Tools for the Blogger

<p>Hey hey! Thanks for the kind words and support about our <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/08/our-visitor-murphy.html">latest fiasco</a>. ;) The adjuster came out today and he was SO awesome – we’re hoping for good news. It could be up to two weeks before we can do anything though, and I’m already itching to have a working kitchen again. </p> <p>It may be a long two weeks! :) </p> <p>Anyhoo, I joke that I’m shocked I even have a functioning blog, let alone one that does alright for itself, cause I’m CLUELESS when it comes to computers, web stuff, html, all of it. Terms like “SEO” make me go HUH? I just don’t get it – I think I would if I took the time to learn it all, but I’m too busy DIYing and then blogging to learn all that. </p> <p>Someday I will. For now, I continue to hang on by my fingernails. ;) But there are a few sites that I use constantly that are extremely helpful to me when it comes to blogging. And most of them could be helpful to anyone – blogger <em>or</em> reader! </p> <p>The first one that I think is most important is keeping track of your statistics. Even if you don’t have advertisers or care what your numbers are, it’s a good idea to have some kind of tracker installed on your site. You just never know when you’ll want to check out your stats. It’s also fun to look back and see how you’ve grown from time to time. :)</p> <p>I’ve told you before <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/06/when-blogging-gets-you-down.html">I don’t look at mine often</a>. I’ll check maybe once a month just to update my numbers for advertising purposes. If I look much more than that, I get all weird and freaky and wonder if I should do more and feel like I can’t keep up and I hate that feeling. :)</p> <p>I use two sites – the first is <a href="http://www.statcounter.com/">StatCounter</a>:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-n9NsbTyu_3Q/Tl2vOAlPLfI/AAAAAAAAOp0/cKyHOeoa0bI/s1600-h/image%25255B27%25255D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="60" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NUVjlHXRS-g/Tl2vOvSJiAI/AAAAAAAAOp4/Tjxj7np0a7c/image_thumb%25255B17%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="350" /></a></p> <p>It’s super easy to install on your blog (in blogger I think I installed it as a html button) and it keeps track of all sorts of things:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dziLvNOoFk8/Tl2vPP6KdmI/AAAAAAAAOp8/4BSN0ByA0r8/s1600-h/image%25255B72%25255D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="174" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UBXs0oHxWX4/Tl2vPVz7l9I/AAAAAAAAOqA/QukGQ9_73hc/image_thumb%25255B67%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="577" /></a></p> <p>The thing with StatCounter is that their numbers are wayyy low compared to other programs I’ve used. Blogger now has stats readily available, and StatCounter’s numbers don’t even touch what Blogger tells me. </p> <p>And the <a href="http://www.google.com/analytics/">Google Analytics</a> numbers are between those two:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MwpG5fSL73U/Tl2vP6LUpgI/AAAAAAAAOqE/RYOdla2Fo4s/s1600-h/image%25255B23%25255D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="300" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--a9JU9uh3Zw/Tl2vQBtKdxI/AAAAAAAAOqI/0EvuP4z2KX4/image_thumb%25255B9%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="400" /></a></p> <p>Their numbers are still way higher than StatCounter’s, but not as high as the Blogger stats. It’s highly confusing. I still haven’t heard a good explanation as to why this happens, but I think it’s common for most bloggers. </p> <p>I typically use Analytics – especially for things like page views and to see where referring traffic is coming from. I post my top ten blog referrers for each month (down on the bottom left side of my blog) and I get that info from Analytics:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vkVX6qo7Qhw/Tl2vQqUmglI/AAAAAAAAOqM/xoqCxR3h-1A/s1600-h/image%25255B40%25255D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="90" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UtfcaZ-ZKFc/Tl2vRKdCsNI/AAAAAAAAOqQ/QDPaXlO0qlc/image_thumb%25255B31%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I put the code for Analytics on my blog myself the first time I did it, and then when I got a redesign I had to have the designer do it – I could not for the life of me figure out how I did it! It can be tricky, so ask around if you need help. </p> <p>I told you – clueless! :)</p> <p>I’ve mentioned <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/05/good-to-great-photos.html">my love for Picnik</a> before:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9t_i1gubFB8/Tl2vRvrdMUI/AAAAAAAAOqU/3RdRwgCVa-w/s1600-h/image%25255B21%25255D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="160" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-P3luTbxXnps/Tl2vSGaeDnI/AAAAAAAAOqY/EaMUqHqu1h8/image_thumb%25255B7%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="400" /></a></p> <p>Most of the photos you see on this blog are touched by <a href="http://www.picnik.com/">The Nik</a> somehow. And you can do SUCH fun stuff with their effects: </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uEhinYmpK1A/Tl2vSumqpiI/AAAAAAAAOqc/yO1vrSXyrwQ/s1600-h/image%25255B55%25255D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="285" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-o2sfD2FlPOQ/Tl2vTZfzY2I/AAAAAAAAOqg/aOup1sMy8LY/image_thumb%25255B38%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="190" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-K4RwmnObMlE/Tl2vT4sANEI/AAAAAAAAOqk/VB93VMg18Qw/s1600-h/image%25255B54%25255D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="285" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--psTvlxtNkg/Tl2vUdFbniI/AAAAAAAAOqo/8zDUSw6jiqQ/image_thumb%25255B37%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="190" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--aS3QCaj_Nw/Tl2vVO-8Q3I/AAAAAAAAOqs/ETvJ5ZD5w9U/s1600-h/image%25255B53%25255D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="285" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Z91RWEQ1rIs/Tl2vVtIyfmI/AAAAAAAAOqw/n-ZgC9GW-hE/image_thumb%25255B36%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="190" /></a> </p> <p>I highly recommend playing around with it for a while. You’ll love it! (And most of their options are free!)</p> <p>When it comes to the moola, I only accept payment from individual advertisers through <a href="http://www.paypal.com/">PayPal</a>:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UySotfjnOng/Tl2vV8DlCHI/AAAAAAAAOq0/ArvcBixNPVQ/s1600-h/image%25255B56%25255D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="181" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4Ou0NynScP4/Tl2vWfmCDXI/AAAAAAAAOq4/WzvkWHvBVsU/image_thumb%25255B44%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="376" /></a></p> <p>There is a small fee that comes out of each deposit, but it’s worth it to me. It’s <em>so </em>easy to use for invoicing, and they keep track of all of my transactions for tax purposes as well. (You can get a monthly statement or end of the year.) </p> <p>And the great thing is, most small businesses use it anyway – so most everyone has an account. I tried accepting checks for a while and it was just a mess. This works out <em>much</em> better. </p> <p>Of course there’s the social media STUFF. Twitter and Facebook namely. And many of you know the great <a href="http://pinterest.com/">Pinterest</a> for the awesome online archiving system that it is:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FjtUM-Kc4xI/Tl2vWgptZlI/AAAAAAAAOq8/P8oRQLyyg7s/s1600-h/image%25255B22%25255D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="103" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wbAnP325ECg/Tl2vXP8LCgI/AAAAAAAAOrA/w0WXdJAJMbs/image_thumb%25255B8%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="400" /></a></p> <p>I showed you more about this amazing site <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/05/organizing-inspiration.html">here</a>. And yes, I know. It’s annoying when everyone under the sun is talking about some site you know nothing about. Believe me, I avoided it for a while just because I felt like “everyone was doing it.” </p> <p>I can be a brat like that. ;)</p> <p>But it really is an awesome tool. <strong>For reals</strong>. If you love blogs, <em>you will love it</em>. And if you are a blogger – USE IT. Pinning will get your blog out there because you know a good “pin” will travel endlessly through time. ;) If you have a blog, I highly, highly suggest you create your account with your blog name. I can’t find half the blogs I follow because they’re all under personal names and that bums me out! I want to see what they are pinning! REAL bad. (Go to “edit profile” under your photo to change your name if you want to do so.)</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-F4ePC2rEcDE/Tl2vX2BRTQI/AAAAAAAAOrE/wlwMNSNlgnw/s1600-h/image%25255B63%25255D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="234" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YtHrnEagNd4/Tl2vYXxrgoI/AAAAAAAAOrI/re3mUqN2zbU/image_thumb%25255B53%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="550" /></a></p> <p>And I absolutely pin my own projects – if I post on something DIY or decor-related, Pinterest is one of the three places I link the post to right after I hit publish – along with Twitter and Facebook. </p> <p>Yes, it felt odd doing it the first few times, and I don’t do it a ton (Pinterest specifies that they don’t want the site used purely as a tool for self-promotion), but I see it as another marketing tool and find it’s brings a TON of traffic to my site. It now beats out Twitter and for sending traffic to TDC. </p> <p>Please don’t be afraid to promote yourself! Just be cool and don’t get all freaky about it. ;)</p> <p>Speaking of linking to Twitter – I use <a href="http://bit.ly/">bit.ly</a> to shorten my links: <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-V6ZUJb_30zI/Tl2vZnBr10I/AAAAAAAAOrM/E4mFpDNny5k/s1600-h/bit.ly%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="bit.ly" border="0" height="93" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jbLRdEPrueY/Tl2vZxIcCqI/AAAAAAAAOrQ/MlroIaZ3TtQ/bit.ly_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="bit.ly" width="400" /></a></p> <p>You only get so much space for tweets, so this helps a ton – it knocks the link to my posts down to 10 or 12 characters. </p> <p>I’ve used similar sites in the past and had one link to a <em>very</em> spammy site instead of mine once, so since then this bitly site is the only one I use. Yikes. No one wants to see that. Seriously.</p> <p>One great little tricky trick that I learned a couple years ago was to use <a href="http://www.google.com/alerts">Google Alerts:</a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pu5GF_5z44U/Tl2vatF0ruI/AAAAAAAAOrU/WZSHChOzy_U/s1600-h/image%25255B28%25255D.png"><img alt="Google Alerts" border="0" height="160" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XNS7MAkmXT0/Tl2vbEzBUgI/AAAAAAAAOrY/XQ2AD9mg7mA/image_thumb%25255B18%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Google Alerts" width="400" /></a></p> <p>Google Alerts are email updates based on a topic you enter – so say you want to know every time your blog name is mentioned out in Googleland. You enter it as one of your alerts and it sends a daily email with links to each site that mentions you. </p> <p>It’s just a cool little tool – and you can use it for any term you want. You could enter “painting” or “molding” and everything will come up daily for those terms. The sky is the limit! It’s a great way to see who is talking about your blog, but it’s also an easy way to find out more about any topic you are interested in. </p> <p>Finally, the boring stuff – but it’s the stuff that keeps your blog and all of your tools safe and sound! Did you know you can download the content of your blog whenever you want? If you are in Blogger, go to “settings” then under “basic” click on “export blog” under blog tools. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Xtdossp9X9M/Tl2vbX0Iw-I/AAAAAAAAOrc/z9uvFOjri7E/s1600-h/image%25255B69%25255D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="258" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kYnsyH_le9s/Tl2vb7tD_8I/AAAAAAAAOrg/IwYeFJAR65s/image_thumb%25255B61%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="527" /></a></p> <p>Remember – hit export, NOT delete. ;) When you hit download blog, it will save the content. So JUST IN CASE…you’ll have a back up. I try to do it once a month but should do it more often. And I’m not even sure what “Atom export format” is – but I know it’s saving something. I hope. </p> <p>(If you didn’t believe me the first few times – clueless.)</p> <p>And I also use <a href="http://www.carbonite.com/">Carbonite</a> for my computer:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-e7aPZMCCFKw/Tl2vcTR1JwI/AAAAAAAAOrk/bkTVJ4qFqLo/s1600-h/image%25255B29%25255D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="85" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NAkaHMrwqhI/Tl2vc82ufBI/AAAAAAAAOro/WRUAFSC9yWA/image_thumb%25255B19%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="400" /></a></p> <p>I only use it cause Dave Ramsey told me too. ;) I’ve had it installed for a couple months and so far so good. It is GREAT peace of mind – I know all of my files (especially my photos!) are safe and sound. I used to use <a href="http://photobucket.com/">Photobucket</a> for everything, but it just became too time consuming to download every photo. </p> <p>And if you enter “Ramsey” when you check out, you get two months free or something like that. ;) (I think it’s Ramsey!) Whoo! </p> <p>So there you go – a few of my tips for the blogger that even non-bloggers can use. I aim to please all peeps! I hope this helps some of you! Are there any I’ve missed? Any great tools on the Net that you use and love? Share with the group! </p>

Tools for the Blogger

Hey hey! Thanks for the kind words and support about our latest fiasco . ;) The adjuster came out today and he was SO awesome – we’re hoping...

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My Clutter Nemesis

<p></p> <p>Well, the hubby started back to school last week. And the Bub starts again next week. This year it’s Pre-K and he will be gone more than ever. </p> <p>I don’t know if I should cry or do a happy dance. I’m so confused.</p> <p>Next year he goes to all day kindergarten and I’m quite sure they will have to pry him from my white knuckles. ;) I am already dreading it. </p> <p>But it’s back to school time! I’m supposed to be happy, right? </p> <p><font size="2">Yay. </font></p> <p>:)</p> <p>Anyhoo, every change of seasons brings up some <em>major</em> organizing mojo in me. After Christmas I’m ready for a clean slate, in the spring I’m cleaning like mad (OK, not really, but I feel like I should), summer I’m a slug, and then in the fall, I’m determined to get our lives back in order before the holiday madness hits. </p> <p>Back to school always bring this up too. This year I’m determined to conquer one of my biggest and baddest clutter spots. I’ve told you about <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/06/are-you-piler-too.html">the piles</a>. And the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/08/progress-report.html">laundry room</a>. I’ve hinted at the disaster that is the master closet. </p> <p>But this one is waaaay up there at the top. I mean bottom. Wherever the biggest catastrophes go. ;)</p> <p>It’s <em>the car</em>. I just can’t keep it under control. It’s like, physically impossible. For real. But this year, I want to at least try. Trying is something right? </p> <p>There’s one thing I notice each morning when I drop off the Bub at school. It’s that <em>every</em> Mom seems to be a size two. </p> <p>Wait, that’s not it. (But seriously, how??) </p> <p>It’s that my car seems to be the worst of them – not <em>one</em> is as messy as mine. It makes no sense. Actually, it does, cause they go to the gym after drop off and I go to Goodwill. And then fill my car with crap. But whatever. Details schmetails.</p> <p>Well, I’m done – I’m going to make a REAL effort this year. For at least a week. ;)</p> <p>I started yesterday by pulling the car out of the garage so I’d have plenty of space. I then pulled EVERYTHING out and dumped it behind the car:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8qQSJ4Xov44/TlWn13dk6AI/AAAAAAAAOns/EG_zAU6WDXE/s1600-h/IMG_6419%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_6419" border="0" height="214" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fxXUeYxi37k/TlWn2SpUdZI/AAAAAAAAOnw/J9lygu-V7KY/IMG_6419_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_6419" width="450" /></a></p> <p>Yes, all of that was in my car. No, it’s not a big car. And this does not include the trash -- I spared you that. You’re welcome. :)</p> <p>I had a meeting last night so I dumped everything behind the car on purpose – I had to get it all put away before I left, or I wasn’t going anywhere. Brillz, yes? </p> <p>Let’s see what was in my car, shall we?:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mp22vf54ltc/TlWn23R33KI/AAAAAAAAOn0/Fhw7NpAMJpc/s1600-h/car%252520disaster%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="car disaster" border="0" height="262" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kCiMxCLb5w8/TlWn3XC1__I/AAAAAAAAOn4/_vKbamWypUk/car%252520disaster_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="car disaster" width="550" /></a></p> <p>Randomness. My specialty. </p> <p>I took out every last bit of bits. Emptied consoles and drawers and nooks. </p> <p>About half I put away. The other half is in the garage (my next project) and the laundry room. Moving piles around is my other specialty. ;) But it’s OUT of my car!</p> <p>I took the car seat cover off and washed it, then hosed down the seat. </p> <p>Yes, <em>hosed</em>. This might clue you in to why there are no before pictures. </p> <p>The only things I put back in were the car seat and the car manual:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2L7mS_qVIVg/TlWn3v0OJ-I/AAAAAAAAOn8/sde6RVwXcGY/s1600-h/IMG_6427%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="267" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RYx_RDqTsm0/TlWn3zceO-I/AAAAAAAAOoA/A8zU06S70HA/IMG_6427_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="400" /></a></p> <p>And a state map. Cause I’ll need that. You never know. </p> <p>Back in high school and college, when things weren’t so good financially, I would scrounge up change and take the car (mom’s or later mine) to the car wash. Cleaning it out and and using their awesomesauce vacuums would always completely change my mindset. I felt so in control of life when my car was clean. </p> <p>So now, even though we have a shop vac at home, I always go to the car wash to vacuum out the car:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1TLuRJSjAaY/TlWn4QfNoRI/AAAAAAAAOoE/GMUE8Z-COX4/s1600-h/IMG_6428%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="clean car" border="0" height="267" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Bu7nigEzrak/TlWn4kWBB8I/AAAAAAAAOoI/TavGtymEwq4/IMG_6428_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="clean car" width="400" /></a></p> <p>It’s just one of those weird things, you know? </p> <p>I talk about how amazing it is to rid your home of the stuff you don’t use or need or appreciate. It will make you feel control over your home and your life – there’s something really powerful about it. </p> <p>It’s the same for the car, in my opinion. Some of us spend a LOT of time in the car – and when it’s clutter-free, it’s a <em>much</em> more peaceful place. </p> <p>I need to take my own advice more often. ;) </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ibwXtnnG_WE/TlWn5310yfI/AAAAAAAAOoM/i6IkC-Aa_xc/s1600-h/IMG_6429%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="267" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-29Rg4CDIGwM/TlWn6dLZ-RI/AAAAAAAAOoQ/lHctD581aCs/IMG_6429_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="400" /></a></p> <p>The only things left in the back are items I need to return and our outdoor blanket I always keep in there, just in case. </p> <p>I’m determined to keep the car spotless for a week. If I can do it a week, I can do it two. If two, well, I’m going for a MONTH. Shooting for the stars people!! WHOO!</p> <p>So far so good. It’s only been a day. You have no idea what a big deal that is. ;)</p> <p>I’m on a mission –  if I can’t be a size two, I can at least have the cleanest car in the school parking lot! Yesssss…</p> <p>Do you keep your car clean, or is a problem area for you too? Have you tried and tried to keep it clean like me? Any success stories? I’d love to hear! </p>

My Clutter Nemesis

Well, the hubby started back to school last week. And the Bub starts again next week. This year it’s Pre-K and he will be gone more than e...

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DIY Potting Bench with Dad

<p>Well hello there! Thanks so much for your excitement over our <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/08/backyard-progress.html">patio project</a>. ;) Today they finished installing and mortaring the fireplace. (It was dry fitted before.)Tomorrow they start applying the stone. YIPPEE!! I think the landscaping may start as early as Thursday or Friday. </p> <p>SO. EXCITED. </p> <p>Because we are on an outdoor roll lately, I got some mojo up in here and tackled a project I’ve wanted to do for <em>years</em>. </p> <p>I’ve always wanted a potting bench…you know, for all the plants I can’t keep alive. ;) I wanted it for planting, but also for entertaining. A separate spot to put ice, drinks, food, whatever, sounds awesome.</p> <p>So the potting bench was the perfect answer. And my Dad said he’d help me build one. GLEE!! </p> <p>He came over and I showed him my inspiration photo from <a href="http://pinterest.com/thriftydecor/">Pinterest</a>:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-r__22Dydvv4/TlMaKcjnvAI/AAAAAAAAOlc/-vosbosBhkQ/s1600-h/Capture%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="pottery barn abbott island" border="0" height="408" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FOFWZTBr7Lc/TlMaKr6UlXI/AAAAAAAAOlg/mgNPdtrNBYE/Capture_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="pottery barn abbott island" width="350" /></a></p> <p>That would be the <a href="http://www.potterybarn.com/products/abbott-zinc-top-entertaining-buffet/?pkey=coutdoor-potting-bench">Abbott Island</a> from Pottery Barn (of course) and it is pretty awesome, yes? The price is pretty awesome too – as in I’m pretty awesomely going to pass out, $1000. </p> <p>Dad’s response? “We can <em>totally</em> do that.”</p> <p>OK, I added the totally…he didn’t say that part. But he knew we could do it! </p> <p>We took a trip to my fave True Value (Pendleton, IN) and looked through the HUGE lumber yard:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CgPTIcRp55M/TlMaLov7KWI/AAAAAAAAOlk/YTF14b1LxBs/s1600-h/image%25255B24%25255D.png"><img alt="" border="0" height="429" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-c-hpHVSAqbk/TlMaMBdl6tI/AAAAAAAAOlo/25AM1wRgRKM/image_thumb%25255B14%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="320" /></a> </p> <p>(That’s only half of it.)</p> <p>We talked about what type of wood I wanted to use. Initially I wanted cedar (because it would hold up best outside) but it is a bit more expensive. Then Dad asked if I’m good about putting outdoor stuff away or covering it for the winter and my response it was a quick and definite <strong>NO</strong>. </p> <p>So we went with cedar. :)</p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vnYx-oLmYlo/TlMaM__AZRI/AAAAAAAAOls/BaPDChkTbFA/s1600-h/image%25255B27%25255D.png"><img alt="true value lumber yard" border="0" height="429" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--Y-6BKxBEiU/TlMaNfNHnYI/AAAAAAAAOlw/i3SaSCcYvh0/image_thumb%25255B20%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="true value lumber yard" width="320" /></a></p> <p>We got our supplies – 4 x 4’s, a few 1 x 4’s and a bunch of 1 x 6’s. (If you have no idea what I’m talking about, I’ll show you those in a video below.)</p> <p>We cut the 4 x 4’s to 36 inches, then stood them up to start our design:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zD6VJwUSJpQ/TlMaOEb3MhI/AAAAAAAAOl0/KyGnn2Gzs3Q/s1600-h/image%25255B28%25255D.png"><img alt="" border="0" height="298" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Cg14-256IT8/TlMaOxOPVoI/AAAAAAAAOl4/xNn01xoj8Gs/image_thumb%25255B21%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="400" /></a></p> <p>We cut the 1 x 4’s to the length we needed (more on that in a bit), then attached them with screws to the top of each 4 x 4 and about a foot from the bottom of each as well (for the bottom shelf I wanted):</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-17iD0i2hC-E/TlMaPnHWeOI/AAAAAAAAOl8/-arIft_hBCs/s1600-h/image%25255B29%25255D.png"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="" border="0" height="429" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mFCzAkTEoUc/TlMaQd7JOgI/AAAAAAAAOmA/ned4F0nKUvE/image_thumb%25255B22%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="320" /></a></p> <p>You can see here how the 1 x 4’s (the long horizontal boards) go off the edge of the legs a bit:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9V093FVm8H8/TlMaQtf1zHI/AAAAAAAAOmE/mA9T3OXhtWs/s1600-h/IMG_6403%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="267" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RKa7kfHWjmQ/TlMaQ22HgqI/AAAAAAAAOmI/H-75HMoeAOQ/IMG_6403_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="400" /></a> </p> <p>That’s because we created a “frame” around the whole thing, on top and bottom:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WDhfQi5d8vU/TlMaRDX95SI/AAAAAAAAOmM/CwLpQUQAcHw/s1600-h/IMG_6404%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="make your own potting bench" border="0" height="267" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YfOtN4AQIL8/TlMaRT9sCPI/AAAAAAAAOmQ/R9BhwJ8Jd9M/IMG_6404_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="make your own potting bench" width="400" /></a> </p> <p>No mitered (angled) cuts – just simple, straight ones. The best kind. ;)</p> <p>For added support, we put a couple more boards on the inside of each leg as well:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aoiCcWZ2ChQ/TlMaR-tDSnI/AAAAAAAAOmU/J_k520aUiI8/s1600-h/IMG_6406%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="420" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-drZXMDG8M2k/TlMaSB5pALI/AAAAAAAAOmY/mnl9WGx2t-4/IMG_6406_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="" width="280" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vCRr7J-Onlw/TlMaSaXW2II/AAAAAAAAOmc/ZM2cisOgOEg/s1600-h/IMG_6407%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="potting bench supports" border="0" height="420" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4SXcOSwxeJM/TlMaS15_slI/AAAAAAAAOmg/HeGr6wDlUvE/IMG_6407_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="potting bench supports" width="280" /></a></p> <p>See in that upper right picture, how basic this is? It’s just boards screwed into boards. If you have tools, YOU can do this. I mean it!! Yes, I am yelling at you!! </p> <p>We added a couple more boards to the middle, again with screws – just for a bit more support:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xl9sc994WcI/TlMaTKakfPI/AAAAAAAAOmk/Kmw4mkcXWRc/s1600-h/IMG_6405%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="267" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kA9pluwPpdg/TlMaTo7b9lI/AAAAAAAAOmo/irSQKGmEcpE/IMG_6405_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="400" /></a></p> <p>More support never hurts. ;)</p> <p>Then we cut 1 x 6’s to the depth of the table (about 25 inches) and laid them across the bottom. Yet again, we just screwed them in. No glue, no nails. Just screws. </p> <p>Easy peasy. I swear. </p> <p>We cut more 1 x 6’s to fit the top, this way going with the length of the table. Our cuts were a bit off and we were getting a little tired and <em>a lot</em> hot, so we just installed them, then Dad cut down the edge with the jigsaw:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vacw-EaNdII/TlMaTwvyqcI/AAAAAAAAOms/CjcOeFqLXgE/s1600-h/IMG_6409%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="420" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-D3xE6fBanqw/TlMaUQ51RdI/AAAAAAAAOmw/6v3RU7-fSlY/IMG_6409_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="" width="280" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XhRpRAod1xo/TlMaUpYdgAI/AAAAAAAAOm0/TkNLM3v1DGQ/s1600-h/IMG_6410%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="420" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-l0-P1AbbUpE/TlMaU8Sd4rI/AAAAAAAAOm4/QTP414O-6lI/IMG_6410_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="" width="280" /></a>  </p> <p>It worked like charm! </p> <p>And then…we were done. Start to finish, it took us two hours. TWO HOURS. Yes, I am yelling at you! ;) I can’t believe how fast it went! </p> <p>We were both in a groove, because this whole thing went like buttah. Not one issue -- we couldn’t believe it. </p> <p>I found some basic, low profile hooks at True Value as well and attached those to the sides:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pmrRnegSZAU/TlMaVYC_f7I/AAAAAAAAOm8/VivJL-JVWtg/s1600-h/IMG_6417%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="potting bench hooks" border="0" height="267" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-h0aqumrT3nM/TlMaVi7LgFI/AAAAAAAAOnA/LuRtXJ7O6CA/IMG_6417_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="potting bench hooks" width="400" /></a></p> <p>I have no idea what I’ll hang on them but they look FAB! </p> <p>I love it so much!! (Yelling!):</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nCIqgEvFJP4/TlMaWNaKHkI/AAAAAAAAOnE/qWeOj3OaaA4/s1600-h/potting%252520bench%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DIY potting bench" border="0" height="283" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xyCmKMAggKA/TlMaWSRFH4I/AAAAAAAAOnI/nc1RpYIDP8w/potting%252520bench_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DIY potting bench" width="400" /></a> </p> <p>I did a quick video to show you the details up close, just in case this isn’t clear. It really is a basic as it looks though – it came together easily. </p> <p>Here’s the video and I cannot believe I put my face on here, seriously. I had been sweating profusely for two hours straight. And I say “um,” “basic,” and “just” an <em>awful</em> lot. I’m no TV star people:</p> <iframe height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/59dSXJZ5tkY" frameborder="0" width="420" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p> </p> <p>You can see on the video that the bench is placed over our fireplace vent right now but the fireplace is <em>not</em> on and the pilot light is <em>not</em> lit. It will be moved over. Do not put anything near your vent!</p> <p>So here’s the PB version:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-huFkj99GzOc/TlMaXNTCMOI/AAAAAAAAOnM/9bNj_64aKoM/s1600-h/image%25255B33%25255D.png"><img alt="pottery barn abbott island" border="0" height="360" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SoAo0m2JBCE/TlMaX_WQ_SI/AAAAAAAAOnQ/1ppDwuhrB-w/image_thumb%25255B24%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="pottery barn abbott island" width="400" /></a></p> <p>And ours:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-K4LNIlNuDi4/TlMaYEHR-CI/AAAAAAAAOnU/oIHBWZyAcxI/s1600-h/DIY%252520potting%252520bench%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="pottery barn knock off potting bench" border="0" height="300" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fATtptjtEl8/TlMaYdP5vUI/AAAAAAAAOnY/7sz56fM7xb4/DIY%252520potting%252520bench_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="pottery barn knock off potting bench" width="450" /></a></p> <p>The PB version is 50” wide, 28” deep and 36” high. Mine is 60” wide, 28” deep and 37” high. I didn’t even plan on the dimensions matching up so much, it just worked out that way. :)</p> <p>The cedar wood cost about $130 – not a cheap project, but considering it’s $870 cheaper than my inspiration, I’m <em>thrilled</em>. And mine is even wider than theirs!</p> <p>I’m trying to decide if I’m going to add some wheels – I found these super cool casters at True Value:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mC47PMcmRMs/TlMaY0cPlLI/AAAAAAAAOnc/yZKaCwfl4tA/s1600-h/IMG_6418%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="267" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hHTnNAcuzcE/TlMaZi8LuOI/AAAAAAAAOng/gHV7oPmT2NA/IMG_6418_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="400" /></a></p> <p>I just don’t know if they’re chunky enough. I may put them on just to see – it won’t hurt! </p> <p>Now…the BIG question! What to do now? I had planned all along to stain or paint it. When I mentioned that to my Dad I think he may have had a small conniption. ;) He said the cedar will age beautifully over time and he would just leave it. </p> <p>And when I hosed everything off, it was even more gorgeous – the water brought out all the beauty in the wood:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-02mWYpmXDi8/TlMaZ_hh8bI/AAAAAAAAOnk/Fu2rXmRLePI/s1600-h/IMG_6415%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="cedar wood potting bench" border="0" height="317" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BBzeg_By_Mw/TlMaaXd3EnI/AAAAAAAAOno/DJVpCJfmfJw/IMG_6415_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="cedar wood potting bench" width="450" /></a></p> <p>So now I’m leaning toward just a coat of poly or Tung oil, to bring out the tones of the wood. </p> <p>What would you do? Paint it? Stain it? Leave it as is? I know what my Dad would do. ;) Once I figure that out, I’m going to start using it and I cannot wait!</p> <p>Speaking of my Dad – HE IS AWESOME!! It thrills me to no end that we can DIY together like this. I love that we continue to make father/daughter memories, even as I get older. And he reads this blog, every day.  :) Thanks Dad, I love you!</p> <p> </p> <p><i><font size="2">I was one of the bloggers selected by True Value to work on the DIY Squad. I have been compensated for my time commitment to the program as well as my writing about my experience. I have also been compensated for the materials needed for my DIY project. However, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments.</font></i></p>

DIY Potting Bench with Dad

Well hello there! Thanks so much for your excitement over our patio project . ;) Today they finished installing and mortaring the fireplace....

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The Backyard Progress

<p></p> <p>Hello HELLO! The weekend is here, whoo hoo! I am SO excited to share some of the progress on our backyard project with you today. :)</p> <p>This is the first time we’ve hired out for anything big in about six years – the last time was for our deck. I’ve mentioned how COOL it is to see the transformation and not have to DO anything…and we realized about one day into it that there is <em>no way</em> we could have DIY’d this project. No way <em>Joesay</em>.</p> <p>Our backyard is a little funky…when we moved in it was a decent size, but it has such a steep grade, it just wasn’t very usable. Which is funny because we picked our lot (we were one of the first on our street) because the backyard was more flat than the others. That tells you what we had to work with. :)</p> <p>So that first summer, we added a very (very) large deck. It covered a big portion of the steep part, but we still had a decent hill back there. It’s hard to tell from the pictures, but it probably drops a good couple of feet over just a span of a few yards:<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IAwKFZ3rniU/Tk7H90NQCzI/AAAAAAAAOj8/FjEYbysD8Ho/s1600-h/IMG_62108.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Rhy5Hdy6Ipg/Tk7H-OojRZI/AAAAAAAAOkA/wyTW8749zTU/IMG_6210_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="320" /></a></p> <p>Which from the inside – I really love. It looks like we’re in a tree house. ;)</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-n5QcJk7-Xzo/Tk7H-2s_4OI/AAAAAAAAOkE/_UD__pU2vhs/s1600-h/image%25255B4%25255D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="452" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NkKyjTOH_jk/Tk7H_oiVD1I/AAAAAAAAOkI/PRPohLumBew/image_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="320" /></a>The deck took up a huge part of the yard, but the thing is, we’re not particularly outdoorsy types. As far as, playing outside all day types. We’re more lounge on the deck eating dinner, chillin’, drinking a glass of wine types. </p> <p>You know…I’d rather not sweat, thanks anyway, I’ll just sit here, lazybones. ;)</p> <p>We spend way more time on the deck than we do in the yard anyway – grilling, eating, hanging. The Bub even has his basket ball hoop up there. Other than using the play set, or to lay in the hammock (told you -- slothlike), we don’t use the yard much.</p> <p>So one day, while out with the Bub and the dog, I got an idea. We have a set of long, wide steps coming down from our deck. Why not create a patio at the bottom of the stairs, to extend our “usable” space? </p> <p>Initially the idea was to just put a little half circle patio at the bottom, and put our fire pit and a couple of chairs on it. I even thought could do it ourselves. Well…you know how that goes – the itty bitty DIY patio got a little bit bigger and a lot less DIY. ;) </p> <p>We worked with a landscaper and he came up with a plan that knocked our socks off. They started last week:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CIzEWqv8vNU/Tk7IAIJAqhI/AAAAAAAAOkM/M7y1MKwpmIo/s1600-h/IMG_62853.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dYlt262sTJg/Tk7IAaJlf0I/AAAAAAAAOkQ/WdOEqcLxKjo/IMG_6285_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="320" /></a></p> <p>I wish I would have gotten pictures of the massive trench they dug to start the project – this patio will outlast our house, for reals. </p> <p>And I can’t even begin to tell you how much gravel and sand they’ve used. It’s <em>insane</em>. </p> <p>The bottom step off of our deck always bugged me because it was such a big one – the hill in our backyard made a normal step much bigger. So I was thrilled when they took out that step and took the patio right up to the deck:<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nJxwFDMt3jo/Tk7IArX4eLI/AAAAAAAAOkU/TbsFMIvg98E/s1600-h/IMG_62833.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_0HQOp-hyFE/Tk7IBFgIhSI/AAAAAAAAOkY/1U2V5DesQys/IMG_6283_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="320" /></a></p> <p>They finished up the main part of the walls and most of the gravel and leveling a few days ago:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3Fi06mLK5EE/Tk7IBgYzWEI/AAAAAAAAOkc/cLf8Fr2yAys/s1600-h/IMG_62993.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="267" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GkJKzSNIr7E/Tk7ICIfOAZI/AAAAAAAAOkg/OanoDPc1q4A/IMG_6299_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="400" /></a></p> <p>And over the past couple of days, they’ve been doing the meticulous work of laying pavers:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yNqUn_hr8mg/Tk7IEfUZg6I/AAAAAAAAOkk/JRjMi-9Vrg4/s1600-h/IMG_63767.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="267" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RBNv6-JSJJo/Tk7IEubGx5I/AAAAAAAAOko/7cu098wTNbs/IMG_6376_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="400" /></a></p> <p>I always thought you just kind of did a pattern and plopped them in, but they have been so detailed with it –- picking out pavers in certain tones and stacking them by color, then arranging them <em>just so</em> on the patio. And OH my goodness, the little corner pieces that need to be cut down have to be just the right size. So much work -- they’ve done such a great job. </p> <p>Because our deck has a redwood stain (more on that later!), I picked out pavers that have some red and grey. We LOVE it. We had three options – non tumbled:<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LDpDVni841k/Tk7IFsIa6iI/AAAAAAAAOks/K7dPU94aur4/s1600-h/image11.png"><img alt="non tumbled pavers" border="0" height="402" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nwNOgOvqMOc/Tk7IGQl1zeI/AAAAAAAAOkw/xYM0dgW7cJ8/image_thumb5.png?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="non tumbled pavers" width="300" /></a></p> <p>And tumbled:<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PagjhyXEEeI/Tk7IHGxoDzI/AAAAAAAAOk0/cVW7xgH2ShQ/s1600-h/image12.png"><img alt="tumbled pavers" border="0" height="402" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XI1RBo2UFuo/Tk7IHxBJC1I/AAAAAAAAOk4/lkyncObIjxU/image_thumb6.png?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="tumbled pavers" width="300" /></a></p> <p>And the version we picked, where the top has that tumbled texture to it. </p> <p>Our landscaper said sometimes those can be an issue with chairs and tables (wobbling), but the furniture we got for this space (on clearance, yahoo!) has thicker legs. And we’ll deal even if it does cause problems because we. LOVE. it. :)</p> <p>The walls are made up of a variety of stones:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FLhzJwjut1g/Tk7IIPoYmII/AAAAAAAAOk8/G85O6d-d_lI/s1600-h/IMG_637813.jpg"><img alt="IMG_6378" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gkx1efOjg48/Tk7IJSBu68I/AAAAAAAAOlA/3HPcop66aqM/IMG_6378_thumb9.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6378" width="293" /></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>The top section above the bull-nosed ledge isn’t completed yet, hence the holes. :)</p> <p>It’s going to be great, because people (you know, the people at all the parties we’ll have) will be able to sit along the wall, or use it to set things on. But from the yard side, it looks nice and finished and will be softened with landscaping. </p> <p>We have a bit of landscaping that will happen for sure now, and the entire area around the deck and patio will be mulched and be ready for plants. We’re not sure yet if we’ll do all of the planting this fall or not. I’ve picked up a few beauties here and there on clearance, but otherwise we want to take our time and make sure it’s planned out well. (And the landscaping ain’t gonna be cheap. This is <em>already</em> our birthday, Christmas and anniversary gift to each other for the next ten years or so.) </p> <p>But the best part – the part that has us positively giddy with excitement, is this bad boy:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-az3DjcBrFQg/Tk7IJs-FxZI/AAAAAAAAOlE/DbPXe2fIRbo/s1600-h/IMG_63773.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uYbbbss1aB8/Tk7IKFRkg8I/AAAAAAAAOlI/dlOydtzml4A/IMG_6377_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="320" /></a></p> <p>Awwww yeah!! An outdoor fireplace! I’m pinching myself. (Gleefully!) Hubby (and I, who am I kidding?) have dreamed of one of these for years and years. It’s going to be <em>so awesome</em>! (Picture me doing the Elaine Benes dance of joy right there on the patio.) </p> <p>It will be faced with a different kind of (flat) stone, and will have a hearth in front. We figure we’ll get use out of the fireplace for most of the year – we can totally see ourselves cuddled up on chairs in front of the fire well into November, maybe even later. And come March, we’ll be back out there. </p> <p>Obviously we are losing a big chunk of our yard, but we decided to just go for it – we’re going to be in this house for a long time, God willing, so we want to use it how WE want to use it. We’ve still got plenty of backyard and large side yards to throw the ball with the Bub or whatever. </p> <p>And it just fits <em>us</em>, like I mentioned before. We never used our yard <em>well</em> – now we will. </p> <p>The next phase of the backyard project will be to clear out the brush back in our tree line. When the landscaper first came out to our house, he pointed out the <em>massive</em> amounts of poison ivy:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Nsv4xU-5G84/Tk7IKQDmX6I/AAAAAAAAOlM/VlyjRWnNIc0/s1600-h/IMG_63803.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-44Oo_YexPjQ/Tk7IKjOpNcI/AAAAAAAAOlQ/Jgfv9rCtR7Q/IMG_6380_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="320" /></a></p> <p>He said in all his years of doing this, he’s never seen that much in a yard – ever. It goes along the whole tree line, up into trees, everywhere. </p> <p>And we had no clue. <em>Nice.</em> :) They are removing that (thank you professionals!!), and eventually we will clear out the space back in the trees, plant more along the back of the tree line, and in the end will extend our “yard” by a good 10 to 15 feet. </p> <p>It won’t be playing ball kind of space, but it will be perfect for the hammock, or a set of chairs, or a lovely shade garden. :) Some of our neighbors cleared it out way deep into the trees and created some really fun spaces, so I’m excited about the possibilities! </p> <p>But that will be phase two, for next summer. For now, it’s been a blast to watch the progress every day. As of today, they are almost done with the patio, and then the fireplace work will start. I think they’ll be moving on to landscaping work next week – which means a KILLER party (or two?) will be in the works very soon. ;) </p> <p>In the meantime…I may have some pallets at my disposal!:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-e31c7njQJgM/Tk7ILX1BgfI/AAAAAAAAOlU/5WgOReQA5Us/s1600-h/IMG_63793.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nHKyTbVAiAU/Tk7IL8YklMI/AAAAAAAAOlY/x3bPf-rgPMc/IMG_6379_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="320" /></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>I’m going to see if I can keep a few – maybe a potting bench? Planters? I don’t know, I don’t know! </p> <p>So, that’s the progress so far! It feels like we are gaining square footage – it’s so awesome. I hope to show you the finished product in a couple weeks, fingers and toes crossed.</p> <p>And I need to clarify for my hubby’s sake that our backyard is usually not dead grass and weeds like you see all over these pictures. ;) The heat in July was killer and we didn’t waste time or money on dead grass and weeds, knowing it would be trampled. Just so you know. Cause my hubby is as proud of our lawn as I am of our house. ;)</p> <p>Have you worked on any big outdoor projects this summer? Have you DIY’d your own patio? I’d love to hear! </p>

The Backyard Progress

Hello HELLO! The weekend is here, whoo hoo! I am SO excited to share some of the progress on our backyard project with you today. :) Thi...

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