 August 2010]
93. Limit Diet Coke to 2 servings per day for 1 consecutive week (0/7 days)
94. No fast food for a month [Done 9 April 2011]
95. Try 5 different kinds of apples (5/5) [Done July 2010]

Just Because (4/6) [In Process: 0]
96. Donate hair to Locks of Love one more time [Done 3 September 2012]
97. Take part in a pub quiz [Done 16 January 2011]
98. Complete a 500+ piece puzzle
99. Fly first class
100. Start a Tumblr [Done 8 July 2010]: http://daughteroftime.tumblr.com
101. Do a 365 day photo challenge [Done 31 December 2011]

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

101 in 1001 October Edition

Well. No discernable progress. But I did watch 2 movies, so there's that.

Remind me next time to put smaller things on the list.

Who am I kidding? That's not going to happen.

Anyway.

Finished: 48
In Process: 10
Percent finished: 47.52%
Left to go: 52.48%



Finances/Giving (7/12) [in Process: 0]
1. Get Emergency Fund up to $1000 [Done 15 March 2011]
2. Pay off and close Chase Visa
3. Pay off and close Target Visa
4. Get Emergency Fund up to 3 months (~12,000)
5. Get a used truck
6. Put a $50 bill in the second collection basket [Done 5 November 2011]
7. Put a $100 bill in the second collection basket [Done 14 April 2012]
8. Donate to the Food Shelf 10 times ($25 or equivalent) (10/10) [Done 28 October 2011]
9. Leave a 100% tip 5 times (5/5) [Done 15 October 2011]
10. Choose 2 kids from the Jesse Tree during Christmas & get them presents [Done 29 November 2011]
11. Give to a family in need during the holidays
12. Buy a scratch-off lottery ticket & donate 25% of the winnings to charity [Done 18 September 2010]

House Inside (7/12) [In Process: 2]
13. Hang up 5 pictures (5/5) [Done 17 November 2010]
14. Frame Tree picture [Done 9 September 2010]
15. Paint back room and closet [Done 13 October 2010]
16. Paint hall storage closet & set up shelves [Done 17 August 2010]
17. Spruce up front door area (outside: welcome mat, flower pots/ inside: bench, mirror, lamp)
18. Finish basement
19. Back door/entryway re-do
20. Repaint & redo my office
21. Hang curtains or blinds in master bedroom & the Kid’s room [Done 18 October 2010]
22. Get dining room chairs
23. Repaint Laundry Room [Done 19 October 2011]
24. Repaint/redo master bathroom/closet [Done 5 October 2010]

House Outside (3/12) [In Process: 2]
25. Plant 5 trees in yard (5/5) [Done 4 August 2012]
26. Put in back flower bed
27. Paint Storage Shed same color as house
28. Back entryway outside re-do (transition between steps and red rock)
29. Build garage
30. Put in front flower bed
31. Put in front tower flower bed
32. Put in side flower bed
33. Level out north side of house & put down the decorative rock
34. Get covers for grill & fireplace
35. Get rid of stumps in back yard [Done 28 August 2010]
36. Get a flag for front porch (and install said flag) [Done 3 July 2011]

To Do/Watch/Read (6/12)
[In Process: 4]
37. Watch 101 movies (63/101)
October 2012
• Pitch Perfect
• Act of Valor


38. Read 101 books (219/101) [ The 101 was done 2 May 2011]
39. Go to a Cowboys-Vikings game
40. See 5 Minnesota Tourist Attractions (0/5)
41. Visit 5 art galleries in Minnesota (1/5)
42. Watch all seasons of “24” (3/8)
43. Watch all seasons of “MI-5” (10/10) [Done 16 April 2012]
44. Complete a crossword puzzle book
45. Watch 5 documentaries (5/5) [done 10 February 2011]
46. Read 5 Non-fiction books (5/5) [Done 3 November 2011]
47. Donate 100, 000 grains of rice on FreeRice.com (100,000/100,000) [Done 31 May 2012]
48. Do 5 things from the “365 Things to do in the Twin Cities” (5/5) [Done 17 December 2011]

Health (2/12) [In Process: 0]
49. Walk to work 30 times (30/30) [Done 14 March 2011]
50. Bike around the lake
51. 175
52. 165
53. 155
54. 145
55. 135
56. Get eyes checked
57. Get new glasses or contacts
58. Get annual physical [Done 16 September 2010]
59. Do the 200 sit-ups challenge
60. Track my progress with Wii Fit for 28 consecutive days.

Grown-up/Family stuff (3/12) [In Process: 1]
61. Change life insurance beneficiaries
62. Write wills
63. Write living wills
64. Get family picture taken
65. Send out Christmas cards with aforementioned family picture on it
66. Host Brother/Sister Christmas party [Done 18 December 2010]
67. Have a family board/card game night 5 times (2/5)
68. Buy a new “grown-up” outfit (shirt/pants) [Done 23 July 2011]
69. Take a family vacation
70. Make a picture family tree
71. Get first aid certified
72. Get the Kid a car safety kit for her car [Done 28 December 2010]

Spiritual/Church (5/12) [In Process: 2]
73. Learn the Rosary Prayers
74. Go to a Latin Mass
75. Go to daily Mass for a week
76. Donate time, talent, or treasure for the CCW Bazaar [Done 1 October 2010]
77. Read the Tao te Ching [Done 18 September 2010]
78. Get a new St Christopher Medal
79. Do the Advent readings and wreath one year [Done 7 January 2011]
80. Do the Lenten readings one year [Done 9 April 2012]
81. Do the Rice Bowl project one year [Done 17 April 2011]
82. Light an intention candle 10 times (10/10) [Done 25 August 2012]
83. Attend Mass in the Basilica
84. Attend 2 Lenten dinners

Food (10/11) [In Process: 0]
85. Make a cake & icing (or cupcakes) from scratch [Done 24 July 2010]
86. Try 3 new restaurants (3/3) [Done 17 June 2011]
87. Do one week of meal planning [Done 31 December 2010]
88. Do one month of meal planning [Done 3 July 2011]
89. Eat 1 serving of fruit a day for a week (7/7) [Done 12 July 2010]
90. Try a new recipe [Done 1 October 2010]
91. Make cookies from scratch [Done 23 September 2010]
92. Try a different flavor ice cream (no vanilla/chocolate) [Done 12 August 2010]
93. Limit Diet Coke to 2 servings per day for 1 consecutive week (0/7 days)
94. No fast food for a month [Done 9 April 2011]
95. Try 5 different kinds of apples (5/5) [Done July 2010]

Just Because (4/6) [In Process: 0]
96. Donate hair to Locks of Love one more time [Done 3 September 2012]
97. Take part in a pub quiz [Done 16 January 2011]
98. Complete a 500+ piece puzzle
99. Fly first class
100. Start a Tumblr [Done 8 July 2010]: http://daughteroftime.tumblr.com
101. Do a 365 day photo challenge [Done 31 December 2011]

Thursday, October 25, 2012

31 {More} Days of Pinterest: Day 12 University of Minnesota Pride

I have some friends who both went to the University of Minnesota. I have a daughter who is currently going to the University of Minnesota. They love all things Gopher. They probably bleed Maroon and Gold.

So what to get them for Christmas? I have a "U of M Golden Gophers" Pinterest board where I put things that catch my eye with them all in mind.

Pretty sure this is awesomely cool:

(Originally found at: texowadesign's etsy shop)

Dangit. They're sold out. I know I could probably ask them to make another, but maybe I could make a less cool version myself.

So I opened up my Microsoft Publisher and gave it a whirl.

For each line I created a text box, used Impact font in varying font sizes, and justified the text. I played around with the order of the items, and made sure to try and keep the spacing so it looks good.


Once I was happy with how it looked, I changed the font to the mustard-gold-y color that kind of looks right. I know I could go find the exact color, but eyeballing it is OK too.



After that, since each line was in a separate text box, I formatted the boxes and did a fill color of maroon in each one.




Once I had all that done, I did a 'Select All', then a 'Copy' and pasted it all into Paint. Then I saved it to my desktop as a .jpg so I had a shot at finding it again. I then opened it using the Microsoft Picture Manager program, and cropped the white edges.

Here's the finished picture:


I'm still debating whether to print it as a .jpg or just go with the Publisher document. I can tell the difference in clarity, but I might be the only one.


To see my other 31 {More}Days of Pinterest projects, click on the image below, and it will take you to my original post.



31 {More} Days of Pinterest: Day 11 Rocking the Side of the House

Yep. Rocking...as in putting down rocks. Also, rocking from the soreness the next day.

We've had a pile of decorative rock hanging out by our driveway for, oh, years. A few of them. Like 3. Enough so that it all is mostly invisible to me simply because it's always been there.

Sadly, I don't have a picture of it.

I do, however have some pictures of where we put the rock. Only the beginning and the end, mind, mostly because the camera battery ran out of juice midway through and had to be recharged.

I was looking for low-maintenance outside projects on Pinterest, and came across a few pictures that had rock patios. It got me thinking that hey, we already HAVE rocks, and a place that was in need of help.

No, it really needed help.

Here's a couple of before shots. Well, not exactly true befores because I'd already started pulling weeds and vines. Close enough.


Nice, huh?


Really classy. And oh, so welcoming. Sure, it's the back door, but that's the door that everyone uses around here.


We started by pretty much clearing it out. It already looked 5000% better. Steve tried to till it so that we could level it out, but the ground was way too hard.



So we watered it for a few days, then after a couple of mini-rainstorms, we came back to it. The camera was charging at this point, and I wasn't about to waste the beautiful day waiting for it, so there's no more pictures until the end.

We took some shovels and turned the dirt to give the tiller something to bite into, and picked out some larger rocks that had worked their way up.

Once it was tilled, we took rakes and leveled it out. Then we laid permeable landscape fabric down, making sure to overlap the layers between the rows. We used the landscape fabric because it allows water to drain--this is important because this is on the Northwest corner of the house, which gets snow, but not a whole lot of sunshine.

Then it was time to lay the rocks. Oh, my. We started by anchoring the overlapping fabric by putting rocks down on top, then on the corners. I found that using a rake to level it was slower than just using my foot, so that's what I did. It'll still settle over the winter, but that's ok. We have plenty more rock if needed.

Here's where we ended:




We're using the board as a temporary-over-the-winter edge. I think we may turn the corner of the house & rock all the way down the north side, especially since it gets hardly any sun, and it's all weedy and not particularly attractive right now.

To see my other 31 {More}Days of Pinterest projects, click on the image below, and it will take you to my original post.










Wednesday, October 17, 2012

31 {More} Days of Pinterest: Day 10 Easy Tub Cleaner

Like I said before, I really don't like cleaning the bathroom. But the thing that I REALLY don't like cleaning is the bathtub.

So when I saw this pin on Pinterest from The Craft Patch, it was right up my alley.



Spray the cleaner on, come back in an hour, and wipe it down? Yes, please.

Since I had all the things already out for my Shower Scrubber project, I found an empty spray bottle and made a bigger batch.

I started with the vinegar:


Then I added the Dawn dishsoap:


I shook it up to mix it a bit better, and opened the shower curtain. Warning: These before pictures are not edited. Seriously. ICK.



So, I sprayed the solution ALL OVER THE TUB.


And then I walked away. Yep. At that point I didn't know if this would work, but I'd come too far to go back, so I figured I'd just see it through.

Thing is, I forgot about it.

I actually came back over FIVE hours later. I had to re-spray some sections, but it worked. IT WORKED!!!!

Here's an un-edited photo of the after:


AMAZING.

Next time I won't spray quite so much cleaner at a time. When I was trying to rinse the tub, the bubbles from the dishsoap were ridiculous. Also, on problem areas, I might take the shower scrubber and give them a good once over.

To see my other 31 {More}Days of Pinterest projects, click on the image below, and it will take you to my original post.