Back Home And Trying To Regroup
UPDATE 11/20/25: I was still too exhausted to get anything done yesterday, so I ended up resting the whole day. I’ll see how today (Thursday) goes. That hospital stay, with four nights of very little sleep, really did a number on my energy level. But Matt is doing really well. If I’m feeling energetic enough to get some work done today, I’ll be back tomorrow (Friday). If not, I’ll see y’all back here on Monday. 🙂
We’re back home, y’all! I’m so sorry that I wasn’t here yesterday with an update. I know many of you were concerned about Matt based on the comments and emails I got, and while I had very good intentions of writing a brief update just to let y’all know how he was doing, I just couldn’t seem to get it together yesterday to make that happen.
Anyway, Matt is doing very well. He was in the hospital from about midnight on Friday night until about 1:30 yesterday afternoon with a UTI that led to sepsis. It was a difficult and exhausting few days because, as I’m sure all of you know very well, getting good sleep in a hospital is virtually impossible with nurses coming in every couple of hours, flipping on the lights to take vitals, swap out IVs, give meds, etc.
So by the time we left the hospital yesterday, I was so exhausted that I felt like I was walking around in a dream state. I brought Matt home, got him situated and comfortable, and then got us some lunch. By the time we were finished with lunch, I couldn’t hold my eyes open any longer, so I slept. Y’all, I took a 2.5-hour nap. On a Tuesday. I am not a nap kind of person at all, but taking a nap on a weekday is unheard of for me. But after four nights of terrible, interrupted sleep, I had no choice.
Anyway, I woke up this morning hoping to be fully rested and ready to go so that I could get back to work on the foyer. I don’t feel rested at all, and I don’t feel ready to get back to work, but I’m going to do it anyway. I’m so close to being finished with the foyer that I’m hoping my excitement about getting it finished will help me make some progress today.
So picking up where we left off last Friday, here’s the punch list for what needs to happen to get this area completely finished. I need to…
- Move the cable for the router,
- Patch the little hole in the ceiling,
- Add the trim inside the closet doorway to finish off the edge of the wallpaper…
- Paint another coat of white paint on the bathroom/storage closet doors,
- Install doorknobs on the bathroom/storage closet doors,
- Either reframe the chapel picture in a larger and more eye-catching frame or add sconces flanking the picture,
- Sew the bird pillow,
- Add a new pillow insert to the pink pillow.
- Finish repairing the patched ceiling (sand, prime, paint),
- Add doorknobs/handles to the French doors,
- Add privacy film to the glass on the French doors.
And other than giving the area a good cleaning (cleaning the floor, cleaning the air intake vent, etc.), I think that’s it! I decided to leave the walls flanking the bathroom/storage closet doors blank…for now. I really love the view of that wall from inside my closet with just the grasscloth and wainscoting. Once I get the foyer finished and get the closet cleaned up, I’ll show you that view.
Also, I bought some candle sconces to try out with the chapel picture. I’ll try those out and see if I like them better than the sconces that came out of our previous bedroom. And then I’ll see if I can find a nicer, fancier frame and see if I might like that better than the current gold one. I kind of have my heart set on using sconces, but perhaps I’ll feel differently with a larger, fancier frame on the chapel picture.
Anyway, I’m still incredibly tired, and I’m finding it challenging to get back into the swing of things after these last few days with Matt in the hospital. But I’m going to do my very best to get refocused today and make some progress. I might need lots and lots of strong coffee to get me through this day.
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Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
Just a thought… going with the larger chapel picture would allow you to add a second matte of a coordinating color.
Agree! Also thrift stores / consignment/ FB Marketplace are great sources of thick frames (w/ art to toss out).
You could take the pillows off your list … bench is beautiful on its own. Pillows make it look like a wimpy window seat or trying to fill a corner.
Yes to leaving all the grasscloth alone! Beautiful as-is. Restraint is the best interior design.
Thanks for the update. Sepsis? Ugh! Prayers still for both of you. Your DIY capabilities are way beyond mine – as are your MRS capabilities 😊
Tomorrow is another day…Only do what you feel like. I am glad your both back home.
OH, I’m so glad Matt is doing better. Try not to do too much today…when I am that tired I make more mistakes! Another day or two you will be recovered more. Looking forward to seeing it all. Best wishes to you both.
I’m with Joan on this one. I make so many mistakes when I’m tired! Take the time for your body to recoup. We will be here when you return!
I’m so sorry for what you and Matt have been through. My suggestion is that you get some rest today. Your body’s telling you it needs rest—it’s physically and emotionally exhausting being in a hospital, especially when your loved one has sepsis. We will see what you have completed when you are feeling more like yourself! 🩷
Rest!!!
Happy to hear Matt and your sre back home. I think you both need a good rest so take your time working today.
Blessings for you both.
You and Matt are much more important than finishing the foyer! Listen to your body and take care of yourselves! Praying for you both!
Kristi, thank you for sharing that Matt is doing well enough to come home.
Listen to this 74-year-old. Who thinks she’s everyone’s mom/gram. Take a few days to REST! Everything you think you need today or the rest of the week, even, will wait. All of us (readers) care about your health and well-being. If you are tired, we completely understand. As much as we look at you as a superwoman, you are only human.
If you feel like taking a day off, watching TV, and napping between programs, do it. We will be here for you. Besides, if you’re tired, that is
Kristi, thank you for sharing that Matt is doing well enough to come home.
Listen to this 74-year-old. Who thinks she’s everyone’s mom/gram. Take a few days to REST! Everything you think you need today or the rest of the week, even, will wait. All of us (readers) care about your health and well-being. If you are tired, we completely understand. As much as we look at you as a superwoman, you are only human.
If you feel like taking a day off, watching TV, and napping between programs, do it. We will be here for you. Besides, when tired, mistakes are made.
Ditto! Kristi, get some rest. You deserve it. The foyer can wait. Your good health is necessary to handle all that you do and you resting will benefit the Linauer household in the long run!
So glad that Matt is feeling better but you have to take time for you too. If you get too exhausted you will be no good for anyone ….. including Matt. So please take it easy!
I am voting for more rest and maybe a gentle walk. Everything else can come together later. We are just happy to hear you both are home and healing. Sending love!
I’m glad the hospital is behind you, and Matt is doing better.
Do one thing you’ve been avoiding (yes, we all do that!) and one thing that you’re excited about and call it a day. Tomorrow is another day.
Relieved Matt is home and doing well. Answered prayers. You need to take a day off and maybe another nap is in order this afternoon. Please listen to your body and take care of yourself. DYI can wait another day. 😀
So glad that Matt is better. Take some time if you need to. Don’t completely wear yourself out!
I’d like for you give yourself permission to take the day off. Or do the little things…window film, swap the frame…
You’re doing 2 huge jobs, caretaker and remodeling. But you’re ignoring self care. I don’t mean naps which are way too maligned in American society.
I mean sit with Matt, watch movies, read a magazine, cuddle with the animals. I know I would not feel let down or judge you because you didn’t finish your foyer after 4 days in hospital with Matt. Please take care of you!!
It is the season for Christmas movies!
Thank goodness Matt is better! Better to rest and not get sick yourself.
Thank you, for the good report and update about Matt. We’re so thankful for his recovery and you all are back home.
I’ve read many of today’s comments and there is a repeat of ‘rest’. Definitely you need to pace yourself, this is a busy season and because. people get stressed and run down more illness starts floating around and we want you and Matt to stay healthy!!
As I read your posts the last couple of days the bench is so much better on that wall because it is a wider backdrop. The bench did look too wide for the wall, and now it looks perfect.
I do agree with your mom about the set of pictures from the book flanking the doors I prefer that area without artwork. A friend who is a designer told me the eyes need spots of rest as they move about a room. The chapel print is a very important piece of art in your journey with Matt, and the impact seems lessened with the other pictures nearby.
The grasscloth is beautiful and we are looking forward to watching your creativity and everything coming together with artwork, fabrics, and lighting.
Am so happy that Matt is doing better. Praying that he stays well, and for you to get some good rest.
The bench/mirror switch looks so much better. It really won’t hurt for you to take another day to rest. You’ll be more focused and actually feel like working if you take care of yourself first.
Dear Kristi, we are all so glad that you are home with Matt and that things are better. Take the time for rest, it is so important. You’re in the final stretch, so a couple of days won’t make a hill of beans difference in the end. Enjoy the rest!
Cheers to you both and here is hoping for better health for Matt!
If you are that tired, you need a day or two of rest and give your body time to sort this out. You had a ton of cortisol flowing when Matt was hospitalized. Now that he’s home, that cortisol has slowed way down. This can leave you feeling as powerful as a wet dishrag. Between caring for Matt, feeding Cooper and caring for yourself, your plate is not just full, it’s overflowing. Your projects will still be there in 2 days. We will all be here, hoping you haven’t totally collapsed from pushing yourself too hard.
You need to consider that you are the center of your household. What would happen to them if you go down from exhaustion?
PS- Have you thought about putting a much larger frame on the wall outside the chapel picture so the dark blue shows through between them? I can envision a very large, ornate, gold frame to showcase the picture. More of a border so the chapel stands out.
I think you should listen to your body and get more downtime. For me, nothing good happens when I work when tired–especially when I’m medicated with caffeine!
I’m so relieved Matt is doing better and is out of the hospital. That sepsis is one scary disease! I hope you’re feeling 100% soon, too.
I am so glad to hear that Matt is doing better and at home now! I would take a day or more off to recuperate but perhaps working on the foyer is a way for you to deal with the stress of Matt being hospitalized. Only you know what’s best for you. I think a larger mat would be nice on the chapel painting and like the simple gold frame with your decorating style. I love light sconces but I think would draw attention away from the painting which is so special and meaningful.
Sleep is so curative…get some.😊
I think a larger stronger framing treatment for your chapel pic would speak volumes! Maybe consider using a large roll cushion on the bench and maybe a small kidney cushion resting against the roll. It would give some structure.
Beautiful project.
Hi Kristi,
I love what you’ve done in the foyer. I would put a library lamp above your chapel picture, not sconces. It just looks so calm, and so right to me as it is…even without a new frame.
I’m happy to hear that Matt is home. Now, you both need to rest and get yourself together. Why not just sit with Matt, or sit and pet the furry kids; just rest your mind as well as your body. Prayers are still going out for you, Matt and the furry ones. God bless.
Linda
Hi Kristy,
I’m so glad to hear your both home. Please take some time for yourselves. Next week is Thanksgiving. A perfect week to take off. Our American sensibilities dictate we go, go go. A week off will provide you with much needed rest, time with those most important to you and time to reflect on your next steps. Everyone here wishes you and Matt the best of all things. Happy Thanksgiving.
Caregivers need care, too. Get some rest and take some recovery time for yourself. A few days off now will make you more productive later. If you feel like you just “have to do something”, put the new pillow insert in the pink pillow. I enjoy your daily posts but I would rather know you are taking care of yourself. My best wishes and prayers for a speedy recovery to both you and Matt.
My Dad had sepsis and it was rough on my Mom. Care givers are so important and need a mental and physical break which is hard to come by. Thank you for sharing your projects with us. We are excited to see your progress?
My 2 cents, is to also take time off and do what you want, and feel like, without pressure. Then share with us after Thanksgiving week.
It’s ok to just be you and not Wonder Woman.
I always say to my husband, I wonder how she gets so much done and keeps going. Thus Wonder Woman. Have a great rest.
Take all the time you need. Last you need is to make yourself sick.
Hi Kristi and Matt, sending prayers up for both of you!!! I know you sure don’t get good rest at a hospital. I worked as a nurse in a hospital and had to wake people up often, plus I myself have had 17 surgeries. So now rest and recoup.
While you are resting Kristi I imagine your thinking about your room so I have another idea to add to your thoughts. You said you have one big wall empty what if you took your gorgeous church picture and put it on the wall with a bit bigger white frame and several matts to add more dimension. Maybe even matt it the wrong way so the church comes forward more instead of being inset if that makes any sense at all LOL then add the white birds around it and even put some gold sconces with it. Then since you have so many birds you could put a few over the bench area. Just a thought.
Best wishes to you both
Glad Matt is home and doing well. Sepsis is a killer.
Just rest. All these items can surely wait. I know resting is hard for you, but try to chill.
Everything is looking good.