If you give a girl a Clawfoot Tub....

...She might act a little CRAZY.....

{Via}

So, I have shared many times how I've 

managed to put my foot in my mouth at the wrong time,

Or get myself in weird predicaments.....

Oh, you're new here? 

Click on the Story of Me to the right--------------------------->

And you may want to get a drink of water, it way take you awhile!

It happens A LOT.

Pinterest

Last weekend we were invited over to my husbands cousins house.

A long lost cousin who we just met a few years ago.

And, amazingly, only lives 35 minutes from us!

I'd love to tell the incredible story of how God put it together,

but it's not my story to tell.

Just trust me when I say God is always at work around us!!

Pinterest

They recently downsized from a huge, HUGE, house to

a much cozier house. 

An adorable house with breathtaking views of the water.

{Via}

After enjoying some pre-dinner appetizers, great conversation,

 and a glass of wine

I needed to use the restroom.

Here's the thing about wine...

it relaxes your tongue a little...and increases the enthusiasm.

I already have a loose tongue and too much enthusiasm.

Here's another thing...

I have a long standing love affair with claw foot tubs!

I have wanted one since I can remember.

{via}

So, I walked into the bathroom and there it was.

A gorgeous, clawfoot tub. Gorgeous.

I ran my hands along the smooth white rim.

And I must have squealed.

Loudly.

Claudia came around the corner to check on me.

"I LOVE YOUR TUB!!" I said... in very breathy tone.

"One day when we return to our Whidbey* house I'm going to get one!!"

I continued.

(We own a house on Whidbey Island that we rent out, we will retire there in a "few" years)

{via}

Then she said it.

"You can have this one, its not our style....We have another one

that we will be using when we remodel..."

YOU.CAN.HAVE.IT.

"WHAT!? OMG, REALLLLLYYYYY!!!!!??????"

And with that,  

I proceeded to climb into their/my tub with my boots on.

I laid my head back and had a "moment".

My heart swelled three times its size.

I could've laid there daydreaming for a very long time

 about how it will look and feel in my own house.

Daydreamers, you know what I mean!

{via}

BUT,

at the risk of looking like a total nut job

 in front of Claudia and my husband. 

(He had come in exclaiming "She has wanted a tub like this FOREVER" 

after hearing all my excitement.)

AND,

realizing I just climbed into their tub with my boots on...

I got out and toned down the enthusiasm.

(only on the outside!!)

{via}

We had a wonderful dinner, laughter and a fun game with their 10 year old daughter.

I can't wait to get together again!

Before we left, I had to see her one more time go to the restroom again.

I was tempted to lock myself in and rip all my clothes off...

but I restrained myself.

***

When we got home and my husband went to bed...

I went on Pinterest and continued my daydreaming!

Seriously, I am still so excited, and thankful!

(I'll post about it in a few years when we get moved back to Whidbey

but we have a big adventure in between now and then)

xoxo

Jodi

Creating the Perfect Guest Room

I love having guests,
and I love being a guest!
Lately, I have found myself away from home quite a bit.

Coastal Living

Do you love spending time in your bed
all snuggled up with comfortable blankets & pillows?
Especially after a hot bubble bath?
I do.

Being away from my own comforts made me really think about
how I want my guests to feel when they
come to visit.

source unknown

Now that the bedrooms are vacant.
(hey, I can say that now without breaking into a sob! Yay me.)
Now that the bedrooms are vacant...I did it again.
....I can make up the bedrooms to suit each guest as they visit.

As I work to make each space special
I will consider the following:

Source unknown

HOW DOES THE BED FEEL?
First, is the mattress comfortable?
I have a twin bed that needs a new mattress!
I realized this a few months ago when my honest brother in law woke up exclaiming
"That was the worst nights sleep ever, I need the chiropractor".

EEEEEK, All of the pretty blankets and pillows in the world won't matter if
your guest needs a chiropractor and a pot of coffee the next day!
Sorry Doug :)

Secondly, nobody wants to sleep on scratchy sheets and deflated pillows.
I have to admit I need to buy some new pillows for my guest rooms...they are flat!
I realized this when I slept in the guest room one night.
I tossed and turned trying to adjust the worn out pillows.
Its a good idea to sleep in the guest room once in awhile to get the guest experience!
It opened my eyes...all night long.

Third, Blankets.
Along with soft sheets, and quality pillows, include a blanket and a light bedspread.
A comforter or heavier blanket folded at the foot of the bed
is perfect in case your guest gets chilly in the night.
If your guest is my age...
she could be sweating and then cold many times all night long...

Pinterest

Cute hanging basket found on Pinterest

WELCOMING EXTRAS
A basket or tray with a
  clean bath towel, washcloth and hand towel
lets your guest know that they are welcome to use your shower without searching your bathroom for the necessities.
Its also nice to include a "help yourself" basket with travel size things they
may have forgotten such as:

 Bar of soap or shower gel
Q-tips
Toothpaste/toothbrush
Shampoo & Conditioner
New Razor
Deodorant
Tylenol or Ibuprofen
Cough drops
Kleenex
Lotion
Feminine Hygiene products

Great small space idea!
(by bebookbound.blogspot.com found on Pinterest)

MIRROR
A mirror is so helpful in a guest room.
Especially when the bathroom is occupied. Your guest can fix their
hair and make up in the privacy of their room without worrying about inconveniencing you or your family.

by blueroofcabin blog via Pinterest

CHAIR, LUGGAGE RACK & HOOKS
Usually, even the smallest room can fit a small wood chair.
If you have the room, an upholstered chair is ideal.
Having a place to sit and put on shoes,
or read a book is helpful.
If you have a dresser, keep the top fairly clear for personal items.
Ideally, a small bench or fold able stand is perfect for a suitcase.
And don't forget...like I did...to give your guest a place to hang their clothes.
While peeking in on my visiting friend, I noticed she had clothes
hanging on every corner and surface. I felt so bad that I hadn't thought
of that ahead of time!
Sorry Sheila!

You can find these hooks here

LIGHTING
This may seem like a weird thing to address, but I have woke
up in the middle of the night so many times
forgetting where I was while traveling.
I laid there trying to remember where the bed is in relation to the door.
ha ha ha.
Most of us like to close the bedroom door when staying somewhere away from home, and so a nightlight is very helpful!
Also a lamp on the bedside table, within reach from the bed,
is important for late night reading.

Here is a fun nightlight idea!

This room is warm and the lighting is perfect for a guest room.

Here are a few other ideas that will make your guests feel special...

*Books or magazines with your guests interests in mind.
*Brochures and maps of your area for sightseeing can be helpful!
*A basket with a few apples, bottled water, and granola bars or packaged snacks.
*Fresh flowers or a nice plant (in case of allergies)
*Seasonal decor to bring a smile!
*A note with the wireless Internet code for their laptop.
* A place to plug in their phone charger/laptop.
*Lint roller, iron & ironing board on back of door
*Toys if your guest has children

Macarontown Blog via Pinterest

But the best way to make your guests feel welcome is to greet them in the morning with a cup of coffee or tea 
and a generous SMILE.

How do you make your guests happy?

Afraid to Fall

A few weeks ago I wrote a post

about my experience working in a certain retail store.

Although THAT store was not the 

perfect fit for me,

my dream is to eventually open my own.

One day I WILL.

I BELIEVE that with all my heart.

In the meantime, I am subbing

for the school district

and

scouring Kitsap County for great

furniture pieces.

The hardest part has been finding the space to work

and store the pieces.

We have a crowded one car garage, that my sweet husband

has tried to make functional for me.

We have 2 guest rooms that

I can place things in...

but they are UPSTAIRS...STEEP stairs.

Not hardly practical.

So...I do what I can, as I can, when I can.

Enjoying every minute of it.

Its such a part of WHO I AM.

I cant let it go.

NO OTHER JOB fills my heart and soul

the same.  

But lately, I'm feeling a little defeated.

Maybe its because I turned 45

last week.

source

Maybe its because I'm missing my dad

who was a big dreamer...

and encourager.

Fall 2006
A few days after open heart surgery

He passed away a year later from a catastrophic stroke.

Maybe it's because its dark and rainy today....ha ha ha

or

Maybe its because we really don't have the space

or financial resources right now to grow this business.

(fixing the roof & having the house painted this

summer was expensive!)

I've carried this dream in my heart 

for so long,

BEFORE dinosaurs fixing up furniture

was even cool.

I fight the thoughts that say I'm too old to continue dreaming.

I know it isn't true.

My children are young adults, I have more time on my hands

than EVER before.

But I'm stuck.

I'm trying to find the balance of making my dream come true

while keeping my feet grounded in reality.

AND fighting the fear of failure.

source

I would like to find a network

of women like me

in my area.

Positive women that want to get together to inspire each other,

share ideas and conquer fears.

Have fun. Blossom.

Because...

I don't think I am alone with these feelings.