follow ups are hard

Feels disingenuous to write some sort of "hey, I finished a sock!" post today. (Even though I did.)

Feels a little like I should write more in navel-gazing vein, just for continuity.

At the same time, the loudest thing in my head right now is "I can keep the bathroom door open now."

Well, second loudest. The loudest keeps distracting me with furniture and other decor that will go towards converting the empty bedroom space into (friends, say it with me) a craft nook. I am going to need a table for my sewing machine. I'm thinking minimalist, preferably wood but metal OK, and cheap. Cheapy cheap. Like, free or close too. I wonder if I should just get a folding table or something, wait to invest in a "real" table until I'm more situated. I could wrap fabric around the edge of the table, secure with elastic, disguise its folding-ness. Thoughts?

Also need a comfy chair. I have to admit, I have been fantasizing about putting a comfy chair by the window in the bedroom ever since I moved in. Sharing the apartment was an acceptable compromise, sure, but now I can have my comfy chair. I've already found a couple storage ottomans, on clearance ($19!) that will serve as a window bench and extra yarn storage (so I can free up closet space, woo). The comfy chair may need to wait until after I get new dining room chairs, which I have needed to do...forever. (The link goes to chairs that are very like the ones that need replacing. Question is do I do the stain myself to save a couple bucks? Do I forgo the matchy match inclination and paint the chairs green?)

And I'm just enamored of this wall decal--definitely within my budget as well. I'm thinking in either turquoise or apple green. But I also may paint. Or I may do both. This will require more thinking. Fortunately I have time before my blood money tax rebate comes in. (Much as I loathe the fact that I'm getting one, I can't help but admit that it's going to come in rather handy.)

It's a little bit of retail therapy (which I have already indulged in, as much as I could, by buying more lace-knitting needles) and a little bit of symbolic redecorating (I also have new bed linens on the way). Truth be told, the apartment was already 80-95% mine: my furniture, my work, my legwork in finding it in the first place. Which is not to say that it need have remained so (I remember having a heated discussion over a certain person's lack of involvement in making the apartment "ours"). But it does make the transition a bit easier--there is less space to be filled.

Comments

[cari]

You guys used to close the bathroom door? Really?

[Iris]

Hmm... could there be a paint party coming up? With pizza and beer?

[jackie]

I'm all for doing fun things like staining and painting furniture but my concern is, where would you do this that won't be a problem for Scout? You don't want cat hair stuck to the new chairs, nor do you want a green cat, so only do it if you can be assured he stays away during the process/drying. Stain and poly can be pretty stinky, too.

As for table, you're gonna be a sew demon - make a cover/skirt for it.

[Jackie]

Maybe try Craigslist for a table.... you could probably find something nice (wooden, maybe even meant for sewing) on the cheapy cheap.

I love the wall decal! Very cool, reminds me of spring and all the new beginnings stuff that goes with it :)

[rebecca]

I'm all for painting the chairs!

[Veronique]

You're thinking very positively! All your home improvements sound exciting :) I've been dying to get a wall decal, and have even favorited, oh, about 20 on etsy. Yay for a craft nook!

[Carole]

You sound really upbeat and ready to move on. I'm so glad.

[greta]

Hugs, dear friend..
huzzah for the craft nook and the moving FORWARD.
You deserve to be really REALLY happy
more often than not.
If there is anything I can do, just email....
xoxoxo

[margaret]

table? cheap? freecycle - nothing else compares ...

[anj]

if there is a painting party I want to be invited. I am a very good painter and can help with supplying beer.

And I am with cari.. closed the door? really??

been thinking about you babe. Did you get the email from my mom?

[heather]

ikea's got a table set up where you buy the top and the legs separately and it comes out to like, $30 bucks. i just got one for my sewing machine and it's faboo.

[Lee Ann]

We close the door too, but we have a kid. Also, we close the door but there are two of us in the room so it doesn't really count. Le Monsieur used to be a bit annoyed by this, but he has gotten very much used to the "dude, we have one bathroom so get used to me brushing my teeth while you pee" rule. I compromised, though...we don't discuss finances when one of us is taking a leak. It's only fair.

Still thinking a lot about you, sweetiepie. I wish the hell I was closer. I'd love to help you make the place 110% your own. Hang in there, and have fun doing whatever floats your boat. Fuzzy tummies help, too.

[Ellen]

Don't get a folding table. They shimmy when the sewing machine starts up. I speak from personal experience. You'll need something sturdy.