Do ya'll know me? I started this blog as a way to share the things I love, meet some new creative friends, have fun, and just cope. Crafting, upcycling, and pickin' up discarded treasures has been my life, but now I share those loves with you. However, I've been in a sort of limbo with blogging which is frustrating. Then I realized that some of my frustration in sharing, comes from my particular circumstances...some of which you may not know...So here goes...
Two years ago our southern family moved 3000 miles to California from Alabama. My mom was ill and needed some help, and who doesn't love a great cross country adventure! Our plan was to stay a year, get mom back on her feet, and then go home...Sweet Home Alabama! Well you know the "best laid plans" right? You may be asking why we would even feel the need to get back to Alabama right away...I mean California is beautiful, the pay is awesome, and we live with my sweet mom.
The answer... family!
My little girl (she hates it when I call her that), Amelia was born 11 years ago, along with 3 other little girls....Shaelyn, Macy, and Emily! My daughter in law, and 2 of my blended daughters....and me, were all pregnant at the same time....How cool huh? Kinda like "Father of the Bride II" x 2! So the first 8 years of Amelia's life, were spent playing, growing, and lovin' her "bestest" friends....which happen to be 3 of my 9 grandkids. As God's will would have it, Mom can no longer live alone, and we have been here in California for over 2 years. We visit home, but miss everyone so much. Miraculously, my mom, who is not fond of Alabama (she hates the heat and bugs), suggested we ALL go back to Alabama, and make it home...I'm sure Amelia's forlorn little face had something to do with it! So why are we still here?
We built a house in Alabama (you can check it out online if you want...Click Here., or so the pictures would suggest...I have my doubts since I have NEVER seen it in person. Talk about relinquishing some of my "gotta be in control" self!
We were set to go home in December, but in October my husband was diagnosed with cancer, and my need for "upcycle therapy" led me here...and a blog was born! Cliff is doing well, and we expect a full recovery, and a cancer free future...Praise be to God! Cliff will need some recovery time, so we are planning the move home this summer..no sense in adding more stress by moving in the middle of the school year.
So, here I am trying to decorate long distance (3000 miles long), with a tiny budget, and absolutely no concrete plan. The best plan is NO plan, right? Most of our belongings have been "gifted" over the past 2 years, and what we have is stored in our new garage, and our current garage. If all that is not frustrating enough....my moms house is NOT my house..ya know? We have opposing decor styles, and so none of my projects really fit, especially since she already has decor complete to her satisfaction. Can you see the dilemma ?....I can't decorate here...I'm not there... AaaaaHhhhhhhh!!!! So the bottom line....I have a house to make a home, and I'm not there to do it....no place to stage photos, no complete set of belongings to vignette, and almost no budget!
So, there ya go....that is the source of my current blog limbo...
but the good news....After the move, won't we have some fun things to do. I plan to continue to upcycle and "gather" for the next few months, and then on to the "new home makeover".....I can hardly wait!
So did you check out the new home?..I could use your input, so give me all your great ideas...Ready?...do you wanna see it?....Click here to see it.
What did you think....like? Give me all you got!
More of me...10 Things you may not know...
1. Favorite color, blue
2. Style...eclectic, vintage, romantic, cottage, beach, touch of modern, funky....etc.
3. I'm a dog person
4. Career...nurse
5. Faith...in Christ alone
6. Favorite food...Mexican, or most anything with fresh salsa
7. Hobbies...you have to ask!....and reading
8. Dream...write and publish a book
9. Fear...deep dark water (who knows?)
10. Movie...Pride and Prejudice
Thanks for listening (reading)....Tell me a little about you!
8 comments:
Im thinking I cant wait to see what you do with it its gorgeous!
Thank for linking up to Show Your Stuff last week, I have this weeks edition up and running:
http://juliejewels1.blogspot.com/2012/01/show-your-stuff-6.html
Wow, sounds like quite an ordeal you've been through! Your house is just lovely. I can't even imagine how anxious and excited you are to get back there and started making it a home. The tile backsplash in the kitchen is really pretty, and that porch! Can't wait to see what you do with it!
Well I think your home is just beautiful and once you add of your person upscaled recycled projects, it will be stunning. Two ways to approach this...go with a favorite piece and pull out the colors from it and spread them around a room or start with the base basic piece...ie - couch and add touches from that with your magic. I find yard sales, thrift stores, church sales to be goldmines and oh yes...flea markets as well. I use to upcycle but now with rhuematoid arthritis it is much harder to do. So I will just have to drewl over your fantastic makings :-)
Sounds like you are going through a lot! But, you'll get through it and you'll appreciate your new house and being back in Alabama even more! Your new house is beautiful and I look forward to seeing what you do with it.
A little tidbit about me...like you, my mother and her daughter-in-law were pregnant at the same time( a long time ago). Therefore, I am like your daughter...my niece is 9 days older than me. I have a nephew 2 years older than me. It was a great way to grow up!!!
Hang in there. Summer will be here before you know it!
Wow, what a lot happening with you in the last few years. I love your house, that Craftsman style!!!! Can't wait to see what you do with it. I can't visualize well, and the rooms were not labeled so....Ideas will come later from me, heehee. You are my kind of person judging from your 10 things list. I'll be sharing mine on my blog again too. Talk to you later!
Your new home is beautiful! So new and clean, bet you can't wait to get there! Looks like a nice safe place for your mom to live as well. Will you build a studio above the garage to 'do your stuff' in? Looks like we 'Lori's' seem to find each other...:}
I am so envious of the new house!! We are a family of three (four if you count the dog) in a 900-square-foot condo. :)
Good luck. :)
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