Wow, I just realized it’s the birthday of the blog; and what a year it’s been, y’all.
Google Analytics tells me that 3,006 unique people have visited since I set up the analytics page. Wow. That is…insane.
I started this blog because I like to write, and people tell me I’m good at it. Plus, I was doing things around the house that I NEVER thought I could do. Look, 18 months ago, my house looked completely different! I had NO desire to do anything either; it didn’t even occur to me, actually, as sad as that sounds. And then? Then I found Pinterest.
I had totally underestimated myself. Aside from a couple of things, there have been very few things that I have made an effort to do and not been able to accomplish, and this goes across all facets of life. I’ve been successful at stuff if I was really determined, even the really hard stuff. The picture that started it all?
This one: http://emilyaclark.blogspot.com/2011/08/from-brown-to-bright-story-of-painted.html
Oh, I wanted to paint our trim, and I finally begged Hubbin, and he obliged because….well, I promised to do it all myself he loves me. The first job I did was my office, though I didn’t blog about it for long time:
I spent months picking out fabric for curtains that never materialized. I love the chevron prints, they may be my favorite. I’m almost sad that it will be dismantled soon to return to a dining room now that I no longer need a home office – almost. I’m excited about the new project.
I redid several rooms at once, but I can’t remember which ones; I think the bathroom and living room. For the record, I don’t recommend that. The bathroom was the huge thing for me; this wasn’t redecorating, like the other rooms had been. This was a major renovation (for me, anyway), to undertake myself. It took about a month and I cried when it was finished. There are moments that I’ve been proud of myself, but that may be one of the best in recent memories. That stupid bathroom was where I learned a LOT about home projects; that a 2X4 doesn’t actually MEASURE 2X4, and took several trips to the blue store. SEVERAL.
And the living room. A project then, still a project now. I hated the first remodel. The paint, Squirrel by Behr, was less greige and more army green. Thankfully Hubbin loves me dearly and agreed that I could change it. In reality, I repainted the entire room myself one day while he was at work so he couldn’t complain. The entire thing.
And then? The kitchen. Hubbin and his father had a HUGE part in that. I was the designer; Hubbin’s dad made all the new doors, and Hubbin spent so many coats painting them and installing them. I cried when that room was done, too. Like, CRIED. It was perfect, for what we could afford. And I loved the kitchen color so much I used it in the living room.
Surprisingly, it hasn’t been all about home improvement, though; some of it has been life improvement. My kids are growing, my marriage is growing, my relationship with God is growing. When I say I have a blog, people ask me what it’s about, and I never know what to say. Life, I suppose. Isn’t that what it’s all about?
Thanks for sticking around for the last year, I’m shocked at the amount of visitors I get. I was scared when I felt like blogging about my beliefs, knowing everyone would flee. Funny, those were my most visited posts. And if I’m blogging about my life, they’ll be in there, because He has moved in insane ways in my life.
Thank you. Thank you for your suggestions, for your reading, for your laughs, for your comments, but mostly for your return visits. The house isn’t done; not by any means. There’s still SO much to do, and I can’t wait to do it, and I can’t wait to share it with you.
Had someone told me the day I started this blog that by today, I’d have redone my entire downstairs, quit my job, become a part-time stay at home mom, bought a BMW that I named Moonpie (that was this past weekend and I love him as much as Sheldon’s MeMaw loves him, so Moonpie it is), and had the marriage I’d always dreamed of, I’d have never believed you.
And next year, when I write for the two year anniversary, I can’t wait to see what else is different, and how many of you are still with me.
Thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
