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Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Alternate Uses

Over the past few years, I have been diligent about writing down my goals. They usually include something to do with diet and exercise, eating out less, and spending quality time with family and friends. Nothing very exciting and always rarely attained.

This year I thought I would take a different approach. Why set my standards so high? By lowering the bar and becoming an underachiever, I am sure to increase my self-confidence by leaps and bounds. And so, in 2009, I have decided that I will only have one goal...to be a bit more creative each and every day of my life.

Creativity comes in many forms. Just yesterday I did my best to come up with a creative excuse as to why I didn't need to do the laundry. Today, I have a different focus. Since I decided to pass on the exercising resolution, I am in search of a creative use for the elliptical machine that is taking up way too much room in our garage.

Giancarlo and I put our heads together this morning and this is what we came up with:

A place for Mama's plants. Perhaps Giancarlo and I could get really industrious tomorrow and build some sort of enclosure around the plants. We'll call it our "greenhouse."


An indoor jungle-gym. On rainy days, we no longer have to construct forts and find ways to occupy our time. We'll just head out to the garage.

This may be my favorite idea. Why pack up the Christmas lights? People are always talking about how it is important to let the spirit of Christmas live in your heart all year through. Now we can do just that. (Side-note: After putting the Christmas lights up, Giancarlo wanted to sit next to the elliptical machine and have some quiet time.)


And Giancarlo's favorite, a ramp for Mater and his other race cars.

We left the ramp up so that we can show Dad when he gets home from work tonight.

-Francesca
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28 comments:

Kimmy said...

Way too cute!! Love the ramp!! LOL

WILLOW TREE said...

You slay me! LOVED the Christmas lights and I'll have you know I paid a ton o' money to buy my Dad a wire bicycle plant stand last summer, if only I'd consulted you my creative resourceful friend!

Thank you for smiles and laughs today!

Blessings, Carolynn

Counselormama said...

OMG, these pics should be on the front of funny greeting cards! The one with the plants is a classic!

Vanessa said...

I like how you set the bar pretty low as to not upset yourself by not achieving your goal.

I think we will make a car ramp for the treadmill! My son will love it!

Sarah VM said...

Great ideas! I like the plant stand! At least you are making good use of it!

Erin said...

What great ideas for your elliptical machine! It surely shouldn't be used for exercising...I love the greenhouse and the ramp especially.

Your creativity streak is starting out with a bang this year!

Kristina P. said...

Uh oh. We just bought one of those fancy plant holders, and it's still in the box, waiting to be put together to hold plants!

Jill @ Sneaky Momma said...

Hilarious! Love that plant stand!

Counselormama said...

Ok! I think I figured it out, but not sure, you are on again, although I never intended to take you off! You say, "we" who blogs with you?

Unknown said...

Oh that is SO classic. Everything is a ramp for Mater around my house!

Unknown said...

cute post! love the mater ramp very creative!

*Monica said...

haha, I am soo boring!!! I had only gone as far as clothes rack

Omah's Helping Hands said...

Cute ideas Francesca! I wish I had a creative mind like yours and your son's. Wish you had posted this idea before we got rid of the nordic trak. ;) Thanks for the laughs!

Peaches said...

I love the planter and Christmas lights. Another use, air-dry laundry hanger. That suggestion from my own personal experience is free of charge.

Debbie said...

Excellent ideas and they should be a motivation to all of us. Love that creativity.

Tim said...

Hey there! Thanks for stopping by. Im glad you enjoyed our blog. I enjoyed yours as well. That post with the eliptical was HI LAR I OUS!!! If its ok with you I would like to follow your blog. I look forward to getting to know you better.

Feel free to stop by again. You are welcome to follow our blog as well. We actually welcome it.

In His Service,

Heather of the EO said...

If not for this post, I would have no idea what to do with our elliptical machine. Thank you! :)

Lori said...

Oh. my. goodness. How funny and what perfect timing.

Hey, tell G that three kids in Tennessee love his giant blue Mater.

Oh, and don't forget when you have people over for dinner to use the elliptical as a buffet. It could work.

Anonymous said...

Sign me up!!! I love the alternative elliptical ideas -- got me one of those, too, and it needs some renovating (since my renovating doesn't seem to be taking....)

Thanks for the positive vibes, too. I feel like we're practically family since I, too, hail from the Bay Area and my junior high mascot was (don't laugh) the Mighty Bantam! (As in little puff-ball chickens!)

Anonymous said...

Fabulous way to get that exercise machine used daily! I am inspired. I think I'll go use my food scale to weigh some chocolate ...

Great post!

Hccm said...

You can also use it as a rack for clothing.

Mainly a midwife said...

That's too funny. And THAT is exaclty why my hubby doesn't want me to get a treadmill or elliptical machine. He's afraid it will just start being a coat rack.

Kendra ;) said...

Thanks, that is so nice! I came up with the name Dixon because I wanted to name him after my grandpa Dick...but you can't really name a kid that these days. So I found Dixon and we loved it!

Your little ones are so cute too! How fun to have a blog with your friends!! I love SF and will definitely be keeping up on you three and the city! :)

Jo said...

Clever! The christmas lights are my favorite. I do love creativity and I am going to have to apply some of mine towards excuses!

amanda said...

LOVE it. very cute.

Rachel said...

I've been bad about leaving comments lately too. I just don't like to comment unless I have something witty to say which doesn't happen all to often for me. You are too funny!!! Thanks for your sweet comments about my baby girl...I'll have you know I entered her picture in the BabyGap casting call and she did NOT make the finals...I couldn't believe it. :) But they did not take any babies only toddlers and kids...they must think babies are too risky in terms of photo shots. Take care. :)

Anonymous said...

Hilarious!! My mother in law uses her exercise bike as a piece of furniture - so yeah, why not take it a step farther. It DOES make a nice plant stand! And how cute is your little boy ...
Thanks for stopping by my place, and to answer your question, yes Chanel the rabbit was named for the fragrance (I remember my mom saying "Chanel Number 5" was "pure class"!).
Susan

peewee said...

oh, I just laughed so hard. too too funnY!!!!