>Give that mouse a cookie, will ya?

>Today was extremely productive. For some reason or another, the camera download is being finicky and won’t download again so I can’t provide the proof pictures, but today we got a ton accomplished.

We did find an acceptable bookcase at a local furniture store (miracle, of miracles) and got the majority of the books that were stacked out in the storage shed moved either into the den or the cottage. Big accomplishment.

We almost completely filled the back of our truck with trash for a dump run tomorrow AND we found out today that Saturday is the last free day to dispose of hazardous waste this year, so all the paint and other hazardous stuff is stacked ready to take to the county refuse site. I have a lovely picture of The Tick standing all proud in the storage shed that I can’t show you, but it sure looks nice in person. Everything that was baptized with cat pee during our poor cat’s week of solitary confinement in the shed is now removed. YEAH!!!!

We also made a little headway into the mess in the cottage garage before calling it a day and heading out to our town’s one and only hamburger joint. (We do have a Burger King, but only travelers passing through would dare to eat there; it is that bad.)

The Tick gets extra points for working last night and then coming home and drinking strong coffee so he could stay awake all day and be my beast of burden. He’s the man, ladies.

After he went to sleep, I finished painting the guest room ceiling and walls (it’s like the yummiest vanilla ice cream color in there now) and got the first coat of semi-gloss onto doors and trim. Only my deep love for my darling daughter would have compelled me to paint all that stuff dark blue!!!! What a chore it is getting it back to an acceptable white. I’ve done one coat of stain-blocking primer (Ha!) and one coat of paint and I’ll need at least one more coat of paint, if I’m lucky. I love painting walls, but I loathe painting trim.

>Painting tips

>So, the painting project goes on and on and on. Painting over bright orange walls and deep blue trim is taking forever. I’m always amazed at those decorating shows where they do an entire room in one or two days. It usually takes me at least 2 days just to paint properly, especially if the ceiling and/or trim is involved. I’m sure those rooms must look atrocious in real life.

The ceiling is done, except that the ceiling fan is really off center. The Tick and I discussed briefly the idea of him climbing into the attic and moving the junction box. He’s thrilled at the idea! The last time I climbed into the attic to do electrical work I ended up with a scratched cornea and three days of sitting in a dark room on drugs. Hey! That doesn’t sound too bad right now.

I actually love painting (mostly) and have done a lot of it ever since we’ve owned a home. Dh hates painting so I’m the painter. We’ve hired painters, too, but I’m never satisfied with their work, so I just paint it myself.

I thought I’d take some time to share some of my favorite painting tips.

• To get a straight line where the ceiling and wall meet, paint the ceiling first and paint the ceiling color down the wall about a half inch. When you paint the wall, use a Shur-line Edger with the wall color where the ceiling meets the wall to get a nice, straight line. This works best if you have untextured or low-textured walls.
• Use fabric paint rollers instead of the old-fashioned rollers. Fabric paint rollers are much, much lighter and easier to use, especially for women. I can paint all day without sore arms or neck with fabric paint rollers.
• I have a huge (12’x14′) cloth drop cloth that I use for all my painting jobs. I love my drop cloth. I’ve had it for years and years, so consider it an investment.
• Use tinted primer for the first coat. Tinted primer is $15-20/gallon. High quality paint is $30-50/gallon. You do the math.
• Buy yourself a 5-6′ ladder wtih a flip-down surface for the paint pan. I love my ladder.
• The Shur-line edger also works for woodwork. You’ll get a smoother finish without brush strokes.
• If you have to take a break from painting before the job is finished, freeze the rollers, brush and edger. Take them out of freezer 1/2hr before restarting project.

I’m hoping to have the walls done tonight and the trim finished tomorrow. Then it’ll be on to the back shed and the cat piss. Yum.