Notes from A Cottage Industry

Little updates on this and that.

I thought I'd take a lil' time to catch up on some things here.

First of all, thanks for all the concern about my broken water pipe...the pipe is fixed and the water is flowing. I spent yesterday afternoon and part of last night happily watering flowers, running the dishwasher, and washing my bed linens. Oh, and I took the most luxurious, appreciated bubble bath I think I have ever experienced.

The hole in the wall in my guestroom will be a fairly easy fix, according to the Plumber guys, who have a dry-waller they recommend. All in all, not too much inconvenience, other than driving to my daughter's to shower and driving home with a towel on my head at 7:30 in the morning. Oh well, life is too short to worry about how I look out and about at the crack of dawn.

Next, many of you asked for the slipcover gal's contact info here in South East Portland. Her name is Ginger Abernathy and her business is called Ginger Abernathy Creations. I can tell you first hand that her work is professional, affordable and fast. (And she's adorable.) Call for more pricing and wait time information:(503) 788-1142 If you live in the area and want slipcover work done, she's your girl!

Lastly, I am very happy to share with all of you that the Other Tracey is alive and well in Reno, and finally, after a much-too-long hiatus, is returning to blogging...and is determined to be more consistent about it! 41 Taylor is turning  a year old (Can you even believe that picture up top was taken one year ago?! I can't!) and lots of new things are happening for my sweet friend. Tracey, I couldn't be happier for you, and I wish you all the best!! (Click here to pop on over and welcome her back to blogland!)

Summer at last...and a water shortage.

I love me some summertime weather. And so does Moose.

Yes! After a record breaking month of rain in May, followed by more liquid sunshine for much of June, it appears that summer has finally arrived at last in the Pacific Northwest. Warm. Dry. Sunny.

I had a water pipe burst (bust? beak?) at my home this past Sunday!  We had to turn off the water main, and a plumber had to be called. I began (and am still) using bottled water to brush my teeth and wash my face, as well as driving over to my daughter's home to shower. (Why is it we always want what we can't have? I swear, I have never wanted to take a bubble bath more in my entire life than I did last night. Seriously.)

The plumber returned and was here all day yesterday, first identifying the problem pipe's location (Mmm hmmm, by having to cut a hole in the guest room wall) and then, ordering the right sized pipe and such to do the repair. A large hole in the dirt in front of my dining room waits for the new pipe patiently.

The plumber is hopeful that he'll get the new pipe today, and then, I'll be back to having running water by nightfall, God-willing. It's funny really, but I found myself actually wishing the sky would open up and rain yesterday afternoon because all of my sweet lil' potted flowers are now drooping and looking so thirsty. (I watered the droopiest ones with a pitcher filled repeatedly with water from my neighbor's hose, but it was a very long drawn out process!)

I'm now thinking just how grateful I am that I was not born in the pioneer days.

Living vicariously through my daughter's sectional.

Remember my should-I-get-a-sectional-or-keep-my-vintage-sofa dilemma? Mmmm hmmm. I ended up keeping my sofa, at least for now. My daughter, on the other hand, just bought one. (Wait till you see her newly re-invented living room....in just a few more posts!!) She considered the one I liked at JC Penneys, and we even went and test-sat on the ones at Pottery Barn.

The big challenge for my daughter was the fact that, while she wanted to try a light colored slip-covered sectional, she has three dogs that all live inside and outside with her, so the thought of investing too much money in this was more than a little bit  bit scary. (Who wants to be out $3,000 on a Pottery Barn sectional, only to find out after 23 months of use that the pups have created permanent paw prints everywhere, and daily doggie hair removal has become too much for you, but you paid a fortune so now you're stuck?)

After some debate, she came up with the perfect solution. We went to Ikea and got this little gem in the picture above. The complete and total steal of the century, delivered two days after she bought it. Oh, and it's comfy to sit on! We flopped on it Saturday evening to watch a movie, and it was fabulous. We discussed it and decided that, worse case scenario, if the idea of a light colored sofa turns out to be unwise in 3 years....not the end of the world, since the price was so affordable. Brilliant.

And, oh, just so cute.

I can now have my cake..er..sectional, and sofa too. All I have to do is pop over to my daughter's home for an evening of sofa sitting.

Weekly Words to Live By - Week 174

"You gotta stop wearing your wishbone where your backbone oughta be."

                                                                      -Richard from Texas (Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert)

Oh, how I love this quote. (I think another it's another way of saying, "Just do it.") If you've got a dream, (whether it's trying your hand at decoupage book pages to an old dresser, or planting the most amazing garden and supplying the entire town with incredible produce)...wishing won't make it so.

Get busy. After all....What have you really got to lose?

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If you'd like to join me in sharing your own "Weekly Words to Live By", use the Mr. Linky tool below to link your blog post to this week's specific Words to live By post, and please remember to link back to this post here on Notes From A Cottage Industry.

                            

A charming little settee is reborn.

A couple of months ago my daughter came across this little settee on good ol' Craigslist. She sent me the email thinking I might want it for my booth space, but after purchasing it, we decided it was simply too sweet to part with. It has a down filled cushion and, besides being so charming, it is exactly what I would imagine sitting on a cloud would be like. (Um...other than the fact that the fabric was nothing like a cloud...it was a very busy, cheerful floral. So not my daughter's style...)

Not to worry. My girls hit the fabric store one morning and found the perfect shabby-but-classic linen type fabric. We found an amazing slipcover gal on...Craigslist. (Where else?)

Oh yes, it's sweet as can be. Like I said, it's just as I imagine sitting on a cloud would be like, and it's the perfect finishing touch for her bedroom. Here is the finished product... Let me show you the other side of her bedroom, which she is very nearly finished decorating.(All that is left to do is add some personal details and finish up her window treatments!)

I found her the exact same headboard I have on my bed (Although mine has a footboard)...except I found her's at an estate sale and snagged it for $25. (Can you believe that?!)
Her walls are freshly painted with a really amazing color from Restoration Hardware. In some lights it looks like it has a hint of green, other times it appears blue-ish, and more often, it has a gray-green look...at any rate, any time you look at this color, it is soothing. Spa like if that makes any sense. It's a deliciously calm and neutral color.

Her duvet set on the bed is from Target, and it looks like a million bucks. (Seriously, why pay a fortune when you can make it all happen with thrifted finds and bargain store bedding?) She's still got to finish out her window treatments and add a few little somethin-somethin's, but the room is complete for the most part....and it was all done on a shoestring of a budget.

It's the perfect retreat, and the little settee was just meant-to-be in this room, don't you agree?

The July 2010 Sunset Magazine--The Barn House Boys Issue!

 
It's out! (And it's a really nice article with some great pictures!)If you are a subscriber, you should be receiving it any day...and it will be on the news stands any day.

It couldn't have happened to two nicer guys, and I went completely and totally over the moon when I saw the spread. The nice folks at Sunset magazine used a photo of my booth at Camas Antiques, as well as mentioning A Cottage Industry. 
 
(Be still my heart. Did you hear me squealing last night when Joann showed me the article?) I am thrilled to be riding on the coat tails of two such talented (and humble) boys.

Oh yeah. Life is good.

Ever growing inventory....

 
 .....not only for my booth space at Camas Antiques, but also for two upcoming summer shows I have coming up in July and August. Things are piled high and layered in, waiting patiently to be re-invented.I spent a couple of hours last night attempting to organize the massive piles into some sort sort of order and I am proud to say I succeeded! I was able to park my car in the garage at the end of the task and I am anxious to begin creating some fabulous new pieces out of these thrifted treasures.

The biggest challenge for me now will be which piece to start on first....

Weekly Words to Live By - Week 173

"Any man can be a Father but it takes someone special to be a dad." 

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If you'd like to join me in sharing your own "Weekly Words to Live By", use the Mr. Linky tool below to link your blog post to this week's specific Words to live By post, and please remember to link back to this post here on Notes From A Cottage Industry.

Where THIS blogger creates...

....when I am working indoors. (I paint my vintage furniture in my garage.)

It's the Second Annual Where Bloggers Create Party, with over 450 bloggers participating!! Welcome to my workspace! I consider myself to be very blessed  to have a master suite as a workroom in my newest home here in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Formerly my grandson's nursery, I was thrilled to have inherited the soft mocha and cream striped walls, as well as the wonderfully high ceilings, a ginormous ledge for display, and the large window that lets in so much light.

The room is still very much a work in progress, as I only began to figure out what to put where and how to arrange things about four weeks ago, when I decided I wanted to enter the Where Bloggers Create Contest. (I only moved into my newest home in December, and to say life has been a bit crazy is an understatement. That, and I am...um...on the slightly disorganized side. Creative minds are seldom tidy and all that, you know.)

Everything in my workroom is  re-purposed, recycled or renovated. (I am all about living that charmed life on a shoestring!)

My computer desk is actually a vintage dressing table (Don't look too closely! You will see I haven't put the knobs on yet...I am painting them up this weekend...) and I am using my various clipboards as organizational tools for sorting receipts, to-do lists, my calendar, and works in progress things. My bulletin board over the dressing table is an ever changing inspiration board.

A basic small farm table works as a center island for me, and is the perfect spot for me to do assembly work. I like to work standing, and I can look out the window while I work. The book cases house all sorts of things....vintage bicycle baskets hold oodles and toodles of idea folders.....
..which are just about my favorite form of inspiration. I pull out folders sometimes at night and crawl into bed to flip through the pictures (all set up by category...such as Kitchens, fireplaces, entertaining, etc.) for ideas.

The long skirted table between the bookcases is actually a very old hutch bottom that I have had for at least 12 years...it has been in my dining room, office, my patio, my deck...and now...my workroom! The piece above the long table is an old vintage baby crib mattress spring...perfect for showcasing memorabilia.
An old weathered metal rack is the perfect solution for housing my many rolls of ribbon. The chalkboard up above is perfect for putting a quote of the week to add more inspiration.
An old weathered and chippied bench sits under the window and holds my stack of vintage dictionaries, which I love to use when making banners and flags.

As I said, the room is still a work in progress, and will be fully completed in the next couple of weeks...and I'll be sharing ore details...including the fully organized walk in closet with a window.

Thank you Karen, and Jo, and everyone at Where Women Create, for hosting such a fun, fabulous contest and party!

Annual Summer Garden Tour!

 It's very nearly that time again. (Up here in the Pacific Northwest, we're still waiting for summer to arrive.) Mark July 16th on your calendars for the Annual Garden Tour. Let's all share our favorite outdoor spaces and flowers and veggies!
I for one, am quite anxious to share what I have done with my lower balcony...I am excited to say it's amazing what all can be done with not-so-much space!

Here's all you need to do to participate: Email me from my sidebar email button or type in my email address: (info@acottageindustry.com) and send one photo and a link to your blogpost and I will add you to the tour. Then, share the Garden Tour button on your blog along with a link to my blog here. The tour will be on Friday, July 16th....it will inspire us all, I am sure!

Cozying up the front porch.

 I am living in a town home these days, and I must tell you that I am surprised at just how much I like the town home lifestyle. No yard work, (Just caring for all of my flowers and herbs in pots!) a park like setting to enjoy...and I don't hear my neighbors through the walls, which was one of the things I had wondered about.

Another thing about town homes is that the outside of the homes are connected, so obviously, we are all the painted varying shades within the same same color scheme, and everyone's porches are very similar. I wanted to add some personality to my porch, and I started working on this project last weekend. After all, my front porch area is the first thing anyone sees when arriving to visit, and I want it to make a good first impression- a friendly, welcoming impression. I thought I'd share the "before" and "almost all the way after" pictures...

(I say "Almost all the way after" because I do have one more little project I am working on for the porch area, complete with a tutorial, which I will share as soon as it is complete!) In the meantime, I am happy with my progress on the porch so far.

Yet another peek at my booth space....and a furniture sale.

 I popped over to Camas Antiques yesterday afternoon to fluff things up a bit. (I could fluff things up every day...it's a great creative outlet for me.)

  I'll be going back down tonight after I get off from working at the bank to revamp things a bit more, and all of my furniture items are on sale from today through Fathers Day (June 20th) with a 20% off sale. (including  my furniture in the front window!)

I'll change things in my booth a little, and I'm going to change things up in the window as well....of course I will be sharing more pictures!

Weekly Words to Live By - Week 172

Bringing a child into the world is the greatest act of hope there is.

                                                                                                Louise Hart

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If you'd like to join me in sharing your own "Weekly Words to Live By", use the Mr. Linky tool below to link your blog post to this week's specific Words to live By post, and please remember to link back to this post here on Notes From A Cottage Industry.

Real food isn't usually blue.

...unless it's for a high school graduation party and the school colors are blue and green. Probably the second brightest cupcakes I have ever had a request to bake. (remember this order?)

Check me out on Where Women Create!

I am very honored and thrilled to be featured on the Where Women Create Blog today! Hop on over by clicking here ...and enter to win in the drawing! 

 Also, next week is the "Where Bloggers Create" annual blog party!  If you're interested in entering that one, it's time to get ready. (I'm entering my workspace too!) Click the link on my sidebar for details on that contest.

Have a fabulous Friday, and a glorious weekend, everyone!

An attempt at restoring order..and..the reason I cannot seem to get my act together.

 ...in the arena of organizing my home and my life, that is. I've decided it's not my fault. 

I'm thinking it's a female thing. (And they say identifying your problem is half the battle, right?) I honestly do not think men have this problem. Mmm hmmm, I think it's gender-related. 

I was rehashing and beating the topic half to death discussing this problem with my good friend Dona the other day, because she had boldly decided to clean out her make up drawer. (I know, it's a scary place for most of us girls) The discussion began when she called me and asked me to guess how many lipsticks she had unearthed in her make up arsenal. 

me: Ummm..ten?

her: Fourteen.

me: Well, I guess you're lips are set for the rest of your life then.

her: But this is ridiculous. I tried to get rid of some of them, but when I open one up I think, oh ya. I like that color. But do I wear them?! No. How many do you have?

me: Two. One in my purse, one in my teller drawer at the bank.

her: (short pause here) Oh. 

me: Just don't ask me how many brown eyeshadows I have. Please.

We discussed this topic for several more hours and came to the conclusion that it's part of being a girl. (We got all the good stuff- cramps, labor, menopause...) We're at the store and we can't remember if we have an item, (this situation is far more prevalent with girls old enough to receive a monthly issue of the AARP magazine I am noticing, now that I am one of them) or we're at home and we cannot find the item needed, or we are out shopping and we suddenly find ourselves buying a "new" shade of something (insert item here: nail polish, lipstick, eyeshadow, etc.) only to get home, open the item, and discover that:

a. We already had the item, in exactly the same color even. In the drawer it goes.

b. The item really isn't "us" but, we just opened the item and now we can't return it, so we feel the need to keep it in the drawer.

c. We are thrilled we bought the item, because we are sure that we must have been out of the item, since none seem to be in the house...and, a month later find the other bag-box-whatever of the said item.

Another case in point... after coming to the conclusion that most of Dona's lipsticks could in fact be donated to the Women's Shelter, she was on a roll, and set out to clean out the entire bathroom vanity. 

She texted me with a progress report about an hour later. It read:

"Apparently I am having a love affair with cotton. Cotton balls, cotton swabs..."

Oh. My. Gawd. I can so identify with that. I have the very same phenomenon going on in my vanity, only the products that appear to be reproducing durning the night at my home seems to be self tanning lotions and nail polish remover. (And, for the record, I  cannot remember the last time I polished my own nails)

It all got me thinking and I have decided that it comes down to organization. And, less is more. When there is order, we feel more at peace..and, more importantly...we can find things when we need them. I personally am sick to death of breaking out in a cold sweat each time anyone asks me if they can borrow my tape measure. I am here to tell you that those days are going to be gone for good from my soon to be organized life....that's my new plan anyway.

You know, I've already organized my sweet lil' dresser-turned-buffet in my great room, and I. am. loving. it. It's arranged perfectly, holding all of my anything-and-everything for my table settings, including place card holders, tea lights and matches to light them. I got rid of the table setting accessories that I hadn't used in ten or more years. (Pretty sure if I haven't used it since 1991 I am not ever going to use it.)

While it might sound like I am a complete goofball, organizing all of this somehow eliminates stress for me...and I think it looks so nice and tidy that I will occasionally go over and open a drawer to take a peek and marvel at my accomplishment...okay, that does make me sound like I am a goofball.

The bottom line here is that organizing the little buffet has inspired me to try to to restore order to all of the rooms of my home now. 

On the flip side of things....While items like nail polish remover and self tanning lotion seem to be multiplying at night in the vanity cupboard, other items disappear without so much as a goodbye-it's-been-real...mainly rubbermaid lids. Or bottoms, but never from the same size combo. What is up with that?

A sweet baby boy, so fresh from God, for us to love.

Meet my grandson, Bronson Cole Buxton. He made his appearance on Tuesday around noon-time, weighing in at 6.3 pounds of perfect-ness, and 18 and a half inches long.

Oh, how my heart melts just looking at the photographs of this precious new one. I cannot wait to kiss those cheeks and hold him in person! 

Having breakfast with someone special.

 Me.

Yup, it's all about living a charmed life on a shoestring, and actually using the good stuff. Feeling special. Everyday.

I was reading my sweet friend Carol's blog last week, (I love her style, her photography, and the fact that she is such a real and genuinely nice person, don't you?) and I absolutely fell in love with a table scape she had created  for a luncheon for some friends. I especially loved her wicker trays she used as chargers under her plates. Oh, how I coveted them!

Not in my budget, (Around $5 each, and you had to buy 8 of them, plus there would be a shipping charge...) but I couldn't quit thinking about them. Then, while out thrifting, (at the Vancouver Goodwill...) I ran across some very similar basket trays, priced at just 99 cents each!...okay, so hers are square and dark and mine are round and light, but still....the very same concept. I grabbed 'em up, and I'm breaking one of them in today at breakfast. Look how great the handle works as a napkin ring....
I usually have the same thing each morning....vanilla yogurt, (with almond vanilla granola) a banana and a hot cocoa. (which I usually eat standing over the sink while Moose peers around the corner into the kitchen hoping for some crumb to fall to the floor.) Not today. Today I am going to enjoy a leisurely breakfast with myself, sitting at my charming little table, listening to Norah Jones latest CD, watching the rain fall, and thinking about all of my lil' grandbabies. (Pictures coming of sweet, sweet brand new Bronson Cole...gosh, it's hard when they live in another state!)

*sigh* I think I could get used to doing breakfast this way.

(I've added this post to Tablescape Thursdays...)

A shameless Gramma brag post camouflaged as a trip to the Dog park. (edited ending!)

 We've had some unGodly number of rainy days here in the Pacific Northwest recently...anyway, that's what the weathermen here keep saying. (I can't say as it has bothered me, as I am still just so happy to be living up here, and call me crazy, but...I am rather fascinated by the sudden torrential downpours.) 

Anyway.

The sun peeked out from behind the clouds yesterday afternoon, just as I was getting off work from the bank (I was working this kind of weird lunch coverage shift...) and so I ran home, changed clothes and gathered up Moose and his ball thrower-thing-a-ma-jig. Then, we met up with Carter, his Mama and his Auntie at our favorite Dog Park to take full advantage of this glorious weather. 

Needless to say, Moose had a fabulous time, and Carter was pretty impressed with all of the different dogs. 

He liked watching Auntie Lindsey and Moose play with the tennis ball... 

 

 
 

...so much fun!  

(Thanks for indulging me once again.) 

***My newest grandbaby is due today,(arriving by C-section) and if you're so inclined, say a little prayer that everything goes smoothly!***

*EDITED**EDITED**EDITED**EDITED**EDITED*

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. Grand baby number three arrived safely and he is beautiful! Both Mama and baby are doing great...I'll be sharing pictures shortly, but here is a lil' teaser from his nursery....

  
 
 

An epiphany in a packing box.

 I had one of those Oprah "Aha!" moments last night. 

I moved into my new place last December, and I have yet to finish unpacking. Mmm hmm. I still have boxes of..stuff. It's my china, crystal and craft supplies mostly, but still, in many ways I feel like (and certain parts of my home look like) I just moved in last week, and I am not sure why this is so. 

Packing boxes  (full of office junk, and crafty supplies) form a giant pyramid in my workroom. (Yes, yes, the room that I have been trying to get situated for more than a month now...ya, that room.) Still more boxes are stashed out of sight in the armoire in my great room, full of my Grandmother's china and crystal.

It's ridiculous.

So......Last night I decided to do something about it. (Um...at 9:05 to be exact.) I mean, life is short. I need to live where I live, and enjoy the things I have...right now. (I realize as I type this, that to many of you, this makes sense, but you'd probably wait until morning to begin tackling this project.)

Whatever. Potato, Pototto.

Right then and there I opened a large box of china and carefully unwrapped each piece, stacking them on the counter. As I looked at the dishes I wondered why it had taken me so long. I love these dishes. They remind me of my Grandma. Of holiday meals as a kid, helping to set the table, and washing the plates by hand after the meal. Memories of meals on this china with my own family, when my kids were young, and even a couple of years back, when everyone was home for Easter together.  

I have missed out on using these dishes for eight months now.

Not to sound all sappy...or smarmy...but....It occurred to me that, especially in this sagging economy, when many of us are on tighter budgets, we need to make every day special. Instead of looking at what we can't buy, or can't do....We need to appreciate more. We need to appreciate the people in our lives. We need to appreciate what we already have. We need to use the good stuff. 

Because it reminds you of someone you love.

Because it's Monday. 

Because it makes you smile. 

Because....because there's no point in saving things for "special occasions". Every day is special.

Weekly Words to Live By - Week 171

 Take chances, take a lot of them. Because, honestly, no matter where you end up, and with whom, it always ends up just the way it should be. Your mistakes make you who you are. You learn and grow with each choice you make. Everything is worth it. Say how you feel, always. Be you, and be okay with it.

                                                                                              -Unknown

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If you'd like to join me in sharing your own "Weekly Words to Live By", use the Mr. Linky tool below to link your blog post to this week's specific Words to live By post, and please remember to link back to this post here on Notes From A Cottage Industry.

Revamped window display.

 With July 4th right around the corner, I've added a splash of color to the window at Camas Antiques...take a lil' look-see..... 
 

A foofy red petticoat adds some charm...
 Same bed, different bedding....

 Photographing from outside the window is such a challenge, but here is my attempt. (See my Freedom banner across the window???)

 If you'd like to get my kit to make your very own Freedom Banner, see my previous post from earlier today.

Freedom with a vintage feel.

 Can you believe that Independence Day will be here a month from today? I swear, the older I get, the faster time flies.

I spent yesterday revamping the window at Camas Antiques with a patriotic feel, in shades of reds, blues and creams. (I'll add pictures of the banner in the window as soon as I get the sample  banner hung...after I go thrifting this morning!)
  I was feeling crafty last night, so I added some of my Freedom Banners, and I decided to make a new online kit so you can print your very own banners on your computer as well. Simply order the kit through PayPal and I'll get it emailed to you in no time at all....

Click here to order your five dollar Freedom Banner!

There's no doubt about it. She's my little acorn.....

 
 ...or is it a nut? Oh, you know what I mean.

When you have children, you can actually see yourself in them sometimes. In the way they move their eyebrows when they smile, or the fact that they always make a huge mess while doing a project. Or that they can tell (and write) a good story. Or that they have to have ketchup on their eggs. (Okay, so none of my kids inherited that trait from me. I'm alone in that one.)

When you have more than one child, you'll see yourself in different ways in each of them. While I'm proud to share that all three of my babes have at least a passing interest in thrifting, (My girls a bit more so than my son, although he's been known to hit the garage sale trail too.) my first born inherited the over-the-top-I-can-spot-a-diamond-in-the-rough-a-mile-away gene from moi. Truth be told, she's better at than I am. She's like a Junk Whisperer. Seriously.

She'll be at home and an uncontrollable urge comes over her and she'll head out to the thrift shops to dig around and see what she can find. It's pretty amazing, and some of my best booth items ever have been scored by my sassy-little-cardiac-critical-care-nurse-turned-maniacal-junker. If you don't believe me, check out her blog post here. (She's just started a blog, and I think she's pretty hilarious, even if I am her Mama. Please hop on over and leave her a comment to welcome her to the blog world!)

Oh yeah, she's definitely my little acorn.

My only Man of the Hour.

 Thank you all so very much for the hugs and love and words of encouragement yesterday. (and the FaceBook Pirate translation, Kelly!) I continue to be amazed at the friendships and sense of family here in the Blog world.  

Have you heard this song yet? (Click here for a listen. Or click here for the lyrics.) Norah knows a thing or two about matters of the heart. And men. 

All I know is....Moose, you are my only man of the hour. I love you to the moon and back.

Life lessons in matters of the heart.

I hadn't planned on sharing this. I mean, it's personal.

But then, it occurred to me that things being personal has never stopped me before. I have already shared a whole lot of pretty personal stories with you. And writing things down always seems to help to un-muddy them in my mind. And....I somehow already shared my "Status change" with the entire FaceBook online world on my personal FaceBook page (Wall?) without realizing it.(Imagine my horror when I discovered that boo boo) So...I may as well share the end of a story, since I already shared a beginning.

Well then. Where to start.

I am on the rather slow side in entering the dating world, experiencing what most girls experience in their high school and college age years, in my early fifties. That is to say (and I have shared this before, here) that I had really not done any dating in my life other than the one guy that I married, until last fall, when I made my move to the Pacific Northwest.

Anyway.

Over the past several months so many of you have commented and emailed me privately asking about Bob and how things were going. (Yes, yes, I know, it's very much like a big family here in Blogland, and that is what I love so much about it.)  As I said in the beginning of this post, I really hadn't planned to do a post on this topic, but since I managed to bungle things up on FaceBook yesterday, I will. 

The latest update in my not so ordinary life is that I'm back to being a single girl. Nothing hideous or terribly dramatic, but...sad, especially after I re-read my post from last fall and relived those blissfully happy moments of a budding relationship. I've learned that it is hard, even when you are the one making the decision to end things and move forward. I've cried a small lake of tears, my heart is banged up with a few new scars, and I have that all too familiar and unwelcome feeling in the pit of my stomach, but I do not for one moment regret that I took the risk with my heart, putting myself out there, sharing my soul and roasted brussel sprouts.  

I do know that I will be fine, letting time and God heal things, and I pray that things go well for him as he moves forward too. Whether friends or family thought he was or wasn't the guy for me, I wouldn't have traded these past few months for anything.