March 21, 2009

Ghetto Mama

I think my husband sometimes wonders what he got himself into when he married me. Not that I blame him. I don't even know what I'll do next! Its very disconcerting at times.

But I was desperate! No, I was just sick of it, pure and simple.

I was tired of this:

And sick of this:
I just couldn't take the mess anymore!! Its tricky trying to fit the belongings of three children into one closet. Kids outgrow things, so they need more things and you can't get rid of the old things because the next kid is growing into things!

But the toys, oh the toys are the worst. First, the kids never play with their toys because when its all put away everything is stacked up and pushed back and they can't see what there is to play with. So when they do go to find something, everything gets dumped out in the search.

I had had it.

I decided it was time to take drastic measures... I wanted to add a shelf.

But here's the predicament; I didn't want to spend any money on it! Surely there must be enough something around this apartment to put together a make-shift shelf!

So, me and Pooh Bear sat down in out thoughtful spots together to think. He with his honey, and me with my chocolate. Think think, think think.


Then, it came to me. An idea so ghetto that it just might work!

The crib!!

Pulling out the tape measure, I went to work. I couldn't believe it, it would actually fit!

Let me explain.

The first crib we ever got was one my mother-in-law found for us. Someone was throwing it away because it was broken. Its white, its metal, its ugly. But hey, I didn't care, a free crib! So at 10 months old, Savannah graduated from her pack n' play to her first crib.

It did its job well. But when we had three kids and Joseph was able to pull some of the metal bars out the slots, I thought that perhaps we should get a new one.

I soon found another, slightly less broken crib and bought it off someone for like, $50. A least it was wood and a bit more sturdy.

When Joseph graduated to a bed we took that old metal crib apart and stashed it away.

So, when I had the idea to use the crib pieces, I felt like I genius! Granted, a ghetto genius, but a genius nontheless.

I pulled out the side pieces of the crib and set them against the walls. Then I pulled out the bottom piece to act as the actual shelf. It was just a bit too wide so I had to take the closet door off.

I know, my husband already pointed out that I should have just pulled out the pins but I couldn't get them to budge! So, I just took out the screws.

Next, I tied each corner of the bottom slat to the side pieces using some old denim strips that I had cut from Luke's jeans.

Before you start thinking that Luke is wondering around the apartment wondering wear his jeans went, I will point out they were from his old holey jeans that I'm cutting squares out of to make a jean quilt... someday... assuming someone will show me how... and let me borrow a sewing machine... anyway.....
Even the kids tried to help. Notice the piece of rope?

Now I just needed to fill in the spaces between the bars.

Yup, you guessed it! Okay, so you probably didn't but I used some diaper boxes and laid them on top of the bars! It looked awful, but it was effective.

Then I put a sheet on top of the boxes in order to maintain some sense of non-ghetto decency. Now, all I had left was to put the toys away.

Tada!


The one, the only, homemade ghetto closet shelf!

I was actually able to fit some extra toys in there and made just a tiny bit more space in their bedroom! Yea!

Honestly, I'm not entirely sure I should be proud of myself or just down-right ashamed. Either way, at least it works!

You may now officially call me "Ghetto Mama"!

12 super cool people speak:

Elizabeth said...

That is a ghetto masterpiece! :) I am quite impressed, you are ingenious!

Serene is my name, not my life! said...

LOL! Thanks!

ldsjaneite said...

It's called Frugal, not ghetto. And it's very clever and creative. Functional, too, which a thing ought to be if it possibly can. :-)

pcNut said...

UNBELIEVABLE! It's AWESOME Serene! I wish I had created something so practically beautiful and organized myself!!! It looks GREAT!
(Maybe this says something of my ghetto side:)

Serene is my name, not my life! said...

Functional. LOL, yes, it is that!

And Sarah, I can just picture you yelling that comment into my ear over the phone! Makes me laugh just thinking about it!

Mama Smith said...

Sweetheart...you have been a "creative" Ghetto individual since you were a child...Remember the make shirt hangers and things you made in the closet in your BEDROOM ROOM (my OFFICE you took over?)VERY EFFICIENT I thought...and CHEAP!!! Hmmm...and we thought CALEB...was the "frugal" one...in the family...(I was going to say the "term" Abe calls him...but decided it might be misunderstood...by those who don't know our family...) (smile)

Sarah said...

Frugal is fantastic! Love it.

ldsjaneite said...

Ha ha, Sister Smith. I know what term that is! Thanks for the laugh and smile. :-)

pennylutz said...

I think that's a brilliant idea!

Tarmy said...

what a great use of extra stuff.
I have to say I was reading your post yesterday and my husband saw it and was very impressed. It was odd to have him read it over my shoulder and very distracting.

you should be proud!

Mindy said...

Genius, not ghetto! :) The mother of invention...

Madame Coin said...

Serene, I think it's GHETTO FABULOUS!

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