I've spent the last couple weeks up at my shop, Burlap & Roses...trying to restyle every last inch of it and freshen it up a bit. It's a daunting task...ask my mom. She came and got the kitchen area all spruced up. It's ready to go! Thanks, Mom!
In between rain drops, I moved everything out of the garden shed, power washed what I could, spritzing and spraying everything else. It's a garden shed...you'll have to forgive me if it's not completely pristine. I've neglected this area for the last couple of years. It'll be so much more put together this season. I can't wait for my "guests" to visit.
Prior to this year, 2011, I had another full-time career in real estate. It was fun and fulfilling for me until about the last 4 years. I've been in real estate for 15 years. I decided to get out of the business right around December 1, 2010 and have not looked back. The difficulty is always in making the final decision. For 4 years, it weighed on me. Once that was done, I was free to move on with my life and get down to the business of living my bliss.
When I had responsibilities to the buyers and sellers, I had the pleasure to work with, it seemed like I was always running from here to there, always watching the clock, the cell phone, email and such; stressed to the gills and worrying that someone wouldn't think I was paying enough attention to them and their needs. I "knew" I was, but it was always a concern that I had.
As I work at the shop or at home on various projects for Burlap & Roses, I still find myself "heading to check on" one thing or another. Then, as if a continual weight is lifted from my shoulders, I remember that I don't have to do that anymore. I relax and remember that I'm doing all that I have to do now. Following my BLISS, I continue on!
I get inspired by many, many things. People, places and things. Mostly, I get inspired by the beautiful pictures of compelling vignettes, artistry and creativity of others in home decor magazines and now through the many "friends" I have made on Facebook. Inspiration is found in some of the most amazing places, and sometimes, in just the simplest thing~
Doing what I love has made all the difference in my life. I invite you to share with me in my journey.
A crimson red cardinal is a sight to see. They are beautiful. They feel like royalty to me. If there were to be a king and queen of the bird species, to me, it'd be the cardinal.
I enjoy seeing the many birds that come and go from our birdfeeders on a daily basis. They are just cute to watch and make me happy. I can count on one hand the times a cardinal has been seen by me at the feeders...anywhere, actually.
The very few times I've seen one up close and personal have been times that have been unsettling for me. I find that very interesting. I've spoken and written before of the two cardinals that showed up right after my Aunt Kay's funeral. I was sitting on my front porch, with my husband, and two cardinals (my aunt's favorites) perched on a bush just over the rail by my arm, sat for just a few minutes, as if telling me, "all will be okay." Then they flew off. I found comfort in that.
Today is one of those days. Life just seems to be out of balance for me right now. I'm unsettled, a bit nervous and simply put, "out of sorts". I've been here before, as most of us have been. I'm ready to shake this feeling, though. Need to shake this feeling.
As I sat down on my comfy couch, pondering the same things over and over, coffee in hand, I looked out my window and there sat a beautiful crimson cardinal. All will be okay...all will be okay. It almost brought tears to my eyes.
It's amazing what seeing that little red bird did for me. Hope. I love that word. I think it's very powerful and if a person doesn't have it, life can be challenging. I think Hope helps us to survive the unsettling times, the nervous and stressful times. Without hope, we have nothing.
This crimson cardinal made me see again, the hope for my future. It put a little bounce in my step and got a different thought process going for me. Don't we all need that at times?
I pray often. Sometimes it's just me having a little talk with God. I always feel his presence...always. But, today...the past few days, I've needed a bit more, and I fully believe, God new that, and sent me the cardinal...
A crimson red cardinal paid me a visit today. It was telling me all would be okay.
