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This is my one hundredth post—a first for this blogger. For many bloggers, this accomplishment is a yawn. I believe most many bloggers power through topics as if they were swatting a mosquito. I instead, carefully scribe essays to support my mission and I postponed this post hoping for an Epiphany—a topic that would rock your world—an announcement I have anticipated since summer.

My epitaph should read, “kept waiting.” Confederate Cemetery

No word from afar that will send fireworks into the heavens. Rats! I am tired of seeing my Christmas post staring back at me, so here goes—my 100th entry for all of you—my dear, dear followers.

Happy New Year!

Personally, I detest being idle, sans creative juices. During January, the garden sleeps, my life is content, yet projects at home never cease. As I rattle around indoors during cold winter days, the house whispers. All major renovations are complete, following 6.5 years of effort, yet there are the little details that remain, like the itch in the middle of my back—small yet difficult to ignore.

The kitchen’s butcher block counter tops could use a fresh coat of Behandla. The basement workbench is a wretched sight, following years of abuse by former male hobbyists. And for the past two years, I have lusted after some type of soaking tub for my master bath. Are you braced for the outcome?

Tackle #1: Having considered new surfaces for the workbench, I settled on a good coat of paint instead. While shopping at Lowe’s, I happened upon a cart filled with rejected paints. There sat an unopened quart of a high tech pricy paint in just the perfect hue for a basement workbench. Instead of paying $18, I paid merely $2.50 for this sexy liquid. I love finds like this. After a thorough vacuuming, the counter tops were ready for their makeover. A three-inch roller and sponge brush were all that I needed to complete this facelift. The following day, I applied a second coat and voila, a mini transformation that only I will appreciate.

  So goes the masterpiece at casa LaSauce!

Tackle#2: As far as the soaking tub for my master bath—well that is a horse of a different color! I considered a custom Japanese tub made by the Alaskan company who supplied Jennifer Aniston. Yes, a gazillion dollars. Then I found a brilliant copper soaking tub online. P. Allen Smith ordered one of these babies for his summer porch—yup, another gazillion dollars. I then visited Southern States and eyed animal water troughs—too big, too small. Then I showered in my basement’s stall shower all summer. Why is this so hard? The basement is now too cold to visit, especially when naked, so I put this home challenge on my back burner to simmer.

In order to satisfy my winter itch, I invited a pal to take a day trip to IKEA—a two hour drive from home. If nothing else I could check out the kitchen department and finally add Behandla to my inventory. Much to my dismay, IKEA is no longer the fascinating place to shop— they have sold out to China. I now prize my IKEA purchases from 2000, when the made in Sweden stamp prevailed.

Nearly empty-handed, my pal and I approached the end of our IKEA tour when we discovered the clearance department. I found a 4-pack of light bulbs (.99) and then EUREKA! there sat a stack of black, half-priced tubs. My pal nearly fell over laughing when I pulled one down to the floor and stepped in and sat down. An absolutely perfect fit for this gal’s Japanese soaking tub! I was a happy girl! As I raised up to exit the tub, its roller feet began to carry me across the showroom floor, and both my pal and a gasping IKEA employee ran to my rescue.

For a mere $7.50, I finally had my soaking vessel. One more stop to the plumbing department at Lowe’s ($11.45) and a visit to my neighbor for the installation of the spout (a few homemade cookies), and this gal is in business. I actually photographed myself IN the tub, yet will refrain from publishing these images online. What you see below is a sleek, efficient, water saving, up-to my-neck soaking spot. Hurray!If I fill my conventional bath tub, it consumes over 40 gallons of water to reach my chin. This black beauty tub requires merely 10 gallons, as I displace half of the area with my five-foot-five frame. Up to my chin in bubbles and a big smile, I now look for my next project about the house. Stay tuned for the unveiling of my bio-ethanol, free-standing fire burner for the bay window! VERY green.

And I still hold out for the great news to come in February for my next blog. Keep your fingers crossed! Cheers!

PS Please remember to visit my seasonal essays by month. This drop down menu is found in the left margin…the menu by category is located lower left margin. Every essay is packed with information, inspiration, and local photography. One hundred heart-felt posts await your exploration!

Copyright © 2013 by Diane LaSauce All Rights Reserved