Copyright – Ted Strutz
Genre: Fiction
Word Count: 100
DIY – A Shortcut
John stepped back into the water trough a second time.
‘I hate bloody DIY! And why soak the paper? What’s wrong with old fashioned wallpaper paste?’
‘I thought it would be quicker and hopefully less messy.’
‘You thought. Here, make yourself useful, hold the brush.’
‘It seemed a better idea to do this while the boys were away.’
He grabbed the brush, held the paper off the wall and in one angry movement swept it down to the skirting board.
‘Careful, you’ve covered up the socket.’
‘Just shut up,’ he said, jabbing the point of the scissors through the paper.
*******************
The socket reminded me of the fiasco we had when we decided to decorate the bedroom our boys shared when they were small. It’s all true, apart from the scissors in the socket…but it could well have happened that night!
Thank you to Ted Strutz for the photo prompt and to Rochelle for continuing to light the way.
40again's Blog 
There is nothing worse than wall-papers.. I have done it once.. and yes not good for peace at home. From now on it’s only white paint.
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Yes you’re right, paint is a much better option.
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Dear Dee,
Your story is delightful and the last line…well…shocking! My husband and I once spent a week papering and putting down a new tile floor in one of our bathrooms. Fortunately our experience was a little better. Our marriage even survived. 😉 I laughed out loud.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle
Our marriage survived too, thankfully. People day that you should never get your husband/wife to teach you to drive and I think that should hold true for decorating too! Glad I made you laugh.
Best wishes
Dee
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Well, thank heavens the scissors stabbed only the socket. And yes, definitely paint only (until fashions change).
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Thanks Patrick, let’s hope fashion doesn’t change any time soon 😊
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Funny story, Dee. That sounded like a real mess. I think I’d go with paint also. I’ll never forget my mother cleaning wallpaper with something that looked like play dough or silly putty. Well done. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Thanks Suzanne, it was a mess but we laughed about it afterwards.
Dee 🙂
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Ugh…I hate to wall paper..but i do love the results. Thanks for the reminder.
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You are welcome, thanks for reading Dawn
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Oh no! Not into the socket! That would be a shocking ending to their project. Great story.
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Haha, yes it certainly would. Thanks for reading.
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Dear Dee, Great story! I know how you feel. The surest way to end in marriage counseling is to wallpaper together. Mike learned years ago to let me do the wallpapering and he would be my helper – otherwise I’m ALWAYS his GOFER! Good job! Nan 🙂
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Hi Nan – I think jobs around the house are the main cause of marital disharmony, after this episode I did all the decorating myself, while John was out of the house. He only ever complained about one wall that I had done as a contrast – it stayed put!
Thanks for reading. Dee 🙂
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Haha! Sounds much like one in my memory! 😀
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