Sunday is here again, already Aug 24th

Sunday was high of 15 ish, still on the cool side for sure. The neighbor who brought bedroom furniture to be painted stopped over with her girls to drop off a missing finial. I started a new set of solid oak end tables scrubbing - by hand- then painting beckley coal. I tried a new technique of burnishing with a paper bag and left to dry overnight and see what happens.

I continued to sand the bed set and as I started a small shower came thru, nothing to talk about but in the tin roof shop it sounded good :-) It was then back to the house for soap and water the scrub them once again!

old dresser progress

Britt started a new job at Target Gym today from 2-4 and kindly picked up some jars for me before coming home. She really wanted to go to the movies tonight to see If I Stay, the book she just read so she walked the dogs, emptied dishwasher, fed Scooter, and even cooked a pizza in order to go.

Not long after, Shaina returned from her poor weather BC trip. The gal with the frenchie let me know she wanted the numbered dresser. As I was getting it ready to go I noticed an issue, the knobs had leached oil onto the paint!! WTH. So after a frantic panic I tried 2 different repairs and hopefully it will be successful. Note to self.. patience in putting things together and write this down in your lessons learned notebook!

 can you see the faint halo? and below the first step of repair ;-(

Seeing it was a quiet night and windows able to open I also put the self cleaner on the oven to run. After my frantic paint situation I relaxed with more episodes of Homeland, I started 2nd season last night

I wanted to share some more of my favorite things..

1- if you are a turtles fan look out, I bought this container at Costco while hungry. It sat in the basement for a bit before Britt asked if we could open. She ate almost every single one, (Sheldon? Shaina?) but today when I saw there was only about 5 left I decided I should try just so I know what I bought. OMG..... they are amazing.. I will be putting on the list for more!

2 - one of my new Saje remedies is called Zap, it is for acne.. it smells HORRID but it seem to work. I will continue to use and give updates if it changes. I have another few new ones to try and may post too.

A/C goes in :-) possibly to use next year

Saturday, today is my sweet baby sisters birthday, I wish her all the happiness and health in the world, love you Mandy Pandy XOXO

I woke up at 9 but thought lets try for a few more winks and it took a 10 am phone call to wake me! NICE! Been some time and well needed. I eventually got out to the garage to sand the hole filling repairs and such. Britt of course was up much later but she stayed home when I headed to town on the search for a washer hose. The sun was even out now, YEAH!

I needed to dump trash too which was stop #1. At the recycle depot I sorted plastic, left and took a few treasures before setting out to get the hose. It seems the appliances were recently squished and piled in a mountain. I found a newer front loader type (which I would love for horse blankets) but the hose would not release. I found one other I could get to and removed it easily but it was filthy so back to the new one. I asked an attendant for a knife to chop it off at the back but he insisted on helping to remove. He took off 10 screws, bent open the back revealing it went in even farther as suspected. I found the clamp but again he insisted we go for a different one which I said looked to be to the motor but whatever. Seems I was right and once I borrowed his pliers I removed it but not before a spay of rusty water covered my arm lol. A tie wrap had it still hooked and as he hmmmed and hawed I again grabbed the pliers and poled id back thru to release it all. Whew, time to go and grab a hot tea and some small tidbit to eat. Tims, here I come. 

As luck would have it the bathrooms were closed for cleaning but once opened up and I scrubbed my grubby appliance repair girl hands I got my tea and chicken snack wrap and was on my way to Rona for a furniture building few parts. The rain started in town so time to head home.. of course it was not raining there. The A/C guys had arrived and were installing our new system.

While they worked away Britt cleaned out the Chev for the 6 pm viewing while I unloaded treasures. I scrubbed up the old hose after finding the newer version was wayyyyyyy to long and had a slightly bigger diameter!! Of course right? But once I man handled it the washer back into the spot after scrubbing the outside and finding the cord to short to outlet, the machine filled with water but all the dials were faded and unable to read what was what , heard the tub had a wee knock and saw too much crud pumped up I decided maybe I will keep looking!

 Dan overcame his fear of Diego!

Time to scrub the bed frame brought yesterday too, sure wished I had water in the shop (wink wink). The A/C guys finished up and soon after leaving the couple showed up to check out and test drive the truck. Fairly busy day at the ranch yet again. 

Oh my the funny things you see when refinishing, like artwork and carvings!

Britt fed Scooter her med mash and scrubbed up pots and pans all in exchange to go out of course. Happy birthday Brooke, this is my gift.. Britt attending your party hahahaha! She was off to the party stopping to exchange an item to me prior to... 

I took this as she headed out. A sight I LOVE, long missed sun and it setting! I can never get enough of this view but sad it is getting earlier each night ;-(

back in the garage

Friday was again cool and overcast reaching about high of 13!! I started the day posting a challenge to donate to ALS, not just post an ice water dump. What a movement they have going, lets help! A gal dropped furniture off to custom paint before noon and Sharon dropped egg cartons and my recent jewelry win. The necklaces I posted awhile back from Adpazazz had a draw from purchasers and I was the winner, yeah me!! Thanks Susan!! I Love it! I shall wear it to the grocery store (my only outing from the ranch ever lol and even then I have the girls grab stuff) or next polocrosse day!

A bowl of hot hamburger soup and it was time to get back in the garage. Today I got busy on another old dresser Mom had picked up for me. I contemplated not doing it but after a few hours I got thru the top and it is lovely smooth hard wood. I see potential!

Always crazy how some people paint, this dresser had 3-4 colors of paint but the last one the painter slopped over the handles which were screwed in  leaving original holes visible and the screws used were insanely tight. I even snapped the flat head screwdriver in my new kit trying to get them out. Persistence paid off in the end. Stripping and sanding consumed allot of the time too. Britt was off to work for 3 after a very relaxing day so far.

I stopped for a cold beer and blog update, hoping if I stay on top of it I might not get so far behind ;-) kinda like my ordering, sorting and putting photos in my albums which is now a couple years behind ;-( The sun popped out for a brief time sending me out to mow the wild oats patch I thought may have the round pen moved over but no such luck till the Prince returns to assemble some rails to keep the wild beasts in although after all this rain they just want to eat the new grass shoot on the far side in the new paddock.

Once swathing of the oats was accomplished I moved on to washing down furniture. This old dresser had dirt and crud in every crevice and the custom furniture was needing a deep clean too so I hauled out the big pressure washer. Just my luck it was out of gas and after a call to the Prince to clarify clear or mixed gas I drug it over to the shop to fill. Now this in itself was an awful task, the machine itself has zero clearance and with its stiff 60 foot hose that wraps around wheels if pulled backwards and drags if pushed, I managed to get it over and fill without dousing myself in gas. Then the haul back, let it be noted the handle height is set to that of a 5 year old so in the not so far there and back I felt like a little old lady with a crick in her back! Now to get it running, gas was the key, reassemble, stuff tube in soap and press button, NOTHING. Dam needed the water, so off to get the hose that at certain connections seemed welded but eventually I found one and hooked it up. Press button, wait after moving safety.. again nothing, hmmm. So I opened quick couple to nozzle and it shot across the yard, seems it was rusty from not removing after the one and only time it was previously used. Add another nozzle and we have a drizzle going thru, UGH what now.. try and try and eventually (after a build up of pressure is my guess) it started better off and on and then BAM it was full fledged running or should I say at one point peeling the raw pine up! But I believe the dresser and table got a good cleaning. I tried a few of the decks boards before disassembling and wrapping all up. Note to self, in the future stick to the bucket and scrub brush! :-)

Diego still seems to be having issues and after a call to the vet had meds changed. As I messaged B to pick up on way from work, she pulled in. She was kind enough (OK with my strong request) to load both dogs up and take them to dog park and grab new pills. However it seems he may not be quite himself after acting up at the park as well as his small sister who was not behaving as well. Britt had to drag them from the park embarrassed at their naughty growly behavior and says not again, bad puppies! I enjoyed a hot bath for my stiff shoulders while watching Homeland while Britt vowed to finish a book in one night. She has read about 20 this summer!

one of the fluffy grumps

cool dreary weather

Wednesday Aug 20th, holy crap where is the summer going? I was up early like around 7 and why? if I had to go to work I would be hitting the snooze button! The day was overcast, windy and dreary. SO much so Shaina's golf shift was cancelled leaving her plenty of time to get up late and go to the gym after lunch.

I worked on finishing the hair accessory holder, staging and posting. More blog updates and photo sorting all of which eats up tons of time but feels good once done. I do need to order hard copies for my photo albums but that is another huge time consumer I am avoiding!

Rain started around 3 again as Britt was off to work but it only sprinkled a bit now and then. Rain from yesterday registered ONE inch and a 1/4! The HVAC guy stopped to check out settings for  A/C, seems weird when so cool but I guess that is what happens when you have hot days.. order blinds and AC in time for fall !

Being such a dreary cool misty day I made homemade hamburger soup! Shaina enjoyed a bowl before heading to town for a visit with Emily. A local gal needing horses to practice acupressure on came out along with Gail who connected us, to start on 2 horses. Today's lucky draw were Pepper and Scooter. They were great "patients" even in the loud tin rain shop. THANKS Gail for the hot Tim's chai on a drizzly day and thanks Sarah for coming to practice! Checked rain gauge and 2/10ths more today.

Just after the girls left, Lesley and Steve stopped to drop Baby off after her first polocrosse w/e. Thanks guys!! Britt was home from work as they were visiting but soon she, Grady and Amber were off to a party with Amber having a sleepover. The rain really started to come down around midnight as Shaina got home and I was falling asleep.

Thursday, another early wake up...UGH! As a night person it sure makes for a long day esp if grey and dreary! Amber was off as Shaina was leaving for her 11 o clock shift. Britt spent most of the day in front of her laptop but did manage to put in an hour cleaning bathrooms and vacuuming for me. I organized the garage a bit, cleaned, created a birthday present (no reveal yet) and wrapped a couple.

 Isn't this the best prize for a furniture gal?? This is what our team won at the tourney! YAHOO!!

Shaina got home from work, walked the dogs and packed her bags to head to BC for the w/e. Britt went to town for a spray tan then worked last couple hours for her boss before going to the city to a movie. Shaina headed to town to meet the BC bound group after my yummy supper as 2 local furniture painters popped out for a visit. Over our 2 hour tea party we talked about marketing our wares and how to get more exposure. I also gave them a low down on chalk paint as they had a bad taste after trying it once. It was nice to network and share tales. I then spent nearly 3 hours updating albums on my facebook page hoping to make it easier for customers to find their way around. I have also been working with Dropbox which is a fabulous file sharing site, perfect for large polocrosse photos between friends!

so even in my home I too have pieces that end up water damaged, I tell my customers always use a coaster and check but I failed to take my own advice, another thing on the cobbler's kids no shoes list!