"New Window"

It's been a while since I last blogged. Been settling in with Dad and my new role as caregiver. Quite the stretch in what I'm used to. Since Dad has been here, end of October, I had the pleasure of getting my front window replaced. The old one was quite drafty and when we had those terrible rain storms in the summer, the window even leaked from the top.

After having it measured and ordered, weeks later in minus 10 weather the lovely boys put in my new window. I must say triple pane glass is definitely an improvement, not to mention having it installed properly.

The new window...

The boys were even good enough to save my window shelf and made it work with the new window which I wasn't sure they could do. But they did. All I have to do is paint the trim, but that's what curtains are for, right? 

"Dad is Here"

Over the last few months I have been getting ready to have Dad live with me, emptying out what was once called my 'junk room', repainting and wallpapering, dealing with realtors and potential buyers of farm land, the unknown date of Dad's move weighing on my shoulders, and now things have finally all come together and Dad is here.

It was his first night here last night, happy with his room, relief that he has help now for meals and so on, but as he said this morning; "I almost froze last night". This coming from a man who has lived with a wood burning stove in a small bunk house for years. The heat in my house will never compare. I shall try with extra blankets, fleece sheets and down comforter, which wasn't quite enough last night, I have now set the heat a few degrees higher for over night and more extra blankets. I hope this makes a difference.

Gone are the days of sleeping in, as Dad has breakfast; oatmeal and brown sugar; at 8:30 am. Once I'm back at work this won't be so bad, at least I'll have to be up early.

Now as Dad naps sitting on the couch next to me, I wonder how he will do on his own when I am at work for most of the day. Not making a lunch for himself, and likely not eating what I leave him, 2 meals a day he has been living on in High Prairie. At least the second meal will not be an A&W burger, or just banana bread. Today I must get some grocery shopping done and make responsible meals. Anyone have any quick and easy meal ideas? My imagination with food rests mostly on day dreaming about eating it, not making it. 

Both of us need to settle into a new routine, I need to settle into having a lot more responsibilities than just taking care of me on a random timeline of when things suite me. Now I have to do things daily and not slack on it. I see tiredness in my future. I feel the need for a coffee. I think that is my next step today. One step at a time I suppose.

"PAX Complete"

My wardrobe is finally done. Clothes put away. It brings me such joy and relief.

I had to cut an opening in the back of the last frame to be put together by the Assembly guys, for the only other plug in in my room besides behind the bed.

I was pretty proud of myself when it lined up pretty perfectly. My guess work was pretty good. Just needed good measurements, a handy chisel, and my trusty pruning knife to follow the lines made by my white eyeliner.

Here's the final result...

First half...

Storage for 24 pairs of shoes!!! And the second half...

Pretty full already! And yes there are still clothes hanging in my tiny closet. I've banned myself from buying anything else for a while. I'm not sure how long that will last.

I'm just so happy to not have piles of clothes everywhere, or shoved into dressers where I forget what's there. Finally a little organization in my little house under a bit of chaos.

"PAX Progress"

I decided today to work on getting the IKEA Komplement Interiors in the frames I had done...

Waiting until Thursday to have Assembly Service put together fourth frame, doors, anchor frames together, and level. Then all mine to fill with my clothes waiting in piles; in Dad's room, and yes even in the kitchen. Until Thursday....

"PAX Wardrobe By My Lonesome"

I have no patience. I want it done and I'll do as much as I can on my own. Maybe because I also want to save some bucks.

I called the Assembly guys and have an appointment for them to come assemble my PAX Wardrobe next Thursday. 2 people, $60/hr. Looking at close to $300.

So yesterday I began opening boxes and thought I can do this.

My bedroom's dedicated space to a future wall of organization...

One of four frames. Two 75cm wide and two 50cm wide. This was one of the big ones...

Not too shabby, not too difficult. If I can do this one I can do them all, maybe. Two done last night...

Third one done today. One 75cm wide done and both 50 cm wide done...

One more large frame to go. I don't have enough space in my room to put together the fourth one by myself. It can be put together standing up, but for that I need a second person. I asked my friend to help with the last frame if he has time, but even then I think I will still go with the Assembly guys to hang the doors and attach each frame together with the one next to it. They won't be here that long which means less hours and less cost. I can put the komplement accessories in on my own and then done. Clothes storage like no other. It's so big.

"Pax Wardrobe"

It's that time of year again...

Started today, so I went on down to IKEA and purchased me a PAX wardrobe system. Delivery is tomorrow. Turns out if I want it installed too, because I need more than just me, IKEA recommends someone to do. In this case; Custom Furniture Assembly Inc. (CFAssembly@shaw.ca). Minimum charge of $50 per visit, and $35 per hour, 2 person rate is $60 per hour, and special rates apply for most Wardrobe Installations. Great! Gotta email them for a quote. For $15, upon request, cardboard boxes will be removed and taken to a recycling depot. That's kind of cool.

It may be worth it, given the size of the project. Plus my plaster walls need care. The doors themselves are to be ridiculously heavy.

Here's what it will look like...

But in the Black Brown Colour, It's just easier to see what's there in white...

With these doors...

Lots of space for my shoes and to hang all of my clothes that are currently occupying my laundry basket and piles in various places. Now to find space for all the boxes coming tomorrow and get it put together.

"My New Duvet Cover"

My order came in and I couldn't wait to pick up my package and put my duvet cover on....

What I said my bed would look like...

And what it does look like...Yippe!

Now I'd love a sweet upholstered headboard. Red or Beige. May end up being beige since red in the style I want is hard to come by. Darn websites that don't ship to Canada, makes me sad when I see what I want and can't have it. There's a metaphor for my life in that I'm sure. Oh well, I shall ogle until I can afford it. There's another metaphor likely.

I love this bed. And it does ship to Canada, but its a bit pricey, and the Queen is way way too big for my wee room.  http://www.wayfair.com/A.R.T.-Provenance-Sleigh-Bed-in-Distressed-Ivory-ATF1575.html

There is also this bed, that's even more pricey, and just as big. http://www.wayfair.com/Lexington-Twilight-Bay-Margaux-Upholstered-Bed-in-Gabrielle-Taupe-LTN2001.html

There's also this bed... http://www.wayfair.com/Skyline-Furniture-Nail-Button-Border-Bed-in-Premier-Red-Upholstery-SKY1608.html ...comes in red, correct coloured nail heads (match my chair I purchased) and comes in full size. I think if I am buying a new bed and can fit it, a queen would be better. Also it's much cheaper, but no curve. And I have a red side table, and that's just too much.

There's this bed and it comes in a full size. The depth in Queen isn't bad, but the width is too big given I have my desk in my room now. This bed has better detailing. More of a substantial presence. http://www.wayfair.com/Skyline-Furniture-Tufted-Wingback-Bed-in-Velvet-Buckwheat-41BEDVLVTBCKWT-SKY2037.html 

At least it's all window shopping right now. I think I'm leaning toward the Wingback. Velvety fabric though....Hmmmm....The hampster keeps running on the wheel....

"Comfortably Numb" -- Pink Floyd

Hello, 
Is there anybody in there? 
Just nod if you can hear me 
Is there anyone home? 

Come on 
Now 
I hear you're feeling down 
I can ease your pain 
Get you on your feet again 

Relax 
I'll need some information first 
Just the basic facts 
Can you show me where it hurts? 

There is no pain you are receding 
A distant ship's smoke on the horizon 
You are only coming through in waves 
Your lips move 
But I can't hear what you're saying 

When I was a child I had a fever 
My hands felt just like 
Two balloons 
Now I've got that feeling once again 
I can't explain 
You would not understand 
This is not how I am 
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsfreak.com/p/pink+floyd/comfortably+numb_20108779.html ] 
I... Have become comfortably numb 

O.K. 
Just a little pin prick 
There'll be no more aaaaaaaah! 
But you may feel a little sick 

Can you stand up? 
I do believe it's working 
Good 
That'll keep you going through the show 
Come on 
It's time to go 

There is no pain you are receding 
A distant ship's smoke on the horizon 
You are only coming through in waves 
Your lips move 
But I can't hear what you're saying 

When I was a child 
I caught a fleeting glimpse 
Out of the corner of my eye 

I turned to look but it was gone 
I cannot put my finger on it now 
The child is grown 
The dream is gone 
I... Have become comfortably numb 

"Wallpaper, You are my Biatch"

I did it!

I conquered my fear of wallpapering.

All set with my water-box, pail, sponge, edging tool, exact o knife, level, measuring tape, step stool, smoothing tool, and plastic bag.

Pattern matched, 6 strips ready to go.

Plum line ready for first strip. Thanks huge level and white eyeliner.

Strip one done, edging cut off. Not so bad.

Strip two. Pattern matched. Again not so bad. Stupid popcorn ceiling though, getting stuck to adhesive.

All done, six strips and only strip three gave me trouble. Discovered wasn't moist enough. Thanks sponge.

Thanks Lowe's youtube videos, made a huge difference. Now hopefully it all stays up. Fingers crossed.  Dad's room is so close to being done!

"Wallpaper Step 1"

After a lovely break this weekend, attending my cousin's wedding, I got back to Dad's room today.

I had the photos I want in his room printed and had gone shopping for cheap frames the other day, so I married them today and can't wait to put them up.

After that, I decided to do step 1 of my wallpapering and painted on the wall size I had tinted a chocolate brown, in case any seems show through the paper.

I laid down my drop sheet and taped off the baseboard...

I'll be laying out my wallpaper on the floor tomorrow, so I might as well have the drop cloth down. Plus my hardwood was protected from the chocolate brown cast off from the roller that I just finished scrubbing off my hands and arms.

And here is the result...

Those darn corners were a bit difficult to do, but I think it turned out okay. Next, wallpaper. I'd better watch the Lowe's tutorial again for good measure.

Now for some Tostito's and salsa. Mmmmm.

"Spending Spree Now Officially Over"

I was out on the West End today and figured I'd stop by the Home Sense in Mayfield Common. I still needed a good high backed chair that wasn't too deep for Dad. He likes a good straight chair. He's used to sitting on a dining chair. Of course I found what I needed. I had to buy it because it is pretty perfect for the space...

The side table I had purchased over a year ago, also at the Mayfield Home Sense. It and some sweet yellow pillows determined the colour scheme for this room and ultimately the wallpaper. The wallpaper I also purchased forever ago.

Also purchased forever ago from the same store, picture frames. These ones...

In the layout above, I plan to put Dad's favourite poem; 'If' by Rudyard Kipling; one verse per frame above his dressers.

All spending complete. My credit card bill is going to be stressful come next month. But done I am, except for some good curtains for his room. And closet doors for his room. Damn it.

"Finito"

After yummy lasagna in my tummy, I moved onto to the fun part, painting with a roller. I had my trusty regular size and small size for those awkward areas. 

Almost there...

Turns out only one coat was needed. I'm done. Yay. Painting that is. Wallpapering is another story.

I think I'm going to use a masonry primer sealer I already have on the wall to be wallpapered, then the wall size to be safe from that latex teal paint. One more step added but one wall is no biggie.

"Edging"

So I decided to start painting and put the wallpaper wall size on hold until closer to that doomsday of diy.

Longest part of any painting is the trim and edging. Have to be so careful, or unless you were the previous painters of this room, not so much.

Welcome Toasty Grey. I hope only one coat is required.

A much more relaxing colour for Dad. Minus the crazy wallpaper accent wall.

"Wallpapering"

Phew! Thank goodness I have plaster walls. After reading this I feel better, but if you are wallpapering sheetrock or drywalled walls, then read and make sure you have the right prep.

I only have the wall size, but you may need both the wall size and an alkyd enamel undercoater...

http://parodipalace.com/why_prime/index.html

Timeline on dry time for priming vs. sizing...

http://www.hometips.com/diy-how-to/wallpaper-sizing-priming-wall.html

Videos on diy wallpapering:

Lowe's how to plan and prep...

Lowe's how to hang wallpaper...

"More For Me"

I went out to Home Sense today looking for a chair for my desk, with a particular idea in mind and I found it! I love Home Sense.

Perfection...

After much hmming and hawing over a duvet cover, I decided to go with a damask print in red and burgundy. I think the other duvet cover set will go much better in Dad's room. I'm still hmming and hawing about that one. It's kinda pricey ( I did find another website that has it that does ship to Canada). The one I'm getting for myself is a steal of a deal. Only 4-8 business days and my room can look like this...

Minus all the extra pillows.

Thanks Overstock.com.

Now back to Dad's room. I washed down the wall that the wallpaper will be going on. I went to Home Depot and picked up my very own wallpaper kit. And purchased Shieldz Clear Wall Size. It prepares the surface for wallpaper, makes positioning easy, and helps adhesion. At least thats what the container says. I had it tinted a chocolate brown so that if any seems show through the wallpaper it won't be as noticeable. One step at a time. Wall size tomorrow. Then paint my primed walls, 2 coats. Then wallpaper. I'm still stressed about pattern matching and doing it all by my lonesome.

I suppose we shall see how diy-y I am afterall.

Update August 22: I caved. I got the duvet set for Dad's room. Spending Spree now over. So has to be over.

Thanks AllModern.com.