Concrete Countertops for under $99

Sounds too good to be true, right?!

Concrete countertops are a hot trend right now, but who can afford $80 per square foot on a DIY job?  Part of the point of DIY is saving some dollars, so I wasn't interested in splurging to make a mess and see if it worked.

Here is a great breakdown of pros/cons of the different types of countertops.

After seeing our friends DIY their own concrete countertops, we were very interested in making this work for ourselves.  I wasn't sure if we could really handle all the craziness that went into it and felt like it was a pretty big gamble if something went wrong.  So...I turned to Pinterest to investigate the difficulty and disasters.

What I found was pretty comforting - a DIY concrete OVER laminate!  This I could handle!  No pouring.  No framing.  No extra support. No demolition.  Really?!?!  Kara might be a genius with her DIY post!

So...here's my personal experience:

We used Ardex Feather Finish and found it somewhere local to buy for about $25 per bag.  We expected to use about 4 bags to cover all the kitchen counters (~50 square feet).  Since we had old, and outdated laminate, we figured a $100 gamble would be worth the try.  We also picked up some sealer and 60 and 220 grit sandpaper.

First, we sanded our counters with 60 grit paper and an orbital sander.  This scratched up the surface enough to hold on the concrete.  Be sure to also wipe all the dust off very well. (And remove the sink, cooktop, etc before sanding.)

We followed the directions on the bag for mixing Ardex.  We started with half the bag...not the smartest move.  We then realized we had 15 minutes to work with it.  This is not a lot of time, especially for your first round.

You want to have a pancake batter consistency, MAYBE slightly more firm, but not much.  You are wanting to cover the entire counter with a thin coat.  You can use a trowel or putty knife...the wider the blade, the smoother you can get your finish.  We worked with the main surface first coating as evenly as possible while it was still pretty liquidy.  Once it started to harden (a lot sooner than we were prepared for) we used our hands and fingers to cover the edges.  This became very similar to finger painting.  You can work with think layers and "paint" several coats.  You may find some areas you are able to use it more like drywall mud.  A word of wisdom, do not go over the same area several times during this time.  Do what you can.  This is also a grade time to mold your edges.

Let this dry COMPLETELY....24-48 hours is probably ideal.  (We were a little impatient.)  Then Use your fine sandpaper to smooth out the surface, especially rough spots.  The feather finish sands really well...so do not be too aggressive or you will expose your counters.  If you find some spots that are piled up too think, use the coarse sandpaper first...then switch to the more fine.

Once you have everything pretty smooth, repeat a second coat of concrete.  We found this was easier than the first as we knew what to expect.  We then changed part of our application process and tried to get enough concrete on the counters for a specific section, and then use a wider blade to drag across carefully to even and smoother out.  We found we only had to do this for two coats, but it will depend on how thick your coats are and how evenly it is spread on.

Once this was completely dried, we sanded again with the fine sandpaper.  It becomes REALLY smooth.  You may find a few dark spots and we found this lighted with sanding.  Once everything is sanded to your liking, wipe everything clear with a DRY cloth.  (Avoid using any liquid until everything has been sealed.)

We then poured some of our sealer into a small bucket and grabbed a 4 inch paint brush. Simply paint on the sealer (in one direction) and cover the entire surface.  It will turn dark!  It is not very pretty at this stage and you see ALL the imperfections.   Take a deep breath...and maybe a walk...then come back.  Once it dries, it looks much better and just provides a gloss and sealant to the concrete.  Let each coat dry completely (we waited 24 hours to be safe) and then repeat for a second and third...and maybe fourth coat.

So, we only used 2 bags of concrete and less than half the bottle of sealer.  Obviously this is not the solid concrete counters, but most people will never know.  This actually is supposed to leave less room for cracking (because it's not as thick and more dense than regular concrete).  Plus, it doesn't carry the weight (or the price) of the solid ones either.  I've heard you can stain this as well, but have not tried it personally.

All in all, we are VERY pleased with $65 upgrade!  We would gladly try this again.

Please don't hesitate to ask any questions...I'll do my best to help!

Kitchen

We did it...we finished a room. Three weeks, two gallons of paint, a fridge, a microwave, and lots of 2AM bed times...we finish it. I still think we need a splash of color, but'we'll get there. Of course this isn't a dream kitchen, but it's much better than before and we are not in a hurry to get things torn apart.

BEFORE

AFTER

Home Sweet Home

So, we bought a house!
It's seriously as close to my perfect dream house as possible. I love the character it has and some wonderful upgrades (crown molding, wood floors, etc.) that we would have probably never gotten around too. There are some other quirks that we can live with (master bath being the first thing you see as you enter the master), but all in all, we LOVE our new place. There's quite a bit of random work that needs to be done. We've tackled the bulk of it that was urgent. Painting has kept us up late for the last two weeks, but we are pretty amazed at how it is coming along.

So, I was going to wait to post pictures until everything had a before and after. However, I'm realizing that may be a LONG time away. So, here's our new place! I hope to post some of the transformation next weekend as we pack away the paint supplies.

Lock Down

So, obviously, it's been awhile. I've had quite the writer's block. However, I've had lots of thoughts. Mainly, it's really because both Mike and I have some thoughts floating around and experiences that we know our friends and family would want to know about. However, due to some things, or people, from the past, we prefer not to put our stuff out there for the whole world to know about. So, we're going PRIVATE!

If you are still interested in reading the blog (and yes, it will be updated more often) then send us a note, email, text, or comment. We'll make sure you have access and can read all about the reality of our lives.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Summer lovin'

So, as we were vacationing in Mexico, several things crossed my mind. I realized that we have found some wonderful ideas and refer friends to places and items all the time. However, we end up repeating ourselves over and over and over again. So, as I thought through the conversations we had, I realized I should just put all these reviews in one place. So, here goes nothing. Check back for more reviews because I am very unmotivated right now. So, if I can spit one things out, I'm calling it a day.

Barcelo Riviera Maya
An ALL-INCLUSIVE family-friendly resort just south of Cancun and Playa del Carmen
This is where we stayed for our honeymoon and had a wonderful experience. I'm not completely sure how Mike found it, but since then it has been voted as a Travelers Choice on Trip Advisor. It's a great place for couples, families, and friends. You can almost always find a discounted rate and it becomes less expensive than any comparable vacation in the US, especially when you factor in food and activities. It is comprised of 5 different hotels sitting on a 2 km private beach of 500,000 m2. The Beach and Caribe are both 4 stars. Tropical and Colonial are 4.5 stars. And the Maya Palace is a 5 star. As you stay at any of the hotels with higher stars, you have access to all of the amenities at the hotels with less stars. A pretty good deal if you ask me. There are at least 15 different restaurants to check out if you stay at the Palace or upgrade to Club Premium. Half of them are ala carte style while the others are buffet. There are several more bars around the property where you can pick up your favorite drink. Plus, you have a mini bar in your room that is already included in the price. You can request it be filled with your choice of drinks.

I'm posting a few videos, but these are not exactly the best advertisement, so check out the photos on TripAdvisor. When I am on vacation I don't always feel like taking photos (I am a photographer).







I could list more details, but figure it would be easiest for you to check things out at their website and Trip Advisor.
Beach @ Barcelo
Beach @ Trip Advisor
Caribe @ Barcelo
Caribe @ Trip Advisor
Colonial @ Barcelo
Colonial @ Trip Advisor
Tropical @ Barcelo
Tropical@ Trip Advisor
Palace @ Barcelo
Palace @ Trip Advisor

And, if that's not enough, check out unofficial-barcelo-maya Be sure to check out the discussion board and find out ANYTHING you could possibly imagine.

Some things to know, the more you pay, the more ala carte reservations you can make. Make sure to book these ASAP as they fill up quickly. The buffets are more than sufficient, but if you want a great meal, hit up the ala cartes...especially the French one and ask for Margerito. Mike's favorite part is the option to swing buy the buffets for a snack or extra dessert. You never go hungry! Even with Celiac and a strict gluten free diet, I was able to find more than enough food to eat and the chefs were very accommodating to my needs. Try to arrive early if you have special needs and although tips are already included in your stay, they appreciate the gratitude in your tips when they take good care of you.

Our biggest complain is the lack of things to do in the evening, unless you REALLY like to drink or want to stay up late to enjoy the disco. They have some pool tables, ping pong, etc, but they all shut down around 5 or 6. This would provide great entertainment for people later in the day. We have enjoyed putt-putt at night, but watch out for the mosquitoes. At the Palace, all the restaurants are ocean side, but can be a far walk from your room. The water activities take place over at the Beach and Caribe and are also distant from the Palace (but you can use the train). The buffets at the beach and Caribe are NOT air conditioned either. We have seen more of the "spring break" crowd staying at the Beach and Caribe so we tend to stay away from those.

Our recommendation is to stay at the Tropical or Colonial and upgrade to CLUB PREMIUM. There is very little difference between the rooms at the Palace and the Tropical and Colonial. The Club Premium is like a VIP pass and gives you access to all the amenities at the Palace and other resorts, even though you are not staying at them. This is really the best bang for your buck and will also give you an ocean front room. We tend to watch for specials at the resort. Check out barcelo.com, but also look at bookit.com, orbitz.com, and cheapcarribean.com Travelzoo.com may also be a good resource.

We have considered staying other places (and have one year) and cruises. As we have investigated, we have always come back to Barcelo. Unlike a cruise, your adventures are already included unless you go off site for something. In a cruise, you have to pay for lunch, drinks, etc. as you get off and explore your new destination. I don't believe alcohol is included all the time and you are required to leave tips throughout your stay. We do bring about $50 in one dollar bills and spread that out to those serving us throughout our stay. Most people don't leave anything for the waiters, so a little goes a long way. We love not having to open our wallet the whole week.

To give you an idea, we have been three different times to Barcelo Maya. We have stayed twice at the 4.5 stars and once at the 5 star Palace. Including airfare, taxes, airport transfer, tips, EVERYTHING we pay under $2,000 for the two of us. We have flown American Airlines twice to Cancun, but have had trouble in Miami during layovers everytime. We will now fly JETBLUE whenever possible because of the quality, price, and direct flight available. They don't even charge you for your first bag and still give you complimentary snacks and drinks!

school's out for summer...

I've finally found some time to sit down and relax. Even though a few of my classes have been gone for almost 2 weeks now, I've been busier than ever. It was a nice change of pace, but I appreciate routines. The last 2 weeks have been missing that. One of the best parts about teaching is the summer. I love when the summer hits. However, I'm sad to see all these wonderful students leave. I know they will all be fine, they're great kids. I've grown to love these kids and feel like this school allows me to build incredible relationships with the kids. That can be tricky as a teacher, but, that's really why I love teaching. Let's face it, we don't do it for the money. (Although I do think we get paid pretty well per hour.) All that to say, I'm sad to see them move on. I feel like just as I'm getting to know them and building a relationship, they move out and a new group moves in. I don't think of my self as the "best" teacher or the one everyone loves. I know they all feel the same way too. However, my hope is that down the road, I'm the one they think about learning a lot of life lessons from. CONGRATULATIONS to the the class of 2010 and please come back to visit!

This week has been busy with some side jobs associated with school, photos, websites, cheer camp, etc. I'm super excited to be a part of other things by using my hobbies. It's a fun way to give back. Cheer camp is another way that I am able to build relationships. I love working with the girls and seeing them in a different way. Plus, they get to see me in a different way. The whole picture is great, but the last two days I've been coaching. I taught some cheers and stuff and realized I don't move like I I used to. I'm thinking this will be a good workout program for me too, but I definitely need some time for my body to adjust.

Anyhow, beyond that, not too exciting. I'm excited for the summer and all the time to catch up on lots of things. It will be quite busy with lots of items on the to-do list, but it's sure to be more relaxing than the school year.

What are you most excited about this summer?

Sense and Sensibility

So, this has nothing to do with the novel. Honestly, I've never even read a sentence of it. However, what it is about, is a sense of belonging. A place to call home. A community to share love and truth with that returns the favor, or gives unselfishly.

When Mike and I left Orlando, it was to pursue some longterm goals of ministry. We were saddened to leave behind all of our friends and community, especially from our church. It was the only church either of us had ever really called home. A year later, several of our dearest friends left the area to pursue some of their aspirations. It was again a bittersweet time.

As we started to settle in to Raleigh, things quickly became difficult. I never really felt like we experienced the "honeymoon" period with the new church and Mike's position. We made friends along the way and really began to see lives transformed in our home. As Mike's job drew to a close, we not only lost a job, but a church and many friends.

Since then, we (maybe more so I), have struggled with feeling on the fence. LOST! We quickly found another church that we love and respect, but still struggled with feeling at home, even checking out a small group. The school I work at his been the best community, but it hasn't quite been the same. Most of my good friends there are in different stages of life and as much as I love them, we simply have conflicting schedules and no time to really fellowship or hang out. They've been a great blessing, but haven't provided a community for us both.

We've held off on really investing more somewhere. We've held on to the idea of returning to Orlando and picking up with where we left off. We have great ideas of what life would be like back there, but for now, that's not an option. As we visited some friends (and sunshine) over spring break, we heard one thing over and over again: be faithful exactly where you are. We realized over that week that our heart has been in one place, while we were physically in another. We longed for a sense of belonging and found ourselves revisiting the idea of "when ___________ happens, everything will be ok." It's been a rocky week. We simply just felt like we didn't belong anywhere.

Well, it's amazing how big a small gesture can be. Mike was offered an opportunity to serve alongside some dear leaders in our community. It was amazing how this changed my entire idea of a sense of belonging. I automatically felt not only welcome, but loved, valued, and important. Of course this had to do more with Mike, but it gave me a whole new idea of community. It is truly amazing to me that someone can see some things in you for knowing you for such short time, can believe in you, and can love you in a way that others can't, that have known you and worked alongside you much longer. The only thing I know that can make that possible is the power of the Gospel.

So, to all of you readers, especially friends, thank you for your love. Thank you for your wisdom. Thank you especially to all of those here that have loved on us unconditionally through this challenging time. You open arms have allowed us to wade through this season and bring our hearts back to our community. We are incredibly grateful for the friends that have surrounded us and welcomed us as refuges. Those that have shared their struggles with us, pray for us, and battled with us.

Choo-Choo

Co, it's been a little crazy around here the past few weeks. I had a week off for winter break and have NO idea what was accomplished during that time. Last week was really challenging for us in a number of different ways, but I have been mourning the loss of a co-worker at school. She has three beautiful daughters at our school, the oldest being 12 years old, and a great husband. She was very active in her family, church, and our school. Although she has been in and out of the hospital the last year, the last few weeks have been a big change for us all. I know those girls will see their dad in a new light and value him even more than anyone ever knew, but it doesn't make any of this any easier. Please join me in praying for the Ham family, STS, and other friends and family.

I was out of school both Thursday and Friday. I caught some "bug" floating around and it hit me fast. My fever broke 12 hours after the first sign of symptoms, but the headache and sore throat stuck around. I was going to try and go in today, but when the body aches started again, I thought it would be better for everyone else if I played it safe. I think I have one more sick day left. I have a long road ahead of me, so I'm hoping I can make it without an emotional health day.

So, on a completely different note, I've found a new place to visit http://blogtrainblog.blogspot.com/ It's perfect because it comes out every two months. It's just enough time to forget about it or get used to the new fun things you downloaded, and then more goodies come out. I haven't figured out what all I want to do with them yet. Scrapbooking doesn't seem as fun with just me and Mike, but maybe when there is a kid in the picture, things will change. For now, I'm trying to get used to make birth announcements, invitations, holiday cards, etc. Once I figure that all out, I hope to add that on to the photography business. For now, my mind has been turning about a whole lot of other ideas in the business world. If anyone feels like being creative and running a business with me, let me know.

Enjoy the weekend...and hopefully some sun!

Shepherd the Flock

I still haven't figured out how to write more. You would think with a week off school, I would find some time, but I managed to fill the winter break with more activities and conversations. The Olympics were always a distraction, but I have found a new book to read, a new favorite recipe, extra exercise, and lots of rest. I'm looking forward to some extra time with students tomorrow and then back to work on Monday. A long stretch until spring break and then again to Memorial Day. I'm always amazed at how fast each year goes by. I can't believe we're nearly in to March. This becomes the time to treasure with great students and motivating them for much more in the future.

I've thought a lot about leadership lately. Anyone that's a teacher knows that the administration makes or breaks a school and teachers. Administration that is always micro-managing, controlling, and unapproachable with new ideas can really hurt a relationship and divide a team. I'm fortunate enough to have never experienced something like that in a school. My administration is very loving, gracious, and helps bring suggestions and advice to make me a better teacher. I remember a moment back at my old school where I was getting supplies before the start of school. The principal was walking in the opposite direction, obviously headed to a meeting of some sort, when he stopped, looked at me and asked if he could carry it. I couldn't believe that someone with much "bigger and better" things to do in his schedule would stop to carry supplies for a teacher. Then I realized, he was a servant leader. You see, the best leader I have found is a servant leader.

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for the shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock...Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." 1 Peter 5:1-3, 5

I'm thankful for such a great place to work and an incredible team of leadership. I think it is the way that God calls us to in any leadership position. Mike has done an incredible job of leading our marriage in this way, always by example. He learned these things from his parents, who always led by example and did much more than they said. Actions always speak louder than words. I've learned much more about love, especially the love of Christ, through example. My hope and prayer is that I can move more in to a life of humility and lead a family, friends, students, etc. by being an example of humility and keeping the heart of a servant.

wow!

So, this has been a project, team effort! I had no idea this was going to be such a best, but I'm very excited that it is finally finished. Most of you will have no idea the details that had to be tweaked, but thanks to some loyal friends, they found some holes. Now it's all fixed and ready to enjoy.

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