Father's Day

This Sunday is a very very bittersweet day. Living in Abilene for the past several years I usually spent my Father's day celebrating the one man who has always been a constant source of love, support, compassion, understanding, and guidance for me. The one man that I am guranteed no other man can live up to... my sweet Grandy.When everything else in my life seemed to be falling apart or even going great I knew I could walk into the room and he would light up making me feel like the  most special girl in the world. His renditions of "You are my Sunshine" would most often get me through the hard times. His hands holding mine would reassure me that I would never be alone and that he has my back.

My Grandy has for the longest time been "The Man in my life." He was the one who cheered me on at my softball games, through school victories, through my spiritual walk. I was the most scared to do anything to disappoint him above all others. I never wanted to have to see him look at me with any sort of disappointment or sadness, which is why in the 100 degree heat of summer I would wear jeans over to visit him and Nana to hide my tattoo. I know he had to have caught on but he Never said anything to me about it.

This father's day with the celebration that there is I am also mourning not being able to call or hug my Grandy and tell him how much I appreciate him. How grateful I am for his devotion to me and our sweet untouchable relationship. He is and will always be my sunshine! Happy Father's Day Grandy! I miss you desperately!!

I am also wishing a Very Happy Father's Day to my Dad! Our relationship continues to grow and mature. I am so blessed to have the opportunity to get to build something with you! My Dad is a very strong man and has had to fight through many battles during his years. He is an amazing Grandfather and dad. I am proud to be his one and only daughter and wish I could celebrate with you today! Happy Father's Day Dad!

My big brother is also celebrating his 2nd father's day! It is a strange thing when you watch the brother who used to torment you as a child grow up and be responsible for his own little human being. He is a Wonderful Dad to the sweetest little munchkin in the world! Happy Father's Day Ryan!

Move!

Let me just say... I have NEVER appreciated more having a boyfriend or much less male friends than now. In the 103 degree heat packing, loading, and unloading boxes and bags of stuff and moving it from one house to the next is MISERABLE. However when you have guys who work fast and furious it can be much easier. Absolutely could not have done it without them!

After dozens of trips across town we just about have the old house emptied and the new house feeling homey.

I am the queen bee nester. I do not like to have a space that does not feel like my own or does not feel cozy to me. When I move my room is the first thing to be unpacked and decorated which usually all happens in one day. This move was no different. Upon having all my belongings surrounding me in my new house they were promptly unloaded, organized and put away.

Here is a little peak at my new room. It is WAY more spacious than any room I have ever lived in and I am still trying to spread out a little bit in my closet and bathroom. But overall I am stoked about the more spacious surroundings.

*Iphone pictures.. they are kinda blurry but you will get the idea.

Book Review: Bossypants

Pretty much have been laughing myself to sleep at night reading this book. Tina Fey 's dry sense of humor combined with pop culture scenarios has me rolling. The book has started being very auto-biographical with her days at Summer Showtime getting acquainted with theatre and gay friends. She also tells of her parent's "parenting techniques" and this alone makes me die with laughter.

In a chapter I read last night she talks about her dad and how he makes such a impression on all who meet him. She begins talking about how she was so scared of him when she was younger and had to come to realize that that is just the way his face looks. This was hysterical because earlier in the day Neeley and I were talking about how scared of our mom's we were adn sometime still are.

What is it about a parent's ability to literally scare the tar out of you?! They can just give you a look and sends chills down your spine.

I remember being so scared of my mom and aunts. The Blanton women have an ability to come flying out of the door with a distinct look that will send you in sheer terror. It is ironic though because I RARELY got in trouble. I was always very scared for the person they were going after, whispering desperately in my head for them to run away from what was headed their direction.

I remember the just about ONE AND ONLY time I DID get in trouble. The Schmidt's were living with Nana and Grandy on Bent Tree here in Amarillo and the twins had just gotten a go kart. Neeley and I FINALLY got our turn to take it out for a spin. It was slightly drizzling that day (which is probably why we got to drive it, the boys didnt want to get it wet) and Neeley was in the driver's seat. She told me to grab the wheel while she pulled her hair back or some girly nonsense, we hit a wet patch and BAM! right into the new neighbors drain pipe. We both got out looked at it for a minute and decided to take off. We went straight home acted like nothing had happened and got into Nana and Grandy's jacuzzi bathtub. By this time we were laughing and playing in the bubbles thinking all our troubles are far far behind us. Then they came... the ANGRY mom's. Ohh man the look on their faces. TERROR! Needless to say we got us a big case of trouble that day.

I remember one day not too terribly long ago, maybe a couple of years when I finally realized I wasn't "scared" of my mom anymore. Maybe I never was... I have come to realize that I am worried I will disappoint her and as I have grown up I realize that is much worse than getting in trouble.

Just a random thought I had while reflecting on Tina's book.

Can't get it out of my head... crafties!

It is Monday... yet AGAIN! Why does this day come around what seems like all the time and Saturday/Sundays are one in a million?! Am I the only who feels this way?

Anyway, as you may well should probably know this week is what we like to call MOVING WEEK! So excited to move and ready to be in a bigger house with more of life's modern conveinences. But if you came to my house you would not be able to tell that I was excited as there is still YET to have packing done... yup totaly PROCRASTINATOR! Doesn't help either that my buddy is the same way. In fact Neeley once wrote at paper on Procrastinating in college and she didn't even start it till hours before it was due. So needless to say this week is going to be a little chaotic! Sadly I do believe our sweet boyfriends will have it the worst as they will be moving all our furniture and surely to come half packed boxes of "who knows whats in there."

And tonight as I should be packing something, anything at least! I am thinking I would rather be making one of these fabulous crafties...


This Nautical Dress

Found awsome tutorial here and found some jersey knit fabic HALF OFF at Joann's perfect for this!!

I am also responsible for making my friend Bailey's birthday present this week...

I am thinking an infinti scarf with some other awesome HALF OFF fabric from Joann's.
Also wanting to make her an awesome lamp shade for her new apartment. Using this lamp as inspiration...



and am going to cover an adhesive lamp shade in seafoam/turquoise fabric then add fabulous fabric flowers. We will see how it turns out!

I am also really wanting to make one of these...


I think that is sooo cute!  Love the spring feeling it gives!

I am also going to make some more of my feather earrings and headbands. Keep in mind people... I SHOULD BE PACKING :)


HAPPY MONDAY!!

unsucessful/sucessful night

This has been the LOOOONGGGGGESSSSSTTTTT week ever!

I  must admit my patience did not go over very well yesterday... I was struggling big time and about 1:30 a headache the size of Texas hit me. The kind where any kind of light is like sticking nails in your head and noise makes you want to scream. I am still carrying a little bit of it with me today.

However last night I had ALOT to do and sadly did not get it all accomplished. Our landlord is showing our house today since we are moving NEXT WEEK!

1. Finish skirt
2. Finish yarn wreath
3. Take out mountain of trash
4. Clean dishes
5. Glue on tiles that have fallen off bathroom walls
6. Clean House
7. Get wax drippings off floor from candle
8. PACK PACK PACK!

I did NOT finish my skirt but I did break 3 needles. So frustrating because I am 90% done and now I am out of needles.

Wax drippings were stuck I mean STUCK to carpet....whoops.

And no packing to be done with all my frustration going to my sewing machine.

However I was super thrilled to have finally finished a yarn wreath I had been working on. I had seen the idea over here and was not sure how I felt about them but decided to try out my own.

I kinda LOVE it! I had chosen some mutli-color yarn that I thought would give it a little UMMFH but it turned out looking more like easter :( So I rewrapped the sucker in turquoise with some gold cloth and added my felt flowers and presto. My Sweet friend Bailey is getting this sucker but I am so pleased with how they turned out I am sure I will be making many more!!

Two Weddings this weekend!! See you Monday!

Patience and Light

Today I walked into my office immediately asking God for PATIENCE.

Patience with the people I encounter today.

Patience for my job and the sometimes dreary task of selling insurance.

Patience for the incessant questions I encounter everyday.

Patience so that I do not roll my eyes or tune out when someone is telling me something I think is completely irrelevant.

Patience when it takes someone longer to do something than if I just did it myself.

Patience for when people take advantage and I choose to do what is right.

And then I open my Jesus Calling. I know I quote/talk about this devotional alot but that is because IT GETS TO ME! Days like today when I need God beside me more than usual or I feel like I can just not make it through the day, I open it to read a message that seems hand selected for me and my need for THIS day.

Today it read " Look at other people through lenses of love; see them from My perspective. This is how you walk in the Light and it pleases me."

Couldn't have hit me harder or at a better time!

So today instead of answering every call with disgust already, or not paying much attention to anyone who walks in the office, instead of getting short with my coworkers... I will show them that I live in the LIGHT of HIS LOVE!

Singer

Last night as planned my sweet peas Kelsey, Neeley and I had our selves some tie-dying fun! I got WAY to much Papa Murphys pizza (I couldn't resist their 2 for 1 sides and Kelbell wanted her own pizza). We each did 2 shirts and covered the driveway and my legs in dye. Pictures to come! We were all very disappointed to learn that the shirts had to sit out and dry over night for the color to set. MAJOR LET DOWN!

We spent the rest of the night chowing down and watching Valentine's Day (Kels' pick of course!)

There was a little crafting going down while watching the movie as Kelsey wrote notes and Neeley scowered the internet for deals. I had seen a DIY for making a cake stand from Emily's blog and absolutely LOVED the idea. I have been looking for the perfect plate to use and while at TJMAXX yesterday with my Auntie and Kelbell I found it. A sweet little salad plate with two birds on it for $2.99. Then I ran by Goodwill and for a single $1 found a perfect brass candlestick. Hot glue the two together and what do you get...

Sorry for causing a crink in your neck... once again cannot figure out how to turn the photo from this program :( But you get the point. Now I have an adorable little dessert serving piece.

We also set up Kelsey on her own blog last night so I am sure as soon as she has time she will be posting like a mad woman! No doubt she will have interesting and lovely things to say about life, love and her everyday adventures as the assistant manager of Starlight. Ill keep you posted.

Finally... Last night just after Kelsey left my house I had a surprise visitor. Drew showed up telling me I needed to get something out of his car. After my incessant questioning I finally took his keys over to the back of the truck terrified of what I might find. (He doesn't ask me to do much so when will I learn that when he does it is usually a good surprise?!) Anyway I opened the back of the car to find my very first and very own Singer Sewing machine!!

I am not sure if it wasn't just a distraction for me so he could watch the Mav's game but it totally worked. I opened that sucker right up and watched the DVD that came along with it and found out the my fears of using a sewing machine were ridiculous... this thing was super easy with it's automatic threader.

He is a good man and knows how to win me over that is for sure! I am cooking him a delish dinner tonight to thank him.

Today on my lunch break when I should have been going to the grocery store I went to Hobby Lobby and got fabric for my first project! So excited to whip it up tonight. Stay tuned to see what it is...