THIS Summer

I noticed today that a weird thought ran thought my head.

"I can't wait until next summer."

Maybe that wouldn't be so strange if it was like, mid-winter 2014. But it's not. It's mid/early-summer NOW. I blame it on what seems like a preeetty busy schedule the next little while.  It's not even dreaded tasks, some of them are quite delightful actually + things I look forward to. 

 

Beard (can I still call him that if he shaved off his masterpiece and is just in the early stages of growing it back? I told him I was going to have to change his whole persona if he wanted to nix it! :]) & I were talking the other day, and I was telling him that I think I do pretty well with a full schedule, but if it gets too full then my brain gets mushy and I end up taking a nap, or doing something completely unrelated to any of the long list of things I should be doing. :] Am I alone here?

I guess May/June seems pretty busy, and on top of that the summer weather has been (very) slow coming, and that just makes me feel anxious because I feel like it's going to end before I know it! I think what seemed appealing to me about next summer is that (at this point) it's un-planned, and it seems like there will be lots of it to enjoy. But that way of thinking just doesn't make sense, because

a. I like plans, and events, and doing things

b. I know as it approaches things will be planned

c. I am not appreciating life right now, in the moment

d. I like doing things!!

So this is me writing a whole post about one crazy little thought. Sometimes when things come to mind (no matter how fleeting or major) that make me step back and evaluate what I just thought, I feel like it helps for me to sit down and actually address it. That either helps squash it and publicly embarrass it for the craziness that it is, or give it a voice. In this case...I'm going for squashing. :] Grab your mallets people!

Here's to enjoying each planned event, no matter the size, or pre-planning it takes. And here's to looking forward to the surprises each un-planned day brings. I hope Summer 2014 is all you planned it to be, and more! I think I've officially said the word 'planned' too many times in 5 paragraphs. I'm done now. 

Yard Sales

It's that time of year, I can practically smell it, can't you? Actually, hopefully you can't, cause that would be kinda nasty. BUT. It is yard sale season and I loooove it! I love going and searching for treasures, or planning day trips to neighbor hood sales.  It's not about what you need (nothing, sometimes?), it's about the thrill of the hunt! I like to tell people "I won't know what I want until I see it". :]

So that's one side of the coin. The other is the throw-a-yard-sale-yourself side. Trust me, much easier said then done! I had one a couple of years ago, and man are they work.  When it's all said and done I didn't regret it. It's kinda enjoyable once it's all set up...just seeing dollar signs (or cent signs??) as people purchase your (hopefully) dirt cheap priced items. I'm planning to have one again in a couple of weeks, mostly because there was quite a lot of junk treasures stuff left at our newly purchased house, and partly because I want to get rid of some things from my dad's house that he doesn't need anymore.  My theory is the bigger the yard sale, the more worthwhile! Hopefully that proves true.

Anyways, I am currently in the why-the-heck-did-I-decide-to-do-this stage, and the I-don't-wanna-price-everything stage is close on it's heels. I think this is the worst part. So in light of that, I scoured the internet for some pictures that best depict how I feel. Enjoy! :]

How I feel when I am sorting stuff for my yard sale.

How I want my yard sale to look.

How I feel like my yard sale looks.

 How I feel when the last day of my yard sale is almost over. EVERYTHING GONE NOWWWW!

Rain

I titled this post, and then wasn't sure where to go from here. I don't claim to know all the deets, I just know that there is some serious devastation just a few miles away from my home. My home, where we are are safe, and dry, and can drive in and out of our driveway. Tuesday late night/Wednesday early morning, the rain came. I'm not sure what the official gauge said, but I think it was at least 5 inches. Not to mention, here, 2 days later, we got another couple of inches. Our dear town just wasn't prepared for that. The one amazing things about disasters like this, are how the people come together. People working side by side who probably live on the same street, but have never spoken before. The surrounding towns sent their volunteer firefighters to close roads, pump basements, and rescue people (from what I'm told).

I have driven down to town a couple of times, and the streets are either closed, dusty, or have debris along the side. In some areas parts of the edges are washed away. I know what I am seeing is nothing compared to actually experiencing it in it's fullest wrath, having your home condemned or your business ruined. It's crazy to think of the force that water has.

I don't really have a point per-say to this post, I guess I felt like I needed to somehow document this historic time. I just hope that those of us who know Who is in control can encourage those who may not know. I am praying for all the people affected by the storm.

I must admit, this chorus was running through my head the last couple days. Lets turn this into something grand, shall we?

Lord , send the rain

Pour out Your Spirit

Let the fire fall

Heal us one and all

Fall fresh on me 

(Here are a couple of articles with pictures about the happenings, if you aren't local.)

http://fingerlakesdailynews.com/news/details.cfm?clientid=16&id=126673#.U3YRofldXqo

http://inthefingerlakes.com/explore/finger-lakes-photos/penn-yan-flood-may-14-2014-tons-of-photos/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2628706/Small-town-Upstate-New-York-washed-disastrous-flash-floods-rain-forecasted-Thursday.html

Send your prayers everyone!

The Mothers

Happy Mother's day, to the long time mothers, newbie mothers, gonna-be mothers, shoulda-been mothers, and puppy-mothers. & I guuuuuess cat-mothers. Maybe. :]

I think today is a good day to sit for a second and think why you really appreciate your mother(s), and then be purposeful about keeping it forefront in your mind so you can be thankful for that, and let them know how you feel! Unfortunately, all my mothers got this year was a nice card...and an IOU.  Some years I am prepared and all excited to give my...whatever it is...but this year I was stumped! And I decided instead of scrambling and getting a less-exciting something, I would wait until I think of something perfect, even if it is delayed. Am I the only one who doesn't always like deadlines?

Anyways. I thought this would be the perfect occasion to post a couple pictures of my moms, the women that are there for me no matter what. There is a long list of women who have supported and mothered me in one way or another over the years, but for times sake, I will keep it to the "real" ones.

Martha, the one who gave me life. One of the most patient people I know, and the woman taught me a love for reading, made obstacle courses for me in the yard, and let my creativity shine (sometimes in the form of awful outfits, enter home-made dresses, over cut off shorts, under huge t-shirts, topped with hiking boots. Yikes.). We are evolving into friends, how mothers and daughters do, and it's awesome.

Ruth, the one who accepts me as her own. She has welcomed me into her family with open arms, and displays home-maker characteristics that I hope to mirror the best I can. I feel so blessed daily for the woman she is.

Now, enjoy Lyndsi's work!

WYBDW

Mid-week again! Happy Wednesday!

WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN DOING?
Enjoying sunshine! And time with friends, and seeing adopted mothers after a month of absence, and cleaning/arranging my large windowsill (which is such a mystery to me), and finally being brave enough to put some flowers outside, and taking a walk with my bestie tonight! No English teacher, that is definitely not a run-on sentence. ;]

WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN WORKING ON?
A little bit of everything! Escorts have picked up again, so I had 2 last week and 1 this week. I also have been quite occupied with hair clients, which I love! A good mix of cuts, colors (even ombre!), and some prom and wedding hair. Mixing it up keeps it fun!

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO?
Friday & Saturday! Friday I am going with Sarah on an adventure to Syracuse...how can that not be fun?? And Saturday Joleen got together a little soiree (so I looked up this word and it's not exaaaactly fitting there, but lets go with it kay?), and I think that will be super fun too!

WHAT'S ON YOUR TO DO LIST?
Paint our bedroom. I've been putting it off, first cause I couldn't decide on a color, then because I was pregnant, and nooow I just need to do it before it gets suuuuper nice out and I don't wanna spend that much time indoors! I saw a color I loved in Sherman Williams, but I've been using Benjamin Moore, so I guess I need to get my hands on a sample card in SW and see if BM can duplicate. That's how it works, right?

Also, we keep debating having a garden and I honestly doubt it will happen this year, but I noticed a little previously dug-around-in spot behind our little red shed...and I feel like I should plant a few things just for funsies! Better get an expert over here first to make sure it gets the proper amount of sunshine etc to survive.

WHAT'S ON YOUR HEART?
Again, last night's daily devotional from this book really jumped out at me.

 "Dear friend, God may send you some valuable gifts wrapped in unattractive paper.  But do not worry about the wrappings, for you can be sure that inside He has hidden treasures of love, kindness, and wisdom. If we will simply take what He sends and trust Him for the blessings inside, we will learn the meaning of the secrets of His providence, even in times of darkness."

It also states that diamonds are found in the rough, and their true value cannot be seen.  I just feel like that is how we should try to view trying situations - as "diamond minors" trying to find the true value of the life experience, instead of focus on the ugly outter shell, meaning the worst of what is happening.

"Are your circumstances pressing in on you? Do not push away, for they are the Potter's hands  And you will learn to master them not by stopping their progress but by enduring their discipline.  Your circumstances are not only shaping you into a vessel of beauty and honor but also providing you with resources of great value."

Amen. I feel like I have grown so much just in the last 9 months or so, in ways I'm not even sure I could put words to. But I just feel it inside, how things have changed. I so hope to use what has happened as a resource of great value. I was talking to someone today who has previously experienced a good deal of what I am going through, and in talking to her I realized something. I don't think given the chance I would change what has happened. I trust and believe that there are children in our future, and of course it would be easiest knowing FOR SURE if there was, but then we wouldn't have to have faith. But anyways, this experience has done things to my faith and way of viewing life that maybe no other life experience could have. And while I grieve for never knowing my precious babies, I am thankful for the faith-building & soul-softening. 

WHAT ARE YOU NERVOUS ABOUT?
That May is going to fly by me without so as a hello, or at least the weekends anyways! I'm trying to take each day as it comes and savor the time spent, but it's hard not to look ahead. I am planning to have a yard sale at the end of May, and at this point I'm definitely not ready in the pricing and even having all the stuff in the same location category. So hopefully I can get that done in time!

WHAT'S COOKING?
I'm in a rut. Don't ask that.

I'm proud of myself...I did this two weeks in a row.  Am I habit-forming? I hope so! :]

Wist List

A little wish list never hurt anyone right?  I feel like I go walking through life, minding my own business...and then

*BAM*

I suddenly realize there is a small list of things I can't bare the thought of not having wish were mine! I don't think this makes me a terrible or selfish person. Especially since I don't run out and buy them all. Sometimes I might splurge on something, but usually I just add it to my thrifting list, or wait till it's not so popular & get it cheaper. *sigh* It's a hard knock life for a loves-to-finda-good-deal gal. 

Anyways. I thought I'd let you in on my list just for funsies. If you love me super lots, feel free to leave a comment letting me know which item you plan to buy for me, & I will edit my wish list accordingly. ;]                                                              (Totally kidding.)

Happy feet - 

There seems to be a sort of trend, in which shoes are allllways on my list. I wish I had discovered these or these when I lived in the land of boat shoes. Maybe some up suspecting soul will buy them in a size 9, hate them, and promptly deliver them to the salvation army. A girl can hope, right?!

I'm on the search for a cheap pair of these, or a sort of loafer. If you know of a steal, let your girl know!

Happy wear - 

Cute tank.

Who doesn't like a good cause? It helps that this website has pretty cool shirts. 

I wish I could rock this style jeans.

And while we are on the subject of denim, may I have one of these?

Happy kitchen - 

Someday I'd like to have one of these. 

Plus, some orange and blue might be good for my Fiesta collection!

Happy puppy - 

Urgh. I missed the ones I was very interested in. But here and here are a couple of pretty cute options!

Happy head - 

I'll take this, and then this. As bravery gets stronger. :]

I've been a bit unsure about these headbands, but they are growing on me. 

Happy randoms - 

If I had a farm, I'd raise these. cute cute cute!

Cause what country girl doesn't need one of these?

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Am I the only one who when I come across posts like this, and open a bunch of tabs from the "these" and "here" words...I feel like it's sooo suspenseful and I just wonder and wonder what it is going to be! haha. I guess I do have a streak of dramatic in me. 

I hope this sparks your inner wish list! Let me know what I left out!

Broken Hallelujah

I hope you press play on the song above. (Sorry it's a random YouTube video, I spent a little time trying to figure out how play a song with no video, but wasn't having any luck). I heard this song on the radio this morning and it really resonated with me! I will paste the lyrics below to encourage you to let them sink in. :]

I can barely stand right now.
Everything is crashing down,
And I wonder where You are.

I try to find the words to pray.
I don't always know what to say,
But You're the one that can hear my heart.

Even though I don't know what your plan is,
I know You're making beauty from these ashes.

I've seen joy and I've seen pain.
On my knees, I call Your name.
Here's my broken hallelujah.

With nothing left to hold onto,
I raise these empty hands to You.
Here's my broken hallelujah.

You know the things that have brought me here.
You know the story of every tear.
‘Cause You've been here from the very start.

Even though I don't know what your plan is,
I know You're making beauty from these ashes.

I've seen joy and I've seen pain.
On my knees, I call Your name.
Here's my broken hallelujah.

With nothing left to hold onto,
I raise these empty hands to You.
Here's my broken hallelujah.

When all is taken away, don't let my heart be changed.
Let me always sing Hallelujah
When I feel afraid, don't let my hope be erased
Let me always sing Hallelujah.
Let me always sing Hallelujah.

I will always sing
I will always sing
Here's my broken hallelujah.

---------

Such, such powerful words that I feel like could fit for a number of life's obstacles. It's so true that sometimes I just really don't know what to say, what to pray, and all I can do is raise empty hands to Him, and allow him to make beauty of the ashes. I hope this touches you in good ways as it did me.

Had things worked out differently, this week would have been the beginning (or another stage) of a life changing event. My first baby would have been born. I'm thankful for knowing that, and thankful for knowing that our baby IS indeed a being, just in Heaven instead of on earth. 

Spring is happening folks, in my yard and everywhere. Green grass, rainy residue, and bright yellow flowers. Beauty out of ashes.