Nature's Provision, An Engagement, Easter, and a New Reno

Abbie is the quintessential "cool aunt." When she is around, everyone else moves to the status of "chopped liver."

For three days last week I was officially housebound.

No, I wasn't sick or injured (thankfully!). No, I wasn't emotionally distraught to the point I didn't wanna leave home (although I remember that being the case at least once in the past, eek!). The simple truth is this: I loaned my wheels to my youngest who was in town for a visit. She flew in Monday night and then promptly took a three-day trek to her old college town of Valdosta, Georgia to visit her bestie, whom she hasn't seen in quite some time. And my little red car was her mode of transport to what I'll lovingly refer to as the "town down under." If you aren't familiar with the southernmost mile of Georgia where you'll find Valdosta, I'm not surprised. What is there really in Valdosta other than the university? Well, I mean, besides lots of wonderful people. It's the last good-sized city before you cross the state line into Florida and I remember the heat I felt upon making a restroom stop there as a child on our way to Daytona Beach. There we were, flying down Interstate 75 in our 68 Chevy BelAir with the windows down. There was no such thing as A/C in our cars back then and during the summer we became accustomed to the sweat and stickiness that went along with a trip to the shore; it was just part of it. We didn't miss the A/C because we'd never had it. We also napped in the floorboard half the time (with no seatbelts) and hung out the window the rest of the time trying to catch a breeze (again, no belts!). There was a definite rising of the thermometer between Atlanta and this lower destination. The city of Valdosta wasn't the end of the world but I was sure you could see it from there. 

So I was quite thankful to have a day to hunker down, do a little cooking for family coming over for dinner and catch up on some reading and resting, because the last few months have been hectic. I've given mother nature the credit for this chunk of time to re-wind because it was made even more pleasurable by the storm she sent through this area last week and, other than the power blinking off a few times and the leak that sprung around the electrical switch in my bedroom, it was quite the gift. It was a perfect three days for staying in, contemplating, and just pretending to be stuck because your car is in South Georgia at the moment. Of course, the hubs works in town, my other daughter within a 20-minute drive, I have stores within walking distance, and a few friends who just might rescue me in a heartbeat if asked. And then there's always Uber. I always forget about Uber. But I won't tell you any of that. I kinda enjoyed that I was "stuck inside" for the better of three days. It was just what I needed, and I had a great big fat excuse for doing it!

Since work on the renovation has been completed and the waiting game (for a buyer) has begun, and we haven't yet finalized our next reno adventure, I must admit I have felt a bit lost. I've gone from "Oh, my gosh, how will I ever get it all done today," to "Uh, how can I best use this down time that I now have?" Because I know it won't last forever. But sometimes good timing has a way of being on your side, and Abbie came into town at a time when I could actually just sit back and visit without being pulled between work and downtime. Which brings me to some very good news! My youngest daughter has just become engaged to a wonderful man, and now we are in the "process" of beginning to plan a wedding! While she was in town we had a couple of days to start the hunt for the perfect dress. I dream of the days when me and my two girls can do lunch and work in a little shopping, so it was literally a dream come true. I am so very thankful that both of my girls and my son have now found a life partner who will be by their side and walk with them on this journey we call life. It can be hard sometimes without a soulmate.   

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Uh, someone thought she was indeed a princess and was in a prim and proper state for much of the fitting...

...but couldn't contain herself as the reality of true princess attire kicked in!

"The ring!" Abbie's fiance had this customed designed by an artisan in Israel...teardrop set in rose gold!

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Back to mother nature, this week looks like it's heating up again, and lots of sunshine (and probably humidity as well) is in the future for the Atlanta area. Which is fine by me, because it just doesn't seem like Easter when it's rainy and cool. But if you know me, you know that I never get excited about warm weather's return until after Easter. I've found too many times that the last bout of coolness always comes right before Easter and then it's time for the true bringing in of the season! Easter is a time of hope, new beginnings, and the ability to look to the future with a chance for doing things better, feeling more inspired, and eating that last chunk of divine chocolate before having to think about swimsuit season. It is a time for embracing the hope that is still so prevalent today. Even though the news is a constant bearer of the bad in the world, hope is a strong force indeed and might lay low for a time, but has a way of surfacing again just when you need it. Thank God for hope.

So I "hope" your Easter will be full of the promise of the first Easter so many years ago. May your weather be sunny, your brides be full of hope for the future, and your renovations be challenging...which brings me to yet another surprise...

During the writing of this blog post, we have finalized a purchase for our next renovation. Now, I (once gain) don't allow myself to be completely excited because I know all too well how a deal can fall apart at the closing table. But if all goes well, our next reno is literally right around the corner. I know, I know, I've thought we were there before, but this one looks like a sure thing. Here's a sneak peek.

This will be our oldest (!!) renovation to date. This house is 125 years old! Have we lost our minds? Maybe, but renovating an old house has been on my bucket list for a while now. So one more thing I can scratch off my bucket list before I go to my "eternal home." That is, if this one doesn't send me there in the process!

Happy Easter, and may all your dreams come true!

No matter how chaotic it is, wildflowers will still spring up in the middle of nowhere.
- Sheryl Crow