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:)

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*

Have paint, Will travel!

Good Morning!

No time to chat today, Im off to paint my retail space 

(Ok, its a 8 x 10 booth, but retail space sounds so much more sophisticated, hee hee)

Its currently a lovely PLUM *sarcasm* color

which is a beautiful accent color, but toooo dark for me.

Heading to Lowes for a great fresh color....

So, in the meantime, enjoy some

eye candy....Rooms

that let you daydream and relax!

Luxury-furniture-design.com

Luxury-furniture-design.com

houzz.com

myhomeideas.com

Thank you for stopping by!

I hope today you will find YOUR

favorite dreaming spot and become inspired to tackle a

forgotten project... 

OR

 better yet, dream of a new one :)

*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

Oh Shoot!

My living room is OVERFLOWING with furniture, the kitchen counters are full of projects, and the dining room table is stacked with dishes. Sounds like an episode of "Hoarders", right? But I'm not a hoarder (thank goodness Im not opening a pet store!) ...I've been busy putting together all the goodies for my first ever Antique Booth! It's located in the Poulsbo Antique Mall in Poulsbo, WA.

This charming little Scandanavian town is located in Kitsap County between Tacoma and Pt. Townsend. Its a great day trip with views of the water and Olympic Mountains.  Feast on pastries in the local bakery, and spend the day meandering through the unique shops and restaurants.  (This is where a good blogger with a awesome camera would insert a breathtaking photo.....*crickets churp*....my battery was DEAD, its always dead when I need it!) Guess you will just have to make the trip, it is well worth the drive.

Last night I began working on an upholstered headboard. I needed to use the nail gun. Not the little hand held wimpy kind,  but the big loud compressor-don't point it at your face-kind.  It had been awhile since I used it, so I asked my husband (from here on out referred as "Mr. Fresh") for a refresher (ha ha, no pun intended).  As he left for the gym with our 16 year old son, he smiled and said "its easy, you will figure it out in no time."  It only took a mere 60 minutes to get the nail gun thingy attached to the hose which attaches to the big red compressor which has to be turned on to a certain pressure...and makes a very LOUD jump out of your pants sound.  Please note that jumping out of your pants in not a good thing to do when you have a NAIL gun in your hand! Then there were the staples. Now, I know it would have been a smarter idea to inspect the nail gun while unattached...but I just wanted the staples to stay in the gun. **UGH** after many attempts to get the fabric on just so and *bang* no staples I was ready to toss the dumb thing. Then... (clouds part, angelic music inserted) I saw it, the teeny little button at the very back of the handle...click...snap...the staples were locked in.  yippee!  The headboard was done in no time and turned out beautifully.  What I failed to mention was that in my frustration, I accidentally stapled the wool rug to the hardwood floor...oh well, It kept slipping around anyways.  Mr. Fresh will never have to know, he thinks Im pretty smart.

Coming soon (when I  get a new battery...and can figure out how to attach photo's!!) a little sneak peak of my projects. Im going to link up to my facebook page too!  This is so much better than sitting in an office 8 hours a day!! I love my life....

Lesson of the day? Go learn something new today, and don't worry if you nail your rug to the floor! Its part of the process and  it may save you from a fall later:)  You will be so happy you tried....its only a nail after all.

 *Jodi*