Change: Expected or Unexpected, It Happens

Hello and welcome back to the table!

Since we last met, my husband and I have embarked on an ambitious journey to renovate our kitchen and family room, while also updating the flooring throughout our home. To say that things have been a little crazy would be an understatement. This renovation project has been on our wish list for quite some time—about four to five years, to be exact. Then life happened. The good, the bad, and the ugly with all of the unpredictable twists and turns. Needless to say, these things delayed our plans. However, we are seven weeks in and fully immersed in this remodel. It's a big job, but we are blessed to have such an amazing construction team.

Our primary goal with this renovation is to transform our home's atmosphere into one that is relaxed, welcoming, and cozy at this stage of our lives. After dedicating years to raising our children, our home is filled with countless wonderful memories, everyday wear and tear as well as challenging experiences that have left their marks. Just like our lives, our home has developed its share of cracks and imperfections over time. I believe it's a powerful reminder that, much like people, sometimes we need to mend the cracks and make necessary changes to help us navigate life. Whether it's a conscious decision or an unexpected event, things can change suddenly or gradually.

Nearly two weeks ago, my family, along with thousands of others, experienced an unexpected and alarming change. We were evacuated from our homes due to extremely dangerous wildfires very close to our house. Within just a few hours, the fire rapidly spread throughout the Peavine Hills above our neighborhood and into various parts of north Reno, leaving a significant path of destruction. The fires moved to north Reno and crossed the freeway near my daughters' homes. More than 15,000 acres burned, and approximately 47 homes were lost, along with several local businesses. Many people's lives changed forever in such a short period of time. My husband and I were fortunate to return to our home a few days later. My daughters' homes were safe, power back on and no damage. This abrupt crisis brought on a few days of worry- what change could we expect? We all feel so fortunate and grateful. I have to give a tremendous shout-out to our firefighters, first responders, national guard, law enforcement, neighbors, and community. They were incredible.

To date, new flooring has been installed in four bedrooms, the entryway, hallways, and the dining room. However, getting the rooms ready for remodeling was somewhat overwhelming. I'm amazed at how much STUFF we accumulate over the years, often without realizing it. We went through our belongings, trying to keep only the meaningful things that genuinely bring us joy. It's easier said than done. We cling to things from the past, from family heirlooms to things from our childhood that bring back memories. I happen to have an affinity for home decor, so we have a lot. My husband asks pretty regularly, "Why do we need so many decorative pillows?" And "Do we really need all of the different types of bedding?" I just laugh. We've gotten through a good portion of items, and many have been donated to local nonprofits. I have to admit the decluttering process has been very liberating. I recently gifted my dining room table and chairs to my daughter Holly, and it looks absolutely stunning in her home. I have no doubt that this table will serve as an important part of her and her husband's home. Meanwhile, my beloved smaller kitchen table will soon find new life in my office, where it will be affectionately dubbed the "Life Happens at the Table" table.

With all that is happening, our cherished tradition of gathering around the table remains strong. It looks a lot different, but we are making the best of it and getting pretty creative in how and where we gather during this time. A few weeks ago, we invited a couple over for dinner amidst our renovation. They had recently finished a complete home remodel, so they knew exactly what we were going through. The timing was perfect to pick their brains on what to expect. Candace has an incredible eye for interior design, so I wanted to get her insights and show her my inspiration and Pinterest board! Even though our home was at the beginning stages of this major transformation, we gathered anyway in my family room at the coffee table. And life happened with lots of laughter, advice, music, and fun conversations. I’ve often shared in my blog, it truly doesn’t matter what kind of table or where you gather. What matters most is the act of gathering, connecting with one another and experiencing life.

Changes are happening right in front of our eyes, and we are making personal changes in how we view our home. It's a new beginning for the next chapter of living life. In just a few weeks, life will undoubtedly have changed, and life will happen at the table, the kitchen island, or the living room.

Change is an inevitable part of life for all of us, expected or unexpected. Whether you're looking to change your home environment, daily habits, career, mindset, or even your emotional state—change can easily be a blend of excitement and nervousness. It’s an adventure that encourages us to step out of our comfort zones and embrace the unknown. Have you navigated a recent change, or is there a change you'd like to make in your life?

I'd love to hear about it.

Until next time.

Angela