The feelings in this post have spurred many a conversation between Joe and I lately. I think every evening walk these past few weeks has been filled with conversation of planning and dreaming. We've got a whole lot piled on our mental plate. And I'm worrying about it months before I need to, I know!
One of the things we've been discussing is the house. We took on quite a project renovating it with four kids helping. Some if it has gone well and some if has gone, uhm, unexpected. But it's going. The house is mostly done. In truth we got to a point where we were exhausted, both physically and fiscally. We've enjoyed a much needed break and now we're feeling rejuvenated and up to prioritizing a list of all that needs to be done in the coming year.
Can you guess? There is a lot. And in the typical simple-living-one-income-big-family budget, less money than to-do's. We're hoping the kids will form a band or temporarily join a high paying circus to help contribute. But until that pans out, we're looking at what can be done on the cheap mostly free.
We turned to the kitchen cabinets. I know I've shared a bit of our kitchen update in the past. Joe replaced the sink over a year ago.... and I thought you might like to see a sink. So, here it is.
The kitchen was the main selling point for this house. Underneath peeling linoleum and 80's wallpaper was a beautiful place for us to gather. So much happens in this space. In fact, I spent the entire day in it yesterday dyeing silks and making our meals. It's a happy place to be. A lot of work and love has brought it to this state. We've been eyeing the cabinets for months. Water damage from years of doing dishes. Wear marks on the doors from opening cabinets and doors. We eyed those beautiful oak cabinets and thought about painting them...
But we couldn't. So we began the dismantling and sanding and staining to freshen them up. We found out mahogany is not what color they are. Oops. But dark walnut is. Joe fixed a cracked door and replaced rusted hinges. And this time the kids are big enough to mostly stay out of trouble while we worked. Together. He and I.
And while this sanding and staining and clear coating in a kitchen where 5 or 6 people are always in can be a bit challenging.... it's coming along. Cabinet by cabinet. Drawer by drawer. Each glossy finished bit has me smiling. It fits our budget. And as I made dinner (at 7:30) with all of this around me, I had to laugh. Everything really does happen in the kitchen!
I suppose many a weekend in the next year will be spent on these types of things. But you know? My working partner is pretty cute. And darn funny. And even though I'd rather be sewing.... I'm pretty happy to be helping and fixing too. Together.
I think Luke is still working on the circus thing though....
