Weather Staining a Patio Set

I've been feeling very crafty lately.
If you didn't see my cardboard tommy guns project for Halloween, that post is here.

My most recent handiwork was weather staining my friend Sandi's patio table and chairs.
It's a simple set from IKEA, with a metal frame and wooden slats. Our plan was to redo the slats.

Here's what we started with and then the end product:

From this...

...to this. Much improved, eh?

 My dad let me know the materials needed, which include:

• screwdriver
• rags/towels
• 100-grit sandpaper
• paintbrushes
• a small can of weatherproofing wood stain
• (optional) breathing mask or bandana
• (optional) drop cloths

For the sandpaper, paintbrushes, and can of wood stain, I paid less than $10 at Home Depot.

Let's get started! The slats first need to be removed from the frames and cleaned.

Use your screwdriver, then wet the rags/towels and wipe off dust/dirt.

Now it's time to use the 100-grit sandpaper. If you're sensitive to sawdust, it might be a good idea to use some sort of mask. Plus, I'd recommend doing this outdoors for easier cleanup.

After sanding, make sure you wipe off any remaining dust. Then it's time to paint.
Note: I thought I'd gotten a waterproofing wood stain that would show the natural grain. However, the paint can wasn't labeled very clearly, so I ended up with a white stain. Oh well; the white made for a fun look, and if the set were painted another color later, the white will serve as a good base coat. So just be careful which paint can you pick out.

Drying after the first coat, still some wood grain showing through

The second coat makes them completely opaque

 Once everything is dry, you're ready to put the slats back onto their frames. Get that screwdriver.

And you're done! Enjoy your new, vibrant patio set as you sip hot chocolate and discuss heady topics.

The craft bug has definitely bitten me. Hmm, what shall I do next? What are you working on?

A $2.50 Breakfast: Work Cafeteria vs. Grocery Store

Some workplaces have a cafeteria, which makes meals very convenient, especially when waking up late or just not feeling like making breakfast and/or lunch. But you definitely pay extra for that convenience.

This is what I was able to get for $2.50.

Work cafeteria

Grocery store

Yeah. That difference would add up pretty quickly over breakfast and lunch every day, so I'm gonna be brown-bagging it more often, even if it means 5 minutes less sleep in the morning.

Are you a brown-bagger, or do you prefer to eat out for lunch?

Nerdfighters and Readit1st

Have you heard of Nerdfighters?

Ever been told to DFTBA* as parting advice?

Want to learn lots of random info through entertaining YouTube videos?

Then have I got the solution for you!

It's time you started following the Vlogbrothers, John and Hank Green.
But I must warn you.
If you're kinda sorta a little/lot bit nerdy (like I clearly am), you'll get hooked.

John and Hank alternate posting videos, discussing what's going on in their lives, in society,in history, and/or whatever else happens to grab their fancy at the time. Some days they'll share an original song about protons and neutrons or expound on memes and famous books and their deeper meanings.

Other days the Vlogbrothers might answer fan questions or talk about their travel observations or list the top ten largest explosions. Pretty much, it's a surprise grab-bag as to that day's topic(s).

One of their recent crusades is an effort to encourage reading. Specifically, they want to encourage people to read the books that existed prior and on which upcoming movies are based. The project is called Readit1st. To spread the word about movies coming out that are based on books, the Nerdfighters will periodically send out a newsletter. If you want those, check the website or sign up to receive emails.

The whole thing is a pretty great idea, right? I am fully on-board and whole-heartedly endorse ReadIt1st.
I'm going to start by reading the book "Moneyball" before I see the just-released Brad Pitt flick.

$100 says the book is better than the movie

Even if you don't want to read books before seeing movies, I think you'll enjoy watching the Vlogbrothers. Lots of entertainment value, and each video is kept short and sweet. Which means you'll still have plenty of time to check out other crazy videos on YouTube, like Ray William Johnson's stuff.

Welcome to the Nerdfighters, and DFTBA*.

*Don't Forget To Be Awesome - a common Nerdfighters phrase.

Free Newseum on 9/11 Anniversary Weekend

The 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks is almost here. 

Everyone will have their own way to remember, and I'm sure there will be a lot of national, community, and family ceremonies to remember the tragedies of the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and that Pennsylvania field.

If you're looking for something to do, here's one option:

See the Newseum and its 9/11 exhibit for free.

Just go to their website and claim your free tickets.

(Saturday is sold out, but tickets are still available for Sunday)

And let me know if you go, because it'd be great to see you!