Category: Home Improvements

Posted on

Bedroom carpet

Today I picked out new carpet for my bedroom. I wanted the non plush kind, nearly like carpet tile, because it is much easier to sweep up dog hair. My dog sheds even in the winter and he has white and cream colored hair. It gets all over the place and I have to vacuum in the morning and then again before I go to sleep. Sometimes even in the afternoon. I hate dog hair, so I try and make sure it is always swept up.

The carpet I ended picking out, looks sort of like the large area rugs one sees in Victorian homes. It’s big enough to cover the whole floor and I love the antique rose pattern to it. It is going to give my room a vintage look that I was aiming for.

The carpet is due to arrive tomorrow and I must say I’m really excited to have it put down. The wheels are turning in my mind about shopping for new curtains and also bedding that will go along with the vintage theme I want to have.

Posted on

Organization with enclosed cork bulletin boards

My daughter and son wanted to have a place for all their school accomplishments and had been just hanging things on thier bedroom wall, but to me it looked very cluttered and unorganized, so when I have been looking into getting them enclosed cork bulletin boards somewhat like the ones that they have in school, to keep all their medals and achievements organized.

My son didn’t mind the plain bulletin boards, but my daughter preferred something a bit more fancy. I showed her some enclosed fabric bulletin boards and she liked them a lot. They are bigger than what I had really wanted, but then after I thought about it, and looked at all of just the things they have from high school, I think that they are going to work really well for what they want to put in them.

I had at first told them that they both should just put a years worth of special awards, photos, and medals in the enclosed bulletin boards, but then it’s their room and clutter, so it will be up to them to organize the items and  put them in the way they want to. I can always give them the bulletin boards of they decide to “leave the nest” on down the line.

Posted on

New bathroom vanity

Getting a new vanity in the bathroom had to be put on hold for awhile because we had developed problems with the pipes that came up from the under the floor and though I had kept telling my husband that I thought we had a leak, he had been too busy with work and other things he had on his plate, to even check it out. Something that of course upsets me to no end, as I don’t really know anything about pipes and plumbing. I didn’t even know how to begin to fix the leak or who to call that wouldn’t’ charge me a small fortune.

After talking to a good guy friend of mine, he came out and looked at it and thank goodness it was a fairly easy fix. I ended up using the barter system and promised him three loaves of homemade bread for him to fix my leaky pipe.

Shopping for the vanity was easy. There were only three that I had looked at and really loved, but only two that would fit the space. Since I couldn’t decide on which I wanted, I let my oldest son pick. I like his style and he knows mine, so we came home with a really nice looking and functional vanity. I’m happy with it and it does give me more storage space.

 

 

Posted on

Bamboo fencing and outdoor fountians theme

While looking for various theme ideas for the section of my back yard that I would like to make in to my own personal outdoor space, I came across bamboo fencing. I had never even thought to look at that type of fencing before, and I really like how it looks. I’ve always wanted a sort of tropical look in my gardens, and when I decided to make my own sitting area to meditate, read and just be alone, I wanted to fence it in, but none of the fencing I looked at was what I wanted.

Once I fence in my area, I’ll start putting in plants that look tropical, but can be grown in our area. I also have always wanted a couple of outdoor fountains, because the sound of the water makes for a really relaxing setting. I’d love to have moss as my ground cover also, but that is a project I have to work on and see if I can grow it. I’ve been looking at various fountains and I’d love to have matching ones, that have a flat back so I can put one on two sides of my fenced in area.

I’m really looking forward to this project, now that I’ve found the perfect fencing for it to come together. I know it’s going to take time, and will no doubt cost quite a few dollars to get perfect, but for serenity and relaxation, it will be well worth it.

Posted on

Closet cleaning

Despite of the high temperatures we are having, I decided to clean my bedroom closet. I can not believe how many pair of shoes I have and also tops I have that I don’t wear. Unreal. I bagged up darn near everything and am going to take it to one of the homeless shelters in town. Someone may be able to use some of it.

While I was at it, I went to the store and got some really great extension type organizers and after I installed it, it gave my closet so much room and storage space that I was amazed. Needless to say, I’m on a closet cleaning roll, so to speak now.

While I was shopping, I picked up some nice mirrors to install on the closet doors also. And of course, I had to get new towels, since while going through the linen closet, I noticed that for some reason our towel supply is dwindling. I looked out by the pool, on the clothes line and in the washer and dryer. No towels. I got each of the kids their own beach towel (again) and this time, if they misplace theirs, too bad. They will go without. (mean mommie…)

Posted on

Home repair grants

Having written about home repair grants in the past, I am a firm believer that more people should take advantage of this service. I’m in the process of looking for a contractor to help with venting and also repairing the old pipes in the bathroom, and believe me when I say it can get very expensive. With the economy the way it is, any help with money situations is a big deal and it’s worth checking out to see if you are eligible. It only takes a bit of one’s time and it can make all the difference in the world.

A friend of mine moved back to where she had been renting out the home she owns. When she got there and was settled, she decided to check out assistance with home repairs as the old tenants had trashed her house, then skipped out on the rent and repair bills. My friend was in dire need of assistance to help with the repairs since she couldn’t afford it on her own.

I was told an insulation assistance in NJ was just the thing she needed, as my friend’s previous tenants had even run up a heating bill in the winter that was outrageous. The utilities had been included in the rent so she went into debt with that also. I’m glad she is using her head and checking out various grants and professionals to help with and do the work she needs to have done.

Posted on

Attic renovation and organization

After spending the day upstairs in the attic yesterday, I’ve decided it is in dire need of some organization and in general a major overhaul. I’m seriously thinking about putting better flooring in and also drywall. I need a dumpster first to throw out junk I’ve sort of hoarded over the years, that I really don’t have any use for. I went shopping and got storage containers for clothes but I know that the boxes that are in the attic need replaced by something plastic, since the air despite of the vents in the attic, was a bit humid.

There are basically two rooms up in the attic, and I took measurements of the one side we don’t use. It could be made into another room, and I want to contact a contractor or even a few of my guy friends that know how to renovate rooms or “transform” attics to see what it would cost to make a useable room out of this room that is basically gutted.

I found a bunch of wall hangings and items I forgot I had and am switching the decor in my living room. Sort of swapping things. This will save money on redecorating also, since no one has seen this stuff. We’ll see what the professionals say about fixing the extra room up there and I’ll have another winter project!

Posted on

Pool and Spa service

This time of year, everyone either has their pool ready to fill or may need repairs done, and my daughter was telling me that her husband had been looking into True-Blue-Pool-And-Spa.com to do the repair work on their built in swimming pool. When they bought their new home, of course they knew that the pool would need some minor repair to get it ready to be filled for summer fun. He owns his own concrete company and was able to get the walkways around the pool finished, but after realizing that he would not be able to repair the pool and then put in the liner himself, he decided to look into the professionals to do this.

The kids have been really patient for the pool to get finished, an it has to be kind of hard on them seeing the pool every day and not being able to swim in it, but they know it will be great once it’s repaired and since there is a heating system for the pool, they also know that this will extend their swimming season a lot longer. True Blue Pool and Spa has a wide array of services available for the pool owner and I personally would want someone to maintain my pool, as no matter how hard I have tried, I have never been able to keep my water clean for extended periods of time. I think it is less expensive for someone who is a professional to do this, and it would save money in the long run.

Summer is my family’s favorite time of year, so we are all swimmers and love the water. I enjoy the fact that we don’t have to pack up all kinds of swimming gear and things to have a cook out at the lakes, unpack it and then pack it all up again. I have a feeling that my daughter is going to really enjoy her pool once it is repaired and filled. Judging from what my son in law told me, it won’t take too long for this to be done. They will all be swimming in no time!

 

 

Posted on

Power needs from Generators AtoZ

While preparing for my daughter’s graduation party, I realized that we might need another generator for when the band sets up in our back lot, and so since I had heard about Generators AtoZ, I decided to check them out and find out what kind of prices they were there. I have to say that I was quite impressed by the range of generators they have and the prices. I think there is a generator for any kind of need a person my have.

We have a small generator that is sufficient to run enough power to some of the lights, the television and also refrigerator and a small chest freezer, in case we loose power, and that seems to have always been enough for us. In truth though, I have always wanted a back up generator in case something happened to our small one.

Living all these years where the winters can be long and sometimes very icy, means we loose power at least three times in the winter for durations of anywhere from a few minutes to days. A few hours is long enough for me not to have power. Looking at all the generators on this site I was told about, is making me know for sure that I want another power source other than what we have.

 

Posted on

A new kitchen faucet

Usually when I get home from some place, I notice if something new has been added to my house, or if something is in disarray, missing, or just “not right.” Except today, and then into the evening. Now I feel like jerk in a way.

I hadn’t really been in the kitchen since I had gotten home from running errands today, so when I went in tonight to get a glass of water, I turned on the light and nearly was blinded by a new kitchen faucet and fixtures that had been installed by my husband. I felt terrible that I hadn’t noticed it before, and wondered why he looked at me funny, after I had come out of the kitchen a few times earlier.

Yes, I fawned all over them and made a big deal of them, partly for my husband’s ego and partly because the set up is really one of the best brands made, and also look awesome in my kitchen. Besides, I was tired of getting wet by the hand sprayer ever time I turned on my faucet.