For the fourth year in a row, a handful of my writing friends converged at my place of residence to talk books, do a little site-seeing, and lend a helping hand. These ladies have helped me pack for two different moves, took care of me following surgery, and--this year--gave my new office a much-needed facelift.
Connie is the ultimate multi-tasker--able to tape baseboards and pet a cat without missing a beat.
Margie and Eileen are wallpaper border strippers extraordinaire and removed the ugly border
in preparation for fresh paint and new border.
And lest you think otherwise, I helped too. I really wanted to be the one to put that wonderful
"Poetry in the Park" paint on the walls. :o)
When we all completed our various tasks and put the furniture back where it belonged, this is how my office looked:
Isn't it pretty? I love the two different purple tones separated by the wisteria border. It feels so bright and cheerful. I love sitting at my desk and looking around the room, remembering how my friends committed their time and energy to giving me a pleasant work space. When I thanked them, guess what they said? "No problem. That's what friends are for." Made my heart smile, for sure.
Do you have a friend who's done something kind for you, just because "that's what friends are for"? If so, tell me about it, and I'll put your friend's name in a bucket for the chance to win a copy of my newest book (which hasn't even released yet!), When Hope Blossoms, to help you say thanks. How's that?
It really is true we get by with a little help from our friends! Friends are definitely one of our greatest blessings.
May God bless you muchly as you journey with Him! ~Kim
Oh my this is a hard one! I have been best friends with Missy for almost thirty years! While she's been going through chemo, I had my son. While we were in the hospital she sent me flowers. That meant so much to me. She's such a loving and caring person that she thought of my family during her fight. Thank goodness she is now cancer free! Woo hoo!
ReplyDeleteCampbellamyd at gmail dot com
DeleteOh my!!! Kim, your office is GORGEOUS! What a beautiful place for you to create more of those wonderful stories we love to read. ~ What special friends you have (loved that pic of Connie petting Frances(?)--forgive me if I named the wrong kitty*wink*. No need to put my name in the drawing--I make certain to get all your books (I honestly think I'm going to need a separate entire bookshelf only for my Kim Vogel Sawyer books--but that'll be just fine with me!). ~ I did want to share about my 4 very best friends from high school--we are still in touch and make certain to meet for lunch at least every 2 or 3 months. We've been in each other's weddings, rejoiced at births of our children, and comforted each other as we've all lost precious parents. Two years ago when I underwent my spinal surgeries, these friends were priceless--cannot imagine my life without them. And the funny thing is--most of them *don't* like CATS! Can you imagine??!! Yet, we're still the closest of friends and I know they're always there for me. ~ Thanks again for the look at your "new" office! Hugs, Patti Jo
ReplyDelete@Amy: So glad your precious friend is now cancer-free---Praise the Lord!
Amy, praising God with you that Melissa is cancer-free!
ReplyDeletePatti Jo--GASP!--not cat-lovers??? Well, there must be many other redeeming characteristics. :o) So glad they were/are there for you!
Hi Kim! I LOVE your new office. And what a sweet little kitchenette you have! Thanks for sharing the pictures. You ladies worked HARD!
ReplyDeleteLove the way your office turned out. I liked it before, but after is much better. My friend Donna has been there for me for over 20 years now. She has driven me to the Dr.'s and infusion labs. She was there at every surgery, especially when hubby didn't get to be. And when I had to go clear to Mayo Clinic, twice, she went with me and stayed with me through all the tests. I know how much she hated me moving away, would love for her to have a book.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the "new" writing space. It looks so inviting and cozy. Your question made me immediately think of my friend Casey. She is only 13 but as soon as my parents bought their neighbor's house to turn into Mom's store, Casey told me she wanted to help demolish and do whatever we needed help with. She is coming over this weekend to help. I thought it was so sweet of her to offer her time(her free days from school) to work with no expectations of pay or such. She has also been so kind lately as I battle my new medical condition(which effects my hearing to the extreme. Now the tiniest noises hurt) and it has caused me to need to isolate myself many times, but Casey always checks on me, makes sure I'm doing good. She always is smiling which is contagious and I love her for that.
ReplyDeleteOkay, I'll stop rambling about her now :)
Hi Kim, beautiful office and beautiful friends! Thanks for sharing these special thoughts and photos with us.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Carrie
Hi, Deb and Carrie--always good to see you here. :o)
ReplyDeleteCherie and freddikb, thank you for sharing your friend with me. Sounds like you both are blessed with someone special!
Beautiful office, Kim!!
ReplyDeleteMy friend, Linda, has been a friend since childhood. She is an inspiration in all church activities. I am an only so when my Mom had to go into a nursing home (ALZ) I was devastated. She quickly assisted me ...her Mom was already there...so she advised to ask for a certain room, a certain roommate, and even told the staff there about it. It worked! She always checked on my Mom, as she did hers, daily. I only had to miss one day visiting Mom (I was very ill), and Linda just completely filled in for me. She certainly made a traumatic deal..much easier for me.
jackie.smith{at}dishmail{dot}net
Jackie S.
I have a best friend,Karen,who was there for me when my husband passed away. She and her husband were the first ones at the hospital and she was there for me through the long months of mourning. She called me every single morning for months to see how I was doing, and included me in all activities even though I was no longer part of a couple. She is from Germany and escaped from East Germany with her mother when she was only 7 years old. She is a very gregarious lady and keeps me laughing all the time. I love her dearly and appreciate all she has done for me.
ReplyDeleteKim, I absolutely love your office! Looks like an amazing place to write :-) And your desk fits in so well!
ReplyDeleteMy have a very good friend who can get very caught up in her life, and even when we lived within 5 minutes of each other, we would hardly see each other. But I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that she is always there for me. One example: I was sick with the flu before Erik and I were married (and he was still living in Atlanta). I can't remember if I texted her or if she ended up calling me that day. However it happened, she talked with me and was like "what do you need?" Next thing I knew, even after an extremely long day at work, she came in with two huge cans of chicken noodle soup and Sprite :-) Now she's up in New Jersey and I don't get to talk to her as I would like, but that's ok. I know I can reach out whenever I need to...and she knows the same about me :-)
catherine.dacosta09(at)gmail(dot)com
Kimberly comes to mind when you ask about friends. When I get together with her, my world seems a better place, my problems appear smaller and the solutions to them nearer. She is an awesome listener, and has amazing insight and answers. I so appreciate her, and am ever thankful that God thought up 'friends'.
ReplyDeleteI am LOVING y'alls friend stories. Thanks so much for sharing them with me!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story, and your office is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWhen we moved in the house we now live in 5 1/2 years ago, some friends (Brian and Candy) offered to help us move the last of our stuff on a bitter cold, late December day. What was supposed to take a couple hours turned into an all day affair when our SUV got stuck up to the axles in our backyard, and it took over 4 hours and a lot of hard work to get it out. But instead of grumbling or complaining, they kept telling us how much fun they had spending the day with us. That's true friendship.
Your office is really nice Kim...for some reason I just KNEW that it would be purple! lol
ReplyDeleteAnd such wonderful friends! Friends are priceless. I have just a few of what I call real friends and we have been through so much together. We are so transparent with each other, we laugh, we cry...a true blessing from God!
My friend Joyce would love your new book. She is such a giver. Extending yesterday's birthday celebration of one, today she is taking three of us on an outing to Lamberts for lunch, the home of the throwed rolls; to a quilt shop and antique store, finishing up with a surprise music and Christian theatre play this evening.
ReplyDeleteI have loved watching the progression of your new home B&B!
lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net
Hi Kim!
ReplyDeleteI love your office..you have a real flair for interior decorating. I love the "Royal" colour too! Enjoy!:0)
Yes, Veronica and Rosie, there MUST be purple. :o)
ReplyDeleteLane Hill House, enjoy your outing!
Teri, those friends are true gems. :o)