So, you’ve observed the house is looking a little dingy around the edges. Perhaps it’s time to do a little revive and refresh work. It will make the house look better, you feel better, and give you a new, fresh attitude about life.
You pick your colors, buy paint, grab the tools, and you are set.
It’s all been leading up to this moment. You pop open the fresh can of paint, and nothing but possibilities lie ahead. Yes, everything looks more promising at this point.
It’s kind of like when you take your old car out for a spin, and vacuum it out and wash it up. Suddenly, your beloved hooptie looks a little better; you might even be able to keep it around a bit longer. Cheers to another 100,000 miles. After all, everything looks better with a little TLC (and perhaps some elbow grease).
Then you stir the can and realize, what were you thinking? You have a lot of work ahead of you now. You’ve got to brush and roll, stoop and climb, over and over — a seemingly never-ending process — until you get the job done.
Maybe you should have hired someone for this job after all?
But that would take away some of the joy you have remembering all the fun your family has had in this house along the way.
I got to paint over the tire tracks from the boys’ toy car races, spaghetti stains, marks from where the magic eraser scrubbed off the paint, and pen lines running up and down the hallway that never quite came off. Yes, I remember that day vividly. My youngest boy was so proud of his newfound coloring skills.
Tearing up, I realize, there is no doubt, our house is well lived in. We’ve had such messy — but definitely good — times here.
But, I suppose it’s always good to clean the slate and start again. I have no doubt the boys will be able to make short work of my labors, and make new memories on my walls in no time.
It looked like such a small room to begin with … but two coats later, I’m appreciating the fact I only had the inspiration to paint one room. Whew, I’m off the hook.
Then again, I can’t help but agree it’s rewarding when the task is finally finished.
It’s even inspired me to clean the whole house, top to bottom. And now I’ve just been kicking back and enjoying my new view. Oh such a nice, neat house. Too bad it won’t last.
But for now, when the boys ask, “Are the walls still wet, mommy?”
I reply, “Yes, the walls are still quite wet, (a week later) so you better not touch them.” After all that hard work, I figure I deserve a moment of enjoyment (until they figure out the truth).
In fact, I like the new, fresh look so much I may just have to do another room.
