Tuesday, October 14, 2008

I'm done now. Really.

Last week I blogged like four times! Perhaps you're wondering what this prolific amount of blogging is due to. (And don't end your sentences with prepositions, because it's bad to)
It's because I finally finished my piano. All the way (except for that one area that I forgot to do because I didn't think it would show, but now it does. But I've almost decided it doesn't matter. Because my piano's "look" is distressed. If only "distressed" were the in look for people. I would be fashionable. I always look distressed. Especially lately because I've had a sinus headache that leaves wrinkle marks in between my eyes. Perhaps part of the distressed look could include food all over your clothes. Because I've got that covered too.) It's also because I quit exercising. Now I spend all my time obsessing over this blog. I don't burn any calories but I do sweat profusely when the sun comes out because our computer is right next to a big window.

Yes I already blogged about finishing the DPC, but now I've finished the bench so that I can actually sit down and play. So here's a picture of the bench -- before and after (little girl not included):

Notice the beautiful pinkness that was and now:

Black, black and some maroon. And if you enlarge the picture and see spots of hot pink, those are not part of my refinished piano and bench. They are from a feather boa. Hope that answers all your questions.

So since I am addicted to stress, I need some other big project to fill up my time and to take my mind off the fact that hardly anyone comments on my blog. Seriously. I am obsessed. I check my comments like every day. Sometimes I check them multiple times a day. I REALLY need a new project. Christmas is coming. Perhaps I ought to embark on some large quest to make everyone quilts or something. I think that might stress me out enough to stop obsessing. But probably not.

Just for fun here's a history of the DPC:

Initially there was optimism. A short 3 month project that would end in a new beautiful improved piano. The piano came apart quickly and no note was taken of where certain screws go, or what parts would be showing when the piano was finished. Ahhh good old optimism. It'll get you every time. This was in August 2007.

Stripping (and really bad jr. high jokes) ensue. Optimism dies. Depression sets in.

Stripping continues (as do bad jokes and burning sensations). Sanding begins. My skin turns red as does everything else in my house. I sand through the veneer. Despair joins depression, but is thwarted by some mad idea that I must carry things through. I begin cursing and crying.

I will paint the piano (scroll down for piano post). Everything is fine. No one will ever know. Except when they inherit this piano and decide to try and refinish it because why would anyone in their right mind paint black and distress a beautiful old piano? Seriously what were the previous owners thinking? Then, after hours of painstaking (and really it is painful when stripper gets on your hands and feet) work stripping the black paint off, they will know. And they will wonder, "Why the heck does it have these ugly burn marks where the wood grain should be? Do you think the idiots used a power sander." And then they will scoff.

The piano is finished. Stephanie needs piano therapy. (And a new stressful project)

19 comments:

Malisa said...

It was fun to read about your piano project. It's a pretty accurate description of how most of my projects go. Excitment, frustration, discouragement... I just finished building a small deck on my house and I just hope no one ever decides to tear it down. They might wonder WHAT IN THE HECK I was thinking when it came to the substructure.

Kathryn-nannygoat said...

I LOVE your DPC adventures and will miss them dearly.
I think you SHOULD start a new CRAZY project so I can read about you cursing and swearing and I can laugh. ;)heehee

Lorette and Family said...

When I read this it made me laugh. I do the same thing. I check my blog and facebook comments at least 3x a day. I also have a tendency to take on big projects thinking they will be fun, but at the same time they cause a lot of stress. It must be the curse of the stay at home mom. For your new project adventure have you thought about writing children’s books? I think you would be great at it. You never know you might become the next Audrey Wood (she wrote The Napping House and King Bedgood’s in the Bathtub).

Em Russ said...

oh, how I wish the "distressed" look was in for people too... And about the comments, I can't believe you don't get a zillion. I think you're my favorite blogger! I get my comments emailed to me. (If you don't, you should) which is good because sometimes people are looking through old posts and comment on stuff forever ago.

Natalie said...

I'm not great at commenting, but I love getting comments too. So here's my comment: I LOVE to read your blog, you make me happy, we should get together and play a little, the piano looks great, I have some fun music I will recommend....Just keep swimming!

Anonymous said...

YOU DID IT! You finished the piano and the bench. They look terrific. I think that checking your blog several times a day runs in the family, because I check my e-mail every time I walk past the computer and I am most generally disappointed. BUT my happiness explodes when "You got mail" is there. By the way, I loved that show. Aren't you glad that you can now repent and stop stripping? Go, Stephanie.
By the way, I check your blog everyday and I love the days that you post. G-ma

Kristina P. said...

That piano looks amazing! I would have pulled out my hair, trying to do something like that.

joyce said...

Breathe in... breathe out... Repeat....wwwwwhhhhh, aaaaaaaahhhhhhh. You will be ok...
The piano looks terrific, your children are cute, sweet and still alive, despite the piano project. Now, throw on that pink feather boa and go on a date with your hubby!

The Scholer's said...

The piano looks great, and so do the touch up's on the family picture. :)

Mark and Kristen said...

Oh, poor talented, athletic, perfect-mother, genius Stephanie who never gets ANY comments on her blog! You know when you get bored enough to look for a new project it's time for another baby. Or you can be my personal trainer.

kristi lou said...

I have the perfect project for you!!! Tehee :) You should distress your cabinets! Unless you like your cabinets. I don't really like mine so, I'm going to try someday, hopfully soon, to distress them.

Let me know if your interested. :)

Tori said...

Wow... I can't believe how diligent you are! I'm afraid I would have dropped the project after finding out how involved it was-- kudos to you! As far as a new project, I recommend dumpster diving for used toys while out on a run at 5 am. I hear there are treasures to be found out there, if one only digs deep enough. You're so funny, I love reading your blogs. I don't recommend counting down the days til Christmas (70 by the way). Since I've posted my countdown, time has slowed to a crawl, and I feel that I will never be back in Utah. I know you will find a new project of some sort. You were not made to be still :) Thanks for your friendship Steph, and keep up the blogging (I too am addicted).

The Spencer Family said...

Steph

I read your blog a couple times/week. Sorry I don't comment, I am new at the this blog stocker stuff :) Your blogs make mine look pretty sad. I wish I had 1/10 of your imagination and talent. But I will keep trying.

Czechers said...

We've been wondering what ever happened to the DPC. It's beautiful! The pink boa is a keeper.

Cris Pebley said...

Steph your piano is beautiful. You are much more ambitious than I. After trying to sand down our kitchen cupboards and restain them and failing miserably, I understand the greatness of paint cover up.

Shauna said...

I love your blog and pictures! Thanks for sharing :)

Stephanie said...

Stephanie you're hilarious. Now one reason I might not leave to many comments in the future is that I can't write and I can't spell, so to leave you comments is a little embarrassing. However, I has to tell you your touched up family photo is fabulous, and you did a great job on that piano! As far as your next project, I'm looking forward to one of those Christmas Quilts! See ya on the 12th! -Steph

Marcie said...

Stephanie, now you know why I always post so much! I never have enough to do. You are hillarious. I check my comments regularly too, notice it is 12:38 A.M. The DPH looks great. Maybe you could paint up a small riding toy found on the side of the road to occupy your time. Luv ya!

Andrew said...

Here's another comment for you. We've been reading your blog periodically. Ours is over at baughfam.blogspot.com, I've linked you, let me know if you'd rather not be linked.