What I used:
(4) 29 in. 2x3 lumber
(2) 23 in. 2x3 lumber
(2) 73 in. 2x3 lumber
(1) 80'x28' door
nails
screws
wood glue
paint
My next task will be to completely decorate my office and make it feel a little warmer and inviting. I'll keep you updated.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Completed Door Desk
Ha, ha! I finally finished. I feel really great that I completed my desk task. It took a couple of hours to complete and was very fun. Originally I thought it would cost about $40, but it only ended up costing about $20.
What I used:
(4) 29 in. 2x3 lumber
(2) 23 in. 2x3 lumber
(2) 73 in. 2x3 lumber
(1) 80'x28' door
nails
screws
wood glue
paint
I would be glad to include the instructions, but I am more happy that I finally put it together. Yay for me!!
My next task will be to completely decorate my office and make it feel a little warmer and inviting. I'll keep you updated.
What I used:
(4) 29 in. 2x3 lumber
(2) 23 in. 2x3 lumber
(2) 73 in. 2x3 lumber
(1) 80'x28' door
nails
screws
wood glue
paint
My next task will be to completely decorate my office and make it feel a little warmer and inviting. I'll keep you updated.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Beginning a New Desk Project
Hello world,
I am trying a new project this weekend. The ultimate "door desk". I have been wanting to try this for a while but have not had the courage to do it. Today I finally got up the nerve to buy the door. I figured I'd buy the door from The Restore (Habitat for Humanity) for $5. If I messed it up, at least I'm only out of $5 dollars, right? While at the store, I was testing out the doors to make sure that they had the right vibe. I sort of have this thing about having items used from other people and I don't know where they came from. The gentleman helping me thought it was the funniest thing. It was kind of funny though, but I think I got a good feeling from the one I chose. Anyway, I will post pictures of the progression of this "door desk" project.
Hopefully it will work fine because my 48 inch tiny ikea desk is just not doing the trick. I considered purchasing an IKEA desk, but for the same size and general idea, it would cost about $40 for the table top and $5 each for 4 legs. I figured I could sand this door, paint, polyurathan, and add legs for about $40 and have an entire desk.
I'll keep you posted!
I am trying a new project this weekend. The ultimate "door desk". I have been wanting to try this for a while but have not had the courage to do it. Today I finally got up the nerve to buy the door. I figured I'd buy the door from The Restore (Habitat for Humanity) for $5. If I messed it up, at least I'm only out of $5 dollars, right? While at the store, I was testing out the doors to make sure that they had the right vibe. I sort of have this thing about having items used from other people and I don't know where they came from. The gentleman helping me thought it was the funniest thing. It was kind of funny though, but I think I got a good feeling from the one I chose. Anyway, I will post pictures of the progression of this "door desk" project.
Hopefully it will work fine because my 48 inch tiny ikea desk is just not doing the trick. I considered purchasing an IKEA desk, but for the same size and general idea, it would cost about $40 for the table top and $5 each for 4 legs. I figured I could sand this door, paint, polyurathan, and add legs for about $40 and have an entire desk.
 |
| Door purchased for $5 at the Restore. 28' x 78'. Cost in theretail about $25. |
 |
| Current small desk and old file cabinet. No space. |
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Creating a Beautiful Home on a Budget
No money you say! That is just fine. I am going to create a beautiful cozy home on a budget. I found the nicest end tables the other day at a thrift store for $45 a set. Granted they are from about the 1950's, but they are nice. Gonna sand them down and paint them black to see how they will look.
I also found another set of side tables for $10 a set. Now that was definitely a steal! I figured I'd take those two and make a desk out of them. Maybe paint those black as well. We will see. $50 for something that will be beautiful when painted, decorated, and embellished.
I have been having fun "thrifting" seeing things that have lots of potential and feel like I can use them to add some spice and life to my home. This nice little music chair was a cute find as well.
 |
| Right end table has original handles. Left handles include possible handles after being painted. $45 for set! |
 |
| Both end tables cost $5 each. Caught these at a flea market! |
 |
| Cool music chair that I could use for my son & daughters music corner. $22 |
I have been having fun "thrifting" seeing things that have lots of potential and feel like I can use them to add some spice and life to my home. This nice little music chair was a cute find as well.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Building Skills of My Sons
I think that I may be rubbing off on my sons. (Obvious, since they are my sons!) They have been helping me build a lot of things lately. Since being in the new house, we have had to construct many things on our own. Check out the "Build Your Dresser" video by my boys. My son said "mom we are not finished with the video, so you have to record us doing it again. To my suprise, they were extremely interested in making the video and did very well for it not to be edited. The end product isn't bad either. Check that out as well. I have been trying to get my daughter to include her "How to Draw" videos. As you would know, she is a little reluctant.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Thoughts on the Education
Just having a few thoughts about education. Why on earth are we making the obvious difficult?
Health/Activity: I was reading an article about how to cut down on childhood obesity and boost healthy nutrition. One way to decrease this problem is to serve real breakfast and lunch during school hours and allow the students to have recess for at least 15-20 min a day. My children eat breakfast from a bag every morning with milk and juice. They usually have some starch/bread (mini pancakes, sausage biscuits, french toast, breakfast dog, cereal, etc). What ever happened to the days of a real hot breakfast served on a plate with grits, fruit, oatmeal, etc. Not only does it provide the students with a moment to get their minds ready, it also reduces waste! (My next blog by the way). Why not encourage students/parents to bring healthy snacks or even allow the students to make healthy snacks during class. [Make an apple man, string-o-popcorn, etc] Do be afraid to teach the children about sharing and doing assignments with healthy food [multiplying, understanding cells, classifying rocks].
Recess: What is that? My children have gone to recess approx. 20 times out of 100 days. Why?? Apparently for various reasons. "We have a lot of information to cover." explains one teacher. "It's to cold and I'm allergic to the elements (grass, trees, sun)." states another. "We just don't have time everyday and children misbehave!" mims the last. All reasons that can be controlled by the educator in charge of his/her class. Or maybe the administrators make them feel that allowing students to release the energy that is bottled up inside or have down time is a waste of time. They must sit studiously and quietly during instruction time ALL day. No not all students are deprived of being able to "play", "talk freely", "socialize", and "release" for a few minutes. But, a lot of them are! What can be done? Simple allow the students to have recess or free time and serve "real lunches".
Well, well, well when things aren't working so well in school what happens, everything is thrown back to the parents. Most children spend at least 7-10hrs a day at school, 8-10hrs sleeping and the other 4-9hrs in transition, or doing something related to school. Where is the down time each day?? Consider the great American child's life: Our children spend about 5 hours with us each day and about 2 doing something non-school related! Interesting.
Volunteer at school: Not possible with all teachers or schools. Some teachers feel as though the parent/s are being "helicopters" or "evaluators". Some parents are. Solve that, have a resource room available for parents to come in after they have given their babies a hug, kiss and let go. If you need things made, copied, done, put it in the teacher/parent resource room. When you need stuff, create a helping hands bulletin and allow the parents to pull from the bulletin and bring when possible. Utilize PTA funds for things needed in the classroom. Parents pockets do get thin!! Have a sign up sheet for parents to come and help during specific celebrations or times to help with groups of students. Parent do want to help, but sometimes are met with resistance and reluctance from teachers.
Most important: Academics: Yes, you must know by now that I have a child who is not particularly excited about school but they love it. (Oxymoron I know) Being a teacher, I am all for academics and making sure that students understand "book stuff". But in the same breath, I want to be sure that my child and other students understand how to be productive citizens. Every child will not get A's or be on the Principals List, but every child must be educated. Each child can excel in an area that they are great in. What educators should do is try to hone in on those undercover skills/interests/qualities/learning styles/abilities/talents and develop the students love of academics from that. How can we get children to excel and enjoy learning? Not by overloading their brains with "book stuff", I assure you. If they enjoy learning, the academic part will come along for the ride. Help them understand how academics relates to life by allowing opportunities for true first hand, hands on experiences with different subjects. Let's have some up close and personal, real life, field trips(almost obsolete as well).
Educating students shouldn't be this difficult, mind blowing or puzzling. It's truly a common sense issue. (Depending on who's sense you are using!!)
Health/Activity: I was reading an article about how to cut down on childhood obesity and boost healthy nutrition. One way to decrease this problem is to serve real breakfast and lunch during school hours and allow the students to have recess for at least 15-20 min a day. My children eat breakfast from a bag every morning with milk and juice. They usually have some starch/bread (mini pancakes, sausage biscuits, french toast, breakfast dog, cereal, etc). What ever happened to the days of a real hot breakfast served on a plate with grits, fruit, oatmeal, etc. Not only does it provide the students with a moment to get their minds ready, it also reduces waste! (My next blog by the way). Why not encourage students/parents to bring healthy snacks or even allow the students to make healthy snacks during class. [Make an apple man, string-o-popcorn, etc] Do be afraid to teach the children about sharing and doing assignments with healthy food [multiplying, understanding cells, classifying rocks].
Recess: What is that? My children have gone to recess approx. 20 times out of 100 days. Why?? Apparently for various reasons. "We have a lot of information to cover." explains one teacher. "It's to cold and I'm allergic to the elements (grass, trees, sun)." states another. "We just don't have time everyday and children misbehave!" mims the last. All reasons that can be controlled by the educator in charge of his/her class. Or maybe the administrators make them feel that allowing students to release the energy that is bottled up inside or have down time is a waste of time. They must sit studiously and quietly during instruction time ALL day. No not all students are deprived of being able to "play", "talk freely", "socialize", and "release" for a few minutes. But, a lot of them are! What can be done? Simple allow the students to have recess or free time and serve "real lunches".
Well, well, well when things aren't working so well in school what happens, everything is thrown back to the parents. Most children spend at least 7-10hrs a day at school, 8-10hrs sleeping and the other 4-9hrs in transition, or doing something related to school. Where is the down time each day?? Consider the great American child's life: Our children spend about 5 hours with us each day and about 2 doing something non-school related! Interesting.
Volunteer at school: Not possible with all teachers or schools. Some teachers feel as though the parent/s are being "helicopters" or "evaluators". Some parents are. Solve that, have a resource room available for parents to come in after they have given their babies a hug, kiss and let go. If you need things made, copied, done, put it in the teacher/parent resource room. When you need stuff, create a helping hands bulletin and allow the parents to pull from the bulletin and bring when possible. Utilize PTA funds for things needed in the classroom. Parents pockets do get thin!! Have a sign up sheet for parents to come and help during specific celebrations or times to help with groups of students. Parent do want to help, but sometimes are met with resistance and reluctance from teachers.
Most important: Academics: Yes, you must know by now that I have a child who is not particularly excited about school but they love it. (Oxymoron I know) Being a teacher, I am all for academics and making sure that students understand "book stuff". But in the same breath, I want to be sure that my child and other students understand how to be productive citizens. Every child will not get A's or be on the Principals List, but every child must be educated. Each child can excel in an area that they are great in. What educators should do is try to hone in on those undercover skills/interests/qualities/learning styles/abilities/talents and develop the students love of academics from that. How can we get children to excel and enjoy learning? Not by overloading their brains with "book stuff", I assure you. If they enjoy learning, the academic part will come along for the ride. Help them understand how academics relates to life by allowing opportunities for true first hand, hands on experiences with different subjects. Let's have some up close and personal, real life, field trips(almost obsolete as well).
Educating students shouldn't be this difficult, mind blowing or puzzling. It's truly a common sense issue. (Depending on who's sense you are using!!)
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