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enigma-naturae · 2 years ago

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Obey me characters as type of goths!

Authors Note: This is my first time writing so sorry if its really repetitive and these are just some of my personal headcanons and little mini imagines. I myself am also relatively new to the goth scene these might now be 100% accurate.

I hope you enjoy!

Lucifer:

I could really just choose one but I think that Lucifer would really like romantic, vampire, and victorian goth

Just look at him

He already has the whole vibe

Out of all of them I think he would like romantic goth the most since he's an old romantic at heart

definitely uses to name caramia as a term of endearment to you <3

Likes to wear more formal attire such as suits and lots of jewelry preferably chunky rings

Listens to Lebanon Hanover

Imagine spending a night with him listening to his records, sipping on nice red wine and him speaking sweet nothings to you

Mammon:

This one was actually really hard but I think Mammon would be into gothabilly

He gives me the vibe that he likes any type of 50s style clothing (think greaser style)

Listens to Elvis Presley

Definitely into things like vintage cars and decor

LOTS OF LEATHER JACKETS

Collects vintage horror movies

He doesn't watch them (mainly because he thinks their scary) just collects them because he thinks they look cool

Has at least one pin up girl tattoo

Loves going to old diners with you and taking you to old car shows

Definitely uses old slang

Calls you sugar or babe

Dances rockabilly like it's no one business

please look up real 1950s rockabilly dancing it looks like so much fun

Imagine him driving in his Demonio with you listening to rock 'n' roll and going to a club and dancing all night long just laughing with each other and just forgetting everything else :)

Leviathan:

I personally think he would be very into visual kei

He dresses a little more on the colorful side

Tries to incorporate some of his favorite animes into his fashion

Also gets a lot of his inspiration from them

Makes him feel more confident and it's kinda cosplay to him so he really likes it if you dress up with him

Learned to play guitar and bass because he wanted to play his favorite solos

Loves to do your makeup (only if you ask him bc he's too shy to ask you)

He still gets kinda shy if you compliment him but he really appreciates it

Especially since his outfits take a while to get on

HE LISTENS TO MALICE MIZER I DON'T MAKE THE RULES

Imagine getting ready with him to go to a concert and just seeing how excited he is to see his favorite artist and just having an overall great time with him

Satan:

To me this one is simple

He is a 100% New England Gothic type of person

He loves learning about the history such as the Salem Witch trials

His favorite authors are H.P. Lovecraft and Stephen King

His favorite book is Misery by Stephen King

Listens to The Shortwave Mystery

Fashion wise his style is more dark academia

Loves going to places that are haunted or hold cursed items

Frequent visitor of the Ed and Lorraine Warren museum

Also an old romantic

Writes love letters to you and closes them with a wax seal that has his sigil on it so you know it's him

Gives you flowers with special meanings

Calls you my heart or my joy since your the person who always makes him the happiest

Imagine him sending you a letter telling you to meet him in the library and he takes you on a date treating you like royalty and reading poetry he made specifically for you

Asmodeus:

Asmodeus would LOVE pastel goth

To him it's a perfect mix of dark edgy colors and bright bubbly colors

Loves accessories, mainly chokers and hair clips

Has A BUNCH of outfit choices for you if you want to try his style too

If you ask him to do your makeup say no more he's already sprinting to his room to get his makeup kit

Can and will dye your the brightest pastel colors if you ask him

His outfits are always perfectly coordinated

Pulls off black lipstick surprisingly well

Has graphic shirts and decorated socks for DAYS

Listens to Melenie Martinez

Calls you sweetie or love

Imagine him taking you out to Majolish, helping you buy pastel goth clothes since you've been wanting to try it out, he gives you the best tips about what accessories go best and him giving you endless praise saying how cute you look

Beelzebub:

Beel would definitely like health goth

He dresses more casually than his brothers since health goth is more wearing black and white sports brands

Really likes the music though

He listens to Molchat Doma during his workouts

I think he really likes tattoos but either is busy to get them or Lucifer doesn't let him

He works hard to keep both his physical and mental health in top shape so if you need a shoulder to lean on (both metaphorically and literally) or want a gym bro he's your guy

Calls you peach or honey

Knows a lot of comfortable goth brands if you want to buy some active wear

Imagine you come home from a long day at RAD and just being generally exhausted, you go to your room and soon Beel comes since he felt like you weren't feeling the best, he comes with your favorite snacks and you spend the rest of the night together enjoying each others presence

Belphegor:

I personally think that Belphie would be a trad goth but he barely has the time and energy for all that so I he would be an emo goth

I know what your gonna say BUT EMO AND GOTH ARE DIFFERENT I know that but I feel like he would find a way to combine them (also he thinks it's funny how it manages to get people angry)

Asmo takes his picture sometimes and adds a horrendous amount of blingees

Cuts his own hair

Owns so many band tshirts that his closet looks like a hot topic

I think he listens to Black Veil Brides or Twin Tribes

Acts like a stereotypical emo for shits and giggles

Always ends up forgetting to take off his eyeliner

Probably has a blog dedicated to astrology (Asmo got a hold of it and decorated it so much its like looking into the sun)

Probably has a few piercings

I think has has an eyebrow piercing and snake bites

Loves watching Tim Burton movies

Calls you my one and only or baby

Imagine waking from a nap to have a message from Belphie saying "Meet me in the planetarium", you go and he's there with a blanket and you two spend the rest of the night either stargazing, talking about astrology, or him reading to you some overly edgy poem talking about "your the light that reaches even the darkest parts of my soul" and "Will you be the Pon to my Zi?" (please tell me if you understand that reference)

It sounds super sappy but you know deep down he means it

#obey me #obey me headcanons #obey me x gn!reader #obey me x gn!mc #obey me lucifer #obey me mammon #obey me leviathan #obey me levi #obey me satan #obey me asmodeus #obey me asmo #obey me beelzebub #obey me beel #obey me belphegor #obey me belphie #obey me shall we date #novella

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mewtonian-physics · 2 years ago

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good morning :D it's kind of weird getting the urge to write to you when you're asleep and typing out good morning even though it's almost 9:30pm for me.

im pretty happy since it's almost the weekend and you know what im gonna do this weekend??? im gonna do some embroidery and im GONNA watch person of interest while i do it.

i feel like i should probably do some other stuff that makes me happy too, last few weeks have been kinda rough in more ways than one,,,maybe i'll write some letters to my friends. idk what to talk about tho do u have any ideas lol

i should actually write you a letter one day, i say one day because i have no idea how to send it and my mother doesn't actually know that you exist yet so uh,,,idk..

i like writing letters even though that kind of stuff is outdated, it's fun to personalise them plus it was my birthday like a month ago and i got a wax seal kit!! it was so fun to use that in the first two days of getting it i pre-made like 25 seals (i dont have that many friends to write letters to. i dont know what im going to do with these). what was i saying again oh yeah personalising letters is really fun and i get to make it look like something i think the person getting the letter would enjoy.

OH NEVERMIND LMAO I ACTUALLY HAVE HOMEWORK TO DO AND TESTS COMING UP i should get On To That. ill do fun stuff first on saturday and then work in the afternoon. after i finish my work i'll make madeleine batter at night and bake it for breakfast in the morning. i'll tell you how adding less baking powder goes!

also wow this got a bit long for no reason oops

ooooh you have to enjoy your weekend as much as you can :) (but also why do you still have homework and tests and stuff it's the middle of june are you okay)

also a wax seal kit? that's so cool what the hell

#ask

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thecoroutfitters · 7 years ago

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Bushcraft survival tips are a very hot topic in the prepper community, especially considering that old saying about “the more skills one has, the less gear one needs.” This “omnia mea mecum porto” (a Latin proverb meaning “all that’s mine I carry with me”) mindset is a prepper’s greatest asset, and I really did not mean it to rhyme.

To begin with, one may ask what on Earth is bushcraft?

In layman’s terms, bushcraft is what kept our ancestors alive and kicking for tens of thousands of years, well before the invention of agriculture, cozy cities, and our modern-day conveniences. Bushcraft is the ancient art of survival in the wilderness, using only the (sometimes scarce) resources provided by “the great outdoors.”

Keep reading to get the essentials!

Bushcraft is basically a fancy Aussie word for wilderness survival and it combines the know-how with regard to DYI-ing basic tools with how to use animals and plants at your disposal for outdoor survival in a SHTF scenario.

3 Second SEAL Test Will Tell You If You’ll Survive A SHTF Situation

For true-blue preppers, learning bushcraft skills will increase your survival chances exponentially in a nasty environment/situation, via increasing your ability to adapt to new challenges and unforeseen situations.

You Can’t Skips the Basics

The more self-sufficient and confident one is, the better. The quintessential bushcraft skills to master include hunting/trapping game, food foraging, shelter building, water gathering/purification, and fire making.

Basically, everything that revolves around food-water-shelter, the holy trinity of survival, is an essential skill to master for a survivalist.

Let’s make a basic list, so you could count them better!

When it comes to living off the land, as in food foraging, one must have in-depth knowledge of local flora, which is essential when it comes to efficiently harvesting edibles whilst at the same time avoiding toxic plants.

Camp cooking is also a must-learn skill for outdoor enthusiasts. And speaking of flora, remember that cattails are edible and easy to find in shallow waters along the shore. Read my article about cattails for further reference.

Trapping and hunting/stalking game is all about knowing how to build snares, how to use lures, how to fish (always remember to pack fishing gear in your survival kit), how to read animal signs while hiding your own (human) scent, making cordage, tying knots, cleaning/dressing/cooking game in the field, and the whole nine yards.

A solid survivalist must be able to gather and purify water by using an improvised water filter, and also know how to make a fire for boiling/purifying water, and so forth and so on.

Shelter building skills must include knowledge of how to make cordage, how to tie a good knot, how to harvest building materials (branches, fallen trees), how to use a knife for batoning, how to waterproof/make natural insulation for your shelter, etc.

Knowing how to start a fire in the wild using readily available materials is a must-learn art, including gathering tinder, collecting wood, building a fire pit, building a fire plough/a bow drill, or other device, and you should also know the different types of fires and their best uses in a particular situation.

If you’re just starting out in the fine art of bushcrafting, you should focus on basic survival skills, such as batoning wood, making simple tools, knot-tying techniques, basic fire starting, and building basic camp structures, including the tripod.

If you’ve already acquired basic bushcraft skills, you should concentrate on shelter building, foraging for food, building a fire without lighters/matches, basic trapping and making snares, and water purification.

For advanced bushcrafters (I am not sure that word really exists), you can engage in complex projects, such as land navigation (celestial navigation for example), making cordage and rope using plant fibers or animal tendons, tracking, and advanced structure building.

Now, let’s talk about some tips and tricks, because after all, that’s what today’s article is all about.

Tell Someone That You’re Leaving

To begin with, remember that communication is key. Before going out on a trip, tell someone about your plan, including where you’ll be going, for how long, and also share if you have a specific route set up (it would help with tracking you down in a SHTF scenario).

Don’t Lose Your Temper

Next, remember to keep your composure in any situation. Always remain calm, cool, and collected, think positive, and hope for the best while preparing for the worst. I know it doesn’t sound like much, but optimism goes a long way, even in a SHTF scenario. No matter how alone and scared you may feel, everything starts with your attitude in a survival situation.

If something doesn’t work as it should – let’s say starting a fire in the wilderness, for example – keep calm, don’t rush, and don’t panic. Just stop, relax, breathe in-out and try something else.

Proper Tools

Remember that at its most basic level, wilderness survival, aka bushcraft, is surviving out there in the woods with nothing more than an edged tool (say, a knife) and the clothes on your back.

Which takes us to the next tip: a blade (read survival knife) is one of the most important tools to have in a survival situation.

A light and sturdy blade is as important to the bushcrafter as the katana is for the samurai. And yes, I am talking about a high-quality, full-tang blade, which may be used for a multitude of purposes, ranging from self-defense to digging a shelter.

Another must-have and highly versatile bushcraft tool is a hatchet or a tomahawk. Given its design, a hatchet is perfect for heavy-duty tasks such as chopping wood, splitting logs, hammering (posts or stakes), butchering large game, and so on and so forth. If two items are too much for your “money”, you can go for the ultimate bushcraft tool: the machete.

A machete can be described as the best of both worlds, being a hybrid of sorts between a hatchet and a knife. And yes, a high-quality solid machete can be used for digging, chopping wood, clearing bush, batoning, and more.

However, the best bushcraft tool is the one you have on your person, so don’t complicate things too much, alright?

Considering the fact that death from exposure is a regular occurrence when it comes to outdoor survival scenarios, you must always pack some type of shelter in your EDC survival kit (a poncho, a $1 tarp, etc.), together with a couple of large, contractor-sized garbage bags.

When filled with leaves, the garbage bags will make for awesome insulating pads on which you can sleep or sit.

Video first seen on KGB Survivalist.

You should carry a good-quality fire starter with you at all times, tied and braided to your knife lanyard, and I am talking about waxed jute twine. Always remember to pack a couple of protein bars in your survival kit; they’re incredibly nutritious and lightweight. Also, they don’t spoil easily.

Learning basic body insulation methods may be a life saver in many survival scenarios. Think about stuffing leaves, newspaper, or dry grass under your clothes, so you’ll be retaining body heat in harsh weather conditions.

If you wrap plastic bags (remember those garbage bags?) around the leaves on a tree, the sun will evaporate the water from the inside of the leaves, which will then be forced to condensate on the inside of the plastic bag (read trapped inside).

The same trick can be used to extract water from plants.

Now that you know these survival tricks, would you make it on your own if stranded deep in the wild?

Now, it’s your turn. What are your favorite survival tips you’d like to share with us?

Feel free to comment below.

This article has been written by Chris Black for Survivopedia.

from Survivopedia Don't forget to visit the store and pick up some gear at The COR Outfitters. How prepared are you for emergencies? #SurvivalFirestarter #SurvivalBugOutBackpack #PrepperSurvivalPack #SHTFGear #SHTFBag

#SHTF #TEOTWAWKI #MARTIALLAW #BUGOUT #PREPPERBAG #USAF #USSOCOM #ARMY #NAVY #SurvivalFirestarter #Sur

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dnodes18 · 6 years ago

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New Year Bathroom Remodel https://thd.co/2FK99dg

Rick LaFaver of Wood Work Life gave his mother in law a house warming gift of a lifetime. With a little help from The Home Depot, he completed a gorgeous bathroom remodel in her new home. Find out his tips on how to pull off a DIY bathroom remodel project.

New Year Bathroom Remodel

This holiday season, I felt like doing something really over the top for my mother in law. She has been so helpful this year and just moved into her own place for the first time, so I felt like really hitting one out of the park with a bathroom remodel. The bathroom in her house had some major layout issues, but fortunately no major structural issues (short of being in a house built in 1895 and the complications that creates.)

For this bathroom remodel I wanted to give a super premium look and feel, but I wanted to minimize costs by making the process as simple as I could. I built the whole bathroom around Delta’s UPstile system, which gets you that custom tiled shower feel while still just technically being an alcove shower insert. Even so this is going to a huge undertaking, and I am on a bit of a time crunch, but there is only one way to eat an elephant…one bite at a time.

4 Considerations to Make Prior to Starting a DIY Bathroom Remodel

There are obviously a ton of things to consider before you start a bathroom remodel, but here are the top 4 for me in no particular order.

1. Anticipate potential problems to avoid road blocks

With any home DIY project, you should take the opportunity to address any glaring issues with the layout, functionality, or design of a space. BUT, some of these problems can be colossal undertakings and can derail an otherwise simple project. Before I started this project, I wrote a list of any problems I could think of and researched what each of them would entail.

In this bathroom the challenges I chose to take on were: the layout of the tub/shower, an incorrectly vented tub drain (often the cause of a slow draining tub), and an incorrectly installed tile floor. The stones I chose to leave unturned…the lack of square and plum in any room in the house (no one will ever fix this,) the bowing ceiling/roof (this will need to be addressed when a new roof goes on this house) and replacing the glass louvred door and wood framed window.

2. Be mindful of timeline and budget

You can do anything, if you have the time and/or skill. It is obviously important to keep every project to a timeline and a budget or things will get out of hand real quick. Where will you spend your money? Where will you spend your time? In other words, what will you do or even try to figure out how to do, and what will you hire a contractor for? I am personally pretty comfortable with basic electrical, carpentry, and drywalling but plumbing is not my thing. Since I wanted to finish this in a month, rather than learning how to fix the plumbing issues left behind from a hack job remodel in a hundred year old house, I hired a plumber.

Looking back at this project and seeing the finish on my walls, I wish I would’ve also hired out the drywalling and taping, those finishing touches can really make a difference.

3. Prepare for permits and inspections

Permits vary a lot from city to city and state to state and I am no expert but your local municipality’s website will probably be able to point you in the right direction. Typically you have the obvious stuff plumbing and electrical permits, an inspections after demo, another one after electrical and plumbing rough in, and the final inspection after the project is complete.

Please, do your research. Nothing will derail a project like having to rip everything out and do it all over again.

4. Plan your project in manageable steps

Define needs to come before or after what to make for the smoothest process. If you are having a plumber come out, try not cover any of the pipes, or finish drywalling beforehand. Make sure the tub and sink are on site to get the most out of your plumber’s time. If you are going to paint, (which you should even if you don’t have to, a fresh coat of paint is always so refreshing) try and keep all the finishes out of the space so you can paint as quickly as possible without worrying about masking, drips, and overspray. Figuring out the logistics ahead of time just makes everything so much easier.

Ok enough with mental gymnastics, let’s get to work.

Tear it up!

Demo is always my favorite part of a DIY project, taking a very large hammer to a room you hated is cathartic for some reason. Don’t forget to keep your mess contained because unlike on TV you actually have to clean up the mess after demo day. Make sure you rent a dumpster to haul away all the mess.

A reciprocating saw and a demo hammer can be a huge help during a tear down, I actually used the RIDGID MEGAMax, which is both for my remodel.

Fortunately, the previous installer didn’t properly bed in the subfloor with mortar, so even though I have had to re-grout this bathroom 3 times already, it came up super easily during demo. Everything else was easy enough to cut out or remove.

Rough In

For this project, rough in was a bit more involved than your average bathroom remodel. In a lot of bathroom remodels with an alcove tub (walls on 3 sides, only one long side of the tub accessible often identified as left drain or right drain) you could simply drop the Delta UPstile tub or shower system right in with little modification. In my bathroom, I had to rotate the tub 90 degrees and move the drain which meant I had to frame an entire new shower stall and a new tub rough in.

This is actually my second bathroom remodel this year and my second using Delta hardware. I have been nothing but satisfied with the ease of installation. Even the lower-priced models of the Delta hardware come with hardware and rough in kits that simplify install and eliminate a lot of the pitfalls of generic “builder grade” faucets.

While the plumber was there, I also set the bathtub into a bed of mortar and hooked up the drain. My plumber didn’t want to appear on camera, so I didn’t get any shots of that.

Installing the Delta UPstile System

My first bathroom remodel this year had a full custom-tiled tub surround. While it doesn’t replace the look of a subway-tiled tub surround, the Delta UPstile system is A LOT more simple and affordable than a custom tiled tub surround.

First, there is no waterproofing to worry about; once you caulk your seams, you’re good. Second, you don’t have to first install cement board so no cement dust or special cutting wheels to worry about. Third, you don’t need to involve yet another trade in your bathroom remodel and that much more time and money to tile the whole surround.

All of these things are true with any tub or shower insert, but with the UPstile system, you still get the look of a subway-tiled custom shower install. You even get a slot to install your own glass or decorative tile insert.

The decorative tile insert is designed to be used with 6” mesh backed tile squares and 1/8th inch grout lines (6 ¼” slot), but you can easily install other tile as well. Since the shower surround is made of pronamel, which doesn’t bond with mortar, you have to use silicone-based kitchen adhesive to attach the tiles for the insert. I used DAP Kwik seal plus kitchen and bath adhesive in clear. This is super easy to do, but do give the manufacturer’s FULL dry time before removing the spacers. Kitchen adhesive remains a lot more flexible than mortar when partially cured, so if you take the spacer out early you can really ruin the look. I cut some 2 and half inch by 8 inch tiles on a wet cut tile saw to fit the slot to continue to the subway tile look.

After installing the tile, you can treat it like usual and grout using whatever color you like. I recommend a bright white grout to match the rest of the tub surround kit.

Tiling the Floor

For the floor, I went with a wood look porcelain floor tile from The Home Depot’s Home Decorator collection. Wood look tile has come a long way; it used to be 7 or 8 prints duplicated ad nauseum, but the new stuff is great, I didn’t see a single repeat in 6 boxes. Pro Tip: If you ever want to see some cool and unique products for your next project, go to The Home Depot’s website and search: “Home Decorators Collection.”

The problem the previous installer had left me behind was a blessing and a curse. I had re-grouted this floor three times because he didn’t put a bed of mortar under the cement board subfloor. At least it was easy to tear up the old tile floor though. After installing the new cement board subfloor, I installed the floor.

When cutting porcelain tile like this to get clean scores, use and angle grinder and a continuous rim diamond blade, I used a Ridgid brushless grinder and a Ridgid continuous diamond blade. Another pro tip I ran across when designing the bathroom: With wood look tile, pick a grout that is one tone darker than the darkest tone in the tile in my case this led me to charcoal grout.

Installing the Toilet and Sink

Installing a toilet is super easy and it is usually the first thing I do when I move into a new house. I am not incredibly comfortable sitting on someone else’s throne. It is as simple as press fitting the wax ring, dropping it on and tightening a few bolts. It is important to level the toilet with a few composite shims and tighten down the toilet bolts evenly so you don’t crack the porcelain. In my case, I also had to use an adapter for the cast iron waste stack. but otherwise no big deal.

For the sink and vanity, I chose another piece from the The Home Depot Home Decorator’s Collection. I wanted a vanity that matched the wood look flooring and added a bunch of storage, so I went with a 3 door vanity with a weather oak finish to match the floor.

I used Delta’s Venetian bronze faucet hardware kit to finish it off. Again, I love the equipment this kit came with. Rather than running your own braided hoses from the water supply, this kit comes with its own integrated pex fittings. There’s something about a really nice sink faucet in a kitchen or a bathroom that just really puts the cherry on top of a remodel.

I approach kitchen and bathroom remodels using luxury car design philosophy, the contact surfaces are the most important elements to give a space a luxurious look and feel. Everything from the door knob, to the faucet handle, to the toilet flusher should be quality materials and interesting textures, these little details really bring a spaces feel together.

Trim Paint and DONE

FINALLY, I mean this bathroom went quick and it was pretty easy, but just the sum of all of it in one month was just…a lot. One of the most enjoyable parts of any project is putting on the trim, those last little touch ups of paint and putting on the finishing touches. With this one, I was able to really decorate it to get all the oohs and aahs from my mother in law.

After a month of making all manners of dust and mess in her house, I was finally able to show my mother in law Ruth the bathroom remodel. I think the look on her face said it all, but she loved it. It is such a nice space to just soak in a bath and go through your morning routine for work. I have always said a bathroom is like a mattress, you are going to use it everyday, so you might as well make it as nice as you can.

By properly framing the wall for the new alcove, adding insulation and getting rid of a poorly installed glass block window, the bathroom is a lot more comfortable now as well. I hope it serves her well, Merry Christmas, Nana – from me and family!

The post New Year Bathroom Remodel appeared first on The Home Depot Blog.

Rick LaFaver

#The Home Depot Blog

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ntrending · 5 years ago

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How to make your outdoor gear last longer

New Post has been published on https://nexcraft.co/how-to-make-your-outdoor-gear-last-longer/

How to make your outdoor gear last longer

That’s the self-satisfied look of someone who just repaired a whole bunch of stuff. (Pixabay/)

When it comes to quality outdoor gear, every piece is an investment. You pay for shiny new items you hope will last for years, but sometimes, parts and pieces get worn out. So what’s one to do when an otherwise functional piece of equipment has a malfunctioning feature? It’s not always necessary to trash it and drop a bunch of cash on a new model just because one small part has worn out. Often, breathing new life into well-used gear is simply a matter of repairing it yourself.

The outdoors industry is starting to see a lot more people doing exactly that, says Ron Simonds, owner of Boulder Mountain Repair in Boulder, Colorado. That’s good news for everyone involved. It keeps usable equipment out of landfills and cash in your wallet, for starters, but it also benefits the brands that make the gear.

Manufacturers including Patagonia, Osprey, Chaco, and Klymit offer warrantied repairs on worn gear—many have been doing so for decades—in an effort to keep customers happy with their equipment and more likely to return to the brands they trust when it’s time to update their kit. If you’ve purchased something from a company that offers this service, just send them whatever’s broken and they’ll patch or repair it, often for free, then return it to your doorstep in a matter of days or weeks.

But sometimes you need a fix right away. Whether it’s a broken tent pole at the campsite, a rain jacket that’s lost its waterproofing, or a peeling sole, you’ll occasionally need to perform your own repairs at home or in the field. And it’s not as difficult as most people think. It just takes a little know-how, the right tools, and a willingness to make it work.

Make it last

The No. 1 thing Simonds recommends for keeping gear in good working order is regular scrubbing. “Washing, washing, washing,” Simonds says adamantly. “I can’t stress enough how important keeping your gear clean is going to increase its performance and longevity.”

That goes for sleeping bags, jackets, and even tents. Frequent use often means sweat, and perspiration is the archnemesis of outdoor gear. It dissolves protective coating on fabrics, dries out down and causes it to lose its fluff and warmth, and eats away at waterproof coatings. But don’t just toss everything into the washing machine; special gear requires special care.

Down jackets and sleeping bags should be washed every 50 uses, or at least once a year. When you do, forgo regular detergent that can dry out and damage insulation. Instead, use a product specially made for cleaning down, like Nikwax Down Wash. If your jacket came with a waterproof coating that’s no longer keeping out the rain, wash it the same way you would a down bag and then coat it with a spray-on or wash-in waterproofing product.

Tents should be treated to a thorough cleaning every now and then, too. Especially when camping in dusty or sandy conditions, fine particles make their way into the zipper and damage that part every time you zip and unzip it. The solution: wash with cold water and a non-detergent liquid soap, then hang to dry. Next, hit the fabric with a waterproofing spray to add longevity.

When it’s time to store your gear after a trip, air out your tent, keep down jackets and sleeping bags in a breathable sack to encourage air movement, and don’t leave anything—including boots—in your car. The heat inside a locked vehicle can loosen the laminate and adhesives in new and repaired gear and cause them to peel. Store all your equipment in a cool, dry space to prevent mold, because once mold gets in your tent, it doesn’t come out, Simonds says.

Pack a repair kit

This guy didn’t pack a repair kit and he tripped and fell on his tent. No good. (Deposit Photos/)

No matter how well you maintain your gear and check for damage before you leave, equipment malfunctions will still happen when you’re away from home and without a slew of tools. And it’s there, in the great outdoors, that you’ll often need to perform emergency repairs. So you’ll need to travel prepared.

“It’s pretty tough to fix things on the trail without the parts, so having a repair kit is really helpful,” Simonds says.

It doesn’t have to be extensive, but he suggests keeping on hand a needle and thread, patch kits to seal holes, tent seam grip tape, and one of his favorite items: split-bar buckles that allow you to replace broken buckles without having to cut and sew straps. Shoe glue offers a way to re-adhere peeling soles, rubbing alcohol cleans dirt for better repairs (while doing double-duty sanitizing cuts and scrapes), and duct tape or gaffers tape can serve as a solution for a wide array of problems. But make sure to remove tape from your gear as soon as you get home—the sticky residue is hard to get off if left on for more than a few days.

A repair kit will only provide temporary respite, but that’s often enough when you’re in the wild.

Learn how to make simple repairs

The most common fixes Simonds and his team perform involve zippers. Whether it’s a broken pull tab or a full zipper that needs to be replaced, it’s a tough task to take on yourself, especially on the trail. But there are a few things you can do to make things run a little smoother.

For a sticky zipper that doesn’t want to slide, try cleaning its teeth with a small brush and mild detergent first, if you have it. That will loosen any grit or grime. If that doesn’t work, rubbing candle wax along the full length of the zipper may work as a temporary lubrication fix. If none of that seems to help, it may be time to replace the whole thing. If just the pull has gone missing, you can use a safety pin or paper clip as a stand-in until you can get a replacement.

Broken tent poles are another easy—albeit temporary—fix you can perform on the go. Carry a tent pole sleeve (a metal tube just big enough for your tent poles to slide through), which can act as a splint if a pole has cracked or snapped. If you don’t have a sleeve, you can use a tent stake. Tape whatever you’re using as a brace over the broken section to keep your tent upright.

Punctures in inflatable sleeping pads, though often tough to locate, are usually easy to fix. Many even come with self-adhesive patches to seal small holes. If you’re having trouble finding the leak, you can sponge soapy water onto the inflated pad and look for bubbles caused by escaping air. Put pressure on the pad if bubbles aren’t immediately evident. Mark the area, dry it, clean it with alcohol, and apply a patch. Likewise, you can use a mesh patch kit or repair tape to patch small holes or tears in tents, too.

For rips in clothing, along tent seams, or in jackets or sleeping bags, use ultra-strong repair tape in much the same way you would patch a sleep pad—one of the most popular types is Gear Aid Tenacious Tape. If sewing is required, like with ripped seams and stitches, use a needle and thread made of a material similar to that of the gear you’re repairing. With a peeling tent seam, clean it, then paint seam sealer (there are multiple kinds based on the material of your tent) over the area and let it dry.

Replacement is sometimes necessary

But as responsible as it may be to repair gear instead of ditching it for something new, there are times it might be worth throwing it out. First, consider your needs and preferences. Would the item still work if the issue or damage were repaired? Is there a sentimental aspect to the equipment in question? Is there still plenty of life left in the fabric of your tent but the zippers just need to be replaced? Were you interested in updating your gear closet anyway? Do you have the budget for new stuff or would repairing what you already own save you some cash? Asking these questions can help you decide which route to take.

And if you decide to repair your gear, you can learn all kinds of tips and tricks online or at a local outdoor retailer. REI, for example, offers educational resources on their blog, and AIM Adventure U hosts an online gear maintenance and repair course. Because a little education (and regular maintenance) goes a long way toward making your equipment last.

Written By Alisha McDarris

#DIY

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jonasjjackson · 6 years ago

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New Year Bathroom Remodel

4 Considerations to Make Prior to Starting a DIY Bathroom Remodel

There are obviously a ton of things to consider before you start a bathroom remodel, but here are the top 4 for me in no particular order.

1. Anticipate potential problems to avoid road blocks

2. Be mindful of timeline and budget

Looking back at this project and seeing the finish on my walls, I wish I would’ve also hired out the drywalling and taping, those finishing touches can really make a difference.

3. Prepare for permits and inspections

Please, do your research. Nothing will derail a project like having to rip everything out and do it all over again.

4. Plan your project in manageable steps

Ok enough with mental gymnastics, let’s get to work.

Tear it up!

A reciprocating saw and a demo hammer can be a huge help during a tear down, I actually used the RIDGID MEGAMax, which is both for my remodel.

Rough In

While the plumber was there, I also set the bathtub into a bed of mortar and hooked up the drain. My plumber didn’t want to appear on camera, so I didn’t get any shots of that.

Installing the Delta UPstile System

After installing the tile, you can treat it like usual and grout using whatever color you like. I recommend a bright white grout to match the rest of the tub surround kit.

Tiling the Floor

Installing the Toilet and Sink

Trim Paint and DONE

The post New Year Bathroom Remodel appeared first on The Home Depot Blog.

from Home https://blog.homedepot.com/bathroom-remodel-new-year/ via http://www.rssmix.com/

#construction

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idornaseminary · 7 years ago

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Chapter Sixty-Eight: Beatrice/Calix

And in the end, dear Cedwyn, although I’ve cherished every moment with you, your sweet kiss and tender touch, the simple fact remains that you deserve somebody who longs to be with you. You deserve somebody whose heart aches having to stay even a single night away from you, instead of me who can spend most of a year anywhere else and only think of you once in a blue moon. I have found somebody who fills my soul with sunshine, and makes each day feel like a new adventure. Please don’t wait for me to begin your life anymore, go and search for the woman who will never let your bed grow cold and will give wings to your heart.

Your friend and former lover,

Bea

Beatrice let out a small sigh and stuck her quill back in the ink well, allowing the wet liquid a precious few moments to dry. She bent down and pressed a kiss to the parchment so the imprint of her scarlet lipstick was left behind, carrying the last sentiments of a love once borne to the man she once held dear. Folding the piece of paper up and sealing it with hot purple wax she imprinted with her family crest, she made sure to grab the letter addressed to her mother, tossing the two dispatches into her purse. She wriggled her nose side to side as a mental checklist ran through her mind, making sure she had everything she might need that night in the enchanted taupe leather crossbody bag.

Comfortable trainers? Check. Old t-shirt? Check. Skinny jeans? First aid kit? Check, check. Letters for dad? Check.

A knock sounded on the hard mahogany door, drawing the witch’s attention away from her preparation for the mission that night. She nervously glanced over at Halina’s side of the room, quickly casting a dusting charm that lifted the fine film of grime from the desk, bed, and armoire like a blanket. Turning her attention to the floor length mirror set beside the fireplace, she ran her shaking fingers over the fine black velvet that covered her lean body like a sheath on a sword. She caught her cheek between her teeth as she studied the sparkly stilettos that accentuated the large slit in her skirt rising from her toes and ending just above her left knee, offering a hint of the tribal sleeve wrapped around her thigh. Raising a finger to summon the matching suede jacket that went with her purse, Beatrice swept her long, inky black curls aside as it flew from its place in her closet into her hand.

Another knock rapt against the door, and she quickly tugged the coat on over her sleeveless gown, grabbing her purse and wand before heading out, her heels clicking against the cold hardwood floors. She wrapped her fingers around the doorknob and took in a deep breath, knowing that her night would only get more complicated from here on out. Closing her cat-lined eyes, she quickly opened the door and pasted on a bright smile for the august, flinty man standing patiently waiting on the other side: Garreth Selwyn.

“Hello, Beatrice,” he said placidly, the corners of his white mustache turned up in what she knew was a smile, his hands held open low at his sides for a hug. Typically a straight-laced and imperious man, Garreth acted out of logic and reason, which led him to come across as cold and clinical in his administration of the hospital, and occasionally in his parenting at home.

His daughter beamed up at him and took a step forward, turned her head so her makeup didn’t smudge the pristine white linen of his shirt as he wrapped his strong arms around her. It was genuinely nice to see her father, as she did love him as many daughters love their fathers, but she also knew the was a clock on how much time with her he could handle before he started talking about the hospital again, and that was the last thing she wanted to hear about. “Shall we?” he asked, pulling back and offering her his suit coat clad arm.

She smoothed down the front of her dress and nodded, casting one more quick glance around the room before pulling the mahogany panel shut behind her, casting a silent locking charm on it before her father pulled her too far away.

“Have you heard from mom lately?” Beatrice asked in a small voice as they descended the grand staircase, the train of her dress elegantly trailing down the red-carpeted stairs behind her.

“Not since the funeral,” Garreth said simply, giving the salt and peppered hair of his beard a pensive stroke before resting his free hand on his heart, something his daughter recognized as an attempt not to let his emotions get the best of him.

“You went?” “I owed it to your grandmother.” Beatrice chewed on her bottom lip and nodded, focusing on taking the stairs slowly so she didn’t fall down the remaining four flights. “Would you like to eat here or go into Old Aroon and join the celebration?” she asked, trying her best not to let his solemn exterior put her off. “We could get Tricko��s,” she added in a sing-song tone, instantly perking up at the sight of Calix down below by the entrance to the Great Hall.

“Come here.”

“Piss off, dude!”

“Sam, it’s a mess, come here,” Calix laughed heartily, reaching out his hands to fix his roommate’s shambolically twisted tie, meticulously perfecting the knot before stepping back with a playful wink. “That’s better, buddy. Have some pride in yourself.”

Sam shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly, his cheeky smile lighting up his face. “Hey, I don’t really care if it’s a mess. Once the party gets going in Roderick’s, I will not be wearing it for long.”

“Just try and keep your shirt on this year, okay?”

“I was Superman!”

“I don’t care,” Calix said, “I couldn’t give two tuttany-fucks if you were the King of Sheba, keep your god-damn shirt on.”

“Fine, I will,” Sam said, rolling his eyes dramatically like a scolded child. “Your costume looks really cool too, dude. It looks super realistic.”

Calix thanked him, glancing at one of the long mirrors framed in gold and silver that lined the Great Hall, proud of the illusionary charm that made his facial bones seem to jut out through the thin skin ever so gently, strong, dark lines tracing the shape of his jaw and cheekbones, his eyes sunk maliciously into his skull and the colour fading for the preference of pallor; it didn’t flatter his appearance, but it suited the occasion.

Sam looked over Calix’s shoulder, towards the grand staircase with wide eyes as his roommate checked his handiwork, “Shit, dude. Your girl has just arrived - I’m telling you, you are one lucky, lucky man.”

Calix spun excitedly on his heels, his heart soaring with delight to hear that Beatrice was ready for the evening. Calix hadn’t seen her all day, not since the morning before, and he was beginning to miss her precious company. But, as he glanced towards the red-carpet flowing down the magnificent staircase, a lump formed in his throat behind the courteous grin as he recognised the gentleman descending beside his beautiful Beatrice.

Garreth Selwyn.

Calix’s boss at St. Mungo’s.

Oh, Christ...

Her heart skipped a beat as they got closer to Calix and his roommate, Sam, and as much as Beatrice wanted nothing more than to run over to her boyfriend, wrap her arms around his neck, and leap into his arms, she knew that the sight of such a spectacle would not be tolerated by her father. She tried to control her smile from growing into a full-blown grin, causing her cheeks to cramp up, which made it somewhat easier to feign indifference. Garreth, oblivious to the warring tide of emotions rolling around in his daughter’s mind, followed her gaze to the pair of young men standing in their Halloween costumes at the bottom of the staircase, presumably waiting for their dates for the evening. Apart from fyrsta tunglið, Halloween was the best night on Isle Velum to let loose and party, and there was no doubt in his mind that the two gentleman patiently standing guard would have a wonderful time. The closer they got, the more he realized he knew one of the two youths, deciding to approach them with his daughter. “Pardon me, but is that…” he paused, eyes crinkling at the corners as a loud, jolly laugh escaped his lips. “Calix Galen, as I live and breathe. It’s wonderful to see you, young man,” he exclaimed, momentarily dropping Beatrice’s arm to extend a handshake to the former intern.

“Dr. Selwyn,” Calix said sophisticatedly, forcing the words past the crippling tightness in his dry throat, praying that when the sound hit the air his voice didn’t dissolve into nothingness. “It’s a pleasure to see you again. It had absolutely no idea you frequented Idorna at Halloween.”

He stole one single glance at Beatrice, his eyes conveying the surprise and stupefaction he was experiencing momentarily before his gentlemanly grace returned as rapidly as the confusion had broken through.

“Dr. Selwyn, this is my roommate, Samuel Jones,” Calix said, stepping aside to introduce his friend, who unfortunately was less proficient at hiding his swirling emotions beneath a colorful facade. “He was just leaving, he has quite a lot to do this evening, I fear.”

Sam, relieved at the opportunity Calix was providing him, nodded his head violently: “I do, I do. I best leave you both. I’ll see you later Calix.”

“I usually don’t attend, but I had to make a special allowance this year for my daughter,” Garreth said, gesturing to Beatrice beside him though his gaze stayed transfixed on the talented young mediwizard.

The petite Samoan witch couldn’t help but smile, gleefully surprised that for a split second her father’s attention wasn’t on her. However, the revelation that the two most important men in her life knew each other was startling to say the very least. She pressed a hand to her mouth, trying to stifle the onslaught of laughs that threatened to burst from her dark red lips and expose them both. Clearing her throat she shook her head and took in a deep breath, nearly shaking as she tried to remain composed. “We were just heading down to Old Aroon to join in the celebration,” she said politely, hoping to offer him an opportunity to leave as she tried to tug the old man away from the two handsome wizards.

Garreth grinned and nodded, once more offering his arm to his daughter, who easily took it though she would much rather have been by her boyfriend’s side. “You should join us, Calix. It’s a lovely night out and I’d love to catch up with both of you. Join us, please.”

Sam clapped Calix’s shoulder roughly as he promptly ran away, his cowering tail between his legs, conveying a wishful whisper of good luck and prosperity. Meeting Beatrice’s gorgeous eyes, a small part of Calix wanted to follow his friend, to avoid the seething awkwardness and tension and discomfort that could potentially threaten to destroy the foundation of his new relationship in the company of his girlfriend’s father. But, he couldn’t walk away now - he wanted to spend his time with her. He wanted to treat her right, though his ideas of a romantic evening were slowly disappearing with every passing second.

“It would be my pleasure,” Calix said gallantly, knowing his future with Beatrice - and his future as a mediwizard at St. Mungo’s - lay in the hands of the gentleman whose gaze was transfixed with pride. “Provided I am not disturbing either of you and you don’t mind my current state of appearance, and I insist I pay my own way. Honestly, I’m quite glad I wore something formal this evening.”

Beatrice blushed as she looked down at her elegant gown, wondering if her father hadn’t shown up, where it might have ended up later. She couldn’t help but smile at the chivalrous young man who had knowingly signed up for one of the most awkward evenings Rodrick’s would likely ever see. It warmed her heart to no end that he chose to spend the evening with her, even though it meant her father tagging along for the ride, making her even more certain about the letter to Cedwyn sitting in her purse.

“Nonsense, my boy,” Garreth said, clapping a hand on the young man’s shoulder, his strong, weathered fingers briefly digging into his arm like a hawk’s talons. “It’s my treat. I’m disrupting your plans, the very least I can do is offer you a delicious meal and pleasant company. I insist,” he said, leading the unlikely trio out of the castle, down towards the carriages waiting at the gates below.

“Pleasant company indeed,” Calix mused, throwing his stormy eyes, deep-set in his skull, towards Beatrice as Garreth Selwyn released his powerful grip, a bruise-inducing gesture that left Calix’s skin brightly coloured after his first internship at St. Mungo’s, when he had been under the watchful eye of Dr. Selwyn every day.

As they walked to the Threstal-drawn carriages, Calix exchanged polite and polished small talk with his girlfriend and her father, often on medical matters which Calix disappointingly knew alienated Beatrice. He tried to carefully steer the conversation in more suitable, inclusive directions, but Garreth was a stubborn man and he always found a way to question Calix’s opinion on the efficacy of one spell or another or the stupidities expressed in some of the prescribed textbooks at Idorna, valuing the young mediwizard’s idiosyncratic approach to healing and nurture.

Calix found himself gripping the soft skin of his mouth tight between his teeth while they travelled to Old Aroon, leaving pitted marks on the inside of his cheek, before he accidentally let a loving nickname slip past his pale lips, tinged with black and purple as the illusion altered the structure of his face in the moonlight. He was finding it incredibly difficult not to sit next to Beatrice, not to hold her small hand in his, not to kiss her rosy cheek and whisper softly in her ear about his intentions for the evening before Enzo’s contentious plan brought the joyous celebration to an abrupt and dangerous conclusion.

Arriving in the hectic and strenuous village, alive with the new and old of Idorna, Garreth exited the carriage first, stepping onto the cobble streets. When he wasn’t looking, Calix quickly leaned across and placed a soft kiss on Beatrice’s lips, pulling back before Garreth turned around again to assist his daughter out of the carriage.

That should be my job!

Beatrice couldn’t help but find the whole situation highly amusing, and if she was being completely honest, entirely frustrating. Her father and mother had their specific allotted times throughout the year to be with her, and this was definitely not part of the agreement. Idorna, much like Hogwarts, was her safe haven, even if her father had also attended both schools, they never had to be there at the same time. This was a breach of confidence in Beatrice’s eyes, and having to step back into the shoes of an aristocratic young lady with the world at her feet, ready for her taking was not in her plan for the next several months. Though, it was a facade she wore particularly well.

As her father escorted the pair of them back into the ancient town teeming with students- both old and new -from Idorna, Beatrice smiled over at Calix and blew him a small kiss. The trio stepped inside Rodrick’s pub to find it packed, not that any of them were surprised by this fact, Garreth least of all. He cleared his throat and turned his back to the crowd he towered over, smiling down at his daughter and his protege.

“I’ll go find us a booth if you would like to get the first round of drinks,” he said, handing a little leather pouch teeming with Galleons to Beatrice before heading off in pursuit of a place the three of them could sit. Not more than a moment after he was gone, she turned to Calix and leaned up, cupping his gaunt cheek in her hand, setting a soft, eager kiss to his pale lips. “I’m so so so sorry, lo’u alofa,” she gushed, lacing their fingers together as the crowd around them protected the young couple from the sight of her father. “This was not how I wanted to spend my night with you at all.”

Calix welcomed the loving kiss wholehearted, wrapping his strong arms around his girlfriend’s petite waist as the peanut-crunching crowd, goggle-eyed and staring at the young couple in their affections, shielded their hidden intimacies. “Stop apologising, sweetheart, I still get to spend my night with you. That’s all I want. But, did you really have to wear a dress like that, a stór?” He planted little kisses and laughter along the curvature of her neck, pecking at the delicate skin, careful not to leave any dishonest marks that would be immediately identified by a talented and successful healer. “You go get the drinks, yeah? I’ll go find your father and keep him company. Get me just a water, okay - it’s gonna be a long night.”

Hugging Beatrice tight to his chest, his skeleton-gaunt lips nipping at her ear, he reluctantly let her slip away from his warm embrace as he meandered awkwardly through the rhapsodic crowd to the cosy booth, in a darker corner of Roderick’s where the roaring music was not so loud and obnoxious as to drive all sane thoughts from Calix’s mind, and where Garreth Selwyn was sitting patiently.

A happy sigh slipped between her lips, tugging a little moan of longing out with it as Beatrice watched her boyfriend wander back towards her father and the beginning of what was already expected to be a terribly long evening. She turned towards the bar and ordered a butterbeer, a double shot of firewhiskey straight up, and a glass of water, patiently waiting amongst the crowd of inebriated students and alumni.

I really hope you tell my dad about us, Cal. I don’t know how much longer I can keep pretending you’re just like everybody else.

Garreth let out a loud sigh and grinned at Calix, having unbuttoned his suit coat, his long, languid arm stretched out along the back of the booth where he sat patiently waiting opposite the youthful mediwizard. “So,” he started off, glancing over his shoulder before casting a silent bubble around their table, prohibiting passersby from listening into their conversation, his bright blue eyes darkening. “Tell me about the four patients in the Infirmary.”

Letting a small sigh pass his thin lips, his body aching to be pressed against the warmth of his love, Calix waved his hands in a wide arch, crossing them in front of his face. The eerie illusion evanesced into dissolution, fullness and strength blossoming and returning to his features. He leaned forward, arms folded on the cold table, as the last of the magic vanished into the ether. His grey eyes, heavy with emotion and longing, travelled across the bar to where he could recognised the flow of Beatrice’s black gown, before returning to the gentleman sitting across from him. His mind began to whirr and spin, memories of the fallen cascading over him like heavy rainfall.

“So, you’ve heard,” Calix said, not in the least bit surprised, “To be honest, I’ve never seen anything like it before. They’ve been unresponsive for weeks now, since the Quidditch match. Completely and utterly unresponsive to all stimulation, nothing has worked. And clinically, they’re perfectly fine. Perfectly fine, but they just won’t wake up. I know it’s not a disease, I know it’s a not a bug or a magical creature, it’s magic, pure, unaltered magic. It’s a spell or a charm or a curse or a hex, something old, rooted in dead magic, long forgotten or replaced by modern simplicities. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

The older wizard hummed softly and stroked his beard, jaw clenched tightly as he pondered the medical conundrum. Finally speaking as he saw his daughter start to make her way over to the booth, levitating a tray of drinks above her head, he leaned in slightly. “Perhaps, if it’s an old curse, logic follows that there must be an old remedy to release them,” he said, combing his fingers through his head full of grey hair, sitting back as Beatrice arrived. “Thank you, my dear,” he said, picking up the glass filled with firewhiskey, taking a minute sip. “Calix and I were just having a friendly chat.” She grinned and let out a relieved sigh, inhaling the calming familiar scent of sugary cherry blossoms washing over her as she slid into the red leather clad booth beside her boyfriend. “I’m so glad to hear that,” she said. Before she allowed her father a chance to further explain, she leaned over and claimed a quick kiss from Calix, her delicate hand sliding up the inside of his leg from his knee under the table.

Calix nodded his head, the dark memories of the fallen students replaced by the radiant and splendid allure and loveliness of Beatrice as she sat beside him, his fickle and disloyal skin beginning to colour a scandalous pink as she drew close, without the protective illusion covering his face. Calix bit his lip gently at the sight of her, the soft curve of her neck and the sallow colouration of her skin, bathed in honied cinnamon, captivated and enamoured him, like a moth to a majestic flame. As he watched her, with love and devotion, he didn’t recognise her movements until it was too late.

He felt her soft lips against his, her warm breath on his skin as his thundering heart filled his body with sensual blood lamenting her previous departure. To fight against the tide of his emotions, his yearning and her ministrations, was nugatory, a fruitless, profitless and pointless endeavour. So, Calix simply let the kiss take. When the warmth of her hand pressed against his inner thigh however, he slowly pulled away, his stormy eyes betraying his worry and embarrassment when the thought of Beatrice’s father, his boss and mentor, who was fully unaware of their entanglement, was now a unwilling and unintentional witness to their displays of passion.

What the fuck… What did she just do… Does he already know? What the fuck…

She pulled back a few inches and batted her long, thick eyelashes innocently at the paralyzed expression frozen on the face of her boyfriend, unsure why she felt his body go rigid like a corpse beneath her fingers. “What’s wrong?” she whispered, setting a hand lightly on his chest as if to calm his heart, beginning to beat out of time in a blind panic that struggled to keep a rhythm.

Garreth sat up straight, his thick, white bushy eyebrows furrowing in confusion, shoulders squaring as a soldier preparing for a battle would. He opened his mouth and closed it again, looking down at the glass in front of him, quickly downing the rest of the burning liquid contents before sending it flying back to the bar for a refill. “Darling,” he started off in a growl, looking over at his daughter who sat curled up beside his apprentice, her arms draped seductively across his shoulders. “Calix and I were talking about the four students in the Infirmary, but I think what you wanted to talk about is a far more pressing matter entirely,” he stated through clenched teeth.

Calix’s eyes fluttered and quivered back and forth between Beatrice, batting her eyelashes like an innocent without any idea as to serious consequences of her rambunctious actions, and Garreth, who was glaring viciously at the mediwizard he held in high regard with roaring anger and a double shot of firewhiskey in his blood. The proximity of his girlfriend’s body to his, and the responses he couldn’t control when she was flush to his skin, left Calix dumbfounded for the first time, losing all command of language and his mastery of words. The kiss was a crippling indictment of their love and Beatrice’s sudden affections, her hands roaming Calix’s body freely and unrestrainedly in ways that she previously confined only to their most private moments, sealed the unforeseen confession of their relationship.

“I hadn’t said anything to your father about us, Bea,” Calix whispered, glancing across the table when the mental gears provided him with the ability to speak once more, desperate to diffuse the situation before it escalated any further, “We were talking medicine.”

“Oh.” Beatrice nodded slowly and picked up her chilled crystal mug of butterbeer, downing half of the sweet boozy fluid before turning to her father with a sweet smile playing on her lips. “So, umm…” she paused and ran her fingers through her wild indigo curls, allowing the alcohol time to enter her bloodstream and provide her with the courage she needed to get through the exchange without bursting into tears, or worse, yelling at her father.

“As you know, Dad, since graduating Hogwarts, Cedwyn and I have been on again, off again for quite some time now. And, quite frankly, I’m done with it. He never wanted a bigger commitment from me, and even if he did, I don’t know that I would be willing to accept. If you could make sure he receives this, I’d greatly appreciate it,” she explained as she pulled the letter addressed to him from her purse, setting it on the table in front of her father.

She turned towards the handsome, compassionate, albeit enervated man to her right and took his hand in hers, lacing their fingers together. “Calix has been my friend for quite some time now. He even saved my life a few weeks ago, and he makes me happier than I ever thought possible. I wake up in the morning, excited to start the day because I know he’s there, waiting patiently to hear about it. He inspires me and makes me push myself to be a better person because I know he deserves it,” she explained, staring into the terrified stormy grey eyes of her boyfriend, stroking the back of his hand with her thumb as she spoke. “We’ve only been dating for a few weeks, and I know that you of all people frown on such strong emotions so early in a relationship, so I’ll spare you the words themselves, but Calix makes me happy, and I hope you can at the very least respect that.”

Calix, waiting for the emotional and tempestuous rollercoaster to begin, listened eagerly and intently to Beatrice’s amorous and torrid outpouring of sentiment, the rigor and rigidity of his paralysed muscles loosening as her loving words, packed with kindness and open honesty about the joy and happiness of their newly founded relationship, filled him with pride and admiration, and a sheer, unsurmountable delight at being the one man who could call Beatrice Selwyn ‘his.’ He even ignored the mention of someone called Cedwyn.

As she knitted their fingers together, Calix wrapped his strong arm reassuringly around Beatrice’s waist, pulling her forcefully to the side and down onto his shoulder, cradling her head in his arms. He placed a long kiss on the crown of her head, his fingers running through her feral curls, whispering soft words to her at her diatribal outburst of passion.

“Garreth,” Calix said, his voice stronger, more refined and passional, inspired by the words of his girlfriend and his desire to keep making her happy. “I’m very sorry that you had to find out this way. It was never my intention to spring something of this magnitude on you, in a bar, surrounded by people. I would hope you know me well enough to understand that I would never want that, but, now that you know, I need you to understand without any shred of doubt or hesitation, that I love your daughter. I love her. I do. I probably don’t say it enough, maybe it’s too early to start saying it, but…”

Calix looked down into Beatrice’s eyes, half-clouded over: “I love you, Beatrice Selwyn.”

She couldn’t help but smile up at her boyfriend, her eyes brimming with tears, bottom lip trembling as she leaned up and stole another kiss, this one sweeter and more meaningful than the few pecks they had managed to squeeze in earlier in the night. “I love you too, Calix Galen,” she purred softly, giving his warm hand a soft squeeze, tenderly setting her forehead against his.

She let out a soft laugh and cupped his cheek in her hand, committing the way his rough five-o’clock shadow felt under her plump fingertips; the way his long brown hair caught the dim light in the dark corner of the bar; the way her leg curled over his beneath the table and the toe of her shoe sat pressed against his ankle; even the disapproving way Garreth cleared his throat and studied the contents of his glass.

Garreth downed his glass a second time and quickly tucked the letter into the breast pocket of his fine suit coat, clasping his hands together as he turned to the enamored couple in front of him, mulling over what he wanted to say. “Calix?” he asked, struggling to keep the protective malice out of his voice as he studied the way his beautiful daughter held him close.

Calix savoured the sweet kiss, holding her cheek in the roughness of his palm and moving his lips delicately with hers. In that moment, all he desired was Beatrice and her happiness - everything in the world was either a joyous agent to enhance her jubilation, and Calix wanted to give her nothing but jouissance, or catalysts that accelerated the appearance of disconsolateness and disconsolation that Calix wanted to eliminate from her life.

Holding her tight to his chest, he turned his head towards Garreth, noting the malice and hostility seething in his voice, in the tightness of his muscles and the changing of his chemistry. Calix could sense his protective instincts, his paternal need to keep his daughter safe, burning the air around in the wooden booth, the rancid smell of ozone and worry hanging around like spectres.

“Yes?”

“If you’re going to date my daughter, I hope you well know that I expect you to call me ‘Garreth’ from here on out, unless we happen to be at the hospital, in which case, I know you’ll be the model of professionalism,” he said, swallowing the lump in his throat as the spell for a stinging hex swirled around his mind, ready for firing if the young wizard stepped a toe out of line. He stood up and held out a hand for Calix to shake, noticing a colleague of his, Dr. Evans, sitting alone at the bar sipping lightly at a glass of wine.

Calix, releasing a lungful of air he hadn’t realised he was holding since Garreth had called his name, protective charms flooding his mind as his mentor’s chemistry swung rapidly towards aggressive assault before mellowing slowly. Still holding Beatrice close to him, he reached across and firmly shook Garreth’s rough hand, a gentleman’s understanding between them, a special comprehension that only they would share, a blessing for continuation that needed no words - they knew exactly what the other was thinking, sensing every emotion in the biochemistry.

“I wouldn’t want it any other way,” Calix sighed softly, looking down at Beatrice with a genuine grin of delight. “Thank you, Garreth. I mean it, thank you.” The older Welsh wizard gave a curt nod and offered his daughter a small smile, holding his arms out for another hug, which she happily accepted, burying her face in her father’s chest, the smell of burning ozone and antiseptic calming her for once. “Thank you, Dad,” she said, trying to hold back the tears until he was gone. “Come see me off tomorrow morning, please,” he whispered, pressing a whiskery kiss to her forehead. “I’ll leave you two up to your mischief now. Just, please, try not to get into any serious trouble,” he added, narrowing his eyes at Calix for a split second before a more congenial mask slid into place. “Goodnight you two,” Garreth called over his shoulder as he turned and left, going to sit beside his old friend and former protege.

Beatrice let out a small, relieved laugh as she turned around to face her boyfriend, feeling as though a huge weight was lifted off her chest. “What now, my love?” she asked, setting her slender hands in his.

“This,” he smiled, wrapping his arms around her in a vice-like grip and pulling her down onto his chest, falling backward onto the plush, leather seat in hysterics. The protective bubble reappeared, pink mist swirling to replaced Garreth’s magic, blocking out the sound of his laughter to the outside world as he kissed his girlfriend sweetly on the lips, cuddling her close to him like his favourite stuffed teddy.

“I think that went well? Here’s hoping the rest of the night goes as smoothly.”

Beatrice giggled and ran her fingers through his hair, her silver painted nails gently tracing the shell of his ears, her warm chocolate eyes settled on his. “I hope so too,” she murmured, butterbeer laced breath warming the air between them as her lips found his again in a joyfully passionate kiss.

#Script #Beatrice #Calix #BeatricexCalix

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sherlocklexa · 7 years ago

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Dining Room Hutch Makeover: Painting Furniture with No Sanding, No Priming, No Sealer

This post has been created in partnership with Beyond Paint. All opinions are my own.

When we moved into our home my very favorite thing, and the reason I fell in love with this home were all the built-ins. Who doesn't love a good built in?

This built-in hutch in the dining room particularly sealed the deal.

The saddest day was when we realized, it would have to go… The built-in in the dining room made the space too small for an actual dining table, and we ended up removing three walls of built-ins to capture a little bit of extra space. It was a sad day for Remodelaholic-kind.

The best news was that we were able to remove the built in in one piece.

Heavenly hosts were singing above!

So, we transferred it to the opposite wall in the kitchen… While it isn't technically “built-in” anymore, it is very much still alive and kicking in our house.

A few years ago I saw a built-in hutch that had been painted orange, and for about 4 years, I've been planning on painting our built in orange. (Design by Lucy Interior Design)

I know some of you are cringing.

I realize I am going to get hate comments for painting wood, but truly, it's my house and it brings me joy, and the haters don't have anything to do with it…

Stepping off the soap box…. backing away slowly.

Painted Dining Room Hutch Makeover

No Sanding, No Priming, No Sealer

So, recently I was contacted by Beyond Paint to see if I wanted to try out their product. They happen to have an all in one product that has primer, finisher and sealer in one! No sanding required! Also according to the packaging, it should bond to almost any surface, (wood, granite, tile, Plastic, metal, glass laminate varnish, Polyurethane and linoleum…- I've only tried sealed wood personally) The paint has more pigment for better coverage and it is GREEN- well, it comes in several colors, but green as in Non-Toxic, or Hazardous air pollutants free!!

They also had a pretty red-orange color called Poppy, and I thought, well, maybe it is the hutch's day at last?!

I tested the red. (on a little piece of cardboard and hung it on the hutch- forgot to take a picture and I looked at it for a few days to see how it would look…)

It matched really well with our vintage 60 year old tribal rug and the curtains in our front rooms, and works with our bright orange chairs in the dining room… (did I mention I like color?)

And so I decided to try it out.

The product kit came with very detailed instructions and a kit of tools.

The first and one of the most important steps is cleaning and prepping the wood. The surface must be oil, wax, grease and dirt free! So I disassembled it all and cleaned each door drawer and faceframe individually really well. I also had to remove the glass shelves and ALL my dishes on said glass shelves… my kitchen went from clean to way messed up in about 3 minutes flat!

For cleaning, I used Simple Green and scrubbed really thoroughly. The hutch itself was actually pretty clean – because when I first moved into the house I cleaned this hutch within an inch of it's life! But I wanted to make sure the paint adhered really well, so I scrubbed again! For your info, other cleaner options are mineral spirits, or a vinegar water solution. By cleaning this will give the surface “tooth” for the paint to bond to. (SIDE NOTE: TSP will leave a phosphate residue unless it is rinsed very well, so you have been warned!)

Next I taped the mirror for easier clean up.

I stacked the drawers up on my counter to paint them with boards in between… I didn't even empty the drawers. #slackerorgenius you decide!

I started painting by testing the paint on the back of one door. I fooled around with how to get the paint on the door and what worked best.

I started using the provided and brand recommenced 1/2 or 1/4 inch woven fabric nap roller. But for my personal taste, I like my furniture finishes to be as smooth as possible. So I tried out my foam roller. Which I liked better. Because I didn't follow the exact rules of the brand and did thinner coats, I did have to add a third coat – BUT if I had followed the rules I really wouldn't have needed to, so that is all on me!

Drying time for each coat is about 2-4 hours on average, (unless your area is humid and you might need a bit more time) So, I let it dry and did a second coat to be sure I would really like what I was doing before really committing… Remember this hutch is my baby.

I got into all the cracks with the paintbrush the kit provides, then I used my own foam roller to smooth out any lines and get as clean of a finish as possible.

I chose to go with 3 very thin paint layers rather than 2 thicker layers- which you can do by all means, but I like the smooth feel (and can I admit I sort of like the look of the wood grain showing through the paint…anyone else with me on that?)

While going through the process we did decide that we would leave the top 4 doors off… somehow it updated the look of the hutch to me SO much! I'll show you the afters and you can decide for yourself. And yes, I didn't even take the lower dishes out to paint the frame, I'm a rebel at heart!

When you are done painting, just remember that while the beyond paint will be dry in about 2-4 hours, it is sometimes still sensitive to chipping until is has undergone an initial sure period of 2-3 days. Additionally, allow it to fully cure for 30 days before scrubbing it down for any reason! If you have any remaining paint, store it in a cool dry place. I used 1 full bottle/container on my hutch.

Once you've allowed for curing time, you can put everything back on there!

The one kind of controversial decision I made in this makeover … was to keep the original hardware.

I wasn't ready to commit to anything else. It did take me 4 years to commit to even painting the hutch, so I'm just trying to take baby steps. And I KNOW when I do end up picking new hardware it will be expensive, because I want really cool brush gold hardware…

BUT I LOVE how it turned out. And as much as I have been gunned for bright orange, I am glad I went a little safer with this gorgeous red.

What do you think with the doors off on top? Better or worse?

Thanks to Beyond Paint for partnering with me on this project. All opinions are my own. To purchase Beyond Paint, you can shop at a participating Ace Hardware store or visit AceHardware.com. To learn more about Beyond Paint products, visit BeyondPaint.com.

The post Dining Room Hutch Makeover: Painting Furniture with No Sanding, No Priming, No Sealer appeared first on Remodelaholic.

from car2 http://ift.tt/2sEDkJs via as shown a lot

#car2

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chocdono · 7 years ago