Have you ever found that perfect “something” for your home? You really, REALLY wanted it until you began to feel like maybe you wanted it too much? Have you ever questioned whether your desire for things was out of balance with what is really important in life?
I left you hanging earlier this week with my post about being on the verge of something exciting thanks to my husband’s desire to make me happy.
My blog friend Sherry at No Minimalist Here, has recently downsized and has been having a virtual garage sale of items from her own home. THIS painting became the object of my desire! I have always loved this painting on the header of Sherry’s blog. The colors are so soothing and, in fact, as mentioned in a previous post, Sherry’s blog header was the color inspiration for my living room.
When I saw that this painting was up for sale I immediately began to yearn for it. I drooled, I swooned, I nearly fainted over it. Okay, so I’m exaggerating, but I had a strong desire to purchase this painting for my “work in process” dining room. The problem is that Sherry lives in Florida and I live in South Carolina (an 8 hour drive) and shipping would be too expensive. After obsessing on this painting for awhile I began to reevaluate my painting lust, especially as I began to think about all that I have and weighed that against what is really important in life. I felt convicted and decided that I needed to give it up. I prayed. I thanked God and I closed that door.
“When are we going to take our road trip?,” hubby asked one morning last week.
“Whaaaa?”
“I think we should head out Monday morning.”
Lesson learned: Sometimes you have to give something up before it can become yours.
So here I am with Sherry, Superstar Blogger at No Minimalist Here!
Forgive me if I gush but Sherry’s blog is one of the first blogs I followed and you can’t believe how excited this (then) newbie blogger was when she followed me back! That was in the days when I reported every follow to my patient husband and tolerant daughters until it got to the point where they thought I had gone “blog crazy”.
I adore Sherry’s style and her blog is a never ending source of inspiration. I never dreamed that I’d have the opportunity to meet her and even be invited into her home. I had to restrain myself from prattling on and on about every little thing I saw as she gave us the tour (not so sure I did very well with that). The funny thing to me was, that my husband also gushed over Sherry’s home. He even took my camera from me and started taking pictures!
This is one of Sherry and I standing in front of her Trumeau mirror flanked by the sea fans that she dyes herself.
Here we are in Sherry’s dining room with the painting behind us. The history of this canvas is that it is a 19th century painting that originally hung in Jamestown Plantation in Virginia. What a beautiful conversation piece it will be in my dining room. I wonder what the story will sound like? Will I talk about it’s historic roots or will I talk more about meeting the beautiful and gracious Sherry and the story behind how the picture came to belong to me? History runs deep.
So guess what I’ve been plugging away at (with 1-1/2 hands) since we got back from our whirlwind trip to Florida? Preparing my dining room for new wallpaper.
The room had two layers of wallpaper. The first one came off easily. The second had been applied directly to the sheet rock without proper preparation (sizing), and when I began to remove it it took the top layer of the sheet rock right off. That was several months ago and it has lived that way until now.
Without renewed motivation this past couple of days I sanded away the torn paper . . .
. . . and applied a skim coat of joint compound. After it dried I used a sanding block to knock down the rough surfaces, wiped off the dust with a damp rag and left it to air dry.
My next step will be to roll on a primer that is specially formulated for wallpaper. I’m pushing through tonight because I have company coming from Washington State this upcoming week and may not get back to it for awhile. Hmmm . . . unless I can get my company to assist in the wallpapering. 3- 1/2 hands are always better than 1- 1/2 hands.
On the way home from Florida Mr. OTN said to me, “You know we did this because I love you right?”
I knew.
Blessings,
VMG206, TuesdaysAtOurHome,
Becky Mullowney says
What a sweetie! He’s a keeper, indeed!
Rose says
Hi Patty ~
I love your story ~
I think we all have a special blogger in our lives, and how wonderful you were able to meet yours.
I love your picture and can’t wait to see it in your dining room.
I also love that your husband did this for you because he loves you. How wonderful you have this relationship with him.
Long time ago my husband purchased a picture for me ~ The name of the print is “First Snow”
It’s a picture of 2 little girls looking out at the first snowfall ~ The picture of these little girls looked so much like my 2 little girls (now 35 & 29) – I would check on this picture once a week and make sure it was still in the store.
That Christmas he surprised me with it. I will never forget this, and all the wonderful things he does for me.
Have a wonderful day.
Much love,
Rose
Leslie says
Oh! I loved seeing these pictures and hearing the story and learning to let go through you.
You and Mr. OTN are so precious.
You loved me too.
Sharon H says
Patti, forgive me if I have a lot of typos in this….I can barely see through the tear!!! Oh my goodness…what an awesome pair you two are together. That was so sweet of Mr OTN….and you deserve it. Yes….yes you do. And what a boost to the ego, and a swell inspiration factor, to meet Sherry and visit her home. I’m so happy for you that you were able to get that picture! Strange how something so simple as a picture can be such a huge motivator…..I can hardly wait to see your finished dining room.
Love and Blessings to you, my friend.
Sharon
Phil 1:3
Mary Geisen says
What a fun story with a beautiful result. I can’t wait to see your finished dining room. I hope your days of 1 1/2 good hands is almost over. It seems like that has been going on for a long time. Hope your week is great.
Mary W. Ferguson says
Patti, I am so happy that you were able to get the picture that you loved so. How great for you and Sherry to meet. She is a very lovely lady and her home is beautiful.
Sounds like you had a lot of work to do removing that wallpaper. I had mine removed about 7 years ago – I loved it but changed the decor in the house.
Enjoy your picture, it looks great there.
Mary
Pat says
Patti,
WoW!!!
What love!!!
Love between you and your sweet husband.
I adore that he “gets you”!!!
The painting is exquisite and I know it was meant to hang in your lovely home, dear friend!!!
Meeting another blogger friend, was just the cherry on top the icing!!!
Thank you for sharing this journey with us!!!
Fondly,
Pat
Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says
Patti, It was so fun to meet you and Kelly! You are so sweet and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your kind comments. Your dining room is going to be beautiful and the painting will be perfect. Hope to see you soon.
Hugs,
Sherry
Diane | An Extraordinary Day says
I’m so excited for you Patti! And NOW I know why you stayed in that lovely place you shared on Instagram!! 🙂
Thanks for sharing your fun experience with us at Project Inspire{d}!
How fun to meet Sherry in person! And your husband… what a sweetheart!!! A blessed girl you are!
[hugs]
Linda@Coastal Charm says
Patti,
Oh how nice that you and Sherry got to meet in person and how sweet that your hubby took you all the way to Florida to pick up that amazing art. Thanks for sharing your story at Show and Share.
Blessings,
Linda
Pamela Smith says
Love wonderful story! What a wonderful hubby to know just what you wanted! Enjoy!
Kim says
What a great story! I can hardly wait to see your new dining room walls with the new painting. You are one blessed woman to have a loving husband that takes you on road trips to get things that speak to your heart. 🙂
Kim says
How fun meeting Sherry and getting that wonderful painting. Oh, my your husband sounds like mine with that comment. I can’t wait to meet Sherry at Haven.
Emily says
Oh I heart you and Mr. OTN so much! He’s the best, and make sure you tell him Emily said so!
Have FUN with your WA company and give HER a big hug, too! And give yourself one, too! <3!
Susan - the Eclectic Shorebird says
What a lovely story. How much more special the painting is now. Visiting from Home & Garden Thursday.
Sherry says
This is beautiful! Great find! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!
TwoPlusCute says
Very brave placing the painting tray on that table!
The painting is gorgeous, congrats. 🙂