Getting Back to Normal!

Before...

and now...

There, my eyes are getting closer together again! And I have ears!! My face is getting back to normal again and it feels great! That small red spot at the top of my forehead was the source of my swelliness and it is nicely healed. I still have a few more days of taking antibiotics and then we'll call it one more of life's odd little experiences over and done with. My laugh lines are back though, but I don't mind that - I'd rather have visible laugh lines than have my eyes move around to the sides of my head!!

While stuck in the house I got lots done - I didn't lie around feeling sorry for myself. No way!! I got really busy while I was feeling sorry for myself!!

The laundry room has been cleaned out! As part of my redecorating efforts it will get a paint job in the new year (yes, no more PINK) and perhaps some new shelves. And a little further down the road I'll be getting a new washer and dryer :)

 My workroom (aka the furnace room) is actually usable again!! I've been putting my work table to use with hammers, screwdrivers, wire etc while putting art and shelves back up on the walls of the TV room and dining room. I'll take some photos to share.

 The storage space "under the stairs" has had a major cleanout.  The really exciting thing is I actually have empty space!! How cool is that!?! There is room for the Christmas bins and there is room under the spring/fall coats for a couple more bins :) The bedding you see is for the futon in the TV room for when we have overnight guests.

This is the storage area off the laundry room - totally reorganized. The stuff furthest away is for a yard sale next June so after that there will be even MORE available space!

But even now I have a couple of empty shelves :)

I am having fun making wall displays - this one is for my dad - his guitar (I have happy memories of sitting at his feet while he played and sang), his tambourine and a picture of the "old sap" drinking from a sap bucket!! He was very proud of the fact that this photo was chosen to be in a Co-op calendar :)

Just one of many boxes that I donated to the local thrift store - making space!!

Some of the empty bins that had been storing decor items and art work over the past year. Hopefully they will fit into the storage space "under the stairs".

There's lots of room for storing the Christmas bins - I have a total of 4 bins of Christmas stuff, about half of what I used to have. "Downsizing and decluttering" are the order of the day!

I need to get busy using this stuff! I had two bins of old gift bags, gift tags, Christmas cards, ribbons and bows and wrapping paper. This is what is left after my D & D efforts (downsizing and decluttering!)

My gorgeous dining room now with a few Christmas decorations and my carpet which I continue to drool over. It's small but I love it!

Just a reminder to myself to face each day with courage...

Yesterday I bought a few things to go into the kittens' stockings - yes, they have totally stolen my heart!!

This Thursday will see the completion of the basement reno with the delivery of my new electric fireplace/TV unit and 2 new chairs!! The set of ottomans arrived yesterday. Oh, and I'm still waiting for my new futon cover and pillows to arrive. They're coming from the States and not sure how long I'll have to wait. Then I'll have to post some MORE PHOTOS!!

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas.....