One Part Inspiration...

Sometimes, its a good idea to take some time to evaluate an idea. Like the one about becoming something you're not. The year I turned forty, my husband arranged to take me away for a little holiday. Some very kind relatives allowed us to us a pop-up trailer they had, and away we went. It was a wonderful time. We were relaxed and well-fed. We had a warm place to sleep. And best of all, we were self-contained and off the ground. Fast forward to the next garage sale, where there were two pop-up trailers for sale. One was clearly out of our price range. And then there was this one. I thought back to the great holdiay we had enjoyed and mistakenly identified us as "Camper-Bobs". I began imagining all the wonderful weekends we would enjoy, if we only bought this pop-up. The kids would have a blast. We would be comfortable. I almost could taste the S'mores around the campfire. I hurried home to tell my husband about my find. The garage sale was now over, b...

The lesson here folks, is don't experiment. I am referring to the roller coaster ride I have had while painting the upstairs. Choosing paint is not like picking up a new type of hairspray - where you try something out because it has a cool container or a neat dispenser. Paint, is a product which, once you have found what works for you, you must never, never (never ), change it up. Painting a regular-sized room (about 10X12) usually takes me about two hours per coat. The upstairs at "The Pokeaway" has three rooms, and a hall way. So far I have spent about 20 hours painting the rooms. And I am far from done. I have painted at the same pace. But it has taken me much longer than I anticpated. The problem has been the paint. My first mistake was going to a big-box store and asking for advice. I have nothing against college students who are trying to get themselves through school, but their advice is definitely not knowledge-based. And they don't work every Saturday. So ...