IKEA toy bin = recycle organization

Turn unorganized heaping piles and messes into something easy to get at and appealing to look at. (Mind the ugly walls, the kitchen is gutted and readying for a renovation.)

















I like recycling and organizing the stuff. I like putting the papers in the paper bag, the tins and plastic in the containers. The bottles back to the store. But I have to say, I seem to accumulate more recyclables now and they got a little out of hand. Previous to the kitchen gutting, I had some semblance to my recycling stuff. Post gut and for the past few months the piles spread out and piled up and got a little crazy.

For the time being, without any counters or cupboards, I used big empty diaper boxes for collecting the main recyclables.And then we would bring the blue bin up, dump the boxes into blue bin and take bin curbside. Im not sure why I don't just keep the blue bin up here??? I'm sure I had a reason, but I forget what it  is!

The door handle was heavily used with hanging bags holding other bags. Rice bag held plastic bags, Cotton bag held kitchen laundry. Another hidden cotton bag held grocery bags. And the paper bag, holding paint stuff - as I am painting the stairway.  (Backpack will find its new home next week.)

Small clementine fruit crate holding magazines, flyers, envelopes.

Ya know, when I lived in Ottawa, Canada one can stick a note on the mailbox refusing flyers, junk mail. That doesn't go over so well here in CNY. I suppose that is because the junk mailers have gotten hold of your name and have addressed the junk to you.

Oh look, here is a neat pile. Old magazines.

Trip to IKEA. Spot the toy bin and shelf organizer. Purchase it and build it with my little building associate, Lucy. (Building tip: I used a power drill for the plastic "sliders" (that the bins slip into) The drill was able to force the sliders flat which helps the bins slide in and out easily.  I did the first few manually and I couldn't get the sliders flat against the clapboard ... and it was MUCH quicker to use the power drill)

And everything is tidy again.

Now if I can only find a decent place to plop my counter top compost bucket.

How much is that doggie in the window

I have been restless about getting some projects completed; not actually working on any, just bothered by the lack of progress. And posting about them is kind of non-inspiring right now. Although I did reorganize my recycle piles and took pictures. More about that later.

I also had some visitors this weekend which brought lots of energy and fun into my home.

I also forgot my dog at the at the food coop. Had to pick up some onions and garlic and took my dog for a walk. Tied him to the water spout beside the water bowl, as I normally do. Went inside, got my stuff, exited and went home. A few hours later my friend asked me where my dog was. I thought that was a weird question, and then BOOM. ACK> he is at the food coop. We jumped up from the dining room table, and ran waddled to the store. My friend is 8 months pregnant... It was 8:30pm and the store closes at 8. A white piece of paper had replaced my dog. Luckily there was a note, address and phone number on the paper. I don't have a cell phone, so we just walked to the address.  The lights were on in the house but noone answered. We walked back, going past the store again. There were a couple kids outside the store who said they heard about the abandoned dog, but the person who took Luc did not work at the store; she must have been on neighbourhood watch. Or a store patron.  Back home we called the number and the friendly dog rescuer said she was now home. WE ALL walked back to the house and picked up Luc. He was sleeping on a pillow on her living room chair. I think he may have wanted to spend the night. The dog lovers heard the store workers wondering what to do with the dog as none of them could take him home. The patron chimed in and said she could take him. She was actually out looking for her own dog. She did find her dog and she and her husband made Luc feel loved.

I am usually with my kids when I go to the store, but this time I was with a friend and we were talking as we left and headed home and forgot the dog.  Thankfully she eventually remembered; it might have taken me a while longer to notice Luc was missing as he is so quiet now a days, usually sleeping or scratching himself. And my memory is shot.  It made me realize that I lack energy in my home. Yes, I have a lot of kid energy and me energy. But when my family members are visiting there is so much more energy and love. I guess I kind of miss them.

And the price of the doggie in the window on the water tap, Steal him, yes, Afford him, no way. Thankful for the good samaritan  who took the initiative to make sure the dog didn't get stuck in a rain storm over night and do the best she could to contact me.

Oh My Darling! A boy and his kitten

sweater: H&M : brown cotton V neck with trucks and car pattern. LOVED this sweater, why or why did I give it away.
shorts: Zara
socks & shoes: Zara : leather converse like slip on shoes.

Accessories: his first kitten named Mittens
from the archives 5/2009

Chalked up IKEA table

Our recent trip to visit my parents was successful in the way that we FINALLY made it to IKEA. Everytime we make the 4 hour drive to the farm, I always want to take a mini trip into Ottawa for some inspiration.browsing.shopping.  That rarely happens. But this time I was determined. I had grand plans on what to buy. I had already made an online list and knew exactly where to go.

We wanted to eat and then pick up two things: 1) little table for darling L. and, 2) rail and S hooks for the helmet / backpack wall. And 3) a recycle bin and tower organizer.  And then head back across the border.

IKEA was nuts.  College kids shopping for their new digs. Due to construction on the NEW and 'HUGER' IKEA building (that will be fun when it is completed), the traffic was backed up and it was slow to find parking. I drove to the furthest corner of the make shift parking lot. Lucy was sleeping peacefully, until I moved her into the stroller. I figured I can carry the things I wanted in one hand and push her in the stroller with the other.

We went directly to the cafeteria. After a few minutes of standing in the lunch line that jetted out into the bathroom department I spied a little note at the entrance. "CASH ONLY. Due to technical difficulties, our debit/credit machines are not working". We weighed our options ... shop quickly on empty stomachs - I knew what we were getting) or go somewhere else for food and then return - I knew of no other food venues.

We drove 4 hours to this IKEA, so buck up and dive into the crowds.  We headed to the children's department and it was EMPTY. The experience just became pleasurable even on an "egg and shrimp deli sandwich" less tummy).  Chaz and Lucy played in the little cocoon chair and plastic rocker. They examined all the stuffed creatures and each picked one to hug and maul for a while; the hound dog for Lucy and the carrot for Chaz - the carrot gave Chaz another stab at begging for a guinea pig.  And I did some quick but thorough table comparing and decision making.

I came up with an idea that solidified choosing the less expensive little white particle board table for $24 (CAD) dollars. I didn't want the chairs but when we were in the "aisle and bin" area I discovered not only do I get a table for 24 dollars, I get two little chairs too! Cool.  The intention for the table was a place for Lucy to eat. When Chaz was her age, he preferred to eat off of a little table rather then sit in his highchair.

I opted out of the "nicer" all wood table when I realized I could chalkboard paint the little white top table and have an open art / eating table.  The top part of the table is this fiber / particle board; white on one side, "board" on the other side. I flipped it over and painted the board side.

Lucy is very happy with her chairs. She likes to move them around the living room and sit on them.

I am very happy with how the table turned out, for such a few $. It resides in this nook in our dining room for now, but will try it under a window later on.

And a wooden crate to hold some supplies. (See the particle board edge? Yeah, I am not finished painting it. Once I disassemble half of the table to remove the board, I will paint a purple edge -  purple chalkboard paint that is)

Yeah, I said 2 purposes at the beginning of the post and wrote down three things. While we were there I FINALLY bought this tall narrow system that holds plastic containers. Its in the childrens' dept. I will set this up to use for recycling bins in the kitchen.

Oh My Darling! Vintage and faux fur

Dress: A Vintage/Antique find - beautiful fabric
Vest: Zara circa 2010
Shoes: Robeez lambs
Hat: DOllar Store

Lucy's closet - refinish floor progess

If you are here to see {this moment} I am going to post those on my photo blog

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Why is this nasty vinyl  floor inside the bedroom closet? And the other bedroom closet. Yikes.  Oh wait, let me refer to it as something more pleasing, how about vintage vinyl?  It is at least 40 years old. I found a few treasures buried under the vinyl. An attempt at a time capsule perhaps, by the previous owner. A check for $3.95 written in 1969. I wonder what she was able to purchase for 3.95.? Did it pay the heating bill, phone bill, groceries?  My mom used to write checks for her groceries (not for 3.95 though ... alright, 40 years ago was not that long ago, I was 3 years old.  Now-a-days it is not advisable to write a check for $3.95, nor use your debit card for this amount as the cost for doing so is around $5 bucks.

Back to the time capsule ... There were also a few football trading cards. The trading cards are group shots, rather then single players. We have New York Jets "AMBUSH", Chicago Bears "A Nose For The Ball", Minnesota Vikings "Lending A Hand" and several more. My son was delighted in this find. So was I ... I'll be heading over to ebay after this post.






 So, this "vintage" flooring was the instigator for the bathroom reno (well that and the wall covering).  I didn't want to bother scrubbing it; it was easy to tell this effort would not make it better.  I didn't want to walk on it. I didn't want carefully selected tile to be placed ON TOP of it, as I would surely sense it underneath. I wanted it torn out, down to the floor boards and trashed for good.   The same "vintage" stuff has also been torn out of the kitchen. Yay. Alas, the vintage flooring haunts me. It is in two closest (it baffles me, I see no purpose in this) and it is on 3-4 stairs down to the basement.

The door to the attic is in Lucy's bedroom. A door to a closet and then a door to the stairs that lead to the attic.  Every time I go to the attic I am reminded about of the flooring.  Actually, every time I go into the closet so select a dress for Lucy.  Or to organize her out grown clothes into bins (which cover most of the flooring, thankfully.)

Yesterday morning I decided that that small closet area could serve a better use. Perhaps some narrow shelves for shoes and books and toys? There is a step in the closet, and Lucy likes to sit down on such ledges. I should make this more available for her.  (this is an adorable thing; she stands about 6inches away, with her back facing her destination. She then takes a few steps backwards until she reaches her mark, and then slowly bends knees to sit. Stands up to adjust herself, if not aligned correctly. Sometimes missing the mark and trying again. love this age!)

Once I discovered the "vintage" vinyl floor was not glued down, but rather held down by the sideboard and bottom stair, it became a really easy project and high on my list of things to do. Like immediately, after work.

Chaz, hoping to find more football cards.

A few minutes later.

Hmmm, maybe I should thank the person who laid down the vinyl, the floor is in pretty good condition, once I sweep it.

I decide that sanding the floor may not be necessary and a damp cloth will work fine. Until the wetness revealed an all to familiar smell....animal smell. Add hand held sander to my list of things to get.

Speaking of vintage...do you see that little suitcase above. I picked that up a the funky flea market this past spring.  I'm fond of vintage fabrics and patterns, so maybe my vintage flooring is actually just old flooring, 'cause I don't care for that pattern.

And since we are in Lucy's closet, I'll post a few pictures of her dresses, blouse and knits. Thank you grandmas for all the knitted sweaters.

Spot the vintage pieces!

Back to school preparation, storage idea

Helmets have taken over our basement stairway. A too small skateboard helmet, a new bike helmet (10 dollars via a city program, thankfully). And a too small bike helmet. My bike helmet. A too big bike helmet for Lucy.  A ski helmet. It goes on. And on.  We are tripping over helmets.

A simple solution would be a universal helmet for all wheel type sports. But this isn't the case, I am told. Also, their heads keep growing. This I did not know! Shoes each year. Yes. Helmets each year, hmmm. We do double time with ski helmet and ice skating helmet. But if he takes up hockey.... Triple duty for the bike/scooter/skateboard helmet. We are a biking family and I strongly abide to biking laws, even for myself. 

Maybe it is the numerous out grown helmets. I am torn ... do I keep them for Lucy (I am a bit surprised at how quickly my son grows out of helmets). Or do I bring them to a 2nd hand store and get new ones when she needs them. After all there is a 7 year age difference.  Like child car seats, I wonder if the Salvation Army cannot take the helmets either. Lawsuit liabilities.  The garage is no good, squirrels and spiders live there. I suppose I can make a trip up to the attic, but that would require me remembering to haul the collection of helmets with me.


For the past year, they have been hanging nicely make.do.with.whats.there on left over curtain hardware on the side door. (I'll spare you the before picture, until I actually complete this little project) This is also where backpacks (the "back to school" reference in title connection:)) reside. Things are constantly falling off the hooks, so mostly they collect in a pile on the floor.  And to add to it, this area became a dumping ground for other sports equipment -> lacrosse stix, tennis rackets.... It IS dangerous!

The time has come to take back this area. Make it more safe. Make it more purposeful. I started painting it last week. I also got this idea to build a recessed shelf/cubby hole to toss and hide extra shoes. Ill need the contract-her for that. And this weekend we are headed to my parents farm for some family time, cousin play AND a trip to IKEA.

I have had this little picture on my design board at home. It is now in my wallet ready for our IKEA shopping trip. It is the simplest solution for backpacks and helmets.  And a bit stylish if I do say so.

Yep, a rail and S hooks. The ceramic container is optional, but pretty.

I'm not a participant of "back to school shopping" or any other kind of advertising that occurs months before the actual event.  It is the middle of summer. We will live in the summer until the last few days.  But a trip to IKEA has sort of got me into the spirit of this back to school shopping. At least in the home organizing sense.

(post script: The after pictures)

And since back to school equates to fall ... all these other projects started to get in my head and needed organizing:
1) Vestibule - replace floor, fix cracks in wall, paint wall (gray & white) fix main door, insert glass in 2nd door and stain and varathane door In progress

2) Chaz closet - make (plumbing) shelf (open up space); hang curtain/door. paint wall, tear out vinyl floor. not in this order.

3) My room - remove closet door and widen opening and replace with sliding door -> will let more light into room and closet. make closet more accessible. and by removing door that swings into room, I will have more options for moving king size bed to different walls. Right now its against the windows and if I dont get replacement windows in this fall, it will be kind of chilly on our heads.


4a) tear vinyl floor out of Lucy's closet. sand, stain and varathane hardwood (found a check for 3 dollars written in 1969; some old hockey cards and paperclips) In progress
4b) remove vinyl floor from Chaz's closet. sand stain and varathane hardwood

5) basement stairway: painting in progress. add rail and S hooks in basement stairway - hang backpacks. Add shelf for ... stuff, add hooks for helmets.

6) replacement windows for 5 windows upstairs my/chaz room

7) downstairs bathroom - insert sliding door. chalkboard paint it. AND hopefully remodel the entire room, if I can make a decision on tile.

8) tile kitchen floor.

9) Orange / now peacock blue room -> reclaiming it for my work space (from storage place) In progress

10)  Oh yeah, and the dining room light and two "live" units. The electrician. In progress

Dew go barefoot

An early morning stroll through my garden,
Garden, ... I use that term loosely...
But it is my garden.

My long awaited for Cosmos bloomed. 

One, tiny sweet bloom.  

There are at least 6 hardy stems in this garden.

Mid-August and I wondered if I would ever get a flower. 

Google told me my Cosmos needed so many hours of sun. 

Alas, the bloom. And one is all I need.

 I made my way over to the jungle of Elephant Ears (Amaranth) and Morning Glory.
Not a garden that appeals to everyone,
but I have grown fond of it,
it was determined to rise.
Started growing before I got to harvest it and plant the tomatoes.

Zooming in and mother nature doesn't fail

The Morning Glory entwining itself around anything

The tiny wisps of stem hair.

A bee and its destination,

Digging deep for his nectar

I returned inside and realized how good my feet felt. 

Its been along time since I walked barefoot through grass. 

Dewey grass. 

Dew Drop Inn. 

You get into habits, some of which are putting on shoes.  

I went barefoot all weekend at the cottage. 

A treat for my feet.  A treat for my sensory system. 

Feel with your feet. 

Let the grass tickle the sole. 

Let the pebbles and gravel prick or massage at the sole. 

And let the tiny droplets of dew refresh your hard working, often covered sole.

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But this post isn't about my garden. Nor is it meant to be about my feet.

It is about ELECTRICITY and my list.

I.FINALLY.called

The Electrician. 

And left a message.

Yay for me and yay for anticipating dining room progress.

AND I also found this really, really cool DIY cluster light, 

which is based on the inspiration cluster light for my industrial light fixture.

That has been sitting in its box

patiently, waiting and waiting to take center stage over the table.

I definitely making a cluster light for my bedroom.