Sloped/Not Sloped

Be forewarned: This is another home improvement post.

 

Another post of our front yard even.

 

Could be boring...

 

Okay, you stayed!

 

Good!

 

Our front yard had a pretty dramatic slope to it and it kind of made the yard almost seem unusable.  I mean who wants the kids rolling down into the street?

 

So I told Wes I wanted to make a retaining wall.  He was kind of on board but said we needed to make the "sideway" first. 

 

With that done, I started the wall.

 

 Such. A. Pain. 

 

I won't even go into all the steps you have to take BEFORE you even lay down one brick or whatever they are called.



 I wanted to go four high, Wes thought three.  But it was my project and really anything less than four just looked silly.  So I won.

Can I just say, "I did this ALL by MYSELF!"

 

Yep, it's true.

 

And not to brag or anything...okay I'm totally going to brag, if you put a level on any of those bricks (except maybe one, the one you put it on, just kidding) they are level! 

 

I know, I rock! 

No pun intended but it works.

 

 

 

 



Our Truffula Tree

When we bought our home, we had one tree in our yard...one. 

 

Four bushes, one tree.

 

And for whatever reason or reasons we hated it. 

 

So we decided to cut it down post haste.

 

I thought I took a pre-picture of it but this is the best I have...robbed from Zillow.

See it there on the right?  The big ol' pine.

It was kind of ginormicus. 

 

Here is our one family picture by the tree.  Boy, we all look so happy! ;)

 

 

On the day we made the sideway I decided to "help" Wes cut down the pine by cutting off all of the branches. 

 

Really I just wanted an excuse to climb a tree again.

 

Can I say it wasn't as much fun as when I was a kid but it was still fun. :)

 

 The next three pictures are "me in the tree" pictures.

 

Where's Brandy?  (Almost as fun as where's Waldo.)

 

 

Our Truffula Tree!

 Tell me you love it because we plan on keeping it like this FOREVER!



Just kidding. Wes was so embarrassed he made plans with Larry to cut it down the next available day. But it did stand proud all Easter Sunday! :)

Our bare front yard.

Don't worry we have plans to plant a new tree there...just one that actually produces something other than sap.

 

 

Sideway

One of the complaints we had about our house as soon as we moved in was that the driveway was too narrow for our two big vehicles.  We always had to step out onto the grass to get the kids in and out of my car, which in the winter became a big muddy mess.

So our first objective when the weather finally started to cooperate was to make a sideway, that's at least what I call it, you know a walkway along the driveway...sideway!  Totally makes sense in my mind.  :)

So we dug a ditch and Wes built a form.

 (Our front yard was pretty ghetto for a few weeks).

Then with the help of the concrete pro himself (Jeremiah Stone)...okay, so maybe he did the rest of the work all by himself...except the mixing and pouring which Wes did. 

  50+ bags later...his arms were pretty sore.

 

 

 

 

 

 I bet you could never guess who lives here? ;)

(Sadie stepped onto the corner as soon as it was done...so we thought we'd get Kinsley and even things out.)

 

Jeremiah thankfully and patiently put up with all my "nagging" until I deemed the project perfect.

Ta da!

Sideway!

Entry Table From a Dining Room Table

For months I have been on the look out for the perfect entry table for our living room. 

BUT I have a budget every month that I am supposed to stay within for any "extras" and I generally spend that within the first few days.  :)

I have found some tables that I love, LOVE, LOVE but they would require me saving my "extras" money for several months, which honestly will never happen.  (Once, just once I saved it for two months but that was just because it was my birthday and I was already spoiled with gifts.)  :)

Anyways, I went to a local thrift store today called Thrift City.  It has 50% off days and today I guess yellow tags were 50% off. 

Always on the look out for an entry table, I came across this dining room table. 

Sorry dumb phone picture.

 

Look how the legs taper as they move downward!  Really, I was actually just relieved to find something at the store that wasn't already painted a yucky color or made of bulky oak.

 

I immediately thought that it would be a great entry table if just two thirds of it disappeared. 

 

 So I bought it. 

 $19.99 at 50% off, can't beat that!

 

I took it home, during the process of getting it into my car I discovered the legs were only bolted on which would make the change so much easier, sweet!

 

At home, I just measured where I wanted it cut, Sadie is demonstrating. 

 

 

 Wes cut it for me.

 Then proceeded to do all the drilling until I complained that he was taking over the project.  Yes, I don't work well with others on MY projects.  :)

 

 

Here it is all put back together! 

Now just to sand it and paint or stain it. 

 

And find things to put on it other than toys!

 

Wes predicted it would turn into another resting ground for the toys Jared enjoys bringing down every trip he makes from upstairs.  I seriously hope not, he's already taken over the counter, bookcase and fireplace mantel. :)

 

 

Novie's Girl Scout Dance

Novalee had a Significant Adult Male and ME dance last Saturday. 

 

Wes was her date. 

 

The theme for the dance was 70's disco...lucky Wes.  :)

 

We did clean the food off her face before she left.  :)

 

 

 

Oh boy! I'm not sure I would want to go on a date with that guy!

I think Wes is more than ready to retire this costume. He said he really doesn't like wearing it, especially when he is driving. Haha! :)

 

 

But they had fun and even got their groove on!

 



Yellow Death

Who knew you could burn Mac and Cheese...

 

But you can. 

Just another accomplishment to add to my ever growing list of disasters in the kitchen.  :)

Food

Last night I bought take out Chinese food.  It was my first time as an adult buying it (besides Happy Panda but that doesn't really count).

 

It was so good! 

 

After being totally glutenous, I said out loud, "Food makes me happy!"

 

I didn't count on having little ears pick that up.

 

A little while later, Sadie ran back to the table (Yes, she roams unrestrained at mealtimes.  Imagine little smudges of food everywhere.  We need to work on that.) and exclaimed, "I'm going to have more food!  I want to be happy!" 

 

Whoops!

 

Lets just hope that isn't the beginning of an eating promblem.  :)

 

I say that jokingly...but seriously.