Indecisions

"Once I make up my mind, I'm full of indecision." ~Oscar Levant

Someone recently told me that I am indecisive. Seeking input from Hubby, I said to him "I don't know. What do you think? Do you think I'm indecisive?" Hubby responded by saying "Let's get this straight. You can't decide if you're indecisive, so you're asking me to tell you if you are. "

"Yes" I laughed and got his point.

About this same time, I took a decorating style quiz on the beautiful and inspiring Boulevard Interior Design blog. Well it appears I consistently answered Transitional style with a bit of Glam.
"Transitional", I thought, "Is this another way of saying, you consistently can't make up your mind".


Just when I was beginning to think the decorating world had an in-between category for finicky people like me who have a hard time committing to a particular style, I found the definition for Transitional Style:


"A marriage of traditional and contemporary furniture, finishes, material and fabrics equating to a classic timeless design. Furniture lines are simple yet sophisticated featuring either straight lines or rounded profiles. Fabric can range from graphic patterns on overstuffed sofas to textured chenilles on sleek wood frames."


This picture confirmed that my style is indeed, transitional.

Be still my heart...this room is so beautiful!
The reasons I love this room are the same elements HGTV identify as being Transitionally styled:

• Neutral color pallette with accents of dark brown
• Minimal accessories
• Interesting fabrics like chenille, corduroy, leather and cotton add depth to neutral room
• Mix of straight and curved lines balance masculine and feminine

A few more pictures from my inspiration folder got me thinking Kristin hit the nail on the head.

(Photos from Sarah Richardson)

Based on the use of masculine, dark woods and light, feminine fabrics with a touch bling, I'm thinking these two rooms by Sarah Richardson could quality as being transitional.
However I'm not sure, what do you think? {wink, wink}
Sincerely, Lisa

Bling-any shiny or flashy accessory

Stories that {Aspire to Inspire}

I truly believe that we are all surrounded by inspiration. It's in the untold stories of loved ones, uncaptioned photos and the unseen works of artists.

That thought was the inspiration for my first MckLinky...

Aspire to Inspire. A place to share the stories behind the people, beliefs, art or words that inspire you.

As I prepared to write this post, I thought about all the things that inspire me and what I would like to share with you. Although, I made list after list of potential items, I kept coming back to the same topic; storytelling.

I wanted to tell you why storytelling is so important...

Storytelling has been a long-time tradition in the African community. It basically served as a way of passing along traditions and beliefs from one generation to another.

Although storytelling may have been mastered by the African and African-american community, it's practiced everywhere. By everyone.

If you've been reading my blog, you know I love to tell stories. It's how I make sense of life. But what you may not know, is how much I love to hear stories. This also helps me make sense of life and keep things in perspective. It's probably why I became a counselor.

Following the loss of our baby, the stories of others became a source of encouragement and inspiration to me. The website Journey of Hearts was a lifeline. I was especially found of the article, The Importance of Telling (and Listening) to the Story. Author Kirstin Dyer summarizes the benefits of storytelling as:

• 
  
  Inspires and provides hope during dark times
• 
  
  Life changes and losses are assimilated into a person's life story by the telling of their story
• 
  
  Translates memories into concrete manner that can help preserve tradition and cultures

As a new blogger, I've been encouraged by reading all your blogs. Endless stories of hope and resiliency. Lessons ranging from how to paint to blog etiquette. Tender memories of loved ones lost along the away and new challenges ahead....none of these words have fallen on deaf ears. I appreciate you all sharing those moments with me and your fellow bloggers. Your openness and vulnerability has encouraged me beyond words.

So now I'm preparing for a new chapter in my life. On March 29, I'll be starting nursing school, which is one step closer to pursuing my dream...of moving to the ocean.

Thank you all for listening to my story (over the past few months) and more importantly being part of my story. The words you leave here will continue to inspire me.
As the date draws near, I have alot of work to be done with organizing childcare, orientation, Dr appts, ordering uniforms, etc. Although, my time will be limited, I'll keep you posted on our decorating projects, but I apologize in advance if I don't get around to visiting you all.
So please Link up those inspiring posts now, while I have time to read them...
Sincerely, Lisa

Fireplace Makeover

No turning back now. The work on our living room has officially began! We started with a simple project...re-tiling the fireplace.

To refresh your memory here's the BEFORE...

Although the brick and tile were in excellent condition, I didn't like how the beautiful wood mantel gets lost amidst the red masonry.

Hubby started by laying out the pattern for the wall tile.

You can see his little helper assisting him line up the tile.

Once everything is laid out, the tile is ready to set.

Out comes the tile mastic, trowel, spacers, and wet saw for cutting. Thankfully we had all these items on hand. The total cost of the project was a very affordable, $80.

Tiles are NOW set. The fireplace interior received a coat of high heat spray paint....

This is a first look photo. We still have to grout, but choosing a grout color is a BIG decision. There are so many choices that Hubby and I are at a temporary impasse.

I have to be honest, I'm still freaking out...you know the feeling you get when you change something and then you wonder if you made the right decision????

Don't forget you still have time to link up to my inspirational party, Aspire to Inspire; it's this Wednesday January 27th. Click here for more information.

Thanks for stopping. Check out the links below for more great ideas!

Sincerely, Lisa

Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch

DIY day at A Soft Place to Land

Spotlight: Alchemy

If you haven't dropped by this new blog, you're missing out on a creative group of gals. Check out these awesome projects:



Industrial Candleholder

Shipboard Planking Wainscoting

Now hurry along to Alchemy Junk before you miss the tutorial on this

{knock-off} Pottery Barn clock.

You still have time to prepare for my FIRST MckLinky party.

Aspire to Inpire

Wednesday January 27th, 2010

Click here for more details.

Sincerely, Lisa

Aspire to Inspire

INSPIRATION-arousal of the mind to special activity or creativity.

That's the definition of what blogging has become to me. I've spent most of my life wanting to help and inspire people to live better, happier lives. Along the way, I've spent alot of money, probably too much money on education. Yet since I've started blogging, I've learned more about myself and others than any school could ever teach me.

I've learned that I, like most people want to be inspired and in return, want to inspire others. Just think about it;

• Absolutely Beautiful Things is a lovely and very popular decorating blog about nothing more than "the beautiful things I find which inspire me".
• The Lettered Cottage and Young House Love are two awesome DIY blogs with everyday couples tackling projects historically presented by Bob Vila-type handymen.

I could go on and on listing blogs that we go to for our daily dose of inspiration.
So what do we do with all that inspiration? We do things that we never thought we could do.
Don't believe me? Just check out Monday's at Between Naps on the Porch and Tuesday's at A Soft Place to Land. They're filled with SAHM teaching themselves how to operate nail guns, compound miter saws, etc. All in an effort to make a beautiful home and life for their families while working within their budgets and utilizing resources readily available to them.
Although, I haven't attempted to use any tools, blogging has inspired me to do something more. Explore my creative side. Write, open up, reach out to others. Believe it or not, I hate to write. I love to talk, but I HATE to write. But since I've started blogging, I've become more comfortable and confident with my writing skills.
So with that said, let me get to my point. This winter, I've found myself increasingly saddened by personal memories of loss, the crisis in Haiti and the hurts of fellow bloggers.
Yet for every sad moment, there'a a dozen more happy ones...you just have to look to find them. I can't tell you how much reading your blogs and celebrating life's smallest victories with you has lifted my spirits and reminded me of the resiliency of human nature. I look forward to your creativity. Some days it's the escape I need from the harsh realities of life. The smallest reminder that "this too shall pass".
So this is what I'd like to do. I want to host a MckLinky party called Aspire to Inspire.
The purpose of this party is to share your favorite music, quote, book, picture, or object in hopes that it will encourage someone else. Most days, we are surrounded by inspiration. Stories that are unheard by others, photos that are uncaptioned. Pieces of art that are unseen. All items taken for granted by us and possibly something that could possibly encourage or lift the spirit of others.
To get you thinking, I'm just going to give you a list of things that inspire me. I won't elaborate, that's the purpose of the MckLinky party. But at least this will give you something to think about.

1. The movie Rudy
2. Easter Holiday
3. Broken angel statue

As you type up your post, try to answer these questions

• How/why does this inspire me?
• How/why do I hope to inspire someone else by sharing this?

Okay, lets shoot for next Wednesday January 27th to have our first Aspire to Inspire Party. Maybe by that time I'll figure out how to host a MckLinky party and make a cute little button. If you have any ideas or suggestions please leave me a comment or send me an email. Thank you!
Sincerely, Lisa

Works for Me Wednesday at We Are That Family

A Light Bulb Moment

To me, lighting really sets the mood for a room. A 40 watt bulb in a cheap lamp is the same as a 40 watt bulb in an expensive one. ~Edward Walker

With the purchase of Seaborn, Hubby and I inherited several boxes of glass jars. While some were nothing more than old spaghetti and pickle jars, the boxes revealed a few antique Atlas, Mason and Ball canning jars.

A few weeks ago I was looking to be inspired for a kitchen light fixture when I came across the most interesting pendant light. It was made from an old preserving jar.

Image from What Possessed Me?

Intrigued by this idea, I found a couple places that sell mason jar pendant lights. Napa Style and Reclaimed Lighting . But at $199 PER pendant, I didn't like them that much.

A little more research revealed a DIY version from the awesome blog Design Sponge. Finally, I thought, a use for those jars in my basement!

Well, I thought I knew what I wanted until I saw this picture of Anthropologie's version on the Apartment Therapy website.




So until I gather that many jars, this goes in the idea file. Just wanted to share the inspiration with you!
Sincerely, Lisa

Living Room Update

Okay, so y'all remember when I asked you about painting the wood trim in our house?



While most of you voted to paint the trim, I just couldn't rationalize painting it because of it's pristine condition. Good news for Hubby. Bad news for decorating options.

Just as I was pulling together swatches for my living room makeover, I happened upon the uber stylish blog of Paula Grace Designs. Since she's a professional designer and likes to interact with her readers, I posed this question to her, "How do you choose a paint color when you have dark wood trim?"

I simply expected a quick and generic response within her blog, nothing more. Well, much to my surprise, Paula responded with an email. She requested pictures of my room as well as any furniture or artwork that would help in selecting a color. The best part, she didn't ask for any money...it was FREE! Hey, who doesn't love free advice when it's GOOD advice.

Y'all want to know what she said?!!!!!!

Ahh, I'm not going to tell you.

But you can read about it, over at her blog Paula Grace Designs.

That's right friends, my little living room was featured in Paula's weekly advice column, Monday's Method. Can ya tell I'm excited?!!!!!

So head on over and while you're there, take a minute to look around. Paula has lots of design advice, stories of inspiration and of course, the sweetest eye candy. Hey, you may want to ask about your own decorating dilemma. Who knows you could be chosen for her next installment of Monday's Method.

Have a great week!

Sincerely, Lisa

From Coop to Coffee

Regard it as just desirable to build a chicken house as to build a cathedral. ~Frank Lloyd Wright

Christy's latest post Chicken Coops and Hen Houses reminded me of something I wanted to share with you. On my last thrifting adventure, I saw this antique chicken coop and immediately saw POTENTIAL.

Do you see it?

Do you see it?

HOW 'BOUT NOW?

Photo from Sweeter Homes

Yep, that's a repurposed coffee table from an antique pigeon cage. I love the contrast between the rustic cage and industrial cart wheels. Recognize it? It's from the 2008 HGTV Dream House.

Sincerely, Lisa

P.S. I didn't purchase the cage that day. It had just come in and the owner wanted to clean it up and do a little research before pricing it. So for now...it's goes in my idea file.

God is in Control

Okay so I learned another valuable lesson today. God's time is not our time.

I don't talk alot about my faith, but I'm a believer and follower of Jesus Christ. I have been most of my life. I went to christian school as a teen and got my Master's degree from a Seminary. The last job I held before giving birth to our angelbaby was a counselor at a local church.

Yet, I still have to be reminded that control is an ILLUSION, I am NOT in control of my life. That was the hardest lesson I had to learn after we lost our precious Morgan. Why God, why me? I did things the right way. I don't understand why this is happening to me? We wanted that baby. She was loved, she was cherished.

Months after our loss, I was a substitute therapist for a short term therapy group. On my first day I met a young lady who was a recovering crack addict. She was mother to a beautiful baby girl around the same age as Morgan would have been. Throughout her preganancy she did crack, heroin and even prostitiuted herself. Yet when asked about her baby, who had no apparent problems, she replied, "my baby was spared because I asked God to watch over her". I was so angry; not with her, but with God. Didn't I pray enough. What did I do wrong?

I don't know why things happen. I've spent the better part of four years searching for answers. I no longer say "everything happens for a reason". Personally, I've come to accept that LIFE just happens and it's up to us to give purpose or meaning to that experience in OUR life.

For me, the reason Morgan happened, was to give me a fresh start. Remind me what life is about. Living. Life to the Fullest. Taking no day for granted. Chasing my dreams and perhaps making a fool of myself along the way.

Each time I write a post about my angelbaby {on a blog about decorating} I take a chance of making a fool of myself. But, for me that's part of the process. THIS process of becoming myself; the self...GOD sees.

As long as I'm alive, I will continue to talk about Morgan. She was my daughter and if I don't, no one will. Simply put, her life changed mine.

Now the point to all this....Since High School, I wanted to be a nurse but I chose a different career path because I didn't think I was smart enough to get through nursing school. Four months ago, I applied to my alma mater's nursing program and was rejected declined a seat due to low math and science scores. After that, I decided it was time to accept my lot and look for a counseling job when my oldest son starts school.

God reminded that things happen in HIS time. Today, I received a letter of acceptance to the spring nursing program. Funny thing, I don't remember applying.

I believe God is directing my path, but I'm overwhelmed with all the details. I'm prayerful that things will work out. I have eight weeks until class starts...

Sincerely, Lisa

Thrifter's Challenge

The quickest way to know a woman is to go shopping with her. ~Marcelene Cox

About the time I started blogging, I started budgeting $20 a week for decorating projects. I call it my thrifter's challenge.

After a month of no thrifting, last week I ventured out to our local "antiques" stores. A couple misses, but one major hit.

Set in a two story building dating back to 1876, Clossman's is like one of those Antique/Flea Market Shows. They have a little bit of everything and the prices are affordable; not Goodwill affordable but still within my price range.

On my first trip there, I spotted a couple chairs with potential and was preparing to do a closer inspection when the owner told me he was closing early. Poor guy didn't feel well. So, I left without a fight but not before telling him in my most convincing Schwarzeneggar voice, "I'll be back".

The next day, I returned to claim my prize; a {slightly different} pair of mid century-style chairs.

The cost? Just two weeks of my thrifter's challenge budget. Yes, I overspent....but hey, it's been a month of no shopping.

$40 (for those of you just skimming down to see the picture)

Now as much as I'd love to show you the beautiful AFTER photos...I can't. Things don't happen that fast around here.

So, rather than show you the same chairs in their new space, I'll just show you a couple pics of similar chairs I found on Craigslist. {Besides, if you're like Hubby, I have to convince you that these ugly chairs are a good deal}

Same manufacturer as mine {Hill-Rom}

Asking price $250

Pair of "danish lounge chairs"

Asking price $245

I found a few other things, but I'll save that for another post. If you'd like to see more thrifty finds and projects, please check out the links below. Have a great weekend!

Sincerely, Lisa

Frugalicious Friday at Finding Fabulous

Furniture Feature Friday at Miss Mustard Seed

Change of Season

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. A time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance. ~Ecclesiastes 3:1, Ecclesiastes 3:4 (KJV)

I want to thank you all for accompanying me through this season of sadness. Your thoughts, prayers, and comments were greatly appreciated.

Despite our grief, I have many favorite memories of that experience. Memories of how kind and compassionate people can truly be. Thinking back to the eve of January 11, 2006. As Hubby and I sat in the hospital spending our final moments with Morgan, a childhood friend came to visit. I'll never forget the way he held and loved our baby just as he would his own. Before leaving he said to me, "God will bless you". Without pause, I responded, "He already has." Even then, in the face of hurt and pain, I chose not to focus on our loss, but the life we had been blessed to share. Four years later, I'm still blessed.

Today begins a new season of THIS new year. I'll continue to talk about Morgan. She was part of me and that experience affected who I am today. But for now it's now TIME to dance, more specifically, it's time to do the Happy Dance!

I got my first Blog Award. Yay!!!! The beautiful Michelle at A Little French Loven has nominated me for the Kreativ Blogger award.




As part of the award process, I have to list 7 little known facts about myself. So I'm going to tell you seven reasons why I have a blessed life.

1. I have three siblings; two of whom I was raised with by our mother. Hope and Josh are 11 and 12 years my junior, respectively.


2. I've been married to my best friend for 13 years.


3. I've been to Mexico, Canada, Spain, Hawaii and a few Caribbean cruises. Oh how, I love to travel!


4. I have a Master's degree in Clinical Counseling and worked in community mental health for 10 years. This experience continues to remind me of how great my life is.


5. I've been home for the first years of my boys' life.


6. I plan on moving closer to the beach when Hubby retires in six years and six months. Hence, the SECRET meaning to the title Destination Seaborn:) and FINALLY...


7. I have a group of "friends" who understand and appreciate my need to make the world a beautiful place...one space at a time. Thank you all for being in my life!

Okay, so now it's my turn to nominate seven people for the Kreativ Blogger award. As a recipient you should follow these simple rules:

• Thank the person who nominated you and copy the Kreativ Blogger logo


• Link back to the person who nominated you for the award {Destination Seaborn}


• List 7 things that people may not know about you


• Nominate 7 creative bloggers by posting their links and leaving a comment on each of their blogs.

Here's a list of my nominees...

• A Doctor in the House
• At Town Square
• Cozy Cape in the Burbs
• Yoga Gal
• Retro-Luxe
• Sweeter Homes
• Beach Brights

If you're reading this, please take a minute to visit these gals. I'm sure they'd appreciate it!

Sincerely, Lisa

An Angelversary

When someone comes into our lives and they are too quietly and quickly gone, they leave footprints on our hearts...and their memory stays with us forever.

Four years today, I delivered my precious baby girl, Morgan Rose. In the face of grief, my mother wrote this poem that was read at her funeral.

Come Play With Me

"Come play with me" her grandma wrote

"And we'll make mud pies in a boat"

"Come play with me" her auntie said

"There are babies and books underneath my bed"

"Come play with me" her uncle crooned

"We'll sing silly songs down in my room"

"Come play with me" her mommy pled

"Let me put some pretty bows up in your head"

"Come play with me, Morgan" her Daddy cried

"I'll take my princess on a real long ride"

It was an angel's voice she answered to one night

"Come play with me and we'll take our flight-

away from sickness, pain and grief

to a place of harmony and eternal peace"

It's with great sadness that we now confess,

Morgan's fate from earth is better than the rest.

From Heavenly heights she will cheer us on,

inspire our footsteps and discern our songs.

Until the day each of us can hear,

the whisper of Morgan's voice gently in our ear-

"Come play with me, it's been awhile.

I've been waiting for you and your big, bright smile!

The table is ready and the bride groom is set,

the floors are all shiny and you're not here yet.

Balloons and bubbles will greet you with cheer,

Come and play with me family, I'm so glad you're here!

Morgan, a Rose Planted on Earth To Bloom in Heaven.

January 10, 2006

A Year in Review: Favorite Projects 2009

We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives...not looking for flaws, but for potential. ~Ellen Goodman

Oh my goodness, it's going to snow! Uh-oh...too late, it already has. I guess that's why I'm posting a THIRD time this week.

The gracious Rhoda at Southern Hospitality is hosting a Top Project's of 2009 Party and I wanted to link up. So here's my favorite projects from the past year.

Curb Appeal

• Our house, affectionately dubbed Seaborn was in desperate need of TLC when we purchased it in 2005.

• This past summer we completed our vision of Seaborn's curb appeal with Hubby-built shutters and window box, painted foundaton and new landscape.
  

• Sideview of house as it appeared in 2005
  

• After the addition of a Hubby-built deck with pergola and landscape, Seaborn now shines.

Christmas

• I adorned these Dollar Tree gift boxes with wire-edged ribbon and hot glue for my Christmas mantel. Aren't they adorable!

• Sewing these copy-cat Ballard's stockings was one of my favorite projects. I loved how they turned out.
  

• And of course, I can't forget Hubby's contribution to our Christmas. He installed these beautiful Christmas lights for us and the kids to enjoy! The snow before Christmas made the lights even more magical.

My proudest achievements

• The newest addition to our family, Miles Alexander was born on April 14, 2009. No epidural for me, he wanted out fast and hasn't slowed down since!
  
  

• My family. Yep, that's me! I tend to be a little camera shy, so you may want to look fast before I have second thoughts.

Well, that's it folks! The first three months of my blog and the last three months of 2009. I hope you'll join me in this New Year, I have some exciting things planned for Destination Seaborn.

Sincerely, Lisa

DIY Design {Introduction}

"Our thoughts create our reality. Where we put our focus is the direction we tend to go." ~Peter McWilliams

For the past few months I've felt like a kid in a candy store. I'm just so excited to have a blog that I haven't really focused on my specific interests and desire to learn more about decorating.

It's true, I only started Destination Seaborn to participate in the cool MckLinky parties. But now that I'm blogging, it's become a great way to improve my decorating skills and share them with you in the process.

But because I'm soo000 OCD and can't do anything for fun, I've developed a strategic plan for my blog. I was tempted to call this plan a mission statement but then I started having flashbacks of Jerry Maguire and I didn't want y'all to start yelling "Show me the Money" if you were disappointed with my posts. So I'll just call it my strategic plan.

Don't worry, there won't be any quizzes or lengthy reading assignments, unless of course, you consider this post to be a lengthy reading assignment. This is just a way of organizing my thoughts and the future direction/design of my blog. And ya thought I was joking when I said I have OCD?

The goal of this plan: To think like a professional designer in an effort to decorate Seaborn on a modest budget. Through a series of steps, I'll teach myself about the design process and the many aspects of decorating like a professional.

Enough talk...let's take a look at my strategic plan for decorating like a pro:

1. Assess to determine needs and budget for project
2. Consult local design firm for ideas and inspiration
3. Develop plan with assistance of favorite Interior Designer
4. Discuss design plan with various contractors (painting, construction, plumbing)
5. Window shopping to familiarize self with likes/dislikes, styles and cost of materials
6. Acquire materials to complete and implement plan
7. Publish work to Design Publication

Now, before you start panicking and saying how absurd this is, you'll have to come back. Trust me, this IS a DIY project! I will be expounding on each of these points....and even using pictures for those visual learners out there.

My goal is to post one step each week until I've completed the list.

So what do you think? For those decorator/designer's out there, how accurate is this list? For those who've worked with a decorator/designer what do you think? I'm open to feedback.

Sincerely, Lisa

Works for Me Wednesday at We Are That Family

Saturday Night Special at Funky Junk Interiors

Remembering...

"I wanted a perfect ending. Now I've learned, the hard way, that some poems don't rhyme, and some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next. Delicious Ambiguity. " ~Gilda Radner
Now that the hustle and bustle of the holidays are over, I'm taking a moment to remember...

Mother's Day 2005. The day I found out I was pregnant with our first child. Due date: January 13, 2006.

January 10, 2006. The day I delivered our first child...stillborn.

The Christmas season of 2005 holds alot of memories for that pregnancy. Although, we hadn't moved into our Seaborn home, we were getting close. The hardwood floors had been refinished and the basement family room had been carpeted. When Hubby wasn't working at his full-time job, he was working on our dream home. He gave the lower-level bath a makeover until the main bath was finished and painted the two main bedrooms.

One of my favorite memories of that holiday season occured on the Eve of Christmas 2005, when Hubby came home after working afternoon shift. He insisted that I go with him, just as I was. He wanted to give me my Christmas gift. So dressed in my long nightgown and wool slippers, we headed to Seaborn so he could assemble the baby's crib.

I'll never forget that Christmas and how exciting it was. What better gift is there than the gift of life? Wanting to fully engage in the joy and experience of expecting, we opted NOT to find out the sex of our unborn child. I wanted a girl and Hubby wanted a boy. Prepared for either, our girl name was Morgan Rose and our boy name was Owen Allan. Who would be right?
Only time would tell. Until then Hubby and I continued to share our hopes and dreams for our baby. Buying Seaborn was only the beginning...



You see that sidewalk out front, I envisioned myself teaching our little one how to ride the retro red tricycle on that very sidewalk. While Hubby wanted to pull him or her, a whoooole block and a half down our Maple-lined street, to the county fair in a little red wagon. Both the radio flyer tricycle and red wagon were my gifts to our unborn child.
Those were just some of our dreams for our baby. It did not include our hopes of taking him or her to Disney World for the first time and watching their little eyes light up in awe of Magic Kingdom. Or perhaps the sweetest and most simplest of hopes...gently rocking our baby to sleep, touching their soft skin or smelling their sweet baby scent.
A few weeks after we buried our baby, I found a song called My Name by George Canyon. Written from the perspective of an unborn child who dies and goes to heaven, it was perfect! I couldn't have written something more befitting of my experience. This song was just what I needed to hear..that my baby felt loved!
Our baby's name was Morgan Rose.
Sincerely, Lisa

Thankful on a Tuesday at Chatting at the Sky

New Year, New Look

"Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right." ~Oprah Winfrey


This New Year marks four years that Hubby and I moved into Seaborn. And I've decided that it's been a construction zone for too long! Yes, I can finally say that! Now that most of our reno-projects are done, I can get down to the fun part. Decorating! Adding personality! Making this house our home!

Can you tell I'm excited? Seriously y'all, we have one set of prints hanging on our walls...wait a minute...I don't think you heard me!

In our entire 1700+ square feet house, we have ONE set of botanical prints hanging on our walls. The other two items (mirrors) are propped up. No beautifully framed family photos, no snaps of our travels, no cute pics of our cuties. Nada!


So let me tell you what new looks I have in mind for 2010:

The Living Room. Once I removed the Christmas decor, I was reminded of why I dislike our living room. Sure, we've made some changes, but this room feels cold, uninviting and it echoes. Here's what it looked like when we bought it four years ago:






Here's what it looks like NOW, the in-progress, not yet after:

To date, you see the biggest change has been refinishing the hardwood floors. I'm sure this CAN be a DIY project, but it was a little too ambitious for Hubby and I to attempt.

Other changes made to the Living Room include:

• Replacing the mini blinds with faux wood, plantation-style blinds.
• Cleaning the fireplace and spray painting the brass doors.
• Updated electrical outlets and ceiling fan with attached light.
• Removing knick-knack shelf and repairing drywall.
• Taking down wallpaper border and repainting with a fresh coat of paint.

With the New Year, I would like to make this room more inviting to us and our company. So please stay tuned as I'll be posting more information regarding my plans for this room! If you'd like to see more of our before pics, please click here.

Destination Seaborn. Come February I'm hoping to celebrate my birthday with a much needed blog makeover. How timely for me (and possibly you, too) that Designer Blogs is celebrating their first birthday! They're giving away four blog makeovers and offering some awesome discounts off their services. So you too may want to stop by their blog for your chance to win a makeover.

Thanks for stopping by. Please check out the links below for more creative ideas.

Sincerely, Lisa

Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch

DIY day at A Soft Place to Land

Before and After Party at Thrifty Decor Chick

Power of Paint Party at Domestically Speaking

Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Chic Cottage