The 35th Annual Chestnut Square Holiday Tour of Homes was this past weekend. If you've been reading this at all, you know that our house was one of five homes on the tour. I've been sick, excited, nervous, angry, ecstatic, and elated over the prospect of our humble abode being toured by hundreds of people. In the past few days, as I've reflected upon the whole ordeal and why it was such a big deal to me, I've begun likening it to my Graduation Day.
I did go to college, but I've never received my degree. This has led me to feel slightly inferior in many ways. When I started to think about it, this house is comparable to receiving an education. I like to think of it as "Bradley U". There are so many lessons I've been able to learn while living here.
Our most obvious learning experience came through all of our construction projects. We took a house that wasn't in the greatest condition and ripped out floors, ceilings, walls - then added floors, ceilings, walls and an upstairs! I've been able to dream something & then work on fulfilling that dream. It has been truly amazing. Tracy and I both reflect on our audacity to believe that we were able to do the things we've done! Ignorance is bliss!
Floor plans are one thing - decorating is another. It was such a challenge to stop using what was available and begin using what I really liked. What a journey! I discovered colors, textures, and styles that were completely "us". It was so fun (and we didn't really have much of a budget)!
Design isn't the only education I've received. I've also had the opportunity to serve at the school. In what other scenario would a 29 year old with no experience be able to become the PTO President? I made scads and scads of mistakes - oh tons! I did a lot of good as well. The most important lesson I've learned from school volunteerism is to treat others well. Believe it or not, I think I completely learned it last year. I've learned to put the greater good ahead of my own pride and opinions. Of course this isn't something one can learn unless one wants to learn it - no matter where you live.
Through this home & living in this neighborhood, I also have had to learn how to put myself out there even though some people weren't going to like me. I have struggled with my weight since we've lived here. That has made me feel so self-conscious. I, in turn, tucked myself away in my home and my own little world where I was miserable and lonely. There came a time when I had to either succumb to being an angry fat woman or put myself out into the social scene & risk people initially judging me for my weight and then either truly liking me for who I am or not. It was scary, but I was so lonely! I have wonderful friends here!! They are fabulous & I enjoy them so much. It was very "un-Glendalike" to lock myself away. I am a collector of people & without my people, I am nothing. After all, a collection only collects dust if you're not constantly adding to it and changing it around, right?! I love my friends - all of you!!
Perhaps the most important lesson I've learned at Bradley U was how to love my family. I need more than a paragraph to explain this, but let me say that I, by no means, am checking this off my list; however, I've learned to be nicer, kinder, gentler, and there for those whom I currently and have in the past shared walls with. We've lost two brothers, a sister, a father, and a grandmother since we've moved into our home. We've been on the brink of divorce and we've been closer than ever. I've wanted to move and never tell my extended family where we were and we've had our extended family come stay with us for extended amounts of time. I'm learning patience an acceptance. Basically I'm learning that it's better to laugh!
So here comes Graduation Day. I was a nervous wreck. As people began going through the home & making positive comments I felt a sense of relief as well as reflection. How can I possibly take credit for everything in the house when there were so many people who impacted my decisions? I realized how very vital those people are who share our life. Our home is warm, comfy, and filled with love - - not solely because of who we are, but because of who we surround ourselves with. This life is truly a gift!
Below are some pictures of our home & the picasa web album:
I did go to college, but I've never received my degree. This has led me to feel slightly inferior in many ways. When I started to think about it, this house is comparable to receiving an education. I like to think of it as "Bradley U". There are so many lessons I've been able to learn while living here.
Our most obvious learning experience came through all of our construction projects. We took a house that wasn't in the greatest condition and ripped out floors, ceilings, walls - then added floors, ceilings, walls and an upstairs! I've been able to dream something & then work on fulfilling that dream. It has been truly amazing. Tracy and I both reflect on our audacity to believe that we were able to do the things we've done! Ignorance is bliss!
Floor plans are one thing - decorating is another. It was such a challenge to stop using what was available and begin using what I really liked. What a journey! I discovered colors, textures, and styles that were completely "us". It was so fun (and we didn't really have much of a budget)!
Design isn't the only education I've received. I've also had the opportunity to serve at the school. In what other scenario would a 29 year old with no experience be able to become the PTO President? I made scads and scads of mistakes - oh tons! I did a lot of good as well. The most important lesson I've learned from school volunteerism is to treat others well. Believe it or not, I think I completely learned it last year. I've learned to put the greater good ahead of my own pride and opinions. Of course this isn't something one can learn unless one wants to learn it - no matter where you live.
Through this home & living in this neighborhood, I also have had to learn how to put myself out there even though some people weren't going to like me. I have struggled with my weight since we've lived here. That has made me feel so self-conscious. I, in turn, tucked myself away in my home and my own little world where I was miserable and lonely. There came a time when I had to either succumb to being an angry fat woman or put myself out into the social scene & risk people initially judging me for my weight and then either truly liking me for who I am or not. It was scary, but I was so lonely! I have wonderful friends here!! They are fabulous & I enjoy them so much. It was very "un-Glendalike" to lock myself away. I am a collector of people & without my people, I am nothing. After all, a collection only collects dust if you're not constantly adding to it and changing it around, right?! I love my friends - all of you!!
Perhaps the most important lesson I've learned at Bradley U was how to love my family. I need more than a paragraph to explain this, but let me say that I, by no means, am checking this off my list; however, I've learned to be nicer, kinder, gentler, and there for those whom I currently and have in the past shared walls with. We've lost two brothers, a sister, a father, and a grandmother since we've moved into our home. We've been on the brink of divorce and we've been closer than ever. I've wanted to move and never tell my extended family where we were and we've had our extended family come stay with us for extended amounts of time. I'm learning patience an acceptance. Basically I'm learning that it's better to laugh!
So here comes Graduation Day. I was a nervous wreck. As people began going through the home & making positive comments I felt a sense of relief as well as reflection. How can I possibly take credit for everything in the house when there were so many people who impacted my decisions? I realized how very vital those people are who share our life. Our home is warm, comfy, and filled with love - - not solely because of who we are, but because of who we surround ourselves with. This life is truly a gift!
Below are some pictures of our home & the picasa web album:
 |
| December 2008 |
Lily's Room
Family Room:
Abby's Room:
Upstairs Mantle:
4 comments:
as i sit here with tears in my eyes, SERIOUSLY, i'm in awe of you and how truly wonderful of a person you are, i love ya. You've grown into the pink of perfection and as dr suess would say, Oh, the places you'll go. Congrats graduate!!
you still need to go get a job at a newspaper! you have such talent.
Can I just say WOW! I love your house- you are so talented. You will have to hire yourself out to come do the rest of ours.
Stunning. Brilliant. I am so impressed. You are a real artist.
The whole house is awesome Glenda but I'm in love with Abby's room. I love what you've done with it. HOpe the tour was great!
Post a Comment