SPRING HAS SPRUNG, BUT THE ICY FINGERS OF WINTER STILL HAVE A TIGHT GRIP...

Hi, All,

I hope everyone is well and you are enjoying the WARM weather... 

We did for about two seconds over the weekend, but yesterday the temps dropped back down to the 40's and an icy fog clung to the city like a cheap dress. Will it ever end? 

Like the Dementors in the Harry Potter tales, this weather is certainly sucking out the happiness of me and many other Chicagoans. But tomorrow is another day and hopefully some wizard will scream "EXPECTO PETRONUM!!!!!" and send those vial creatures away from here.

I'd like to thank all of you who had dropped by yesterday for your words of encouragement and support. I REALLY needed them. Sadly I received bad news shortly after I had posted, my mortgage broker screwed up the numbers on my paperwork and it looks like I may not be able to buy my new place after all. Of course, I'm angry. They put me in a very bad position. I have already paid for several flights and have ordered my things for the remodel. Not to mention setting up the electric, cable, and internet accounts. ALL with deposits... I will be spending most of today canceling everything once I get the official news. The lender is still trying to crunch numbers, but I'd have to put down another 10K, and that would eat up most of my remodeling money. So I'm not sure if I want to move into a place that is incredibly dated and not functional. So we shall see. I will keep you all posted.


Today is also the first Wednesday of the month and all of us know what that is. It's the Insecure Writer's Support Group or the IWSG... founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh... 

Are you insecure? Do you have soothing advice to give for those of us who are in distress? Then please hop over the Alex's site to sign up. Or just to visit other amazing bloggers who may benefit from your comment or whom may help you...

Funny, my situation does not make me insecure at all. This is BEYOND my control. Sorting things out does help. If you feel overwhelmed by a problem. Take a step back... clear your head... is there anything you can do to change your situation? Ask yourself this question. If the answer is "No," then take a deep breath and move on. It's all you can do. Focus on how to make your situation easier for you to get through it.  

On the plus side, my new client is a total delight. She is fun, openminded, and truly ready to bring her space into the 21st century. I love clients like her. Because by helping her create a beautiful and functional space, I will be bringing joy to her life. A home is a haven to be cherished and loved. It is where we feel safe and SECURE. And if our home life does reflect this, then it will give us to strength to hit, head on, any obstacles in our way.

So in the celebration of Spring, why not brighten up your space with some lovely Spring flowers. Maybe throw some colorful pillows onto your sofa or favorite chair. Clean your windows to let in all the beautiful sunshine. Or just don on a colorful sweater or shirt.... It may put a SPRING into your step.

Have a wonderful day everyone! And thanks again for always being here for me and for each other!

UPDATE: Loan fell through... time to scramble!

LIFE'S FULL OF THE UNEXPECTED....

Hi, All,

First, I'd like to offer CONGRATULATIONS to all the bloggers who completed the A-Z CHALLENGE! You guys rocked it this year!

I did bounce around and read several posts and some wonderful themes. This year it was fun to be just a voyeur... 

Give yourself a BIG pat on the back! I hope to drop by and read some of the amazing reflections posts. That was always one of my favorite posts to write when I joined in on the challenge for the previous four years.

Life is crazy for me as usual. I leave for South Tampa in a few days to close on my future home. I have many months of rehabbing my new place, and I was ready to jump right in, but as fate would have it, I must return back to Chicago after a month or so. Today I sign a new client in Chicago. 

For almost four months my income slowed to almost nothing, no prospects at all. So while in Florida, during my stay in March, I had networked like crazy in South Tampa making connections for future work and forging new friendships. I am so ready to start my new life, but it seems my old life still haunts me...

Has this ever happened to you? You are ready... and then wham ...

Since I still have a lease on my place in Chicago until November, this job will certainly help me financially, but I really want to leave. 

So we can plan all we want in our lives, but there is always another force pushing us in other directions. We may have the freedom of choice... but do we really?

I believe in a higher being for sure, but the frustration of life sometimes seems unbearable. My patience is worn and I'm tired of living in a place I've been wanting to leave for so long... Okay, I'm done...

Now for the positive...

As most of you know I strive for positivity in my life, and although this isn't in my plan, I will be creating a new home for another person, changing their lives, and the satisfaction of seeing a very happy person does my heart good. 

A home is our haven and to help someone transform their space is very satisfying. 

So when life hits you with the unexpected, try and think of the positive aspects of the situation.

I hope everyone is well and that you are enjoying Spring!