I just texted one of my closest friends “do you wanna go to the bar? I’ve been sitting on my couch almost all day.” Now, to be fair to myself, I found and connected my short term rental’s website to a direct booking service, so I’m not completely rotting on the couch - but close. At least I moved my business forward one more step. (Less guilt).
I’m not sure what this part of my life is called, where I’m bored most of the time, but I don’t really love it. It may be “rest” from being in survival mode for so many years as a single mom. It may be “empty nest syndrome” from my youngest graduating from high school and living his own life now and not having anyone that needs me. It may be the “singleness” getting to me. It’s also winter in Ohio which is super depressing and not friendly for outside activities- especially this evening. It’s only 21 degrees outside and the wind is blowing which means, you immediately have tears in your eyes upon walking out the door. Looking cute is also unlikely because long hair gets whipped around like crazy just getting in and out of the car.
If my bank account and I were getting along right now, I’d book a flight to Key West and get out of this weather. As a matter of fact, on my recent trip there (October) with my girlfriends, an old friend from my hometown (now a Florida Keys resident) told me with my skills in real estate and remodeling/design, I should move down there and set up shop. Apparently there is a lot of opportunity for success there for my trades. That’s been on my mind ever since he mentioned it. Days like today, really make me wonder if I should.
I SHOULD go for a walk or to the gym, but I shoveled the driveway and the sidewalks and it wore me out and pissed me off at the same time. I’ve been inside ever since. I can’t fall asleep lately either. Usually around 10:30 pm I get a surge of energy and my creative nerves start acting up. Last night I actually got my tape measure out and started measuring my closet so I can tear the shelves out and rearrange everything. I might wallpaper that bad boy, I don’t know yet. I even considered taking the closet out and building it somewhere else. My dogs looked at me like “mom, get in bed, it’s bedtime…” So I got in bed. Then I ordered an Ipad and pen so that I can start using my graphic design skills to create patterns for fabric and wallpaper (2025 goal) and illustrate a children’s book series that I started two years ago. At this point I’m trying to figure out if I’m just creative or actually have ADHD. I might have an addiction to tv too- that seems likely. I can legit watch tv for days (if I have a good series) and be completely anti-social. But even that gets to me and I need to be around people for a bit to recharge my social battery. Hence the text to my friend to go to the bar. I could care less about the drinking, I’m a cheap date in that case. It’s more about the laughter and people watching for me than anything.
I bought a house in September (it’s January now) and I’ve done a few little projects like painting and some carpet tiles and building a buffet in my dining room to help curb the creative energy. Then we had Christmas, so decorating and entertaining for that kept me busy, but now…. I’m back on the struggle bus. My tree is still up- I love the lights and colors, so it’s staying for a little bit longer, but I’m gonna have to start another creative project soon or I’m gonna lose it. I’m actually considering repainting my bedroom a darker color. I just painted it in September before I moved in, so that’s kinda ridiculous and maybe I just need to finish decorating it and call it a day for a while.
I spent a lot of money in 2024 and had absolutely no plan to buy a house, but a deal popped up that I couldn’t pass up- so here I am, chillin’ on my “old lady” floral couch in my beautiful green living room sitting in front of the antique electric fireplace I inherited years ago from my Grandma’s house, while my dogs sleep next to me.
My house needs a kitchen remodel, a wall knocked down (with a stupid beam installed - ugh), and vinyl plank flooring from the front door to the back door. So spending money is not on my list right now, I have to save for those big ticket things. This is another reason, I keep my ass at home. I love shopping for homegoods and thrifting. I haven’t even moved all of my belongings into my new house, so I have NO BUSINESS shopping for anything. But I want to! I try really hard to stick to thrift shops for now- I love to repurpose things anyway. I prefer my house to feel curated and comfortable, rather than “designed” even though I have a degree in Interior Design. I don’t stick to a style or theme, ever. I’m just a collector of things that I love and that’s what I live with. Comfort and Color- that’s me. My home style, if I had to name it, is French Country Farmhouse Boho.
I had no plan writing this blog today, just felt the need to write. Can you tell? Probably just needed to cure the boredom and feel productive. Are you entertained? Lol. Are you reading this with a bag of popcorn and thinking- what next? If so, settle down. I’m just not that exciting these days. My love life is a recycled situationship (no, I don’t want any advice about it- I won’t take the advice anyway, my friends keep trying lol). So that’s boring with nothing new to report. I work from home, and I stay at home after work unless I have errands to run, like the grocery store. My dogs are sick of me being boring too lol. Even a walk in this weather is a no-go, so they’re hoping for warmer days too.
My daughter is pregnant with her first child which is crazy exciting, but she lives in Cincinnati (4 hours away) so the only excitement from that so far are the text messages or calls from doc appointments. Planning the baby shower will fill up a bunch of my time shortly and I’m excited for that, and of course shopping for THE BABY!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. It’s my first grandchild. I’m 47, so still a young Grandma, but ready to hold that little nugget as soon as he gets here. My daughter is a thrifter too- so I’m excited to see what I can find between now and his arrival in June/July. Supposed to be July 1, but both of my kids were two weeks early, so I’m thinking he’ll be a June baby. Vintage Care Bear theme shower requested and you bet your ass I have a Pinterest board already started with lots of ideas.
So anyway… It’s supposed to get up to 26 degrees tomorrow so maybe after church I’ll hit Goodwill and see what they have going on, maybe bring another box or two of my own stuff into the house and unpack that. I think I’m gonna go measure my kitchen and sketch a layout so I can play with a plan for that when it’s time to buy cabinets. I do have a dresser to bring in that I will convert to an island, I’m sure I’ll do a quick blog about that once it’s done and I still have a lot of work to do in my dining room too, so that’ll be a post as well. But I used free cabinets for the buffet and bought a butcher block countertop for it, using the leftovers for matching shelves. In the meantime, I’m always praying for you to be surrounded by Love and Comfort.
Lis
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