Thursday, October 1, 2015

Silver Linings

Ever have one of those weeks? You know, the kind where more goes wrong than right? It's hard not to focus on the bad stuff and instead find the silver linings. I really have to work at being positive instead of negative during those times.

Anyway, I had a couple of weeks recently where my stress level was high and my outlook rather gloomy. It all started off with the phone company digging a ginormous hole in my backyard  and because of where they were digging, we had to take down my greenhouse. Which meant I had to move everything in it - including moving the pea gravel floor. Oh yay. Then it took them a week to come back and fix the cable. Of course, they came at a very inconvenient time for me. I had to completely change my plans so I could be home. Then it was another two days before they came back and refilled the hole. (I won't mention the now dead grass).*sigh*


In between all that, we planned and held a birthday party for my mother-in-law. A good thing but a little stressful trying to get everything and everyone coordinated.

(It turned out great and we all had a wonderful time!)

And then there were just lots of little things that just added to my frustration level.

I've learned during these times I have to step back and find perspective; look for the good things going on. So what were my silver linings?

First of all, in having to move the greenhouse - I got it all the junk cleaned out that normally gets put in there over the Spring and Summer. Now it will be ready for Winter! Yay! I'm ahead of the game!

Having to stay home on a day I was supposed to be somewhere - I was able to work on some projects I wanted to start - the ones it's been hard to find the time for. So hurray, they're started!

Then on a day when I was feeling really down, I got two emails. One from Shirley over at Hospitality Designs telling me I'd won her giveaway of the book  French Accents by Anita Joyce. I'd entered thinking it was a long shot but I love all things French and farmhouse so I thought I'd try. I was floored and ecstatic when I found out I'd won.  The book is wonderful. Anita walks you through what French decor is and how to add it to your house. I just may have to recreate that look somewhere. :o)  I'm smitten!

Then Beth from Farm Fresh Vintage Finds told me I'd won her giveaway of a HomeRight Finish Max Fine Finish Sprayer! No way!! Two giveaways? I won two of them?(I thought I wouldn't win this one either!) Oh wow, I am one lucky blessed girl! I wish I'd had this a couple of years ago when painting the farmhouse and stuff. I'm so excited to finally have one because let's face it...there's a lot more painting in my future! Beth has turned out some wonderful projects using hers. I can't wait to use mine! I'm on the lookout for the perfect victim, um project. I think I may have a candidate in the garage. ;o)

Silver linings indeed! We just need to recognized them in the middle of our messes.

Sometimes they are easy to see, like me winning the giveaways and my mother-in-law enjoying her party. Other times, I have to search for them. But they are there if we just look hard enough!


Hope your silver linings are shining through your clouds!

It still doesn't feel very Fallish around here - the mornings are nice and cool though and the heat isn't as intense. So that's a silver lining!

I'm still trying to get my table and chairs finished. I'm loving them so far. I need to get them done and moved back inside so I can decorate the dining room!




18 comments:

  1. I can relate...I've had my share of things dragging me down recently too, but like you, I am choosing to make the best of things and recognize the silver linings! Over the summer when I was getting depressed about Miranda's move, I won two giveaways too. I was thrilled to win one and then the next day, I won another! God's timing is always just right...:) Hugs and prayers for you my friend!

    Blessings, Vicky

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    1. I almost forgot...your fall decorations are so pretty! Love the sign! Did you make it?

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  2. what a great post, Cecilia! I had a summer like that- where I had to scramble to find a few silver linings-they have been slow to come this time...but they are there. What a mess to have to move your greenhouse- a lot of work and trouble, too-especially moving a pea gravel floor---oh my word!

    Your fall decorations look great and it sounds like you had a wonderful party for your mil. Blessings to you and I hope you have a wonderful weekend- xo Diana

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  3. Ugh! Stupid phone company! did you read Donna's story on Distressed? I've got to tackle my greenhouse, too. It's 10 x 40, so no way we could move it but I need to get it ready to put things back in for the winter. Lucky you! winning another giveaway! woo-hoo ! Guess I need to dig out my Fall deco, too, but some things put on back burner. Right now the place looks like Goodwill.... cleaning out a storage building to take stuff to our church rummage sale. On top of that hubby's father died this week, we we've been doing all the stuff that goes along with that. I think I spent most of yesterday looking for pictures of him to go on website for obituary. It doesn't feel like Fall until I can make a pot of soup, anyway, so I still have time to get out the pumpkins.

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  4. Moving your greenhouse was definitely a bummer Cecilia, and a gravel floor too?! Yup, I would have been frustrated too, but you're right. There were definitely some positives in the picture! How cool that you won two giveaways!! Congrats, and hang in there...Fall is coming :).

    xxx

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  5. Oh Cecilia, I can relate! It speaks to your sweet character that you can find the silver lining ~ I adore your mantel and that cute red truck filled for fall! Hugs, Cecilia

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  6. Things can get the best of us sometimes. It is always a challenge to find the silver linings but you have done a great job recognizing yours.

    You won some amazing prizes and your fall decorations are so pretty.

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  7. Hi Cecilia! :)
    I too can relate...and as I read others comments...it made me see that we all go through this. I can't imagine the stress the phone company created, that was a huge job for you having to move everything and wait for them to get their act together. But, like you said it forced you to get ahead of organizing...so it will all work itself out.
    You won two amazing give away prizes. That paint sprayer looks amazing!
    And your fall decorating looks so pretty, love it all!
    Kimberley

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    1. Hi Kimberley!
      Yes, it's nice to know we are not alone! The worst thing about the phone company was not knowing when they'd show up - I have the two dogs and needed to be here to put them up. I'd leave a note on my door if I had to be gone for a couple of hours.
      I'm excited about that paint sprayer...I have a couple of items to try it out on. Now just to find some time! ;)

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  8. Oh Cecilia...I am sorry that you have gone through lots of not so great circumstances...but I am glad that you look to the silver linings....Lucky you winning 2 giveaways...and hey, let me know about that sprayer...I have been looking for a small paint sprayer for those small projects!....Congrats!..Glad you like the book!

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    1. Looking back from a couple of weeks, I wonder why I let it all get to me. I think I wasn't sleeping good and when I'm tired! Not a good thing. But things turned out well and I got two wonderful prizes. I'm still looking for a project to try out my sprayer...maybe this weekend. Everyone seems to really like this one and I'm glad to have it.
      That book makes me want to change my decor! It is gorgeous! :-)

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  9. Cecilia,

    So happy that your silver linings turned out so well! Congratulations on winning your wonderful prizes!!!!

    Happy day friend!
    karianne

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    1. Sometimes we have to dig for those silver linings. Ha. But really, why did I let that stuff get to me? Stupid, really. But I am thankful for the reminder to look for the good.
      Have a wonderful day!
      :-)
      Cecilia

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  10. Cecilia, this is such a great reminder that there is always a silver lining! Congratulations on winning two beautiful prizes! Hope you are enjoying them.

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  11. Aww man! that sucks that they took so long to fix things and fill the hole back in but I'm glad everything worked out ok and that you found some good mixed in with the bad. I am a very optimistic person myself and I'm always looking for the "bright side".

    I wanted to let you know that when I clicked on your name on the comment you left on Seaside Avenue's blog to come see what you've been up to it took me to another weird website... not yours... it went to "thefarm.blogspot.com" (missing the B). Just thought I'd let you know.

    Tania

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    1. Hi Tania! It always helps to see the bright side!

      Ok, that's weird. I need to check into it. Thanks for letting me know!

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  12. I just saw this. I'm so glad you won my book!!!

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