My whole world came to a standstill a year ago. Losing my man left a huge hole in my heart, but I have staff and a home to take care of, and the only way to do that is to keep on running Lily's Cottage.
Initially, it was as if anything that could break, burst, or explode, or whatever other calamity strikes homeowners, did their utmost best to break, burst, explode, etc.
It felt like all hell broke loose, but I survived.
Thanks to two brothers who came to my rescue when the task was beyond the scope of my star gardener-cum-handyman. Some repairs were outside the Brothers' expertise, and the professionals had to be called in!
Grief has a way of making one feel lame, and have no interest in doing anything beyond what is necessary.
But I started having bursts of inspiration, wanting to make little changes around the house and the BnB, stuff that's been on Arthur and my list for a couple of years, but health issues put a halt to that.
I've also realized that I need to set up boundaries, and make this job of running the BnB solo, more sustainable:
- I no longer offer meals to guests
- No transport, especially airport pickups
- No cleaning service on weekends and public holidays
I'm cutting down on the number of guests in each unit, so decided to toss the divans/ sleeper couches.
The cottage has a breakfast nook, but it was a tight squeeze for guests dining and business guests needing more space when working.
A dining table was much needed, and could easily fit where the divan stood, but a new table and chairs weren't in my budget.
Mom Lily always taught me to look around and see what was lying around, before running to the stores.
My brother was making a snazzy new 8-seater dining room table at the time, and when I saw the beautiful finish of the kiaat table top that he had made up, I remembered the big vintage desk I nearly tossed, collecting dust in our ex-games room. It had a dark varnish, as can be seen in the drawers in the photo below. Bonginkosi beat me to it, had already started sanding before I took a photo.
The original desk top must have been damaged at some stage and replaced with chipboard, which obviously deteriorated at a later stage so Mom Lily did her version of decoupage, which also deteriorated. The table top had to go! Yes, it is very old.
Bonginkosi skillfully sanded it down using a sanding disc and angle grindle, and this beautiful light-coloured wood appeared.
A final sanding with a very fine
My brother arranged for a Cypress table top to be made, really beautiful wood. He sealed it with a 'Crylcote???, not sure if that's the correct term,' but it's a good wood sealer that protects and brings out the natural colour of the wood; it will not yellow with age as it would if varnished.
Bonginkosi sealed the base framework, applying two coats, with a light sanding in between coats.
My brother delivered the top which Bonginkosi attached to the base, and our table was complete!
I wanted a little bench for the front of the table, and would use two of my diningroom chairs for the ends.
My two brothers worked together, and made a nice sturdy bench, using the same wood as the tabletop.
All in all, the project came to just under ZAR 2,500.
It would have cost much more if this was manufactured by a professional carpenter.
I'm not sure if I will put handles on the drawers, as it is a table now, after all, but will be on the lookout for something suitable.
I'm more than happy with the results, and our current guest, a researcher from Cape Town, who books a couple of days every month, was more than happy. She works late into the night, after spending the day at a research facility nearby.
Life goes on, and the grief will never end, but I still find joy in the simple things!
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