sometimes the hard thing is the right thing...

There is so much talk about nesting these days...in magazines...on decorating blogs...on HGTV...and from me, for heaven's sake. But this redesigner has begun nesting of a different sort...getting ready for the arrival of Baby Number Three! My husband and I are looking forward to adding one to our nest in March of 2009. The arrival of any baby brings with it any number of changes, joys, and stresses, and this one is no exception.




Counting My Blessings
I am extremely fortunate to have an amazing amount of flexibility in my redesign business. I'm free to schedule not too much, not too little, but just enough to be a Mom First and a Redesigner Second. I have also been blessed with a steady stream of clients over the last twelve months, and experienced more success than I ever anticipated when I quietly created my first website last year. My blog has grown to hundreds of readers daily and I've had the opportunity to contribute to various publications as an "expert" in the field of interior redesign. Wow. Can I just take a moment to say "Thanks, God!" And another moment to say, "Thank YOU! For reading, for caring about what I have to say, for enjoying my photos, for hiring my services, for spreading the word about Nesting Instincts!"



You may have sensed me leading up to something here. Well, after much wailing and gnashing of teeth (okay, just kidding! but there may have been a few little tears) I've decided to put Nesting Instincts on hold for several months while I work on getting my household in order, preparing for baby, and then caring for the baby for the first several months of its life. Little things like moving furniture - which is a regular part of my role as Redesigner - are getting more difficult as the pregnancy progresses. Since Nesting Instincts is a one-woman show, I have no assistant or back-up. Also, my house has been in a fair amount of chaos (it's true!) while I've cared for my non-human baby - that would be Nesting Instincts - and I'm feeling the need to get my home ship-shape again in time for the human baby's arrival. There are other contributing factors to this decision, but you get the picture. I have every intention of picking up where I left off sometime next year (Summer or Fall of 2009).



What does this mean for my loyal readers and clients?
After this week, I will no longer be updating the Nesting Instincts blog or sending out the Feather Your Nest newsletter. Gulp. Yeah, that one kinda hurts, because it's something I really enjoy. But it's also something that takes a lot of time and energy - two valuable commodities that I am feeling short on these days. I plan to devote that same amount of time and energy to my family and home in the coming months instead. My blog will still exist in cyberspace, so if you need links to other great resources and blogs, or would like to peruse my past articles at any point, you'll still be able to do so.

In addition, after November 15, I will no longer be doing interior redesigns or consultations for clients (until sometime next year). If you would like a new look in your home before the holidays begin, just contact me! The appointment just needs to take place between now and November 15. If you were already thinking of getting my help with your home, but just hadn't made the call, now is the time to do it. Most likely my rates will change when my business resumes in 2009.



I feel a little melancholy as I write this, but I know it's just for a season. Who knows what amazing things are around the corner? (Well, I know that one of those things is a baby, but I meant after that!) I only ask that when you see something from Nesting Instincts pop up in your inbox several months from now, you'll remember who it's from - and might actually open it and read it! And feel free to still tell your friends about Nesting Instincts, because in the words of the illustrious Governor, "I'll be back."

Thank you for your amazing support and encouragement, friends! I will miss you!



For now...

If you'd like to view some of my signature redesigns, read here

For posts on entertaining and events, read here

For my Fabulous Finds - my past favorite picks from Etsy artists - read here

For my Artist of the Month interviews, read here



P.S. I'll still be peeking in on my favorite blogs...you know who you are! And I would love to hear from you. I can always be reached via email at courtneyg [at] nesting-instincts.org. See you again in 2009!