Rebooting

Sometimes when things get too busy, and too hurried, and I've spent too much time making small talk, and not enough time talking real talk - and when I've been working hard to be on my best behavior, and to be attentive and engaged and interested - I get depleted.  When that happens, I feel like an empty glove.  It makes me irritable, short-tempered and ineffective.  And, although I'm not asking my family - I'm sure I'm not just irritable, but irritating as well.

One of the best ways for me to get over this is to get away - by myself.  I don't mean a long weekend getaway, I just mean a short time to do something I want to do.  Tuesday was one of those days.  After getting all of the kids off to school, I debated playing in my studio in the basement or going on an adventure to a new place.

I ended up going to The Pink Cabbage in Ellicott City for some eye candy, inspiration and a little retail therapy.  I'd never heard of The Pink Cabbage until Doojie mentioned that she was moving into the shop.  When she put pictures on her blog of all of the funky cuteness contained in one space, I put it on my destination list.  It didn't disappoint, and although I practiced a lot of restraint I did come home with a very cool wall pocket that I'll show you as soon as I find the perfect spot for it.  As I was leaving, I caught a glimpse of Doojie in my rearview, and almost collided with two or three cars in my efforts to swing around to say hi.  Have I ever mentioned how much I love the fact that this blog fostered friendships with some really creative, interesting and fun people?

I left The Pink Cabbage with a smile on my face and a cute pink shopping bag on the seat beside me, and headed for downtown Ellicott City.  If you're in the local area, it's a fun place to poke around.  The one thing I didn't know before I went was that many of the shops are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.  I actually ran out of time before I ran out of shops, but there were several that I'll need to return to on a day when they'll be open.

The barn stars photographed above were outside one of the downtown shops.  I've wanted a large faded aqua one like the one in the photo for a long time, but now that they're everywhere I'm rethinking that wish.  I don't want to be one of every third house that has one, so perhaps I'll have to reconsider that.

When I arrived home, there was a package waiting on my front porch.  For me!    From Doojie!  I do love it when some unexpected goodness comes my way.  The wrapping, was of course, adorable, and the present inside was thoughtful and fun.  Oh - you want to see?  All right, here you go:

I've been collecting state and place plates to put in my b.o.r.i.n.g. guest room, and Doojie remembered and sent one for my collection.  I haven't added it to the wall yet, I have to buy more plate hangers first.  Before I show you the photo of the plates above the mantle, I need to warn you that I don't measure.  I eyeball.  So, if you're upset by crooked, uneven spacing - you may want to bypass the next bit of blog: Don't say I didn't warn you . . .  Do keep in mind that this is a work in progress, and will continue to evolve as I find more tacky kitschy plates to add to the collection. 

Also in the guest room is a little alcove area above the area just left of the fireplace.  When we moved in, I bought a wire  curtain hanger from IKEA, and then hung baby clothes from the different members of our family on it.  There are pieces from both John's and my babyhood, as well as the dress that my girl was baptized in, and the family christening gown as well.  None of my children were able to use the family christening gown - they were, ahem, a little too plump hearty to use it by the time we had their baptisms.  I love seeing them lined up together, and but I'm taken aback by their tiny size each time I catch a glimpse of them.

Under this little clothesline, I have an old rickety glass door cabinet, and it's full of children's china.  One is a set of Beatrix Potter china that I brought back from London when I was a freshman in college with no immediate intent for children.  It surprises me to this day, that I was even interested in this sweet little set, much less that I managed to cart it all over London, then Paris, then back to Texas where it was hauled around for another 9 years before Conner came along.  There are pieces that were given to my children as baby gifts, and others that I found in thrift stores or garage sales.  In early spring each year, I bring them downstairs and use them for early Spring/Easter decor. 

  There are other treasures in here too:  the rag doll made by my great-grandmother, the around-the-world quilt that she made for my grandmother, and the small pink and blue crib quilt that my grandmother embroidered with alphabet blocks for my mother.  Baby tennis shoes that my boys wore share a place of pride with some of their clay artwork, and some of my favorite small books.

I feel better since I rebooted, and recalibrated.  And it's just in time, too.  The new weekend starts tomorrow!

Comments

[larahurley]

I can't wait to come stay in my room again! I loved it, very cozy then, cozier now!
Alright, I'm giving you Astroworld but you have to come and get it!

[Beth]

I'm so happy to see you back again!

[ijsbeer]

I love seeing pitcures of your house. You really have a talent for decorating:) I have some children's china that my parents saved for me when I was a child. I love that they did that. I really like Beatrix Potter. Very cute.

I hope you are having a great weekend!!