Saturday, June 30, 2012

Project 52:26 {opportunity}

thankful for...
opportunity


This past year has been so much fun, working on our booth.
I am so thankful that we had the opportunity to start this little business. It has given my mom and I the chance to work on something together, sharing an excitement and love for hunting down and refinishing items. It's been the perfect outlet for our creativity.

I am also so thankful that we had the opportunity to be a part of a bigger event and for future events. Taking our business "on the road" was new and exciting and I loved being able to share that with a good friend and my husband. I am excited and thankful to see what lies in store for Lilac Row down the line.. what new opportunities await.


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Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Wait, what day is it?

Is it just me, or was that the loooongest weekend EVER? 


Seriously, it feels like Sunday night, rather than Tuesday. I'm all discombobulated. Or something. And tired. Oh, so tired. 

We had the Vintage Market Days event Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and honestly, it was so much fun. I am so, so glad my friend Sarah joined up with us to do the event! She had some great stuff to sell and it was fun getting to hang out with her all weekend. We were all sweaty and nasty for three days straight, but you can't exactly wrinkle your nose at someone who wants to buy something from you when you smell just as gross and have sweat dripping down your thighs. Things like un-smudged mascara and dry undergarments had no place at this event people. It was just too hot. Like 103 degrees hot. Welcome to the surface of the sun.


A few pics from our booth. You can see more over here.



Thank you so much to all of our friends that came out and stopped by to say hi! And an old school Shout Out to Margi (hope I spelled that right! Eek!), who made me sweat a little extra when she stopped by to say hi and that she reads this blog. So nice to meet you!

All in all, the event was a success. Let's be honest. Any time there's a nice little profit margin, that's a success in my book. But really- despite the horrid heat, it really was fun. I loved everything about it- from hunting down and making/refreshing all our goods to setting up and styling the booth to hanging out with my bestie all weekend. It's also helpful to have a handsome, strong husband to help with all the heavy lifting. ;)  My mom could only come for a little bit of the time, and she helped out a lot with Evie while I was gone, so it really worked out great. 

But tired? Yes. Full disclosure- I sweat so much while I was there that I physically had to make myself go to the bathroom. Gross, right? You're welcome.

After all of that hullabaloo, we packed up to head to my hometown on Monday morning for a quick visit while my grandparents were driving through. My aunt also flew in from Colorado. We just got back home this afternoon and I'm just starting to feel normal again. 

So... Tuesday, right? I guess that just means Friday is closer! How was your weekend?

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Evie Time {Splash Park Fun}


Last weekend we took Evie to the splash park for the first time. 
Big success.


 After a little initial timidness, she really got into it. 




So fun!


  1. Love that belly. 
We've noticed she only seems to grow these days in her belly and her hair. :)



I loved this place because she could just run around everywhere, watching other kids and having fun, without the worry of her falling into a great big pool. All she wants to do is "Run, run, run Evie!"



We'll be back soon!

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Project 52:25 {my dad}

thankful for...
my dad



I have a great dad.
I am so thankful for him for a lot of reasons. Here are just a few...

For teaching us responsibility and to work hard for what we have.
For instilling a love of music and creativity in us.
For staying up late, waiting for me to come home from dates in high school. And one night in particular- for telling me it was okay not to be in love, just because someone else was.
For teaching me how to mow the lawn, change my oil and check my tire pressure.
For working so hard to make sure I had the wedding I dreamed of.
For teaching us the importance of family.
For racing to get to town before his first grandchild was born- even getting pulled over in the process :)
For moving us across town when I was a kid to make sure we went to a safe, good school.
 For going to extraordinary lengths to help me move off campus my sophomore year.
For loving my husband and treating him like a son.
For being a man I can truly admire and respect.
For always letting us know he loves us.

I love you Dad!

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Monday, June 18, 2012

Lilac Row

I've mentioned a few times that my mom and I have a booth at a local antique/flea market. We've been doing it for a year now, and it's been a lot of fun. We now have two booths and are participating in a local outdoor event with other vendors this weekend called Vintage Market Days.

So in preparation for the event (which my friend Sarah is joining us for!), I've been shopping and working like a busy bee. They have been doing a great job promoting the event and I wanted to have something set up for them to link to on their website. So I just started a little blog for Lilac Row. I really have no idea how often I'll update it (just one more thing to do!), but I'm going to try. Be sure to check us out.


Here are a few little projects I've been working on for Lilac Row and the upcoming sale. I have already packed up a ton of stuff, so there aren't too many pictures to share. We are trying to put together a mix of items for the home that are vintage, industrial and worn, along with hand painted signs, (new) throw pillows, painted/distressed furniture items and more. A collection of old and new, one-of-a-kind items.

Old gas can. Jute-wrapped bottles. Pillow. Vintage frame. Painted wood tray.

Floral pillow. Patina birdcage. Rattan footstool.

Jar collections w/ vintage buttons & spools

Reupholstered Suzani footstool

If you're local, I hope you'll come by and see us this weekend at Vintage Market Days!


Saturday, June 16, 2012

Project 52:24 {our home}


thankful for...
our home




Today I am thankful for our home.
Sometimes I love it, sometimes I hate it, but I am thankful that it offers safety, warmth, comfort, and a wonderful backdrop to our everyday lives.

We have waffled about moving somewhere larger for a while now. Our house is not too small for us, but we do want more children, and would like more room for a full brood. :) And visiting grandparents.
But for now, we are staying put. So I'm thinking of some small changes to make it more perfect for us, right now. I don't want to live my life worrying about what an eventual buyer might like or dislike, or tally up the time I'll spend patching up holes in the wall. This is our home.

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Wednesday, June 13, 2012

this & that

First of all- thanks for all the great comments on my last post! I agree with the thought that we have many purposes in life, rather than just one big one that we can actually pinpoint. I'm not really expecting to find out some huge, amazing life purpose that will alter my life completely through this Bible Study or any other book. My purpose today, tomorrow and next week will probably look different from 5 or 10 years down the line.

I guess I just want to (try to) be sure that I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing right now. In this moment, in this day, in this stage of life. And stopping to pray about it and contemplate it a bit is helping me stay focused on what's important. Because heaven knows I can get in over my head with too many projects and to-dos and let the really important stuff, like bathing my daughter, fall through the cracks from time to time. Ahem.


You girls are great, and it's nice to talk about some of the big stuff on here, rather than just post picture after picture of my darling girl or lament about my lack of skills in the kitchen. :)


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Next up, a few randoms rolling around in my big ol head.

1. Last weekend we went to a local (large) casino to see a comedian perform. It was hubby's early Father's Day present. The show was great, but LORDHAVEMERCY the casino! There were so.many people, I really couldn't believe it. It was almost like Vegas, only seriously, majorly, more depressing. Melting pot of America, you might say. Only that stuff at the bottom of the pot. You know, the stuff that got charred and stuck to the sides and you can't scrape off no matter how hard you try??? Yeah. That.

2. We are gearing up for a big sale in about a week, and I'm getting excited! And overwhelmed. This is an extension of our booth at the flea/antique market, so I've been stockpiling items and my guest bedroom and garage look like a dumping ground. Lovely. More on all of this later, but I feel like I need to make about 13 lists to get on top of everything and not lose my mind. 

3.#THUNDERUP!!!!

4. I feel like it's the season of girls! I know like 5 people who have just had or will be having little girls. So fun. I highly recommend them. ;)

5. I finally discovered the miracle of cooking bacon in the oven. Not that I make bacon all that often.. at all, really. Sorry hubs. But the smell alone is a game changer.

6. Today has been rough, and it's not even noon yet. Evie isn't feeling well, so that means lots of whining. Bleh. I go back and forth, on days like these, between feeling so bad for her and being extra patient, to downright exasperated. Here's hoping her nap is looooong and restful. For both of us.



7. How big does she look in this picture??? Sheesh.

8. Our running group has been going really well. But those ladies have been dropping off like flies! There are like a fourth of the people as when we started. Nina and I have decided we need to keep meeting after it's over, otherwise we'll just start eating cheese and packing on our winter coats a few seasons too early. Preventative measures.

9. I really want to see that new Snow White movie. Charlize Theron looks crazy! And Snow White was always my favorite when I was a kid. My sister preferred Teen Wolf. You do the math.

Happy Wednesday!


Monday, June 11, 2012

On purpose. And success.

What's your purpose? Do you know?

I'm not entirely sure I know mine..

My Bible Study is currently reading Praying for Purpose for Women by Katie Brazelton, so I'm hoping to glean a lot during this time. The chapters are short and concise, and it's intended to be read and prayed about each day. The tough (and good) thing about the book is all of the questions. Each chapter focuses on something in your life to really get you thinking and praying about your life, your time, your purpose.

And it's hard. For example:

What's confused in your life?
What's right and what's wrong in your life?
How do you define success?

This last question really had me thinking. Obviously, much of the world defines success by wealth. How big your house is, what car you drive, what labels you wear, how big your bank account is.

This has never been my view, although I would be lying through my teeth if I didn't say having a fat wallet sounded pretty nice and comfy. Duh.

For me, success is so personal and honestly, dependent on the time in your life.

I remember a few years ago, when I was laid off and unemployed for a summer, I really struggled with this. Oh, sure, I enjoyed having my days free, perusing thrift stores, working on projects around the house and just taking it easy overall. But one day in particular, I just couldn't wrap my mind around what it was I was supposed to be doing, and it had me in tears. I was sending out my resume, applying for jobs, and yes, keeping busy at home. But for what? To what end? My home wasn't any cleaner. Dinners were not any more elaborate. I certainly wasn't suddenly winning any wife of the year awards. I enjoyed painting rooms in our home and doing project after project, but who, besides me, was enjoying it? I think my hubby likes things I do around the house just fine, but I don't think anything was blowing his socks off or anything. 

And now? I feel like it's, is my husband happy? is my baby happy and healthy? am I being a good wife/mother/daughter/friend? am I spending enough time in prayer? have I had some time alone to do something I enjoy?

None of those things has to do with "work", you might notice. I still work part time (from home), but frankly, I no longer feel much like an employee. Maybe that has to do with being at home.. not having to drive to and from the office, having flexibility in my schedule, clocking in in my yoga pants.

Or maybe it has to do with being a mom. I feel like my life and purpose took a very clear and decided turn when I had Evie. I punched out for maternity leave, and frankly, could have never looked back. I always enjoyed my job, but it was never this amazing, fulfilling career that I couldn't step away from. In some ways I'm thankful for that. Yes, it would have been nice to have a big, successful, high-paying career, like many women do before kids, but I think that would have made it a little bit harder to walk away from.

I always knew I wanted to be a mom. I knew I would love it and was so excited for that time in my life. And it's wonderful. But full disclosure- I get why some moms go back to work, even if they don't financially have to. Crying babies are hard. Babies that won't sleep are hard. Tantrums are hard. Cleaning up mess after mess after mess all the livelong day is hard.

Don't get me wrong- I absolutely love it. Not every single minute of every single day, but I do love being home with my girl and wouldn't trade it for the world. But it's becoming more and more clear to me that I need that time alone in order to be a good mom. To be successful as a mom. An outlet to be alone, quite, creative. I used to be a little embarrassed/sheepish when I told people that my mother in law watched Evie for a few hours, twice a week. I don't work the entire time she's gone, but have time to get things done at home as well. In peace. And frankly, I need that. I feel rejuvenated, relaxed, and ready to see my girl and play with her and love on her. Are we blessed to have this set-up? You bet. Should I feel bad about it? I don't really think so. If I'm striving to be the best mom and wife I can be, knowing I need some alone time and taking Grandma up on her offer to help is a win-win.

But back to the question- what's my purpose? Is it simply to be a good mom? To teach my daughter about Jesus and loving people and being thankful for all that we've been given and to be kind and respectful? 

In short, no. I don't think that's my only purpose. A big one, right now? Yes. But I think there's more. And I'm hoping to find out what it is.


So what do you think your purpose is right now? Do you know? Have you been successful at your purpose? I'm so curious to know what others see their purpose and success as.



Thursday, June 7, 2012

Project 52:23 {Grandparents}


thankful for...
Grandparents


Evie & Gigi


Evie has lots of grandparents. And thankfully, lots of great grandparents, too.

We don't get to see all of them very often, but when we do, it's such a special thing to see. And my girl... well, she is perfect for this "job" of spreading her little love all around. She knows each and every grandparent's name and talks about them often.

As the first grandbaby in both of our families, she has a special spot in everyone's heart. And I'm just so thankful for all of the grandparents in her life.


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Friday, June 1, 2012

Project 52:22 {curiosity}


thankful for...
curiosity


Hands down, her favorite thing to say these days is "is it?"

What is it? Who is it? Where is it?

I guess we're to blame, since we would always point to things and ask her what something was or what a certain animal said.. now she's turning the tables on us!

But I'm so glad she has a natural curiosity. I still like to learn new things, figure things out, hear new stories. I hope she always has a hunger to learn more about this beautiful, amazing world we live in and the One who created it.


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