change

New Beginnings. More Time Alone.

Posted by Barbara Techel

10383947_10154383231150607_2098441628179649764_nSo many new beginnings have occurred lately. Along with beginnings, this is oftentimes accompanied by endings, which aren’t always easy.

For years, John had a crew of three working for him in his construction business. Last year we lost two of our employee’s.  One ready to move into another line of work and the other left to work for another contractor. Both had been with us for over ten years.

Then a month ago our third employee, who is one of the hardest working guys I’ve ever met, gave his notice. The construction field can have its challenges. We can’t afford to pay employee’s health insurance and an experienced carpenter caps out on the pay scale at some point.

Time for a new beginning for John, but actually what feels like a full circle moment for us. When he began his business over 20 years ago he was on his own. But when things got so busy, he brought on employee’s.

Then the economy crash of 2008 was very rough.  I’m not complaining, just saying how it is and how you come to new points of view in your life.

While it has not fully recovered in some ways, John has decided to go it on his own again. He has worked hard to build a great name for himself so he can now take jobs that he wants, while not always having to chase for more sales to keep a crew busy.

With everything there is adjustment and John is in transition as our employee’s last day is tomorrow.

As I was thinking about this the other day I all of a sudden felt lonely.  I’ve been home since 1994, having started out helping John in the business working in the office. I ventured out on my own in 2007 with my writing and my school visits with Frankie.

Even though we were coming and going out of the house, about once or twice a week we’d have lunch together at the kitchen table, or steal away on a Friday for a bite to eat.

As I think about this new beginning, John will be on the job site often, which means much more less time at home. While I always try to focus on the positive, I did have a moment of sadness and feeling this impending loneliness of not seeing him as often.

But I believe that all is working out just as it should be. For years John has been giving thought to this transition as we get older so you just have to think that the Universe is working to help him make these changes.

And if I find myself impending the new change and sad about not seeing John as much, I remind myself that he is still here with me on this earth.  This reminder all too real as my mom lost her husband a little over two weeks ago. She is in a transition of her own with no one coming home at the end of the day.

So while it is normal to grieve what was and move through those feelings, it is also important to be thankful for what we have. My mom and her recent loss is my tap on the shoulder and call to my heart to give thanks for the many blessings that I have.

And as my mom says often, “There is a season for everything.” In many ways it feels like a welcome slowing down in our lives as we move into this new change, and a new season to see what gifts they will bring.

And last but not least, I’m never alone, as I’ve always got my sidekicks Gidget and Kylie to keep me company – two huge blessings that I love!

Accepting Change

Posted by Barbara Techel

As I was getting dressed this morning -a little after 7 a.m., I heard some rumbling of trucks. I glanced out the front window to see the moving trucks pull up to my neighbors home. Tears filled my eyes.

These are my favorite neighbors. He is in his late 70s and she is in her mid 50s. They are genuinely nice, kind people. It’s not like John and I hung out with them – but they have been very supportive of John and I — hiring John’s company to put an addition on the back of their home and she was very supportive of helping me launch my first children’s book.  She would also invite me over when her husband’s daughter was in town and we’d have a few drinks. Or on a warm day, I’d walk over just to chat with them if I saw them outside.

Because they are both retired I see them come and go during the day —I have a birds eye view from my studio window. Being home, most often alone in my writing studio, it made me feel safe and part of the world to see them leaving or returning.  Or I’d see them outside during the day working on something.

Maybe it sounds strange to say they made me feel safe – but it’s true. I just liked knowing they were always there. All the other neighbors work outside their homes. I kept praying something would change – that they wouldn’t move. But alas, looks like that will not be the case. I realized today I must accept this change —that things will be fine.  But I sure shall miss them.  The new neighbor will be a single man who is not often home as he is a racer and is gone around the country racing often.

I kinda think I’m being a bit too sentimental about all this – but then I remind myself that being sentimental is a gift. I just only wish it could have persuaded them to stay. <GRIN>

 

Nostalgia… Friendship… Change

Posted by Barbara Techel

Friday evening I had my annual Christmas get together, which includes a sleepover, with my dear friend, who I call Sistah V. She calls me Sistah B. Frankie didn’t always come with me to our get together’s, but because my husband John is a bit uncomfortable in expressing her bladder since her diagnoses of IVDD, I am fortunate to bring her with me to Sistah V’s.

 

Frankie and I in front of Sistah V’s Christmas tree, which I am always green with envy over how beautiful she decorates.

Sistah V had a challenging year going almost one year without a job. She is not married so she solely provides for herself. It was a scary time for her, though she handled it with dignity and grace. It was also a time of a welcome change in discovering more about herself. It was a pleasure to watch her blossom.

Her home is the home of her grandparents which she bought a few years ago. She has many fond memories as a young child visiting there. The house was built in the 1930’s. Many things the way they were then, are still there. Cabinets, light fixtures, etc. It is quite nostalgic and comforting being there. Many touches of nostagia every where you look which I share in photos below.

Sistah V had quite the year of change and so I was delighted to have found the perfect gift for her to reflect her journey this past year. A print by local artist, Cassy Tully. Cassy has a collection of paintings called Growing Trees. I chose the Change tree for Sistah V (photo of it below).  And here is the saying on the back:

As the seasons evolve, change occurs in our lives as well. It is important to find a peaceful place to grow. Although a time of change is turbulent, we can always see our vibrant reflection in still water.

The print and especially its meaning meant much to Sistah V and I’m glad it touched her.

The evening and next morning was filled with much joy, deep thoughts and reflection. Her home and being with her is one of my peaceful places to grow… and when one of us can’t see our vibrant reflection in the still water during a turbulent time, we are there to remind each other.

Onward and forward with the photo tour through Sistah V’s home. Wait till you see where she made our morning toast!

 

I loved how the light streamed across Frankie’s face as she sat in the kitchen doorway

 

Sistah V has many vintage treasures! 

 

Frankie “helping” Sistah V open her gift from me. Such a good little elf.

 

A few tears later Sistah V granted me permission to take this photo of her with her Growing Tree print

 

Helping with final touches on Sistah V’s Christmas tree while we listened to Christmas music. I couldn’t help think John Boy Walton would soon be knocking on the door and asking the sisters for the family secret recipe!  If you saw the movie, The Homecoming, this will make sense.

 

Vintage bunnies tucked in an unsuspecting spot that brought a smile to my face when I discovered them.


Sistah V’s branch tree. I helped add final acorn ornaments, icicles, and the one special squirrel.

 

Original fireplace to the home… complete with plug in logs and added leaf string of lights to act as burning embers. I love Sistah V’s creativity!  And Frankie believes with all her heart that the fireplace is warming her buns.

 

An older home can present challenges with not enough outlets when one is cooking up a holiday breakfast treat. So the coffee perculated in the dining room on the buffet and our toast was made in the bathroom. Gotta love it!

Sistah V’s home complete with nothing less than a touch of vintage cardboard cut out santa.