This is the new front door at our cottage. We have been working on this major addition and new front entryway for about three years. Like everything in life, progress is significantly dictated by time and money. Getting and installing the front door was a big step forward in the direction of completion.
The front door is custom, and quite impressive – bigger than average and solid wood with some nice hardware accents. John, my husband, was adamant he was having a “speakeasy”, which is that little grate and small section that opens so you can look out and ask “Who’s there?” before you open the door. Our good friend who helped John install it calls it the “Viking door” because he thought it made such a strong architectural statement (and probably also because he thinks John’s such a bold guy who is hardly ever daunted, which is true!).
But, for now, there is nothing behind that fine looking door. The addition is still an empty shell of stud walls and plywood floors. It is an unfinished work-in-progress. You can open and walk through the door, but the future beyond the door sill is yet to be created.
That door is the perfect metaphor for where I am in my life. I’ve created a lot of fine looking and impressive exterior stuff but, at this time, there isn’t much behind the door.
What I mean is that my future is waiting to be designed and brought into being. Just like we are facing a ton of choices and decisions around finishing that interior space (e.g., plumbing, electrical, drywall, lighting, flooring, millwork, paint colours, window coverings etc.) I have to make a lot of choices/decisions that will generate the final look and feel of my future. There are many doors I can open and walk through – but into what?
What I want to ensure is that I love, feel comfortable, and can really thrive in the inside space that lies beyond the fabulous doorway.
Todo bien. (It’s all good.)
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Jeannie,
i kept going back and forth with the fillers and botox, Then I said to myself no one cares. if it makes you look better and since I feel better it's a win,win. I am taking the day off work, I'm a little scared if its a drastic chang
Be honest, talk to your husband.
mswings - thank you so much for posting this - it gives me hope for my future. I'm still in the midst of mourning my marriage and even after 14 months I wake up and the first thing on my mind is HIM! I have just started talking with a counselor and
The red flags are telling you to RUN!!!!!!!! The other way of course. This guy is not right, please listen to the advice given....
Very nice. I LOVE the colors!!
Why, thank you for the compliment! We’ve been told a few times our exterior colour choices were “bold”! Folks either love it or hate it. We love it.
Sorry to disagree with you – but you are being just a bit hard on yourself!! Do agree that your exterior stuff is impressive and fine looking but cannot ever – not for the life of me – believe that you are a nothing beyond that!! You are in the process of creating and designing your future — with or without your cognitive and subconscious mind. You know that!! Trust your past wisdoms and choices and of course, let God do the controlling – you are here to make the right choices, behind any door you chose!! Didn’t mean to preach!!
Thanks Maggie, I hear and understand. I agree too.
It’s like this – there is nothing “finished” behind my metaphorical (mid-life) door. What sits there behind the door currently is just the metaphorical equivalent of design magazines, blue prints, catalogues, and brochures, all detailing what I have to choose from and all the various features/benefits. It is all sitting there in big piles of potential resources – what I select and focus on will create the “ambience” (the actual look and feel) of my future.
But HOW to move forward amid all that confusion and abundance of choice? Will something I choose in one area end up conflicting with a choice I make elsewhere (e.g., will my lighting fixture choices fit with/complement the rest of the decor, or will the hardwood flooring actually go well with the carpet I choose)?
I guess I want to create the life planning equivalent of one of those interior designer design “sample boards” that you see on those TV shows! I want to ensure there is fit and flow between all my choices and that it will create the atmosphere I desire and want to “live in.”
As far as letting any higher power (God) do the controlling, I believe that any higher power expects ME to get my butt in gear and make my very best efforts. lol
I have missed your voice on VN. So glad you’re back and blogging! You door is beautiful…and I’m not surprised. You strike me as a woman of excellent tastes, probably in all areas of your life. I also am not surprised that you (and your husband) were intent on building something of true substance, instead of hollow appearance. Your door is beautiful. So is your writing. And your writing is beautiful because your thoughts are beautiful. MM
Your words always touch my heart, Martha Maria. Thank you for your support and encouragement, both of which I am in need of!
You are most welcome. And deserving of encouragement and support. I think you have a real talent for writing!
It’s gorgeous!
What’s going on behind that door? I think your words have given us a very good clue!
I have a collection of prints – doorways that are filled with possibilites and endless curiosity. They are great for meditation!
Lisa, I always love to read what you write. You always give me good things to think about.
Your metaphor also rings true for me. I have been retired for almost two years. It’s been a busy two years, helping my youngest daughter move to CA, enjoying visiting there often, keeping busy with lots of things but without a plan to help me make the most of these years. I feel I am just treading water, not at this point moving forward as I need to be. I want to find a balance of doing something worthwhile, helping in some way to make the world or at least my little corner of the world, better. I want to travel and see different parts of this world. There are so many opportunities, so many decisions as to what will be the best choices, the best fit, for me. To remember that life is fluid, that we can and should make changes as our life changes. I absolutely agree that we are in control of our lives, that God wants me to get my butt in gear and do the very best I can with the life that I have.
I love your cottage and the beautiful door. So Pretty! It really makes a grand statement. I agree with what others have said here. Your cottage with it’s magnificent door, is representative of you. You always impress me as being a very classy, smart, caring woman. I am glad you are back. I’ve missed your voice.
Thank you, Azul. Yup, I’m b-a-a-a-a-ck blogging, but for how long who knows. I guess I have some pent up expressing to do!
Blog and express away. Your venting may well help the rest of us, and in the process, we may help you;).
Hi Lisa,
I agree with Sandra.
So what if the choices you make today don’t quite express what you really wanted to? Isn’t that what living is all about? Constant change. What if we were nice and comfy and 100% satisfied with our life today? What would we be looking forward to tomorrow? Everything would be ‘perfect’. No need to change anything. Dullsville is what it would be. The exitment of change, the unknown is what keeps us moving forward instead of being stangnant.
Open the door and look at the mindboggling possibilities and dive right in. It will hopefully ‘not’ be 100% what you want it to be so that you can keep making changes and enjoy the process and feel proud of your accomplishments.
anir
I agree with you and Sandra. Great way to look at remodeling, decorating and life!
Hi Anir,
I can cope with quite large amounts of change, and a fast pace of change…but I don’t always WANT to! It’s like that Ashley Brilliant quote “I try to take life one day at a time, but sometimes several days attack all at once!”
Sometimes a stretch of Dullsville would be nice, broken up by the need to change just small things here and there, just to refresh things and spruce them up.
I feel my life has been more of the building-from-the-ground-up, over and over and over, with no end in sight. I want the equivalent of just needing to spring clean, or get new throw pillows or curtains once in a while, rather than dig a whole new foundation and build up from basement to roof! Whine, whine, whine…(or is that wine, wine, wine?!).
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for sharing your ‘new look’ with us! Very nice colors, very nice everything!
I think, as we grow older, the need for a more settled way of life, is pretty normal. A lot of change is so unsettling!
I am a homebody, but our life requires a lot of business travel, so spring cleaning and buying throw pillows, etc., ends up on the back burner, way too often!
I think what would be nice to have behind that door is an orderly, comfy, HOME SWEET HOME! No more moving about, no more change…just a serene predictable life. Ah, yes!
When we are in a love relationship, we make decisions as a couple. My husband and I decided to go into business for ourselves and we are living that decision! I must say, it isn’t a boring life!
Like you, I could stand a little more boredom!
It’s good to have you back!
I was thinking about you earlier this week…Loved this blog. I think we all reach moments in life where we just have to take some time to recoup…Perfectly normal. Personally, I’m glad you’re back…I’ve missed you!
Thanks Debi – I hope you are doing well!