When you're good you're good

It's a saying my boss and I like to use when something we're working on turns out exactly how we wanted it to. We're not that conceited, but it is a nice feeling when something works out!
I've been inspired recently to sew. Since I got my sewing machine back in commission, I have begun some projects to learn how to sew nice-looking things....which means I have been doing a lot of practicing. I have a couple things in the works and I will post photos when they are completed and I'm ready to show them off.
In the meantime I finished a project that my husband and I started back in May. We made it but for some reason never hung it up so in celebration of him coming home TODAY I decided to hang it in hopes that it would warm his heart. So, here is our cork wreath:

I also LOVE having fresh flowers in my house, but who can afford to buy them all the time?! So I have been working on my plants for the 2 years we've been in our house and every once in a while my plants will yield some lovely decorations for my home...

notice the vase! I love the hydrangeas' leaves so I used some in the vase/jar. The pink flower is a regular hydrangea and the white one is a shooting star hydrangea. I'm super excited to get to have them in my house.

and another one...

Here's another little "doodle" I've done. Sadly it was only a temporary piece of work, but I still like it a lot.
They're BUTTONS!

A little tardy

Okay okay...here are my latest projects...a little tardy:I bought all this fabric for various project ideas.
The navy stripe is for a bench cushion {which I have yet to buy the foam for b/c I can't find it for less than $30!}.
The blue is for a dress I'm hoping will be easy to make and the green with white polka dots just went to help make this!
Okay, just turn your head or computer. It is intended for my camera and usb cord to go in when I'm putting it in a bigger bag...so things don't get lost and the camera has some protection from things such as keys, pens, etc.

Oh and I got my sewing machine back.....and It Works! It helped me make this lovely little satchel and now I don't want to stop sewing. I don't even want to stop to eat dinner.

Soooooo

It's been since last November that I posted anything and upon encouragement from my sister, who recently started her own blog, I am making it my aim to keep this, my sweet little blog, more up to date.

I have had some recent adventures...aka projects that I will share momentarily (once I take pictures of them).

Watch out blog world, for my new projects! Coming later today....

Okay okay.....

I know I am just about the WORST at keeping up to date. I have so many friends who are very faithful to their blogs. I, unfortunately, tend to neglect my little blog. I'd like to think it was because I was busy living life and filling my days with things that really matter.

Truthfully, though, I am doing just the opposite - not too many interesting things.

My beloved husband is expected back home in ONE WEEK - and believe me, we are counting every hour, night, breath, etc. So, I have yet another lofty goal that has resurfaced: to organize/clean out my office to a functional level. Currently it is still slightly packed up and mostly filled with tons of art stuff.

I seem to be filled with lofty goals. I like to refer to them as dreams (because I'm a dreamer to say the least). It is probably not good for me to name these so called dreams because, to me, dreams are usually things you name in your life that are probably unattainable but things you would love to have/do.
One such dream is an on-going one: to learn to play the guitar. I like making music but have never been able to do it on my own. My husband gave a lovely guitar to me as a gift for our wedding. Regretably, I have yet to get past building callouses on my finger tips (probably 3 times). Now, we will be joining a new small group and another cause for the goal to resurface is the desire to be able to lead worship in small group.

...Maybe I need prayer for this....

Pumpkins

I love pumpkins and fall and flowers and..........glitter!
I've been nesting a little bit lately and I've decided to decorate pumpkins and my house. So here are some of the things going on around my house

Back to the grind

Well there have been some changes in the past couple weeks.
First, I have been inadequately keeping up with my blog.
Second, I started and dropped 2 online classes within 3 days.Third, I chopped all my hair off (well a good bit of it).
Fourth, the weather has been AMAZING!

We were supposed to visit NYC in November (the weekend before Thanksgiving to be exact) and since I dropped my two online classes, I now have to take a class that same weekend so we can not go to NYC now. Instead we are going to save up and try and plan a longer trip sometime closer to spring, I think.
Here are a couple photos that go along with the updates:

Updates

Since the last time I posted, there have been a few things to update.
I started my 2nd year of grad school (that means only 1 year and 10 months until I graduate) and I'm getting ready to finish my first class followed by starting 2 new online classes. I have not taken any online classes before so I'm a little anxious as to the expectations and requirements.

I just got back from a great trip to see my sister in Kansas City, MO. We had a wonderful time together and I really wish we lived closer to each other.
Beesley and I will be making a trip down to South Florida this weekend to visit my parents and experience South Florida fall (not too much different from our fall here - except we've actually had a couple very pleasant days). I'll probably get to sit out by the pool and go to the beach still without any discomfort of too cold air. I love this about that place, by the way. AND I'll finally get to watch some college football with someone - I've been watching all by myself - boo.
Not too big of updates, but now those of you who read are up to date. :)

One week down

Well, it's been a week since I dropped my beloved off at the airport and sent him off into the big wide world. I have survived, but there have been touch and go moments for sure.

After a ridiculously trying day in class (sitting in straight lecture for 7+ hours) I came home, worked out, went and got sushi and red wine and currently I am dreaming of trips.

Dave and I are considering going to visit some beloved friends in Princeton, NJ and making a brief stop over in NYC. He gave me the go ahead to start plans, but I can't decide where to leave from and where to arrive, etc. Plus, I fear that my expectations are getting much larger than the time frame we are allowing ourselves to be there.

I tend to do that a lot, you know.....dream bigger than my britches.

I want to stand on the Brooklyn Bridge and take pictures; I want to go to Chinatown and experience it; I want to meander around and go in random stores; I want to spend time in Central Park; I want to go into stores everyone has to go in - like drug stores. They aren't unique to tourists. Locals have to get their essentials too. I want to go in the grocery store and just try and be normal there. But it isn't normal. It is such a fun place filled with anything and everything anyone would want to do.

See....my dreams are running away....

2 Things

#1: I found these AMAZING cameras last weekend at the flea market. Dave went to get produce Saturday morning and informed me there had been a table full of old cameras. I assumed they would have been sold but on Sunday we went by and to my surprise they were still there. So we bargained with the guy selling them and got both of these beauties for $50.
#2: We have been adding a few extra details to our master bathroom. We found these lanterns at Pottery Barn on super sale. Dave had the brilliant idea to hang them with ribbon. Then I finally found a curtain that I liked. So, I thought I would share these little jewels with whoever would like to read and see them.

Fall Football

There are two things that happen this time of year that I absolutely adore: Fall and Football! Unfortunately, I still can't quite get used to the fact that the weather that represents the fall season does not happen down here in Florida. I don't know that I'll ever get used to not having a fall weather season. Also unfortunately, my football partner (aka my husband) will be missing for a huge majority of the football season. So, I am hoping to still have some football parties, but I must admit that our usual football party guests will most likely not be inclined to come if there is no boy here. So, I am a little apprehensive as to the nature of this football season. You may just find me on any given Saturday sitting at home with my beer, tortilla chips, salsa and football (this is an official open invitation to join me for anyone who reads my blog and lives in the area - or comes to visit).

Also, I am currently being forced to watch First Blood on TV - at this very moment. Pray for me. :)

Cruisin for a bruisin

Well, we returned from our cruise on Monday. We left Tampa Thursday, sailed for a whole day and arrived in Cozumel, Mexico on Saturday. We spent the whole day in Cozumel and went snorkeling, did a little shopping, explored the island, spent some time on a beach and of course had some amazing drinks and food!Here are just a few select images I captured in Mexico...........


.......and we can't WAIT to go back!

Gray matter, white matter, what's the matter?

Well, according to my CT scan I have a brain and all the proper components of a brain. And, apparently, there is nothing wrong or abnormal with my brain.

So I guess we just chalk all this nonsense up to vertigo and/or craziness.

I am keeping my appointment with the Neurologist just to play it safe so I will update with that info.

Meanwhile, Dave and I are gearing up for our cruise with the Shores. We leave Thursday and will be gone until Monday. We go to Cozumel, Mexico - which I have never been to. I was a little apprehensive at first about the space issue and the seasickness issue, but my fears have been calmed momentarily and mostly I am anxiously awaiting this series of new experiences. My toes are painted in purple and black zebra with glitter, so I am ready!

Details to follow.....

Not good at this

I must admit that I am no good at keeping up to date on my blog. :(

I would like to make that different, but we'll see. Apparently, according to my husband, I never finish any project I start. I think I would consider this a project, maybe not in the art way, but a project nonetheless.

I have been experiencing some weird, random health issues lately. Without warning I will become very dizzy with the weak feeling that I am getting ready to pass out. I have to sit down and then I usually have a panic attack of sorts and the dizziness doesn't go away for a couple hours. The next couple days are followed by extreme tiredness and the feeling of constantly needing sleep.

I have no idea what is going on. I have had quite a few tests lately including pretty complete bloodwork, EKG and most recently a CT scan of my head. I haven't gotten those results yet, but all the other results show normal functioning. It is sort of frustrating, but I guess I should really be thankful that I don't have something major wrong with me.

There's the latest.
Thanks for reading.

It has been a while....

and I find myself struggling to be creative and inspired. I feel my best when I am inspired and creative - not just in artsy ways.

One thing I really hate is something I struggle with often. Every time I think I have conquered this battle (with God's leading, of course), I fall right back into the pit of self-destructive thoughts.

Why does my entire being SCREAM and KICK to fight what society says about the way I should look and feel while at the exact same time almost cry over how much I want to look and feel the way society says I should?

I'd like to think I have come a long way in my battle against this and I know that God has blessed me beyond measure. Sometimes it just seems that when I take 1 step forward I end up taking 3 steps backward.

I appreciate those of you who will read this. I pray that women do not struggle with this in the way that I do and that God will bless me with the ability to help others as He helps me.
Join me in prayer over all women all over the world - those in destructive marriages and healthy ones; those single ladies in their 20's and those in their 70's; middle school students; middle school teachers; those free and those in slavery. May God give them understanding of how He has made them unique and beautiful - ALL OF THEM!

Sorry for the rant - just thought I'd share what was on my mind. Thanks for reading.

NOW

My sister and I are road-tripping it together Monday and Tuesday and I wanted to put some music together for our trip so I turned to the ever popular Now That's What I Call Music compilations. Just for those of you who haven't kept up with these lovely collections since Now 5, the franchise is on version 34! I remember when the first one came out.

So anyway, I created a playlist based on Wikipedia's listing of the Now discography in hopes that I could export it to create cd's for the car, but alas, the music is copyright protected and I will have to be satisfied with listening to these precious jewels on my laptop via the internet. It is better than nothing. Some of these long-lost forgotten treasures are as follow:

Bailamos - Enrique Iglesias
Any Backstreet Boys song
Any *NSYNC song
Mmmm bop - Hanson
Wanna Be - Spice Girls
Barbie Girl - Aqua
Waiting for Tonight - JLo

Whew....that's only a few! I have a whole 50 or so songs from the early 2000's that are just waiting to be remembered and cherished. :) I just thought I would share with those of you who vividly remember being 16 at this time!

a few things are certain....

This week was VBS at church. I was tasked with photography duties which included getting headshots of each child, action shots and group shots. The headshots task alone was a little daunting, especially with over 250 children registered, but it proved rather successful when the kids put their photo frame together and had a photo to share with their families.

Overall, it was a rewarding week. I can confidently leave the week with a few certain truths: lots of children=chaos; lots of children=cuteness; and lots of children=inevitable illness......

I am leaving the week with a sore throat and cough........
oh well.

To Be Absent From the Body

This week this world lost a lovely friend, brother, son & warrior, but our loss was surely heaven's gain. Sweet Matthew Fay was completely healed of his 3 1/2 year battle with cancer when he went to be with the Lord. It has been so bittersweet to recall the numerous memories that have flooded my mind as I have reminisced on his precious life.
For as far back as I can remember, Matthew was a part of my life. We both grew up in the same church, went to elementary school together, were in youth group together and many years our families spent holidays celebrating together. Matthew was always found with a smile on his face and always had a sweet embrace whenever we met or were parting. When my family moved to Florida almost 10 years ago, I am sad to say that we lost touch a little, but I never forgot what a good friend he was. Sadly, 3 1/2 years ago he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer and endured countless chemotherapy treatments and tests. I have not spoken with him in person since his diagnosis, although I did send letters and emails and it saddens me that I will not be able to go to the funeral, but I know that because he is absent from his body that he is present with the Father, in heaven and I rejoice greatly at that knowledge.

Please pray for Greg, Nancy and Ian Fay as they mourn the worldly loss of this precious man. Pray also for all of those whose lives Matthew touched. He will truly be missed!

Thanks for reading.

ProCrastiNation

I am procrastinating working on school work. Blech! I have a 10 page paper, an article critique, a presentation on the article critique, a presentation on the 10 page paper and a test - all next weekend. Somehow part of my brain believes that if I just don't do all this stuff that school will never come. so.wrong.
I wish I could view these papers and such as a way to be creative, but research just does not get my creative juices flowing in the slightest.
On a positive note, I got roses, pita chips and a port wine cheese ball yesterday from my love! He said he hated knowing I had a bad day so he wanted to try and brighten it with those lovely gifts {little does he know that he can brighten my day just by smiling at me and holding me in his arms}. He's sweet.

Also, my little sister is going to be visiting next week! YAY! I could not be more excited. I just hope I can have all my school work {or most} done by the time she gets here......on that note, I better stop this and start on something else....
before that though....this is my new favorite tree! I mean look at that thing! It's a Royal Poinciana. LOVE.

Celebrations

This past week was one of celebrations. It began last weekend with a girls' night that was followed by a beach day and dinner with some friends. The weekend concluded by welcoming home my lovely husband from being on the road. Then, Monday we celebrated his birthday all day long. We had a birthday lunch with Dave's parents and then I had planned a little get together for him for the evening.
We were originally going to go on a sunset cruise (without his knowledge) and a group of our friends were going to meet us there, but when we got there it was canceled due to weather. Instead we went over to one of our favorite establishments, JP Henley's and hung out with all our wonderful friends who had joined us. We had a lovely time and hopefully all enjoyed themselves.
Then on Wednesday, Dave and I spent the morning at the spa getting massages and pedicures. He had never had a pedicure, but wanted to see what all the fuss was about. I think he's a believer now. :)