Get In The Mood For Christmas With Homeroad's Wreath

I still have to go to Starbucks to get caught up on internet. Supposedly "the internet" is coming to our subdivision around Dec 1st...We will be welcomed to the 21st Century soon!

Until then, Starbucks it is for hot chocolate and free wi-fi.

Here's a great DIY wreath from Homeroad's wonderful blog...

Buffalo Check Christmas Wreath

I love to get inspired when visiting other blogs. 

I haven't had much time to get things done, but plan to work on making a similar wreath and maybe get these two bedside tables painted, or at least started...

Thanks for dropping by!

Fall Is Coming Soon...I Need A Porch To Decorate!

We were so close to having a house to decorate for fall!

I saw some cute fall decor ideas over at 2 BEES IN A POD and really got excited! We were closing soon...

2 BEES IN A POD

Our closing was scheduled for tomorrow -- Thursday -- though we didn't have a time, which worried me a little.  

We also didn't have an exact $$ amount, which worried me even more! 

We had done everything on our part, and so had the realtors and the builder too...

These photos were taken when we first saw the house

On Monday, we did a walkthrough with the builder and realtors. The wood floors were shining and the protective paper was removed from the floor.

All four of us had blue painter's tape, which we tore off and marked the cosmetic problems as we went through the house. Wild Bill sat it out on the fireplace ledge, but he cheered us on.

I must confess...the builder tagged every little ding he found... I hardly did anything but admire the rooms as we went through and, of course, I was decorating it all in my head!

We're going gray this time!

Early Monday morning the lawyer from the title company had called and said she was doing last minute calculations for our part of the closing costs, etc., and she would email me a figure that afternoon to give to our bank so they could send the funds.

All the lights will be replaced once we move in

I called back Tuesday and got her secretary. She said she personally would call me with the info soon as all the lawyers in town were in a training conference that day.

Today, Wednesday, we called with our relator from his office..."still trying to put the numbers together...yada, yada, yada..."

Wild Bill, our realtor, and I discussed the pros and cons and decided to postpone the closing for a week. This gives the title company time to get it together and gives us time to take a short trip and breathe a little. 

We have learned to roll with the punches during our month of living in hotels and looking at houses. What can go wrong, will go wrong after all! 

Meanwhile, I've been visiting your blogs and looking for fall ideas to pin. I can't wait for the cool weather to arrive...can you?

Thanks for dropping by!

A Post From The Edge

I'm still here! Trying to knock off that dust and get back to normal.

Our life is quite topsy-turvy right now. We've ping-ponged our way from Texas -- to Illinois -- to the area around Memphis, back to Illinois and now headed back down to the Memphis area this weekend! 

Wild Bill has an appointment with a doctor specializing in his type of cancer, and we are very hopeful the new clinic will be able to bring about a miracle...or maybe just better treatment...we'll take either.

Monday afternoon is his first appointment, so I'll be back next week to let you know how it goes. You've all been so wonderful with your prayers and hopes for us! We appreciate you all so much. 

There's a special angel, the blogger you know as NanaDiana, who has been my port in the storm so to speak. She's been a rock when I needed a breather, she's been a counselor when I faltered, but most of all she's been my "sister-friend" who has gone before me in this journey of hope for our husband's. Diana always has a kind word and experience to share. Thank you so much Diana!

Some people wonder why this dumb bear picture means so much to me. I gave away a lot of things that were dear to me, but not this old picture!

The bear is a reminder of an old saying: 

Sometimes you get the bear and sometimes the bear gets you.

You might think me crazy to give away so much, but keep the dumb bear picture -- Well, remembering there's always a chance of succeeding gives me strength, even when it feels like the bear has us by the throat some days.

Thanks for dropping by!

Blessings When Selling Your Home And Furniture

My advice to anyone selling their home and moving out of state is to sell what you can instead of going to the expense of moving and storing your furniture, washer and dryer, etc.

Our washer and dryer were sold to a friend when she was helping me get ready to put the house on the market. 

We gave her a very low price on the "H.E." set, and she is waiting to pick it up just before the house closing. A win-win for both of us!

This very heavy, wooden bed frame is staying put as our buyer is buying several large pieces of furniture...Another win-win!

We at first planned to keep about half of our furniture, but things went so quick with the sale of the house, we reconsidered and I'm so glad we did!

We have been fortunate to run into the best people during our house sale. Our realtor even bought the love seat and the home buyers have been the best we could hope to work with, and we appreciate our new-found friendship with them.

The home inspector gave me a great tip about using Facebook Marketplace instead of Craigslist when he did the inspection, and it really made a difference! 

The inspector also relayed to our buyer that we planned to sell our large, very heavy TV cabinet and would add the 65-inch TV free with the purchase.

It was sold to them in just a half hour after the inspection!

Wild Bill has suffered with progressively bad chemo-related neuropathy for a while now, and just the fact that he's saved from feeling bad about not being able to help move stuff makes a world of difference for us! I'm sure all you ladies know how a man's pride is the first to suffer, right?


Every item we've listed on FB Marketplace has sold that day or the next! This leather sofa went the afternoon we listed it...

This heavy bed below (and some other furniture and household stuff) went without listing it...The sofa buyers bought it all when they came to pay for the sofa! 

Bill's very last guitar and some large, heavy speakers (for a keyboard) had been for sale for a quite a while on Craigslist, but sold the next day after listing them on FB Marketplace. I can't recommend FB's Marketplace enough! 

Also, tell everyone that you have items for sell! Not only did the home inspector spread the word for us, but a cousin put out the word with pictures on her phone, and her son contacted us right away. 

We were able to give him just what he was looking for...a kingsize mattress and boxsprings set leftover from the sale of the bed frame, with kingsize metal frame being stored in the garage. 

We received a sweet note -- thanking us for the "blessing" from him and his fiancé today -- with this lovely arrangement delivered by a florist. 

The sweet roses and lilies were totally unexpected, and they felt like a blessing to us in turn as they came just in time to make our day!

My last piece of advice is to ensure that your prices are as low as you can justify. Think about all the work that moving furniture entails...and then deduct more off the price you're willing to sell an item for to save yourself all the trouble and expense of moving and storing it. 

Last of all...a public service announcement:

Along with other local charities, anything related to a home would be greatly appreciated by Habitat For Humanity...and they will come pick up your donations and deliver them to the store for you.

Just look them up online and call them if you have a local "Restore" in your area. 

Thanks for dropping by!

Made Me Want To Paint Something!

Just when I was going to take it easy, I saw this post and loved the finish on these chairs over at The Purple Hydrangea's blog.

The Purple Hydrangea's Chippy Chairs

I decided I have to try this paint technique as I have several different colors of Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint that I've hoarded, but never used. 

I think the likely victim is the dark wood bench in the hallway, but rest assured...someone here is getting painted and distressed!

Thanks for dropping by!

Adorable Easter Tablescape At LeCultivateur's Blog

This is possibly the cutest Easter tablescape I've run across!

LeCultivateur

I'm trying to store away all but the "necessary" stuff as we get ready to put our house on the market soon, but I've "pinned" this post to Pinterest so I'll be able to make these little bunny silverware sacks next year.

You can find this post HERE at LeCultivateur.

Thanks for dropping by!

Words Of Comfort - A Time To Heal And Rebuild For Us All

Over at Joey's Pad I was fortunate to read his words today. Although he was speaking primarily of the fire at Norte-Dame cathedral in Paris, I will carry his words in my heart for a long time to come.

Wikipedia

The thing about blogging is...you just never know where inspiration will come from or whose words you need to hear at the exact time you run across them.

If you have time, I recommend a quick stop to Joey's blog post HERE.

Thanks for dropping by!

Susan Branch And Why Nana Got A Warning

Was happy to read Susan Branch's post on "Tidying Up" via the KonMari Method!

Susan's Books On Amazon.com

Susan has a lovely way of expressing herself in her books and on her blog, and she even made the act of decluttering seem easy and beautifully done. You can read her post on her Marie-Kondo-inspired decluttering HERE.

I know I'll never have perfectly pressed dinner napkins like Susan, but still I love to read about hers as I dream of my "perfectly done" house on Someday Isle...as in "someday I'll..."

Whenever I visit Susan's blog, I'm always inspired to decorate with the things I have, putting out the everyday things we use and love rather than hiding them away in the cabinets.

The other thing I want to share has to do with Marie Kondo too! 

Middle Daughter has "Kondo-ized" her house so much her children (Livvie 6 and Ben 9) have done (and re-done) the playroom so many times they've become experts at purging and organizing too.

Last weekend, the kids stayed Saturday night with their other grandma..."Nana"...and when Nana brought them home on Sunday she shared the following story: 

Livvie noticed Nana's bottom kitchen cabinets were somewhat messy, so both kids got to work removing all the pots and pans. 

After Nana chose the things that "sparked joy" for her, the kids organized the bottom cabinets and left everything clean and tidy. 

Livvie Not Always Clean And Tidy!

Nana was (to say the least) very impressed with the job they did in her kitchen. 

Nana laughed when she told Middle Daughter that Livvie even gave her a warning that she would be checking the cabinets next time she visits to make sure Nana is able to keep everything in its place!

The thing I love about Marie Kondo's book is that it inspires people to buy less, store less, and enjoy life more.

Thanks for dropping by!

CopyKat: Knick of Time's Spring Wreath

I'm a little embarrassed to tell you I still have my Christmas lights up on the mantle, but honestly I have been known to rock my Christmas lights all the way to St Patrick's Day in March!

I did get the Christmas tree down the first week of January so that does put me ahead of my usual timeframe! 

Knick of Time

I just couldn't get inspired to change the lights out for something else until I saw THIS post at Knick of Time featuring the frame and wreath above. Love it!

I'll be back soon with my own version of her wreath decor. In the meantime, let me know if you have a good idea for a spring wreath for your mantle or home...I'd love to come check them out.

Thanks for dropping by!

A Look Back...And What's Ahead

I'm always amazed that other bloggers have so many things to share in their "Best of the Year" posts on what projects they did best last year.

How do they manage that? 

After all, this bead board wall and the cabinet on the other side took us over a year to get finished! 

I didn't even take a photo of the finished cabinet when it was done.

When I looked back the other day all I could wonder was what did I do all year? Granted it wasn't a stellar year for our family's health problems (yes that's an understatement) but still I'm bereft of many proud moments to brag on! 

As Bridget Jones would write in her diary: "Must do better next year!"

So I don't have a "Best Of's" post for you, but here's a few milestones of the past year and a glimmer of hope for the coming year. 

The wall above the fireplace (where the wall mount for the TV was until last year) finally got the holes repaired professionally and now is presentable! 

However, if I had it to do over, I would just leave the TV up there...

The builder built our spec house with this area planned for a TV and it really makes for better room arrangements. 

So lesson learned for me with this house (and the next) is "go with the plan, don't fight it."

We also had the handyman do some minor repairs and paint trim in most of the house and then paint the master bathroom. It looks so much better with just a few of the little things done.

We're in disarray right now trying to remove to storage everything that's not necessary and downsize things we no longer plan to keep. Once that's all done, I will share what remains.

Debbie at Debbie-Dabble questioned again this year why she sticks with blogging. She stays because of the friendships and I have to agree with her!

I thought seriously about closing this blog and starting a new one later since we plan to sell Rivercrest Cottage and move in another direction now that Wild Bill's parents are gone. 

Still Waiting For A Magical Snowfall This Year!

Then it came to me that I should see the blog out until we lock the door one last time, so that's what I intend to do. 

Spring Will Bring Back The Green Grass Soon.

I appreciate when you drop in, and I hope you'll give me lots of advice along the way with staging and selling the house as we go through the next few months of the selling process.

I could not have gotten through the last 6 months without your hopes and prayers for us...truly! 

For me, sometimes just popping by your blog and reading about your day or your project allowed me to take my mind off more serious problems even for just a minute or two. It helped so much!

The word I've chosen for the coming year is "JOY!" with an exclamation point! If you don't have a word for the year, I highly recommend mine.

Thanks for dropping by!

Paint It White Wednesday...The Joyless Cabinet

I was thinking of donating a cabinet to a local charity when I saw this post from the Fusion Mineral Paint website. 

Source

I've kind of lost my interest in doing makeovers lately, but the pictures of this cabinet makeover inspired me to try again.

I know some people don't like painted wood furniture, but chippy white makes my heart sing!

This No-Longer-Brings-Me-Joy cabinet is going to get a white Fusion Paint makeover starting today. I have enough Fusion Paint left over from last year to do this project, so I won't be adding to my clutter.

If you want to see how the cabinet in the first photo was prepared and painted, you can see the details at the Fusion Paint site HERE.

I'm going to follow their instructions step-by-step, and we'll see if my paint job turns out as pretty as theirs! 

Note: All thoughts are strictly my opinion. I received no compensation or products from this company for my opinions expressed here. 

Thanks for dropping by!

A Charming Way To Serve Fudge

Ever have your fudge turn out just a little too soft to cut properly? 

Maybe we could serve our too soft fudge in this charming way...

Making Gift Fudge At Mamas Mercantile

"Mamas Mercantile" 

Don't get me wrong...looks like Mamas Mercantile's fudge turned out perfect! 

But I think if my fudge doesn't turn out as solid as hers (and I admit it doesn't sometimes) this would still be a perfectly lovely way to serve it.

Hop on over to her post HERE and check out all the gifts she whipped up in her kitchen...Even Mama's "gift soap" looks good enough to eat!

Thanks for dropping by!

Golden Boys And Me...A Colorful Room

I was tired of looking at our neutral beige walls and furniture, so I went looking for some colorful inspiration. I found it on the blog, Golden Boys and Me...

GOLDEN BOYS AND ME

Warm Colorful Room On Golden Boys And Me

After years of going mostly neutral, I find this year I'm loving red again!

Here's an old photo of a red plaid duvet from Pottery Barn and some old red floral shams my mother gave me a long time ago. 

I sent the floral shams to a blogging friend who is a terrific sewer, hoping she can remake them into something for her home, but I still have the red plaid duvet to use on one of the beds.

I found the storage box with these $5 red throws I got a bargain on a few years ago...

They're from Old Navy's store. One of them cheered up a leather chair one Christmas past...

The other one livened up the corner beige chair like it will do this year too...

I found this photo of our living room from last year when I put an old family quilt on our love seat... 

Even though there's very little red in the old quilt, I think I'll dig it out and cheer our place up a little like the room on Golden Boys and Me's blog.

The red in this old chair wreath is perky and cheerful -- just right for adding red to the dining room...

And last year or the year before, Oldest Grandgirl made this cute red Christmas Elf picture for me, which I'll frame and hang up this year.

hmmm...the little blond elf in the drawing sure looks familiar! 

I wonder if she was looking in the mirror when she was drawing it?

If you want some ideas for a cheerful room or two, head on over to this post on The Golden Boys and Me. 

I think her home will give you inspiration.  And...I don't want to spoil the surprise, but her kitchen has a sleigh hanging from the ceiling!

Thanks for dropping by!

P.S. 

They're saying it might snow here this Saturday...YAY!!!

Friday Finds...Finding More Space

We met with a realtor this week and now the idea of selling our house is getting real!

The "one in, one out" rule doesn't work for us since we're trying to clear our house out as much as possible...less clutter looks like more space, right?

My 'thrifty and frugal' blogging friend Laura, over at Harvest Lane Cottage, claims she regains a square foot of real estate space for every shopping bag full of stuff that goes out of her door. We all can use more space right?


Now seldom does illness come with a benefit, but a weight loss of 70 pounds has been one Wild Bill appreciates. Some of his dress clothes just had to go! 

We started with Bill's closet and also cleared off some shelves in the garage. I estimate we regained 9 square feet of real estate.

Out this week: 

• Eight men's button up dress shirts (3 sq feet)
• One barely worn sports coat (1 sq ft)
• Two large boxes of garage stuff -- work gloves, boxes of nails, power drill, etc. (4 sq feet)
• Bag: women's clothes, household goods, a 3-tier shelf (1 sq ft)

Where Did It Go? 

We have a friend, Henry, who is heavily involved with local chapters of military veterans' service organizations like the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) and the DAV (Disabled American Veterans) to name a few. 

• For the clothes: We asked Henry if he knew any vets (short on cash) who might be in need of 'Big and Tall' dress clothes. Sadly, Henry assured us there are more than a few in the local area. 

• For the tools etc: We had lots of rain a year or so back and one of the veterans' organizations was flooded twice! They are working on repairing the facility. Henry also took the two boxes of garage stuff to help in the rebuilding.

• Everything else: Went to the Goodwill.

If you need inspiration on recovering your space, check out Laura's blog and start tracking how much space you regain in your home. 

If you're interested in saving money, check out Laura's post called Forty Ways To Use It Up And Wear It Out.

Thanks for dropping by!

"How To" Scarecrow From Let's Add Sprinkles

Since I was speaking of making scarecrows in my last post, I thought you might like the instructions for this adorable scarecrow makeover by Katie at Let's Add Sprinkles

Directions At Let's Add Sprinkles

Katie started with an old, store-bought scarecrow that had seen better days and made it into this truly special little creature. In her post, Katie kindly takes you through her step-by-step process. 

I know Henny (over at Henny Penny Lane) has been thinking about making a scarecrow, so when I saw Katie's latest creation I thought of Henny...and all of you too of course!

Katie has also announced the next Texas Bloggers' blog tour, which is starting this Monday. I had to pass this time, but I'm always glad to help spread the word for my fellow Texans!

You can see how Katie made that cute little scarecrow and get all the details on the Fall In Love With Texas blog tour HERE.

Thanks for dropping by!