In the Meantime... IKEA HACKS!

I'd seen a variation of this done on the all-time best website EVER: IKEA Hackers (this is the post that I modified: Borrby Lantern)

To start, take the Borrby Lantern... which is a candle holder with a door and four glass walls.








Then add the Lagra Work lamp. For me the total cost was $10


Then you'll need some "Frost" spray paint. Any hobby store should have it, my cost was about $10.

STEP 1: Take the glass out of the Borrby and then drill a hole in the top. You'll need 1/2" drill bit.

STEP 2: Take the lamp part of the Lagra and hang it up in the center.

STEP 3: Spray the frosting on the glass, following the manufacturers instructions, and voila!

Floor Complete, on to the WALLS!

The Floor is Finally Finished... took forever. The next step is putting up the walls. Since the posts are so far out of true, we need to build six walls instead of four. One on each side of the posts on the left and the right. We're starting with the outside of the right wall.

First we laid out a base 2" x 4" 

Next we built up the walls. I didn't get any pictures of how we did this... I'll show those next time. This is where we stopped when we ran out of light.

Yes, that is a window! Awesome, right?

See previous post about my consistency... however, we've been working on the workshop and I have updated pictures!

One thing you might have noticed was how uneven the ground was in our shop. The closest parallel description there is about the dirt in our area is concrete. Digging by hand was not an option (DH tried and was really not into it).

We work in the construction industry so we started looking for rental options, and called the industry standards and were horrified at the price.

Then we found Almighty Rentals and this little baby for $100 for 1/2 day.

Brought it home and got to work... or rather, he did. :D

And our almost final  result in a fraction of the time it would have taken to do by hand... or more accurately, actually getting it done, because if we had to do this by hand, it would NOT have happened.

We needed to dig out the side in order to get to the post, so we've decided to do it with the machine and use the added trench with a planter box.

The next step is building the floor...

Since the posts are not true, the lines are off by almost a foot on each side, we're wrapping around them. The posts are solid (built more than 30 years ago and no wobble at all) so we just need to be more creative in getting them incorporated.

The post at the far end is touching the outside 2" x 10" as the post at the near end

Surprisingly fairly level

We're using 2" x 10" treated lumber, approximately 14" on center (we found out later that this was not the best guide, and had to adjust several for the flooring). The shop is a bit longer than 20' so we had to extend a little bit. 

Next we'll add some blocks between the outside joists and the rest of the structure to make sure the the whole thing is solid and stays true. And then putting the flooring down. We're using 3/4" Plywood tongue and groove sturdifloor. 

the floor joists had to be moved so that the edges of the floor boards could be screwed down properly

half-way there

Almost done with the floor! Finally... then we get to start with the walls. The floor was challenging because the posts were off-center... but if they've moved a little over the years off of true center, that's nothing with how the vertical angles have changed! So it's going to be interesting!

worse than my diaries as a kid

Every few years I forget that I'm really, really bad at journaling and decide that I need to create a journal. When I was a little kid I used to ask for those little diaries that had about 5 lines per date and a key that really protected nothing (it was PAPER for goodness sake!). I'd start on January 1... well, actually, I'd start on January 15 or so and make up a bunch of crap. Then I'd forget it the next day or two, fill in a bunch more made up crap, and then I'd get serious and write in it every single day for about 3 days. Forget about it until about April or so, write in it for 1 or two days and then toss the whole thing and resolve to do better next year. I have never in my life managed to succeed at doing something every day
for any extended period of time. A little too much OCD and a little too much JPL and there you go. JPL, you ask? Just Plain Lazy.

All that being said, we moved recently and the house that we're renting has an incredibly ugly carport that the owner has graciously allowed us to convert to a workshop. I'm curious to see if I can be consistent long enough to go from beginning to end and get the whole project online.

Um... don't cross your fingers.

In the picture there is my dh, next to the fancy little riding lawn mower that our son prefers to the other kind but can't quite master yet.

It's actually a dual carport, the side close to the house is high enough for a trailer, so we're leaving that side as is... maybe a little gravel or something so that walking under the roof after rain is possible (right now it's like a swamp).

So, I'm obsessed with Google Sketchup and I use it for every project that we do if I can. This is my first draft of what it will sort of look like when we complete it.

So, we're off to the big box store to see what prices we're looking at and then we can start the permit process. YAY for bureaucratic tape!

Week 3

So, today was a test. I really, really, really didn't want to go.

But I went.

FOOD: bagel with cream cheese, and Mexican Lasagna, and tea with Bailey's.

DISTANCE: 2 miles

TIME: 33 minutes

INTERVAL: 6/2

BALL TIME: 10 minutes

WEIGHT: 182

Very icky feeling today, I just wanted to curl up and sleep all day. I'd really like to be doing that right now... will soon.

Week 2 - Day 3 & 4

Well, blogging may not be my strong suit, but at least I kept up with the running and the eating. Ran Wednesday and Friday. Still 4/4 interval, and still 34 minutes. I will say that it was very cold all week, and that might have something to do with how fast I was able to move, but probably not. Regardless, I was at the park four days this week, and except for one day (homemade macaroni and cheese with regular noodles) entirely gluten free. I paid for that one day, though. I had a headache all night and most of the next day. It could have been pms, but the timing is suspect.

Anyway, next week is a new week. I change up the interval, and probably slow down my time because I still walk faster than I jog. At this point I'm doing a 17 minute mile. Yay! I get to add in some other exercise as well. Gotta get the weight down, down, down. Ideally, I'd like to lose at least (the very least) lose 20 pounds by the end of February. That should get me into a size 12 and then I can wear most of the clothes in my closet. What a novelty!

But first, I need to get through next week.

Week 2 - Day 2

So... the scale was not pleasant... but it was better than it could have been, and probably better than it would have been last week. Result: 189.

Today after I ran, it said 185... so, not really sure. But it said 189 last night and this morning.

Anyway, had oatmeal with raisins for breakfast, with some coffee.

It was f@#*$ing cold when I ran, which ended up being around 5pm. The weather and my time matched. 34 degrees, 34 minutes. I worry that I won't make my goal AGAIN this week. I was really sore when I was done, and I'm not sure if that is the jogging or the fact that it was f@#$*ing cold.

Shepherd's Pie for lunch, and a grilled cheese (gluten free) sandwich for dinner... with some hot chocolate and Bailey's.

Week 2 - Day 1

One week down, five to go.

The first thing that I have to point out that I own one pair of lined workout pants. They are very tight, especially when I first put them on. This morning they fit quite nicely. Still a little tight around the waist, but my thighs didn't stretch the material to the point of a camel toe.

It was 36 degrees outside this morning and I still went to the park. I haven't accomplished much else today, but progress is progress. It is, after all, my first day off in a long while.

Unfortunately, I added 2 minutes to my last time. This is sad. I did, however, change my intervals. I jogged (okay, mostly shuffled) for 4 minutes and walked for 4 minutes.

I also bought a scale. It is still in the car... I will use it, I promise.

I ate a power bar and a banana this morning, and then for lunch I had a gluten-free grilled cheese sandwich and a cup of tomato soup. And some homemade hot chocolate. Dinner will probably be some Shepherd's Pie.

Day 4

Took Thursday off. Felt good to decide in advance instead of when I got up. I also bought a book on how to use our big blue exercise ball. Not adding that in, yet.

I'm working on two truisms: I can't do everything at once. One is more successful if instead of starting to run, to cut out candy and fast food, and to exercise and start using the scale and trying to lose 50 pounds in one week, one simply adds one thing at a time. The second truism is that it takes 6 weeks to form a habit, so my goal is to keep this up for 6 weeks. This week I started running. Next week I buy a scale.

Week 1 is complete. I made it to the park and walk/jogged 8 miles in 4 days.

Week 2 I change the interval from 2/6 to 4/4 and still try to get my time in under 30 minutes.

Week 3 I change the interval to 6/2 and add in ball work at home on the 1st and 4th day.

Week 4 Extend the ball work to 4 days and double my distance to 4 miles (16 miles per week).

Week 5 Maintain and change the interval to 8/2

Week 6 (and beyond) Maintain.

Today when I ran, I mostly succeeded in jogging instead of shuffling. I did not make my goal; though I did cut off another 2 minutes. Total time today was 34 minutes.

Before I ran I ate half of a gluten free bagel with cream cheese. Lunch was a hot dog sandwich on gluten free bread, with Cheddar. Dinner was a lot of grazing after opening night. If I were on a diet, I would have ruined it with the number of lemon meringue bars I ate, and the amount of alcohol I drank.

Saturday and Sunday I get off, and then start with WEEK 2 on Monday. If nothing else, I do certainly feel better, despite being incredibly sore. The soreness will pass... I hope.

Day 3

Didn't get enough sleep last night... which had nothing whatsoever to do with making love to my husband at 3am... well, almost nothing. I couldn't sleep, so I figured, what the heck.

Had to get up and take Josh to school, so while I was up, even though working on 4 hours of sleep, I went for my walk/jog (should I be really honest and write "shuffle"). Because I didn't get enough sleep, I drank more water than usual and had to stop mid-track and have a potty-break. I also ate a full powerbar. Those things are rather nasty.

Anyway. Did the same interval, 6 walk/2 jog... and I'm really trying to actually jog, not shuffle. Time was 36 minutes, so 2 minutes shaved from yesterday.

Food for the day, aside from what was mentioned above, included 2 scrambled eggs with cheese, 2 pieces of bacon, and a slice of sourdough, and a late night helping of stew.

Tomorrow I'm taking off. Friday, I'll try to lose a few more minutes... under 30 might have been a bit too optimistic. A couple of good nights of sleep and a day of rest might do wonders, though. Not holding my breath.

DAY 2

So, today, I took my watch with me to time, and actually did some interval training. Instead of jogging for 6 minutes, walking for 2, I did it the other way around. I really am out of shape, and don't want to kill myself here.

:D

2 miles took 38 minutes.

I resisted the urge to get drive through food afterwards, but I did come home and open a can of Chef Boyardee's Raviolis and a piece of sourdough. Baby steps. For Lunch/Dinner I had a tuna melt. I also had some coffee today and a bunch of apple chips. I need to eat more than 2 meals a day. Hopefully, that will get easier once I no longer have rehearsal every night!

For Christmas we went to a new friend's house for dinner. She is gluten intolerant, so I made an effort to make a whole bunch of gluten free stuff. We did an experiment for Josh (kids on the Autism Spectrum are advised to modify their diet so as to be lactose and gluten free, we've done really well with the lactose free so far) of going for a 24 hour period gluten free. He could tell the difference. Result: we're transitioning into a gluten and lactose free household. Bryan is lactose intolerant, and I am mildly so, and lactose isn't in as much as one would think it is in. Gluten, however, is in many, many, many more things than you would think. Making gluten free ANYTHING is a challenge.

We shop at Sam's Club, though, so I have a lot of gluten products to get through before we start to restock our pantry. In the meantime, I get to eat Ravioli's guilt free... right?

GOAL:

Interval training 2 more days this week. Go 2 miles in under 30 minutes.

Next week, change the intervals to 4/4, and keep it under 30 minutes. I think I might be the only person ever who walks faster than I jog. :D

New Year's Resolution 2010

I just posted cast pictures of the show that I am directing, and of course there is a picture of the cast and crew, which includes me. It is one thing to see yourself in the mirror, because you get used to your face, and don't notice just how ROUND it is getting, when it used to be a nice oval.

So here's the problem, I eat fast food way, way too much, and I don't exercise at all.

I have a two-part resolution. Cook more, and exercise more. If I have food that is made at home, I am less likely to go to a drive through. Hopefully. The exercise part is about the metabolism. I used to have a super fast metabolism, and I still eat like I did then, but my metabolism has slowed down a LOT so I don't look like I did then anymore.

A big reason why people are so successful on Weight Watchers is that they keep track of what they do and eat. That's now my focus.

January 3, 2011

EXERCISE:

Speed Walk... the timer got all screwed up, so I don't know how long.

Distance: 2 miles

FOOD:

Breakfast-

1/2 power bar

2 scrambled eggs w/cheese and tomato

2 slices of bacon

1 slice of sourdough bread

Lunch-

Marie Calendar's Chicken Pot Pie

Dinner-

Pepsi

Starting a Business

At Christmastime of 2008 my husband became one of many people who lost his job. He worked for a California-based commercial construction company that had decided to move him to Texas in June. The market was better in Texas, he was told. It is. However, it is a good-ole-boy network, and difficult to break into. DH is a drywall estimator. He looks at a bid request, estimates how much it will cost to build, including labor, and adds on the contractor's mark-up.

He came out to Texas at the bidding of his former boss. We were hoping for lots of good things. Former employer (we'll call him FE) didn't really do any research on the market here. He didn't have reliable employees, he didn't know the pricing, he didn't know the competition or the contractors he'd be working for. DH had a gas card that stopped working, DH was getting reimbursed slower and slower, and several other clues. So when FE finally admitted that he was out of money, we weren't really all that surprised. Annoyed, but not surprised. DH was operating in the dark, but under complete faith, and FE acted in an incredibly irresponsible manner towards someone he was responsible for.

Be that as it may, DH found another job, doing essentially the same thing, except no responsibility for project management. This is fine with DH, as this is the least favorite part of his job. Only problem is that this new job is a $20K annual pay cut. We've just moved from an apartment into a house and are paying $400 more in rent per month. We can't afford a pay cut. So, DH is filing bankruptcy (many bills left over from the unfortunately recent ex).

He starts working, likes it lots. He's getting paid as an independent contractor while on a trial employment. He and I start talking, and realize that what he does, he could do on a larger production level, selling his estimates (less the contractor markup) to several dry-wall contractors. So, now we're starting our own business. He's estimating, I'm managing paper.

This leads to many, many questions.

Incorporation or Sole Proprietorship?
What to deduct and how?
Business plan?

Do I get to sleep again?

I'm done.

I like to play, but if it goes to far, I get scared and then I get angry. And I'm done.
I like to touch, but if it goes to far, I get scared and then I get angry. And I'm done.
I like to love, but if it goes to far, I get scared and then I get angry. And I'm done.
I like to fight, but if it goes to far, I get scared and then I get angry. And I'm done.
When you're angry, you're done.
I have no where to go from here. How do I respond? I'm not done.
I don't want to be scared.
I don't want to be angry.
I don't want to be done.
I want to play, touch, love, fight, and laugh and love and never be done.
But I'm scared.

And you're done.

step-parenting

I listen to Dr. Laura. I enjoy doing so. I particularly respect her no-holds-barred honesty. She, unlike most of us, has no problem acknowledging that she thinks her opinion is the correct one. Her show is based on her opinion, and if someone calls in to the show he or she is not going to change her mind. They are going to get her opinion. I've collected some fantastic rules for life listening to her: it is more important to protect a child than the good opinion of someone who is abusing a child. Shared custody leaves children homeless: there is mom's house and dad's house, no "my" house. If you have minor kids and you picked the wrong sperm/egg donor and are now single, don't date--the focus is the kids, because that is the choice that was made.

Just rambling on, sorry.

The point is that I love listening to her show... yet I have made some significant choices that she would have advised me against. First, I married a man that I knew less than six months (Dr. Laura would say to wait a year and a half, to make sure that you know the person). Second, I married a man with children, one that is still a minor and that he has full physical custody of (Dr. Laura would say that this is playing with fire since the kids will always come before a spouse in this situation.

Here's where I justify my actions.

When you meet someone who is more than you could hope for in a mate, you don't let that person get away, no matter the circumstances. We have our issues--I am a moody and complicated person, I am going to have issues with anyone I am with intimately. My DH is a great father and husband and an incredibly generous human being. He isn't perfect, which is the only reason I can put up with him.

Begin as you mean to go on.

I told him this when we first started dating. He took it to heart. I wanted to do as much pre-marital counseling as possible and he was unsure that it was necessary, but went along. He realized how necessary it was during the process. We began our marriage in an open and communicative way, and it has stayed that way, with consistent work. We formed habits in our dating that have held true for the 3 months that we've been married, because we work on them. We work on ourselves and our marriage and if we go on as we began we should have a very, very good life together.

So, step-parenting.

I had a collection of horror stories, not the least of which my own as a step-child. I think being a successful step-parent depends fully--FULLY--on the actual parent. My DH understands the wonderful paradox that kids can only be raised properly if his wife comes before his kids. This assumes, of course, that I place a high priority on the care and feeding of said child or children. I'm homeschooling a twelve-year-old that I've known for less than a year... I'd say he's a high priority.

I'm realizing that with my son's social issues and massive dependence on his dad and me (his mom just up and decided to move several states away 'bout two years ago, not to mention an upbringing that included very little interaction with people outside of school) came his compliance. I have been working very hard on getting the boy to do for himself--his dad cuts his meat for him at nearly 13!--and he is starting to become a little bit more independent. So, I am starting to realize that his dependence was in direct proportion to his compliance. He is becoming fit to take in public (watching him eat was nauseating) but now he argues about it.

I should back up.

Before his mother left, my son had never been to the snow (lived an hour away from the mountains), never been to the zoo, never been to an amusement park, a waterslide... His dad had taken him hunting, and I guess they went camping. I haven't asked. She made him dinner (chicken nuggets, reheated, or hamburger) separate from everyone else. The boy ate, and still does occasionally, with two hands, touching as much of the food as possible, tearing it into small pieces (regardless of what it is) and shoved it in his mouth with at least two fingers going into his mouth as far as the second knuckle, keeping it in his cheek like a chipmunk until his mouth was so full he'd have to spit it on the plate because he couldn't swallow. My DH found this amusing. BOYS!

So, just under three months in: he cleans his own bathroom (never done it before), he vacuums and polishes the furniture (never done it before) once a week, takes out the garbage (without being asked, usually), eats with his mouth closed (mostly) and uses utensils. I guess a little back talking isn't too bad.

Part of my problem with him is that I was such an independent child, and I did not create his dependency so I have very little tolerance for his need for constant affirmation. We're learning, though.

I've never...

...been consistent in keeping a journal, being online doesn't change anything--except that now other people can read it and see just how inconsistent I am. What, really is the point of taking one's private thoughts and publishing them for the world to read? I mean, wasn't that the origin of blogs? "Online journaling." A chance to be clever and throw out my $.02 worth?

Inspired by true events....

Today I am wondering just what sexual harassment is, and why it is worth 19.1 million dollars to a fired basketball coach. It is my understanding that for sexual harassment to be taking place, the victim has their own responsibilities in reporting it and reacting to it. Guess not when you are a high-profile employee of the CSU system, huh?

Don't get me wrong. I don't disagree with the judgment. Especially since a judge is guaranteed to lower the award (19.1 is way more than the 5 she was suing for). Did she deserve to get fired? Maybe. But I don't think anyone deserves to get fired the way she did. Especially with no recorded violations, no bad marks against a 3.0 gpa team... The only thing they really had to say about her was that she took pain pills, was super-strict, and was behaving erratically just before the end. Whereas the male coach that was fired 'bout the same time? Because of NCAA violations and suspicions of obstructing justice in the murder case of one of his players (he apparently helped the kid skip town and avoid the po.) he was fired. With a severance package and a re-hire to help with the "transition." Our lady coach? No violations. No $$ to go bye-bye.

Oh yeah, at the end, the erratic behavior? She was pregnant. Their proof that she was addicted? One of her players woke her up while they were on the road. She asked what day it was, if she'd missed the game. This is proof that she was a drug user???? How about proof that she's a heavy sleeper that doesn't wake up well? It's no wonder that she won if this is the evidence they have.

I don't like cases where it is so grey. I want a good-guy, and a bad-guy, with clear, color-coded delineations between the two. Life, unfortunately isn't like that. It is sticky, icky, annoyingly so. She maybe (probably) was in the wrong, but the university has just lost it's third sexual harassment case. Something is not right in the state of... Denmark.

And I've been sitting in Starbucks too long today. My crack is cold. Ummmm. That didn't come out right. I consider the White Chocolate Peppermint Mocha the new crack cocaine. Had it for the first time yesterday. Wowza.

Oh yeah, and teenagers? Their thighs should be bigger than my forearm when they are the same height as me. Who put it into the little chickies heads that looking like a cadaver was attractive? I want to know. Eat, for fuck's sake! And don't puke it up!

Why women are the weaker sex

I have a new theory. Remind me to share, at a later date, my other theories (the most notable a way to end insanity). The one I feel compelled to share now as I sit awake, typing on my computer (not in the Garamond font, I must add), listening to my father snore. I am staying at my father's house for the night and not sleeping because, well, he's snoring.

So here's my theory: women have historically been the weaker sex, especially once married, because they are sleep deprived. Forced throughout the centuries to listen to men snoring.

Even sitting here wide awake, with my headphones on fairly loud, the noise is obnoxious. And I can't wake him up because then he'll not get enough sleep and I have to spend the entire day with him tomorrow... me being cranky is bad, both of us being cranky would be horrid. We have a family thing, a delayed Thanksgiving dinner, people are used to him being an ass, but when we feed off of each other in our moods. Watch out.

I'd say that I wished I were more like my mom in this regard, but I think my mom's bad moods were worse. But that could be a teenager's reaction talking. Then again... she threw things. Granted it was dishes, and into the sink. The cracking and shattering, when seen from her perspective, was probably pretty satisfying. To me it was terrifying. But then again, I was the one who provoked her into that state. I wasn't the nicest of people to her. Too much like my dad in that regard.

Genetics are a bitch.

On a totally unrelated subject, I've got the TNT show, Saving Grace, on in the background. This show is amazing. About the only God-related show on TV that actually mentions God. What I find fascinating is that every family member on Seventh Heaven would be horrified with this show: the language, the sexuality, the subject matter, etc. And yet, they never, never, never mentioned God. Except when one of the characters interacted with someone Jewish--I think. And they certainly never talked about Jesus. Ummmm, I think I just gave myself away that I actually watched that show. My only excuse is that it was on for ELEVEN FREAKING YEARS. What is with the WB? Or whatever the hell it is called now. That show was schlock. Anyway. I love that Grace has a mouth like a sailor, is knowingly sleeping with a married man, and any other man that "gives [her] a ride home." And she's got a guardian angel and a priest for a brother and a devout Catholic friend who are all trying to save her soul. She has regular conversations with an angel and repeatedly says that she doesn't believe in God. Also? Holly Hunter is a brilliant actress.

Then there's The Closer. TNT rocks in the roles that they have given women "of a certain age."

Can I be clever and witty, too??

Before I say anything else, I would like to point out that blogger sucks because they don't offer Garamond as a font choice. I don't know why I am obsessed with this font, but I am.

So, I want to be clever. I go to sites like TWOP and if you don't know what that stands for, then never mind. I look at other blogs. And, dammit. People are freakin' clever. Even if their sentence structure. Sucks. They're cool. They make up names for people. They mock everything and find the geekiest things super cool. They don't over use the word "cool."

They don't start new paragraphs with "So" or "Anyway" and they don't over use the ellipsis...

I will be clever.
I will be witty.
I have boring friends.
No. I am boring.

But I'm supposed to be good with the writing skills. I will make up clever stories. I will have witty names for my friends. I will immerse myself in geek-pop culture!

Dammit, I'm good enough.

What does Feminism Really Mean?

Feminism:
The American Heritage Dictionary (at dictionary.com)
1. the doctrine advocating social, political, and all other rights of women equal to those of men.
2. (sometimes initial capital letter) an organized movement for the attainment of such rights for women.
3. feminine character

Why is there such anger over this issue? Seems to me that these are all good things.

Here I out myself as a conservative. Even worse, a conservative who listens to conservative talk radio. To top it all off I am a conservative Christian as well. Now, just so I can put myself clearly in the wrong in every camp, I don't particularly have a problem with gay marriage, just with gay pastors (not gay preachers--look up the difference dictionary.com).
I don't believe in sex before marriage.
I believe that abortion is murder.
I believe that Jesus died for our sins and any who accept him will go to heaven.
I don't believe that non-believers will somehow make it into heaven.
I believe that men should be the leader in a relationship.
I believe that a person leads by serving.

But, I digress.

When did feminism become about castrating men? Oh, one more, I believe that if I, as a woman, work the same job as a man, I should get the same pay. That's just a no brainer.


Rush calls them femi-nazis and the men who support them the new castrati. I think he has a point. It has gotten out of fashion for a man to literally sweep a woman off of her feet and carry her to the bedroom, now they walk hand in hand. Ugh. Admit it, you felt just as giddy as Scarlett when Rhett carried her up the stairs and ravished her.

Does feminism really mean empowerment for women at the expensive of masculinity?

At the core, we are all sexual beings, and if you deny a man a chance to be manly, what's the point?