Baby, I’m Back!

/ Alycia Nichols

The past 2 years have been difficult at best with a challenging recovery from my 3rd spine surgery, my crazy gym accident that could have had a MUCH more dire outcome, and most notably the excruciating final months of my Mom’s life which came to an end on October 14, 2019 at 7:03 a.m. at the age of 90. Ramon and I were blessed to have been able to move in and care for her from May 17 until her death. The year+ since then has been a harsh one (I still feel I’m in a state of flux!), but I believe she and Daddy are at peace now that I have executed the bulk of her final wishes. It is now my duty to carry on in my Mom’s memory and engage in those activities that will ultimately cement my own legacy. While not the very important work that she did as an educator, a city leader, and a legislator, I hope to pick up where I left off and impart joy through my creativity, sense of style, and love of house and home.

It is going to take a while to navigate all the changes to WordPress, so please bear with me in the coming weeks. (A LOT has changed, and I have less than zero patience for new technology!) Meanwhile, I hope you will follow me on Instagram which is another whole new-to-me situation.

51 thoughts on “Baby, I’m Back!”

  3. My life has been in a flux with Jerry being in and out of the hospital. I have hired a caregiver if I can get one. He has heart and kidney problems. I have done OK until the last few days and with the changing of meds.

    I am looking to your blogs and holding you in my prayers

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    • Carol!!!! Hi!!!!! I didn’t know about Jerry. I’m so sorry.😔 Please know that I will include you BOTH in my morning prayers. I know how that revolving hospital door thing can wear on the caregiver almost as much as the patient.😑 God bless you both.

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  4. Welcome back Alycia. We have missed you. i am so sorry for your loss of your dear mom. May her memories soothe your soul. Crazy year indeed and then the dreaded covid. Take your time and learn the WP changes. I lost my mom this past August. So sad. Happy Holidays.

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  6. Girl, I am thrilled you are in a place to be BACK (absolutely no pun intended). Being out of touch for nearly 2 yrs (has it really been that long??), I did not know your mother passed. What a force she was! RIP. Undoubtedly, being her executor was nearly a fulltime job. I’m so very happy you are healthy and will be returning to your blog. You most definitely are a force yourself, with high creative energy to burn. Merry Christmas and welcome back!

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  7. Alycia, I’m happy you are back, you were missed. I remember your surgeries, I hope all is better now. I’m so sorry to hear about your mom an your loss. Look forward to those incredible tablescapes! Wishing you a joy this Christmas season…..

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  9. Alycia, this is Deborah from Maryland. It is soooo good to hear from and see you. Please know that you and your family are in my prayers and thoughts. I miss seeing your amazing tablescapes and refer back to your website constantly. We love and care about you. Welcome back lovely lady!

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  10. So happy you’re back and thankful that your health has been restored. Sorry for your loss but praying for continued blessings over your life and your amazing gift that you freely share!!

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  11. Alycia, I have been thinking about you recently and was going to try your web site and now here you are. So glad you are back. I know the loss of your mom is very hard but you were able to be with her at the end and I know that must give you comfort. I am looking forward to new ideas and just to be able to see your creativity at work makes me so happy. Please take care of yourself!

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  12. Yay you’re back! So glad you’ve decided to join all of us again in the blogging world! It’s been a really tough journey that you’ve been on. Thankfully you’ve recovered nicely with your back. You were so brave taking care of your mom. The estate maters were overwhelming but you took it on like a pro! Welcome back baby!

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  13. Hey girl! This is so weird I was just thinking about you this week telling myself that I haven’t talked with you for awhile (Oct 2019)….I’m sorry to hear of your third back surgery…I thought you had your last with the second one. I lost my brother in August because he didn’t take care of himself…he had diabetes and didn’t tell us, and found out he didn’t do anything about it. Then in October I lost a cousin that was recently diagnosed with sleep apnea and did get on cpap machine a died in her sleep ( she had underlying heart issues too. She was only 56. Anyway… I’m so happy you’re feeling better and back to doing what you love and enjoy. Looking forward to seeing what you’ve been dreaming up during your recovery.

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  14. Oh, Alycia, how wonderful to see your post pop up in my email!! Welcome back!! Your challenges over the past few years have been considerable, but if anyone can survive the challenges thrown at them, it is YOU: your faith, your attitude, view of life, sense of humor and strength are only a few of your character traits and they’ve served you well, as evidenced by your story. Now we all look forward to the talent of your blog. A wonderful way to start a soon-to-be New Year!

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  15. Hi sweet Alycia!!!…I know how difficult these past 2 years have been for you. Losing your precious mom indeed was a most emotionally draining and grief stricken time. Yes, your mom and dad are with each other in peace and in love forever. I am happy that you are feeling better and yes that gym incident was truly unbelievable and so happy you had an angel on your shoulder that day! I look forward to reading your posts Alycia! Welcome back dear friend!

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  16. So glad you are back and you look fabulous!! We have missed you, sister.
    So sorry to hear of the loss of your amazing Mom. I’m glad you had time with her, and nothing left unsaid. She must have been as proud of you as you were of her. You are strong and beautiful and fierce. Can’t wait to see what new beauty you have to bring to the world. We are so glad you have invited us along on the journey! Lots of love to you and Ramon!!

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  17. Hi Alycia, so happy to see you are back. We have been waiting for your return to blogland. After you left a sweet comment on my Thanksgiving Tablescape, I hurried over to your blog to see if you were posting. Can’t wIt for you to return to posting your beautiful tablescapes. It is so hard to lose our parents. Your will have your previous memories in your heart forever.

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  18. Welcome home, Alycia. I’m so happy to hear from you! I’ve also been away from Entertaining Women for a long time, but blogging with Tales of the Traveling Totes has been a delight. I know you must miss your mama every day. I know she was very proud of you. Your birthday celebrations for her were always spectacular! CherryKay

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  20. Oh Lady!!!! I just about jumped for job when I saw your email notification in my inbox! I’m so glad you are doing better, Alycia! You have had a tough couple of years but have persevered and now is your time to shine again! Stay healthy and share that creative spirit!! I’m so happy you are feeling better! Prayers really do work.

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  21. Gracious, girl!!!! You have been through the wringer! The Drama!!!! The Pain!!!! The Rehab!!!! Please be done with all of this. You are the sweetest person and you deserve rainbows and lollipops and fun times. I have had such wonderful inspiration from your blog and I am so glad that you are back in the saddle. I have abandoned my blog in favor of Instagram. It is so much less time consuming and I am enjoying it so much. I’ll be following you and cheering you on!!!!!!

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  22. Well, Alycia…I was so shocked to learn of your accident in November. Boy, the two of together is a calamity. As you know (or maybe you don’t) I am healing after a total knee replacement of my left knee (right one done a year ago) and this time it wasn’t so easy but I’m doing much better. Your table setting in this piece was beautiful and you look absolutely stunning in your new body weight. I’m back to following your posts and I wish you and the family the happiest of holidays and a bright new year.

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    • ANOTHER knee replacement??!?!?!? Oh, no! I’m glad you’re getting over that proverbial hump now. Yikes!

      I’m still experiencing unpleasant but not life threatening residual problems from the kettle bell accident. Just crazy!!!

      Merry Christmas, and thank you!

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  23. I am SOOO happy to see you back! I am so sorry for the loss of your sweet Mom. Even though I never met her, it was so obvious that she was a wonderful woman and Mom. Looking forward to all you share!!! XO, PInky

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  25. I was thinking about you the other day. It’s so wonderful to know you will be sharing your talents with us again.
    Taking the time to be with your mom was the best thing you could have done. That time will remain such a blessing in your heart.
    Hugs, Dawna
    I’m off to find your instagram page.

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  26. Welcome back. Your legacy includes the joy and encouragement to create imparted to folks like me across the US and around the world. Doing your parents proud and overcoming!

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  27. Hi beautiful Alycia, I was unable to comment. I wanted you to know how happy I am to see you are back. So sorry you lost your wonderful Mother. The photo you sent is beautiful. I can see you have had two challenging years. I missed you sweet girl. Dianne Sharpe

    Sent from my iPad

    >

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  28. Dec 11 is my birthday, and seeing a post from you is the best gift ever!! I have been so worried about you and have been missing you and your upbeat outlook which we all need right now! I am so sorry about your mom, but I know you can celebrate her incredible life. Welcome back Alycia!!!!
    ❤️ Jenna

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    • Awwww…thank you! It has been difficult at best. At least I’m not breaking down into an “ugly cry” daily anymore. Tears 😭, sniffles🤧, lump in the throat, weird feeling in the pit of my stomach…but no wailing. So I count that as progress.😌

      Happy Birthday to you!!!!!!!!!!! I’ll see ya out there! Have a great week ahead!

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  29. WELCOME BACK!!! You were greatly missed. I love your creativity and the love spirit you share in your table settings. Your work always express to your guests “you are welcome here.”

    Again welcome back
    Deborah

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  30. SHE’S BACCCCKKKKKK!!!! Welcome back Alycia, you have been missed. Thank you for navigating all the challenges that have come your way with such grace and elegance. It was a joy to get to know Ms, Yvonne through your blogposts, and I’m looking forward to as much inspiration from you as you are ready to share. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

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  31. Dear Alycia,
    I know that it is so very hard to recover from the loss of someone that you love dearly, but you are strong and you have many miles to travel on life’s path. I have no doubt that you will leave a legacy of the enduring quality that you have always shared with us in your posts. You have set the standards high now go for it!!
    Candy S.

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  32. Oh, Alycia! I’m so happy to see your beautiful face! I’m so very sorry for the loss of your mom. I feel like I got to know her a little bit through your writing, and I can only imagine how hard it must have all been for you — not to mention all your surgeries! Girl! What an ordeal! And then, Covid. But I’m hopeful that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel with this one. I’m so looking forward to seeing more of you! Hugs!

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  33. 🙌🏽🙌🏽Gurl, What a relief to receive this update. I’ve kept checking your site & kept you in thought & prayer. My niece Who was the co-creator of Hallmark’s Mahogany line has relocated here to Philly, so I had no local Source to try to find out if U were OK.

    I too have passed through many troubled waters. Was sooo sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. I thought of her with all the crazy political antics this past year. How blessed U were to share in her care. Hold on to dat man Gurl…trust me. Imagine this “new norm” without her has been bitter sweet as U think of your Dad as well.

    I pray I can see my Mom soon. She is still in Alabama & my dr. has given me the thumbs down for flying & its to far to drive. She is 96 so we’re hopeful she will be able to get the vaccine soon. She’s still independent…still happy to live alone. Doesn’t wish to move to Philly. Fortunately, my sister in law & a older friend’s son are her earth angels. I talked to her daily to stay on top of her goings ‘n comings. My BP stays elevated.,,, she is as cool as a cucumber😇

    So WELCOME BACK! U were missed! Await your new creations👏🏽.🙏🏽😷💕🎉Danni

    Sent from my iPhone

    >>

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  34. Alycia, I am so excited you are back beautiful lady! I am so sorry in the loss of your beloved Mom. I know that loss, and it is tough. I so hope your health issues are on the upward swing. I have missed you, looking forward to your creativity!

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  36. Alycia, welcome back to Blogland! I tried to leave a comment a couple of days ago, but it wouldn’t go through, so I’m back to try again…

    Your stamina, commitment, and courage are so encouraging (prayers continue!) even as you grieve and heal. And your style and quick wit are nice to see again, too! Many of the tablescapers from years past have stopped blogging, so it’s especially nice to see an “old” friend return. My tablescapes have been few and far between, but hopefully one day we’ll finish this second old house renovation and I can get back into a routine. Like you, I’m not quite ready to throw in the towel. I hope you and WordPress make friends quickly so you can share all of your pent-up creativity!

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  38. Hi Alycia! It’s so nice that you’re back. I must say that I’m so sorry about your beloved mom. I know it was a blessing to be with her for her last months. You’re a wonderful daughter. I have still been keeping you in my daily prayers through all this time, so it’s good to know that you’re doing well.

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