Another Busy Saturday

I was driving out to where Dave works on friday, ( a gravel road along the river where people seem to think it is the garbage dump).  Along the road someone had dumped off a few of these concrete scalloped edgers.

Of course I knew I could put them to some use, LOL. There were only a few (2 are not pictured). I stopped and loaded them into my SUV.

Today I put them to use to help keep the soil from continually washing down, pushing water into a storage room under my steps.

 I will do this on the other side as well. I will also be putting a flower bed on this side next year.

Here is a couple before pics of the new front flower bed

I laid it out then scraped off the top

planted some flowers and seeds.

Here is what it looks like now that I added some mulch today and "children" (lol)

( I didn't realize til now how the pic seems out of focus. I took this at dusk, I  will add a clearer pic tomorrow) You get the idea how it's coming along though.

I have discovered  that going to Menards on Saturday mornings gets me some great deals.

I was there to get more mulch and they were marking things down. I got a real tall "Shephards Hook" for $5.88  (reg $16.98) and as I was leaving I found these cute little "Scented Windowsill Garden" kits.  for $1.00 (reg $6.98)

They are copper colored tin pots with a tray, growing medium and seeds. I bought 2 and both are different seedwise. One has Silver Thyme, Lemon Balm and Mint, the other has Spearmint, Peppermint and Mint.

They will look great on my windowsills! Can't beat them for a buck!

Got a great deal on corn-on-the-cob at No Frills today 12 ears for $2.99!! WOW!

  (It is usually $3.99 for 6 ears).

It will go over well at the picnic tomorrow.

I got all the rest of my perennials planted today, except one. Still trying to decide where I want to put the other "Butterfly Bush", sis bought me.

We put up "another" trellis for the climbing green beans and some fencing around the pumpkins to get try and keep them off the ground.

I picked a handful of green beans off the row today! 

I happened to have my camera by me at just the right time today and got 3 of my "family" in the pic.

Here are top L-R "Blacken", " Boot-Z" and "Damon" (aka "itty-bit") bottom.

Enjoy your evening. Thanks for stopping in to read my blog!

I'm Still Around

With the warmer weather I am so much busier! When I am not at work I am usually up to something in one of the gardens I am attempting to create. Then there is the bathroom that still is not done, but, I am working on it every extra chance I get.

Needless to say, the only time I am on a computer is at work and "blogging" there is a big NO! NO!

LOL!
Also, I have had PC problems since an Microsoft "update" on 6/23/10 (anyone else?)  I restored twice. This last time I did not install the updates and it's back to working fine!

I have not been to many yard sales. There just have not been any that have looked "appealing" to even stop at. Oh well, I am trying to get rid of what I have here before I bring more in, anyway!

I had some great finds this past weekend though,

We had to run out to Menards and while there I discovered Geraniums 6 for $1.00. Then they brought out a cart while I was there of marked down planters. I got 2 for $1.00 each- already planted! The pots are worth that!

The Geraniums look real nice in my blue pots. Oh, tonight when we were leaving the house Dave looked over and said "I really like those blue pots". (That made me feel good).

We did a Target run Sunday and got some good deals too!

The Stove Top was $2.24 before coupons, I paid $1.24 normally I don't buy this, but with the coupon deals and this new flavor I wanted to try it.    The Glade was $3.49 , I paid 49¢. The Q-tips cost me 89¢ each (reg $1.89 each),  Wonka candy was $3.49 - I paid 99¢,  the Crystal Light are the bigs ones that are $3.98 each I got them on sale $2.98 each - less one $1.00 coupon, I paid $1.98! Total worth $21.20 - I paid $11.70

I have had "ugly" curtains up since we moved here 3 years ago. They were some that were left and some I had and they didn't even match. LOL. I have looked at the prices of drapes but for my big front window it would cost me an "arm and a leg" ( neither of which I am willing to part with, lol).

I was at the Family Dollar last friday and found they had some pretty "nice looking" ones for half off on clearance. They only had 3 panels,. I found another panel at their other store (funny that store only had one hmm). They were $7.50 and the valances were $4.80.  They really match the coloring of my funiture. They also look pretty nice. I took a quick pic while I had them up temporarily to see if I would like them. I think when Ifind some material I will line them. They sure look better than the old ones.  lol!

So here are the curtains that were here when we moved in (yuck plaid!)

I had to get the plaid -gone, so I used some thermal curtains that were the same color but had a design. Not real attractive either. The window faces the west, the sun just heats up the room and blinds us so bad . (I solved that problem this weekend with some window tint).

Okay don't these look much better (even though they came from the dollar store)?

Then finally here is my other deal of the weekend. All these groceries were free!

 15 cans of veggies, 4pk of yogurt and the new Kraft mac and cheese Explosion  >Total value $13.07!!!

Enough for now. Hopefully will be able to get back on schedule now. Thanks for stopping. Have a good evening!

Menards Tips & My Makeovers

We shop at Menards quite frequently-(I really do mean quite frequently). That is mainly because we are do-it-yourselfers.
 There are many blogs out there that keep you up to date on the "free after rebates" that Menards have frequently and tell you how to "work out" the deals. Menards rebates are in the form of "gift checks" that you can only use at Menards. With your first initial investment in a "free after rebate" product, you then use your "gift checks" to purchase future products that are "free after rebate" and you can continuously recieve actual "free stuff".
I want to add another tip. I have a Menards credit card. I pay it off every month. (Simply deduct your purchase from your checking account and when the bill comes pay it off). Here is the "cool thing" about the card. For every purchase you will get 2% back at the end of the year in the form of a "gift check". ( Last year my gift check was over $50.00). PLUS- every month when you get your bill they send you coupons for big discounts off of products and/or free products. Since you are going to spend your money there anyway this is a great way to get stuff and make a profit too.
When I went to buy the paint for my son's room I used a coupon they sent with my bill for a free duster (reg $2.98).  I am also getting a $4.00 rebate check back from the gallon of paint too!

Listen, free is free! If you can't use it someone can, or gift it. I will use this, but if I didn't want it, an idea would be to give it as a shower gift or housewarming gift, along with some other household cleaning products. Or even stick it on the yard sale for 50-75¢ . It came in a package with the price tag on it so someone would think it's a good deal!

Some of my makeover projects are done!
Back on my Feb 13, 2010 blog I showed you the "ugly" bathroom light fixture:

Ugh how I hated it!

Then I found one that I saw potential in for $7.00 at the Habitat For Humanity Restore

I am not one that likes brass, so it needed madeover.

Well here it is!

I am loving it!! I think it looks quite sharp!

Last summer a neighbor moved out down the block and she gave me some plastic terra cotta colored pots. There were two matching ones that are bigger (about 20in tall). I stuck them in the garage until I got some time to decide what to use them for.

I was out to Menards one day and they had the most beautiful creamic blue flower pots. They were painted to look like the paint ran on them as the were fired. I just loved them, but not for $25.00 each.

I decided to try my hand at copying them as best I could.

I forgot to take a before pic but you all know what a terra cotta plastic pot looks like.

First I painted them with primer:

I think they have turned out really pretty and from the street I doubt anyone will be able to tell they are just plastic pots!

I have been too busy to get them planted, but when I do I will post a pic. I think a bright yellow flower might be sharp or maybe some white petunias. Let me know if you all have any ideas.

My son has just been thrilled with his bedroom makeover! I open the door and I am proud of the way it turned out. He chose the color and when I first saw it on the sample I thought "hmm", I was not sure it would be good. I also was worried it would make his already small room feel smaller. The name also was a bit "off putting" >  Swamp Green.  I went with a semi gloss and I think that helps to brighten it a bit. The room does not really feel smaller. I think using the bright white on the ceiling also helped to not make it feel like a box.

 

Well it's my bed time and it's back to work in the morning. Thanks for stopping by. Have a good evening!

Yard Sale Saturday- Not

The weathermen predicted it would be sunny and hot this weekend. However, when I got up to go to yard sales it was raining and the few that were still on, had nothing.
I did have some store deals though this evening.
At Target the total before coupons was $18.61, I paid $3.11

The Tide, Herbal Essences shampoo and conditioner actually paid me 3¢ each.

The Rayovac batteries both were free.

The First Aid Kits I paid 22¢ each, the Degree Deoderants I paid 47¢ each and the Kotex I paid 22¢ each.

Then I made a stop at Hyvee to grab some sale items I wanted.

I ended up paying  35¢ each for the Van Camps  Beans (reg 69¢ each), $1.38 each for the Crystal Light (reg $2.98 each) and 77¢ each for the Marcal Toilet Paper (reg $3.28 each).

total worth $25.98> I paid  $12.10

This was the first store I have been able to find the Marcal at, however, they do not carry the single rolls. I have a whole bunch of coupons for a free single roll. I hope I can find them before they expire at the end of this month.

It did become sunny, hot and humid and I think I pushed myself a bit too much with the new flower bed project. But, I managed to get a lot done.
From about 9 am until 3:30 ish I dug and dug and dug. I had to move the Iris and a rose bush. I replanted the Iris that were still in bloom as I went. I will replant the rest tomorrow.

Oh, and Dave moved my umbrella trellis for me before I started the digging. The problem next was what to do with all the dirt. I did not need all this to go back. I mentioned that it was too bad I didn't have another box cause I could use the dirt and grow even more veggies. This is when Dave informed me that he had all the stuff to make me another box.  Yahoo!!

Now I am going to plant some acorn squash and maybe a pumpkin. I also will probably add another row of green beans and carrots.

I got some good deals on perennials this week.

Home Depot had their 6 in pots reg $5.98 for $3.98

 

While I was at Menards Friday picking up manure (ugh), I found a rack of perennials marked down to $2.98 each! So I bought 4 more.

I am sooo sore and stiff and tired. I hope you have a good evening!