a tale of tails, tenacity, and tedium, as told by me, usually barefoot and bellowing

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Prepared To Be Shocked!

We put our hearts into our blogs but there are many things we do not show.  You see the pretty things, the ordinary things, the things you would expect to see according to your idea of a certain blogger. 

I am blowing all that outta the water today.  If you follow, you know I have been changing, rearranging, purging and just plain trashing my  place.  Trying to find that comfort zone that truly reflects Me...the me you think you know or the me I really am...You decide.

You may have me pictured as a Home and Garden lady, which I actually am, but the pictures below do not reflect that.  They will reveal the strange side, the place where I rest, the place I recenter (other than outdoors).  The things I enjoy around me may be from your worst nightmares or they may be your dream, either way, I hope you don't judge but rather, enjoy seeing some of the private me.  Please ignore any dust you may see, I'm still working on that part...I guess I always shall be.
The large couch that almost maimed me
accented with a shawl I crocheted
and two pillows so I can lay comfortably, when I choose.
My favorite table at end of said couch,
that I bought years ago in a junk store.
The lamp was a yard sale find with my choice of shade added.
The top of this six-legged table has beautiful inlaid wood,
but I cover it with Mom's doily.
This is in front of the fire place.
A statue, I've named Irene, after a good friend,
three candle sticks  (actually wooden ashtrays,
two pieces hand carved by Uncle Otis
and the third made by Hubby in high school shop class.
I enjoy splashes of color...
A painting by me and a vase of flowers
rest on the fireplace mantle.
This is my gaming computer and my business center.
A yard sale lamp, a black walnut bench made by Dad
and a big glass pig that Mom saved stamps in.
My me corner, complete with sweet tea and foot stool, to read, watch tv, write, or just to stare into space after a long day.  All things important are only a arm's reach away in those drawers.  To our left is a cedar table Dad made me, Aunt Evah's chair with a yard sale side table and lamp.  The foot stool is the blob of flowered material in the foreground.
Mom wanted lots of built-in shelves when they built this house so they remain.  This shelf used to be stuffed with books but they have moved to the shop.  Much more thinning is needed and that will come...maybe one truly favorite item per shelf.  I read here with the natural light.  Note the toy shelf!  I also have a shelf for emergency candles for when the power dies, complete with lighter.
Why do I never think to fix a lamp shade?
Yard sale bowl, cheap flowers and dollar store lamp,
all things I love,
all things I must clean!
Told you I like strange things...and doilies.
St Francis wears my beautiful cross
next to a floating stool for when it is needed.
A pair of these black walnut shelves flank the fireplace.
It looks full but, believe me, compared to before,
it is empty.
I plan to empty more.
Simplicity is my goal.
A painting by Alex Baptiste brightens the mantel.
A gift from Andrew's best friend because I like dogs.
This was Mom and Dad's living room.  It measures about 30x40 and is our bedroom and my sitting area.  A part of me is here, many parts of Mom and Dad and other parts of family.  I am trying to find the perfect combination to make it truly feel like ME.  If I continue working at it, one of these days, I will get there.

20 comments:

Unknown said...

So sweet! It sounds like your life is a work in progress. Mine too.

LindaG said...

Very nice place, Gail. :)

Empty Nester said...

Your tour was wonderful- I felt quite comfortable! Not sure I would want to leave- especially in this heat. LOL

I'm still working on simplifying too. Maybe, one day, we'll get there. Looks like you're way ahead of me!

T. Powell Coltrin said...

Good job, Gail. I don't know where to start. I love that couch. I have a wingback similiar to yours. I love that you get your lamps secondhand. Me too! I love your paintings. And finally, I love that you are present in your decor.

T

The Words Crafter said...

I think you've successfully combined beauty with comfort and have a lovely and restful place to BE. Well done!

And thanks for the peek into you :)

Buttons Thoughts said...

Oh I love the unusual it is a great mix. My best part the part about your parents being a part of it nothing can compare to that. You are blessed. Memories. B

ellen abbott said...

Thanks for the tour. I like the recessed built in book case. It all looks very cozy.

OmaLindasOldeBaggsandStuftShirts said...

Thank you for the tour of your you place. It is lovely to see where you rest and relax, where you keep your families endeavors close at hand. I think my favorite is the cross legged ethnic on a doily. I think you have a wonderful sense of self and I am enriched by seeing your treasures. Great insight into Gail and the eclectic person you are. No wonder I like you. Linda

Michaele said...

Congratulations on taking the time to get your space to be comfortable and "you". It does look very homey and comfortable and I love the interesting mix and the history.
Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Hi Gail! I Love all of your goodies! Eclectic and "lived in" are what makes things comfortable. I think I pretty much saw you like this! Kinda tough and outdoorsey but a nice calm soft side, inside! You are an animal lover, what else did I really need to know! Hee Hee! I think the way you mix yourself in with your family treasures is wonderful! It makes, you, YOU!

Tara

StitchinByTheLake said...

I see so many thins I love that I would be hard put to name them all Gail. I especially love that you can say, "this was Mom's, Dad made this, hubby did this...." That is what makes home just that - home. I am the same way. I have my grandmother's washstand beside my bed as an end table, an old desk that hubby's father redid in front of the window, a quilt of mothers.... See what I mean? blessings, marlene

John Going Gently said...

a snippet of you life!
in photos!
wonderful

Golden Eagle said...

Thank you for the tour!

It looks and sounds like you have a wonderful place. :)

Jeannelle said...

Nice post, Gail!

Hope said...

this is very kind of you to allow us to peek through the keyhole! now I don't feel like I'm snooping lol!
lovely cozy, warm home you have. and your blog relates that as well!
thank you for sharing it with us

VioletSky said...

I think your home reflects you quite well (considering I don't really know you, it seems to be about what I would expect!) Since moving my furniture to allow the new blinds to be installed, I really like the spare look and am trying to convince myself I can get rid of a few things!

Queen-Size funny bone said...

thanks for inviting me in. we had a tag sale this weekend and I seemed to purge quite a bit of stuff. BUT when my neighbor brought some things over for us to get rid of for her I found myself bringing them into my house. I just love too much stuff.

Pat said...

What can be better than to be surrounded by things that comfort you and that you love, that bring you memories. Looks wonderful. Someday. Someday I will have a home again. And I will be able to sit with all my things that I have missed. It will be grand.

Susan Anderson said...

Love it. Especially the statue!

=)

Irene said...

It was fun to look in your boudoir and to see all your treasures. There's still an awful lot of stuff there, but it is getting a lot better. I wish I could rid you of your love of doilies. They seem so unnecessary. I'm glad Irene is still present with all her candles. You're doing a great job at sorting it all out. Keep at it.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...