Before and After Desk and Chair

Last Wednesday night my husband and I were driving home when he shouts, "Did you see that"? What? What did I miss? He said there was a desk on the side of the road. A desk? Really? You mean that thing that I have been shopping for for months. The item I needed so badly for my living room? The item I was getting ready to purchase for at least $100? There is a free one on the side of the road? Go back! Go back! So that's just what we did. We circled the block. jumped out of the car, and stuffed that baby into our trunk! I'm not even joking when I say I could not sleep that night because of all the ideas running through my head. What color should we paint it? How soon can I go to the hardware store? I was ready to tackle my first refinishing project.

Before

Little did I know how involved the process would be. In my mind, a can of spray paint. Well, my husband educated me a bit. We went to the hardware store and with a power sander, paint, brushes, wood for the top, and sand paper we were on our way. I had the vision, but my husband was very instrumental in making the dream a reality. 

Time to start

 My first time with a power tool

New top. Thank you, honey

And then came the moment of truth. The color. I chose a deep orange to match my curtains, but I was so nervous. I knew it was much, but was that too orange? Have you ever seen an orange desk? 

Orange

Here goes nothing

Ta-da!!! 

After many hours, it was done! And I love it! It is perfect in our living room. Perfect size. Perfect color. Perfect price! Love it!

So I had the desk, but I still needed a chair so yard saling I went! The sole purpose for my morning trip was to find a chair. Well, that and to hang out with my friend, Sarah! We went to yard sale after yard sale, but still no chair. We pulled up to the next to last sale and as I got closer I saw it! My chair! I started squealing and running towards it! And when I looked up I had a few fans excited for me that I finally found my chair. My beloved chair. 

Before

I'm sure it made some little girl very happy. But no more! I was about to "destroy" it. I think I can still hear the whimpering from that little girl's room. But she will be happy to know that it has moved on to bigger and better things! First thing, reupholster the cushion. With the pinstripe fabric that I love. 

Looking better already

Much better

Nice!

And now here comes my spray painting! But not before sanding the ENTIRE chair first. Whoever finished this chair before me decided it would be a good idea to spray it with a clear coat on top! I don't like that guy. He added way more work for me. 

Love!

 So as I sit here at my wonderful little desk and chair writing about it I am pretty pleased. I saved at least $150 by utilizing my side of the road and yard sale finds. Sure there was some work involved, but worth it because it is exactly what I want it and it matches my living room perfectly. 

It goes perfect with the rug

I am very pleased with my first refinishing project! But even more pleased that it is done!

Dear dad,

People adore you. They respect your work ethic. They admire your giving spirit. They adore your friendly personality. They look forward to shaking your hand, working for you, hearing you teach. They look at you and hope that someday they will be a dad like you. Those same people also look at me and wish you were their dad.
I love having that man for a dad. I love pointing you out and saying, "That's my dad". You have touched so many peoples lives. But not quite as much as you have touched mine. I love that you are my dad. I love our daddy/daughter dates. I love when we laugh together. I love talking to you and getting advice from you. I love listening to you sing and whistle-all the time! I love that because everyone loves you so much you can get away with saying just about anything. :) No one would ever get mad at you. You're so funny how you joke around with people or give people at church a hard time. They love it. I think you could go up to someone and tell them they are ugly and they literally could't get mad at you! Your positive attitude and outlook on life are contagious. I want to have that personality where everyone can't get enough of me.
You are so good to my family and I know that Bryan is very thankful to have you for a "dad" too. I love how close you have become and that my husband and dad are "buddies". You are there for us in every aspect. Across the miles you show you care and are just a phone call away. I always feel like you are with me. Distance doesn't matter.
I wish I was there today with you to wrap my arms around you and wish you a Happy Fathers Day. I am so happy that you are my dad and that we are still just as close as we have always been. I love you so very much.

Love,
Katie

Microwaves, Desks, and Braids

So for thankful Thursday I am going to highlight my most happy thoughts recently.

First, after six weeks my microwave finally works!!! That includes three visit from the repair man, calls to the repair center, calls to the property manager for our townhouse, frustration, waiting, more calls, emails. Basically, there were four parties involved in fixing my microwave. The landlord, the property manager, the repair company, and the warranty company. Which goes to show that having more people involved doesn't necessarily mean the job is going to get done any faster. I tried not to complain about it because it is a small thing, but after six weeks its just became a big thing. But what matters now is that it is fixed now and I am one happy girl. Sometimes I just look at it in amazement that it truly is fixed. Warming up macaroni has never felt so good!

Since we moved here I have tapped into my creative side. With the help of Pinterest, of course. That, and way more free time. Also, since we moved here I have been searching for a small desk for the living room. I wanted something small and basic but nothing that looked too modern. I have been so close to buying this one from Target for a couple weeks now even though wasn't thrilled about it. Well, no more my friends! We were about three blocks from our house Wednesday night after church when Bryan spotted it! He said, "Did you see that?" See what??? From his tone of voice it was something very exciting. He wanted to know if I saw that desk on the side of the road. No, I did not! So we circled the block and went back to find waiting for us the perfect desk. The one I had been looking for. Well, not completely. It needed a little love. But I was will to offer that. So in our trunk it went, and I am now sitting here typing this blog on my new little piece of furniture that is in serious need of paint and a new top. This will be our weekend project. So I basically just saved at least $100. I'm telling you, it's a miracle desk!!

I am overly obsessed with braids. And Bryan is not. Every time I see someone my age on tv wearing a braid I inform him that, see, it's in! I am in style, baby! The Bachelorette, Daphne Oz from The Chew, Melissa Joan Hart on Melissa and Joey. Last night I wore a little one going back into my side pony. I'm sure I was the talk of the town! I just imagine when I wear them that all the other girls are jealous of my newly acquired french braiding skills! Thank you, hair tutorial!

So, as you can see it doesn't take much to get me excited!

Confessions of My Bad Self

I must confess, blogging makes me feel like a real author. Which gave me the idea for this post. So there you have it. Confession #1.

I have a heating pad next to my bed. Oh, sure, you think it's for the occasional backache. Not so. I keep it there to put under the blanket with me when I'm cold. Which is a lot. The comforter and quilt are just sometimes not warm enough.

I get the words yesterday and tomorrow mixed up. I will say things like, "yeah, we are going there yesterday" or "we went there tomorrow". I know,  I have never heard of anyone who gets those two mixed up either.

I eat in middle of night. I have been doing this since I was a kid. My food of choice is either pop tarts (cherry) or cereal. The only reason I keep pop tarts in the house is for the middle of the night emergency. Bryan thinks I'm psycho and says he is never hungry in the night. I didn't say I was hungry. I just wake up wanting that pop tart so bad sometimes. There are even some nights that as I'm falling asleep I hope that I wake up in the middle of the night so I can eat Mr. pop tart. Hunger has nothing to do with it.

I have a fake toenail. And I'm proud of it. No one can tell its fake! Way better than that half of a toenail I have underneath. I am thankful that I live in a world of little Korean geniuses who can make my toenail dreams come true.

I don't really know how to blow my nose. Bryan has tried to teach me. I don't understand the whole concept. As hard as I blow nothing really comes out. So I will just live the rest of my life being all stuffed up. It just tickles too bad!

I don't refill the toilet paper holder or the water in the iron. A couple years ago Bryan and I were having a conversation where I was asking him if there was any area I could work on. He just couldn't think of anything. Nothing. Then, finally, after about 20 minutes he said, "well, it really bothers me when you don't refill the iron". "Oh, and the toilet paper holder". Really? That's my worst fault in his eyes? Well, guess what. I still don't do it. So much for me working on my problem areas.

I love Hannah Montana! Oh yeah, Bryan makes fun of me for that one too. But, I do, I love it! Man, I feel better now.

I am addicted to Storage Wars. There's just something exciting about guys fighting over a bunch of junk!

I can't say "rear wheel drive". I bet you can't either. Try it. Mine usually comes out "rear reel drive". It's hard!

My favorite super hero is Spider Man which is ironic because I hate spiders. There is a new Spider Man movie coming out, and I absolutely do not approve of the new Spidey. I want Toby Maguire. You will forever be Spider Man in my heart!

I do a killer impression of Jr. Asparagus. That's right folks. I could be the back up Jr. if the current one was unavoidably detained from recording. But I have only ever done it in person for my mom and Bryan. I get embarrassed. Some close friends have heard it on their voicemail though.

I don't sleep with a top sheet. There is a king sheet on our bed, but my half gets pushed over to the middle of the bed and annoys Bryan. What's the point? A blanket is for warmth. What does a sheet do? Growing up I didn't even sleep with a bottom sheet. But I can't get away with that here. Unless we imitate the 1950's and sleep in separate beds.

OK, back to my fear of spiders. I have a recurring dream that there is a spider coming down from the ceiling. The first two times it happened I stood up and ran off the side of the bed. Both times I woke up crying in Bryan's arms. But fortunately no one was hurt. That was not the case the third time it happened. It was about 1 in the morning and Bryan was still downstairs studying. Next thing I know the light is on, I'm holding my head and crying, and Bryan and the boys are hovering over me asking me what happened. How should I know? I just woke up. Well, it was that dang spider again. When we were reenacting it trying to figure out how I hit my forehead on the corner of the armoire the only thing we could come up with is that I dove head first out of bed into the piece of furniture five feet away. That was the only explanation. And we are fairly certain that I gave myself a mild concussion.

Sticking with my fear of things. Here's another one. Sharks. Terrified of them. So much so that I can't even watch Shark Week! And so much so that I don't like to swim alone in a pool just in case...

I watch hair tutorials online. I have had several people make fun of me. But let me ask you, "does your hair look this good"?

So there you go. I bet you're not feeling as embarrassed of your little quirks anymore.

High Five for Friday

On the top of my favorite things from last week is my trip to Louisville/Indy. And there are obviously multiple favorite moments within that favorite. Hugging my parents. A lot. Surprising my Indy best friend. Going to Shawnee. Going to Lighthouse. Steak n' Shake. Reupholstering my mom's chair with her. Rummikub. Monster cookies. Lunch with Hilda. Daddy/daughter dates. Doris Day with my mom. GFE girls. My niece and nephew. Chick-fil-a.  Oh, I could go on. It was such a nice, relaxing trip. And I got to hug a lot of my favorite people.:)

This actually could be a tie for first. I got to see my husband after 8 days of being away. I don't know which was better, visiting Louisville or coming back to my honey. I have never been away from him for that long. Oh, and my boys too :) I did come home to a very weird scent in my house. Come to find out, the new flea medicine I got for Sam is spice scent. Bryan put it on him before he picked me up from the airport. So now our whole house smells like cheap cinnamon air freshener. He is like a walking scented candle!!!

I got some new stuff for our bedroom. By new I mean stuff my mom had at her house that she wasn't using to decorate. Including a couple cute red cubes, a big basket and some decorative balls. And the other stuff I got was stuff she bought me. :) Yep, I like visiting that woman!! A new picture frame and a little jewelry-box-like thing with three drawers to set on the dresser. I know, great description, right?

Mets game with my honey. Bryan took a half day yesterday to go the Nats/Mets game. Although I complained most of the time about the heat, overall I just kept thinking how great it is that Bryan's company is so flexible with him. It was nice. We went to the game at 1, jumped on the metro after the game, and were home 45 minutes later. Gotta say, the metro is not my friend. But it is a new way of life for us. The point is, we were home by 4:45. It was just nice. But let's go back to the heat thing. Neither of us realized how hot it was going to be. I showed up in a shirt with sleeves, hair down, and scarf around my neck. I left with my sleeves rolled up, my hair up in a pen Bryan found in his backpack, and my scarf in my purse. I still think I'm sweating. And the Mets won!! I was really happy for Bryan getting to see his team in person for the first time.

I got my hair done. Cut and highlights. I went a little chunkier this time and I love it. But that's not the best part. My dad did some graphics for her front window so this girl got a free new do! :) You just can't beat that. It looks great and it was free. That's a lot better than the $180 I paid last month in this new part of the country I live in. Crazy, I tell ya!

Extreme Couponing for Normal People: Part 1

I want to start by saying that not everyone has time to learn in a week how to coupon. When I started I was working full time. A month before I made my first purchase I started researching and collecting coupons. (Buying 4 Sunday papers a week, and printing coupons on the internet.) After my first purchase I would say it took me a good 3 months to become more comfortable about walking into any store with coupons. So it is just up to you and your schedule on how much you want to do this. I am now a full time housewife so I obviously have more time to do this. But before we moved when I was working full time I still managed to do lots of couponing. It just wasn't quite as organized! :) So for all you busy busy people. It can be done!

Starting right away, you need to start buying 4 Sunday papers. I got them for $1 at the Dollar Tree in Indy.  If you are going to get less than that get at least two for the BOGO deals. You need to start your coupon stash as soon as possible. It will take you a good month to build it up.

Get a big zipper binder and either 9 slot baseball card holders or 3 sleeve page protectors. I have both. I have found that I like the 3 sleeve ones because you don’t have to fold your coupons to fit them in the slots. these slots are perfect for internet printed coupons.Also, I would recommend getting a couple of those zip pouches. I found them at Wal-Mart and Target. They have many purposes. They hold my coupons when I go to the store. They hold loose coupons that need to go back in a sleeve. Many uses. I would get at least four. They are key to my organization. And you need to get about 20 dividers for your categories. I would highly recommend getting the kind that have a pocket in the front. You can get them at Staples or Office Depot. I think they come in a pack of ten. The pockets are wonderful for sorting your coupons by category and storing them until you have time to organize.

Zipper Binder

Zipper Binder Open

 3 Pocket Pages

9 Pocket Pages

Zip Pouches

Front Pocket Dividers

When you print coupons online, from any website, it will only allow you to print two of the same coupon. So if you want more than two you will have to use another computer.The websites I use to print coupons are coupons.com, smartsouce.com, and redplum.com. Coupons.com is really the main one I use on a consistent basis. Also, below I have listed websites that have taught me how to coupon and websites that I visit on a weekly basis. Most of the websites are blogs by ladies who have been doing this for years. So basically, they do the work for me. :)

BOGO free Items. You can use one coupon for the item you purchase and one coupon for the free item. Also, if the store is running a BOGO free sale on a certain item and you have BOGO coupons for that same item you can use your coupon on top of the store promotion and get all items free. Example below.

8 FREE Deodorant + $5 Money Maker at Rite Aid.

Rite Aid had Lady's Speed Stick (which is my deodorant of choice) BOGO free. And if you spent $15 on this item you got $5 UP Rewards for your next purchase. Plus, I had 4 coupons for BOGO. So I got 4 free deodorant from Rite Aid and 4 free from my coupons. So I paid nothing and got $5 UP Rewards!! That was a very good day.

Items I never pay for: razors, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, Carefree brand panty liners, gum...

Items I pay very little for: marinara, pasta, taco seasoning, mouthwash, body wash, pickles, cereal, laundry detergent,…

Get a green tag at CVS and attach it to your reusable shopping bag. They are $1 to purchase. Scan it every time you go to CVS and every fourth time you will get a $1 ECB.

Get two CVS cards. Most of their ECB (Extra Care Bucks) items have a limit of 1 or 2 per card. If the deal is too good to pass up you might want to make an extra trip that week with your second card. There was a deal on Physician's Formula, but there was a limit of two. But with my 2 CVS cards I was able to make 2 trips and get 4 concealers.

29 cent Physician's Formula concealer at CVS.

CVS was running a special on any Physician's Formula product, automatically get $5 off each item. The concealer was originally $6.29. So with the automatic $5 off and my $1 coupons I got them for 29 cents!

Since you don’t use a shoppers card at Walgreens, you can do several transactions if there is a limit on a sale item. However, if you get a coupon back for $2 for buying a certain item and you do another transaction for that same item you cannot use that original $2 coupon. It will not give you another one. For instance, a couple weeks ago Nutrigrain bars were on sale for 2 for $5. And when you bought 2 you got $2 register rewards back. Plus I had coupons for $1 off 2. So up front I paid $4. And I got $2 register rewards for a future purchase. Making the bars $1 apiece. Side note, that's the cheapest I have ever found them.

Target has coupons that you can print to be stacked with Manufacturer's Coupons. Example below.

FREE Revlon Products at Target

I printed coupons from coupons.target.com for $2 off Revlon beauty tools. I also had $1 off coupons to stack on top of that. These items were $2.99 so I got them FREE.

The websites I use the most are southernsavers.com, moneysavingmom.com, krazycouponlady.com. The first website that I used to get started is savingwellspendingless.com. As far as I can tell, these are just moms who have blogged about their couponing experiences. When you go to these websites I would recommend reading articles that they have posted about couponing. Helpful hints. That sort of thing. Also, I do know a couple of these ladies have youtube videos as well. Those were also extremely helpful to me when I first started.

My first shopping trip was to CVS. I remember it was the day before Mother's Day last year. What a feeling it was when I got my first free toothpaste and razors. I got a total of $15 worth FREE. Now a year later I just got $105 FREE!!! So it does take time to really master it.

May 2012-$105 worth FREE!

Good luck, gals!!! Buy those papers! Do your research! Visit those websites! And get to it! Message me or post on my wall if you have any questions. I will be doing a Part 2 hopefully soon with more tips. This is just to get your started. Happy couponing!!!