Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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A Penny for your Thoughts

December 10, 2011 at 10:34 am by Claudia

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by everything? When all that needs to be done, or decided upon, or fixed, or tolerated, or accepted whirls around in your brain endlessly and the enormity of it all overwhelms you?

That’s where I am at the moment.

There’s so much to attend to. I’m not talking about Christmas – ours is usually fairly calm and simple. No, this involves life decisions; trying to create work that will bring in an income, while at the same time trying to live on considerably less than we have earned in the past, wrestling with all that needs to be fixed in this house and wondering where the money will come from, worrying endlessly about my parents and sometimes feeling so sad about them that I cannot bear it.

I tend to live in my head and that isn’t always good.

I’m a firm believer in the simple truth that we create our lives. That thoughts have power and that sending out positive thoughts and visualizing the end results we want to see in our lives will ultimately create those results. What you send out comes back to you. Simple, but profound.

But sometimes I get to a place where I am caught in a whirlwind of my own jumbled fearful thoughts and try as I might, I can’t find my way to the place I need to be.

What do you do when this happens to you? How do you break away from worry and take action? Any advice? I have a feeling I already know the answer but I’d love to hear your thoughts, my friends.

Filed Under: life 35 Comments

Decorating: Broken Ornaments and Coffee Cups

December 9, 2011 at 10:52 am by Claudia

Yes, the decorating has begun. In fact, I’m almost done. On a whim, husband and I got our Christmas Tree on Wednesday, a few days earlier than usual. Yesterday, the tree was decorated. Not without mishaps: one of my favorite vintage ornaments fell and shattered into tiny shards; Don decided to have some coffee and while pouring it into a mug that had a tiny hairline crack, watched in horror as the mug exploded into pieces and coffee spilled onto everything – including Riley.

Now Riley smells like coffee.

Outside lights are up.
Trees are decorated.
Wreaths are hung.
House is a mess.

After I finish up today, the big bins will be carted back to their home in the shed.

I might even store all the summery porch paraphernalia. This is the longest I have ever let that particular chore go.

The dollhouse has been moved to the living room to make room for the Christmas tree. The decorating elves worked a little magic here, as well.

Don’t forget – next Tuesday’s Holiday edition of Defending the Small House will include a Linky Party. Take some pictures of your holiday home and share them with us!

Filed Under: Christmas, decorating, Riley 18 Comments

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

December 8, 2011 at 10:58 am by Claudia

The Good: My Christmas Present came early. On purpose. I’ve been wanting an iPhone for the longest time. I’ll admit it – I envied all my friends who had one.  I’m not a person who needs the newest and best in the tech/electronic world. But the iPhone? That’s another story. I patiently waited until I qualified for an upgrade, which just so happened to coincide with the Christmas season.

I validated this particular Christmas present wish to my husband by saying that (a) I tend to be on the road a lot (how valuable it would be!) (b) I could take cool photos when I didn’t have my camera on hand (for the blog!) (c) it has all sorts of Apps that are lifesavers (and free!) (d) it has much better reception that my other cell phone (it does!) (e) I can get a GPS App (safety when driving alone!)

I took advantage of the new iPhone 4S coming out and got the previous model, the iPhone 4. Much, much less money. I’m totally in love with it. I chose the white version….so pretty!

The Bad: We had very heavy rains yesterday and last night. Our roof started leaking again. It’s either the chimney flashing or some problem with a shingle or two. Hurricane Irene inflicted some sort of damage up there. We’ll have to have someone take a look at it. Cross your fingers that it’s only a minor repair, please?

The Ugly: While dealing with the leaky roof at 1:00 am, I grabbed my pretty cane-back chair (from the studio,) and proceeded to step up on the seat. The chair fell over and I stepped right through the cane. Yep. I was too tired to cry. I think I can patch it with some glue, but it will never look as pretty as it did.

That was my favorite chair. Ever.

I took the photo with the neat Hipstamatic App on the iPhone. This shot provides a little peek into our lives this morning. The lint brush is out because Scout sheds profusely. The box the iPhone came in is still on the coffee table. Those aqua bins are full of Christmas decorations, and Scout is looking toward the stairs because she thinks she heard her dad getting up. False alarm. She’s now back to her floor position.

I’m going on very little sleep but the sun has just come out. That helps.

Filed Under: iPhone, Scout, studio 14 Comments

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Welcome!

Welcome!

I live in a little cottage in the country with my husband. It's a sweet place, sheltered by old trees and surrounded by gardens. The inside is full of the things we love. I love to write, I love my camera, I love creating, I love gardening. My decorating style is eclectic; full of vintage and a bit of whimsy.

I've worked in the theater for more years than I can count. I'm currently a voice, speech, dialect and text coach freelancing on Broadway, off Broadway, and in regional theater.

Thanks for stopping by.

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The Dogs

The Dogs

Scout & Riley. Riley left us in 2012. Scout left us in February 2016. Dearest babies. Dearest friends.

Winston - Our first dog. We miss you, sweetheart.

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Lambs Like to Party

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