The word busy does not explain it...

 I have been so busy trying to get things back in shape in this house. Over the last year I have been so stricken with sadness, grief, loneliness and longing that my home is...a mess. So I have been trying to get a few things ordered and organized. I am changing colors and decorating style...I need a change. A change that symbolizes the change in my life. So, I am looking for a few new items, a little new furniture and a lot of new paint.
  The painter was here for days trying to get the old wallpaper off the stairwell. We laughed and almost cried all at the same time! But the painting is done (for now) and now I can think about decorating..but not just yet...I am planning a little building..a little flooring...and well...then maybe the decorating will begin.
 I have heard from the flooring people and they may start tomorrow with tearing up some carpeting and maybe even some of the old hard wood. I know that it will be a mess..again but I am hoping this is the beginning of the end.
 I have not spent as much time as usual in my gardens because they remind me of all the flowers my Mom has planted and all the trees that are growing because of her....and then there is the building. I look at it and see all the work that my Dad did..all the stone he moved around and all the landscaping and before long I am no longer pulling weeds but instead I am surrounded by memories and the tears take me over...it has been such a year.
  I am trying to just slowly go on but it is like I am waiting for them to return from Florida and yet they are now so very late....but I am trying..I really am.
  Now, Back to decorating..the dining room is painted as is the living room, foyer, stairwell and hallway. Last week I painted the back porch and I may do a little something to the kitchen too...and I so hate to paint..lol. Once all the flooring is done then I will slowly decorate it will a more minimal style. I am going to do a make-over on my fireplace too...and that brings me great joy! And in the mist of all there is still life to live and a job to do and finally to fight through this grief with all my might...
  I am here and I visit you often...and I will try to post some pictures too. But for good day, my friends.

The make-over is moving so slow!!

  Well, I am still working on my home when I have time but with the grass growin and the lawn needed mowin it is going slower than I want. I put this together a few days ago and yes I know the picture frame is empty but I wanted to make sure I wanted it there before I decide what I am putting in it.

Remember the picture frame where I added the keys well I  moved it from the kitchen to the living room with this new accessory. But I am not sure I am wild about it. It has been there all week and still I am not liking it that much so it will probably make way for something else.
  I have been looking for a new piece of furniture. Mostly I want it to be large and antique...chippy and scrolly....now is that asking too much..lol. So I am scouring the local auctions for such a find.

  I have also been waiting for the painter. He is going to remove the wallpaper from my foyer and then give it a new coat of paint. I am just too afraid to climb the scaffolding again so he is coming this week and I will try to keep you posted on the progress. I am hoping to get moving on things and finally seem the rooms become more like what I have in mind instead of a mess...like they are right now...so stand by for some upcoming action.
  I have days when things seem to be a little better but there are days that the grief still win and tries to steal my joy. But I know that I have friends and family who help get me through and I count on them more than they know. I have seen such compassion in the last few months and many of you have had such sweet word of kindness. Please continue to hold me in your prayers.

The Mantle

  I have been preparing to finish this room. I thought I would share a few little pictures. I am looking for more furniture and I can't decide if you should see it in process but I am hoping this week to find something that I love.

I have added a few birds to the mantle also. I am not sure if this is the way it will be but until I get other things done this is the way if is for now!

More Bits and Pieces from the Make-Over

 Now that you have a glimpse at the new paint I thought you might want to see some of the other elements of my room. We did add to the molding in the room to make it stand out a little more and you can see that in the previous post. This is one of the lamps we now have in the room...I love the design.

  I found this idea on Pinterest so I had dh get his staple gun and go to work. That was the easy part but hanging it on plaster walls was a little more difficult but it is one more job done.

This is actually the inspiration piece for the room....oh my...just keeping it real...the computer cord isn't suppose to be there....I will just smile and say you get the idea.
 This has taken me much longer than my usual but there are days that I don't feel like working on it and then I get a little steam and more forward. I am still looking for a couple chairs then I will show you the room all put together.
  I have a painter coming to do the stairwell and the hallway so when he gets here I will take before pictures pictures of that too.
  I hope you have all been well and I am sorry I have been away but I am hoping to start posting a little more regularly. When I started this blog is was so my Mother could keep track of what I was doing while she was in Florida so now I will just have to make sure some of you are enjoying my projects!

New paint colors

I have been away for a while but I have been busy. This is the new paint color that I decided on.

Continuing on ...

I have been working my tale off on my new living room. Painting and moving furniture around. I don't have any decorations up just yet but I am in the process. I am looking for new lamps and curtains then maybe I will get the decorating done! It seems I have just been so busy that I only work on it in small sections so it takes days before I get much done. But tomorrow is a new day and I will be working at organizing all the items I took out of the room..the left-overs. They all have to go somewhere and tomorrow I am hoping to find just the right spot!!
  I have been have a few heart pains. This is about the time each year that my parents would come home from Florida. This is the first year that neither will be coming back. Last year when they came home we found out Mom was sick...when she passed away it was only 4 months and Dad passed away too...now neither are returning. It seems like a dream and that they have been in Florida all this time. So I have minutes of panic and sorrow...they are gone. I know they are gone but my heart has not figured it out. I have suffered so much all winter and I was ready to tackle a project to help make things so new and different. There are struggles to come but I know that I am strong and my faith is strong and somehow God will make a way for me to continue with a broken heart. That being said, I will try to post some pictures of what I do have done and we will see what you think!!
  Until tomorrow..blessings to each of you.

Link Party

   I have joined a link party. Please stop over and take a look at all the wonderful ideas and creations!!
http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2012/02/sunday-showcase-party-no-90.html
   I have a few new pictures to share as soon as I can get my daughter to help me. I am using a new program and so far I have not figured out how to use it!