Can You Say, "Paint?"

I think Joyce and I have used the word "paint" at least a zillion times (well, more or less) in the last two weeks. First it was "what color will we paint it?" So off we went to gather color chips. One thing we knew, we didn't want green and we preferred to stay away from blue. Our old color was a blue-grey and we wanted a change. So after looking at all the new houses in our area, comparing color chips, and consulting with our color advisor (daughter Jana) we finally choose... green. It is called cactus garden. The trim around the windows was to be a lighter shade but after looking at it on the house, it was sort of blah. So we switched to a darker shade. It is called wreath. Guess what it looks like? So now we live in a replica of the Sherwood forest. The gutters, end rafters on the gables (they're called barge rafters), the garage door and the front door are all white. Or at least they will be when we finish.

After deciding the color of paint, then it was getting it ready for paint. While Korak was here we pressure washed the house and masked most of the windows. Jana and family left Monday, Roy and Twyla arrived Tuesday. He and I finished preparing the house for paint -- a little more masking, moving the RV, covering the neighbor's RV, taking down light fixtures, caulking holes and cracks, and (I hate this part...) scraping, wire brushing and priming (i.e. paint) the bad places. There were lots of bad places. The whole south side should have been painted two years ago so it needed a lot of help.

Then it was actually doing it. Bright and early Tuesday morning Roy starting spray painting. Roy, you remember, is my nephew who lives in the Eugene area. My sister, Beth is his mother. About half way around the house he said we needed more paint so I made a flying (but sane) trip to Fred Meyer for another gallon. As it turned out, we put on 6 1/2 gallons. Notice I said "we" even though Roy was doing all the painting. He said it would take 2 hours and 2 hours later he was finished... with the house. Then it was on to the underside of the deck roof. That was white and I had 2 1/2 gallons for that. About half way through he said we needed more. So I made a flying (but sane) trip to Bi-Mart (I figured white paint was white paint). When that project was finished we went down the street to Mike and Joann's. Remember the shed I built last year? Not painted yet. So we (there it is again, we) put on four gallons of white primer. And then it was clean up everything and eat pizza for dinner.

Roy and Twyla left Wednesday. Then Joyce and I began the endless task of painting the trim. Finally we have the window trim done and the door trim is finished except for the garage door. The gutters are painted but they will need a second coat. The barge rafters are still waiting their turn. I plan to have all this done this week so we can play next week. But it goes on and on and on and on. When the painting is finished, we get to clean up all the stuff, put the deck back in order, and resume normal living. I hate painting.

I'll post house pictures next week when the project is finished. See with what confidence I say that!

As you have noted, our lives have been consumed by paint. Except for the memorial service I conducted Saturday afternoon. This was for a guy who attended our church years and years ago. This morning I had a graveside service. This was in response to a call from the funeral home. This man lived in the Portland area but had relatives in our area. Sunday, we went to the "relaxed" service at First Christian Church. That means they meet downstairs in the fellowship room, sing choruses, and eat goodies. Good service; good goodies. Oh! In the middle of all this Joyce worked Friday at the daycare and is frantically getting crafts ready for October.

So now, wait with baited anticipation (or is it bated anticipation?) for the pictures of our newly painted house. How many times did I use the word, paint? I don't know. I didn't count them. But its not as may times as Joyce and I have used it. What a life. When the most exciting thing is a freshly painted house. Can you top that?