Word: Decoration

decoration

[ dek-uh-rey-shuh n ]

noun

something used for decorating; adornment; embellishment: The gymnasium was adorned with posters and crepe-paper decorations for the dance.

the act of decorating.

interior decoration.

a badge, medal, etc., conferred and worn as a mark of honor: a decoration for bravery.

   

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           “So, what do you think?” Heather asked.  Her arms were spread wide, presenting the room.  Her eyes were bright and she wore a wide smile on her face.

               Chris was much less enthusiastic.  “It’s…it’s nice, I guess?”

               He had no intention of actually saying what he thought.  That could only lead to problems.  Even so, Heather dropped her arms and her smile evaporated.

               “You don’t look happy.” She said.

               “Oh, no, no.  I’m…I’m super happy.  Thrilled.  I mean, we finally have our own place, right?”

               She did not look convinced.  She turned and looked around the room.  She looked at the peeling paint and large splotches caused by deep water damage.  At a loose pipe poking out of the ceiling.  At dented walls and pock marked floorboards. 

               “Ok, so it’s not the nicest place in the world.” Heather admitted.  “But we can change that.  We just need to liven it up a bit.”

               “Liven it up?  How are we supposed to do that?”

               “Oh you know, get some potted plants, a few paintings.  And, of course we’ll need a few rugs and some nice furniture.”

               Chris resisted his urge to rub his forehead.  “Really?  Your idea of how to fix this place is to decorate?”

               “Well, yeah.  A few decorations can do a long way.”

               “Heather, this place is way beyond a few plants and some art.  This building is in dire need of serious maintenance.  We’ll have to fix the walls, the pipes, the floors, the ceiling, and probably a bunch of other things.  And don’t say it’s a fixer upper.  This is goes way passed that.  Honestly, with all the things we’ll have to do, we could probably save a few hundred bucks by just buying a new house.”

               “Oh come on, it’s not that bad.”

               As if the prove Chris’ point, a small chunk of plaster fell off the ceiling, landing between the young couple.  It was immediately followed by a slow drip of water from a now exposed pipe.  Heather winced at the interruption.  Chris folded his arms over his chest and looked at his fiancé. 

               “I…I just wanted a place for us, you know?” Heather said.

               “We’ll get one.  You know we will.  But just not this one.  By all means, this place should be condemned.  We need to get a place that we can actually live in.”

               He moved to her side and placed an arm around her shoulder.  She turned away from him and looked the damp wall.

               “It’s just that this place is super cheap.  I thought we’d save so much that we could afford to fix it up, and then we’d have a home that we could afford.”

               “I know, I know.  But that’s not what we need.  We need a good place that isn’t likely to collapse in on us.  We need a place that we can actually live in and be proud of.  It’s not this one, but that place is out there.  And once we find it, you can decorate however you want.”

               She looked up at him hopefully.  “Really?  You mean it?  However I want?”

               “Yup.”  He said it to make her feel better.  He knew he would have little input on decorations, no matter what he said.  But it was important for her to hear it.  “Now let’s get out of here and go start looking for a real home.”

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When looking into a new home, things like loose pipes are generally a sign that you should look elsewhere.  Unless you want a house that needs pretty much everything fixed.  In that case, go nuts!