what a mess!

And I'm not referring to my face this time, although that's still a mess too.

It's been 10 years since I last had my apartment painted. `

A couple of months ago I decide it's time, and immediately become stressed knowing what's ahead.

The building is required to paint my apartment every three years (for free) if I request it. But if I want different colors than the basic Regal Select Linen White Flat by Benjamin Moore (BM) that is offered, I must pay.

I spend weeks deciding on color. My neighbor recommends OC-45, a BM Aura paint called Swiss Coffee. I look at a million others and ultimately decide on that, and a slightly darker shade (OC-47 Aura Ashwood) for my small hallway. Both in an eggshell finish. The paint will be about $350. I think it's worth it.

Next comes the challenge of finding a painter. The building uses two. The first gives me an astronomical price and the second painter (Freddy, who's an absolute doll) gives me a price that is about $600 less. Plus, Freddie will switch out all my plug plates and move the furniture that is too heavy for me to move. But most importantly, Freddie responds to my phone calls and texts. 

So the painters are coming tomorrow. Today I begin the prep. 

I'll leave the ALEXANDER letters for the painter's to remove. These have been up since my son was an infant. I just haven't had the heart to take them down. But he's 24 now; I guess it's time.

Everything else, though, I do. 

I empty my book shelves and take down the shelves. I remove anything that can get in the way of the paint job. Everything on my walls is now on a bed or table.

I stuff things in closets, my laundry basket, on top of my bed, on chairs and my dining table. For someone who is very organized, this kind of chaos is stressful. But I will like the "putting away and cleaning" part. 

I also make a pile of perfectly good items I no longer use: a watering can, an expensive Japanese-designed dish drainer, a mini-food processor (unopened), a muffin tin, a few pans, and an iron. I will offer them to the painters.

Like my face, the end result will certainly make it all worth it. But the path to get there feels like a long one.