Primrose Hill Manor: A Moment Of Truth And Some Exciting News To Share!
Happy December, friends!
The holiday season is now upon us. And, despite the never-ending rotation of Christmas music and the brisk winter chill in the air, I want to take you back (only for a moment) to the hot, sticky summer we experienced in Kawartha Lakes this past July.
There I was, knee deep in renovation management. And, despite the heat, everything was going swimmingly (or so I thought) as I managed the restoration of Primrose Hill Manor, my dream home in the country.
Most days I had 15 people on the property, all executing their respective trades with skill, like a symphony of sorts, and it was going really well.
Yet, in between my self-appointed construction management role and my life as a mom, I had created a laundry list of other tasks for myself.
I was blogging, I was Instagraming, I was TikToking, I was marketing to every Kawartha Lakes media outlet or podcast who would have me, all while driving my kiddos from one summer event to another.
Truthfully, I was trying to create some kind of normalcy within this massive change, and life was really, really busy.
And then it happened. I hit my breaking point.
This quintessential Type A personality bought a one way ticket straight to her couch. And stayed there for a couple of weeks.
Truthfully, I needed to take a step back. I was really overwhelmed, and I was so busy that I hadn’t realized how much I needed to stop…and breathe.
Once I got myself off the couch I focused on self-care. I gardened, I mowed the lawn, I organized cupboards and closets, I photographed, and I swam. I focused on everything that I loved to do, to help fill my “cup” back up.
But coming back to blogging took a little longer than I thought.
I really am my own worst critic when it comes to writing and THAT was the real source of my procrastination.
But I’m back, with a fresh new perspective. And a dash of appreciation for how far I’ve come.
And here is where I take a moment to say thank you for sticking with me! I appreciate you more than you know.
So, how do I bring you up to speed on all that has happened since July? I’m certain I’m going to miss a few things but here are some noteworthy moments.
1. I decided to leave my 30 year career at Strategic Coach. No more trips to London, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles etc. Purchasing Primrose Hill was the starting point to a huge life shift for me and I was ready for a change. I haven’t regretted my decision one bit. I leave that old world behind with a grateful heart. New adventures await!
2. As it relates to the renovation here are the updates: Kitchen and bathrooms were finally completed, all walls and ceilings were repaired, a complete electrical upgrade took place, a full pool restoration, bedrooms upgraded, two new sump pumps added in the basement, a new hot water tank installed, two new air conditioners installed, all ductwork cleaned, chandeliers shined, honey bees thoughtfully removed, and so on, and so on. Despite tackling a massive list, it seems like there is still much to do. But, bit by bit things are getting done.
3. In October I hosted a public House & Garden Heritage Tour. Four hundred wonderful people walked through the doors of my home. It was a surreal moment for me. To those who visited, I hope you enjoyed your day. I promise to order sunnier weather, the next time around. And, a huge thank you to my volunteers. I couldn’t have managed without you.
4. And lastly, I have been spending a lot of time connecting with those who have lived in this home previously. Oh, the exciting stories I have to share. I will be blogging about those stories in due time. Stay tuned!
And finally, I leave you with some exciting news as it relates to the business side of Primrose Hill Manor. In the coming weeks I will be offering an e-commerce section on my website. The first items on the site are VERY congruent with my brand and I CANNOT wait to share them with you! Any guesses?
Wishing you a wonderful week and thanks again for cheering me on.
With love,
Paulette at Primrose Hill xo