No Rest for the ... Husband

When we purchased our current house, it did not have an in-built kitchen island. The floor plan doesn't allow for a traditional non-movable island, as you would have problems getting around the counters and fridge. For years Tracy has used a simple hand-made (by her dad) butcher block table, which has open sides and just a simple shelf. Meanwhile, she has been scouting for possibilities, and last week found a good deal on a movable kitchen butcher block island shown above. We ordered it on-line, and it came on Monday --- in 3 heavy boxes!

We knew it was going to be a job and a half assembling it, so we (or more like "I") put it off until the weekend. Well, here comes Saturday, and Dad, being a Dad, would like nothing more to just kick back and relax. Au contraire, mon ami! She made sure I knew where my priorities were today!

So, this early afternoon I opened up the boxes, and this is what greeted me:


and an instruction book the size of a college exam paper!

Now I am not a neophyte when it comes to assembling furniture like this - for years we would buy the cheapo bookcases and dressers - you know, the ones where the back is just wood grain colored cardboard? I was glad to see that all the wood was a very high quality - the drawer bottoms were thin finished plywood and the main pieces were solid birch. The only particle board I saw was in the sides, and it was laminated with birch veneer. For the most part they had screws holding the pieces together, but there were a few of those post and catch doohickeys (which you tighten with your screwdriver).

I'll share a Christensen secret when it comes to these types of assemblies. I've found a way to increase the life of even the cheapest Staples bookcases. The key is: glue all the joints. If it's wood-on-wood, I put down a bead of wood glue. If it's wood on laminate, I'll use some Gorilla Glue. Even the cardboard backs get a rim of glue before using the tacks to hold it down. If you use glue, the joints are more solid and the piece is more stable. I followed that philosophy here as well.

So I started assembling around 2:00PM. Here are some in-progress shots:

This is the back piece with those hold-down doohickey things. Note that I am not working in a workshop, because... I don't have one. So I use the kitchen!

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I don't have any fancy clamps to use when I am gluing the joints, so I like to grab my trusty ratcheting tie downs (that I use for my truck). The straps can be cinched down as tight as I want. Here is the base unit drying (I installed the drawer guides while it was sitting there).

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Here are the assembled drawers, minus the gliders and handles. Again, all joints are glued!

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And here is the final product!

It took me about 5 hours to complete the assembly (there's a reason I am an electrical engineer and not a woodworker!) with only a little more aches and pains than normal (sitting on the floor assembling things is not my style!) But Tracy really likes it - she already has the drawers filled.

Spring Fashion Shocker

I received a 15 % off gift card from Kohl's a couple of days ago. I have been wanting a new spring skirt. So, I thought, "Wonderful". With the deals that Kohl's gives out, I should be able to get a decent skirt within a decent price, right? Well, what a shock! I looked and looked and looked and looked. Finally, I decided to quit being a guy and, "ask for directions" to the skirts. When I was pointed in the direction and shown the skirt selections, it was a shock of your life. I didn't realize the fashion this season was to "try" and make every woman in every shape, size, form, or such into an any age cheerleader. Holy Cow!! I asked the clerk what happened to modesty this spring and she looked at me like I had lost my marbles. Yes, I did ask her that question and yes, she did look at me like I had lost it. I then went to Target in hopes. I should know better. It was even worse. And the swimsuits looked like thongs. I could have made a swimsuit cover up a skirt. But I think it would have been too noticeable. So, I thought, "maybe I missed something at Kohl's and I'm not looking in the right department". No- there wasn't anything- ZIP- Nothing! Then I took off to Sears. Well, that was a disappointment. Then I went to Macy's, Christopher & Banks (which is my favorite store- everyone knows that and they only had two to choose from - NO JOKE and they were ugly). Then others that were the tween sizes of 5, 7, and 9 , I might have been able to get my thigh into those. The deceiving part of those skirts were the labels were XL's were a size 9. I did find clothes for the boys, isn't that usually how it goes- you find stuff for everyone but you? I keep saying I need to learn how to sew, but when? And unless you hold my hand while following the directions, I would end up with a beautiful table cloth instead. So, for now girls, hold onto your modest skirts and if they are getting a little thread bare, well, I guess we can all start wearing burlap sacks. I'm sure they will be in season sometime in the future.

Yea For Snow Days

Yeh for another snow day! Lots of thoughts as to whats to do tomorrow at our house. Michael and Jacob are working on their pinewood derby projects. Steven has been working on his. Pictures will be coming soon. But just a chance to do have another day off together, working on cleaning the house, reading, Mom trying to get out of 12th place on Mario Kart Wii. It is shocking I'M allowed to drive on a real road.

I love when we are all home together. I love my days when I am alone and able to get things done, go out and run errands, or go and hang out with friends. But I love it when the boys are busy building their lego creations, getting along, and hearing their laughter at what they are doing. And then having Steven home is really fun. He may be working from home but just having him being about is shear joy and comforting.

Michael, Jacob and I were talking about giving their toys to charity the other night and Michael stated that he simply wanted to take stuff he isn't playing with and pull out things he hasn't played with. Then he named things we haven't done in a while. That is probably what we will be doing tomorrow. Digging through the pile and finding "new" toys to play. I'm a kid at heart and love to play games, do art projects, and be involved in what they are doing. Their idea of imagination is so different from what mine was and it is exciting.

So, yea for snow days!

Simpler Times

Today is a day to make more chocolate chip cookies and make rice krispy treats. That is what we have done today. The picture was taken on the 19th of January. Michael and Jacob helped make a chocolate cake in remembrance of Papa's birthday which was that day. They put all the ingredients that the boxed recipe required(no- I'm not that good!).

Since we have started cutting back and being more frugal, we have found we love made from scratch treats better. Even the cake we baked on the 19th, just wasn't that great. It's amazing how the more simple things are the better things become. We are finding life is more fun at home. We are finding we don't want to even go out anymore. Steven and I went on a date night last Saturday night. It was a fun time to be together. Steven is great fun to be with, don't get me wrong. But after venturing out into the crowd and the cold, freezing air of -2 degrees, we found ourselves heading home and not staying out nearly as long. And I would have been happy with a grilled cheese. Barnes and Nobles used to be fun. The library is a lot more fun now. I personally love the Oxford Library but I've heard there are wonderful ones all over.

I just got an advertisement in the mail to try a 7-day VIP pass at a local gym. Hey, now if you like gyms, don't get me wrong. But I would rather go walking with a friend, buy an elastic band, and use the weights that I have bought in the past to work out. Oh, and hey, how about the friends with the Wii Fits or those stairs that are in your house? Who needs a gym membership! Soup cans work too. I have a subscription to a fitness magazine that gives you lots of tricks of the trade, hints, and other mags that Steven has found for $3 for a year subscription or even for free. He's a frugal guru and teaching me a lot. But when the weather breaks, I'm sure you have friends who are feeling like they need to absorb that wonderful fresh air and sunshine. Grab them and go walking! (And if I don't quit eating these wonderful treats that I cooked, I'll need to climb the stairs much sooner). But I have to admit, I love the YMCA for their membership with the youth. The boys have a membership each that they can go swim, play in the gym, go to the youth fitness area, and rock wall climb during this time when they can't go out to play outside. We only go on Fridays now due to homework, school, and scouts. But during their school breaks, we go more. And your health insurance will give a discount depending on their policy. Pack the snacks and earn yourself some quiet time while they go play.

Another thought to help with these tough times is to read the frugal websites, start a coupon swapping system (another one's trash is another one's treasure), have a Mom's social time once a month (in the summer for older children). I have found the book reading groups in our church have been beneficial. I may not join in but it keeps me aware of the latest book that might be popular.

Back to the libraries, they have summer reading programs that allow the children to receive passes to places that get them in for free. And then there are the passes that are available all the time that give a discount or get you in for free. There's nothing like a picnic lunch packed, joining a group of friends, and it provides the social hour for both mothers and kids. I've heard the Purgatory is wonderful and plan on going when the weather is much more cooperative. Anyone who is interested in going on a day trip to the coast for a picnic lunch and sight seeing, let me know. When it's warmer of course.

Well, I think you are getting the jist of what I am writing about lately in my blog. But I have come to realize that I must cut back. I have become intrigued into how many ways I can save and do without. Many of you out there are much better than I am. So, if you have an experience or idea, I'd like to hear it.

The Newest Member of Our Family

There is a new member of our family. My Mom has an old cat that we will keep when she goes back to Ohio. It was my Dad's cat. The cat has taken to just the boys and Steven. She knows me as the lady with the cage, medicine, and vet office. The thanks I get! Oh well... But this morning as the boys were watching their Saturday (cherished) programs, the old cat, Cordibell, was "kneeding bread" and loving life. Cordibell decided that Michael and Jacob was just what she needed for her needs. I'm just glad to give her a new home. But please, no more cats! Three is enough!

Another Bit of Spring

Another tulip from the flowers we received at Christmas. I love the fact the tulips are so far different colors. There are about three other bulbs with their greenery growing. I watered them today and they seemed very happy to get it. I could handle getting the arrangements every month of the year. I now wish I had planted bulbs last year. But this will remind me to do that next fall. I must admit tulips are one of my favorite flowers. I just wish they bloomed more than once on each stalk. There is a house down the road from us that has a wonderful garden in the spring. The woman is meticulous and her tulips are in the hundreds. Her flowerbeds are the type that look like those seen in magazines.

Michael's School Project

Michael is being required to do a project on a historic site in Washington D.C. at school. There were many historic sites to choose from. Michael choose the Washington Monument. And I think every other fourth grader at the school has too. I think all the books on the Washington Monument in the libraries are checked out. The project requires a visual model. If it weren't for Steven and his know how, it wouldn't look this great. Michael also has done so much. He has had so much fun painting. He has done such an awesome job. Tomorrow we finish the visual and start writing the report. Yep, just can't help but brag!