Busy Day ~ Busy Week

So much going on around here this week!  It's been a busy few days, for sure, and I'm really looking forward to this weekend and having a couple of days to get some things finished up.

Eddie has been off the last couple of days and accomplished alot.  His focus has been on finishing out the trim in the kitchen.  He's just about got it under control and plans on finishing up tomorrow.  It's looking great in there ~ and, after I get in there with a paintbrush this weekend, we will be really close...really close!

Good thing he was working in there this afternoon!  The water heater sits in a closet in the kitchen and it decided to spring a leak today.  Just a tiny, little pin-sized hole, but if he hadn't noticed it right away it would have been disastrous.  Fortunately, he was able to get the thing disconnected and dragged out of the house before it caused damage.  Then he ran to Lowes and picked up a new one, lugged it back and snagged a neighbor who saw him struggling  and offered to help.  By the time I arrived home after work, he was struggling to "light" it ~ apparently the most frustrating part of the entire process for him (judging by the carrying on I witnessed ~ God bless him and his hard-working soul!).  But tonight I am just thankful we have hot water and no water damage to our "new" kitchen!

Not only did my Prince Charming accomplish tons in the kitchen, he worked in the front yard, too.  He set in some new shrubs and perennials I bought last weekend.  And he mowed.  And then he came inside and vacuumed.  Did I already say "God bless his hard-working soul"?  Well, it bears repeating! 

I really hope to get some photos up this weekend to share the progress with you! 

How about you?  Have any special plans for the weekend?  Did you have one of those "runaway" weeks, too?  Hey, if you're not busy, you can always mosey on over here ~ I have plenty of paintbrushes! 

Jane

No More Washing Dishes in the Bathroom Sink!!!

I am glad we are one step closer to wrapping up the kitchen renovation! 

Here's a little reminder of where we started ~ or should I say "what we started out with???

Countertops went in on Friday and I couldn't be happier with our choice of quartz.  I originally longed for dark countertops, but the space here is small and the cabinets were already dark enough.  So, we opted for this ~

The color is absolutely neutral and fits the space beautifully.

I'm still in lust with this beautiful shade of green that Mom helped me pick for the dining area.  The room is still a work in progress, but check out the cute little shabby chic corner hutch ~ a housewarming gift from Mom. 

(Okay, she bought it on a whim and didn't like the way it looked in her sunroom.  And she was right ~ it's just not her style at all.  It works SO much BETTER at my house!) 

Light and simple cafe curtains with black eyelet trim were a bargain at JC Penney's online outlet and I'm pleased with the result.  A little retro, very cozy ~ I just love them!  And I was able to use this painted chest that couldn't seem to find a home anywhere else in the house.  Lord knows we needed the extra storage in here!

Then on Saturday, Eddie got the faucet hooked up and we now have running water in the kitchen!  I can't even begin to tell you how MAJOR this is.  After weeks of stumbling to the bathroom in the mornings to get water for coffee, I will gladly readjust!   (And see that last little remnant of orange paint over his shoulder on the window?  Say adios, baby!  Your days are numbered...)

Finally, on Sunday evening, we had our first homecooked meal in the "new" kitchen.  What a wonderful sight to see pots simmering on the stove.  What a wonderful aroma filled the house after so many weeks of take-out!  Can I get a big AMEN?!?!?!

Decoratively speaking, we still have some work to do.  The beadboard needs to be installed and painted above the backsplash.  There is still a bit of trim that needs additional painting.  We're still debating on the "light fixture vs. fan/light" in the dining room.  Accessories and small appliances still need to find a permanent place....and the list goes on. 

But, let me just take a moment to REVEL in how far we have come!  It feels so good to have a functioning kitchen again.  And what we've gotten done looks even better than we dreamed ~ so we are encouraged.  And motivated to get it all pulled together! 

I'm linking up with Metamorphasis Monday over at Between Naps on the Porch, so check it out!





Hanging in there and washing dishes in the kitchen tonight, Friends!

Jane

Seeking Balance in Blogging

I can't believe it's been nearly two weeks since I've had time to create a post for my blog! 

It's just been so crazy around here ~ overwhelmingly crazy ~ and I've been beating myself up for not keeping up with my posting.  I was kinda on a roll for a few weeks there, getting into a blog groove...and then, WHAM!!!  It all blew up on me....well, sorta.  Let me explain.

I had to go back to work.  No, wait...let me rephrase that:  I got to go back to work.  Because I was fortunate enough to find a job within a couple of weeks after I started searching.  And, believe me, this was a blessing because the money has been going out-out-out, with none coming in-in-in.  And our resources are definitely finite!

When I started blogging about six months ago, I was working part-time.  Then, at the end of January, I became unemployed when we relocated to Abilene.  My full-time job became rehab-ing this house with Eddie.  (And trust me, that is more than 40 hours a week of work, no matter how you slice it!)

Last week, knowing that I would be starting the new job this week, Mom and I worked frantically together every day, mostly in the kitchen/dining area, trying to get as much work done as possible.  And we accomplished alot!

Did we get finished?   NO...a big, resounding NO.  And I was terribly disappointed to head out to the new job on Monday morning, knowing that work was left undone.  In fact, even with Eddie working in there on his days off this week, we are not where I had hoped to be at the end of last week. 

And since I am afflicted with a form of "perfection disorder", I have in no way felt the desire to grab my camera and document the shortcomings of our efforts.  When I go out there, browsing around BlogWorld, it seems that everyone else is documenting "perfection" in their world.  I see lots of great photos of beautiful homes, completed projects, all nice and tidily wrapped up.  Normally, they inspire me....but, in my current circumstances, they make me acutely aware of my "shortcomings". 

Combine this feeling of failure on the "home front" with the exhausting effect of returning to work in a fast-paced new job, well, you start to get the picture....blogging has been the last thing on my mind. 

But, this evening I had an "Ah-Hah Moment"! 

It doesn't matter if I have finished one or many projects around the house....

or that I haven't documented our progress (or lack thereof) in photos....

or that I don't have a perfect blog post ready every other day....

That's just not what it's all about.  At least, not for me.

Blogging is about sharing my thoughts in written form.  It's a way of communicating my feelings about what I value in Life.  That's what it is about. 

What it is not about is trying to look like or emulate other blogs....or keeping up with other blogger's styles and posting abilities....or competing to gain followers. 

So, there you have it.  I am posting this without any photos.  (But, now that I've re-thought the whole purpose of blogging, maybe I won't be so hesitant to pick up my camera and document an unifinished project.)  I'm still finding "my blog voice", making lots of missteps and corrections along the way. 

Above all, I'm learning more about myself through this adventure in blogging.  That is the rewarding part...and the reason I don't want to give it up, even though I feel stretched pretty thin some days. 

So, bear with me....and hang with me....as I strive find the perfect balance here on The Porch!

Jane