My Projects!!!!!

My mom had this table sitting in her basement since my Grandma Sanders passed:



This table was her Grandma Johnson's. She told me if I wanted to use it, I could take it on loan.


I asked if I could refinish it, she said I could!


This is what the table looked like when I was sanding it all down:


I'm not lying, I probably spent about 50 hours sanding the table alone, this doesn't include stripping the table and applying the finish!


There were some times that I couldn't look at the table any longer or I would scream!!!


Though this project took forever to complete, and though driving out to my mom's house to finish it in her basement really took a toll on my energy (and my gas money!), I don't think I would trade this experince for anything.


While I spent the time sanding and stripping and finishing, I thought a lot about my Great-Grandma Johnson. It was such a different time when she lived. After she married, she dyed her wedding dress black so it would be more functional; my mom still has this dress. My mom also would tell me about her memories of sitting at this table and eating "Corn Pops," and since she was such a picky eater as a child, I'm think this is a special memory for her.


I also listened to the CD's my Grandpa Cluff recorded of his memories, his testimony, and his advise to his children and grandchildren. This has been so therapeutic for me.


Since I have brought it to my apartment, my house finally feels like a home! I've never had a real table before in my marriage (or at least one that wasn't found on the side of the dump!)


To complete this table, I bought these chairs from Ikea that I love so much!


The only way I was able to do this was because of the kindness of my husband.
On Christmas Day, my husband hands me a gift. Inside the box was an envelope with "Do not open. Do not throw aways. Do not look inside. This means YOU, Stephanie" written all over it. I had seen this envelope at the beginning of the year, was intringued, but then forgot all about it. I open the envelope, and there I have over $200 in cash with a note saying that during the past year, every time Eric cut his own hair instead of getting it cut at a salon, he put the money he saved in this envelope to give to me at the end of the year. The note said He did this simply to "be kind to my wife." I have to say, I had tears in my eyes. Its nice to look at my chairs and think what a good and kind husband I am blessed with.


Earlier this year, my sister-in-law gave me this idea, which was really fun and easy to do:

And last but not least, my lamps. I have also not had a lamp since I've been married, and have ALWAYS WANTED SOME!!!!!! I found these, which look so good with my bed, and bought them right then.

So, you can see how content I am right now. Between a table, chairs, and lamps, I feel pretty complete. To give you an example, I have always had a funny, irrational jealousy of Carrie Underwood.


Eric likes to call her Carrie "Bluderwood," but only because he loves me. One day I tell Eric, "You know, since I have my table and lamps, I'm not so jealous of Carrie anymore." Life is good!