the space between

upcycle, repurpose and reinvent your space

the time has come

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Hey there!

How have you been?!?! Long time no talk. I’ve gotten all of your messages and emails and comments here and there checking in on us. Thank you so much for those.

As you’ve probably noticed I’ve taken a step (or six) away from this blog of late. So many things have changed since our move to Aruba and although I loved sharing every bit of our DIY journey in Curacao and Key West I find myself feeling increasingly private and protective of our little life experience. I’m sure some of it has to do with moving into an apartment we don’t own, and some about losing our baby girls (we lost Marley in January, just 4 months after losing Mico, I still can’t talk about it, I’m not sure that’s normal) and some, I feel, is just normal life progression.
But it occurred to me very clearly the other day, the time has come to turn in a new direction. I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about how I could possibly transition this little slice of the web into where my brain is headed but I just can’t make them connect. I want you to know that I have thought about this every day, many times a day, for a long time now. I do have something entirely new working its way through my brain, and I’ll check back in with you about that in a bit, but it just feels right to me to leave this here and give myself permission to stop stressing about trying to share details that I’m just not feeling in a sharing mood about. I am sorry. And don’t really have a complete understanding in my own head about why this feels right, I just know it does.
That being said, I am working to take a few new pictures of the apartment, including the finished kitchen!!, and plan to participate in an upcoming home tour blog hop with a bunch of other bloggers who also live by the water and are inspired in their home decor by the sea and all of its awesomeness. It seems like a good way to wrap it all up, for now. You never know, we may end up back in Key West and completing that renovation or somewhere new with a big ol’ fixer upper on our hands and I’ll need to just dust this baby right off and share with you all of the nitty-gritty details.
Until then, thank you for being a part of this little space with me. This has been an adventure that I could never have imagined. And a journey that wouldn’t have been nearly as sweet without you by my side.
xoxo

Comments

  1. Good for you! You will be missed but hopefully you’ll keep up with Instagram 🙂

  2. I’m so sorry about the loss of your dear Marley so soon after Mico. It’s so very hard to lose our dearly loved fur babies, I still cry over ones that I’ve lost over 20 years ago.

    Carmen

  3. Karah, I was thinking about you yesterday. I had been so busy with my own things and still stuck on this rock where I live that I have not been reading all the emails for awhile. I knew I had missed your posts and now know why. I am so sorry about your babies. They had the best mom and dad on their journey. I love you and wish you the best always.

  4. I’ll miss your posts lighting up my email box but will have to satisfy myself with those gorgeous sunset pics in paradise. I’m so glad we became friends Karah – you make me laugh and I love you!

    • I love you, too!! The in real life friendships are something I never dreamed of when I started this blog. So glad you are one of them!!

  5. Karah, I am so sorry to hear about Marley. It is normal to feel the way your feeling about losing them. We lost our two within 10 months. I still grieve for my Lucy that passed 10 years ago. Your normal, lol!! While I have missed your posts & being able to tell you how much I am green with envy about the remodels and the beach, we all have to do what is best for us. If and when you come back to blogging, I am sure that we will all be here, I know I will & will be drooling and just as envious as always. 😉

  6. So…I wondered where you were and it seem you were inside your own head and soul…… Hope you come back and share more of you wonderful tranformations, but it not, you will have offered what you had to give for as long as you could …and we all change as time goes by. Here’s wishing you and yours all good things forever and ever……

  7. You’ve had two tremendous losses. Give yourself all the time in the world to grieve and worry not as to how you grieve. Losing two beloved family members who are also true blue friends, who love you without question, who have stuck with you through so many changes, who are your roommates, your beachcombing and trash heap exploring partners, your “keep my spot on the bed warm” experts, is catastrophic. At least it is to one’s heart and spirit.

    Climb into your cave, whatever and wherever that may be and grieve your way, at your speed. You honor them by licking your wounds just as they would, and probably did for you.

    We’ll be here.

    Thank you loving Mico and Marley as you did, and still do.

    Healing light and a wee little prayer headed your way.

  8. I’m glad you’re giving yourself this space – not between, but going forward. What’s really important is embracing your life as you live it.

    I grieve with you on your loss of your girls. I’ve been through it far too many times over the decades, and yet keep adding rescue members. It’s not a zero-sum game, but you know that.

    Wishing you joy and peace, and look forward to reading any part of the future you wish to share.

    • Your comments have always been so meaningful and heartfelt, it has been nice to have you along for the ride!!

  9. Oh Karah, I’ve missed you! And I’m so sorry for all of the sorrow you’ve been going through! Your blog is one of the first I ever followed…where I wanted to make sure I didn’t miss a thing, not just “catch up” when I had a chance, and I have enjoyed every post! I certainly can understand that your heart isn’t quite in it while you have to deal with your loss, and I say you have to do what’s right for you! No more guilty feelings girl! I hope to hear from you in future, and all about your plans…when you’re ready…Take care of yourself first…thinking of you, Wendy

    • Thank you so much for the kind words, Wendy! I so appreciate you being a part of this amazing blog adventure. We will just have to see what comes next!

  10. I’ve missed your posts, but love seeing you on IG… I’ll be praying for you as you move in new directions and look forward to seeing what God has in store for you next!! So thankful that we met… you are a love.
    xo Heidi

    • I feel the exact same way about you. And love following all of your beautiful family’s adventures on social media. Looking forward to see what you do now that you’re an empty nester!! xo

  12. You know how much I have truly enjoyed your adventures…of Curacao and Key West and now Aruba…you are the best Karah….when Mico passed away, I was so very saddened…even though I have never met her, gave her a pat on the head, I felt like I knew her…then Marley…I am so sorry….I think many of us are struggling with the privacy and commitment to the blog situation of late….I so totally understand. Thanks for your insights and feelings on this. I shall look forward to the tour. Take care Karah and follow your heart!

    • You are someone I truly adore and I am so thankful I have met you in real life!! Always quick with an encouraging work, thank you for that!!

  13. Three words: YOU ARE AWESOME. Go… be you. Be happy. Be sad about the loss of your beloved dogs.Be in love with your husband. Be comfortable in your home. I’ve enjoyed EVERY word you have written, and IF you should decide to do it again I’ll be a subscriber! BTW – you are one of the most REAL people I (don’t actually) know; you’ve been a big inspiration.

    • Wow Lynn! This has made my day! Especially the “(I don’t actually) know” part. Too funny! So glad you found inspiration here! I am working on something new that will hopefully be nothing but positive DIY inspiration. More to come soon!

  14. Karah, we have missed you. I read about you babies passing, on Instagram and grieved for you. Thespacebetween blog was one of the first blogs I latched onto three or four years ago. I so appreciated your honesty and your sharing of mistakes during your many projects. Now you have shared some of your most personal thoughts and feelings and I understand and respect your need for privacy. We will be waiting for you. Take care.

    • Paula!! What a journey it has been these last three or four years. Thanks so much for sticking around!! If I couldn’t make mistakes I would seriously have to quit DIYing. haha

  15. You actually popped into my head the other day and I was wondering if I had missed any e-mails. I totally understand stepping back from blogging. It’s hard work. I used to blog for my photography business, but it was exhausting and I had to stop. I have enjoyed your blog and your creations and your book. You are an incredibly talented, spirited woman. I wish you the best on your future journeys! And so sorry for the loss of your babies. I lost my Spikey almost 4 years ago and I still cry every time I think of him. He was such a unique soul. I get it and wish you peace.

    • Thank you so much, Sheryl! And I am so sorry for your loss, no matter how long ago I’m sure it still hurts deeply!

  17. I’m so sorry about Marley. I know the hurt of loss, and there’s nothing but time that let’s you come to grip with it… not a forgetting but an accommodating. You need to be kind to yourself and take the space you need for healing.
    I will just echo the many comments saying take your time, do what you need to do the way you need to do it. We’ll wait. I’ve got a comfy chair here… I’m good to wait.

    • That’s so nice of you! And I’m really glad you have a comfy chair, it can make all the difference. 🙂

  18. Kara, Thank you for your update. Sad that you’re taking a break, but understandable. Now if my world had been rocked like yours with regards to your fur babies, I might never want to blog again. It’s been 3 years since our Lily crossed over and I am finally able to mention her name without tears streaming down my face.

    You and your hubby are in my thoughts and I’m sure whatever your next endeavor holds, you’ll do well at it. Take care.

    • I’m so sorry for your loss, Jann. It is incredible the connections we make with them!

      • Reading this comment I made to you over a year ago seems like a lifetime. My other girl, Daisy, passed in mid August. She was a couple months shy of 16 years old, a blond Tibetan Spaniel, and I still really miss her. She was my first dog as an adult & a great friend. I still miss my Daisy Doodle, but I know she will be waiting for me when I cross.

        • I’m sorry I’m just reading this now and and I’m so sorry for your loss. Loosing our girls has effected me in so many ways.

  19. Marsh, I’m so so sorry for the loss of your babies, Mico & Marley. I understand what you are going through. I think everyone on here does. We are all grieving with you? It’s very hard, but don’t forget we are here for you. I’m going to miss you being on here but I understand you have to do what you have to do, for Yourself. To have peace within yourself. I will be here waiting for you, when or if you decide to come back and share your experiences with us. We❤️You & Will Miss You

  20. Karah, I just stumbled upon your FB post seeing that you are taking an open ended break from blogging. Out of nowhere you came to my mind the other day and now that I see what day you posted this post, it was right around that exact time. I was thinking to my self, gosh, I haven’t seen Karah around … I need to check in on her. I will miss you but I TOTALLY understand where you are at and the struggle you have gone through to come to this decision. Please keep the options open for the future because we’d all love to hear from you no matter where God leads your family. You are a beautiful and talented woman and blogger and I know that what ever you decide to persue, you will be successful and blessed. Hugs to you my friend! Stay in touch on FB ok?!!! 😉 ~ KIM

    • Hi Kim!! Thanks so much for stopping by! It has been quite a year but I am excited about my new venture. I realized what I loved about the online DIY community is the exchange of ideas, and not necessarily about what we are doing in our own lives. I’m enjoying shifting the focus off me on my new FB page https://www.facebook.com/EasyDIYProjectIdeas. We’ll stay in touch on FB for sure!! 🙂

  21. Well you will be missed but I think that it is amazing that you are willing to step back when you know when it is time. I think that it will be a good time for you to spend without being in a public eye! Enjoy your time and thanks for sharing 😀

  22. I just saw this post after I commented on the other one! So sorry to hear about your girls. We have two dogs too, and I simply don’t know how I will cope when that time comes time for us! Enjoy your life! I hope you stay in touch now and then with those of us who will remember you fondly, even if we have never actually met in person!

  23. I’ve missed you, sweet Karah! But I totally understand… life is full of different seasons and it’s so much better to embrace them. We’re in transition as well — more of a lifestyle transition — but I’m pondering changes to the blog as well that will reflect where I am now (and where I’m headed). Not sure what that looks like, but it feels good to take the pressure off.

    So so sorry about the loss of your babies — those holes in our hearts never heal completely, but I’ll be praying for you to find some peace and joy in those delicious years of adventure and love that you shared with them.

    Sending hugs and I’ll see you on IG — keep those sunsets coming. 🙂 Much love, Heidi

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