Our house is two stories, but we think it was originally one story. The attic we suspect was built out in the 40’s or 50’s based on the look of the tile upstairs. Upstairs is now my office loft, craft/sewing room, and the guest bedroom & bathroom. The craft/sewing room and the guest bedroom both have adorable little window seats with plenty of storage. I made custom cushions for each room to match the décor. When we saw the home during the open house, the bedroom upstairs looked to be a teenager’s with the mattress placed on the floor. I thought nothing of it.

When we moved in, we wanted to create the guest bedroom upstairs. But, all I had was a twin bed, so it stayed in there until we could afford a new set. When we finally purchased a new set for the master bedroom, the old set was sent upstairs to the guest bedroom. Up the very steep and narrow stairs went the queen bed frame, headboard, footboard, dresser, mirror, and nightstands. Easy enough. Then came time for the mattress set. First went the mattress itself. We turned it on its side, and began heading up the stairs, only to get stuck on the bottom stair.

Problem #1: The doorway was too short and narrow, and the stairs too steep to get the mattress upstairs! Fortunately, Wayne & Merle were home, so Alex called in reinforcements. Together, these three used all their muscle, to bend, push, and shove the mattress up the staircase. Mission accomplished.

How to be Neighborly: Give your neighbor a push in the right direction.

Problem #2: The box spring doesn’t bend. How would we ever get this box spring upstairs? Alex gave me a look like, “we don’t really need a box spring, do we?” I gave him a look like “YES. WE. DO!” And then I said the words that accomplish magical things in this household: “Alex, you can do it. I believe in you.” It’s my challenge to him. He always comes through. So here was the scheme he devised:

• Remove the backing from the box spring
• Cut the box spring in half horizontally
• Fold like a taco
• Carry upstairs
• Unfold taco
• Nail back together
• Replace backing, staple back on

Voila! An actual bed! Nothing to it!?!? There was actually a lot to it, but the results were super cute. We both decided immediately that whomever owns this home next will be receiving a free box spring with it. We’re givers.

No recipe for this one.  We went out to dinner.  For what else?…. tacos.