My Apologies and My Hardwood Floors

 

It seems that every day I feel I need to apologize to you.

Mainly about two things.

First of all, I am so, so sorry if you have written me an email or left a sweet comment that deserved responding to, and you haven’t heard from me.

I have gotten extremely behind in my emails. There are over 450 emails in my gmail, and it makes me a nervous wreck.  I used to be able to keep them under control, but as my blog has grown, so has my inbox!  I started getting extremely behind this past Spring when we sold our home and moved into this new one.

Now with all the construction and renovation going on, plus raising four boys, it seems I barely have time to get a post up.

Please know that if you have emailed me or are waiting to hear back from me, I am not ignoring you.  And please do not think it wasn’t important to me.  It is!

It’s just that my family is more important.  (And I do not apologize for that.)  I am learning a lot about blogging, and right now in my life, I am learning that sometimes something’s got to give.  So for my sanity, my time answering emails has got to be what “gives.”  (I read every email, I just don’t always have time to answer them.)  I’m praying that I can get caught up in the new year!

 

Secondly, I want to apologize for not being able to share more details about our kitchen renovation.  I had the intentions of sharing tutorials of every step of our renovation, but that hasn’t happened.  It’s just been impossible.  I have been so busy helping with this renovation, that I am just barely able to take pictures and post about the progress.

I had wanted to share with you a tutorial of how to install the hardwood floors, but my husband was moving at such a fast pace, that I couldn’t get pictures of each step! And sometimes it is best for me to stay out of the way, if you know what I mean. Smile

I am hoping to share a floor tutorial when we do the hard wood floors in the addition, though.

Right now, life is just crazy!

I HIGHLY recommend not doing a renovation to your home during the holidays!  This has been a little too much for all of us.  But we are starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel, so I know this too shall pass.

It’s so funny to  me how connected I have become to you, my readers.  I worry about you like I worry about my own children. Smile  You have blessed my life in so many ways, that I want to give so much back to  you.  I never want to disappoint you.

That’s why I felt the need to apologize.  I know you will understand.  You always do.  I am a mom and wife just like you trying to keep it all together.  Right now, I do not feel like I am doing a very good job of it.  I had a meltdown a couple of days ago in front of the boys.  Let’s just say the tears were a flowin’!

But it’s bound to get better….right?  Smile

Okay, enough of that.

I want to share a few more pictures (minus any tutorials) of our new floors.  I really do love them!

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I am loving that I have wood on the floors and wood on the ceiling!

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Cy put two coats of Semi-gloss polyurethane on the floors.

Here is a picture of my man installing the base boards at night, still in his business clothes.  Smile

 

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I love that man more than words could ever say!!!  Y’all have no idea how amazing he is and how hard he works for our family. I do not know how he does it sometimes.  God has blessed me beyond measure!

 

Cy chose to install a little bit of a higher baseboard than we originally had.  Higher baseboards are definitely a characteristic of older homes.

 

If you are wanting to add a little “older home” character to your home, you can definitely do that with the baseboards.

Just look at these beautiful pictures I found…

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Our baseboards are not quite this beautiful, but good enough. Smile

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This weekend, we are hoping to get a lot more completed in our kitchen.  And I am hoping we can get our furniture back into our home.  We still do not have any furniture to sit on except our beds.

And we still do not have a Christmas tree up!  The only Christmas décor in our home right now is our advent calendar.  That was a must!

Just look at it there…all by its lonesome….amidst the construction…

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We have a blanket covering the entrance to the addition right now. We had to take the door off when doing the floors.

I will say that although our lives feel upside down right now, and our house LOOKS upside down right now, I am so very thankful that I even HAVE a home to be upside down in.

I am blessed.

44 Comments

  1. Girl, don’t apologize. You are amazing. Your priorities are in order. I’ve decided that sometimes I just can’t respond to all the email. Sigh. It’s hard. Your house is going to be amazing…it IS amazing! And yes, you are blessed. Love ya!!

  2. Everything looks great and you have absolutely no reason to apologize. Family absolutely should always come first. Thanks for sharing your progress!

  3. I totally understand, and I say a hearty AMEN to the “don’t do renos during the holidays” – what were we thinking? Our goal was to be done by Thanksgiving, but here we are still plugging away… you know, the fact that you were going to paint your cabinets was what inspired me to paint ours :-) and I LOVE them! Why didn’t I do it sooner? Hope you enjoy your Friday. Weekend’s almost here! Be sure and do something fun and festive with the gang – it’s good for the soul!

  4. Traci, I just wanted you to know that you could not disappoint me just because you don’t get a blog up. I am amazed SO often by all the things you accomplish!!! And please don’t worry over the emails. If I make a comment, I don’t expect an answer. I am just making a comment. If I have asked a question, then I would like a response, but I know that you have a life beyond your Blog.
    Enjoy your time with your husband and your boys. May you have a Blessed Christmas season, where we can be so thankful that…”God so loved the world that He gave us His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth on Him shall not perish, but have EVERLASTING LIFE!” John 3:16

  5. No apology necessary! Real life happens and that’s where you need to be putting your energy right now…with your family. It’s okay. Post when able and we’ll understand. :)

    (I have had to step back from my own blog as well until I can get refocused and re-energized. I’ve had to deal with too much loss and too many funerals lately. Hopefully will be back in the new year. :))

  6. Traci, you are such a sweetheart! Of course your family comes first, and your home comes first. Seriously girl, no apologizing! Your floors are awesome, love love LOVE them.

  7. A meltdown is good for us all! Hang in there- holidays aren’t about the decorations after all- and if you get that tree up the day before Christmas- then leave it up through January!!;) Everything looks great- hang in there!

  8. oh, you are just precious! :)
    you honor the Lord by putting your family first and having the right priorities.
    i just love your sweet spirit and love for the Lord and your husband.
    you are an encouragement to me!
    your renovation looks wonderful and will be such a beautiful haven for all of you once it is finished.
    i can see the light at the end of the tunnel. :)
    i will pray that you can have the patience and endurance to get through this crazy time.
    God is so very good to us, isn’t He?
    xoxo
    happy weekend!

  9. {{{TRACI}}}}

    No need to apologize! I am right there with ya. Feeling a bit overwhelmed, trying to look after an elderly mom, and now my sweet inlaws who have moved closer (love them) they have had some health set backs since moving. Also, I work part time four days a week, on top of that the car is acting up, the garage door broke and property taxes are due! I have had a couple of melt downs myself.

    But, I AM BLESSED! I have a great family and a wonderful Savior!

    Merry Christmas Traci to you and your family. May God continue to bless you in many ways. Thanks for being my friend!

    Marilyn C.

  10. Don’t apologize! Thanks for keeping your blog real with how life is sometimes crazy and always super busy! I totally understand how it is easy to get overwhelmed with all of the duties and responsibilities we have and sometimes there are meltdowns and tears! :) I think you are awesome in all that you accomplish! Thanks for all that you share with us on your blog. It is exciting to see the progress of your kitchen renovation.

  11. Are ya kidding me? Apologize? For what? Please, please don’t ever feel like that! You are human, aren’t you? I don’t know how you get done what you do! Yes, your husband is truly a committed and amazing man. I guess I don’t know many who would do what he does. I remodeled my kitchen over the Christmas holiday too. It was never my intention, but everything dragged and dragged and it was completed during first two weeks of the new year, such a long time since plunking the money down for cabinets in September! And we hired out! You are doing it yourselves!!! It looks to me as if you are zipping along! And here’s a secret, I usually have forty or so messages on my voicemail and several hundred messages in my email most of the time and I am not blogging like you are. You are way too hard on yourself. Lighten up!!! It’s Christmas!!!

  12. Your floors are gorgeous, but they got nothing on your heart! I love reading your blog because you are so honest, transparent, genuine and sincere. You have a beautiful heart. I just love how inspirational you are, yet how real you are too! Truly makes one (me) feel they can achieve the goals and complete the projects they want to, just takes a little time and patience!

    Thanks for being so honest as you share your life with us. I will pray that your family can rest in the Lord this Christmas, and be filled with His strength to continue the work on your renovations and make it through the holidays!

    Enjoy the upside down side of life right now, because what a story you will have to look back on in 20 years from now, you’ll be saying, “Cy, remember that Thanksgiving I wanted to “paint” the kitchen cabinets?… ” What memories!!

  13. Oh, I so identify. Three times we took on massive renovations to different homes at the holiday season. Let’s just say that was a “learning lesson” to never be repeated. I feel for you but soon it will be done and all of it is lovely. Take care and don’t burn your wings off.

  14. Oh please do not apologize!! It would a shame if someone expected you blog over family and renos…Oh and by the way I do absolutely love what you’ve been doing!! Your hardwood floors make me swoon!! lol!

    Merry Christmas to you and your wonderful family!!

    ~*Jessica

  15. Bless your heart. It does seem like life is hard sometimes. You are one fabulous lady and the Lord truly has Blessed you, plus the kitchen will get put together. Your floors are stunning and so is the ceiling. Hang a tree from the ceiling and call it good. The children will remember it forever. Hugs, Marty

  16. Your floors look AMAZING! Love the tall baseboards! Everyone needs a little meltdown every now and again. I’m a firm believer that our kids need to see that we are human and not perfect. Next Christmas you’ll look back at this crazy time with a cup of hot coffee in your hand sitting in your beautiful new kitchen and you’ll smile!

  17. I just wanted to thank you for sharing your beautiful home and talents with us. I have been enjoying following along step-by-step. Be sure to enjoy your family this weekend, you certainly deserve that!

  18. God bless you, Traci! May you have a sweet Christmas and embrace the true meaning of Christmas. This decorating and remodeling stuff is challenging especially during Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. It is doable, but challenging as you all know.

    Hang in there and I know you guys are learning things that will change your lives.

    The floors ARE GORGEOUS!!!!! Go look at them and tell yourself we’re coming along. We have a ways to go but we;ve made huge progress!!!!! Pat on the back. Hug your Honey and tell him gooooood job cowboy.

    I remember when I was about 37 years old and we had sold our house in Texas and relocated back to Kansas after a job layoff and moved into a 2 bedroom rental house when we had had a 4 bedroom house with so many nice~it~tees that the rental was a far cry from what we had. Plus our marriage was recovering from a very rocky time.

    Two of my children saw me throw a fit with a plastic spatula while I banged it against the kitchen cabinets….this rental was dinky and I came undone after i struggled to get a pan out of the bottom cabinet. Lived to tell about it. I’ve had a few of these fits and learned from them.

    Keep praying out loud and talking to God to give you strength and to show you the way. You are not alone!

    God bless and keep on keeping on.
    d

    1. I can soooo…. relate to this. When I was younger I would see amazing Godly, wonderful women of wisdom and think to myself, “were they just born that way?” They seemed so far removed from what I was.
      Then you grow older and you learn along the way, and you drop to your knees more and more, one day some other young woman looks at you with wonder. Every day I pray for the Godly women He has placed in my life and their influence. Have a wonderful day!

  19. You are loved, appreciated, and prayed for, Traci. We appreciate the posts and pictures when you get a chance. Take care of yourself, your husband, and those wonderful boys…everything else can wait.

  20. Gosh..I have a meltdown on a regular basis…I just figure that’s normal when you’re a DIY’er, mom, wife, etc etc etc. :) Your house is looking good….it’s gonna be so shiny and new when you’re done! :) If you need me to come help you, just say the word and I can devote you a day or so to doing whatever! :)
    Love you girl…..maybe things will quiet down soon and you can put up that tree! :)
    Hugs

  21. Please, step away from the stress and enjoy the blessings you have. Replies are not necessary. There are no doubt plenty of tutorials available on the Internet and books available at libraries. For me, I love seeing before and after pictures. I love the forward movement. But you know, sometimes we just have to fasten our seat belts and go along for the ride. I don’t blog – I don’t even have time to read all the blogs I’d like to read and I’m retired with only 2 cats depending on me. So take a deep breath, let the replies go, and just enjoy where you are as much as you can.

  22. Wow Traci!
    I was never expecting tutorials on the floors and was “floored” myself when you replied to my one comment (which has since disappesred?) concerning the window treatment in your new bathroom. That was very impressive. I’m just happy for whatever you share with your readers.
    The floors are gorgeous and the thick molding adds so much. I’m also noticing how stunning the natural brick fireplace looks against the wood. Please don’t paint it! Perhaps you could just blend in the exhast panels a bit better and strip the mantle….wood just so complements brick and stone fireplaces in a way paint can never do It’s like a pair of jeans: it goes with everything. I remember a picture from your last house with a natural stained mantle that was beautiful. Maybe you could beef it up with some aged reclaimed wood. Anyway, the entire thing makes me want to curl up in front of a roaring fire with some eggnog and Xmas tunes.
    Just remember that you’ll someday remember this time as “the good old days.” Cheers, Teresa

  23. No apologies necessary! It’s a wonder you’re even able to function as a human being, let alone respond to emails with all that you have going on! Let’s see – renovation + four (active) boys + husband + Christmas = Total Insanity. I had to smile at your husband working in his dress clothes – you have a good one there. ;-)

  24. Goodness, don,t feel like you have to ever apologize to us. Family first….always!!! You llove on that wonderful man of yours and those precious boys and we will all be here when you have time to post.
    Hugs to you sweet friend, Cheryl

  25. I so know where you are coming from. In the middle of entirely gutting and redoing a 100 year old farmhouse my da ( who started the project) was diagnosed with ALS, then my husband fell and broke his ankle. So I learned to drywall, refinish floors, etc. I did hire the electric work out. I had help from my three teenagers and a toddler. All the important stuff got done somehow, hang in there!

  26. I agree with Barbara. I’m fine with seeing the before and after pics. I know this has been a difficult time for you. I’m sorry about that and hope it settles down soon. It will! Hang in there! You’re right; this too shall pass! It’s going to beautiful! I can’t wait to see the finished project, but it can be at Easter time, or next Christmas even, and you will still be my friend!

  27. You do NOT need to apologize for putting your family first!!! I LOVE your blog posts and quite honestly I enjoy that you don’t have in-depth detailed blog postings every.single.time. It’s called theme and variation.. oh wait that’s music class… lol I always click on your posting first. Yeah- I’m excited to see your kitchen progress but it is what it is and that’s real life. I am still trying to get motivated with my remodel. I so wish this was our forever home because that is making it hard to pick stuff. We don’t want to spend a lot of $ but don’t wanna totally low ball it. We had hoped to time it so it’ll be done except for the counters which could be worked on while we are gone for the week at Christmas. But that doesn’t even look possible. We haven’t had the time to shop for fixtures, and a stupid sink… White cabinets eh? We are however going to get a paint sprayer though and give the inside a fresh coat of paint… eventually. LOL whooHOooo!

  28. Oh no…bless your heart. No apology needed what so ever. Family and your home def. come first. We know how wonderful you are and will always be here waiting. It is hard work being a wife, a mother, and writing my tiny, little blog so I can’t imagine what your days are like. We are all truly blessed to have you, such a wonderful person, and your amazing family take time for us. Thank you!

    The floors look AMAZING by the way! I can’t believe how big your kitchen looks now.

    Happily following,
    Ashley @ Thereisnoplacelikehomemade

  29. It’s good to know that you have meltdowns too. Makes me feel not alone and in quite good company. Praying for your sanity and your reno in this crazy season as it is! No apology is ever needed for putting your family first. It’s how it should be and you wouldn’t be a role model if you did otherwise. Take care of yourself and don’t stress. It’ll all be there in the morning…or in a month as the case may be ;-).

  30. Girl, you are tooooo silly!!! I do not think any one of your followers would expect you to be keeping up with your email before your family. I am totally amazed that you are able to balance everything you do. I love the way you keep it real… by letting your us know that you are human and everything is not perfect. lol I follow some blogs where everything seems to be “too” perfect almost like a fairytale! lol

    We follow you because we love YOU for who you are… so please just keep being you! <3

    Cynthia

  31. Traci,

    don’t apologize for having priorities! Your followers will understand, that’s what they love about you! Dwayne and I closed on our house the week of Thanksgiving 3 years ago. We call it the forgotten Christmas! Soon as we closed, we started the 1st floor remodel and literally worked on it every day from then until we moved in on Jan. 26th! We skipped shopping and everybody got gift cards that year. We only stopped long enough to have a Christmas meal with our families (and hated that we lost a whole day). It was one of the happiest times of my life though as we were running on pure excitement to get into our first home together. of course, the day after we moved in, the “big” ice storm hit and we were trapped here for a week…but we didn’t even mind cause we were so darn tired! what I’m getting at is that sometimes what feels like the most stressful time in your life turns into one of your most precious memories. Merry Christmas Cuz…love you and have faith you’ll get through this stressful time and find it was all so worth it!

  32. No apology needed, for sure. I’m so glad you’re able to move forward with the renovations on your house, even though I know it’s stressful right now.

    I LOVE that photo of Cy working in his business clothes. What a wonderful husband and father! You ARE blessed–but then so is he, so what a nice combination you are! :)

    Love you, sweet friend.

  33. Traci, I actually appreciate it when you post about the realities of your life. It encourages me and releases the guilt I often feel when I look at all these lovely homes and projects and people who seem to have it all together. Keep keepin’ it real girl! And, by the way, I’m kickin’ myself in the tush right now for starting a home improvement project before the holidays. We started redoing our guest bath on Saturday. What was I thinking? (P.S. I order you NOT to respond to this comment, lol.)

  34. Takes deep breaths, hug your kids and husband, and say a prayer. We’ll all still be right here. Don’t feel that you owe your blog followers anything other than being yourself. Not every email has to be read or answered. Not every comment needs a reply.
    When we first got married, we lived in the second floor apartment of a large old Victorian style house that had been converted to a 2 family house. We had beautiful parquet floors, wide baseboards, and cast iron radiators that were almost 4 feet high with molded designs of clouds and cherubs at the top. You’re right molding does add a special element to a home.

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