Inviting Home is online company that provides quality products for your home. The products they offer are usually only available to professional builders, interior designers, etc. but by shopping online it’s like cutting out the middleman. So the prices are a lot less expensive than buying through a professional. But, the information on the website is there for you. For each type of product sold, there are pages devoted to detailed images, installation and what works in your home. You can also call customer service and view the decorating ideas on the site too. If you choose to become a member of Inviting Home, you will receive a newsletter, discounts and information on promotions.

We are still redecorating my home. It’s been a long process but there’s still a lot of work to do. In our den, my husband built a new wall but we still need to add molding to the bottom of the wall. We’re also thinking of adding some around the wall, because it is a recessed wall.  I would love to use something like this:

While looking through the site, I also found Corbels which would really add beauty to my kitchen counters, especially the part that hangs into the living room area of my home. I found photos of people who did the same thing in the Inspiration Gallery section called “Sharing Success”. Plus, I love any company that has their own blog.

Finishing up my home is something I need to get done to reduce my stress levels. I hate when I’m not feeling well, I’m sitting around the house and I look at all of the things that still need to be done here.

There is so much going on my life, a lot bad but a lot good too. For both I want to be at my best though. My Aunt who is already chronically ill had a fall at home last Sunday night. She broke her shoulder and cheek bone. My Mom, who lives with her and is the guardian of her person, has been with her at the hospital all week keeping her company. Plus the surgery and hospital stay have been nothing short of a disaster.

So I’ve been staying at the hospital too. I not only have been there for my Aunt but for my Mom too and have been trying to coordinate everything with doctors, uncaring nurses, incompetent nurses, PCA’s, and other hospital staff.

Of course seeing my Aunt in pain, confused and bruised is just terrible in itself. Add to it, that my Mom is not feeling well from worrying and that all of this happened just a few days before Christmas, it feels very stressful.

I ended up not having our traditional Christmas Eve fish dinner for the first time in my life but I had to conserve my energy. I had to stay well enough to still be able to help with my Aunt, have Christmas Day at my house and not get sick for my older daughter’s visit from Kansas.

I did the best I could. I washed my hands frequently at the hospital and stayed in my Aunt’s room only. I slept whenever I could even napping at the hospital. I prayed a lot. I vented a lot. I tried to keep things in perspective.

And you know what? I survived. I didn’t get sick, thank God. My Aunt is out of the hospital and in a Rehab Center. Christmas Day was lovely. My older daughter is here and things are going well enough.

An attitude adjustment has been necessary for some time now. I’ve noticed that I linger on things, harbor them inside for a long time which causes me who knows how much stress and anxiety. In the end all this does is make me sicker. Do I need or want sicker? No thank you!

So my attitude adjustment comes via realizing that my mother is 79 years old, my oldest daughter will soon be 22 and is getting married next year, my other daughter is almost 10 and my life is flashing before my eyes. Instead of focusing on the hurtful things I want to put my energy into the loving moments and create more of them.

I’ve begun to find small ways to be more kind to my family. I believe that I am more caring and considerate of other people than the dearest and most loved people in my life. It was an easy habit for me to get into. I always try to smile and not complain about things but when I’m home or talking on the phone to family and friends, I let it all go. They hear all about my problems, how much I hurt and I feel it’s acceptable to get angry with them because they love me and should understand.

As tough as this is, I’m trying my best to stop. I’ve asked my husband to call me out on it when I start. If I’m not happy about something I can quietly talk to him about it but not let him take the brunt of everything. I do need an outlet for my feelings so I plan on using my blog, or a journal, prayer and as I said talking over things with family, but not barraging them with complaints.

I feel better already just recognizing this and wanting to work on it.