Something I just had to share!!

Strange how it came about, but I was at Step #8 in the current column on "How to Say GoodBye to Sentimental Objects" when my mind flashed back to that day 2 years ago, when — after looking around my kitchen/family room, I realized it was time to make a change, not only with the furniture . . . but in my life. My husband (of 48 years) had died in 2011, but until that moment, I guess i was still hanging on to old memories, including visions of family gatherings around the expandable dining table, which even without its leaves, was far too large for the room (especially with the chairs around it). More importantly, since he wasn't coming back, I was free to decide if I wanted to change things or continue living the past.I Giving myself permissison to step forward really was a life-changing decision for me.

In the 12 months that followed, I relied on Houzz a lot for input as I replaced the dining table, selected a new chandelier and searched for upholstery fabric for the love seats that had disappeared from online ads immediately after I had arranged for a their re-upholstering. (A lead from a Houzz reader found it for me within driving distance of my home!)

With that done, I turned my attention to the upstairs shower, but ended-up re-doing the whole bathroom, dressing area and bedroom — from basic fixtures to Venetian-plastered walls and new tile and carpeting. BTW, I spotted both the tiles for my new shower (Porcelana Deco Nacare Blanco and Gris) and the carpeting (Tuftex Bling) on Houzz!

My final decision was to change the sliding door leading from the bedroom to the balcony outside to French doors, but when the layout of the room made that impossible,I switched to Anderson French Rail Gliding Doors. I had no idea how much brighter the room would be without the sheer panels (and darkout panels behind them)) . . . and though I just ordered pull-down blinds to protect the new carpeting from our blazing summer afternoon sun — for now the windows on the doors are still bare.

My reason for writing this morning, is just to share the amazing experience I now enjoy each morning as I wake up. Because the new doors butt up to a wall of mirrored closet doors, I have a unique view of both the still overcast sky to the West (if I look thru the windows) . . . and if I shift my gaze just a couple of inches, the reflection of the magnificent sunrise thru the mirror!! Although I've always been more in tune with nature than scripture, I've been surprised to find myself not only staying in bed a few minutes longer each morning to enjoy it, but also giving thanks.

PS: Also found that article on coping with sentimentality inspiring . ..though personally, at the risk of sounding overly pecuniary, I 'll admit that when I find it hard to part with an item I haven't touched in years and probably never will, I now remind myself that the real estate it is occupying is worth far more to me than the item itself.