Beautifying The Mail Box!

Our mailbox has needed some love and attention for a long time.

It has taken us four and a half years to finally getting around to it. The top of the post was a bit jagged looking and ivy had overtaken the entire thing. 

Finally, one day I guess Scott got sick of looking at it so he busted out his Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles t-shirt. He loves the 80s just like me! Actually, the TMNT shirt is in his junky work shirt pile. Whatever- at least he is representing!

The process was:

Step 1: Mark a level line at the top of the post and then saw off the jagged bits. 

Step 2: Glue a post cap onto the newly sawed off bit. Then blow all the saw dust off the mailbox (and make sure you get a photo of it!).

Step 3: Paint the post

Step 4: Clear all the ivy that had taken over 

Step 5: Put down new mulch (bag is pictured in the photo above) and beautiful flowers. Ok- here is where a little snafu happened. I did step 5 and wow! What a difference. I did not immediately take a photo. Thennnnn... I was pretty darn lax in the watering department. Those beautiful flowers are now no more. So you will have to wait until Spring to see the true after photo. Ohhhh boy will it be worth the wait. I know you will be counting down the days. 

Here is one more look at the before and after.

Pressure Washing The Driveway

Did I blow you away with that post title? I know you're getting excited! This is almost as exciting as cleaning out the gutters!

Well guess what... BEFORE AND AFTER PHOTOS! Not my finest B&As. I am still learning all the B&A tricks and tips. But I am telling you: pressure washing can make quite a difference.

Scott worked all day one Saturday getting this driveway spic and span. He came in smelling like gasoline and with a couple of blisters but that driveway was looking good!!!

Here she is... the PRESSURE WASHER.

You can see the reflection of my legs in the garage door window. Check out those cool pants. They are from my best Australian buddy, Louise. They are "Vegemite" pants. In case you haven't heard of Vegemite... it is a condiment that those crazy Aussies put on everything and it is THE GROSSEST!

Before and after! The befores are at the top of the photo and the afters are below it! What a difference!

This section in the middle of the driveway that is white is obviously the section that has been pressure washed. Isn't she a real gem!?!?!

I am sure that I wow-ed you beyond belief with my fancy before and after of THE DRIVEWAY. Just in case you were not satisfactorily wow-ed I am going to post a list that is sure to wow your socks off.

10 Things I've Learned From Owning A Home

This is the night that our occupancy went from 2 to 3!

In no particular order...

• Write down every single paint color you use- trim, walls, cabinets, ceilings... EVERYTHING. Write down the brand you used, the finish and the color. I keep my paint colors in an email labeled "home paint colors" that I sent to myself. That way I can easily search for it when I need it.

• Vinegar! It does so much good! It shines things. It cleans and disinfects things. It takes grout residue off tile. When you think your coffee maker is broken- just run a little vinegar through and BAM it will come back to life (tip from Kelly via her lady magazines). You can even use it as deodorant. Although some people (Scott) may not appreciate it when you do. 

• If your city is lucky enough to provide you with a "bulky item pickup" find out all the details of what they take and what they don't before you dump your stuff at the curb.

• Buy air filters in bulk. They are expensive! Amazon ends up being a decent amount cheaper than Wal-Mart or somewhere like that. Plus, it is nice to have them on hand when you decide to change them.

• Try to reuse what you already have. If you aren't loving of a piece of furniture or some art in one room try it out in another room. Maybe refresh it with some paint or a new frame.

• If you are questioning whether or not to put down a drop cloth. PUT IT DOWN. Also, go ahead and put something on that you won't be upset about messing up. I'd like to see you in your stone-washed jeans and shoulder pads or, really, anything that Dorothy Zpornak would wear.

• Try to keep your garage parkable. That is almost impossible for us. Once you start throwing junk in your garage it is hard to go back. So clear it out. Park your el camino in there and keep it that way!

• If you are low on storage space take another look at your closet and other storage areas. I bet there are a few places that you could add shelves. I put hooks all over the place. A great hidden place for them is right above the door frame of a small non-walk-in closet. I hang plastic bag overflow there. I have hangers on hooks above the door in the laundry room. Also, on the wall behind the door in a walk in closet I have about 15 hooks holding my bags.

• Spray paint works wonders! It is great to use when you are on a budget. You can even turn your old brass hardware into a fancy schmancy oil-rubbed bronze or brushed nickel looking hardware.

• Flip your mattresses, check your gutters, check the disposal for spoons before you run it, stain your deck as often as recommended so you don't have to replace boards. Love your home and take good care of it.