The Daybed Dilemma

Gosh darn it. Doesn't this daybed look adorable in this photo? Clean, simple and fresh and all put together.

Here it is again in another color scheme. It looks great doesn't it? 

Well, when I got it a few months back and put it together, the first thing I thought was that it looked like a hospital bed from the 1950s. I know that's weird, but it's true. I put some bedding on it using what I had in my linen storage and so for a little while it didn't look so great. Making up the bed was nearly impossible. I had to cut a bed shirt on the corners to make it fit around the sides. It was a hot mess, but I needed to hide crap that was stored underneath. I couldn't afford to buy a bunch of big expensive storage baskets.

Eventually I got frustrated looking at it. I had a coupon for $5 off a purchase, so I got this comforter set for less than $30. It's not the best quality, but at least it's updated. I can always use the quilt for something else. 

After I saw this photo, I still kind of hated the way it looked, It was not the cute bed I bought from the photo. So I decided to change it up again. 

I tucked the comforter under the mattress and used wooden crates and decorative boxes that I already had and they do a good job of disguising the ugly file boxes that are stored underneath the bed.

Then I changed the pillows. Again.

So these are the problems associated with staying home and sitting in the same place too long. And with daybeds. I don't recommend getting one, no matter how cute they look in the photos. I think though that I finally like this last look, but the framed pictures need to be replaced with something brighter and more cheerful. I tried selling them at a consignment store for a year before the move, but no takers. Do you think folk art will ever come back in style? lol  

Furry Friday and other random stuff.

The fluff migration.

You may recall that I have this problem with The Muffin taking up residence on my desk. She lays on my keyboard and activates everything from Chrome Help to FreeCell and sometimes she puts me into full page mode or worse. Her tail gets in my coffee and her fur gets virtually everywhere. I'm sure the fan inside my computer is completely encased in orange fluff.

Well, you may also remember (or maybe not), that one of my new year's goals was to create a guest room. I bought a used wood bed frame and planned on painting it over the summer break. I started sanding it and got very discouraged. It was a lot of work. It was hot working in the garage and the head and foot boards were heavy as heck! I worked on it a little at a time and eventually I just lost my motivation and ended up giving it away.

Heavy heavy wood!

A couple of weeks ago Megan asked me if a friend of hers from Texas could come and visit for a week in September. I said "Sure!" but then realized that we still didn't have a guest bed. Amazon to the rescue! I bought this white metal daybed frame for just $75, free delivery and no tax (which is 10% here! Even on food!) It went together fairly easily and I think it will do the trick nicely.

I also ordered a foam mattress like the one we got for our bedroom, except in a twin size of course. It will arrive next week. Meanwhile, I put some flat cardboard down with a quilt over it in the hopes that The Muffin would migrate from my desk to the bed. It worked! At least for a while anyway, but then she was back on my desk again. Once the mattress comes, I'm sure she'll love it. I intend to take her off my desk every single time she jumps on it until she figures out that it's off limits. 

From the "We want something else!" files...

So, how about this election? (cringe) Been watching the conventions? (eek!) Speeches? (yawn!) I saw this website via Facebook the other day that quizzes you regarding your views on different topics to see which candidate your beliefs align with the most. I was surprised when I got the following results.

Raise your hand if you have no idea who this woman is. Well, I started following her on Facebook and hopefully I will learn more about her by the time November rolls around.  Of course anything can happen between now and then with this race. Here is the website if you want to take the quiz:  http://www.isidewith.com/

A little steam in the trunk is a good thing!

Hubby met a vendor at the Jacksonville convention that he had met last year. She told him that she was going to be opening a store in St Augustine, FL and she wanted some of his creations for the shop. So they worked out a deal and he supplied her with some goggles and custom Nerf guns. She just opened last week and has already sold 3 pair of his custom goggles! Sounds like the beginning of a beautiful business relationship. If you're in that area, stop in! The official grand opening is August 13. 
Aunt Matilda's Steampunk Trunk Store

Good vibrations please!

Well, as luck would have it (and hopefully it's good luck), a lunch lady position opened up at the school where my former co-worker and friend became cafeteria manager in March. She was fortunate enough to land that job shortly after we got our new "lovely" management team. Well, one of her girls just quit and she wants me to fill the position. Unfortunately they have to post it until August 10 and give other people the chance to apply and interview for the job. My friend has already put in a good word for me with the principal. I handed in my letter of interest and resume yesterday and am now waiting to get called for an interview. I'm a nervous wreck about it and can't concentrate on much. If I get the job, I will have to re-apply for benefits as if I was a new employee. Kind of a pain, but worth it. Hubby is still waiting to hear about a permanent position at his job. They've been busy doing inventory, so I guess it hasn't been a priority. He's waiting patiently. We could use all the good vibes we can get, so if you wouldn't mind, could you please send some our way! We'd really appreciate it.

Have a good Friday and a great weekend!

***************

There's no place like foam.

We just did an inexpensive bed makeover in Megan's room. She's been sleeping on a futon for the past nine months. For a while, she was putting her bedding away in the morning and setting it up again at night, but then she got lazy and this is how her room was looking every day.

As you can see, the futon mattress is sliding off the frame and it just a mess. I accrued enough money from Ebay sales this month to buy this Spa Sensations Steel Smart Frame (only $59 for a twin size and free shipping) and this Spa Sensations 8" Memory Foam Mattress (only $129 and free shipping) from Walmart. Both items arrived in just a couple of days. The mattress comes compressed and vacuum sealed. It takes a while to fully expand, but after just a couple of hours, it was super comfy! Here's what her new bed looks like now.

She didn't want a bed with a headboard, so this frame fit the bill. They have a premium grade version that holds more weight, but she's such a peanut, she barely makes a dent in the memory foam.  The mattress is firm at first, but then you can feel yourself slowly sink into it. It's wonderful! The reviews on Walmart.com are very high (92% of reviewers recommend  it). There was a slight odor at first, but it dissipated. The whole thing is very lightweight and easy to move. The frame folds up, easy peazy. It's high off the floor providing lots of storage space underneath.

Hubby and I decided that we're going to get the queen size mattress for our bed. Our current mattress is about 15 years old and I wake up with a sore back every morning. We bought a memory foam topper a few years ago to help lengthen the life of our mattress. It worked for a while, but we're so ready for something new. We may go with the 10" model. A queen size is only $299 with free shipping. That's a steal when you think of what memory foam mattresses sell for in furniture stores. Oh I can't wait!

Small, but mighty!

I may only be 4'10" tall, but I performed amazing feats of strength today and it's not even Festivus.
Since hubby's been away on his road trip, I've been using my steam cleaner to get all the carpets freshened up. Yesterday I did the entire family room and the sofa cushions. I bought Bissell Spring Breeze Carpet Cleaner and it smells wonderful! Today I worked on the master bedroom which was a big job. One of my cats lives under my bed, so I had to dismantle the whole bed to clean under it, (and it wasn't pretty). So I took the mattress and box spring off and stood them up. I forgot that I had removed that paper towel like fabric that lined the underside of the box spring. The cats had shredded it and it was hanging down and looked awful so I just took it off. I looked at it today and had a brilliant idea thanks to this post by Alex over at Living the Small Life. I went to Lowe's and bought a 6' x 9' canvas drop cloth to cover the bottom. It was only $5.49.

I used a heavy duty staple gun and worked my way around the edges. I cut off the excess and folded the edges under. It came out great! And the canvas is much nicer than that thin material that was originally on there. I'm getting other ideas for using drop cloths now. Thanks Alex!

So next I had to dismantle the four poster bed. I discovered it had these megabolts holding it together that required a socket wrench. Hmmm. Down to the basement I went to try and find the right size socket. It took about 5 trips up and down the steps until I got the right one. I figured out how to make it undo the bolt and I went to town. Woo hoo me!

Ta da! So that's one less thing to do on moving day. The mattress and box spring are now sitting on the floor. The cat will have to find a new hiding place until we move. That off white carpet has to stay clean. What was I thinking when I bought that? Ugh! I never want carpet again Ever!

                                                             UPDATE!
I used the extra canvas fabric that I cut off to make a bed scarf for the end of the bed. It's perfect!