Brush, Reflect, Pray, Repeat... by Sue Koons

'Who's crazy enough to start painting cabinets in the beginning of the Christmas season? Me, that's who,' was a recent Facebook post of mine. Yes, I have started, and am nearing completion, only to start on my dining room table and chairs. Why am I nutty like this? Well, I suppose it has something to do with the approaching holidays.

I have heard lots of people say that they have their trees up, decorated, gifts bought, wrapped, and the bane of my existence (sorry), the Christmas cards, sent out. I guess I'm more of a procrastinator in those departments. One year, the hubs and I put the tree up the day after Thanksgiving, but by the time Christmas came around, all the decorations were just there, the 'magic' wore off. So that's why we wait to put up the tree about a week before Christmas.

Actually, it's usually my two boys and myself that decorate, but the hubs puts the tree up.
The boys are slowly getting to the point where 'decorating' is not that big of a deal. What? Not a big deal? Of course it is! The Christmas decorations are a sign of something special that will be happening. The day we wait for, the commemoration of the Blessed Event- Christmas, the day of our Lord's birth.

What has this got to do with me painting my cabinets, and table, and chairs? Well, I guess that is my way of preparing for the holidays. I'm thinking about family and friends that will be dropping by the whole time I'm painting. Just another way to make the house more welcoming, but this will stay around long after the 'magic' of fresh paints wears off- figuratively, and quite possibly literally.

It's funny how painting can relax and frustrate at the same time, isn't it?

As you will learn about me, if you stand still, I will likely paint you! I love giving things 'new life' with a coat (or two) of paint. In a way, each project is like its own scrapbook. I can remember how I felt while painting that piece, or where I was physically or emotionally. For instance, while I was painting my bedside table, which was a table from my mother's childhood, I was outside with my kids on a warm spring day and I had met a new neighbor. 'Oh, how nice for her to come and introduce herself,' I thought. Then she proceeded to tell me how my boys were throwing stones at her car, and that's where the nice, warm, relaxing spring day came to a screeching halt! I laugh about it now, and I believe Mel Brooks said it best when he said, 'Comedy is just tragedy with time.'

Painting is my therapy. I work out problems, reflect, and pray. And in doing this, I grow.
In the next few months, I will be growing -alot! I've got lots of projects to share with you all.

Light and Peace to you all! Suse