Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Back!

Who knew it would take me this long?  I've so missed all of you, dear friends!  Thanks to those who sent me notes periodically letting me know I was not forgotten.  That meant so much.  For anyone considering taking a break from blogging, I must warn you that returning is twice as hard as starting up a blog for the first time.  Maybe motivation would have came more quickly if I had a space like this...
Via
 Right now, I'm still trying to carve out a spot to just sit at the computer.
During this hiatus, I was simply amazed at the extra time I gained.  But I needed it.  Within the past 3 moths we made a move, remodeled the house, started school and the doc left town for a month during the process. It has been, by far, the hardest move I've ever made. Trying to catch my breath now.
Via
 The house is still unfinished.  It has taken a lot longer to put it back together than anticipated, (destroyed by tenants if you remember)  It's also been a challenge because for once I am not decorating a house for self but staging it for resale in the spring.  
I did want to show you the floors since polling everyone here for the stain color.  The floor salesman tried his best to talk me into a light to medium stain. He just about convinced the doc.  But being the good hubby that he is, we agreed to a compromise of mixing  medium and dark. It's half pecan and half ebony.  I love the color!  Terrible photo but here's a shot of the floors before we moved in.
They are actually lighter than they appear in this photo.  For all the naysayers about dark floors, I have to tell you that I absolutely love the dark stain.  I bought a Shark stick vacuum.  If you don't have one, get to the store as fast as you can.  It is so light weight.  No more sweeping!  I run this over the floor as many times as I need to in a day.  It's a snap!
Via
 Bed, Bath and Beyond carries it so I used the 20% off coupon.  For mopping, the floor installers suggested the Bona.  I love it too! Mine has the attached piece for bottle on front and a squeeze trigger on top.  Just spray and mop, then throw removable pad in washer as needed.  
Via

(Not getting paid for advertising either of these products.)  These floors have been the easiest floors to keep clean of any house we've ever had.  Pleasantly surprised. 

I've tried my best to catch up with everyone but it is near impossible.  There have been smiles and tears, joys and pains, gains and losses along the way, some of which I may not even be aware of.  But each of you have been in my prayers.  I'm happy to be back among friends. 
Via

41 comments:

Unknown said...

Glad you are back. I look forward to your posts. Sounds like you need a break from your break! :)

Blessings,
Kathy

Linda@Coastal Charm said...

Welcome back Tammy!!!! I use a Bona and love it too...maybe I should also check into getting that vac. Sounds like you have been really busy and taking that break was well needed...just what the doc ordered:)

Blessings,
Linda

Brenda Pruitt said...

I was wondering if you'd ever come back to us! I'm glad to know that about the mop. I go buy a mop at Target, get about one mopping session out of it, and it's ruined. At about $15 a pop, this is getting ridiculous! Love the floors!
Brenda

Unknown said...

I am glad you are back. Sometimes we just need to have less on our plate.
Traci

Heather said...

So glad that you are back! The floors look great!

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Dear sweet Tammy, so glad you are back! I knew that you were busy with all the activities of summer but was not aware of your move. Your upbeat and beautiful blog has been missed.

Big hugs!
Genie

Julie Harward said...

I too have the dark floors and love them also. I have missed you...sounds like such a busy time for you. Nice to have you back. :D

michelle said...

Welcome back! It sounded like you were very busy and I hope you had some time for yourself here and there. I love your floors and I love dark as well. I am so excited that you love the shark stick vacuum because I am on the hunt for one for all my bare floors and I was wondering about this one.
Enjoy your time and I hope your week is good.
xo

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

Welcome back, Tammy!

Lakeshore Cottage Living said...

So glad you are back! YOU have been missed.

Love Of Quilts said...

Moving and fixing up a house doesn't sound like a vacation to me....its a pretty house hope you will show up what you have been doing with it.

Nita Stacy said...

I'm so happy you are back. I have missed you and thought to write you several times and didn't get it done because as you know...my summer was a mess too. I love those floors....I love the dark color....perfect. Now what city is this house in?

Amy Chalmers said...

Yay! I have to say WELCOME back darling!! Summer is over and it is time to get back to blogging! Sharing everything with your blogger pals. You will have many stories to tell...

Ann from On Sutton Place said...

Oh my gosh I thought you might have forgotten how to write a post. Welcome back! You have been missed...by me and all of your friends. Fill me in on how you are. When you move in the spring will it be for the last time? Write when you can. No hurry. I loved seeing you on my blog roll again.

Cindy said...

I am so glad to see you back, sweet lady! And you brought some pretty images with you.
I love your floors!!! They look just amazing. I am so sorry that you had to see what the renters had done to your house, but since you don't plan on staying there, perhaps it didn't hurt quite as much as it might have if it was your forever home.
Love ya!
Hugs, Cindy

Anonymous said...

It's great to see you back, Tammy. LOVE dark floors and if I ever get new flooring I would most certainly prefer dark--easier to clean and everything pops more.

Love that last picture, btw. ;)
Much love,
Marcia

Anonymous said...

Welcome back Tammy! I was looking at my blog roll the other day and noticed how long you were gone and feared you decided not to return. Fixing up a house is a HARD job and looks like you are well on your way to making it wonderful again. By the way, I simple adore the darling white swing picture. It reminds me of my childhood home. We had a white wood swing on the front porch that I would sit in all the time. Not as pretty as this one, but I loved it. Hope to see you posting regularly again soon!

Jo said...

It was such a great surprise to see you *pop up* on my reader this evening! :) I've missed you.

Love the stain color ~ will work well with so many other color options.

Remind me to tell you about a tenant that decided to rebuild his engine on our beige carpet in SC. Just in case you're wondering ... NOT a good idea ~ ugh!

Jo

Unknown said...

Happy you are back !

Shanon at Vintage Sparkle Chic said...

Welcome back! Looks like you have been very busy! Does the resale in the spring mean you will be moving again? The stain looks great, the floors are beautiful.

~Shanon

Marianne said...

Welcome back Tammy, I've missed all of your beautiful pictures! I must say that I really love the dark floors, they are so very elegant looking. Sorry that those tenants made such a mess of your house but hopefully you'll be settled soon enough!
Marianne :)

Karen said...

So happy to see you back Tammy. I'm looking forward to your pictures and posts. :)
xo~
Karen

podso said...

Nice to have you back. you are right, blogging takes time. And reading others' which becomes important!

Southwest Cottage Designs said...

WELCOME BACK!!! I missed you:) By the way, I LOVE that swing. Have fun blogging again.

Laura at Ms. Smartie Pants said...

Welcome back, you were missed! :)

PAINTORDIG.blogspot.com said...

Glad you are back. What a summer you had! I love the floors!

Sonya@Beyond the Screen Door said...

So good to have you back!!!

Dee ⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️ said...

Hi Tammy,

I'm so happy to see 'you' back blogging.

I love your wood floors. Now I can't wait to see the rest of your new home.

Dee

Kellie Collis said...

Welcome back! The floors are gorgeous and I love that they are very easy to clean and maintain. Have a fabulous day, Kellie xx

Susanne said...

Welcome back!

Love the dark floors, wish ours were darker, will have to check out the Bona, it's new to me.

I was gone from blogland for most of August and I agree it's hard to get back into it and catch up with all the blogs I follow, especially when there's so much real life to catch back up with.

Susanne.

Unknown said...

Hey my friend! So glad you're back. I have a Haan floor steamer that I love using cleaning my floors. But, mine are laminate, not real wood. I love dark wood floors!

Karena said...

Tammy I can see that you have been so busy and have accomplished so much!!I have been remiss as well! So glad to see the dark wood floors, I love them!

Come and join my Fashion Giveaway from Fresh Produce!!

xoxo
Karena

Art by Karena

Jillian's Bella Rosa Antiques said...

Hello! First, WELCOME BACK! Second, I love the office space you shared....I've already sent it to my hubby for an IDEA (hint hint)

And last.... I love the dark floors, what a great house!

Cindy @ Dwellings-The Heart of Your Home said...

Welcome Back! Beautiful floors...love them!

reFresh reStyle said...

Welcome Back! Love the dark floors!
Debbie

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Yay, you're back! That was one busy summer. I love the dark floors. I may need a Shark. I just use my Dyson on mine. I use the Hanson steam mop for cleaning. I was afraid the Bona would gradually build up on the floor and I have dealt with that before. No fun to remove.

laxsupermom said...

Welcome Back! The floors look terrific! Love that deep rich color. Thanks for sharing.

Kathy said...

I am so glad you are back, when I stared my blog 4 months ago you were my first favorite site to post. I have enjoyed you for awhile and missed you while you were gone. Thanks for always inspiring. Kathy

Pamela said...

Welcome back Tammy! Your flora look fab! So you have a shark and love it? I need to get one. We have been looking at the Linx but I keep waiting for a sale.

Natasha in Oz said...

Welcome back! I'm so happy to see you here. I'm sorry I'm late to swing by and welcome you but I'm sure you understand why I'm late! I hope you have had a wonderful break and I look forward to reading your blog again!

Best wishes,
your Down Under friend, Natasha.

PS Thanks for linking up and joining my Pinning Bloggers Master List!
xo

Coastal Health and Home said...

Dear Tammy,

Welcome Back!

Best,

CBO