The Craig and Jo Show

It’s been some time since there has a been a Craig and Jo episode here on the blog.  Since Craig started working on the farm, he’s typically working on the weekend and there isn’t a lot of time to do anything extra.  Also, we have gotten a lot of the things done around here.  Of course, there is always something we could do but nothing urgent.

You might remember that I bought this old piece for my entertainment center before Covid….

(I’m requesting that you not leave any comments about mounting the television on the wall.  It’s on my list but I have to afford a new television first.  I think I’ve talked about it long enough that the kids have it on their radar for me for Christmas/Birthday.)

I’ve wanted to put a back on this old piece with cubby holes ever since I bought it.  I almost didn’t buy it as there wasn’t a back.  I put blocks and small toys in some of the bins.   The kids’ napping stuff goes in here too.   With no back, as time goes on, some of the toys sift their way to the back of the bin and fall out the back.  It’s a pain.  Plus I have wanted to hide the cords and in general, just make it look neater…another reason I want a wall mount television too.

I can stand things so long and then I just can’t anymore.  Enough is enough and I want all the projects done.  That was what happened Labor Day weekend.  I finally quit feeling sorry for myself that Kramer isn’t here to do all the things for me, pulled up my big girl pants, and started doing the things I can do.  So on Labor Day weekend, I decided it was time to start on the project.

So I had the local lumber yard set out lumber for me and had Karl pick it up.  Karl cut the boards for me.  (check out my new vanity for the downstairs bathroom that the boards are sitting on!!)

I stained them…

…and on Sunday….
Craig put them on the back of the entertainment center for me.

Here he has one more board to put on way at the end.  Didn’t I do a good job matching the stain color??  I was so proud of myself.  I mixed a red oak and a dark walnut stain to get this.

The boards look like they have been on there forever.  Here is one hole that doesn’t have the board on the back yet.  Can you see how much better it looks with the backing boards?

I can’t help but chuckle when I look at it and think what the old farmer who owned this would have thought to see it in my living room.  I know it’s not the look many want but oh my, I love it!  It’s old and crusty and perfectly functional.  It checks off all the boxes for me especially now that it has a back.

I want to sort and reorganize to get the things on the shelves a little neater looking.  I think I need a couple of baskets but I don’t shop much so it likely won’t happen real soon but little by little it will happen.

After that, Craig fixed my icemaker (we think) and put the new tire on my wheelbarrow.  He was going to texture behind the toilet in the downstairs bathroom but we couldn’t find the stuff to do it.

It turned out okay as just about then Gannon decided he wanted a nap so they all went home…and came back later for supper.

I’m so happy.  Happy enough that I started another project.  I’ll show you that another day though.