Almost forgot. We ordered Chinese for dinner tonight. My fortune says,
“If you wish good advice, consult your mother.”
John’s answer,
“Betty, where can we get good advice?”
Smartass.
(His fortune said, “Spirit guides accompany you.” He didn’t have anything funny to say about that. And you know I can’t be funny on command. Help?)
Today I bought paint, cleaned the walls, taped the edges, and got a coat of primer on. Just finished that. (I also applied for the two jobs I’m required to apply for each week so I can receive unemployment. Got my first check yesterday! Woo!) I ran, too, with the dogs. My calves are sore. And I’m very surprised at Roxy. We went four miles, and she didn’t wimp out. Good for her, I guess, and helpful to me. I don’t like dragging her home when she quits on me.
Anyway, here’s the dining room with primer drying. The dogs follow me around, so I really hope I don’t end up with dog hair caked on the walls.
I decided to go with Havana Cream (it’s a Behr color). It’s a muted buttery cream color, and the first coat goes on tomorrow. I might wear a hat…we’re going to the holiday party for John’s office tomorrow night, and I don’t think I should show up to a semi-formal event with paint in my hair.
And just because you’re nice, here’s an adorable picture of Riley. See how cute he is with his nose tucked under his paw!
Sanding sucks. My arms are very tired. And I’m not done. But there are paint samples on the wall, so I’m making progress. I think I know which one I want, too, but John needs to see them first. As long as he doesn’t hate the one I like, we’re fine.
No pictures today (because I don’t want to show you my splotchy walls).
I don’t have much to say today. Except that the more I think about it, the unhappier I am with Her Fearful Symmetry. I don’t think I would read it again. I enjoyed the journey the first time, but thinking back on it (and talking it out with Mom) made me think of all the unnecessary plot contrivances. Maybe not unnecessary, but not very well done, I think. Things don’t add up.
Today, I finished stripping the wallpaper and took the pictures and blinds down. John showed me how to spackle the holes and stuff, so that’s what will take me all day tomorrow. I also mailed chestnuts to John’s mom, went to the bank, bought a dress for Saturday’s office holiday party, and found two options for taking care of the dogs over Christmas. (I’m reminding myself why I shouldn’t feel guilty for not finishing the wallpaper until after dinner.)
Anyway, tired and going to bed.
Wait – I finished Her Fearful Symmetry yesterday. I just tried to write something about it, but since I don’t want to give away the story, everything I wrote was vague. Mom, Jess, call me and we’ll talk.
Destruction comes first. The dining room is a complete mess. The walls have torn wallpaper and wallpaper glue all over, and the floor is covered in wallpaper I’ve managed to get off so far. The curtains (that Mom hates anyway) are down, and I’ve moved some of the furniture out. I think the table can stay (I’ll cover it and use it to stage paint and stuff), but I can’t move the sideboard/buffet thing by myself. And I still don’t know what color I’m going to paint it.
Aside from a trip to the store (Wegman’s and Home Depot – two stores), I’ve been inside all day, which is kind of a shame, actually. It was a beautiful sunny day, not too cold. Oh, and I very nicely got rid of two Mormon kids on their mission this afternoon. I was so nice I don’t think they even felt rejected. 🙂