04/25/2007

USS Nathan Phase 2: Trading Beauty for Ashes

The USS Nathan had humble beginnings. Born of an unknown boat-maker in a time where sails were imported from under Cuban dictatorship, Father Time (now known as the USS Nathan) has had a long and fulfilling life. If only the boat could talk...what memories he would share! Many of you have followed the USS through his ups and downs (quite literally), and are aware that he has now become a staple in our household. Nick tackled all the construction necessary to transform Father Time (lowly sailboat) into the USS Nathan (Nathan's bed!) with seemingly little effort and incredible results! (Refer to photographs of earlier posts to see what the bed looks like when it's assembled.) Now the part that I really enjoy has begun...the creative, decorative part.

Nick helped me to paint the bottom of the boat today. When it dries, we'll flip it over and finish painting the top section. With a jet black bottom and a deep brown body, the boat is looking more striking than ever! I plan to put the boat's name in a prominent position on the side and may add details like wood-grain for complexity. I'm afraid the boat's original blue color had a nauseating effect and simply had to go. Plus, we wanted the boat to look a bit more 'old world.' I think this will do the trick! We also have an OLD traveling chest that is going to be painted to match the room's motif--something like a cross between a treasure chest and your average 'Around the World in 80 Days' chest. I painted the rudder with a silhouette picture of a small sailboat out to sea at sunset. On it I printed the words, "O God, Thy sea is so great, and my boat is so small." This will be hung someone...I have to wait for the perfect spot to hit me!

I love this kind of thing. I like to have a project--an outlet for my creativity. Nathan adores his bed and, frankly, it is the perfect piece for a little boy's room. Just our luck, baby number two will be Nia and will be forced to share this masculine space with her brother for a little while. Oh, well, she won't mind! The joy of being small is that you quickly forget offenses against you, eh? I wish you all could come see this bed. Dad and Mom Jones, I guess you all will see it when you come to visit our sweet new baby! Everyone else...we'll just have to wait and see. I hated this boat from the get-go, but seeing how much Nathan loves it and how good it is for Nick to still have it, I've started to find myself growing attached. Funny how that can happen!