Faith in my little seeds

I FINALLY DID IT!!! 

I've talked about planting a garden forever and I've been too lazy/conviced I couldn't do it all in one day to actually do it. 

 So, Friday night after the munchkin went to sleep I went out and started digging a trench to bury my boards.  Seeing my slow efforts, my hunky husband rolled up with the tractor and dug me some ditches in no time and nailed my boards together. 

Saturday morning, Mel and I rolled to Home Depot in our little white car and LOADED the trunk with fertilizer and soil...it was a stinky ride home.  Tyler picked up some chicken wire on his way home from work since I didn't have room in my car overrun with poo :)

When she went to bed that night and I unrolled chicken wire, went to town with the staple gun and even got to use my sewing skills with metal 'thread'.  (see below)

After my hardscape was complete I lugged 6 bags of 40 pound poo around my giant yard and mixed my perfect soil concoction.  Sunday morning (this morning) before the sun got too bright I went out to do my 'sowing' and planted watermelon, squash, bell peppers, and tomatoes. 

Some people think I'm crazy to do it all from seeds but to me it's about the processes.  If I get any kind of green to pop out of the grown in the next two weeks....I'm a freaking winner.  If I get any actual food from them...slap a gold medal on this chest! 

Let's Do This!

Finally, much thanks to my cousin Kate, I've opened up my long discussed Etsy shop!  Now having done it, I'm not sure what took so long!

I'm starting with pillows since it's a minimal initial investment but I'd really love to get into duvets, curtains, and even shower curtains or tablecloths.  I added my little "widget" on the right side of my blog so if you're interested it will take you right there :)

I've got a couple more pillows up my sleeve...just need to get the perfect fabric and get sewing. 

If any readers out there have any suggestions or ideas....this girl would love to hear them! 

I'll Spare You The Mush

So....you saw my fancy sewing machine, but I didn't have a good place to put that beauty. So, I desperately needed another desk for two reasons:

1) Awful Walmart corner desk for the computer
2) Really cute refinished desk from craigslist that ONLY holds the sewing machine

CHECK OUT THIS BABY................

Hand crafted by my awesome husband

(that's right ladies...he rocks)

Don't let the picture fool you. This bad boy is long enough to hold not only the computer, but also my sewing machine, AND the serger. It's a small room's dream table.

My personal carpenter offered to cut cord holes in the top to organize all the chaos and he even suggested carving out the back of the legs so it would sit flush to the baseboard and wall.

I decided it was perfect the way it was and I didn't want to risk not thinking it was perfect, so I had him leave it just like you see above.

Hasta la vista nasty corner desk!

AND.....if you know anyone that wants a really great desk that I refinshed, just let me know :)

One Day When I Grow Up

In honor of my mother and in preperation for one day when I too will have such a huge job, I've decided to make a list of some of the wonderful ways my mom has shown me how to be a good mom.

• Sacrificed so we could have the experience. I know paying for swim, dance, and gymnastics was not cheap. She took the time to sign me up for junior forest ranger training, beauty pageants, and 4-H. She drove all over the world to take me to learn how to be a broadcaster, shoot a gun, build a snowman, march in band competitions, and be in musicals. She sacrificed.


• Sang to me. We sang in the car, while we made dinner, before we went to bed, at church, walking around the block. She gave me my voice.


• Made me cook. I hated to cook. She was determined and I dodged her as much as I could, but she eventually won.


• Didn't make things a big deal. I remember being so scared to ask her if could wear makeup. I was about to go to bed and I went in her room, sat on the bed with her and clung her pillow to my chest. She asked me what I wanted to say....I covered my head with the pillow and muttered, "I want to wear makeup". She said, "Okay...."


• Made me pull weeds. She taught me how to work and work hard. I can't count the hot summer days when we raked, shoveled, and pulled weeds on our acre of land. Filling trash bags and wheelbarrows. I remember going in my room and laying under the fan in my undies. Hot and exhausted, but accomplished.


• Let me make choices. There were things I did that I know she didn't agree with, but she knew they wouldn't kill me, so she let me do them. She let me learn from my mistakes instead of protecting me from the life lesson.


• Loved my dad. There were days when I'm sure that was a hard thing to do, but she was an example of unconditional love for my father, which made me understand how much she really loved me.


• Taught me about money. There were plenty of people that made fun of me for having Easter candy at Christmas. I have always loved having a 'stash' and my mom has always supported it. She helped me open my first bank account, made me save, and also taught me to spend. I was always encouraged to buy something after I had saved some money, especially if it was a good deal.


• Spoke frankly. I can never blame my mom for not telling me something, even if I didn't want to hear it. She is open and honest and says what's good for your head, even if it's hard on your heart (and your ears!)

She would tell you she disagreed, but this woman is a REALLY good mom, and continues to influence my life to this day. One day, when I grow up.....

I Can Always Count on Jane

Friday was a stinky day for me.....work was pretty awful, Tyler went on a boys trip, and my hips were feeling particularly large that day. :)

I got a call from my friend Lyndsey who was also having a stinky day (woot woot!) and she wanted to go grab some dinner at Paradise Bakery. We both got some yummy sandwhiches with pasta salad and soup, plus some yummy cookies to make us feel better about our lives...hahaha.

I decided I would wrap up the night with a good cry so I came home, curled up and watched my girly movie: Sense and Sensibility

Please believe me when I say this is one of the best movies ever!!!!!!!!!! You all need to watch it!

I can always count on Jane Austen to make me feel like a hopeless romantic and I love every second of it!

I just made a mad-men version of myself! I never have seen the show...ever...in my life. BUT making myself like I belonged in the show was quite a treat!

Try for yourself here: Make a Little Cartoon You!

How fun is she! I couldn't decide between pearls or a scarf, donut or coffee, purse or newspaper....oh so many options!

These Are a Few...

1) I hate to admit it, but I am absolutely in love with the new Miley Cyrus song. IN LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!

Listen here: Party in the USA

2) I am so glad I went out with the ladies dancing on Friday night. I forgot so much, including how much I love dancing. It is tough to convince boys to dance with you when you have a wedding ring on, but it was worth the good time. I'm so thankful for a confident husband.

Come with us: Paragon Dancing for only $5 on Fridays

3) I'm starting a tri-healthalon at work and the winning team gets a pair of customized running shoes....Yoga-Booty-Ballet....here I come!!

That's right friends; I bought it, and I love it: Yoga Booty Ballet

You're Gonna Be Popular....

Guess what I am dragging my sweet husband to see tonight!!!???

!!!!!!!Wicked the Musical!!!!!!!

I seriously cannot wait. I read the book, I have the soundtrack, I've held the music in my own hands and it is fabulous!

Go here to enjoy some of the tunes for yourself:

Music from Wicked

I met one of my very good friends from high school for lunch the other day and we both reminisced about our theatre days and how we miss it. I can't describe how badly I would love to do something creative again, and by creative, I mean musicals :) They are really a piece of my soul and I know that sounds cheesy but it is a feeling from my gut that I can't shake and I haven't stepped on a stage for 5 years. One day...that is what I keep telling myself.

But...for now, I feed my hunger by dragging my poor husband to whatever I can put my hands on. Seriously...you should hear this soundtrack....capital 'A' Amazing.