Sometimes I feel that I really luck out on the customers I am able to work with.  Last month I was assigned to a job in Wellesley to paint a number of walls and ceilings in the house and later on, a butler’s pantry and built-in cabinet that were built during my time there.  The catch – the homeowner was 8 months pregnant.  This could have easily been a hormone-infused, stressful job; however it was just the opposite.  It was a job filled with great conversation, exchanging opinions, and even some shared chocolate. 

I was asked my thoughts on fabric swatches and after deeming some too “stuffy” I picked the one that the homeowner was also very fond of.  Turns out, we share the same love for pea soup green; a very underappreciated color, I find.  I made sure to check in with her daily on what the priority room was just in case the baby decided she was ready to come early.  I also helped try to find out where a funky smell was coming from in the kitchen because if someone has to find a dead rodent, I’d rather it not be the woman about ready to give birth.  But I did tell her that I’d be more than willing to drive her to the hospital if that time came on my shift. 

Topics were exhausted from dating to schooling and whatever other pasts and futures could be discussed in an 8 hour work days, minus loud vacuuming time and when she was taking time to rest.  I got to partake in some leftover brownies from her baby shower and was delighted to be given a chocolate croissant later in the week.   

The fun wasn’t all in the conversation and food though.  The butler’s pantry I was painting was to be used that weekend for her parents' anniversary party she and her husband were hosting.  What I was working on was going to be seen and used by all and I was actually able to meet her parents the following week where they gave me wonderful compliments on my work.  The back wall of the built-in cabinets in the office were to be painted a fantastic shade of blue to accent the neutral wall color and bring out the colors in the fabric for the couch which I gave my opinion on earlier. 

I was sad to finish up on that job but I have found out that I will be back there for more work where I will also get to meet one of the newest Kate’s to the world.   I can’t say she was named after me, but not having ruined the name is honor enough!