alibi

Just so you don't lose faith in my abilities to sense direction--the blog prior to this one didn't present the same way it did while I was writing. Thus, my references to "the picture on the left, etc." don't make sense.
I've a decent sense of direction, but not distance. Know that I'll get there . . . it may take a while, but I will.

Grand Plans

Well, Spring Break has come and gone--my family has returned with a healthy tan glow.





I had great plans during their absence--was to accomplish so much and a reality was cruel!





One project I did tackle and complete, however, was the painting of my oak wardrobe (pictured "before" to the left--you can see the reflection of the wardrobe's contents on my bed!) I think I promised white, but as I was perusing my selection of paints--most procured in the "oops" section of our home improvement warehouses--I was captured by a lovely french blue. Well, the results are evident below. I am very pleased with the new look. I'm happy to open my eyes in the morning and see it in all it's large, blue glory. The best part--my husband actually likes it, too!


I think the color may carry over into my master bath for the stained-to-look like oak vanity. I'm motivated!

I also added a new look to my sofa--pictures of that change to follow. I have cut out the "aprons" for my dining chairs and hope to have to prototype sewn together this weekend. Still trying to decide if I'll farm out the sewing (it's straight lines for heaven's sake!) or do it myself. I guess it'll all be determined by how the first one works out. I'll keep you posted.

For now, I'll just enjoy what little I did accomplish.

Thanks for your interest!

Now I get it . . .

I think I understand now. I've never been accused of being a woman of few words--even when journaling (or blogging). I think, however, if I'm actually going to do this, I need to pare down my entries. So, one week before Good Friday, I'm making my Lenten commitment to "shut up and do." (I think I can do that for 7 days.)
I thought I'd let you all know about my plans for my week of solitude. (Darren and kids will head to FL for Spring Break.)
Ever since opening the shop, I have severely neglected my home. I have done very little to make my home the inviting space I once envisioned. I tackle little projects, but without seeing an entire project through, it still has a disjointed appearance.
I'm going to finish our master bedroom and bath. I'm going to start by painting our wardrobe--eek! Sorry purists--I must coat that orange-y oak with satin white! I'm also on the look-out for a new headboard and a piece of furniture to store Darren's clothing. Then, in our bathroom, more paint--the vanity will also be slathered in white. And down comes the black and red chandelier to be replaced by an old fixture we found under the house and painted . . . white.
Another project involves the dining room. I'm going to recover the dining chairs and make slipcovers for the backs. When time allows, there will be matching curtains, too.
I'll promise pictures of the before and after looks, but you kow better than to hold your breath.
My hope is that now that I've told all three of my readers, I'll follow through!
Write and tell me about you projects. If you need some ideas . . . send me a picture with a brief description of what you'd like to achieve. I'll send you a few ideas.
Thanks for your indulgence.

Where am I and what time is it?

As we move into the weekend when we will lose another hour of sleep (as if I need the government to tell me to do this--like I don't lose enough without the help of Big Brother!). I find myself pondering the seriously short supply of "time" I find in my reserve. It's not there. Sure, we all feel like there are never enough hours in the day at some point or another, but I'm quite sure my supply is smaller than yours--really.

There are things I can do, I'm sure. I believe my husband has a list already typed, with an accompanying power point slide show to effectively demonstrate how I waste my days away. Not that he's critical of me--he just knows how to manage his time better than I. He wakes up early--just to go work out! What's up with that? Good rest habits are extremely important to the health. I like my casual approach to my work out--no alarms jarring me awake. I just wait until my twelve-year-old son comes careening down the stairs, grabbing hold of the railing to keep the centrifugal force from slamming him into the wall. That's enough of a wake-up.

After I kiss him and attempt to kiss my daughter good-bye and wish them a good day, I sit down and watch a little of the good news on the networks. Then it's me and Rodney Yi--together we salute the sun--he always starts off "warmed up;" it takes me a few downward facing dogs to feel like I can even begin to visualize my knees--let alone see them during my forward bends.

I thought yoga would be a good thing for me. I could center and focus. I could relax and breathe. Every now and then I feel like I may be able to do these things, but more often then not, I center my focus on the same things I focus on every day, all day. Will my kids grow up to be happy and at least somewhat productive? Will they still be speaking to me in three years? Will I survive Darren's return to the "real" Army? Will the kids? Will my business be a success? Can we really afford to start renovations on the building? Will my 1993 Suburban last until said renovations are complete? Are we making progress downtown or just arranging the smoke and mirrors? How can anyone "breathe naturally" during the half-boat pose?

This started out as a blog about--wait, I'll go check . . . oh, "myself" was pondering about my seriously short supply of time. Focus. I am sure there are skills I can learn. I need to take responsibility for my schedule and stick to it. Center. Much of the so called "interruptions" to my schedule erupt due to everyday events--phone calls, drop-in visitors, kids activities. These are all good things. I get those phone calls because I'm actually able to pay that outrageous telephone bill every month! I have drop in visitors because I have friends--I'm blessed. My kids are active because they're healthy--I'm very, very blessed! No complaints.

Well, I digress and I've gone way beyond my allotted 30 minutes for this blog entry. (Time management, shmime management!) My point is, I'd like to get a better handle on my time. I feel like I accomplish so little beyond the "must do" list of each day. Yet, I'm sure there will be time to think about that tomorrow . . .

Greetings and Salutations!

Welcome to my newest addition to Hodgepodge--Where You Gather Your Home. This is my blog--Where I Gather My Thoughts! Rather than filling your email box with all of my rants, I thought I'd leave it up to you--visit my blog or don't (of course, I hope you will!). At least I won't worry that I'm inundating you with a bunch of emails which have no interest for you (believe me when I say "worry," as I live in the land of "worry and regret!").

One thing I don't regret, however, is opening Hodgepodge. I love coming to work everyday. I love having you guys stop in for a visit--helping you pull together a look for your home or choosing a gift for a friend. I glean total satisfaction from the simple sale of a bar of soap--if it truly fills the need which brought you through my door.

For those of you who found me through some fortuitous happenstance, (aka: a Google search), allow me to explain . . .

I am Paige Thomas King: wife to Darren; mother to Hunter, Haedyn and Hannah; daughter to Jack and Charlene; and sister to Nikki and Kendall. The reason, however, for this blog is due to my other role as owner of Hodgepodge--Where You Gather Your Home.

Hodgepodge is a boutique full of vintage and new home furnishings and accessories. We also offer a selection of personal accessories and gift items. Hodgepodge is located in Historic Downtown Clarksville, Tennessee. The U.S. Army brought us to Clarksville (Ft. Campbell, KY is the nearby post) and we were lucky enough to find and buy (in another 27 year it's ours) our dream home. Darren and I have a love for old buildings/homes and downtown living--so, here we are! (Well, at least the kids and I--Darren will be wherever the Army wants him!) Opening a shop has been a long-time dream, which I thought would have to wait until Darren's retirement, but circumstances presented us with an opportunity to get-started sooner.

So, that brings me to reason #1 for my blog--I'm so excited to be pursuing my dream that I want to help you with yours, too. I love hearing your plans, dreams and wishes. If I can help you in any way--I will. Especially, if you're interested in locating your "dream" in downtown Clarksville!

Reason #2 for my blog--I'm all about Historic Downtown Clarksville. I was resolute in choosing a downtown location for my shop--even though the statistical research and data didn't necessarily support my desire to locate downtown (my "target demographics," and blah, blah, blah). I set about finding an appropriate location--firm in my belief that Historic Downtown Clarksville has a lot to offer and was poised for further development and growth. Needless to say, after two years and three month of being open, I'm certain I made the right decision. Clarksville natives, as well as newcomers enjoy seeing the revitalization of the Historic Downtown. As I've been known to say, the historic downtown area of any community has, at it's heart, what is unique to that city--it's where society, government and commerce began . . . it's where it must remain if we are to keep our sense of community pride and achievement.

Now, what qualifies me to do what I do? Nothing different from what you possess, I'm sure. I just had an idea and pursued it. When my vision was seen as a viable option for the Clarksville community by the fine people at US Bank--my husband and I took on a loan and off I went to the Atlanta Americasmart! I don't have formal training as a decorator or designer, but I know what I like. I'm a frugal shopper and love to mix vintage and new items for my own home. My philosophy is that you should surround yourself with items you love and tell the story of you and your family. I cannot abide by the retailers who want you to purchase everything for one room (or the entire house)--down to the pictures you'll hang on the wall-- all in one trip to their showroom. Take your time, find the things that speak to you and, as long as they mean something to you, they will all work together in your home.

That was, by the way, my third and final reason for the blog--to help you "gather your home!"
Well, there you have it--my lengthy introduction to Paige, the blogger!

Thanks for your indulgence!

To Market, to market . . .

. . . to buy a fat pig? No, but I did find some fat-free chocolate bunnies!

As many of you know, Kendall and I went to the Atlanta Home Accessories and Gift Show last weekend. This was Kendall's first foray into the wild world of the "buyer's market" and I believe she was duly impressed. While seemingly endless hours of shopping may appeal to many of you, I can assure you there is a price to be paid. My hips are just now recovering, as are Kendall's feet. We're talking 6.2 million square feet of showrooms and I feel sure we covered a large portion of it!

The good news is our hard work will be evident in the coming months as new merchandise rolls into Hodgepodge via UPS, FedEX and freight carriers! I am very excited about some of the new items we found and ordered all in the hopes of helping you gather your home. I found a great new source for home and garden decor, which I'll be able to offer at great prices. They are my source for the "fat-free bunnies," too. (More on those Spring draws closer.) Then there were all the great offering from some tried and true vendors such as Archipelago Botanicals--we're expanding our scent selection and offering our best sellers in their incredible scent diffusers. We've also expanded our Comptoire de Familie line in order to bring you the best selection of reproduction Country French decor. You should also check-out our ever-growing line of offerings from Gourmet du Village! For Valentine's Day (or any other day--who needs an excuse?) we'll have fondue kits for two, more of the hot chocolates, as well as tasty truffles!

We also found some great personal accessories, such as one-of-a-kind jewelry made from broken china and sterling silver. It combines two of my loves--transferware china and silver! We have a new vendor for unique, stylish handbags in a variety of styles and sizes. Then, there are the charms we already have in the shop. They're handmade from vintage pictures/photographs and framed between two pieces of glass with sterling silver. You have to see them to understand how special they are.



The long and long of it is . . . I hope we found the things you've been longing for or didn't even know you wanted! I 'm always on the lookout for the items you mention to me and hope I can help you find them--if not at my shop, then elsewhere.

I won't be hitting market again until July--should give me time to recover or schedule hip surgery--but I'm constantly meeting with my phenomenal reps and receiving items throughout the year.

Please let me know how I can help you gather your home.