Tile Painting

Last year I took the wallpaper down in the bathroom and painted it. I wrote about it here and here. One thing I never got around to was the painting of the ugly green tile. It was way too big of a project to replace the tile, so painting was the answer...and a much less expensive option.

 I bought a special primer to seal the tile, and then I was able to paint it as I wanted. I got the primer on when I did the rest of the bathroom. Since it was white, it didn't really bother me that I hadn't finished painting it.  But it was finally time.  I'd procrastinated long enough.

 After 4 coats of high gloss white paint, it's finished.  It was more time consuming than I thought it would be.  Trying to get each tile looking nice was very tedious.  Even though I was using a foam brush, I still had problems with the brush strokes showing.

Now it's on to the next project. 

Signs of Spring

There were several days of 60-degree weather a couple weeks ago. The crocus are just starting to pop out of the ground. I love winter, and I'm sure we'll have a couple more snows, but I am ready for spring and can't wait to get working in the garden. I made it a little bigger last fall so have some empty spaces to fill.

Shopping Trip

After quite a slow down in finding deals, I seem to be having better luck the past month or so. I made a couple of trips to Target. On the second trip I picked up 10 Smart Ones using $8 worth of coupons for a cost of $10. They were running a deal that you got a $5 gift card with the purchase of 7 frozen items.  I picked up 4 bags of frozen veggies to get to 14 frozen items and got two gift cards.  I had more Up&Up coupons so I got the toiletries free.  I paid $12.91 for the items below and got $10 back.

Today I ran to Hy-Vee and got more great deals. They're running a sale of 50% off all Kelloggs.  I picked up some All-Bran for my mom and some granola bars. Their 3-day sale includes milk for $1.98 which is a great deal itself, but then I had a coupon to save $1 on milk with the purchase of one Kelloggs cereal.  Also used a $1 coupon off fruit with the purchse of one Kelloggs cereal.

I spent a little over $10 for everything. Even on a decent sale week this could have cost me close to $20. I wish I ate some Kelloggs cereal to take advantage of this great sale, but I'll stick with Cheerios. I'll have to see if I can find some coupons to get some almost free and then add to my food pantry stash.

Shopping Trip

I've been able to find some great deals this week. Target had several coupons on their website for Up&Up products.  I paid $1 each for the wipes, cleaner and lightbulb. The rest was free....now I've got some great things for the food pantry. Today Hy-Vee had a one-day sale. Everything was on sale except the eggs and bananas. I hated to pay $1.59 for the eggs, but I needed them so I could bake treats for work tomorrow. I had coupons for the soup so I paid a whopping 19 cents a can!! The oj was a great stockup price at 99 cents. Good thing it has a long expiration date.

Flower Arrangment

I've been seeing flower arrangements like this at several stores lately.  I decided to try and make my own.  Originally I was going to put it on the coffee table in the living room, but ever since Christmas the kitchen table hasn't had a center piece.

I got all of the pieces on sale.  The vase came from Michael's and the flowers from Hobby Lobby.  I've had the crystals for a long time and never had a use for them.

It'll be very easy to just replace the flowers when it's time for a change.



Kitchen Cleaning and Decluttering

Yesterday I had a burst of energy so I decided to clean and declutter the kitchen. The cupboards were cleaned inside and out as well as the frig. I found several things for the trash and things for the garage sale box. Why did I have so many extra spatulas and knives??!! The biggest difference was the decluttering of papers on the countertops and the table. Magazines have been put away. Receipts have been filed. Work papers have been filed. Everything is now in its place.  

And no, I didn't just move things before I took the pictures.  I know who you are if you're thinking that!

Things to do in 2011

Better late than never on getting my goals/to-do list posted for 2011. 

• Remove the wallpaper in the two rooms that have it yet.
• Learn to hand quilt.  I have the project made and ready to quilt, just need to get started.
• Expand my knitting knowledge.  I have knitting down, it's the purling that is giving me problems.  I had a co-worker show me a few weeks ago but haven't gotten much practice in.  I want to expand beyond scarf making.  
• Continue my workouts at the fitness center.  I do really great by going almost every day, but the few pounds I lost a year ago have found their way back.  Snacking after I get home from work is definitely my downfall.
• Decorate the spare bedroom.  This is the only room on the main floor that I haven't touched since I moved in.  The wallpaper and blue carpet have to go.  I've been trying to find a bedspread that I like so I know what color scheme to go with, but I'm not having any luck.  It's so hard to order online because you just don't know what color you'll end up with.
• Declutter and organize a couple of closets.  There are still some boxes that are packed from my move almost three years ago.  Obviously, I'm not using that stuff, so it's time for a trip to Goodwill.