Tackling The Closet Problem

I bought my home thinking I'd take refuge here for 2 years, 3 tops....but 6 years later, I'm still here.  One of the first negative characteristics I found out quickly was the lack of closet space.

I have a hard time parting with my clothes so I've always had one seasonal wardrobe boxed and the other in closets. My closets, here, are THE smallest I've ever had.  So I've had to find other options ...boxes, dividers, under the bed storage, shoes stacked on a door organizer, jewelry bags behind the door, etc.  My bureau drawers barely close.  Frankly, my bedroom has become claustrophic.  The organization had gotten chaotic...to the point that I avoided lounging in my bedroom.  My sanctuary had become an irritant.

Last week while doing laundry, I went into the extra bedroom downstairs to retrieve something.  This is another room I'd started to avoid.  It'd become the collect-all.  I had a rough time opening the door.  I'd recently moved the mattresses from that room into Tayshaun's and the bedding was in a heap on the floor.  I knew it was getting to the point that I couldn't avoid the messiness anymore.  So I decided it was going to be my project for the weekend.  It was actually a shame that the bedroom was wasted space.  It had literally become a closet.

The past few years, I've entertained the idea of making one of the extra bedrooms a dressing room and somewhere to do my hair/makeup.  So again, I started to think about that idea.  It seemed like a silly idea to use a whole room to get dressed in but then again....we're not using the space anyway...so why not.  On Friday evening,  I browsed Pinterest and also googled dressing rooms and found myself getting ideas and inspiration.

As I thought about the space, I really wanted to add color to the mostly white and ivory palette but I just didn't have the energy to paint.  So I decided to bring in the color through fabric and prints.  I definitely wanted sparkle but soothing colors.  Some of the images I saw on Pinterest were of velvet hot pink boudoir type chaises and ottomans which really intrigued me but I decided to be more conservative and mellow.  I love the ice-skating rink blue color in my bedroom so decided to bring that in with champagne metallics and of course, silver.

On Saturday, I started to disassemble the daybed and decided to take a few "BEFORE" pics because this was definitely quite the project and I wanted to track my accomplishment.  The first day was tiring and boring; it was mostly cleaning, reboxing, moving out furniture, figuring out how to best utilize the space.  And worst of all, I took a lot of time trying to figure out where to put the other items I didn't want to bring back into the dressing room.  Incidentally, some of that stuff is still outside the dressing room door, right now but that's another project.  By the time I went to bed, I had a blank slate.

Sunday, I moved items from my bedroom to downstairs and finished categorizing, storing and boxing items.  Finally I did a little shopping for storage accessories.  Before I went to sleep, I'd left a corner of the room blank and couldn't help letting the idea of a vanity table fit so comfortably there. I've had my eye on one at Pier 1 Imports for years but didn't really want to incur the expense so I mentally replaced the area with two large floor length mirrors... for those mornings I want to do a little Jane Fonda leg lefts before getting ready on the weekend.

Today, I shopped some more and found the color and the sparkle.  Needless to say, I argued and argued with myself but just couldn't talk myself out of the vanity table. It's probably frivolous but I tried to be thrifty about other items so I didn't feel badly about making the purchase.

Normally when I'm in the mood or have a purpose to shop, I can't find a thing.  But today, I wanted EVERYTHING in every aisle I stepped into.  Pier 1and HomeGoods were my best friends this weekend.  And for the practical things, I shopped at Target.  I haven't even hit IKEA yet but I'm not sure I'll be able to fit another thing in my not so blank slate.

Now that the shopping is done, I'm going to get my items on the walls and shelves before I take AFTER pics.  But in the meantime, I'm getting ready for work in my new dressing room tomorrow morning.

To be continued..... with BEFORE and AFTER pics in a few days.  The pics I included were those I found for inspiration.

Yesterday Was The Funniest Day Ever....says T

 T woke this morning and one of the first things out of his mouth was "Yesterday was the funniest day ever!"  He wanted to write his own comments about his day yesterday.....

T:  "Yesterday was the funniest day because when we went to the basketball game, we got really good tickets and I was wearing my favorite shoes that grandma/grandpa gave me for Christmas.  We could see the game really good from where we were sitting.  And then in the second quarter, my friend, Ibreheim, came to our seats in row 15 to say "hi".  I was surprised to see him.  And then later on at 7-ish, Lena brought over her new puppy and she still doesn't have a name for her.  But when they brought her over the house, it was Shalyse's birthday and she got to hold the puppy first.  And when you hold the puppy, you feel like you're holding a half a pound.  And it was really fun having our whole family at our house.  And then, I had ice cream.  I watched tv until late.  And right after, I feel asleep."

With Tayshaun's permission (the bossy shit!), I'm going to finish my post.

It was nice having a three day weekend.  And we were able to take advantage of our year-round passes and catch a UofU basketball game and a Grizzly hockey game.  We're thinking we bring our teams bad luck because every game we've gone to with these passes, the team has lost the game.  And last week, Jazz also lost the game we went to.  :(

However T caught a Jazz tee-shirt at that game so it was still worth going.

We did have a great time for dinner with the family celebrating Shalyse's birthday.  I was busy having fun and cooking supper to take pics.  Oopsie!

The new puppy was a hit at the party.  And we had as many pets at the party as we did humans.  Kingzley was in doggy heaven.

Yesterday, T asked me how many more days until spring.  Coincidentally, I've been counting down the days myself.  Fortunately, daylight is lasting a little longer each day which gives us more time to fit in more activities.

Can't wait until next weekend!!!!

Happy Birthday Baby!

 I'm sure this month has a been a sad one for you, Maddie.

Carter's birthday was last week and this was the first time you've not been there to share and celebrate his birthday.  I'm sorry.

There was a very special reason you were brought into this little man's life.  In many ways, you helped create this child.

If you hadn't come into Bryton's life when you did, Carter may have never been.  You helped bring life to this beautiful human being.

You were able to experience the miracle of new life through Carter.  Although you were there through my pregnancy with Tayshaun, and although you were old enough to understand the process, you never really wanted or were part of the experience.  Fortunately for me, you at 16. were not interested in being a mom yet.

So when you met Bryton and she was pregnant, I was skeptical about the commitment you would have for her and this baby growing inside of her.  I honestly thought the experience would scare you away from the burden and responsibility of a baby...not to mention the late nights, poopy diapers (as you never once changed Tayshaun's), no more late night partying, the cholic or flu-symptoms you would eventually experience with a baby/child, etc, etc.  I thought you'd be high-tailing it out of there once he made an appearance.

But you surprised me.  How many times have I heard you say, "I cut Carter's cord." -- so proudly.

It wasn't that I didn't think you were capable of having a baby in your life.  I just didn't see you wanting a child anytime soon.  But there you were talking Bryton into having this baby she wasn't sure she wanted.  If you remember, I warned you about the influence you were bringing to Bryton.  After all, the decision she would make would be a permanent one....for her.

Now, of course, I'm very happy you were able to influence Bryton enough that she decided to see through her pregnancy and keep Carter Brooke.

He brought a new meaning to your life.  One you hadn't experienced yet.  I watched you grow into motherhood so naturally.  It was so surprising to me.

He was your first.  Your first experience of giving your all, wholeheartedly and unselfishly to another.

Bryton probably doesn't understand what you brought to her life as she is too young and immature to appreciate what you did.

I watched you hold onto a relationship that wasn't necessarily fulfilling but one that you felt you had to maintain in order for you to continue to be Carter's mother.  I had hoped and sometimes thought that you really did want that relationship and that it might be a forever one, simply because I know how much you love Carter.   But I know from experience that if you're not wholeheartedly in a marriage/relationship, it just doesn't work.

More importantly, if you continued down an unfulfilling path, you were likely to eventually try to find what you were missing...somewhere else.  Or you would stay in that relationship and miss out on a good, meaningful, and loving one.

And now I watch you, again, being unselfish for the sake of Carter.  Doing what you feel is best for him....not what is best for you.

I'm sure you're already aware of the many things that Carter has brought to your life.  He's helped you grow as a person, as an adult.



You are linked to me forever, Madison.  You will always be my daughter and I will always be your mother.  No one and nothing can take that away from us.

You know how I feel about this subject.  It is my hope that you become a mom again.  And that you have that forever link with a child of your own.  Whether you do that legally, as in adoption, or you chose to have your own natural child, I hope you're able to bring that joy to your life and our family.

Know that I am proud of you.  And I'm sad that you're hurting.  But I am really glad that you were brought together with Carter, for his sake and for yours.

We will all miss him but we will always remember him.  Happy Birthday Carter-Boo!

Shalyse is 30 Something? Huh?!

I'm thinking back to 31.  I'd recently divorced from a 12 year marriage.  And for the first time in my life, I was making my own decisions without having to consult absolutely anyone... no parents, no husband.  Turning 30 wasn't such a big deal for me.  I was having the best times of my life, then.  I was feeling like an independent person and not just a mom or a wife.  I was finally doing what I wanted to do.  Sounds selfish, I know.  But that's who I was at 30-something.  Because at 17, I was having babies, wondering how/when I was going to get a college education, and worrying about bills.

Shalyse turned 31 on Friday.  When I thought about her turning 30 last year, it was difficult for me.  As a matter of fact, she recently told me she didn't get a chance to feel badly about it herself because I was having such a hard time with it.  But SNAP!!!! she was invading my 30-something space.

Realism really sets in when your daughter turns 30.  She's catching up to my age....well at least the age that I've always had in my mind for myself....30-something.

At 30, Shalyse and I were in such different times of our lives.  Fortunately for Shalyse, she's had the opportunity to experience every independent experience she's wanted before 31....leaving plenty of time for the responsibilities of marriage/partnership and parenthood for afterwards.

Shalyse has been dealt some pretty difficult cards in her life but then again, she's been a LUCKY girl too. Shalyse has had to deal with life-threatening situations at a very young age which I'm sure has given her perspective, knowing it could all end at any time - which is so different for those of us who take it for granted that life is forever.

She's been able to expereience so many things that other people could only wish for.  I think Shalyse has been living life to it's fullest and hopefully appreciating every little bit of it.  I know I've appreciated the 31 years I've experienced with her.  Love you, Shalyse!!!!!!

Before I turned 40, I used to think that 40 was soooo far away.  And I used to think that when I approached 40,  I'd have the relief of not having to worry about weight, fashion, current style, hair, etc, anymore.  But when I turned 40, nothing changed.  I was still beginning a diet every Monday, still regularly changing my hair color, still shopping for sequins, faux-this or that, halters, etc etc.

So....enjoy every birthday from here on out, Shalyse....you'll be approaching "beyond 30", shortly.  Mark my words, it's not that far away.

Happy Birthday Shalyse!

Coughing, Sneezing, and Belly Aching

T is sick again.  He's caught himself a cold this time.  It doesn't surprise me though.  One of the last times I volunteered at the school, one of the little guys in his class was using his entire bare arms as a kleenex for his runny nose. :/

Obviously these kids share and touch the same things in the classroom.  They're almost certain to catch a few colds.

T is becoming a drama queen, lately.  So I have to carefully observe.  What seems like a simple cough can lead up to a coughing fit.  And he usually can develop some symptom or another the day before my Monday off.  So I never know whether he's exaggerating or really hatin' it.

Since taking Shalyse's appendicitis symptoms lightly, 26 years ago, I now skirt on the dramatic side.  Nevertheless, I sent him to school today.

And then was called at work to collect this sickie by noon. I think we'll be staying in again tomorrow.

T is pretty much stuck in front of the television...right where he likes to be.  In the meantime, he plays the sick card to the hilt and asks for special smoothies, crustless cheese sandwiches, and warmed up sweet rolls (a la Smith's).

Crossing my fingers that my immune system avoids his or any other virus.

Argo

I left the theater with a stomach ache after having watched this.  I was stressed through the entire flick.  Excellent movie, though.  It had a feel of films back in the 70's...not just the attire and hair styles but also the simplicity of the movie film and the actual news footage.

This story reminded me of how lucky I am to be living in this country.  It was heartbreaking to see children who had to live daily with so much violence, hangings in the middle of the street, truckful of militia with guns,  and living your entire life in fear.

I've always said it takes unique and brave individuals to hold certain career positions...one of which would be a CIA operative.  Wow!  It's amazing the pressure that some people can endure.

Worthwhile seeing.