Mood:
brightNow Playing: Day 2814-Next GP Chapter... Turning Lemons Into Lemonade :)
Today's blog title seems very appropriate for not just today. But so far for the entire year!
Together...WE have come a very longgggg way!
2017 has been the year of transitions & transformations...turning lemons into SUPER SWEET LEMONADE!
Our current house flipping project, the living room, has been quite a nightmare! I anticipated this to be somewhat of a challenge. But it seems once again, I was sadly mistaken. Especially when it comes down to the timeframe on this massive feat in the making! Two weeks? Yea...r-i-g-h-t! It seems to be a project-within a project-on top of another project. Ha! The fireplace has been a project all on it's own since it can no longer be used. Trying to come up with an idea on how to close it off, on top of finding a creative do-it-yourself country-coastal theme fireplace cover has also been quite a challenge! I have been determined to stick with our overall theme through out the entire house. But since there seems to be nothing that works as far as online. I decided to make our own fireplace cover. Eric's job was to design something to safely close off the fireplace that can no longer be used. What we both have created separately could still work for next years potential buyers if they don't plan on putting additional money into having the fireplace liner repaired. As for us...we have put in enough time, money and energy. Along with far too many claims with our home warranty company. I have a feeling that someday soon. Around this time next year. The new homeowners might possibly have a fully functioning fireplace for the winter.
In the meantime....we are loving the almost completed huge fireplace project!
The enclosure behind this really beautiful fireplace cover was done by Eric. As far as this homemade fireplace door...why of course! By little ole me! It already blends in perfectly! LOVE IT!!
We still have another project that I began a little over a week ago which will also go along with the new fireplace enclosure. What we thought would also be a simple project. Is turning out to be a two-week project in the making! Between taking an old fireplace screen and literally cutting the sharp edged screen out. We also had to sand blast the old paint and redo the entire screen along with quite a few repairs. I have really enjoyed refurbishing old antiques. Without stripping too much of it's history. This old wrought iron fireplace screen is going to turn out to be one heck of a beauty!
I used to look at our lemon of a gem home that we purchased almost a year ago as a burden. But now I see this lemon of a gem as a huge blessing! A true diamond in the rough! The time spent together has only made our connection and love for one another so much stronger. Flipping a house that needed beyond a little love has also made us far more humble. As we continue appreciating the far simpler things in life so much more! I never wanted a cookie-cutter house in a cookie-cutter neighborhood. But then again...I never expected to literally be flipping a house from the inside-out. I do believe that everything happens for a reason. What we have endured over the past year has been quite a challenge! One hell of a feat within itself! But all good things come to those who wait. Those who also appreciate and truly respect life for what it is and all of it's glory. The bad times only made us stronger!
Turning lemons into SUPER SWEET LEMONADE!
Regardless of how I feel. Our house~flipping project must carry on! Since I am down for the count. Eric has been taking over our next big project. Repairing, repainting and remodeling the living room. Since we had to push back our listing date to early spring 2018. Days when we have other important matters to attend to...we at least have the time now to take a break. This house 
has been far from any sort of easy flip! The hidden lemon gems are still surfacing. And so is having to redo really shoddy repair work. At least now we can laugh about the next gem that awaits to be uncovered. Who knows what the winter season will bring as far as any shifting or moving foundation settlement. But at least now we have a far better understanding of what happened prior to this house that we bought a little under a year ago. A place that for now we call...home. Thanks to neighbors who let us in on other important, yet pertinent information about the history of our house here in the country. Now...it all makes sense. Perfect sense!
We plan on not only selling this home after our major~flip. But also finally coming to realization with our far bigger dream. Moving out west. The time couldn't had come any better! There are other huge changes over the horizon not just for Eric. But as well for myself. So many chances for a change for the better! There has yet to be something that we said we were going to do and literally did not do. Some things, like this final move, just had to take some extra time. Everything has to line up at the right place and at the right time. It may have taken longer than we ever could had anticipated. But life happens and so do unfortunate situations. You can certainly bet that when we finally arrive at our new home in Nevada come next year, 2018. We will be far more appreciative for it! Amen.
l-o-v-e~
heehee! 
d'oh
A super cute and cuddly little guy must had sure missed his human momma! This is what the past few days have looked like while resting and recovering. Heeheeheehee! Too darn cute! Mr. Big LOVE is here to stay and most definitely lets it be known! Who needs an extra blanket when you have a smiling kitty laying across your entire body. Heeheeheeheehee! Mr. Big LOVE has brought so much love, joy and lots of laughter into our lives. A little piece of my heart has once again been filled.
Having to take life sustaining medication every day, for the rest of your life sure doesn't seem very promising. Every 4 hours sounds exhausting. And the side effects look frightening. Yet the signs continue to surface of another wall I have yet to face. Some days, like today. That wall looks more like a huge mountain in front of me. Sure, this too shall pass. But just not as easily and with a lifetime of more hurdles and brick walls I must face. It's bad enough for myself and Eric. Watching my body already reject everything. 
special
I debated whether or not to share this story. The reason being due to such a rare, yet amazing thing that happened to me while at the hospital yesterday morning. 
That overwhelming sense of peace remained with me during the entire time while at the hospital. I remained calm during even the most stressful moments. When even the nurse and surgical staff weren't so sure what to expect as far as reactions. Will my body reject everything? Will I go under cardiac distress? Will my body be able to handle everything? 
chillin'
I would be lying if I didn't say that we both were a bit nervous. Eric was more like...a LOT nervous! HA! As for this gal. I did a lot of out loud talking from the moment we stepped into our car. To the time we had to separate while the nurse walked me back through the hospital corridors. What seemed like a very long walk through a very quiet hallway since being the first scheduled patient of the day. It was a long morning. It was a longer afternoon. And of course...it was an even longer 48-hours before the fogginess in my brain slowly began to become a bit more tolerable.
What we have learned during this long awaited morning. Was the peace of mind that comes with using HIPAA to it's fullest potential. Choosing to keep my personal information and status, while at the hospital...private. What we both don't need is any type of interference nor any sort of stress. Mentally, physically, emotionally. What I can tell you is how peaceful it felt knowing that we didn't have to face any sort of stress with those forcing their way into the hospital. Or forcing their inquiring minds into a very personal battle that I faced today. Some things...still need to remain private. I have boundaries that now remain in place and will continue being respected. 
lovelies! 
Today was all about taking it easy. Clearing my mind for the fifth and final attempt at surgery. The very last test is right in front of me. A far too early morning drive back across state lines lies ahead of me...Ohio here we come again this week! 
vegas lucky
I anticipate to have the new home for this blog up and ready within the next few months. Once it is finally up and running. The new blog link and information will be available on this current web page and at the top of the Gastroparesis Awareness Campaign website. 
YYY!
This means lots of big, super comfy clothes, colorful fall leaves, everything pumpkin and even a change in how we eat. Super colorful and very healthy fall comfort foods!
These are two new recipes that are super colorful and very healthy during the cool, crisp days of autumn. Both are really easy to make and most definitely leave the house smelling OH-SO-GOOD! I love veggies and what better way than to incorporate some pumpkin and sunflower seeds! Baked kale salad bowl with sweet potatoes, broccoli and rice for lunch. 
And...
hug me