Réfrigérateur Facelift for $35

When we moved in, we inherited all the appliances which worked out great, and they looked great in this sweet retro kitchen. Have I told you about my super human strength? Since I grew up with brothers, I'm freakishly strong. I tend to open things with gusto... gifts... windows... and the fridge. I've broken several windows by throwing them open with all my might. Unfortunately the refrigerator's handle fell victim to my super powers early on.
The broken handle bothered me, and I knew this fridge would look out of place in the new fabulous kitchen. I had seen a blog where the lady simply glued paneling onto an old fridge. I decided to give it a shot. So I grabbed some beadboard, liquid nails, and some molding. Then I asked the Juans to cut it to the right size, man, they are so handy!Then this is the part where if you really should have some help. I didn't, so when I slathered the beadboard with liquid nails and stuck it on the fridge, I realized I didn't have a free hand to tape it in place. So I did what anyone do, I started screaming at the top of my lungs! One of the Juans ran to my aid, and helped tape the paneling in place. Then once that dried, I put the molding in place and then painted it all white to match the kitchen. Frankly, I'm pretty proud of the way it turned out. $35 bucks well spent, and it looks much better. Now, the only thing we can't decide.... do we add a handle? or leave it plain? What do you think?

P.S. Because someone asked, there is a small gap between the paneling and the fridge, which was easily fixed with some chaulk! Now it looks seamless from the side.

Happy Birthday Little Miss Liar Fire Pants

Imagine my surprise when I picked up AK at school the other day and she is wearing a Birthday crown and her friends are all waving her off with birthday wishes.

When we got to the car I said, "Hey AK, why is everyone wishing you a Happy Birthday?"
AK: Oh, I told everyone it was my birthday to make the day more fun.
Moi: Um, but your birthday was last month.
AK: Well, today is my birthday for this month.
Moi: Sweetie, it just doesn't work like that. You can't just decide to have a birthday on any old day.
AK: But I got to be line leader and pass out pencils and they sang to me, it was so fun.

Baffled, I really can't blame her, I mean she got to be line leader AND pass out pencils! Plus she has a summer birthday, which means she misses out on the school birthday experience. What I can't figure out is how she convinced everyone that today was her birthday when the forms I filled out all have a different date. This girl needs to be a salesman, she can get anyone to believe anything.

**Up until last year, anytime Mr. Boy thought someone was lying he would call them, "Liar Fire Pants" instead of Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire. It made me chuckle every time and the phrase has stuck.

Reason # 1,112 I love having a girl.

They are fun to shop for. Even better when they wear the clothes you buy for them... which isn't happening very often anymore....

Grande Salle de Bains

Without further ado... here is the new Master Bathroom!Ha! Just kidding, I wish! I had grand visions of a clawfoot tub, a sit down vanity, and then the architect came back with, "Get real lady! Either have a dedicated playroom or a giant Master Bathroom that you can't afford." Being the true giver that I am, I chose to give my children a playroom. Between you and me, cash was a huge factor as well, I really want a pool!

I wanted to keep this house somewhat true to it's 1950's roots, so I chose ceramic tile throughout. Plus the ceramic tile was affordable, and I had a TIGHT budget for this bathroom. This flooring was the inspiration for the whole space.

We only had room for a single vanity, and I picked this vanity out early on. When it came time to actually purchase the vanity, the Remodeling Gods smiled upon us, and we found out it was on clearance. It was half off! I love the lines and the shape but it needed something....
Perhaps a coat of Black Paint? Mr. Man claims I paint every piece of furniture black. He might be right... I spruced it up by replacing the handles with knobs, and bought a fancy handle from my favorite home store Restoration Hardware. I knew from the minute we picked out the flooring I wanted subway tile on the walls. We started out with 3x6 inch tiles, but with the tiny size of the bathroom it was making the room feel very crowded. Too much grout! We found these 6x9 inch tiles were the right scale for the bathroom. While not true "subway" tile, it totally works.
We opted for a shower instead of a tub/shower combo. I love that little bench and the shampoo holder. I also love to open the window and gaze into the wilderness. Occasionally, I'll see the deer and yell "Ack Rupert! Don't Look! Avert your eyes!"
This bathroom is small but mighty. I love that I don't have to share it with the kids, and that it is all mine. (ahem.. and Mr. Man's).
J'aime ma le Chalet! I am in love with this house and the way it turned out! More pics coming soon, including the playroom which I sacrificed my clawfoot tub for.

Attention Folks: This is your captain speaking

When I was Four, I accompanied my mom on a trip back to Midwest to visit family. These were back in the good old days of flying, when airlines actually had customer service and didn't treat you like Cattle. The stewardess asked me if I'd like to meet the pilot during the flight and I went up to the cockpit. The pilot gave me a pair of wings and showed me the controls, then he asked me if I'd like to be a stewardess when I grew up? I responded with, "No way! I want to be the Pilot."
Over the summer, we had the opportunity to take this Cessna out for a spin. I'm terrified of flying, but always wanted to learn how to fly a plane. I'm complicated like that. There is something about being able to be in control of the plane, that took all the fear right out of me. I was able to relax and enjoy myself the whole time.
We flew out over the Channel Islands on a spectacularly clear day. I got a quick lesson and then took over the controls for most of the flight.
I think I want to ask Santa for an airplane for Christmas. It was amazing to be able to fly through the air. Maybe the Chalet needs a runway in the back instead of a pool.
I took these guys with me, much to Mr. Man's dismay. They LOVED it, and when we did dips and steep climbs, they would scream, "AGAIN! AGAIN! Do it Again!"
At the end of the flight, AK said, "Next time let me fly it, Ok?"

The Canines of the Chalet

This stinker of a dog gave us a scare last week. Sandy started to go downhill fast, and then 24 hours later after being showered with attention, she was back to causing mischeif and acting like her old self. She likes to hide under the house and then pop out and scare the Juans. Aunt Cinnamon actually has a theory that Sandy does this on purpose, "Hmmm.. I haven't faked dying for a while... " Then there is these dynamic duo. Skoopi loves to ride in the car, and stare straight ahead. She never puts her head out the window, she doesn't act like a normal dog. These two are inseperable, and I love finding them having an adventure all over the property. Here they are pretending to be on a safari. There is nothing in the world like a boy and his dog.