The times, they are a chang'in

Tom and I are about to change our lives again--and so are my parents. Since they are both in declining health    decisions had to be made. It's becoming increasingly difficult for dad to handle everything without help, mainly my mother's decline. After talking and praying and much deliberation and struggle, dad has decided to move he and mom in with Tom and I.
I can't say it's not without mixed emotions on my part. Caring for Granny was one thing--these are my parents. When the time comes that they pass--if it's here at the house,I'm sure that will be a totally different story than it was with Granny. It was a very emotional time for Granny so..........
Then, I'll be quitting my job. Now, I'm not one that feels I must work to define myself, but I must admit that I feel a certain amount of loss. I have clients that I've been with for a couple yrs. and we have become friends they look forward to my company. Fro one, it seems like they're just making some very good strides towards some healing  and I would hate to think it would set them back by my leaving. That's just the way it can go in healthcare.
Yet, I have to stop and think that there's no greater privilege than to care for my parents and give them all the comfort and dignity that I possibly can. Are there going to be rough spots in the road? You bet! Will I get tired? Of course! Will they miss their former life? In a lot of ways, yes! I would be a fool to think it's going to be a cake walk and all will be sunshine and roses. I know that will not be the case. So, I'll ask for God's grace, courage and strength every day--not just for me , but for Tom, mom and dad as well.
Tom has been so gracious to allow this to happen. He's understanding in the fact that he knows the burden will mostly be on me and he wants to make sure I'm up to it. He'll be there to help as he can, but work doesn't stop for him.
Well--that means the guest bedroom is about to get an overhaul! Tom's going to raise the floor first. Well--second! First we have to remove everything from the room then remove the carpet. Presently, the floor steps down into the room. For safety it has to be raised. Then, since there will be a new floor we'll have to put new tile down, then paint. All this needs to be done in about 2wks. :} Not to mention other changes that need to be done to insure their safety and comfort. It's all good!
Any prayers sent up for us in the midst of all this change would be greatly appreciated!
One plus is that since I'll be home more, maybe I can get some smaller projects done!
Have a happy day!

Think, think, think!

That seems to be what I do a lot when it comes to a room makeover. I guess that's good , but it seems I have a very hard time coming to a final choice on how it needs to look when done.Then, there's the problem of bringing it all together! If our daughter was here I know it would all get done a lot quicker!
Anyway, all of that to say---I think I have a real and viable plan for the guest bedroom! At the present time I have my desk in the living room--and I'm not liking it. So, today I got the bright idea that I could double the use of the bedroom and add an office area!. I even feel like I have a good plan that will look very nice and organized when I'm done.
Later, I'll post some before/after pics and maybe you'll give me some feedback?
So--here I go--hoping for a very pleasing outcome!

One thing leads to another

The making of the upstairs laundry area has certainly lead to other changes. Because it had to done! Our living room was/is a giant MESS!!

We're trying to remedy that tonight--well--as much as possible.......

Tom has been sweet about helping and understanding the NEED to rearrange!:} As you see, there are a lot of things that still need to find their home, but I think we're gonna like it. It certainly gives the room a different feel. The rug in front of the couch was a find--only $4.00! The colors are perfect- * sigh *--I'm so happy I found it.
Once this mess is cleaned and the room is finished I'll post a couple 'finished product' pics. Oh, the laundry area is really taking shape, too. I must admit--I'm excited !!

New laundry room

So---Tom and I have discussed moving the washer and dryer upstairs for some time now. We thought we'd sell our set, buy a stackable set and putting it in the small closet area in what is (was) my office area. After thinking some more and actually looking at stackables and even calling about a set, we decided we'd just save the money and redo the office area into the laundry area. Now, I admit, it will be a bit awkward in some ways, but well, we'll work with it. So, Tom has run the plumbing and will be laying some of the flooring today---hoping to have the washer hooked up tonight. I must say, I'm looking forward to having it upstairs! The steps to the basement are steep. Steep as in I go down sideways :} That plus lugging the baskets up and down can tend to be a bit of a pain. Tom, sweet man that he is, didn't want me having to do that anymore.
Anyhow, these are some in progress pics. I'll post some more later as we move along in this.

The office area now. For now, the unit on top is staying. It may change in appearance later.
The rest of the pics will come as soon as google gives me the option to upload from my computer!

Finally! Here's the construction in full swing.

Goodwill Outlet

Goodwill Outlet------a fun place to shop------if you don't mind digging and can overlook the rudeness and poor behavior of a lot of the shoppers!

I happen to enjoy the digging part--the rude people?--not so much. I've found some relly nice deals there. Lately, I've found some retro things : kitchenware, dolls and just some neat items. I've posted some pics here showing a few of the items.

 

 The 3 spice tins are for Hannah--she needed some more and I found these 3 in perfect condition.

 The 2 taller beauties are mad to grace an old soap bottle. The smaller one is just older with a cute dress.

This is one of my favorite finds! I had looked into purchasing one some time ago, but I didn't want to spend that much money. (did I ever mention I'm frugal!) :}  Well, it did cross my mind that I might just see one at the outlet some day and Tues. was that day! It's in very good conditiona and I got it for $3.00! I checked Amazon and they're selling used for around 164.00. Ebay has them from 40 something and up to about 60-70. Either way, I'd say it's a good deal! Guess what kind of goodies folks are getting this year!

WINTER!

This year I'm using snowmen and snowflakes to decorate for winter! I can keep it up all season and I must say, I'm liking it. Even Tom thinks it's "really pretty" :} 

 I have one more set of branches to spray paint and add on the rt. side, but I think it's looking very pretty.

This cutie came from the GW outlet--as does most of my finds. I think he's adorable and he greets us when we come home!
I have also found some neat retro things just recently that I'll show later. I'm thinking I may try to sell them on Ebay or in Etsy--haven't decided. GW outlet CAN be addictive, but it's also a lot of fun when you're looking for things to be creative .

updates and re-do's

Been quite some time since I've updated but, well--now I have something to share! Hannah and the grand-babies have been here since the 7th. Nathanael was able to be with us for about a week-too short. Tom and I have thoroughly enjoyed spending time with them. We all wish Aaron would have been here too--that would have made the joy complete.
Well, with their visits things have come and gone and 'new life' has come to a few pieces of furniture.  First off, Nathanael bought his dad a nice gas grill for an early Father's day gift. He broke it in by grilling steak and pork chops for all of us, including Doug and Meghan Beck. Doug saute'd peppers and onions to go along with the meat then seasoned potatoes finished off the spread. Good and tasty!
Earlier that same day, Nate and Doug installed a few more cabinets and a temporary counter in the kitchen for me. Tom had installed several cabinets a few days before but, hadn't gotten time to do the other section. Needless to say--even though it's all temporary--I'm very happy to have a functioning kitchen with storage!!!!!
Hannah is our own personal interior decorator! She has helped me in the updating of the living room, adding a real 'office' space and updating the patio set that I was going to sell. It has all turned out very well and we're liking it.
We used the space outside the kitchen door to plant some lettuce and pansey's. It will eventually be a porch area but, since it was ugly and vacant, Hannah suggested we try to beautify the space.
I was also going to have to remove the hutch from the kitchen and thought I'd like to use the bottom in the living room. I didn't know what to do with the top. Since we had discussed the idea of an 'office' space, the idea hit her to paint and mount the top over Granny's (painted) dressing table. It all works wonderfully!
Otherwise-- we're doing ok. Spring is here at the cabin and we've lot's of projects on the 'to do' list for this spring and summer. We'll see how many actually get completed ;

 The before of the hutch. Tom hated to see it painted but, since it was no longer going to be a part of the kitchen he accepted it ;] He's actually liking the transformation. The bottom is not quite complete and is in the living room so, I'll post pics of that later.

 The after of the hutch top as well as Granny's dressing table-redone. She would have choked to know this was done but, I think she would have liked the result. The background is not complete--just staged for now. Painted a wicker chair I had that fits the desk perfectly.

 The ugly unused space in front that will be a porch area next summer--we hope!

Before of the patio set. Nice but, rather boring. Hannah's first thought was to use a nice yellow but, she decided black would be better and the material for the seats was some that I had liked for quite a while so, it all worked out well. The result is very pretty!

Hope you're having as much fun at your place as we are at ours! It's rewarding and fun to change things up a bit and reuse what's on hand without spending a lot of the green stuff!