I hate when people are right....

Well, I guess someone can say "I told you so...".   You know who you are....   I laughed when I realized that my sister Deb was right.  She is so right lately.... People say that you need to get outside your head and go somewhere that you enjoy... This is what I decided to do today. 

I had something to do today that I despise.... PAINT.  We have been remodelling a house that we used to live in.  The people that had rented it were pigs of the worst kind.  Dirty and left everything you can think of behind after leaving in the middle of the night... Of course no rent paid.. just left.  Found a pig hole full of clothing and dirt... Dirt beyond anything you can imagine.  Decided to clean, paint and redo some things that need taking care of. 

Told my sister Deb that I hate to paint, she said to do something that will take you away from what your doing.  I used music.  I sang all day long while I accomplished my tasks for today.  I painted and painted, first the undercoat with Kilz then the final coat of paint, that by the grace of  the gods we had gotten for $15 and a rebate of $5 to boot.  I love the scratch and dent paint rack.  Beautiful tan paint that looks fantastic in the foyer of the house and will look fantastic in the living room.  Old wall paper that is from the 50's leaves something to be desired, not to understate the 5 layers that are under that...... I did not know anyone would put something so ugly on any wall anywhere.  Anyway, I painted and am going to paint more tomorrow and Sunday.

This house is going to be put on the market when we get done.  Not an expensive place, but one you could be proud to own.  It is the house that I bought by looking through the window.  Hardwood everwhere, pocket doors between the living and dining room.  Wonderful stair case going to the second floor.  I have loved this house for over 15 years, but moved to an area that has 12 acres.... much nicer for the fur kids that live in our house. 

OK, now to the I told you so..... My sister was right, yes I said it.....

 

Deb you were right.  It is so much easier to do something that you don't like to do, when you are doing something you like to do at the same time. 

Not sure that everyone in the neighbourhood feels as much about music as I do.... I sang everysong that was on the radio today.... Sweat, paint, sing....... sweat, paint, sing.... I had a ball and got a lot accomplished.  It is also something that I am very proud of.  I am hoping that the music keeps up tomorrow and I am able to get the living room started and close to finished.  Hope that I am as proud of the living room as I am of the foyer.  Wait for it.... Keep your fingers crossed.... Maybe work will go well also.... Wait for it.... again ..... Deb you were RIGHT.....

 OMG did I just say that...............gloat..... It actually worked.  Gloat, it may be the only time you get to..........hahahahaha......I love you tons and hope your ideas work tomorrow again.   

Paying attention to the little things

I have over the past four months begun to think of the things that make me pay attention.  These are things that happen in your daily life, or grind as some like to call it.   The things that make you smile, laugh, cry and gasp with both joy and fear. 

With the death of our son, Mikey, things have taken on a very different perspective.  People treat you differently when things like this happen.  Some want to hide and avoid you, while others want to be up in your buisness all the time.  Not sure why there is such a difference in reactions.  I know I really think about things like this now.

I have friends that let me ramble on as if we have not seen each other in years, while others stop you cold, stating that they do not want to listen to your uncontrolled jabbering.  hahahaha.  Me jabber!!!  Me, the one that everyone comes to for everything.  Now what should I think of this?  I love to talk.  Some people think I talk just to hear myself.  Really, I only do this when I am alone..... and the only ones there with me are the dogs.  I bet they get sick and tired of hearing me go on and on.... or sing with every song that I hear. 

I actually paid attention to the things that I do and say the other day while cleaning....you see I have decided to downsize my life.  I have been keeping shit (to some treasures) that for one reason or another, I thought I might need.  You know the things I am talking about..... the ball of string, the picture frame that needs just one nail, the shirt that needs a button that you will never sew on, the papers that someone gave you for something a few years back ( you just can't remember what for or why), the wedding favours that no one ever eats or does anything with....... well  it's time for them to go to a good home.  I have cleaned out the laundry room and now the Salvation Army has 3 huge bags of clothes.... some with the tags still on them.  Not sure why I bought them, or did not wear them, but they are now going to someone that needs them more than me. 

The next room will be the office and the store room.  That is going to be a horror show.  Boxes and boxes and boxes of paper that you need to keep for the IRS..... 7 long and tedious years of keeping things that no one ever wants to look at or see again.  Next year, I can throw away all the paper from our wonderful years as convenience store owners.... damn it's about time.  Can't wait.  Wish it was this year.  I have a room that is set aside just for this pile of unusable paper and rolls of register tape.  Anyone want to have a huge bonfire??????

After that it will be going through years of pictures and dating and writing where, when, and who on the backs of them..... People do not realize that 40 years down the road when they see these things, they will not be able to tell you who they are, where it was taken or why.   It will be neat to look at them and change out the pictures I have in the frames now..... Updating pictures of babies that are so old, I am not really sure who some of them are.  Need to do this now before we all forget.  Will be cool to see new pictures on my walls..... I started this past week... It was actually fun... I got some really cool pictures of the kids and grandkids while I was, in Canada for my niece's wedding.  Will be fun to see new shiney faces on my walls.

Some day, I will tackle the garage..... AAAGGGGHHHHHHH.  When you open the door, it is like the items inside attack.... they don't move actually, but there is so much stuff in there, it is overwhelming... Should be cool to see what I have packed away in the back corners.... besides spiders and bugs.  If anyone can figure out how to do this without the bugs...... hahahahahaha.  Guess they need a home too... just wish it was somewhere else.  I know that everytime I go in the garage for something, I find something that I have not seen in a long time.  Will be fun to find things I thought I had lost or given away. 

Now for those of you that have not been privey to this information before, when you come to my home, be prepared to leave with things.  No one is allowed at my house without taking something away with them.  Be it a small trinket, food, or something you may need for your home.... you will not be allowed to leave without your arms having a walmart bag slung over them.  I love to give.  I do not much like receiving.  I think sharing is a beautiful thing. 

Now, back to my original thought.  I am starting to pay attention like never before.  I watch, and listen(yes listen) even if you don't notice.  I hear things I have never noticed before.  I enjoy watching the things people do and listening to the things they say.   It is interesting to pay attention.  It is something I am having a really good time with.  Small things, big ideas, fun that was had, vacations in the works..... who cares..... I do.... I am paying attention....... not to the nasty talk..... that just makes people sad...... but to the normal everday things that people do and say..... it makes them smile, have fun, get excited and brings joy to all around..... Pay attention, it is fun and you may just learn something