Category: House and Yard

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Two Rainbows Tonight

double rainbow photo

After the thunderstorm passed by, the air seemed a weird grayish color. It was not yet time for the sun to set, but it was definitely getting dark. I looked outside to make sure the storm was over and why the air looked funny.

The last few rays of sun caught the raindrops still in the air and created this beautiful double rainbow over our house. We hardly ever see a rainbow around here and a double rainbow is very rare. I wish it had happened an hour earlier, as the sun went down soon after and the rainbows faded quickly. But we all enjoyed Mother Nature’s show while it lasted.

I took this photo with my cellphone. I think it turned out great for not being a fancy Nikon type of camera setup. The cool thing about spontaneous photo opportunities is that now we almost always have our cell phone with us, so it is easy to tap on the camera app and grab a quick shot.

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Enjoyed Out Fourth of July Weekend

This past weekend was really one of the best long weekends that I can remember. Everything was perfect. The weather was nice, so we were able to get outside every day. We grilled out on the deck, went to the lake every day, and of course we enjoyed fireworks at night. I grilled steaks on Saturday and then on Sunday I went all out and grilled $60 worth of pork ribs. Good stuff!

There were lots of free fireworks shows held all around town, plus the rednecks in my neighborhood all buy hundreds of dollars worth of illegal fireworks and set them off in their back yards every night. We have had free neighborhood shows every night since Thursday. Just when I think they have run out of cash for all those bangs and booms, someone runs across the county line to one of the fireworks tents and buys another hundred dollars worth.

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Christmas lights

I guess I’m a bit home sick this year.  My Dad used to put Christmas lights up every year and just pitch a fit about it.  We all knew he really enjoyed it because once they all were up, and working, he would stand back and look at the house with a look of pride at his accomplishment.

I said the Schmitt House!
I said the Schmitt House!

Well I decided I want to put up Christmas lights this year.  Thank God they aren’t as much of a pain as they used to be years ago.  One bulb goes out and the whole strand went dead.  Not to mention, I have had to buy all new lights since this is my first time putting them up.

I have seen some amazing light displays on the internet that play music and the lights dance to the music.  A strand or two here and there is all I’m up for!  So, let us have the decorating begin.   No my house isn’t going to look like the Schmitt either although my BFF would certainly enjoy witnessing such an event!!! Thanks for sending this great Christmas cartoon to me Lori! And I look forward to talking to you real soon!

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What happened?

Here it is almost Halloween and it’s supposed to be 80 degrees for the next couple of days.  To top it off, it’s gonna be 77 degrees Friday.  But now here’s the fun part.  This weekend, the highs are only going to be in the mid to upper 60’s.  Sounds like perfect pneumonia weather if you ask me.

If I’m not mistaken, the mid 60’s is normal around here this time of year.  Oh and then to top it off, there’s a tropical storm that might head up the coast this weekend.  Strange weather we are having!  Strange weather indeed!  Hey, one good thing, that tropical storm might blow the leaves out of my yard.  It could happen!!!

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Arizona homes

Have you ever been to Arizona?  Man is it beautiful out there or what?  I have some family out there and always look forward to going for a visit every so often.  Not often enough in all reality but at least I do get to visit.  One of my cousins lives in Scottsdale and another in Phoenix.  I would have a heck of a time choosing between both areas should I decide to move out there.

My cousin that lives in Phoenix is thinking about building a new home for themselves or maybe even remodeling their existing home.  The house they live in is kinda small and with their children getting older, they really need some more room.  They asked a lot of people in their area if they could or would recommend any Phoenix new home builders .  Seems there were a lot of people that had a lot of opinions but one came up for than all of the rest.

It’s nice when you can get first hand recommendations from people that have used a particular company or builder as it is in this case.  You can’t always trust advertisements but you can trust word of mouth.  That’s the same thing my cousin in Scottsdale did.   They definitely want to do some remodeling.

The first thing they did is looked online for Scottsdale home builders.  They sent me the link because they knew I was doing some remodeling of my own.  Trust me, I’m not even in their class.  Talk about some beautiful jobs, they are amazing.

They finally made their choice of a Scottsdale home builder and I can’t wait to visit next summer to see what they came up with.  I’m sure it’s going to be impressive.  Might make me want to move out there even more.  I just love the designs of the homes out there since they seem to blend in so well with the environment.

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Finishing touches

Well the bathroom is coming along great but it needs some finishing touches.  The new tile floor came out really good even if I do say so myself and the new cabinet is a lot better than that old one that was in there.  I even added a border to the walls.  I could not believe it when I found a border with outhouses on it.

Rachel was looking through some of the catalogs that fill our mail box from time to time and found all kinds of outhouse accessories to complete the project.  Outhouse shower curtain, checkered swag curtain, outhouse toilet paper holder, a bathroom mat and the job is a success.

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Weekend project

Well I painted the walls of the bathroom, bought a new cabinet and even found some great tile for the floor at a yard sale last weekend.  Now my weekend project is to install the tile and the cabinet.   I should have known that painting the bedroom was only going to encourage even more home improvements.

But you know what, even if it’s a lot of work, I thoroughly enjoy doing things that make this old house a home.  Well make that my home because that’s what it becomes once you put your own touches on a house.  It becomes a home.

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Home Improvement

I have seen a lot of new houses on the market but personally, I love my older built home.  My home was built in the late 1940’s and has more charm than any of the cookie cutter houses they are building these days.  With an older home, you not only get better workmanship, but you get a work in progress.

I love doing home improvement tasks.  Something as simple as a coat or two of paint can make an enormous change in not only the look of a room, but also the feeling of that room.  My next home improvement project is the bathroom.  A little paint, tile floor and maybe a new cabinet is in order.  Sounds like a plan in the making to me.

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I thought this was fall

Well here it is close to the end of September and it’s about 80 degrees outside.  I thought this was fall.  Well it sure doesn’t feel like it to me.  I can’t remember when fall officially starts but with these temperatures, I don’t think it matters.

Last winter was warmer than usual too but the winter before, I don’t think we have ever had so much snow.  I guess the global warming thing everyone was talking about took a break.  I don’t know about you but I’m ready for fall.  This summer wasn’t as hot as usual but I’ve had enough of yard work for now.  Well that is until the leaves start falling.

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Bee stings

It’s been a long time since I have been stung by a bee and I had forgotten just how much bee stings can hurt.  I was mowing yesterday and out of nowhere this bee came and stung me right on the back of my hand.  It hit me fast and I didn’t even get to see what type of bee it was either.

So here I go inside whimpering like a kid or something about how bad it hurt.  Did you know that meat tenderizer mixed with a little water makes a great bee sting remedy?  I sure didn’t.  Rachel mixed some and put it on the sting with a bandage and before I knew it, the stinging was gone.  Barely left a mark on my hand either.  Try it next time you get stung.