7/22/2009

Cheater, cheater...

But since I'm 7 months pregnant, I figure I'm entitled to cheat just a little bit...

One of my pet projects has always been the staircase.  I used the heat gun to strip all the paint off the newel post, banister, and spindles, then sanded all of the little intricacies.  It took forever.  So long, in fact, that I lost motivation for a while.  Then a LONG time later, I came back and sanded the treads, baseboard, and vertical pieces.  That also took forever.  And since I only had a random orbit sander at the time, I left little triangular spots of unsanded wood in all the corners as well as between each spindle.  Other than that I am finished, but have no inclination to sit hunched over with a sander for several hours doing touch-up work.  I wasn't all that motivated before I got pregnant, but now it's even worse.  I just want it done.

So...  On Monday night I was with my mom at a friend's house when I remembered that the friend's husband is a handyman.  He built the framing over the old hall closet opening in the office.  And he did a very nice job.  So I asked him whether or not he would be willing to sand the remainder of my staircase.  He agreed and said he'd be there Wednesday morning.

I feel slightly guilty for putting this project off on someone else, but I also feel very liberated.  I'm in full baby-preparation mode, so I've been taking on some odd projects instead of the ones I should be doing.  I spent most of Sunday afternoon removing every single item from the kitchen cabinets, wiping down the cabinets, and then completely reorganizing the kitchen.  Shayne said I need to put up signs so he'll know where everything is now.  I'm also repainting a cheap little wooden bookshelf and dresser for the baby's room.  Honestly, just keeping up with the general housecleaning is something of a chore now since I'm tired most of the time, and anything I can get done on top of that is just a bonus.  Still, I feel like I'm busting my ass every spare moment and especially on weekends.  So, in the interest of FINALLY finishing a project, I'm cheating.  :)

By the time I get home from work tonight, we should have a completely sanded staircase...!!! Time to go buy some more "golden mahogany" stain and clear shellac!

2 comments:

Jennifer said...

Don't feel guilty! You have SO many things to get ready for at this point, and to have the house look nice will take a lot of stress off once the baby comes. I know it would me, at least!

Omar said...

I'm sure there's tons of other things you can bask in the glory of doing yourself after baby comes -- although you don't really have too much time then either.. :)