Taking on an Outdoor GFCI Outlet

By Tammy

Pulling into our driveway about a year ago (yes, I did say a year ago), we noticed half of the exterior up-lighting was not working.  We did the normal process of checking the exterior GFCI outlet's RESET / TEST buttons.  And, neither would work.  The buttons were stuck!  It was easier to say, we’ll check it out in the morning… 

The morning came and like any busy family, we went about our normal daily activities.  So, short story… the up-lighting just wasn’t that big of a deal at the time.  It simply took a back seat.  Time went on and I would occasionally throw the jab, “Honey, we need to change the outdoor plug.”  It was usually met with, “It’s on the list.”    

We don’t know much about electricity when it comes to changing out fixtures and outlets.  But this weekend was the weekend to tackle that darn plug.  And I knew exactly where to go for some assurance. 

We started by watching a How To video on YouTube.  Okay, we watched several…but this one gave us the confidence to DIY this project.

 

The hallelujah moment came when we opened up the outlet to discover it was not connected to an interior room (only 3 wires baby!) just like the video.  Of course, it's my duty to remind you that you should never undertake an electrical project without following proper safety precautions!

Say “Hello” to the new GFCI outlet. 

See the green "on" indicator light?  Yes!  We did it right.

And now a year later, the left side matches the right side.

Plus, we can finally mark this item off of our to-do list.  I’m already seeing a new light fixture for our breakfast nook design update (hey, there’s a How To video on that too).

Has anyone else had a positive outcome working from a YouTube video?

Urban Pioneer: Tug of War with my Fridge

By Andrea, the Urban Pioneer

I've talked a little about the kitchen, hitting the low-lights, but let me dig a little deeper and tell you the oh-so-frustrating story of my refrigerator.

On a warm summer day (yes, we do have those in Minnesota), I moved in to my little piece of Urban heaven.  My furniture was in place, boxes were piled in the 2nd bedroom for safe hiding and I loaded up the fridge with food.  When I returned after a weekend at the lake, I found the fridge had slow cooked all of my groceries sitting at a balmy 87 degrees.  The food went into the trash and off to the appliance store I went.

My new fridge arrives, new food is purchased and I go on my way.

If only it were so easy...

But the 2nd fridge didn't work either!  Fortunately, this time I didn't load it up with food, so my loss was minimal.  A quick call to the appliance store and I believe a new fridge will be at my door sooner than later. Wrong again!  Due to an address mix up that "could not be fixed while an order was still in process," it took three weeks to get a working fridge delivered.  When the new one showed up, it fit through the 1911 doorway, but not into the space reserved for the fridge in the kitchen.

My refrigerator in the 'freezer using' position

After a month or so without a working refrigerator, I decided to keep what I had knowing plans of a remodel are in my near future.  In the meantime, I have to push and pull the fridge into place, depending on if I want to get in the freezer or get out my kitchen door.  I'm looking at it as extra security... but redoing the kitchen and finding the fridge a home sure would be nice.

(Up)Date Night Part II: Tammy Tours L.E. Smith

Tami has a kitchen makeover, including Wilsonart HD countertop in the Deepstar Bronze pattern (1814). She even gets a tour of L.E. Smith Company's fabrication shop to see her countertop being made. Click here for more information about Wilsonart HD Laminate.

(Up)Date Night Part 1: Meet the Roushias

The (Up)Date Night crew made a stop to Bryan, Ohio for our next installment.  Tami Roushia and her children recently moved and wanted to make the 'new to them' house their home!  Tami is a Personalizer, looking to make her kitchen reflect her likes and style; the kitchen was nice, but just not her taste.