Remembering

Remembering is sometimes more tangible if we have visual reminders around us and yet, I strongly agree with the advice that memories are in the heart, not things. It is certainly a balance knowing what to keep and what to let go. My oldest son put hours and hours into a project for history class. It came home after being graded and there it sits in the living room. I am loath to throw it away. I somehow want to save it. I asked him what he wanted to do with it and he had the wonderful idea of taking a picture of it. This helps me part with it, but it still sits in my house. I will have to act eventually, but I am not ready yet.

I have surrounded myself and my family with things that have meaning. I was shopping with my mother when I spied this little wire cabinet. It had two charming doors that swung open and I loved it. I might have bought it for myself, or I might have thought that it was not in the budget and longingly left it behind. But it hangs in my house today because of my mother’s generosity and I am still drawn to it. My fondness is not merely for its visual aesthetic, but the warmth and love that I feel for my mother. It is strongly tied to how sensitive she is and to her giving heart.

Even what I have chosen to put in it, has strong sentiments. A miniature collie that belonged to my grandmother that has passed away, a tea cup that was found in an antique shop on a romantic trip with my husband, and a small doll that my brother gave me for Christmas. The doll is small and wears a little bit of lace around her chest as her only garment. He was very apologetic for her size and lack of clothes, but I love my little doll and would not change a thing about her. Once again, not for the doll itself, but for the smile I receive when I think of my brother.

My husband has given me some wonderful things for our home. Perhaps they are the most tightly woven into my homes’ décor. They may move from room to room, but I seem to always find a home for them. Each piece becomes a part of my history with him. He is my best friend.

Many people wonder what to put on their walls and what will make their rooms look perfect. I love beautiful things. Things that are just enjoyable to look at, and yet I think it is more about surrounding yourself with people. My house wraps its arms of love around me with memories. Not everything can have a special memory attached to it, but I fill in all the corners I can.

P.S. I have since put the project in the garage.

Getting Started

Getting started. Sometimes that’s the hardest hurdle to jump over in any project. Once the work begins though, it just flows. I am planning a redo of my master bathroom. The walls are prone to becoming moldy and it seems that part of the solution is to put a primer on that fights mold. I also think that perhaps the fan is not doing its’ job properly, but that is just a hunch on my part. I have found an inspiration room which I found on Rate My Space on HGTV.com. You can find it just by searching for haystack yellow on Google (that’s the wall color). I am fully planning to include many more details and pictures as I continue to write. I have to be patient, because I am very clearance conscious and will be on the hunt for the best deals. Sometimes the perfect item or fabric is something that I already own. I love it when that happens!

I would love to share with you my philosophy on decorating and subsequently house cleaning as it is eloquently stated by my 6 year old daughter that I will call Lulabelle. I have received the magazine “Romantic Homes” for the last 10 years and I have saved all of my copies and refer to them often. Just last night Lulabelle declared “I love Romantic Homes, the rooms are beautiful, and they are never messy, I am not very good at keeping my room clean, but I am very good at getting it messy!” I find inspiration when I thumb through decorating magazines, not only for color combinations, furniture arrangements, etc., but seeing all those serene and tidy rooms really helps me to get the dishes done!

It is fitting that I would share a story from one of my children’s perspective. I have named this blog for the cute ways my children look at life. Callapitter is how most of my children would refer to a caterpillar when they were very young. I love their innocence and wisdom all mixed together. They are teaching me and holding me accountable every day. I thank God for them and know that they are a gift from Him.

Well, getting started is done, now we will see if I am true to my word and the work of keeping you all up to date will just flow from here on out. I have great intentions, and I will so enjoy sharing what is in my heart. Until next time, God Bless.