When a dream becomes a reality

January 14, 2015

Dear Readers,

It's mighty cold in North Central Texas tonight. I am surprised at how snugly warm the fireplace keeps the cottage. I was concerned about the plank floor being drafty but Lupe insulated and plugged draft holes before laying the boards. If anyone is ever thinking about installing a board floor then painting it, I would say, "Go for it." It's been really easy to keep up ~ worn spots give it that aged appeal that I enjoy.

I have been wanting a candle chandelier for over the claw foot tub ever since the cottage was completed. I had thought about installing an electrical one but knew a candle lit one would add more ambiance. When I went to the Paw Pals Fundraiser Garage Sale, I spied a little chandelier in a corner on top of a box. It didn't have a price tag on it so I asked the lady at the register how much it was. "Is a dollar too much?" I snarfed that puppy up and giggled all the way to the car! My friend, Beverly, thought I was nuts and, obviously, so did the lady at the register. I saw POSSIBILITIES not trash and knew it would be perfect.

Normally, Michael has been having Wednesdays off but had to go in to work this morning. Before he left, I got him to get the hook screwed into the beam above the tub and I started on my project of turning a sow's ear into a silk purse. To make things easy, I decided on just cleaning it up and spray painting it black. I felt sort of silly outside in my nightgown spray painting but, hey, I didn't want to get paint on my jeans. I had gotten some candles yesterday at Walmart so once I got it hung, I put in the candles and lit them. NICE! Better than nice ... PERFECT!!

The cottage has been my adult playhouse ... my woman cave where I could experiment with different design styles, read, pray, and, in general, dance to the tune of my own drum. Right now, it has sort of a farmhouse feel ... a little Country English and a little rustic. I'm a very romantic soul and bask in the sunshine of including the things that make me feel alive and special ... books, music, candles, family mementos, old lace, and whatnots I find along the roadside of life. Someday, I'll add an oriental rug but, for now, my furry kids would just think of it as an oversized wee wee pad! No use tempting them.

Tonight, was the "ta da" night for my project. I put on some music, lit all the candles, poured myself a nice glass of wine, and filled the tub with lots of hot water and had bubbles up to my neck. Ahhh, what a beautiful moment of serenity and specialness. Personally, I think, women need to do more romancing the self and, I think, you will notice me doing more of that in 2015. My spirit has been dried up for too long!!

You know, no prayer goes unheard. As I soaked away my sore muscles and bones, I began to run through my prayer list ... I would look deep into the candles and imagine the angels dancing around me. The walls echoed the beauty of that moment in time and I just knew that as I spoke, Jesus was working behind the scenes. So many times when our prayers aren't answered the way we want them too, we're saddened and disappointed. Just know that that Lord has the big picture and that his ways aren't our ways.

My prayer for a chandelier came with a dollar price tag and a recipe for imagination. It was different than what I thought it should look like but, on completion, it was exactly what I wanted in my heart. My dream became real!!

I was also thinking about Zeke tonight and how much I missed him. I probably will never understand why that accident had to happen ~ all I know is that through his short life, he brought me closer to his foster mom, Laura, AND, he brought joy to my life at a time when I was feeling pretty abandoned. Maybe God knew that Finn was going to need a home. I dunno... When I can't comprehend those tragic times, I just have to say, "The Lord gives, the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord" (Job 1:21) and leave it at that.

It is late, some of my candles are almost burned out and I am feelin' pretty mellow. My furry kids are snoring away on a blanket in front of the fireplace and, one more day into 2015, I am feeling blessed.

Miss Dottie

PS "Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile." ~Mother Teresa

I have a sign over my sink in the cottage.  In the morning, it reminds me of how to live ... at night, it keeps me accountable of how I spent my time. Pretty cool, huh?!

Always remember how very much I love you and pray for your every need. Until tomorrow, God give you sweet dreams and bless you abundantly!!