Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Living Room Project #7


This post is about reality.

What I have loved so far about
this project is that I have managed
to keep the living room in pretty
good shape. Things picked up,
the dog toys put away, etc.

However, this week we got out of our
routine after going
away for a couple
of days. I came home to
some sizable
candle orders.

I have let things go
in the living room.

It also happened that yesterday I was
asked to help a young lady from church
with some music and that took about two hours.
It was so much fun for me, I hope
she would say the same, but nonetheless
that cut into my candle making schedule
significantly. They will get done in time.
It is just more of a push now.




Actually, some of this mess is that I need
the tabletop to store the completed
candles before they go into their bags
for delivery.


A laundry basket of clean clothes
awaits sorting and delivery.



As I type this at 11:45 pm on Wednesday
evening there are candles in the oven
finishing up. No, I don't make all of
the candles in the oven, but this batch
has been a real pain. The kind that make
me wonder if I am crazy to continue this
business. Thankfully, years of experience
show that most of the time
it is not like this!

So, all I have to show you this week is
the new $5 lampshade.

The kids and I went out this
afternoon and I thought I would
find something more interesting...
but nope.

Nothing.

So instead you get the lampshade
and the laundry basket.

Oh, want to see the floor?



Bandit is fine...
she was playing with
something down there.
I do think this picture made
her look flat.
Funny!

I took her out to see the neighbor
kids at the bus stop this morning and
they gave her a stick to play with.

This is what she does with sticks.
You can see just a few pieces.
There are many more.
All over the floor.

I didn't get around to picking up the
big pieces so I can vacuum the smaller
ones yet.

Sigh...

So, this is what it is like sometimes.

Often, really.

It is real.

It is raw.

But, you know, I wouldn't take back
this afternoon with Chelsea and Jonathan.
(Mikey was working so he couldn't join us.)
I would go spend time with them again.
Even if it means the Living Room Project
takes longer and things aren't just perfect
here....

So, while I know we all want to be inspirational
and always show the best of ourselves and our homes,
sometimes it is important to remember that no
one who enjoys life lives in a spotless, perfectly
appointed home one hundred percent of the time.
Things happen.
People happen.
Cooking and baking messes happen.

But in the end it is still home.
That place that you cannot wait to
get back to when you have been away.

The place to kick your shoes off and
cuddle in that spot on the sofa that
has come to fit your body just right.

Messes or not!

Thanks for stopping by to see the
progress...or lack thereof.

I truly hope
that your home
is your Haven.

Thank You, Vee,
for that verbal image.

A Haven, indeed.
Photobucket

9 comments:

Vee said...

Yes, and things can get just as out of hand here in my little corner as anywhere. The thing is that it'll all straighten up quickly enough if you're a doer of those routines you've already established. You touched on an a few important things in this post and the one that I want to zero in on is figuring out what the problem is. So often we know that there is a problem, but we don't stop long enough to figure out what to do. Case in point: needing the table top to store the candles before they get shipped. I don't know the solution, but it almost sounds as if you need your own little candle corner. Is that possible? (I know that sometimes it isn't.)

Becky K. said...

Vee, I really do need a separate space for all of the candle process. But, that is a balancing act because I definitely want to stay at home with it all and until the kids have moved on in a few years the whole house is full. SO, I try to live with the inconveniences of it and my family endures...bless their hearts.

I am thankful for the small income that is now being generated and would hate to put a stop to that right now.

Becky K.

Karen said...

The new lampshade was only $5? Great deal! It looks so nice with your lamp.

I think you've got the right priorities. These days with our kids will be over before we know it. I don't want to look back and regret not taking time to enjoy them.

I know I don't live in a perfect, spotless house. I'm not even sure I want to, to be honest. I'd rather enjoy life than fuss over a house, do what has to be done and let the rest go so we can have fun times together.

Vickie said...

Hi Becky - I think you're balancing very well, taking time out for the important, lasting things and squeezing in time for the candle business. Keeping it all in perspective and staying calm knowing that it'll all be there to work on when you get back into your routine. We do what we have to do. I don't guess you have room for some kind of little corner cupboard or cabinet where you could store your candles and supplies? Vee had a good idea there if you have room for it. I used to have one of those round side tables with a cloth that fell to the floor. I used to keep stuff under there for storage when I didn't have room.

I think you're doing a wonderful job - I have three houses right now that we are trying to do something with, well, two of them anyway besides the farmhouse. My husband is facing changing jobs possibly and we don't know where that's gonna leave us. Don't know when either. We're meeting ourselves coming and going right now trying to get one house ready to rent and the other one to sell possibly. Nothing in my life is in order right now it seems. I know it will be at some point, but I feel kinda scattered. So hang in there, you'll get back to it - hey you got a new lampshade!

black eyed susans kitchen said...

Becky, You can't sweat stuff like that...it will be cleaned up eventually...when my living room is cluttered or messy it is a sure sign of unexpected company! That picture of Bandit is hilarious!
♥, Susan

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

Priorities! You've got yours right. I know you are feeling the changes coming with the boys graduating this year...everyday together is a gift.

Elena said...

Amen to that about home being a haven. I can see that your home is just that. I feel that way about my home. It is not perfect but we sure are happy here and love is here and that is what is important:) The Lord bless you! Elena

Barb said...

Hi Becky, love the lampshade....too pretty!

Messes are part of life and living. Perfect houses are just that, perfect...but I much prefer to live in my home, don't you?

Barb ♥

JD/ Jill said...

Becky, It's looks to me..that you are making progres...Messes, You want to see a mess...My house right now is a sea of boxes...I try to sort a couple every day...finding a place to put the things is not easy. I need to have a yard sale, but it is so hard letting go of my Mother's things.
Your rose picture on top of your blog is so pretty....
and Happy "Belated" Anniversary to you...It's been several days since I have been able to get on the net and do one of my favorite pasttimes...blog hopping. Have a great weekend...Blessings, Jill