Reality Check

When we purchased the house, we inherited a set of umbrellas and six bar stools for the backyard bar. Upon closer investigation, we realized that the umbrellas were broken, and were replaced thanks to an end of summer clearance sale at Wal-Mart. (yes, Wal-Mart. Evil, evil Wal-Mart). We had been planning to give the bar stools a glorious farewell as fuel for a bonfire until we realized that new barstools were going to cost an arm and a leg. Solution? Sanding those babies down and re-finishing them with new stain. Add in a few well-placed screws to remedy the broken pieces and wah-la (I have no idea how to spell that word, which I'm sure was abundantly clear), good as (almost) new.

Are they comforable? No. However, you can sit on them without getting splinters in your butt, which I consider to be a win.

We’d also like to welcome to the family our new electric sander. After 20 minutes of hand-sanding, we realized that if we were ever going to finish this project, power tools were in order. This brings the new power tool count to 2: the electric chainsaw and the electric sander. I will take this moment to testify to the awesomeness of power tools. Testify!

The chairs, before, during, and after:

Action shots of each of us taking our turn sanding. Stunning, aren't they?

Garlock stretching after a long afternoon of laying in the shade and watching us work, intermixed with trips to the pool for a quick drink:

Also, while I was taking my turn with our new friend electric sander, Jeremy was hanging a rope light under the bar, to help bring some visual interest and depth to the bar area. It looks really nice and makes a big difference at night. I need to get a picture of it after dark so that you too can admire his handiwork.