Solution to shredded trampoline net

You will probably laugh, because this is a little bit redneck :) Remember this post? Well, we needed a solution. We like the kids to have a safety net while jumping on the trampoline, so leaving it in the shredded state wasn’t an option.

I looked online for a replacement net and found nothing. I did find places to buy the entire safety kit (including uprights), but the cost was between $90-$100!!  Not too excited to pay for a complete kit … again. So thoughts turned to trying to fix it. At Lowe’s, I only found bird netting which didn’t have holes, so I was afraid the wind would grab it too much, or plastic webbing which would be pretty harsh on the skin. Still determined, I went to Wal Mart and their camping section to search for fly netting, net to catch fish, anything. Found … nothing. Somehow I happened on the household aisle with ironing boards, laundry gadgets, etc and I found …

… for $1.87!!! Mesh … good. Cheap … very good. If it works, a reasonable solution.

I brought the trampoline net into the basement and draped it over the ping-pong table so I could align a large section at one time. Then I cut down both sides of the laundry bag to make a long strip and then sewed it into the old net using heavy-duty thread. Thankfully, the bottom of the net was still intact, so I just attached the laundry bag to the bottom and then to the top. This project took 3 laundry bags and a LOT of time! 36”x2 (for one bag) x 3 (bags) = roughly 18 feet that had to be patched.

So, for roughly $6 in laundry bags and $3 in thread, voila!

Now the kids can play on the trampoline again! And the weather is gorgeous, so it is definitely time to play!! You can see where the patch ends right behind Hadden.

Likely, this patch won’t hold up very well in the Alabama sun and weather, but for now it was a very cheap solution. Since we live in the middle of nowhere, we don’t even have to worry about the neighbors thinking we are completely redneck :)

Don’t you even think about it!!!

Enjoy the beautiful fall weather!

Enjoying the fall

 

We have been enjoying shooting Hadden’s bb/pellet gun when we have a break from baseball and soccer. Hadden really likes it and I have admitted several times that John was right :) He doesn’t mind hearing it multiple times – ha!

Hadden aiming at the target.

 

Savannah loves Neli. Neli has many nicknames – Neli Vader (she snores very loudly), Space Invader (she is always in your space), Barge (she barges everywhere she goes), and “the Nels”. She has grown a LOT and still has a lot of growing room in her skin!

A praying mantis landed on the hummingbird feeder. I watched him for a while and when a bird would land on the feeder, he would peek around the corner to see it. Not sure if he was trying to catch lunch or what!

And this adorable little lizard was on the deck the other morning – he was the tiniest little guy. The hole in the wood to the left of him is the size of a screw head.  He is missing part of his tail (oops!). Thankful it will grow back. And, no, it wasn’t me :)

We are enjoying baseball and soccer games. Hadden’s team won their first game. Savannah’s team lost, but played very well. September and October are busy, but the weather is beautiful, so it is fun to be outside watching games.

Hope all is well on your end!

Here's an awesome giveaway!

Charity at Life with the Hildebrands is doing a giveaway that you don't want to miss.

I want to tell you about a cool new way that you can be involved in helping those in less privileged nations. You really have to see it for yourself at Get Bridged.

Hint for those of you want to shop for me :), I absolutely LOVE anything in the pottery section of the store! Hee!

Happy 8th birthday, Hadden!

What happened to my little baby boy? He is becoming so grown up!! We gave Hadden a bb gun for his birthday. While we were shopping, the momma in me had the hardest time thinking he is ready for a bb gun! I kept asking John - “can’t we just wait until he’s at least 12 or 20 or something?” :) I knew John was right, that Hadden is ready, but it was hard to realize he is growing up so fast! And, we both knew that Hadden needed another interest besides Lego’s Star Wars kits!

I want to show you Hadden’s pet spider – well, sort of. This spider lives on Hadden’s deck just outside the sliding glass door! He is HUGE!!! I kept the picture small-sized for you … you’re welcome. Hadden actually likes the spider living there, checks on him frequently and worries about him during storms :) We recently were driving on the wildlife management property and encountered 100’s (literally) of HUGE horseflies. He wanted to bring one home for his spider.

Looking forward to many more years together as a family, as long as the Lord allows!