Making Decisions...

I've come to accept the fact that although practicing yoga has given me greater awareness, clarity and focus, there are still moments when I feel completely overwhelmed and confused.  I still spend unnecessary time each morning debating what to wear (especially if I ended the night before eating a huge bowl of ice cream while watching Project Runway), and I don't dare attempt grocery shopping without first developing a detailed list.  It took weeks to choose which veggies to plant in my garden and a year before I finally decided to color my hair (which I love, by the way).  This week, I've faced yet another round of decision drama...what color should we paint our kitchen?

This really isn't a new question, since we've been planning our kitchen remodel for months.  Still, I've changed my mind at least 50 times to the point that my husband, Crawdad, finally gave me a deadline and vowed he would pick the color himself should I fail to make a decision.  So, faced with such a scary ultimatum, I moved everything out of my kitchen, Gentry and I primed the walls, and I sat back to take it all in...

Now, you really need to understand that chaos may be the intricate border that outlines my daily life, but physical disorder gives me vertigo...seriously.  My hands were shaking just taking this picture and I get slightly sick at my stomach every time I walk through this room...I just can't think straight when things are all piled up.  Not the best situation to be in when faced with decision making.  Add to that the fact that the artistic side of my brain thinks in multiples...if blue is good, then purple, pink and yellow are even better...you get the idea!  Still, I really want my kitchen to be a peaceful place and, since the room is tiny with no real options to expand, I plan to use lighter shades to open the space and give it a little room to breathe, so multiple color combos are, unfortunately, out.

I've spent weeks going through magazines and color swatches.  I researched painting techniques and interviewed dozens of friends and co-workers regarding their personal color choices.  I've meditated and calculated and spent at least 3 hours at Lowe's in the last two days.  Finally, I think I've made a decision...

Pale lemon yellow and a pretty light grey.  Crawdad gave in and agreed to use tile instead of a traditional chair rail (he is debating whether to tile the back splash behind our kitchen counter as well) because I told him it would take me at least another week to decide what color to paint it!  I'll have to deal with the chaotic clutter for a few days, but the kids are having a blast eating Chinese take-out and pizza, since my oven has been temporarily relocated to the middle of the kitchen.  At least the fridge is still plugged in and full of cold beer - a home improvement must have!

Today, I'm taking a deep breath and a couple of ibuprofen before I finish sanding and priming.  I feel so confident since decisions have been made and really can't wait to see it all come together.  Now, if I could just decide on paint for the bathroom...