 A selfie with my mini me (albeit it with dark hair and eyes!) As I stand perpetually perched at the starting line in our most recent renovation project, I feel as though there might not be a really good reason for me to even enter the scene until we have the finish line fully in view (well, except to make sure everything is being done right!). To me, the jobsite looks literally the same in recent days as it did a month ago and, even though I know differently, it feels as if we once again are trudging through the mud in flip flops, doing all the boring necessary work that makes me wait, wait, wait to see my designs come into actual reality. I can see the end result; I just can't touch it quite yet. Or not even nearly touch it yet, to be exact. I have clear visions early on in every project, but I always have to wait to see them materialize. And if you know me at all, you know that I do not like to wait. We know that waiting teaches patience and patience is a virtue, so I guess I'm not very virtuous. How many times do I say that? Too many, ugh. But regardless of how much it feels as though it's dragging along, this renovation continues to move forward at a steady pace. There are so many if's, and's, and but's in a renovation project and, in such an old house, there are issues that come up you need to resolve that you didn't even know you were gonna have. Hence, the core work of the infrastructure that one day will be unseen but is completely necessary -- the shoring up, the bringing to code, the re-doing, the re-surfacing and all the other "re's" that come along with renovating a house that is 125 years old. Now, if you talked to my hubby and son-in-law and brother, they would be all too glad to show you the back-breaking work they've accomplished in the last six weeks. They have demoed and cleaned up enough debris to fill a garbage dumpster (and they did). They have also removed enough old wood to literally build another house! This wood will be reassembled on walls and ceilings, used for shelving, used to patch holes, and even become floors in some parts of the house. Studs are being "ripped" and set into place to receive drywall, but no wood will be hidden behind said drywall. Nope, that is a given. Drywall will be used in the bedrooms to break up the massive amount of wood in this house but, unlike the fifties-something drywall that was added, the fresh new drywall will NOT hide beautiful wood! The demo crew has uncovered yet another old brick fireplace and my mind is reeling with the possible ways I can make this fireplace functional in the bedrooms, making them modern but respecting their past. In the meantime, as the demo crew continues to impress with the many hours of moving and rearranging of antique wood, the electrical is also being completely redone, and plans are being made to begin plumbing work soon. This week all new windows are going in and for this I am totally excited! I am a big window girl, and you cannot have too many windows in my book. Natural light is a must in my mind and windows bring light. You know those modern lofts that are one side all windows? That's what I'm talking about! (but not for this house) This little house that was once a humble 19th century home is very dark. But even though I am trying to protect every bit of original character I am able in order to preserve this house's humble roots, the plans are to maximize the light by opening up rooms and using lots of white that will reflect any and all light that comes in. Light is life, right?!! Recently a fun little fact about this house was discovered and, even though I will not reveal that secret quite yet, it has triggered some inspiration that will honor this home's history in a big way. I can't wait to share! So while I am biding my time and just making periodic check-in's on the project, I've taken to a wee bit of travel. I went to the North Georgia mountains for a few days with the bestie where I ate some amazing food and did a lot of -- well, nothing, of course! I more recently returned from a visit to see my youngest out in Texas to attempt the third leg of a search for the perfect wedding dress (hence, the three+ weeks since my last post). It is always fun to visit Texas and add a few more experiences to my repertoire of Tex-Mex culture. But, alas, waiting again held me in its grasp as both my flights to and from Houston were delayed. But no matter the trouble it takes to get there, I am always glad that I went and getting a couple of days with my girl is always worth the effort. I always seem to manage to bring home a small treasure from her studio and little by little I'm amassing a collection of Boxsparrow fine ceramic pieces. She is an amazing artist and I am so proud of that little chickadee. She always shows her mama a good time, and reassures me that all is well as she speeds down the crazy Houston interstates in her little Honda at what seems like warp speed and me hanging on for dear life. Lord, help us all! And even though I feel I'm still standing with my freshly-pedicured toes perched impatiently at the start line and they feel as though they will never be able to take off in a mad sprint, I know it's just a matter of time before the gun sounds and I'm off again, doing what I do to make this little house a home for someone out there. Eventually the baton will be passed to me, and I will take off like a mad woman with paint, finishes, tile, appliances, a gallon or two of good cleaner, and all kinds of "purdy stuff." And I imagine at the same time I'll most likely be screaming "WAIT, HOLD ON A SEC, SLOW DOWN A BIT, I NEED A BREAK!" Bring it on, baby! I am so ready.
 This is my latest treasure from Boxsparrow Studio...a tiny bud vase with a narrow white-glazed neck and a touch of gold; the body was left natural...more where this comes from at abbiepreston.com or visit her on Instrgram @boxsparrow “Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.”
- Aristotle (Couldn't have said it better myself, Ari)
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