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A few weeks ago, a bunch of us (Granny L., Mom, Aunt Cathy, Aunt Debbie, Kimberly and I) went "yard saling" together. I hadn't been to a real yard sale in years, but it was successful (and fun) enough to convince me that I need to go more often. There's a lot to be said for the thrill of the (bargain) hunt!
My biggest (both size- and price-wise) purchase that day was a little table for $5. It looks like it was originally meant for a bedside table, but as we don't need any more of those, I'm planning to use it as an end table on my side of the couch. (Yes, we each have our own side, where we sit 99.9% of the time. Doesn't everyone?) While we have two perfectly good end tables already, the way the furniture is arranged (and the way it'll probably stay for some time), I don't have one on my side. I've been using a folding tray, but this little table should be a strong improvement over that.
Because the furniture in the main room is all dark-- either stained wood or painted black-- I thought the table, which is white, would look better with a coat of black paint. Today I lightly sanded it, TSP'd it, then primed it. (The old finish was pretty slick in spots, so I thought I ought to do as much preparation as possible.) It felt a little silly putting white primer on an already white finish. (Yes, yes. I probably shouldn't use white primer under black paint, but it was what we had, and I'm sure it'll work just fine. This thing was going to need at least two coats of black paint, anyway.)
So, we'll see how that goes. I'd (kind of) forgotten how long it takes me to paint things-- or at least how long it feels. I'm sure it'll be worth it in the end. I did remember to take a couple of "before" photos, so I'll be able to have the fun of a big "before & after" reveal. (Isn't it exciting?)
Because the furniture in the main room is all dark-- either stained wood or painted black-- I thought the table, which is white, would look better with a coat of black paint. Today I lightly sanded it, TSP'd it, then primed it. (The old finish was pretty slick in spots, so I thought I ought to do as much preparation as possible.) It felt a little silly putting white primer on an already white finish. (Yes, yes. I probably shouldn't use white primer under black paint, but it was what we had, and I'm sure it'll work just fine. This thing was going to need at least two coats of black paint, anyway.)
So, we'll see how that goes. I'd (kind of) forgotten how long it takes me to paint things-- or at least how long it feels. I'm sure it'll be worth it in the end. I did remember to take a couple of "before" photos, so I'll be able to have the fun of a big "before & after" reveal. (Isn't it exciting?)
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I don't remember exactly when I last blogged about non-political, newsy things. . . It was after my parents settled on building the new house, wasn't it? In any case, that house is a reality now-- is visible from where I sit (or would be if the curtains weren't currently drawn close)-- and is very nearly finished. It's turned out to be one of those things that simultaneously feel as though they've taken a long time and no time at all. (So many things feel that way!)
We'll soon have three new neighbors and two new neighbor dogs (not to mention a car or two). I expect I'll see my parents and youngest sister more often once we're living a short walk from one another, and it should certainly be convenient for carpooling on some of our shopping trips and the like. Also, there will probably almost always be someone nearby to help in a pinch (especially with my grandparents just another short walk away).
. . . It just struck me that we'll be living two extremes, soon, with Donald's parents so very far away and mine almost next door. People talk a lot these days about how small the world has gotten-- and it's true, in a way-- but it still feels plenty big when you have friends and family on another continent. I wish it were easier (cheaper, safer, faster) for us all to pay casual visits.
We'll soon have three new neighbors and two new neighbor dogs (not to mention a car or two). I expect I'll see my parents and youngest sister more often once we're living a short walk from one another, and it should certainly be convenient for carpooling on some of our shopping trips and the like. Also, there will probably almost always be someone nearby to help in a pinch (especially with my grandparents just another short walk away).
. . . It just struck me that we'll be living two extremes, soon, with Donald's parents so very far away and mine almost next door. People talk a lot these days about how small the world has gotten-- and it's true, in a way-- but it still feels plenty big when you have friends and family on another continent. I wish it were easier (cheaper, safer, faster) for us all to pay casual visits.
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Well, I consider the waters thoroughly well tested, now. Pretty much exactly as I remembered it. It's only a matter of taking the time to write every so often. (Even if blogs are apparently no longer cool. Where did everyone go, by the way? Twitter and Facebook? Both those places just feel insufficient, compared to blogging. Oh well, things will always come and go, I guess.)
