Good-bye Cocoa Rose*

I have spent some time lately bemoaning how little time I seem to have lately to be out wandering with the rest of the general public...you know, my soul searching time at Target has taken a hit. In order to soothe myself, I have tried making several mini trips to Target wherein I just buy up armfuls of stuff, shop a little in the comfort of my home, and then return that which was too impulsive to remain within these four walls. Yesterday was a day with nobody else's house cleaning needs on my schedule. I had ample time to breath the slightly stale air of stores. I had a list (home on the counter), and by golly I was going to be productive once again. Here is how that went...

I was at Target by 8:30 to return the drapes I didn't care for, and to get another set of the ones I did care for. (I was coached thru this design emergency by my mother.) As I handed over the drapes that didn't hang like I'd hoped, I noticed that the new clearance tag being applied to them was $4.00 less than I paid. This caused me to pause, reflecting on whether $8.00 less for the pair made me willing to accept their character flaws. Just walk away...quickly. I had a hand full of coupons that easily directed me through the store, saving money at every turn! Five miles away from Target, I realized I forgot to get the drapes I did want, as they were not a coupon item.

I stopped at Michael's craft store for something. I agonized for quite some time over which faux flowers would be best for the cemetery. Five miles from Michael's, I realized I forgot to make the return that was right there in my purse. I went to my grandmother's, and in addition to our cemetery visit, I was able to run in to three different stores to get everything on her list.

On my way home I decided to go make my return at Michael's. After pulling into the parking space, I reached into my purse, and pondered the ACMoore craft store bag. It took me only a second to remember that I had indeed made that purchase at ACMoore. I realized that I really shouldn't concern myself with a decrease in time to be productive out running errands. No, instead I thought I would best be served if I headed home and spent the next couple of hours cleaning. First, I did stop at Target for the drapes though.

OK, maybe I also stopped at Home Depot to ponder colors for the fireplace mantle. I was able to eek out some valuable information from an interior decorator who just happened to be there picking up some paint. I also wandered back into the tile aisle, and realized that I missed a whole land of time options the first time I stepped into that unfamiliar territory. I bought another trial sheet and some paint so that if I had nothing else to do this weekend, I could start my project.

I had cleaned the family room yesterday morning before leaving the house, as I thought that would really be a jump start that would inspire me to keep that momentum going on my return home. Or, maybe it would cause me to think the house looked pretty darn good if I just stayed in that one spot. It looked so swell, in fact, that I decided it would be wrong to stir up any dust anywhere else. I did the next logical thing, which was to paint the fireplace mantle. (I know, that's exactly what you were going to suggest.) I decided that the paint I already had here was just what I needed, so the return pile begins again.

I suppose it is time to take a good look in the mirror, get distracted and tweeze a little bit, then ask myself what, or who, is really keeping me from being as efficient as I delude myself into thinking one woman needs to be. Have a relaxing weekend, for me, and I will live vicariously through you!

*This title refers to the color that the mantle used to be. She deserved a shout out. Our previous neighbors had this gallon of paint leftover, and I just loved the color. I was bound and determined to use it somewhere in our home. I even brought it to a friend's house to see if she'd be happy there. I started slowly by painting the base of our old kitchen table, which was garage saled a few years back. The place it finally landed was on the mantle. It didn't necessarily match any color scheme we had going on back then, but didn't offend it either. I will not forget her hue, nor the lovely lady who introduced us. Full disclosure, I think there is still a half gallon of it in the basement. That could be dangerous if I ever feel overly nostalgic...