I think the Amish are on to something

"Many hands make the load light"  I've said it before, but usually with a giggle mocking the somber group from which it's usually said, but this last week as I'm working away on a hundred different things trying to make some sort of order and beauty out of a huge mass of chaos and construction, I looked around to see my dad and brother working away on our electrical, my mother running around installing electrical plug and light switch covers (the crazy, oops I mean lovely woman practically begged to help wax floors so you can see where I get my "I can do it!" attitude from), and my daughters friends waxing away on all the floors and I thought......hmmm, those Amish know what they're talking about, I don't know what we would have done without all the help from our family and friends.

I have to say the floors are STUNNING!!!!!! Even if I do say so myself.  They positively glow and every little nick and mark and scratch just makes the floors look even better once a little wax is rubbed in.  Along with Genie I have another new best friend.......Clarke buffing machine!  I want one!!

 

this guy finished my floors off to a lovely satiny glow with little effort. It took me a few minutes to get the hang of it, slight pressure up to go right and slight pressure down to go left, but once I had it it really went fast. Yep this one definitely goes on my wish list of power tools.

 

This is the view looking into the kitchen from the living room and you can see the difference in the floors.  The wax really brought out the beauty of the wood and they look exactly like I wanted.  Old, used, slightly abused and well loved.

still a construction zone but now a very pretty one.

This is exactly what I was hoping for, a floor that I could not worry about getting some wear and tear.  I need a floor that can handle 2 dogs, a bunch of teenagers, muddy riding boots, a niece and nephew, a new grand baby and dirty cowboy boots.  I think I got it.  The Cowboy is installing the sink in the pantry and you notice the tools spread everywhere.  No worries, any marks we now just call it "patina".  I love this little apron sink.  We found it laying in the weeds in the back yard when we moved in.  I can't believe someone just threw it out there and left it.

I also love my little side table that opens up to a very nice roomy dining table.  The Cowboy found this little table a few years ago at the local swapmeet.  We paid $25.00 for it.  The top was in bad shape so I put a faux red leather finish on the top and the edges, then stained the rest of it.

 

Then my brother made 2 leaves for it so when we open it up....

Voila! A very nice dining table that seats 8 comfortably and 10 if you don't mind being cozy.  I also love my mirrors for my living room.

I have 2 of these that I bought probably 2 years ago and they went directly into storage.  When the Cowboy brought them inside yesterday I about fell over.  I had totally forgotten about them! They're a little plain for my taste so I need to figure out what to do to dress them up a bit but I'll figure it out. Still working on painting the kitchen windows and the huge bookcase to hold my dishes.  I'll have those pictures soon.

The decision is in!

Well after much deliberation, discussion, test samples and numerous trips in and out of the room looking at the color in different light, we (actually I)  have chosen a color for the pine floors.

I know it's not a huge color change but I really wanted the floors to just look old, weathered and dare I say, a little dirty?  And to me this is it.  The wax will be here next Wednesday so I have informed our daughters that they are recruited in full as of Wednesday until the floors are done.   We are down to just a little bit left to put down, half of the living room, my office and the stairs, so we should be done by tomorrow.  What a job it has been! My arms and legs ache from all the nailing.  I'd be really excited if I wasn't so exhausted.

And check out my kitchen!!! The red ceiling is gone and the floor is in and it looks lovely.  I have to get to those old windows this weekend,that is the last little bit of red to go. To the right of the wood burning stove will be the working kitchen to the left will be the walk in pantry (yet to be built and sort of a tiny kitchen in it's self with storage, display shelves for dishes and a sink).  The dining table will sit to the right as soon as you go through the opening.

And the master bedroom is coming along nicely too. 

I'm pining away for my new floors

The floors are going in and they are stunning!!

Plain pine planks, Lumber Liquidators, $1.13 a square foot! I want them to look old and used but soft and nicely aged. Not yellow but more to the brown or grayish brown side. Not ruined but rustic. Am I asking for too much? I don't think so. The upstairs, which is both of the girls bedrooms, are done and ready for waxing.

Tonight we finished the kitchen so tomorrow we start down the hallway and head towards the master bedroom.

This nailer is da bomb! My brother loaned it to us and I can't imagine doing this without it. It pays to have a general contractor in the family. But man is my arm tired tonight! Preslea, our 16 year old helped out all day and then I took over for her when she went to work at 3:30. Three hours and my arm was tired! I'm glad she's coming back tomorrow for the morning shift again.And check out my kitchen ceiling! No red!! Just beautiful cream walls and ceiling with dark beams. I love it! Preslea and my neice Aleah zipped around the room on the scissor lift taking down all the masking paper. Tomorrow I'll post a picture of the room in full with the floor done. Have I mentioned I love it?