What’s on the iPod: In Your Light by Gotye
The best thing – maybe the only thing – about working hard all weekend is when you actually accomplish something. We finished painting the guest bedroom. Once we sanded, moved out furniture, painted the ceiling, and decided on colors, we knocked out the painting in just six hours (two coats). We’d decided on a yellow that’s almost eggshell and sage green trim on the windows and doors. We put the bed in a different spot and the result was transformative. It feels like a retreat, like a place you’d want to rest. I couldn’t be happier with the results.
There wasn’t time for much else this past weekend. I had to go out for the paint — first to Sears because they sold us the original yellow (years and years ago). We were certain, since we’d just bought another gallon two years ago, that they’d be able to mix another for us. Right. I wasted 30 minutes while the helpful clerk tried unsuccessfully to color match — and let me say that’s the second time Sears has failed in the color-matching attempts. He wanted me to try again, but I’d had enough. I saw time ticking and my weekend window of opportunity closing. I went next door to Sherwin-Williams and picked up the trim paint. Then home without the wall paint.
He did a little research while I was gone. Turns out Sherwin-Williams now carries the colors and paints that Sears can’t color match. He dashed out the door and made it just in time to get the wall paint before the store closed. We painted from 6 until 8:30, when my arms and his back gave out. Then up on Sunday to finish and start the trim. We headed off for brunch, then came home and painted. Just a few hours and we were done. We rewarded ourselves with Irish music at the pub.
And what a session it was! Normally close to empty on a Sunday in the summer, the place was packed. There had been a Celtic music camp weekend for younger kids that let out an hour before the sessions, and the students and families all packed in to the pub. Seventy-five or better people, but the music was fantastic. We had shown up shortly before they ended, but what little we heard was terrific. One fiddle player in particular — a boy of about nine — just astounds me with his talent. He’d played with the sessions in the past, and I’m always impressed by how much emotion you can feel in his playing.
No time for gardening or even dusting. Not that I care about that second thing, but the garden saw some much-needed rain and there are some weeds that have to come out. Maybe today after I get my article nearly finished.
This week is a short one. I’m off on Wednesday to Ontario to harass fish and laugh about it with my parents. So today is article, tomorrow is last interview for that article, and somewhere in there I may have to get another client project either roughed in or completed depending on the info they provide. A lot to accomplish, but I’m caffeinated and ready for it! Well, until the caffeine wears off.
How was your weekend? What does your to-do list look like this week?
Wow. I'm impressed by your mad painting skills. I know exactly what goes into prepping and painting a room.
The colors sound nice. I'm planning to paint my bedroom a soothing sage (I love all variations of the color green).
My mother's poor vegetable and flower gardens really suffered this year (the poor hydrangeas!)because of June's triple digit heat and lack of rain took a toll. Glad you were able to get so much accomplished around the house over the weekend.
Sounds lovely.
I've got a lot of work to clear off this week, because next week is the writers conference, and all my focus will be there.
Other than patching spots on the ceiling or cutting in way up along the ceiling (I don't do well with ladders), the worst part of painting for me is clearing out the rooms. I enjoy rolling the paint on and have helped other people paint dozens of times, but it's frustrating to show up ready to paint and realize they haven't even pulled furniture away from the walls or taken the pictures down. One time I said, "I'm here to paint, not move furniture. Tell me when you're done."
It was only in the low 80s this weekend – coolest weather of the summer – so I did a lot of heavy yard work. I broke up four big branches that came down in recent weeks (from 2 or 3 different trees – still need to find someone with a sharp saw to cut two 3" diameter pieces into sizes the yard waste folks will collect.) After that I used manual hand trimmers to trim a stretch of overgrown privet hedge that's about 75'long, then trimmed some stand-alone shrubs. Also tried to cut out some of the weed trees growing through the hedge from the yard behind the abandoned house next door. My bruises now have bruises.
Busy work week – two new articles and three smaller projects. I should do a column, too. Nice to be busy, but a little relaxation or fun over the weekend would have been nice.
My sister & her husband returned from their vacation, so sadly, we had to give them back their dog. :-)Kali loves us, but her Mommy & Daddy win hands down. She leaped in her kennel in the car for fear they would leave her behind.
We watched some of the Olympics and after my usual weekend chore stuff, I chilled with some reading.
This week I have posts, a resource document for a health care organization, and development of questions for 2 interviews for a case study.
I hope to squeeze in some ebook writing as well. Have a great week, everyone.
P.S. Enjoy your fishing, Lori. My family used to go every year to a little spot in Trent River, Ontario. Happy memories.
Oh Kim, if you'd heard me complaining, you'd not be so impressed. LOL I hadn't realized how much it hurts to paint so much in so little time – things ached that I didn't realize COULD ache!
Ooo, enjoy the writers conference, Devon! What a great way to spend time with other writers.
I hate that part too, Paula. In fact, I used to love painting, but now I'm not such a fan. I'm tempted to call experts in to do it when I get the library done.
Cooler here too, but so humid! Much-needed rains, though.
Cathy, I'll be in the Trent River area, too. Lovely, isn't it? Sorry Kali had to go back home. I bet it was quiet after she left!
And what guest are you expecting? Sounds like they won't want to leave.
Have fun harassing fish and laughing with your folks.
We have Australians coming, Anne. We were fortunate enough to meet them in Inverness at a big clan gathering. We bonded. 🙂