I'm a Halloween Scrooge

Happy Halloween!

I’m kind of a Halloween Scrooge.  I don’t have any deep rooted opinions about Halloween.  I don’t care that it teaches children to get something for nothing. Hey, it’s only one night a year. It’s been my experience that they need more repetition than that to change behavior.  I don’t mind sharing my candy or answering the door.  In fact, I love to see the creative costumes that show up on my door step and the happy faces of my little friends.  I even like to bake ghost sugar cookies and decorate them with chocolate chip eyes. I’m a Halloween Scrooge because I’m just not very good at it!

When my children were small and Halloween could have been fun for them I was intimidated by the elaborate costumes my friends were sewing for their children.  Really?  I remembered as a child decorating brown grocery bags and cutting eye slits in them for weeks before Halloween.  I tried to make a scary mask, but it always just looked silly.  One year my little sister and I decided to be gypsies.  We asked our brother-in-law to do our makeup because he was an artist.  His vision of a gypsy and mine were quite different.  I bawled at the old hag that looked back from a mirror.  I thought gypsies were supposed to be gorgeous! My daughter was a witch for 5 years running only because we had a hat. One time I fashioned a cape out of a garbage bag and painted my son’s face white to make him an instant Dracula.

Perhaps I would have been better at Halloween if it didn’t always creep up on me. I always find myself unprepared.  The big night is two days away and I just pulled a jack-o-lantern, a witch, and a cat out of the holiday decorations this morning.  I place them on the front doorstep and called it good.  My husband had to remind me for several days to purchase candy for the Trick-or-treaters.

It could be more than that.  It could be possible that I don’t like to invite scary things into my life.  My five year-old granddaughter feels the same way. She wants to opt out this year. Too bad she isn’t here.  We could hide from the goblins together! Nevertheless, I am prepared.  Maybe I will bake up some sweet ghosts on Friday so I can embrace the holiday more fully.

Happy Halloween and Happy Reading!

Redecorating with Behr

My dear friend, Paulee, was visiting several weeks ago and told me, “Carol, the next time I come to visit we are painting your bathroom!”  Paulee is the kind of friend that loves me in spite of my faults and loves me enough to give me advice when needed.  She was right.  That bathroom was long overdue for a face lift.  What makes it worse is it’s the “public” bathroom in our house.  Everyone sees it.

And we're prepping!

While cleaning said bathroom this week I determined to come to a decision on a paint color.  After cleaning the bathroom I decided it would be a good time to tape and repair holes in preparation for the paint.  I am a bit under the gun as my two college student sons are coming home for the summer.  If I didn’t paint before they arrived, it wouldn’t happen until fall. 

Having prepped the walls and prepared my mind for painting (not my favorite pastime) I made the thirty minute drive to town that evening to purchase paint from Home Depot. (I could write much about my relationship with Home Depot, but that will have to wait.) Unfortunately, the paint swatch I had picked out did not come from Home Depot!  So I made a stab at a close match. I returned home with a gallon of BehrDusty Olive. I had difficulty sleeping as I was so excited to get those ugly blue walls covered!

Bright and early Thursday I donned my grubby painting clothes (Sorry, no selfies!) and began the chore.  I had nearly completed the task when my hubby arrived home for lunch.  I had used only about a quart of paint. While we were munching on the lunch that he so kindly prepared I mused, “I wonder if I have enough paint for the kitchen?”

I got a little carried away.

And so it continued.  The prep work involved climbing up and down to remove objects above the counter. And up.  And down.


Just one of four collections to remove and replace.

When the task was completed, I had upgraded two rooms for about $40 and my shoulders and ankles hurt. 

Such a difference!

I have a new favorite paint color and I am wondering if I have enough paint left to cover a dining room wall!

I love this rich color.

 Gone is the ugly blue glazed white stuff.  I wonder why I had that blue paint?

 

 



Fresh new look!

 

Those chairs are OLD, as in 100 years!

 

What do you think?  Should I paint the wall on the right of this photo! Maybe I should ask Paulee ...

Hoarder or Procrastinator?

Just like it was yesterday ...

Okay, I’ve admitted that I am a bit of a hoarder.  See this post. I am beginning to wonder if I am truly a hoarder or if I just can’t measure the passing of time.  Hmm?
For instance, my husband and I were visiting a friend recently who confessed that she used to paint her walls every two years.
“Wow!  I probably haven’t painted mine in like … six!”
Hubby cleared his throat and informed me that it had been much longer than that!  I had no idea!
The same thing happened when I went in for what should have been an annual cancer screening.  (It’s the one us girls would prefer to have a car ran over our rib cage than endure.) 
“Um, it’s been a couple years …” I confessed.
“More like eight,” the not-so-cheerful receptionist muttered.  Who knew?
Today I replaced the well-used quilt covering my bed with a crisp new coverlet. It’s like I have a new room!  Now I probably won’t have to paint the walls for some time yet.  After all, it’s only been … oh … ten, maybe twelve years …

Artwork for Grandma

I've certainly mellowed with age.  When my children "decorated" my walls with crayons, pencils, and pens, I was unhappy and probably even a little bit unkind.  Didn't those children know how hard it was to keep a clean house without added wall scrubbing? 
Things have changed.  When my granddaughters visited last summer, the three year-old did a little redecorating in several places!  I miss those little girls when they leave, so I have retained the new artwork.  It helps me feel connecte. I appreciate it so much more than I used to!
I think the time has come to remove the artwork.  The girls are coming back!  As they will be visiting during the holidays, I think I can withstand the separation until December. So, if I can bring myself to do it, I will be scrubbing walls next week.  In the meantime, I'm gonna enjoy it just a little longer!  

Changing things up ...

My longtime friend and good buddy Paulee came to visit yesterday.  We had fun, as we always do!
First - She brought along her bike and we went for an eighteen miler along country roads that included a river crossing, a horse ranch, pelicans, cattle, and the occasional motorist.  (We like to push each other.)
Second - We made gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches and homemade tomato soup for lunch ending with huckleberries and vanilla ice cream! (We like to indulge!)
Third - I watched as Paulee shared her talents for decorating.  Yes, I got a redo in my entryway, living room, kitchen and dining room and I didn't purchase anything new. (Paulee has a flare and I like to encourage her!)
Fourth - We are planning to launch her new business!  She is still working out the details including her business name, but I can tell you this ... it has a little bit to do with you and a lot to do with her amazing eye and decorating talents. Here is a photo of my new entryway.  I am sorry that there is no "before" photo.  No worries ... it was boring, anyway!

These mirrors were spread throughout my house.  They are much more interesting displayed together.