BAM

Yours truly installed a ceiling fan ALL by herself.  Didn't even have to call Dad (who was on Red Alert).  I watched this video to learn how to uninstall one, and after maniacally checking to make sure I had indeed turned the power OFF, I took down our old one and installed this bad boy we randomly spotted, and subsequently purchased, at Lowe's.

 And just in case you thought I was passing off a ceiling art installation as a fan that didn't actually work:

Mike did help me take it down and use different screws in the ceiling bracket.  Unfortunately the directions indicated to use the previous screws already in the housing box, which were crap and made the fan wobble.  NOT my fault.  So I consider it installed alone (but, in an effort to be full disclosure, Mike did help perfect).

I am Woman.  Hear me cuss up a storm while installing light fixtures, but appreciate my ability to follow directions implicitly.

R Squared

Due to limited space in Sunny (a Taurus), this year I decided to do all of my Wetterling and Firethorn Christmas Gift Exchange shopping online on Amazon.  Not to sound like too much of a commercial: Amazon Prime is one of the best purchases we've ever made.  Free shipping, the option to gift wrap, easy organization.  And I don't have to do anything but click "Purchase".

And, you know...pay for it.

Anyway, I did end up spending quite a bit of money on gift wrapping due to not completing the task myself.  So by the time I started thinking of wrapping the presents under the Clayton Tree, my brain (and wallet) were starting to hurt.

So I gathered some items from the basement: an old dictionary and essays book, glue sticks, some butterfly stickers and paper that I'd purchased last year at Hobby Lobby for a project that never transpired, random blank tags, some cut up fabric from my crochet rug I'd hoarded because I loved it so much, and (this part is my favorite) some butterfly decorations that I'd randomly saved from Step Child's wedding because I have a thing for butterflies.

The road to hoarding is paved with "I could use this some day".

But in this case I was correct.

I then took the plethora paper bags I've had under my sink since birth...or at least since I moved here...including one from a 2007 meeting at the AmericInn in SLC, several TJ's, and some Christmas Bath & Body bags...

 And turned them into this:

 Yes.  That is a bow made of out plastic King Soopers bags.  Go on...appreciate.

The tags say "Meke" and initials for "Love of my Life" because that's how we answer the phone when the other calls.  I had the stamps from this project.

Book page wrapping.  More crochet rug fabric ribbon and yet another KS bow.  And a Mason Jar.  Because really, why the hell not.

Best part: the tissue I already had on hand (or grabbed out of Amazon boxes in some cases) thanks to learning to save every piece of tissue paper from every gift ever given maniacally (love you, Mom!).

So that brings the Total Cost to: zero dollars.

I also emptied out a plastic tub (because really who needs 27 pillows) so I can put all of the wrapping (besides the small square packages wrapped in book pages) accoutrement away and re-use it all next year.

Recycling FTW.

PBN

Tried purchasing a new Paint by Number from Amazon.  The thing showed up on a loose canvas, complete with frame and lovely paints!

I'm so in, China.  Thanks.

So Doing This!!!

Happening.

Masonry

Fan. Tast. Ish.

Mason jar project: complete.  It went from this to this:

 OCD FTW.

Rust

I've developed an almost maniacal need to empty out these paint cans and store them neatly (and air-tightly) in mason jars clearly labeled with name, type, and location used.  It's going to happen.  It's become an obsession.

What you can't see to the left is the massive box of samples I purchased trying to figure out how to paint the exterior.  I have a ridiculous amount of liquid latex in the crawlspace, where I have also been spending way too much time lately.  After I store these babies, do a really good vacuum down there, and place them in their corner, I'll take a photo of the amazing new (and stinkin' huge) crawlspace.

It's a good thing.

Framed

In case you weren't sure what we were working on...TADA!!!!!!

Before framing photos are here.  I used what remained of the Rustoleum kit (which was aaaaalmost not enough.  Juuuuust barely, phew!) and we purchased four nice 1x4s and then the top accent pieces for around $60 at Lowe's ("It's the new Target," Mike groans).

 So classy.

 But the master is even more impressive I think!

 It made it look like a whole new vanity!

 So so so pleased.

 We even did what I think looks like a rather profesh top edging.  *smug*

Now if only I knew how to tile floors...................

Reclaimed

Work shed:

Mike did an incredible job reorganizing the shed to not only store outside accouterments, but also reserve space for his new woodworking hobby.  He found a photo of the work bench he wanted to build, took some measurements, and this is what he got:

Big, big fan.

Work

Let there be light!

I love these.

Fiesta de Hudson

Mike was an incredible help as my plans for the yard were realized today!  It was one of those parties where, once it occurs, you feel as though it was worth all of the planning and effort.  Most importantly, Jess and Chris knew they were loved and going to be terribly missed.  I think that was the most important aspect of all.  And we had a blast doing it!

There was a sign on the front door that read "Keep Calm and Enter through the Gate to the Left".  I didn't think to get a picture of the front, but we used the banada/tissue paper theme there, too.

This thing has been sitting in our shed and then garage since Corrie's party.  Mike and I had looked at some terrific wrought iron pieces that could be used for allowing what will be beautiful flowers to climb.  It was hard to spend $150 on them though...so we waited.  I can't believe I hadn't thought of this til now but it hit me on Friday just how perfect this candle wall would be with flowering vines crawling up it.  I love using stuff we already have...

 Party time!

We made the best anti-mosquito candles out of our favorite distiller bottles, Dollar Tree glass beads, and citronella oils/wicks.  These babies work wonders.

Mike made these tables in NO time flat!  We bought beverage tubs on sale at Target, turned them over, and laid the table tops he put together for some ground eating.  I received the jars after some quick inquiries on Freecycle, and colored them with Modge Podge and food coloring.  I actually wouldn't recommend that as it's almost impossible to get them to be evenly coated, and if it rains...well...they don't stay dry and your hands will turn turquios faster than you ever thought possible!

The trash cans say "Keep Calm and Save the Earth" and "Keep Calm and Ditch the Waste".  There are myriad themes goin' on here...

So much incredible food!  Tried a new Pinterest Recipe: Texas Trash.  HUGE hit, I would highly recommend it.  Besides queso and Jurritos/juice drink combos, Chris and Jess made all the food.  Myriad tasty treats.  And my lovely neighbor Beth let us borrow her folding table!

Unfortunately it started to rain as it started to get dark, so I don't have photos of the hanging lights you we installed from the porch to a corner of the house (you can kind of see them below to the left).  That also means I never got to put candles in the colored jars (sigh - first world problems).  I bought some solar lights to string around the trees that come on automatically when it gets dark enough, too.  Those ended up being an awesome investment.  Both gave of a lovely, romantic light.  And we enjoyed it from under the dryness of the patio...

 To the Hudsons.  Can't wait to come see you in AZ!