Sunday, April 10, 2016

Spring into Springtime

For me, the best part of Spring is the weather. Hands down! I love having a true taste of all the seasons, but when Spring is coming, I crave those mildly temperature days and breezes! It's the first tease of the newest season. The hardest part, is waiting to explore the local nurseries for veggies and plants. (I have my go-to's. I'm surprised they don't know me by name, yet, or by my hosta collecting.)

Here in our area of the Midwest, it has begun to warm up slightly. It has been the perfect opportunity to get our plot in the community garden up and running! We are SO excited to be a part of it this year! I'm hoping for lots of veggies this summer to share. We have also been enjoying outside time. Whether it is cuddling in the hammock with a puppy, or sitting on the deck, I am happy to have the first teases of Spring in our backyard!



Half of the veggies we purchased for our plot!

Oscar is very much enjoying the weather!

Beau has been enjoying chasing balls all day!

Being outside has been the best so far!

Sunday, March 13, 2016

Midwest Isn't Always Best

Midwest isn't always the best.... because of the weather. I love living in the Midwest, primarily for the benefit of having all four seasons. Each one is just as distinct as the next. A downside of the Midwest is not knowing when each season is truly going to stop or begin. Like this week. It has been fairly nice outside, but it appears as though a freeze may be coming.

Regardless, it is March, and plants are starting to bloom. Going with nature, we decided to set up our lower deck for the season. Despite the overcast weather, it was exciting to see this part of Spring come to our house. Here's to the start of many deck days ahead...






Saturday, March 12, 2016

Taking Care



OH HEY.

Long time no see! My last post was in November when I shared how we had converted the original dining room into a sitting room, and the original formal living room into our dining room. Since that last post, both of these spaces have seen so much more use than before! I truly believe in "customizing" your house to fit your style. After all, you are the one who is living there! So what if you don't get a return off of a certain upgrade? Does that stink? Yeah. But, did you love it? Then it was worth it. 

To be truthful, not many house projects have been taking place since that last post. As most of you were aware, I had been spending time with Ma, and trying to handle the up's and downs that came with that journey. While I don't see this blog as being the place to get into detail about that type of thing, I will say, I miss her so much. I loved sending her photos of our house to describe the updates we were doing. My aunts would frequently show her on Facebook pictures, as well. She dreamed of making the trip out to our house. I know if she could have, she would. 

Through this experience, it has reminded me and shown me that I do need to take care of myself, too. Hence, the graphic at the top of the post today. House projects that I dreamed of doing over Winter Break didn't happen. I don't regret that one bit, it just means they got pushed back. Now, I am laid out on the couch, enjoying Spring Break. Earlier, I couldn't help but think, "I need a to do list of each day of what I need to accomplish as I only have __ days!!" 

Then, I thought of that quote - "Fall in love with taking care of yourself. Mind. Body. Soul." I need to continue working on taking care of myself. I was thankful I took my fully allotted bereavement leave to grieve and attempt to heal - but none of these house projects happened. Now, with however many days it is for Spring Break, I can't help but think of taking it day by day. Do I want to clean my entire house and clean the bedrooms? Of course. But, I am not going to stress myself out about it. I can't. I have to take care of myself. And, as much as I love schedules, lists, and the look of a list that has been crossed out, I will succumb these to allow time to take care of myself. 

The mess and cleaning will always be there. But, will there always be time available to take care of myself? Learning to be selfish starts here. 

How do you take care of yourself? I'd love to hear ideas of how you do this! :)