Pages

There is a lot on my mind…..{WARNING: THIS POST CONTAINS NO PHOTOS}

I hope you don't mind but today's post is not going to have any pretty photos, client design work or inspiring decorating tips…..oh, who are we kidding, I haven't been very good at delivering on any of that lately.  Life has been busy….but I am not arrogant enough to think mine is any busier than yours……I just seem to be having a hard time managing all the balls I am trying to juggle.  I'd like it to be different but I am grappling with managing my priorities {family, friends, work} with all the other things that creep in {sick kids, unanticipated household repairs, saying 'yes' to things I should have said 'no thank you' to}.  I imagine you too wrestle with the constant push and pulls that inevitably make up this crazy, wonderful life.

I have lots of thoughts swirling around in my head this morning, a 'to-do' list a mile long, dirty dishes piled in the sink - so what better way than to begin my day by spilling it all out here, right?

Here I go…...

* My two days at Wishbone Home & Design was many things…….mainly humbling - so many blog readers, friends and Instagram followers came out to see me and shop at Wishbone!  The days were really like one big social hour in the shop!  So many design enthusiast's in one place was heartwarming!  I was honored to be included and look forward to doing it again!  Thank you to everyone who showed up for me - I don't think I will ever be able to adequately express how much it meant to know that you made the trip, took time out of your day, to see me!

* Fall is just busy!  You think that when the kids go back to school you are going to get oodles of hours to spend as you please - no work interruptions, cleaning out those closets, meeting a friend for coffee……but gosh, I am just not feeling it……We are loaded with sports obligations this fall - which is fun, but keeps me in my car many more hours than I care to count.

* I have a sixteen year old who is learning to drive and my friends keep telling me how nice it will be to have her driving but I am not convinced, is that weird?  Does it make me a totally crazy mom when I admit that I am not that excited to hand car keys over to my precious, newly licensed 16 year old who I love with all my heart?  She is already not around much with school/sports/social life……our car time is good for important conversations, appreciating her goofy personality and caring soul…..I don't want to let it go…..yet.

* Speaking of 16 year old {and 12 year olds}….parenting is not for the faint of heart - and just when you think you have it down, BAM! a new issue creeps up.  I have to say, I LOVE the teen years.  I never thought I would say that - when my girls were little the thought of having teenagers scared the hell out of me, but here I am admitting I love it.  But don't get me wrong - the issues that face teens are BIG ones - their choices can be life altering, life changing……I recently learned that a friend's teen is not making the best choices and I am struggling with what to do with the information….The information was second-hand but from multiple sources……do I tell the parents?  Might they already know?  Is it MY business?  I know, I would want to know and would appreciate someone telling me if my child was making poor choices but not everyone feels the same…..Advice, wise readers?

* Oh - 7th grade…..why do you have so much girl drama?????  I swear it's the worst.  Hormonal 12 year olds all trying to figure it out…..seems they all 'try-on' the mean girl persona at some point and my girl is in the thick of all of it…….I can just do my best to listen to her frustrations, offer advice and pray that she is not dishing it out!

* Design clients - I appreciate your patience with me…..for many reasons.  It's been nearly two years since I took the leap and started my own design biz and I am still learning and adjusting how and why I do what I do……And you keep coming back and seeking my advice and hiring me!  I never take it for granted and being SO busy is a blessing but sometimes the guilt of not being able to meet your needs quicker, with more efficiency is overwhelming……I am feeling it today.  So if I owe you an email, a call…..please be patient with me, I am working in my office today and you should hear from me soon!

* I am hosting my first Noonday party on Friday!  It's something I have wanted to do for a long time…..but I am feeling the pressure {self imposed, of course} of making my home and the event 'perfect'……yuck!  However, I am aware that when you decorate other's homes for a living, there is an expectation……one, my imperfect home may not meet…..and I am getting more and more ok with that.  So, if you are coming on Friday you are going to see real life and all my undone/half-done projects…..BUT, we are going to have a good time shopping for a great cause! If you are local and not a murderer and interested in coming, please email me at jillbeth@aol.com…..I'm serious.

Thanks for listening….now it's your turn, what's on your mind?  Spill it.