My girl Gracie informed me yesterday she was tired of being ignored in my blog and was not going to stand for it anymore. So therefore, I am sorry Graciepooh! You were my first dog and remain my constant companion always ready to "go" wherever mom takes you. I love you!

REDOING

This past weekend the "Wallpaper Mafia" came to visit my 1978 house. Velvet wallpaper and brown paneling were apparently the rage then...not so much now. This group of people graciously volunteered to take down four rooms of wallpaper and help demo a kitchen. They worked for 8 hours and saved me about two weeks worth of work. I am forever grateful to them and while I absolutely hate wallpaper and brown paneling, their company and gesture outweighed my hatred for 70's decor. Thank you ladies and gentleman!!

The Monkey

Usually I try to find the "gift" in what I have been given whether good or bad. Sometimes I fail at that. Three ladies went out of their way this past weekend to get Ginny (my monkey) a blanket with her namesake on it. Yes, Ginny is a dog, but she acted so much like a monkey when I got her that the nickname stuck. The blanket of course meant more to me than to the Monkey, but the gift- which wasn't the blanket- but the gesture and thoughtfulness of these ladies, reminded me to look past my nose.

New Beginnings- whether wanted or not

While I realize that life sometimes deals us a crappy hand, I have been reminded this week no matter what comes my way, I still go on. I have been redoing a house (which I hope to be my last) after work everyday which was built in 1978 and has lovely velvet wall paper (I hate wallpaper!). And as frustration was mounting while powerwashing a patio covered in 30 years of grime, it struck me how lucky I was to be able to be powerwashing the patio of a house soon to be mine. It is easy to get weighed down in the muck and to be unhappy about what life deals us, but I believe there is a gift of knowledge gained about ourselves and the realization of inner strength (which is sometimes forgotten) that we can always be grateful for.