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.
Oh Rhoda…good luck!! Just remember…you are courageous, you are resourceful, and by God’s grace…you are Southern!!! Keep up the good work.
Hey!
I used to live in Birmingham for about 7 years! Wonderful place 🙂
Hi Rhoda,
I am one of your Atlanta readers. I would love to meet up for lunch. So glad you have wonderful friends and family to help you through the move. I have been following your blog for a long time, and I am happy to hear that you plan to keep the blog going. Best of luck. I have been praying for and I check in almost everyday.
Alison
Rhoda,
Do not look back! your life is now in front of you.
You are a great person and friend and I’m so glad
to have known you and will continue to know you!
I’ve been away from blogging for over a year and
come back once in a while but losing my mother has
taken a real toll on me. I’ve hit myself in the finishing
of our walk out basement, planned and married my
daughter off and it’s been more family time this last
two years. Stay strong……..only the strong survive!
Keep us posted on the updates at mom’s house! I can’t wait.
Many good days ahead for you and enjoy your parents!
Anita
I just recently discovered your blog and I love it! I just wanted to tell you that “without tests there would/could be no testimony”!! Keep your head up!!
I have been reading your blog for a couple of years now and have really enjoyed all your projects, pictures, etc. Proverbs 3:5-6 is a favorite of mine. May the Lord Bless you in your new future. Never give up — He will give you strength!
Hi Rhoda,
You’d had been on my heart lately, and I had to stop by your blog. This Christmas I had to delete all the decorating blogs from my Google Reader because I’m writing and homeschooling my last three. I was spending too much time reading and not doing.
I’m so happy to hear that you are doing well and you have a new adventure to look forward to. Rest in Him. Much love and hugs,
jan
Blessings to you and your family. i’ve been reading your blog for several months now and enjoy your gracious sharing.As a believer i agree with all you have shared re: your knowledge of where the Lord takes us, it is not a surprise to him. You have been added to my personal prayer list. I look forward to your next chapter in life.
So happy to hear that you are safe at home with your extraordinary, godly parents. I have been there too, Rhoda, with little children in tow. It wasn’t fun, but God was with us. And you will not only survive, like me, you will begin to thrive because God is working all things for your good. And I know that you know He will restore more than you had before. Keep believing and doing what you know is right. He has your heart and your future will be beautiful! Maybe I will fly out to Atlanta at meet up with you at LaMadeleines. It’s one of my favorite places here in Texas too.
Shalom and many wonderful blessings to you and your sweet family.
Victoria
P.S. Praying your online business picks up even more and gives you much joy.
I SO enjoy your blog! This posting broke my heart. What wonderful friends you have, and what a blessing it will be to make some new ones too. I am SO sorry for all the trials that you have gone through these last few months. But know that God is bigger than them all, and He will see you through. I will be praying for you and your new adventure. How precious it will be for your parents to have you there. I know that you will be a blessing to them. God has got GREAT plans for you, just keep trusting Him. Hugs – Sarah
<3
I’ve enjoyed your blog for some time and admired your creative talent the whole while. Since so many people are finding “new normals” now, due to job loss, financial issues etc., I think you can be a positive influence as you move forward and share your positive attitude. Thank you for being so honest and letting your readers see that we all have our problems, but must also count our blessings. Love & luck to you:-)
Hello dear Rhoda~moving is so emotionally and physically draining! So sorry you have to be doing it under these circumstances, but I know it will all work out. He’s watching over you, and will bless you in this new chapter. Big hugs to you!! I’m actually excited to see where this blog will go..you make anything you touch wonderful.
xo
Dear Rhoda –
You are a strong woman and I admire you so much. Thank you for letting us be there a little tiny bit as you begin all over again. You are in the right place – doing the right thing – at the right time. I know God will lead you and give you everything you need to move on. He has held you through the last months and He won’t stop now.
I’m here for the long haul, my friend, and waiting to hear more and see what wonderful things happen in your life. They will, you know!
Hugs,
~Adrienne~
Good morning Rhoda! Just read your moving out of Birmingham comments and I am so glad you have a safe …. loving place to land…. Godly parents are amazing and so full of love!!!! You are in my prayers and I so hope I get to meet you one day!!! God is ALWAYS ALWAYS there for us……
He will see you thru to the other side …. and I’m sure you are going to have one amazing awesome trip!!!!! Terri
consider this one BIG virtual *HUG*!!!!! Praying for you dear sweet girl!!! May the peace of God pour over you to overflowing!! And I speak blessings upon blessings over you and your blog!!!
Le Madeleine’s is a favorite of mine…just ate there in Dallas while at market this weekend….I am so happy you are getting a fresh start and you are up for the challenge. This has been a life changing year in our family in a much different way, but life changes in any form are always hard for me….Praying for you as you start a new journey…Have no doubt you will thrive…
Teresa
Bless your heart.
Sweet Rhoda, I have to say that I am proud there are still women out there who handle life’s challenges with class and southern charm. You will have new adventures… maybe helping with your parents’ house, travelling, cooking, etc. The possibilities are endless… and all of your readers will be there to follow every.single.second.
OH dear! I jus wrote a LONG comment and lost it!!!!!!!!!!!! I wanted to say that I am sending many blessings to you on this journey. I also think you wil BE a blessing to your wonderful parents! I am SO ahppy that you plan to continue blogging! I hope your sweet Mom will let you do some updates to share with us! I thank you for sharing your heart and being so open. I know you will share as you are able. Just know that we all support and love you, even those of us who have never actually met you in person. Be strong in your faith and He will see you through. God bless. XO, Pinky
Rhoda,
I’ve been a subscriber and admirer of yours for a while now. You are a fantastic decorator! I wish only the best for you. So sorry this has happened. The redneck in me says, “Hope you sent that (you-know-what) to jail”.