You know how it is

You buy something as simple as a pillow. You end up changing the decor of the whole darn room just to match the pillow.

Ours began with the purchase of a couch. We wanted a sleeper sofa to accommodate extra guests, and the former owners had only two recliner chairs in the living room.

As I said in the last post, the couch led to new carpeting. New carpeting led to new drapes. New drapes led to new drapery rods. Then we needed a new chair to match the room. The couch, chair, new carpeting and drapes led to painting the whole room.

Painting the whole room has now led to painting the bedroom as well. Painting the bedroom led to new curtains. New curtains led to a new bed skirt and quilt. New paint led to new closet hardware.

We're exhausted. What made us think this was our retirement get-away where we could relax and enjoy life at a slower pace?

Ah well, it's coming together and the end is almost in sight. I am certain we'll agree it was a worthwhile investment and a good plan in the end.

Who's impatient?

The other day, I was mentioning all the things I wanted to do to redecorate our new Arizona home.

Everything is in good condition, but is very outdated. The living room carpeting is turquoise, the curtains are light blue and pink, the recliner is aqua, and, showing signs of wear, they need to be replaced. The walls need painting, as walls do every few years.

My husband heard my litany as I listed off all the changes.

Oh yes, I continued, we new new floor heat vent covers, the master bedroom needs painting, and we either need new floor lamps, or we need to paint the existing ones, and we need new lampshades to replace the worn ones. And new cabinet hardware.

Would you believe he actually accused me of being impatient? Me??? Impatient???

Okay, I conceded and 'fessed up. Yes, I said, you know me well. And I agreed to slow down and wait to do things one at a time. Little by little. I'm just happy to be here, I humbly proclaimed, and yes, we don't have to do everything right now. I even went out on a limb and agreed we could hold off on most things until next year. (That was really a stretch.)

Yesterday, the new couch we ordered a month ago was delivered. We're pleased with it and stood back to admire it, when all of a sudden, my husband announced we need new carpeting. And declared that first thing in the morning, we were going shopping.

And, of course, then the drapes won't match, so we need those as well. (Never mind that I had warned him that light blue and pink curtains wouldn't match anything.)

And before we put in new carpeting and drapes, we need to paint the walls, he went on to expound, as if it just occurred to him.

I just smiled and said, gee, honey, you're appearing awfully impatient about all this. What is the sudden rush?

He mumbled something to the effect that I was right, and off we went this morning, bringing home paint and carpet samples to study.

Is it okay if I gloat just a wee bit?