Happy Friday everyone! I can’t say much about the progress of some projects today, but I would like to share that I woke up this morning with a little spring in my step and a renewed attitude. And I didn’t even have to fake it until I felt it. I just felt it when I woke up.
And what made the difference? I called the plumber yesterday to fix my kitchen sink problems. He couldn’t come yesterday, and he may not be able to come today either, so it might be next week before the problem is actually resolved. But there was something about knowing that help was on the way that felt like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. Even though I woke up this morning to the same problem – a messy kitchen with a sink full of dishes and the knowledge that trying to wash them all would result in a sink full of water that would take hours to empty – it didn’t disappoint me at all this morning. Because help is on the way!
I was reminded of the time many years ago when I was driving in the city and got a flat tire. I pulled over to the side of the road and cried. I know how to change a tire. This is one of the first things my dad taught me when I got my first car at age 16. And yet, even though I’ve changed tires on my own several times, the thought of changing my own tire was overwhelming to me that day. I don’t remember the details, so I don’t know if it was because I had a hard day and was very tired, or maybe it was because I had the flat tire. But I remember feeling like it was too much for me at that moment, so I sat there and cried instead of taking care of business.
After gathering my thoughts, wiping away my tears, and figuring out what to do, I finally called my brother to help me change the tire. He said he was heading out and would be there shortly. Well, just knowing that help was on the way changed everything for me, so I got out of the car, got out the spare tire and tools and headed out. By the time he got there, I had changed the tire almost all by myself.
There has to be a life lesson in there somewhere. There’s something about the feeling that I have to handle everything alone that puts extra strain on my shoulders. And yet I do this to myself quite often. I’m not very good at asking for help and I take on way too much for one person. But when I finally ask for help, knowing that help is on the way is enough to handle the additional burden, even if the problem persists for a while.
So yesterday I called the plumber and told Matt that we would be eating out until the sink was fully functional and I had a chance to deep clean the kitchen because I’m tired of preparing meals in a kitchen that doesn’t have a properly functioning sink. He agreed, and I can tell you that the rest of the day I was more focused and energized than I have been in the last three weeks. Help is on the way!
I also took some time yesterday to look at new dishwashers. Our dishwasher hasn’t worked in years, but it hasn’t bothered me. I actually enjoy washing dishes by hand, and as long as I only washed the dishes that Matt and I use, it was never a big deal (as long as the sink is fully functional and the drain drains properly). But when we started having people over to our house more often, and it seemed that that always involved a meal together, I decided that I wanted a dishwasher after all. I’ve been trying to hold out until I have the opportunity to renovate our kitchen, but now I’ve decided to buy a new one ready to be installed. This way I can use it in our current kitchen and continue to use it even after a future kitchen renovation.
I’m still looking at options. Built-in dishwashers are expensive! I found one at Home Depot that has really good customer reviews for about $800. Unfortunately it was out of stock and I couldn’t even order one for delivery. That’s why I’m still looking for a reasonably priced built-in dishwasher. I’d like to find one as quickly as possible, order it, and have it delivered before the plumber gets here next week, but that might not work. (Update: It’s not going to work. I just talked to him and he’ll be here Monday morning. Oh well. As long as I get my kitchen sink running properly, it’s okay to wait a bit for the dishwasher. The sink is the priority here.)
Whatever the case, things are looking up! Help is on the way! And I’m really excited to have a fully functioning kitchen again. For me, it’s incredibly exciting to wake up to a clean kitchen again.
After I got all that sorted out, I worked on the console table again. I know you’re all probably tired of hearing about this console table. I’m tired of talking about it, but I’m having fun working on it. And I think I’ve found a workaround that allows me to use the turned wooden legs.
If you remember, I originally tried blocking the legs like this…
I didn’t like that, so I just assembled the legs without the blocks, but then I couldn’t figure out how to attach the legs to the console table without them (possibly) wobbling.
But yesterday I had a different idea. Instead of adding a block to the bottom of the legs, I decided to add a block to the top and I have an idea of how to attach them to the top of the table that I think will be very secure. But first I had to replace the upper turned part of the legs with a block. And this time, instead of cutting it with the miter saw, I decided to use a handsaw so I could have more control over it and cut it as straight as possible.
Using the handsaw and a lot of patience, I cut just below the top, thick piece on each leg.
And then I attach the blocks to the top of the legs instead of the twisted part. I need to do a lot more sanding and shaping on the corners before attaching them, but they’re getting there.
I actually had a little accident. I’m not used to using hand tools. I’m a power tool kind of girl, so the saw got away from me and cut my finger open.
It’s kind of crazy that I use power tools so much, and have done so for so long (decades!), and I could count on one hand the number of times I’ve injured myself with a power tool. And yet one time I use a hand tool and cut my finger. Ha! Give me power tools over hand tools any day of the week.
I’ll have the new legs finished and installed today and I’m pretty confident that my idea of installing them will work. And then I decided to paint the whole thing. It will be green. I chose Behr Scallion and think it will look amazing with my pink lamps and mural.
So that’s how it stands before the weekend. My kitchen sink problem will soon be solved, my attitude is better knowing help is on the way, and I’m pretty confident I can finish this console table tomorrow. And if you have any recommendations for an inexpensive panel-ready dishwasher, I’d love to hear about them!
