BETTER TO BE REAL THEN PRETENDING TO BE

AS I COMFORTABLY SIT IN MY RECLINER AT THE RIPE 'OLE AGE OF 67, decorating trends swirl about in my head as to what I want to do as an older woman in a chaotic world full of challenges.  A huge movement toward DOWNSIZING has been going on for a couple of years already turning loose of this 'n that, thinning out old papers, receipts, books, records, etc.

I'm leaning toward a more relaxed interior.  Farmhouse casual blended with some antiques and keepsakes like dolls and dishes.  Hours have gone into the mental arena of what to keep, where to put it all in the COTTAGE, where pieces of furniture will fit as we transplant into the COTTAGE.  Hours.  Sketches made, notes jotted, brain cells burning.  Wish the COTTAGE was already ready for us to morph right on over there to our new adventure as retired peeps.

The time I do have has been a busy one going through EVERYTHING.  Stirring up dust.  I'm slower than slow, but I am in MOTION.  

Hubby is working on the COTTAGE's STORAGE SHED.  We cleared it out as it was full of boxes and just STUFF.  STUFFED WITH STUFF.  Cleared it all out this SUMMER/AUTUMN.  He ripped the ceiling out and the walls out as the paneling was water damaged and icky.  We purchased new sheet rock, new paneling and new beaded board for ceiling.  He fixed three windows, hung different lights, hung the sheet rock on the ceiling and walls.  Next came the beaded board for the ceiling treatment and paneling for the walls, painted the pre-existing garage wall that is inside the shed.  Working on fixing some areas that need new cement.  He painted the floor, letting it cure and then the long awaited moment for putting the muscle racks in will take place and set up in THE SHED!  I can hardly contain myself.

He brought me a large box of handbags that had been in the garage for 5 and a half years.  I sorted through them making sure there was no cash hiding in pockets.  The bags stunk so bad with mold, I put gloves on and sorted through them pitching them as I went.  Things can be so easily destroyed by mold, mildew, water, fire, winds, etc.  Best to place our trust in our Heavenly Father then earthly things like purses.    

Back the progress of the shed....HOLIDAY DECOR will morph over to their new location. Hoping by the end of November that we are back on fixing up the COTTAGE BATHROOM.  

Out of the main house basement, garage and what is sitting in the COTTAGE UTILITY ROOM will settle into their new residence inside the shed!!!  As I relocate the Christmas decor and general HOLIDAY things, I will be giving more thought as to turning loose of more.  Just what do I really want and need to keep.  ROUND TWO. 

Last year, we had a WINTER WONDERLAND inside the screened in porch.  After the HOLIDAYS we kept a few artificial trees and donated back to GOD's STOREHOUSE the trees we no longer needed as we knew we'd be relocating to the COTTAGE and not need a WINTER WONDERLAND.  It was treat to me to have it.  I enjoyed.  Now for something else. 

Going through the motions of what it will take to downsize into a small COTTAGE as we transition into our late 60s.  It has been uncomfortable to actually turn loose of so much that took a huge effort to collect. The thinning out of paperwork has been laborious and is still in the making.  I had to take a break from it as I was overwhelmed.  I finished up the binder for the obituaries of loved ones and friends.  I finished up a binder holding Bridal Shower, Wedding cards and 25th Wedding Anniversary cards full of well wishes.  Working on warranties and items purchased binder.  Working on binders of children and grands.  Ongoing.  Seriously, I have to get some other projects accomplished as I sit in my chair.

Loosening up has been a challenge for me as I once was looser in my decorating and as time passed, I got confused as to what STYLE I was to mimic.  It's ridiculous to be so uptight.  Take a deep breath and live a little.  We only live once while we are here on earth.  No reincarnation. This is it!  Make it COUNT.  Relax and enjoy the MESSES.  It's better to be real then pretending to be.   

I STARTED BOXING UP KNICK KNACKS OFF MY BOOK SHELF.  Will go through the books one at a time and start boxing them up as I go.  It has become easier to thin out the books, records, movies.  Perhaps I am advancing to a place of maturity that will make pitching STUFF all the better.  LIFE GOES ON and I need to as well.  

THE POND's FARMHOUSE BLOG is a fun one to visit.
https://www.thepondsfarmhouse.com

YOU TUBE's Jeanna Loves Christmas.
http://www.jeannaloveschristmas.com

Blessings to all and to all a good LIFE!

~d