Home Reno Listy McListerson

Here is as photo tour of our new home along with a list of what we are dreaming to do for our future projects. This will become our "list document" to keep you, and ourselves, updated and moving forward in our home updates. Of course this will be a LONG work in progress and I suspect that this list will evolve, change, and grow as we travel along this reno journey, but it's a good spot to start and it helps both ourselves, and you to see the BIG vision that we have for our new home!

NOTE: This is a LONG post! You have been warned!

The Front Yard (40% complete)

Before - right after we bought it.
It isn't the greatest picture to really show the over growness ... but you can see the two scaggly little pine trees that were blocking the beautiful rodedendrum bush and the random plants in the ivy. Also, a lot of the ivy around the edges was hanging over and looking pretty rough over all.

Current

• Trimmed the ivy 
• No scraggly pine trees
• Cleaned out stragglers in the Ivy
• Cut down two low hanging branches from the front tree to allow for more sunlight and to see the house better from the road
• I didn't get a before picture of the driveway kicking myself but KC cleaned this up BIG TIME! We didn't even know there was a rock wall under all of it! ha! 

To Do: 

• Clean out the gutters 
• Flower boxes off of the deck 
• Paint the front door 
• Eventually match the trim and garage door to the color of the house 
• Perhaps WAY down the road change the color of the house - think dark New England style

I actually cannot take ANY credit for the front yard. All of that goes to my handsome and muscular Paul Bunyon, the lumber man! 

Front Deck (5% Completed)

I have swept it, multiple times ... so that makes it 5% completed in my eyes :) 

To do: 

• Reinforce the railing with stronger screws (it's a little wobbly) 
• Obtain some deck furniture
• Hang flower boxes off the front 
• Create a box/create herb garden like this
• Get some sort of lighting out there

Back/Side Yard (45% Complete) 

Again, I don't have a before picture - ugh. 

Current:

• Trimmed all the ivy in the rail ties 
• Trimmed the bushes 
• Mowed the lawn 
• Spread out grass seed in patchy spots

To Do: 

• Spread mulch in the flower beds along the edge
• Plant flowers in flower beds 
• Get rid of/replace decrepit fence beside the deck 
• Add flower boxes or hanging baskets to side mini-porch 
• Clean out gutters

Back Patio (45% Complete) 

Current: 

• Hand - me - down lawn furniture (at least I can enjoy the patio now!) 
• Tiki Torches 
• Swept  Sweep every day! stink.
• Trimmed low hanging branches 
• Trimmed Japanese Tree 
• Trimmed Ivy on rail ties 
• Got the ground lighting working from previous owner (will probably need replacing soon since it shorts) 

To do: 

• Some sort of drain system because water puddles lakes form on brick if it rains
• New patio furniture 
• Italian inspired hanging patio lights like this
• Potted plants 
• Grill 
• Mulch along the edges 

Side Walkway (90% Complete) 

Current:

• Trimmed ivy back from the walk 
• Raked rocks 
• Removed sticks and logs 

To do: 

• Fix gutter crossing 
• Add some taller plants to hid the neighbors fence 
• Fix rock path so that the little rocks are not completly covering them 

Front Entrance (0% Complete) 

To do: 

• Repaint all of the walls 
• Paint the registers
• Match the two mixing wood colors? Or change the stair wood color like this? Paint railing white? Put a runner down? Something with the stairs ...
• Paint the door a bright color (yellow? teal?) similar entry to this or this
• Create a photo wall collage like this? OR wall paper with a bold design such as this or this? 

Living Room (0% Complete)

To Do: 

• Repaint walls 
• Add curtains and rods to the two sets of windows
• Repaint the fireplace  
• Get furniture! 
• Bring books up from the basement and add to bookshelves
• Rearrange and move some of the art to other rooms 
• Replace gold fireplace cover 

Dining Room (0% Complete) 

To do: 

• Paint the walls (we are leaving the ceiling green and painting the walls white) 
• Still deliberating on what to paint the trim .. or if we should do a two-tone looks similar to this or this
• New furniture - matching chair and table set, china hutch, low hutch like this ??
• Debating on the removal of the shutters... open for comment or opinion! 

Kitchen (1% Completed) 

BEFORE: This is what it looked like when we moved in 

Currently Underway: As of this very minute ... I am taking a break from cleaning to blog this update!

• Removed cabinet doors 
• Removed all hardware from doors and cabinets 
• Cleaned 10 of the 28 door fronts with paint thinner 

To do:

• Sand all of the doors and cabinets 
• Prime them 
• Paint two coats of paint color (white) on the doors and cabinets 
• Paint the walls (also white) 
• Change countertops to ikea butcher block like this
• New light fixture over the sink 
• Replace microwave (we have it in the basement already)
• New floor rugs 

Hallway/Basement Stairs (1% Complete) 

 Before

Current

To do: 

• Thinking about repainting them something fun and colorful OR just leaving them off and maybe repurposing them for something like this
• Repaint the walls 
• Replace the little sign on the bathroom door (circular object on first door) 
• Re-shelve the kitchen pantry (add shelf paper etc. like this) 
• Repaint the doors thinking something bright like this on at least one of the doors ?? 
• Add art to the walls 
• Change the light fixture 
• Hang something on the walls - Similar to this or this ??

Main Microscopic Half Bath  (0% Complete) 

To Do: 

• Repaint the wall above the tile (not sure on a color yet ... just white?) 
• Lower the mirror (I think giants lived here before us - I can't even see my forehead in this mirror!)
• Replace the scary light fixture!
• Build/create a little shelf to hold the soap better 
• New towel rack 
• New hand towel that will match black and white 
• Curtains??? 

Family Room (0% Complete) 

To Do: 

• Remove shelving units doors 
• Clean doors with paint thinner 
• Sand doors and cabinets
• Prime doors and cabinets
• Repaint the shelving unit and doors white 
• Replace all the hardware on the shelving unit 
• Purchase curtain for the sliding glass door and other two sets of windows 
• Repaint the walls (not sure on a color yet) 
• Purchase an area rug 
• Purchase furniture including a couch and TV stand 
• New lighting fixtures 

Upstairs Bathroom (0% Complete) 

 To Do:

• Remove wallpaper above tile 
• Repaint white? Blue? 
• Replace shower curtain hooks (the ones right now fall off every two seconds!) 
• Replace cabinet over toilet 
• Mini trash can 
• Add mini shelf for soap, toothbrushes, etc. 
• Organize bathroom closet like this :)
• New bathroom rugs that match and are less decrepit! 

Master Bedroom (0% Complete) 

To Do: 

• Repaint the walls and shelf unit (I am thinking of keeping the two toned look but changing the color) 
• Purchase an area rug
• create cushion for window seat
• Unpack books and place in shelves 
• Purchase and put up curtains or blinds for the three sets of windows (especially the one over our bed)
• New Bedspread eventually 
• Sitting chair, side table, lamp? 

Office/Craft Room/Britt's Closet Area (0% Completed) 

To Do: 

• Remove wall paper 
• Repaint (not sure on the color) 
• Unpack and set up desk, bookshelves, and craft table (my old island) 
• Unpack clothes and shoes into closet 
• Change the light fixture 
• Add area rugs 
• Create closet space similar to this 
• Create craft space like this or this

Guest Room #1 (0% Completed) 

To Do: 

• Remove wall paper 
• Repaint (not sure on the color) Thinking a design like this (I even own those curtains!) or this
• Purchase furniture, bed, dresser, night stand, lamp

Guest Room #2 (0% Completed) 

To Do: 

• Remove wall paper 
• Repaint (not sure on the color) Thinking a design like this or this 
• Purchase furniture, bed, dresser, night stand, lamp

So there she is. Our newest baby - and what a lot of plans we have for her! Thanks for peeking into our lives and our home. We will be making updates to this list often, and hope that you tune in to the posts we do as we tackle each project!

Themes, dreams, and sewing machines!

Isn't this the TRUTH!?!

Which brings me to today's post.

At this point in the summer I generally have an idea of where I am going with my classroom for the next year. Who am I kidding? I usually have my theme and decor planned by the last month of school! However.... this year I have NOTHIN' NADA ZIP. 

I have been toying with doing the superhero theme again, but focusing on historical characters and "superheroes" of history ... thought about (and bought stuff for don't remind hubby) doing an "extreme" sports/ extreme learning theme ... even contemplated not doing a theme and just allowing my social studies (which is the over arching theme of my instruction) be the theme ... maybe having the "extreme learning be the first week or two of school and changing into social studies for the rest of the year? My dream would be to have a classroom as social studies themed and perfect as THIS! 

Don't you just absolutely adore Stephanie from Teaching in Room 6's social studies themed classroom?! Puts me to shame I tell ya! But then what would my guided reading stations and CAFE boards be themed? Maybe I could just do them plain with bright colors to match anything ... ugh. 

See, I have no idea. 

Anyways, I am hoping to gain some inspiration from all of you ... we shall see what this theme evolves into! I have still been busy creating things that are "non -themed" items. I currently busting out the sewing machine and hoping to create some cute curtains! I have also been inspired by these pinterest items and am planning on: 

• Getting my binders to look like THIS (ha!) 

• Creating a classroom READbox (I LOVE the idea of putting a code on them for student review!)

Do any of you have a system that you use to help you choose a theme? Do you have a whole school year theme? Monthly theme? Unit theme? NO theme? 

NEW HOME!

Officially back from the blogging DEAD and a HOME OWNER! 

The end of this year was SO CRAZY! On top of it simply being the end of the year (fifth grade means graduation, programs, practices, and class trips!), we had weddings, baby showers, and a BIG MOVE from our little apartment to our FIRST HOUSE! It has been very fun, but it feels great to be back blogging and on the internet after the move (sad how lost one feels without it these days!). I have literally spent hours catching up with all of your blogs! SO MANY amazing things going on out there! You girls are incredible and inspiring! My school projects list just kept grOWing!!

So I must warn you all, this blog may will probably turn into a home renovation blog over the summer! HA! I promise to keep sharing my summer school inspirations and projects, but the house is going to dominate this summer for sure! It definitely needs a lot of work updating inside.

Happy to be OFFICIALLY Home Owners! 

and so, here is the NEW HOUSE! Sold and ready to be loved, lived in, and REMODELED ;) 

Determining Importance in Reading

Moving along with our Reading Comprehension Work (shout out to Tammy McGregor's incredible book).

We have been focused on Determining Importance within the text through this semester. We have had a great time using non-reading activities to help us develop an understanding of this strategy before, and along with, applying it in our reading.

To introduce the subject I use the creative activity of having the kids look through my purse and determine the items that would be important if I were to go to the gym this afternoon. 

Then, I found THIS cute WS from iTeach 1:1 blog that we inserted into our reading notebooks and I had them go through THEIR backpacks to determine what were the VITALLY important items needed for a successful school day ... we found LOTS of "treasures" as we cleaned out looked through our bags.
TOPIC = Backpack
MAIN IDEA = Being successful at School (not on the way to or from school) 

I use Tammy's "Noodle Metaphor" (along with a notebook insert idea from Life in 4B blog) to help them remember the entire process ... since we are currently looking at figurative language, this worked out great in the discussion of what the noodles, water, combination, and strainer represented.

Anchor chart inspired by Life In 4B blog

In our guided reading groups, I have been using A-Z non-fiction books along with graphic organizers to help them practice finding the most important information for each section that helps them find the MAIN IDEA.
I gave THIS AMAZING MATH WORKSHEET (from iTeach 1:1 blog) to my partner teacher to help integrate "determining importance" into math.

MY LIFE Blending with SCHOOL (grin)

This week was my University Gymnastic Team's Home Show. As I was mournfully reminiscing watching, it got me thinking about another, unique way to help my kiddos remember "determining importance" ... I showed the kids a video of my old Collage Acro/Cheer Gymnastic team. It is a GREAT example of determining importance. The audience has to practice this strategy throughout the performance since there are many things happening, however, there are usually big center moves that you don't want to miss even thought there is a lot of other stuff going on. Another great example to show kids this strategy would be to show a circus routine under the big top - LOTS of audience determining of importance going on there! 

Southern Adventist University Gym-Masters (2012) (available on Youtube)

MY LIFE: 

Pictures from my University's Home Show 2013:

Hoop Routine 

Chairs Routine

Contortionist Routine

Pairs Silk Routine

Group Routine

All of this was such a HUGE part of my life throughout high school and collage (see my post Reminiscent Gymnast). I had bittersweet feelings as I went back and watched the final home show! Always sad to not be still in it but great to still feel apart of such an awesome program - and reunite with old teammates! 

My Life: The Lake

spent a lovely spring afternoon walking The Lake shore by myself

there truly is something addicting about "The Lake" yes, here in Michigan, it is a proper noun :)

one can find many reasons why so many of us, here in the lovely state of Michigan, cherish The Lake

and while not having scary sea animals and salt water constitute for a large portion some of the reasoning, many reasons are so much deeper. .. .. .

at times, i think our fascination is paired with the connection the lake brings to memories. .   ..... .

friendships cultivated

swimming lessons learned

earliest memories of playing at the beach

family time
cookouts enjoyed
Church gatherings and potlucks

holidays celebrated

school tests studied for

date nights and watching the sunset

Sabbath walks on the pier

other times, the attachment transcends these moments and expresses itself through a connection with something greater than ourselves .. .. . .. .

awe at the majesty of God's creation

insignificance as one gazes at the never ending horizon

natural beauty encompassed in its topaz waters

emotional and stress release

respect for nature as one discovers natural ice sculptures encasing piers

serenity found on its stretches of endless sand

amazement and awe at its monstrous sand dunes towering above creation

yet still other times, different feelings evolve as one watches the waves crash upon lighthouses and cascade across sandy shores ... . ... .

pride in being a small part in the states uniqueness

passion for remaining in the lakes presence - forever.

personalizing the scent of its shores 

privilege at having it as an ever present option, any time of the year

identifying with seagulls 

embracing the quaint culture of Michigan coastal towns

no matter the reason, we always come back and remain just a little longer to enjoy whatever it is that

first drew us . .. .. .. .... .

it is truly difficult to express a Michiganders love of The Lake in words .. ... . perhaps it's because it simply satisfies the soul.

My Life: Charleston, NC

In the spirit of my husband's spontaneity {of which i fell in love with} he thought on Wednesday, of last week, that it would be a fab idea to visit our dear friends in South Carolina. The only kink was that we would need to be leaving Thursday night, of the same week, and we had already made plans with friends to see a Casting Crowns concert in Grand Rapids... however, things like this only seem to add to our enthusiasm!

and so, after a Spirit filled, uplifting concert, we began our 15 hour journey to South Carolina for a REAL vacation!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

No one invited him, but our dreary Michigan weather came along for the ride. it was rain, rain, RAIN! the only nice day was Saturday and we took advantage of this spending the afternoon walking the streets of Charleston...

...and boy did it DELIVER!

What a BEAUTIFUL city! I really have never seen anything like it. while parts of it hint of the Louisiana Bayou with its sprawling moss covered trees, marshy landscape, and magnolias, other parts scream old world Europe, and yet somehow all around it is still so uniquely "Charlestonian." 

Driving down age old cobble stone and brick streets, one gets glimpses of the unique "porch doors" and side alleys that lead to mini courtyard gardens.

The unique "Charlestonian" stacked, sideways porches grace most homes, modest and elegant. In days of old, homes would not have been air conditioned and during the hot summer months these worked as "breezeways" to cool the home.

Charleston is truly a city of history and art. Shops all seem to feature an "anthropogie" style while restaurants come in various eclectic decor. Facing the harbor is "Battery Row" lined with a smorgasbord of the most magnificent Charlestonian, Georgian, Federal, Adamesque, Greek Revival, Italianate, and Victoria homes. In the distance lies the infamous Fort Sumter where the first battle of the Civil War began.

To quote Rhett Butler, in the second {less memorable} part of his most famous Gone With the Wind line, Charleston is quite literally a town of both "grace and civility."

a FAB cheese shop our friends took us to ... i just love hole-in-the wall shops and non-chain restaurants.

Only a few miles from Charleston, small towns such as Folly are just as charming in their "beach town" quaintness as Charleston is in it's historic elegance.

i just HAD to collect shells  - it's just what you do on a beach. i'm bringing some back to my kiddos ... 

Being a very woodsy, outdoorsy, rock climbing, camping, hiking type of gal, I did not particularly fall in love with South Carolina's overall marshy and flat environment, however, my time spent there was wonderful and I truly fell in love with it's Southern charm!
I always have a tendency to think about how different people in different regions/countries/places in life view things, how they live in connection to how I live, how our ideals/motives are similar/different.

Throughout this trip, I kept thinking about how different each region of the US of A truly is. Particularly my home versus this utterly different landscape in the South.

South Carolinians, Michiganders; Charlestonians, Detroiters; Plantations, Car factories; Atlantic Ocean, Lake Michigan; Southern charm, Northern rustic; Humidity, Snow; North, South.

and yet despite our differences, i am inspired by the ever present truth ... we are all the same.

people.

     beautiful.

            American.

                     great.