Sunday, February 10, 2008

Extreme Bed & Bath Makeover

So while I was away, Paris led an army of my supporters in redecorating my bedroom and bathroom. The people we bought our house from (in 1995) must have loved wallpaper. Especially floral wallpaper. They had it everywhere. Especially all over our master bed and bathrooms. It was totally not me. So when I was pregnant with Kaelin (in 1999) I started stripping it. It wasn't as easy as I thought and it was too big of a job for me and I maybe got 1/2 way done with it before giving birth to my beautiful little girl. And with a newborn and a 4 year old and going back to work when Kaelin was 3 months old, I never got back to it. And the years passed and when I did have time for projects, we would do the kids rooms and bathroom. We had done the big Lion King murals etc. in what used to be Spencer's room. And we did a Classic Winnie the Pooh nursery for Kaelin with clouds on the ceiling and wallpaper and handpainted characters on the closet drawers and dresser etc. And we stripped the wallpaper in the bathroom and added texture (it was drywall! just like the masterbath!!) and created an underwater scene with sponged paint and handpainting. And then Kaelin got too big for Winnie the Pooh (plus it was too girly! she was embarrassed!), and Spencer too big for Lion King, so we moved Kaelin into the Lion King room and Spencer into the guest room (which has cars and trucks driving around the border lol). Kaelin soon out grew the Lion King room so just before I got diagnosed, we began redecorating her room as a birthday gift from my mom and I. And then we had planned to start Spencer's next. But then all heck broke loose in June 06 when I was diagnosed, and well, priorities and life shifted for us all. There was never enough time or money for any of us. So our home improvement projects just sat undone. For years! I mean, that wallpaper sat half stripped for 9 years for crying out loud! It was very depressing to lay in bed after chemo for a week (sometime weeks!) at a time and stare at what needs to be done. But I always had dreams and big plans for it. Even had a file full of magazine clippings etc. of what I wanted it to look like. I had even put it on my "Bucket List" of things to do before I die. You can see my list here. I think my friends read my blog, saw my Bucket List and decided that they would take it upon themselves to help me cross it off my list while I was away in Reno for the last 3 weeks.

So when I returned yesterday with Paris, my family led me up to my room and instead of "move that bus" it was "open that door!" and when I did...Wow. It was like stepping into a fairy tale. Like through a photo into the beautiful pictures in a magazine. It was transformed into a beautiful retreat. A sanctuary. Soothing, calm, serene, relaxing colors and textures. Beautiful photos and pictures and knick knacks and curtains and rugs. Shells and sand. Like being in a hotel or something at an ocean resort. Just gorgeous. Breathtaking. I was stunned. Totally at a loss for words. Way more than I ever dreamed or expected. The time and energy and care and love that went into that room (and bathroom too!!!). Not to mention the expenses. The people who put their own lives and priorities on hold to finish up mine. It just blows my mind. I am so touched and grateful. I mean, I don't even know what to do with all of that. What does one say? How does one thank someone for all of that? It's all so surreal to me. Like with this cancer business. Is this really happening? Is this real? Am I dreaming? Am I going to wake up and things will go back to how they were? I just can't wrap my brain around it all.

And apparently they are not done with it! They are coming back next weekend to finish up. I'm afraid to unpack any of my bags. I have so much stuff. Where am I going to put it all without messing up the calmness? I need to brain storm some ideas on how to really thank these people and their families for spoiling me rotten once again. They even had their husbands here working on my bed and bath! Now I know that they all have better things to do with their time!!! Family time is a precious commodity.

And to come home to flowers by my bed (thanks Laura!) and some warm pretty pink sweatshirt and caps and a homemade lasagna dinner all ready to bake and eat (thanks Cathy!). I'm just tickled beyond words. I can never express my gratitude to the fullest. There are no words befitting enough to convey what I feel. So please accept my humblest appreciation and my deepest gratitude and my biggest, fattest, tightest hugs that are full of as much love and respect as I can muster up. I also need to apologize for the state of my room, bathroom and closet, home and garage! I'm so embarrassed that you all saw the state of my living conditions!!!

Thank you again for making my homecoming so special and for turning my eyesore of a bed and bath into a masterpiece. Special thanks going out to those involved (please forgive me if I miss anyone and correct me if I 'm wrong!): Paris Dukes, Tim and Cathy Dunn, Tom and Laura Nicolas, Jacie Wilson, Heidi Garnett, Susie Gass, Elizabeth Steiner Hayward and Cheryl Berglund. I love you all!!!
xoxox
Shauna

8 comments:

Laura Nicholas said...

hey there, girl. I am so glad you liked your room. I am so sorry about the outlet covers and such. We will take care of those when we come back to finish the trim. It was a pleasure to do this for you. I am just sorry that we couldn't say that it was completely finished. But we will finish it. It won't be another 9 years. lol Then we will help you with Spencer's room if you want our help. We just wanted you to have a room that was peaceful and a place that you could just relax.

Anyway, welcome home my friend. Enjoy your room! That is all the thanks that I would need...

Oh and you watching my boys on my anniversary - don't be silly. I would never ask you to do that. Crazy girl...

Hope to see you soon.
Laura

JO said...

Hi Shauna: Welcome home. Your rooms look great. As you can tell, you are very much loved by so many people. When you have to spend time in bed (like after having had chemo),it is nice to have a beautiful,relaxing and comforting room. Hope you get your infection taken care of. I hope to see you on Wednesday. Love, JO

Paris said...

Soooooo glad that you like it! It was so awesome to work on it... especially working with all of your wonderful friends and mom. They rock. It was just precious seeing your face when you walked in the room. Made my day! And how thrilled was Kaelin to show you!!?? Loved to see her so excited. Can't wait to start on Spencer's room! Love you, p

CathyD said...

Oh, Shauna. So glad you liked your room and bath. What a treat to get to be a part of this surprise for you. I was driving down towards Murray today and almost headed to your house! It didn't seem right not seeing your wonderful family today. Your Mom, Cheryl, is a treasure. Kaelin & Spencer were extremely patient (oh, Dave, too) with my Olivia and her bouncing. And what are we to do about this terrible crush we have on Simba now? :) Can't wait to see you again soon.

xo

Nightscrapper said...

Wow, what a beautiful room. Those colors are so soothing and so awesome. You deserve it girl! Enjoy!

Dale and Sherry said...

Hi Shauna!
It's the long lost Wilson's. We have been following you blog and are thoughts and prayers are with you!! I laughed when you talked about the wallpaper. I remember you commenting how much you hated it and how much the previous owner wallpapered every wall. Don't feel bad I've only painted a few of our walls too since the boys keep us so active!! Someday the house will be done!!! I love the picture with the long brown hair and hat!!
We wanted you to know that we are thinking about you!! Tell Dave Hi!! Dale and Sherry

laura said...

beautiful - and you deserve it. so glad you are back home with your family! :)

My name is Shanna said...

Holy moly!!!! Your Reno bedroom pales in comparison! :o)

What an amazing job everyone did putting this together, picking out the colors, fabrics and decorations! Do you think they would do a makeover in Cali? lol

I am thrilled that you have a sandy oasis to retreat to. You and Dave need it and deserve it too! After all, you are newlyweds, right?? *wink, wink*

Love and hugs, my friend.
Shanna