Sweet Surprise

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I csn't even remember the last time I had a bouquet of fresh flowers sent to me.  So, it was a real shock for the delivery man to ring my doorbell with a giant ProFlowers box in his arms!   When I opened the box I was stunned at how fresh these tulips and irises were- they still had a bit of dirt tucked in their bottom leaves, like they had been plucked from the ground minutes before.  They were all closed up tightly, but as the day went on, they started to open up.  Aunt Irene and Uncle Phil, what a wonderful way to honor this next chapter in our lives- thank you so very, very much!!

Friday's Favorite Fabric Finds

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Getting back into the swing of things over here with some new beautiful blues!  I have loads of fabrics and pillowcases to list, so if you're looking for a special color- just ask.  ;)

Thursday's Treasure

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Say what you will about Ikea furniture, assembly, directions, what have you.  They sure make it easy to turn a house into a home on a budget! 

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This is a previously boring white wall and door in my smallish kitchen.  The chalkboard ($15) was purchased on a whim and has become a really sweet way for *us girls* to leave messages for each other.  The pot rack ($15) is such a versatile, strong place to hang all sorts of special goodies.  Who knew a person could love a metal shelf with S hooks so much?

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What are your favorite Ikea finds?

Wednesday's Works

It has been a LOOOOOOOOONG three weeks, my friends!!  I don't know how it got done, but with tons and tons of help I was able to get moved from my house of 10 years in Virginia to the new townhouse in Pennsylvania.  With the stuff that I love, and my best girl by my side.  All of us and all of the stuff mostly {amazingly} still intact. 

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While there are still boxes to unpack, an office to set up, and things to hang on the walls, the main living areas are looking great and feeling like home.

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Here is the part of the house you see when you walk in the front door.  This was taken when we did our walkthrough on June 30th.

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Truckload #1 arrived, followed by truckload #2, followed by a delivery of unassembled Ikea furniture.  Chaos reigned!

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Now, one month later, I have a HOME.  A comfortable, lovely, clean, peaceful, happy place!  I'm so grateful to my parents for all of their help- and to many of their friends as well.  Sophie and I are so blessed in our nest!

 

Wednesday's "Works"

You know what they say- all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy! 

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We were able to take a nice break from the unpacking today to attend a Butterfly Tea at a local farm to benefit the Special Olympics.  We had hats and accessories to play with, loads of finger foods to eat, and Sophie was even able to release a live butterfly and take home a handmade butterfly lollipop.  It was great fun, and I believe I will let the photos speak for themselves.  Hope you had a wonderful Wednesday!

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Makeover Monday: 7/8

Whew!  It's high time for a makeover, isn't it!?  It's been a looooong many days of decluttering and packing in the old house and preparing the new one.  I won't be fully out of house #1 until the 15th, and that's if all goes smoothly.  And it will, right?  For this week I am blessed to be based primarily at house #2, and it has been so amazing to see the hard work and effort my parents have made while I've been packing house #1.

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Dad power washed the garage floor last week, and was disappointed with the results.  The stains of *vehicles past* refused to budge.  In true Mr. Awesome Superhero fashion, he went out and purchased a couple of gallons of epoxy paint- in a "fun" color (thanks, Mom!) .

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And, he transformed a creepy, icky space into a happy car/storage zone in a few labor intensive hours.  Sometimes love looks like a green garage floor, my friends!

Tuesday's Treat

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I'm a list-maker.  Responsible to a fault.  A *get things done* kind of gal.  So, when confronted with closing up one chapter of my life and moving on to the next, I face it with making phone calls and filling out forms and lining up packing supplies and movers.  These are the things that have to be done, right? 

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Ah, but there is so much more to be done that doesn't come in the form of a line item that can be checked off.  Things like feeling all the feelings that need to be felt.  Working through all of the emotional upheaval that comes with the end of a relationship.  Moving forward within a legal system that doesn't always move quickly or justly enough.  Trusting others to tend to the details that I cannot.  Mothering a little girl who is well aware that big changes are afoot, and helping her find the positive in each day and each opportunity.  Helping myself find the positive in each day and each opportunity.

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The treasure in all of this turmoil is the support I am finding from friends and family, near and far.  People who take time out of their day to send an "I'm thinking about you" message or card.  People who unfailingly send their support in the form of prayers and thoughts.  People who are not afraid that divorce is contagious, and who are not afraid to talk to me even when they don't have a clue what to say.  Or, as in the case of my parents, people who put their own lives completely on hold to be there for me and Sophie through each step of this process.  Yes, *now* kind of sucks, but I am a lucky, lucky girl.