New Cabinets in a Box

Let me start out by saying, refinishing kitchen cabinets is NOT a weekend project. Originally I seriously thought I could finish the whole kitchen in one weekend. In fact, I was so confident that I decided to take it easy and do half of the cabinets one weekend and then the second half the next weekend. Let's just say my reality check came about 7 hours into the project when I realized I wasn't even half way done with the first half of cabinets, meaning I was still less than 1/4 of the way through the whole project. Also, if you couldn't already tell by the gross time underestimation, I had no idea what I was doing. I have painted just about anything and everything, but never cabinets. This was 100 percent uncharted waters for me.

After watching a few YouTube videos on cabinet refinishing and a trip to Home Depot, I decided to take a chance and try a fairly new product by Rust-Oleum which is basically everything you need for the project in one box. For real, I totally refinished by cabinets for under $100. If you've priced new cabinets lately, you know it's a steal of a deal. The box even included an instructional DVD which is clutch for the clueless do-it-yourselfer like me.

Here are a few pictures of what my kitchen looked like on move in day. Although the cabinets were fully functional, they looked like they had not been touched since the 70's.

First step was cleaning the cabinets and dousing them with liquid de-glosser. This stuff is one strong chemical and it even ate right through my rubber gloves, but it beats the heck out of sanding.

Then was on to the white paint. There is nothing more frightening than that first stroke of paint. Once you do that, there is no going back. Although the DVD said I only needed two coats of paint, because I was going from really dark cabinets to white, I actually needed three.

This was about the time I realized this was NOT a weekend project.

Next was the stain. I wanted the cabinets to have a little bit of a distressed look. Eventually I want my kitchen to have an old Mexico vibe. I was thrilled to death once I started putting stain on the cabinets.

Finally was a bond coat to protect my hours of labor. I also bought a can of spray paint and painted the hinges and hardware. I couldn't find new hardware that I liked significantly more than the existing hardware. Plus, hardware is ridiculously expensive. Originally the cabinet handles were black with a gold accent, and once they were painted silver they looked updated, modern and just like new. New hardware for $3.

After the first half of the cabinets were finished (which took not only the weekend, but a few hours every evening after work for a solid week) I just didn't have the energy to start in on the second half.

(1 coat liquid de-glosser + 3 coats of paint + 1 coat of stain + 1 coat of bonding liquid) x 2 sides of the doors = 14 hours of work, 1/2 of the project completed, and one exhausted girl!

I ended up waiting two solid weeks before starting on the other half of the cabinets. Yes, for two solid weeks I had a kitchen with half of the cabinets finished and have that hadn't been touched. It made for a great before and after demonstration, but not the prettiest kitchen you've ever seen.

After almost 27 hours of work, my cabinets are totally, 100 percent finished. I had my doubts, but overall I am totally satisfied with it. I would recommend the Rust-Oleum product to anyone. There are so many shades and styles to choose from and I could not have been more thrilled with the results. My only warning is that it takes a LOT of time. Like most great things in life, you have to work for them.

Here is my finished product.

When Morgan Told Steve to Build an Ark

I am not a kid person. Why my church's children's minister and countless parents see me fit to spiritually guide their kids one Sunday a month is beyond me. But the bottom line is the kid's ministry needs able bodies so once a month I can suck it up, get over my fear of kids, and try and teach them something about the Bible.

Last Sunday was my week and I have to say, initially I felt like I got a pretty sweet deal. Our church is studying Hebrews 11 for the next few weeks so in the kid's ministry we were talking about Noah and his great faith. Considering our church's last series was on Hosea, I felt like the Lord was showing favor on me by giving me an easy one.

Things started out pretty great. I laid out a big piece of paper and the kids drew pictures of the things they already knew about Noah.

Then we built an ark out of newspapers, paper bags, and some other random things.

We even worked on memorizing their key verse.

Then it happened....the children's minister came downstairs to lead the "story enhancement" time. He showed the kids a clip of Evan Almighty. Again, I know nothing about kids, but even I knew this was not a good idea. How do you explain symbolism to a five year old? Please, someone tell me.

Sure enough, a few seconds into the clip sweet Campbell who is going to start kindergarten in a few months says to me, "Dani, is that what God looks like?" Before I could even answer another little boy yelled, "No Campbell, that isn't what he looks like in my Bible."

All I could think was oh crap! The kiddos are now looking to me for some sort of explanation. Hmm...where should I even start? I can't wait until the parents hear about this one. What happens when these sweet kids inevitably see Morgan Freeman in another movie and start telling their parents that he is God. Or better yet, when reruns of The Office come on TBS it's just going to be swell when they ask their dad why Noah is sitting at a desk instead of building an ark.

At this point none of the kids are paying any attention to the video. They are all waiting to hear my answer. I told sweet Campbell and the other kids that God does not look like an older black man (because if you've read The Shack you obviously know God is a black WOMAN).

When the children's minister saw my struggle he turned the video off and started to explain to the kids that this was just a movie and it was made to help us learn a lesson about who God is. I actually think it was made to create revenue, but it didn't matter because the kids seemed satisfied with the answer. Things were starting to look up, well, until the children's minster told the kids that no one knows what God looks like because if they ever saw his face they would die.

If you are in shock reading this you can imagine my face while it was happening. Thank you children's minister for that wonderful time of story enhancement. Maybe next week we can watch Indiana Jones so the kids can see someone's face melt off.

Of course now that story enhancement is over, the children's minister can skip back upstairs to join the adult service. Me? Oh, I get to try and convince the kids to sing and jump around while we worship the God who is going to kill them if they happen to see his face.

The good news is that by the time the parents came everyone seemed to have recovered. I can only imagine the stories that were told over lunch though. Oh the joys of kid's ministry...

You Just Have "The Look"

Last week I went to Estes Park, CO to spend a day with a few of my friends at a Student Life camp. Student Life has been so instrumental in my own life, but there is nothing magical about the camps themselves. Like most things in life, it's the people who made the countless experiences extraordinary.

After a 3 1/2 hour drive that was supposed to be a 2 1/2 hour drive (thanks to the 1 hour spent traveling 4 miles in Denver's rush hour traffic) I finally arrived at the YMCA at the Rockies. I did a few camps in Durango, CO in 2008, but I had never been to Estes Park. The first thing that totally caught me off guard was the wildlife. I mean shouldn't these giant animals be in cages? Never in a million years did I think I would have to tell kids to watch out for elk poop on the rec fields.

Then there was this little guy who decided to become our next door neighbor.

Truth be told, I had no intention of working at all during my 24 hour visit. I was along for the ride. I didn't need anyone to entertain me or keep me busy. I wanted to enjoy the worship services and enjoy spending time with the people I knew on the team.

I can't pinpoint an exact moment when this plan was destroyed, but all of a sudden you realize you are on a rec field chasing balls, getting accident report forms for a girl who is being rushed to the hospital, running errands, moving tables, packing up office equipment, offering pep talks, and making name tags for the next week's camp. So much for hanging out.

That being said, I never wore a staff shirt, name tag, or backpack the whole time I was there. There is no reason anyone should have thought I was on staff, and yet in 24 hours I had THREE youth ministers come up to me and ask me random questions. I know what you are thinking, obviously they thought I was a staff member by proximity. Umm...nope. I was standing totally by myself all THREE times. Two of my friends said it's because I just have "the look"....whatever that means.

The biggest reason for the visit was to spend time with my friend Jessica Dodd. She is one of my best friends in the world. We worked together in the summers of 2008 and 2009 and we are as close as can be, but at the same time, we are pretty much the odd couple. You have never met two people who are more different but who love each other so much.

She is the rec director and I worked in the office all day. In fact, when I went to visit she kept leaving me in the office forgetting I wasn't on her team and that I didn't have to finish any work before I could go play on the rec fields with her.

Dodd is all kinds of intense - on stage, on the rec field, and in normal life

When I worked camp I was all kinds of NOT intense.

My favorite line of the week was when a student staffer asked Dodd if she could leave while he explained the rec game to a group of campers because he got too nervous when she was around. I don't blame the kid. I wouldn't want to explain a rec game in front of her either. She catches everything!

Even though we are nothing alike, there is something so right about me, Dodd and camp. It's just how camp is meant to be.

Then there is this crazy girl, Robin. Robin and I technically met through Student Life, but we really became friends because we both go/went to the best university ever...but my degree says the school's real name is Texas Tech. I love Robin because no matter who is around or what the situation is, she is the queen bee. Everyone listens to Robin and she is just one of those people who can get away with saying just about anything. When I met Robin in 2008, she was a student staffer and now she is a 3rd year staff member returnee.

Have you ever met someone and you have an instant bond? It can't be explained, but it's just there. Well, that pretty much sums up me and Jordan. He was (and still is) a mission director and we met in 2009. At the time he was recently engaged and just adjusting to his new leadership role.

Now Jordan is married and him and his wife serve together on the team. It was such a joy getting to know his wife and seeing him so comfortably help to lead his team. Lauren is quite a catch, Jordan!

Most shocking transformation was Baby Barron. This kid is so sweet but his snippy comments are always perfectly timed and totally crack me up. When Barron and I worked together in 2008 he was one of the youngest team members and was a first year actor.

Now, he is engaged and graduated from being on stage to front of house, where he serves as the program director and one of the oldest members of the team.

Just having me sitting in staff devotions and running around the worship room brought back a lot of great memories for Barron and me, but this time we actually got to eat dinner together.

You see, as an actor he was pretty much the camp equivalent of Zac Efron, meaning screaming, teenage girls were literally surrounding him at all times. The whole situation was just a little too intense for this office girl. I can't handle the attention and as much as I would love to take the billionth picture of Barron and some random camper, I much more preferred my quiet meals with the other behind-the-scenes staff members. So Baby Barron, (who is not a baby anymore) it was nice to hang out with you on a non-travel day.

Speaking of travel days, next up is my travel buddy, Benjamin Cranford. He rode shotgun for me on almost every mile of our camp travels in 2008 (and there were a LOT of them). Then in 2009 I worked with his older brother.

Cranford has also made quite the transformation over the years. He went from being the extremely shy video guy to an active and constant servant member to his team. Upon my arrival at Estes Park, he even greeted me in a sweater vest and tie. My goodness.

Even though he was working at a camp in Georgia while I was at Estes Park, I feel like a post about camp just wouldn't be complete without mentioning this guy.

This was the first camp that I have ever worked at or been to (since meeting him for the second time in 2008) where he wasn't there. I honestly spent 24 hours expecting to turn around and see Jared Brown. Don't get me wrong, Bo is a fine camp director and I was so happy to spend some time with him, but not having Jared Brown running around that campus was just too weird. Buddy, you were missed.

I am so glad I took the time to go to camp. If I were to go back in time I would have spent two days instead of one. It was great to be reminded of all the wonderful things Student Life brought into my life and of the things they are continuing to do in teenagers' and other staff members' lives. I needed that reminder.

However, after 24 hours of camp there is one thing I know for sure. I could never go back. Goodness gracious. I forgot. I forgot about the constant workload, and I mean CONSTANT. I forgot about the emotional, physical and spiritual toll it takes. This is the kind of job that is one in a million, but you can't do it forever. I am so thankful for my new season of life. No lie, the following Saturday I slept for 13 hours. It took me 13 stinking hours to recover from 24 hours of camp. I may still have "the look," but I no longer have the stamina.

Thank you Blue Team 2011 for making me feel like a part of your team. It was a pleasure getting to know each of you. Now you all stay devoted...

A Circle's Round and Has No End, That's How Long I Want to be Your Friend

I am so blessed. Just a few months after I moved to Colorado Springs, one of my best friends from college, Kristine moved to Denver with her husband Blake. We are learning there are no friends like college friends. Kristine and I have some great memories and we want to make plenty more, so every few months one of us makes the hour drive and we spend the day together.

This time Kristine came to Colorado Springs to see my new house and go for a hike. We hiked the Punch Bowls. It's a hike I've wanted to do for a while. The trail is on Navigator property and as an employee, one of the perks is that I get to hike the trails any time my heart feels the urge. Non-employees have to make reservations and hope the limited spots aren't already filled. Although it is comforting to run into a person on the trail every so often, nothing ruins a great hike like loud families, ringing cell phones, or constantly tripping over fellow hikers. When it comes to trails, I am all about exclusivity.

We finally made it up to the punch bowls, but it was just a little too cold to jump in. Plus, neither of us were too keen on the idea of hiking down soaking wet. Maybe another day.

After our hike, Kristine and I went to Rudy's BBQ. Kristine and I were first introduced to Rudy's in Lubbock. We were frequent customers for post church, Sunday lunch. I was ecstatic when a Rudy's opened in Colorado Springs. There wasn't a more perfect place for us to enjoy real Texas BBQ and sweet tea on a scenic patio.

My one big complaint about the Punch Bowls is that there aren't a lot of trail markings, as in there are NO trail markings. That being said, when Kristine and I made the hike from the waterfall to the punch bowls, we kept going straight up the side of the mountain instead of veering left to follow the stream. The view was awesome, but all the loose gravel and rocks made getting down a bit tricky. After a few big falls we made it down the mountain and back onto the right trail, but three days later, my right leg still makes me look like an abused wife.

Scrapes and bruises aside, it was a perfect day with a great friend. I can't wait to see what adventures lay ahead for me and Kristine. I am so blessed to have her as a friend.

It's Tebow Time...well, sorta

Today is the day the Lord has made...the day I was to meet Tim Tebow. I contemplated for weeks about what to wear and what to say and even stooped to a new level of pathetic and purchased a Sam's Club membership to ensure I would be able to attend.

Finally, it was the day of his book signing.Typically, I don't care about famous people. Seriously. They are just people. But when it comes to an athlete of Tim's caliber I'm just awe stuck by what he can do. Have you seen the jump pass? I just have so many questions...like where does he keep the Heisman trophy and what did he do the night after becoming a National Champion?

I envisioned our conversation going something like this...

Timmy: "Hey, a Gator fan...go Gators!" (because I had already decided to go with the Gator shirt instead of the Broncos jersey)

Me: "Yeah, my first college game ever was at the Swamp and ever since then I was hooked."

Timmy: "So you are from Florida?"

Me: "Yeah, I'm from Ocala."

Timmy: "No way, that's awesome. What are you doing here?"

Me: "Oh, I work for a Christian nonprofit that sends missionaries all over the world."

Timmy: "That's awesome, do you know of a good place to eat around here?"

Me: "Yeah, what are you in the mood for?"

Timmy: "I'm not sure, why don't you think of something and then meet us when this is over?"

Ok, so I realize the second half of that conversation would never actually happen, but a girl can dream. I mean famous people marry regular people all the time. Who doesn't want to come home to a Heisman on their mantle every night?

Anyway, much to my dismay, today went nothing like that. The book signing was from 4:00-6:00 so my friend Jessi and I arrived around 3:45. We were informed I was the 600th person in line and that there was a chance he might not get to me, although at the signing in Denver yesterday he made it through 600 so I should be ok. I was told to go inside and purchase the book while Jessi held our place in line. Once I got inside I was told they were totally sold out of books. Wait a minute, this is a book signing (that hasn't started yet) and you don't actually HAVE his book? Am I the only one who sees the problem here? Isn't the point of these things to SELL book? The Sam's club employee/line monitor said I should go up the street to Barnes and Noble, buy a book, and come back. I mean Sam's is known for selling 3 lbs. of mayonnaise for $10, not planning book signings for professional athletes. Why did I expect Sam's to be able to pull this off with any amount of professionalism or ease?

As I was leaving I saw Timmy and the gang (more about them later) pull up so I knew he didn't start signing books until well after 4:00. I had plenty of time. Unfortunately every Barnes and Noble was sold out in the entire state of Colorado. After three more sold out stores, I stopped by the Family Christian Bookstore. They were selling their last copy to a lady in line which led a disgruntle Bronocs fan to start yelling, "Well shit! Dammit! Now what do I do?" When people are yelling curse words in a Christian bookstore on a Sunday afternoon, you start to think the situation may be getting out of hand.

Feeling like a failure, I went back to Sam's Club and to my friend and place holder in line, Jessi. I informed her (and apparently about 20 other people) there were a few rules we were not previously aware of....1) Timmy would only sign books and no other memorabilia. 2) Timmy would not take any personal pictures. 3) You were only allowed 2 books per person and that didn't matter much because the whole city was sold out of them anyway. At some point I had become the informant for the back of the line crowd.

The next thing I knew this lady from five spots in line ahead of us was walking toward me and getting way too close to the inside of my personal bubble. She was whispering, "I heard you talking and I feel really bad you don't have a book. I really want you to get one so I'm not telling anyone this but you. There is a Christian bookstore a few miles south that has the book. You can call and they will hold it for you, but they close in 30 minutes so you need to leave now." I looked at Jessi wondering if this was really happening. I felt like I was making some kind of drug deal right there in the Sam's Club parking lot, but before I knew it I was back in the car driving across town. Everything was just as the lady said and when I got there my book was waiting for me on the counter.

I had the book, which was its own miracle and I was flying back to the signing. Jessi called to say she was getting closer to the front and to hurry, but then a few minutes later Jessi called again with some devastating news. The Sam's Club employees sent everyone away. They said Tim only had one hour left and if we weren't already inside then we needed to leave. I did not get to see this for myself, but apparently this caused mass hysteria. People were screaming and cursing, a three ring circus. People even went inside and returned their books. There is a good chance this book signing caused more PR damage then good. Where is Pam Tebow when you need her? Surely she would have put a stop to this.

When I got back to the store we decided to go inside and at least see Timmy, even though we had to stay behind tape and barricades. When I saw the actual signing I was gravely disappointed. Basically the people permitted to stay in line handed their book to a someone, who handed their book to someone else, who whispered the fan's name to Tim, who then signed the book (usually without Tim even looking up) and then Tim handed the book to someone, who handed the book to someone else, who handed it back to the fan. It could not have been more impersonal. I was shocked! What happened to Timmy Touchdown, a man of the people?

One thing I am totally enthralled with is the Tebow family dynamics. I mean five siblings, missionary kids, homeschoolers, now their baby brother is famous and one of the brothers manages his PR. Come on, this is a reality show waiting to happen, but until MTV picks it up, we are left with merely speculation.

Sure enough Robby Tebow was standing right there behind his little brother and alongside his business parter and friend Angel Gonzalez. Because I wanted to keep the shred of dignity I had left after enduring the three ring circus that was Tim Tebow's book signing, I decided not to announce their relation to Tim. Well, leave it to some crazed teeny popper to do a quick Google search (or a look through the pictures in the book) and figure out who these guys were. A few minutes later I heard this shrill, "Oh my gosh, it's Robby!" Then from behind I hear, "He is old and not as cute, but oh well. It's Tim's brother." By the way, I think Robby is 29...which I guess is ancient to a 15 year old. The next thing I know girls are screaming for Robby and he is taking pictures and doing his own personal book signing on the side.

Then on my right I see the same thing happening with Angel. A pack of shameless girls are flirting with him and he is taking books back to Tim for him to sign.

Please note the crazy girl's face.

I have standards people. I will not flirt my way to an autograph and I will not become a member of the Robby Tebow fan club because I can't get to Tim.

The line ended about 20 minutes before 6:00, obviously because they sent half the city home. I really thought Timmy would take the extra time to shake some hands, kiss some babies, and take some pictures with the 30 or so people standing around, but no such luck. He just stood up, chugged some water, gave a quick wave, and then left out the back door. Seriously? Who is this guy and what has he done with the sweet male version of Mother Teresa that I see on TV?

When we walked outside Timmy's getaway car was pulled right up to the door. Peter Tebow came out to unlock it, and start the AC. I told Jessi that was his other brother Peter and then some guy close to us decided to take credit for my Tebow family knowledge and announce it to the crowd. It wasn't all of 3 seconds before people were getting their new FB profile pic with Peter and he was hosting a book signing of his own.

I can honestly say I am embarrassed that I was a part of that whole scene. Tim, I am actually relieved I did not meet you under those circumstances. Please know I was NOT with those crazy girls that were standing near me.

Today was such a letdown. Do I dare say that I am little less of a fan then I was this morning. No signed book and this was the only picture of me and Timmy and it isn't near good enough to put in my office.

Look way over my left shoulder to the guy in the white shirt, that's #15!

Even though I may not have been impressed with Tim Tebow the author, the good news is, fall is coming so there will be plenty of chances for Timmy to redeem himself on the field.