Moving back in with your parents when you’re my age is rather daunting, but really there is nowhere I’d rather be at the moment. They are my strong support, still after all these years and now I may have the privilege of looking after them in their older years and that is fine with me.
On the Thursday before our Friday move, I met up with friends, girls I’ve connected with in Birmingham and we met at my favorite Italian restaurant, Joe’s in Alabaster. I’ve blogged about it before and it is a wonderful place to enjoy a good meal. These ladies have all been so supportive to me over the past few months and I couldn’t have made it without them.
With a few pictures to seal the memory, we threw in one of melodramatic efforts just for some laughs. 
A couple more joined us for one last pic. My sweet friend, Janice (in the blue top), got a beautiful picture frame and had everyone sign the mat, which will then be framed with the shot above, so I can remember these girls forever. I have made some wonderful friends in Birmingham and will miss them all dearly, but I do hope to get back for a visit again. 
I had the nightly special, a superb chicken and pasta dish. It was magnifico! 
Doesn’t this look yummy too?
And to finish off the meal, I had to get a large slab of Joe’s famous strawberry cake, which is enough for about 4 or 5 people easily. We were stuffed and happy. 
The next day, bright and early, my family showed up ready to help with the move. We had lots of help from church staff, who brought over plenty of guys to help. We could not have done it without them and I’m immensely grateful for all of them who came out. 
They moved everything out of the house and down on the driveway, where my brother-in-law, Bruce, packed the 26′ truck like a jigsaw puzzle. I was very worried that we wouldn’t get it all in that truck. That worry was well founded and after lunch we had to go get another 14′ truck. 🙁
Here’s a tip for you: Don’t ever move! You will realize just how much “stuff” you really have. This was after I had 2 moving sales too! 
My friend from church, Sharon, was so much help. She has back issues so couldn’t move much, but she showed up early to help me get the big truck back to the house and that was a huge help. She later went back with me to get the 2nd truck. Thank goodness we got everything on the 2nd truck, except my house plants and Sharon is taking care of those until I can get back over to Birmingham to get them.
We took a lunch break and then the real work began.
Saying farewell to the empty house. I will miss it, but it is time to move on. No, the rug didn’t stay, it came with me. 
The 2nd truck got packed to the gills and we were finally ready to pull out for Atlanta, late in the afternoon. It was an all-day tiring job. 
My brother-in-law drove one truck and my dad drove the other one. 
And we had 2 cars too. We headed out around 5:00 Central time and made it home after dark. An exhausting day it was, but I’m glad it is finally over. My sweet dad had a metal storage building built in their backyard to hold all my stuff. I can’t say enough about my wonderful parents. It makes me cry to think about them and how good they are to me.
With bittersweet memories, I’ve moved out of the house we have lived in for 5 years and I am back to the room I lived in when I was 16 and my family first moved in this house. It’s not a fancy house at all, nothing like the Birmingham house, but it will be my new home and home is where those that you love are living.
Yes, I will miss the Birmingham house and the joy of making it a home, but when life changes drastically, we must make other arrangements. This is not something that was planned, but sometimes you don’t plan for life, it just happens when you least expect it. I know all of this didn’t take God by surprise, so I’m leaning on that promise and not my own understanding.
I still cannot share all the details, maybe one day I can, but I will say this:
I need to live with my parents because I have been taken advantage of financially, devastated to a large degree by the man I thought I could trust. It’s been a 3 month journey of dealing with where I thought life was going, finding out the truth, and knowing that I will survive this in spite of the pain of the reality that I now must live in.
That is only part of the story, but the rest will have to wait.
It is not the end of the world. I will survive. I will be OK. That I know.
So, I will move forward and I still hope that all of you will go with me on my new journey. Most likely, I will be getting a full time job again. That is nothing new for me. I have worked most of my life and can do it again.
I will confess that the last few months, I’ve felt that blogland has been passing me by. When you’re dealing with real life issues, decorating and projects definitely take a backseat. Nothing else is important but surviving. I won’t be in that pretty house anymore, doing projects and coming up with creative ideas there. I’ve seen all the wonderful creativity out there in the blogosphere and felt a little sad that I am not a part of it right now, but I know that one day I will have a house again.
The bottom line is this: I plan to keep on blogging, yes I do! I can’t imagine not blogging now, it is truly a part of my life that I still enjoy so much. It will just be different than what you’ve seen from me in the last 4 years. I’ll be sharing friend’s projects and hopefully some creativity along the way. And plenty of decorating ideas!
I might even talk my mom into letting me do some updates in their 1973 house. It’s time! Time to get rid of some mauve carpet in the bathroom I’ll be using AND strip off some dated wallpaper.
So, you might get to see a few projects outta me after all. And I’ll be looking for lots of other decor stuff to highlight for you too.
Thank you ALL so much for your prayers and support these last 3 months. It has truly wrapped me up in love like a warm coat and I so much appreciate you all.
It will be a new journey and where it leads, I have no idea. Finding a new normal will be at the forefront. I know it will be sweet. Very sweet. God sometimes allows trials and pain in our lives to draw us closer to Him.
Thanks again to all of you for your very sweet support behind the scenes of my life. It has meant the world to me.
I would very much love to meet up with many of you bloggers/readers in the Atlanta area for a lunch date sometime soon, so keep that in mind. Le Madeleine is one of my favorite spots, so that just might be a good place to meet. Hopefully, one Saturday coming up will work, so I will set a date and let you all know.
Rhoda,
I have had you on my mind lately wondering if you had made the big move and from your bittersweet post I see you have. You are so fortunate to have such a wonderful, supportive family. Best of luck to you as you start your new adventure. We will be watching and waiting to hear from you.
Kindest regards,
Mary
Hi Rhoda
I’m sorry for what you have been through. You are a phenomenal woman! I am so happy you will continue to blog.
God bless you and yours.
Love you girl!
Ev
Good luck with this new chapter in your life. You sound as though you have a trully wonderful and supportive family and a great network of friends.
Can’t wait to see some transformations at your parents house 🙂
Take care
You are right, when life list you in the face, blogging takes a back seat…I’ve been there lately too. But blogging can also be a stress reliever when it all calms down…and life goes on. Good luck with the move, I’m sure your parents will so appreciate your being there! You have wonderful friends and I’m sure they will continue to be supportive. Blessings.
Dear Rhoda,
I truly enjoy reading your blog whether it comes from B’ham or Atlanta. I am glad you will continue to blog, and I am encouraging you to even focus on what you do for/with your parents. Many of our generation are in a similar situation in trying to take care of those that took care of us, while working a full time job and some with children and/or grandchildren to care for as well. Attitude is something that always affects people so thank you for keeping ‘in the spirit’ and human at the same time. God bless you and thank you.
no words…just cyberhugs and prayers. xo
Rhoda,
Please know you are not alone and your will find your new normal. Thank God for family and I’m so glad yours is there for you! Keep your eyes on HIM for He is faithful to see you through!
Blessings,
Cindy
Good luck on the next phase of your life. Will say a prayer for your new adventure. Must say on a selfish note am so excited you will be in the Atlanta area. Please come by and see our little shop in Roswell, and say Hi. Connie
Best of luck with everything. Sorry you are going through this, but it sounds like you’re facing it with a good attitude!
I’ll keep reading, as long as you keep blogging!
Oh Rhoda! I’ve been out of the blogging loop a while, and thought I’d catch up with you this morning. I am so sorry to hear of some of the things you’ve been going thru. I thought I’d be reading that you were moving because you were going overseas, but what a shocker! I am sorry that you are facing such trials, but I will be praying that God will be your rock! Isa. 41:10 is such a comfort in tough times. Take care, and I look forward to following how He blesses you thru this time.
Suzanne
I’m so sorry that you’ve had to go through such a devastating situation. You have done it with strength and grace, and are an inspiration to many, including me. May the next phase of your life be filled with wonderful blessings. And I look forward to following your blog as your new life begins!
Hugs to you Rhoda! Just remember, when God closes a door, He opens a window and he WILL reap what he’s sown. This second part of your life is just liable to be the best yet!!! I know how we women are with liking security and all but you just wait, it WILL be good because when something happens like this, something good comes from it. He makes good from bad. 🙂 Hang in there and enjoy that Mom and Dad of yours! You’re sooooo blessed they’re still here! BIG cyber hugs to you!
* Thinking of you Rhoda, with good thoughts n’ wishes, as you forge ahead into new experiences. I know He will give you the peace you need to come out AHEAD in all this…
Be safe and be well, old friend…
Linda in AZ * (“Mom of a German Shorthair”)
[email protected]
May God bless you as you embark on this new chapter of life….so many wonderful possibilities, so many new doors to open!! Change IS good and I am sure you are going to have much success in this new chapter. It looks like you are surrounded by so many loving, caring people….and thats one major ingredient to get through bumpier patches. And to look on the bright side, thank God you HAVE parents to go home to and that they have a home to welcome you into!! All the very best.
Rhoda,
Your projects are great and I know you will find a way to make things pretty wherever you are….but…..it is your heart and sweet personality that keeps me coming back and I know that is completely intact. I look forward to the things you have to share.
Wishing you the best. So sorry for the pain you are walking through right now.
Becky K.
Rhoda, You are an inspiration to many not only with your sense of style but by your grace under fire.You’re kind, generous spirit shines through your blog, no matter the square footage of your home. I’ll continue to pray for you in this next chapter of your life. Thanks for keeping us posted!
Dear Rhoda, I have thought of you so often as you have been going through this. With all of the moves we have had to make for work, I understand the enormity of your task ahead. You are still inspiring with your courage and strength to move on and rely on God. How easy it is to leave God out of the picture and you have the confidence he is with you on this journey! That IS more inspiring than an project you could undertake! I wish you the very best, although you have the determination to make it the very best. I look forward to catching up with you again on one of our trips to Atlanta in the future.
Sending prayers and blessings your way,
Jennifer
Rhonda,
God had a great plan for you and he can take the pain away. Just trust in him and your life will be so blessed. Hugs for a family that cares so much for you. Enjoy the time you are going to spend with your parents. Prayers still sent up everyday for you! Blessings, Vicky
You are a very strong woman with great faith. I’m confident God will reward you with wonderful blessings as you start a new chapter in Atlanta.
I will be here; reading your blog as always and cheering you on. Best of luck! La
You are the epitome of grace, strength and class. And I’m glad to hear you’re still going to blog from your parents! I’ve loved all the wedding posts you’ve had up lately:)