...because home doesn't happen overnight.

18house4

I haven’t written a blog post or been on social media for twenty-one months. TWENTY-ONE! That’s nearly two years!! Surely, I must have gone mad or something horrendous has happened to me and my family. Fortunately, the reason for my hiatus isn’t that dramatic. Simply put, I started working full-time as a pharmacist (my trained profession) again, and it was necessary to reprioritize (quickly!) for the sake of sanity – mine and my family’s. Blogging has taken a back seat and been there for a while. But I have a little free time on my hands at the moment, so I’m scratching the itch and giving it a go. It’s impossible to fit two years into one post, so I’ll hit the highlights (not necessarily in chronological order) and see what happens.

me and mabes

1. I went back to work as a pharmacist. Going back to pharmacy wasn’t something I specifically discussed on the blog (although I did mention what I missed about working outside the home here), but when I decided to stay home with the kids after our third was born it was always my intention to go back to pharmacy in some capacity once Mabrey started school. At the end of 2016, panic got the best of me when I realized Mabrey would be starting kindergarten the following fall. I wasn’t sure if anyone would hire me with a five-year gap on my resume, so I immediately began applying for jobs thinking it would take a while to get a bite. Steve and the kids were nothing but supportive. I think they were ready for me to get back out there. Ha! As luck would have it, I had an interview and then an offer within a week. The job, hours and pay were just too good to pass up.

I’ve been working full-time (actually overtime 90% of the time) since the beginning of 2017 and I love it. You may recall that the majority of my pharmacy experience was in retail and it wasn’t my favorite. Now, I’m in a hospital setting in an outpatient pharmacy where we collaborate with nurses, doctors and social workers to ensure patients have everything they need for a successful transition to home/long term care facility/shelter. Because we’re non-profit and have access to several community-based public health programs, we do a lot of work with low income and homeless individuals. I’m not sure what you know about Dayton, Ohio, but we’re in the thick of an opioid epidemic, so we serve many patients coping with addiction and overdose as well. We also fill prescriptions for hospital employees. Earlier this year, I was promoted to manager, so not only am I fulfilling pharmacist duties, I’m managing several other pharmacists and a half-dozen technicians, too.

The first few months were a HUGE transition period (mono, strep, frequent work travel for Steve and finishing up the pee house renovation were added challenges), but I feel like we’re in a good place now – especially with all three kids in school. We’re even enjoying this new normal.

18house1

2. We moved! You probably already guessed that from the photos. So, yeah, at one point last year we owned THREE houses for a short period of time and it was INSANE. The long story will have to wait for another post, but the short story is our forever house totally ambushed us, sneaking up out of nowhere. The timing was terrible. We were finishing up the pee house and hadn’t even contemplated putting the house we were living in on the market. In the end, it all worked out. Even though it’s all kinds of outdated (so. much. brown.) and we’ve only been here a year, our new place feels like home more than any other place we’ve lived. We love working on it, and every time we finish a project we love it even more.

pee house

3. We sold the pee house. Our first flip was a success! We sold by owner and made a decent profit. I promise to share more details and photos someday. I think the most difficult aspect of flipping for us was holding back from over-improving which meant diligently choosing what to do and what not to do. Our goal was to bring the old house back to life with modern conveniences but keep resale and profit in mind. Would we flip again? Definitely.

kids 30a

kids wv

4. The kids grew. Layne is thirteen and, let me tell you, thirteen is hard! For kids and parents. So many changes happening, and it’s a stage of parenting I feel completely unprepared for. Layne went through an especially drastic growth spurt. He grew 6.5″ and gained thirty-three pounds in one year! Even the pediatrician was blown away. He passed me up a while ago and is nearly as tall as Steve. He wears a size 11 shoe and tells me he has the deepest voice of anyone in his school. He’s still playing mandolin and recently acquired an electric bass which he really enjoys. He’s taken up tennis which seems to be the common thread holding us together at this point, so I’ll take it! He still hugs me goodnight voluntarily every night before bed (although he has to lean down to reach me) which is reassuring.

everett pizza float

Everett is ten and hilarious. His loves to make people laugh. You’ll be happy to know he has realized his life’s calling as a pizza float model :) He’s really into music and plays electric guitar. Steve took him to his first live concert over the summer, and he was awestruck. He’s an amazing artist, too. He doesn’t simply copy real life images; he’s creating images in his mind and bringing them to life on paper. It’s pretty spectacular to watch. We’re still dealing with remnants of PTSD left over from the scooter accident, but he’s made a ton of progress and I’m so proud of him. He’s a tough lil’ guy.

mabrey & hobbes

Mabrey is Mabrey. She’s spunky, social, wants to do ALL THE THINGS and has a raw sense of humor that inevitably comes from having two older brothers. She’s thriving in school. She’s six, in first grade and enjoys making new friends and generally staying busy. On the first day of school, a new kid was at the bus stop and Everett whispered to Mabrey, “Do your thing.” She can make anyone her friend in five seconds flat. She gets off the bus skipping. Literally. She loves animals (somehow she tricked me into bringing a second cat home on a trip to the pet store for only cat food – see #5), dresses and spaghetti but hates brushing her hair. She declares each day “the best day ever!” and when you’re around her, it’s hard to disagree.

mabrey & hobbes

5. We adopted another cat. Meet Hobbes. He and his two brothers were found stranded in a window well as scrawny kittens. We adopted him after Mabrey asked to *just* hold him at the pet store last fall. I mean, how do you say no to that picture?! Ugh. I keep insisting I’m not a “cat person,” but the last time I went to Aldi I walked out with two bags of cat food and a box of microwavable popcorn. If that doesn’t scream “CAT LADY!” I don’t know what does.

hobbes2

hobbes3

king hobbes

Hobbes lives up to his name. (Everett named him after his love of Calvin & Hobbes.) He’s social, playful, mischievous, cuddly and super sweet. He’s kinda bossy, too, eating Cheetah’s food and bullying her into playing chase. Cheetah is super chill about it all. She made the move to the new house without a single hiccup and has adapted well to sharing the house with another feline. She’ll entertain Hobbes for a bit then lets him know when she’s had enough. They’re alone together during the day when everyone is at school/work, and they get along just fine. Sometimes I even come home to find them curled up on the couch together.

lake michigan kids

6. We took some pretty awesome vacations. As busy as we’ve been, we’ve managed to squeeze in several vacations. Finding the time is the most difficult aspect of planning getaways nowadays. The kids are in school and have music/tennis lessons. Steve and I are both putting in long hours at work. Steve has been traveling frequently for business, and my PTO (paid time off) was restricted for the first half of the year due to the closing of a sister hospital in the area. For those reasons, we’ve done more long weekend versus week-long trips. We’re finding the busier things get, the more we need these little breaks to reconnect as a family.

kids 30a

kids wv cave

Specific details probably deserve a blog post of their own, but here are a few of the places we’ve visited over the last two years: an architect’s farmhouse in Connecticut, a Treehouse Masters treehouse in Kentucky, a cave in West Virginia, an artsy hotel in Columbus, Indiana (a little known midcentury modern architectural mecca), a family-friendly hub on 30A in the Florida panhandle and a boho bungalow in Detroit’s North End. (The Henry Ford museum is fantastic!) In fact, I wrote the majority of this post in Detroit.

me @IKEA

Putting the blog and social media on hold wasn’t planned, but it’s been most definitely necessary. I know my limits, and I know what ensues if I live beyond them. It isn’t pretty. Even so, I have felt like something is missing. I miss writing. I miss taking pictures. (I literally had to dust off my camera last week.) I miss having some kind of tangible documentation of the passing of time when it comes to our home and family. I miss the exchange of ideas, inspiration and support from other house-loving peeps. The truth is, I think I need both. I need the clinical day job that utilizes my college degree along with the creative daydream on the side. Over the years this space has served many purposes and I’m forever grateful for it, but I’m glad to have it as a hobby again. You know, blogging life instead of living the blog. That being said, I can’t guarantee any regularity in posting. Post frequency will vary and most likely depend on our work and family schedules. Is weekend blogging a thing? I’m going to try my hand at Instagram again, too, so you may be more likely to find me there on a somewhat more frequent basis just because it’s way less labor intensive.

18house7

Finally, THANK YOU for all the emails, comments and thoughts during the radio silence. They may go unanswered (damn you, time!) but not unread or unappreciated. I know some readers may choose (or have already chosen) to move on, and I totally understand. Heck, I haven’t read a blog since…I don’t know when! For those of you who take time out of your busy lives to read, thanks. Hope all is well wherever you are.

400 Comments

16.September.2018

I’m glad you’re back! And, I’m glad you took time to prioritize your family and, well, life, for a while. Absolutely necessary and understandable.

16.September.2018

I’m so glad you shared an update! So glad your absence was about work life balance and not something more worrisome. I am happy to read any posts you have time to share!

16.September.2018

Glad you’re alive and well! I missed your blog!

16.September.2018

You’re BACK!!!! Please know that you have been missed. Although I respect and admire your priorities and how you seek to balance your life.

I am so excited to be seeing and reading your updates again! I CANNOT believe how much your kids have grown – especially Lane (6.5″ )!

I’m so excited to see your new house and find out the details of the”pee house” flip!

Thanks for not disappearing forever

16.September.2018

I haven’t even read yet (but will do so as soon as I hit submit on this) — first need to tell you how happy I am to see you back online! :)

16.September.2018

Welcome back!! Can’t wait to hear about your adventures these past two years. And as a native Detroiter, so glad you enjoyed the city!

16.September.2018

Okay now I’ve finished reading. I’m so glad you’ve been doing so well :)

16.September.2018

So very happy to see you on my blog feed and to know that all is well with you and your lovely family. You have been missed. -ashley

16.September.2018

This made my heart happy, thanks for the life update!

16.September.2018

It was like CHRISTMAS MORNING seeing a new blog post from you! I am so excited to hear what you have been up to- welcome back!!

16.September.2018

So nice to hear from you! Welcome back to whatever way(s) you come back to!

16.September.2018

Welcome back! Housetweaking has been an inspiration for me – your whole house humidifer post dramatically improved the quality of my home during the past few winters and I’m thankful.

16.September.2018

Woohoo! So excited for the quick rundown and the promise of more on Instragram! I’m not gonna lie, my mind kept going to bad places thinking of reasons for the radio silence, but I’m glad to hear all is well!

16.September.2018

I kept your blog in my feed, hoping you would come back. Welcome back and I can’t wait to hear more!

16.September.2018

Good for you! Look forward to seeing your posts again!

16.September.2018

HOLY CRAP I MISSED YOUR BLOG! haha I never read blogs anymore and when your email just popped in I was confused on what it was but once I realized I was so excited to see the updates. Your house/style was always my favorite. Glad you took the time for yourself and your family! That’s what really matters. We will take whatever post you have time to share! Welcome back!

16.September.2018

So happy you are back!! Glad you took the time off for you and your family! That is most important! Look forward to seeing your weekend posts ;)

16.September.2018

Glad you’re back. Always loved your blog!

16.September.2018

So happy to see this post and that everything is going well with you! Looking forward to your posts whenever you get a chance to write and post them!

Yes! Hi! So glad to see you again! I’m so glad you’re happy and healthy and doing awesome! Your kids are HUGE, and your new house looks beautiful. Can’t wait to hear more about what you’re up to.

16.September.2018

Welcome back! I really hope we can learn more about your new home. You have great taste and I really inspired by the Underdog when we did our remodel! I can’t imagine moving, but I guess you can never say never…

16.September.2018

O.K. I am one who loves this post as it has real content and not seven (often seems like seventy!) different photos of the same item(s) and a post that is not hawking your own product(s). Good for you for knowing what is best for your family and for you. As for me, I prefer fewer “meaty” posts — maybe not for a two year gap; nonetheless, ones with vibrancy that reflect real-world smart choices.

16.September.2018

I literally did a double take when I saw this in my email. I’m so happy to see you return in any capacity that works for you. Can’t wait to see and read about the new house- it looks amazing. Welcome home ;)

16.September.2018

This post makes me so happy! I have always enjoyed your blog and fully support you blogging about life.

16.September.2018

Ha! I did a double take when I saw your email in my inbox! Happy you’re all ok! Welcome back.

16.September.2018

I did a double-take when I saw you pop up in my blog reader! So nice to see you back! I’ve seen you post on Pinterest during the blog silence and kept hoping to see activity on Instagram or the blog. Glad to hear all is well with you and your family!

16.September.2018

When I saw the email in my inbox I had to do a double take! Welcome back:) I’m glad to hear that it was nothing serious that called you away. It certainly sounds like you have been busy, but you’ll have plenty of stories to share when you have time and when you are ready! The new house looks beautiful from the outside picture you shared, and I can’t wait to see more. I’ll definitely continue to be a reader whenever you have time to share:)

PS: Holy the kids have grown! Welcome to the cat lady family;) haha.

Sally

16.September.2018

I’m so excited to see your post I haven’t even finished it yet! Discovered your blog via YHL. I used to live in Cincinnati & reading your blog made me feel a little closer to OH. Thank you!!

16.September.2018

Thanks for sharing an update. Glad things are going well and I can’t wait to see what’s going on in the future.

16.September.2018

Yours is my very favorite blog. I initially inhaled about 2 years worth of posts in a day, and soon after you stopped posting. I’m SO excited you are back at it and that I didn’t delete your blog from my feed reader. I think I was always holding out hope. And kudos to you for taking a break. Sooo necessary sometimes. XO

16.September.2018

I nearly dropped my phone when I saw your post pop up in my blog feed! So excited to see you back and hope it continues!

16.September.2018

Welcome back! I always wondered where you went! Your kiddos are so big! Can’t wait to see more house photos.

16.September.2018

Glad you’re back. I always loved the rooms you decorated. You had the best decorated bedroom ever!

16.September.2018

Dana!
So over the moon to reconnect!
You literally popped in my head and bam there your email was in my inbox! I applaud your ability to 100% step away – but Welcome back!!!!
Take Care!

16.September.2018

I’m so glad to see you + the family are doing well! I had checked in on you a handful of times over the past 2 years, and missed seeing your beautiful home! Wishing you all the best <3

16.September.2018

Hi! Welcome back, I missed you and your blog that I love so much! I hope you continue to write and inspire. A LOT of the stuff I do to my home was ideas and copying you. I absolutely love your style and advice. And…it always reasonably priced! I’m a Craigslister, Goodwilling, treasure hunter!

16.September.2018

Checking my email tonight—your blog post was the best surprise ever! So happy to know all is well with you and I can’t wait to see more of your new house and projects! Welcome back!!

16.September.2018

So glad to hear you are alive and well! I truly missed your blog but certainly understand the reasons you had to take a hiatus. I work full time and have 2 kids and a dog so I barely have time to read a blog let alone write one! Wishing you the best and I look forward to read potential future blogs that you have time for.

16.September.2018

What a nice surprise to see your post in my inbox! Thanks:)

16.September.2018

Props to you for doing what felt right and just recognizing your priorities! I missed your blog!! Happy to see your post in my inbox! Remember to keep doing YOU, whatever capacity that might be!

16.September.2018

I MISSED YOU!!! So, seeing this post pop up literally brought excited tears to my eyes! Thank you for taking time to quickly catch us up on your busy life. I’m all for weekend blogging or whatever kind of blogging fits your schedule. I’ll read it any time, any where! Glad to hear you are doing so well and I just can’t believe how much the kids have grown. xoxo

16.September.2018

So happy you’re back! Can’t wait to see pics of your projects if you so choose to share when you have the time. You were truly missed ❤️

16.September.2018

I’m beyond excited that you’re back!!! Thank you for the update and please take your time with your posts. Not that I’m not excited to hear more about your house and family adventures but I really want you to do what’s best for your family. Dana, welcome back xoxo

16.September.2018

Oh my goodness, you’re back! Welcome back, you made my day!!

16.September.2018

Welcome back! I have missed your blogging.

16.September.2018

Wow! I can’t believe it has been that long! And I didn’t realize how much I missed reading your posts until this showed up in my email. I hope to see more and for you to share more of your new home. Because those drapes and that green sofa… looove!

16.September.2018

I missed reading your blog and I’m so glad you posted! Glad everything is going well!

16.September.2018

Good to see you back and well! I don’t know why, but I decided to check your blog today and sure enough there was a post! Can’t wait to see more pics of the house :) Love your vacays, especially to Detroit! I grew up 10 min from Henry Ford estate and my dad would take my siblings and I there frequently to walk the grounds and see the waterfalls. Good luck to you and your family :)
Sincerely,
One happy reader

17.September.2018

So good to hear an update and I can’t wait to hear all about the new house! I’ve thought of you often and I love that your family is well and growing! Welcome back!

17.September.2018

Glad you’re back, however you want that to look. Thanks for the update. It’s great that you’re so fulfilled in your job. Can’t wait to see the Flip house and your Forever house.

17.September.2018

It was such a thrill to open Bloglovin and find a post from you again! I’m glad you’re all going well, and I look forward to seeing photos of your new place and hearing more about the flip experience when you’ve got the time to share.

17.September.2018

It’s so wonderful to see you back! Looking forward to weekend blogging. That can totally be a thing if it means having your creative energy out in the world again.

17.September.2018

Oh my gosh. Cannot believe you are back. So whatever amount you decide to blog, I am so greateful to have your words and photos back. Thanks.

Glad you’re back! I had to laugh because I could have cut and pasted your story onto my blog, right down to the three houses. I went back to work full time 2 years ago and while I tried to post regularly for a while this May I kind of just let it be for a while. Taking away that one added stress of producing content has made my life less stressful but I do miss the outlet for my creativity. Hope you can find a balance that works for you. If you do let me know…

17.September.2018

Seeing your post in my inbox this morning made my day. I’m so glad you and your family are well. I did worry that something terrible had happened, or that internet trolls had sent you packing. Welcome back. We’ve missed you and your style and your voice. :)

17.September.2018

Dana, congratulations on your new job, and I’m happy to hear all is well with you and your family. I did wonder, with some concern, where you “went” and have missed your stories. You have such a talent and flair for writing, I look forward to reading your posts whenever you get to them in your busy life. All the best to you.

17.September.2018

yay! i was so glad to see this show up in my blog feed and so glad you are well! living your life is definitely way more important than the blog life! :)

17.September.2018

Seeing your post in my email this morning made my heart so happy! So glad all is well with you and your family. Welcome back. You have been missed.

17.September.2018

Love the way you put it: blogging life instead of living the blog. I need my blog to become my hobby again. Glad everything is ok.

17.September.2018

So glad to get an update from you! It was probably heard/read weird to post this update. Since you guys are looking for short trips you should totally make one up to Cleveland Ohio. Tons of awesome things to do if you want some reca shoot me an email. Much love and best of luck

17.September.2018

How lovely to hear from you. I’m so pleased to hear that your absence has been due to an abundance of good things. All the best for this new chapter.

17.September.2018

So glad you are back and well!

17.September.2018

Welcome back! I have loved your blog for years and love that you were silent for such beautiful reasons

17.September.2018

Welcome back! Thank you for the update! It sounds like it has been an incredibly busy – and exciting – transition time for you and the whole family. Look forward to reading more whenever you have a chance!

17.September.2018

Welcome back, Dana! I’m glad to hear all is well with your family.

17.September.2018

Yay! So happy to see this post in my inbox today!!

17.September.2018

Hi Dana!!

First I’d like to say Hello again! and welcome back!

I was extremely happy when I was checking out your site this morning for some inspiration (as I’ve done so many times) and saw that you’ve posted an update to let us know what’s been going on with you and your family and that all is well!

The radio silence did leave some concern and anxiety as I was and still am a faithful follower and would visit your site almost daily (but not in a stocking way) and enjoyed it the most of all out there.

Thank you for sharing and putting my mind at ease and I hope (but no pressure) that we might hear from you again from time to time (weekend blogging can be a thing) because I’ve truly enjoyed reading and viewing your posts.

Sincerely,
Sabine Irwin

17.September.2018

So glad to see you back!!! Your kids are beautiful, and congrats on the new house and the success of your flip!! I always wonder if I’ll go back to my job as a physical therapist. I keep saying no, but sometimes, the scrubs lure me. And I have a weird love of hospitals…the busyness, the hustle, the smart people all around. It’s weird having a degree that you don’t use, right? Glad you’re enjoying your time back at the hospital. And nice to see your update ❤️.

17.September.2018

I’m so glad you’re back! And OK!

17.September.2018

This made me SOOOOOO happy this Monday morning! You have been missed!!!

17.September.2018

Yippie! Glad to get an update! Did worry about what had happened but I understand life can get busy.

17.September.2018

I did a double take when I saw House*Tweaking show up on Feedly this morning—welcome back! I’ve missed seeing your posts! Looking forward to seeing more, even if it’s just a few weekend blog posts here and there. Congrats on the new(ish) house and job!

17.September.2018

Yay! What a full life! I’m so excited to see what’s next!

17.September.2018

It is so good to hear you’re all happy and safe!

17.September.2018

So happy to have you back, in whatever capacity we get ya! Missed your inspo, that’s for sure. You do you, girl! Having you in my inbox again was a wonderful surprise :)

17.September.2018

It is so good to hear from you again. I will be so eager to follow your challenges in blending the writing/working/ parenting life. I’m especially curious about your tree house trip and the mid-century hotel. Welcome back!

17.September.2018

This just made my Monday! Glad you did what was right for you and so excited to see you blogging again.

17.September.2018

Thank you so much for coming back and sharing your update! I’ve missed your ‘voice’ over the last little bit.

17.September.2018

I was so happy to see your post pop up. I am glad all is well with your family! I always enjoyed reading your blog, so I am happy you will be posting now and again. Thanks for the recap. Welcome back!

17.September.2018

What a pleasant surprise! Family and life should always come first, but for my own selfish reasons I’m glad you will be back a little!

17.September.2018

yea, so good to have a blog post from you. I hope you continue.

17.September.2018

Welcome back! As an engineer, I understand needing the creative outlet; however, I know I’m not ready to take a full leap into interior design because I would miss the technical piece and working with people. I’m glad you’re in a place where you get to fulfill both, especially with the work you’re doing with the opioid crisis (I’m in northern Cincinnati and it’s so overwhelming how it’s taken over so many families). On a lighter note, I’m really looking forward to seeing one of my favorite bloggers ever do your thing again!!

17.September.2018

This just made Monday so much better.

17.September.2018

Welcome back! I was just thinking of your blog the other day. I always admired your writing, your style, and your work. I’m happy you’ll be blogging again!!

17.September.2018

Dana! So lovely to hear from you, glad to hear you and yours are doing well! Hoping you’ll find a little free time to tell us all about that flip (we’re considering one in the near future) and any plans you have for the blog. Yet as much as I’d love for you to blog on the regular, I so relate to the sentiment of blogging about life rather than living to blog. Good for you for taking that (really, really hard) step, and we’ll be here whenever you decide to share more. XO

17.September.2018

So happy that things are amazing!!

17.September.2018

WHAT?? You mean you have a real human life, with children, husband, and a career?? THANK YOU!!
Yes, I will continue to follow you even when the wisps of your smoke signals dissipate as your busy normal life sends them out into the atmosphere. I welcome and appreciate your candid honesty.
Hugs to you and your family…it’s a hectic planet we camp on..and you live it beautifully honest… thank you for sharing♥ (:

17.September.2018

DAAAANAAAAA! I’m so happy you’re well (and the family, too) – I will admit to checking back here every few months just because I hoped nothing bad had happened! We’ve missed you, but glad you reprioritized as needed.

17.September.2018

Glad you are back! Looking forward to seeing what you have to share with us in the near future.

17.September.2018

Welcome back! The internet is a strange in wonderful place-I don’t know you, but I’m still filled with joy to have you pop in and update us on life. Welcome back! I can’t wait to hear more about the new house, your trips, and life in general. So glad to hear things are going well for you.

17.September.2018

I was SO excited to see your post in my blog reader this morning!! Welcome back.

17.September.2018

So nice to see what y’all have been up to! Glad you got back out into the pharmacy world. I’m looking forward to returning to nursing full time once my youngest starts school in a couple years. What do your kids do while you’re at work in the summer? Need some tips on how to get myself back out there :) Would also love to know where you guys stayed in Florida! I’ve been wanting to travel to the panhandle/30a area. So glad you’re *kind of* back!

17.September.2018

From one cat lady to another- glad you’re back :)

17.September.2018

So wonderful to hear from you! You were one of my favorites to follow and I missed your regular posts. So glad you are back – even on a modified schedule – and look forward to whatever you have to share about your new home, your current life! I still reference your blog for ideas whenever I’m working on our home! What a highlight to my weekend to get your post! Thank you for coming back!!

17.September.2018

Welcome back! Glad to see all is well and looking forward to reading you again.

17.September.2018

I can’t tell you how happy I was to see this post pop up in my feedly. It’s SO good to hear from you and even better to know that life is well.

xo Michael

17.September.2018

Love the update and great to have you back in the space. Glad things are going well for the family and I’m looking forward to more house updates as you’re able!

17.September.2018

Hello! It was so neat to see your post pop up in my feed. It sounds like things have been busy and wonderful. What a joy to see your family in this next phase of life. I look forward to future posts, whenever they may come.

17.September.2018

YESSS! Dana, I’m so excited to see this post in my inbox this morning…can’t wait to read all about it when I’m not at work. :) I missed your voice, and beautiful content!

So good to “see” you again, Dana! I’ve checked back in here then and again to see if I missed something and certainly did miss your voice in my blog feed. I also haven’t written a post in over a year, but hope to return and get a creative outlet again. I’ll happily read each post you put up regardless of when it is! Congrats on the job, houses, family and new cats – everything sounds like it’s great and happy to hear your family is doing well.

17.September.2018

THRILLED to have you back!! Your writing is both inspirational and fun. Your sense of style is both family friendly, chic and manageable. I am so glad you are able to find a balance that brings you back to your readers and design family!

17.September.2018

AHHH, welcome back!!! Congrats on all the new and wonderful developments! Can’t wait to hear more. :)

17.September.2018

Thank you so much for this, and for letting us all peek into your life for so long. I thought about you often, wondered if Everett was alright, missed your writing and design sense. So glad you are all doing well.

17.September.2018

I had to do a double take when I saw House Tweaking in my feedly this morning! I’m still reading and would love to see whatever little snippets you can share from time to time.

17.September.2018

So glad you are back! I am looking forward to reading!

17.September.2018

Whoa, I can’t believe it’s been so long. Sounds like everything is going great. I can’t wait to hear more about your flip and current house. :)

17.September.2018

You’ve just made it a good Monday! Thanks for posting, I love all the pics and I’m obsessing over those curtains, I love them!

17.September.2018

OMG, you are BACK! What a great surprise!!!

17.September.2018

So glad to see you back again! What a busy time you’ve had. Looking forward to hearing more about the new house and things going on.

17.September.2018

I’ve really missed your presence on the internet!! Glad you are doing well!

17.September.2018

So glad you’re back!

17.September.2018

So glad to hear that you and the family are doing well!!

17.September.2018

Happy to hear the update! Welcome back. >3

17.September.2018

Oh yay! Welcome back (maybe?) and thank you for the update!

17.September.2018

You’re back (ish)!! I’m so glad I randomly thought to check back in – glad to hear (1) everything is OK and (2) even better…things are great!!! :) Looking forward to posts when we can get them!! Cheers!!

17.September.2018

I cannot tell you how happy I was to see that you posted!! “Dana, posted!! Dana, posted!!!” is what I said when I saw it in my inbox with a big ‘ol smile on my face.
I’m so glad you & your family are well and just living life & enjoying each other.
Welcome back!! You’ve inspired me in the last two years as I’ve re-read posts and looked at your vacations photos to clear the clutter & simplify life!! Thank you for that & being you!!

17.September.2018

Hooray for so many great changes and a new job! Congratulations on finding your dream home! Glad to hear you and your family are doing well! Thanks for checking back in here. Anytime you want to blog, I’m here to read!

17.September.2018

Thanks for the update! Good to see you are doing so well. Excited to read more about the new house when you have time.

17.September.2018

Welcome back! Thank you so much for sharing with us. I have enjoyed your blog for so long, and I frequently check back in. It was so great to read your blog today! Congrats on the job, the house, and the cat! Looking forward to reading your blog again!

17.September.2018

YAAAS. I hopped back onto your blog to check out your Asheville rec and saw the new post! Very excited to see you blogging again. If you have a second… where did you stay in Asheville? We are considering a move there but I need to convince my husband with a rural mountain stay.

17.September.2018

I literally just squealed when I saw that you had a post up! I’ve never been able to take you off my blog roll because I just love your approach to life + design. We just built a house and I remembered you posted advice about how to clean glass pendants. Thank you! So glad to have you back!

17.September.2018

I still had your blog listed in Bloglovin, so I was surprised to see this post, but very happy! I’m glad it was only work duties that took you away and not something serious. It’s your life to live, so work the way it works for you and your family. Hope you have time for some more updates soon!

17.September.2018

I loved this update so much! It sounds like you and your family are thriving even with the tough teen transition (my boys are 13 & 14 so I am feeling you).
I’m looking forward to reading about the new house or whatever else you share. I feel like weekend blogger should totally be a thing!

17.September.2018

Welcome back! You’ve been missed! It was such a sweet surprise to see this post in the feed.

17.September.2018

Welcome back! Looking forward to seeing more of the new house. :)

17.September.2018

Welcome back missed your writing style and home views.Looking forward to new views!

17.September.2018

Welcome back! It was such a happy surprise to see your post pop up in my blog reader this morning. I have been a long time reader and your perspective on family and homes and life balance have been an encouragement as I work towards the same (not to mention your experience as a DIYer!). I selfishly hope that you’re sharing with us for a long while to come.

17.September.2018

Dana,
Like many, I’ve been waiting almost two years to hear from you. I hope your inbox is filled with love and admiration, much how I feel about you and your decision to MAKE decisions based on your hopes and dreams and those of your family. I’ll be here for you – whether it’s to stick your toe in or belly flop your way back into our hearts and homes.
All the props, sister!
-Maryanne

17.September.2018

DANA!!!!! I completely stopped in my tracks when I saw House Tweaking pop up in my Bloglovin feed. I’m thrilled you have good news to share, and can’t wait to see your new home, your thoughts on other homes and home trends, and just your thoughts in general. I adore your blog (and your old house), so I’m so happy to see you back!

17.September.2018

Wow! You have been busy and had a lot going on! As children go, you always want to spend more quality time with them. It is harder as they do grow up as they tend to want to move away from mom and dad and declare independence. THAT is when parents start to worry and pray!! Selling and moving is so stressful as it seems to take forever to pack and unpack and settle in. Hope all settles in and becomes easier and enjoyable!

17.September.2018

Welcome back! Always wondered what ended up happening since you were one of my favorite blogs to read. Imagine my surprise when this post showed up in my feed! Looking forward to the occasional posts from you, and interested to hear about the new house.

17.September.2018

Oh my gosh, I saw the preview to your post and got SO excited. I’ve checked back several times over the past few years to make sure I hadn’t missed anything, but knowing you have three kids, I never questioned your decision to stop blogging. I just love your style and your written “voice” and I followed along for so long… regardless of the frequency of your future posts, I’d love to hear more from you!

17.September.2018

Welcome back to the blog! I missed you dearly, and am so happy to see you’re doing well. Thank you for all the updates… hope to see more in the future! Hugs from Columbus.

17.September.2018

Thanks for the update! Have thought about you and yours and wished you well. xoxo

17.September.2018

Glad to have you back!

17.September.2018

So glad to finally hear from you! And, happy that nothing drastic happened. YHL updated the world that you weren’t dead, thank goodness. Welcome back and I hope you find your new groove.

17.September.2018

So happy you are back!

17.September.2018

So, so wonderful to hear from you again!! I cant tell you how often Ive wondered how everything was going for you all! Despite my disappointment in not seeing your blog, I admire your “prioritizing” and knowing your limits–way to go ! Ill be happy to see them as they come –no matter what the wait–just so thrilled everyone is well and youre back at it!

17.September.2018

omg your oldest is BIG!!! I barely remember following you, but you just popped up into my bloglovin and I am so happy you did. I am always on the hunt for a blog to binge on. welcome back and enjoy your full life xx

17.September.2018

Are there seriously no comments yet? I am shocked! It is so good to see you back – however you choose to be back. I’m still here. :)

17.September.2018

SO HAPPY YOUR BACK!!! I’ve missed you ;) Glad to hear all us well with you and your beautiful family. Hope you keep posting whenever you can.

17.September.2018

Yay! So glad to see a post! Glad you are liking your job and I look forward to seeing more of your new home, as time allows. :)

17.September.2018

SO GLAD you’re back! Can’t wait to get caught up!

17.September.2018

Welcome back! Glad life is going well for you! Really missed your posts!

17.September.2018

I’m so happy you are back and all is well with your family. You’ve been missed. I’ve loved your houses and can’t wait to see your new one as you have time to post.

17.September.2018

Welcome back, Dana! We’ve missed you all!

17.September.2018

Well hello there! Welcome back! I checked in on your blog and Instagram account from time to time and was pretty darn excited to see an email in my inbox that you had submitted a post! I do look forward to hearing more about the new casa and all things house tweaking

17.September.2018

I’m so glad you are back. I’ve missed you posts and think I scared my husband when I saw this post. I may have yelled out, finally.

17.September.2018

So glad you’re back!

17.September.2018

I am a long time reader but am not sure I’ve ever commented before. I’m glad to hear you’re okay! I actually have googled your name + obituary several times just to make sure you were still around, ha!

I would love to hear more about your current house… it looks very similar to the 80s house we moved into last summer, from our 1960 mid-century house. Do you find your decor has shifted to match the style of the house? I was surprised at how quickly mine changed… Does your new house have brown trim everywhere?? (It looks like at least one window has it?) And if so, have you painted it? If so please share your secrets. I’ve only painted one room so far and it’s so. much. work.

I look forward to reading anything you have time to write. I’ve missed your blog a lot!

17.September.2018

I missed you and wondered where you went. I can’t believe it’s been 21 months!

Welcome back. I want to see finished pics of the pee house…lol.

17.September.2018

So glad you’re “back” and that all is well with your family!!

17.September.2018

Wow! I’ve been checking here out of habit and wow! there you were. Glad all are well. Hope to see pictures of the new house.

17.September.2018

I am so glad you are back (even part time). You were the first blogger I followed. Before you, I didn’t know it was a thing (you know how those day jobs eat into your internet browsing). Your family looks lovely and I cant wait to hear about fixing up the pee house and the plans for the forever home.

17.September.2018

Hi Dana! I’m glad you’re back! I’ve been eyeing your IG and blog on a semi regular basis hoping you’d resurface and ultimately hoping you were ok. It’s going to be neat to see your new content. I imagine you’ve grown in your design and so it may be a whole new set of ideas!!

17.September.2018

Thanks for the update! I know I’m not the only one who was wondering what happened. Glad to see you are well and life is good.

18.September.2018

Hi Dana,
I opened Feedly and saw a house*tweaking post and almost fell off my bed nice to see you back and congrats on all the things – I’m a longtime reader who I think found you via YHL – but I have always loved your creative solutions for personalizing the ordinary objects – look forward to seeing your posts whenever they come – cheers!

18.September.2018

So glad to hear you and your family are well! It’s great to hear from you!

18.September.2018

Welcome back!! <3 <3 <3. You have been missed! Glad to hear you and your family are doing so well. This is the best day ever!!! ;)

18.September.2018

Dana- thrilled that you are back. I appreciate your realism in this over-the-top blog world of 2018. We missed you and your aesthetic. So happy that you and your beautiful family are well. Welcome back!

18.September.2018

Welcome, welcome back! So happy to see this post.

18.September.2018

Oh what a lovely surprise when I logged onto Feedly tonight! Welcome back, so great to hear all is well and to catch up on the last nearly 2 years. My eldest daughter is about to turn 13 and I feel TOTALLY unprepared – just when you think you’ve got into your parenting groove they go and change stages overnight, BAM. *sigh*. Anyway, just wanted to say I’m glad you’re back, I always enjoyed your writing and photography. Best wishes from Sydney, Australia x

18.September.2018

Yay! I was so excited to see an email in my inbox from House Tweaking!!
Your sudden disappearance left me thinking something awful may have happened – it’s good to hear that you and your family are doing well.
I am looking forward to seeing your blog come to life again, even as a weekend blog lol – as I am sure are many other followers – no pressure ;)

18.September.2018

Thanks for the update! I always wonder what had happened and I’m glad life is good for you and your family.

18.September.2018

Welcome Back! So glad to hear that you and the family are thriving. Missed your posts and your design work. I will look for you on instagram!

18.September.2018

So glad to”see” you again and get the update on your family. What a bunch of exciting life changes!

18.September.2018

I was SO happy to click the link for your blog this AM and see a post! (I’ve been checking off and on for the past year – #nevergiveuphope) Love your writing, your stories, your photos… thanks for sharing! and good luck with all the transitions!

18.September.2018

So good to hear from you! Seeing a little “1” by House*Tweaking in my blog reader was a bright spot in my day. Glad you all are doing well and hopeful for more updates soon! Miss your presence on the interwebs. :-)

18.September.2018

So happy all is well, so missed your blog! :)

18.September.2018

Dana! You were one of my favorite bloggers and I was SO worried when your blog flat-lined BUT I’m really really glad that you chimed in to let us know how you are! Relieved for the update.

Please DO consider keeping creativity a part of your life – you have unbelievable talent and I (for one) enjoy the beauty of your words and photos!

All the best to you and your family :)

18.September.2018

One of my favorite bloggers is back!! So glad – and I’m sure I’m not the only one! Happy to hear everything is going well with you and your family. Weekend blogging can totally be a thing. ;)

18.September.2018

Yay! So glad you are back! ..and everyone is okay!
Great update post and I look forward to seeing/reading more.

18.September.2018

I am SO SO happy to hear that you and your family are well and happy! There have been many times over the last couple years where I have wondered how you are. As an avid blog reader, sometimes it feels like your friends have left you when they go silent. BUT I’m so glad it was because you had so many GREAT and amazing things happening! Hope we get to see more from you, even if it’s only every couple years! Congrats on the new job and house and the cutest kids and kitties!

18.September.2018

Welcome back, Dana! I couldn’t devour this update fast enough. So glad that we’ll be hearing from you again regardless of the “schedule”. Sounds like you have a similar job to my bestie. She is a pharmacist at Duke- specifically the home infusion/TPN/hospice arena.

18.September.2018

Welcome back! We missed you. Thought about you from time to time and would check the page. I thought of you a few moments ago for the first time in probably 6 months, and voila, here you are!

18.September.2018

hooray, hooray, welcome back!

18.September.2018

Welcome back!! I have no idea how I stumbled back to your blog but I read your blog for so long and so was bummed when you stopped. I love your practicability and design style! I especially love the unique vacations you take with your kids and the simplicity of everything.

18.September.2018

Welcome back! I was excited to see an update in my blog reader this morning– I’ve missed seeing your design perspective and look forward to hearing more life updates again. It sounds like you all are happy and thriving!

18.September.2018

Dana – All I wanna say is you have been so missed! It was such a delight reading what you’ve been up to over these past couple of years, boy does the time fly when we’re living our lives! I’ve come back from time to time (been a loooooonnggg time reader), just to flip back through photos of your beautiful home and wishing you well, hoping you would come back eventually, and I’m so excited to read when you do have the chance to pop in. You and YHL are not one in the same of course, but I know you all are friends, and I remember having the same feelings when they came back after stepping away. Some times, we just need a reset or a major shift, or whatever, before we can come back to things that have grown into something else entirely, and for them to live a new life in ours. I’m babbling now LOL but I just want to say that your blog, your words and story, have long been a source of inspiration and encouragement in my own journey of discovering and changing my own home over the years, so thank you – and welcome back!! :) So much love to you and your family!

18.September.2018

I don’t even know what in the world made me google your blog…but here you are back again :) So glad to hear all the updates. Sounds like you’ve had a busy and eventful couple of years. Thanks for sharing….maybe we’ll see some posts from time to time….when time allows ha! If not, wishing you and your family all the best! Happy Tuesday!

18.September.2018

Just glad you’re doing well and happy :) You’ve been missed and I sure do hope that you’ll be posting a bit more here and there :)

18.September.2018

You don’t know how excited I was to see an updated post when I came to your site today! YAY!

18.September.2018

Hooray! I gave up checking your blog a while ago, but for some reason I decided to check just one more time. I went back to work full time after a few years staying home. It’s an adjustment! Best of luck. I’ll follow along on IG if you feel up to sharing.

18.September.2018

Welcome back! I am happy to hear that you are all healthy and were just busy. Looking forward to more blog post when you can squeeze them in. Cheers!

18.September.2018

You all look so happy! Glad all is well. You owe the world no explanation, but I am sure glad to hear you are thriving!

18.September.2018

What a thrill to find your post in my blog reader! So happy for the update and glad your family is thriving!

18.September.2018

I literally gasped when I saw you in my Feedly list. I’ve missed you so much!

I had convinced myself you must have had a stalker, because why else the sudden radio silence, the moving (other eagle-eyed readers saw your house sold on Zillow), and no followup of any kind while other bloggers assured us you were well? I’m so glad that wasn’t the case!

Looking forward to hearing more from you, no matter the pace you publish at. Welcome home!

18.September.2018

Welcome back! As a fellow pharmacist and design lover, I am happy to read that you are well and ready to share your keen design sense with us again!

18.September.2018

I have been checking your blog hoping you would be back. Today was my lucky day.

18.September.2018

This morning when I was checking my phone I was so glad to see a new post from House Tweaking! I found your blog googling images of barn doors back when you were in your other house -before the reno and Mabrey. I really enjoyed your house remodel and design sense am really interested to see what you did to the pee house and your new home. Glad you are still out there but completely understand a need to “get back out there”.

19.September.2018

YAYYY! So glad you’re back. I really enjoy reading and was super bummed when you disappeared. I definitely don’t expect super regular posting (especially when blogging not someone’s full time thing), but next time an extended break needs to happen posting an FYI would be so appreciated. You basically ghosted your readers and no one likes that! So as awkward as that was, very excited to catch up!

19.September.2018

woah!! welcome back dana! i know so many of us missed your presence on the internet & are so thrilled to see you back (as little or as much as you want)! i can’t believe how big the kids are!

19.September.2018

Welcome back! I often wondered where you went and am so glad to know you and your family are well! Looking forward to seeing your new posts. (no pressure) ;)

~Amy (fellow Ohioan)

19.September.2018

Dana! I missed your blog so much, and even worried that something awful had happened that kept you away from it. I am so happy to hear everyone is happy and healthy. Thank you so much for the update. I really look forward to future posts…your update had so many teasers! As a fellow working mom, who doesn’t even have a blog, I totally get that time just disappears, so also know that I totally get it if the posts aren’t regular. Just know you’ll always have a following to support you.

19.September.2018

What a sweet treat to scroll through my Bloglovin feed and see this post pop up! Your voice has been missed in this space. Grateful to read that your break from social media was not due to anything horrendous as you stated! Loved the life updates and looking forward to more no matter the frequency.

19.September.2018

Hey Dana, I am so happy to stumble upon your life update. Thank you!! I’ve been checking the blog periodically over the last 21 months hoping for this. I can not wait to see what you’ve done with your new home..please upload ALL the pictures :) I wish you and your family the very best and can’t wait for more posts.

Kate

19.September.2018

Hi Dana!

Thanks so much for the update! I missed seeing your blog ~ especially how you were living in a small place. I’ll be interested in hearing how both the flip went and the new place! I have in-laws that live in Ohio, so I know some of the issues happening there. It’s nice that you’re doing work that helps out homeless.


April

19.September.2018

Heyyyyyyyyyyyy girl! Welcome back! I kind of looked sideways at my blog reader when I saw a new post….like, “did her blog get hacked?” haha :) But I’m so happy to see you back! There were some crazy conspiracy theories going on about your disappearance but looks like you guys are doing great. So glad to hear it and can’t wait to see more of your new home. You’ve always had great taste.

19.September.2018

So great to hear of all the amazing things you’ve been up to! Welcome back and I look forward to reading about ALL THE THINGS. xx

19.September.2018

You showed the most amazing pool and didn’t say a word about it! A. Is that a pool that fades into a lake?! and B. Is it yours?!

19.September.2018

I am so glad you’re back (even on a limited capacity)! Please know that there are some of us who will keep coming back because of the quality of your posts.

19.September.2018

Hey there,

I am glad to hear everything is ok. I have followed several bloggers over the years where the writer needed to take a break for various reasons (and maybe there are personal reasons you don’t feel compelled to share- and you shouldn’t) but all of the bloggers took a few minutes to let the readers know they would be taking a break. It gets to be annoying checking and checking, wondering, hoping everything is ok and then eventually you move on. Of course its your prerogative to let anyone know you are going off-line but I can say for myself and a few others it would have been nice to know you were taking a break. My mind went straight to personal tragedy but maybe that says more about my glass-half-empty personality. So I truly am glad it was just life busyness and glad you are writing and sharing your homes again. You have a gift and your work has been an inspiration.

19.September.2018

What a delightful surprise. I check back here every once in a while to see if you come back. :) I came to check out the big girl bed you got Maybry a while back and see if it was still available and this little treat of a post popped up! Thanks for doing you and not letting social media drive your life. As much as I loved peeking into it from time to time… it is your life to live. :) Hope to see more of you soon.

19.September.2018

Wonderful to see you back, Dana. The kids have grown so much!! Great to hear life is full of joy.

19.September.2018

So happy to have you back, however infrequently it may be! And happy to hear things are going so well! You’re such an inspiration in so many ways.

19.September.2018

Welcome back! By chance I just clicked over to see and here you are! Glad all is well and you are back. Will be happy to keep up with whatever you have time to share!!
Xo

19.September.2018

Glad to see a new post! Looking forward to more inspiring photos and stories.

20.September.2018

So glad to see you back! Happened to click on an old bookmark to your blog today and was thrilled to see what you are up to. Your new home looks beautiful!

20.September.2018

Nice to see you back here, Dana. Best wishes.

20.September.2018

So glad to see you back!!

20.September.2018

Nope, not ours. It was at an Airbnb we stayed at the past two summers. Will share details in an upcoming post!

20.September.2018
20.September.2018

I am SO happy to see you’re back!!! You have always been my favorite and I’ve missed your posts so much.

20.September.2018

It made me so happy to see this post pop up in Feedly. Thanks for taking the time to update us a bit on your life and I’m glad you disappeared because you were prioritizing the things that matter to you, not because something terrible happened. I’ve always enjoyed your design and your perspective on life and family. As a new mom (almost four months!), I also appreciate seeing your path in career and motherhood and figuring out that balance. I love the Instagram idea! Sometimes pretty pictures and a short sentence can be almost as effective as a longer blog post.

20.September.2018

I was so happy to see this update in my blog reader! I’ve missed your posts and wondered what you’ve been up to!

20.September.2018

WOW! Seeing your email pop up was such a fun surprise! I’ve missed your blog but TOTALLY get the need to change things up. I’m looking forward to any postings albeit random they are!

20.September.2018

I just randomly clicked over to your blog *just to check*, and I am so glad you’re back! Even if its just to say hello and fall back into your lives, it feels so refreshing to know that you are your family are doing well, and to get a peek at what you’ve been up to. I loved the honesty of your blog and your style. I would love to keep reading your posts even if they are once a week. Cheers to you and your family!

20.September.2018

I was so excited to see this post in my reader! I’ve definitely missed your voice and your lovely sense of style the last few years, but I’m glad to hear that you’ve been so fulfilled by work and family.

I can’t wait to see the new place!

20.September.2018

So happy you’re back! Glad to hear that is is well and you and your family are thriving. Looking forward to seeing what you’re doing with your new home as I love your old home :)

20.September.2018

Meow.

20.September.2018

Haha! Will you please write all my blog posts?

20.September.2018

You’re so right about the hospital lure!

20.September.2018

So good to see you, Dana! I love your internet presence in whatever form it takes… am excited to see more of your homes as you get back into posting :)

20.September.2018

Yayyy!!! So happy to hear these sweet, happy things about your family! Looking forward to hearing more, as time permits!

21.September.2018

Welcome back! I’ve been checking back periodically over the years and wondered what happened. So glad it was for good reasons, and am looking forward to hearing from you again whenever that works. I’m in the same boat with blogging and love what you said about needing to blog life, not live the blog.. Such a good reminder!

21.September.2018

THIS. MADE. MY. DAY. I have never taken your site off of my bookmarks and have checked in once every couple of weeks just to see if you might have popped back up and I had to do a double-take when I checked today! So glad to hear how well everyone is doing – I was hoping the radio silence was for good reasons and not bad ones and it is a relief to read that you’ve just been busy with all the things. I can’t wait to see read all about the new house. However you move forward with House Tweaking, I’m super excited to follow along :)

21.September.2018

Not going to lie, I was really hoping for a more dramatic return. Something like, “I was in a renovation accident and both of my arms were amputated so I was unable to blog or photograph anything. Luckily, through the miracle of modern science Handy Hubby was able to use his engineering skills to grow new arms in a lab. He was able to reattach them with a pneumatic stapler and Alex Pro and now they allow me to type twice as fast… and somehow win every round of rocks-paper-scissors.” Going back to work is cool too, I guess. Welcome back.

21.September.2018

Welcome back! I just happened to be cleaning up my “bookmarks” and saw the new post. This made my week!

21.September.2018

I was pleasantly thrilled to pop over and see that you have a new post! And icing on the cake is to read that you visited Columbus, IN! I am from Columbus and live two blocks from the Miller Home. I hope you were able to go over for a tour! Glad you’re back and look forward to more posts even if they are sparatic! :)

21.September.2018

It’s so wonderful to read your update! Thank you for that and for all of your inspiration over the years. You are truly very talented.

21.September.2018

I’m sooo glad you’re back! I’ve always enjoyed your blog!! Looking forward to seeing the new home and the flip.

23.September.2018

Welcome back!! I’ve missed you. God’s happiest and best over your family.

23.September.2018

Such a lovely surprise to see you back on the blog. Your style is inspiring to me- I’ve referred back to your posts from time to time to help me with design/decorating decisions. Glad you and your family are thriving. Can’t wait for posts on your new home as they come.

23.September.2018

This post makes my heart happy! I just read it again after just a quick glance (including a squeal!) when I saw it in my blog feed the other day. Can’t wait to hear more – you’ve been missed!

23.September.2018

I was so happy to see your post pop up in my blog reader!! Thanks for the update, your posts have been missed!

23.September.2018

Welcome back!! We missed ya!

24.September.2018

Longtime reader, still here! I love your style and look forward to you sharing your decorating projects and family-home solutions with us here again. :)

24.September.2018

Glad you are back! I have missed your posts.

24.September.2018

I’m so glad to see an update from you I could cry. As weird as that sounds, I hope you feel encouraged and loved by everyone’s response to your return. Whatever that return may look like! We are all here for it!

24.September.2018

YAY! I have often wondered how you were doing. You don’t owe us anything, but I hope to hear more of your family’s adventures. Welcome back!

25.September.2018

DANA!!!!!!!!

OMG, I am so glad you are back (in whatever capacity suits you best)! I am also relieved to hear that your hiatus was due to you going back to work and not some tragic event in your lives. I am so looking forward to seeing your new house, the pee house reno, and just reading about your lives again :) And oh my gosh how your kids have grown! Gees! Good luck navigating the world of the teenager. Mine is about to turn 18 and let me tell you, it’s a ride!

Much love from S. Louisiana – xoxo

25.September.2018

So glad you’re back!

25.September.2018

I’m so glad you’re back! Please post when you can, my corner of the internet has not been the same without you.

25.September.2018

Welcome back!! Such a nice surprise, and I’m so happy to see how well (and grown!) everyone is :)

26.September.2018

I always hoped that you’d bring the blog back to life! It’s my absolute favorite and I’m so happy the lights are back on!!

26.September.2018

I was so excited to see an email from you in my inbox! Love that you are “back” and completely understand why you were gone. :)

26.September.2018

My sister and I were just talking about your blog, how much we miss it! Looking forward to new posts!

27.September.2018

I jumped up and down to see a new post from you! So many changes, but all sound good. So happy to hear you’re doing well.

27.September.2018

I didn’t even realize how much I was looking forward to this : )
This totally made my day!!!

28.September.2018

Welcome back!! I’ve definitely missed getting to see your design aesthetic but I’m so glad that life has been going well!

28.September.2018

Yay!!!! Your blog was always one of my favorites, and I’ve missed your designs. You have such a great style and I look forward to seeing what you’ve been doing!

28.September.2018

Omg I’m so so so happy to hear from you Dana!! I’m happy you and the family are well. I’m so excited to hear all about what you’ve been up to!

29.September.2018

So glad you’re back, Dana! I can’t wait to hear more about what you’ve been up to during your hiatus!

29.September.2018

Thank you for the update! So glad to have you back!!

29.September.2018

Welcome back! A girlfriend just texted me that you posted and we’re both celebrating! You’ve been missed (and your kids are all grown up!). xo

29.September.2018

SO happy to see you back here and hopefully on IG! You were always one of my most favorite and inspiring bloggers. Welcome back and good for you for knowing what you need to drop in order to have balance in your life! Happy to hear that you are all well and happy. I look forward to seeing whatever you have time to share.

29.September.2018

Yay!!!!!!!!! I’m so glad you’re back!

29.September.2018

I’m so happy you’re back. I even teared up a little reading this, your kids are so big now. I’m glad everyone is doing well and hope you stick around.

30.September.2018

Good for you and your family! I’m happy that you are all doing well. Your new home looks beautiful, as I would expect. You and the family look soo good! Dayton, Ohio is my hometown, and I was shocked to hear about the opioid problem there, although I know it is prevalent throughout our country. I think your followers were concerned about you, so I am glad that you checked in!!

30.September.2018

YAY! You were one of my fav bloggers! I am so happy you are back. I hope you will share more of your new home. If it is what I see in the background of some of these photos it looks incredible :)

30.September.2018

So nice to read you again! Welcome back!

30.September.2018

OMG welcome back! I just happened to be searching for home-related advice and came across an old post of yours. Reading it made me think, “I really miss Dana’s writing style, I wonder if she’ll ever come back to blogging”… and was shocked when a few more clicks took me to a new update from you!

I’m selfishly hoping you’ll start blogging a lot more, because we’ve just moved to a new home and I feel a bit overwhelmed tweaking it to feel like our own. So I’m hoping for some inspiration and tips.

That said- no pressure for frequent blog posts- as my life gets busier too I don’t read blogs quite as frequently (I think we are on a similar trajectory– I’m also a medical professional and my oldest is 11 years old). Balance is not easy to achieve, but it is key!

30.September.2018

SO glad you are back! I have missed you. I live in Beavercreek…right next door to Dayton. Are you still in the Centerville area

01.October.2018

What a wonderful surprise it was to find this post. So excited to see you again!

01.October.2018

Ahhhhh. I have sorely missed your insight, intelligence and thoughtful approach to blogging. This was like getting a big, fat, juicy letter from a good old friend! Thanks for taking some time to catch us up on things!

01.October.2018

I’m glad to hear you and your family are doing well! You have a wonderfully refreshing way of writing and expressing yourself, which is the reason I started following your blog in the first place. I can’t wait to see more updates on your house projects!

01.October.2018

Mimicking the rest…so excited to see a post from you! Loved the updates and glad that nothing bad caused the silence. Totally understand the necessity of taking a break. I sure have missed seeing your posts. You’re one of my favorites!

01.October.2018

Yay!! Welcome back! We missed ya!

01.October.2018

OH MY GOSH.
I may or may not have squeaked when I saw you posted something new! :) :)
Woman, I AM SO PROUD OF YOU for taking those steps back and doing what you needed to do for your family and for yourself. We’re still here trolling through old posts and gleaning inspiration! I can’t wait to hear more about all of the amazing things when you get another chance to post!
And that sneak peek of your new home, ahhhhh, i’m in love!

02.October.2018

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

02.October.2018

I love that you popped in! Your blog was truly my favorite when we bought our house a couple years ago. I poured through it and was so inspired. I hope you’ll share more of your new digs and adventures!

02.October.2018

I sure was glad to see your update. I was so worried something terrible had happened and relieved to just find out you are just too busy to post (sounds familiar)! Excited to see more of your new house at some point!

02.October.2018

I am SO glad you are back! I was worried sick (yes, I googled your name because I am weird like that). Looking forward to future blog posts!

02.October.2018

So happy to see you’re back! Your new house looks fantastic. I can’t wait to see more of it. :)

02.October.2018

Yes. Let’s make weekend blogging a thing. :) I’ve missed your voice and would love to see more pictures of your pretty new home! Welcome back!

03.October.2018

What a wonderful surprise to see your post and to read all about what you’ve been up to. Your blog is my favorite, and I’ve missed your posts! Congratulations on your new (sort of!) job, selling your “pee” house and finding your forever home. I’ll check back often to see if you’ve had time to post. :)

03.October.2018

Hi. I used to read your blog. Then u ghosted us. No explanation. No common curtesy. Just ghosting. You could have at least respected our intelligence. We would have understood. Instead you were rude.

You won’t post this but I really don’t care. Don’t care if anyone else sees this. My point is only to you.

03.October.2018

You’re back!!! I’ve checked back numerous times and this time you’re back! I’m so happy to hear that your family is doing well. I can’t believe you’re back :))))

04.October.2018

Thank you for writing this post! I know what it’s like to have your life basically change overnight. But you have your priorities right, your family is always 1st – glad to see that all of you are well and happy – when you have been following someone’s life even though you have never met them in person, and they are suddenly gone, you worry, hahaha. I wish the best to you in all your ventures.

04.October.2018

I’m so happy you are back!!! I’ve missed your style and your writing. Glad that things are well and can’t wait to see and hear more from you! XO

04.October.2018

This post brings me so much joy. How we have all worried about you! Please do post to Instagram when you can. I miss your posts and would love to read your voice in my feed again!

05.October.2018

I love your posts! I have missed you. It was a little like oh hey who is this person in my inbox. oh yay! She’s back. kinda and real as ever. love it!

05.October.2018

Missed your posts but totally understand. Glad to know all is well!

05.October.2018

Ok….I’m a tad behind in reading my emails. But nothing could have thrilled me more than to see a House*Tweaking update in my inbox. Welcome back…you were missed….so glad everything is ok!

06.October.2018

So great to have you back! You’ve been missed in Europe, too! :)

06.October.2018

Hooray!! Glad to hear an update, especially with so many positive developments for you and for your family. Also happy to hear you have found a job where you can be intellectually challenged and do meaningful work, including serving many vulnerable patients.

07.October.2018

Hi Dana! I’m so glad that you and family are doing well and congratulations on all the new developments!
I stopped updating my little blog (and devouring other blogs) a few years ago too and have periodically considered picking it up again, but it feels like too much has changed in that time to explain it all. This post was really helpful, and showed that it can be done without writing a novel. Thank you! xx

08.October.2018

This makes me so happy! Glad you’re back, healthy and happy!!!

08.October.2018

So glad to have you back! More importantly happy your family is doing well. Can’t wait to see more of the forever house. Also I made the zucchini “apple” pie over the summer. It still tricks people every single time!

09.October.2018

so glad you are “back” and nothing was wrong. You were missed!

09.October.2018

I often wondered what happened and I’m so glad the reasons for your time away were positive. I hope you can share more as you can, it looks like so much has happened! I missed your blog so much. I love everything house related and I am guilty of copying a lot, but I especially missed your family posts since becoming a first-time parent 2 1/2 years ago. It’s so nice to hear from you again, whatever frequency it may be!

09.October.2018

Welcome back! Glad to hear your hiatus was for all good reasons; congrats on all the good things! Will be happy to see your posts however infrequent they may be. Cheers to the balance of life!

09.October.2018

Welcome back! I kept checking your blog every couple of months and it is so great to see you back with an update. I missed reading your blog so am looking forward to even sporadic posts however you can fit them in!

09.October.2018

So glad you’re back! And glad the last 21 months held plenty of joy and adventures. I’ll be happy for any posts you publish, no matter the schedule.

10.October.2018

Is it weird to have been worried about a family you never met? If so, then I’m weird, and I am SO GLAD you guys are not only well but seem to be thriving. Thank you for the update, and even if you never get around to blogging again, we’ll know it’s because you’re off doing wonderful things in your life. Best of luck!

10.October.2018

Yay! I missed your blog posts! Your blog is definitely one of my favorites ever. I’m glad to hear all is well with you and your family and look forward to future posts, whenever you find the time.

11.October.2018

Don’t know you, but missed you terribly. I’m so glad your back!!! I have been following you for YEARS!!!! since before you bought the “pee house”. Can’t wait to see the new digs.

13.October.2018

Randomly checked in this morning and thus made my Saturday morning!!

13.October.2018

Hi! I am glad you are back. I am very curious, since it was not mentioned in this post, what ended up happening with your creative warehouse space you had rented (or bought..?) I had always looked forward to see what you were going to do in that space to make you happy!!

13.October.2018

Glad you are back and all is well. Thank you for the update. Any posting however irregular is appreciated by your followers :)

13.October.2018

Yay! So glad to hear you have been fine and living the life you want! Looking forward to more updates, even if they are spaced and sporadic. Always inspired by your design style! Take care.

13.October.2018

I am so glad you are back! I never gave up and always keep checking for the last two year! :) I’m looking forward to reading your blogs again!

14.October.2018

I just randomly stopped by today to look at your posts from 2011, when you vaulted the ceiling of your house, (I wanted to see what kind of insulation you used, we are about to close on a house and do the same thing). And I was so shocked to see a BRAND NEW (well, one month old) blog post!
I’m basing much of our remodel on your last house.
Welcome back!

14.October.2018

On a whim, I tried to find you online again today–what treat to succeed! When YHL (I think) noted that you and your family were fine, I knew not to worry about your abrupt disappearance, but your blog had become a favorite. I missed your voice. Welcome back, however often you manage to be “here.”

16.October.2018

Glad you are back to blogging. Yours was always one of my favorites. Looking forward to reading more!

16.October.2018

You know, I was just doing my usual morning blog readings and I thought I’ll just type in House tweaking to see if there is a tiny chance of a new post. I guess it’s my luck day :) I’m so glad to see you are writing again. I soak up every image and every word. You have no idea how much beauty and depth you bring to your readers’ lives! It sounds so cheesy but you really do inspire us! That is why you were so missed :) All the best to you♥

16.October.2018

I just pulled up your page as a “what was that thing again, I swear Dana posted about it once…” and squeaked at my work desk to see there was a new post! (My cubemate thinks I’m hilarious) I am SO HAPPY that you’re back and doing well! I remember a post you wrote a while ago where you said that in your family that no news was good news, so I held onto that in the back of my mind and I’m so glad that that’s true. It’s amazing that you’ve gone back to pharmacy and eeeee I am excited about your work accomplishments too! I hope everything stays well, and maybe gets better for you and yours.

16.October.2018

Yay! I’m happy to hear that the radio silence was not due to a bad thing. I’m happy to hear that you and your family are doing well. I love your blog and your style and would check back frequently to see if anything new was up. I’m glad you’re back at (in whatever capacity that may be).

16.October.2018

So happy you are back!! thanks for the update, sending good vibes to you and your family :)

16.October.2018

Yay you’re back!!! Even if it’s sporadic, we are so glad to have you back. Welcome!!! You’ve been sorely missed.

17.October.2018

So very glad that the radio silence has not meant any catastrophe. Congratulations on a new job, a new home and those humans that you’re raising. Welcome back – looking forward to reading and seeing more IG!

17.October.2018

Welcome back! Even if its only for one post. Glad to hear that you and your family are doing well. You blog was such an inspiration to me and totally changed my design tastes!! Thanks! :)

18.October.2018

Welcome back! I accidentally hit my book mark for the blog and was pleasantly surprised to see a new post. You’ve definitely been missed. I’m glad everything is OK and that you guys have been have a great couple of years. Looking forward to your new (sporadic) posts (definitely want to see the new house!).

19.October.2018

What a pleasant surprise! I’ve been checking back here to look up information, and hoping to see an update, but just started reading blogs in general again. It’s so nice to get an update! I’m kind of the opposite of you right now and doing less Pharmacy and being mostly at home with the youngest two who aren’t in school yet. I’ve finally decided to start my own blog too. It’s been a dream of mine but I kept putting it off. I feel like it’s the creative outlet I need, so I’m going to give it a try. So glad that things are going well!

19.October.2018

I just squealed from delight to find this new post! So glad you are back!

20.October.2018

I’m glad you’re back, I’m glad your break was for good reasons (and not sad ones) and I’m glad to have a glimpse of the flip house and your forever home. The kids + Steve + you look great, and the cat is darling. Take care !

20.October.2018

So happy to hear from you!! Take your time but can’t wait for updates on the houses. You’re the closest blogger to my design aesthetic and I’ve missed your eye!

22.October.2018

Can’t wait to see the new HOME!

You have me squirming in my seat to learn more about those fantastic Airbnb finds (especially that one with the pool AND lake), will you share? We travel just for the amazing houses/treehouses/architectural finds, too! Then hope that the town/area is just as awesome ;).

23.October.2018

Welcome back! I’ve missed you and your posts and your photos and your vision! So happy to hear things are well! :)

23.October.2018

So glad to hear that you and your family are ok! Nice to hear from you!

24.October.2018

Yay, you’re back! I think I read on another blog that you were indeed well and that is all that really matters.

25.October.2018

Oh my gosh- I’m so relieved all is well with you (was worried) and your family! Totally understandable why you weren’t able to blog but I had just found you, sponged your blog and realized you weren’t blogging anymore. I was so sad :( For whatever reason, I clicked on your blog and saw a recent post ?! Yea! SO glad you’re back even if it’s a rare post here and there. Good luck with managing full time work and motherhood, it’s not easy! Best to you!

25.October.2018

The new house looks great! Can’t wait for the next update!

26.October.2018

Glad you’re back. I was worried!

28.October.2018

What a great Sunday surprise! Welcome back!!

29.October.2018

Welcome back! I really look forward to seeing your new place and life, no matter how infrequently.

31.October.2018

I really was worried but didn’t want to bother you. : ) But wow, I’m glad I peeked back today to find this nice surprise. I have missed your writing and your projects, but I’m glad to know that you are doing well. See you on Instagram!

PS–I also have a 9 foot tall deep-voiced 13 year old with size 11s, so can definitely relate!

01.November.2018

Welcome back!!!

02.November.2018

I am beyond ecstatic that I just saw this update! Oh how I’ve missed you and your blog. With Instagram being such a huge source of design inspiration I haven’t been very active on Pinterest or blogs and I just so happened to stumble upon one of your images and it reminded me to check on you! So happy to hear you are all well and the kids have grown sooo much!

03.November.2018

Welcome back! Im glad life has been good to you!

04.November.2018

What a nice surprise to see a post. I’ve been randomly checking in. Congratulations on everything.

04.November.2018

Happy blog reader here! I would look periodically hoping to see a post, and today I was pleasantly surprised!! I admire your many talents and dedication to your family! Welcome back!!

05.November.2018

Eeeeee! I actually typed your blog in by accident, and what a wonderful surprise! So happy to have you back on the web :)

07.November.2018

Welcome back…we’ve so missed you!!

07.November.2018

I AM SO HAPPY TO SEE A POST!!! I have kept HouseTweaking on my bookmarks bar for all this time and just randomly checked to see if anything had popped up. I was so excited to see this today!! Please don’t go away for too long! It is so good to hear from you and I LOVE the updates. Now I want to know more about the new house, and the pee house. Can’t wait to hear more!

09.November.2018

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m so glad you are “back” and doing well! Some posts are better than no posts, so I’m glad you are hoping to post again! Excited to see what you have been doing.

10.November.2018

So glad to find this. All good news and glad you are back.

10.November.2018

Hey, hi there! So glad to see you & really good to hear all is well with you & yours.

11.November.2018

I have randomly checked your blog for an update over these last 21 months and I am so happy to hear you and your family are doing well. Looking forward to seeing more about your new house, in your own time obviously. Plus, funny story. Almost 22 months ago, my husband and I welcomed our baby girl and we named her Mabrey Jo. I put “Mabrey” on our baby name “list” after hearing the name from you years ago.

12.November.2018

Oh my gosh… I came on here to find an old recipe you had shared, and saw your post. So happy you took the time you needed, but very happy to see your update. Love your blog, so I will read whatever you want to share, whenever you want to share it. :)
So excited to see and hear all about the new house!!

14.November.2018

Yay! Missed you posts!

15.November.2018

So happy to see you post and to hear your family is doing well..I had to look twice at the date to make sure I read 2018. Welcome back, you’ve been missed! ;)

15.November.2018

So glad your back!! missed reading your posts, soo happy to hear that the family is doing well!

15.November.2018

AHHHHH SO GLAD TO SEE A POST FROM YOU!!

15.November.2018

So happy you’re back! You’ve been missed. And, I’m literally dying over the citron couch. Can’t wait to read more details on the new house.

20.November.2018

Your family is beautiful. :) Nice to hear from you! I look forward to more in the future. :)

20.November.2018

WELCOME BACK! I certainly have missed your posts! Worried something terrible happened since everything stopped so abruptly. Very happy all is well. Looking forward to pics of your new house too! Love your decorating style and inspiration!

Laura

21.November.2018

Glad you are okay! Can’t wait to see your new house. Your blog has been one of my favorites. I am glad I checked it again today. :)

21.November.2018

I’ve come to your blog the last couple years on a regular basis for ideas and inspiration because it’s so good. It’s awesome you posted but more so you know your limits! I don’t anyone really checks blogs daily anymore, priorities don’t revolve around waiting for social media to happen. Your break was good for you and an inspiration to so many.

21.November.2018

So happy to see your update. Was kind of worried when you just stopped posting. Sounds like a great life, but I do hope you will find time to do some blogging. Would love to see what you do with the new house.

24.November.2018

SO glad to hear that you are well! I was worried that the sudden absence was due to unfortunate life circumstances.

25.November.2018

Balance is elusive… kids are like fireflies as they get older you have to enjoy their sparkle while you can:) I even emailed yhl to ask if you were ok…Sherri said you and your family were fine:) I look forward to seeing future posts. Congrats on the job!

27.November.2018

Hooray that you’re back in whatever capacity life can handle!

28.November.2018

YAY!!! Thanks for the update!

05.December.2018

Welcome back! I missed seeing your posts – always loved your style and got so many ideas from you. I painted our den Dark Pewter largely because I loved how it looked in your home, and no regrets 3 years later! :)

13.December.2018

Welcome Back Dana!! ❤️❤️❤️

18.December.2018

As my kids have gotten older and I too went back to work FT, I have stopped reading blogs. Tonight I thought, let’s just check to see if anything has been posted…what a wonderful surprise! Thank you for sharing!

29.December.2018

I thought of you today and figured I would check the blog to see if there was anything new, and I was so excited to see this post. I’m so happy to read all is well!

29.December.2018

I am so glad all is well. Read your blog for ages and came back today to read up on Ikea kitchens (getting ready to do one myself).

01.January.2019

So happy that you’re back! I never gave up, but apparently I didn’t check as often as I’m just now seeing this post! I hope you’re able to find a good work/life/blogging balance and I look forward to hearing about all your adventures – especially the new house! :)

04.January.2019

So happy you’re back! I’m glad everything was ok and that you are enjoying being back at your day job. Like everyone else, I’m excited to see what you did with the pee house.

08.January.2019

So glad I stumbled upon your blog today – cant wait for you to update with some details on the reno and new house!

09.January.2019

Happy to finally know that you are all okay and you’re kind of BACK!!!! WE missed you

10.January.2019

SO happy to hear from you and to see you back to blogging! I can’t wait to (hopefully) see your new house and to hear more about your life these days. Also, holy moly Everett is tall! I know you said he grew, but seeing him next to you! He looks 17! xoxo

10.January.2019

I typed in your URL to show my husband that IKEA does, in fact, make cabinets to go above a fridge – and gasped aloud to see that you’d posted again! I know I’m a few months late to the game but just wanted to mention I’m glad you’re not only okay, but you and the family are thriving. I look forward to seeing you around the internet again!

10.January.2019

Hello! We are traveling to Connecticut this summer and I’m wondering about the architect farmhouse that saw or stayed in? Can you give me more info? So glad there was an update in September. Crossing my fingers there is another one soon. Thanks for your time.

12.January.2019

❤ Nice to “see” your face! Glad you are safe and well!

12.January.2019

Glad you ate doing what works best for your family and life. Looking forward to seeing a house tour at some point! You were missed!

12.January.2019

Like many others, I’ve been so curious about your life (gaaah, that seems so weird to say!) and what’s been going on with the pee house, etc! Several times I pinned things from past posts for projects I’ve wanted to do in our house and it made me wonder… As for the work that you are doing in Ohio – I’m so grateful for you and those who do what you do. I finished reading “Dopesick” by Beth Macy who is local to me and who wrote about the opioid epidemic in southwest Virginia. It was heartbreaking and eye-opening to say the least. As an elementary school teacher here I know so many children that are affected by it. Looking forward to whatever you share when you do!

12.January.2019

Thrilled that you’ve returned and that everyone is well! I will be happy to read new blog posts – at whatever frequency they come!

12.January.2019

Your most recent IG post brought me back here and I just want to say I’m so happy for you guys. Thanks for taking the time to update.

14.January.2019

Yours was among the first blogs I ever read. I’ve referenced it frequently over the years — thrilled that the content still existed even when things were quiet. Prioritizing family, home, and work makes absolute sense. It’s clear from all of the comments that we’re happy to have updates when available. Until then… thank you, Dana!!

14.January.2019

This post makes me so unbelievably happy. :)

14.January.2019

OMG awesome. I’m so glad you and your family are doing well. I miss checking your blog on a daily basis and hopefully you can start to share more. Congrats on the job. Can’t believe how time flies and the kids have grown! All great news. Welcome back!

15.January.2019

So happy to hear that you and your family are all well and happy. Lovely to have you back and I am looking forward to seeing your new home and the flip house. Well done for picking your family and life over the blog, I really admire you for it.

18.January.2019

Yay! So nice to read your post. I’ve been inspired by so many of your projects and always appreciated your writing about home and living deliberately. I look forward to future posts – whenever they happen!

29.January.2019

Hey hey hey! I checked on a whim and here you are! I feel like my old friend (who has never heard of me) just moved back in to the (pretend) neighborhood.

02.February.2019

I was so happy to find this post today…..every so often i would randomly check in, as I really missed hearing your “voice” (sorry that sounds super creepy?). In any case, so happy you’re all well and I have to admit, I teared up a little when I saw the kids. My own two kids are the same ages as your boys and so it is bittersweet to see how much they’ve grown!

07.February.2019

I check the ol’ housetweaking page about once a year to see if you’ve posted or shut down the url and boy was I pleasantly surprised to see a post! So glad to hear things are ok and looking forward to a post whenever you want or get to it! I can only imagine how busy life is!

12.February.2019

Welcome back!

Some questions (I may have missed the answers) do you still have your studio?
Are you going to do anything with IKEA kitchens anymore?

Glad life is good for you!

03.March.2019

Good to have you back! I regularly checked your blog to see if you had made a return and I’m so glad you have. Love seeing what you and your family are up to with designing, and life in general! Yay.

26.March.2019

I’m SO excited to see this! Please post again, even if it’s just very brief updates or a photo or two. I love your style and can’t wait to see what you do with your new house. I’m glad to see you are feeling more settled; lots of big changes can be overwhelming. I’ve been a huge fan since the beginning, and still frequently refer back to your blog.

09.April.2019

It was so lovely to see and read your last post. I always check in now and again and re-read old posts *blush* but thank you so much for the update and looking forward to more “finds” on my check-ins. I cannot believe the kids are as big as they are! Stay well! :)

28.April.2019

Happy to see you again and knowing all is well. Even if you don’t know me I’m polish and I was following your blog since 2010/2011 when I moved to my new home in Spain and needed some inspiration. During last two years visited your blog sometimes, hoping you were back. Today I saw your new post… And so many changes. Looking forward for new posts.
By the way, my husband is from Ohio :)
Regards from Spain, Edy

03.May.2019

Glad you’re back – In whatever way, on whatever schedule suits you and your family. I love following along. :)

07.May.2019

It’s sooo good to hear from you again. I can’t tell you the number of times I checked your site or Googled to try to find out info about the radio silence! Tonight, I read someone’s post on Emily Henderson’s site mentioning you, so I thought I’d give it a try. And – there’s a post from last September! Congrats to you for the new house and working as a pharmacist again. And the update on your kids – wow! I have been a reader since before Mabrey was known about — since the tail end of the “builder” home. I will continue to check back; I love seeing your design choices, but no pressure from me. I’m an out-of-the-home working mom of three, and there is no way I could build time in my life for blogging at this current time.

16.May.2019

good to know you are ok!

16.May.2019

I am glad you are well and happy. Congrats on the new house! Hope to hear from you more often.

31.May.2019

Hi! We’re still here. ;-) I keep coming back hoping for a new post. Hoping for maybe just one more post with the deets on your current house. The sneak peak was enough taunts me still! We all know too well that life is busy. Especially for a wife and working mom with three kiddos. We also loved your blog and miss you. Just wanted you to know! #readersincebeforetheunderdog #youweremyfavoriteblogger #takeyourtimegirl!

15.June.2019

Please come back again!

10.July.2019

Our family is planning a trip to Asheville, NC, and I was wondering if you would be willing to send me the details on the cabin you stayed at. Can’t seem to find it on Airbnb. Thank you!

23.October.2019

So thrilled to see you’re back, have been checking in hoping you and the family are fine. Your babies are gorgeous, can’t believe how big they are now! Totally respect your need to prioritize and that you put family and yourself first above the blogosphere. Please do write, even occasionally, miss your content and sense of style ie YOU. Thanks for the update.

09.February.2020

I am late! But glad that things are going so well and happy for an update. Hurray!

05.April.2020

Aw, I LOVE Jo with Mabrey!!!!!

05.April.2020

It’s true! No news is good news ;)

05.April.2020

It was rented. I had to let it go when I went back to pharmacy. It just didn’t make sense any longer.

05.April.2020

It’s a good one!

05.April.2020

LOVED the Miller house tour! What an amazing place to live. I’m jealous of your hometown!!

05.April.2020

Haha, best conspiracy theory yet!! :)

13.April.2020

I always love your posts and this was such a wonderful surprise to see in my mailbox! Thank you for this post and hopefully more in the future…