Getting my life back, one scoop of dirt at a time.

Do you realize that I thrive on "dirt therapy"? I mean, I really like to dig, and plant and even weed.

Over the past few years our yard has become completely out of control. Too many injuries, too little time. We have also realized that fresh starts are more our style than maintenance. It has to do with our upbringing. Both of us.

This year Pat has developed a passion for taking back the landscaping. Last week he pulled out a bunch of bushes, weeds and other manner of detritus in the yard. We realized the shrubs he pulled out were hand-me-downs! Who ever heard of such a thing! They came from my parents’ house when they re-landscaped ten years ago and they just refused to die. They are gone!

Today the boys and I put in a nice bed of perennials. When Spencer and I were shopping, he was convinced I was buying too many plants. I assured him I had done this before and knew what I was doing.

I am thrilled with the result!

Busy weekend!

This weekend was probably the busiest weekend I have had in quite a long time.

Our church hired a new youth pastor over the summer. With new people come new ideas, new directions and new...paint! We spent the weekend transforming the youth area. It was quite an exciting project. The boys and I and one of Ian's friends went in on Friday afternoon to start. The room started out this color.

It ended up these colors!!



Yes, I know this looks quite scary and I must admit I was a bit sceptical when I saw the swatches, but it looks amazing! I will try to get a shot of the room. They completely rearranged everything and makes ME want to be in there!

After painting until 9pm on Friday, we came home and crashed. Then the boys and I got up and were downtown by 8:45 to walk.

As soon as we finished I headed back to the church to paint some more. Ian had his friend over to celebrate his birthday and then it was up early to sing this week at church.

Needless to say, I crashed for about an hour when I got home on Sunday afternoon.

Pat made it home safe and sound and now I am ready to start the week, although I really feel like I need a vacation instead!

My kid is so smart, no really, he is.

Friday I bought a new purse. I was pretty excited because I needed a new purse. I seem to have outgrown my last one. Anyway, I got it home and started the process of changing purses. I opened it up to remove any stray packing paper and silicone drying packs. As I buried my face in the purse for the final check of things that didn't belong to me, I was surprised to find...


...a STENCH!


Eww. This was not a stench that I was going to be able to live with. What to do? I was whining about it to Ian and he said just take it back and get another one.


I got a great deal on this purse. It was on clearance. I was starting to think maybe I knew why. I stuck my nose in the purse again. Could I possibly deal with this smell? Definitely not!




Ian suggested I buy a pack of Doublemint gum, open it up and put the pieces in there. Hmmm. Interesting concept.



I am happy to report that today I am loading up my minty fresh purse with all of my stuff!


Thanks Ian! You rock!