Bathroom vanity.. LOVE!!

So this is what my entire house is.. honey oak.. and I hate it.. I feel like it's stuck in the 90's.. definately time for an update.

This bathroom is so small so I couldn't get a great photo of the drawers.

I first did a light sand on the doors.. and just for future reference... it needs to be a VERY light sand because it shows scratches on the wood when you stain.

Here are the drawer fronts.. I did another light sand after the first coat dried.. don't be scared.. the first coat looks terrible.

I used General Finished Java Gel Stain.  You can only get it at the Woodsmith Store. I applied it with an old T-shirt to keep the lint off.

Coat #1 on the vanity.

The sides are horrible because it's Veneer so it scratches super easy.. next time I would NOT sand and see how it works.

After 3 coats of Gel Stain and one coat of Polyurethane ( I chose the Satin finish to keep some of the shine down).

Next was updating the hardware.. we had brass and silver.. time to go.

Two coats of this, followed by a coat of clear acrylic spray to help prevent any chipping and it looks like new hardware!

Time for a change...

So we are just about done with our bathroom makeover... and I have to admit.. it was a much bigger job than I had anticipated. Many lessons learned with the first being that when you are replacing trim work.. don't start in a small place with 4 corners, especially when you are not a carpenter. Originally I told many people that I was going to to this one myself.. well.. without my hubby and father-in-law.. it just wasn't going to happen.

I am going to buy some flat brackets to put on the mirror and then frame the mirror out with wood.. but.. first things first.

Ripping up the baseboard was not an easy task.. the nails were super long and it was really jammed in there.  It was hard not to damage the walls.

I was going to go safe with a grey or beige but then I talked to my sister and she gave me the courage to go bold... in a small room it's easier to do because you don't have to see it at all times.  So I went with Aqua.  It looked horrible with the first coat.. then second was better but it needed 3 COATS!!!  Ugghh. I would have primed if I knew that.

More to come on the cabinets and walls...

The BIG game has finally come and gone!!

Another King Ladies Day/Night Out! It the annual Cy/Hawk Challenge Game Day.. this year in Ames so we all ventured on up for a FULL day of tailgating.  Myrna was there at 10:00 or so, I was there by about 12:30 and the game started at 5:00.. that's a long day of tailgating.. but so worth it.. had a blast.

Back Row: Me, Joyce, Myrna, Lea
Front Row: Mal and Haley

It was a little toasty in the afternoon but by late afternoon it was perfect.. just wish the game would have ended on a high note too.

Haley and her boyfriend Gaelen (not sure how to spell that one)!

Andy and Lea Harrison

My awesome Uncle Dick and Aunt Joyce Barta.. we weren't sure what colors Dick was going to wear.. thought it might be black and gold.. but he came through!

So this is it for photos.. because when I got to Ames I realized that my camera didn't have a memory card in it.. I was SOOOO mad.. so this captures the "early tailgate".. too bad no photos of my cousin and her friends "later" in the tailgate.. it was quite entertaining.  Such a fun atmosphere to be in Ames for the ISU/Iowa game.. even if I didn't have tickets.. and even if we didn't win. 

The Dudster

Getting some sun.. and it's VERY hot outside.. don't know how he does it!

Dudley gets these spurts usually daily.. it's so funny!

A little inside fun on a HOT day

We stayed at Eric's aunt and uncles house while in Indiana (Fred and Judy Dieckmeyer). They live in Columbus and took us downtown to The Commons. This place was around when Eric was a kiddo. They have redone it now but it's still cool. The girls got to burn off a bunch of energy. This place was pretty cool.

This is about 3 stories high and they can climb to the top!

Like this... 

I forgot the girls tennis shoes at Virginia's so they just wore socks.. had to throw them away when they were done.. they were BLACK on the bottom.. yummy! 

Stopping for a lemonade break.

Great Grandma took us out for dinner to The Cracker Barrell (her favorite), and they had these rocking chairs out front!

Great Grandma turns 90!!

We headed to Seymour Indiana to visit Great Grandma Hubbard. It had been way too long since we had last seen her. She turned 90 this past April so we had a late celebration with her. The girls had so much fun and they were so good to Virginia. We all cried when we left, just wish we were a little closer. It was such a fun visit.. too quick but fun... oh and hotter than Hades out there!

Playing Tumbling Monkeys with Great Grandma Hubbard

Virginia would LOVE that I have a photo of her in her curlers.. but they were having so much fun!

Gifts from Aunt Nancy and Uncle Ed Trowbridge

Of course Grandpa Hubbard and Elise were causing trouble.. making bets with each other.. Elise lost this time and owes Grandpa $5!

The girls had so much fun with Great Grandma! She even took them shopping to Wal-Mart today.

We always have to add the silly faces!

4 Generations of Hubbard's! This is so great in so many ways to me. This is something not a lot of people get to see. My grandparents were all gone before I had kids.. pretty special that we have all of these people in our lives.

I am hoping Sharon got a better photo on her camera.. this might be as good as it gets!

Virginia and Eric

Happy Birthday Virginia (even though it was in April).. we love you!
The girls said to me just yesterday "Mom we really miss Great Grandma all ready"

And on another note.. if I make it to 90.. I hope I look as good as she does.. she does NOT look 90 to me!