Sunday, November 15, 2015

Spread Love and Kindness



Dear Divinity and Every Angel of Every Realm,

Please spread Your Loving Compassionate Rays into the hearts of those filled with Aggressive Hatred.

Their Aggressive Hatred is causing so so so so much hurt and pain. Innocent lives are lost, families are destroyed, old parents lose wonderful children, children lose parents. Women, Children, Men weep because an innocent family member is taken away from them.

Please Dear Divinity and Angels of Every Realm Please Please Please cover this World with a Blanket of Loving Compassionate Rays.

Make Love Replace Hatred,

Make Acceptance Replace Anger,

Make Harmony Replace Disharmony,

Make Peace Replace Conflict,

Make Greed Replace Kind Generosity,

Make Spiritual Awareness Replace Religious Intolerance.

Please Divinity and Angels of Every Realm,

We Need a Miracle.

We Need Love.

We Need Light.

Please Answer this Prayer that beats in every heart...

Your Divine Lover,
Kaishma Bajaj
Asha Shah
Gillian Lehman

And if this is your prayer, add your Name and spread it... The Power of Prayer is Manifestation of Miracles.

Tuesday, November 03, 2015

Oh what a ride!!



So, why am I showing you this picture?   Well, if my camera was working  (which it could be by now but, that's another post....) you could tell that it was a popped orange balloon.

This bit of recycling has caused quite the emotional roller coaster in our lives the last few days.

First there was disappointment when the store didn't have any candy.

Then there was envy when the store clerk was playing with a bunch of balloons and didn't look to want to share.

Then relief, ok that was me.  It was UBER satisfaction and ultimate giddiness when he offered one of them to my Little Dragon.




Of all the candy and chips and chocolate and other junk food and various treats the absolute BEST one of the weekend was this balloon.  He's barely touched his treat bag (partly because it was "put up" and we didn't bring any attention to it) but, this balloon has caused no end of entertainment!!




...and then, this morning, he sat on it.



....while he wasn't wearing pants.  So, it stung on two levels.   Poor monkey.  He's devastated.
So, now I'm off to go and fetch a package of balloons because....why not?  I'll have them on hand for the long cold winter days coming on.

I hope you all had a lovely weekend!

Until next time; stay warm and dry.

Saturday, October 31, 2015

Last Minute Hallowe'en Decorations!!

'cuz that's how I roll.  LoL

It gets out there but, its pushing the line on too late.  Does anyone else do that?  Look up ideas and how-to's weeks or months in advance and then put it all together at the last minute.  I did three today.  One of them was a Teal Pumpkin which signals that I have non-candy treats. Read more on that by clicking on this link.




Back to the "How to" ....

Like I've mentioned before I like fast, easy, cheap.  That is just what these were!  Of course more time and energy and they'd have been quite a bit fancier but, I'm happy with my finished result.  The first one was something that went around on Facebook a few years ago (...yes...I kept forgetting until November 2nd but, this year I remembered!!  woohoo!).  The second was one I found on Instructables a week or so ago in their Halloween Contest..  I haven't got the link for either.  (I'm new, I'm sorry!  If I find a link for either I'll put them in, if you know it please let me know and I'll put it in here. <3 font="">

Anyhow, if it's Hallowe'en morning and you've found that you haven't done anything and want to make it look like you've made an effort with out it costing too much and being ready before the early birds get there then GET READY!  This is also handy if Hallowe'en has snuck up on you!  It'll do that....scary, frightening, it's what Hallowe'en is all about right?!?

Some of this you may have on hand already.  The rest I got at the $$DOLLAR STORE$$:

*  clear packing tape (how much depends on how big, the instructions I read said I'd need 3 rolls....I used just over half of one)
*  teal paint (we also used "sprinkles" as the Little Dragon calls them, you may know them as sparkles)
*  styrofoam pumpkin
*  toilet paper rolls or paper towel rolls (the cardboard inside) or construction paper
*  small misc. toys, fancy pencils, note pads, stickers, non-gender friendly or whatever....
*  cellophane bags to put a few things in, unless you just want to throw it all in a bowl and let the kids pick what they want.
*  glow sticks, small ones, number depends on how much you'll be making
*  paint brushes
*  form for a body shape
*  black marker or paint
*  string  (mine came in the package with the glow sticks.  Bonus!)
*  scissors / Xacto knife
*  masking tape (optional, packing tape will work too)


....again, not everything is here but, you get the idea!
The first thing I did when we got home from the $$DOLLAR STORE$$ was spread out some old newspaper on the floor, get some small containers (to put the paint in and one to rest the wet pumpkin on) and paint brushes.  The Little Dragon wanted his new construction toys to help....so, we got them ready too. (You see he's found a new favourite show.  The Axel Show on YouTube, check it out!  You'll understand why LD wanted his new trucks to help.   That Daddy is something else!  I can't believe the patience he has. I thought I was a patient person and I've got nothing on him!  lol)

Anyhow, we painted the first coat of teal (actually we could only find Tropical Blue, but, it is pretty close) on the styrofoam pumpkin and got paint everywhere!!  Hair, hands, arms, feet, trucks, bedroom walls, floor...good thing it was water based!!

***we used a styrofoam pumpkin.  You can use whatever you like.






While the first layer of paint dried we moved on to the packing tape ghosts.  I really wish I could find the post that gave me the idea.  She was/is beautiful!!  Mine are small and adorable, not nearly the same thing!  She was beautiful and eerie. Quite a combination!




I used the snowball maker that we got last winter.  It worked pretty good.  What I did was do a layer of clear packing tape sticky side out then a layer of tape sticky side in.  So, two layers with their sticky sides together.  My ghosts are 8 & 12 inches (approximately).  The one I got the idea from used 3 layers and is life-sized.  Quite impressive and understandably used 3 rolls of tape.  That one got lit from below by a flood light.  I poked a hole in the top of mine and threaded a string through it that I've hung a glow stick from.  The form for the lager one was a mannequin and the head was...I don't remember but, when they were done they cut up the middle of the back to get it off the form and taped it back together.  In the picture I saw you couldn't tell that it had been cut.  Mine wasn't that tight or form fitting so I just lifted it off.  One other thing, I wanted a face on mine so I cut out black pieces and put them between the two layers.

Next I did the 2nd coat of blue on the pumpkin and while that dried I did the 2nd ghost.




Then we went for lunch and to see Safari Jeff at the mall.  He's very interesting and his animals are pretty cool but, we sat there waiting for too long and it was well past time for some sleep and LD was gearing up for Super Cranky so we only ended up seeing about 10 minutes of the show. Anyhow.....back on track!


We're lucky enough to have a HUGE lilac hedge to put these in.

The toilet paper eyes in the hedge.  It is when I was finishing the first one of these that I realized that construction paper would have worked really well (I think) because it is longer.  Paper towel tubes too because they're longer.  The trouble is that the glow sticks glow out the eyes (and mouths because I wanted them) and the ENDS and when I folded both ends over the tube was too short for the glow sticks.  So something a little longer would have been better.  However, I made it work.

Now, when doing this, if you have something that will cut other than scissors you may be better off to use that.  I kept wishing I had. ( I escaped with no injuries but, I had a close call.  I also put my oldest on stand-by in case I needed a trip to Emergency for stitches.  LoL.  His answer was "so quit doing the foolish thing that might hurt you..." of course I listened....just as soon as I was done!  Don't take my cue though, be safe people!)

Use your cutting tool to cut eyes in your tubes.  Make them whatever you like, happy, sad, scary....whatever is easiest.  I also added mouths.

What I ended up doing was putting masking tape over the ends.  It doesn't completely block the light but, it dampens it and it still looks pretty neat.

So, there you go.  All that's left is putting up the decorations and handing out treats!!  I like seeing all the costumes.  To me that's the best part of Hallowe'en and the more home made the better I like them.  I also give out better "prizes" for the better costumes.  LoL.

Please keep in mind "The Teal Pumpkin Project" this year.  All kids deserve to not have to worry about getting sick.  The best thing about no candy is that what we don't give away will probably go towards our Operation Shoe Box gift. Either that or it will keep until next year and we won't have the guilt of eating all that candy.  Yay!!  ...kinda.  lol.




Thanks for stopping by!  I hope to see you again soon!

Thursday, October 29, 2015

The Easy and Cheap Shelf (part 2)

So, we finished off the last time with Kermie cheering because you found the studs behind your drywall. (here is that post with supplies, part 1)  You did right?  Found the studs?  It felt good didn't it?  I know I'm always excited when I find them....especially in this house.  It seems someone it slapped together with scraps from....wherever!  That's kind of fitting though because it's what I like to do and in the end it works!!  It has been here since the 1940's.  lol  (of course this method isn't for everyone...)

haha!  Who's been here??  A bit random but, it's funny and kinda fits...lol
Anyhow, now that you've found those studs you need to figure out where to put the other piece of 1X4.  This will be going on the wall under the back side of the shelf to support it.  SO!  Here is where the step ladder comes in handy.  Unless you're really tall.  You need to decide where you want this on the wall.  I put mine 2 feet from the ceiling right in the corner.  Measure that far down from the ceiling and draw a line.

Now you're going to need your level.

Luckily, for me, I have a 4 foot long one (DIY Dad sure is handy!) but, a shorter one will work.  Draw a line that crosses each stud.  This line doesn't need to be as long as the shelf.  You can make a small mark on each stud.  Just make sure that if you were to draw an imaginary line across the marks it would be level line from one end to the other.  HOWEVER, once the shelf it up you won't see it anyway.

Put the 1X4 against the wall with the top even with the line you just drew.  Put two screws in at each stud.  Just to make ease your mind, put your level on the top of that board and see the little bubble resting peacefully between the two lines.  Feels good doesn't it?!?  You know, because it IS level!!  Right?!?

Celebrate.

I'm serious.  You're doing AWESOME if you've come this far and not given up and things are level!

Fantastic job!!


Now for more holes!!  The hooks!

These ones can go in the ceiling or the wall.  The wall would probably be best because (if your house is normal, like mine isn't) there is a sill plate that runs around the top of the room.  This is what the ceiling joists are sitting on.  Again, I have no idea what is going on behind my walls and frankly I'm a little scared to take any of the drywall down to find out.  I just had to do some guessing and much drilling to find something for the hooks to dig into.  This is a big part of the reason why I've only got two wire ropes holding up the shelf and not three.

Ok, enough chit chat; on with our task!

Find your hooks.  Put one into the wall about an inch from the corner, well, about an inch toward the middle of where your shelf will be (or wherever the edge of your shelf will be) and push the end into the wall and start turning.  It will take a bit of effort.  Leeeannnn into it and soon you will be through the drywall and digging into the wood.   You'll know because it gets harder to turn.  Make sure that there is enough room between where you start the hole and the wall so that you can turn the screw.  I put mine in at an angle, I've just always been taught that this holds better.  I'm sure there's some science behind it but, I don't know what it is and I've never had anything screwed in this way give me trouble.

Now measure 4 feet (if that's how long your shelf is going to be) from the wall and put the other hook in the same way.  Again about an inch less than the length of the shelf away just to keep things symmetrical and aesthetically pleasing.  If you are adding another (and if you shelf is more than 4 feet I recommend it) measure half way and put the hook in there.

when I get my new phone/camera parts I'll make new pics too!

Now remember the wire ropes that you made a loop in one end?  The ones with the crimps and hammering?  Go get them and hang them on the hooks.

This next step you'll want to make sure that you either have an assistant or have everything together and within arm's length.  BOTH would be even better.  This is why I like the step ladder with a "paint shelf", you can put your "stuff" there.  Of course this could be an opportunity to buy yourself a tool belt!  lol.

The first one of these is going to be the most work and trickiest.  You've gotta be sure and hold your tongue the right way or it'll never work....


Besides your tongue you're going to need the wire rope clips, a wrench that fits the nuts on the clips and a level (a smaller one will be better here).  Now, put the back edge of the shelf  (not the one with the 1X4 attached and holes) on top of the piece of 1X4 that you just attached to the wall.  Put your level on the shelf with one end towards the wall where its going to be mounted and one end towards the front edge of the shelf.  Next stick two of the clips onto one of the wire ropes then thread it DOWN through one of the holes that you drilled (this is why the drill bit needed to be bigger around than the wire rope).  Pull it all the way through and push the shelf up until the level tells you that the shelf is level then thread the rope UP through the other hole and back through the clips.

Check your level again.  I left my shelf a little high in the front (very little, just so things don't roll off if I ever decide to put anything roll-y up there)

Now tighten the nuts on the clip and then.....you guessed it!  Check your level one more time.

Your shelf is now up.  Now to make sure it can hold stuff!!  Also, if you were lucky enough to have a helper you can free them now (if you want!).  Maybe they'll make you some dinner...?  Mine went back to playing computer games....after I screwed up the first time I tried this so, I did the final hanging by myself.  That is why I am positive that you can do it too!  I just put the shelf on my shoulder and bent my knees until it was at the right height.

two clips on each rope, be mindful of where the bolts are going, you don't want them stabbing anyone....

Add the rest of your wire ropes the same way.  These should be easier because you don't have to hold the shelf up and thread wire through holes .  I had A LOT of concentration tongue going on and no cursing....lol, ok.  There was cursing!  Not as much as I expected though.


One last step.  Take a few of those screws and put them into the back of the shelf on and angle through the 1X4 supporting the back of the shelf and towards the wall.

That's it.  You're done!  Unless you want to put up a curtain around the shelf.  Then you could get fancy like I did and get some thumb tacks and unused blankets/towels/pillow cases and hang them from the ceiling OR you could wait until I'm at the point where I'm ready to decide what fabric I'm using for curtains and write a post on how I hung them.  I'll post the link **here** when I do.

It is now time to put everything away.  This way next time you need to build/fix/break something or help a friend do the same (because you're a DIY-er noe!) you'll know where everything is OR if you've borrowed it give it back.  This is best done in a timely manner.  That way you'll be more likely to be able to borrow something again.  You may be tempted to leave everything out.  I know I always am because I get excited after every project and want to move right on to the next.  This is because I've accomplished something and want to keep that "high" (it's addicting!  You've started down a dangerous path here! lol).  I've learned though, that life doesn't work that way.  You have to put everything away get back to the day to day and live.  Carefully plan your next steps then DIG IN again.  Tripping over all of that clutter until that time comes will just get annoying and depressing the longer its there

....unless of course this is why you've just built this shelf...?  Then, put it there.  Yay!!

Once you've put everything away and/or returned it sit down where you can see the shelf and celebrate.  You've done it!  Great work!  Bask in the Glory of a job well done!!  All the owies were worth it weren't they?

WAHOO!!  Project complete!!
I'd love to see your finished product and hear how you managed.

As my room renovation progresses I will post more pictures and make more posts.  I've got all kinds of projects planned.  The next was going to be turning my long low dresser into a not so long dresser.  I've since learned that it belongs to my sister and she'd like to keep it as is...so, now I think I'll work on the work table/desk platform. that we'll be sleeping under.  I'm quite excited because I'll be incorporating my BRAND NEW Himalayan Salt Lamp and my nearly new IKEA corner shelf.  I love this shelf and only got to use it for a short while before I moved up to Northern Alberta for work.  It's been collecting dust and, no doubt dents for ....8 years....?  Oh gosh.  That's a long time!  Where did it go?

Until next time!  Stay safe.  Have fun.  Live.

current state, when it's finished I'll put that picture here too

Monday, October 26, 2015

I bought a new toothbrush today!

I bought a new toothbrush today.

Incidentally have you seen the options that we have these days?!?  Of course you have.  Seeing as we are all good little consumers and replace them every three months like clockwork.  Right?  Right.  Um....nope.  More on that another time though.

All I want is something to clean my teeth.  Nothing fancy.  It shouldn't take 20 minutes to decide on a toothbrush.  Should it?  For those of you who care I got a black one with pink rubber grips and dental floss-like bristles. Whatever that means.  It just looks like they've been worn out already.  Oh my, I just ick-ed myself out.  IT IS NOT USED BRISTLES in my new toothbrush.  *gag*

Anyhow, you're probably wondering why I think that you care that I have a new toothbrush.  Some of you may find it amusing, I'm hoping to find sympathy from others.

I had just gotten home from picking my oldest son up from work.  I looked down at the cup holder to grab my phone and go in the house.  That's when I saw it THE BIGGEST SCARIEST UGLIEST (OK, teeny tiny baby) spider that I had ever seen.  It was dangling from the dash.  Thankfully I was parked already!  So, like the super duper brave and capable "I can do things myself" type person that I am I reached out and SQUISHED THE INTRUDER with my thumb and pointer finger.  Yup, that's right. I did it with my bare hands!  Then I wiped it on my jeans.  I'm just that kind of a bad ass.  Then I continued inside....forgetting my cell phone in the rush of adrenaline.

Being hugely arachnophobic I feel that this was a huge step for me.  I am quite proud of myself for keeping calm and not freaking out.  Honest, quite impressive for me.

On the way in to the house I noticed something on the tip of my tongue, a bit of leftover food (#2 Son and I had been munching on chips), some random bit of debris from the wind....who can know.  I'm a bad ass though so I just picked it off with my thumb and pointer finger and....wait.  Yup, that's the ones with spider guts all over them.

UGH!!  EW!!  GROSS!!  YUCK!!  Gagging.  Also, scowling at #1 son who was laughing uncontrollably at me.

My first instinct was to go and swish and gargle with bleach and then turpentine or something.  However, I came to my senses enough to realize that this just might be a bad idea.  I did however go and brush my teeth, tongue, and gums until my entire mouth was raw.  Then I threw away my toothbrush.  I would never have used it again.  Even if I bleached it, boiled it and repeated.  It would never be used again.

So...

I bought a new toothbrush today.  It's black.  Because I'm a bad ass.

--
Originally Posted By Blogger to The Adventures of GillyBean and Friends! (my old blog) on 9/18/2015 12:28:00 a.m.

Saturday, October 24, 2015

The Shelf is up! (part 1)

Well, it's done.  It took a few days longer than expected.  I had a birthday to deal with.  ...I know!  How dare my little man have a birthday in the middle of my "doing"!  lol.  He turned 3 on Thursday.  My oh my how the time flies!!

The cake!

The kid!  ...studiously ignoring the camera!  lol
Back to the shelf!  I wanted cheap, easy and fast.  This is because while I could get help it isn't always entirely willing or able.  Also, if things take too long I just never seem to finish.  AND cheap is always the best route.  Right?


***I feel that before we get started that I should make the disclaimer that I am in no way by any means a professional.  I just have a knack for seeing what I need then finding solutions.  I hope that you get something out of this.  Please feel free to ask lots of questions of me, GoOgle and the person at the store with the apron on that says they know what they're talking about.  Oh!  I did take a wood working AND a metal working course in Jr. High.  Also, I took drafting in Sr. High and then didn't finish a course in College for it too.  Plus, I pay attention to things that interest me and DIY stuff interests me.  I watch lots of those Fix-It shows.  MH, BB, SM are some of my favourite guys!  lol***



So, it cost me two trips to the hardware store and just over $20 +tax (that's Canadian dollars by the way).  Not so bad at all!  Luckily for me my Dad was a mechanic and is a DIY'er too so, he's got all the toys....I mean tools!  I did however have the store cut all of my wire for me (and as long as you don't screw up like I did you won't have to worry about it unless you plan to trim the edges...which is totally NOT worth it!  I had to cut that wire with the wrong kind of tool and it was dull!  ugh.  lol) so, I didn't have to do it myself (at least at the beginning).  Nasty stuff.  I also played with the option of using rope which would have totally worked but, I don't trust my knot tying abilities.  While your planning and gathering your supplies try to keep in mind what the shelf will be holding.  I've just got some blankets and board games and a few suitcases.  What I used is just right for that.  If you'll be putting anything heavier up there make sure you figure that into your plans.



What I bought:

* 1 piece of MDF board 3/4 inches thick and 2' X 4'.  this is how big my shelf is.
* a 1" X 4" that was 8" long.  I cut this in half (kind of, I was off by about 1/4 inch, no big deal for me!)
* 3 pieces of 3/32 wire rope at 3-1/4' long (I only ended up using two, when I was buying it I was thinking of a 6' shelf not a 4')
* and the crimps / sleeves and clips to go with it.
* hooks


What I had on-hand:

*Drill (with a drill bit that has a bigger circumference than the rope wire and screwdriver bit that fits your screws)
*Saw
*Crimper (there are other options, I'll let you know about them, I wish I'd made use of them!  My poor hands....lol)
*Wrench (to tighten the nuts on the wire rope clips)
*Wood glue
*Screws
*Level
*Measuring tape
*Height increaser (aka: ladder or step stool, chair....? something to help you reach near the ceiling just be safe!)

Not everything is in this picture because I didn't think far enough ahead to take any as many as I could have.  Sorry!  I'll get better as time goes on!!


Most of it!



I'm going to apologize here for the crappy pictures.  I dropped my phone and broke the camera.  It still takes pictures.  A solution is on its way but as it is on a "slow boat from China" (probably literally...) it's gonna be a few weeks.  I'll maybe do a post about that too...?





Back on task!



First cut the 1X4 in half so that you have to 4' pieces.  The easiest way to do this is to stand the 1X4 on it's end and stand the MDF on its end and draw a line where the MDF ends on the 1X4.  When you saw it make sure both ends are supported so that the wood doesn't break part way through from the vibrations and weight.



Take one of those pieces and glue it to the edge of your piece of MDF board.  Clamp them together and let the glue dry for a bit.  **yes, that's vague but, if you feel you can work around the clamps without moving the piece of wood around then go to it!  That's what I did.  You can also leave it 24 hours (or whatever the container says) and come back.



Next measure (be as exact or not as you like here) one inch from the edge and go around the corner and measure one inch from the edge again.  Make an X on the spot.  This is where you're going to drill your first hole.  An inch farther in and along the same line drill another hole.  Do this on both sides.  This is on the side of the MDF that you just glued the piece of 1X4 to.



Here's a drawing I did.  It is NOT to scale.  It's a view of the top of the board.  If you have a longer board measure to the middle and drill two holes there too if you want to make extra sure that things are going to stay up.


My drawings in college really were better than this!



When you do your drilling it is best to put a piece of scrap on the side of the board that the drill is going to be coming out of so that you don't push a big chunk of board off.  It tends to chip with all of the pressure.  If you don't have a scrap piece of wood then just drill part way through, mark the other side and drill part way through again (this is not as easy as it sounds as you have to have the holes lined up perfectly).  I prefer to clamp a scrap piece of wood on the bottom and drill from the top.



Now, take the thimbles that came with the wire rope clips and two of the sleeves/crimps and your "crimper".  This is actually a Monkey Wrench (see picture below).  There are other names for it but that was always what I was told it was called and none of the other names seem to ever stick!  My Dad suggested this as one of the options to do the crimping and it was the one that worked...with much effort!!  What I would do if I were you and had this all to start over again is get a hammer and that spare piece of wood and wrap the wire around the thimble and stick it through the crimp.  You'll want one end of the wire fairly close to the crimp and pull the rest around the thimble and through the other side of the crimp.  Now, if you're using the Monkey Wrench method then make sure you adjust it so that the parts that touch close to the hinge is about 1/8 of an inch apart (where I've circled in the picture, not all of this type of tool has this part so, make sure yours do).  Now Squeeze like you've never squeezed before!!  Four times on each one.  Two on each side.  Ugh!  My stomach muscles are going to be aching for days!!!  Either that or this is the worst case of PMS Cramps I've EVER had IN MY LIFE!!  lol


Not REALLY crimpers....that's just what I used them for.


If you have (wisely) chosen the hammer method thread the thimble and crimp the same way put it down on the sidewalk and pound away until that thing is FLAT!!  This is a good way to get out some frustrations I imagine.  I may just do that...I've got some left over crimps and wire and a good many hammers....hmmmm.


Ahhh, now this would be very satisfying!


Now comes the scary part!  Making holes in walls!!!



First you'll have to measure down 2 feet (at least that's where I wanted my shelf) from the ceiling.  Wait.  I lied.  First you'll have to find the studs because if you just screw into drywall nothing will stay up.  I did pretty good with the tapping method.  It sounds hollow when there is no stud and solid when there is.  It takes some practice.  If you aren't sure take a LONG stick pin and drive it into the wall where you think the stud might be and if you can get the whole pin through there's nothing there if you get 1/4 to 3/4 of an inch through and get stuck there's your stud.  Celebrate!


Go ahead!  You've earned it.


Well, I think that's quite enough for today.  I'll post the rest in the next few.



Have a wonderful weekend everyone!!


MUAH!!

Friday, October 23, 2015

Learning to Live Tiny

It seems like my life has been an exercise in learning how to downsize.  I fought that for years.  I wanted my own giant house on a cliff that swept up into the sky, when you were on the water below the house you wouldn't be able to tell the house from the rock.....it was beautiful really.  I have every room designed and decorated.   All in my head of course.   Even still it always seemed big and cold and lonely.    Strange right?   Still, I spent hours perfecting it and started collecting things for when my dream, this big (palatial really) house overlooking the sea finally came to be.  I spent so much time and energy dragging all of it around with me from place to place or leaving it in storage or at my parent's house or various different friends......while I tried to fit in somewhere.  It never happened and still my "stuff" kept growing.

Here's the odd thing.  When I was a kid (ok, not quite but, close) my Dad's company went on strike and it was decided that we'd sell the big house and get a smaller one.  Part way through that the idea of all of us moving into a 5th wheel for the summer to save some money came up.  I thought it was BRILLIANT!! Yes, crowded (my parents, 14 year old sister, me - 18 and my oldest son who was just months old) but, it seemed like a fantastic idea and it never really left me.....it always seemed like a temporary thing though.  No one lives in a camper permanently. Right?  Then I'd hear about people renovating or building and staying in campers while the building was going on.  It seemed so ....romantic?  Looking back now I realise that it was the living in the small space that captured my attention not the fancy new houses going up.

Add that to my natural tendency to want everything to be repurposed in to something new or have more than one use.  Then throw my love of new places and hunger for new experiences into the mix and it becomes obvious that a mobile tiny house is the way to go.
If only I'd realised that years ago things would be so much different for me now.  Not that I'd change all the big things of course.

So, since I am not able (yet) to start building my tiny house I figure I should start living that way anyhow.  I'm living in a small enough house with my parents, sister, oldest son and the baby (well, he turned 3 today).  I share a room (and bed, co-sleeping is awesome! ......and another post) with the little one.

I have a design -mostly in my head- of what I want.  Bed. Desk. Clothes storage. Literature storage. Room to exercise (inside because it gets cold here). Space to make my jewellery or whatever other creativity that comes to me and store the supplies for it.  I've got a plan and I have no desire to compromise on comfort or prettiness.

First step.  Giant purge.  I got rid of so many pieces of clothing.  It felt great.  However, there's still so much!  I find I can't get at it though.  It's just piled up too high!  So....

Next step.  Build a shelf for stuff that I want but needs to be out of the way because it isn't used often. Blankets and winter coats and suitcases etc.....

That's what is going on now.  That's what the next post is about.

The pics are of my room.  A cluttered mess.  It's really time....it also isn't all my stuff.  The stuff on the walls is hung there to cover graffiti by my oldest son's now ex girlfriend.  She wrote on all of the walls, ceiling, and door with a giant permanent black felt marker....back when this room was his.

Thanks for stopping by!!



Sunday, August 23, 2015

My First Blog Post


My first blog post!  How exciting!!



My first blog post under this title! (because I couldn't figure out how to post on the other one from my phone) How frustrating!!



....but, change is good right?




A bit of stuff about me.  I'm single.  I was born in 1974.  I'm a Mom of 2 wonderful boys that are 20 years different in age.  Of course they're perfect.

*boys are



I am ever on the lookout for the perfect income that will allow me to stay home with the little one and focus on homeschooling him.....better yet; that will allow me to travel with the little one so that I can focus on UNschooling him.




I have a passion for helping and healing and learning and teaching and reading and doing.  That means this will likely be a blog about....anything and everything.


I am becoming more and more obsessed with those little portable houses that are all the rage now.  Personally, I think they're FANTASTIC!  I have a layout and ideas to make one work for me all figured out in my head.....now to make it a reality.  That's the easy part right?  I plan on naming it the Dragonfly.



Well, that's all for now.  I think next time, (assuming that I can find my way back here that is) I'll share with you my favourite newest recipe  that I kind of made up.

ttfn!  As Tigger would say.  Lots of love from me!