In last Wednesday’s post, I shared with you what was upcoming in my life. School finals, work, kids, blah, blah, blah. Just Keep Swimming.
Last Tuesday I met with an elected board to discuss a huge remodeling/design job for a condo clubhouse. They loved my concept and said that they wanted to present it at the homeowners meeting. They would need all the final construction recommendations, plus all of the furniture, accessory, paint, tile and flooring selections and of course the final financial tally by the following Tuesday. One week. I am sure that there are some of you that take a week (or longer) just to pick out one shade of paint. My face must have looked like this:
Just Keep Swimming
Did I happen to mention that my partner on this job was boarding a plane the very next day and would be gone for 10 days? So Wednesday morning found me in the bathtub praying. Comfort came in the form of an image of Dory from “Finding Nemo” and her mantra of “Just keep swimming”. (It’s ok to laugh, I did too.) So, I decided that I would just take on my battles one by one.
First up: my algebra final. Now let me share with you that when it comes to math I was absent the day they were handing out the brains for it. In high school, I received an “F’ in algebra. Totally true. Yes, this is what algebra looks like to me:
Somehow your prayers, good thoughts and the grace of God scored me an 82 out of a possible 90 points. I am finishing with an A in the class. Unbelievable! But I guarantee within the week I will not remember any of the algebraic equations and formulas.
Next up was Marine Biology. Yes, I’m totally serious. I received a B in the class. My final term paper included explaining the mutualistic relationship between zooxanthellae algae and the reef-building coral shown here:
SHARK!
This was followed by remembering that Sweet Boy would be home on Friday due to a school “in-service day”, the hot water heater decided it needed to be replaced NOW and oh did I tell you that I am doing all of this while Mr. Decor is away on business? Everything felt a little like this:
But I had to keep on swimming. The next tidal wave had me selecting furniture, flooring and paint from the thousands of choices that are available. You might think that the experience would be like this:
But when you factor in a small budget, very limited time and that everything has to meet CA 117 fire retardant codes it’s actually a bit more like this:
But I took on those jellies and kept swimming. Now I am in the midst of creating a beautiful booth for the Bohemian Bliss Soiree. There are a number of last-minute alterations and a swarm of decisions to be made.
It truly will be so much fun to be in the midst of such talented and creative people this Friday and Saturday.
It’s all worth it because I know that when she sees me her face will look like this:
And mine will look like this:
UPDATE: I received a call that my proposal was selected! Yaw hoo! As soon as I sign the contract I will show you pictures of the space and my design selections.
Keep on swimming.
As much as I feel for you and how busy you are, I loved how you presented it to us! What a darling post!
What a cute post! I love Nemo 🙂
Congrats on your grades – I know you’re as relieved as I am to be finished for the term.
Enjoy the Soiree and the visit with your grandmother. You’re such a busy girl – I don’t think I could keep up with you!!
Lisa
Oh my just reading all of this gave me the jitters. I think I need an aspirin and a hot bath. How about you? What a great post about real like. It always seems that one thing just piles on top of another, but I love the “just keep on swimming”. It reminds me of my favorite saying, How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. Congrats on accomplishing so much and keeping your sanity and on the great test scores. Hugs, Marty
I love it! That was adorable.
Keep swimming and good luck!
How cute!
Thanks for the much-needed encouragement. What’s been getting me down? 7th grade. It’s hard work keeping a forgetful daughter on track in this last quarter of school. I’m so ready for school to be done!
Loved your blog as always,
Linda
Yikes, what a schedule! You sound like you are taking it a step at a time and having the right attitude; you can do it! Maybe after Tuesday you will get a chance to breathe a teeny bit. I can’t wait to hear how everything goes!
Aww Laura i’m so happy for your great grades! Disney/Pixar movies always have the best messages 🙂 It is true, just keep swimming! Right now you are like Michael Phelps LOL! You are doing great.
Your pictures are always inspiring, but these are especially inspiring considering all that they are illustrating! Sounds like you have a lot on your plate right now but with your great attitude, you’ll come out the other end exhausted but satisfied…and hopefully with more great pictures of your work to show us!
MGM
Your posts just make my day! Congrats on the Algebra–I was absent that day, too, btw!
I’m sure the condo project will all sort itself and they will love your proposal!
Keep swimming…love it!
I LOVE this post! How precious it was seeing Nemo’s little squishy face the way yours will look when you see your Grandmother!
I don’t know how you do it all. And I thought my life was busy! Girl, you could run circles around me…twice 🙂
Congrats on the job and completing your exams. Well Done!
Love,
LuLu~*xoxo
p.s. I never found out who the man was over at the neighbors in the vampire outfit but he was only half dressed when he came back out *raising my eyebrows* YIKES!
Congratulations on finishing your exams – I’m with you on the math thing – you and I must have been gawking at colours and fabrics somewhere else.
So many wonderful things happening in your life right now!
Lorrie
Just catching up reading posts after two weeks of vacation. I hope you have an awfull lot of fun at Bohemian Bliss Soirée. I love how you tell us your story using Finding Nemo’s images. I love that movie. I hope you have a nice day.
I loved reading your creative post… It made me smile.. and I’m always saying “Just keep swimming” because its my favorite quote from that movie too… It just fits doesn’t it?
Good Rule:
Keep Cool
(Its going to be triple digits this week end!)
~Really Rainey~
Love the images! So cute! Congrats on your exams! And Congrats on getting selected! Can’t wait to see the pics!
I’m looking forward to seeing your designs. I think you must do really well under pressure!
Haha oh my gosh Laura you make me look like a bum with the amount of work you get done LOL. You just keep swimming girl!!! I’m so happy that your proposal was picked! Yay! I’m excited for the pictures 🙂
All the best,
Allison
Love the post! Too cute. And CONGRATULATIONS on receiving the contract!!!! I know you will do an amazing job. I can’t wait to see what you do with it.
*hugs*
Thanks for the fishy tale and the illustrations which made me laugh! Congratulations on winning the proposal. No doubt your ingenuity and stylish ideas plus your details delivered so quickly, show what a super star you are. Looking forward to seeing the ideas and the unfolding.
Happy visit with Grandma.
Yay! Congratulations…my post today was on swimming of sorts too. I took my last final a week ago, graduated this past Saturday,and signed a contract to teach high school today. God is so good! Keep swimming; He has amazing plans for your life!
What a clever post! CONGRATULATIONS! You have been sooo busy, but you have pulled it all off soooo well! I’m impressed. Can’t wait to see pictures of your design job. How exciting. laurie
Love this post Laura.
I can so relate to Dory and the phrase….”Keep on swimming”. Were you writing this for me? 🙂
Congratulations on your finals…sounds like all went well. And a big round of applause and YAHOOS for your proposal being excepted. I look forward to seeing the pictures.
Oh, wow. I seriously do not know how you got that proposal done with all of that other stuff going on! Congrats on the good grades! What is your degree?
This was a great post. Did it take you 7 hours to put it together?
Shannon
Yup. Hubby liked the glasses. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by and helping me celebrate my sits day today! I had ginormous fun.
WOnderfully written!! hehe!!
Congratulations on your great grades!!!! 🙂
I am sure yiu’ll do this project and A’s that too!! 😉
Monica
Loved how you told your story and loved the pictures….Congratulations on your grades and your project….can’t wait to see the pictures.
OMG..you are so hilarious & inspiring and did I say “sweet”? First off congrat's on landing the project. Way to go. Second – your grades were stupendous. I had to chuckle about your fear of math because I'm right there with you. Having to deal with that fear taking classes right now too.
Good things happen to good people, so keep on swimming. Loved your post. Pictures were spot on. Made me laugh!
All the best to you Laura
Wow you are one busy lady…I couldn’t keep up. I love the comparison to Nemo!
Oh I love your post Laura, it made me smile.
Congratulations on your excellant marks and for having your proposal selected!
Way to go! and good luck with that.
Enjoy your weekend
Hugs
Carolyn
That was such a sweet, creative post!
Fabulous post,Your positive outlook and stamina will see your through.
Congrats on your course finals.
Have a great day!
Darlene
I’m laid up in this chair with a bum ankle (organic gardening accident — dangerous stuff chasing bugs with a jar of soapy water) and so I wandered to your site — how I got here? No idea. But I’m here and I’m laughing and smiling. (and feeling a bit silly for frowning over my forced relaxation when you have SO MUCH on your schedule — yikes girlfriend!) This was a clever, darling, uplifting, encouraging, and downright GREAT post (and you didn’t need one algebraic formula to complete it — go figure).
Thanks for bringing good cheer to a grumpy Gert.
Congrats on landing the job. I’ll be back to see what you have for show-and-tell.
p.s.
Are you named after THE Laura Ingalls by chance? Or just affectionately? Or merely conicidentally? (Just being snoopy.) : D
Oh Laura, you busy girl.. Just keep swimming, indeed.. This post has me in stitches.. 🙂 Congrats on ur new job.. I can hardly wait to see your photos..