I’ve been holding out on you…

So remember back in May when I originally mentioned the to-do list that included painting and installing crown molding? Well, the painting in the living room and the second floor hallway has been done since the beginning of September and the crown molding in these areas has been installed for weeks.

All of the hard work took these areas from this:

to this:

and look how great the end caps look by the stairs!

Granted there are still some areas that need touched up,

but we are on our way! And when the weather warms back up, the kitchen will get a second coat and the half bath will be painted. Then it will be time for more crown molding and the second floor will be done! Woo hoo!!

Special thanks to Mr. Moore’s future brother-in-law who not only loaned us his miter saw to cut the molding, but also stuck around to help us install it!!

2011

I realize we are the better part of the way through January, but I thought that I would share what I am working toward this year.



Some people may call these resolutions, but I prefer to think of them as mindsets and goals:



1. Be happier, enjoy life more, stress less.


A few weeks in and I am doing pretty well. Sure, I have my bad moments/days. But all in all I am feeling much more upbeat.


2. Finish grad school.


My new semester just started this week and I am registered for my summer classes (two if them). So after these three classes, I only have one left to register for (hopefully it will be offered this fall!) and then I will be Mrs. Moore, MS!!!!!


3. Mix it up.


This is in terms of almost anything…try new things, challenge myself, wear the clothes that are lost in the back of my closet, etc.



I realize this is not very specific, but this is where I hope 2011 is going. And maybe by putting it out there, I will hold myself more accountable.

Goodbye Summer…

Hello cold weather!



With colder weather comes those heating bills that we all wish we could decrease. There are many things that can be done to help reduce costs. One simple and affordable modification is to our wall outlets and switch plate covers. Outlets and switches along the exterior walls of a home can allow in a draft. The good news is that a simple fix is possible. Many stores sell kits to insulate outlets and switches like this:

Photo courtesy of Amazon

Then you can also add in child safety outlet covers for extra draft protection:

Photo courtesy of Amazon

Last winter we insulated our outlets. We were fortunate to pick up a free sample kit of the foam pieces (3 outlets, 3 switch plates) from a local power company. From there we simply saved up egg cartons (yes, you read that right) to make the rest of the pieces we needed for our home:

We simply traced the sample pieces on to the cartons and made the rest that we needed. We were able to make two covers per carton. Then we picked up a set of outlet plugs:

We took our outlets from this:

to this:

Granted, you probably could have visualized the outcome, but I really just wanted to show off my paint job. If you remember, continuing painting the house was on my summer to-do list. Plus, as you can see, no one is any wiser of the changes you just made.

Another option to help you stay warm this winter would be to find a furry friend to snuggle with. From past experience, furry friends like these are good choices:
 



Man, that is some nice looking paint.... :)

To-do list check in.

#3. The garden around our house is finished….for now. We added landscaping along the side of our home to connect the front and rear gardens. It has made such a HUGE difference. The yard now looks so much more connected and complete. The shrubs and tree out front came with the house when I purchased it and last summer when we added the patio, we put a few boxwoods along the perimeter. For continuity, we used the same types of plants out front and out back to line the side of the house. The only new type of plant we added was some decorative grass. We chose the grass for some height…now it just has to grow.

Existing front garden

Patio installed last year with our tiny boxwoods

New side garden

Side garden connecting with rear garden around patio

Since I took these photos, we have added mulch, but you get the gist of it. Now Mr. Moore and I are trying to decide if we want to add edging. I vote 'yes'. He votes 'no'. What do you think??

Summer to-do list

Unfortunately for Mr. Moore, I have several projects on our summer to-do list. Fortunately, we already have a start on a few...

1. Finish painting. Last summer I began painting the interior of our home. After purchasing my home in 2007 (I was single), I justified not painting because I knew eventually that Mr. Moore would be moving in with me. I did not want to have to repaint if not necessary so I put it off for a year. In December of 2008 after our wedding, Mr. Moore moved in. I waited about 6 months...taking us to last summer. I managed to get one coat on the kitchen and dining room, 2nd floor "hallway", and 3rd bedroom. So I want to finish that project.

2. Install crown molding. This one will have to wait until after the painting is finished. So it mostly likely will be more of a fall project. The bonus is that don't have to be super percise when painting along the walls and celing!

3. Finish the garden. Last summer we installed a back patio. We need to finish the garden that borders it as well as the garden that runs the edge of our home. We have the gardens dug out and plants, well, planted. At this point we need to decide on edging and mulch it all. Here's hoping we remember to water the new little plants!

Lets tally the progress:
#1 - .5 points (at least we got started!)
#2 - 0 points
#3 - .5 points

One out of three is a pretty darn good start!