Sometimes we need inspiration. Other times we need to know we're not alone.
For anyone who needs to hear this - please know that you are not alone... in your mess.
I had just seen a post by a talented blogger, talking about how she loves transitional decor. (And I believe her because her pictures were beautiful!) Transitional decor, used this time of year, is blogger speak for Christmas is over but it's a wee bit early for spring blooms. I couldn't help but smile when I thought about my current state of transitional decor.
It looks something like this:
In the far corner of the porch sits a bench, dreaming that 2018 will be the year it is finally painted. The mini Christmas tree has had enough of Christmas and rests up against the house. If you're curious what's underneath the basket (I know I was), there were a couple of soccer balls hidden so that our dogs wouldn't chew them up. Seems reasonable.
Upon closer inspection, my French antique olive bucket (anniversary gift), also stores a soccer ball and cleats.
The obvious storage solution.
Feeling inspired yet?
And then as I walked upstairs past our youngest son's room, I thought...yup, I often feel like that bear. In a house with three growing boys and 17 animals to keep alive, home can sometimes feel like a giant to-do list. And that's just the day-to-day picking up. Then heap on my own decorating and improvement expectations and I'm bound to disappoint myself.
We all share something in common: We've been given 24 hours in our day.
We have loads we'd like to get done, and I'm not just talking laundry.
We watch a one-hour home improvement show where the house is taken from condemned to magazine-worthy within a 60-minute episode, and it all looks so easy.
Yet it's been four months, and I still haven't finished painting that bench on the porch.
The reality is - I don't always smile about my transitional decor. And this past weekend when a smoothie and nine cracked eggs ended up on our kitchen floor, I wanted to be the mom who laughed it off. But all I could think about was that STEM project I needed to help my 8th grader with, and the dishes that were piling up in the sink, and how (and why?) I'd just started painting the family room. And salmonella. Uggh.
AND THEN...
It comes to me. Every blessed day. I can't believe they're mine. It feels too good to be true. How did God know that these boys who play basketball and knock holes in our drywall were just what we needed? Our home is not only bursting with mess, but with life. And that's when my dissatisfaction is replaced with gratefulness.
So friends, we can do this. Whatever season you're in, whatever your busy - or your mess - looks like, you're not alone. We'll get there. Rome wasn't built in a day.
And neither was a clean home with freshly-painted shiplap, and a home-cooked dinner on the table. ;)
Carry on.
Xo
Great post. I no longer have kids at home, nor 17 animals to keep alive, I have my hands full with grown kids, grown grandchildren, assorted friends and a husband, aka Pig Pen and two dogs. I may have it easier than you at this stage in my life, but I truly enjoy Keep It Real posts. Being grateful for those who are still with us, or the ones looking down from Heaven is what life is about. Mess? Yes, but it's life and a beautiful mess. Thanks for this post!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words and for sharing! Yes, I know that it is not only the stage I'm in... I'm sure I will be like you too - it just keeps going, changing and growing in different ways. And yes to the beautiful mess! :)
DeleteMy kids are grown with kids of their own, but my hubby is here making messes for me! Thanks for such an honest post. It was enjoyable to see someone honestly share the rest of the story.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome and thank you! :)
DeleteSuch a sweet post that really hits home. Brought a few little tears to my eyes. My house has care home and hospital apparatus for decor as my dad ages. But, I wouldn't trade it for any home in a magazine. Thanks a million, and hugs.
ReplyDelete*Smiles*
Oh Pamela, now you brought the tears to my eyes. You are doing such a good thing, and I know you are soaking up the precious moments with your Dad... I can tell by how you write about him that he is well-loved. Thank you for being a good example for us. I know you love nesting too - keep dreaming those dreams even if you don't have time to chase them right now. Xo
DeleteBless your heart! This is why I love your blog! I have four children all grown with families of their own but I remember when they were young thinking that my house was never going to be like the homes of my friends whose children were grown and out of the house. Well, now I'm that person with the neat and orderly home and I would give the world to go back to the days of having my children at home and all the mess. Time goes by so quickly never to return so enjoy each day and every mess!
ReplyDeleteThank you Suzanne for your kind and wise thoughts. I meant to write you the day you wrote. Your reflections helped me start my day off right. Time does pass quickly and I am loving these days with our boys at home. I don't love the mess, but it's a small price to pay. :) I can tell how much you cherish your children.
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