No Excuses Here

Sigh. I know posts have been few and far between lately. I'm not going to offer any excuses or go into a long post about how there needs to be more balance in my life or that this blog has been so successful that it's gotten away from me...mostly because neither of those statements are true.

I will tell you that this blog was started to let me combine my love of writing and my need to create something (anything), and maybe show it off to friends. The combination has worked out nicely for the most part, but this business of blogging is strange when the thrill of comments, followers, features, etc are thrown into the mix...see that word 'business'?

Keeping up with the Jones' has never been important to me, but blogging seems to encourage a morphed sort of KUWTJ that is constantly trying to suck me in. The pull of the need to see what's going on, who's doing what, who's having a giveaway, who's making it into the big leagues is strong, strong, strong, I tell ya. Some bloggers have made this into a business; my purpose was never to make it one and I lost my way a bit.

My solution? Get back to my original purpose and just write about what I want, and create when and whatever moves me at the moment. Write stuff that my family might think is funny, and let my friends ooh and ahhh over my little projects; just have fun with the blog.

All the ads are gone from the blog, and my followers gadget too. I'll probably redesign the whole thing...when the spirit moves me. If you want to keep up with me, you can always bookmark my blog, subscribe via email (you won't get a bunch of emails from me, that's a promise!), or check out my page on facebook.

I sincerely appreciate everyone who makes time to stop by and read my words, checks out my pictures, and takes the time to comment. The comments always make me feel like a million bucks!

That's all, just in case you were wondering what in the world was happening with my blog. As for me personally, I'm still hanging out on vacation at the lake. My sister's kitchen makeover Part Two is happening this weekend. I found some new thrift stores, but haven't started any projects lately. Summer is hot and I'm doing my best to enjoy the moment; hope you all are too!

Fridays Letters - The Summer Edition

Dear readers, 

The last time we were together, I said my summer was going to be full of wine, lake living, and exercise. Well, exercise has certainly been on the menu! My sister and I spent a week wrestling, swearing, whining about successfully dealing with tannin stains in order to prep her cabinets for painting:

The actual paint goes on in a few weeks. It's going to be BEE - U - TEE - FULL!!

We also ran a little every day; nothing like jogging with your sister. In 95 degree heat. She's toughening me up ;)

As for the wine, we also decided to not eat or drink past 8:00 pm, in order to give our bodies a chance to have a 12-hour fast and to burn some fat. It's been almost impossible easy to not have anything but water after 8:00. So far, so good!

Dear Global Warming,

Sorry I doubted you.

Dear Crazy, Cycling Neighbors,

You have had a little while to get your cycling legs under you. I have been barely jogging, but not cycling. Maybe taking me out for a 20 mile bike ride in 96 degree heat was a bit much...unless you were trying to kill me? Good thing my sister had me running every day to acclimate me to sweating buckets exercising in this heat.

at 7.8 miles...only 12.2 to go...

Dear Goodwills in this area,

Thank you for always coming through for me. I found a bunch of little things to transform into decorative pieces with my DIY chalk paint. Thanks for also not jacking up the prices.

Dear Hydrangeas,

Wow, you have EXPLODED!! As have all the plants around my deck. Guess not pruning last year was a good thing. Hydrangeas for everyone :) 

They're usually pink, but there's an explosion of blue and purple this year. So pretty!

No, really...feel free to clip some to display in your home. I can't possibly use them all.

A window from the old cottage that we saved in the remodel, an old ironstone pitcher that makes a perfect vase - my favorite summer display.

Dear Pinterest,

I'll be looking for 'drying hydrangeas' pins soon. Of course, I'll forget what I was looking for the instant I see that transformed dresser/cool jewelry/yummy dessert recipe/funny e-card...

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer!!