Decoration and Decisions

Here is the story of my house decorating: or lack there of. When we moved in I was 8 months pregnant. I learned not to make any crucial decorating decision while I was pregnant, I find my taste always changes. I knew I wanted to paint - so I decided not to decorate or paint until the summer - giving me a few months of adjustment phase after Megan was born. Well... if you have been following my life for the last year or so, you know we haven't had the best luck. Jason was laid off mid-summer, he got a job sometime late fall, and was laid off again in February. So through all the lay-offs and recovery from times of unemployment, painting our house got pretty much pushed off the priority list. Since I hadn't painted, I never got around to decorating.

So, one year after we moved in our walls were still completely bare. I had not hung one picture, or put one nail hole, in the whole house. It was pretty depressing. So I decided I was just going to go for it. I was going to hang pictures, shelves, and other sorts of prettiness - seeing as I was sure painting wasn't going to get put back on the list for a few years. So one night I made cut outs for the size of all my frames and shelves and started deciding where I was going to put things.

The very next day my sister called with an amazing offer... to make a long story short... she has a friend with a painting business that is going to paint our house for FREE! That is right free. I was elated. I really feel like it is just a tender mercy from the Lord. Although it is so silly and there are several other things that we are tying to make fit in our tiny budget right now that would serve us much better for free than a painted house (need a new car [tends to happen with number 4], our back yard needs serious help, summer clothes for the boys, etc), but painting is just this pure want that will make me happy. I am thrilled to have it. So for the last two weeks I have been collecting painting samples trying to decide what I liked. I narrowed it down to 3.

I put them on my wall tonight... and I hate all of them! I am so bugged. I don't even kind of like any of them. I feel like I need to throw out my whole color palate and start over - but I don't know where to go from here. And we are supposed to start painting this week. I am trying to go off the same color scheme of a woman in my ward who has the same house design as mine (Mindy) - but I just can't get it right. I obviously have no idea what I am doing.


Then I saw this ladder shelf on Craig's List for $20. I have wanted a black ladder shelf since we moved into this house - but knew I would never buy one (that is how I role) - but through some extra baby sitting money (thanks neighbors) Jason gave me the green light. This was a HUGE deal because I have not bought one thing like this since we have been married. I haven't bought one thing really for the house, me, or the kids that wasn't basically a need - or right on the border line. So to have something so frivolous as a shelf - especially at a time of unemployment - was crazy. I think I smiled for 3 days straight.

Then I got it home - and I don't like it. I actually knew I didn't like it 3 minutes after I bought it. I am so sad. This is my first Craig's List purchase that I have regretted (and I buy EVERYTHING off of Craig's List). So I guess there is always a first. So I am just going to have to resell it.

We are also in the market for a mini-van. My mom watched the kids all day Wednesday so Jason and I could go make the rounds. So depressing - I didn't love any of them. We won't be making any decisions or purchases until summer - so hopefully we will get some clarity soon. If I had to pick one now I guess it would be the Honda Odyssey - but that one has its list of cons as well.

Now I realize I think I just spent the last 5-10 minutes complaining - which is weird because that is not how I feel. I am actually really thrilled with the things happening in our life - but I just don't really like making decisions - and changes all include decisions.