!!! fyi-my 2nd husband and I are divorced, but he has moved back into the house. He's gone all week driving so it works out great. From here on out he will be referred to as Robert, not "the ex". 😏
about warmer weather and how much fun I am going to have working on this idea, for one:
This is the garden bench I plan on fixing up in the Spring, along with the squirrel, er... bird feeder (yes, there's one under the snow), and my poor fountain that the squirrels play on while on their way to the bird feeder. Of course, I have my trusted assistant Gigi on the lookout for squirrels (she loves her job!). 
And NO deer!!! 
So nice to meet you Melissa!
Hi Melissa!!! Thank you for introducing yourself and welcome to the Hometalk community :) I'm also sick of being cold but I have to say - that's some gorgeous snow! Wishing you lots of health and looking forward to chatting with you here!
Welcome!
Welcome Melissa V
Love your positive attitude and enthusiasm!
Welcome, Melissa! I can tell that you infuse your space with positive vibes and optimism. Lots of wonderfully creative projects are dreamed of and brought to life by others like you. I'm so happy to meet you!
ps-I'm in southern Utah and tho' we rarely get snow here, we did last week. The kind I like best is the kind that comes for the day and then leaves for a more permanent place in the mountains!
Thank you everyone for welcoming me! I updated my post so that it makes more sense-my photo captions did not come through with the post (this does happen) so now it will read better. Thanks again!!!
Welcome, Melissa! This is one of the most fun (and inspiring) sites I've ever had the pleasure to be part of :-)
Welcome to Hometalk, Melissa. I'm from Georgia, so I'm not sure what all that white stuff is -- ha, ha. Wish you all the best. Look forward to seeing your future builds and projects!
Welcome Melissa. Don't blame you for moving to MI. We finally bought our lake house in the UP. Love it so much. We rent a house in Phoenix in the winter and cannot wait to get back to Chaney Lake. Hope you are done with all the doctors and are now having great health.
Welcome, Melissa
I've enjoyed reading your story and will be watching for more. Wonder if you can put in some dates to make a timeline so it's easier to follow. I thought you had small children until I reached the picture of your daughter and her family. Would like to know what year you moved from California to Michigan, then when you moved to the Grand Rapids area. Will Marlow turn one in February 2017; is this a recent picture of him? He sure is a cute little dude! Bet he isn't spoiled tho, huh!
Oh, is Robert husband #1 or #2? Really hoping he's not the abusive one! Would hate it if you were back in that situation.
Welcome Melissa wish you a great New Year. I enjoyed your article. Would love to get more DIY fence outdoor and garden courtyard ideas. On a budget and appreciate all great ideas. Thanks&God Bless, Lisa from SC
Good morning and welcome, Melissa! Hometalk is a fantastic way to get your creative juices flowing and itching to do projects. I've loved this place from the start and have posted quite a few of my own projects on here. I live near Montreal, QC, Canada, so yeah, I know all about the snow and cold! NOT a fan! LOL I look forward to seeing what you do to your garden bench.
Welcome Melissa I too am living in Michigan but I'm originally from Massachusetts so snow doesn't bother me, I'm down in Battle Creek.
Its good you are staying busy with your many projects. You know you can always get what they call a baffle to keep the squirrels away from your feeder. Or buy a feeder that is squirrel proof.
Even though I love snow I'm looking forward to Spring so I can get out in the backyard and start redesigning it.
I look forward to seeing more from you.
Oh, yes, the squirrels...right now they are the feisty friends my dog, Gigi, needs to get her winter exercise, it's fun!
And I'm looking forward to seeing your backyard reno...we are just trying to get the oaks trimmed (since Nov.)! Mother Nature has her way, doesn't she? Are you getting flood watches down there?
Anyhoo, looking forward to your posts...I am taking pics of almost everything in case it could end up as a "before" photo in a post-haha!!!
Hi Melissa!
I am keeping you in my prayers! You are an inspiration to us all! My sister and her family lived in Grand Rapids for many years until her husband was transferred to Pittsburgh. She absolutely loved it there!
Keep up your positive attitude and stay close to the Lord!!
Welcome to Hometalk Melissa!!
You found an awesome site with Hometalk...I have posted some projects on here and have so much fun reading the comments from people and answering questions. I look at this site as people helping people with any type of project both big and small. You will have so much fun communicating with people from all over.
I found your story inspirational at best. You got out of a bad situation and moved on....a big ATTA GIRL!! Alright, so the second marriage didn't work either, but guess what...life is to short to be married to someone that isn't "the one". It sounds like you and Robert are making it work out better as friends, good for you!
Good luck with your future projects and have fun doing them and be sure to post them, you will love the comments from all the hometalkers out there!
P.S. - I live in Green Bay, WI and we have a cottage up north and I LOVE the snow!! I never get tired of it, it's such a beautiful peaceful time of year...love it!
Thank you for your thoughts...just had some more tests and got the results😕So my posts might be a bit fewer and far between. Hometalk has given me the hugest boost with all of the great people to talk to, like you!, and the inspiration to try new projects-and have fun! Yep, Best Site!!!😍
Melissa, So sorry you're sick. I've got you in my prayers, as I'm sure many of us on here have. Take care and remember someone is calling your name in prayer every day. Prayer works, Prayer changes things!
I think we have the same dog! I hope she keeps you in good spirits as you find your way back to health.
I'd love to see a pic of your dog!!! Mine is a hoot, a total clown! She's almost 11 years old and she still finds new ways to crack me up...yes, I've been through a lot with her by my side 💕
Thank you for your kind words ☺️
Thank you so much!