Introduction

This is my blog. This is my introductory post. Fair warning: this post will be slightly boring and sentimental. But I promise the rest of the posts will get even more interesting!

Yesterday, Nick and I drove to my parents house in Marietta to work on this project...

This greenhouse was my mum's idea. I've seen them in all of her house design and garden decorating magazines. Nick was perfect for the job because he does construction for work, and he liked the idea. It was supposed to be a quick project, but it ended up taking a lot longer due to every single window being a different size, and then mom ran out of windows, then we went out of the country, then all of a sudden it was winter and cold and rainy. Finally, the rain let up and well, here we are.

I used to hate living at this house. I HATED it. Now we come to visit and it's always different, it's always interesting and my parents crack me up. My story did not begin at this house. I grew up in Smyrna, then my dad got a job in Celebration, FL so my monetarily challenged family picked up and moved to Celebration and I was able to be friends with children of the upper class. While in Celebration we moved around 3 times. The first apartment was small, then they built some townhouses where we were able to move and it was a GLORIOUS year. I had my OWN room for a whole year! Then dad switched companies and we moved to another townhouse. My sister and I were sharing a room yet again, but the room was humongous and we had our own bathroom and the amenities of the complex (hot tub, pool room, tv room, game room, etc) made up for the having to share space. Just as the fun was beginning, my dad was tragically laid off. So we moved to Poinciana in yet another small house, back to sharing another small room. And my dad found a job back in Atlanta so after I graduated high school we moved up to Marietta and stayed in my friend's basement apartment (yes our family of 5 in a basement apartment) until we found this house. Sharing a room was taking it's toll after a few years. So my brother graciously gave up his room and moved into the mostly unfinished basement. That's when my life changed!

I had my own room, I had my own job, and soon I had my own boyfriend- Nick, who within a year became my very own husband! He had no idea what he was getting into with my family. ;) I think growing up with less made me appreciate things more. My parents were always collectors of antiques and vintage items so that made for an interesting living space as well. They always seemed to have just enough money for a vintage lunchbox and Taco Bell. Every time I visit their hosue I find trinkets that I had forgotten about, design inspiration, and memories in photo albums.

We were cute right?

Since Nick and I have been trying to start our own business(es) we've been on a journey and yes, the journey is filled with failed attempts, mistakes, whoopsie daisies, but it is also filled with inspiration, learning, fun, adventure, exploration and trying new things! That is what our business name embodies. CHOKA (pronounced chock-a) means "awesome" in surf lingo for those not in the know. For Nick, CHOKA will be awesomeness in the form of construction, creation, design, handmade and DIY on a budget and more. For me, CHOKA will be awesomeness in the form of writing, creative, healthy living, and humor!

So welcome to CHOKA LIFE. I've given you a super brief history of myself and what CHOKA is to us. This blog will capture as much as we can of the CHOKA LIFE and we hope you can gain some inspiration from it as well!