This vintage footstool has seen better days. Instead of throwing it out and buying a new one, I’m just giving this one a new life.

To cover it, I’m using corduroy. You can use any heavy fabric like denim, drapery fabric, canvas, etc. You need a piece of fabric that is at least a couple inches bigger than the top plus the depth of the sides. This was a remnant that only cost a couple dollars.

You need a few simple supplies: a hammer, some small nails and a pair of scissors.

Lay out the fabric, wrong side up. Place the footstool on it like so.

Fold up an edge and start hammering!

I started with one nail on each of the four sides. Then, I turned the footstool over to make sure my stripes were lined up. Then I started working my way out from the middle to the corners.

When you get to the corner, make a pleat or fold that looks nice to you and nail in place. Cut away the excess fabric.

The finished footstool should look something like this.

Place it in your room and enjoy!

My total should have been $17.80. After coupons and discount, I paid just $5.93! That’s almost the cost of just the milk and bread (value $5.76) or approximately 66% savings.

If you’re wondering, this is at least a year’s supply of pasta. My total should have been $28.38. After coupons and price matching, I  paid $12.79. That’s like paying for the pasta (value $12.96) and getting everything else for free! This is approximately a savings of 55%.

Hopefully, soon I can find the time to share my couponing tips and strategies for all of you who are new to the game.

The geese had been contentedly standing on the falls, but proceeded to menace us when they realized we had food. They advanced on us like hungry zombies until Michael verbally threatened to bean one with his backpack. Go eat someone else’s chicken salad sandwiches!

There were only a  few families with dogs and a few old men fishing in the midday sun. Smell that fresh St. Joe River air!

Michael and I headed down to the beach. And by beach, I mean garbage-strewn, loose rock covered patch of dirt. Michael picked up a seashell (rivershell?). I had no idea that the St. Joe had mollusks! We collected half a ziptop baggie of shells in all sizes and colors.

Michael tried to catch one of the many crayfish hanging out on the rocks in the shallows. They were too wiley and too quick.

This guy was, apparently, not fast enough.

The empty exoskeleton was completely intact. Poor guy. (Is anyone else thinking lobster?)

Collecting shells and studying water-dwelling creatures together turned our trip to the nearby Riverwalk into a day of wonder and discovery. (And left me craving a shrimp cocktail.)

Candace went to Chicago and picked up this 3 tier rice box as a gift for me. I’ve been wanting one for ages! Michael pointed out that I already pack lunches that are way too big, but this will be perfect for camping, cookouts and picnics.

Thank you, Candace, for being such a good friend.

The last day is bittersweet. You want to savor the time you have last, but there are the practicalities of packing up and getting ready to leave.

W started the day with toast, eggs and corned beef hash. We spent the remainder of our day staring into the white-hot ashes that still smoldered in our fire ring.

After goofing around in the playground and gathering more wild onion…

…We went back to our real lives.

We hit the links for a round of mini-golf.

I made a hole in one. Is Professional Ladies Mini-Golfer a viable career option?

For lunch: brats and dogs made on our nifty campstove.

Michael found a quarter while we were walking and I found another in our campsite. Score!

A customer with an evil bent gave me the idea to roast Peeps instead of marshmallows.

Mu-ha-ha-ha!

Camping is all about making do with what you have. I needed to cook two things in one small skillet. So I made a tiny pan insert with foil. Viola! Green beans simultaneously, but separately cooking with mushrooms and wild onion.

Michael grilled the steak and I made the (instant) garlic mashed potatoes.

As we sat in front of the fire eating our sumptuous meal, I remarked, “I bet no one else here is eating this well tonight.”

Michael wanted to camp for his birthday. I used to be a KOA Kamper Kabin girl, but a few years ago I tried tent camping and found… it wasn’t too bad.

Here’s Michael saying “Are you really taking a picture of me putting up the tent?” Check out our hoopty Betsy in the background.

Since it was supposed to get down to 34*, we made a bed with about 1,000 blankets on it (thanks to and ).

It still seemed damn cold, so I stuffed the tent cover with newspaper. We had to run the space heater all night. So much for being green…

To keep warm we walked around the nearly deserted Kampground. This is a view from the hiking trail.

Michael contemplating his upcoming birthday. No, probably thinking about dinner…

A view  of the empty Kampground. There were 4 or 5 RVers and no other Kampers. We had the bathrooms and showers all to ourselves.

Campsite with electricity for 2 nights: $52

Three days in Crocs: priceless

Watching my husband trying to make a basket: more than priceless

After dinner and toasting our toes in front of the campfire, we retired to the tent to watch on YouTube. Oh, c’mon, it’s not like we were hiking the Smokies! We were in Granger for Pete’s sake!

This was only the second time I’ve gone camping in “cold” weather. Camping is always an adventure and who better to go on one with than my hubby and best friend, Michael.

Sometimes the smallest thing can make or break my day. A jerk can make me stew in anger for hours. Or a nice guy can make me smile to myself all day.

A young man, young enough to be my… ahem, brother asked me a question this morning about Big Box Mart’s return policy. I called the Return Desk to double check policy. The man laughed at the woman on the other end as she was so loud I didn’t even have to repeat what she said.

As he went to walk away, he said “You know who you look like?”

A few names went through my head, mostly unflattering comparisons to celebrities I don’t feel I resemble at all.

“That girl from Titanic.”

Kate Winslet? Really? Thanks! I don’t think I’ve smiled that gratefully and genuinely in a while.

He told me to have a good day as he left. You betcha I will!

She snuck back to the party and nabbed these:

Not pictured: The candle I have burning in the living room right now. Thanks Candace!

(Approximate value: $17.00)

“But I don’t want to ride Santa, Mommy!”

(My pic taken in a local pancake house.)