Guys! I've done something miraculous!

I've been officially bitten by the DIY bug (I blame Pinterest). My very first DIY project was to re-upholster my gross rust color ottoman that I got last year from the Salvation Army for $5.

It wasn't as difficult as I thought it was going to be, actually. I originally thought I was being a little over zealous in picking furniture to re-upholster for my first DIY, but I am really happy with the result.Items needed:

-Needle nose pliers

-Scissors

-Staple gun and staples

-Measuring tape

-Fabric to cover the ottoman

-Foam (if you wish to make the ottoman softer to sit on - I used 2in foam)

-Box cutter

-Quilters Batting

-Hot glue gun and hot glue sticks (optional)

-Decorative trim (optional)

First thing I did was measure everything. I planned to add 2 inches of foam to the top to make it more comfortable to sit on, so I added that to my dimensions as well. Then I figured out how many yards of fabric I would need (adding an extra inch to each side to make sure I had enough to staple. I ended up buying a yard and a quarter of upholstering fabric from Hobby Lobby - it is BEAUTIFUL, you'll see!

Then I removed the legs.

Then I was tasked with the arduous task of removing all the staples with needle nose pliers to get the old fabric off. I won't lie to you - this part was INCREDIBLY tedious and I hated every second of it.

After probably about an hour and a half, I was left with: A ton of old staples.

A shell of an rust color ottoman fabric and a naked ottoman.

I left the foam that was already attached as it wasn't in terrible shape. If you take the fabric off yours and its crumbling and gross - get rid of it!

I got so excited at this point, I forgot to take any other pictures until I was done. I know, I know, total newbie move, but what can I say?

I had to cut down my 2in foam to the right size to sit on top of the ottoman. I measured the cuts and drew the lines directly onto the foam and cut using a box cutter. I had to draw lines on both sides of the foam and cut each side because the foam was thicker than the box cutter blade.

Once the correct size, I put the foam on top of the ottoman. Then I used the quilter's batting that I bought to drape it over the foam and staple it to the bottom of the ottoman, to hold the foam in place. I had a bit extra, so I trimmed it all down.

Next came the fun part. I laid the new fabric down on the floor, design down. Next, I placed my newly foamed and stapled naked ottoman and placed it legs up (you know, if the legs were attached) on the fabric. Gently pulling the fabric over the long side, I stapled it in place, stapling almost to the corner, but not quite. Then I repeated on the opposite side, pulling the fabric as tight as I could. Ideally you'd have another person to assist, but I was on my own and did alright. Again, staple almost to the corners, but not quite.

Next come the short sides. Repeat the process you did for the long sides, pulling everything tight. The corners, however, are tricky. This lovely website was what I used to know how to do the corners. I would offer that you trim a little here and try to do the corner, and trim a little there and re-try to do the corner, just so you don't accidentally trim off too much to complete the corner at all. That would be a disaster!

Once your corners are done, that's it! The finished product!

If you want to add a trim around it along the bottom, or the middle (to make it look like its two parts), I'd suggest doing so with hot glue. That was my original intention, but now I am second guessing myself! I have the trim, I have the hot glue, but I'm waiting to make a final decision. :)

I hope that is helpful! :)

Next on the docket is an even bigger DIY project. Can you guess what it will be? I plan to make something out of this desk/table (from Craigslist - $25) and two of these small particleboard bookshelves from Target that I've had for a few years./

Any guesses? Stay tuned!

What did I do today you ask?

I took my car in for a check up and spent 3 hours bumming around at Panera in the process (my car is ok, no worries!). Then, I went to Salvation Army and got a wicked ottoman for $5 (it was half off!). THEN I went to Target and a garage sale and got two cutesy chairs and a wrought iron table for my porch (please see: future posts about enjoying meals/reading outside). Next came a visit to the Ames Public Library. I went crazy and got two books, a movie, and the 2nd season of Six Feet Under.

Then I came home for awhile. And I left again. Where to? Joann Fabrics, of course!

There are got 3 and a half yards of black anti-pill fleece and hoo-boy did I go crazy and cover the freecycle chair I got on Tuesday. Yes I did! Now the chair is covered and I still have to do the ottoman, but I am fresh out of energy and desire to cover it! Plus my knees are magnificently rug burned.

I also spent some time feeling miserable and hungry, which I've sort of taken care of but now that the chair is covered I am really going to ponder what to eat (talk about eating dinner later than normal!).

Breath. This is what happens when I am left to my own devices for 2 week. Thanks, Joe! :)

A pretty great weekend at home

It's President's Day weekend, and instead of partaking in all of the mattress sales that are happening right now, I decided to drive home to Wheaton for the long weekend. On the whole, things haven't been too exciting, but it was a nice change of pace, and I always like spending time with my family.

I even got to see my grammie, who seems to be doing SO much better now that she's doing dialysis. She's alert and more herself in general - something she hasn't been in a long time.

Otherwise I did this and that all weekend, and now it's time for me to get ready to go back. I got a book on tape (Jodi Picoult's Change of Heart...it's our next book club book) to listen to on my way back. Hopefully that will help pass the time quickly! I also am keeping my fingers crossed that the rain/snow/wintry mix stays away so I can get back to Ames safely!!

It's a two post day.

Why you ask?

Because I am thinking way too much for my own good, missing my friends and family back in Wheaton, and pondering some of the friendships that I feel drifting away.

Some of those friendships are going faster than others. They seem to be high tailing it out of here and I can't quite figure out why. There are a few in particular that I never in a million years thought would end up like this.

Was it something I said? What it something I did? Or is this one of those "It's not you, it's me" scenarios? Either way, pouring over these things never does me any good, and brings me to tears more often than I'd like to admit. I try to be tough, but let's face it: I'm a softie.

To the friends that are sticking around and are wonderful: I am so thankful for you. For the ones drifting away: I wish you wouldn't because you're still important to me. Those that are drifting at a quicker pace: I'm sad things have turned out this way. I already miss you and am hoping things will turn around.

Well, I guess that's enough Debbie Downer for one night. Sorry about that...

"Why can't we get all the people together in the world that we really like and then just stay together? I guess that wouldn't work. Someone would leave. Someone always leaves. Then we would have to say good-bye. I hate good-byes. I know what I need. I need more hellos."
Charles M. Schulz

Happy New Year everyone!

In 2010 I:
-Applied for more jobs than I ever imagined I would
-Fell down an entire flight of stairs...TWICE.
-Watched a lot of the AFI top 100 movies
-Performed in the Vagina Monologues
-Interned with the Heart of Illinois United Way
-Published the 2010 edition of Broadside as Editor-in-Chief
-Graduated from college
-Celebrated the finale of Lost
-Saw one of my best friends get married
-Spent the summer working at Target
-Was offered and accepted a job with Wiley-Blackwell
-Moved to Ames, IA
-Started living completely on my own for the first time

I don't normally make new years resolutions, but I do like to think about things to make a general game plan, so here's what I came up with:

-Eat healthier
-Exercise more and shoot for 3+ times a week, but don't beat myself up if I don't (which shouldn't be too hard considering I barely exercised after I graduated from High School)
-Read some excellent books
-Keep in touch with friends

Otherwise, I am just going to keep on keeping on. It's time for bed. I am feeling so grateful for my family and friends. I am thankful for what the past year has brought me and am really looking forward to what the year will bring me.

"No, I haven't heard your voice in two week now

and anticipation's been wearing me thin. And I just can't help but wonderin' baby if somehow we could tear these pages out and begin again."
-Matt Wertz

So homesick.

I found

a green caterpillar (large inchworm?) in my lemon thyme!! It was a cutie, but I put it outside because I don't want him running around in my apartment unattended. :)

Going to give sweet and sour chicken a go

and hope I don't majorly screw it up. I am finding that I am not a very good cook, even though I somehow managed to cook for Pete and Lexie all of last year fairly successfully.

At least no one is around to experience my blunders (i.e. Lemon Pepper Chicken, Cornbread, Chicken Herb Rice)? Yeah, that's the spirit!

I have some pictures to post, but haven't gotten around to it. I've been feeling rather lazy in that aspect. Oops.

Meet Basil, Thyme, and Rosemary!

I just planted some herbs to put on my patio so I can use them for cooking. Yum yum!


Their little nook.


Basil. He's a boisterous one.


Lemon Thyme. He just goes my Thyme.


Rosemary. She's shy and hates being picked on by her brothers.

:)

So sleepy.

My first two days of work have been both overwhelming and wonderful. I definitely think I'm going to like this place a lot. The people are great. The benefits are great. The amount of time off I get is great. I especially love my HR contact (she is in Indy and not in the Ames office because we're small!) which is a good feeling. Hopefully everything stays that way. I have a LOT of systems to learn, and just a lot to learn in general. Hopefully, once I get the hang of things, everything will make a lot more sense and thus me less overwhelming.

My apartment is all moved into and set up. See?


The living room!


The dining room!


The kitchen!


My bedroom!


The bathroom!


My amazing walk in closet!!

So I am all settled. Now I just need to make me some friends!

Welcome

to my new home. (Ames, IA)

I start my new job on Monday!

Here is the point in my life

when I wish I knew what was ahead. I don't want to know intricate details or anything, but I would like to know things like how long I will have to live at home working at Target, if I will get a job in publishing or if that's just a fleeting dream, etc.

Sigh.

I will be back home in Wheaton in one week from today. Probably around this time too.

...I wish this cold would beat it.

Jack fell down and broke his crown, Melissa came tumbling after.

Ouch. The stairs have finally gotten the best of me. I fell down our stairs in our house (nice hardwood stairs to catch my falling body) and was/am in such excruciating pain. I gave in and went to the ER after dinner since it hurt so badly and prompt care was closed.

Apparently I have a deep muscle contusion and now am on Tylenol with codeine and a muscle relaxer I don't remember the name of. It's making me rather sleepy.

I can't go in to the United Way tomorrow because I can't drive like this, so HOPEFULLY I can be productive tomorrow since I sure as hell wasn't today because I spent four hours in the ER.

There is a cricket in my room

that will NOT stop chirping, and I am about to lose my mind. DISASTER.

Sleep fail.

Seeing twenty shooting stars

isn't too shabby as far as I am concerned. Especially with the light pollution the suburbs deal with. It was also wonderful to see Kylie, as always.

Heading back to Peoria tomorrow. Here's to hoping my key is where it needs to be so I can move in. Bring on senior year.

Farewell NYC

Waterworks have begun. :(

Grumpin'

Today was just not my day.

It started with maybe the worst night of sleep ever. My air conditioner was being stupid and now actually blowing cold air, so it was hot as all get out. Add 3 tipsy girls into a not very large room, clad with two large windows that warm the room during the day anyway and what you get is an uncomfortable, stuffy sleeping habitat.

No good. I slept poorly at best.

Then work was work...I still can't believe it's my last week! :(

And then after work I went to take my 2 boxes of books to the post office, but FML because the two closest ones close at 5pm and didn't have an outside drop off! My arms and back are sore now and it's uncomfortable.

THEN! Theeeen I went on a hunt for a luggage scale. I had called Macy's on my lunch break and asked if they had any in stock. The woman on the phone said yes. Success! So I go there after dinner and wouldn't you know it? They are out of stock. The woman so kindly directed me to this place called Luggage Source, which was already CLOSED. Blah. Disaster.

And now...sleep!

Forgotten Chicago

I am such a little worker bee

I am totally on the Bradley Website. Check it out.

:)