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….so glad that your move has gone smoothly…..and that you are with your family….So glad that you will continue to blog……I would miss you so.
Can'[t wait to see pics of Port St. Joe and Destin!!!!!! REst up…moving is Hard work!!!!
Andrea 🙂
Hi Rhoda,
I’m so glad that your move is over and that you will keep blogging. I can’t imagine you not blogging and certainly not being creative and decorating. Cant’ wait to see your updates on your parents’ house. Take care – there are many of out here that love your blog but don’t comment often.
Hi Rhoda,
I think of you often, remembering how supportive you were when I first started blogging. I’m glad the ordeal of moving is behind you, and you can begin the next chapter of your life. When I got to the part about your plans to remove mauve carpeting and start stripping off 70s wallpaper, I thought, “OK then, our Rhoda’s going to make it!”
Sending hugs and warm thoughts …
Bill
You are a wonderful, inspiring, strong southern girl! I lOVE your blog, you’ve given me so many beautiful ideas! I try to remember in times of trouble and discouragement: …Whatever things are true,whatever things are noble,whaterver things are just,whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely,whatever things are of good report,if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. Phil 4:8
many blessings to you and your family
Rhoda,
It is obvious you have had a horrible thing happen to you–But–you have the love and support of your family (what we we all do without family) and the spiritual support of your faith (what would we all do without that in our lives) and with your own strength you will be fine in the new chapter of your life. Easy–No–but you will make it. I wish you only the very best–and selfishly admit I (we) are so happy you will still blog!!! I (we) so love your style and talents you share. Best Wishes for you and we will look for your changes and ideas you have for as and for your parents home….
Dear Rhoda, your positive outlook will take you far in your new life!! I wish for many happy new experiences for you in your “new normal.” We will all be looking forward to see what new adventures you have to share with us!
xo, Andrea
Rhoda,
I have always enjoyed reading your blog and how down to earth you are. Thanks so much for showing us how to show grace and faith even in times when you want to throw up your hands and give up or throw stones! You are an encouragement to see how you are handling the trials being thrown at you. I pray that God will use your experiences during this time to bring others closer to Him!! Looking forward to what is next! Praying for and thinking of you!
Vanessa
I wish you only the best in this new season of your life, Rhoda. God bless you every step of the way!
Ruth
Thank you for your beautiful and moving post. You can see how many of us are praying for you daily. I do hope you will continue blogging as you get settled. Creativity is not always in projects – right now you are showing us your strength & beauty through your writing. As He told us, there are seasons for everything………they aren’t always what we would choose them to be. You are showing us how a strong & true Child of God faces those difficult seasons. Thank you for helping me remember, We can do everything through Christ.
Ah, dear Rhoda! I am so sorry! I hope you find your balance soon and how blessed you are to have loving parents and a safe home to go to. I will keep you in my prayers!
My only child, my daughter, lives in Atlanta. I will be there a lot this summer as she is getting married in August at the Old Historic Courthouse in Decatur. If you want a diversion or a chance to express your splendid creativity, please feel free to come join me as I attempt to do the florals and decor for the wedding and reception, lol. I may have bitten off more than I can chew! 🙂
Stay strong and know that so many of us love and support you. Like the others, I am thrilled you will continue blogging. The content may change but your style never will!
I’m a blogger in the Atlanta area. Though I’m small compared to your followers, I’ve got a big heart! You’ve got a ton of support as I can already see, but in case you need one more, I’m always willing to lend an ear. I’m thrilled to see your positive outlook, and it’s your sheer determination that will pull you through difficult times. Wishing you the best of luck during your transition.
Sending a hug your way from Virginia. I’m so sorry for everything you’ve been through, but I admire your faith and courage. You have a wonerful, supportive family, that is for certain! I’m glad you’re going to keep blogging!
Rhoda,
I attended the church in Marietta when your dad was the pastor. He is one of the best preachers I’ve ever heard. Oh, how I miss those days.
I’m so glad you are with your parents and letting God have control of the situation. HE does all things WELL! I am praying for you and your family.
Rhoda,
Prayers continue for you . . . what a testimony of grace you have shown. Look forward to having you here in the ATL. I’m definitely in for a lunch date! La Mad is one of my favorites, too. 🙂 Love that tomato basil soup . . .
Keep putting one foot in front of the other and know that you have TONS of support out here . . . we’re all pulling for you and are so glad that you’re going to keep blogging.
Jena
Rhoda,
I’m so sorry for your unexpected life change. For about three years I’ve enjoyed your blog very much. I wanted to let you know about a book that I’ve found very helpful during my own recent trial. It is by James MacDonald, and is called When Life is Hard. It is the best book I’ve ever read about surviving life’s difficult seasons. You can buy it at Lifeway, or Amazon. I hope you’ll read it. It has offered so much comfort to me.
How blessed you are to have your sweet parents. Years from now you’ll look back and treasure this time you had living with them, even if it happened because of hurtful circumstances.
Blessings!
Susan
I know that you will” hit the ground running” and the next phase of your life is going to be FANTASTIC!!! With your parents by your side and God directing your steps you got it” made in the shade”. You go girl!!!!!!!! And keep us posted on your exciting adventure.
Rhoda: I happened upon your blog last year, and it opened a whole new world for me! I’ve enjoyed reading so many blogs and getting so many new ideas from you and other bloggers. I’ve admired your strong Southern faith…and will continue to read your blog. I”m going through something similar right now too, and my parents have been right there for me….I feel so blessed and know you do too. It’s tough but I’ve given my worries to the Lord knowing He has a plan to take care of me and my children…and He will be taking care of you also.
Thinking of you. I hope to continue seeing your gracious posts in your blog. Sorry for the pain you are experiencing. Best wishes in your new life journey.
Save a seat for me on your new journey!!…cause I’ll certainly be taggin’ along!!
Thank God for wonderful parents, they are truly a treasure from Heaven!!
♥ Becky in SC ♥
I don’t have a blog but I enjoy reading yours. I also like La Madeleine. There is one close to my son’s home in Marietta. I hope everything gets straightened out quickly without much pain. You will need to take a road trip up to Clarkesville, GA and the surrounding area. We have a terrific antique mall and great little restaurants here. I would enjoy taking you when you get settled.