Good Morning Dear Reader:
I'm up with the chicken!
It is incredibly early Saturday and I should be snoozing away. Why am I up? Because after tossing and turning for 20 minutes, I just got up. Truth is, my body doesn’t know the difference between a weekday and a weekend. Lord knows over the years I have tried to explain it, but it just doesn’t get it.
A friend will proclaim, I’m so glad tomorrow is Saturday so I can sleep until 10. My body says, 6 a.m. is such a lovely idea. I wonder if 5 a.m. could be more wonderful–let’s see! No 5 a.m. is not more lovely. It is darker and quieter. It also means that at 7 p.m. and possibly even at 2 p.m., (even if I am in a world-class important meeting) my head could drop to my chest and I could drool right onto my world-class paperwork–or my finger paint, as the case maybe.
I do try to use these early mornings in a productive way, sometimes drinking 5 cups of coffee, reading the nutritional value statements on cereal boxes or counting my sun freckles…238, 239…
Just lying around counting freckles...spots next!
Painted into a Corner?
I don’t know how you feel about painting, but when I hear those words, nightmares of painting projects past swim in my head. It isn’t the actual painting that is such a problem. It is selecting the color. There are simply too many choices. And it isn’t as simple as, I want the bedroom blue. It is do I want it Sweet Baby Breath Blue, or Sea Island Blue or Voodoo Blue or 200 other blues that are just a hair-width different.
On my last painting project, my family room and foyer, I got so chummy with the guys at Sherwin-Williams that when I would come by in the mornings for another adjustment to the color I got the day before, my coffee with cream and 2 sugars would be waiting for me on the counter. We were just that close. Twenty-seven beiges later, I was pretty sure I had arrived at the right color.
Maybe there is a better way! The March issue of Better Homes and Gardens is on the shelves now and features “Color Made Easy”. There are some beautiful room layouts that give you the exact paint color and brand they used. What is also helpful is their Website, BHG.com where they actually have a room planner that allows you to select a room similar to one of your rooms and change the wall color, trim, furniture colors, drapes, etc.
Not only do they give you actual paint colors (Valspar from Lowe’s), you can save and print your projects. I found it very helpful. You can also do your home exterior–roof, doors, trim, etc.
The entire site has a wealth of decorating ideas, recipes, and so many great d0-it-yourself projects. You can also opt out of receiving newsletters on these topics, or sign up. I found it to be a great resource. The color project is BHG.com/coloraroom. You will need to register to use the site, but you do not have to be a subscriber. I love this magazine and find great, practical information every single month.
I hope that as I write this you are still sleeping and getting your appropriate beauty rest!
240, 241, 242…
Have a magnificient day! (I would, but my photo software is having a nervous breakdown! Yes, Scarlet…tomorrow is another day)
Diane