Life used to be black and white. And then my husband walked out. Two young-daughter-loving, church-going, Sunday School-teaching Christians got a divorce. And this then 28-year-old, married-almost-10-years, young mother got a rude awakening. Life wasn't black and white. It was multiple shades of grey... and they were messy. Her children did nothing to deserve their new reality. It was during those difficult days that I heard a story (I wish I remembered the source) about what beautiful flowers grow on a compost pile. Right then, I prayed that God would take the compost pile of divorce my daughters just had forced upon them and let flowers grow. Big, beautiful, sweet-scented ... Keep Reading...
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The Kitchen: Old House Renovation Story
It's said the kitchen is the heart of the home. When I first saw my old house, she needed a heart transplant... and Renaissance Man and I were blessed to provide it. In fact, the Kitchen was the first room we tackled. Have I ever told you demolition is perhaps my favorite part of a renovation? Why? Because only then do I know the project is really going to happen. Love it! As for the surgery... We couldn't clear out the mess fast enough to suit us! The horrid old cabinets and countertops The five layers of old vinyl and linoleum – with water puddled between each layer The rotted floor and subfloor The drop-down ceiling with its translucent panels and fluorescent lighting The ... Keep Reading...
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#RiskRejection: LOVE holds the key
Three days ago, on a cold, East Tennessee morning, I packed my bags and left home; Valentine by my side. He had work to do in the Midwest. I was searching for answers. We traveled through the snow-dusted roads... ...and the waterfall-laden cliffs of Kentucky. As we entered the heavily snow-covered farmland of Indiana, I was once again grateful for my iPad – allowing me to capture moments otherwise lost in years gone by. Thanks, Renaissance Man (and Apple)! See what I mean? Gorgeous small-town architecture... ... and functional farms. So brutally cold this year... Christmas decorations still visible everywhere. We've seen 20-below-zero temperatures, gray ... Keep Reading...
