Almost Sanded

Let’s just say that beds are a challenge, and now I think I am capable of doing lesser projects {dressers and nightstands} completely on my own, save moral support and the occasionally delivered cup of water {gotta love that eight-year-old}.

Speaking of eight-year-olds, the Amish are right when they say you start to break even at the age of eight. Eight-year-olds come in handy, and I think everybody should have one.

For instance, I was horrified to discover that the chunky wooden handles on the drawers were not just screwed in but glued on. Thankfully, Great Granddad had given him a chisel and, under his father’s supervision, he got them off without much damage.

Today, my goal is to finish the sanding. If I can keep up my pace, I plan to prime tomorrow, paint on Friday, and then let everything cure a day or two, hopefully putting the beds together before bedtime on Sunday night.

I realized a couple days ago that the drawers, which open from the side of the bed, are not as deep as the bed is wide, if that makes sense. Practically, this means that when viewing the end of the bed, there is a gap between the drawers and the wall that is about half a twin-sized bed wide. Not only does this mean, aesthetically speaking, a nice-sized ugly hole, but is also means my girls will want to hide things there. So yesterday, when I ran out of sandpaper and couldn’t figure out how best to “keep working” without it, we purchased some cheery yellow gingham fabric for a mock dust ruffle to cover the space. Maybe eventually I’ll find a plastic drawer to fit there to keep it from getting out of control.

This is too much fun.