Sunday, December 31, 2017

To be a fearless teenager, is so different than being a 40 something parent.  I believe that I have been teaching my kids and giving them the roots to grow and the wings to fly some day.  I remember being afraid of the unknown and yet being fearless at the same time at their ages.  Teenage years and early adulthood are such a confusing time.  You hope that things will get better as you grow.  When are things going to get easier?  Being a parent sure isn't easy.  When they are a toddler you are worried about the things they put in their mouths, about falling and getting hurt.  Then they go to school and you worry about them having friends and feeling included, falling down and getting hurt.  Middle School and High school, you go back to worrying what they put in their mouths, about falling in love and having their hearts broken, getting good grades, driving, and applying to college.  Now they are trying to figure out the path they want to take, college or not, where, how will we pay for it?  And always hoping they make the right decisions.  They say they can take care of themselves but you see the way they take care of the their bedrooms.  They want nice things, but they are all of over the floor.  They don't want you to help them but they are walking around in circles frustrated because they can't find some thing and need to walk out the door.  They don't want to live at home anymore, but they aren't doing what it takes to fly.  Will there ever be a time when I don't worry? Wondering if things are gonna get better...I'm asking why? Time for me to listen to "Stronger," by Mandissa,  "Strong Enough," by Matthew West,  "Greater," by Mercy Me, and "We Believe," by Newsboys

I know that with God all things are possible.  All we have to do is try to hold on a little bit longer and that the difficulties will make us stronger. I am going to let go and let God.  That's all I can do.  Pray for my kids, that they make the right choices, are healthy, happy and loved.  And that they spread their wings and fly some day. 

Friday, December 8, 2017

Pallet Christmas Tree

I finally did it.  I've had a pallet in my garage to make trees out of for over a year.  They finally got done and they look great.  Since my dad retired I asked him to help me with the project.  I looked up different ways to do it on pinterest and watched some youtube videos.  We were so successful the first day that I needed to find another pallet so I could do 2 more for the front yard.  We actually got 3 trees out of the first pallet, 2 large trees and 1 small tree.  We found a short piece of 2x4 in the garage and used that to attach the scraps to and made the small tree.  With the second pallet we only made 2 trees as I didn't have an 2x4 to make another small one.  But I did save the scraps in order to do it at another time.

Supplies need:
Old folding table or workbench to work on
Good electric saw with new blade (cutting thru this wood dulls the blade)
extension cord
tape measure
painters tape
drill with drill bit and screw driver bit
wood screws or decking screws
green spray paint
outdoor lights
staple gun & staples

Mark where you want to cut with painters tape.  Make sure you keep in on the inside of the 2x4 behind it on both ends
After the front side is cut flip it over and cut along the center 2x4  the scrap will fall off 
Tree #1


pallet #1, 3 trees

Project Pallet Trees Selfie with Dad


Tree made out of the 2 side that fall off when you cut along the 2x4 back brace.
You just need to screw the 2 sides together using wood screws or decking screws.



Pallet #2, 2 Trees

I then had my daughters help with the project and then spray painted the trees green.We then stapled outdoor lights to the trees.

This is the small tree made from the scraps.  My dad added a star to the top and white lights.  

Finished Trees on the front porch

Finished Trees at the back door





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