That Which Does Not Kill Us Makes Us Stronger

My Dear Friends,

I owe all of you a sincere apology for not blogging in the past month.  However, my life has changed so much in just a matter of a few days.  So much so that it is truly impossible for me to even explain in words.  The same week that the refrigerator and air conditioner all were struck by lightning at  my house back in  June, my dear step-father (who was my father in my heart) was placed at the Hospice House because his fight with cancer was nearing it's end.  Just a few short days later, he lost that battle, leaving a huge hole in our hearts forever.

My children have never known another grandfather other than him, and he is responsible for our lives being what they are today.  One day soon I will post the eulogy I wrote for his funeral that details how he affected my life.  It's still very painful right now, but it is important to know that I would never have gone to college or done half of the things I have done in my life if it had not been for him and his influence on me.  He was always the very best grandfather to my children, and we will forever hold his memory in our hearts.  We love and miss you, PaPa, very, very much. 

My mother has come to live with us because at 80, she is not able to stay by herself any longer.  So, there have been many adjustments around my home in the last few weeks.  We are making it, but it is day by day.  Every day we get a little better.  We watched Steel Magnolias together the other night, and it definitely brought healing and comfort. 

In the midst of all this craziness, I have continued to work and have been moving my mother out of her home.  What a task that was!  Several times I thought I was trapped on the "Hoarders" show.  LOL!!

Even with all of this craziness, I have been thinking about fall decoarting, and I have "tweaked" a few things in the kitchen.  My mother has given me several tubs of her old silver that she was not using any longer, and she also handed down to me my great-grandfather's dough bowl, a couple of churns, an antique crock, and some other pieces.  To make it feel more like home to her at my house, I have changed some things around to incorporate her things and mine. 

I'm not finished with my silver tray collection wall YET, but here's the start of it....I have my plans for my fall display below it, and I can't get that out of my head!!  So, this will do **for now** until I can get the items I need!

I'm loving the blingbling the silver trays give to my walls!  I did this how I do all my power decorating....in the middle of the night!  When my mother woke up the next morning, she said, "WOW!  I heard you beating and banging around in here, but I had no idea THAT's what you were doing.  Who knew I had all those trays!!"

I decided to spread the love around the other side of the room, too, and I changed my buffet as well as the wall beside it. 

Here's a closer look at the tea set.  I didn't polish it on purpose.  I LOVE the look of tarnished silver.  Looking back through my old Pottery Barn catalogs, I have noticed that they like it, too.  So..... if tarnished silver is good enough for  PB, then it is SURELY good enough for me!  HAHAHA!

Did you notice my leopard print tray back there?  ALWAYS gotta have my leopard print somewhere in the room.  LOL!!  Here's a closer look at my tea set.

If you look closely into the mirror, you can see the reflection of the silver tray display wall.  LOVE it at night time especially.  The best part is, my new look has made my mother very happy and hasn't cost anything other than a little rearranging and a few more plate hangers.

Hard to believe that these two tubs were in the BACK of her garage underneath a TON of other tubs/boxes just last week. 

My decorating therapy has certainly helped me these last few weeks.  I'm hoping my mother gets her love for decorating back as well.  My dad was sick for over twenty years, and she has worn herself down taking such good care of him all of this time.  Please pray for her a renewed spirit and comfort.

I promise I won't be gone for very long.  I'm getting back on track now.  How I have missed blogging!!!!  I have still been spying on you gals, though!!  Thanks for inspiring me to get back on the horse again. 

Love to all!!!