You started a DIY project because you thought "Oh I can Totally do that by myself". Next thing you know, your neck deep into it, you've been to the hardware store three times, and you don't see an end in sight. But you tackle one problem at a time until you fix it. Then comes the Dopamine Rush! The surge of Energy knowing you just fixed it, saved money, and learned a new skill. Sure you had to buy a new tool. Sure you spent more time on it than you thought. But you overcame little problems one at a time and now you feel confident to tackle the next project. That's how most of our DIY projects go...especially this one. We hope you have an awesome rest of your week!

I am a dumpster dining scavenger and it makes my frugalista heart so happy when it all works out. In this case I ended up with a lovely stone patio. The stone tiles were rescued from a pool hard-scaper who was tossing them (last pic) and the rest was from counter top places. Yep, the granite kitchen counter top folks have to pay by weight to have their dumpster emptied and they were more than happy to help me load my vehicle with their scrap. I recommend asking before helping yourself. Only one place told me know. And one place, that was behind a locked gate, let me in and helped me load. At another place I was in the parking lot when a huge sheet of stone feel off the loading dock. Some of the larger pieces in my build came from their accident. Once everything was in place I gave it 2 weeks to seat itself with the help of the weather. Then I went back with small bits to fill the cracks (pic 4). Dumped a bag of quick-krete on it, and swept into into place then used the hose to 'rain' it all into place to set. Oh and the dumpsters of these places often have whole bath counters with sinks and faucets. My outdoor garden sink as a rescue.

So, one of my clients had a leak in there Airbnb while a guest was there. Plumber comes in and does his thing. Guest checks out and then it was up to me. Sheet rock patch, added a new access panel in ceiling, plaster pattern match and the rescue of the wall paper the plumber ripped off and tossed. All in all I am pretty pleased with the end result. It took 3 days with all the dry time. I used watercolors to blend the torn bits away. Standing there it is difficult to find the patches. I am most pleased as were the clients.

So one of my clients had a leak and part of the bathroom ceiling came down. Emergency plumber then ripped off the wall paper, cut into things and did the plumbing repair. THEN client called me to come clean, fix and 'disappear' the damage. I'm pretty chuffed with how well it worked out - damage removed, ceiling plaster pattern matched, new access panel installed, rescued wall paper: washed, iron and in place.... and best of all, the torn edges watercolored to hide. Even standing in front of it in person, it is hard to find. I am, and of course, they are, most please. I've never done this before but am here to recommend watercolor as an option for wallpaper repair. It was a lot like paint by number.

At least here in Virginia it is. Things are warming up and they are looking for good nesting sites. I am all about solutions and DIY bait. I'm dealing with several properties for clients as well as my own. Rats - in attic and in crawl space. Solution: Moth balls. Refresh monthly. They just leave. Mice - Bait: 1 c baking soda, 1/2 c cornbread mix, 1-2 T maple syrup. If inside, I put a sticky trap in a box( usually a but down amazon box), add a teaspoon of bait in the center of the sticky trap, maybe some cat kibble about edges. They come, they eat, they get stuck, they die. You pick up the entire box and toss. Then set up another. Depending on box size, use more than one sticky.... or set up multiple boxes in different locations. Ants - 1 c boric acid, 1 cup powder sugar. I upcycled some random lidded plastic packaging (lunchmeat?), drill 1/4 holes in one end, fill with bait, set near or in the middle of their trail. They carry it home and wipe out the population at it's source. I'm curious - what are your critter troubles and how are you dealing with it?