This title could be a series on its own because having a list of things you are not good at is never-ending if you are continuously learning and growing.

With that said, this is a continuation of my last post about my kickboxing skills.

I was given permission to share my gentleman friend’s name, Ryan, whom I think is pretty okay. (Whispers: That’s not entirely true because I think he is pretty great, but I am kind of biased.) This post is not about the greatness of Ryan but will save that for another time… haha. This post is about the fact that I have been off of school for two weeks and having the best time of my entire life.

In two weeks, I spent time with Ryan in person as we have only spoken through texts or on the phone for three months, redid a piece of furniture, and am learning to play the ukulele. He came to New Orleans for a visit last weekend, and it was a blast. Adventures include, but are not limited to, visiting the thrift store and buying ridiculous outfits we wore everywhere, including Saks Fifth Avenue. Wait, I said I was not going to talk about Ryan…

The rest of my time was spent FINALLY getting rid of that toy kitchen project I have had since the summer. I found a toy kitchen in the trash and decided I needed to rehaul it, if you do not recall. I learned a lot during that experience, including how extremely porous chalk paint is and the difference between oil-based and water-based polyurethane. I had some issues with some parts of it and while my dad was getting a new roof put on chose to throw it out in their dumpster last week to move on. I had to finish it, though, because I am not a quitter, so I got over my fear of not knowing how to buy the correct screws at Lowe’s, screwed the “microwave” door on, finding out the door did not shut, and being able to move on with my life. The thorn in my side was complete, and I could move on to this new dresser project. 

I found this eyesore in someone’s trash while walking in my neighborhood over the summer. I kept passing back until I walked home to get my car and found out it was JUST TOO HEAVY to pick up by myself. I texted a friend about my trash find, only to have her and her boyfriend come around the corner to help pick it up. It’s been in our kitchen/dinette area since Hurricane Ida and my dad has made several comments about it. I knew there was no better time than now to deal with it. The amazing Ryan builds things and has given helpful advice on a few projects, which has been fun. What’s incredible is having met someone who not only can help figure things out, but also encourages my Lowe’s visits (We even went there together while he was in town.) and my need for power tools instead of saying “You could just buy furniture cheaper”.)

I also texted David about this project because he builds and refinishes things. He asked his daughter-in-law (who also restores furniture and is amazingly talented with her own Instagram page called Janie’s House.) about my piece, and she sent an Instagram page of furniture inspiration. I spent the morning searching all over the internet for ideas of how to re-do this dresser when I spotted “the one”. I would not have chosen these colors or techniques on my own as all I know how to do is paint, distress, and stain, but I wanted to branch out and try something different. I am so thankful for the fantastic recommendation. (The Instagram Page was PineWoodCharm for those interested.)

I used Krylon chalk paint in “Grandma’s Linen” on this piece with plans to sand and stain the top of the dresser in Classic Gray. I do not currently have enough projects to have rationalized buying a sander and spent ALL DAY sanding and wiping. Ryan and David separately told me, “You can buy a sander for $30”, but I just did not think of it at the time. With that said, I have no regrets about my method even though muscle fatigue and exhaustion set in a couple of days later, but I am incredibly pleased with how it came out. I loved it so much but almost chickened out to complete my project and debated to leave it the natural wood. It went from this hideous, dark brown stain with a thick clear coat to this beautiful organic piece, and I LOVED IT. I called David with my anxiety, to which he responded, “stain it. While it’s drying, go buy the sander, and if you hate it strip it down.”

I stained it. I loved it. After. I LOVE this piece of furniture now as it went from the ugly duckling to the beautiful swan. My beginner skills cannot emphasize the importance of wood conditioner enough!! I found several articles about pre-staining and went to Lowe’s more times I can count and am satisfied with the end product. The stain came out so even and NOT blotchy, which would have been devastating because I sanded the wood down until I could not use my hands or arms…

So, if you are on the fence about spending a few extra dollars on the wood conditioner or not… GET THE WOOD CONDITIONER and follow the instructions.

I am currently having issues getting the drawer faces right as I filled the hardware holes with filler and cannot paint it evenly. After about seven re-sands and re-paints went to Lowe’s and bought a cheap sander. I put a coat of white paint with primer I had and THEN added the chalk paint. I am waiting for that to dry for the next coat. If it doesn’t come out correctly this time, I plan to set it on fire. Ha… just kidding… maybe…

The next project idea is to build a windowpane shelf frame, and I plan to buy a brad gun. I have entered the rabbit hole of tools and endless possibilities.

To continue the story of my two weeks off of school, I am unsure of the odds of this, but one of my elder (not decrepit) and beloved family members gave me their old ukulele when they were cleaning out/moving years ago. It has been on a shelf in my closet for years, and I refuse to get rid of it because of the special person who gave it to me. However, I have no clue how to play the ukulele or tune one. In a strange turn of events, Ryan knows how to play the ukulele, and when that was discovered, it was one of the hilarious findings of all time. Now, we have Facetime ukulele dates, and I am learning to play. I watched a video and downloaded this tuning app called “Boss Tuner” if you are interested in that as well.

While telling Ryan about being gifted this ukulele added that the same cousin also gave me a Mexican ball in a cup game: a piece of wood with a cup and a string with a ball attached when low and behold, he also had one.

What were the chances of any of this? You can imagine the mass cackling when we discovered that not only did both of us have a ukulele, but one of these things as well.

It has been a fun-filled and satisfying two weeks off, and there are still a few days to go. Ryan suggested taking pictures of the dresser before and after and bringing them to the house I got it from.

Try new things and live!!!!!