From Yawn to YAY!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">I have SO much Blogging to catch up on!  </span></i></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">I have been very busy with lots of projects! </span></i></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"> Let's head outside and see what I've been up to. </span></i></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"> This is the patio underneath my deck.  The sliding door leads out from the basement.  We use this door a lot but kind of ignore this area.  </span></i></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Why? </span></i></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"> Cause it's <b>Snoozeville!!!</b></span></i></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj91evQEKbeSJYvAv8YwKq-ebafhgnSud882n2J97Nnxdn-SlzV1RZoS8ZduCETy_yrXxsHTvhVmZ7Vj_-k8541ZtQ4kE9oAx_Bds2E1Cta78fpgouhIPGhJ1uuieJnpyXnGiU4DbXEBX2E/s1600/IMG_4635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj91evQEKbeSJYvAv8YwKq-ebafhgnSud882n2J97Nnxdn-SlzV1RZoS8ZduCETy_yrXxsHTvhVmZ7Vj_-k8541ZtQ4kE9oAx_Bds2E1Cta78fpgouhIPGhJ1uuieJnpyXnGiU4DbXEBX2E/s640/IMG_4635.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></i></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">But it has so much potential!!!</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpm_096I7t4pv3tJCH5fx6EPM_3aln-YGCOzJHvJh4XJvtfvv0J5DhmJId7ffqZbBdl4xaSoL2L9j_oANPkNnF8unJ86hDgWQxpTx2SKwnQPnYHHxgpb5wj-4FFQIf7MmXJJqS7L1NUm8b/s1600/IMG_4637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpm_096I7t4pv3tJCH5fx6EPM_3aln-YGCOzJHvJh4XJvtfvv0J5DhmJId7ffqZbBdl4xaSoL2L9j_oANPkNnF8unJ86hDgWQxpTx2SKwnQPnYHHxgpb5wj-4FFQIf7MmXJJqS7L1NUm8b/s640/IMG_4637.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></i></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">And it stays shady most of the time!  </span></i></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">And right now that is important.  It has been over 100 degrees for most of the week and I see no relief in sight.  It's too hot on the upper deck and even on the Screened in Porch.</span></i></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">  Let's see what we can do down here to spruce things up!</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQCeA_ZHmLdMHk05U3EEkk3GUz9C0iylpH_wqNbpsiqyVEFX69B2Q_TlWg2GYmvVDX6fLDWb3oSbq9XKAq8MarNqXa2qvDpEFsVxkGBy2R3w09MF5hho9FtEFuoWf8LjSMVMiQLvPbgTNP/s1600/IMG_4638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQCeA_ZHmLdMHk05U3EEkk3GUz9C0iylpH_wqNbpsiqyVEFX69B2Q_TlWg2GYmvVDX6fLDWb3oSbq9XKAq8MarNqXa2qvDpEFsVxkGBy2R3w09MF5hho9FtEFuoWf8LjSMVMiQLvPbgTNP/s640/IMG_4638.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></i></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">I have had this patio set for about 12 years.  </span></i></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">We bought it when we lived in California.  </span></i></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">I miss living there sometimes.  California is one place where outside living is a reality.  We used to be in our backyard with a pool from sunup til sundown. </span></i></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"> Oh well, I have to live in the NOW.</span></i></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"> I would love to buy new cushions but it's not in the cards.</span></i></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"> (I priced them starting at $35.00X6=TOO MUCH MONEY)   So let's try to salvage these first.  </span></i></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">You can see by this photo that I have some mold and mildew issues.  And, I think the color of the chairs is a big sleeper too!</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgca1EmV3oShVyBlwnTh_LafbaDZzW40z4aT-DKgGEgyFftCZkp_pcbhEC9qV6eLzwD_HTvmepN7a6pxRuIPk97_oyvz1shzQ73Tda6Z5L66d5X_AOiAA2EMQY7qMPzUVlWAz97TJklN0wb/s1600/IMG_4641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgca1EmV3oShVyBlwnTh_LafbaDZzW40z4aT-DKgGEgyFftCZkp_pcbhEC9qV6eLzwD_HTvmepN7a6pxRuIPk97_oyvz1shzQ73Tda6Z5L66d5X_AOiAA2EMQY7qMPzUVlWAz97TJklN0wb/s640/IMG_4641.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></i></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">But, first things first, let's attack the mildew problem. </span></i></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"> I mixed up a bucket with a little bit of Dawn Blue dishwashing soap and about a half cup of Bleach.  </span></i></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">I scrubbed the cushions with a stiff brush and let them sit for about 15 minutes.  </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyX4k68PTy5CM6L8N7blbNGSMBVx9kP8YqTozW3qrvQobztA0mASJ6-iOJ2hvjQiq3uAzYX5_fq92sNp36jLdiYBHAOeHkJUzchkMB4U85k16deeIEQCbeTZqOFrzxQ2sb3K9D_w39NuFh/s1600/IMG_4643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyX4k68PTy5CM6L8N7blbNGSMBVx9kP8YqTozW3qrvQobztA0mASJ6-iOJ2hvjQiq3uAzYX5_fq92sNp36jLdiYBHAOeHkJUzchkMB4U85k16deeIEQCbeTZqOFrzxQ2sb3K9D_w39NuFh/s640/IMG_4643.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></i></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">While I waited for the cushions to soak, I painted the chairs with Valspar Brown Spray paint.  OK, it took me longer than 15 minutes to paint them all but it's kind of like the magic of Television right? </span></i></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"> Look at how happy they look already! </span></i></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"> My grass not so much!  </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg760LWZYvIsv00pwN0JmSR4-pZ6APZDxj8K1y_FvSzYgUqyRRjM4On08IvYar6G13WguQa0_LheGVbN2TGH5YbwG26EcSWTCm-iy2GavYY6NploO4qBLf4rT_lbp5i43F9osJVqzJ7HyuB/s1600/IMG_4640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg760LWZYvIsv00pwN0JmSR4-pZ6APZDxj8K1y_FvSzYgUqyRRjM4On08IvYar6G13WguQa0_LheGVbN2TGH5YbwG26EcSWTCm-iy2GavYY6NploO4qBLf4rT_lbp5i43F9osJVqzJ7HyuB/s640/IMG_4640.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></i></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Back to the cushions.</span></i></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">  Get ready to see all of this mold and mildew disappear! </span></i></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"> I used a power washer, yes a power washer.  They sell them at Costco for $299.00.  Awesome things you can do with a power washer.  You might even consider going in with a neighbor, friend or relative to split the cost.  I don't have any pictures of me power washing the cushions so you will have to take my word for it.  My arm still hurts from trying to start the darn thing!  Why can't they make things like lawn mowers, snow blowers and power washers "girl friendly"?  I guess I had better step up the weight lifting.  </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrXGjdfKLV6UhdTUrwKs4U3dRGQWNbDTTZ4kkMtg95yY615NSwNsp8_b_MAMc8MP9V_lUQYmOk2qe0knHkFfjGnZqFpyFNXF8egFbP_MNKJMb4xNEQDm97pC-rqiR2MgQZPbiO8ygdKMXU/s1600/IMG_4662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrXGjdfKLV6UhdTUrwKs4U3dRGQWNbDTTZ4kkMtg95yY615NSwNsp8_b_MAMc8MP9V_lUQYmOk2qe0knHkFfjGnZqFpyFNXF8egFbP_MNKJMb4xNEQDm97pC-rqiR2MgQZPbiO8ygdKMXU/s640/IMG_4662.jpg" width="540" /></a></span></i></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">What do you think?  </span></i></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">YAY! </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyi0Z6e8tu3SjCTtFvFAunI2I9wVKUrGnb0bqZZF4dBA6Wn66gScTMEdFsnr5W8Qip4hngcBwoppnq-Hed6UA-bYXYQ1yBAMUqTjE4THNS-1rhPBglMtSL61_7TVvJlE7NsJWck72EnF1S/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyi0Z6e8tu3SjCTtFvFAunI2I9wVKUrGnb0bqZZF4dBA6Wn66gScTMEdFsnr5W8Qip4hngcBwoppnq-Hed6UA-bYXYQ1yBAMUqTjE4THNS-1rhPBglMtSL61_7TVvJlE7NsJWck72EnF1S/s640/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></i></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Big improvement!  </span></i></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">We are on our way! </span></i></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"> Stay tuned because in the next post I am going to show you how I stained the concrete patio (all by myself, I might add!).</span></i></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Now I am going in to get something cold to drink! </span></i></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Until Next Time,</span></i></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Beaux Reves,</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">XO Cindy</span></span></i><br /><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Susan at<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1057618964"> </a><a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/">Between Naps on the Porch</a><a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2011/12/beautiful-kitchen-renovation-welcome-to.html"></a>for Metamorphosis Monday</i></span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><a href="http://www.notjustahousewife.net/">Not Just a Housewife</a><br />Marty at <a href="http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/">A Stroll Thru Life</a> for Tabletop Tuesday</i></span> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Roeshel  at <a href="http://diyshowoff.com/" target="_blank">DIY Showoff</a></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Kristin at<a href="http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/" target="_blank"> My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia</a> for Tuesday's Treasures<br />Linda at <a href="http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/">Coastal Charm</a>for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday<br /><a href="http://fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Faded Charm</a> for White Wednesday <br />Kim at <a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/">Savvy Southern Style</a> for Wow Us Wednesdays<br />Judy at <a href="http://diybydesign.blogspot.com/">DIY by Design</a> </i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><a href="http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Brambleberry Cottage</a><br />Gina at <a href="http://www.theshabbychiccottage.net/">The Shabby Creek Cottage</a> for Transformation Thursdays<br />Sherry at <a href="http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/">No Minimalist Here</a> for the Open House Party on Thursdays</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>  <a href="http://frommyfrontporchtoyours.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">From My Front Porch To Yours</a> for Treasure Hunt Thursday<br /> Cindy at <a href="http://romantichome.blogspot.com/">My Romantic Home</a>for Show and Tell Friday<br />Courtney at <a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/">French Country Cottage</a> for Feathered Nest Friday<br />Heather and Vanessa at <a href="http://www.atthepicketfence.com/">At the Picket Fence</a> for Inspiration Friday <br />Diann at <a href="http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/">The Thrifty Groove</a> for Thrifty Things Friday<br />Debra at <a href="http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/">Common Ground</a> for Vintage Inspiration Friday<br />Sherry at<a href="http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/"> The Charm of Home</a> for Home Sweet Home Friday</i><i><br />Jen at <a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com/">Tatertots and Jello</a>for the Weekend Wrap-up Party <br />Donna at <a href="http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/">Funky Junk Interiors</a> for Saturday Nite Special</i></span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><a href="http://www.fivedaysfiveways.com/" target="_blank"><br /></a></i></span></div><br /></div>

From Yawn to YAY!

I have SO much Blogging to catch up on!   I have been very busy with lots of projects!   Let's head outside and see what I've been u...

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