A Charlie Brown Christmas

After our drawn-out floor staining process, we were exhausted. Christmas Eve morning, we stumbled into Starbucks for piping hot cocoa and warm conversation. We recapped the week in a series of play-by-plays about the coats of stain and the accompanying nights that never ended. Then Clint announced his plan to pick out a Christmas tree! We drove to his family’s property in Carnation and trudged around in the rain until we found the perfect (for us) tree. Its small size made it easy to cut and carry. My dear husband also surprised me with ornaments, strings of lights, and stockings at home. Our tired bodies were energized, and we decorated in a frenzy before falling asleep atop our new floors and under the twinkle of lights. Some would call our Christmas Eve decorating silly, but our tree and décor lasted well into February. Fire hazard? Perhaps. Fun? Absolutely.

Staining with the Beach Boys

“Little Saint Nick” lyrics are eternally tied to my memory of staining our fir floors. The week before Christmas, we patched, mended, and sanded spots needing extra attention. Then came meticulous vacuuming and washing until not a speck of dust remained. Blaring Christmas classics was our secret to sanity. The actualy staining process scheduled for 3pm quickly became 9pm. Our progress became tied to the number of times Beach Boy ballads repeated on the radio. Finally, at 9:55, we brushed our first stroke of stain across the light wood. The floors instantly “popped” with vintage color. Our “wax on, wax off” method continued over every square foot. Our bags were packed and sitting near the door, as we made our way to the finish line. Although The Beach Boys provided numerous reminders that “Christmas comes this time each year,” staining floors will happen only once in a lifetime.