Thursday, March 19

Even More Odds and Ends




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'Mr. Clark, I have reviewed this case very carefully,' the divorce Court Judge said, 'And I've decided to give your wife $775 a week,' 'That's very fair, your honor,' the husband said. 'And every now and then I'll try to send her a few bucks myself.'

(sounds like something mr. kenju might say)


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Good advice; most of the time.
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What monstrosities would walk the streets were some people's faces as unfinished as their minds.

Eric Hoffer, philosopher and author (1902-1983)


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Here's a tip I gleaned from a web-site:

MOVING BOX LABELS. When you are preparing to move and packing your boxes, buy a pack of colored permanent markers, assign one marker color to each room and label the boxes with the appropriate marker. This makes unloading the truck into the proper rooms a breeze! This tip was from someone named Elaine, in North Carolina. Smart woman, methinks!

*******

Yesterday was sunny, but not very warm. I had threatened to spend the day on the deck, but duty got the better of me and I washed walls to get rid of wallpaper paste. Nevermind that I stripped the wallpaper back in 2008 and the bare walls had been staring at me for months. The people who owned this house before us had strange taste in decorating. The back hallway off the kitchen, which opens to the garage and goes upstairs to my office, was painted a bright navy blue, shiny finish enamel. I cannot fathom why. When we moved in, those walls were covered in a heavy vinyl wallpaper. The color was a striated yellow gold/butterscotch. It. Was. Horrible. I had to remove it and put up something in its place as soon as possible. Hence - the wallpaper I chose for the kitchen got put up in that hallway and up the stairs.

Now, it is 27 years later. Said wallpaper was removed from the kitchen, which was re-painted in January 2008. The hallway wallpaper remained because I couldn't bear the thought of having the house torn up any longer. Then in late 2008, I removed half the wallpaper from the hallway and uncovered the dreaded dark blue walls. Thus they have stood for several months, making me more depressed every time I see them. I have to completely remove all the paper, wash off the paste and sand the imperfections before we can paint the hallway. I am convinced it will take forever. But since I really cannot afford to hire it done, I will persevere. After one day of work, it looks a lot better already, and I am trying to make myself motivated to do at least 1 hour of work back there each day until it is done. Wish me luck.



18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Judy I feel your pain! I stripped wallpaper (woodchip) many moons ago and it was a horrible job. The nightmare stays with me. Underneath we found lime green and orange walls!!!!!

Star said...

Consider it your daily workout as well. Two birds with one stone. Think how good your arms are going to look this summer.

kenju said...

Star, you've pointed out the silver lining to that job! :)

oklhdan said...

I learned a great trick to removing wallpaper. Score the paper really well and then spray it down with a solution of water & liquid fabric softener. About 1/4 softener to 3/4 water. It makes your house smell great in the process and won't harm woodwork or anything.

Arkansas Patti said...

If a house were free but had wall paper, I would pass. Don't envy you at all and think your hour a day is a good idea. Admire your courage.
The moving tip is great but if I ever have to move again, I am leaving a pot of grease on a flaming burner and going shopping.
My defense would be "senior moment"

Peter said...

Good luck!!!!!!

Tabor said...

The jokes were fun. Hadn't heard them before. Wallpaper stripping...been there, done that and do not want to return.

Beverly said...

I love the cartoon at the top. It makes me think of the scene in Slumdog Millionaire. Have you seen it? Great movie.

I have some wallpaper that should come down, but I think I'll let someone else do it...after I die.

Blonde Goddess said...

I saw that saying about stress and dogs yesterday. It had me laughing to myself all day long. I'd elaborate on why it struck me as so funny but then I'd have to explain and I wouldn't want to offend anyone here.

Thanks for posting it!

Evil Twin's Wife said...

You know I face my own kitchen wallpaper nightmare too. You have my sympathies...

Kay Dennison said...

Lucky me! I have no wallpaper -- just white and off-white walls which I like. However, I have done my rounds with wallpaoer and feel your pain. Ever get the feeling that the only taste some people have is in their mouth?

The jokes are hilarious!!!!!

rosemary said...

You read about my adventure...Navy Blue in a hallway? Was the point to make a dungeon I wonder?

rosemary said...

PS....removing that border of mine? I tried the fabric softener/water didn't work. vinegar/water worked great.

Carolyn said...

Yes, good luck! And when you're done with yours, mine's waiting, lol!

Shelly said...

Luck! I really like Star's comment about the arm workout...good for you for digging in and tackling the project.

Granny Annie said...

Love the jokes and cartoons!

I wish you more than luck, I wish you stamina. I wish I had more of your ambition. Spring fever hasn't hit me yet.

Darlene said...

I solved the problem of removing wall paper. I sold the house and left it for someone else to tackle.

Pat said...

These things are so much easier in the spring. Aren't they? I should get cracking.