Computer Room

I decided last week that it was time to finish up the computer room. I had painted the walls and trim about 10 months ago. Even with the humidity of the last few days, I was pretty sure that was enough time for the paint to dry. I wanted to move some furniture about and do a few other finishing touches. To that end, I bought a bookshelf, which I put together one night with no trouble (I am quite handy). I moved an old table out of that room and into the laundry room (I am also quite strong). I bought an armchair with an ottoman as a comfortable spot to read. I hung pictures. I repotted plants. I was a flurry of activity for two evenings. Last night I put a cozy blanket on the chair. Both boys seemed impressed with what I had done. We decided that the last thing the room needed was a floor lamp to put next to the chair.
This morning I realized that Spencer had other ideas for what the room needed. Or perhaps he simply wanted a more active role in putting the room together. He brought me into the computer room. He was excited. He had put a number of his stuffed animals (I counted 21) around the room in strategic locations. He had one hanging from one of the plants. One was climbing up a table. A few were peeking out from behind books. A bird was perched high on the shelf in the closet. “Doesn’t this look good?” he asked. “So good,” I said. We sat together on the chair. I sipped my tea while he pointed the animals out to me one by one. He had placed them carefully. And they did look good. He did a nice job. Whimsical. It was pleasant sitting there. We both felt good about the work we had done to make the room comfortable. Before we left the house, while I packed up, Spencer turned each of the animals onto its side so it could take a nap while we were away. During the remainder of the day while I was at work, whenever I thought of the 21 animals taking a nap in my newly-decorated computer room, I felt happy (though I am not sure I completely understand why).