Deep thoughts today girls...
I get caught up.
I know I do.
I read magazines and wonder... Why doesn't my home look like that? Why do I live in a 1959 split level? Where is my 1910 crown molding and sweeping staircase and cute little nooks and crannies? I complain because I dream big and the shower leaks, roof shingles need replacing, my kitchen is dark and I know I am lucky to even have a home, but I think,I hate this place, where is my historic maintenance-free dream home ?
My husband rolls his eyes and says "Shhhhh, the house will hear you..."
I look at Restoration Hardware and Pottery Barn and wonder why my house doesn't look like that?
Reality check.
I guess because I don't live inside a Restoration Hardware or a Pottery Barn.
I live in my home, with my family, with all of the things I love. So instead of feeling the need to compete with what is shown to me, complain about what I don't have, and feel like I'm not spending enough to make it just like the catalogs...
I should embrace what I have and what it is, because that's what makes it uniquely my home, with jazz hands.
The things I collect and have found tell our family story.
They are a living history of where we've been, where we are going and who has touched us.
So today, I want to apologize to my 1959 White elephant. I am sorry House. I love you. Really.
I promise to be nicer. And less abusive. I promise. You are a good house, you keep the rain off our heads, and our feet dry. You have potential, I can see that. really.
Because House, for all of your boring construction, and little rooms and no closets, you are uniquely mine, my own blank slate...
...You House,
are a Superstar...!
( Jazz hands!)!
Jen
Oh jen, I needed this post today! you see I have the nesting bug and it makes me want to change everything... redo, attempt things i don't have... thanks for the reminder that yep this is my house not a staged magazine and i should be thankful for it.
ReplyDeletexo,
LuLu
Wonderful post! i have days like this too! Your right it OUR home and that is the difference! Hey come on by im doing a giveaway!
ReplyDeleteAmen!!!! I have many days like that as well. I feel like the more I try to get done to renovate, well - one thing leads to another and pretty soon it looks like the entire place should be redone! You are so right - we are very, very lucky indeed. I'm chronicling some of my own renovations at my blog - everybody welcome! :) Good job pointing out what should be appreciated!
ReplyDeleteAmen.sister. However, I have a feeling your house is amazing..and wonderfully decorated!!...thank you for the reminder,I need to go and hug my house tonight~!
ReplyDeleteIt is so hard not to get wrapped in all this...I sure do! However, it's the sounds and feelings of being loved that is so important!
ReplyDeletesandy toe
Love all the references to jazz hands! I am right there with you on this post. I often wonder the same things and then get "down" on my lack of beadboard, crown moulding, carrera marble, and Rejuvenation light fixtures. It helps to know others feel the same way. Love your new drapes by the way!
ReplyDeleteOh my, girl, you ARE deep. And therapeutic too, I needed to read this. I realized I had a bigger problem than I thought, though, when I started to covet the stuff in the pictures instead of REALLY reading the words. :)
ReplyDeleteSo I went back and read them again. Yep, you're right.
This is what blogging is about. I think most of us feel the same way so we go to blog land and find inspiration. It's not that we are unhappy with our homes it's just that we have dreams. Thank you for saying it out loud for me.
ReplyDeleteI do the same thing!!! I look at some of the gorgeous homes on these blogs and thing "dang! what do they do for a living?" When my house is just as wonderful, in its own unique way!
ReplyDeleteA much needed post!
Lou Cinda :)
Jen, you have something that most of us don't have and I would give a kidney to have! The talent to transform a piece of furniture into a sheer work of art! I'm not kidding when I tell you there are so many times I see a piece of furniture at a Thrift Store or a Yard Sale and I say to myself, if I were only like Jen I could make this into something great! And if you lived nearby, fuhgetaboutit!
ReplyDeleteOne more thing - don't forget about the mustard paint question. You see what I mean? I'd be stalking you all the time!
ReplyDeletelove it Jen! I am so with you...I have felt the same way about my house too. It's easy for those of us who love decorating to get caught up in comparisons and discontent...when really we are SO blessed! (and just think how sad our Houses would look WITHOUT our jazz hands?!)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely loved this post!
ReplyDeleteBeautifl post, Jen. I love blank slates!
ReplyDeleteHave a BOO-tea-FUL weekend.!
TTFN ~ Marydon
I love this! I couldn't agree more. Our poor houses - they do their very best! (And they really do a darn good job.) We never liked being compared to "that" girl, ya know?
ReplyDeleteps- I have always loved that photo of the table and the cow painting. :)
I just wrote a post like this last week....something about having a size 14 house in a size 2 house world. :o) It's hard not to compare and get all covet-y and focus on what's wrong and what needs changed. Posts like yours bring it back into perspective. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteJazz hands indeed :). Such a great reminder to be content with what we are blessed with. Thanks for sharing your heart.
ReplyDeletedid you seriously just use the words "historic" and "maintenance free" in the same sentence?
ReplyDeletegirl - there is no. such. thing... I adore our home - it is old and has character, lots of character. It also has CONSTANT issues. leaking roof. backed up septic. cold air leaks in, it is poorly insulated, some of those cool old windows have cracks. my husband calls it the money pit...
the grass is always greener my friend!
xx
Good post, Jen! Yep, I feel the same as you about my house. So much needs to be fixed and updated. Some day...some day...
ReplyDeleteBut I do have to do a mental head slap some days and remind myself all that I have to be grateful for; all the wonderful blessings in my life. And suddenly, old carpeting and cracked walls don't seem quite as awful.
Nancy
Jen that was a great post. But as a homeowner of a historic house let me tell you there aren't any out there that are maintenance free. We are working on this house every day and will still be up to the day we die :)
ReplyDeleteBut I love it and am willing to do it.
As they say a house is the brick and mortar only. A home is what is inside that makes it cozy and family oriented. I'd say you have a great HOME.
tammy
You said that all perfectly. A grateful spirit is so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteGREAT post Jen!!!! As women who love making their homes beautiful, we are all guilty of making those comparisons...but you're right, we have to realize that our house is OUR home and OUR blessing ~ and to our families...it is their haven from the outside world as well as our own! xxoo, Dawn
ReplyDeleteI like to think I do everything with "jazz hands"... which can be a problem in the bathroom... I'm just saying~
ReplyDeleteI am trying to "pretty" up my house, which is impossible with a man in it-- somethings gotta give/go, and I think its him lol
~Cheryl
Well said Jen. We all have to love and respect what we have been given if we expect to have more. I have found this to be so true in my life. Your home is beautiful because it is your sanctuary~a place where the most beautiful things that ever happen to you will take place. You are blessed. Linda
ReplyDeleteYay for Jen, Superstar! *Jazzhands*
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Thank you for reminding us! Have a sweet day!
ReplyDeleteYou are awesome....And I am saying that with jazz hands:-)
ReplyDeleteHi Jen,
ReplyDeleteAs someone wo works at PB part time I can tell you that my home DOES NOT look like a page from one of their catalogs. I do love PB and that is why I work there. I get great ideas and have some of their furniture etc but my home is my home and I want it to have my style, not staged. The best compliment someone can give you is that your house is a "home" and I have a feeling that is exactly what your house is, a wonderful, loving home. On top of that, it is also beautifully decorated by Jen! Take care.
Pat
Jen,
ReplyDeleteThanks for checking in on my blog! Good to hear from you.
I think a breakfast or lunch together needs to be put on the calendar. Perhaps a great venue for working on a colaborative decorating event.....Thoughts?
Keep in touch, love your blog.
Perfect post! I am going to look around my home today and do jazz hands all over the place. :)
ReplyDeleteHey I am having my first giveaway today...a set of 12 bery wreath napkin rings in either white or red. I think you might like them. Come on by and take a peek at all the fun things you can do with them!
Karin
This is so true! I can get so caught up in what our house is NOT that I forget what it is~ our home, our safe place, not to mention how blessed I am that we own our own house. I too feel frustrated at our home a lot, and this was the reality check that I needed! :) I hope you are having a good day!
ReplyDeleteTake care,
Jenni
Oh my goodness, that was perfect and hilarious all in one!!! I loved it!!! Supastar!!
ReplyDeleteI think so many of us are feeling "thankful" Jen. My last post echos what you just said. When it comes down to it. Family is the most important. And our creativity can shine no matter where we are!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful blessed Weekend!
Debra
Kind of like that song "love the one you're with." In this case, it's "love the house you live in."
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Here hear!
ReplyDeleteNow take a bow!!
Thanks for the reminder that my house doesn't need to be catalog perfect. I needed that. :)
ReplyDeleteLOL! Thanks for the reminder that the grass is not always greener....
ReplyDelete-c
yapping cat
Beautifully put!
ReplyDeleteI so agree with you. This is my house and be happy with it. I so want the look of these pictures. DARN!! I for one cant afford the furniture and another my hubby doesnt want a white couch...DARN!! Ive enjoyed your blog..Sally
ReplyDeleteAll those rooms are so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteDebbie
All those rooms are so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteDebbie