Dealing with a Family Loss

I have been MIA due to the loss of our beloved dog, Chewy.

Last Tuesday should of been a day of celebration, it was our 8 year wedding anniversary. We didn't have anything planned just a nice evening with the people we love most our kids and our dog. Well... that was not meant to be. Monday Mr Chew was just fine, his happy normal self. Tuesday he woke up and would not eat, wouldn't walk and his breathing was labored. The kids and I took Chewy to the vet and he had a tumor on his spleen that had ruptured. He was bleeding internally and there was nothing we could do to save him.

Our hearts are broken. I feel like my heart has been ripped out of my chest. He was like a kid to me and our family just loved him. (Sorry for repeating this story for those of you who read my family blog)

In dealing with our loss and the emptiness of our home hubby and I have different ways of coping. My husband doesn't talk much about Chewy except in quick references. Then I have talked about Chewy (probably too much) and have reached out to my family and friends for support. That is how we differ...but we are the same in wanting to keep ourselves busy.

Here is my husbands newest project...this was on the forecast of projects "to do" but it suddenly took top priority this weekend..

Here is Hubby and his little helper.

First piece going up


This is a MAJOR improvement and I am so proud that my hubby can do stuff like this!!

I have been fiddling with my college that I got on Mother's Day, but never finished it...Go Figure! I thought there was no better time then now to finish my college, and make sure I added pictures of ALL of our family. Including Mr Chew.

I have a tendency to be a negative person, but I really try hard to always find the positive in every situation even if it's the smallest streak. If there is anything positive about our loss we are trying to move on in a constructive manner. I did complete #10 on my Getting Back on Track List. See that is positive!?!? Plus, I have a wonderful frame hanging in my hallway up stairs. I know I will enjoy looking at all of these pictures for years to come.

We Love you, Mr Chew!! You will always be in our hearts and thank you for 10.5 wonderful years!

Week of Nothing...

This week I have not posted much because I have not finished ANYTHING!! I am not sure it is the fact I am unmotivated, or just the fact I have so many projects started I don't know where to start. Hopefully a nice weekend of R&R (HAHA) will cure me. So here are some of the things I haven't completed...

My goal was to finish my guest bathroom...I did hang a new valance and no this isn't the new one


Finish this chalkboard platter for my Picture Window...


I am really excited about this one, but still not done


And yet another project I started, but the humidity is stopping me on this one!!

No, I am not on vacation or MIA I am just a little unmotivated and a little swamped by my own doing. I am not beating myself up because my first priorities are doing great and that is what is most important!!

I will be back next week!!

Walls are coming down...Part II

Yep, we are still working on the wall... All of the mudding is done and the "bar" is in place. We are just sanding, sanding, and more sanding. Next time I get the bright idea of ripping out a wall I need to remember how much I hate dusting...

One neat note is we got to use my belated grandfather's router we got while cleaning out his garage 5 years ago. Still works and we found all of the pieces (miracle.) Collins got to use it for the first time to make the nice rounded edges. It is nice to be able to have nice sentimental items like this while making something for our home. Goes to show loved ones may be gone, but never forgotten. My Granddaddy would be so proud!!!


Everyone is getting into the action to get this done. We need all of the help we can get.



Wesley is getting into the action by participating in the Derby race!!!


The wall should be finished by this weekend. Well, pending on the fact we find the left over paint cans!! Wish us luck! Apparently my hubby knows me too well and says the paint color stays...well, a girl can try!!

Walls are coming down...

On Friday, my husband came home saying he wanted to do a home project this weekend. Instead of jumping out of my skin with excitement and saying "So do you want to do A, B or C?" I calmly (smartly) said "So what are you thinking about?" he said "Maybe the wall?"

Now flashback to 3.5 years ago when we moved into this house and during the walk-through I say "This wall should come out so it would open up the den and the kitchen" and I just hear an "uh-huh" from hubby.

Well, apparently with enough, shall we say "encouragement," hubby has decided it is time to "work on the wall." The walls are coming down and kids it is time to go to the pool!!

Before: Looking from the garage door (the door we use to enter and exit our home) to the kitchen


Before: Looking towards the den and garage door.


When I came home from the pool hubby says to me "do not yell"...It was really hard to contain myself... it was awesome!! Lawson of course says "daddy I am mad at you, you put a HOLE in our wall. You shouldn't do that!!!!"

This is the view I need with 2 kids!!!

My hubby, hard at work...

Now that it is so open I might rethink my colors....(shhhh don't tell hubby, he might flip-out). He is such a good guy!!! He love to make me happy and I am REALLY HAPPY!!!! Can't wait to show you the finished project in a couple days!!!

Note: The fish tank is still in the house, but after much discussion the beloved fish tank is now in the foyer. I will show pictures later.

Procrastinator- Not this week...

This week I am anything but a procrastinator...

I have a multitude of projects that I am working on and no time to spare!

I am making a dress for my mother-in-law. Yes, you read that correctly. I am making a cocktail dress for my m-i-l to wear to a cocktail event with Nicholas Sparks. You know the guy who wrote the Notebook. I could so watch that movie a million times over. SO I have been working extra hard to make sure that she looks wonderful at this event. The is the dress almost done. Plus I am making a shawl (because it is still cold in NC) The shawl is what is going to make this dress. It is turquoise on one side and lime green on the other. She is going to look great!! I will post pictures of the finished product later. Maybe she will send me a picture of her and Nicholas Sparks!!!

Then I am working on some seat cushions for a friend's sister. They look awesome. I have one completely done. I am not showing the finished product until I send the pictures to the person paying for them!! But here are the two ready to be stuffed.


Then I am working on a TON of dog collars for a side business I have with a friend, The Other Kid. We make custom dog collars and leashes. We got a huge order last week and we are so excited!!

Finally, I am still a full-time mom and working part-time for my old company. So needless to say every minute of my day counts. There has been no time for procrastination this week! It seems like the busier I am the more I get done. Go figure!!

I do have a small confession. As I have been buying material for all of these projects I have been also buying myself material for "OTHER PROJECTS" for myself. I can't help myself. I can't go into a fabric store without buying SOMETHING!! I need help!! I bought material for my kids' bathroom also our guest bathroom!! I am drooling over this material. I can't wait to share it with you!!!