Secret Confession: I Started Doing it for Money

I have been doing this for a while now. When people see me standing in front of a run down building in the center of New Haven, I always get a funny looks. "She doesn't look like the type to be doing that kind of thing." Both men and women pass me by. Usually people look at me then look away quickly as to not be caught staring. Women, oddly enough, seem to have the biggest problem with what I do. Well dressed women, always look at me as if they are saying "Poor thing. I would never do that." Younger women pass by, carrying on conversations about handbags, and boys, as I overhear, pretend not to see me. They avoid eye contact. Sometimes I hear " Oh my God, did you see her!" I have no shame. I keep doing my thing. I am working, doing what I enjoy. I pay no mind to their pity .

Sometimes a woman will stop and talk to me. I get the most support from older feminists. One woman once saw me working in front of a particular building. She stopped and said "Hi...". She told me about how she used to live in that building in the 1960's, and how it was good to see a woman like me doing 'her thing'. She said that back in those days women like me would get funny looks. She told me she did it too until she hurt her back. Not many people can understand why I do what I do. It's nice to be acknowledged.

It all started when I was about 16. The first time was in my bedroom. My parents told me I should wait. But I didn't listen. I really didn't know what I was doing. The results where less than satisfactory.

Then next time I did it, was as a newlywed. I did it in the bathroom, I even broke a sweat. It went very quickly, because I rushed through it. It was easier than the last time.

Then I started doing it more and more, I did it in every room of my house. The kitchen, the living room, even on the stairs. I enjoyed it so much, I started doing it outside!

My husband at the time thought I was obsessed. He wasn't into doing it. Even though I stopped doing it for a while, we didn't last.

A few years later, I started doing it again. A friend of mine heard a rumor about it. I confessed. I knew he did it too, even though everyone knew about it, it was no secret. He had no shame! Teach me how to do it like you! I knew people would find out and talk about me, because it was so unexpected of a professional woman like me to such 'physical' work. I didn't look like the type. But I loved it. It was fun, and so different from my day job, where I answered calls. It was my passion. I began to learn different techniques. There were so many ways you could do it!

My friend saw how good I was at it. When I was offered money to do it I thought "What would the neighbors think?" But it was my passion. I wasn't satisfied with my day job. So I did it in exchange for cash. I was nervous doing it that first time for money, but because I enjoyed it so much, I started doing it more and more.

I really like doing it inside. Its more fun to paint interiors then exteriors. I let the boys do that. Although, when it comes to a 'fun' project like restoring a historical porch, I am the first one on the scene. This is where I get the weird looks! There are so many options when painting interiors. I love trying out new techniques for the first time. I like the different faux finishes especially by Ralph Lauren. Did you know you can actually make a wall look like denim, or suede? It is so much fun!

I have always loved decorating and design. Painting is always the first step in the process. I love being involved in the customers' projects. I get to see the transformation of a redecorating project from start to finish. This is very gratifying. Since I have so much experience and passion in what I am doing, I get asked a lot of questions. Customers always appreciate the fact that a woman is involved in their project. I think we look things from a different perspective sometimes.

These days, I don't do it so much anymore. I have people who do it for me. I do the behind the scenes work. The book keeping, the marketing, the customer service. I eventually fell in love with the man who got me involved in the profession. He still does it. When I can, and when I have the time, I get out there and do it with him. It's a wonderful feeling.

So next time you are in downtown New Haven, and you see a woman up high on a ladder, scraping, sanding, or painting, don't feel bad for her. Just remember...She does it because she loves it.