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A Crooked House

by | Jun 22, 2009 | Authentic Living, blogging

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A Crooked House

Crooked Houses

I really love talking about homes with you all. I enjoy the creativity, the sharing of ideas, the kindred spirits I meet every day.  You are all my best girl friends, the ones with whom I cannot wait to share the beautiful things I find, the things I’ve learned, and the ups and downs of life. And even more than what I can share with you, I love hearing your ideas and being inspired by you.

Last night as I was getting ready to do some blogging, my husband came in the room and said he was taking me out to dinner! In spite of our financial strain and complete busyness of life, we have been trying to stay committed to going out on regular dates. Whether it is a drive together, a chat at Starbucks, or a rare dinner out — it doesn’t matter much, the point is that we want to find ways to make our relationship a priority. Yes, even above blogging about houses and chatting with my girl friends {imagine that!}.

So, last night I looked at my husband and then back over at my blog and the still blank screen, shut down the computer and went out to dinner.

I really love talking about all the ways to create a beautiful home. But as you know, this blog isn’t just about creating a beautiful house, it is about the life we create within our homes.

How impressive our homes are, how beautiful they look in photos, how many accessories we have to play with or how many blog-worthy ideas we have to impart to the world — those are not the measure of a home’s true beauty or our success as keepers of our homes.

The lives behind the walls cannot be put together in one afternoon with a hammer and a glue gun and shared the next day in staged photos with four easy bullet point directions.

No, a truly beautiful life is slowly built a little each day — piece by piece, thought by thought, action by action, sacrifice by sacrifice, choice by choice.

Our houses may be a little crooked, imperfect and at times a little crazy, but remember what matters most every day and hang on to it for dear life. That is what creating a beautiful home is all about.

image: Boston.com

this post shared with Chatting at the Sky

61 Comments

  1. RML - Being More Through Having Less

    What a beautiful post! I agree wholeheartedly because I have been making extra time this week to play games with my kids and read to them instead of visiting blogs (which I do love). However, I want to make a childhood for them they will remember, not just Mummy sitting on the computer all the time…

    RML – Being More Through Having Lesss inspiring blog post..Little Mini-Blitzes

    Reply
  2. nel

    It’s so important to take time out of busy lives and to connect with our loved ones…hope you had a wonderful dinner together and thank you for sharing all you do!

    Reply
  3. dawn

    perfectly spoken… it is a beautiful life, this one surrounded by walls and momentos… and the love that swirls around inside ’em!

    Reply
  4. Becky K.

    Thank You, Melissa! You are so right. I am so happy that you are making the time to spend together. God will honor that, I know it!

    Praying for a sale on your other home soon.

    Becky K.

    Becky K.s inspiring blog post..Blues and More from a Sunday Drive

    Reply
  5. emily

    so well said as always, Melissa. Thank you for sharing these words and thoughts this morning. I can’t help but think about kids playing in that crooked house and dreaming about a house of their own, for real, one day. Your words really capture what home really means.

    emilys inspiring blog post..eight years later

    Reply
  6. Kathy

    Our families are why we make our home beautiful in the first place!
    Dinner out with your hubby will always be more important than a blog post. I hope you had a great time:>)

    Kathys inspiring blog post..Monday, Monday…

    Reply
  7. Penny

    Wonderful post Melissa. It is easy to get caught up in the things we want to change and miss seeing the things that are perfect in our lives just the way they are!
    Hugs,
    Penny

    Reply
  8. Charla

    Your blog is the first thing I read this morning as I opened my email and drank my first cup of coffee. What a pleasant way to wake up! Your words are so true and so important at this time in our lives. May God bless you each and every day.

    Charla

    Charla @ For the Sake of Times inspiring blog post..Welcome to a New Kitchen

    Reply
    • Melissa

      Thanks Charla, you are so sweet!

      Reply
  9. Emily

    Girl, can you put a warning next time that I need tissues? What a beautiful post. Thank you for your words today.

    Emily@remodelingthislifes inspiring blog post..Cottage Kitchen

    Reply
  10. SJN

    my home is about the people in it. A place for my family , where I’ve raised my 3 beautiful girls together with my wonderful husband. It’s nice to have a comfortable and nicely decorated surrounding, but it’s always been about us, our family.

    SJNs inspiring blog post..Scout totes

    Reply
  11. Deidra

    I’m so glad you went to dinner! A blog is one thing, but family is another thing altogether. =)

    Deidras inspiring blog post..Father’s Day Rocks!

    Reply
  12. Jess

    So true– I love the sentiment behind this post!

    Jess @ The Finer Thingss inspiring blog post..A New Look for Cupcakes

    Reply
  13. g.suzie

    Thank you for helping us keep our priorities straight. . .We all hope you make time for both, because we would certainly miss your blogs
    Have a great day!

    Reply
  14. Chele

    This is perfect! I am a very strong believer that your husband comes first, it keeps the family and home together! Good for you!! :) Keep on writing… I love your blog!!

    Cheles inspiring blog post..Feeding Time – Redemption and Blasphemy

    Reply
  15. Gina

    The funny thing is that blogging has helped me create a more beautiful life for my family. I’ve been inspired by others and pushed beyond my own comfort zone to create a more pleasing atmosphere. I never really put much consideration into it before, but I do now. I think it’s made me taking new look at the way I not only surround myself, but how I help my girls learn the importance of it, as well. I hope they will not have to “learn” this skill as an adult, but just remember it as always being that way from childhood.

    Gina @ The Shabby Chic Cottages inspiring blog post..Porch Pillows

    Reply
  16. songbirdtiff

    Amen, my friend.

    songbirdtiffs inspiring blog post..

    Reply
  17. amy

    Very well said. Thank you for the reminder – I really needed to hear something like this today!

    Reply
  18. Stephanie

    Oh Melissa, what a beautiful post! Your words really touched me this morning. Sometimes life gets all busy and we really need to slow down & enjoy those precious moments. Why else do we do the daily grind, if not for the enrichment of our families and lives.

    BTW, loved the crooked houses on last night’s episode of J&K+8. Now there’s a family that could use a little bit of that advice. So sad for them.

    Stephanies inspiring blog post..It’s a Painted Patio Furniture Party!

    Reply
    • Melissa

      Yes, such a sad thing happening to J&K, breaks my heart.

      Reply
  19. Penny

    Oh Melissa,
    You are such a blessing! I have loved your blog for a very long time. I want to thank you so much for today’s post-just the insight I needed ! You found a thoughtful,kind and classy way to address a tough issue. God uses you in a very special way. I am going to find a way to really bless my husband today-almost 21 years and still going strong. I am so thankful. Have you ever considered a blog-fan retreat/workshop? No, that might be too much wolesom fun!!! HAHA

    Reply
    • Melissa

      Aw, Penny, that is so sweet of you to say. THANK YOU! I would love to do a retreat someday and meet all of you lovely ladies!

      Reply
  20. deb

    you got it right… and are getting it right, and doing it right by sharing
    thanks

    debs inspiring blog post..GETTING WHAT YOU NEED

    Reply
  21. Penny

    Wholesome fun that is!

    Reply
  22. janet

    Thanks Melissa. I try to live this each day and appreciate my hubby for all that he is. Making the relationship priority is key. A cruise to the Med doesn’t hurt either, lol.

    Janet

    janets inspiring blog post..NAPLES AND CAPRI

    Reply
  23. Erin

    “No, a truly beautiful life is slowly built a little each day — piece by piece, thought by thought, action by action, sacrifice by sacrifice, choice by choice.”

    I love this. Thank you.

    Erins inspiring blog post..In the Midst of the Storm

    Reply
  24. Gina

    How wonderfully spoken-and so true. Today I’ll be working on what matters most and holding on to it for dear life! I love that and so appreciate the reminder.

    Ginas inspiring blog post..Through the Lens: Slowing Down

    Reply
  25. Heathahlee

    Great post, Melissa! I wish Sound Man and I went on more dates. He’s so good to give me some much needed ME time away from Kiddo, but we don’t go on dates nearly enough. I think we’ve let the business of life get in the way. Thanks for the reminder of what matters most.

    Heathahlees inspiring blog post..Happy Father’s Day!

    Reply
  26. Richella

    Melissa, this needed to be said. And I think you were the one chosen by God to say it. Thank you for answering that call, and for saying it in such a gentle and kind but clear and firm way. Thank you for reminding us where we really live. God bless you.

    Richellas inspiring blog post..Surprised by simplicity

    Reply
  27. Emily-Sarah

    This is precious and so true. Thank you for reminding us.

    Reply
  28. Cathy

    Melissa,
    I agree 100% creating a beautiful home is nurturing those who live there and making it a happy and loving place. My family has been through many transfers and I relate to your situation. You know what is important in life and have such a positive and cheery attitude, which makes all the difference.
    Cathy

    Cathy @ The Stylish Houses inspiring blog post..Beautiful Historical Victorian Homes!

    Reply
  29. lylah ledner

    YES! In the end, what will last are not great and beautiful blog posts (which I LOVE yours), but how we related to those in our sphere of influence and particularly those of our primary relationships – husbands, children, etc.

    I want to end life knowing that Michael knew that he was my priority and that I responded to those little moments to whisk me away for love’s sake.

    Again, dear friend…great job.

    lylah ledners inspiring blog post..What To Do With Arugula

    Reply
  30. Holly

    How appropriate. . .I was watching a show last night about a certain couple with eight children, and they were installing those adorable crooked houses on their property. How sad to hear that their home life is changing, but a reminder to us all that communication with the people that live within our homes is paramount! Your point is well taken, thank you for your insight!

    Hollys inspiring blog post..Last Day of School

    Reply
  31. Claudia

    I think I am a broken record when it comes to your blog. Or perhaps I should simply just have a comment on auto- post… :)

    But really you inspire me. (my blog post today is because of you.)

    Obviously there are many of us, but thank you …thank you.

    TTFN~~Claudia

    Claudia@DipityRoads inspiring blog post..Angels among us

    Reply
  32. Karen B

    Michelle, you have a way, that’s all I can say. I’m so glad you went out on your date night. I cherish mine, usually every Saturday night it’s Mexican Food and a Barnes and Noble run. I know, we’re creatures of habit. But, they are very special habits. ;-)
    Blessings,
    Karen

    Karen Bs inspiring blog post..Work

    Reply
  33. Ann

    After a blissful but far too short marriage of 14 months, my husband passed away unexpectedly. We had just moved into a new home and he spent hours working on it, but we also spent a lot of time together. There was much left undone when he died and while I am glad he made the progress he did, I am even more grateful that we played together as much as we did. I had no idea my time with him would be so short, but I can honestly say I have no regrets with regards to our relationship. Our homes are important, but nothing trumps our relationships.

    Your posts are beautiful. I’ve enjoyed reading them for the last several months. But I’m glad you know where your real treasures lie. Bless you.

    Reply
  34. Sarah from pewter+sage

    Hi, Melissa! Its so great to meet you. Thank you so much for spreading the love and dropping by my blog today. Wow, your home and story are really inspiring. I’m going to have to settle in with my latte and read more. The world could use more people like you:)

    Sarah from pewter+sages inspiring blog post..The Travelling Butterfly

    Reply
  35. Maureen

    Thank you for continuing to inspire. This post touched my heart as does your blog. Thanks for sharing.

    Maureens inspiring blog post..Beauty at a Price

    Reply
  36. Carol

    Wonderful post and lovely words of wisdom. I love that you have date night with your hubby. How romantic. My hubby and I have movie night once a week. Isn’t that crooked house on your post adorable! I saw it first on TV so I googled it last night. They are very expensive and out of reach for most childrens. Wouldn’t be wonderful if every child could have something darling like that to play in? I’m hoping it will get a lot of dads out there to think about ways of building them themselves.

    Carols inspiring blog post..Tea and friendship Tuesday’s……….

    Reply
  37. Amy

    Love it! Thanks for the words of wisdom:-) I’m loving that little house. You have inspired me to get off my computer and start drawing up ideas for my kid’s tree house!

    Amy @ Living Locurtos inspiring blog post..Happy 1st Blog Birthday

    Reply
  38. janice

    Beautiful! Can’t do more than echo what folk have said above. Thank you.

    janice|Sharing the Journeys inspiring blog post..Connected and Encouraged

    Reply
  39. Shar

    Thanks for this insightful reminder Melissa. If only we could remember to look at life that way when things get difficult. I have been sick all day over the news of J&K all day after watching last nights crooked house episode and am praying for them all. You and your family have been in my prayers also regarding the sale of your home.
    Blessings.
    Shar

    Reply
  40. courtney

    what a wonderful post. but boy are those crooked house adorable!!

    courtneys inspiring blog post..sun and earth tour

    Reply
  41. Jenny

    Pretty nice post. I just came by your site and wanted to say
    that I’ve really enjoyed reading your blog posts. In any case
    I’ll be subscribing to your blog and I hope you write again soon!

    Reply
  42. katy

    So very true dear girl!!! Reminders of this are something we all need to hear……..life, it’s a BEAUTIFUL thing!!!
    I love the crooked house.

    katys inspiring blog post..Chalkboard Paint Simplicity

    Reply
  43. Sherry

    Hi! This was my first visit to your blog and WOW, I am so impressed with your insight and wisdom to such a viable and current issue. Now I am going to go back and read some more…… ;)

    Reply
  44. Anci

    Hi,
    I like what you write about houses and it’s all truth too ! A home must grow and can’t be done in a a short time .
    Have a lovely day :)

    xx

    Ancis inspiring blog post..Nya tankar…. New thoughts…

    Reply
  45. kristen

    Very very true. We often forget this. We try so hard to make things appear lovely, when we forget how lovely they are without us even trying.

    kristen@nosmallthings inspiring blog post..Pretty Stories

    Reply
  46. meg duerksen

    so well said.
    love it.
    :)
    now…my man just said “ok..i am going upstairs to bed.”
    i said “well…i guess that means i am too.”
    goodnight.

    meg duerksens inspiring blog post..the summer list.

    Reply
  47. Diane Costanza

    A beautiful home helps to inspire a beautiful life, that is so true, and it takes the same kind of work and commitment to maintain both.

    I love creating a inspirational and creative space to bless my family, and sharing it together is the bets part.

    Diane

    Diane Costanzas inspiring blog post..

    Reply

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