DIY Flagstone Walk Path - Recycled

Here's is my DIY project that I did on Saturday morning. I've wanted to do this for some time now and when I told Mark that I wanted to put in a walk path from the sidewalk up to our front door walk way he said, and I quote: "go for it!" Well, I did!  I knew I would need his muscles for some things, but I wanted to do most of it myself... and I did!  For those of you who do not know me personally, this was a HUGE accomplishment and I'm ever so grateful to be this healthy again!

I forgot to take a before pic, so just imagine the above without the path dug.  Yep, I dug the path way all by myself...well, all but the last 1/4 section as I needed to save my strength for the rest of the work.  Mark came out to dig the remaining little section - he's such a good guy!

Not that I'm a weakling, but I'm not able to lift heavy of things.  Mark was sweet enough again to come outside and pour the sand for me.  He also carried out the Flagstone from the side yard - which we've had for years.  We took up part of our side yard walk way last year and kept the Flagstone for future use. 

Because I wanted to do as much of this project as possible, Mark simply put the tile on top of the mound of sand so that I could adjust and finish from there.  I just love this guy!

Almost done!  I fixed the sand under each tile to make sure it sat flat and didn't rock.  To adjust the level I simply added or removed sand as needed.  This took a bit of time, but at least I was entertained by the Black Eyed Peas (so were our neighbors) and the weather was perfect!

Ta'da!  Once the tiles were all in place I filled up the vacant areas with the surrounding granite.  The left over granite was raked into the yard (thank you honey!) 

I can't tell you enough of how excited I was to have been able to do this!  I swear, I probably looked out the front door at it a zillion times - so far!  Oh yes, the cost of the project...are you ready?  $5.00 - actually a tad under.  Since we recycled our Flagstone, all we had to purchase was two bags of sand.

Have rock'n good day!
Rocki

My Sasha Girl

I know I've posted many pictures of all of my kids, both 2 and 4 legged, but I went down memory lane last night after posting a pic on Pinterest of the tiniest little pup.  It reminded me of how itsy bitsy Sasha was when we brought her home at 8 weeks old so thought I would share and post these as well. 

 Sasha always had (still does) to rest her chin on one of her million toys.  She's not spoiled, truly she's not.

We fell instantly in love with her, as with all our kids, but couldn't get over how tiny she was.  We even put a cat collar with a bell on her so that we could hear her - didn't want to step on her!

Here is my happy Sasha girl now.  I just love her smile - melts my heart.  Oh and if you are wondering, she is a Yorkie Maltese.

Happy Friday Everyone!

Rocki

Wordless Wednesday

Organization

Came across a cool idea (probably not new, but new to me) while on Pinterest and just had to try it.  I've wanted to extend my kitchen pantry for some time now, but there simply is no extra room to do that.  Well, as you can see above I purchased an over-the-door shoe organizer that I taped to the outside door of my pantry just to show what it is.  I should have taken a before pic of inside, but didn't think about it.  My pantry wasn't a mess (I'm one of those 'labels to the front' people), but just very full and had to stack packages on top of packages.

I can NOT believe the results:   

Ta'da!  I was (and still) so freakin' excited about my 'new' pantry that I keep opening the door to look at it (yes, I amuse easily)!  Seriously though, for less than $15 dollars I extended my kitchen pantry and it is more organized than it was before.  I just love it!

I think I'm going to buy some more shoe organizers... I just know there are more things to organize around here.

Happy Organized Monday!
Rocki

Have you ever wondered how to make all those special characters, you know like the ♥, ☼, © and so on?  Here's a list of some of them, plus more info here. Cool, huh?

♥Rocki

Expansion

Paige Bradley titled "Expansion"



Came across this today and just had to blog it.  A beautiful piece of art that truly speaks to you.

Smile Jar

Smile Jar. Many uses for this cool idea: Throughout the year jot down memories that make you smile, laugh or touches your heart. If you’re having a bad day, reach into the jar, pull out a note and smile!  It would also make a fun gift for your spouse, loved one, kids...

Happy Smiling Friday!
Rocki

(Found the jar on Pinterest, but here’s the direct link to where it originated inchmark)

Valentine's Day Water Heart!

I was brushing my teeth this morning, looked down and there was a water shaped heart!  I always see shapes in water drops...well, that's another story in itself.  Anyway, so I grabbed my Droid and snapped a pic before it went away. What makes this even more exciting (yes, water drops excite me) is what is today people?  VALENTINE'S DAY!

Okay, time to hit the studio, but just had to share this first.

♥ Rocki

Ellen & JC Penny Support

If you haven't heard the ignorant uproar from a group called One Million Moms (not to be confused with the great organization called Million Moms Challenge) that have their panties in a bunch over Ellen DeGeneres being the new Spokesperson for JC Penny, then this photo won't make any sense.  So to make it short and sweet, here's a short video clip of what it's all about: Ellen Addresses Her JC Penny Critics

We hadn't been to JC Penny's in years, but because We are STRONG supporters of equal rights for ALL people and we absolutely love and adore Ellen, we didn't blink an eye to head up to JC Penny yesterday to show our support.

Peace and Love,
Rocki

Challenge Results

Okay, so here's a quickie post of my 3 Day Mobile Social Media Disconnect Challenge because I need to hit the studio.

I honestly thought that it was going to be tougher than it was, but you know what?  It wasn't.  In fact, it was extremely liberating!  In the past 3 days, and this morning, I never once looked, peaked or used any of my Social Media apps on my phone.  I only used it for calls and texts.  

Yesterday I had an appointment in the afternoon that required me to wait in a lobby - typical longer than usual wait.  While I watched others glued to their smartphones, I sat their enjoying the complete emptiness of my hands - and my mind.  Very peaceful.

Time for studio.

Mobile Social Media Disconnect Challenge

(picture courtesy of Blomberg.com)

Cell Phone Technology is fantastic, but lately I've been overwhelmed by it.  I mean come on, there is practically anything you can imagine for smartphones - with more on the way.  I'm not saying this is a bad thing, to be perfectly honest I love my smartphone!  It's like having my desk top computer in the palm of my hands - which is very convenient.

So what's the problem?  Well, I've become one of those people that can't leave the room without my Droid (Droid X to be exact) and when I do, I break-out in a cold sweat while running around looking for it.  With all the social media and other apps I have, it's amazing that I actually HAVE a life: Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Etsy, ArtFire, Words, Birds (darn those birds!), News and other networking sights.  Sheesh, I need a break!

The Droid isn't exactly glued to my hands, but it is always near by - within reach that is.  In the car as a passenger it's typically in my hands or in the door cubbyhole (no, I don't text and drive, major pet peeve - I don't even like talking and driving, so I do that very little).  While out and about it's in my pocket and every once in a while I take it out to make sure it's okay.  I'll even admit that we have our phones at the dinner table.  What's next, the bedroom?

(I feel like I just confessed  my sins and I'm not even Catholic, etc.). 

So yesterday it got me thinking that I need to disconnect from all Social Media outlets via my Droid.  First I thought for 1 day.  Go ahead and laugh, I know, that's a long time.  Then I thought for 1 week, but I had to reach for the smelling salts before I passed out.  This morning when I woke up at 5:30 I decided that starting now through Monday (3 whole days people) I'm not going to use my Droid for anything except phone calls and texts - everything else can wait until I get to my PC. 

What?  Who will know if I cheat or not?  I will, I have a conscious - and Jiminy Cricket by my side. I have good self-restraint (except with my Droid I guess).  I can make a dark chocolate bar last 2 weeks - ask Mark. 

That's pretty much it.  My 3 day Mobile Social Media Disconnect Challenge.  I'll post my results on Tuesday.  Join me if you want to feel the freedom - or the bends.

Peace,
Rocki