Loving the Home you Have

Do you remember the first comment you ever received on your blog? I sure  do. (Not yours, mine! ☺) Melissa @ The Inspired Room was the first to comment here. (Others appear to have commented on posts ahead of her because those comments came in on older posts long after those posts were written.) ***   Now it is true that I had been stalking her blog for some time. (That's before I knew that it isn't cool to comment on every single post.) In fact, it was *The Inspired Room* that inspired me to begin blogging myself. As I recall, I had foogled boys' bedroom decor and Melissa had written a post on that very thing. Shortly thereafter, I left my former online site because some at that site began to complain about my "blog-like" posts. Ha!  That's all water under the bridge and is neither here nor there.

Where was I? Oh, yes, Melissa! Truth is that she's  endured my comments through the years, including the ones where I simply didn't understand her problem with the wall color in her new home. It looked just fine to me! =D I also remember my begging her to tell people to get their wall art displayed lower on their walls. It remains one of my pet peeves to this day: some folks hang a painting way too high. However, rules are not what Melissa offers — either on her blog or in her new book — what she offers are lots of tips and ideas.

Recently, I heard from Melissa's publisher offering a free copy of her first book Love the Home you Have. It was a gift with no strings attached. Well the book arrived last week and I have been reading and laughing and learning. Those many thought-provoking questions that she asks really do provide direction. She also is honest to share her own journey, which I appreciated. (She sounds like you and me.) The book ends with a 31-Day Love Your Home Challenge. I adore specifics.

Oh sure, you might find many of these topics covered elsewhere (right at The Inspired Room for starters), still Melissa has done a masterful job of gathering these concepts in a readable, concise, highly enjoyable way. Love the art work! Two thumbs up! ***
So while I may not always "love" the home I have, I am grateful for the home I have and I love that my husband was the one who built much of it and who lovingly tends to it shoveling roofs and drives and whatever else needs doing. I enjoy puttering about my home and I am working on having a "purpose" in mind. Melissa's is very clearly given. I'd steal it, but it's taken.  I know this, at the end of a long day, John often sinks into his chair with an "it's good to be home."  ***

All the following photos are in response to something I read in Melissa's book. One thing is true: homes are always a work in progress.

(It is so nice having the Easter cactus blooming at Easter time...a first!) Once John asked why I keep "stuff" on the window sills. Good question! I have a good answer: Fioré the cat. I keep two windows in the room cleared for her, the rest are mine because I don't enjoy cleaning windows of kitty *not daily. ***
Time to quit. I'm just wandering in circles now. Have a good day!