The Muir House

I just finished reading The Muir House by Mary DeMuth and you know what? You need to read it for yourself. There are 7 main characters: Willa Muir; Genie, the caretaker of the Muir House; Blake, Willa's high school beau; Hale, her current beau; Rheus, a friend of the caretaker and the hole Willa needs desperately to fill. Yes, I called the mystery of her past, a missing piece of her childhood, a character. I suppose it's really the main plot line but the way the memory sneaks in and out of the story, waiting for just the right time to reveal itself makes it seem almost human. The caretaker, although she invited Willa to come redecorate the home so it could be converted into a bed and breakfast, doesn't seem to want her there. She wants a decorator, not a daughter bent on unlocking secrets. Mom would agree with Genie and others who felt Willa needed to leave the past where it belonged--in the past. You'll have to read the book to find out why. While trying to solve this mystery that won't leave her alone Willa is drawn into a love triangle, although at times she's not so sure the third person in the triangle is still interested. I know which boy Mom would pick for Willa but she has to choose for herself. You'll have to read the book to find out who. And there's that pesty secret which reveals itself in bits and pieces. Oh, and I didn't mention one other character--Willa's estranged mother who never seemed to want her. Willa thinks she has an explanation for her mother's distance but does she? Visiting her mother in a nursing home only adds to the mystery. You'll have to read the book to find out how. Mary DeMuth decorates The Muir House with the right amount of plot and sub-plot so that the book is not cluttered but not sparse. I think Mom would like the story telling but she'd be cautioning Willa the whole time. Knowing Mom though, when she saw Willa wasn't backing down, she'd be praying for her. Click on the title to go to the web-site to order and to find out more about this lovely author who seeks to help others live an uncaged life.

A chat with Mom in my head

It's Wednesday, I almost forgot. You'd forget your head if it wasn't attached. Yes, Mom I know. You always used to tell me that. I've got a good reason though. I don't have a calendar hung up yet. I'm plugging along with the unpacking but haven't quite got to that part yet. It's a decision and decisions aren't always easy to make. Do I want the calendar over by the office or by the kitchen? Am I going to put artwork above the computer desk or a bulletin board. I mean really, do I want my living room to look like it has an office in it or a living room with a computer in the corner? And then there's Jesus, what am I going to do about Him or should I say the 4 different artists' interpretations of Him? Stop worrying. If we had a worrying contest you'd win. I know Mom, and I'm not worrying. There's just alot of decisions to be made. Tell you what, why don't I take my mind off what's left to do by sharing pictures of what I've done?

There's a shelf and pot mitt holder made from the old heater vents. I'd share more but they aren't going where I want them to and I've got more things to do. Okay I know pictures don't mean anything to you but trust me, these are clever repurposing projects and my friends are gonna like them. Nice chatting with you Mom.

Use It or Lose It

Good morning. I'm back after a few hectic weeks dealing with the move. Clearing all the stuff from the old place required some tough choices. There isn't room for everything, and by everything I mean things I inherited from my mother. I sold the piano and sorted the massive bead supply. I even gave away some beads but none that Mom left me and that was a huge bin full. I'm in use it or lose it mode and can't wait to get organized and start creating again. There's extra furniture in the garage because it's hard to give up good pieces, especially the ones my father built. In fact on Father's Day I had a bit of a connection to him as I took the top off his old desk (not built by him) so I could make the desk wider. It's still a work in progress. My current top is a piece of wood and a shelf I had in the garage--use it or lose it. The top half of the hutch is my nightstand while the bottom is in the garage providing enclosed storage to protect my fabric--use it or lose it. The other 3 small pieces of furniture in the garage will be coming in to be used but I'm still getting organized. My favorite project is the repurposing of Dad's work bench. It's been base painted and I plan on working on the top today. Then it will be in our dining area as an extension of the kitchen counter with seating for eating or doing schoolwork--use it or lose it. And the project I've thought about for a long time and finally did is a pot rack using brackets from shelves that hung in my childhood home's kitchen and a couple dowl rods also found in the garage--use it or lose it. Mom's old silverware will be used as the S hooks (man I hope I find my vice grip soon)--use it or lose it.

Well there's lots to do on my use it or lose it list so I'd better get to it.