Hi, I’m Tina and I’d like to welcome you to N’stead! While the site is a compilation of my husband Mike’s and my own lifestyle and skills, I’m the voice behind the blog so let me tell you a little about myself.
I’m one of those people who always see the glass half-full and know there are a wellspring of glass-filling substances available at all times. Yep, that’s me…I’m one of those optimists! As such, I see my life as an adventure to be lived, a chance to explore the things that interest and excite me, and an opportunity to design my surroundings to comfort, inspire, and uplift me. If you’re looking for an wild adventure blog, this isn’t it…I’m talking about a simple, everyday life that is fulfilling. A life that is actually quite well designed–for me/us.
Through the years, I have realized my outlook and the way I live my life is my greatest gift to others. I didn’t always feel this way and spent a lot of time soul-searching for ways to be more.
I have a world-traveling husband and friends–their stories entertain and delight others. I’m a home body, hate to fly, and prefer to be in my pj’s on the sofa cuddling with my dog than trekking the Himalayas. Yet, somehow I often felt like a shrinking violet when among travelers and their tales. Like I was less than. Unimaginative. Not adventurous enough. Rather than openly embracing my choice not to travel, I stayed in the shadows.
I have friends always dashing off to their homes in multiple locations. In contrast, I spend a good majority of my time feathering my current nest and looking for our next home. Not an additional home, not our dream home, but an “it’s time to live the life we want” retirement home. A home warm and welcoming to our friends and family–and my eventual grandbabies!
We seldom eat out; I feel like cooking and baking for friends and loved ones is a language of love that I am happy share. I talk to my dog like a child and enjoy agility classes and training with her; others would rather be out listening to bands and having cocktails. Mike and I spend an inordinate amount of time seeking out antiques, flea market finds, Pyrex and other treasures. Most people we hang out with are tossing that stuff to the curb. (Please, just let me know and I’ll come salvage what I can!)
A lot of people go to school and into a life-long career. I have enjoyed a lifetime of being a scanner–one who uses her abilities to try on many different vocations.
I admit that I used to compare myself to others in our circle of peers, and most times felt inadequate. I no longer do either comparing or feeling inadequate! My life is my life. I’m not here to impress or please others. I’m not here to do/be/have by anyone else’s parameters. I am here to find joy, give love, and use my gifts to the best of my ability.
Once I stopped my self-comparison and letting others’ opinions matter, I realized my life is exactly as I want it; exactly as I have designed it!
It’s a life I love, and loving my life means I am relaxed and engaged with others. I am often a voice of support, advice, comfort, encouragement; I offer a different perspective on issues; I have a good dose of common sense; I’m handy and pretty self-sufficient. I’m intuitive (don’t lie to me, I can feel it!) and empathetic. I’m courteous and helpful, yet don’t like being taking advantage of. I value others and their beliefs, yet defend my own. I’m a staunch believer in self-educating versus taking things at face value. I am comfortable that the life I live is perfect for me and I don’t feel the need to push against the life anyone else is living. While I don’t feel I have settled in my life, I have settled into my life and the many joys it provides me.
While it’s actually hard to put into words, I now know this: my essence and the simplicity of my life is my gift to share with others. I no longer seek to be more; I am enough as I am.
However, just because I love my life, it doesn’t mean I’m done designing it. I’m writing a new chapter and it begins today, right here on this blog!
I can’t promise life-changing advice or inspiration, but I hope to at least provide some entertainment, some creative ideas, and to build camaraderie through stories of our projects and everyday life as seen through my eyes! I always have a lot on my mind so you never know what I may write about. However, I can assure you there will be posts about interior decorating, entertaining, up-cycling, fixing things, cooking and baking–we both do our fair share, our dog Pippa, our cat Roudie, friendship, and definitely household projects and repairs.
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Nsteadonline 