Southern Sledding

Our snow is long gone--actually, we only had one good snow and it melted the next day. So what do kids in the south do to compensate?

Pine straw sledding.

For all the Yankees, pine straw is the southern version of mulch--dried up pine needles. When I moved here I had no idea what it was. In fact, when we lived in Indiana I remember my southern grown friend asking me about a good place to get pine straw. I laughed at her. Well, now she lives here and it's her turn to laugh at my Yankee self. I still call a shopping cart a "cart"--they call it a "buggy". It sounds more refined I guess. I just can't imagine Scarlet O'Hara pushing a cart, buggy fits the south.



Pine straw sledding is what Works for Me this Wednesday! For other great tips visit Rocks in My Dryer (the link is in my side bar).

How Do Your Kids Earn Money Outside the Home?

Yesterday I blogged about how young children can make money outside the home. But now I'd like to ask you: what are some employment opportunities that your kids have done? I'm not thinking about a job for a 16 year old: think 10 and under.

For more questions, with answers from many moms around the world, visit Works For Me Wednesday (Backwards Day) at Rocks in My Dryer.

Works for Me Wednesday, Shelves in a Snap

A mother of 5 showed me how to make these shelves. When she would move to a new house, one of the first things she would do is install them around the parameter of each child's room.

So, here's a quick, inexpensive shelf to hold all those trophies, Lego creations, small framed pictures, molding clay masterpieces, and knickknacks in a child's room. It took me about three hours (including painting, cutting, kissing a boo boo, changing a diaper, and running up and down the stairs 10 times for supplies) to install them. Final cost: $9.

You can do this!

Here is the short version: Slap some paint on a 1x4 and a 1x6. Take the 1x4 and secure it against the wall. Screw the 1x6 into the 1x4. Voila! A shelf without brackets.

Longer version

Supplies:
1x4 solid pine
1x6 solid pine
Drill
Screwdriver (I use my drill with screwdriver bit)
Tape Measure
Pencil
Paint
Large Level with straight edge
Stud Finder (scan it across your husband and make it beep)
Saw
Slave labor

Measure the space for how long you want your shelf. Keep in mind that it must be anchored into studs (solid wood framework behind the drywall) so it has to be at least 18" long.


Cut your boards to length. You can use a hand saw if you don't have a power saw, or are intimidated by things that plug in and are potentially self destructive.

Paint the 1x4 on one side and along one edge. Paint the 1x6 on both sides and along one edge.

On the wall, find the height that you desire and make a mark. Use your level to draw a line across your entire wall. If you have a laser level I'm very jealous--use that.

Now take your stud finder and scan it across your line, marking the studs as you go.

Take your 1x4 and conscript some slave labor to hold it against the wall along your mark (Mine usually wears a shirt, but spilled grape juice on it right before being called to help.) Make sure your painted edge faces down. Use your drill to predrill a hole in one end--through the board and into a stud. Hurry and screw the board into the wall at that point. Now one side is tacked and your slave can relax a little. Now make sure your board is lined up and tack down the other side. Relieve your slave for a few minutes. Now screw in your board at every stud. Remember to predrill your holes. Pine is soft and will split fairly easily.

Next, take your 1x6 and place it on top of your 1x4, forming a right angle. Have your slave hold up the shelf as you predrill holes along the back edge and into your 1x4. Tack it down with a couple of screws at each end and in the middle then relieve your forced help. Now predrill and put screws in, every 8" or so.

Now, go back and paint over the screws in the shelf!

This handy shelf will hold trinkets and small items, but not your resident midget wearing a Superman cape.



And that's what works for me this Wednesday! To check out more great tips visit Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer and scroll to any Wednesday!