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.
thanks for being so transparent – i feel sure it will bless your parents to have you home with them. welcome back to atlanta … i look forward to the new look of your blog – many blessings!! 🙂
Like so many others, I was thrilled when I read that you will continue to blog. I enjoy your blogs and check daily so see how life is going for you. You have shown true Southern grace and dignity in this unfortunate time in your life. Your faith and determination have been an inspiration to many, never forget that. One Southern gal wishing another the very best of luck for an outstanding new future!
You don’t know me, but I’ve been tagging along for quite a few years (on Great Impressions and then “Southern Hospitality”). I admire your courage, strength and ability to stay strong during this, undoubtedly, painful and unexpected time. Clearly, though, you seem to be a woman who will welcome this new chapter with open arms and a positive attitude. And, yes, what a wonderful family you have! We look forward to seeing what fun projects you treat your parents, too! Take care, Becca
http://www.adventuresindecorating1.blogspot.com
Oh Rhoda I am so sorry that this has happened to you! I have been so busy with our business that I haven’t been keeping up with the blogs, but today happened to read your post about moving and had to write you to let you know I will be praying for you! Remember Satan is the one that steals, kills & destroys so he is to blame for this, but what he meant for evil God will turn to good for you! Keep looking for the good for God is Good!
Love ya!
Darlene
Rhonda – I wish you well on your new life journey. I’m sorry that you have to leave the Birmingham area but I know you will enjoy living in Atlanta again amongst family and friends who all love you. Be sure to go by Mary Mac’s and have some of the best comfort food around – I love that place!
I have never commented before, but just want to tell you I will be thinking of you and praying for you as you enter this new season of your life. It’s quite a journey, but you are right when you say you will be ok–and I can tell you, you will come out stronger. God will show Himself to you in ways you never thought possible. He is good–always–even in this.
Three years ago I was a stay-at-home mom (for 20+ years), with a son still at home–and my husband of 23 years left me/us two weeks before Christmas. He literally left and never came home. I didn’t know what hit me. He had been having an affair and living a secret life and I had no idea. I lost my marriage and the wonderful (or so I thought) life I had. It was devastating–emotionally, spiritually, financially.
But…here I am, years later, married to a man that loves me like I have never known love before (he had been a family friend for 22 years), in a new town, with a job I really like and happier than I have been in a very long time, if not ever. And I have an amazing relationship with my children, friends that I love (both real life and bloggy), a wonderful church and 3 great stepsons. It’s been a long journey and I continue to heal–but I made it. And so will you! : )
Hugs and prayers to you Rhoda!!
Hi Rhoda,
Just wanted to tell you that you are in my prayers. You are a strong and courageous Southern Woman. I am proud of you for pulling yourself up by your boot straps. Keep your eyes on the Lord and He will carry you through this storm. I’m so glad you are going home to your folks that love you. They will nurture your dear heart and fill it back up. Bless you darlin’! The best is yet to come!
Ruthann (aka Aunt Ruthie)
Sugar Pie Farmhouse
Branson, Missouri
Rhoda, Life is definitely not what we expect sometimes, huh? I was married for 23 yrs, separated a yr and then divorced…It was a really bad time in my life, but I have a good job, a wonderful husband (five yrs now) and life is good again. It was hard on my girls, but they completely understand and have a relationship with both of us. So much for my problems, I’m just reinforcing that this too shall pass and life will be good again! I see that you have tons of friends, family and support and you know first and foremost, you have the Lord that loves you and is walking through this with you as well. You already know this or you wouldn’t be doing so great, but we are behind you and wish you the best in this new chapter of your life. God’s Speed, MG
PS, I’m so glad you will still be blogging 😉
I love your parents too…..(and I don’t even know them.) I did cry when I read about your father putting a metal building in the backyard for all of your treasures. Hope you can rest soon and know that I will be looking forward to reading your blog in the future too. Best of luck.
Julia
Rhoda,
I am sorry I have not been around lately but after reading a little bit last week I have been praying for you. As you said in your post today this did not take God by surprise and he is there walking beside you and even carrying you when needed. I am glad you are still going to blog and if I ever get to Atlanta, maybe we can met up.
Many are praying for you and I know your parents, family and friends are a blessing to you in this valley time in your life. Mountain tops will be here again and you will be able to look back at this time and say Ok God I see what you wanted me to see in that valley.
Prov 17:17
I cannot begin to understand what you have been going through. With every door that shuts another opens. I recently came out of a depression that rocked me to my core, and was the black hole of my happiness. But I am back, and in a lot of ways better for the road I have traveled on in the past few months. I wish your new path leds you to all the great things that life has to offer.
Like many of your readers I am happy you will continue blogging. I’m sure whatever you find to blog about, we will all enjoy!
Prayers and hugs
Jeannette
Hey sweetie…I am so sorry for your hurt…..I know your parents will cherish the time you get to spend with them..You have been a great inspiration to me and many other…you are a survivor girl and I know the windows of heaven will open for you and you will laugh again and you will be happy…you take care sweetie…much love and blessing to you….Picket
Rhoda,
I have been exactly where you are over the last few years and it is hard but God will see you through. You are right where God would have you to be and I am so thankful you have your parents to turn too. I know it will be a win win for all of you.
Hang in there…you will survive.
Big hugs, Lyndy
Rhoda, you keep blogging and we’ll keep reading. No matter what the subject, you will make it interesting. Take good care of yourself. Oh, and give your mom and dad a hug from me. I had two of the best parents in the world myself…..and I miss them so very much.
God Bless.
Stay strong. Head up high.
I love your blog and think of you often.
You have so many people pulling for you.
Can’t wait to see where life leads you.
Dearest Rhoda,
I also am praying for you during such a difficult time….and like Julie I LOVE your parents also. I have been down the road your are on now and my family,friends and parents were my greatest support….and still are. I am so glad you will keep on blogging – I have learned so much from you.
Lisa
I have been reading your blog for about 3 months. I did not realize the happenings in your life. Take this giant leap of faith w/the move and life changes. Similar events happened to me about 15 yrs ago…you will be stronger for it. I’m praying for you…and your parents!
I’m a fairly new visitor here and have been enjoying all the older posts. I am so sorry to hear of your move and all that must be accompanying it. We are about the same age, I am guessing, and I can only imagine how much of an upset this must be for you. You write with such a positive spirit that this will see you through the darker times, and you have your parents to turn to for support (how I envy that). Best of luck in the days ahead, awaiting future posts.
Oh Rhoda. As much as I enjoyed your projects, the real pull to your blog is YOU, and that will keep me reading-you- not your decorating. I bet a million bucks you will remarry to a wonderful, loving fella at some point, and so you will have a home to decorate.