By Georgia Osten
If I ever tell you I’m bored and have nothing to do, please give me a swat! After so many winters of living at the beach, in anticipation of “cabin fever,” I have surrounded myself with enough projects to keep me busy until next summer. My first project, I decided to paint the entire inside of the house a paler shade of gray, it’s called “The Big Chill.” I really liked that movie back in the 60’s and really liked the color too. I told my husband that I would do everything myself. But, from time to time, I’ve asked him to take pictures down, or reach difficult spots for me, put pictures back up … you know, I really want him to feel included, there’s a sense of pride when it comes to creating a masterpiece!

Another project I tackled was to chalk paint a few pieces of furniture. Chalk paint is VERY forgiving when it comes to brush strokes and coverage, just what I need! I chose a vibrant turquoise/green. First, I painted the entertainment piece, then I painted the hutch, then I ran out of turquoise/green. Thank goodness!

A long-conceived project: I decided, after Ike, to go through all those many storage boxes of loose photos, albums, cards, school papers and baby books that have been accumulating for over 40 years. I decided to do this about 3 years ago. Well, needless to say, the boxes have been moved from my daughter’s attic, back to the beach, in our living room, then out to the storage closet.

Panic time – it always comes around to bite you! Today, I received a text from our youngest daughter – “Mom, can you get your hands on my baby book?” Of all things, she needed baptism records, confirmation, reconciliation, on and on. I ventured out to the storage closet, braving the cold, and my first finding was her older sister’s baby book. I figured the other two kids’ books had to be buried underneath and voila- I found them! Laying everything out on the bed, we finally found all the relevant certificates and dates she needed. Whew! Now, to put all this stuff away – to be organized some other day …

I really look forward to finishing all my projects, because what I really want to do is pull out a jigsaw puzzle. This will be my ultimate reward – I’ll dwindle the dreary winter days away in total bliss under the brightest lights in the house I can find!

(published 11/18/2014)

GO’s Sand Bucket is only one beach bum’s journal of life at the beach, probably something each of you can relate to. Please feel free to email me with your thoughts, visions and/or feelings of just exactly what the beach means to you.

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