Marriage Vacation

We have 1, 2, 3, 4 kids. 

It is a gang basically.  

A fun gang.  

A gang who finds sleeping a boring past time.

A gang who eats without remorse of supply.

They are a ruling power (just don't tell them).

There are few times to breathe.  But a few times a year, my saint of a MIL takes the gang for a few days. 

One such time, was this past week.  

Folks, it couldn't have come at a better time — this duo needed a break.  

But this break was a bit different.  

There were no projects that we completed.

I didn't clean any closets.

The toys sat on the floor in the except spot where they were left. 

We enjoyed the break, we embraced the break.

My hubby and I ate where we wanted.  

We stopped to listen to pick up blue grass music.  

We took time at different stops to dream.   

We watched tons of West Wing re runs and talked for hours about politics (super geeks).

It was awesome!  And when they came home - it was even better!    

I accept the challenge

So July 8th.  Not really that important of a day.  Unless, it's your birthday?  Maybe an anniversary?  Kuddos to you who celebrate July 8th!  

I am going to celebrate July 8th because I'm STARTING a few things.  Honestly, I'm scared to death.  Can't tell you why I fear a list of new projects.  Maybe the fear lies in holding myself accountable to those projects?  I don't know. 

So here I go, I am letting you know my weaknesses, my fears, and my dreams.  Come along as I slap that fear down, and reach even higher for those dreams.  

STARTING today.

- quiet time.  I need it.  God wants me to need it.  There we have found the solution for that hole.  This incorporates getting up before the kids - sign me up I'm ready to chat and (of course) listen God.

- eating.  Simple enough.  I am really good at it.  So what's the problem?  Seems the past three months, I have turned to a stress induced diet of cupcakes and caffeine.  Neither good for my waist line, my kidneys, or my emotions.  So VEGAN it is.  Yup, crazy - isn't wonderful?

- creating.  Very few have seen it.  My stacks of notebooks with never ending ideas.  I am at the point of a creative process where I understand why artists can go nuts.  Hell, I might be nuts.  It is really nuts to take some designs that you hold dear and put them out there.  Like I said, "fear slapper."  With that, I will be putting those designs out there.  

- 13.1 version 2.0.  I am going to beat myself this time and do it with style! 

 - writing.  Transparent. Authentic. Encouraging. Useful. Because it wasn't about me to begin with.  

So follow me on the next 24 days as I become a lab rat in a giant fear slapping experiment.  Want to join me?  Drop a comment.  Let me know what fear you would like to slap as you work towards a goal.  I promise to pray for you. 

We only have one opportunity on this little world - make it count.  

-

Summer Porch

I wasn't really planning on decorating the porch.  

It is small.

My budget is small.

My time is nonexistent. 

But, my husband is wise. 

For my birthday he bought me this great wicker settee and cushion.  He recognized that I had a need to find some place quiet and this was it.  To his credit he tried this same idea last year.  I ruined it.  After had just moving, sad we had to and tight on money - I returned the previous love seat.  To tell you the truth, I appreciate it so much more now.

  

So we begin with a beautiful brown resin wicker love seat and adorable cushion.

I found a small children's table in the basement that a friend had given me = free end table!  

Then, I discovered a stash of red dot oil cloth in my craft room.  Instead success for a table cloth. = free table covering!

The planter was a gift for Mother's day.  The metal candle stick from my hubbies grandmother's house.

 The pendant garland I made out of scraps of fabric.  I sell a few on Etsy at times (as scraps become available).  Probably cost = my time.

The white chair (about ten years old).  Needs to be painted but hey, I'll take it for now.  

The rug - 3.19.

The pillows, a vintage tablecloth sewn into squares = 8.00 for two pillows.

So a total of 11.00 for out of pocket expenses.  (not including my husband's gifts).  I love the porch.  It is a great place to read.  I really need to finish it and get that chair painted.  So, come on over for sweet tea and let's dream about creating an idea of your own.