home makeover

there are many, many fun perks of being a designer...but there are also a few hinderances.  my number one issue as of late is my inability to "do" my own home.  

this past year i was given the opportunity to venture out of my comfort zone and work on two pretty amazing jobs...samford university's new president's home and on a smaller scale, coach saban's office renovation.  and you got it, both highly residential.  so what does this have to do with designing my own home????  for 6 months i have been surrounded by the most beautiful fabrics, the most decadent wallpapers, the most exquisite furnishings. and oh the stone, the gorgeous stone.  and glass tile.  and lighting, coffered ceilings, and trim galore.  in this midst of these sheer beauty i have developed this huge desire to finally design my home.  

and my problem is what you ask?  

no. 1 - there are too many choices, too many fabrics, too many rugs...and WAY too many colors.  do i want reds and taupes....or browns and blues?  or do i go funky with lime green or mimosa (the 2009 color of the year).  oh the agony of choosing one color when i love them all!

no. 2 - simple math...my income does not feed my taste.  

however, if no. 2 was not a problem, then no. 1 wouldn't be either.  you see the picture above? with the two sleek Barcelona chairs and the beautiful, lovely, amazing eames lounge chair? these clean colors, those designer chairs, that light fixture, the limestone fireplace and beautiful wood work...all of that is my dream room.  tradition meets contemporary.  i love.  i adore.  i envy.  

i cannot afford.  sigh.

so, the challenge begins.  step one - pick a color scheme.  step two - stick to the color scheme.  i will let you know when those two are complete.  it could be a while.

fat tuesday

it is the eve of fat tuesday and on this eve i am wondering, pondering and contemplating - to lent or not to lent?  i am not catholic so i have never grown up attending an ash wednesday service, but i have always tried to participate.  there is something to be said for ridding yourself of something that may consume your life.  or to take the other approach and fill your life with something good for 40 days.  whatever it may be, it is a commitment.  it is lent.

my freshman year at uga i gave up ice cream.  i think one time i gave up french fries.  and i failed one year at giving up sweet tea.  it has been a few years since i have given up anything for lent.  this year i think i want to jump in and join in the fun - just in a different way.  i want to add something to my life, be committed to something that is good and whole for 40 days in the hopes that is becomes 365 days.  i have no idea what that is.  is it to read the bible and pray with my family everday?  is it to love unconditionally without expecting anything in return?  or is it remain positive and upbeat no matter what hits me in the face?  i don't know.  i need to think about it, pray about it.  i guess more than anything i just want to embrace the season. embrace the sacrifice. embrace the resurrection.  embrace lent.

what is love...

last week was one of those weeks were i didn't see addison at night.  it was hard and sad and grueling at times.  but, when you see your little person and she smiles bigger than life and her arms reach to the heavens and her toddling tries to turn in to a run...well, it defines love.   sweet, sweet love.

off to the beach

well, it has been a long, long week.  lots of working and very little playing.  thankfully we were able to sneak away this weekend to head to our favorite  little place in this big ole world - the beaches of 30A.  we have stayed all along 30A through out the years - this time we landed in blue mountain.  it is just perfect - a soft breeze, rolling waves, nice weather and some pretty funny company...it is just what i have needed.  or better yet, what the tingles have needed.  so here we are.  

while here in perfection, i have been able to escape.  escape the daunting deadlines.  escape the drives all over birmingham.  escape cooking and cleaning.  escape the day to day life that though i love, wears me down.  

i know most people opt for the rolling mountains in the winter but i must admit, there is a sweet peace about the beach in the winter.  the places that have become a second home to us are a little more toned down.  seaside is laid back with the snowbirds and weekenders...not the usual summer chaos.  dinner at angelinas is just a walk in and sit down affair...not the two hour wait for a little slice of pizza.  the sun is just warm enough to sit outside and enjoy the waves...not the constant spf check and later aloe bath .  it is nice.  it is relaxing.  as i said, it is just what i needed.  

big girl

we are two days away from terry's coaching to be placed on the shelf for a few months - and it couldn't come soon enough. part of those final days include terry being in huntsville which means me as the sole parent. and me being the amazing sole parent that i am, overslept almost two hours this morning. sheesh.

even in the midst of terry's coaching, there are always two of us to conquer the morning duties. tackling them alone this morning, two hours behind schedule, was quite an adventure. in the midst of the chaos, i saw my little girl as a big girl. for the first time. she told me to change her diaper. she brought me her brush. she asked for milk and "nack" (aka breakfast) with a precious "peees, maMA". she brought me her "ocks eh shoes". she danced a little jig with "moushe" (aka mickey mouse). she walked with her bookbag to the car. she (tried) to buckle herself up. she cheered when we got to school. and finally, she walked away, happy as a lark, to "mema" (emma) and "baywor" (baylor), without so much a hug or kiss to me. and that was ok. she was happy. she was independant. she was enjoying her world. so i simply slipped away, and loved my big girl from afar. precious, precious.

p.s. and no, addison being big does not make me want another small person. just felt the need to clarify.

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