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Clem's Crazy Critters

Coconut Oil to Condition Wood.

11/3/2017

We live in an old farmhouse, and while it is unique it is also often frustrating. The woodwork in our living room is a beautiful, dark wood, but there are a few areas where this milky coloring has overtaken the dark wood. You can see what I’m talking about in the first photo above. I noticed that after I dusted the milky color was gone, but it would reappear within a few minutes. This had to be because the wood was drying out so I set off to find a solution. Initially I was going to buy some specialized furniture/wood oil, but then I thought I would make my own, and finally I took the lazy approach and tried straight coconut oil. Wow, what a difference! I rubbed it in with a cloth and wiped away any extra and was left with a lovely dark finish.

I could have taken my Dad’s advice and stripped/refinished all of our moulding, but who has time for that...or the money to pay someone?! My coconut oil was a quick fix and a new way to use the oil since there is now evidence that it is not as good for us as we once thought (another post for another time). I will stick with my safflower and olive oils for cooking and use the coconut oil for my skin and woodwork.

All content is original unless otherwise stated.

All content is written & created by Libby Clem.

In memory of Carlos, Benito, Milkshake, Jimmy,
Buster, Gabby, Ellie, Jimmy 2, Gus, Dublin, Toby, Muffin, Eyebrows, Brownie, Mustache and her kittens, Stormy

By Clem's Crazy Critters. All rights reserved.

Motherhood can be a lonely place and these days unforgiving. I could not care less about how others feel I am doing as a Momma, as long as my kids are thriving I am good. I do not need to keep up with the activities and parties because I just do not care. However, I do care about how my mom sees me as a Momma, am I doing a good job in her eyes? I know I am, she has told me, so has my dad.

The loneliness of motherhood did not start right away for me, the warm fuzzies of having an infant put them at bay for a while. The loneliness for me started when I finally went back to work. I spend the day teaching high school students and come home where I do not get a chance to stop.

There are days where all I want is five minutes of silence, but I never get that five minutes. There are days where all I want is for all the household chores to be finally caught up, but we know that will never happen. There are days I wish I could just go off on my own for a day or two, but then I realize how much I would miss my kids and husband. There are days I wish I was not constantly needed, but I am thankful that my children come to me for their needs. There are many days that I get tired of hearing 'Momma' yelled over and over, once is enough; I heard you the first time. There are days where all I want is one 'thank you', but I never get that 'thank you'.

Mom, I know that one day this loneliness will go away and it will be filled with a different kind of loneliness, but I now understand how much you did and sacrificed and gave. I see some of my students and know that I was so lucky to have you as a mom, just like my kids are so lucky to have me. You were selfless. You did what had to be done to be a good mom even when it took away from your wants and needs. I know I did not appreciate what you did back when I was younger, but I do now and I am so thankful for you.