Tick-Tock

Lots of pressure.

Lots to do.

Not much time.

Lots to schedule.

Crazy days my friend.

Right now I should be working on a project that must be finished tomorrow. 

I'm too tired.

Fresh Start tomorrow.

Tick-Tock says the clock.

Lessons I've Learned...

1.  Listen to your gut.

2.  Speak up, don't worry about the conflict, what may result from not sharing could be much worse.

3.  Get on the scale every morning.  Weight has a "weigh" of creeping up on you.

4.  Exercise ever single day will keep depression away.

5.  Sometimes life just sucks.

6.  Never ever drink more than one martini.  Never.  (I won't ever  even have one again)
     (6b.  Vodka is eeeeeevil)

7.  Not all mothers practice unconditional love.  Not all fathers either.

8.  Be true to yourself.

9.  Perfection is something that can ruin your life.

10.  Never play the "jeep" game with my husband.  (you know that crazy VW game where a person hits another person in the arm and yells the color?  My daughter said you don't see enough VW's so she prefers to do it with jeeps.  My left arm is black and blue from this game on Saturday ~ i bruise easily.)

11.  Take time daily to appreciate the little stuff.

12.  Over-use I Love You

13.  Prayer works

14.  Friendships should be nurtured and cherished and never taken for granted, for each and every one is precious.

15.  Green Beans can be steamed in just a couple of minutes

16.  "You're gonna miss this" pretty much can apply to every phase of life

17.  Laughter does a body good

18.  Handwritten notes are special and important and we should all write them more often

19.  Reading is better than television any day

20.  You can never hold a child too much

And So It Goes

I'm a worry-wart.

Right now I'm super stressed about various things in my world.

I try not to worry, but sometimes it consumes me.

Yesterday was a super intense worry day for me.

For the first time in 20-years hubby actually tried to understand my worry behavior.

Yesterday the washer broke.

Hubby pressured me to do something I wasn't ready to do (and no it didn't work out)

Now I'm worried about whether or not we can fix it.

We found my daughter's room has a LOT of spiders.

Someone hurt my baby girl with words yesterday.

There is a law in Illinois that new driver's cannot have more than ONE friend in the car for the first year of having their license.  I understand why.  It's for their safety.  I received a phone call last week from a helper from my daughter's high school cheer squad.  She wanted to know if Caitlyn could drive girls to an event, or if I was one of "those" parents who actually didn't allow that.  I explained that I don't think a parent should encourage or allow a child to break any law.  It is the LAW.  She giggled and said that she was certain I would before the year was up.  I explained that I have a 20-year old (so I've been down this road before) and I don't break the law, any law, for anyone and I won't let my children.  At cheer last night this same woman announced quite loudly that my daughter wasn't allowed more than one rider in her car.  Girls snickered.  The coach did nothing.  My daughter was humiliated and upset, but she wasn't angry about following the law.  Apparently I am the only parent from the squad who enforces the law.  I'm tempted to inform the police and school district about this.  As it is not the first time the cheer squad has had girls driving groups before their one year.  Yup, I'm angry.  Yup, I am worried about how these girls treat my daughter.  How the adults treat my daughter.

But, there are other things...

Stuff happening today?

Yesterday the pump went out on my washer.  (it's 5 years old)

Repair man coming this morning.

I do not like bugs.  Of any kind.

Orkin is a regular here.  He's coming today too.

In an effort to be more social, we are having friends over today for a BBQ.

Nothing fancy, just hot dogs - hamburgers - brats... A regular ole' bbq

Hubby will be having a couple of his new favorite...

I probably need one of these...

We're having company on Sunday too.

And then again on Thursday and next Saturday.

Hows "stuff" in your world??

I Heart Pottery Barn

I have a love affair with Pottery Barn.

It's not a secret, but I'm worried that I might need a 12-step program.

The new catalog arrived today.

I was having such a rotten day.

I needed that catalog.

Now I just need a lot of money.  (I'm joking - kinda)

Pottery Barn just needs to hire me.

I'll work for what I want.

I will.

I swear.

I'll smile while I work.

I'll show up early.

I'll stay late.

Pottery Barn people...do you hear me!?!?!?!

Well, I tried.

Honey???  I'm taking the checkbook...

Just Dreamin...

I picked up some dishes on Saturday, 

but I haven't had the time to take any fun photos of them.

I did however find some wonderful photos ~ Pistoulet related ~ that had me day-dreaming.

Since it's a crazy busy week 

uplifting, dreamy photos are just what this girl needs.

I hope you enjoy them too.

Delightful Inspiration...

I feel like I'm floating on air.

All this authentic behavior is good for my soul.

So, I bet you're asking, "So ~ what did you choose?"

Well, my heart said choose both.

I chose both.

Yup I did.

And my spirit is dancing.

So I want to introduce you to my joy - Pistoulet.

Goodness I love to even say the word.

Truth?  I had these dishes when they were first released.  I sold them and went for something more simplistic.  I have missed them ever since.

I love that they have a story.

Yup, there is a book all about it.

I own it.

An enchanted fable of food, magic, and love.

"Everyone who passes through Pistoulet has a story which unfolds.  All who spend time there leave with their hearts and minds transformed.  Some never leave."

I love this.  It inspires me.

Thank you my friends for sharing with me.

Your words and encouragement bring a smile to my face and my heart.

What Would You Do?

Okay, so hubby is quite excited and totally on-board for my leap back to my authentic self.

We're ordering dishes.  

Should we choose the pattern in color A (Salmon)?

Or should we choose the pattern in color B (Cobalt)

Or should we get both and mix them up!?

Hubby wants A

I like both, so I'm thinking mix it up.

Being Authentic

Being Authentic.

It sounds so simple, doesn't it?

It should be, but it isn't.

Blogland and the big old internet is such an awesome tool and then again, it is confusing and overwhelming.

Confusing and overwhelming for me at least.

I've always been a really confident decorator.  I always just went for it and loved it.

Until I moved here.  To this house.

I scanned blogs and the web for photos.

I became overwhelmed and uncertain.

There are so many ideas.  So many styles.  So much to see.

I tried to be something I'm not.

I tried to force myself to decorate in a way that is not true to my authentic self.

I've made myself (and my husband) crazy.

I've made my friends crazy.

My husband made decisions that I've complained about.

I complained only because I didn't know what I wanted.  Because I couldn't make a choice.

I couldn't make a choice because I wasn't listening to my heart.

I didn't know what I wanted because I wasn't listening to my heart.

I wasn't being true to my authentic self.

I realized this a couple of weeks ago.  The screaming coming from inside me could no longer be quieted.

So, today I have learned to be true to my authentic self.

I can honestly say that I haven't been this happy, calm, and confident in years.

Color, warmth, casual sophistication - these are things that bring joy to my heart.  True joy.

Do you understand?

Have you ever allowed yourself to be something you are not?

There are changes coming my friends - and I'm excited!!!

A Trip Around The Kitchen (The Remodel)