Tuesday, June 8, 2010

BEAR WITH ME

So please bear with me, this post will unfold one layer at a time...

I received an email yesterday and another today about a long lost friend from my childhood. She is just a couple of years older than me, early 50's, and she is dying. I mean today, as I type... She has liver cancer and has been sick for about two years. Like me, she has grown children. They are all saying their good-byes today. She is in her final hours...

Can you imagine?

I haven't seen her since I was in high school. But I idolized her. I never told her that. She was an upper classman and beautiful, and the coolest guy around was mad for her. She lived with us for awhile. She had a job and some spending money. She turned our car on it's side in a ditch with me and my sister in it. She could hit the heck out of a softball. She treated me like a little sister...

I have thought about her all day. Sad, saying prayers for her family and friends, just kind of moping around. I needed this kick in the pants really. You see I am a procrastinator and sometimes I just can't get out of my own way. I overthink things. I am afraid the end product won't be what I wanted. Won't be what others wanted...

And so the idea that my old friend won't get the chance to put things off, to see things through, to do a million things she wanted to do made me realize that life is short. For some of us, even shorter.

I've been procrastinating on the garden cottage... Today I finished it...

I'm dedicating this post to Pam...

Let's start outside, then next post we'll go inside.

We used old wavy glass windows and a gorgeous old door, old porch posts, a zinc dormer from France, lots of old architectural pieces and a tin roof.









I re~purposed old iron headboards for porch railing.




















An old pot belly stove makes a fab table on the porch.








31 comments:

Lisa said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your friend. She would be so proud of you and your garden. It is really spectacular!

Sweet Old Vintage said...

Life.... and with life comes death... It all is a part of living and maybe the hardest to understand... Loosing someone is very difficult... We all experience this sooner or later.... On the brighter side I so love your little cottage... How very sweet....

Outofmymind said...

You should plant a rose bush or something outside your cottage with a plaque or a sign with her name on it. It is hard to see others go and my prayers are with all who know and love her. Kelli

Vintage Market Place said...

Sometimes we get that jolt that we need to get moving from the oddest places, I am so sorry yours had to come in this form.
You have done an amazing thing here.
It looks like a little girls playhouse come to real life.
The way you have taken items to make them fit perfect in place of just the everyday normal items is genius.
Take care
Amy

time worn interiors said...

I love your garden cottage! Only one problem! It's not in my yard! Can I borrow Sexy Rexy for a couple of weeks to build me one!! Please, please, please! Craig will help! LOL!
Theresa

time worn interiors said...

Oh, I forgot! So sorry about your friend! Things like this hit me hard as well!
Theresa

The Vintage Vagablonde said...

I just have to say....I am sorry to hear about yourfriend but this post is beautiful in so many ways.

I have NEVER and I mean NEVER,seen a more amazing cottage. Your detail is incredible....this absolutely belongs in a magazine!!!

May you enjoy yoy days in this little haven....with fond memories of a beloved friend....maybe you could plant something next to it....in her honor:)

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Oh your garden cottage is precious! I am sorry that you heard the sad news of your friend. I had a week like that last week. It is difficult when life is shortened at such a young age. I know I fight that thought every day...but good for you...today to did something you were putting off. Live for today....

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

Sending along a hug to you ~ so sorry to hear about your friend. Your photos are so beautiful today as are your thoughts too. In between finishing up this and that, take some time for yourself too and enjoy what you have created!

Garden Antqs Vintage said...

I knew it would be super cute because everything you do is just fabulous. Sorry to hear of your friend. Life is short and we should do more of what makes us happy. We may not get another chance to!

Callie Magee Antiques said...

It is harder when the person dying is closer to our own ages. I recently went through something similar. A dear cousin I grew up with. We were no longer close, however it still was hard.
As we lose those friends and relatives from our childhood it puts us closer to that front line.
I am sorry to hear of her impending death. I know it hurts.
Your little house is adorable and perfect. You can remember her every time you are in it. It can be a memory house. God bless you.
Lois

Amy said...

So Sorry about your friend...really I am. Life is so precious isn't it? I'm glad you got your garden cottage completed. It looks lovely and I can't wait to see the inside.

Jan's Blog said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your friend Pam, her family and you. You are all in need of prayers and you will be in mine.
The lesson you are leaning is one I had to learn in a hurry, but it's a great lesson. You see, 3 years ago I had metastatic breast cancer. I lost both breasts and though the chemotherapy helped kill the cancer, it also nearly killed my liver. Less than 20 percent of my liver is actually alive and functioning. Long story short, my days are probably coming to an end in the not too distant future, but it gave me a chance to stop procrastinating! I never knew how good it feels to get things done! Oh I would put things off until they would just dissappear...I guess. Now I dig in and get things done and find actual joy in the process!
I'm so sorry that you are learning the lesson in this way, but you can thank Pam for it because it will serve you well.
God Bless!

Ticking and Toile said...

I am also so sorry to hear about your friend. We've had a big loss in our circle of friends lately. It really is hard. But it somehow has a way of putting life back into perspective. Makes us appreciate every day we're here.

As for your garden cottage ~ I am in love! Every little detail is amazing & I want to move in.
:)

xo,
Shellagh

Lauri Evans said...

Amazing Shelley, I absolutely love it. And I will say a prayer for your friend. Thanks for being my friend! Lauri

Anne Lorys said...

Oh Shelley, what an amazing tribute to an amazing friend. You are such a special person.

I love what someone said about planting a rose bush in her honor.

Just beautiful!
I'll be praying for your friend.

Hugs,
Anne

Faded Charm said...

No. I can't imagine knowing it was the end and this is a wake-up call for us healthy, fortunate ones to really cherish our time. I'm so sorry for your loss of a friend and will pray for her family.

On a happier note, I'm in awe over this wonderful building. This is the very thing I'vedreamed of ever since we bought this property. My husbandhas told me this might be the Summer to start on it. Your photos will go into my inspiration files because I love every single bit of it. Do take some time out to enjoy your new space.

Take care,

Kathleen

Anonymous said...

I, too, am so sorry to hear about your friend...she is so young. It's so true, you never do know what tomorrow may bring you. It's so easy to forget that.
Your cottage has turned out wonderfully. I love how you used the old iron headboards for porch railing...so creative.
Hugs ~ Jo

Mindy said...

Shelley, I am sorry to hear about Pam.

The cottage is great! I can't wait to see more. ~Mindy

Rita said...

Don't we all get caught up in letting the little, unimportant annoyances ruin our precious and limited days? Then we hear about someone like your friend and we promise ourselves to do better with life. My heart goes out to her, to you and to her family--I can't imagine having to say goodbye like that.
I'm so glad you were motivated to finish the cottage. I've been checking back daily! I'm so impressed--it's amazing! I hope you'll soon share photos of the inside, too!

lisaroy said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your friend Pam - it's so hard to process information like that - you can't help but reflect on your life and those around you. I'm sure she would be so happy to know that she inspired you to complete your amazing little cottage.

I love how you've reused bits and pieces and your door is incredible!

RACHELLE said...

I love that you dedicated this post to your dear friend. I too get very affected by that type of news...i am proud of you that you took those feelings and did something healthy with them.

Way to be!

shell

gypsylemonade.blogspot.com

June said...

Shelley, I am saddened by the news of your friend. I am not always good at living everyday to it's fullest, but it is so important for us to do so.
Your garden cottage is amazing! You have done an wonderful job making it unique with all the great pieces you have chosen. I LOVE that stove as a table...and the old iron headboards...such a great idea!
I can't wait to see the inside!!!
hugs

julie miller said...

First off~I'm so sorry to hear about your friend--such a sad reminder of how fragile life is! I absolutely LOVE your little garden shed! Your use of repurposed items is very inspiring!! LOVE IT ALL!! Julie

Patina said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your friend!
Your little cottage is so cute!!!
How fun is that, I can't wait to see the inside now.

Sheila said...

I am so sorry for your friend... such news to hear :( I will say a prayer for her family to help them deal with their loss. On a more positive note, I to often do/feel all the ways you are feeling. I LOVELOVELOVE your sweet lil cottage absolutely delicious and so very clever on your displays and uses of salvaged pieces. I do hope you awake tomorrow with a NEW look on your LIFE.

Smiles and Blessings,
Sheila

Zita - Mlle Magpie said...

What a wonderful tribute to your old friend, Shelley. Your garden cottage is amazing! How you used the old headboards is pure genius.

Brenda Pruitt said...

I just found your blog and I am enthralled with this sweet little place you've created! Yet I'm so sorry to hear about your friend. Yes, we all put things off, thinking we have tomorrow. And sometimes tomorrow never comes. My thoughts today are with you in your grief.
Brenda

Cheryl ~ ZanyMayd said...

Thank You for Sharing with us in your post ~ So Sad about your Friend & a Lesson for All of Us.... We Never know what is in Store for Our Lives, so Don't put off, what Can Be Done Today ~ We Never Know what Tomorrow will hold ~ Your post has me up & I will be doing the things that I Have been putting off for weeks.
Cheryl

Boxwood Cottage said...

Goodness me, now this has to be the most beautiful garden cottage ever ever ever!!! You did a splendid job on it! I wamt it! Please come to Germany and do that with my garden house!
You really did magic here I think!
Love all the beautiful details!
Wow just wow! Very inspiring!!!
Warmest wishes sends you
Carola
P.S.: So sorry to hear about your childhood friend :(

stefanie said...

what a wonderful dedication!!!

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