Is painting the ceiling something the man that did your deck would do? Is he still around or did the have to move after all? It might be worth a estimate to see if it would be worth it or not lol. If it’s not and you can wait a few more weeks I am certainly game to help out.
I am not planning on jumping back into a full week of work right away when I do have to go back. My med. leave I believe after today will be extended until after March 13th. I go for my surgery two week check today. My appointment for my back is not until the 13 next month. I am sure she is going to put the date on my forms for work either indefinite or after that date. So we shall see. Thank gawd buisness is good for E at the moment or we would be screwed.
As far as the newspapers go. I say hang on to them. Tuck them in the corner beside the green chair in a bag and no one will see them lol.

Hey J. Yes, they moved. She comes around to visit her parents often, but I haven’t seen him in ages. I’m sort of not sure whether everything is okay there or not. I’m a little reluctant to go stepping in anything. I might casually inquire with the in-laws first. I’m pretty sure he’d do the ceiling painting, all other things being equal.

Whenever you are able to be out and about, let me know. I’ll come and get you even if all you can do is sit and watch. Your eye for color and detail is an essential part of this project, you know.

RE the newspapers...I’m trying to get stuff OUT of my living room. LOL. I need to shampoo the carpets and wash down the walls. See, according to Martha you have to wash down the walls before applying a paint roller. Who am I to argue with her, eh? ;)

I actually tried making the butter a couple weeks ago.  My family thought I had lost my mind - family being husband and mother.  My mother said, if you are that into it, I have the real McCoy at home, butter churn and paddle. I told her I was not that into it.  However, I did as you said and they were, I think, actually amazed.  It was good, I sort of waved the salt shaker over the top, I could not go totally cold turkey.  However, I noticed when I made fresh muffins, everyone tried it - and went back for more........of both!!

I did the paint sample thing last year, was doing all the bathrooms.  I spent weeks picking up paint chips--ended up buying Benjamin Moore though cause my dad always swore that was the best.  My painter told me to get it too!!  I found more colors and ideas at ACE Hardware than anywhere else, including Home Depot.  And after all my searching, one bathroom is yellow (surprise, surprise, since it is my favorite color) and the other two are blue (yet another surprise-LOL).  They are quite “different” blues but no one believes me.......if you could put them side by side, you would know, but..........Good Luck!

Well congratulations on your butter, Cyn. I added just a tiny bit of salt to mine, too. It will help preserve it a little longer (and I like the taste). It is SO GOOD on fresh baked items.

I’m leaning toward a pale shade of yellow for my dining room and kitchen. I’m thinking something between a pale blue and pale green for the bathroom. Kind of a seaside blue/green and some shade of light sage-y green for my bedroom. The living room is anybody’s guess now. I’ve changed my mind a dozen times already. What I have decided is that white walls in every room are boring.

I’ve also been told that Benjamin Moore is the best paint. I used it for the outside of my house and it’s still going strong. The paint store guy said that the interior paint glides on like...well...butter and holds up to washing much better, too. I still prefer Martha’s colors, but they can be mixed up (or matched) in any paint brand.

I am almost ready for you to come get me LOL! A little sore from yesterday at the moment. The DR was running a hour behind yesterday for my appointment (first day back from a family vacation) so we went to the market while we waited. Then the waiting in the office. I feel like I ran a marathon lol. Now I know why they say six weeks! She actually extended mine to at least eight weeks. I knew she would because of the back thing going. I also have to go to yet another Doctor too. Fun oh fun.
And now on the paint thing. You know I highly recommend Ben Moore paint! Out side paint goes on like butter and lasts and lasts. All you have to do is look out your slider door at my old house for proof lol. How long ago was that thing painted? like twelve years or so ago I think?
If you want to take the papers out of the living room??? Maybe put them at the bottom of the stairs in the basement (ya I know, I know) that way you wont forget about them, and or be tempted to waste money on that material stuff in a couple of months.
I would recommend that we wash the walls down a bit to. It does help. You don’t need to go hog wild as they they say. Just a quick wash down with some soap. We did most of the rooms in the house in wine country and it did make a big difference from the couple that we didn’t.
Oh I still haven’t done the butter thing yet . Maybe this weekend with the BC?

Just let me know when you’re ready. I’ll come fetch you.

I wouldn’t buy any more of that weed inhibiting material. It did not work at all. The first and last time I put it down, the crab grass wove itself through it and then it was like yanking out tree stumps trying to remove it. The crab grass roots anchored it so firmly in place that there are probably still chunks of the fabric welded to the soil. What a mess that was. Now that I think about it, I probably need more newspapers. Got any?

"Triggering the Grand Irrationality?”

Cowering in an obscure corner of the food pyramid

somewhere between the tofu and the unflavored yogurt

contemplating the juxtaposition of intangibles for all you are worth.....