No more smoke and mirrors...

I'm still alive. Just pulled in a million directions. BSD is off for two weeks so we are in full project mode. Luckily, it's been cold and rainy so he is forced to help me indoors. Rather than spending these two weeks sweeping the driveway.

I think we've started about 15 projects. And only one of them is finished. But not before we changed our minds. At least three times.

Remember this picture taken the night before the big House Painting Project of 2012?

Well...about a week ago, I got one of my wishes. That fugly light fixture on the ceiling had been flickering for weeks. I just kept talking to it. Figuring it was my mom trying to communicate with me from above. But the other night, it started flickering frantically. Then it started smoking. And some sort of oil seemed to be pooling on the plexiglass cover. I finally stopped conversing with it. And flipped the switch.

The Big Ballerina begged me to evacuate. Claiming toxic fumes would kill us. I poo-poo'ed her pleas. But later checked Google just to be sure. Still feeling uneasy about it, I woke BSD to tell him the house was about to burn down around us. He rolled over and told me he'd look at it in the morning.

I slept with one eye open that night. And while sitting in the dentist's chair the next morning, I got a text message to "Go pick out a new fixture, sweetie." *woot*

So...two weeks and two light fixtures later. We have a winner.

And a new paint color. Benjamin Moore Limestone on the walls. And BM White Dove on the ceilings.

This time it's the real color. *pinky promise*

BB's bedroom? That's a different story. I will post the real color of that one soon.

And one of these years. When that money tree starts to bloom again. Those countertops will join the old light fixture. I wonder if there's a way to make those smoke and ooze.

Do Over...

So it took me two years to pick a paint color. And when I finally pulled the trigger. And left Larry alone to paint the kitchen. I came back home to discover.

I hated it.

And I had three more gallons of a color that turned out to be minty green. WTF?!?

I didn't know what the heck to do. Suck it up and have him continue. Or stop the game. And call a "Do-Over."

My stomach was literally in knots. I may have even had an accident in Lowe's the next day. All over a freakin' paint color. I kept reminding myself that if this was my biggest problem in life. I was a very lucky girl.

I know that I am.

But could I LIVE with mint green walls? Or could I LIVE with being wasteful?

It felt like all those times I'd go into the salon on a major high with a magazine photo of "the hair cut." The one that would transform me into someone else. Instead I'd walk out deflated. Looking at the same old face. But now with ugly hair.

Or in this case. Minty walls.

And since paint doesn't "grow out" like a bad hair cut.

Wasteful won out. And just to be brutally honest. There were two more paint swatches on this wall before I finally picked another color. And stuck with it.

Forgive me father, for I have sinned.

Note: I want to apologize for not getting over to visit my bloggy friends in a while. I feel badly. I have seriously been consumed by this painting project and my photo class. I hope to get over to "see" you all soon.

the best dollar I ever spent...

Tomorrow is the big day. Larry the painter is coming to transform this place. Only a few more hours left. For me to change my mind. I'm pretty sure the paint store opens before 8:30am.

I'm starting with the kitchen. I figured it would be the easiest to prep. I am an idiot. It's now 10pm. And there is still crap everywhere.

I thought I was going to throw a few things in some boxes. Move the toaster, the coffee maker and a few random jars into the dining room and be done.

That was before I climbed up on the counters to take down the vases. And realized they were covered in grease. I spent a good portion of the night degreasing the place.

But luckily I had the help of this magic potion. Have you ever heard of this stuff? LA's Totally Awesome All Purpose Cleaner. This stuff really works miracles. It's concentrated and there are mixing directions on the back that are too small to read. And I think it says something about not breathing it in or wearing a haz mat suit when you use it. But I just sprayed it on these vases. And wiped the grease away with a wet rag. Same for the kitchen cabinets. Spray and wipe. Totally Awesome stuff. Just like the label says.

And the best part? It only costs $1. At The Dollar Tree.

OK...my last box is packed. I'm ready for Larry. I'll be dreaming of the changes a'comin...

Nightie, Night.