ONE YEAR DOWN

~MY BELOVED AND I~

1977

As incredible as it seems this month my Mr. AGPMan will complete a full year of night classes.  I first shared with you about his plans to return to college in August of 2010 and if you'd like you can read all about it HERE and HERE.  After some scheduling delays, last May his classes finally began.  Only a few more months of studies and then come November he will complete his accelerated courses and FINALLY graduate with a Computer Science degree.  On Thursday evening while in class he was measured for his cap and gown and was given information about ordering announcements.

Can this be true???
ONLY A FEW MORE MONTHS?

Oh my goodness!

OH MY GOODNESS!!!!

In many ways this past year has flown by.  Equally there have been many challenging days that were difficult to meander through and I felt like some of those days would never end!

My guy has studied long, long hours.

Taken and passed many difficult tests.

Studied.

Read.

Studied more.

Read more.

Studied more and more and more.

Read more and more and more.

Went without sleep.

Went without sleep.

Went without sleep.

Went without sleep.

He questioned

WHAT HE WAS DOING A GAJILLION TIMES

before finally settling in for the long haul. 

And me, you ask?  Well...Can I be honest here?

 Hmmmm....

OK...HONESTY!

Right?

Well, early on I spent many

long

long

long

long

hours alone.

(Being lonely in your house when not alone is not a good feeling!)

At first I pouted over the loss of our routine life.

Then I got depressed.

Then I got angry.

I prayed a lot.

I prayed a lot.

I prayed a lot.

I prayed a lot.

Finally...

I began to embrace a new normal.

I read.

Blogged too much.

Painted.

Sewed.

(Did more special orders than I dreamed I'd ever do.)

Prayed more.

I said

WHAT HAVE I AGREED TO? A GAJILLION TIMES

before eventually finding

peace

peace

peace

peace

While embracing God's amazing grace.

Both my hubby and I have learned a lot over the past twelve or so months about our lives and each other.  None the least being that although grueling at times it is possible to go back and right a past wrong.  School is often difficult when you are young, but it can be REALLY hard when you are older.

But, we are strong.

Committed.

Resilient.

Blessed.

And...

He's still my man.

I'm still his lady.

Truthfully it all feels a bit surreal.

For so long the husband of my youth and I lived with such intensive regret over him not finishing college that sometimes pressing onward was tough.  This last year has been quite a ride emotionally for both of us and I'm grateful it is over.  Only a few months to go now and my hubby's hard-earned and long overdue diploma will be in hand.

We've certainly taken the LONG WAY around the world!

Note To My Mr. AGPMan:

The finish line is in view...the race is almost over!  I'm still in your corner and more proud of you than I can say.  Never too late...never too late...never too late to be what you could have been!

YOU CAN DO THIS!  YOU CAN DO THIS!

I love you most

xo~Beck

~~*~~

Gotta go~

Love to you...

~CLEANING and SCRUBBING...Are You Kiddin' Me?~

(I've changed up a sweet old poem for fun...)

CLEANING AND SCRUBBING

CAN WAIT 'TIL TOMORROW

MY SEWING AND PAINTING

 I'VE LEARNED TO MY SORROW

WILL SIT THERE UNFINISHED

TILL MY BRUSH IS IN SWING

OR MY NEEDLE IS STITCHING

SOME SWEET LITTLE THING

 

 SO QUIET DOWN COBWEBS

DUST BE-YE-DELAYED

I'M OFF MAKING PRETTIES

SO I'VE HIRED A MAID

:)

~Rebecca Elliott Nelson/2012~

 OK...so I'm NOT a poet!

(Couldn't resist a wee bit of MUSE!)

I surely AM a deal-finder tho!  Check this out...

On Monday I went to one of our local thrift stores and found this amazing vintage lamp.  Isn't it just the neatest little thing?  I'm going to paint her up with a fresh white paint and then I have the perfect place for her.  Not telling you YET where that special place is...all in good time.

(More about this soon!)

Now...want to know what made this beauty the deal of the day 

week 

MONTH?

 Yep...you got it!  Total price $4.98 after being marked down twice.  Can't believe nobody wanted it for $14.96...and then $8.98.  Well I did...but $4.98 is very much bettahhhhh....

I'm off to CREATE with JOY!

Love to you...

~ROMANTIC COTTAGE WHITE PILLOWS~

One would think with as much sewing as I do I wouldn't have trouble getting back to some of my half finished personal projects.  Not true. 

What is it that they say about plumbers?  Something about them always having leaky sinks???

Hmmm...

 To help me stay on top of things around my La Chaumière de Briarwood I've gotten into PRIORITY PROJECT LIST MAKING.  I'm wondering if I'm getting old here or maybe it's just I've FINALLY decided to become a bit more organized.  My guy is a list-maker;  I, on the other hand, never have been.

 It's probably why I seem to make a gajillion trips to the grocery store because once I get there I can't remember what all I was needing.

Anyway...all that to say this~ 

About a month ago I finished up two white cotton pillows for my family room.  Made from vintage sheeting they include petite all around ruffles with vintage buttons accenting the envelope style fronts.  I purchased two feather pillows at TJ Maxx for the insides.  They were heavily discounted because they were made with fabric that was SO UGLEEEE  (this was cheaper than just buying the feather inserts)! Generally I don't make this style of pillow so I'm lovin' how they came out.  I put a zipper at the base on the back so they can be easily cleaned, too!

Today I'm linking up with:

 Kathleen at Faded Charm for White Wednesday 
and
Kim at Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday

 You will LOVE everything see there...such fun parteees!

Hope your day is fab!

Love to you...