Making Sheet Valances

Well, what do you think of the window treatment? Ten years ago when I made it the fabric was appropriate for the space.

The fabric was tacked to a 1x4 and attached with a small bracket. However, it is now Anthony's bedroom and it doesn't quite go with his decor.

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So, I went to Walmart and bought a flat sheet to make a valance more fitting a boy. When I opened it I realized that the top had an interesting design and I needed more of it then a single twin sheet could provide. I had a choice, I could fit this sheet back into its bag or go buy another one, they cost $5. There was no way I was going to fit that back into the bag so I bought another twin flat sheet. It comes in a cool little bag which I plan on using for something else in his room. Not sure quite yet what it will be but my brain is thinking about it.

My tools; a piece of 1x4, tacks, tack hammer and about 18 inches off of the sheet.

First I tacked the two ends so that it would fall down the side.

Then I tacked it towards the middle and then with the extra fabric I folded it over to make a big pleat. I used the entire top portion so that I wouldn't have to sew any seams. The little pieces of tape were placed 15 inches up so that the valance would come out somewhat even.

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I use tacks because that was what I was raised on. I remember my dad putting tacks in his mouth and then putting the magnetic side of the hammer to his mouth and placing the tacks on it one by one. My grandfather was an upholster by trade and my dad worked his way through college with the same trade. Anything that could be upholstered in our house was. The sheet is light so I imagine that hot glue may work as well.

My brackets were still in place so I sat the wood on it and screwed it in place.

The finished product. Definitely more befitting a boys bedroom.

Now I need to do something with the little bags and all the extra fabric I have. Another project for another day.

My Pond

I enjoy my pond. But let me tell you, there is a lot of work involved!

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The original reason for my pond was these turtles.

I really enjoyed those turtles but they got too big. They are now living in a big manmade pond. When they were here we used to buy feeder fish for them. One specific fish survived. For some reason they did not eat her, even after we bought more fish. The fish survived for a long time before I decided that the fish needed a pond.

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I started with one of those plastic liners. It was really easy to put in the ground and it even ended up being pretty level. I got all the rocks that are around the pond from freecycle.

I found out pretty quickly that if you wanted to actually see your fish you had to have a decent filter system. When I added a UV light filter it really helped to keep the water clear. One expense I find that I have to do yearly is buy a new pump. This year I bought a combination UV light, filter and pump system. I will be curious to see how it does.

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Plants - wow, they flourish. At least they do in my pond. I typically buy the pond plant baskets and plant my pond plants (bought at Lowes) in them with rocks on top. By the end of the year the lily pads have grown out of the baskets. This year I had to divide them and I have a bunch in a huge round container of water. I will offer them to someone on freecycle. .

Fish - well I had koi before we tried to move to Texas but I gave them all away when we left. The koi did fine but I felt that my pond was really too small for them so this last summer I stocked with pretty orange feeder fish. Some survived the summer but I think I may buy somemore to restock soon. They cost less then 25 cents each, can't beat the price. Honestly, I don't feed the fish because the plant life does sustain them. If you want them to come to the surface when you come to visit then you should feed them.

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Cleaning - well, it should be done more often but I only do it once a year. I do try to take out the plants as they die off in the winter but I am not always successful. My pond is frequently neglected. However, in spite of that I get some beautiful flowers and the the fish survive in spite of me.

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In spite of the neglect and time, I would actually like to have a bigger pond.......somehow I think that they are addictive.

Working Weekend

The poor pond.....so neglected. Some feeder fish survived the winter so it could only be partially emptied. You have to keep the nasty balance so the fish don't die. . Naturally the old pump died so I had to go buy a new one. I quickly realized that I bought one a little too strong for my little waterfall............ I do believe that we have a personal record for the most trips to Lowe's in one weekend......uh, at least 7 trips. John worked on putting up the new garage door opener while I did other projects. . When the security folks put in the new system they left the old..... along with the holes. I got to patch and paint those.

I wanted to do more outside work but the weather turned nasty, cold and rainy.

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Jason and a family friend stopped by just as Sarah was making dinner Sunday night.

We got some work finished. I worked on decluttering but I am a looong way from being finished. I go to bed at night tired but then can't sleep because I have so much to do. I have been seriously neglecting my class work. I have a test on Wednesday and need to get to the library to do some research so I can start writing some of my projects up.

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I am looking forward to April 28th....last day of finals.

Busy, busy, ACK, BUSY, BUSY

So, I was so busy before I got a call last week from adoptions. No, not a kid but finally some movement forward. We are getting a visit next from the adoption worker to do our homestudy.

Thus the ACK!

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I have been anticipating having May off so that I could do some spring cleaning. I really don't have the time to do it now. However, it looks like I am doing it now even though I am crazy busy.

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I did take some time to have lunch and do a little shopping with some of my girls the other day. I kept Larissa home from school so I could spend a little time with her.

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I know that I am going crazy when I forget what day of the week it is. I forgot it was Friday today. That may not be a big issue but I had an assignment that had to be in by 8 pm, it was submitted at 10 pm because I realized at 9:45 that it was Friday. Oooops.

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So, no zoo or other excitement this weekend. I will be cleaning and organizing our clutter. Hmmmmm, there are some empty tubs in the garage.....

What is on my Mind!

What is it you may ask. It is a castle loft bed that I would like to make. The sketch is a little basic but in my mind I contemplate the details, the trim work, how I will construct it. I really don't have time for this. I have so much that I need to do.

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However, when I am stressed I need to create. It is the way I am, making something is my best stress reliever. That is also part of my problem....I tend to start projects and not finish them! Well, typically I do finish them....eventually.

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My biggest stresses right now is not unfinished home projects but unfinished school projects. This semester ends April 28th and I have some huge projects to do. Maybe if my brain didn't wander to lofty castles I could get something else done. Hmmmm, or maybe not. I am also a terrible procrastinator. Can't help it, I believe that it is genetic. Tasha seems to have a touch of it as well.

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For some reason this semester I have been struggling with school. I enjoy the lectures, I just have a hard time sitting down and doing the reading. Every time I pick up a book I tend to fall asleep. If you want a good nights sleep start reading Single-Case Research Designs. It put me to sleep anytime of the day, even when I don't think I am tired.

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Actually being tired is a big problem for me right now. For some reason I am sleepy all the time. Naps are delightful when I can take one. I think that going to the local schools during the day and then class three or four nights a week is part of the problem. I also have household and mommy duties so that doesn't leave time for studying..

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I know that this too will pass. The semester will end and I will go on to the next one. Eventually even the semesters will end I will graduate!

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I really want to build that lofty castle while Larissa is young enough to enjoy it.....I am thinking May break might be a good time.

The Zoo

Spring is finally here and that requires a trip to the zoo.
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Where you feed the lorikeets....


Larissa wasn't too sure about it....she preferred that the bird fed from my arm.

This is why I take the pictures!

Success.....Larissa allowed a bird to stay on her own arm.

We also rode the carousel.

Did some rock climbing.

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Last time Anthony wasn't willing to do it, this time he did and enjoyed it.

Sarah, Joselin and Tylor even gave it a try.

We even checked out some animals.

And they checked us out.....wonder if they think we look funny.

We got to feed some giraffes.

We had a great time and got out there by noon right when the crowds were showing up.

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Tonight John and I are going on a date! Looks like it will be a good weekend. I might even find some time to do some school work that really needs to get done.

Shoes

I bought Larissa some red and white polka dotted shoes.
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She loves them.

Do you think that she will always be so easy to please?

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I think not. But I will enjoy her simple pleasures while they last.