• Home
  • About Kim
    • Author Bio
    • Author FAQs
    • Other Writing
  • Books
    • Book Club Discussion
  • Events
    • Beaches, Bathrooms, and Books
  • Blog
  • Press
    • Press Kits
  • Contact Kim
  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Kimberly Dalferes | Author

Crazy, Southern, Irish Gal, Author

Stripping Lessons

October 31, 2014 by Kim Dalferes

I’ve tackled many DIY projects throughout my 1980s colonial style house. You’ve experienced my “joys” as I’ve described my budget powder room makeover and my trash to treasure patio re-do. Hubs and I have painted almost every room, pulled up nasty green shag carpet, replaced cabinet handles and hinges, reupholstered chairs and benches, and completed a honey-do list that is varied and extensive. However, for the past 13 years we’ve chosen to ignore one particular room: the spare bathroom upstairs. Why? Because it possessed a hideous case of 1980s floral wallpaper.

the horror with text

It’s never a good idea for this Virgo gal to have down time. Two weeks ago as I faced the perfect storm of delays between contracts, coupled with being caught up on writing assignments and/or in editing lockdown, I pondered how to fill my time. I ambled into the guest bath and, seized by what must have been the demented ghost of bathrooms past, reached over and tore at a strip of peeling paper. At that moment of impulsive stupidity, I had committed to taking on this long avoided project.

These weeks of scraping, tearing, swearing, peeling, rubbing, scrubbing sanding, and stripping have, surprisingly, brought some unique insights. OK, it hasn’t been akin to reaching inner peace or connecting with my chakra. However, I discovered that there is a kind of introspection to the wallpaper removal process that offers some life lessons, stripping lessons if you will. These include:

  1. Nothing is ever as easy as you think it will be.
  2. It’s going to get worse before it gets better.
  3. Patience is a virtue.

 patience with text

4. When you scratch the surface, you might be surprised by what lies beneath.

5. Sometimes you’ll need to tear down to build up.

6. Everyone has an opinion of how something should be done.

7. There are few moments in this life as fulfilling as when you manage to remove all the wallpaper from behind a toilet.

behind the toilet with text

8. Small steps lead to big reveals.

9. A little wine always makes any task more fun.

10. Ya gotta commit to putting in some hard work, no matter how boring.

I’m happy to conclude that after patiently waiting for 13 years, the spare bathroom has now been given the updating it so desperately needed and deserved. I’d love to say I’m officially done, but there’s always the garage, and both offices, and the basement, and the laundry room … oh please let that new contract start soon!

How about you: have you ever received divine inspiration in some unique way?

Cheers,

Kimba

PS: oh, and here’ a glimpse of the new and improved bathroom. I think she’s mighty purtee…

after bathroom #1 with text

PPS: And in the interest of full disclosure, I discovered, this morning, this hiding under the sink…

found wallpaper with text

Filed Under: The Middle-Aged Cheap Seats Tagged With: amazon best sellers, blog, divine inspiration, DIY, Do it yourself, I was in love with a short man once, Kim Dalferes, Kim Dalferes Author, Kimba, Kimberly Dalferes, middle-aged, middle-aged cheap seats, stripping, wallpaper removal, wisdom, women

Comments

  1. Sonja Pound says

    November 3, 2014 at 1:34 pm

    I ABSOLUTELY would not have the patience to do that! In fact, I just hired a person to remove wallpaper from a house we just bought. It’s in every bathroom (4) and laundry room. I would be insane if I attempted. I’m sure there would be some introspection – but probably more #$@& instead. Congrats on your project. Looks great!

    • Kimba says

      November 3, 2014 at 2:06 pm

      Yeah, I don’t think I could tackle four bathrooms. Money well spent on your part!! Oh, and congrats on the new house.

  2. Linda says

    November 2, 2014 at 5:08 am

    You’ve put a smile on my face today! Especially with that last picture. Could happen to me, for sure!

    Linda

    • Kimba says

      November 2, 2014 at 12:51 pm

      I know, right?! There’s always one last thing you forgot to address…

  3. Donna says

    November 1, 2014 at 1:48 pm

    You had me from the beginning!! I love the way you presented this. From one Virgo gal to another, thank you for the laugh and inspiration!!

    • Kimba says

      November 2, 2014 at 12:46 pm

      Thx Virgo gal, hope you are tackling the projects on your list (I KNOW you have a list…)

  4. TERRY says

    November 1, 2014 at 1:15 pm

    Oh so can relate !! Great post and you deserve the wine !!

    • Kimba says

      November 2, 2014 at 12:43 pm

      Thx Terry, come on over, Marti and I are going to open a new bottle.

  5. Marquita Herald says

    November 1, 2014 at 8:14 am

    As always each of your insights is brilliant Kimba, but I’m especially fond of #7 and #9. Too funny about the surprise under the sink! I’m currently renting so DIY projects are pretty much off the radar and the 2 homes I did own were both brand new, so I must confess to being a novice when it comes to projects like this, which is probably why I have a special appreciation for stories like yours. 🙂

    • Kimba says

      November 2, 2014 at 12:34 pm

      Come on over Marti and we’ll tackle #9 together!

  6. Bodynsoil says

    November 1, 2014 at 8:09 am

    Great work as a stripper, now crawl behind the sink cabinet and work the pole.. errr strip that paper..

    • Kimba says

      November 2, 2014 at 12:32 pm

      BAHAHA, working the pole, good one! I do think this project will be the closest I come to stripping…

  7. Elaine Ambrose says

    October 31, 2014 at 11:22 pm

    Excellent! Now, do you hire out?

    • Kimba says

      November 2, 2014 at 12:31 pm

      Will work for wine and chocolate. Oh, and some of your writing tips!

  8. Lois Alter Mark says

    October 31, 2014 at 8:20 pm

    Ha ha! Can you come over and do mine next? I bow to your competence and patience. I would have either 1) painted over the wallpaper 2) hired someone to scrape it off 3) rationalized that the wallpaper was now vintage and I was a trendsetter.

    • Kimba says

      November 2, 2014 at 12:31 pm

      LMAO Lois, you are indeed a trendsetter. However, not sure even you could sell that wallpaper as “vintage.”

  9. Doreen McGettigan says

    October 31, 2014 at 5:11 pm

    I had that wallpaper too, it must have been very popular:)
    Having just finished scraping the paper off our powder room walls I can just say you are right on with your stripping tips.
    I still have to do the painting and tiling part.

    • Kimba says

      November 2, 2014 at 12:30 pm

      Oh, you’re re-tiling too?! God bless you darlin.

  10. Vicki says

    October 31, 2014 at 12:55 pm

    Ah..the perfect makeover, once again!Is that a new curtain rod also? I seem to remember the space was tight in the shower. Great job!

    • Kimba says

      November 2, 2014 at 12:29 pm

      Yep, good spot – new curtain, towels and window treatment! All ready for your next visit.

  11. Sharon Greenthal says

    October 31, 2014 at 11:15 am

    Your bathroom is beautiful and your patience and determination are admirable. I could never, ever do this!

    • Kimba says

      November 2, 2014 at 12:21 pm

      Sharon, you are the QUEEN of reinvention – I am sure you could master reinventing a bathroom!

  12. Carol Cassara says

    October 31, 2014 at 10:28 am

    You did a GREAT job! By the way, I used that original wallpaper in a house I had in 1982!I know it intimately.

    • Kimba says

      November 2, 2014 at 12:20 pm

      Carol, it’s amazing how popular that paper seemed to be – lots of folks reporting similar sightings across the U.S!

  13. Danielle says

    October 31, 2014 at 9:27 am

    I had that wallpaper two marriages ago!

    • Kimba says

      November 2, 2014 at 12:19 pm

      LOL, something I’m sure you happily gave up custody!

  14. Hubs says

    October 31, 2014 at 9:08 am

    It does look great Dear …. Well done !!!

    • Kimba says

      November 2, 2014 at 12:18 pm

      Thx Hon. Now, about that garage…

  15. jamie@southmainmuse says

    October 31, 2014 at 9:07 am

    That is a JOB. I’ve only attempted to take down wallpaper borders. My mom — God love her — is a wallpaper freak. V. old school with her interior design. You did a great job.

    • Kimba says

      November 2, 2014 at 12:18 pm

      Your Om is a freak in that she love wallpaper, or is freakishly good at removing it? I hear that wallpaper is making a comeback – really?!

  16. Cathy Chester says

    October 31, 2014 at 8:52 am

    I am in absolutely awe of you. Not only do I want a piece of your energy, but your ability to do such a project like this. Incredible and congrats!

    • Kimba says

      November 2, 2014 at 12:15 pm

      Cathy, I know you could tackle this kind of project!

  17. Christina says

    October 31, 2014 at 8:41 am

    Your bathroom’s new look is beautiful!!! Your story is inspiring, because it makes me feel like it’s never too late to jump back in and tackle an old project that’s been on the back-burner.

    ~Christina

    • Kimba says

      November 2, 2014 at 10:51 am

      My back burner is forever crowded …

Hello!

Author photo #2 in colorI hope you enjoy your time here and that you come back often. Wondering what makes me tick? This favorite quote from one of the grand dames of writing, Erma Bombeck, might help: Hook 'em with the lead. Hold 'em with laughter. Exit with a quip they won't forget. This seems to be a good overall life goal, don’t you think?

Hello!

Author photo #2 in colorWelcome to The Middle-Aged Cheap Seats,  the blog of Kimba Dalferes: slayer of king salmon, estate sale junkie, sometimes writes books.
Read More...

Beaches, Bathrooms, and Books!

What kind of bum are you: beach or bowl?

Sahar bathroom picKimba’s books have been called both “beach reads” and “bathroom reads.” She prefers beach reads, but hey, if the size 11 shoe fits…Read More...

Kim Dalferes’ Latest Book…

Crazy Southern Irish Gal Two-Book Bundle

Humor writer Kimberly “Kimba” Dalferes dishes on a wide variety of topics–from days of her youth spent blissfully on the shores of Florida’s beaches to menopause and empty nests–in her nonfiction collection Crazy Southern Irish Gal Two-Book Bundle. In both titles: I Was In Love With a Short Man Once and Magic Fishing Panties, Dalferes’ crazy Southern Irish gal perspective inspires her illustrations of life’s quirky twists and turns. Together, these books offer descriptive and colorful essays on subjects such as getting a tattoo in midlife, unique uses for kitty litter, handling a rabid bat, public speaking gone wrong, and naked hot-tubbing in Vegas. Dalferes skillfully weaves what at first glance may appear to be dissimilar themes into a tapestry that invokes her life’s motto: live out loud, laugh often, and ‘occasionally’ drink tequila. Now available through Amazon Kindle.

Search

Upcoming Events

There are no events to display

Author Hangouts

Beaches Bathroom Books Header sm
logo for A.Lbadge-ba50-final bombeck-writers-workshop lakerMagazineMasthead VWC-Logo-Master---97-years badge

The Archive


Goodreads reviews for I Was in Love with a Short Man Once

Reviews from Goodreads.com

Random Kimba Musings

Upcoming Events

"Bringing Your Book to the World: Book Launches, Signings, and Publicity", 2017 Virginia Writers Club Symposium, Charlottesville, VA, Saturday, August 5, 2017 http://www.virginiawritersclub.org/event-2484727

MORE INFO COMING SOON - Bridgewater Plaza Fall Festival, Saturday, October 14, 2017, Moneta, VA

"What's Creative About Nonfiction?", Reston Regional Library, Fairfax, VA, Monday, November 13, 2017, 7:00 p.m. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/rr/

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2023 Kimberly Dalferes · Customized by Elaine Griffin Designs · Built on the Genesis Framework