A Day in the Life

20 Home Design Features That Send Buyers Running!

2009-10-07T23:18:00.004-04:00

Today's post is taken from "Styled, Staged, and Sold." It is an article written by Architecture Coach columnist and guest blogger Barbara Ballinger.

"Design glitches draw attention away from a home’s best features. Don’t let out-of-date fixtures and unappealing decor cost you a sale. While some buyers may actually appreciate “vintage” features, home and design experts say these 20 features almost always serve as a turnoff.

1. Dated and excessively bold or dark paint and tile colors, such as “Pepto Bismol” pink, avocado green, deep plum, or jet black. “Dark can be cool, but it has to be a color that’s popular today,” says sales associate Jennifer Ames, crs®, of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Chicago.

2. Lacquered or high-gloss painted walls that are expensive to repaint and show all defects. Likewise, faux- and sponge-painted walls can be so passe.

3. Painted trim that’s very dark-and costly to remove.

4. Wallpaper, which is a lot of work (and potentially expensive) to remove. Most disliked: Dated flowered or striped patterns.

5. Kitchens that lack any dining space. Also, outdated, small-scale, and dirty kitchen appliances that look like they won’t perform.

6. Worn, cracked laminate countertops, and backsplashes or plastic cultured marble.

7. Outdated bathrooms with small sinks, short toilets, squatty bathtubs, and tight showers-all of which aren’t conducive to unwinding after a long day’s work, says Ames.

8. Lack of ample closet space in bedrooms, or no closet at all and no place to build one or add an armoire.

9. Dens, libraries, and family rooms without built-in bookcases or a space to include shelves.

10. Stained and worn wall-to-wall carpet in rooms or on stairs. Worst choice: shag. Also, worn linoleum that suggests a house was never updated.

11. Poorly built additions that don’t blend with a home’s architecture, such as a sunroom with tinted glass.

12. Shortage of windows or very small windows, which makes a home feels dark and gloomy.

13. Ceilings with so many recessed lighting spots that they resemble Swiss cheese and are expensive to remove. Worst offenders: big 6-inch diameter lights.

14. Too many rooms outside the kitchen and bathroom that have cold ceramic tiled floors.

15. Children’s bedrooms with a theme that runs through the carpeting, wallpaper, murals, ceilings, light fixtures, curtains, and furnishings.

16. Homes without a foyer or garage.

17. Too many mirrored walls, ceilings, doors, and backsplashes in a single room. The effect is dizzying, Ames says. One mirror magnifies, but many cheapen the look.

18. Skimpy molding and trim, such as 1-inch baseboards.

19. Noisy, grinding fan in a bathroom that’s attached to a light switch so it can’t be turned off.

20. Inexpensive gold-colored light fixtures in any room. Also, Hollywood-style lighting with huge bulbs in a bathroom is also out of date, design experts say."

New Colors Trends!

2009-10-05T08:36:00.003-04:00

Are you interested in refreshing your indoor spaces now that you will be spending more time there? Choosing a new paint color is the most budget-friendly way to redecorate your rooms! Enjoy this article from HGTV.com to see what the new color trends will be for the year to come....what's hot and what's not!

http://www.hgtv.com/decorating/color-trends-whats-new-whats-next/index.html

Have a great week!

Open House! Sunday, August 9, 2-4pm.

2009-08-09T12:32:00.003-04:00

4904 Hwy 126, Blountville, TN

You won't want to miss this opportunity to tour this cute, cozy yet spacious home! Its young owners have lovingly and fashionably updated this 4 bedroom, 2 bath home so that it sets just the right mood! There is a large fenced backyard with two outbuildings, one is even wired for electricity...a perfect shop for the new owners!
$128,000.

Come visit the Open House and make an offer. This is an opportunity that you shouldn't miss!

Don't forget if you are a first-time home buyer, you qualify for the "$8000" tax credit if you close before November 30, 2009!

New Listings!

2009-07-15T18:55:00.002-04:00

I have just listed two really great properties in the last week!

One is a fairly new home in a popular subdivision that feeds into a brand new elementary school. It is so neat and clean that I always go home and clean something after visiting there! It is, in one word, immaculate!

The other is a much older house that has been lovingly renovated into such a warm and cozy home by its young and fashionable owners! It has been sweetly updated into one of those "not-to-be-missed" properties that must be entered to be appreciated.

I am so thankful for the opportunity to assist these clients in marketing their homes! They will be great finds for the right buyers!

Look at some of these photos! Both of these homes are special in their own right!

Five Years

2009-07-06T18:52:00.003-04:00

Although my children and I have experienced much healing and know the reality of God's provisions and providence, I must admit that I still hate to see the July 4th holiday and the week that follows coming down the pike.

I am missing Danny today...although I miss him most days...I am especially missing him today. I am thinking of our time together...our life together...and remembering those wonderful days when our kids were little...when we were building houses, planning vacations, learning to be parents, learning how to live a life that is pleasing to God, learning how to juggle work, kids, and play...all those things that normal families do. How I long to feel normal once again!

I will have to be comforted today knowing that Danny is where we all should want to be. He has met his reward...He is happy to be in the presence of our God. Many times I wish he hadn't left us here...but wishing him back here is selfish.

Life has been good...life is good....life will be good again...but eternal life is heavenly. I am so thankful for a Saviour that makes this possible...for Danny....for all of us.

8th Grade Formal!!!

2009-05-09T20:11:00.006-04:00

Okay, maybe it's just me, but when did my daughter become old enough to be doing things like going to a "Formal?" This really sneaked up on me...I was totally unprepared...a dress, shoes, a bag, accessories, ticket, makeup, hair, mani-pedi, etc...pictures, dinner with friends, preparation and all....many hours and many dollars. Thankfully, I have some great friends and family who are so there for me! My friend Laura accomplished a ravishing pedicure for Emily, my sister did hair and makeup, and my SIL Lisa took pictures for us in her professional studio! What more could a girl want?

I tearfully acknowledge that my little preemie baby, my little Emily, is now a young woman. I am so proud of her...she is a trooper!

Emily, you made it! Middle School will soon be a memory...on to High School...hang on while Mom dries another tear!

Enjoy the photos of my daughter, young woman extraordinaire!

Trying On a New Look!

2009-03-25T20:12:00.002-04:00

Don't faint! I have never, ever posted twice in one day before, but never fear! It will probably never happen again.

I just needed a new look for the old blog, so I went to thecutestblogontheblock.com and found a layout that really spoke to me! It seems to say "I am a decorator/redesigner....let me show you how to really love your home, or allow me to help you find a home you can make your own!" OK, it probably doesn't say that to you, but it does to me.

Let me know if you like it, are indifferent about it, hate it, etc. I will enjoy hearing your comments.

Have a great night! Blessings and hugs!

I Sold My First House!

2009-03-25T15:59:00.003-04:00

First of all, let me say that this was a total God Thing! I am so thankful to have been at the right place at the right time!

My MF Rich (Yes, I'm calling him that now!), has been looking at houses for around 9 years now. When I met Rich, he had been searching for about 4.5 years. The search would get quite busy for several months, and then would kind of fade for a few months. It was a cycle, I suppose. Anyway, when I got my realtor's license, he was all about going to look at homes. Of course, I should preface this by saying, I was not getting my hopes up about his search. I assumed he would simply be a "chronic looker." Yet, still he looked whenever possible. All the while, I am just content to be learning how to work my little keypad, figuring out the "etiquette" of showing houses, and seeing new properties.

One day, Rich said he would like to stop by a house for just a quick look before he took me to lunch. I said okay, but didn't expect much. When we pulled up, I definitely thought that he wouldn't like the house at all, so a nice lunch would soon be had by all. (He had been looking at two-story homes, and this one was a one-story.) It was a great house, but it just wasn't like any of the others he had asked to see. Well, when I opened the door, my jaw dropped to the floor....and some two hours later, I had still not had that promised lunch and was still waiting for Rich to stop walking around saying, "I can't believe this! I just can't believe all this!" As I said, it was definitely a God Thing.

Obviously, Rich made an offer, and to make a long story shorter, he is closing on his new home next week. Not only did he happily find a great home, but Leslie made a great commission! I am so thankful for this confirmation that I can serve God and others in this new capacity!

The only bad thing is that I will probably have to help this particular client even after the closing.....I guess that's only fair, right? :-)

Happy Bday, Anne Marie!

2009-02-26T10:43:00.003-05:00

Well, it is a bit late to wish my wonderful sister a happy birthday on the old blog, but I got to spend some time with her and her beautiful daughters last night, so that is my excuse! (Sorry I didn't have another picture of her...no scanner at my house, so I had to use one I had already used.)

When I was 2 months shy of being 11 years old, in the fifth grade, I was given an indescribable gift: a baby sister! Can you imagine how our lives changed at the Johnston house at that moment? We had not had a new baby in the house for 8 years! (JD was 8 when Anne Marie was born.) Suddenly, things were very different....in a wonderful way!

I always felt like a "mommy" to my sister, probably because I was so much older. In fact, when I was a senior in high school, Anne was in kindergarten....it was so much fun! I recall that she was in the room when I received my first "kiss" from a boy, although she might not know this! Haha! Mark Shepherd....but I digress! :-) In fact, Anne went on several dates with me as I began dating more...and I didn't mind a bit...it was usually my idea! (She was a great little chaperone!)

Anne Marie has grown from a shy little girl into a confident and resilient young mother! I have so enjoyed watching the transformation, and I am so proud of the woman she has become! She was always the sweet one at our house...never really got in trouble, never talked back to our parents, easy-going and kind! Today, she is still the sweet one...easy-going and kind. She is a great mom to my lovely nieces and a great wife to Jonathan. She is also a talented and thoughtful teacher. Many children in Kingsport are better today because of the time they have spent in her classroom! She pours her life into so many people and gives from the heart! She is a true picture of Christ in all she does!

I wish I had the space and the time to dive into her hilarious antics over the years, but suffice it to say, there are way too many to mention here! Family gatherings are so much fun when we travel down memory lane!

Anne Marie, I have always been so proud of you! I have always wished I had your patience and your heart! I love you so much...Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday, JD!

2009-02-02T23:00:00.000-05:00

February 2 is not only Groundhog's Day in our family....it is also the birthday of our much-loved brother and uncle, JD (aka John David).

As I have shared in a previous post, JD has been a very stable and guiding force in my life since 2004. I have also previously shared how I have bent his ear over many things, mostly seeking financial advice but sometimes it turns into much more...he is wise beyond his years in many ways.

Anyway, JD is also a very fun person! He and Stephanie have always been the most gracious hosts whenever we have visited them in Dallas and Charlotte. They think of great things for the kids to see and do and help us experience some of the best restaurants in town...plus, Stephanie is a great cook, so we get fed VERY WELL when we visit!

One of our all-time favorite trips was a visit to Dallas in May of 2006! We spent a week with JD, Steph, and Ross, and we had an absolute blast! There was sightseeing, shopping, waterparking, eating, Six Flags, go carts, putt-putt golf, more shopping, more eating....tons of fun!

We hope you have a fantastic birthday, Uncle JD! You are a favorite person in our household...we love you!

Relationships!

2009-01-18T11:36:00.003-05:00

There are only a few things on this earth that can either encourage me to the hilt or drag me down to the pits.....they are called RELATIONSHIPS. Those of you who know me well, know that I am an extremely relational person. Relationships are perhaps the most important thing that we do in the course of our lifetimes! (That is my opinion, of course.)

For the last few years, I have been very closed to new relationships. I think I am frightened of the unknown right now. I have even played my cards very close to the vest with the people that I trust. This is sad...for someone like me, who gains so much from those friendships...but it seems that I am just not as willing to open up as I once was. I am praying for healing in this area.

I am missing out on so much. Some of the most important relationships that I have are suffering because of my fear. I ran across some scripture the other day that talked about perfect love, perfecting those relationships.... 1 John 4:18 says, in The Message translation, "There is no room for fear in love. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life -- fear of death, fear of judgment -- is not yet fully formed in love." My version says that fear of punishment will keep you from experiencing love to its fullest.

It is very easy to be very surface, very shallow in our dealings with others. There was a time that I would never fall into the shallowness trap, but FEAR can do that to us! I truly want to dive in again, with my whole heart, into the relationships that are most dear to me: my family, my good friends, my significant other, etc. I am certain that I will get hurt again, but I can't help but think it is worth the risk to really connect again. I guess this will be my big resolution for 2009.... leave behind the fear and truly love those important people!

Be patient with me, all of you who are waiting for me to tune in and turn on again.

Favorite 8 in '08!

2009-01-04T19:13:00.003-05:00

I thought I might take a cue from another blogger and friend and relay to you some of my favorite moments of 2008! I don't know if I can begin to shorten the list of my favorite happenings down to just "eight," but I want to give it a try.

1. Interiors Redefined was born! Last January, I decided to go out on my own in the redesign/staging business. It was scary to start something all by my little self, but I have never regretted becoming a small business owner. (Even when I wasn't getting a whole lot of calls...:))

2. Nicholas began taking guitar lessons. Now, I know this doesn't sound like a big deal to most people, but Danny was a very gifted musician (although he was quite shy about it), so I was ecstatic when Nick decided to follow in his dad's footsteps...in fact, I cried when we got Danny's guitar out that first day of lessons to dust it off and prepare it for Nick. I made sure Nick understood that I wasn't crying because I was sad...that I was just so sure that his dad was watching and smiling...being so proud of him!

3. Emily and the ISBC youth group got a new Youth Minister. Reverend Tiger Brooks joined our church in early 2008 to become our fulltime Minister to Students. With his arrival came several opportunities for Emily to plug in and grow as part of a youth group that has tons of things going on! It is such an essential part of growing as a young Christian to have ministry opportunities available! Thank you, Bro. Tiger!

4. I began facilitating a women's Bible Study/Sunday School class. I finally took the plunge and began a SS class for women...some are single, some are married, some are parents, some are not...it is a great group of women with whom I really enjoy learning and growing.

5. I pushed my 40+ year-old brain to its limit! Boy, those real estate classes really were tough! Yet, I loved learning something new! Can't wait to get started this week on my new career as an affiliate broker!

6. Our sweet little puppy, Snickers, joined the family. We were totally unprepared to adopt a new puppy, but somehow he has just fit into our lifestyle. He is a chocolate-colored yorkie-poo, and he has been an easy addition...we love him to death! He will be one-year-old on Valentine's Day! (actually the 15th, but we fudge a little.)

7. Home Improvement Projects. My basement got cleaned out (Thanks, JD!), my dad built new shelves in the basement for storage (Thanks, Dad!), the interior of my home was painted in some soothing earthtones, the front and back yards both got some much-needed landscaping! It is amazing how the little things can give your spirits such a lift, isn't it? :-)

8. We made it through another year!! Sometimes we struggled, but we perservered! It is so encouraging to see the growth that we have seen as a family...and as individuals! I am so thankful to God for keeping us safe and fairly healthy through this past year. I am excited to greet 2009 with a happy heart...my cup runneth over!

Happy Birthday, Emily!

2008-12-29T22:02:00.000-05:00

I simply cannot believe that my first baby is now 14 years old! Man, talk about feeling ancient! It does not seem possible that it has been 14 years since that life-changing day at St. Mary's Women's Hospital in Knoxville, TN. I use the term "life-changing" because life as I knew it truly changed that day for me. I remember thinking that I didn't feel quite ready to be a mom. I felt like I should have taken a class or attended a seminar....surely there was so much more for me to know before I was just allowed to be someone's mother?!?!

Emily Ashton McCrackin entered the world at 1:13 pm on Dec. 29, 1994, weighing only 6 lbs, 6 oz. She came 4 weeks earlier than expected, and she actually tried to come much earlier than that! I was on bedrest for 9 long weeks while being heavily medicated to stop all those labor processes. She was truly a miracle baby...when she did arrive, she did not require any help with her breathing, she had no developmental delays...she was God's perfect gift...

Her dad was soooo proud of his little girl! (We had waited until Em's birth to see what gender of baby God had given us. It was a wonderful surprise!) I can still see that grin spreading all over Danny's face when she made her debut! From that moment on, he was enthralled by his love for his daughter...and so was I. Suffice it to say, we were in love with this little tiny bundle. I know that if Danny were here today, he would still be "wrapped around her little finger." He would be so proud of his baby girl. I am so proud of her also.

Today, Emily is much taller than her mom! She has the height that I have always wanted...she is a presence to be dealt with! She is a wonderful student and is a very talented singer. She is going through a "shy" phase about singing right now, but I am hoping that she will grow out of that soon! She loves to read...she loved books from the time she was just a tiny baby....I began reading to her when she was just a few days old! (What do you expect from an early childhood educator?) She also takes school very seriously. We are praying about where she will attend high school...she wants to be in just the right place! That makes me even more proud.

Emily, I love you. I wouldn't know how to live this life without you! Even though you and I struggle at times...especially in those hormone-induced, heated discussions...I never take one day of our life together for granted. You were a gift from God when you were born...and you are a gift from God today! I hope you have had a good day...Happy Birthday! May you be blessed with a great year of love, laughter, and much happiness!

I am alive and well.....

2008-12-17T15:55:00.000-05:00

I have received emails indicating that some of you have noticed that I haven't blogged for a long while. There is a reason for my absence!

I have been very busy adding another set of credentials to my marketing package, so to speak. I have taken and passed two real estate courses, where I met for class each day, all day, and listened to lectures and took a multitude of tests. After those classes, I was required to take a state exam and pass it in order to be considered for a real estate license. Fortunately, I eventually passed both sections....listen, an old school teacher hates to admit that she had to take one section twice, but I DID! How could I have let that happen?! Anyway, I digress...then I was required to take an online class for new affiliate brokers. After that class was taken and passed, I was required to send in all this "stuff" to Nashville and wait to see when it all came together.

I finally heard from Nashville today that I have a license!!! Of course, I don't have the actual paper yet, but it is coming...I do, however, have a license number that has been assigned to me. I am celebrating!!!! Don't let anyone ever tell you that real estate agents are not put through the grind! I have learned more than I can say about Tennessee law and how it pertains to real estate transactions! I have studied about mortgages, liens, contracts, and agency! Wow, it was tons of information! I absolutely loved it! It was hard...I pushed myself and my concentration to the limit! (Not hard to do for a 44-year-old woman whose brain cells are dying without being replenished!)

I will now be an affiliate broker with CENTURY 21! I am thrilled to be starting another new facet of my life! I am also thrilled that this endeavor relates so well to my first love...my interiors/staging business. I will still be able to do those wonderful redesigns and help people ready their homes for the market. If needed, I can also help them sell their house and find another.

I cannot wait to get started! This new year will bring with it an excitement I haven't felt in a very long time. Life is good! God is good!

November, All Ready?

2008-11-08T22:14:00.000-05:00

Wow! I simply cannot believe it has been more than a month since I posted! I have no idea why I haven't written....unless it was that two week course in Real Estate, or maybe it was all the substitute teaching I've been doing, or maybe it was the cold that had me all nasty for a week, or maybe it was just that I haven't had much to write about! NAH!

My Interiors business has been tremendously s-l-o-w as of late. It has been a bit discouraging, to say the least. However, I realize that if someone has to choose between a room redesign or buying gas for their car, the car wins! That is a no brainer, right? So, I decided to do some subbing at a few of the schools in the county to fill some of my time when the kids are in school. I like being in the classroom, but I am glad that it is not permanent for now. I have also decided to branch into the real estate market! I took some classes, took and passed my state exam, and am now in the middle of an online course that is required before I submit for my license. I am waiting to see what God will do with this new endeavor. I do know, that I can still do my redesigns and home stagings along with this new gig, so it really appeals to me. I am excited to get started. We will just have to wait and see what this might mean for the future!

I have learned one big thing through this time of studying and testing...I am still able to accomplish something worthwhile if I put in the time and effort! You know, as I have gotten a little older, I have worried that I might not have the same drive, the same push that I had when I was younger. Happily, I have found that I can still work hard and achieve good results. That means so much to me! I guess we all need to know that we still CAN!

For now, I am happy. I am happy with my life. (It has taken me a long while to accept some things about my life, but I can honestly say that I am happy now.) Of course, I still wish and long for some things that have passed, but I can still be happy. Sometimes the future scares me...those unknown things that might happen...those frightening "what ifs" that we all experience from time-to-time...but I can still be happy. This is a new place for me...and I like it.

It's Officially Fall, Y'All!

2008-10-03T16:52:00.000-04:00

Imagine my surprise when I spotted that small white patch of frost in a still-darkened yard on the way to Emily's school early this morning! I have to admit, I received a little thrill...or was that a chill? Anyway, we are officially entering into what is becoming my favorite season of the year!

Fall means football, pumpkins, mums, beautiful colors everywhere....I love it. Don't get me wrong, I love spring and summer, also. (Not so much winter...but it has its beautiful moments, as well.) Fall means cool nights with warm days. Gone are the hot and humid days...just crisp, clear, cool weather.

I suppose the change in seasons reminds me that whatever is going on in our lives, whether it is something trying and turbulent or even something meaningful and exciting, changes are going to come. I don't embrace change very well. It's a character flaw, I think! Still, I have been needing a change...so here is one that I can handle...a new season!

I am also reminded of the one thing in my life that will never change. Just as the sun rises and sets each day, whether winter, spring, summer, or fall, God will be the constant that I need. Just as the sun ends the darkest night, God shows up each morning to give me a brand new start...a clean slate...a new day!

I am forever grateful that the God of the Universe took the time to call me a friend...to call me His...

Have a wonderful weekend!

A Little Dose of Reality

2008-09-16T10:47:00.000-04:00

I am finding out very quickly that small businesses are directly related to the economy! That may seem like a very simple thought to most of you, but, to me, it has been a rude awakening!

I am so thankful for the work that I have done in the recent years in the redesign and staging arena. I am thankful for the opportunity to try something new...something fun...something so different than anything I have ever done.

Being a single parent, I think, means sometimes making tough decisions. Don't get me wrong, parents make tough decisions every day; not just single parents, but all parents! Sometimes, though, because a single parent has no safety net, no margin for error, it seems a bit harder...You know that place where you must choose a direction? That place where you must go either this way or that way? I am there.

I have been guilty of panicking. I want so much to make the right choices for my family. I have been guilty of playing the blame game: "If someone would just stop making bad choices, I wouldn't be in this predicament!" (This is always directed at government officials, etc.) I have been guilty of not trusting God for the care and safety of my family. Bad thoughts, negative energy, a critical spirit, fear, longings, frustrations, more fear...I've camped out there as well.

I suppose this posting is to say: I am feeling a bit lost. There is a perfect place for me to be during this turmoil. I need to find it. I know that God is in control of my life and my children's lives. I know that He hears our frustrations and our fears. I know that He has a plan for this little family of three. I am just anxiously waiting for Him to let me see at least part of the plan.

I would appreciate your prayers as I wait on God's timing for unveiling our future.
Thanks in advance for those prayers!

Organizing 101!

2008-09-02T17:01:00.000-04:00

Well, you've asked for it...and now it is finally here! Prepare to receive information galore on organizing your kitchens, your closets, your offices, even your bathrooms. Since this covers alot of territory, let's start with a small post on organizing your kitchen.

Step One: Stand in the middle of the kitchen and look at your space with a critical eye. (If you cannot be critical enough, enlist a friend, a professional, or a sister, etc. to assist.) Search for things on the countertops that really don't need to be there. Look for things that have gravitated to a certain spot that could better serve their purpose in another space or even another room. Have utensils, potholders, pots and pans, lids, lunchboxes, bags of chips, or other items discovered a new home in place of the space where they should be housed? How many small appliances do you have out on those counters? Are they used every day? If not, is there a less conspicuous place that they could be stored until needed? Place all these items in a plastic bin labeled "Find a Home." (You may need a fairly large bin for this category.) After you have finished in the kitchen, you will be able to find a home for these items. (Hopefully?)

Step Two: Look inside your kitchen drawers. Do you have all your eating utensils in the same drawer, or are they all over the kitchen? Keep in mind that an organized kitchen means that like items are stored together. Gather all your kitchen towels to be stored together. All potholders and oven mitts should be stored together. Cooking utensils should inhabit the same space, either a drawer or some sort of holder, perhaps placed by the stove. Plastic wraps, sandwich bags, aluminum foil, wax paper, etc. should also share the same home. Continue this process until you have no more drawers to examine. If you don't have enough drawer space for all these items, which many kitchens do not, then another solution can be found. (That's another post....)
If you have more items to go into a drawer than you have room, you will need to go through the painful and time-consuming process of deciding if any of your items are expendable. I suggest another plastic bin labeled "Donate." Friends, family, even organizations such as Goodwill, the Salvation Army, and Habitat for Humanity will take donations of most household goods. You can even have a garage sale to create some extra revenue for yourself.

Step Three: Examine your cupboards. Your dishes should be housed together. Your glassware should be housed together. Spices, baking ingredients, baking mixes, etc. can be housed together. Canned goods should all be in the same cabinet to facilitate finding the correct ingredients for your famous recipes! Your cookware should also be found in the same space, and it should be easily accessible from your cooking area. Glassware should be stored within easy reach of your sink, or perhaps near to your refrigerator. (Makes sense, doesn't it?)
For the die-hard organizer: Place your canned goods in the cabinet in like groups. For example, place all soups together; place all green beans together; place all tomato sauces together, etc. Then, turn each can so that you can easily read the label when you open the door! It will then resemble a grocery shelf. I have just tried this in my home, and it is wonderful!! I can see exactly what I am doing without moving anything around. While you are in your cupboards, look at the expiration dates of your goods. Throw out expired food!!! You won't believe how many things I found in my own kitchen that were more than two years old!! Yikes!
Compile and house all those casserole dishes and bakeware items together. Do you have more casserole dishes than you really need? Place discards into the "donate" bin. Repeat for the bakeware.
Continue Step Three until you are satisfied with the results...

Step Four: (Our final step for today!) Deep clean all surfaces! You will love the end result! Even if your kitchen is not perfect at this point, you should at least be able to see light at the end of the tunnel! Don't forget to tackle that refrigerator...get rid of expired food, and deep clean all shelves and bins.

Again, enlisting the help of another person will most definitely make this job go faster and smoother. It is so nice to have someone else to laugh with you when things seem endless and when you are being bombarded by expired food, thousands of extra utensils, mismatched kitchen towels, and that spoon that mysteriously showed up in your child's lunchbox 3 years ago that you simply added to your own drawer.
Come on, you know what I'm talking about!

Next post: Organizing Your Closet!

Getting Organized!

2008-08-13T09:04:00.000-04:00

One of the things that I have had such a difficult time doing since 2004 is getting organized...or actually getting REorganized! Back when everything was "normal" in our home, I kept everything in its place, files were kept up-to-date, etc. Then, all of a sudden, it just became less important. My mind was on surviving, rather than organizing. In fact, those who did not know me before probably do NOT believe that I was a fairly structured and organized person!!

So, along with my decision to LIVE comes another decision to GET IT TOGETHER. Of course, this is all much easier to blog about rather than carry out~but I am determined. I am also drowning under the sea of clutter. This is rather sad to admit to the world...it is my JOB to help other people get organized and assist them in creating a more restful environment in their home!! I can tell you right now that it is much easier to do this for others than it is to tackle my own mountain! "Physician, heal thyself!!!"

My mountain must be moved...and soon. My sanity depends on it. I don't know why I haven't noticed the "stuff" before now. Well, I have noticed it, but I just haven't had the motivation to deal with it. Motivation has arrived, so I now desperately need the energy to act! We are getting there!

***I wanted to close with a report of answered prayer. Many of you probably know that Nick ended up having to move to another 5th grade class with a "yet-to-be-named" teacher. It was a bit upsetting for him, but he took it like the trooper he is! Still, I decided to pray each day for the teacher that would be chosen to teach my child for his last year of elementary school. (This is a very important role in a child's life, I think.) I prayed that this person would be a great teacher, but, more importantly, also a great person. When I picked Nick up yesterday, he hurried down the hall to tell me his new teacher's name...Mrs. Nelson...Mrs. Christy Nelson! (Christy is a friend of ours from church...a wonderful woman...and a great teacher!) I could not contain my tears of joy...God truly does hear our prayers! I am praying about many things in my life right now. Some of these things aren't being answered as quickly as I would like, but God, in His wisdom and great mercy, let me taste the sweetness of answered prayer yesterday...just to let me know that He has not forgotten...that He is still in the business of answering prayer...even those prayers that others may think small or ordinary!***

I am blessed!

Finally!

2008-08-04T14:23:00.000-04:00

Hello, all you faithful blog readers!
I am so sorry that I have been too busy to blog lately. Well, actually, I am not sorry to be busy, but I am sorry that I haven't been journaling along the way.
Nick's bday went very well...we had two parties...one for little cousins and friends and another for bigger cousins and friends. He had a great time at both and was showered with many gift cards and neat gifts. (Nick LOVES to spend gift cards from just about any store.) Thanks to all who attended and showered!!! We are thankful for your "presents" in our lives!

Now, for some more recent news. Today was the first day of school for my children. Way too early, in my opinion, but the first day nonetheless. Nick is entering the fifth grade, and Emily is going into the eighth grade. Both started the day with a bundle of nerves and excitement mixed together. When I picked each of them up after their half-day adventure, I had very different responses.
Emily said, "This was the worst day ever! None of my friends are in any of my classes! None! Zero!" Which, in translation, means: she doesn't have classes with any of her BEST friends. I did the Mom thing and explained that this would be an opportunity to make some new friends or even get to know some other people better, etc. I received "The Snarl" as a response for my Mommyness. It's okay to laugh. Those of you with teenage daughters know what I'm talking about! Oh well, as we moms know, she will be fine in a few days. (I really do wish that she had at least a few classes with her good friends from last year, but what can one mom do?)

However, Nick, who was the more nervous of the two this morning, greeted me with a big smile when I picked him up. His teacher is nice, he made some new friends, he had homework, etc. (I had given him the "talk" about making new friends on the way TO school. Did this make a difference? I truly doubt it. Just two kids with two different personalities!)

As a teacher, I always LOVED the first day of school! All those different personalities rushing into my classroom to spread joy and excitement all around! I admit I missed being a teacher today. I missed the smell of new crayons and new bookbags! I missed the warm hugs of previous students getting ready for a new adventure. I missed the hustle and bustle of it all! Yet, I love being able to spend time with my own two students even more!!! Thank you, Jesus, for my kids...they are the light of my life!

Happy Birthday, Nick!

2008-07-21T03:00:00.000-04:00

Well, my baby is turning 10! Yep, I cannot believe that he is "hitting double digits," as he calls it!
Sadly, I don't have digital pictures of him as a baby, or even the means to scan such photos and post them, so you will have to believe me when I say that he was a beautiful baby. He smiled often and laughed much! He still does!

I am so proud of the boy that he is becoming...of the man that I know he will be one day. He is no longer my baby. I have often told people who ask about Nick, about his personality, etc., that he is one of those kids who can enter a room of 75 strangers and leave with 75 new friends. God has blessed him with a kind heart and a giving spirit. I am so lucky to be his mom...it is a privilege to spend time with him each day...it is a privilege to be his mother!

I love you, Nick. You can take a bad day and make it better for your mom! Your joy and sense of humor are contagious. Thank you for being a great kid and for giving me so many reasons to be proud of you! Happy, happy birthday, buddy!

What a Week!

2008-07-17T23:35:00.001-04:00

Actually, I could name this blog "What a Month!" I have been blessed with many new clients and many new jobs! I am so thankful for the work...I am so thankful for finding new clients...I am so thankful that God is allowing me to do what I LOVE to do....and to make money while I am doing what I love! How could I ask for more?

Not very many months ago, I was pondering returning to the teaching profession. I was scared that I had jumped off into something that would not allow me to provide for my family in the end. Now, teaching is a wonderful profession...I have done it, on and off, for some 20+ years now! (Of course, I took a few years off with babies, etc.) However, I know that, for now, teaching is not where I need to be. I am so thankful for a new opportunity. God is good.

God is changing my path, it seems. Some changes are good; some are not so good. I have been through several changes during the last four years. I have spent many hours reflecting on these changes the last few weeks. You see, the anniversary of Danny's departure from this earth happened just 11 days ago. It has been four years....four long years....yet, not so long. Even in the midst of all the changes, all the turmoil, all the weariness...there has also been joy, love, and peace. How these things can cohabitate in the same body is simply beyond my understanding, but I am living proof that they can.

I have missed Danny these last few weeks....so much. I have missed my husband and my friend. I have missed the father of my children...their daddy. I have missed his humor, his strength, and his wonderful example of living a disciplined life. Yet (I love that word!), it is time to move ahead now....really move ahead...with determination that everything is AS IT SHOULD BE. This is the life that I am now called to live....I can either be an active participant, or I can simply exist. I am choosing to live...in every sense of the word. I am choosing to be the parent that I need to be. I am choosing to be the daughter and sister that I need to be. I am choosing to be the friend that I need to be. I am choosing to be the follower of Christ that I need to be....even down this uncertain path.

Life is good.

Redesigning a Family Room

2008-06-24T10:39:00.000-04:00

Yesterday my decorating assistant, Cindy, and I traveled to Virginia to redesign a family room in a rather large farmhouse. By large farmhouse, I really mean a FARM house. This was a very spacious dutch colonial smack dab in the middle of 126 acres of rolling farmland! What an experience!

During my first visit I did the complete jaw-drop thing while driving down the half-mile long driveway toward the towering waterfall and the home behind it. The home itself is not necessarily different from any other home we have worked in, but when combined with its beautiful setting, it becomes a showplace! Well, there is that huge brick fireplace and wall in the kitchen....and the wide-plank wood flooring...and the wormy chestnut paneling in the family room...two more fireplaces, heated floors upstairs, etc. Okay, it is a special home! Anyway, it was my job to come up with a new plan for a small, rustic, family room complete with fireplace, big screen TV, 7-ft. sofa, and many, many, many accessories collected from several years of political activity, farming, antique collecting, the all-important recliner, a huge (really huge) collection of books, and lots of other important "stuff." The homeowner was simply tired of every arrangement she had tried through the years and cautiously asked for some redesign assistance. (She was not sure that a "decorator" would take her feelings and the lifestyle of her family into consideration. In fact, she stayed for the whole process. She wanted to be in on the decision-making.)

Well, it was a long day, but we came up with a room that is not only pleasing to the eye, but that also highlights some great antique pieces and the lovely fireplace. We added several lamps to the mix to provide much needed light in room that could be too dark to enjoy, even on sunny days. We took out three end tables that were taking up too much of the precious space. We also removed one small barrister bookcase (2 shelves) from the room, so some of the books were consequently removed also, but MOST of the accessories were brought back in, believe it or not.

The homeowner was pleased because we listened to her ideas (which were good), listened to how the family lives in the room, and found a pleasing arrangement with all the important aspects in the room. We get to go back at the end of the week to tackle the formal living room!

Here are some B&A pics to enjoy. Maybe you will get some ideas also!

Choosing Colors for Your Favorite Space!

2008-06-18T08:08:00.000-04:00

I promised some tips this week, so here are some ideas for choosing colors for your home!

For most of my clients, choosing wall colors for their favorite spaces proves to be a difficult task. In fact, I just spent some time with my MIL yesterday doing just that for her newly-renovated bathroom and her master bedroom. She has tried color after color in her hall bath, and she still is just not sure if it is exactly what she wants. She is certainly not alone in her uncertainty. (Happy ending...we found great colors for both rooms.) I have many clients who ask for help choosing wall colors due to the frustration it causes.

One of the most important things to do when searching for the perfect color for a room is to look at everything that is going to be in the room. For a bedroom, for example, create a display on the floor of every important item that you know will be staying in the room....comforters, sheets, artwork, lamps, throws, pillows, painted furnishings, etc. See if there is a color that is similar in each piece. That particular color will probably be a great wall color for your space, whether you use it on a focal wall or on each wall.

Now, some of you are probably saying, "What common color? I just throw things in here! There is no rhyme or reason to what I put in this room!" Okay, now we're getting somewhere! You may be one of the many people who paint a room a certain color because you liked the color when you saw the paint sample. You fell in love, for whatever reason, and you simply came home and painted your space that lovely color. Then, because nothing really went together, you just began buying more stuff to validate your color choice, etc.

Choosing colors that you love isn't the wrong thing to do. Buying more stuff isn't necessarily the wrong thing to do, either. However, we sometimes perform the process in the wrong order. When you are preparing to add color to your walls in a certain space, or when you are changing the entire color scheme of a room, begin with the "stuff" rather than the wall color. For example, to change a bedroom, begin by finding a bedding set that you simply adore. You are drawn to the set because it evokes a certain feeling in you...the color, the textures, the fabric-type all provide joy or comfort to you....that's why you like it! Use the set as a springboard for the rest of the room. The colors in the bedding and accessories you have chosen will help you find the perfect backdrop (wall color).

Wall color should really never be chosen first when decorating or redecorating. You will be much happier when you relate your wall colors to what is already happening in the room. However, don't feel badly if you still get confused or need assistance. There are MILLIONS of colors out there on those tiny paint swatches! It can get confusing! Take your time, try a few swatches on the wall, and observe it several times with all the different lighting that comes in during the course of the day and evening. Above all, trust your instincts.

If things are still not flowing into the room of your dreams, assistance can come in many forms. Call a friend, call a sister, call a decorator or a color consultant. Professional advice is usually not that expensive, especially when it saves you time, trouble, heartache, and money in the long run.

Happy decorating!

Thursday, June 12 --- Happy Birthday, Rich!

2008-06-14T15:30:00.000-04:00

Forgive me, Thursday was a very busy day! However, I need to send a late happy birthday wish to my very dearest friend and cohort, Rich Blanton!

Rich and I grew up in the same neighborhood in Indian Springs many years ago...I'll not give away the secret of HOW LONG AGO! In fact, his brother and I were in the same grade all through school and were even in a carpool deal in high school. Rich and I knew of each other, but didn't know each other well back then.

Life being as it is sometimes, Rich ended up a single dad and became of member of my home church, Indian Springs Baptist, several years ago. We actually became reacquainted when Danny, the kids, and I moved back home from Jefferson City, TN in 2001. He was the Sparks Director for our AWANAS program. I remember being so glad that he was doing well, in spite of some past hurts, and I also remember what a fantastic job he did with all those little Sparkies. Emily was one of his little first graders back then, and a few years later, Nick was in his group also.

After Danny died, Rich became one of the few people that I would confide in about my pain, my hurt, my feelings of anger, my feelings of inadequacy, etc....He was and still is a great listener! Rich is a great example of what a single dad can be. He is very patient with his son, Connor, and keeps everything FUN! He has been a source of humor when I am down, a source of comfort when I am sad or just plain ol' weary, a source of wisdom when I am searching, and a source of the greatest friendship I have ever known.

Thank you for all you have done for me and my family, Rich. We love you and wish you a great weekend!

A Shameless Plug!

2008-06-10T22:29:00.000-04:00

Hello, all you faithful blog readers!

Guess who has not been very faithful to blogging this month?

Well, let me fill you in on all the happenings. The last week of May, the kids and I went to Hilton Head Island, SC. I absolutely love it there. It is not, however, my very favorite beach. That spot belongs to Destin, FL, but it is a long trip, so we tend to space those trips out a bit! Anyway, I digress. We invited my parents to go with us, and I was excited to be able to spend some down time with them and the kids. What a trip! First of all, my dad says as we pull out an hour or two later than I really wanted to leave, "I've read that if we go 60 mph, we will save gas, so I'm not going to go anymore than 60 mph." Now, I've always been a fairly good daughter and listen to my father's advice as much as I can. However, THIS was where I drew the line!!! :-) Needless, to say, it was a long trip. My mom, meanwhile, had injured her right hip muscle somehow, and she ended up in the bed for the whole trip. Finally, they gave up and came home midway through the week. I couldn't blame them. They were miserable. They just love to be home.
Sadly, I thought that I had forgotten the camera, so there will be no beach pictures to post. (I wasn't gonna let you see me in a bathing suit anyway!)

We returned home to a busy week of Basketball Camp for Nicholas and VBS for all of us! Not only that, but (Here is the shameless plug!) I have continued to gain new clients for the summer. You know, I have been so worried about my new business, yet every day I am hearing from people who are looking for decorating/design help! God is really confirming that I am doing what I need to do for now. I am so thankful to be able to schedule my clients to fit into our family life without sacrificing too much of my time with the kids. Of course, in the summer, I am scrambling around some days to find a place for them to be while I meet with clients or redesign a room, but my SIL Lisa Bryan (A Great Photographer! See her website link below!) or my mom have been faithful to watch the kids when needed. Thanks so much, Lis and Mom. I couldn't do it without you!

Later in the week I will post some tips for decorating an outdoor space. OR maybe I will tell you what I know about choosing colors for your favorite hang out. OR maybe I will post some pics of some new ideas for room arrangements, etc. OR maybe organizing. OR maybe preparing your home for today's real estate market. It will all depend on what I am doing at the moment, I suppose.

I love being busy with my business!
Have a great week!

Urgent Prayer Request

2008-05-22T16:32:00.000-04:00

Please, please pray for Christian musician Steven Curtis Chapman and his family today and for several days to come. His youngest daughter, Maria Sue Chapman, 5 years old and adopted from China, was killed late yesterday in a freak accident in her own driveway. It seems that one of the Chapmans teenage sons was pulling into the driveway of their home and ran over her! What a terrible ordeal for the family to see! Imagine the heartbreak of her parents and siblings, but especially of the young man who was at the wheel!
This is a wonderful family! Steven Curtis Chapman's music has always blessed us as a family. He was one of Danny's favorite artists. We saw him in concert many, many times.
I can't help but be reminded again that this life is not the end; a much better life awaits those of us who believe! This may sound funny, but I can almost see Maria Sue and Danny enjoying all those things that our finite minds cannot comprehend.
Thank you, God, for being our Redeemer! All things lost can be redeemed! Amen!

Laundry Day!

2008-05-19T19:37:00.000-04:00

What fun I have had today! (This should be read in your best sarcastic voice!) Today I simply had to catch up on our laundry! Laundry is not a task that I love; I don't hate it; I just don't love it! Dirty clothes are a constant in our household. In fact, I am almost certain that I am washing some clean clothes over and over again, simply because certain parties that live in this household do not put them away. Clothes are thrown and scattered all over the floors of the rooms belonging to these unnamed individuals, and these same individuals then do not know what is clean and what is dirty. (Of course, if they've been in the floor, maybe they are dirty?)
Well, today during laundry time, I heard a Voice reminding me that I should be thankful for all those clothes that cover my children and me each day. Clean or dirty, we have more than we need. In fact, I was reminded to gather some clothing for those who might be in need. I gathered up 3 bags full! Gibsontown Ministries will be delighted to receive them, I am sure!
It's kind of funny that I heard that Voice this morning. It's funny because I just heard that same Voice on Saturday! It was reminding me to be thankful for the yard that I had to mow. I was so wanting to complain about that dreaded task! Yet, God reached down to where I was, in my back yard fighting with a lawn mower that is supposed to be self-propelled. (I have my doubts about that!) He reached down and gently nudged me toward the truth: I could be in a much different situation, one in which I have no yard to mow, one in which I have very little.
So, I am thankful for that yard that has to be mowed every Saturday. I am thankful for all those clothes that need to be washed. I am thankful for this house that needs to be cleaned! I have so much for which to be thankful....
I'll bet you do, too!

I Am So Thankful for My Brother!

2008-05-14T08:05:00.000-04:00

Tonight I received a call from by brother, fondly known as JD. JD travels alot with his job, so he called me from a hotel room somewhere far from home. I had asked him to call to give me advice. I always love to hear his thoughts when I am trying to sort through things.

4 years ago, JD became my financial advisor. He was already my trusted friend, even though he is my brother! He has listened to me cry, complain, cry some more, question, cry more, complain more, etc. Yet, he is always there for me.

JD is a wonderful husband to my beautiful sister-in-law Stephanie and a great dad to my handsome nephew Ross. He is a godly man who seeks the Lord in everything he does, and when JD has something to say to me, I LISTEN!

After our conversation about all things financial, I felt like a tremendous weight had been lifted from my shoulders. JD's advice (about the aforementioned transition situation I am in) was to slow down with the worry, and give my business time to take off. That means so much coming from him.

Thanks, JD, for always knowing what to say to make me see the things that are right in front of me. I am so thankful that my little brother is so wise! You are loved!

A Beautiful Day!

2008-05-13T17:00:00.000-04:00

Well, even though I am still searching for answers for my future, I am loving this day! I realized that my last two posts may have been a bit sad or depressing, so I wanted to write an uplifting word today!
Yes, sometimes the life of a single mom is depressing and sad. Sometimes we are acutely aware of what we do NOT have, instead of acknowledging what we DO have. Sometimes things weigh very heavily on our weary shoulders. If we are really honest with ourselves, though, we will see the blessings of this life, even one without a parenting partner.
This morning at 5 AM, our sweet little puppy, Snickers, yapped from his crate that he needed a trip outside. I wanted to complain, but I couldn't be grumpy to a chubby little ball of fluff that was so happy to see me! After a very productive trip "outside," we snuggled back into my bed and went quickly back to sleep until the alarm sounded that it was time to hit the ground running. This time when I was awakened, warm rays from the rising sun were streaming through my windows....reminding me of the new start we are given each morning. It was a gentle reminder of God's Grace and His Presence in this life here on earth.
The splendor of that sunrise reminded me that this world is not the end, and a better world waits for those of us who believe.
God is with us, dear moms and dads, and He loves to make Himself known to us in beautiful ways.....whether it is through a warm wet nose that snuggles up for some love in the dark of night or through the magnificent sunrise of a new day.
Thank you, Father, for Your Presence in my life.

Transitions

2008-05-06T22:06:00.000-04:00

Have you ever been searching for answers? Have you ever thought that you had really sought God's Will before you did a certain thing, but when you finally did it (thinking that it was the best thing to do), you experienced a lack of total success, or even failure? Tonight, I am in this place....in a transition, of sorts.

Last summer, I took some classes to begin a new business in interior redesign (using what you have to create a new space), home staging (redesigning to sell), and color (as it relates to decorating). I had such grand hopes and dreams for my business, because I would be able to do, for money, something that brings me JOY! I was looking for a career that made me happy!

Prior to last summer, I had spent that last 20 years (off and on due to babies, moves, etc.) as an Early Childhood/Elementary teacher. I had known since I was in high school that I was going to be a teacher. I knew that teaching was God's Plan for me. I breezed through my career at Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, Tennessee with flying colors! Teaching jobs always came my way, even after I married and moved around because of Danny's job. I loved it! I felt at home in the classroom!

Then, of course, Danny died. I went straight into the school year, determined to teach and keep things as normal as possible for my kids. It was a great thought, but I was miserable. I actually don't remember many things about that school year. The next year I took a leave of absence. The year after that I returned to my old job. That year wasn't much better, so I resigned from teaching, after much prayer, fairly certain that God had a new Plan for my life.

Soon I will reach the milestone of owning my own business for a year. Guess what? I am now praying about going back to teaching. Why? Because small business owners do not have the greatest options as far as medical insurance goes. My children and I simply need good coverage that is affordable (and understandable!). I also miss being in the classroom.

It is my greatest wish that I can be a teacher and also assist others in their decorating endeavors. So...prayers are being raised even now. "Guide me to Your Will, Father. Lead me to the way that You have already provided for my family. Clear my mind, and help me to understand Your Ways. I have felt so lost for the last four years. Show me the way. Give me Your strength. Restore my joy. Thank you for loving me, even when I am at this crossroads. You truly are the "Lover of my Soul." I am so thankful. Amen."

The Journey's Beginning: I Am Now a Single Mom

2008-04-30T21:49:00.000-04:00

This is my first blog posting ever! I have really enjoyed the whole blog-reading thing lately, and I decided that blogging might be a good way for me to journal my "new life" as a single mom. Sometimes I have to talk to someone to sort things out, so instead of talking, I will write. I am excited to be a part of something bigger than I! Here is my story:

On July 6, 2004, my day began as any other day might have. It was summer break; my kids, Emily, then age 9, and Nicholas, then age 5, came into my bedroom to wake me up and get me going! I love to sleep in during the summer when I can. We clowned around on the bed for a while, and then got the day started. My husband, Danny, and I were taking the kids to the beach in a few days, so I needed to run some errands, get the kids' haircuts, get some laundry done, etc. Danny had been in Nashville for 2 weeks and was coming home that day to help us prepare for the beach trip to Hilton Head. Everything was going along as normal, or so I thought. The kids and I had stopped a couple of times during the day to call Danny's cell phone, just to check in, but we couldn't get through. We didn't think much about it since cell phone coverage was a bit spotty where he was working.

Later that afternoon, after all the running, I was busy folding laundry, and the kids were watching some TV. My mom came in the back door, and I immediately knew something was wrong. Although I don't remember much about the next few minutes, or even the next few hours, or even the next few days, I do remember that I asked her what was wrong. The look on her face spoke volumes!

Danny had been killed instantly that morning in a one-car accident in Hohenwald, TN, a small town outside of Nashville. She had come to tell me only minutes before the State Troopers made it to my door. I remember that the world turned a curious shade of black. My world went very dark for a few minutes. I remember screaming, almost as a toddler would, that it couldn't be true. It took me a few minutes to get some control, but I finally realized that my children could see and hear my reaction to this news. I knew that I needed to get a grip...my children were going to need their mother to be strong for them.

I remember dropping to my knees to ask God for His help in the hours and days to come. I asked Him to give me a strength that could only come from Him. I had none on my own. A sweet and simple peace fell over me that I will never forget.

I wandered through the next few days in a fog, but really sensing God's presence through what will perhaps be the most painful time of my life. Many days are still painful! I sometimes feel that I simply cannot do this (parenting, being the one in charge, etc.) on my own. I forget that I do not have to do this on my own. In my "most aloneness," He is there. On my worst days, He is there. In my weariness, He is there. In my frustration, He is there.

He is there for you, as well.