My House

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTsjwfcfuyvMwMh3CA7I0DezmftnIaKpneEPwZ1PjByAMzicDkbYqHKO77rD2OWaK02AJNiiZDfpQSdm-D5mD8nc4UmtYwckhoPz1uU31_1lynYwOZN4o1c1qVWl2O026UHSlv8Fkml4/s1600/house+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="new year, new chapter, DIY, new home, new house" border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTsjwfcfuyvMwMh3CA7I0DezmftnIaKpneEPwZ1PjByAMzicDkbYqHKO77rD2OWaK02AJNiiZDfpQSdm-D5mD8nc4UmtYwckhoPz1uU31_1lynYwOZN4o1c1qVWl2O026UHSlv8Fkml4/s1600/house+2014.jpg" title="My House" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>It's the end of one chapter, but the start of many more.</i></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV5bf1OvPGn_NYQ-Rtp29Gk6C260M-DvWDPMlDe1oSSnFZQJxS1Nb6CWFtX4qh6XjH7aJNxabrkjYfDceH2lGg3VoSZD_rHhpxSsSdLtTlKn5LcIx2t-DAqbSoks37pm_HyBr1dLd-Tis/s1600/IMG_1291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV5bf1OvPGn_NYQ-Rtp29Gk6C260M-DvWDPMlDe1oSSnFZQJxS1Nb6CWFtX4qh6XjH7aJNxabrkjYfDceH2lGg3VoSZD_rHhpxSsSdLtTlKn5LcIx2t-DAqbSoks37pm_HyBr1dLd-Tis/s1600/IMG_1291.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hey all! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I've been MIA for a little while. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Things happen, and sometimes, one has to take a little break. </div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: auto; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">We've had to move, and it's been a whirlwind.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcTKkkZHgNsN1fdR6zKRQEDHCzc0JB5sWAfam_M9luMlRx_E9NN4uKCI57FkXI4XFXivOdgmVEolr4JqCCSuRhZ_9sPHqPyWiYjFriHIPvvK6U8ERNgb82Uplyx5AarQKcmaYkESEutZA/s1600/5-21-13+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcTKkkZHgNsN1fdR6zKRQEDHCzc0JB5sWAfam_M9luMlRx_E9NN4uKCI57FkXI4XFXivOdgmVEolr4JqCCSuRhZ_9sPHqPyWiYjFriHIPvvK6U8ERNgb82Uplyx5AarQKcmaYkESEutZA/s1600/5-21-13+016.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But I'm back! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And I see that all of my loyal friends and followers have been hanging in there, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and have still been checking in with my blog.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_VVW_NvbBY9SsZqTNqFZfE6JgvFfHFRgrbZwW1lQQo6rzw-Zdo0szctPgyM2dPU6y-H0mLQliF3_iq9zJpUpuTLO3EQn-umBivVoa5ZtDvOI34-I2wNLiNh6Hgj0Vqd8Y4KYo08ybRhc/s1600/5-21-13+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_VVW_NvbBY9SsZqTNqFZfE6JgvFfHFRgrbZwW1lQQo6rzw-Zdo0szctPgyM2dPU6y-H0mLQliF3_iq9zJpUpuTLO3EQn-umBivVoa5ZtDvOI34-I2wNLiNh6Hgj0Vqd8Y4KYo08ybRhc/s1600/5-21-13+020.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For that, I'm so grateful! </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbDIs0dqw8HM718vqdxCdWnd2QuhZNAP4z1y9sRMv2z6wL8MSV77qG6z6C4-tk7vDVppOA8GN1NvFWuAbFUrjDzucmZxFIl_vH05knDcY2f9IebBgS6rvZyyLIsNW_Px7ySnu9Zt2HyJ0/s1600/5-21-13+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbDIs0dqw8HM718vqdxCdWnd2QuhZNAP4z1y9sRMv2z6wL8MSV77qG6z6C4-tk7vDVppOA8GN1NvFWuAbFUrjDzucmZxFIl_vH05knDcY2f9IebBgS6rvZyyLIsNW_Px7ySnu9Zt2HyJ0/s1600/5-21-13+025.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, although I've sadly had to say goodbye to our home, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the great news is that we've moved into another beautiful house.  </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6VurXq3i6G3mPO1JXtPpVLKckLu0vijaHMvBLBLZG1ari6qMLwn-shTvDJNSYn53ZqSK8ld-PZOVj1oLYsDG9bMpGc466EWLnRDM2PSqUHuuC-gQAmFnMPjZUu1wvp4KqudTSVIXg1hs/s1600/memorial+day+13+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6VurXq3i6G3mPO1JXtPpVLKckLu0vijaHMvBLBLZG1ari6qMLwn-shTvDJNSYn53ZqSK8ld-PZOVj1oLYsDG9bMpGc466EWLnRDM2PSqUHuuC-gQAmFnMPjZUu1wvp4KqudTSVIXg1hs/s1600/memorial+day+13+008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And I plan on having lots of fun working on making it a great home! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These are a series of pix of all of my favorite spots </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">in and around my "old" home (which is actually NEW). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9uUkMGQ0fRXMY1Q0M-ddyJvGj5mo7jwlEuNsqbKt5G_FgsuwBntdPKn97X2DHw6qepN_ip7qhcZLjTnXoc9eReCzsyspdiPAJB0wvfbE0Ez0LCkUfxQXA9SfcX0XN3zGzmCXMWGVwQXA/s1600/painting+chairs+6-13+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9uUkMGQ0fRXMY1Q0M-ddyJvGj5mo7jwlEuNsqbKt5G_FgsuwBntdPKn97X2DHw6qepN_ip7qhcZLjTnXoc9eReCzsyspdiPAJB0wvfbE0Ez0LCkUfxQXA9SfcX0XN3zGzmCXMWGVwQXA/s1600/painting+chairs+6-13+020.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And when we are into the New Year, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'll share some pictures of my "new" home (which is actually OLD). </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3TDPGuCOevDPIdh1GQjJWq8jGFn-scrHs-yv4xHnX4Xc4kJk7qaKKW_6JmD2vEnkzvXxbGLp3dvT14EVnq1vfX111prIH240MLXtfJ3-Ndar4gKDAE68Eih9EcMBM6JT-A4jTU-VztaI/s1600/june2013+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3TDPGuCOevDPIdh1GQjJWq8jGFn-scrHs-yv4xHnX4Xc4kJk7qaKKW_6JmD2vEnkzvXxbGLp3dvT14EVnq1vfX111prIH240MLXtfJ3-Ndar4gKDAE68Eih9EcMBM6JT-A4jTU-VztaI/s1600/june2013+014.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I hope you all have a great holiday season.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55LSHg2jrGtMi0ROGsC_rKWTtj-rbTC4tnSK-U4skhJz_-ADgTU3kUc41A-pZwIMN8Y8DsWHi7Ma2nYgwMuIJc7qQyMrfPjI6Lnax9qdDWSgwBb-psVGGhViROSzYr_kSmIoFHSDUM-Y/s1600/november+2012+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55LSHg2jrGtMi0ROGsC_rKWTtj-rbTC4tnSK-U4skhJz_-ADgTU3kUc41A-pZwIMN8Y8DsWHi7Ma2nYgwMuIJc7qQyMrfPjI6Lnax9qdDWSgwBb-psVGGhViROSzYr_kSmIoFHSDUM-Y/s1600/november+2012+003.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And I wish you a very Happy New Year! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwJVC4iZimCCIpsKwgmIPOAjTYtt3V3NROrbYiYFw_Bh5b48iQeW5RrxDsZsNZsgXLEEAYwCwwP4RYpdg-miIs0jeBly8x_Onn2r-IG6R7ZTIK2C9V7VSaSLJctqem4b2GB2Q5ftYPJqY/s1600/xmastree1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwJVC4iZimCCIpsKwgmIPOAjTYtt3V3NROrbYiYFw_Bh5b48iQeW5RrxDsZsNZsgXLEEAYwCwwP4RYpdg-miIs0jeBly8x_Onn2r-IG6R7ZTIK2C9V7VSaSLJctqem4b2GB2Q5ftYPJqY/s1600/xmastree1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thank you for staying with me. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH5DBWgiI5terCn8LN9G1oaSQ7Mq3hCv9G1kyitcA3M-LWPATbzTv6fGCs90NSDaDhSwhMTQO2XQOQq9PdtQwzlPUngUj-M2xcGXm4t5Wh7PAE0DeTuFmyJNfIiI67QuzpsnA3FGIYK6I/s1600/aug+2013+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH5DBWgiI5terCn8LN9G1oaSQ7Mq3hCv9G1kyitcA3M-LWPATbzTv6fGCs90NSDaDhSwhMTQO2XQOQq9PdtQwzlPUngUj-M2xcGXm4t5Wh7PAE0DeTuFmyJNfIiI67QuzpsnA3FGIYK6I/s1600/aug+2013+013.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I look forward to 2015,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1n4ivl1WkUgCNqI_OCAuvKx9pcbAcPhyphenhyphen9M1-cHHS_u1ekf5ACItl0xWJ9A0_W3yGAJIsl83cDrOFUvxFE1Xt0ESDs8S5J3cGmBnrR8Wd5VVxRd4rqlu9UrQ413YmOPdvyjs8fdpW4ifE/s1600/paintstick+flag+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1n4ivl1WkUgCNqI_OCAuvKx9pcbAcPhyphenhyphen9M1-cHHS_u1ekf5ACItl0xWJ9A0_W3yGAJIsl83cDrOFUvxFE1Xt0ESDs8S5J3cGmBnrR8Wd5VVxRd4rqlu9UrQ413YmOPdvyjs8fdpW4ifE/s1600/paintstick+flag+3.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and I will see you all in the New Year, with more projects, DIY, and recipes. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMZkfrG_0TmIu7zHYjGhuPCdawykPq-PZMO19tGSOPlefkRDw_TeJdDp3nJofRa4wRpgXcnBKJLWMdCYv7uMviQ95Ik41xltIR_KZOeum4ByYsMwWpBy2sSdOxUoFWwX_GCQEpgYPSWA/s1600/mirror+on+phone+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMZkfrG_0TmIu7zHYjGhuPCdawykPq-PZMO19tGSOPlefkRDw_TeJdDp3nJofRa4wRpgXcnBKJLWMdCYv7uMviQ95Ik41xltIR_KZOeum4ByYsMwWpBy2sSdOxUoFWwX_GCQEpgYPSWA/s1600/mirror+on+phone+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My holiday and New Year's wish for all of you, is that you will ~</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR6UZWoSjxtppKSx0wQe9yQqNpFLYjuWaOy2fIA5TDhp2RBleC1" /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">~ Julia</div>

My House

It's the end of one chapter, but the start of many more. Hey all!  I've been MIA for a little while.  Things happen, and sometimes, ...

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Garden phobia

Staying with the garden "theme" that I have going at the moment, I was thinking about why, no matter how hard I try to like it, I dislike gardening.  I dislike yard work.  And it's not because I'm lazy. (I swear!)<br/><br/>When I was growing up, we had a few decent sized gardens, for both flowers and vegetables.  Strike that, my <em>PARENTS</em> had gardens.  We were encouraged to help in the gardens - pull a few weeds, eat a few peas...  You would think that those memories would evoke a certain amount of appreciation for gardening.  But I all I can remember are these few incidents:<br/><br/>1.  The tomato plants.  I loooove tomatoes.  They're delicious right out of the garden.  My mom used to slice them for us, and we'd eat them with a little sprinkle of salt.  However, one morning, someone else took a liking to fresh tomato, this guy:<br/><br/><img alt="" data-height="183" data-width="275" height="183" id="rg_hi" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSOd46-SI778aqWOv-uqnUuHTL5qkWDNcCEiwNBm7QmXZCRtULnaQ" width="275" /><br/><br/>A tomato horn worm!  And all of his brothers and sisters.  Nothing turns you off tomatoes faster than having to de-horn-worm tomato plants!<br/><br/>2.  Digging in the garden with a hand trowel.  There's no getting around having to dig around the plants in the garden (either to weed, or dig up potatoes, etc.).  I don't have a problem with that, I guess.  What I do have a problem with is this:  no matter how careful you are, you will cut a worm in half.  And both halves still move.  If that's not disturbing to a 10 year old girl, I don't know what is.  And, it's scarred me for life.<br/><br/>3.  Mowing/raking grass.  Now this story is fuzzy.  Either I blacked out right then and there and lost some of the details, <em><strong>or</strong> </em>I later blanked some of the details from my mind, so that I could live a fairly normal life.  I was working in the front yard, and I'm pretty sure I was raking the grass cuttings, and I think I was in bare feet.  Either way, here's what I'm getting at:  <em>I. STEPPED. ON. A. BABY. BIRD.  And it "popped".</em>  Horrifying!<br/><br/>And, that's why I don't believe I'm lazy.  I believe that I was traumatized in the garden as a child, and now it takes sheer determination for me to garden at all!<br/><br/>Today, in an effort to feel better about myself, and my obvious gardening phobia, I looked up "gardening horror stories" and "stupid gardening mistakes"...  This story from another sight made me laugh, and cheered me up, so I thought I'd share it with you!<br/><br/>A tale of turnips, from <a href="http://www.gardenweb.com">www.gardenweb.com</a> (IE. this is not my story):<br/><br/><em>My MIL had a big, beautiful garden on the side of a hill, and as her family was getting smaller, she offered me all the space I wanted. I planted a lot of vegetables, but the mistake I made was that I planted the whole packet of turnip (rutabaga) seeds. I had a row of turnip 50 feet long. I had the nicest crop of turnip you could imagine. There was only my husband and myself to eat them, but I know lots of people that like them, I could give some away.</em><br/><br/><em>When it came time to harvest them, I worked my heart out. I'd cut off the root and leaves, and fill the wheelbarrow, trot the wheelbarrow down the row and pile the turnips on the grass. I worked for hours!</em><br/><br/><em>Finally, I was done, I took the knife into the house and washed it off, and went back out to the garden to admire my turnips. I had a pile of turnips as tall as I am. I was almost up to this great pile when a few turnips at the bottom of the pile moved, the whole lot of them started rolling down the hill. I was chasing after them, I'd gather a few in my arms and when I'd reach for another the ones in my arms would get away and continue down the hill. I must have made quite a sight, because my brother-in-law was laughing at me. "You'd better catch them," he</em> called,<em> "They're going to wipe out the neighbor's house"!</em><br/><br/><em> </em>Now, that's funny!<em>  </em><br/><br/>Got any gardening horror stories?<em> </em>

Garden phobia

Staying with the garden "theme" that I have going at the moment, I was thinking about why, no matter how hard I try to like it, I ...

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Pressure Washers

I got thinking about Pressure Washers, as one does, and they really are useful, and not too expensive.  When you own a home, there are a lot of time saving uses for one.  Now, I'll confess, it's usually my husband who uses ours, cuz, frankly, our power washer is too heavy for me to lug around.  But if my man gets it out of the basement and brings it to me, I'll happily find a use for it...<br/><br/><img alt="" data-height="194" data-width="259" height="194" id="rg_hi" src="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQMtcxjaCJnLLJ9LIR4hob5ACtyvWtV0v4atBf0KHo-QOsz10py" width="259" /><br/><br/>Now, they're a power tool, even if you don't picture them as a some manly jack-hammer or something.  And, because they're a power tool, they can be dangerous.  One does have to be safe when using them.  The water comes out very fast and it can harm soft materials, like your body!  Don't get your foot or hand in the way!  And don't be tempted to wash the dog with it!  Similarly, use caution on car decals, or molding on the house, etc.  And, best to wear safety glasses.<br/><br/>Here's just a few of the uses for a pressure washer:<br/><br/>Wash the car or boat.  Or maybe you have a jet.. You can use the pressure washer to rinse off, then suds it up, and rinse off again.  But, as mentioned, be cautious if you have any decals on your car (or jet).<br/><br/>Power wash the drive way or side walk.  The water pressure will further damage weak concrete, so be careful.<br/><br/>Decks and porches.  Over time, wood decks and porches tend to get a dull grey look to them.  The pressure washer washes that away so you're ready to stain, or treat the wood.  Similarly, you can remove old paint from porches, or steps.<br/><br/>Lawn or patio furniture can be pressure washed. Although I wouldn't advise this with wicker - you may end up with pile of wet kindling.<br/><br/>You can wash your siding.  Just be sure to be careful around moldings and glass.<br/><br/>Use the pressure washer to clean out your mower deck.  My husband thinks this is very cool, although I have to admit, I can't fathom why you would want a clean mower deck!  (This falls under my category "Whatever makes you happy honey".)<br/><br/>Rinse away grime from your BBQ grill grates.  Do you know that the BBQ instruction book instructs one to clean the BBQ after every use?  I don't know about you, but I just close the lid when I'm done cooking and burn it off for a minute or two.  I always thought that would suffice, but when you take those grates off, they're in need of some serious cleaning.<br/><br/>Power washing is perfect for cleaning the garage floor (assuming you can<em> get to</em> the garage floor!).<br/><br/>Speaking of floors, I actually used the pressure washer to clean an area rug when our cat had an unfortunate stomach problem.  I really couldn't face cleaning the rug with my hands, and the pressure washer was all hooked up in the driveway...  I just took the rug outside and blasted it with the power washer, sprayed it with Resolve, washed it again, and hung it to dry in the breeze.   Way better than the alternative!<br/><br/>Anyway, in my humble opinion, pressure washers are a pretty cool tool to have around the house!<br/><br/> <br/><br/> <br/><br/> <br/><br/> <br/><br/> 

Pressure Washers

I got thinking about Pressure Washers, as one does, and they really are useful, and not too expensive.  When you own a home, there are a lot...

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Pansy Telepathy

I'm feeling under the weather with a bad cold, and can't quite summon the energy to do much of anything but sit around like a bump on a log.  I figured some fresh air might help, and folded myself into rocking chair on my front porch.  Feeling comfortable and warm in the sun, I looked around my yard and happened to glance to my right.  This is what I saw:<br/><br/><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-219" height="300" src="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/DSC_00031-199x300.jpg" title="DSC_0003" width="199" /><br/><br/>Doesn't it look like my pansies are looking at me quizzically!?  As if they're saying "What's she doing?"   "Why is she just sitting there?"<br/><br/>I couldn't shake the feeling that they were chiding me, and eventually they guilted me into trying to get something done.  As a new home owner, all kinds of things need to be done, including constant decoration, picture hanging, moving furniture... it takes a long time to get it right and get a feel for your home. So I guess I may be a little paranoid thinking my pansies are actually bullying me.<br/><br/>Anyway, I've been looking at decals on the web.  I love the way they look and the way you can transform an entire wall (should you wish to), in a couple of hours.  They're ideal for decorating when you don't want to, or can't, commit to paint or wall paper (ie. dorms, apartments).  They're fun, and they're inexpensive, and you can move vinyl decals with ease.<br/><br/>So one rainy day, I was on Amazon just looking around, innocently, when I came across the decal section and accidentally hit the "add to cart" button.  I got one wall quote and one large decal.  Just a note:  when I say inexpensive, I mean under $20 for a 6' wall decal, and .90 for the wall quote.  Now, they're a steal, but it's not the kind of thing you want to overdo in your home, obviously, less is definitely more in this instance.<br/><br/>I bought a large tree decal which I put up in about 2 hours.  The vinyl pre-cut branches and leaves came on a separate backing, and you had to place them one at a time.  Easy peasy lemon squeezy.  And fun!  If you put a leaf on and it doesn't look good, just peel it off and try again.  Now, this is a good thing, because now I have the entire tree up (by my front door), I want to move it.  I'm not sure I like it there, but I do like it.<br/><br/><a href="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/DSC_00021.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-220" height="300" src="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/DSC_00021-199x300.jpg" title="DSC_0002" width="199" /></a>The picture is taken from my dining room at an elevated vantage point, but you can see the tree reaches to the top of the door, so it's a good size.<br/><br/><a href="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/DSC_00011.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-221" height="300" src="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/DSC_00011-199x300.jpg" title="DSC_0001" width="199" /></a> The other decal I bought was a wall quote for the laundry room.  The wall quotes look like stencils, but their a little bit easier to transfer than painting an actual stencil. The wall quote didn't come with instructions, but I had bought one of these before and knew what to do, luckily.  The letters come on a sticky transparent transfer sheet.  Basically, you peel off the non-transparent backing and stick your quote on the wall, making sure it's level.  You use the palm of your hand or the edge of a credit card to rub the letters onto the wall.  Presto!<br/><br/><a href="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/DSC_00091.jpg"><img alt="" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-225" height="92" src="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/DSC_00091-300x92.jpg" title="DSC_0009" width="300" /></a><br/><br/> <br/><br/> <br/><br/> <br/><br/> 

Pansy Telepathy

I'm feeling under the weather with a bad cold, and can't quite summon the energy to do much of anything but sit around like a bump o...

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