How many times can one walk into a home and garden center and still not buy anything. Instead, I walked out with a serious case of disappointment. Ah well.
My mother needed birthday cards as she was late sending cards to those in the family with recent birthdays. She also wanted to stop by the home and garden center to check on a stove. Hers is approximately 30 years old give or take a few years. The burners work but the oven doesn’t. While she looked at stoves, I wandered over to see what primer would cost. I wanted to paint over the paneling in the two rooms that is currently empty of furniture. I have a partial container, but nowhere near enough. I also thought I’d check on paint as what I have here is blue and I wanted a very light grey. Lets just say the cost had me walking away quickly.
I wandered over to where a friend of mine works but figured they were at lunch. I made my way back to where mom was standing looking at the stove that had caught her attention. She knew that dad would want to see it before purchasing. She also had asked if they had any in stock. With a confirmation they did in fact have that stove, we left to go pick up the birthday cards she wanted. I took her home and then went back out. I stopped to take another look to see if I could find anything a bit less expensive. No. Leaving disappointed I went to purchase groceries. I need to win the lottery just to afford to eat.
Once I got that home, I took mom and dad back to the home and garden center where mom got her stove ordered. It should arrive Sunday afternoon. The two guys who waited on mom were so nice. The one was very quiet, but the other was a bit of a flirt, but not in a creepy way. More of a teasing, fun way.
I will admit to being disappointed over not being able to paint. But it is something I wanted, not something that needs to be done. The important thing is to get that flooring down. That is a need.
Since my husband died, I have had to learn to place priorities. I’ve had to learn need over want. Responsible adult over big kid’s wishes. It is difficult to ask for help. When I do I tend to mess it up due to it being something I am not accustomed to doing. I have learned how to say thank you much more easily. Showing gratitude is important. Showing appreciation is important. The way a house looks, is not as important as how sturdy it is. How a person looks is not as important as what is in their heart. I did not get any primer or paint, but I did have an amazing conversation with two different individuals while in the store. When I went back with mom and dad, I watched as a young man made my mother’s afternoon. When my son helped me carry in groceries, and later when I got back from yet one more trip, he managed to ease my disappointment as we discussed the floor and when I would go see about the covering. He even helped get that air mattress filled up as it should be. Tonight should hopefully be more restful. Tomorrow will be another day, with other opportunities. Tomorrow will be a day to seek out ways to make it better for others and not be concerned over whether the walls of my house are paneled or Grey Shimmer. My house is secure, warm, dry and filled with love. I can’t ask for more.
Words from The Dirt Road 