Behind My Red Door

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Heartache and life changes…

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It is with great sadness and heartache that I tell you that we lost my dad in the wee hours of the morning on Saturday, July 7th. I still can’t believe I am saying those words. A few short weeks ago, my dad finally decided that it was time to move to a nursing home. I had finally found one that could take them together at the same time and in the same room. And when he decided it was time, he wanted it done NOW. I was somewhat surprised that he never wavered once as he had many times before when my sister and mother cried and got very upset,  but now I know why. I now know my dad knew it was time.  He knew he was failing.
At his request, I moved them on June 25th and the first few days went well. My mom needed lots of reassurance that she could come and go still and that there were activities and life outside her little room with my dad, and of course there were some adjustments needed to the bathroom to accommodate my dad, but they were settling in.
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With the help of my sister, I got very busy starting the clean out of their home, and on my own, I met with their lawyer and started the mounds and mounds of paperwork needed to qualify them for Medicaid, set up a trust and get the house ready for the market etc.
Then things changed rapidly and my dad got very sick and after x-rays and blood work and labs, we knew he was gravely ill. The staff went into Hospice like mode at my request and I called the family to come to be with him, and within 2 days my wonderful loving caring dad was gone home to the Lord. The staff kept him medicated and out of pain and peaceful and that is such a comfort to me. He died very peacefully. The accommodations they made for my family went above and beyond. They have been amazing.  
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My dad's service on Tuesday was the perfect tribute to him! Father Tim captured his essence perfectly. My brother Allan described what a wonderful selfless hardworking family man he was, and my son spoke from his heart of the life lessons he learned from my dad. The Army playing taps and presenting my mom with the flag was so moving. Our family dinner afterwards was a wonderful way to end the day. All in all I could not have scripted a more perfect way to honor my dad! ♥
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Now it is time to get back to life, have some Lili time, help my mom cope with this overwhelming loss, and get back to the mounds of paperwork, deal with life insurance, transfer of assets and all the new paperwork that comes with the death of a loved one who happened to be a veteran and retired Federal employee. I still need to have that estate sale so we can sell the house and continue on as I promised my dad. My last words to him were that I would take care of mom and that he didn’t have to worry about her, and I intend to honor those words.
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I had so many other things planned for my last blog post, but none of them seem important right now. I will mention though that I had planned to show you the bed my honey and I finally got, like this one from the the Boyz at Circa Home Living – one of my all time favorite online shops!  You can find them on FB ~here~.lc-bedqx
Noel and Verge pick the best quality reproductions to sell in their catalog. I have always been thrilled with everything I have ordered from them and this is no exception. The picture above is from their website – of their own bed in their home. Isn’t it wonderful??!!  I don’t own a period home and I suspect my room is smaller so it looks quite different in my home but isn’t that art of the fun of decorating? Being inspired by what we see in other homes and then making our own home personal to us?
Of course a new bed meant some tweaking and changes but I still don’t have all the linens I ordered so you will have to check my Picture Trail in the future for those pictures – when I get my Nikon back from the repair shop that is! That’s another cause for the delay of picture taking.
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In the midst of this heart ache and the admittedly overwhelming details I still have to attend to in a very short amount of time, we have some many wonderful things to look forward to! Knowing how difficult this summer would and will be for me, Mr. Red Door suggested a wonderful venue for Jen’s bridal shower in August in a wonderful restaurant overlooking the golf course  where he spends every weekend morning.  They will attend to most of the details except the fun things like the games and invitiations. I’ll get the help of her bridal party for those details.
Then of course comes the October wedding! Plans are coming along nicely for that as well! We just know it will be sunny cool day and we are all eagerly anticipating the early evening wedding and reception!
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And I have decided to make another big change and this will be my last blog post. Blogging just takes too much time away from other things I want and need to do. I had decided this long before my folks moved or my dad got sick, but the events of the past few weeks only confirmed this is right for me now. My blog will go on hiatus and instead I will post updates on Face Book as time permits. It’s quicker and easier to update that way, and so many friends and bloggers have gone in that direction too.  You can find my public FB page by clicking on the big blue F logo up there on the right. That is the FB page I have set up specifically for all the wonderful folks who have followed me here or found my Picture Trail or through the magazine. YOU DO NOT have to be a FB member to see that page!! Because it is a fan page, you don’t have to request friendship, instead all you have to do is stop by and visit!! I am not accepting friendship requests under my personal name as I need to keep that to my family and very close friends. Just look for me on the fan page please. I will miss all the wonderful bloggers and followers I have met here but I hope you will join me there instead!!
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Rest in Peace Dad!! I love you and miss you more than words can say!! I know you are now dancing in heaven with Bobbie and Katie, and taking Brady on long walks, without and pain or crutches or walkers. We’ll take good care of Mommy until she too joins you in heaven so you dance together again…
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Love, your grateful daughter Linda

Friday, April 6, 2012

Happy Spring ~ Happy Easter ~Happy Passover

 

I am back and I have so much to share with you! March was quite a month and I am here to share the best parts with you!

Most of our daughter’s wedding details have come together nicely and we are deep into planning and preparations. Four years ago I had just started bogging just weeks before our son’s wedding and reception. I was a big part of the planning and preparation then as well – from invitations to centerpieces – I had my hand in it.  And the same when my sister got married many years ago and I have helped two close friends with their daughter’s weddings so I know that if I can get it done months ahead of time, it is a wise thing to do.  There are always last minute glitches and changes to deal with and I never know what will change with my parent’s right now either.  There changing needs and my sister’s personal problems make it ever more challenging to keep them in their own home. So whenever I have some time and my daughter has time, we get whatever we can done. The Save the Date cards go out this week so the push is on!

March was my birthday month and I got to spend some quality time with girlfriends. My dear friend Karen from the Catskill Mountains was in MA to visit her son, DIL and grandson so it was the perfect time for us to get together. Did I ever tell you her son lives in the same town as my parents and sister? Small world!  Karen and I spent some shopping and then had dinner back here and she brought me this sweet painting as a hostess gift. I just love it!! 039

It’s hanging on the small wall at the top of the stairs. 036

I know some of you are saying “hey she moved the furniture around again! “ I sure did so you will see some changes! 018

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I got a several treasures in the mail since I was here last month. First I got this prim little bunny made by my dear friend Lana of Winterberry Primitives. Isn’t she sweet?  Her name is Miz Blue and she is holding a baby shoe filled with teeny eggs!! Lana makes the sweetest prim dolls and critters and they always have such cute stories to tell! birthday bunny

And my dear friend Kathy sent me a box with two treasures… this gorgeous pewter plate…050

…and this gorgeous hooked rug! Kathy is so generous. If she can’t use something in her home anymore, she kindly passes it on to a friend! Isn’t that just the kindest thing ever?  Both pieces will be treasured! 039

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One day not long after I put the rug on the table, Lili was here and she was playing with the roasted corn my friend Lynda gave me. Lili stopped long enough to tell me “It’s OK Meemee, I just ‘tending’ (pretending) to feed the bunny. She won’t really get a tummy ache”. 132

Later that day she had a tea party with some of my pewter… 126

…and another day she was using a bunch of my old utensils with her play-doh. Prims makes great toys, simple as that! utensils

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I got a wonderful new light recently at my friend Barb’s store The Gingham Goose in Rochester, MA. 137

It has 3 lights and is called the Hudson.new lamp

My friend Janet emailed me last night and she just had opened a ox for her online shop. She now carries the exact same style light and several other amazing lamps and sconces in her online store Winter Willow Primitives if you are in the market for great made in the USA lighting!  012 (2)

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Another day, Audrey and I met up with our friend Laurie and we shopped in MA, CT and RI.  I had some birthday money and I came home with a bunch of treasures that day! 006

The basket and salt shakers are now on my pewter cabinet…168

Some of the books live here and the others are in my office. 035

These three old bowls I came home with that day… I had another idea for them but so far they are sitting here! 006

The small mortar and pestle is in my buttery in the kitchen…147

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….and the pantry box was added to my stack in the living  room. 017

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The last weekend in March, Audrey and I had planned to drive to NY to meet up with friends Karen, Terry and Kris but for various reasons, it didn’t work out at the last minute. So we took advantage of the day and headed to a big antique show in CT – The Quiet Corner Antique show. There were some amazing pieces there!! What a show! And after that, we headed to some other shops in CT and MA and I once again came home with some goodies. Audrey reasoned that we would have spent quite a bit going away for the weekend, so I actually saved money buying these things. Don’t you love how she thinks?? It works for me!! You can see basket next to my blanket chest in the picture above. March 31

The pewter spoon is the new spoon rack my dear friend Jill made for my birthday. She just whipped it up one weekend in her garage in SC.  I have wanted a change over here and this was just the solution!091

And the candle mold is with my other one. I guess I need one more to make it a collection?? 020

My feathers and small crock are here…022

…along with the small colonial pewter salt cellar Jill also gave me. pewter

Can you believe I am not done yet?? And then the other day I came home and there was a big box from Kris Thomas – Simply Prims. She made the gals who were planning to go to NY the most amazing Easter Bunnies! Isn’t he the best? 012

He holds a wool carrot and the greens are made from sweet Annie so he smells heavenly too! Kris so talented and creative and generous!! 012

I honestly can’t remember a month’s time frame in the past when so many new to me goodies came to live Behind My Red Door! I am so blessed with wonderful friends and family who are so good to me. I can’t put into words how it makes me feel. I am humbled and thankful.

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This week Lili had her first dental check up and she was so good! The hygienist in this pediatric  dental practice was perfect with such a young child ~ so gentle and calming. She put sunglasses on Lili to protect her eyes from her bright light. Lili thought she looked like a rock star… I thought she just looked too cute! 1

She sat still and got her teeth polished like a trooper!  I was thrilled to be able to go with her to this milestone event.2

Of course Meemee had to surprise her with a special treat for this special day… a new set of wheels…new ride...to keep at Meemee’s house. She got right on and pedaled away!

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And here are few more pics before I end. Here is the other side of the room now that I rearranged things….001

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Hey do you notice anything different??068

Here are a few more clues….007

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Did you guess yet??  Yup, I painted the chair rails to match the lower walls. One step closer to painting the rest of the woodwork in my ‘spare’ time – at least I HOPE SO! Wish me luck!

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And look who is back!! The ducks have been in the brook and we are hoping it is just a matter of time before Momma nests next to the house again. I’ll be sure to keep you posted if she does!016

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I will close with this wish for each of you ~ whether you celebrate Easter or Passover it is a simple wish….

May the wonders of this season -
the beauty of springtime,
the newness of life,
fill your heart with joy
and your life with love.

hugs and prim blessings ~ Linda

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Fun with friends, more gifts, and more stenciling!

I saw this on  the web recently and it just made me smile!! friends underpantsWe all know how important it is to have time with our girlfriends. I am blessed with some very dear long time friends that still live close enough to see regularly and I had a chance to spend time with 2 of these wonderful friends at different times recently. There is something very special about sharing time with someone who knows your past, where you are from, what your dreams and hopes were back then and can be excited with you to see that many of those dreams are now reality. I met each of these two friends when my kids were very young and among the many things we shared and had in common was that we really looked forward to being grandmothers. And  now we all are!! Neither gal decorates like I do but we can talk grand kids until the sun sets and rises once again. It is just wonderful!

It is wonderful to have newer friends as well and especially when they share the same joy in decorating and antiquing. I just happened to see that sign right before Audrey and I headed to our friend Lynda’s house in NH for lunch and some fun. It reminded me of our last visit there when we laughed so hard that well, we thought we might need Depends instead of underpants this time. And that was not far from the truth! LOL

Lynda’s home is so gorgeous! A large colonial saltbox set up on a hill in a private setting despite being in a neighborhood of other large homes. This pic from last spring shows just part of it…098

And inside she has transformed it so that you really feel like you have stepped back in time. I only brought my old point and shoot camera with me (and it is dying – boohoo!!) and I didn’t want to be rude, so I only took a handful (or two) pictures to share.  This greeted us as we came inside. 008

This is where we later had our lunch. Lynda placed our regular plates on these old pewter chargers and it was such a wonderful way to set the table. 010

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Just a few snippets from around the house…..021

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Lynda has several Susan Dwyer murals. This is her powder room on the first floor.018

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In her front foyer…023

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Her kitchen walls are painted a warm rich color so despite being a large room it is so cozy!046

Her collections of antiques are amazing…027

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Look at this yummy dessert!! 049

Lynda had two fun projects for us to do. She had sewn up pillow forms and we stuffed them with buckwheat hulls and hand sewed them closed. We now have wonderful pillows in a colonial textile. Audrey and I are filling ours. Lynda had a trash bucket full of the hulls. She uses them for mulch in her beautiful gardens.028

…and she had garden pavers for us to engrave with a date of our choice. We simply wrote the date with a marker and using chisels and a hammer and wearing glasses, we slowly chipped away until we had some depth to the date. Then we sealed them with concrete sealer. You can see the one on the right is sealed already and it really helps to show off the date. They will look wonderful in our gardens when this snow melts!You can’t see mine but I chose 1896. We moved here in 1986 so I transposed the two middle numbers. 005

And now comes the part that had us close to p**ing our pants! Let me introduce to you the wenches - from left to right Audrey, Lynda and Lynne. Lynne does not blog but she visits many of our blogs and always leaves the sweetest messages. Some of you know her as Adsgram. She is so much fun in person and always makes us smile and laugh!! wenches

..and here are their fellas!! guysYes, Lynda was able to gather up all those costumes in a matter of minutes!! It was a lot of fun and we all laughed ‘til our bellies hurt! It was a wonderful day with wonderful friends. I am so blessed to have days like that!! Thanks so much Lynda for the great food, great company and fun projects!!

The fun didn’t end when we left Lynda’s. When I was dropping Audrey off at her home she surprised me with with an early birthday gift, this wonderful Turtlecreek redware platter!  She knows the teacher in me I love the alphabet theme. It looks wonderful in my office and I will treasure it always!! Thank you Audrey!! 014

Yes, I did more stenciling. I have earned over my lifetime to go with my first instinct in decorating but for some reason, I didn’t follow it when I repainted the living room and added the stencil a few years back. While it was perfectly lovely and an historic reproduction, it just never really worked for me. BUT the living room wall goes all the wall down the hall so I would have had to repaint and re-stencil a lot of wall. So I put it off. But now that the long wall that joins the spaces has a mural on it and breaks up the two spaces, I had no excuse. I sent away to MB Historic Décor for the Moses Eaton stencil I always wanted and got busy. Instead of using the same Tyler Taupe I used in the dining room, I used the Barnyard Red and Benjamin Moore’s New Chestnut – which is a bit deeper and bolder. And it happens to be the color on my garage doors and light post and other pieces outside. 024(Whenever I use interior or exterior latex for stenciling projects, I always thin it just a wee bit.) I needed new brushes before I started this project so I headed to Michaels and they didn’t have what I wanted but I found something better!

Martha Stewart foam pouncers!! See those foam cylinders? They are very firm and dense and fine. And see the two big ones, they worked wonderfully in the large open cutouts on this particular stencil. I LOVE these. Over the years I have stenciled many walls – some for me and some for family and friends and I have tried all kinds of brushes and sponges and these are going to be my main stay from now on. The sponges come right out of the plastic casing to wash. I used them just as I would a stencil brush making sure there was not too much paint on them. I personally think they are brilliant!PD_LRG_32243_1

And here is the new look!013

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039That’s all I can show you because I only got half way around the room. My trip to Michael’s included a side trip so I got a late start and haven’t had time to get back to it. I’ll show you more pics when it is all done!

That side trip I mentioned.. well it was to a new marketplace in the area… the Brick Mill Marketplace in Uxbridge, MA. Click ~here~. It was only 15 minutes from Michael’s so I just had to include that in the trip as well!  Remember in my last post I said I was looking for an antique piece to put on the mural wall?  Well I never thought I would find it so soon. Meet my new to me antique blanket chest. I spotted it right away and knew it would be my birthday present from Mr. Red Door! Thanks honey! I quickly put these pieces on it to snap a picture but I hope to change things out soon. 010

In my last post I mentioned how I get many questions about my fowl rack. My large dark red shelf with the cubbies that is over my Homestead Chair in the living room receives almost as many questions. 024

I got this wonderful piece in 2004 at the wonderful Primitive Thymes in Spencer, MA ~ Karen and Rich Boulay are the shopkeepers. And as much as my taste has evolved and changed, 8 years later I still love this shelf as much as when I first brought it home. I love the chunky pegs, the 3 cubbies in the center, all the display space and the dark red color. 048

051I don’t know if they still carry this but you can click ~here~ and check out the other prim items in their great shop and tour their wonderfully primitive home as well!

I hope ( I am not promising) that the next time I come back I can share a few pics of where Lili and I spend a lot of our time. It’s one of my best kept secrets after all!

Until next time – warm hugs, Linda