Today is the final day of my February NaBloPoMo challenge.  I can't believe that I actually posted every day this month.  I have to admit, it was a challenge, yet I didn't use any of the writing prompts.  Maybe I should have, then again I felt like it was too much like writing essays in school.  I found this to be a wonderful exercise and maybe I'll do it again...but not too soon.

For me, writing is spontaneous.  I write about what I see, smell, taste, do, etc.  I tried to share my day with everyone.  It may be boring to some but I'm good with boring. 

I may tone it down to every other day now.  It's been a challenge with a family, full-time job, redecorating, and organizing.  I hope to make my posts more interesting.  Hopefully, I will learn something new and be able to pass that knowledge onto someone else.

So for know, I'm going to say, adieu to NaBloPoMo...and Thank You. 

My desk and the book shelf are a type of laminate (more like paper than vinyl or plastic).  So I've ventured into painting laminate.  I found some good directions on HGTV.com to paint laminate counter tops and spoke with a guy at the hardware store who does kitchen remodeling and gave me some pointers.  So here's the process I'm using.

1. Lightly sand with 150-grit sandpaper. This allows the primer adhere better to the surface.
2. Wipe the surface down with a damp cloth (or tack cloth) to remove any dust. 
   
3. 2 coats primer - I'm using Zissner Bulls-eye 123 but any primer that indicates it covers gloss or shiny surfaces will work.
   
4. 2 coats indoor satin/semi-gloss paint - I'm using Dutch Boy DuraClean Satin finish (White Lullaby) to match the walls
5. 3 coats acrylic sealant - I'm using Minwax Polycrylic Semi-Gloss.
   

No one told me if I should use a roller or brush so...I'm rolling on the primer and paint.  For some reason I get a more even coat when I roll the paint on than when I use a brush.  When I finally get to the sealant I think I will use a brush but will be able to tell if that's a wise choice when I do my first coat. 

The key (I'm told) is to let each coat dry completely before applying the next coat.  Yes, this is taking forever and sometimes I get a little impatient watching paint dry.  But I'm following the directions and suggestions given to me.  I will let you know how it comes out in the end.

While I was finishing painting the walls last week, my beagle, Mollie Bollie had to go outside.  Since everyone else was already out there, she came to bug me.  Unfortunately, she got a little too close to the green wall that I had just finished painting, wagging her tail like crazy.  You got it...she did a little decorative painting herself.  For those of you with pets you know that sometimes they are a lot like children when you want to take a picture and they don't want to participate. 

So for a giggle, I thought I'd share my attempts at trying to take a picture of her tail...She kept flicking her tail up so you couldn't see the top of it.  My favorite is her sticking out her tongue just as I was about to get a picture. 

Finally...my husband scratched her ears and I was able to get this one and only shot of the top of her tail.