Looking Back & Moving Forward

Looking back , 2013 was a "Year of Changes" for our family.

Some changes were planned, anticipated and welcomed with open arms.

 Before retirement I never had the time to do all that I wanted to accomplish and now I have all the time in the world.

One change was unexpected and brought sorrow to our otherwise wonderful lives.

We knew the loss of our precious 14 year old Dorje was inevitable, but it was a change we would have preferred not to experience.

A spur of the moment decision to mend our broken hearts with our goldendoodle Lulu brought changes both good and bad.

We love Lulu dearly, but digging up the garden, swallowing socks and stealing anything in sight are habits we hope she soon loses.

A totally unexpected change was KC leaving San Francisco and moving back to her home town.

It is a dream come true to have KC living just 4 houses away and surprising us by cooking dinner frequently.

Looking forward, we see 2014 as "The Year of the House".

Ten years ago we had this table custom built to fit our tiny dining room, but Steve has always hated the narrow and short table.

On Tuesday we bought reclaimed wood which Steve cut today to make a new rustic tabletop that will be both wider and longer.

The next home project which I plan to begin this weekend is to set up a "creative space" in the house.

I spent a lot of time organizing a creative space in the garage, but it is too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter.

A major home change in 2014 will be to fill in and level our cobblestone patio.

We love the look of our patio, but recently both Steve and I have fallen so we know the patio is a home improvement that must be made.

Today was spent at home making lots of little changes all over the house.

I know it's going to be a very good year.

. . . . . . . . .

Housekaboodle - Meet the Neighbors Link Party

My French Country Cottage - Feathered Nest Friday

My Romantic Home - Show and Tell

Jennifer Rizzo - Fabulously Creative Friday

Imparting Grace - Grace At Home

Rooted in Thyme - Simple & Sweet Fridays

Shabby Art Boutique - Shabbilicious Friday

The Charm of Home - Home Sweet Home

Common Ground - Be Inspired

My New Table

Last week I fell in love and wrote about it here.

The trouble is, I am not ready for a new table.

When we move the stereo out of the living room, I want to remove the green cabinet and put my new table in its place.

I haven't even called the electrician yet, so my table needs a temporary home.

I thought about putting it in the entryway and moving the red cabinet,

but the table just wasn't right in the space.

Moving things around in the entry made me notice how small the shelf is.

 Replacing it will be my weekend project.

I settled on the hallway for now.

The painting is about 3 inches too low, but I'm not going to move it since it is temporary.

I absolutely love the legs on this table.

An assortment of old shells and favorite books grace the top of the table.

When I went to pick up the table I bought the fleur de lis that is on the top of the blocks.

I am loving this table more and more each time I look at it.

I almost did not go to the antique store on Friday.

I had to drive a student home all the way across town and then go to the bank.

The wind was blowing like crazy...

 I was tired...

and I wanted to get home.

But, something made me drive back across town.

I am so glad I made the effort, because now, this lovely table is mine.

Now, it is time to call the electrician.

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I am linked up at
My Romantic Home 
Show and Tell Friday

I'm In Love

I fell in love on Friday.

I wasn't planning on it.

No one plans love, it just happens.

I thought about my love all night and it was my first thought in the morning.

I was totally obsessing.

After work on Friday I dropped in at American Home and Garden.

I wasn't looking for anything in particular.

I walked in just before closing and was warned that I only had 15 minutes.

That was enough time to find this

Art project?

and this

Part of the art project?

and this.

And, it was enough time to fall in love

with this table.

We are having some wiring done in the house so we can move the stereo system from the living room to Steve's studio.

I decided I wanted a long skinny table to go next to his leather chair.

I had not planned to look for a table yet because we haven't even contacted the electrician, but when you see it, you just know.

The tag says it is made from an old church pew.

The green top goes perfectly with the slipcovers.

I had a volleyball tournament on Saturday morning and while I was doing my duty as a referee, I was dreaming about "my" table.

As soon as the tournament was over (my girls won their division) I rushed back to the store to see it.

There was my table waiting for me.

I had done some measuring on Friday night and the table was just a few inches too long for the space, but I wanted it anyway.

I figured I could move some furniture around and make adjustments.

My table was a little more than I had planned to spend, but I glossed over that.

I wanted it!

But, love is fickle.

I turned around and spotted another table tucked in a corner.

I felt guilty cheating on my table, but I was in love again.

And, it is just the right length.

And, it is less than half the price of my first love.

And, the saleswoman offered me 10% off.

How could I pass it up?

I was parked in a half hour space and I was supposed to be home to go to Steve's art show so I walked away.

But, as soon as we arrived at the art show I called the store and asked them to hold it for me.

They opened at 11:00 this morning

and this sweet little table is now sitting in my house waiting for me to decide where to put it until the wiring is done.