How to add a pocket to luggage large enough for a lap top

We travel a lot... okay too much...but because of that, we have to have luggage fit for airport security--condensed, a spot for everything, and easy to get things out for display at the drop of a hat.

Many times my husband has to take his lap top with him so he can work or at least keep up with work. We have three and only three travel bags that work well for everything we need regardless of the destination. We like three because it's easier to find one spot in the overhead storage in place of two, and when we get stuck having to fly on Spirit (don't like them at all!), we only have to pay for one carry-on. The other two can be considered personal items.

Only problem was, the lap top was not easy to pull out when going through security.

Here is our solution...

 This bag was our son's soccer bag from high school. However, we like it because there are plenty of pockets on the outside for particular items we want to find easily and not get crushed. We also like that it qualifies as a "personal item" but we can add a lot of extra stuff when needed. Lastly, we like that there is no one in the whole world that would choose this particular bag for traveling so it is easy to spot among other traveler's bags..

 Like I said, it is ideal for us except for the fact that the lap top would have to be stored on the bottom and had to practically be emptied in order to expose the lap top. So, I bought some bright orange canvas (color selected by grandchild). and cut it to be a little taller than the lap top and the same length as the bag.

I sewed in pockets on the inside for the rechargeable cords etc. I sewed the zipper on first, unzipped it all the way and then sewed the other three sizes. It really wasn't too tedious and it works great.

Well that is after replacing the main zipper on top. One time when flying United they made me stuff my airplane pillow into the bag or else pay for another checked bag--ridiculous. So sad for me, it split the zipper open. It has never been the same since so I sewed another zipper on top of the existing one. It's hard to explain but the zipper I bought looked nice on the outside. So since I'm lazy as often as possible, I left the old one in place. They actually both work right now--the new one much better than the old.

Of course, one never knows what airport security will do next, but at least for now, we are ready for them.

What to do when you smash your finger

I was minding my own business--just walking into the house from the garage when it happened. Ouch! Awh! Ouch! The new city codes demand a tight slam... oh I mean close... on garage doors. It's more important to keep out a fire than to protect our body parts so that makes sense.

Anyway, I recommend keeping any body parts you like and want to keep for a while close against your body at all times because catching anything in the mouth of these monster doors is rather painful and takes a millennium to heal.

 Step number 1: If you go to a small town urgent care facility after such an event, ask them if they know the difference between dis-solvable stitches and non-dis-solvable stitches.  If they look at all confused, then either ask to see their credentials or else run away.

 Step number 2: Always consult a hand specialist within a few days of the accident. Anyone else will most likely turn a little green and tell you that it doesn't look very good and send you away.

A hand specialist will often start over... carving and sculpting your finger as if it were a piece of clay. This is not fun. I repeat.... you do not want this turn of events. Therefore, consult a hand specialist after a few days if necessary rather than after a few weeks.

If the end of this story is a good one, you will get another picture. If not...well,you don't want to turn green and say that it doesn't look very good so I'll save you the trouble.

Looks better--don't you think? The second surgery took place on August 14th (Gregg and I's anniversary). Growth was detected the middle of September. It is now 2 1/2 months since that glorious announcment and the nail has grown out about 3/4 of the way. Only about half of the nail is very healthy but that means in a couple of months, it should like quite normal.

How to landscape in a hurry

When you have a large gathering in a week and want to fix up the yard and reduce Spring Creek hurricane dust, here is a way.

 After leveling the ground, use some kind of ground cover to keep weeds out. We used plastic hanging around in the Olsen's yard. If you're going to add rocks right away, you don't have to put many landscape pins in. However, the dirt next to the house in both the front and back was impossible to control but they didn't want to add rock until they had finished the cement edging. Therefore, we laid down plastic and put lots of staples--perhaps every couple of feet to keep the ground cloth down. Hopefully, it will last all year until they are ready for more rock.

Another fast way to eliminate dirt and dust is to add sod. Seeding is much cheaper of course, but there's nothing like laying out thick green grass to finish off a job. Actually, I've never had much luck with seed. I hear fall is better than spring to plant unless you have a warm spring. It has to stay wet for so long too. I don't recommend it if you can help it.

Inexpensive Bike Rack

While helping to organize the Olsen's garage, we needed to park bikes. Check this idea out using remnants of wood found in the Olsen's yard.

It was so easy; we made it up as we went.

The added shelf for helmets and bike pumps was a winner.

The bikes that were not used regularly were hung from the ceiling.

We used 2 1/2 inch wood screws for the project... screwing the rack together before mounting it on the wall.

I suggest you use a stud finder when mounting to the wall and put all screws into studs.
(It would also help to measure the height of the electrical outlet so you can avoid covering it up with the 2 x 4 or shortening the length of the shelf in order to avoid it.)

Chelsea and Alma's new house

Alma built a beautiful home. in Spring Creek NV where building is still strong. These are only a few shots but can give family members a feel of the results.

 The stamped cement is in the front and back.. It adds a luxurious touch.

 Alma didn't actually build the piano, but he did build the corner that houses it.

 We didn't have time to clean up much, but you can see there is plenty of room to "crawl" around.

Again, we didn't clean or even make beds. However, the master bedroom is large enough to include a set of weights. Seems like they are more for looks than use.

 The master bath is gorgeous.Porter suggested the recessed boxes, and both Alma and Chelsea planned the tile.

 The double headed master shower is sown off with the diagonal trim--beautiful.

 The kitchen is my personal favorite since I helped plan and design the cupboards. Alma designed the floor which is a combination of wood and tile.The mix of colors was a compromise between Alma and Chelsea's wishes, and the granite was picked out by both of them. It is very functional and again, not cleaned up before the picture was taken. As you can see it is very beautiful in any condition.

 The electric fireplace was added after they moved in and ran out of propane one cold winter day. The propane is refilled every month or as needed, but being a new house was left off the delivery route one time. Though not needed now, it's nice to have a backup when needed.

New house needed a little tweaking

Aaron and Michelle's house didn't need much but their formal dinning room was crazy. Not only did they mix salmon and red, but right above this room was a nook painted rust orange. I'm told that everyone sees color differently, but I can't imagine what another eye would see beautiful about the combination.

 Here is the finished product. Michelle will add some items to the two shelves on each side of the new picture.

 The large clock came with the house but we added the other items you see to the right of the fireplace mantel.

 This nook stayed orange but isn't seen at the same time as the dinning room.

The orange nook was painted blue to match the living room across from it. The metal decor you see was found in the backyard. After a dip in the pool (don't tell Aaron or Michelle's dad). They found a place in the house. The vase Michelle found wasn't quite right so it went back to the store.

Fabric Painting

What to do with the mauve in your home?

We have been shopping for a stair lift for my mother. She has arthritis in her knees and it is hard for her to make too many trips up or down stairs. We found a chair with an attachment that will allow her to stand and hold onto a metal rod since sitting and standing is the problem. However the seat only came in one color--mauve. I could have removed the seats easily and recovered them but wanted to try painting fabric.

It is relatively easy. Just purchase some textile medium. I got mine at Hobby Lobby but I noticed you can buy it at Walmart for a cheaper price if you want a bunch. I just wanted to try it so I bought a small bottle for $2. It calls for 1 part water base paint to 2 parts medium.

 I just used some paint I had around. The first color changed mauve to dusty rose which wasn't much better so I picked a goldish brown. It did the trick. I noticed when I changed colors that I could paint straight over the medium for a less transparent look. In other words, I used the paint/medium for the first coat which opened up the fabric to accept the color. Then I used straight paint while the first coat was still wet. That way I only needed a little textile medium.

The mauve is gone and I am happy.

 Mom loved the stair lift. She used it trillions of times each day. (Well, maybe not trillions but the word has new meaning with our new national debt and I wanted to try using the word.)