Reclaiming Home

I must admit, this is the first year that all remnants of Christmas (except for the presents) have already been carefully wrapped, stacked and tucked away inside massive storage containers, until next year, when it all starts over again.  It isn't even New Year's Day!  Yikes!  I suppose I just needed to get a little of my normal back, whatever that may be, earlier rather than later this year.

Of course, joyous holiday feelings have also subsided due to the frequent vomiting in our home the past several days.  The thought of cleaning and disinfecting amid the Christmas decorations...again...was just too much for this weak soul to take.  No, I'm not the one attached to the bathroom.  Yet, anyway.  Sigh.

So not to be all doom and gloom, I did feel pretty liberated at the sight of my now-rather-naked family room and the cleared off window sills and such.  A mini cleansing of the soul I think, ha!  And today, I braved the arctic wind to get to the grocery store for the sake of my poor family, and I was...alone.  Alone!  Wow!  I don't think I have ever enjoyed puttering up and down the aisles of a grocery store so much!  Did I mention that I was ALONE????  :)  Anyway, I treated myself to a beautiful new pink Primrose plant to welcome in the new year (something I began a few new year's ago), and I think it's the prettiest $3.33 I've seen all week.

If you've seen the Christmas pics, then you're in for a real treat when you feast your eyes upon these post-clean-up pics!  Ha Ha

 

Aaaaaahhhhhh, I have my quiet space back

 What to do with that bare corner in the back...

 

Yup, still waiting on my mantle....

My little reading nook, overlooking our secluded, woodsy backyard

Now onto the kitchen...

Needs something up there- I'm thinking through options

Up here too

My ill-equipped, uninspiring dining room...

I've found a temporary cure for my longing for a sideboard!

This little set up works beautifully for the time being, and I'd rather have it here than taking up too much space in the family room

Finally, that awkward area I've been working on...ta-da!

Hello Isabelle!

I've got one thing in mind for the empty space on the left...betcha can't wait, right???

And of course, just a few moments ago, the slipcover suffered unbearable trauma and will most likely be retired from duty...so the very (faded) blue denim over-stuffed chair will have to make a return to the office space because I'm not dealing with another slip cover in the meantime- no way!  We do not get along!  When does it ever end?  Wish me luck!  :)