My sister Jan, and me wearing my favorite necklace. 2007
Treasures from France
My adventures in France began around 2007
when my sister Jan was sent to Paris four separate times for her job.
I eagerly offered to join her for a few days after her May trip.
The rainiest days did not match my fantasy of Paris,
but we made the best of it
and saw most of the main sights which included
climbing to the top of Notre Dame.
What a treat to see the gargoyle’s up close.
Armed with Wandering Paris by Jill Butler (Amazon) and
Rick Steve’s Paris guidebook,
we took in the sights and found the shops.
It was on this trip I learned to “buy it when you see it”.
The first evening we passed a tiny boutique
on the way to a boat ride on the Seine.
In the window was a beautiful necklace made up of
brightly colored mother of pearl buttons.
Luckily, I bought it even though I’d just arrived and was jet-lagged.
We passed that store twice a day the rest of the trip and it was never open again.
I get compliments on that necklace every time I wear it.
Stephanie, Corey, and I in Texas. 2009
Corey and Yann in the back yard. Was so proud when you featured on the blog for a while.
Around the same time, I discovered “Tongue in Cheek”,
a wonderful blog is written by Corey Amaro about her life
in France with her handsome FH and darling children.
I was instantly drawn in by her beautiful photography and
engaging storytelling.
One of my friends couldn’t understand why anyone would want
to read about the life of someone you don’t even know
and would never meet.
After reading Corey’s daily posts for several years,
I did get to meet her at Round Top Antique Fair in Texas.
She spent over an hour visiting with my friend Stephanie and I.
She was so kind and generous to us.
By then I had discovered other artists and Francophiles
and began making almost yearly trips to France.
The highlight besides the wonderful people and picturesque countryside
is always the brocantes/flea markets
where unbelievable treasures are to be found.
I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Corey and her beautiful home
several more times over the years.
I’m still impressed with her incredible photography and interesting stories and posts.
(Sidenote Sue was a finalist for Top Shelf! Check out this link.)
Fast forward to June 2018.
After 30+ years of designing closets in the Chicago area,
it was time to hang up the measuring tape and move to Tennesee.
On my first visit to Tennesee years before,
I knew I could live there.
It’s beautiful, not that far from family in the midwest
and the weather is a lot better than Chicago –
especially in the winter.
I bought a 3 bedroom home in a brand new over 55 community
40 minutes south of Nashville.
I had time to tie up loose ends with my career and say
goodbye to many friends and family while the home was being built.
I loved my job and realized I could help my new neighbors
(most people downsizing) make the most of their space here.
We outfitted all my closets so I can use my home as a model before I even moved in,
I had a client. Closet Works South was born.
I found an awesome installer and we’ve been helping neighbors ever since.
I wanted 3 bedrooms so I could have plenty of room for guests.
I had visitors regularly and had fun showing them the sights,
enjoying Music City/Nashville.
That all came to a screeching halt in March 2020.
No visitors, no travel to exotic locals,
we were all stuck at home like the rest of the world.
My sister Jane lives in my neighborhood and we decided to make masks.
We weren’t sure if they would be needed but we wanted something to do.
We set up the sewing machines on my dining room table
and started making masks.
My sister Nancy who is a nurse-midwife in a large Chicago hospital asked
us if we could make her some.
They were hard to find even for frontline people who really needed them.
We quickly sent her some and realized there was a need-
we were on the right track.
We recruited some kind neighbors to help us we formed
a step by step assembly line so that we
were able to make them much quicker.
There were steps for sewers and non-sewers
eventually, we had about 80 people in our development helping in one way or another.
Since all the fabric and elastic was donated,
we asked for a $5.00 donation per mask.
We had “pop up” shops and mailed out masks all over the country.
Yay for the USPS, they never lost a mask!
“Mask” Production raised over $22,000
and sold and donated at least 5,000 masks.
(if you click on the link above you will learn more about our
mask production it is on page 8.)
(Click here to see the mask pattern we used)
The money went to local worthy causes including tornado relief,
food banks, Boys and Girls Club, Senior dog rescue,
police and fire departments, and many other local charities.
We still have lots of masks available and continue to raise money.
Real Men Wear Colorful Masks!!
When “Mask” Production was asked to make masks for
one of our neighbor's sons deployed in Afghanistan,
we gladly got to work.
They were sent about a month ago and we recently received this photo
featuring Real Men from the US Navy, US Army as well
as the Italian, Czech, Polish, and Romanian Armies.
We were honored to send these masks to them and
appreciate the awesome photo modeling the masks
My latest venture is hosting art classes in my garage/SheShed.
I met a fantastic local artist, Laura Rhinehart
she has been teaching a Painting Florals class for the last few weeks.
Luckily the weather has been about perfect and we are able to be in the fresh air.
Her technique brings out the “Monet” in everybody and it has been fun.
Hoping to be able to resume life as it was
but making the best of life as it is.
Thanks, Corey for asking me to contribute to your blog I’m honored.
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