Muffy's afternoon DIY

When it comes to dealing with people, my mom has been blessed abundantly with patience.

However, last week, as we took on a little afternoon DIY, we laughed at the fact that someone who truly has more patience for people than anyone I've ever met, could be so impatient when it comes to inanimate objects.

She decided it was time to repaint a cabinet from our old house so it would fit with the color scheme of the new house. Instead of sanding it and testing colors, she just carried it outside, put it on some newspaper, and started repainting.
It was at this point that I returned home from work. She was about 40 percent finished with the painting and told me that she thought it was going to be fun - but it wasn't really. And she was ready to be done. I decided to help her out and, my patience for projects very similar to hers, employed the great technique of pouring the paint onto the cabinet and quickly smoothing it out before it dripped to the grass. Competitive I am not, but with a hint of competition from my mom and a whole lot of desire to get the paint job done quickly, we raced to see who could complete her side first. After it dried (it was the kind of paint that dries in minutes, which is perfect for us) we hauled it back inside, filled it up, and stood back to appraise our work.
Unfortunately, as the sun began to set and the light changed, we realized it wasn't exactly the color we were going for (now we know why my dad always tests his colors). At this point, I had to leave because I had dinner plans. My mom, however, took it back outside, ran to Home Depot to get another color, repainted it - this time with a roller, not a paintbrush - and had it back inside by dusk.
I'd say it was a job well - and efficiently - done.

A toast to 100 Willow Rd.


I've been trying, for days, to come up with some sort of metaphor or comparison. But I've found that nothing does it justice.

Nothing can describe the way it looks as you turn on to Maple and catch a glimpse of it on a summer day - sun shining, grass bright green.

Nothing can describe the way it feels to come home after a week in Sandestin and to inhale the familiar scent for the first time.

Or the way the backyard brought us so much joy, with room to run and two strong Maple trees to climb.

Or the way the Mulberry bush was kind of scary, but also the best place to play house.

Or the way the kitchen feels during a family party - so full of energy and excitement.

Or the memories of waking up on Christmas morning and sitting at the top of the landing, dying to peek around the corner.

Or how fun it was when it was under construction and we played nighttime hide and seek in the frame.

Or how nice it feels to eat lunch by the pool while listening to the crazy golfers.

Or what a treat it was to walk to McKamey's all by ourselves to get a milkshake.

Or how full our hearts feel as we all sit around the bar in the kitchen, laughing and talking for hours. Happy to be together...

100 Willow has certainly brought us endless joy over the last 46 years. And as we hand over the keys this evening, it will undoubtedly be the end of an era.

But as we begin our new adventure, we will take these memories with us. After all, as much as we love 100 Willow (with all of our hearts), it's just a house. With new memories we'll make Horseguard Close our home.

PS. Some new Zionsvillian is going to be so lucky to get 873.5665!