Arlo and Janis by Jimmy Johnson for March 14, 2024

It’s a trap!

(Well, it was a trap, and you all but fell into it!)

Now just look at the fine mess you’ve gotten yourself in, Arlo!

The old switcheroo!

Your slow Arlo, blindsided again by the more cunning spouse.

Honey Do List?

She’s good!

The utility room is probably the smallest room in the house. It’s smart to start there and work your way up to larger rooms. It’ll give a sense of accomplishment.

A ruse! A trick! A FEMALE trick!

No doubt Janis is angling for a kitchen remodel.

“There’re a lot better things that we could do!”

Like let the new owners decide what colors they would like… and where.

Just leave it white and let the new owners decide.

I have been seeing a lot of homes both old and new being painted almost black or dark gray. It’s like they don’t realize that the Louisiana sun will be increasing soon, they will see their home electric bills soar in a couple of months when they have to get that A/C running a lot more.

The best advice is to fix it up while you live there and enjoy it. Otherwise, you’ll have to fix it up to sell it and someone else will get to enjoy it.

Stick a fork in him, I think he’s done.

Sell the house as is to a rehabber!

Ahhh… the pit and the pendulum.

Arlo, to avoid this cleverly laid trap, this is where the next few sentences all start with the word “You”: *You could repair the curtains.*You could shampoo the rugs.*You could schedule getting the outside of the house washed.*You could dust all the crown molding.*You could prune all the shrubbery.*You could scrub all the tubs.

As soon as she sees herself in these roles, I’m betting that smile on her face will fade quickly!

I can afford only one room with the current ridiculous price of paint. What’s up with that?

“Well, we could just sit back, relax, and not worry about it… But I see that’s not going to happen.”

Judo!

Ah, she’s about to start a new “Things for Arlo To Do” list…

let the new owners do whatever THEY want?

Yah, plus it is recommended to leave rooms in plain, neutral colors so potential buyers can easily imagine them in the colors of their own choosing.

Was Arlo in the NAVY? – Never Again Volunteer Yourself.

Never waste money on painting before selling. Did that twice. New owners painted, tore up floors, etc. Just take that little bit less.

walked right into that one

Had a boss who had moved many times for his career advise me that we should buy the new front door as we moved in so we could enjoy it, not in order to help sell to the next owner.

to quote the hunter in Jurassic Park… “Clever girl.”

People do this all the time, they fix up their house and then move. Why didn’t you fix up your house so you could enjoy it while you’re living there?

Fell into her wicked web again.

Yes Arlo, Janis almost, almost caught you off guard…..

Remember when CDs first came out and they came in boxes? I clipped and saved those boxes and tacked them to my utility room walls.* (* single man, if you haven’t already guessed)

Ah-HA! A “make work” trap!

Good try Janis, it almost worked.

Things are starting to feel inevitable.

Almost got you she did…..

And when y’all get through painting and remodeling…you’ll decide to stay.

She gotcha!

Select NONE of those colors if you are doing it to sell the house! Sprucing up rooms that look dingy is a good idea, but only with neutral colors and decorating (don’t put family photos back up…).

Happy Pi Day!!

Our utility room is about half of our basement. That makes it the 3rd largest room in the house – with the other half of the basement and the living room above it tied for the largest room.

It is not painted – it is cement – floor and walls.