planet snewpy

surface transmissions (2015):

Extend A Vent For Five Bucks

2015-03-14 16:43:14 -

If you have a room arranged in a such a way that the furnace vents are underneath your furniture, you might benefit from an Extend A Vent. But don't buy one from Amazon, or anywhere else for that matter. It is hardly worth the $15, or $17, or $18 that most places online are charging for these two flimsy pieces of plastic that barely fit together. I bought one, and like many others who commented on Amazon's page, I felt like I had been taken. When my wife saw the product, she said, "hey, that looks just like my seed trays!" She was right. The plastic is the same thickness, and same general length and shape as the Jiffy Seed Starter trays you can buy at Lowes, and Home Depot for five dollars.

Family Room Remodel

2015-06-20 13:05:11 -

It took me just over a year, but the family room is finally finished (including the train). I completed the shaker-style cabinet doors on either side of the fireplace and replaced the old carpet with new carpet tile. Now I can relax and enjoy our new room.

Requiem for Yellow Jackets

2015-07-25 10:13:49 -

Yellow jackets had taken up residence in one of my wife's herb planters. So, after she got stung several times while watering them, it was time to declare war on the little critters. In an attempt to eradicate them without using chemicals, I employed a tactic I first learned about here. A couple of inches of water and some dish soap in my shop-vac, and we were ready to do battle. Watch the video to see the carnage.

All For A Cup Of Coffee

2015-12-26 12:20:32 -

Hey, I know better than to get between you coffee-lovers and your morning cup o' joe. That is hard-won knowledge that I understand and respect. But apparently Starbucks (of all people) didn't get the memo. My wife uses one of their ceramic Pour-Over Brewers for her coffee. Or did, up until a few weeks ago, when she dropped it while she was washing it and broke it. Well, Christmas was just around the corner, so no problem right? She added it to her wish list, and I ordered a replacement and tucked that baby under the tree, and everything was right in the universe again.

Shoe Bin

2015-12-27 13:30:26 -

I might have lied back in June when I said I was done with the Family Room. There was one small corner of the room that still wasn't complete, but I've taken advantage of my Christmas vacation, and checked this last item off the list. I constructed bookcases in all four corners of the room, mainly to provide supports for the train track, but also because we have a lot of books. I designed the bookcase closest to the door with a built-in shoe bin with room for about six pairs of shoes. I am happy to report that the bin is now complete!