I use to occasionally paint for others. By paint I don't mean a landscape painting, I mean painting their bathroom, their bedroom, their living room. It isn't that I love to paint, but over the years of painting all the rooms in our houses multiple times, I have my system down to a science, and a little extra hobby money never hurt.
I went through the faux texture wall application phase, I went through the focal wall a bold color phase, I went through the colorful walls phase, and now I am settling into the simply white walls phase.
Over the past two weeks I have been doing another painting job, and this one is without pay, at least in the monetary form. But it also a painting job that brings me great joy. For the past two weeks I have been helping my daughter paint her new vintage apartment.
My beautiful girl is moving out, and most likely for the last time, with a taste of true freedom I doubt she will return. I had a moment the other day while driving to her new place when it hit that this is it and I could feel the tears well up. But I pulled myself together and said she is only ten minutes away, not like college when she was eight hours away, she can stop by any time...
22 comments:
Ah it's a bittersweet moment I now can't count how many moves my DD has moved. but I still remember the first time. What a great apartment!
I am going through the possibility of my son moving soon and it does suddenly hit you! At least she is only 10 minutes away and you can use your painting skills to be indispensable! Take care xx
Lovely blog post this morning. Daughters are a delight. Like you, I'm happy to have mine living close these days. Life is good and the painted rooms look perfect, both the former time and the current one.
Your lovely blog post brought tears to my eyes. At some point we have to let them go but it's never easy, but being ten minutes away is so great.
I do sympathise with you, my youngest daughter lives in Australia! It will be fun helping with the decorating, and think about the lunches and coffee meetings you will enjoy.
She found a beautiful apartment, didn't she? I love the tall windows and all the millwork. It must have been so much fun to paint all these vintage features. I am so glad your daughter is so close; you will treasure that!
I just love those corners windows. It sounds as though she's close by for a visit tho!
I'm so glad she's close to you! I'm 30 minutes from my son and lived 10 minutes from my daughter for about ten years and then she moved 3 hours away. Not too, bad, but I do wish she was closer! I love lighter walls that reflect the light! Love those big windows, too. If you lived closer I'd hire you to paint my walls!
Congrats to your daughter! This is such an awesome step for her. I understand how you feel, but you did good, mom!
All the phases of life seem to bring bitter and sweet emotions. I'm getting ready to send her to college 18 hours away. It takes my breath away. Oh, and the painting? I suck at it. I get more on me than the walls. I'd totally hire you. xo
Hi Sarah, I know how you feel. Timmy just move to VA about 3 weeks ago. It is bittersweet but so good for them. I wish her the best of luck!
Like said above . . . bittersweet . . . although . . .
Exciting for your daughter . . . and you too . . .
And only ten minutes away . . .
What wonderful views from the windows of your daughter's apartment. How lucky she is too to have a mother to help decorate her new home! She'll be independent for sure, but so near too for little impromptu visits!
Oh Sarah, painting is not my fave thing to do...so if you ever have the urge to paint some walls, come on over! And I know all too well that bittersweet feeling when the daughter moves away from home. But how wonderful that she is close by! Enjoy her "adulting". You did good, Mom! Aloha~
Such a great apartment - it seems perfect for your grown-up girl. She's very lucky to have you to help with all that painting! (She's pretty lucky to have you in general, actually. :-) ) I am a huge fan of white walls. To me, white rooms are bright, clean, and a blank canvas for decorating. But I never knew how many shades of white there were until I had to pick one for a new place a few years ago.
Your daughter's apartment looks beautiful. You are a handy mom to have around. :) We know our kids will be on their own one day, but when that day comes and it must be hard to let go. I am glad for you she is still close by, close enough to swing by a plate of cookies now and again. :)
Loved this post. It took me back a few years. Pride in my kids and their accomplishments, sad for me because I wasn't ready to move into my empty nest. In the end, we all find our way and a new, more mature relationship emerges and it's all good. Hang in there and keep painting.
Truly bittersweet, Sarah, but how fortunate you are that she is just a short distance away.
Her apartment looks beautiful.
Her apt looks so cute. Maybe she will share some more peeks when she's all settled in.
It's so bittersweet when they leave - I feel with you. But - how lovely that she is only 10 minutes away. She can stop by any time, and YOU can, too.
Transitions are difficult. My oldest is on the opposite coast. :( . But the others are still in PA. My 2nd daughter's house is about 30 min away...and she has the grand baby. <3 . I love all the photos I see of the white or light neutral walls but I am stuck in the colored wall time period. I don't know how my decor would go with whites and I don't want to start over. So I guess it will just get dated along with me.
My two dear daughters have been out on their own for many years, but this is a bittersweet time that you will always remember, even though their are many many wonderful times ahead. Always a little bit different than when they are living at home.
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