Today's Agenda: Finishing One Project

When I quit my job, I realized somewhat inadvertently that my suddenly open schedule would allow me time to finish some projects that I previously didn't have time for (the irony is that I decided to quit my job while finishing a project).  Truth be told, these were tasks I didn't want to make time for because they were difficult or time consuming.

As much as I hate to admit it, I am awful about completing projects.  Take for instance, the deck.  Two summers ago, we decided to refinish our deck and put up a new railing.  Surrendering weeks to this project, I spent time: stripping the paint with noxious chemicals, power washing the boards, sanding the splintery 2x6's, fighting to remove the old railing (this battle involved my husband and a few neighbors), and putting up the new railing.  The part I was looking forward to the most was staining it. And, lucky for me, I found the perfect color of stain on clearance at a local hardware store.  Armed with my purchase, I was informed that I needed to let the new lumber weather. Disappointed, I put the stain in the basement, thinking that it would have to wait till a nice fall day.  That nice fall day didn't arrive until a mild summer day, two years later.

This isn't the only project I've procrastinated completing.  Drywalling, texturizing, and painting the header beam we installed to replace the wall we removed when we bought our house took two years, painting the trim in the living room, kitchen, and hallway took three years, which happened long before we finished painting the trim in the bedrooms.  I still need to paint the ceiling in the stairwell and basement.  The wood trim in the basement also needs to be completed.  The cabinets could use another coat of paint, the bathroom walls need to be retextured (attempt two - now that I've mastered this skill) and then repainted, and the list goes on an on.

Thankfully, with my husband's help, I have completed many projects.  About a month ago, we made a huge "To Do" list, and I've kept adding to it, but most importantly, I've been crossing off quite a few things as well.  That's the best part - crossing off those nagging items.  Of course, upon completing each one, I make my husband view it and provide feedback, just like when the kids come home from school and show me their school work, "Look what I did today!  Isn't this a good job?  I messed up a little bit here, but then I figured out what I did wrong, so then I fixed it.  Do you like it?"  Of course, his answer is always positive, and even if he is feigning enthusiasm, as I sometimes do with the kids school work (because let's face it, how many times can you really get excited about an organized storage closet or a freshly painted room?), I appreciate the positive feedback.

I enjoy projects.  I don't mind the labor, and I'm always excited to see the improvements.  I especially love the projects that make something look fresh and new - like a warm, cheerful coat of paint (Lowe's calls it Whipped Apricot) on the office/guest bedroom walls.  But what I do not enjoy is the finishing touches - the details that don't seem to be that big of a deal, but still need to be completed.

Which brings me to today's agenda - finish painting the trim in the office/guest bedroom, hang decor on the walls, and put everything back in its place.  And, as I sit here typing, one coat of paint along the trim is drying.  One more to go!

My little home improve projects have made me remember something I already knew about life in general.  Sometimes it's the big things that we get excited about.  But often, it's the little things that make us feel complete.