One thing leads to another

This might be one of those things I'll regret doing. As part of Project Empty: Get Rid of All My Crap, I cleared some cheap standard-and-bracket shelves in my living room. The room needs a coat of paint, and while the shelves were empty I figured I might as well take them down.

In removing the metal standards, I pulled off quite a few square inches of paint. It seems that, a hundred years ago or so, a sort of wallpaper was applied to the bare plaster, and not surprisingly, whatever paste held it on has long since lost its oomph.

I was just going to scrape away the loose bits, and maybe feather in some spackle before repainting. But it was irresistible. I got out a flathead screwdriver and started chiseling. Then I got a palette knife. The paint of ages started coming free in great sheets bigger than your hand and at least a millimeter thick.

( Behold the 100 year old plaster that lies beneath. )

In other Project Empty news, I took a load of paint, pesticides, and other toxins to the recycling center on Monday. You don't even have to get out of your car! They come out all suited up and gloved, you pop the trunk, and they make it all vanish. It was so cool!

Toxics disposal has helped me partially clear Outdoor Area 2: Driveway; Kitchen Areas 1-4: Tool & Hardware Shelves; and Mudroom Area 1: Floor Under Windows.

One of the chairs and all of the shelf-boards I put out on the curb yesterday were gone this evening when I got home.

So, progress!