Whats up buttercup?

Miss me?

I sure missed you!

I cant believe its been so long that the last post was about SNOW!

Its been up to 60* the past several days.

February in the Northwest is one

of my favorite months!

Its almost always very sunny and it gives me

SPRING FEVER.

I'm ready to get out in the yard and pull the weeds

that have started to grow and

plant some cool weather flowers in my pots.

***
A few weeks ago we were in Oak Harbor to get our

rental home ready for the 

new tenants.

It made us very nostalgic to be there!

We sometimes miss our house and time with friends.

Luckily, its only a hop, skip and a ferry ride away!

****

You may have noticed that I took down the "for sale" page.

Last weekend we emptied out the booth.

It was bittersweet.

Just a year ago I was so excited at the new opportunity

to create and sell what I love.

I don't regret it at all. 

I have a more defined vision now of what I would like

my future retail space to be.

One day I will do it again!

*****

I have added a new tab.

The subject of depression and anxiety isn't glamorous or popular,

but it's life.

I thought I would share my story in hopes that it might

encourage someone else.

Feel free to email me or leave comments if you would like.

****

I'm starting a new bible study called "Esther" by Beth Moore.
"It's tough being a woman"

I'm very excited to go!

I'm making a VERY SIMPLE and Delicious dessert to take.

I will share that recipe with you soon.

*****

Our son has a job interview tomorrow.

He is a junior in college.

Please pray he will make a good impression and if its meant to

be for him, he will get the job!

He is an awesome young man,

and will work hard.

**UPDATE: has a 3rd interview with company scheduled!  Pls. keep praying!**
**2nd UPDATE:  HE GOT THE JOB!!!**
Thank you for your prayers
xoxoxo

****

Our daughter is going on a mission trip to Bolivia

very soon

with the young adults group from

the Foursquare church she works at in PA.

Please pray for them to have safe travel and impact

the lives of those they are reaching out to.

*****

Ummm, old sammy is still plugging along.

Just when we think he has had it...he gets a second...third...fourth

wind! Right now he is having a doggy dream.

Obviously chasing something exciting!

Well, it was great catching up with ya'll!

I'll be back soon with that recipe!

xoxoxox

Jodi

Who determines your success??

Its been almost exactly one year since I decided to start this blog.  I named it "Fresh Vintage Home" with the intention of starting up another home staging and re-design business. Realizing it was more than I wanted to take on alone, I decided to just do what has come naturally my whole life....find "junk", make it cute, get creative and decorate with it.  With the help of my husband, we started the booth, and worked towards my "vision".

After several months of spending a few dollars here, a few there...on a lot of things... it started adding up to more money than I wanted to spend, to more stuff than I could find room to store in my little house, and not enough time or work space to get it done. The atmosphere of the antique mall wasn't as youthful and inviting as I'd envisioned, and business was slow.  Soon came the realization that something had to change.  I still have a creative desire, that will never change, but my path is shifting once again.

The end of this month marks the closing of the booth (so get over there and make an offer on whatever you like!!)  Honestly, I feel a little bit of relief.  Although, I have to admit I could hear the negative voices telling me I had failed.  That I'm not smart enough, young enough, good enough.  That, after 25 years,  why have I not found a career or made "something" of myself.  After all, I look at others who have had great success making a life of the same passions.

Then, I woke up one morning and looked in the mirror.  WHO decides what success looks like?  WHO knows my life and my heart and created the desires within?  Its not the world, its not family members, its not even me!  Its Jesus, my Creator, my Hope, my Joy...my God!  He showed me what success looks like for ME. A happy marriage (not perfect, thank goodness, because trials have made us grow stronger!), meaningful and deep friendships, wonderful children who love each other and are kind. The ability to be a stay home mom for years while my husband spent months at sea. A home to nurture and clean (yes, even cleaning is a blessing), pets, and the time and energy needed to help friends and family during difficult seasons.  I am successful! I am grateful for finally defining success as God intended. 

Every day is a new opportunity to grow and learn and experience life completely. Some of those days are not glamorous or even very productive.  God knows us deep within.  Our hurts, our passions, our sense of humor and our nature.  You ARE ALWAYS where you are supposed to be...because God knows what you need, and when you need it. He is teaching us to be humble, strong, smart, content, and trusting among so many other things. Breathe it in, soak it up, look in the mirror and remind yourself!!

I forgot that I loved to write.  As a child and teenager, I LOVED to write.  Blogging has reminded me of this voice inside. We are still working hard on our little house, and I want to continue to share those changes with  you.  But there is so much more to me, as there is to each and every one of you.  A lifetime of stories and experiences that makes us who we are.   I truly don't know where this is going, but Im just going with it one step at a time.  I hope you will continue to visit, I would sure miss you if you didn't!

xoxoxo

Jodi

UPDATE:  As I tried to share this link on my Facebook page it gave me a message that I'd been reported as spam or something like that. Not nice, right?  I was able to link the post on my Fresh Vintage Home facebook page, however.  I apologize if this creates a problem if you try to share the blog.  Let me know if it works for you. Im working on it at this end:)

Closing Shop!

Yep,

you read that right.

Its been a hard decision,

but I am closing up my booth at the

Poulsbo Antique Mall

January 31st.

I still LOVE collecting and

will open another space

at some point,

BUT

FOR NOW...

the monthly cost is too much.

Business is VERY slow.

and I live too

far from the store to keep it at 

the caliber I envision.

So,

Stop by next week.

I am bringing in several new things.

Some of which are NOT refinished or refurbished.

The prices will reflect that.

Thank you to those who have supported

and encouraged me.

I will be back!

Bigger and better....one day.

The blog stays....I LOVE writing!!!

I LOVE you!

In with the new, Out with the old!

We have started the 

demolition...

Its a beautiful mess around here!

And...as it happens with any

home improvement project...

we are encountering some unexpected "stuff".

I don't know why

I say "unexpected"

after all, nothing has gone as

we expected in this

lovely old house.

They call that breaking the bank CHARM.

I will share more about

that there CHARM another day.

TODAY 

I am sharing my latest 

other project.

This armoire has been with us for 20 years.

I have a picture (somewhere)

of our oldest son (21)

standing in front of it at ONE years old.

awwwww *sniffle*

Its been a TV cabinet, 

pantry, and even a home office

over the years.

We bought it unfinished....

and never finished it.

Jeff wanted it stained....I wanted it painted

and after 

about 10 years neither even noticed anymore.

ha ha ha

But this week 

it finally got a fresh clean coat of

paint.

A light distressing to

accentuate the other 20 years of distress.

And a new bead board back panel.

(the other one was full of holes for wires and such)

She can be yours 

to love and hug and take home today!!!

You can find it listed on Craigslist Kitsap County

asking $275 OBO

(Need money to pay those unexpectedness's!!!)

ha ha ha..

no, really!

(btw... unexpectedness's is the CORRECTED version via spellcheck.)

who knew?

Gorgeous Darling!

She is finished...and

I have her listed on Craigslist!

Lovely curves in a creamy white...
lightly distressed..

Delicate rose basket detail on headboard and footboard...
perfect for a little girl or guest princess

This full size beauty shouldn't last too long!

$225

Yay!!!!

Yay!

I spent most of the week finishing

up projects...

so that I could fill the booth!
Yesterday

I spent 4 1/2 hours setting up and rearranging. 

Actually, 3 hours....and then

*CRASH*

The screw holding up this

original watercolor of the beach

came out of the wall:(

THANKFULLY nothing else was broken,

and I will be able to repair the print!

But, it did take another hour to 

clean up the glass from the floor

and place the furniture back in its

spot. I will be sure to use a bigger
screw next time!

I think it was worth the work!

Do you?

Click the

  "For Sale at Fresh Vintage Home" tab

to see the other items!!

I also built a cottage stone wall (ok, its only 2 high)

around our patio and walkway.

(Im still too embarrassed to show you... )

AND 

our driveway is coming along nicely.

We should be ready to gravel it really soon!!

I promise to let you see it 

when I get back frrrooooommmm...

THE BIG ROAD TRIP!!!

Its coming VERY soon...

Oh, I hope you are going to come along with us!

Virtually, of course, unless you'd 

like to squeeze into one of these...

along with a 19 year olds closet worth of clothes and shoes!

Yah, didn't think so...

We are going to have so much fun!

I'm really excited because we have sponsored 2 boys from

Children of the Nations

and so on our LONG trip we are going to collect

post cards from all the states we pass

through and include them

in our next letter. 

If you are interested in learning 

more about COTN or how to sponsor a precious

child too, just click

on the link above!

Next week is my WONDERFUL Father in Law's

70th Birthday!!!

So, on Saturday we are having a big celebration for him.

Me, PaPa and my husband...and Sammy our doggy.

HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!

*Jodi*

Friendship...the greatest Find!

On Saturday I stopped by my

booth to add some more STUFF! (I forgot

to take pictures! but will today)

and as I was bent over to pick up something

I felt a little

*pinch*

on my backside.  Thinking it was

my husband returning after a walk through

town....I giggled.

But then I realized it wasnt my husband at all...

It was one of my besties from Oak Harbor!

Sheila and her husband, Jody, (I know, same
name...cool, right!) are part

of the reason I am doing what I do.

They have been antiquing and selling for many, many

years. They have recently set up

two new booths and you can find more information

about them here.

And on their  Shabby Stuff facebook page! If you are ever

on Camano Island, you definately

need to check them out!

Jody is also very talented at landscaping his yard in 

the vintage style they adore.

Here are a few photo's of their yard in summer!

It will make you long for flip flops and a tall beverage...

And...of course, what is a friendship post without a picture

of some of those friends!!!

Thank you Sheila and Jody for getting up early,

taking the ferry, and driving another hour

to support my new venture! I REALLY appreciate it!

Love you much!

Friendships are so awesome!

Whether short or long term,

close by or far away,

EACH and every one touches our life in its own way!

I have made some friends online too.  Sherrie
of A Vintage Affair not only shares a love of
finding antiques, but is also located in the same
Antique Mall as me.  Im so happy she found a wreath
in my booth...and it looks beautiful over her bed!
Check out Sherrie's blog to see her other loves!
It's so fun to

find others with the same interests and their own personal stories

of why they, too, enjoy blogging! Some have been
doing it for a VERY long time. I have to
wonder if they run out of things to share.

It is a special community that I am looking forward to being

a part of.

Have a wonderful Monday... I hope you find time to
 share it with someone special!
Im going to go enjoy a coffee & conversation
in Poulsbo with another dear friend!

I am so blessed
xoxox
Jodi

Stepping Stones

REMEMBER THIS?????

BEFORE...

SAME ANGLE...AFTER 

It's still a little sparse, and I need a sisal rug, but oh, SO much brighter!
(Still using the cell phone camera, sorry!)

The book shelf is temporary. The owner let me use it until I bring in a great display piece.
Im hoping to find a large lighted frenchy buffet that I can paint. Do you  remember
when you could find one CHEAP? Not anymore people,
even the ugly ones are $200 at St. Vincents Thrift store.
I can't wait for the weather to warm up so we can hit those GARAGE sales!!!

Booth Before.....

Same Angle...AFTER!

I have some picnic baskets for that upper shelf, a full size metal bed and
beautiful french desk & chair coming later this week.

This is the other side of booth. I covered the lattice with more old doors and beaded board.
(See the empty spot on the shelf? I SOLD my first thing while setting up!)

While setting up yesterday I met a very nice lady.
We chatted for quite awhile!
While listening, it occurred to me that so many of us have the same fears.
The fear of TRUSTING in the ability to share our gifts, talents and passions.
Fear of following our desires.
Not the immoral ones, of course! Don't go there!
But the desire to be who we know we were created to be,
our very own gift. No two people are alike.
Some of us wait so long for fear of failing,
 and sometimes it just takes time and life experience for us
to narrow down what that passion is.

About a month ago I told my daughter
"Im afraid to start this, WHAT IF I fail?" and she said
"Mom, dont think of the past experiences as failures, but stepping stones to the future!"
That changed my mind set. She is SO right.
Each experience, good and bad...
prepare us for the next opportunity!
There is no failure. Its a time to redirect, to learn and to grow!
So, for the other gals out there that feel a calling,
Dont be afraid!
Put on your hiking shoes and start stepping on those stones.

And to the sweet lady I met yesterday, Thank you for
being my very first SALE!

Happy Wednesday friends!

xoxoxo
*Jodi*

Marching forward!

HAPPY MARCH 1st!!!!

As I opened up my day planner today to read my

 "to do" list

the following quote was printed in the corner of the book...

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! 

Live the life you've imagined." 

-Henry David Thoreau

Perfect timing!!!

See, last night I went to bed a little discouraged 

thinking about

everything that I had envisioned for my new retail space!

I worked on it yesterday for awhile, and it looked so

NAKED...NOT what I know it WILL be.

For the record...this is what it looked

like BEFORE I took it over....

Now, its been emptied,

the purple is GONE, replaced by old doors,

beaded board, and fresh paint.

*pictures soon!!!*

Anyhow......

A good nights rest is a miracle for the spirit and body.

When I woke up this morning and read that quote

I was once again reminded of why I am doing this.

Its just what I love to do. Make pretty spaces!

Re-invent, Re-purpose and SHARE!

Soon I will fill up the truck (in the pouring rain)

and go ENJOY the process.  Just BE in the moment.

Its a little weird

rearranging, changing my mind, arranging again

 with people watching.  

Before moving to Kitsap County, I worked as a

 Home Staging Consultant

with my friend Leslie.

Together, we had so much fun bouncing ideas off each other.

 ( I miss you Leslie!!!)

In the car arriving at our first job...sooo much fun!

This time its ALL on me. Creating a place people want to 

come into and linger.  

So, I guess what Im saying is....if you go there today and

see a partially finished space please remember...

Its going to get better and better!!! 

Great things are coming!

Here is something to ponder...

At the bottom of my day planner was the following

tidbit...

"Did you know...An orange a day will keep wrinkles away!"

Off to eat a bucket of oranges! 

Have a wonderful Day!!!

xoxox 

*Jodi*

Paws and effect

My friend Susan gave me a really cool "old school" 

elementary desk.....

Actually, she was hauling it to Goodwill and I hijacked it

from the back of her van.
Im blessed with friends who like me even when I pick through their "junk"

Do you remember sitting at a old metal desk like this??? too cute!

I confess, I hate to pass up free stuff that can be freshened up
or repurposed.

Last week I asked my 16 year old son

to jump out of the truck (I stopped, but barely)

 to lug 2 chairs from the curb into the back seat

of the truck. You see, earlier that morning, I'd noticed the small round wood table

and 4 good chairs at the curb (that means FREE!) I was in my

slippers with my hair all over the place, and so I would not stop.
As if you must look good to pick from the curb, right?

I decided that if it was still there later in the day, it would be all mine.

After school, Jordon willingly became my curb hauling buddy.

Later that evening, while admiring my "find",

I began to think... Isn't it odd only 2 chairs were left?

and then it occurred to me...

WHAT IF  a cute little family of  FOUR came by

earlier and could only fit 2 chairs and table in their car???

WHAT IF they came back later to find the other 2 GONE? 

I felt a little bad! 

ANYWHOOOOO...

back to the adorable desk.

Mr. Fresh kindly took it apart, and yesterday I started
 to paint it.
(After all, the sun was out, with no snow to be seen in my neck of the woods)
I chose a deep red high gloss that I

may antique to tone down a little.

Next, I sanded down the top to roughen it up.

...then I began to paint on the chalkboard paint.  I went on

to other things as it dried.

When I came back to check it...THIS is what I found.

Do you see those little toes???

Our little stinker, Smokey the cat, jumped up onto the 

counter...into the wet paint!

My floors resembled an episode of Blues Clues!

We were finding "clues" all over the house. 

Nothing a little sandpaper and another coat of paint cant fix.

 How could I get mad at this sweet lil guy?

Be sure to check out some of the blogs I follow ----> 

you will find AMAZING and talented women!

Friday I'm going to paint my booth! I decided on a really pretty crisp

blue that will brighten up the space, and coordinate with

the items I will sell.  I have added a few things

to the FOR SALE page. The photo and staging
is not very good quality, but Im working towards that:)
I will be adding so much more.

Once I set up the booth, I will post pictures!

Please....Don't forget

You're NEVER to old to follow your dreams

 xoxo Jodi