by Jessica Johnson, Guest Contributor
Do you have a “craft” room at your house? You know that room that was supposed to be a spare bedroom or your home office, but you saw that space and thought
“I’ll just sit this in here until I have time to get to it.”
Your husband or kids probably refer to this room as the junk room and you’re always saying that you’re going to have that yard sale someday.
Is anybody with me?
Now, if you don’t have a “craft” room of your own, you might be wondering how on earth someone lets something get so out of hand.
Well, we all have our stories and mine could be summed up in 2 words — Deployment Projects.
It all started during my husband’s first deployment after we moved in together. The 3 deployments before this particular one, I was busy with work, volunteering, travel and just being a typical socialite in my mid-20s.
This deployment was different.
It was my first time away from my family and friends, our first time living together, and I was working part-time from home. I had to find new things to fill my time. I had a house to decorate, a home office to set up, and for some crazy reason, a strong desire to DIY everything.
I decided what better time than now to start working away at my Pinterest boards? I dubbed them my deployment projects.
Pro Tip – if you want to make a deployment feel short, give yourself a to-do list that will take twice as long as the deployment. Also, having your deployment projects list written out and on public display will provide some accountability.
I wish I could say that I tackled this list with an intense fury, but we all know how deployments go.
Need I say more?
The Haves (As In I Have Finished These Deployment Projects)
The blanket ladder: This was the easiest DIY project ever. Wooden dowel rods, copper fixtures and gorilla glue. Plans can be found here.
The photo collage: I fell in love with this West Elm gallery set, but my eyes were bigger than my wallet. I thrifted all over town and found these gems. Bless their hearts though. They sat in this arrangement and various others for months (almost 10 months to be exact).
Deep clean the grout: Seems like an easy project, right? A little baking soda, a little vinegar. Not a problem…until you sprinkle a whole box of WASHING soda on the floor instead of baking soda!
The more I mopped, the more suds I had.
After 3 days of mopping with vinegar and water without progress, I called it quits and hired a cleaning lady to fix my life.
The Have-Nots (As In I Have Not Done A Dang Thang)
Set up home office (now titled: Declutter home office): I had big plans for my home office (thank you, Pinterest), but it went from big dreams to not even on the radar. This probably definitely had something to do with me opening a co-working space in town with my milspo bestie. That office, on the other hand, is looking 👌🔥🔥🔥.
The T-shirt blanket: Does it count if I have them sorted?!
Woven wall tapestry: This was the start of many realities that I had to face. I pinned lots and definitely sold something.
The Almosts (As In These Deployment Projects Are Almost Done)
TV Stand DIY: I’m just going to leave this right here.
Patience is a virtue and I am a constant work in progress. My garage is more like a lumber yard and less like a place to park your car.
DIY Plant Stand: I’m sooooo close to being done. It just needs to be stained. Stain suggestions are welcomed. Plans here.
An indoor herb garden: I bought the pots back in September of last year. Shamefully, I’ve only managed to get this far.
It turns out that a custom welded piece is only really in the budget if you are Joanna Gaines. I’ve got that Anthropologie heart with a Target budget so I had to get creative with the shelf.
Has anybody else out there attempted deployment projects? Feel free to share your haves, have-not, and almosts!
Me when this publishes:
Also, I’m now accepting applications for accountability partners for spring 2018. TIA.
Do you have any stellar deployment projects that you want to brag about? Do you have well-intended, but never finished projects? We want to know about them. Share your best (and worst) deployment projects (with photos) in the NGMS Happy Hour Facebook group.
Jessica Johnson is a co-founder of edge co-working, a co-working space dedicated to empowering military spouses to pursue careers doing what they love and providing them with the tools they need to grow in their careers no matter how remote the duty station. She is also a medical device engineer that specializes in product development and project management. She is passionate about STEM outreach and enjoys trying new things, live music and serving others.
