April 07, 2010

No Place Like Home

We had a great time in North Carolina this past weekend. We go to a town called Southern Pines. I love it there. It's where Sweet Hubby lived in his later teen years and it's one of my favorite places to visit. I always mean to get pictures of the downtown area but somehow I'm always so enthralled that I forget. We had lovely weather.

And blooming flowers.

We had an Easter egg hunt.


 We got to hang out.


And hang out some more.


We got to dream about old houses.

But more than anything it gave me a chance to gain some perspective about this inbetweenness I've been suffering from. I've been feeling very impatient about moving on to the next step of our lives and about getting the house sold. I'm not a big fan of being in limbo. I've realized that I need to relax and enjoy the process, to just enjoy each day that I have left in this house and to see it for the gift that it is.

Speaking of gifts, that's how I think of you my wonderful readers and followers, lurkers and commenters. Thank you for your encouragement and kind words. I don't really pay that much attention to how many followers this blog has but the other day the number caught my attention and I was floored. I don't know why so many of you come here to visit my little corner of the world, but I've decided to dedicate next week to you. I'm going to spend that time visiting as many of you as I can, adding some of your links to my People to Visit list and posting about blogs that I think the rest of you might want to visit. It's a small gesture to show how much I appreciate you.

31 comments:

  1. I am a newbee bloger-er :) and came across your site. I think it is simply charming and thanks for the small bits of wonderful you share.

    Bek
    http://beqdesign.blogspot.com/

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  2. Jen so glad you had a great time.
    I'm not so good with the whole "limbo" thing either
    But I am learning( slowly) to enjoy the moment in what ever life brings cuz life is just too short to feel unsettled...

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  3. We have been living in Limbo-ville for over 6 months now..Everything has been packed up and marked..RV is being packed to live in..Limbo-ville is not a fun place..but it can be a learning place..what do you really need to survive..what do you really miss sitting around you everyday...getting thru holidays without ALL your decorations, and still enjoying it!! Taking pictures of the little nooks and crannies inside and out...that you will miss..and maybe would want to incorporate into the new place someday..just enjoying each day..and waiting in Limboville.

    Cindy from Rick-Rack and Gingham..
    and Full Timing Like a Chinese Fire Drill

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  4. Mmmmm, limbo...not to worry, things will work out alright. I know you will find a great old home, or find one that has all kinds of possibilities. There is nothing like the charm of an old house. I'm so anxious to see what happens next!
    Please do visit my blog. I am also a newbie, and I have so much to learn, but it's been fun so far.

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  5. Love your blog. the picture of the girl hanging out on the tree is precious...it captures childhood. I remember spending my summers climbing trees with my little brother. Have a blessed day.

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  6. I am one of those in the followers /lurker (although that sounds slightly creepy as I type it) and I want to get better at commenting. I am not a blogger myself but I enjoy reading about and learning from people and this blog world sure gives us that chance. I hope your house and all that is involved in that goes smoothly for you.

    Jeannette
    Plant City

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  7. I would dread having to sell our house - just the very thought of it gives me the shudders. When the time comes the only thing that will get me through it will be the thought of being able to spend months on end in Tuscany.

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  8. jen,
    you bring
    sunshine
    to our
    days!
    blessings!

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  9. Hi Jen,
    I know how you feel...about needing to live in the moment...life is rushing by so fast..we all need to slow down! I'm trying to remind myself everyday! It looks like you had a lovely time with your family...Take care, Laura

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  10. Hang in there! I can truly relate to your dislike of "limbo". I - and so many other followers - are excited for you and cheering you on!

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  11. Jen- Give yourself lot's of credit-the leap you and your family are taking is a big one and change isn't easy. I hate limbo too but the payoff will be so worth it for you guys. I'm so excited for you and all of the fun projects you have coming your way!

    HUGS!!!

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  12. hi jen,

    i love the piggy-back picture. so sweet. the perfect snapshot of a happy day.

    limbo isn't easy but we do what we can. that's a bit how i am feeling at the moment. lots of "life's little curve balls" coming my way.

    {i would be honored to be included in your blog list}

    xo
    elyse

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  13. You are such a sweet soul Jen! Of course we all want to follow you!! :) I'm glad you had such a nice visit. I always love reading your blog, your words, pictures and everything that comes with it. And yes, try to relax and enjoy the ride :)
    Kristi

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  14. Hmmn, that got me thinking about that word "limbo". A bit of a funny word. I looked it up " "limbo" is any status where a person or project is held up, and nothing can be done ...". Maybe that is why it can be unsettling-the lack of control. I tend to like to jump ahead quickly and I am learning slowly that this just makes me live for tomorrow and not so much for today, which is NOT a good thing. I have not followed your blog for long, so I am not sure what your LIMBO is, but I will stayed tuned...

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  15. We keep coming back for more because your blog exudes YOU - sweet, spicy, beautiful, funny, stylish, witty YOU!

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  16. Hi Jen~

    I am so glad you had a good Easter weekend! And oh, I am so jealous! North Carolina is where I hope we will live soon, Lord willing! We are working like crazy on our home, so now I'm feeling like you were a couple of months ago! I can only imagine that by the time you put your home on the market, you are really ready to move on! I am still praying your home sells very soon! :)

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  17. P.S. I forgot to tell you that I am doing a giveaway! You posted about the book "The Well Dressed Home" and I think it looked so wonderful, I am giving a copy away! Just wanted to let you know in case you wanted the chance to win an extra copy and to tell you that you may notice my pictures of THEIR pictures are a lot like the ones you took. (Only mine are not as well taken, I'm afraid!) I ended up taking a lot of the same pictures because it was what I was drawn to! (I hope you don't mind that they are so similar!)

    I hope you also have a great night! :)

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  18. I love your blog! I love all things cottagey too! Your pictures are lovely. I am over here in the UK reading it!!! Happy Thursday!

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  19. My dad was born and raised in Asheville, NC, and I do believe it's one of the prettiest states eva! I do wish that you could relax, and enjoy the rest that this time will give you...once you start moving, you will be sooo busy.

    Love you and yer little ole blog!

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  20. Remember Jen, you are the first blog I ever discovered...evah. You got me hook, line and sinker, and I've never left!
    p.s. Is it just me, or is Emma the spitting image of her mama?

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  21. What can be better than climbing an old tree?

    Sounds like you had a great time and came back with a wonderful outlook. Before you know it, you'll be in your "new" home and it will seem like a dream come true.
    ~Michelle

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  22. I used to come here because it was such a beautiful blogsite. But then I met the girl behind the blog and now I come here because I know her! And she's funny. And
    she's real. And she's talented.

    Limbo is never easy...but think of it as lingering on the bridge from one side to the other. Enjoy the view from the bridge while you're on it.

    xoxo, Julia

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  23. I understand your "inbetweenness". My husband and I just put our house up for sale in preparation to move back home. It is hard to wait...I want it sold yesterday! But to just enjoy what is and to think about what is to come is nice. May God bless your journey!

    C :)

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  24. Morning Jen! I totally understand the inbetween thing. When we moved from Illinois to Michigan in November I was stuck between two places. I did not like it at all. Hang in there. It will be worth it when you get into your new house in the village. :)

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  25. So happy about your aritcle...I know what you mean about limbo...I hate it too!

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  26. I couldn't agree more ... there really is "no place like home" ♥ Southern Pines sounds like a wonderful spot ~ we've visited North & South Carolina on holidays and have great memories (the first time I ever had grits) :-)

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  27. I am new to the blog world, but I have been reading yours for awhile now! I love your blog!

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  28. I completely understand what you mean about the inbetween-ness. My husband works for the railroad and we move around. I alway feel like every place is a stop over. We were in our last house 3 yrs. and will be in this one (God willing)3 years.

    I just told him the I would love to live in NC. It is a beautiful state.

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  29. inbetweeness....sigh

    i love that little missy hanging out in the tree
    & piggy back rides w/ sissy-precious

    xo

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  30. Firstly, my husband and I painted the road sign at Limbo-ville this past year. I know how hard a place it is to set up life. I am certain all your pieces will fall into place in ways better than you can imagine. God is good. :o)

    Secondly, I am so excited you posted the picture of that house because we are fixing to paint our's, and I've been trying to track down the perfect off-white/ivory/neutral to use.....THAT'S WHAT I'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR!!! I love it with the white trim and black accents. I'm so excited!!! I hope you don't mind if I swipe your pic to my desktop.

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  31. Hi Jen-My husband is from North Carolina and Southern Pines is one of the places we are considering retiring one day. Hopefully, he will be taking me there this summer to check it out. Small world! And I am one of your blog lurkers. Lol!

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