Best. Day. Ever.

It's almost my favorite day of the year!! Nope, my birthday isn't until February....Christmas, you say? Not quite....Valentine's Day? Please! It's almost Cecilia Days! I know, I can hear you laughing now, but it's one of those days that I look forward to all year long. I haven't been able to attend the last few years (one of those side effects of having a big girl job). I missed not getting to see the parade where I know 90% of the participants. I wasn't going to get to see my uncle ride his restored Allis-Chalmers tractor that was dedicated in memory of my Pepaw. I missed the barbeque sandwiches and the chicken dinner. I missed getting to work the Hardin County Dairy Assocation's ice cream booth with my Meemaw, mom, sisters and aunts. I missed getting to browse through the 20 or so booths filled with tshirts, purses, crafts and food. I missed, more than anything, getting to laugh at the "Almost" Talent Show (one of those things that I couldn't explain if I tried....you just have to see it). But this year, gosh darn it, I was going to take a day off from my big girl job and attend my favorite day. After all, this year, my Meemaw is the reigning Mayor of Cecilia! (a title that comes with virtually no powers except the priviledges of plugging in the town Christmas tree and leading the Cecilia Days parade). This year, my entire family is coming to ride on the Dennis Parrett for State Senator float (a tobacco wagon with hay bales :)) But the biggest change from my regular Cecilia Days festivities......this year, I'm setting up a booth that will have my Rustic Elegance crafts for sale. I have developed approximately 6 stomach ulcers, lost countless hours of sleep and fretted myself into a state of anxiety over this booth, but I'm super excited about it. I can't wait to decorate my tents with a touch of "rustic elegance." I can't wait to get my products out there and be able to really determine whether or not people like or want to buy my stuff. You can find me, along with all the other booths, at Cecilia Days this weekend (Friday night-all day Saturday). Come out, enjoy some laughs, crafts and a chicken dinner. You'll be a Cecilia Days fan for life :)

The longest 3 months of my life.

I am pleased to announce that my three month self inflicted shopping ban has FINALLY ended!!!!!!!! Three months of walking into stores, getting only what I needed and walking right out. Three months of being tempted by the change of season clothing like sundresses, shorts, tank tops and sandals. I can't say that I was a good girl the entire time. I came close to cheating SEVERAL times. Once, I was shopping with my sisters and mom (I do not recommend this if you're on a shopping ban. It's no fun to watch other people buy clothes). I found this fabulous navy blue and white peasant top that I could just picture with a white pair of shorts or a pair of jeans and a cute pair of flats. It had been a horrible week and the darn shirt was on clearance for an amazing $11. Against my better judgement, I picked the shirt up and carried it to the dressing room. Against my better judgement, I tried the shirt on. Just my luck, it looked fabulous. I walked around the store, shirt in hand and internal debate going on in my head. "You don't really need the shirt." "But it's so pretty!" "You're on a shopping ban." "It's so cheap!!" "You'll feel guilty after you buy it..." The argument continued as I walked up to the cash register. I could just feel the judgement being passed by my sister and mom. My rational side prevailed and I reluctantly walked back to the clearance rack and returned the shirt...a cute bargain for someone to find other than me. Temptation number two came in the form of a white linen dress at TJMaxx. Again, I ran into the clearance monster. It was adorable. It was perfect for summer. I could just picture wearing it to some of dad's campaign activities. I had a pair of bronze heels that would look AMAZING with this dress. Again, I made a trip to the dressing room (obviously, I'm a glutton for punishment). Twenty minutes of wandering around the store, I finally put the dress back and sulked out of the store. There are a million of little temptation stories I could share...a cute pair of shoes here, a jacket there....but the end of the story is, I resisted! I celebrated on Sunday by walking around Fayette Mall to BUY THINGS! Not just walk around and admire and feel jealous, but actually buy myself something. I ended up with two Anne Taylor shirts (both under $15, score!), a pair of flats and a pair of sandals. And I felt redeemed. I proved to myself that I could go three months without buying something for myself. I proved to other people that I was not materialistic and didn't have to buy a new article of clothing every time I made a trip to town. I can now go in a store and not feel the temptation to buy something every time. I can ignore the red clearance signs and just pick one thing. These past three months have been good for me. Unfortunately, I don't have a higher bank account balance due to my recent stomach issues, but my personal sense of accomplishment more than made up for it. So watch out malls! I'm free to shop again!!!

One room down, five more to go...

I am happy to announce that Phase One of declutter and organize my house is complete! The first task on my quest to organizational perfection was to attack (I mean that literally) our shared office/my art room. After browsing online and finding picture after picture of one perfectly organized office and craft room after another, I set it in my mind that I could do the same. I could make our office organized, pretty to look at and functional at the same time. When I set out to tackle this room, I never realized the amount of STUFF Marty and I had gathered over a year of marriage. Rolls of wrapping paper, acrylic paint bottles, a mountainous pile of Bluegrass Cellular pens and an endless supply of paper was the clutter that was taking over my life. There HAS to be a way to keep all the junk you need (and I was surprised how much of it we do need and couldn't just simply be thrown away) but keep it organized. With this in mind, my journey began. Target became my best friend. I picked up black media boxes, magazine holders and hanging file organizers for $3 apiece. I found a scrapbook storage box on sale for $2 thanks to a little nick in the side. Anything that looked halfway fashionable but could also double as storage and was cheap, I picked it up. I went through piles of old paperwork, magazines, newspaper clippings...wondering when I picked up the label of "packrat." Now that our stuff was organized, it was time to *gulp* paint. When we were in the process of buying our house, the builders had already painted most of the rooms when we entered the scene. They asked if I was okay with the color, and being the people-pleaser, conflict-avoider I am, I said it was just fine. And it is. It's a beautiful neutral shade of yellowish-tan that goes with almost everything in our house. Problem is, it's ALL over the house. When we started to move things out of the office, I saw the opportunity for color. A trip to Lowe's was planned. I practically skipped to the paint section, imagining all the possibilities. I drooled over Coral Passion, I fell in love with Tantalizing Teal and fantasized about Limolicious. When the time came to make a color purchase, I realized one very important thing: I am scared of color. Sure, Coral Passion looks beautiful on a 2"x4" card, but how's it going to look covering 4 walls of my room? What if I hate it?? How do I know what color is going to look good and make the room appear bigger than what it really is? Reluctantly, I left the paint section uncommitted to any certain shade and more confused than ever before. I showed my favorite paint samples and took a poll of several people and realized that I just needed to go for it...or in the words of my sister "Go big or go home." Yes, I may hate the color, but repainting the walls is an option (not one I would look forward to, but still an option). And if I don't take a risk, how will I ever know if it would have paid off? To Lowe's I returned. Two coats of Laguna Green later, I'm ecstatic. The black and white furniture looks AMAZING against the turquoise-y color and I couldn't be happier. Phase One is complete. :)

De-clutter....or else!

Ask anyone. At work, I am one of those insanely, super, sickeningly organized people. There is not a stray paperclip, loan document or manilla folder to be found. Everything is labeled, alphabetized and filed neatly away. I take pride in leaving my desk completely spot free at the end of everyday. If I need a paper, I know exactly where to find it at a moment's notice. Clutter sends me into a mini-panic and I quickly find a place for things that are set on my desk. I confess that I am semi-OCD when it comes to my workspace. I was never like this before. In college, I was too busy with extra-curricular activities, a part time job and college in general, that I really didn't care what my room looked like. Knick-knacks, papers, college books and dirty clothes were the story of my life. Now that I feel like an adult instead of a sloppy college student, I have shed my unorganized ways and my office is a true testament to the super organized person I strive to be. A few days ago, I had a customer walk into my office and promptly announce "Now THIS is what I want my office to look like." I beamed with pride. But then it made me think....what if she saw my house?? Would should wish she had the organization that I display in my home, or lack thereof? I spend 8 hours a day being OCD at work that by the time I make it home, I don't have the energy to be super organized there as well. When the customer complimented my uber-organization at work, I realized that I should be this organized at home too. I feel good when I'm at work, knowing that everything has a place. Shouldn't I feel just as good at home? So, I'm embarking on a major organizational overhaul. Focusing on one room at a time, I am going to make my way through my home, figuring out what works, what doesn't and most importantly, THROWING THINGS AWAY. Is it really necessary that I saved birthday cards from my 16th birthday? Or the map from Disney World where Marty and I got engaged? Yes, they're sentimental and I enjoyed looking at them, but in the end all it does is make for extra clutter. And in a fairly small house, clutter is not a good thing. This week begins "Operation Declutter-Organize-and Feel Good about my House." Task number one: attacking our office/my art room. At the risk of having all of you judge me, here are the before pictures, just so we can measure my growth:

As you can see, our office is kind of the catch-all room for everything. I had to move my dresses into the office because
there wasn't enough room in the master bedroom closet. Papers pile up in the desk drawers, books get shoved on the bookshelf, my art supplies sit out haphazardly around the room. In short, this room drives me absolutely insane. It makes the organized, OCD me want to scream. But the tired, worn out, I have 6 loads of laundry to finish me just can't find the energy to even begin. I began sorting through papers, mementos and odds and ends last night. I had no idea I was such a packrat. I took a trip to Target and purchased media boxes, file folders and magazine holders to help me in my quest to de-clutter. I organized my books and clothing and found my Helping Hand/yard sale pile growing larger by the minute. I organized file folders into paid bills, tax information and little newspaper clippings I couldn't bring myself to throw away. I can have mementos, as long as I have them organized. I am going to do this. To help me along, I've found some inspirations, thanks to google. I WILL have my office looking like some of these. If these ladies can be this ridiculously organized in their own homes, why can't I? Enjoy drooling over these pictures like I did:

It amazes me that they can mix organization, function and elegance in an office! I always thought of an office to be a place where your junk piled up and you only visited it to get on the internet. Not anymore! I am going to make my office the portrait of organization and beauty. If you have any organizational secrets, you'd love to share, send them my way. I've got a blank canvas and I can't wait to fill it with ideas :) I'll keep you updated on my journey to perfection (organizational perfection, that is).

Warning: Complaints Ahead.

What's the secret to getting a job right now? Is there some code word I don't know about, some certain experience I'm supposed to have listed on my resume, some personal connection I'm supposed to have that will guarantee my being hired to a company of my liking? Yes, I know I have a job. Yes, I know I should be thankful that I have somewhere to go every morning that enables me to make money and pay the bills. But is that all there is to life? Go to work, do your job, get paid, pay bills? What about ENJOYMENT? What about passion, drive, commitment, JOY?? I guess I was raised differently than some people, but I always thought that I would want a job that I loved, not just one that I focused on how much I made at the end of the day. Don't get me wrong, my current job is a good place to work, but it's not what I went to school for. It's not what I feel passionate about. It's not what I want to do with the rest of my life. What good is an agriculture degree at a financial institution? Is it bad to feel like I'm wasting my 4 years of college, my degree and the money paid to get it? I want to wake up every morning and look forward to going to work. I want to feel passionate about the work I'm doing. I want to feel like I'm making a difference. How am I supposed to get a job in agriculture and feel all of those things if no one will even give me the opportunity. Sure, I've had plenty of interviews, but the job always ends up going to someone that already works for that company. I can't tell you how tired I am of the phrase "Thank you for your interest in this position, but at this time we're selecting a candidate whose qualifications better meet our needs." A.k.a. "they already work for us, so they get first dibs." How is anyone from outside of the field supposed to break in? How are you supposed to gain that experience if no one's going to give you the chance to earn it?? I know I'm supposed to have a constant go-to attitude and be positive during my job hunt, but it's so discouraging. How are you supposed to remain eternally upbeat when you're repeatedly told you're not good enough? If someone has these job-landing secrets that I know nothing about, please pass them on. They'd be greatly appreciated.

Summer: friends, fireflies, and fiction books

Because of my recent stomach problems that have rendered me a slave to my heating pad and my bed, I have been able to catch up on a little reading I've been wanting to do. I have always had a love for reading. I guess it's genetic because everyone in my family reads. In fact, I consider the perfect day (aside from getting an all-expense paid trip to Disney World) to be one where I'm sitting outside with my favorite book, uninterrupted for hours. I'm that person that stayed up for almost two days straight reading the final Harry Potter book when it hit stores. I'm that person that would lie awake in bed reading a book until 2 am, knowing I had a test/class the next morning. I'm that person that, for Christmas, I asked my husband for a pre-order copy of my favorite author's newest publication--a gift I wouldn't get until March! In short, I'm a book nerd....I mean, worm. I love reading. Picking up a book, I'm able to forget about everything around me and become that character. I'm so involved in the story line, my house could be burning around me and I'd never notice. And personally, I don't have a problem with that. :) Since I've been able to read more than usual, I thought I'd recommend a few of my summer favorites:

"Notes from the Underbelly" and "Tales from the Crib" by Risa Green. Now, I have never been through pregnancy, experienced the hormones, or had to deal with sleepless nights and numerous dirty diapers, but I found these books to be absolutely hilarious. I would recommend these two books to anyone--mommy-fied or not. The books are written in such a way that you don't have to be a mom to understand what she's talking about, she just makes it entertaining. I found myself actually laughing out loud several times. So, if you're a mom-to-be, been a mommy for years, or just a future mommy, I suggest you pick these up for a laugh. And if you're a guy, I guess you can read them, laugh and then feel sorry for all the things that mommies go through. :)

Normally, I would have passed right over Risa Green's books. When I walk into Barnes and Noble, I walk head straight for the Christian Fiction books. I love books that are set in the historical time periods, especially ones that focus on God and make me feel good. And I look no further than my favorite author, Francine Rivers. Her books make me laugh, cry, read in awe and humble myself in hopes that my faith can be as strong as hers. If you haven't read any of Francine's books, I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY (can I say that enough?) recommend "Redeeming Love". It's a love story based on the biblical story of Hosea and Gomer--the prophet instructed by God to marry a prostitute. This hasn't been one of my recent summer reads, I'll admit, but I recommend this book to everyone I meet. It's my favorite book by far...I have 2 copies and have read it multiple (like 8 or 9?) times. It's wonderful. The faith that Michael Hosea, a farmer in California, displays for his wife Angel, a former prostitute, is heartwarming and almost makes me jealous. His faith in God is even more astonishing. If you're a fan of Christian fiction, this is a must-have book to add to your repertoire. Really, any of Francine's books, but this one especially.

Finally, continuing my Christian, feel-better-about-yourself-after-turning-each-page books, I'm currently reading "A Gentle Thunder" by Max Lucado. Ohh...my heart just clenches even thinking about this book. Max Lucado, for those of you that have never read his work, has a way of making you feel important. If you're having a day where you feel like God's not listening or is too important to care about your day-to-day worries, pick up a Max Lucado book. Here's a few quotes from "A Gentle Thunder" to give you an idea of how good you'll feel when reading:

"Welcome [birthdays] as mile-markers that remind you that you aren't home yet, but you're closer than you've ever been."

"If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it. If he had a wallet, your photo would be in it. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning. Whenever you want to talk, he'll listen. He can live anywhere in the universe, and he chose your heart. And the Christmas gift he sent you in Bethlehem? Face it, friend. He's crazy about you."

"It's certainly not easy for us to turn our lives over to the gardener. Even now, some of you are hearing the snip-snip-snip of his shears. It hurts. But take heart. You'll be better as a result. Besides, aren't you glad he thinks you are worth the effort?"

Smiling yet? Good. Go pick up a Max Lucado book.

Summer is the best time for me to get caught up on my reading...laying by the pool, trying to finish a few chapters before bed at night or just sitting in my car on my work break enjoying the sunshine. Since I've read through my stash (at least once) I'm open to recommendations :)

No? I don't believe I'm familiar with that word....

Hello, my name is Devan and I am an over-committer. If you ever want anything done, be sure and ask me to do it, because the words "no" or "I can't" or "I'm sorry, I just don't have the time" are just not in my vocabulary. This is how I came to be completely overbooked in the month of June. It started when a girl at work decided she was going to get married in the VERY short time frame of three months. The overachiever, event-planner-wannabe in me immediately jumped on the situation and assured her that we could absolutely throw a wedding together in 3 months. People do it all the time! I immediately got to work, researching wedding venues, scheduling a day to go dress shopping, pricing different area florists. I was absolutely convinced that I could do this. I could help her plan the whole thing...after all, I'd done it once before, how hard could it be? I also saw the personal benefits--if I was interested in maybe one day in the future being a wedding/event planner, I could use pictures from her wedding to start my very own portfolio. I convinced myself that this would be fairly painless. However, as the weeks passed by, my bride grew less and less interested..."Have you made an appointment with the florist?" "Not yet, but it's on my list of things to do..." "When are we having the rehearsal?" "Well, I just assumed we'd do it the night before...." Planning this wedding was going to be more of a challenge than I expected. Now, I find myself less than two weeks from the wedding date with a mounting list of things to finish for the ceremony. The creative side of me found all of these amazing ideas, like a fingerprint guest book tree (which are now sold on my website: http://www.RusticElegancecrafts.etsy.com), little pockets to hold the ceremony programs, making the unity candle myself.....and I wonder, how did I get in this situation? I didn't procrastinate. I've worked on at least one aspect of the wedding each week. How do I have so many things left to do? And then I remember....oh yes, it's because I'm an over-committer. I agree to make all of these wonderful things because I want her day to be special. And I don't consider logistics or time management or whether or not I can fit all of these things into my schedule. I agree to make all of these handmade things for the wedding, while also trying to undertake planning the bridal shower. While also trying to be a good bridesmaid (I'm failing miserably) for my long-distance best friend's wedding (which is two days before the co-worker's wedding). While scheduling doctor's appointments to get my stomach problems straightened out (for those of you that are wondering, it's IBS...yay me). While trying to start my online business (not many sales yet). Is it pathetic that I left work early one day so I could clean my house and pick up medicine at the pharmacy?? I have so many good intentions...sigh. There just aren't enough hours in the day to be an over-committer. If anyone would like to come give me lessons on how to properly say the word "no", I'd appreciate it. :)