My basement
As many of you know, I moved in with my sister into her new house (new to us, but built in 1929) and we have had a lot of projects. Our current project is the kitchen, which needed a complete paint job, new floor, and new molding. With the help of my sister and my own motivation to have it done, and then a surprise paint job from a friend of ours who is quickly becoming our Houseboy, we finally have the kitchen painted. But that leaves the floor and the cabinet doors and drawers.
On Saturday, while the Houseboy and Marie painted the last bit of the kitchen, I carted the doors and drawers down to the unfinished basement and set up shop at a couple of workbenches. After getting everything I needed, and using this great cordless drill/screwdriver to remove all the hinges, gifted to me by the Houseboy, I went to work sanding away. There is something methodical and comforting in the motions of sanding and vibrations of the motor. With two hands I gripped the sander and my mind went into a peaceful state of concentration. I wouldn’t say my mind was completely empty (I can remember replaying some silly shows plots around in my head a bit) but I do think it’s the closest thing to meditation that I have ever done.
After the sanding was done, I went upstairs to grab the portable radio and a beer, thanked our Houseboy for bringing the half rack over and for the helpful electric screwdriver, checked out his shirtless display, then headed back down to what had become my temporary sanctuary. I immediately put NPR on and began priming. In the midst of priming, the Houseboy brought me down some potato chips, which I gratefully accepted.
It wasn’t long before I was entranced by the priming. With perfect precision I did the edges and the fronts of the doors without dripping or pooling. In the background I realized I had become completely engrossed in Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz show on NPR. If you haven’t ever listened, she is this amusing and talented woman who has musical guests come on her show and play with her while they discuss their musical histories, their colorful lives, and reminisce about the greats. It is amazing to listen to because she is so humble yet no matter what the guest wants to play, she is able to accompany on her piano. Her guest on Saturday was trumpeter Jon Faddis whose mentor was Dizzy Gillespie, so his stories were incredible.
By the end of her show I realized that I had discovered a new pleasure. Not the jazz show per se, for I had listened to her before, but instead the enjoyment of having a workshop and a project, and the time to escape into it.
What could be better than NPR, a cold beer, potato chips, and a satisfying project? Now I know why my dad spent my life in his garage.
i understand completely. just give me beer and a project and i’m good to go. too bad for you i’m not closer, i’m a master and wood laminate floor and linolium. Think I spelled that right. Anyway… i’m also handy with plumming, gardening and painting.
Wow KT.. This proves yet again I’m a complete woman 🙂 If I had been there, the extent of my contribution would have been bringing you beer. But I think it’s awesome that you are actually handy.. let’s face it: outside of school, I’m about as useful as a missionary in a cathouse..
Ohhh – sanding with a sander! That has to be much better than sanding with sandpaper wrapped around a block, which is just frustrating and tiring. Yay for you refinishing all by yourself.
I am intrigued by the character known as Houseboy.
B
Hmm, it is a good thing your other sister doesn’t read your blog. She may get jealous of your comments about the “houseboy”. 🙂 On a side-note, we are hiring at Home Depot and would LOVE to hire someone like you that works for ZERO DOLLARS per HOUR. Make Marie treat you to dinner! (and if you go to Crave again, invite me along) 🙂
This is fantastic news. So, when you move to Maine to be my concubine, you can fix up the house as well! I’ll start looking around for a fixer-upper.
‘member that one time when you thought you wanted to go to trade school and become a contractor or construction something-or-other and have an all-girl contracting company? Sounds like you should think about that. Leave it to Ms. Hough to bring up the Houseboy – but I too was intrigued with this shirtless, nameless man.
At least we know I wasn’t totally off base in my interests in that. But I sure didn’t follow up on it did I? I think I was really looking for something back then when things were bad at work especially. I had a renewed hope in my regular work near the end there, but Erin has reminded me of little dreams that maybe I shouldn’t forget. And who knows, if Ruth becomes my personal trainer, I could be that buxom blonde on “In a Fix.”
Wow, an all-girl construction firm. “Buxom Blonde Construction”…you’d rake in the cizzash.
You know, when I was working construction, we used to take our shirts off on hot summer days. That should be the policy for your firm, as well.
Damn, this is sounding more like a beer commercial with every passing second.
Oh, but the other sister does read this sister’s blog…my dear twin. (see Maddy’s comment below)
Enough with the guilt trip you lay on me. I am supporting Katie in more than monetary ways. All our projects are moments in time we will remember forwever. She is also building up an “I owe you” list for when she moves into her own place. 🙂
The said “houseboy” went one step further last night and stayed up till 1:00am helping Katie study for her big exam. I do encourage everyone to find such a great “houseboy.” IF only they were that easy to find. I hope all the cramming paid off, Kate.