Dear Reader:

When it comes to old homes ( my home) there are so many things that need fixing … I feel immobilized where to start because everything is a ” big ticket item” … under headings like electricity, plumbing, new floors, new appliances, moisture issues… new bathrooms-pretty much the whole house except for the specific rooms I sleep in, den and creative computer room by the side garden. This is my world I live in.

It is also the reason I spend so much time outside ( except lately with the triple digits) -there the beauty is stationary … just hanging out with Mother Earth. No expensive repairs needed.

I used to tell visitors who stopped by that ” If I had the money to redecorate… you’d see the real me.” No longer… what you see IS the real me… who lives in a deteriorating house and prefers to concentrate on making a few spots ” happy places” and ignoring the rest…

Sarah Breathnach ( Simple Abundance) says it best: Tools for happy living/Acceptance, blessing our circumstances, and understanding that happiness lives inside us… not personal belongings ( or lack of).

When I get down sometimes on reality over dreams…that make up my life… I remember this passage: ” Walk around your rooms and offer thanks for the walls, and roof that safely enclose you. Pause for a moment to consider all the women who have lost their homes through death, divorce, debt or disaster. Be grateful for the house you have, knowing that, at the moment, all you have is all you truly need.

So until tomorrow… When people come to my house… I hope they feel the happy spaces -home is a feeling! Home is smiles!

I babysat Saturday night so Mandy could take John out for Father’s Day/

Today is my favorite day… Winnie the Pooh

Walsh, Mollie and the kids left for Carowinds Friday for Walsh’s company had bought tickets for all employees but alas thunderstorms prevented them from getting to ride the rides … very disappointing… but then they went on to Charlotte for Rutledge his ” Loggerhead”lacrosse team to play in another southeastern tournament and the winds of chance blew more favorably-they won the tournament once again.