A Memorial Weekend Tradition

We didn't set out to make house painting a Memorial Day weekend tradition...it just sort of happened. Spring bring lots of chores, and it just seemed others had more priority until we'd realize it was about to be hot so we'd better get the painting done. Fortunately, it never meant much more than eaves and garage doors as we had brick homes, but it was still a task that needed to be done.

Wayne is pretty good about a lot of home maintenance but he hates to paint. In fact, if we're putting all the things that go into taking care of your home in order, painting is gonna be last on the list every time. But when both of us had jobs and a long weekend was being sacrificed for it...well, he'd paint. All he asked was that he could listen to the Indy 500 race on the radio. 

Now as much as Wayne hates to paint, I hate car racing. I just don't see the charm in watching a bunch of cars drive around in circles. I'm OK with those who do...we don't all have to like the same thing. Just don't make me watch/listen to it with you. Clearly, the painting projects were an example of the give and take in a marriage.

So for years the rattle of paint cans and ladders would blend with the high-pitched whine of car engines racing by on the radio. eeeeeeyyyooooowwww  I couldn't seem to escape that sound no matter where I went to paint. The only saving grace was that the race lasted for several hours...the painting took days. We'd go back to work after the holiday weekend with crooks in our neck, and while we'd blame them on the odd angles of trying to paint the soffit, it could well have been from gritting our teeth at enduring things we each didn't enjoy.

Our home now is stucco with vinyl soffits so we haven't had much painting to do, but I've been thinking the garage doors needed a fresh coat of paint. Funny how it got to the top of the job jar on Memorial Day Weekend, just like in the past. It's not a big task and I'm happy to do it by myself. The birds were singing to me as I went about my painting...a clear improvement over past occasions. I came inside to clean up when the sun got around to the doors and....

eeeeeeyyyoooooowww  The race was on the TV.

Comments

[Linda J]

We have the same(lack of) love for car racing.:) I find myself feeling motion sick, even smelling the gasoline if I watch a race. Luckily my DH generaly only enjoys a snipet of a race on rare occasion - now hockey - that is a different story.:)

[Angie]

I read your last post about your search for your cleaning cloths. I think you might be thinking of the Pledge Grab-its. They can be purchased on Amazon. Shipping may be cheaper than gas costs (esp. if you order enough for free shipping). I also have a few products I'm loyal to and hate when I can't find them. :)

[Kathy T.]

This is why I want vinyl soffits! :) I've linked to you on Shak & Jill.