July 21 - Massachusetts

Part 2 of 2

This week has been busy (which one is not?!). Appointments and such. Going through the last dreaded boxes feverishly! Most of the boxes I have left are decor, and my studio accroutrements. The studio stuff is pretty heavy - paints, canvases, drawing implements - tools of my trade. It will require some of the furniture in the front room to be moved around and put into place.

Meanwhile, the rest of my house has come together quite nicely :) My rugs were delivered and my most awesome brother assembled my coffee table. I ordered some - note, people, SOME - replacement books for those I cannnot do without. I am still missing a great many, and still have 3 boxes ready for library donation. I am good with the give & take of it. Plus they all fit quite nicely thus far!

Bookcases

Third bookcase

I was fairly ruthless with my DVD collection. Got what I really wanted and kept it down to one cabinet with a bit of room to spare.

DVD cabinet

I have my sleek new kitchen cart set up, wine rack and all! Loving it :)

Kitchen cart

My new coffee table is awesome. It has slate tiles on top, which make it quite heavy. Loving the rugs, too. My kittles are loving the sunshine, and appreciate the couch as well!

Coffee table

Coffee table & rug

Phoebe

Percy

 

Panda

Outside has not been neglected either. Here are a few pix of my happy little deck, and the flowers I am absolutely loving! I am totally delighted!!

Deck

Flowers in backyard

Flowers everywhere!

Stay tuned :)

July 21 - Massachusetts

Part 1

Two-for today (pix in the next post; much progress has been made :) ) Short philosophical post first.

I need to vent about an article I read. Without going into detail, the author spent 10 years getting over her issue; hiding & not being in the world. I thought about it. Yes it was indeed a tragedy, but 10 years? To me, that is way too long to rejoin the world.

Everyone suffers losses during their life. It happens to all of us. We all have "baggage" of one sort or another. We all end up a bit damaged; it is what you do with the leftovers that matters.

My Dad passed away when I was half the age I am now. I lost my middle sister ten years ago. Lost almost everything I thought mattered 5 1/2 years ago (that one was rough). Maybe you never recover 100%, but you do "keep on keeping on". You have to!

It is called life and it happens. You make it better, make it your own. Otherwise I think it just... stops. Who wants that? Yes I have lost a great deal. Haven't we all? By the same token I have gained so much. My heart and soul overflow with peace, happiness and contentment right now.


Life changes - that is what it is. Change with it or be lost, I think. I choose not to be lost. I choose to be happy. I choose to continue putting one foot in front of the other :) Still "keep on keepin' on"!

I have sat outside on my little deck on my new patio set in late afternoon for a bit this past week when I could, enjoying the peace and quiet. Last night I read my book for awhile :) Loved it!

The peace inside is indescribeable. It did not take me 10, 5, or even 3 years to get back to me. I have said it before, and will say it again: I did not reinvent myself. I rediscovered me.

As stated before, I believe everything happens for a reason. Happiness where you are and with who you are. At peace with yourself and the world. Yeah. THAT.

July 13 - Massachusetts

Sorry no pix tonight, just an update. Pix in a few days - promise! Been a very busy week and a half for me. Appointments took up most of my time.

The past few days I have been pushing to finish unpacking in the living room. Yes, I know it has taken some time. Bear in mind that everything - EVERY single thing - I unpack has to be washed or cleaned. And has been well-wrapped with packing paper. It has really slowed the process and put me off my rhythm. (That and the mis-marked / unmarked boxes!)

Add to the mix regular housekeeping (cleaning, vacuuming, kitty boxes, laundry, shopping) - well there you have it.

I think I have done pretty well (mostly) on my own. My most awesome brother has assembled a lot of furniture for me and helps me out with "the big stuff" I cannot handle. I have one more box to empty in my living room. Then I can start on my studio. Finally! Yay!!!

Having completed painting my house plaque, I am working on painting the "Dutch boy" statue. Thus far it has required two coats of paint, which needs to dry inside for a minimum of 3 days. The humidity and spotty rain the past two weeks has been a bit of a hindrance. The paint is taking forever to cure, even inside. I am patient, however, and will wait. I do not want to have to repaint them in a few years :) When I finish him, the "Dutch girl" statue awaits.

I figure I should be done with most boxes, unpacking, etc. in a few weeks. The studio should go fairly quickly. I do not think all those boxes are packed with all that darn paper! A lot of it is mostly papers to begin with, of which I can now dispose.

Pix next time, promise!