Painting and other current things

Ch-ch-changes have come to the Ladd Establishment in the form of wall paint. Super exciting, I know. We’ve lived here for 15 months and the white walls have become a dingy yellow, and it was getting me down. A couple weeks ago I had settled on the idea of paining our living room and the guest room/office.

I settled on a paint color for the living room last week and this week we took the leap and bought the paint and supplies. Saturday night we had a late night painting session and we finished the job, minus touch ups, on Sunday evening.

Before

After

This change comes just in time for spring! The paint color is Benjamin Moore’s Nob Hill Sage. We bought a gallon of the Natura ZERO VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds), and it was expensive. Talk about sticker shock! But, I read that VOC’s in paint can release fumes long after you’ve finished painting, and I’m all about limiting our exposure to chemicals.

Dan was not super happy about the price, but he was pleasantly surprised by how little fumes there actually were. We could’ve painted with all the windows and doors closed and not smelled any fumes. So, overall, I’m glad we bought it, but in the future I think I might A) look for some coupons or B) Opt for “Low VOC” paint instead.

The color makes me cheerful again, but the living room isn’t finished yet. I’ll also paint the rest of the walls, but with an even more neutral color. I’m thinking Benjamin Moore’s Canvas or something similar. To be continued.

My race season begins this month. First up is the Shamrock Shuffle in Manchester on March 25. It’s a quick two mile race that I’m really excited to run with my friend, Kelly. I’ve fallen behind on my training and have been stuck on week five of Hal Higdon’s 15K training (that’s 9.32 miles). I’m signed up for a ten miler in September, so I have plenty of time, but I’m not so sure, now, that I’m going to make it. Four miles is an uncomfortable stretch, and I’ve been wimping out on five miles runs. I haven’t even attempted five miles since the Manchester Marathon Relay. Maybe this Saturday will be the day that I overcome the four mile wall. Maybe.

Other things. Work has been so bust and I am really-really looking forward to my vacation at the end of the month. No, I’m not going anywhere, except a day trip to Boston, but that’s fine with me. A week of sleeping in, reading in bed, and going for long walks with Roxie is just what I need.

This post is really late tonight, thanks to internet glitches, so I’m signing off now. I hope you’re enjoying the spring weather.

LOVE!
Angelica