Spring is Here & An Update

Hi everyone! I’ve gotten quite a few emails asking if I was alright. Yes, I’m fine – we’re all fine here. Just busy with life in general and still trying to get this property in shape. I’m a little behind in my projects but my husband is taking some time off this month and my daughter has spring break, so I’ll be getting some help with the things that need to be finished up.

(Those are Primroses above for those of you that aren’t familiar with them.)  I’ve been ruthlessly decluttering! You wouldn’t believe the amount of books I just donated to my library. I gave them my whole collection of frugal/simple living books. I think I had every book ever written about frugality and simple living! The only one I kept was the Complete Tightwad Gazette. My library hardly has any books on either subjects so I thought those books would be put to good use there. Also donated tons of magazines.

Let see….I’ve been working outside since it’s been so gorgeous here lately!

I added some lattice that I had laying around to my arbor on one side and on top and moved one of two grapes here. Just have to find a place for the other grape and add lattice to the other side. The grapes are from last summer when I had this garden area in addition to the one you see above.

I took it apart when we decided to sell but I never moved the grapes I had planted along the fence. So they’ve been sitting in the middle of the yard all winter LOL!

I also weeded and put down some new mulch in this bed.
 
Yes, spring is here is Georgia! I’m sure we’ll get another below freezing night before it’s safe to really plant – we always do.

Unfortunately, this nearby bed still needs to be done. Plus last spring I started planting liriope around the edge and never finished because it got so horribly hot I couldn’t stand to be outside (except later in the day but that’s when those horrible little biting bugs are flying around)! So I have to also finish that. Sigh…….

Tried to sell these cinderblocks on Craigslist.

They were from this lovely pond we used to have.(chipmunks made a whole in the liner and it leaked so we dismantled it).

I had a guy who said he wanted them then he never showed. So if anyone in the Atlanta area wants them email me. I’m going to Freecycle them as I’ve got to get them out of my yard.

I have tons (and I mean tons) of various rocks etc. from the pond dismantle.

In an effort to use some of them, I made this little planting circle.  I used a Japanese Maple that we had growing in a pot. Before we list I’ll fill that bed with some flowers and mulch. It was a good way to use up some of those  stones and also use the outlet that’s there(it was for the pond pump). I didn’t want to have to dig up the electric line and I couldn’t just have an outlet sticking up out of the ground for no purpose. We already had uplights etc so we have the tree lit at night and it’s really pretty. I did put down some grass seed but I think it all washed away in the storm we had this week!

I painted the ceiling, wainscoting and primed the walls above the wainscoting in the downstairs bathroom.

I started applying the Venetian Plaster that I’m going to use on the upper part of the wall (the walls are in bad shape) but decided that the color I had was too dark for a room with no windows.

So I had to wait a week to get to Lowe’s to get a lighter tan (we have three people using two cars).  I’ll start applying it this weekend and then I need to find a mirror and a new light fixture.

My daughter and I did paint her room. It was a real bright BRIGHT blue and now it’s more of a light gray/blue. If her room wasn’t a huge mess from all her art projects that she’s been working on I’d take a picture…but it is :)

I also painted the hallway downstairs (mixed up a nice milk chocolate color with some leftover paints). Anyway, I’ll take pictures when everything is done and just have a blog open house tour. You’ll see the house and gardens as prospective buyers will see them.

I’m sure I’m forgetting something….anyway, mostly I just wanted to let you all know that yes, I’m still here, yes I’m still trying to get my house sale read (want to get “top dollar” ya know LOL), no we haven’t even looked at houses yet but plan to this month and yes, I’m really really REALLY tired and can’t wait to just get on with it!

Be back when I can!

My News

Hi everyone! This is such a time of change for me!

My daughter got her driver’s license (shudder) and is starting her first day of college on Monday. So we are now three people using two cars and all the scheduling that requires!

Plus my Husband and I have pretty much decided we need to sell the current house and downsize. So.....

                          WE ARE MOVING!

We're planning on listing in the spring, when my yard is in bloom and looking pretty. That gives us the next 6 months or so to fix all the things we need to fix (a thrifty bathroom remodel included) and declutter so we don’t move with stuff that we’re no longer want. LOTS to do inside and out!


I’m back in physical therapy for my knee which thankfully didn’t require surgery - a meniscus abnormality but not tear. The stairs are killing me and the yard as much as I love all that land is wearing me down. We need a one level house on not so much land!


Even the dog is having problems with the stairs these days!  Gratuitous Maxie shot because he’s so adorable!

Did I mention that at this time, housing prices in my neighborhood are about $25,000 lower than they were two years ago? Ouch!! My hope is that six months from now things will be a bit better :)

I’m mostly sad about having to leave my garden.  I planted 98% of the trees, shrubs and flowers. This will be the third garden I’ve had to  give up. Hopefully the next one will be my last.


But I’m also excited about the possibilities ahead! I’ve always wanted to see what I could do with a small space!

Anyway, just wanted to let you all know what’s going on here as I don’t know how regularly I will be posting in the next few months. My to do list is a bit overwhelming at this point but I’ll post at least once a week. It’ll help motivate me to get these projects done! 

Taking A Break

Hi everyone. Just wanted to let you all know that I’m taking a little break. Right now I’m in FAFSA hell (college financial aid), I have to get my raised beds ready for planting plus I’m still working on my closet (just bought a little chandy for it) and I'm taking apart our pond and trying to design a new one, plus a million other things. I’m feeling tired and overwhelmed and need to step back on blogging for a bit until I get all these other things under control. Hopefully a week or so of hard work will do the trick. I'm looking forward to it!

Just wanted you to know so that no one would worry if I didn’t post in a while!  You can alway look through the archives while I'm gone.~smile

See you all in a week or so!

Giveaway Winner

Hi everyone! The winner of the March book giveaway is.......Richella @ Imparting Grace. Congratulations! Please email me your shipping address and I’ll put it in the mail at the end of the week.



Another giveaway winner was me! I won two  really pretty bowls from Laura at The Notebook of Mary's Mother and she also sent me all these other lovely pieces.
 

I just love the teacups! Isn’t the inside of this one just gorgeous! Thank you ! I really love them all and I’ll put them to good use.
 


I thought I’d answer a couple of questions that I’ve gotten lately. Quite a few people haven’t given me anyway to get back to them. So if you leave me a question in the comments please also give me a way to reply. 
 
The paint color in my living room and dining room is Squished Squash from Benjamin Moore. The color in the kitchen is I think Pear Green (or something similar) from Benjamin Moore.
 

I normally attach the decorative papers on the backs of my bookcases etc with double sided tape except my china cabinet. There I used toile fabric which I wrapped around large pieces of cardboard. I don’t normally use scrapbook paper because it’s too many little pieces of paper for me to mess with, but I know other’s who have and it looks great (and it’s very inexpensive).

I don’t have a method for doing displays (I get asked to do a post on how to at least once a month). I’m sure the people who are also professional decorators probably have something on their blogs about how to do them. I just keep at it until I like it!

My camera is a Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ7. Taking photos is one of the things I enjoy most about blogging.

Somebody asked me what magazines I subscribe to or what my favorite magazine is.  I like the British version of Country Living. I subscribe to the U.S. Country Living because I got it for $5 last December when Amazon was having all those amazing subscription deals. I used to love Country Home and Home Companion and since they closed I really haven’t found anything that I buy every month. Like most of you, I prefer blogs these days!

I think that answers the most recent questions. Have a wonderful week everyone!

A Thank You

I'd like to thank the writers of The Decorating Voice for choosing my spring fireplace makeover as their Spring Fling winner! I'm thrilled beyond belief!

If you're not familiar with their blog go have a look. "The Decorating Voice Blog is sponsored by The Society of Decorating Professionals ( The SDP) to share inside scoops on the latest decorating trends, "I never would have thought of that decorating", resources, trade shows, business and marketing tips." I think you'll love it and find it very informative!

If you'd like some spring decorating ideas or just want to see some eye candy, go check out all the participants. I'll be back tomorrow to show you how I used some of my thrift store finds. Spring Fling

Comments are off

What's In Your Purse and a Few Awards

Abigail tagged me to show my purse and what's in it. She said that she "thinks I'm creative and can't wait to see what kind of purse I have". I don't have one that I made myself out of scrapbook paper - although maybe I should paint some harlequins on it, oh I crack myself up sometimes! Actually my husband bought me this purse. He buys all my purses because I honestly could care less - I'm so not into clothes, shoes etc. Rule # 1) "Post a picture of whatever bag you are carrying as of late. No, you cannot go up to your closet and pull out that cute little purse you used back before you had kids.... Show what you carried today or the last time you left the house."

It's really not dusty looking!! It's just the sun - really!

Rule #2 Post a picture of the contents inside your bag. The theory here is that you can learn a lot about someone from what is in the bag...

My purse has two zippered compartments. This side has my measuring tape (everyone has one of those in their purse right?) how else will you know if that "thing" you find will fit! Some kleenex, a snack bar, hand wipes (all Mommies have those I'm sure!) and some paper because I need to be able to write down notes to myself about ideas or things that I see that I want to duplicate etc.

This is exciting isn't it! Let's see...wallet, various lipsticks, lipgloss, pens and my notebook that has things I'm looking for and measurements.

I'm not going to tag anyone but If you'd like to play along, consider yourself tagged by me!

I have an award that I'd like to acknowledge. Beth at Aunties With Advice gave me this award for blogs that share their creativity and talents.

Thank you so much Beth! I really appreciate you giving me this lovely award and I'm sorry it took me so long to get around to posting it! Please go visit her fun blog, you won't be sorry.

What's Bloomin, Awards, & Random Things About Me

I've been tagged by Should a been a belle to to list 7 Random Things About Me (those of you who used to read The Feathered Nest probably already know all these things about me so feel free to skip down to today's post. But I thought that since I have quite a few new readers that they might like to get to know me a bit better.

1. I hate to drive! Consequently I try to drive as little as possible (which most of the time works out anyway). I don't drive on the highway and I don't like left turns. I started driving pretty late in life since I went to boarding school for high school and didn't need a car and then moved to NYC where I also didn't need a car.



2. I used to be a ballet dancer (the living in NYC part). Now I hardly even go to the ballet! Just shows you how your interests can change as you get older.



3. I'm an only child, my husband is an only child and we only have one child (well Maxie our Golden thinks he's human and a little baby - but that's another story)!



4. I'm a.....crier! Yes, I cry at practically everything - which can be very exhausting! I cry even at the happy parts of movies cause I'm so happy! I cry at commercials, I cry of course at sad things even if they don't remotely have anything to do with me. I can't see certain parts of movies I've seen a hundred times because I cry - Like in "Little Women" I always have to fast forward the part when you know who you know what!



5. I could live on sweets if I only had the choice! I'd much rather have desert than a main course. All that meat and veggies just gets in the way of the good stuff! A balanced diet is overrated in my opinion!



6. I drink quite a bit of coffee throughout the day (although I switched to half reg half decaff quite a while ago).



7. I feel I'm a very, very, very energetic person (perhaps do to copious amounts of coffee?).

Now you know 7 very random things about me! Also, I was very fortunate to receive two awards this past week. Isn't this a pretty one!

I'd like to thank Lady Katherine, Lady Katherine Tea Parlor for that wonderful award. I'd also like to thank Betty, Country Charm for this special award below. Thank you both so much, it's so sweet that you thought of me!

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It was really great to get outside and work in yard yesterday! I spent a few hours sucking up all the leaves with the mulching mower and then spreading them on some of my flower beds. I thought I'd snap a few pictures of my blooms before the frosts start to kill everything. So since this post has been so long, I'll just post the pictures with no text.

What's Been Happening

Foyer Wall

A few people have asked what happened with my husband's job (when I ended my last blog my husband position was about to be eliminated do to the poor economy). Well they decided to keep him on in a position he used to do. He's back to being a District Manager. He's not happy about it because it involves alot of traveling but we're happy to still have our medical benefits and of course a steady paycheck! His salary now is almost $1300 less A MONTH than what he was making before. That's quite a "chunk o change"! So as you can imagine this has thrown a wrench into lots of our plans for the future not to mention how we live day to day.

Our daughter is a junior in high school so she will be off to college in two years and of course the college she really, really, really wants to go to is the Savannah College of Art & Design (right now tuition is about $25,ooo a year. Yikes it gives me palpitations to even think about it! Also this house is a fixer upper and somethings just can't be solved with paint (what??? - no way!!!). Then there's retirement to think about. Not to mention just buying groceries and paying the bills.

So it's a challenge that's for sure. But I have faith that it will all work out. Not the I'll leave it in the Lord's hands and just go along my merry way kind of faith. But the kind that requires me to put out some effort to make things happen. That may mean getting a job outside my home at some point or starting a business (at some point you can only make but so many cuts to your budget). So we'll see what the morrow brings as they say :-)

Anyway, my husband is getting back from Baton Rouge this afternoon and I hope "Fay" doesn't cause him any delays/turbulence. He doesn't like flying and yet his job requires that he fly someplace every week - what a great guy I have!