Keeping it real here, friends. It has been awhile since I shared anything around my house. Why? Because, um, well, um {covering head and ducking} … I’m not working on my house? {faints}. Yeah. I know! I moved in six months ago. I should be all done, right? And I should be showing off all my fancy projects by now, right?
Well, reality is sometimes turns out a wee bit differently than what we imagined! I was so excited about all of the ideas I had for my house, that is, until my “other house” sale fell through. Kind of put a damper on my plans!
But, I am trying to readjust to my new reality. Which is, in a nutshell, being in limbo with no money and no permission to make any permanent changes to this house until I purchase it (including hanging stuff on the walls, just in case we have to move out at the end of the summer!).
I do a few little things here and there to keep myself feeling sane. I brought my great grandma’s quilt down from my bedroom and threw it over the back of my white chair. I found that basket jug thing half price at Michaels’ Craft, it made me happy because I was dying for some more texture with “non-permanent” accessories.
I painted those chairs spring green, but I haven’t yet painted my table black. That I could do. I need to go buy some primer and get back to that job (maybe when we do our Procrastinator’s Party later this month?).
I have two beautiful stained glass windows from an old church that I dreamed of putting in those dining room windows (seen in the back of the above photo). But, they may forever sit right here, against the wall where my art and mirrors sit, waiting and hoping for the day they can be hung.
I did a little painting project this week. Yes, I did! I had this fruity wall hanging that was perfect in my old kitchen. But since I am wanting to pare down my style and stick with a more casual beachy look, I decided to say good bye to as much fruit around the house as I can and hello to my friend the chalkboard paint.
Hate me, I painted over the fruit. Someone’s masterpiece. I’ll probably really regret it someday. Maybe it was valuable. But now, instead of just looking at fruit, we can actually use it for restaurant nights! What are restaurant nights? One of the many ideas on our summer list!
We made a list (no, we didn’t even bother to make it all fancy for the camera) of things my son might want to do all summer and one of the things he picked was having “restaurant night.”
So last night my girls helped him pick a menu, shop for food and set up a table with menus and a centerpiece. We treated dinner just like we were out at a restaurant. It was fun and cured the boredom all day!
While I am in a bit of a decorating lull and things around my house are in limbo (OK, my whole world is in limbo), life is still good. The measure of a good life isn’t how perfect our home LOOKS or how many projects we accomplish — it easy to forget that sometimes. Especially in blogland. It is good to have a reality check on what really matters to us, isn’t it?
For those of you who have been reading my blog for a long time, you might remember this guy (below).
He is a silly reminder to me of what is important — the fun, crazy, messy, imperfectly beautiful life behind the scenes.
Meet Giraffe.
Yes, he is still alive and kicking.
Well, he was.
Until the kid who used to wear undies on his head tackled him and a lion in one fatal blow.
Yep. Life is still good.
photos from my house
this post shared with Chatting at The Sky
and our Restaurant Night idea is my Works for Me Wednesday
Melissa, you have everything!… because you have an appreciation for all that life throws at you! Limbo is hard… as my hubby is always saying, “life can turn on a dime, at any time”. It has for us many times… and in the tough times, I remind myself that “life can turn on a dime at any time”! Thank you for showing us the “real”. I’m all for it!… Life is good, I so agree. A-M xx
a-ms inspiring blog post..Scheming
I wanted to ask you if you painted directly over the painted canvas with chalkboard paint, or did you cover the fruit painting with something first? Such a cool idea.
Veronicas inspiring blog post..Never Apologize for Being Happy
loving this.
so much.
right now my house is a disaster! even my pretty new porch. and my kids are home all day and i don’t have any time to do things for me. and you know what?! that’s O-K.
restaurant night?! that is so cool.
i want to do that too.
my kids would love it!
i like your chalkboard.
meg duerksens inspiring blog post..messy FUN
Oh, Melissa, we live in a parallel universe! I too feel ‘in limbo’ tween a house to sell so as to finance a complete remodel on the folks ole homestead to get the larger home in a better neighborhood. ….So we pack extras into storage, then wait…patiently…okay not so patiently…for the ‘plans’ to be completed. Whose plans and timing are these anyway???(this is a reminder to self here) Let’s get on with it already! Then the still small voice…”Be still and know that I am God…” Okay, learning to be content in the state in which I am in (some days seems limbo will never end), and look for ways to fulfill my purpose in this present place. Melissa, we are praying for His timing and purpose to be made clear in your housing situation, knowing that He only wants the best for you/your family…(I keep singing our toddler’s song, “Be patient…don’t be in such a hurry…and you won’t have to worry…”)
Melissa, it may feel a bit scattered to you still but from here it looks like a HOME! You’ve done a wonderful job with what you’ve been given.
I make “summer resolutions” every year and it works really well.
PamperingBekis inspiring blog post..Christmas!
Melissa – Will you move to NH and be my new friend LOL. Thank you for this post. I am in constant turmoil trying to arrange our home that we out grew after child number 1!! Like I always tell you, your posts put a smile on my face. Love the chalkboard, but I especially love the list you made with your son. I am going to go home and make one with my 3 little ones. I can’t wait to see what they come up with!!!
I had paintings leaning against the wall in our old rental for more than 2 years! Hang in there and relish the undone:)
Gwen@MurphyGraceHomes inspiring blog post..And the Award goes to……
Hello there, dear heart!
I am soooo glad that Giraffe is still alive and kicking and that he survived your move! I totally understand that “limbo” feeling and I totally understand why you aren’t feeling quite motivated into doing anything to your new home yet. It’s hard when you don’t know whether the stay will be long-term or whether you will have to move everything all over again.(yuck…moan)
I am glad to hear that you are happy and that life is good. That’s what is ultimately important, as we both know. As long as the family is healthy, happy and together as much as possible, there isn’t too much more that we really need. There are some things that we might “want” and that is for sure, but the needs, those are very few when we really think about it.
Big hugs and lots of love to my BFF,
Debbie
DebbieWs inspiring blog post..Solitude/Loneliness
I thought your home looked lovely. I loved the suitcase in the background.
hill upon hills inspiring blog post..Passing By.
Love your post…. glad things are still good, even in Limbo.
Also love your green chairs! We are changing our floors in a couple weeks, and that gave me an idea! Perhaps I will paint my RED.
Brandie Kajinos inspiring blog post..Start at the Beginning
This is wonderful! Sometimes I get stressed and impatient when projects aren’t done or I don’t have enough money to change something – like my bedroom, but this puts it all in perspective. Thank you!
Punas inspiring blog post..July 8, The Blue Lagoon
Your post made me happy. I’m going to have to give that restaurant idea a try.
Restaurant night? Sounds like fun. What is chalkboard paint anyway?
I really enjoyed your post. It’s nice to read posts by people who are just themselves and not worrying themselves into needing a creative post every time they write – although it would be great for getting all those undone projects completed.
Elisabeth
Oops! My blog address is http://treasuringthemoments.wordpress.com/
I love this entry! Sometimes it is so easy to get caught up in projects and re-dos and all things house related. We live on a construction site, it seems {ongoing remodeling. Very. ongoing.} and it does drive me bonkers at times- I understand about having to add the little special touches so as to not completely go insane!
I love the chalkboard transformation! Very nice! A couple of weeks ago, I blogged about a huge, framed, UGLY, bullfighting painting that I bought and turned into a chalkboard – I couldn’t believe the difference ! So I’m always on the lookout for ugly art now:)
Ugh, I apologize for the wrong link in my username above, It’s corrected now. {embarrassed}