Remodeling?

A couple weeks ago, our neighbors stopped in at our house. As I opened the door she kindly asked, "Are you remodeling?" It took me a minute to figure out what she was saying, then I took a look at myself. She's very kind, but yes- new to the neighborhood. Since we've now lived here for more than a year, any other neighbor wouldn't even have blinked an eye to see me covered in paint, sawdust and anything else I picked up while working in the garage- I'm a mess! Oh how, I'd love to be the put- together wife and mom with my make up just right, cute clothes and hair done everyday to meet and greet my family and anyone else who would happen to stop by! Fact of the matter is- 99% of the time I probably look like I am remodeling.

Our latest project, along with our business, little guys, football and 12-hour work days for Jim just about every day- we started on our basement trim work. First, I owe my brother-in-law a huge apology. I need to build up the courage to call him before they come for another visit and he sees what we've done. We bought oak trim and doors for our basement last year. I assumed we would stain them, and on a visit in January Mac spent HOURS getting us started. I was so excited to see the work in progress. He really did a great job- and got the first coat on ALL of it- so much work!

As soon as they left, my mother-in-law came for a visit and immediately said we needed to do light trim to brighten the basement. You know- dark stain is so "out." This put the thought in to my head and until this last week- we didn't know what to do. In the end, stuck with this expensive (and now stained) trim, we sanded it all down, primed it and painted it. Mac, I'm so sorry! Of course, Jim had to go Amish on me and insisted that we had to hand sand it ALL... the palm sander would have blasted through the grooves. I was willing to take the chance, but opted to work together on the whole thing. I'll post soon on what we've been working on!