Bedframe Redo

A forgotten treasure was lurking in my basement (aka the dudgeon of doom) for over fifteen years. While I was carrying items from my three bedrooms, down into the basement during my remodel, my eye caught sight of the post sticking up behind a dresser. I set my boxes down and scooted the dresser away from the wall. I had forgotten all about the full size four post bed frame.

After a quick look I realized why it was shoved behind a dresser against the wall in my dudgeon of doom, it was in bad shape. 

My third bedroom is small and is used as a guest room and a dumping ground. The small room had no style or flair. A twin bed on a metal frame, no headboard, a small dresser, and a small ladies sewing rocker. 

I mentioned to my daughter that I saw the frame in the basement, and she suggested having it refinished for the guest room. We all know that I do not possess a DIY gene, my heart and head are willing, but disaster seems to be attached to every project I attempt.

One afternoon with my camera in hand, I stopped in at a refinishing shop in my town. I showed the man my photos and was given a quote of $500.00 for the head board, foot board and two side slates to be pickled white. I left feeling defeated because in my mind,  I already had decorated that room with the four poster bed the focal point.

The painter was three days away from finishing his painting and the carpet layers were scheduled the morning after he finished. The end was in sight, and I was anxious to return home, I stayed at my daughters for two weeks during the final stages of the remodel, but the bed frame was still stuck in my head. My daughter suggested I ask Frank the painter if he would spray it white. With a sigh, Frank easily agreed, but the schedule had to be pushed back by two days.

See the transformation that happened.

I was not the only person who was thrilled with the way the bed frame turned out, Frank was very proud of his work and rightfully so. Frank would exclaim that it looks better than something from Pottery Barn. The cost Frank charged me for sanding and spray painting was just pennies on the dollar. Thank you Frank it turned out beautifully.

A Walk, The Woods, Memories, Family

Weather has been one of the most talked about topics for months, and in several areas Spring is in the air. In my area, the sun shines daily and melts the mounds of snow a little bit more each day, but it is still cold. For example, right now it is 28 degrees but with the wind blowing 9 miles per hour it feels like 19 degree.

How deceptive the sun can be, on Friday, the sunlight streamed through the window giving the illusion of warm weather, and so I decided to take my five year old grandson to visit my sweet sister, his great-aunt and have a walk through the nature trails that butt up next to her property.

Our afternoon in pictures. . .

This was a special afternoon spent with great-uncle who is suffering from dementia and fighting the good fight against cancer. Good time, good memories, and a special treasure found. A blessed afternoon.

My Irish Roots

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Today I am celebrating my Irish roots from my mother's side of the family. My Aunt Rosie, the oldest of my mother's siblings, wrote what she remembered about our family history. The writing of Aunt Rosie was given to me after her death by her daughter, my cousin. All four of my mother's siblings are gone, and the writings/stories of my Aunt Rosie is all that we have. How I wish I would have asked questions about my mother's life when I was young. Today I want to share with you the beginning of her writings.

"The first mention of your Mahaney connection was of a Lady Mary Connors, who married your great, great-grandfather who was a printer. I think your great-grandfather did not follow that trade for he never did in this country.

When the Crimean War (1854-1856) broke out your great-grandfather, William Mahaney, went to fight for the British. I believe he was wounded or suffered from a fever, for he was never in good health thereafter.

When he returned to Ireland, he and the other survivors were awarded a medal for outstanding service, by Queen Victoria in person.

It did not take long for great-grandfather to become involved in what is now the I.R.A. Whether he distributed pamphlets published by his father, or was caught in some other unfortunate endeavor, he landed in jail. When brought to trial, his lawyer pleaded for his life on the grounds that he had fought for the crown and had been awarded a medal. The judge taking this information into consideration, handed down this decision. He had two choices; leave the country immediately or be hanged. As you know, the next boat out found great-grandfather listed among the passengers bound for Canada. Leaving great-grandmother alone in Ireland with five children."

As the story continues my great-grandmother and her children arrive in Canada and ultimately settle in Toledo, Ohio.

With the help of my Polish cousin, Ruth from Dian's Timpanalley, who is a genealogist, records of dates and places of birth have been found. For her help in finding this information I am very gratfeul.

Don't Like the Instructions Modify Them

At the end of each school week, teachers send home a folder that contains school work that has been completed during the past week. Known in our area as the 'Friday Folder.'  This folder can be a source of parental pride or a reality check that your child isn't understanding a concept. In this case, it was a surprise for my grandson's family.

Busy work, also know as fun worksheets, are often given to students who complete their work before the allotted time of the assignment.

Below is an example of a fun worksheet with a twist from my grandson.

Instruction for this worksheet is in the lower right hand corner.

The instructions read: 

Make a beautiful arrangement of your favorite flower.

My grandsons modified instructions read:

Make a arrangement of your favorite flower.

He drew a venus fly trap getting ready to eat his lunch.

The completed worksheet.

A source of pride or pain, you decide.

What a Difference a Door Makes

During a remodel, there are many decisions and choices that need to be made, choosing what color, style, or type of materials you want to use was a daunting task for me.

I had already decided that I wanted my doors and woodwork to be white. My ranch style home doesn't have a lot of square footage and white doors and woodwork would give my rooms a bright, fresh look.

After living with flat construction grade doors for over thirty five years, I had to make several trips to my local hardware stores to see all the different styles that were available. Everyone likes six panel doors, since I had five doors in my short hallway, I thought it would be just too much, so I decided on solid wood two panel doors.

After choosing what type of door I wanted, I thought all the rest of the decisions would be a snap. Never in a million years did I think deciding on a door knob would be so painful. Did I want silver, gold tone, brass, or oil rubbed knobs? Did I want a knob or lever handle? Who knew there were different styles of knobs and lever handles!

After several phone calls to my daughter and sister, I narrowed down my choices, but now I had to Facetime (video chat with my iPhone) first my sister and then my daughter. I made my final selection for my door handles, but, of course, they were out of stock on my first choice. This style was my second choice. I am very happy with it.

I ultimately decided on a lever handle because if your hands are full you can use your elbow to push down the handle for the door to open. I choose oil rubbed knobs because they won't show the dirt from my little grand children's dirty hands!

All the light switches and outlets were changed to white with inexpensive white plastic cover plates. I felt no need to have fancy plate covers, this suits me just fine.

This is what two of the bedroom closet doors looked like before replacement.

This is my computer/playroom, the closet door had 1970's sliding doors.

The contractor had to do a lot of work to frame in this closet so double doors could be installed. 

I was pleased with the end result and was thrilled to be able to see the whole closet at the same time.

The updated double doors and woodwork certainly changed the appearance of this room.

The woodwork around my doors and floors was also construction grade with little personality.

This style of woodwork had some detail and was within my budget. I liked the look of the wider more intricate woodwork, but the cost difference was substantially different. 

I am pleased with my choices and the look that new doors and woodwork gave me.

In my guest bedroom and the computer/play room, I replaced the 70's ceiling lights with lights that had more style.

In my bedroom I needed to replace the ceiling fan, that was originally in the kitchen ten years ago. I enjoy the movement of air that a ceiling fan provides, but I'm not a fan of the five paddle blades that fill the ceiling. So when I spotted the fandelier my heart fluttered with happiness. It even has a bedside remote control. 

As these rooms are put back together and decorated, I will show you the whole room.

What Was Replaced In My 1970's Remodel

In my wildest dreams, I never imagined a modest remodel of my 1970's 1,300 square foot ranch home would take five months to be completed. Last week all three keys to my house were returned from the contractor, painter, and carpet/floor installers, I exhaled a huge sigh of relief.

I had to removed everything from the three bedrooms, including the closets. My living room resembled a furniture store, with bed frames, dressers, mirrors, and night stands. Where did they rest of my items get stored? All other items were sent to the basement, the dreaded basement where items go and often times are not seen for months and months. In plain words, I shoved the stuff all down in the dungeon of mess, my basement.

All my computer equipment was dismantled and stored safely under a sheet in the living room, and I moved to my oldest daughters house during the final stages of the remodel. Hence no posts.

I have now gotten the upstairs dusted, vacuumed, and reassembled, but the closet items and chachkies are still waiting to be rescued and returned to their places.

I want to get new furniture for the living room, and window treatments are giving me a small problem in my pocket book. I didn't realize how expensive blinds, shades and curtains are!

Here are a few before photos.

This is the hallway, with five construction grade doors from the 70's that I painted white. My linen closet door, on the right, would not close completely, which drove me crazy. All woodwork was replaced.

All door knobs were replaced.

Light fixtures were replaced.

All original light switches and outlets were replaced.

1970's sliding closet door replaced. For thirty seven years, I could only see half my closet at a time. See the carpet in this photo, replace.

All of these items have been replaced, I will show the replacement photos in another post.

I was touched by how many of you took the time to email me during my absence from blogging to see if I was alright. I appreciate your friendship.