I've Been Harboring A Secret

Hi Everyone!

Guys.  My world has been rocked. Like, to its core.

So there I was sipping my coffee, making my morning rounds of checking emails when I opened an email that would in about 3 seconds become THE email. 

I did a quick scan and read... yada yada yada....Better Homes and Gardens... yada yada....  kitchen.... yada yada... feature ....yada yada... photo shoot... blah blah ....3 weeks... yada yada ...HOLY SMACK!!

Wait, did I just read what I THINK I just read? Ok, breathe Shavonda.  Just reread it and this time slowly and carefully. 

Ummm yeah...I totally just read what I think I just read. This is a joke, right?  It's GOT to be a joke.

Wait, am I being punked!!? Ashton, where you at, boy!?  Wait, is that show even on anymore?

Me: Ummm NAAAAOOOOOOMMMMIIIIIII!!  Honey, can you come here a second please...NNOOOOWWWW!!!?

Me: Babe can you read this for me and tell me what it says?

Naomi: Oh no..what happened?  What did your mom do this time?

Me: What!? My mom? Nothing woman! Just read it please. Ummm does it say something to the affect of Better Homes and Gardens wants to come to our house and have a photo shoot with me and our kitchen which they would like to feature it in an upcoming issue of the magazine and they'd also like to feature it in a sister publication as well and that they would like to know if that would be ok and that they want to do it in sometime in the vicinity of the next 3 weeks?

Naomi: Yep, sweetie, that just about sums it up.

Me: (Standing in utter shock and disbelief and I'm sure about 3 shades lighter than I actually am) OK love, that's what I thought.  Just checking.

Me: AAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH! Deep breaths Deep Breaths Deep Breaths

Yeah so that was how my morning started a few Friday's ago guys.  I've been given the green light that I can go ahead and let the cat out of the bag and I'm so excited to FINALLY be able to share it with you guys.  That's right, my friends,  next week Better Homes and Gardens will be here. In my house. Taking pictures. For their magazine. Mind Blown.

I mean, seriously!?  I'm totally convinced this has to be some kind of mistake.  I mean ME!? Whaaa???? I keep waiting everyday for the "sike, we changed our minds" email, but it hasn't come yet, and at this point I don't think it will.  Which means its happening. And that means I need something to wear and I need to clean, and I need to paint behind the damn refrigerator, oh and that painted floor project I've been putting off just got bumped up to priority level IMMEDIATELY and I need to scrub the baseboards, and I need to clean the carpets and I need a manicure, and I actually have to put on makeup, and did I mention I need something to wear?

As you can probably imagine I'm a mess of emotions at the moment.  I'm happy, excited, scared, nervous, anxious, worried, but most of all I'm extremely grateful and humbled.  I mean this is Better Homes and Gardens. MILLIONS of people subscribe to this magazine.   Hell, I have issues piled up in my bookcases. For me to imagine being IN the magazine is something I don't think Ill ever be able to wrap my mind around.

And I'm so happy I have you all to share this with. You guys are seriously the best.  Thank you all so much for your support.  I love our interactions and genuinely feel like I'm amongst family with every post and comment.  I appreciate you more than you know.

Oh and speaking of, does it bother you guys that I don't reply to comments on the actual comment feed?  I typically respond to all my comments via direct email reply with the rare exception of those very few no-reply commenters I get.  Im just wondering if you all would like to see the interaction on the site? I don't want you all thinking im THAT guy that doesn't respond to my comments. Let me know.

I'll be keeping you updated and Ill be sure to share all the behind the scenes goodness when I can so make sure you follow me on Instagram (@ahomefullofcolor)

Unil next time.....

Xo-Shavonda