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Sunday, April 27, 2014

Half Empty or Half Full? ( that is the question )

I'm a very impatient person - wish I weren't but I've always been - since as far back as I can remember.

Too impatient to wait for gardens to bloom
Too impatient to wait for new books by favorite authors to come out
Too impatient for Spring to arrive - and then too impatient for Summer to come and finally too impatient for Christmas to be here - which brings me back to being too impatient for Spring to arrive - a vicious circle and a true example of how now to live.  Talk about destroying " living in the moment ".
Too impatient to wait for paint to dry
Too impatient to wait until funds are replenished to finish renovations.

It's an awful way to be - and I wish more than anything that that particular trait of mine were NOT a particular trait of mine.

It's a trait that falls under the category of " negative " and while I am usually an upbeat type of person I just can't shake it.

A glass is ALWAYS half empty in my world and I'm constantly dashing around trying to fill it up to the brim.

So this morning when I went into ( what I'll very loosely call the " mud room " ) I nearly wept.
It seems like I never stop - and yet every time I turn around there's another monumental task that
will zap all my energy and money ( of which we are close to being paupers with this whole renovation business )
I panic - and this is a sample of what goes through my mind because I truly intend for this house to be party central this summer - with the pool and all - you have to read the next bit very very quickly to see how my mind works

people will have to come through this s*it hole to get to it - and what will they think - and OMG I HAVE to do something with it - it's just unacceptable - I'll die of embarrassment - and maybe they can come through the front garden and through the gate to get to the back - but oh oh - they'll have to use the bathroom at some point so there's no escaping it - everyone's going to see it - but there's still so much to do INSIDE the house - and how can I justify doing this little section when we're drowning in a million other sections.................

All that was crowding my brain in a matter of seconds.


I literally sat down on the chair below and put my head in my hands..................( feel sorry for me yet? )


and then I looked up and saw this - I mean I really saw it - and perhaps because of the stark contradiction
I was almost taken aback...........I'm in and out of this back room many many times a day - is it really possible that I never took the time to actually see how far we've come?


I've been so busy filling glasses I haven't taken the time to be thankful for what we've accomplished
Not at all.

John says - WHY are you sitting there taking pictures of the kitchen?
Suzan says - Looking at my glass from a different angle
John says - What glass?
Suzan says - The one that's always half empty
John says - You're the most nonsensical person I know
John says - It's like living with the bloody Riddler



I'm more impressed than I can tell you that he even knows who the Riddler is...................
But I'm too busy looking at my half full glass to pay him any mind really


At least that's the way it looks to me while looking in from the mudroom






Trust me when I tell you it looks seriously half empty from every other view in this house :)

But dare I say the worst may just be over?  ( ok - there's a bathroom that's just as bad - but it's a bathroom not an entire kitchen  )

Think I'll hang out in the mud room more often - bring a book out there - with a half filled glass of wine instead of whine- and look up every now and then...................



Have a wonderful Monday all !
XOXO


Come join me at these parties !!!
Between naps on the porch                              Coastal Charm                 My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Not Just a Housewife                                       Homework                      The DIY Dreamer
Savvy Southern Style                                       The Dedicated House      From My Front Porch to Yours
Bloom Design                                                  Common Ground            The Charm of Home
French Country Cottage                                  Shabby Art Boutique       My Turn for Us
My Romantic Home                                        The Shabby Nest             Funky Junk Interiors
One More Time Events                                   Life on Lakeshore Drive   Stone Gable
It's Overflowing                                              My 1929 Charmer           Redhead can Decorate
That's what Che said                                      Under the table & dreaming
A Stroll Through Life                                     Kathe with an E                Home Stories A to Z





71 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thanks Debra - lets see how long it lasts lol !
      XOX

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  2. Inspiration! That is what you gave me just now. inspiration to get up and clean my kitchen and add some tile tattoos. That is as "classy" as this kitchen will get! Have a good Monday! Linda@Wetcreek Blog

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    1. Wow! Me? Inspiring? Hope not too much because I'm ready to hang myself lol -
      But thanks !
      Hugs,
      Suzan

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  3. What a great transformation between the before and after. That kitchen is gorgeous!

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  4. Not only does your kitchen look splendid but the magpie in me can see lots of potential in the mud room! I think we all focus too much on what's on the 'to do' list and not enough on what we've already accomplished. Sometimes after spending hours on pinterest drooling over beautiful interiors I get up to go to the loo (nothing else would drag me from the laptop once I get started!) look around me and think 'this is really rather a nice house, with a lot of lovely things in it, maybe you should just be grateful for once'....

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    1. Hey Gerry - there IS potential in that mud shack - but it's going to take money and time that I have neither of right now ( too many other priorities ) but I picture it as an extension of the kitchen - kind of like a butlers pantry actually :)
      In the fall - MAYBE -
      xoxo

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  5. Sometimes a change of perspective is all it takes. It's hard to see the forest for the trees when you focus on only one room and its details. Damn, girl, give yourself a pat on the back for the renovation project in its entirety. You're doing great with that house, and have made some amazing changes in such a relatively short period of time.

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    1. Thanks so much Martha - I haven't done that great at all - although I do like my kitchen and my bedroom - ( there's another 7 rooms that look horrid ) I'm overwhelmed and exhausted and ready to take a break very very soon !
      XOXOX

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  6. Suzan so glad you got a new perspective on what you have accomplished. That kitchen is killer and what a transformation. You have done an amazing job. You are my hero with all that you have accomplished since you moved in. You go girl everything you change is so gorgeous.
    Kris

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  7. Love this post. I'm a glass half empty girl too.

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  8. I am never judgmental of anybody's "mudroom-esque" area. ESPECIALLY a house that is being renovated. Just open that next door and ♫ 'aaaaaaaaaaaa'♫, the angels sing. And those angels are not limiting themselves to your kitchen.

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  9. I just wanted to tell you that my reader is full of great design and DIY blogs and I always read yours first :)

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  10. Suzan, love this post!! So true...we need to celebrate what we've accomplished instead of being depressed by how far we have to go! (Advice I definitely need to take myself :)
    Your kitchen looks gorgeous! Now go enjoy that glass of wine ;)
    Susan

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  11. Phew...for a moment there I was scared you were going to continue writing how you quickly were inspired...picked up a paintbrush/roller and SHAZZAM!!!...completely repainted the mudroom...in an hour. (Especially when you notated that 'pop of color'...I took that as a sure hint of instantaneous painting to come!) Yeah...that would have had me reaching for MY wine bottle, while still sitting, of course ;) Thank goodness my feelings of inadequacy were for naught (this time, lol) You put so much in perspective. You have worked your tail off...and it shows. Your new house...now your new home....looks amazing! (So tell me...what color are you thinking of for that mud room?) oxoxo

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  12. Suzan, listen to your bloggy friends. We've ALL been saying you have done SO MUCH. We know things, you know!

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  13. Amazing. Suzan your kitchen is beau9tiful. I always f8nd kitchens to be the hardest room, you have made a HUGE transformation. I agree, sometimes we just need to look at things with new eyes to appreciate what we have.
    Hugs, Gee

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  14. Sweet! I took a tour of historic homes this weekend and came back home with the half empty feeling too. Thanks for your post.

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  15. Oh my goodness! That kitchen is beautiful! Look at those floors! Wow! You are making great progress! The rest of it will get there. Meanwhile enjoy that view with your glass of wine. I'm going back to look again...so, so pretty. Sigh.

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  16. Love your floors too and the whole kitchen...American Dream Builders...take that!

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  17. Your kitchen is stunning, just keep looking at that! The rest will fall into place, especially the way your mind works! We just finished a reno that was supposed to take 3 weeks and it took 4 months! I don't want any projects for a long time!! But we do need to landscape, and paint, and clean up the garage...etc....it never ends! :) Keep that glass half full of some vino!
    Jenna

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  18. the kitchen looks amazing!!!! enjoy your whine/wine, then get up and finish that mud room...summer is just around the corner. lol
    Debbi
    -YankeeBurrow

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  19. It's such a happy kitchen! The worst IS over and you have made it through, girlfriend.

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  20. I'm sure are your guests will be able to focus on is how far you've come instead of how far you've left to go! I know I would...:) Your kitchen is spectacular and the rest of your home will be too...in time! There's no deadline you have to meet, slow down and enjoy! And take full advantage of that amazing pool when it warms up! You've come a long way in a short time! Be Blessed, Vicky

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  21. Your kitchen looks like a magazine! The rest will come in time, but I'm with you on impatience.

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  22. BOY, DID I NEED THIS TODAY. THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH. Enjoy your wine. What a great blog.
    Sandra

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  23. Honestly, Susan, you have done So Much to date my head is spinning. I have been in my energy zapping fixer for coming up 7 weeks. I have accomplished squat except for ripping things out and throwing shit out the back and front doors. And I'm sick and very tired with a bad bug hubs came home with. You don't want any hugs from me, trust me, it's a horrible bug. I wish I had you here for one week, the old girl wldn't know what hit her. Soon, we will start soon, but not soon enough for me. Virtual hug to you and a friggin' metal too! Patty/NS

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  24. Love love love love okay one more, LOVE your kitchen! It is stunning! Whenever you're feeling overwhelmed at what is yet to come, go stare at your amazing kitchen! Pinning your "perspective" :)

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  25. What a fab kitchen! I do understand a bit how you are feeling ~ I just spent a year and a half completely redecorating the old house we moved into in the Carolinas. I didn't think I would ever finish. I'm sure you'll get it all done and it will be gorgeous if your kitchen is anything to go by. I'm visiting from Metamorphosis Monday ~ pop by and see my porch makeover if you get a chance. Cheers. :)

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  26. You've really come so far! It's so quaint & charming. I too have a renovation frenzy left overs room with a view:). Mostly I keep the door closed.

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  27. Coming from someone who has to traipse up and down basemen stairs everyday to do the laundry - glass half full, sister! It is all looking SO lovely!

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  28. Hi Suzan,
    I agree with all of the above: you guys have done an unbelievable amount of work in a very short period of time. So what if someone sees it! Hand them a bucket of paint and a brush and let them have a go at painting. Or unpacking what needs unpacking or whatever. Good to know you have a change of perspective!

    Are you having problems with your email subscription? I haven't been receiving mine. I've been having some problems with my computer so thought it was just me. I'm missing other posts from other blogs as well. All I've been doing is re-subscribing and everything works out just fine. When I try to re-subscribe to yours feedburner tells me I'm already a follower and won't let me subscribe.

    Help! I'm having simply vintageous withdrawal problems!

    Cathy

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  29. Oh Suzan... thank goodness you had a change of perspective because I thought I was going to have to come to Montreal and give you a swift kick in the butt. lol. What you've managed to accomplish in such a short time is absolutely amazing!!! You should be sooo proud of that! The rest will come when it comes. Enjoy your wine and your gorgeous view. What a kitchen!!!

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  30. Suzan your kitchen is amazing! And so are the two of you for getting so much done in the short amount of time you have owned that house. Seriously. if you knew how much we still have to do and that we have lived her almost 17 years you would have a hissy fit and curl up and die. Sometimes I do too!

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  31. Way to be positive Suzan! Seriously...you have come a long way and your going to be finished before you know it an layin out by that pool! Wish I had a pool....and a mudroom!

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  32. I hardly comment on blogs that I read. I'm not sure what I have to say amounts to a hill of beans but you are tremendously talented. And if I had to walk through an unfinished mudroom to use the bathroom at your home, I ,as a guest, wouldn't think anything of what is undone. I would stand amazed at what you have accomplished. I've shown your renovations to my husband and you have inspired us to create a home with your color schemes and taste. (Commercial interruption here: my husband was a French high school teacher once upon a time and loves Paris as much as you!) Please don't be too hard on yourself. I can't even begin to imagine the amount of time you have poured into your home to make it beautiful. Thanks for allowing me "into" your home on a daily basis.

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  33. All you have to do (and I don't share this lightly) is change your whine to wine and the glass is always full! Way to come so far you guys! Your kitchen looks incredible and you have definitely come a long way baby!

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  34. I try to be a glass half full, but to be honest, sometimes I end up half empty. Have to work on that. Thanks for a fun visit!!
    http://balmtomysoul.com

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  35. Bravo. It's not easy to admit what you've admitted....and a good lesson in that a good attitude is EVERYTHING - we are all and each responsible for our own happiness.

    Glad you graduated from whine to wine, because you deserve to be quite pleased and proud of how much you've accomplished so far - your kitchen is a true show stopper!

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  36. My dear you have lived in the house a few months and the things you have accomplished takes some people years. Of course you have one room or maybe two that look like a war zone, it is expected when you just move in and your renovating . My back door goes through what was the previous owners family room and is now my work shop. It looks like a bomb hit it. yesterday I had to take a plumber through it, and I kept apologizing for the mess. And he said don't be silly you only moved in a few months ago and your renovating. So I am going to say that to you silly girl. Your kitchen looks like a magazine cover and you just moved it and you are still renovating. so fill that glass to the top with some wine and enjoy the rooms that look like they were done by a very talented designer and give yourself a pat on the back. hugs Tobey

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  37. I'm impatient too, but I can't imagine how it must be living in constant reno state and wanting it all done now. That was great you looked up and saw the beautiful work you have completed in the kitchen to give you a new perspective...good post, Suzan. I should take a page from your 'book' and start slowing down.
    Debbie :)

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  38. Peeping out with a different state of mind is a good thing sometimes! Now I'm love your pretty kitchen. I'd even lay on the floor and take snaps. But of course you'd have to help me get up! ;)
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  39. I tried 3 times to comment yesterday. I kept getting interrupted. I had this long encouraging speech typed out and my phone rang and it was all gone! The one annoying thing about commenting from my phone. Anyways .. love you girl! You rock! I'm one of your biggest fans. We all see the glass empty at times. We need our friends to help get us a refill :-)

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  40. congrats on all your progress... Your kitchen looks gorgeous!!
    :)
    “hugs” Crystelle
    Crystelle Boutique

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  41. I am taken aback sometimes when people say how much they love coming to my house. MY HOUSE!?! The one crowded with furniture to paint and projects strewn about? It is always important to sit back and see what others see. Your kitchen is charming. Your mudroom probably looks like most mudrooms.

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  42. LOVE your kitchen, but even better...the change in attitude! I know I need it all the time b/c I'm a glass half-full kinda gal myself, overwhelmed with the to-do list, all the projects on the back burner, just wanting to arriver at that point when it's all done and I can enjoy! Is it all every really done though??

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  43. The phrase, "Pop of Color" has been driving me bat-crazy lately. It has been so 'over used' in the blogosphere and seems to be in every single magazine article lately ~ugh...
    Now, your "Pop of Color" I can relate to ~ Thanks for the smile today - !
    =)

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  44. It's good to look at things from different angles, both literally and figuratively. Glad you saw your kitchen in a new light! The kitchen is to die for, by the way. We're way too critical of our own spaces - I've told people to close their eyes when they walk through my mudroom!

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  45. Great transformation...and that floor is amazing!
    Very beautiful!

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  46. Beautiful progress! I think we've the same taste in kitchens!

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  47. Love your Kitchen!! Can't wait to see what you do with the mudroom!! have a wonderful day!

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  48. It looks absolutely stunning... And only a twelfth of my cottage is done... Talk about 11/12 empty glass! Maybe that's why I never get drunk? John is going to say I make no sense at all...

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  49. Your kitchen is beautiful and I love your shift in thinking. Although, I 'm a glass half full kind of girl, I rather direct my thoughts to how the glass can be repurposed, upcycled or embellished.Creativity trumps negativity each and every time.

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  50. It's a beautiful view, Suzan! I'm sure you'll get to the rest. Definitely remember to go sit in there and look out into your kitchen when you start to get overwhelmed with it. : )

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  51. I loved your diagram of the mudroom! Too funny! You're right though. I feel the same way sometimes. I get caught up in all there is to do and forget about what all we've done. I'm not renovating like you are but dealing with a long list of "to do's" of home projects. I guess that's what all homeowners have to deal with. I love the view of your kitchen from your mudroom.

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  52. Don't be so hard on yourself. You have done a great job so far. Stop over to my blog and you will see how neglectful I have been about it and then you'll laugh and laugh. Last post was when??

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  53. Way to see the brighter things in life Suzy! I absolutely LOVE the new kitchen!

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  54. Suzanne, I love your new kitchen. It really looks terrific. Sometimes I think we all get a little impatient, but you have had a lot on your plate and I know you are anxious to get everything in order. It's better to have full glass of wine than half empty glass of wine.
    Have a great week.
    Mary

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  55. Living through a remodel is almost unbearable. I love, love, love your kitchen, it is totally amazing. Just enjoy the wine and look at your progress. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me.

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  56. Some how I missed this post! I linked to it from Shabbylicious. I love the view of the kitchen from your back door!!! Gorgeous! xoxo I loved this post, and I'm glad you are looking at your progress differently. I had such a different childhood, that growing up I tried to do everything right, but then the last few years were difficult... Yet, I feel like I'm kind of like a cat that falls out of the tree and lands on her feet... I'm thankful. xoxo

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  57. Suzan, We moved last week and I am living in chaos too. You did an amazing job on the kitchen and I know the mudroom will be just as wonderful.
    xx,
    Sherry

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  58. Good thing that you refilled that glass, because your kitchen is awesome! I think we can all get on that "negative bandwagon" from time-to-time so don't beat yourself up!

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  59. Suzan, it's amazing! So pretty! Thank you for sharing. You are the Star Feature tonight at the Before and After Wednesday party at The Dedicated House. Here is the link to this week's bash! http://www.thededicatedhouse.com/2014/05/before-and-after-wednesday-week-15.html Hope to see you again at the party! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

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  60. Susan, that kitchen has sure come a long way since you moved in. Sometimes we are so busy doing what needs to be done, that we don't stop and take stock of where we are. I'm glad you've had the epiphany from the mudroom... enjoy the kitchen gazing sweetie.
    BTW... I love this post and I'm featuring it on Shabbilicious Friday tomorrow.
    Hugs ~ Kerryanne

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  61. Suzan - Just saw your kitchen featured at The Dedicated House. Wow, what a great job you have done. So stylish!……..really. Looks like it was done by a designer!! How do you like living in the West Island?
    P.S. There does not seem to be a direct link to your blog post from The Dedicated House's site to you…….or I missed it. Have a good day!

    Mary @ Orphans With Makeup

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  62. Suzan…love your kitchen…well actually everything you have done so far! This post really hit home…I too feel the same way… especially now…my garage is full of my household items that we had to move out for new carpet…ugh I really need to get out there…can you imagine what our neighbors think when we open the garage door … my solution …don't open the garage door…lol Thank you for sharing at One More Time Events..Hugs Tammy

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  63. I love this post. Such great perspective for me to remember....I love that kitchen too!!! Posting your post as my personal fave this week at Monday Funday!

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    Replies
    1. This is actually Katie from Creatively Living. I just realized I was signed in under the hubbies google account! lol

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  64. I'm sooooo loving that half full glass kitchen! An amazing transformation ... though, I'm not surprised. I just adore your style!

    :) Linda

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  65. You've come a looong way, Suzan! Your kitchen is beautiful, what a great transformation! Take it easy! Luckily that mudroom is not that big ;)

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Due to a large amount of spam ( that I'm tired of going back to posts and deleting ) I'll be using comment moderation from now on !!!
Can I beat these spammers at their own game? Probably not - but I'm going
to try my damnedest !!!
xoxo