In the Headlines...

If you are reading in Google Reader you should head over to my actual sight to check out my new header.  If you aren't in Google Reader, did you notice the new header?

And it was called yellow...

When my dad was a youngster he had a chest of drawers.  It stayed around and ended up in a closet in my room growing up.  When I moved to Dallas I took this chest with me.  Before doing so, I painted it white.

Now I decided to paint it yellow to go with this plan.

I started off by doing research and one of my favorite blogs came through with a "how to."  Now I didn't follow it to the T but it did help.

First I sanded down the piece with 220 sand paper.  I did not use any primer because I figured the white paint on it already could serve as a primer, and I didn't feel like spending money on primer. Not sure if that was wise or not, but so far so good.

 

Once it was sanded, I applied two coats of Behr Wildflower Honey.  When I painted my walls I used the Behr paint with primer included.  However, for this piece I used the paint without the primer.  To apply the paint I used a roller.  I tried both a fiber covered and foam covered roller and definitely preferred the fiber covered.

The top of the chest proved to be a challenge.  There were a few scuffs that were difficult to sand out.  So, I decided to use paint remover on the top.  It was quite a process that didn't go as I had planned. As a result the top has several more coats of paint than the rest of the piece, but you can't tell.

Once I finished painting it yellow, I applied three coats of Minwax Water-Based Polycrylic Protective Finish.  I used Satin Finish because I did not want the chest to be super shiny and glossy.  If you do desired that, use the Gloss version.  Also, from what I read the Water-Based is better because it does not turn yellow over time and it isn't as messy.  To apply the finish, I used a foam brush (which you can get for less than a dollar).  I do recommend using the Polycrylic Protective Finish.  When I painted it white I did not use the finish and I can definitely tell a difference.

Overall, this was a pretty easy project and I am quite pleased with the way it turned out.  The picture though could be better. Note: I lost one of the screws to one of the knobs so need to take care of that!

Happy Birthday Jetta!

It's been 10 years to the day and 83,000 miles since I got my Jetta.  There I am with it on one of it's first days.  I've been a lot of places in this car!

It was quite a hunt to obtain this car.  Many treks to and from the Volkswagen dealer in Huntsville, as well as some trips to Tupelo, Memphis, and Atlanta, were involved.  Finally on October 25th a purchase was made. (The only reason I remember the date is it is the same date as twin neighbor's birthday).

Although I was appreciative at the time, I think I am way more appreciative of this car now than I was ten years ago.  I am so thankful that my parents provided me with a car at 16 that is still functional and running ten years later.  I haven't had to spend the money to get a new one and don't have to worry about a car payment.

The Jetta still is in very good shape, although it does have its share of battle scars- 4 very minor incidents that each left it with more character than it had before- although I'm sure a car guy would not see it that way.

The Jetta and I have conquered many things together and some memories involve the car.  Here are ten - one for each year-
1. Decatur High softball field after school (although I probably could have walked)

2. Samford (I still remember the drive to Birmingham on move-in day)

3. Out to the middle of no where to measure a trailer for the Homecoming float

4. When I drove JP and I on our second date to Purple Onion and he left his leftovers in my car

5. Driving a bunch of girls to a sorority retreat and realizing we were at a dead end just in time

6. Driving to Dallas (and driving back from Dallas with a car full of stuff). Longest drive this little car has ever made.

7. I drove so many places during my internship so I went all over the city. My favorite memory- unintentionally drive through the toll booth on the on ramp and freaking out about it.  Then stopping at the next toll booth and being told that you are aloud to run 3 tolls a month.

8. When I was pulled over in Dallas when I was trying to find my way to the hospital the day before my internship started.  I pulled onto a one way street the wrong way.  There was no traffic as it was Sunday but I realized it as soon as I did it and pulled in a parking lot to turn around.  A cop pulled in right behind me.  I informed him I was from Alabama and it was my first time to drive downtown.  He let me go with no ticket.

9. Driving to the Atlanta Braves playoff game and FINALLY finding a parking spot

10. All the trips I made in a packed Jetta from the apartment to this house

The Jetta has been a very good car, but is needy in the oil category.  The Jetta likes its oil and has kept me on my toes- frequently having to check to make sure it isn't low.  Other than nothing but maintenance- like a timing belt which the purchase of was the first time I felt like an adult (having to spend money on something not fun).

I have been very pleased with my Jetta!

Happy Tenth Birthday Jetta!

JP's Treasures

Now that we have a house instead of a one bedroom apartment, we have room for all of our things we have been storing at our parents house.  This summer when JP's mom drove from Phoenix to Atlanta for our beach trip, she brought along several boxes of JP's things.  Mainly these were items from his childhood.  Since that time we have been going through what JP calls his "treasures."

It has been a fun experience and there are several things I enjoyed getting to see and hear the story behind.  Here are some of my favorites:


1.  There are tons and tons of stories written by a young JP.  These stories are so much fun to read and literally make me laugh out loud at times.  Additionally, with each story he drew a picture which were equally as great.  On 90% of the stories, JP's teacher commented something like, "Very creative," or "You have quite the imagination."

2.  James Peter the the skiier!

3.  JP's wrestling shoes.  He said, "There was a lot of sweat and tears that took place in these."

4.  State Championship relay baton.


Included in these things was JP's 3rd grade journal.  We actually read it one night by flashlight when we had no power due to a storm.  Some of my favorite entries:

• If I had a genie I would wish that I would be very rich so I could buy stock in Delta and Whirlpool.  Each time I got a dividend I would buy more stock.
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• If I was principle of the school, I would be nice to the boys and mean to the girls.  I would give all the boys stock and make all the girls do homework.
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• The teacher asked- is there anyone you do not want to sit next to? All girls.
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• If I could live anywhere I would live at Disney World.  It is so fun.

Hilton Head 2011: Part FIVE

We left Hilton Head on JP's birthday, so we celebrated the night before.  I'm not sure what he was more sad about, turning 26 or leaving the beach the next day.  My guess would be leaving the beach.





On the way home, we stopped at Chickfila and further celebrated JP's birthday.  And yes, JP is wearing his Disney World button he got last year.

Hilton Head 2011: Part FOUR

Of course spending time on the beach is the best part of the beach!  I always try to spend as much time as possible on the beach.  Other than laying on a towel, we got up and did a lot of things.

Bocce Ball is a favorite of all.


This year we flew a kite by our spot.




And of course morning and evening walks are always a must!  This year JP would run in the morning and would ride my bike in front of him to give him a fast pace to follow.



Michael, who is an awesome-legit photographer, always takes sunset pictures.  Here I am at sunset.  JP did not join me in the photo shoot this year.  It probably is a good thing if your remember last years photo shoot.




Now by the end of the week, after spending so much time in the sun, this is how I end up.  But, I can't stand to go inside!



And on the last day at the beach, JP and I always take our traditional "we don't want to leave the beach" pictures.