My Valentines Day flowers reflected in the bathroom mirror. A funny place to keep them, I know, but they look so pretty against the green on the walls.
A great big thank you for all the supportive comments I have received about going back to school. My plan is to go back full time and keep my part time job. Summer session will be a little bit easier since I work for the school system and get summer off, but I am still hopping between a mixture of excitement and fear. I am always a little afraid of new things, are you?
I was a little nervous when I began this blog, although really, I never thought anyone but family and friends would see it. Never.
That was three years, 463+ posts and over 200,000 page hits ago! Three years ago this month.
I can honestly say that this blog, and all of you, has changed my life. My time shared here has encouraged me to challenge my creative side and to step out and do things I would have never thought of, or dreamed of before. You all gave me encouragement as my kids left for college and I had to get a life of my own. I doubt I would be going back to college for graphic design if not for the inspiration I have found through blogging.
Thank You.
So it seems a little counterintuitive that I will be taking a blog break right now. I have some catching up to do. Special orders to finish and fill, a new design that I need to get out of my head and onto the sewing machine. Some projects around the house that must get finished.
So it seems a little counterintuitive that I will be taking a blog break right now. I have some catching up to do. Special orders to finish and fill, a new design that I need to get out of my head and onto the sewing machine. Some projects around the house that must get finished.
Like this....
This is my dining room right now. Fancy huh? Time to paint the newly plastered ceiling and, while I am at it, the walls. I got a layer of primer on the ceiling this weekend and I was so sore I could barely move. (Note to self: time to get off your hiney and start working out again!)
My tablescape right now isn't something conducive to actually dining on. You can see my paint color chips. Probably the whites, not the greens. Anyway, this is what is waiting for me tonight, the final coat on the ceiling. So off I go to change into paint clothes and get busy.
When I come back, there will be a give-away to celebrate the three years of friendship and inspiration I have found here at Kathy's Cottage. Thank you friends, for all you have meant to me over the years. I plan to keep the door of my little cottage open for a long time. I hope you will continue to come and visit:>)
XO
Kathy
Hi Kath.
ReplyDeleteI am giving up eating at your dining room table for Lent, LOL!
Best of luck to you in yur decision.
I have 60 credits beyond my MA, and never regretted the decision!
It's tough, but doable!
I LOVE YOU!!! Spring break is only a few weeks away and I miss you!!! Congrats on deciding to go back full time, and Yay for painting the dining room! xoxoxo
ReplyDelete~Victoria
Hi Kathy,
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the school venture! How exciting! We'll all be here when you get back from your break too ;) love your blog so much! Thanks for stopping by today! The paint I used was Behr paints, mountain haze was the sage and cottage blue bell was the island ;) hope that helps! Have a great week! Hugs, Cynthia xo
Enjoy your break Kathy....I will be missing your wonderful posts and visits and will look forward to your return.
ReplyDeletexoxo
Penny
So many of the wonderful blogs I just discovered seem to be taking a break!!! Was it me???? Seriously...enjoy your well deserved time out and come back refreshed. Good luck with classes ;-)
ReplyDelete"Move out of your comfort zone.
ReplyDeleteYou can only grow if you are willing to feel
awkward and uncomfortable
when you try something new."
~Brian Tracy
:)
This was a good quote for me...hope it will be for you too! Enjoy your break but hurry back!!
Hopped over from "Farmgirl Cyn" ~ and just had to comment on the lovely picture of the flowers in your bathroom ~ it's very pretty! I have put flowers in the bathroom too...I think it's just fine! :)
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Camille
I could never do what you're doing ... jeez I'm 56 ...
ReplyDeleteget on it girl ... you inspire me
Wow Kathy, that is terrific!!! Best of luck with your plans -- I'm sure that you will be a wonderful student and a very talented designer!
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Mary
That's great Kathy! I'm so excited for you. What a wonderful new chapter in your life. I'm still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Dawn
Going back to school . . Wow, that says alot about you, takes alot of courage. I have a couple of more years before my nest is completely empty. I just started my blog to give me something to do. Congratulations! Can't wait to see your dining room.
ReplyDeleteKathy, those flowers are to die for!!
ReplyDeleteMy gosh, I missed your last post!! Going back to school!! Good for you!! I just know you will be so successful! It sounds like the perfect thing to go into! Good for you Kathy!
I love Kathy's Cottage!! It is one of the best blogs around and I will continue to visit! You were one of my first blog friends too :)
Love ya,
Amy
OHHH Kathy....good luck...I know you will do a wonderful job! What a delightful visit I have had visiting..your pics are stunning!
ReplyDeleteYour flowers are beautiful. I'm so impressed that you're brave enough to go back to school. Good for you! Mimi
ReplyDeleteHi Kathy!
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful news - you've discovered what you want to be when you grow up!! :o) As one who has spent a fair part of her life doing other things rather than the one thing she was born to do, I can tell you that taking the step into your new life is challenging, scary, exhilarating, and one of the most wonderfully fulfilling things you will ever do! You'll do great in school - use your um, maturity (a rich life full of experiences), to its greatest advantage in your new path. Your color sense, design skills, and incredible sense of style will all serve you very well in this new adventure. The new skills you acquire in your classes will provide the foundation and structure for your artistic talent to soar to new and exciting heights! I am so happy for you and so proud of you for taking this step! You will be missed aroung here as you break from the blog, but we will be cheering you on every step of the way and will happily be here as you return in your time!
May God richly bless you as He walks with you in this journey!
Hugs & Blessings my friend,
Becky S.
Kathy good luck with school, you are braver than I would be.
ReplyDeleteYour Valentines flowers are beautiful.
Have fun repainting your dining room
Alison
We will be here when you get back! I have some ceilings to paint too...they are my least favorite thing to paint!
ReplyDeleteI really admire you for going back to school. New situations are nerve racking but I bet you will do great. Cant wait to hear all about it...
annie
And thank you Kathy. It has been a blessing to visit your blog. And I so appreciate the different times you have been an encourager to us. Finding your courage to go back to school, only inspires us all the more to follow our dreams. :o) You will do a great job!
ReplyDeleteYour flowers are beautiful. :o) The colors make me long for spring all the more!
Sincerely ~ Trish
Kathy, this is going to be such an exciting time for you. Go get your dreams! All the best to you!
ReplyDeletekathy,
ReplyDeleteYou take the time you need to do what you need to do. I'll be right here when you get back. Blessing...Jamie
Take all the time you need as you get your life/house in order...
ReplyDeleteAfraid, nervous, excited? That's the best way to feel when embarking on a new adventure...stepping out of our comfort zone does that and when we feel that "zing" of "fear" and nerves, we know we're on the right track!!! ♥
I think it's fabulous that you're branching out to include school in the mix of all you do.
ReplyDeleteAnd it's not at all surprising that your blog is such a success. It really is a place I like to come and put my feet up!
As I recall, there was this sweet face hidden a bit behind a bouquet of pink flowers on her avitar when I began to blog. She left comments when no one did, left uplifting comments all the time, and inspired me in so many ways. Yes it was you, and you continue to inspire. Perhaps that is why God has blessed you back with new inspiration and a new passion. You will be brilliant at graphic design. Now happy new dining room and happy new designs. See you soon.
ReplyDeleteKaren
Love the posies AND the tablescape! :-) Can't wait to see the finished room....
ReplyDeleteWarm hugs,
Spencer
We'll be here, Kathy! And encouraging you all the way too!
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Back to school? O, I missed a post somewhere. Congratulations, Kathy..you and Earl are so smart to do this.
ReplyDeleteI wish I lived close enuf to you so I could come over and paint while you sew. I would sure do that..if I only could.
Love, bj
so...are we gonna eat sunday dinner on the couch this week? lol I love you mom and I can't wait to see what the dining room will look like! (some of those greens look like a pretty tempting paint adventure to me- are you sure you want white???) ;)
ReplyDeleteKathy, I really wish you well on your new adventure. I know you will do well!
ReplyDeleteI started my blog 3 years ago this month also. The time has flown by. I always, always enjoy my visits with you. I'll look forward to more in the future.
My neck just got stiff thinking about your painting the ceiling. I know your dining room will look wonderful when you finish--hopefully without too much pain!
XO,
Lallee
PS Yes, I am ready for green!!!!
I'm with Lauren-I'm thinking if you go white, you'll be painting again very soon. But then you'll have all those muscles in shape when I start painting around here, right? Drat, your schooling is going to mess up my selfish plans for help...
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see the dining room. I'm busy this weekend but could help paint next week if you want. When do you start classes?
How wonderful Kathy...
ReplyDeleteKathy :)
Just found your beautiful blog! :-)
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Italy!
Federica