Around the Bend: Home improvement, holiday style

Last Saturday morning, I woke up feeling downright peaceful. Here it was, less than two weeks before Christmas and, because I had shopped early and planned carefully, I was coasting into a low-stress holiday.

The presents were purchased and wrapped. The tree was decorated. The cookies were baked. I had nothing left to do but relax and bask in this unfamiliar sense of calm.

So I decided to paint the living room.