Paneling and Painting

Silly me - I agreed quite some time ago to paint the paneling in my Mother's den. It's a small room and the dark panels really made it like a little cave. Well, we put it off since before the holidays so I decided that now as good a time as any. Last weekend, I spent two days scrubbing it down (the den is right next to the kitchen - think greasy stuff) and sanding and taping off the wood trim. Whew...that was enough in itself. Then this weekend, I got the paint cans out and got to work. Started Saturday morning at 9am and finished that night at 7pm. Ended up doing the whole job myself. I put on two coats of primer and two coats of latex and rolled the ceiling. My back felt like someone had hit me with a 2 x 4, my hand was cramped from holding either a brush or roller all day, and my feet - we won't even go down that road!

Then it was back over there today to take all the tape off - move the furniture back in place - put face plates back on outlets, hang the vertical blinds, etc. I thought it would never end. But we have success - a nice, bright room that will cheer her up when she's sitting and watching her San Diego Padres or Chargers play (too bad the Chargers lost today). I guess I should have taken before and after pictures, but my mind was just on getting the job done.

She's happy with it and I like to help her out because she can't quite do all of the things she used to do - and she's the most independent person I know. But she has some issues with being on a ladder the holding her balance, so it's best she doesn't attempt these kinds of things herself. Don't need her in the ER with broken body parts.

After that, came home, turned on the fireplace and the Patriots/Chargers game, had a glass of wine, got my favorite blanky and took a little nap. But my back and feet still hurt.