5 DIY Projects.

Pinterest really has me thinking about DIY projects. I like to be hands on. I've tried several times to talk myself into buying a groupon for a maid or for a month of meals but in the end I always back out. I like to do things for myself. There's some sense of satisfaction in completing projects, on my own.

Pinterest is DIY on crack, though. I can't imagine doing EVERYTHING by hand instead of buying it. Ever. Time is money and most the time I'd rather spend the money to save the time. But I sat down the other day and thought what would I consider doing myself, either for the fun of being hands on or for the money it would save. Here's a few ideas I got from pinterest that I DO want to try:




Enamel Painted Vases. I love these and the blog post I've linked to boasts that she found the vases at the dollar store. This would be a fun project that could jazz up book shelves quick. I also love the idea of being able to custom make the color you want to go with the room.

Freezer Crock Pot Meals. I pinned a while back a blog where a woman teaches you how to make crock pot meals, in ziplock bags, to freeze! Then you pull them out, toss them in the crock pot and ta da!...dinner. I love this idea. It's a DIY version of Dinner Done, in my mind. This seems worth the time and effor tto me especially if you made a few at a time on Sunday afternoon.

Homemade Laundry Soap. I think laundry soap is incredibly over priced and am constantly annoyed by spending money on it. Not only would this be a fun project and a money saver but I actually think this could be a cute house warming gift, if you put it in a pretty glass bottle (like a large wine bottle) with instructions. I've agreed to help a friend do some spring cleaning in 2 weeks, I think I will try'n make a batch before then and give her some as well.

Body scrub. I never would have thought of this myself but DIY body scrub makes so much sense to me. After making my own face exfoliator last week, I'm really rethinking this and liking the idea more and more. Again, this would make a great gift! You could mess up the kitchen making a few at a time and have them onhand for guests, gifts, or at home spa nights.

Homemade Seasonings. I think seasonings are a big fat waste of money - so I love this idea. I want to make these for myself as well as possibly as gifts in the future. I think this would be a cool thing to receive from someone!

What DIY projects has pinterest inspired you to try? Was it worth the effort? Did it really save you money?

Love,

B

Surprise!

Well, it won't come as a surprise to you all that with gifts as my love language, I love holidays! I love an excuse (or will do so with no excuse) to send out cards or put together presents. It brings me so much joy to give people things, no matter how big or small. If you're not familiar with the 5 love languages you should check it out, it's taught me so much about how to relate to people in a way that makes THEM feel loved. But anyway...

Easter is one of what I like to call the awkward holidays. Not because Easter isn't super important, especially for those of us with Christian beliefs. But unlike Christmas and Thanksgiving for those of us with no local family - what exactly are you supposed to do with holidays like Easter? There's not really enough time off work to go home (plus that's wicked expensive) but it still has that feel of requiring family. It doesn't seem like you should spend a holiday with as much faith important as Easter alone or just hanging out poolside with friends...it needs something more than that, right? So, what?

Well sorry, this blog post won't actually contain the answer to that (although for me, this year at least, it will involve spending some quality time with Thomas and his family). This blog is actually about the creating of the ultimate Easter baskets. My Mom use to make us Easter baskets every year, even after we'd gone away to college (I don't, however, think were getting them this year...hmm) and I use to love getting them. They usually had a few fun items, a few practical, and some candy.

So I texted Marta & Lindsay and asked them if they wanted to go on an Easter basket making adventure with me Sunday afternoon. We met at my house at 3:00 and departed. The adventure included fro yo, 3 stores, a lot of laughter, an embarrassing video of me ranting about ping pong and Forrest Gump, Marta squeezing in the world's tiniest shopping cart, and 3 days of the boys trying to guess just what we had in store for them.


These weren't your typical brightly colored baskets full of jelly beans....

From left to right: Thomas's, Brenton's, & Zach's easter baskets for 2011. Containing everything from party cookbooks and beard trimmers to iphone cases and pastel ties to fedoras and chick flicks - we think we made the best Easter baskets ever. I have to say, Brent's being in a storm trooper head (that talks) may take the cake for this years most creative but hey, there's always next year.

I think each of the boys enjoyed their surprise and got a few things they love and/or need. Truthfully, we probably had even more fun making them than they did receiving them, but there's nothing wrong with that - right?

I hope each of you has a Happy, Christ-filled Easter filled with people you love.

Love,

B

Using Your Gifts.

Are you using your gifts? This was a question that was recently posed to our church congregation on a Sunday morning but I think can go beyond those of faith. We all have gifts and talents and we are most fulfilled in life when we're able to use them, don't you think?

I have strange talents. I'm not particularly coordinated but I happen to be excellent at organizing things. I'm not sure if this came naturally or if it's the product of my OCD combining with my current career in administration/events that has built me into the organizational maniac I have become.

Well the rubber meets the road this week, kids, because I'm entering into a new volunteer role at least for the next 3 months (at which point I will reanalyze). I'm going to assist with the church softball league in helping them with schedules, rosters, data entry, photography (another gifting of mine), and in general just getting them organized and put together with the man in charge of the league.

Random, I know, for a girl who doesn't know much about any sport other than football - but time to branch out.

If you haven't thought about what you're great at lately and put it to good use, there's no time like the present. Get in there and use your gifts. If you need help thinking of creative ways to do that, well I might just be able to help. Shoot me an e-mail @ thequeenbc@gmail.com and I'll make some suggestions and talk it through with you.

Love,
B

Never say never.

You have probably heard it said, 'never do for free what you can do for work'.  Or some version of that quote.  Normally, I'm inclined to agree.  I would hesitate to ever recommend that you 'volunteer' to do work in your given field.  However, with all the gifts we're given we have the opportunity to bless people and sometimes the 'payment' you receive from doing this for 'free' is worth far more than the monetary value of your service.

Don't go rush off and offer to work a day a week for free or anything crazy...but consider how your gifts and talents can be used to bless people.  You may find that the person most blessed by the experience is you.  Not the reason to do it of course but a nice little bonus.  Besides what goes around comes around.

When I was studying photography in college I had the opportunity to do a really nice project for a family that was close to mine.  I was able to count the project both for school and bless them with hand developed photos of their kids that would have been outrageous if they'd paid a professional.  Normally, I charged people for my work.  I made a good bit of money doing freelance work while still in school studying.  This particular family however, I just wanted to do something nice for them.  They did feed me a great lunch of pb&j during the shoot too. : ]

To this day (it's been 5 or so years now) one of those pictures is hanging in their living room.  The husband was able to have it matted, mounted, and framed as a gift to his wife that year.  I can't tell you how many times they thanked me for my work.  Not to mention how wide spread the word about my skills got as they told everyone I made it for them.  If I'm being completely honest here, I had a blast.  I love their family and enjoyed spending a day with them.  Developing pictures of their boys was fun!  But most of all I'd never had a client that was grateful!  I felt blessed.

Recently this came full circle and a long time family friend of ours did me an even greater 'favor'.  I was not expecting it (nor was the family I helped) but when she blessed me with serving me free of charge (in her given field) it brought tears to my eyes.  I would have gladly paid and she would have been worth every cent and more.  But for her to take her gift and use it to benefit me with no reward to her, blessed my heart for days (not to mention my budget for this month)!

So my lesson of the day is just that - blessings are worth your time and effort.  Bless someone with your talents and I hope that each of you will also be blessed by someone else's.  

Love,

B

Hello 24.

So scared of getting older
I'm only good at being young
So I play the numbers game to find a way to say that life has just begun
Had a talk with my old man
Said help me understand
He said turn 68, 
you'll renegotiate
Don't stop this train
Don't for a minute change the place you're in
Don't think I couldn't ever understand
I tried my hand
John, honestly we'll never stop this train

John Mayer, Stop this Train

Today I am a year older. A year wiser? Perhaps. This year has certainly not been without it's share of stretching moments. I have grown up more in my year of being 23 than in any year prior. I suppose that's what living on your own, in the 'real world' does to one. But I admit that I'm sad to see 23 go. It has been an incredible year and I would relive it again & again.

When I started this blog I struggled to decide what I would name it...the theme over the past year of my life has been just that, I'm scared of getting older. While I got an amazing education at the Purdue University, no one prepares you e to struggle through your first big disagreement at work, or really budget when you're living on your first salary, or all the details that come with buying your first home (mine's been in the works a year and I still feel clueless).  I've finally gotten good at being young. So now what? I'm 24. Who defines old? I feel so much older than I did at 21 or 22. I'm out of school, out of debt, and out of Indiana. I'm self aware, self sufficient, and self confident (usually).

The question remains now, am I still scared to get older? Sometimes. When I think that getting older comes with losing loved ones and leaving behind the carefree ways of youth. I've given up much of my childish ways but I've got a few I'm not ready too.  I never want to be too old to curl up with my Daddy, even if I have to watch golf!  I never want to outgrown watching movies with my parents and making my Momma scratch my back.  I refuse to believe I'll ever be too old to lay on top of my baby sister while she's trying to ignore me and watch TV because she doesn't like to be cuddled.    I will never be too old to make mixed CDs of radio songs and drive around singing with my Rae.

What takes the fear out of growing up for me now is that as I've stepped out in faith and begun the process, God has been there to guide me along the way.  I've had a few meltdowns, temper tantrums, and screams but even through the hardest moments of 23 did I ever feel alone.  God has provided me with an amazing family, wonderful friends, and a book with all the answers.  If I'm making one non-secret birthday wish for 24 it's that I would seek Him first will all my heart and quit leaning on my own understanding (or lack thereof).  

People are always pushing independence and self sufficiency. I believe that in some ways those are great qualities.  However, there's not enough emphasis placed on a little dependency.  I depend on God to get me through every crazy, beautiful, awkward, joyful,  and hard day of my life.  I depend on my family not to be perfect but to be there.  To be excited and welcome me back with open arms every time I need to come home and unwind (or act 5 again).  And yes, 'I get by with a little help from my friends'.  I depend on them to coach and cheer me through this crazy little thing called life.  To call me out when I'm messing up.  To push me when they know I need to do better.  And to never let me give up, even when I feel like it.

I'd like to end my birthday post with a few thank you's.  Thank you God for your grace, I'd be lost without it.  Thank you to my incredible family - you are the best 'present' I've ever received.  Not a day goes by that I don't feel blessed to have each of you in my life.  A special thank you to my friends both old and new, I wouldn't want to do life without you.  After years of searching for great friendships I have finally found some.  You know who you are, and I hope you know every day how much you mean.  'I thank my God every time I remember you'.  And lastly, but not least thank you to each of you who has been reading my crazy blog over the past weeks, months, or year.  Your comments encourage me and your blogs have taught me much.

I sadly say goodbye to 23, which was the best year yet.  But here's to 24 knocking the socks off 23.

Don't for a minute change the place you're in.

Love,

B