I am excited with the changes to our home–and feeling nostalgic. This past week, we had painters in to update the kids rooms from the way they’ve been for the past 15 or so years. Our son’s room was a bright white to begin with. I had my daughter’s room painted pale pink before she was born. Then as they neared the teen years, the colors got bright.

My son’s room turned into what’s known as a Delaware blue complete with a world map on one wall. My daughter went hot pink. That didn’t last long. She eventually went with two shades of teal, her favorite color.

What stayed constant was the deep blue tiki bathroom. When we moved into our house 25 plus years ago, I loved the tiki bathroom. I still do actually, but it was looking more than a little ragged. For example, some of our recent horrific rains came through the ceiling vent and stained the ceiling. We had quite a discussion of what to do with the bathroom.

My son said I could throw out whatever I wanted in his room. I saved a few things, but the majority of books, DVDs, CDs, school work, trophies, etc. went to Angel View, our local charity where you can dump–I mean donate–all your unwanted junk. My daughter wants to go through her things before we toss. She hasn’t been out of the home technically for a year yet, so I guess I owe her that. But I’m on a roll. It feels really good to lighten our load of knick knacks, stacks of books, DVDs, electronics and extra furniture. I like the new look of off-white bedrooms and a pale blue bathroom.

It also feels sad. I miss all those years when I had bedrooms with wild colors and my children.

.