a good kind of crazy

Wednesday night we took an internet sabbatical as I began sanding down the floors in the study (meaning we couldn't get to the computer), restaining the wood, and then putting on a sealer. (It was quite funny being in Lowe's on Black Friday purchasing polyerathaune and Liquid Plummer while everyone was buying gifts and Christmas decorations.) This morning we headed to Staples to see about getting a rubber mat to place under the plastic floor cover we had (the plastic allowed dirt to get underneath and simply ground it in the floor), but they only had door mat type things. The salesman suggested getting expensive shelf liner to try, but Bobby decided we'd go with the doormat instead. I'm pleased with the space it covers, and if we can get one end to finish uncurling, I think (hope) we're going to be very happy with it. My goal is to sweep/vaccumm there every night (or at least every other morning?) in hopes of keep the floor in a better condition. But judging by the amount of wheel tracks on the rug already (as opposed to lining the edge of the plastic floor protector), I think we may have made a very wise choice.

AND we learned that they now make stain wipes. :) Think baby wipes coated in wood stain. I tried one last night in our bedroom on a section where the shower chair rubs the the stain away, and the color not only matched perfectly, but it also went on easily and was dry by this morning. We're hoping to do the other two spots tonight and Monday morning. (We have to work around usage times in those areas!)  For a small spot, this was definitely the way to go. SOOOO much easier than messing with a can, brush, and wipe rags!

I know this isn't how most people spend the holidays, but for us, it was perfect timing to do a job that sorely needed to be done. I didn't think to take before pictures (but just imagine a circle in front of the desk where my chair, his chair had worn through the varnish and into the wood, as well as pock marks), but if I can get my camera batteries charged I'll try to take after pictures. It made for a crazy few days, but it was well worth it!  And to top it off, Bobby got his Christmas present early, and we now have a wireless router in the house. :) I still don't have everything set up, but we're getting there!