Okay, so yeah, I got a new job...

YAY!  I know!  As many of you know, I was let go from my kitchen and bath design position back in 2008.  Since then I have applied to I don't know how many design jobs just trying to get back in.  I was being picky b/c I didn't want to drive 45 minutes to get to work.  I worked as a substitute teacher until school let out in 2009 and then that's when things in my life kinda fell apart.  I took the first job I could find, not knowing how I was going to support myself after the ex-husband left.  It was a part-time warehouse/office position at a local company here in town.  I was so thankful to have actually gotten a call back from someone that I jumped at the opportunity.  I soon learned that my boss was less than professional and that I had to do a lot of gross work in a warehouse.  But God was still teaching me my lesson, so I ate my humble pie and did the work.  Within a short amount of time I was "promoted" to Office Manager and I've been there for a little over 2 years now.  It blows my mind that it has been that long.  Where did the time go?

I had learned a lot of new skills at this job, such as keeping books, keeping up with inventory, web design and lots of other random things.  But nothing could fill that longing I had to design cabinets.  So every so often  I would wander over to the job websites looking for a K&B job.  In the last few months several jobs began to pop up and I was getting excited that the economy was back in a place where people were spending money fixing up their houses.  I applied for a few but didn't get any replies.  I was bummed for sure. Things in my life were finally on the upswing, but going to this job every day just kept wearing me down. Started to hate it more and more.

Then one day, God decided that it was my turn.  Back at my old cabinet job, I worked with a nice man named Joseph.  We worked together for about a year or so.  So just last week, I received a message from him on Facebook.   It said something like, "Hey Amy.  Are you still in design?  I started a new cabinet business and I want to discuss it with you."  I think I cried.  I know my stomach went up into my throat and my hear was beating a mile a minute.  Here I was searching and searching and God put this job right in my lap (or inbox)!  He is truly amazing and if you are patient enough, God will answer your prayers in due time.  I have to constantly remind myself that it's in His time and not my own.  So don't lose your patience with God...he will reward you!

So of course I accepted this job and told my current boss I'd be leaving last Thursday.  He was non too pleased and has kinda been mean to me every day since.  But I'm okay with that b/c soon I will be doing what I love again!  I start my new job on July 6th and I can't wait!  

Some of the skills I will need in addition to designing I actually learned at my current job...and I had to laugh at that.  I love it when God opens your eyes and allows you to see His master plan unfold.  He knew I needed to get myself together and learn to appreciate what I had before.  I had taken it all for granted and now I know better.  God gave me my current job to make me realize just how much passion I had for design and He allowed me to learn skills that I would use in my next job.  I'm so thankful he let me see the full circle of events...sometimes I just wish He would give us a sneak peek so that we don't feel so desperate sometimes. But again, it's in His time and not our own.  Patience - we all need it!

In honor of my new position, I'm going to post some pics of spaces I designed at my old cabinet job.  Enjoy!

Amy's House (You know...like Sarah's House on HGTV? No? Nevermind.)

In March of 2008,  I bought a house.

(Don't mind the lady going into my house...she was my Realtor)

Now, if you know anything about me (or my mother), we can't just buy something and be done with it.  When I buy something, whether it be a picture frame, wall art, or even my house, odds are that I'm going to have to modify it in some way so that it's exactly what I want.  I could probably name off 10 to 15 items in my house that I've actually purchased and not done anything to.  That's not a whole lot!  So anywho, my house was the same way.  I looked at many, many houses and for some reason I kept going back to this one...the one that smelled of animal urine, was covered in dog hair, wallpaper and had so many brass fixtures it looked like royalty lived there.  Oh, but I could see the potential!  I loved the white picket fence first off...thought the screen on the front door was old fashioned and the fireplace mantle...well, just see for yourself.

But I knew it could be so pretty with a lot of work and probably just as much money!  =)  It took three long months of scraping, painting, cleaning and laying floors, after work and on weekends, but with the help of my amazing mom and a few others, it was transformed into my home!  It's truly me and I love just about everything about it.  There are still a few projects to tackle like my barren back yard and my dated kitchen, but it's impossible for me to have a life without projects.

So, my next few posts will be before and afters of each room and some details about what all went into making them look so fab!  I can't wait to share these with everyone and I hope they inspire you to do a few projects of your own.  If not, well, hopefully you like the pictures.  =)  

I will leave you with these words....spray paint is your friend!  

Church Nursery Update

Last year I was asked to freshen up our church nursery.  It still had the same decor from when the new building was built back in 1989.  Not so new anymore.

It was a lot of fun, but also a big challenge to do a gener-neutral nursery theme.  I didn't want to go real girly or too boyish since both would be using the space.  I also wanted to make sure the design and colors were classic enough to still look good in 20 years.  Okay, hopefully it won't be that long before the space is updated again, but even if it isn't, I think it'll still be beautiful. I also wanted a calming, restful space so upset babies (and sometimes moms) could relax.

My mom and I were on a fabric shopping trip and came across the super cute fabric.  It was a perfect neutral with pink, blue and green accents.  This was my jumping off point and it all just fell into place from there! 

My mom made the bumper pads and window treatments from that fabric.  We bought an inexpensive neutral for the dust ruffle and picked out coordinating ribbons that she then sewed into place.  We painted the walls and the church replaced the carpet.  I am very pleased with the results.

Here are some of the pictures of the transformation.

Before Pictures.  This is after we had already taken down the wall paper and border

This is after painting the walls.  We used Light Khaki above the chair rail and Malibu Dune below.  These are Valspar paints from Lowe's Seaside Retreat collection.  I love these colors with the woodwork!

Close up of the ribbon detail on the dust ruffle.

This is what the crib looks like with all the bedding in place.  The cute little brown pillows came from Target.

And the final product

Still looking for the perfect artwork to go above the changing table, but otherwise completed. 

A not so "Happy" Anniversary

As some of you may or may not know, today marks the 2-year anniversary of the day my life changed forever.  Two years ago today, my best friend and person I loved most in this world, told me he was done and walked out on our marriage...just a month shy of our 4-year wedding anniversary.

Here is my story.

2008 started off great - my husband and I were hunting for our first house, we both had good jobs and I was anticipating my first nephew's birth!  We bought our first home in March and spent the next 3 months renovating it.  We moved in towards the end of June and my sweet little nephew was born in July.  Things were great - and I was taking it all for granted.

About a month after we moved in, I had a serious health scare.  It turned out to be nothing, but made me realize I wasn't invincible.  The next week I lost one of my great-grandmothers and the next day, I lost my job.  Wait!  This isn't supposed to be happening to me!  It was a rough few weeks for sure.  Little did I know, God was just beginning to teach me. And boy did I have a lesson to learn!

In the next few weeks and months I noticed things changing in my marriage.  It finally hit the fan two years ago today.  Just 2 days before I was supposed to stand in front of a church full of people as a bridesmaid in my good friend's wedding and listen to two people pledge their lives to one another...repeating the same vows we had said to one another.  I can tell you that was the hardest thing I've ever had to do in my life.  He wasn't happy, he didn't love me anymore - wait! Stop! I couldn't believe what I was hearing!  This doesn't happen to people like me - I am a good person!  Doesn't matter who you are.  A week later he moved out. 

It took me months and months of prayer and soul searching to finally come to terms with everything I was fighting.  During that time I'd never felt so humiliated, betrayed, sad, anxious, overwhelmed....10 months later we sat down at our dining room table to fill out our marriage dissolution agreement.  I had prayed everyday until then for God to change his mind.  I finally learned I was praying for the wrong thing.  I didn't deserve for God to intervene now - especially since we'd never invited him into our marriage like we should have.

The divorce was finalized in July 2010.  14 long months of uncertainty, confusion, tears, anger, and hurt. By the time the papers arrived, I didn't feel anything. I didn't even cry. I was emotionally spent.  Those that know me know that I am a public crier...very open about my emotions.  So this surprised even me. I thought I knew how I would react when opening that envelope, but I honestly just sighed a sigh of relief that it was all finally finished.  I had other things to worry about now...figuring out how I was going to keep my house, making sure there was enough money to pay the bills, refinancing, changing my name on everything, job searching.

During this time of darkness, I began to look for things that brought me joy - little things that God helped me open my eyes to see.  It could be anything, big or small - warm towels from the dryer, a Lindor truffle (my favorite), a facial, celebrating the news that I'd be getting another nephew.  I made a list of Bible verses that spoke to me and put them on my bathroom counter.  I read them every morning when I was getting ready.  I welcomed God back into my life and he kept me from drowning.

I've learned so much in these last 2 years.  I've learned you can't plan everything.  That was a tough one for me.  I had to let go and let God.  He'll never give you more than you can handle.  I haven't even worn a watch since May of 2009 and you know what?  I'm just as late as I always was!  The world didn't stop spinning.  I took a more "go-with-the-flow" attitude and I actually enjoyed it.  Who would've thought?  Not me, that's for sure.

I still struggle.  I still have bad days, but they are fewer and fewer and I can honestly say that now, I feel like myself again.  Actually, better than myself, because I know that I have God on my side and if he brings you to it, he'll bring you through it.  God provides beauty and joy in so many different ways and things.  It's up to us to pause for a moment and open our eyes (and hearts) to see them.  That's why I started this blog.  To have a collection of things that I find beautiful or inspiring to help me, and maybe someone else, through a dark time.

If you've made it though all my sob-story, thank you.  I can't promise that there won't be more, but I will try.

"...we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.  Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not disappoint us..." Romans 5: 3-5

Technical Difficiulties

In my next few posts, I am attempting to post pictures of some of my work.  Last year I did a complete overhaul on our church nursery and in honor of my 3 year anniversary owning my home I thought I'd post it's transformation as well.  However, I am having a hard time posting multiple pictures and it's kinda gettin' on my nerves.  When this situation has a resolution, they will be posted.  Until then.....

So much for the goals....

So, I've already failed at one of my goals...okay, maybe more.

I have not written a post every week - much less an inspirational post.  I've kinda had some things going on in my world that have taken up some of my extra time.  I am in no way complaining about these things...just trying to learn how to add them and still keep things going smoothly.

That being said, I thought I'd do something I saw on one of my sister-in-law's blogs "It's Cool to be Quirky."  She has more than one blog to clarify; I only have one sister-in-law.  She numbered them b/c she's a little OCD and I feel the need to do the same.  So anywho, here it goes....All About Amy!

1. I am the 2nd of two children...everyone loves the baby!  =)
2. My older brother, Justin, is married and has 3 kids.
3.  It makes me laugh that my brother has 3 kids b/c he would always complain about how loud they were in church.
4. My oldest nephew calls me Ahhmy (like say Ahh)and I absolutely love it!
5. My niece is amazingly talented and I wish I was as confident as she is at her age...heck, even now!
6. My youngest nephew is too cute for words and has changed they way I view the world. If you can't tell, I love my babies!
7.I love all things ladybug!  My kitchen is decorated in them!
8. I went to college in Chattanooga, TN and I loved it!  Sometimes wish I would've stayed there after graduating.
9. I have a degree in Human Ecology, with a concentration in Interior Design
10.  I was a kitchen & bath designer for almost 3 years and I LOVED it!
11. I have more creative solutions when I have restrictions...probably why I was an awesome cabinet designer!
12. I do not enjoy designing residential living areas for people - there are way too many fabrics to choose from!
13. I do not like to shop for clothes and am horrible at putting an outfit together.  I buy what is on the mannequin or stick to my basic blacks.
14. I do however, like to shop for things for my house.
15. Ikea is the happiest place on Earth for me!
16. I love to travel and can't wait to do it more often.
17. My bucket list includes a tour of castles in Europe and the Winchester Mansion in CA.
18. I am cold all of the time - unless I am sweating in my yard.
19. Two years ago I was forced into taking care of my yard (mowing and GASP! weed eating).  I have never cussed so much in my life.  It was hard for me to understand how we could put people on the moon, but nobody could come up with something better than a pull-start on a push mower.  I got over it....eventually.
20. I now secretly enjoy mowing my grass and actually purchased my first trimmer last summer.  It's pretty cool and only weighs about 7 lbs.  =)
21. I also am really into flower gardening now.  My back yard is just a blank canvas waiting for me to create something.

22. I don't really like being outdoors all that much, but I do love the beach. It's probably my favorite place to be!

23. The mountains would be my 2nd favorite place to be.
24. Spring is my favorite time of year...I love to see all the flowers blooming and the weather getting warmer.
25. Fall is my next favorite.  I love watching the leaves change colors. It seems like the last few years I've been shortchanged.
26. I was married for 5 years and am recently divorced.  Not something I ever saw coming when I imagined my life, but I have survived and am a stronger person for it.
27. I have learned by going through my divorce that I have the most amazing God, family, friends, and church family anyone could ever ask for.  I honestly do not know how people survive divorce without God, even though he doesn't like it.  He will not leave you!
28. I bought a house with my ex-husband almost 3 years ago and we spent 3 months renovating it.  It is now absolutely perfect and a true reflection of me.  It even has a white picket fence!  I love it and I'm only leaving it on my terms and when I'm darn good and ready!

29. I have a cat named Kitty.  She came into my life January 1, 2006.  When I first got her, I was very unsure and even asked how long cats lived so I knew how long to be burdened.  She's now my favorite and I don't know what I would do without her.  She would cuddle with me and lick my hand when I would be in tears during my separation.
30. Kitty does puke a lot, which is the one thing I could really do without.
31. My hobbies include reading, crafting and baking sweet stuff!
32. I would love to make things for other people for a living.  That would be the best.
33. When I was little I wanted to be a mail man when I grew up.
34. While I love kitchen & bath design, it's been a hard 2 years finding another job that lets me do that.  Sometimes I think I might have to pick a different profession and that makes me sad.
35. Some days I think I might want to go back to school to become a sign language interpreter.  It fascinates me and I would love to work in a school doing that.
36. I was a substitute teacher for a few months and loved it!  If it paid a bit more, I would do it permanently.
37. This is the first year (since 2008) that I feel like I have my life back together and am actually looking forward to the future.  I am making plans ya'll!
38. I got my first cell phone with a full keyboard last year at the age of 28.  I didn't start texting until 2009.  I'm so old school!

39. In 2010, I ate at Toot's and Hooter's for the first time in my life.  Hooter's I can do without, but Toot's has become a monthly eating place with my family.  Fried pickles are the best!

40.  I lived in the same house from the day I was born until the day I got married....almost 23 years.  I did live in the dorms in Chattanooga while I was at school, but always came home to Rockvale.

Alright, that's about enough for now.  It was hard coming up with 40 things.  Let me think for 6 more months and maybe I can come up with 40 more!  Thanks for reading and I am going to try and do better with this!  I want to start posting some of my projects and designs I've done in the past, so hang in there with me for a while.  Thanks!

52 Weeks of Organizing!

Yes, you read that right. I'm taking on Org Junkie's 52 Weeks of Organizing challenge! I know I've been in my "new" house for 2 years now (okay, almost 3), but I still have boxes of things with no home and my poor closets are a hot mess!

At first I thought 52 weeks of organizing - what in the world! But I printed our her organizing checklist and it really made me focus. I have already listed projects through Week #30 and I'm sure more will creep up along the way. I'm already excited and kinda want to do all of them right this second. Most are simple things, but just writing them down really helps you focus and Iloveputting a check mark when I've completed something!

I plan on posting before and after photos of my projects, both big and small, so that you might get some inspiration to organize your home too!

"Order is a lovely thing; on disarray it lays its wing, teaching simplicity to sing."

-Anna Branch