St. Mary's Home

As part of the Junior League provisional class project, I worked at St. Mary's Home this past weekend. I have lived in Mobile my entire life and never knew what St. Mary's was until recently. My JLM class is remodeling the older boys' and girls' dorm living area (think teenagers). They each have a playroom type area with couches and chairs, a giant TV, tables for eating and activities, and a kitchen area. With all that going on, you would think the rooms would be huge but they really aren't for as many children they are trying to accomodate. As this was the first of 4 weekends that we will be spending there, we were really just cleaning out and getting things started. The Mobile Home Builders Association is working with us to show us the proper way of doing things and also help in the areas that we can't do (plumbing, electrical, etc.). I think it is great what we are doing to help, but from touring the facility, it is easy to see that they could use a few more concerned citizens to help out in other areas.

The project was a little disorganized at first, but by the end of it all, I became a pro with power tools. I always laugh at the women on those DIY shows that get really excited about using power tools, but I see why...It's awesome! For most of the time, I spent sanding furniture with a professional sander that one of the builders from the Home Builders Association brought with him. I loved it! I think refinishing furniture is a ton of fun and I have always had ideas on how to paint things and such. So now I am going to do some of my own stuff soon!