DIY To-Do List

When we were contacted by the fine folks over at TrueValue to participate in the DIY squad, I was a bit giddy.

(if you count running around my office building several times while singing ‘I’m so excited/Jessie’s girl/Hakuna Matata’ at the top of my lungs only a bit giddy…)

And then reality set in…what the heck are we gonna do with all that True Value moolah?

So I started a list of all the stuff that we wanted to change or renovate around the house.  Jeremy didn’t realize what hit la Casa de Bower until he saw me pacing from room to room, with glowing red eyes, hair that closely resembled Nick Nolte’s infamous mug shot and a scroll a mile long (ok, ok, it was a notepad but scrolls sound so much more dramatic).  Basically I was every man’s worst nightmare – I had turned into a certifiable obsessive compulsive HONEY-DO LISTMAKER.  As I wrote down item #438 – Jeremy collapsed. 

Well, not really. 

Jeremy wouldn’t collapse unless he was hit by a train carrying semitrucks filled with 97,000 ton shipments of kryptonite.  And then the word ‘collapse’ would be debatable.  Point is – if this man can live with me, he can survive just about anything.  Including #438. 

But the list needed shortening.  Afterall, I want to be married even after the True Value Blog Squad is no-more.  So I came up with a more reasonable list of things that I want to accomplish in 2009. 

Without further adieu, I would like to introduce you to our DIY TO-DO List for 2009.  

 

#1 – EXTERIOR CLEAN-UP/FINISH-UP/PREP FOR WINTER

Fall is upon us and that means we can finish planting the rest of our plants in the front yard without fear of drought, summer heat and a ridiculously high water bill.  So on our to-do list is to plant shrubs, perennials and bulbs for a completed front yard landscape.  And you can be sure that we will walk you through the list of supplies that we need to tackle the great outdoors.  Also, we need a weed-wacker and a edge trimmer – for around the stone wall and to prevent our bermuda grass from overtaking our flower beds.  And lastly, we want to remove the paint from our exterior brick.  Our house’s brick base has always sported this fuzzy-white look since the day we bought it…we blame the previous painters – so getting it cleaned up and looking new will definitely be on our to-do and to-share list.

#2 – JEREMY’s OFFICE IS GETTING THE BOOT.

My boyfriend is a telecommuter.  And our smallest guest bedroom has always functioned as an office for him.  Until now.  We decided that the best place for Jeremy to work will not be upstairs but in our basement.  It’s colder down there for the tundra-lovin man that he is and it is MUCH quieter.  So we want to carve out a little spot for him to shake his money-maker and bring home the bacon (mmm…bacon…yum!).  Not only will we try to work in a work space but I would love to see this desk get a major overhaul…white paint maybe?

#3 – OUT WITH KATIE’s DESK – IN WITH CHEAP STORAGE

Frankly, I don’t use my desk at all.  It houses a couple useful file drawers but for the most part, I could live perfectly happy without it.  So Jeremy & I decided that we would sell it on Craigslist.  And in it’s place, we would love some additional storage.  Enter Super Mom!  aka Little Debbie.  She bestowed upon us a cedar piece of furniture that she got for free (curtesy of her trash-picking-habit) and that we can give new life and use to store all sorts of fun future knick-knacks.  And you know how much I love turning a craptastic cabinet into something useful!  So definitely stay tuned for that one! 

#4 – RAILING REDO and FIRE SAFETY

(Are you loving that old picture of our previously mustard colored foyer hall?  The twinkle in your eyes just betrayed you.)  Yes, it’s true…our foyer underwent a major paint job…but that was where it ended.  And we desperately need a new fire alarm/carbon monoxide detector in our first floor and in our basement.  Especially with my cooking.  If the food doesn’t kill you, the fumes will.  And our banister & railings are a completely different color than the wood flooring we installed…so a quick coat of paint will help everything look a little more cohesive.

#5  – POSSIBLE NEW FRONT DOOR; DEFINITE NEW HARDWARE

Our front door is not exactly our style.  Don’t get me wrong.  I love the bars over the little window – it reminds me of my time in prison.  But I could definitely go for something a little less San Quentin style.  But until we save enough pennies to replace the drafty entrance, we might have to settle for a little (read:cheaper) update…new hardware.  and.  a doorbell that doesn’t attack your finger when you touch it.  I’m not kidding.

#6 – STAIRWAY MAKEOVER

Wanna know the reason that you haven’t seen our newly finished basement hallway?  Yeah.  It’s cause it ain’t done yet.  We had a really strong start but then reality set in (also known as GA Flood 09) so we never got to finishing the banister, the trim, the painting, and the walls.  But now?  Now is the time to complete our 70% done stairway…so we plan on using some of that True Value money to finish the stairway cheaply & easily & oh-so-fabulously by using what we have and a few minimal purchases for a major effect.   

#7 – BASEMENT OVERHAUL

We walked you through how we finished the living area of our basement…but we have lots more to tackle down there.  Our laundry room, future storage, desk space, and VERY future bathroom will reside in this space taking it from a hot mess to a complete success.  All we have to do is drylock, stud it out, run plumbing, run electrical, move ductwork, build walls, tile the floor, drywall, buy a new door, install cabinetry, paint, and wish we had never started this project.  Surely our local True Value will come into play here.  Surely.  (and don’t call me Shirley! name that movie) 

#8 – LAUNDRY ROOM PLUMBING (Washer/Dryer)

We desperately need a new washer and dryer.  So I think that we are probably going to dig into the couch cushions and shell out the big bucks for something from this decade.  Plus, we need to run plumbing for a sink in this soon-to-be laundry room.  As you can see, we started the drylock process but the floors and the rest of the walls need it desperately to prevent any future flooding and/or mold growth.  And after we do all that – I think Ikea will be just the ticket for some new cabinets (to hold all those miscellaneous cleaning supplies that my boyfriend loves to buy!) and my millionth roll of wrapping paper. 

 

So there you have it folks…a comprehensive list of all the stuff that we would love to accomplish with the help of True Value, a little willpower, and a bit of out-of-pocket expense.  Anything sound familiar to you?  Maybe the dangerous doorbell?  Or maybe the wacky-hued banister?  Or perhaps you need a little guidance in the yard department?  Well, just you wait – we already know exactly what tool you (and your yard-maintaining fella) will absolutely drool over this coming holiday season!  Believe me…we asked about 30 different males and they all slobbered whenever we would mention this ultimate yard care item.  Or maybe you have a DIY list of your own that you can’t wait to share.  Well, folks, this is your American Idol audition…and the stage is yours. So spill those DIY details.