I read something so ridiculously profound and simple this morning. It was Mike Rowe from the show (famous to me), Dirty Jobs. He was basically talking about blue collar work not being talked about in the respectful manner it should be. He was so damn right...and his words hit me in a different but HUGE way. ......I think most of us are dreamers and being bombarded with pictures of the perfect life and how to make your dreams reality or how to make the perfect cake, body, swing, yard, house, marriage, life, etc. ........UGH!! It's my life. FOR REAL. I am 42 and just realizing how much of a ridiculous dreamer I truly am. ....I've been trying to "find myself" for freaking ever. Silly me, I'm right here. I've been trying to please everyone. I've been trying to be agreeable and lovely and not make waves or hurt anyone's feelings. I've craved attention and acceptance and love and all that makes me feel all ooey, gooey, nice and fuzzy. ....Silly freaking me. This is all perfectly normal, too. I've also totally wanted to do my best by myself, my hubby, my kids, my family, my friends....ya know everyone. All very noble and really, true to myself. I've also been a huge pinterest, instagram, blog, and facebook lover/stalker. Social media can be intoxicating with all it's loveliness and connections. I won't even call it false connection because it's been (at times) awesome for times I've needed to feel connected or to learn something new. ....that said, I have to sort of monitor my time on it because truly, it can be a total life-sucker, too. I don't want my hours added up to having spent thousands of hours just wishing for more...........though truth be told, I think even without social media that I've possibly done this. ............I'm not sure when this started.....this dreaming up the perfect life that made me tons of money just from my pure talent, moxie, and wisdom. But happen, it did. .......I'm like a gazillion other dreamers being bombarded (even though well intentioned) of messages about "Follow your Dreams", "Aim High", "Make it Beautiful", "Find your True Calling", "Follow your Passion", ETC., freaking ETC. .......seriously, I like Mike Rowe's "Don't follow your passion, but Always bring it with you". I find wisdom there. I find wisdom in people growing and realizing their reach has exceeded their grasp. It's not giving up or settling...it's common sense. ............anywho, so as not to hurt feelings or upset anyone because no matter what, I am still a people pleasing type....I'm just going to continue sharing what it means to me. I'm going to share what my ever so awesome and sweet cousin has told me is my wisdom. She is right...I have had some experiences that have given me wisdom....I've also realized we're all embedded with a bit of wisdom...some of us just seem to be born with it and some of us acquire it through education, reading, experience, listening, etc. I'm the one that was born without it but acquired it through simply living.
.......I've got a friend that's been adamant about me writing some stories from my life. God, I love having friends like this. ....for a gazillion reasons I'm going to do it. I'm not going to write a book today or even tell anything truly enlightening......I'm just realizing I've figured something out about myself. I'm a sharer so I'll share. I do like writing so I'll write...just here on a blog. I like lots of things and I'll share it here. I doubt I'll get rich or become famous. I'll, at some point, probably get with my cool cousin because she says I can make money just writing and sharing my "stuff" and seriously, money is good. .............also, because I put Mike Rowe in the blog title.......he really is awesome and I agree with so much of his "wisdom". Look him up sometime. I could actually totally get behind his 'cause'.
Our side yard......Mikey getting a bit of help from the boys. ......this is where we planted all of the roses for Ireland. We want to add fencing around all of this...and it'll happen......but it'll have to wait until next spring. Budgeting.......it's a real thing.
Sawyer likes to sneak Stormy in the car for rides.
This is the back of our house. Ugh...sooo not on a DIY show as an after pic....but it's real. I'd like to add some shutters one day and make this into a screened porch. For now, the boys enjoy digging under that area that's going to be covered in plants soon (Utah has rules where planting doesn't happen until after Mother's day). Time for taking off the AC cover hasn't come around quite yet....and really, this weather has been awesome so we're good.
This is the back....that's the fence that we want to finish out to the side and around what's officially Ireland's garden. In a few more weeks her roses and trees should be in bloom and be pretty and all pinteresty. For now it's just an open area. When we have her area fenced, we're also going to figure out the best spot for a fountain we were gifted. ...excited to have these roses bloom near that bench/half picnic table. I've also finally discovered that snapdragons and this other flower (that's name escapes me) grows easily and spreads and flourishes like crazy and will be planted around that area with the bench. ...........that rock monstrosity to the left is our redneck fire pit.
Plum tree is flourishing....
Baby chicks.......we all love them.
More baby chick love.
Sawyer is our total resident pet lover.
This is my ridiculous crafty space/kitchen that has no real purpose upstairs. Connor was up there doing his thing and making "Mustache Man"....next time I'll actually take a pic of his creation! Meanwhile, he was being cute doing his thing.
We were learning the camera on my new phone....obviously, a good model choice.
My blackboard kitchen.....that will probably not ever be in a magazine but totally is loved. We scribble here, write names, decorate in two seconds for birthdays and holidays....everyone needs something chalkboard in their kitchen because seriously, birthday cake tastes better if someone took the time to either write your name out or put some dorky dollar store decorations up.
This is truly my most loved room in the house. Not the family room upstairs, but our little living room downstairs. I get crap for moving things around and redecorating and this room gets the brunt of that obsession. Mikey put in the floor and the wainscotting. The furniture could seriously be replaced but it works and really, it's the least of my worries in this world. I love this area and think world peace can be achieved in a totally comfy and personal living room. My favorite moments beyond a kitchen table or backyard bash is sitting with my friends or seeing our kids vegged out making memories in here or in their respective homes. ........if you've been in our upstairs rooms, you're kind of in the elite friendship mode.
New camera love........this is another favorite spot in my home. That book shelf full brings me happiness. Books are rarely thrown out here though I have given many away. The shelf up top has Ireland's urn and some angels and such....also, my Grandma and Papa are up there. The painting was a Father's day creation when the guys were babies.
Camera play. My other model. Love him.
Okay....that's it. Dream #52,gazillion. .......seriously though, I'm mostly living my dream. As a girl, I wanted a family of my own. A husband that loved me, kiddos, a home of my own, a job I loved....the jobs have changed through the years....but essentially, I'm truly a productive member of society in my own right, I make a list most days and achieve most of the things on it......I live well and am thankful.
