Beginnings: Slowing Down

My body always tells me when I need to slow down. Often it is not the time I want to slow down. I went on a tear last week-end on my extreme home office makeover. I am feverishly trying to wind down the semester at school with paperwork to organize, tests to write, and essays to read. I sometimes forget my limits.

Yesterday about noon I began to realize my limits. I started to feel ill then. I stayed and made it through the day, but ended up in bed for a long nap when I returned home. I thought that would do it. When I got up I realized I was sicker than I thought. My body was telling me something. I decided to listen.

After a day of light food, lots of sleep, tea, and TLC I am not healed yet. I am going to listen to my body again and slow down for another day. In this case, rest is what I need.

Beginnings: Home Office Makeover, Part 1

 

I started weeks ago dreaming about how I wanted my home office to be redone. I didn't want to spent a lot of money. I also didn't want to do much painting. I spent lots of time on Pinterest getting inspired with home office ideas. I looked at magazines and color chips. As I said a few days ago, I knew I wanted something different. I said good-bye to the pink. I said hello to a lovely combination of brown and green for accents and left the walls a light peach color. Everett figured out how to spray paint in the cold weather. He converted some old cardboard striped shoe cuppbies  to a rich brown set for the room. I rearranged the room, and added different furniture. This is a preview of what I did first. More to come!!

 

Beginnings: New Year, New Blooms

When the welcome sun appeared yesterday afternoon I grabbed my camera and headed for the greenhouse. It is difficult in winter to capture the beauty of this room because it is usually dark when I leave and dark when I return each day during the work week. 

I took full advantage of the light yesterday and surrounded myself with the smells of rich dirt and scented geranium leaves. I also love the earthy feel of clay pots as they sit waiting for propagated plants.

I was pleasantly surprised by the blooms that had appeared on the jade plant. It only happens once a year, but is well worth the wait.

I couldn't believe the impatients have survived through the winter. These tender plants not only survived, but are blooming! I see the sun coming up again today. I think today would be a perfect time to try my new tripod in the greenhouse!

Beginnings: Life Unplugged

It was frutstrating during the thirty-six hours without the internet. I still don't know what caused the big outage in our area. It was also a blessing. I am undertaking a big redo,revise,repaint,redesign project that involves a makeover of the home office, cupboard reorganzation, a pantry move, and the taking down of all things holiday for another year. I am using green and brown as accent colors in the home office.... I think. I never know for sure until I see how it works!!

It was a productive day, but frustrating when I wanted to see pictures again of the room arrangement I liked online or wanted to see another idea on Pinterest for organization of a closet.I survived! Above I am creating a new craft corner in our "Annie Room". The dog graciously allowed me to have this beautiful, sunny corner to set up shop.

 

Beginnings: Baby Steps

When we strive to make changes in our lives, whether it be simplifying, getting things in order, or redecorating a room we need to be cautious of not taking on too much. In magazines the order and decor looks all glossy and neat. It looks like a morning project. The real test comes when a person takes on the task. I am reminded to take baby steps. Getting overwhelmed is not going to help the cause. I will take baby steps and break down the tasks. I will keep you posted how it goes!

Simplicity

“Beauty of style and harmony and grace and good rhythm depend on simplicity.” – Plato