Substitute post

I really want to write about our LA trip (Jeopardy, alex trebek, my dear cousin Dana, my amazing smart husband); back to school (no more class! comps! research!); the state of our nation how I see it- my outrage at brown people being attacked for being presumed Muslims which hurts my heart in ways I can't even describe.

I want to write about these things

But, I am too tired. And I have a cold (courtesy of Reg, courtesy of Jeopardy), so I can't really breathe.

Instead, I will write about something very urbansuburban. Or poor. Or thrifty? Refinishing furniture. Yep, almost as exciting as social injustice.  Consider it a substitute post for what I want to say and will find the energy to write later.

Ive wanted a new dining room table for a few years, but being poor, we couldnt really afford to go buy a nice set. I told Reg- you wait- Ill find something good! Within a week, I had purchased a table with a leaf that expands to fit 8, and four chairs, for $70. Thank you highland park listserve! We carried the furniture home, and sloooowly over the next 2 months, whenever we had spare time, set to refinishing. They had all been painted a multitude of obscene colors, so we purchased an electric sander ($30) to strip off the old paint.

Sanded down to the original wood, legs painted

table painted, first coat of varnish on (paint + varnish= $35)

One of the 3 brown chairs. One was a puke green.

chairs painted- I love the design on the back!

Our dining room is a bit traditional, maybe a Shaker-style, or Craftsman? Very plain. Which I love. But I figured it could use something unexpected.  We picked out this upholstery fabric and bought batting and foam, and I re-upholstered the cushions (fabric ~ $40, batting, etc ~$20).

voila! finished product!  The flowers in the vase on the table were a gift from our CSA farmer to congratulate Reggie on his Jeopardy run (I love community!)

So, for around $200- we got a brand new dining room, ready for dinner parties.  I'm so proud of us!