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You are here: Home / Real Life Tips / A New Chapter

A New Chapter

June 4, 2014 By Karen Cooper 16 Comments

In so many ways, the month of June begins a new chapter in my life. My teaching duties are complete and I am on a leave of absence from teaching for one year. For the next year, I am going to focus on this blog, my family, and me.

I’m pretty sure that this is what is also known as a mid-life crisis, but “new chapter” sounds so much more hopeful and less catastrophic.

And I’m not the only one. Many of my friends are turning pages to a new chapter in their lives, too. My friend Cris is moving and is following her passion in a new career. My friend Amy is moving to a new state and starting a new job. My friend Cynthia is starting the next iteration of her life. Many friends are moving into new homes, new jobs, new locations, new relationships.

Change is in the air, friends.

The funny thing is that I used to fear change. I ordered the same thing from our neighborhood Chinese restaurant for years. I found shoes that fit and bought them in three colors.

I seem to be more willing to embrace change now. At first, I was a little scared about taking a leave of absence from teaching. After all, I had been teaching for twelve years, and practicing law before that for almost six. But I am excited – actually, giddy – about trying something new, especially when it involves my passion: DIY, home decor, home improvement.

It’s never too late to have a life and never too late to change one.

So now the new chapter begins! Here are some things coming up at HQ that I’ll be sharing with you:

(1) We decided to hold off on fully renovating the master bathroom. Long story why. Anyway, I’m going to do some low-cost, high-impact changes in that bathroom and I’ll show you what I’m doing.

(2) I have to finish the Great Room Move-Around. Painting to be done, mainly. But other projects, too.

(3) YARD WORK! As I’ve been focusing on the interior of our home, the exterior looks woefully neglected. Time to get out and dig in the dirt.

So, that’s what’s on deck here at Dogs Don’t Eat Pizza. I’m excited and can’t wait to share some new projects with you.

I hope you are doing well. Do you have any changes going on in your life? If so, share! We’re all in this together, friends.

Thanks for stopping by!

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Filed Under: Real Life Tips 16 Comments

About Karen Cooper

Hi! I'm Karen. I call myself a “recovering lawyer” - I traded in my power suits for power tools and a life of DIY adventures. Join me for DIY, home decorating, repurposing and upcycling, and organizing projects and tips as I transform a 1929 Tudor bungalow into our home. I believe in merging old and new to make a house a home.

« Plans for the Master Bathroom
In the Designer’s Corner »




Comments

  1. jeanne says

    June 4, 2014 at 8:45 am

    change is great !! go for it and good luck ..have fun !!!

    Reply
    • Karen Cooper says

      June 4, 2014 at 10:12 pm

      Thanks, Jeanne!

      Reply
  2. Donna @ My Sweet Things says

    June 4, 2014 at 9:21 am

    I totally relate to fear of change. I resigned from my job last Friday. The hardest thing for me was knowing I would no longer have a consistent paycheck with my name on it! My husband has been a huge support telling me “do what you love” I have the opportunity to do that and I’m running with it! He is working on redesigning my blog and that will be part of my focus. The other half my photography. I took a leap and it feels great! Cheers to you Karen! I’ll be right along with you on your new journey! Hugs!

    Reply
    • Karen Cooper says

      June 4, 2014 at 10:13 pm

      Wow Donna! Congratulations to you, too! Here’s to new chapters and cheering each other on!

      Reply
  3. Eliesa says

    June 4, 2014 at 9:24 am

    I’m so excited for you! Enjoy every second of this year, it’s such a gift! Looking forward to seeing your progress on all your projects. 🙂

    Reply
    • Karen Cooper says

      June 4, 2014 at 10:14 pm

      Thanks, Eliesa! I’m looking forward to it, too. It’s going to be fun!

      Reply
  4. Marty Walden says

    June 4, 2014 at 6:50 pm

    It’s a great decision, and it does require courage! I love this blogging obsession, but sometimes the tangible rewards are few. I have to look at how I love it (and the fact that I haven’t worked in 20 years outside the home so whatever I make has to be better than that!) and how it enriches my life. Time without the demands of work will be wonderful for you!

    Reply
    • Karen Cooper says

      June 4, 2014 at 10:15 pm

      Exactly. It’s going to be such a different path than what I’m used to, and I think that’s a good thing. I couldn’t do it without good friends and support – that’s for sure. Thank you!

      Reply
  5. Cheryl @ Artzzle says

    June 4, 2014 at 6:53 pm

    Have noticed changes in your blog. You always work so hard. Be sure to have fun with this time in your life, too. How exciting! Will be watching 🙂 !

    Reply
    • Karen Cooper says

      June 4, 2014 at 10:16 pm

      Thank you, Cheryl! It’s going to be quite a fun ride!

      Reply
  6. Elisha @ Pneumatic Addict Furniture says

    June 5, 2014 at 7:05 pm

    This is so exciting! I am so happy for you! I know there will be great things to come!

    Reply
    • Karen Cooper says

      June 5, 2014 at 9:26 pm

      Thank you, friend!

      Reply
  7. Erin @ DIY on the Cheap says

    June 5, 2014 at 10:02 pm

    I’m so excited for you! I know you will enjoy this new chapter. Can’t wait to follow along!

    Reply
    • Karen Cooper says

      June 5, 2014 at 10:38 pm

      Thanks, Erin! Hopefully not grading papers means getting to go to more ATL bloggers events! 🙂 Hope you are doing well/better!

      Reply
  8. Bliss says

    June 7, 2014 at 1:43 am

    A year goes by so fast, but it’s a nice amount of time to gain new perspective. Enjoy your time out of the classroom.

    Reply
    • Karen Cooper says

      June 7, 2014 at 9:17 am

      Thank you, Bliss! I’m sure it will go by quickly, but I’m so excited.

      Reply

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Hi! I’m Karen. I call myself a “recovering lawyer,” because I turned in my power suits for power tools and a life of DIY. This blog is all about DIY, home decorating, repurposing and upcycling, and organization. I believe in merging old and new to make a house a home.




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About Karen

A "recovering lawyer," I turned in my power suits for power tools and a life of DIY. I believe in merging old and new to make a house a home. Read More…

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