Cleanliness is Next to Godliness

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

As some of you may have seen on Facebook and Instagram Jonathan and I having been watching our nephew, Poseidon.


Isn't he cute? Here's another because he's adorable.


The first weekend he stayed with us it was obvious someone needed a bath (ahem Poseidon, "God of the Sea"). Jon took one whiff and said "you need a bath little buddy." I reminded him that one of our previous guests (Heidi, that's you!) had complained that the water was cold in the guest bath. Jonathan tested the water out and sure enough, it was still coming out ice cold.

So, on a weekend where he said he wasn't going to do anything house related, Jon had to fix the water temperature for our furry little nephew. I only got a couple of photos because it was really boring to watch, I was in the way and I wanted to play with Poseidon.

Who could resist this face over bathroom knob repair stuff? Not I.


Jonathan removed the knob and water spout. He looked inside the wall. And did more stuff that looked impressive from where I was sitting.



In the end he found that the hot and cold knobs were switched. Thanks again previous homeowner! Please note that was meant to be read in your head in a sarcastic tone.

Finally, the three of us gathered in the guest bath to get Operation Clean Dog underway. Obviously Poseidon did not like his bath. Not impressive for the supposed ruler of the ocean. Jon ended up doing the cleaning and I bribed him to sit with lots of treats. The treats only worked for a tiny bit. He would take the treat, sit and after 3 seconds try to climb out. Once we were done I dried him off and then we took him outside to finishing drying in the sun. Then he napped because baths are exhausting when you're a dog.


Jon's happy Poseidon is smelling better, I'm happy our future guests can have warm baths and Poseidon's happy we gave him lots of treats.


And yes I know I've included more photos of Poseidon than the actual project. He's way cuter that bath tub knobs.

Welcome

Monday, July 8, 2013

Consider our entryway done!


Jonathan had already painted so all we needed was some kind of art on the wall.

Remember how we originally wanted to frame out the old mirror in the half bath but totally failed? Well, I didn't want to throw it out. I hoarded kept it in a closet because I wanted to reuse it. It's been in there for about six months just hanging out. Waiting. And then inspiration struck!

I had the mirror and some leftover trim from our framed monogram project so I decided to make a welcome mirror. I've seen a lot of vinyl sticker crafty things all over Pinterest and decided that would be perfect for my project. Most of the people who do those vinyl cutouts have a cricut or special die cut machine. I don't. So I shopped around on Etsy until I found one that I liked.

Another visit to my BFF, Home Depot and I picked a can of frosted spray paint. Then I gathered up my supplies and got to crafting.


First I centered and applied the sticker. I eyeballed it and as a result its a bit crooked but that just gives it character. Right? Getting the sticker onto the mirror was a little tricky. You only get one shot so I tried to go super slowly... BUT I messed it up a bit. I accidently stretched out one of the letters but managed to drag it back into place.

Then I taped off the middle part that was going to be frosted. I initially eyeballed that too. Thankfully my sister was here to tell me that it was really off and I was about the make a huge crafting boo boo. So I redid it the right way.


After that it was time to spray paint. I totally overdid it with the spray paint. I should have done thin even coats and waited for them dry. I didn't. Blame it on the heat and my impatience. As a result there are some drips. I thought that I had completely ruined the whole thing. I told Jon that I was going to have to scrape the paint off and start over. Jon said it was fine but I was feeling pretty bummed (and dramatic) about the whole thing.

When I looked at it in the sunlight the next day I felt a million times better about it. Jon said "Babe, I told you it was fine!" and I left it on the dining table for a few days....

Then I peeled off the sticker using tweezers. I had tried to use my nails and accidentally scratched off some of the paint. It's not that noticeable but I would like it better if its wasn't there. I don't really know how to fix that. I don't want to spray paint more because I think it would ruin the whole thing. So it will remain as is.

Then I built and assembled a frame for the mirror in the same way we did the monogram one but this time I did all by myself! Naturally since Jon wasn't there to help/oversee I cut the wood a little short because I measured off the broken corners of the mirror. Oops.


Next it was Jonathan's turn. I asked him to hang to the mirror but we had no way to do it. It had previously been up in the bathroom with cheap clip things. Obviously that wasn't going to work since the mirror was so much thicker now. I found these hook things at (where else?) Home Depot and got Jon's seal of I-think-this-will-work approval. He measured and marked when the holes should go.



The way they are supposed to work is by hammering in a plastic pin that acts as a nail to hang the hook. It looked really easy to do on the instructions but, of course, it wasn't. Jon had trouble with the first one and punched a hole with the second one.


Once Jon got all the yelling out of his system and patched the wall, he finished the two on the bottom.


Then we added two on the sides instead of on top. We did it that way so we could slide it in and out. It took us a little bit of effort to jam it in there but its there and we've checked off another item on our to do list.



Star Spangled Banner

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Happy Birthday America!


Jon and I are feeling patriotic today, as we should, and finally got around to proudly displaying the America Flag.

This flag was a gift from Jonathan's brother Andrew who is currently serving in the US Army in South Korea. That makes this flag extra special.

After carefully selecting where to hang to the flag outside our front door Jon attached the flag holder. Even though this product was 100% made in America the screws were not the best quality. After stripping the screws that came with the flag he ended up using some other wood screws that we had on hand.



It came with these clear plastic rings that had screws to attach the flag to the pole.



Then Jon placed the pole into the bracket.


Here is Old Glory next to our patriotic wreath.


A special thank you to Andrew for helping keep our great nation safe!

Jon says: "love you bro!"

Month in Review: June 2013

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

A short (& sweet) recap of June:

But the big news around here is my recent promotion! HECK YES! The job is nice and the extra money isn't bad ;) Of course, I immediately started thinking of how many gallons of paint I could buy at Home Depot... but Jonathan wasn't as enthused. 

Jonathan took me out to dinner and a movie to celebrate. (Sorry for the dark cellphone photos!)




Sunday we went to my cousin's house for joint celebration for me and Jon's recent birthday. BBQ, Slip n Slide and family followed by Iron Man 3 to beat the crazy 108 degree heat. 



Not bad June. 

We Think We're Funny: June 2013

Friday, June 28, 2013

Jonathan and I shared some of our funny (at least to us) conversations last month. We liked it so much we decided to do it again each month from now on.

Until we no longer think we're funny....

In regards to our shutter project:
Jonathan: This is the worst project we've ever done! This is my most hated project so far.
Berennisse: What was it before?
Jonathan: Nothing. I knew this was waiting for me.

Discussing watching The Last Stand & painting the entryway:
Jonathan: Want to watch the movie and then paint?
Berennisse: Why don't we watch the movie while we paint?
Jonathan: What! I'm not going to paint while I watch Schwarzenegger. He deserves my full attention!

While cleaning our bathroom:
Jonathan: Your hair is beautiful but its from the devil!

After viewing our shutter recap video:
Berennisse: My favorite part is where you said, "got your approval."
Jonathan: I said that? Damn.

While assembling the dining chairs:
Berennisse: Babe, why do two of those chairs have holes on the seats?
Jonathan: They were $15! They're cheap.
---Two days later---
Berennisse: Do you think those holes on the chairs are where the arms go?
Jonathan: Ohhhh, you're right!

After I caught him wearing his birthday cheesehead while playing video games:
Berennisse: Why are you wearing your cheesehead?
Jonathan: I just felt like wearing it.
Berennisse: Isn't it too early for football?
Jonathan: Its never too early for football!

Jon's 28 Years on the Planet

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Friday was Jonathan's 28th birthday!


We celebrated quietly at home. His mom came over and we ordered in. She baked a delicious cake. It was a Victorian sponge cake with cream cheese frosting in between the layers topped with whipped cream and berries. It was as delicious as it sounds. Wish I had gotten a close up of the cake. 

My parents had already surprised us with our beautiful new shutters. My brother came by and surprised Jon with a Green Bay Packers Cheesehead. Obviously he loves it. He immediate stuck it on his head and said "this will make game days great!" 

I think that may have been his favorite gift. I caught him wearing it while playing video games in his man cave. 







The Shutter Story: The Surprise

Monday, June 24, 2013

Thursday Jonathan & I came home to this:


Can't tell the difference? Let me show you the old one.


My parents totally surprised us with beautiful brand new shutters in our dining room. Remember how Jon and I had DIY'd some customizable ones from Home Depot? Well neither one of us were 100% happy with the end result. We were just glad that we were able to use them at all after the big mistake with the circular saw. 

After we had finished installing them my mom asked if I would replace them. I said "No, but I wouldn't get these for the other windows!"

Luckily my parents ignored me and ordered this behind our backs! I guess my mom had met the shutter man while we were at work. Sneaky. But so awesome. 

I didn't even notice when I got home from work. When Jon got home I met him in the garage. All of a sudden he asked "Babe, why are the shutters in the garage?" Cue my totally shocked and throughly confused face. "What? What are you talking about?" Jon starts to point at a corner of our garage. "The shutters are here. The shutters I installed. Look!" 

We looked at each other in bewilderment. Then I asked "Did they fall?" When we went to check the window we (finally) saw the new ones. Once the shock and confusion subsided I knew it had to have been my parents. We called them up and my mom tried to play it off at first. Then she asked how we liked it and said it was Jon's birthday present. 

It may seem like a strange gift but Jon (and me!) really loves the way it looks. He said and I quote "It makes our house look beautiful." I'm a huge fan too. Its a lot less busy looking than the old ones and it has the trim around the window which makes it look a lot more finished. And since we had been thinking about replacing it down the line, it saves a ton of cash since it our second biggest window.


A million thanks to the best parents! Such a lovely and thoughtful surprise.