The End of Painting Baseboards...

Last Friday was the husband's birthday and our 23rd anniversary.

The husband and I hooked up when we were just babies...on his 16th birthday.

We celebrated with the kids at the zoo...

and with no kids at the Outback!

The Carrot Cake was a dream :)

D says Evenings out with your husband enjoying dinners (with someone else doing the cooking and dishwashing), shows, concerts, theatrical productions, or get-togethers in the homes of other couples are an excellent break in your demanding life as a homemaker and bring about fine companionship with your husband.

BEFORE...
Spent today working in the hall.

And here's a splash of yellow...

Why oh why do the children love Spong Bob so much?


AFTER...

Glad to finally have those baseboards finished.

Tomorrow I remedy a sticky situation.

More Baseboards in the Dining Room...

I think we are all sick of baseboards.

But, they must be done.

BEFORE...

A splash of yellow honey mustard...

is delicious with these...


AFTER...

Went to the Dr today.
Despite the size of my stomach, we are NOT having twins.
My cousin is having twin boys.
I recommend they name them Easton and Weston.

D has some great recommendations for incentives...Activities and positions of responsibility in the church, community, PTA, or other service organizations help to balance our lives and serve to inspire us and increase our enthusiasm.

My position of responsibility in church is Gospel Doctrine Teacher.
This Sunday I teach from the book of Isaiah.
I LOVE this calling...it totally inspires me and increases my enthusiasm :)

Baseboards in the Entry Way...

BEFORE...

Same TOOLS and PROCEDURE as last week

and here is my favorite splash of yellow ever!

AFTER...

I'll be honest.

I'm sick of baseboards.

I think I'm almost done.

More on Facet #10...

D tells us The things that you really want to do--the special projects listed in your appointment book--serve as incentives to buzz through routine jobs and help focus your mind beyond the duty at hand. (These projects are also good cures for feeling bored or isolated.)

My only special projects these days are afternoon naps.
I don't get nearly enough of them.

The 2nd Coat

4:45 pm in the Beck kitchen.

The 9 year old is explaining to the 6 year old that Ken and Barbie met in kindergarten and have been together ever since.

And then Barbie (played by the 9 year old) puts on a Spanish talent show where she sings beautiful Spanish songs to her Kindergarten sweetheart about their fish that died today--who will be sorely missed, and some other song she didn't explain the meaning of, but it sounded so romantic--and I'm pretty sure I heard the word "chocolatay" several times.

It was all very entertaining for the mom while she made Italian Chicken for dinner.

Curious George fresh out of the washer.

See last Friday's AFTER picture for today's BEFORE picture and THE PROCEDURE.

Check out last Thursday's post for THE TOOLS.

Today's splash of yellow comes from the baby's very favorite Curious George!

D says Stuffed animals and dolls look almost as good as new after a good wash and fluff in an automatic washer and dryer. (Make certain, however, that the colors are fast and the seams are secure!)

Poor George was the victim of a little explosion today.

It was terrible...too terrible to mention, but I will say that it started with dia and ended with rhea.

The baby was devastated.

So was the Mom as she had to clean ALL the baby's bedding.

I took D's advice and gave George a good wash in the automatic washer.

He came out good as new and no longer smelled of you-know-what!

AFTER...

It looks so much better with a 2nd coat!

And then it was on to more baking...



3 birthday's down...only 1 left to go--the husband turns the big 39 on Friday.
I don't have to make his cake.
The Outback will be making him a delicious carrot cake.
If you haven't tried it, you should.

More Painting...Beadboard and Baseboards

BEFORE...

This little section of beadboard is begging for a face lift.

The paint I used 5 years ago wasn't great (I tried a new brand, never used it again).

THE TOOLS are the same as last Thursday's.

And here is a lovely splash of yellow.


THE PROCEDURE
I cracked open the paint can and went to work...it wasn't covering the original paint very well.
It didn't take long to see it would need a second coat.

AFTER...



I took time to read the instructions (shocker) and decided to follow them (another shocker).

Tomorrow is Saturday AND another birthday so I'll be allowing it to dry over 3 nights before recoating.

I guess it's time we move on to

Facet #10

INCENTIVE PLAN

(There are 20 facets in all, I should probably move this along)

An ideal homemaker's activities are well-balanced.

Though she may be noted for a speciality and devote a major part of her time to one particular phase, she doesn't spend all of her time cooking, or does she concentrate on sewing, or on cleaning, or on reading, or on outside interests.

She reaches out to include in her life stimulating projects which serve as an incentive to her.

Monday I reach out and make ANOTHER Birthday Cake.

It feels more like a duty than an incentive.

Painting Some of My Baseboards & Butterfly Cakes...

I have A LOT of baseboards!

They have been looking a little hammered so it's time they had a face lift.

BEFORE...

Big day at the Beck house!

Today marks the beginning of our

September Birthday Extravaganza!
4 of the 8 members of our family have birthdays this month.

As soon as we finished our morning routine I got busy...

THE TOOLS

THE PROCEDURE

I didn't want to change into painting clothes so I rolled up the pajama pants and put on an apron.
I looked hot.

I really like Lowes Valspar High Gloss paint.
I painted baseboards for just over an hour, focusing on the main living areas.

AFTER...

They look SOOO much better.

With the painting behind me I could get to work on the 6 year old's birthday cake.

These are my first "fancy" cakes.

Costco usually makes our cakes but the 6 year old LOVES the show "Cake Boss" and insisted I make her a fancy cake.

That was a lot of pressure for someone as challenged as I am in the baking department.

I think they turned out pretty cute for an amateur.

D says baking birthday cakes is even more fun if the children are allowed to help with the baking and decorating.

The children were at school but the Husband was a great help with the skittles.

He loves skittles.

Maybe I'll make him a cake covered in Skittles later this month.