I Have Bad Ideas

Here I am hanging curtain rods, being all handy and precise. Look at the use of that level!

As Thanksgiving quickly approaches, it is clear that once again, I have overestimated my abilities and capacity to get things done and underestimated the amount of time it takes to complete my "vision." A few months ago, I began a minor overhaul of our downstairs. For whatever reason, I always start from the back of the house and work my way forward. I clean from the laundry room to the bathroom, to the keeping room, to the dining room, to the kitchen, and end with the home office and living room. My minor overhaul has followed the same pattern. I did my laundry room a few years ago, the bathroom last year, and the keeping room a few months ago. Now, I am working on the dining room.

I had grand visions of completing my dining room and kitchen for Thanksgiving. However, I will consider it a success if I finish the dining room in time for the big day. I painted the room from top to bottom. I thought it would go quickly because of all the windows. I thought wrong. The time it took me to cut in around all the windows and trim work was tedious. I did the first coat, went on vacation, and came home to do the second coat, only to discover that I couldn't wait a week between coats and have it come out evenly. So, a third coat was needed. Sigh.

I painted the floor tiles because I hate the pinkish-tinted tile. Jordan told me I needed to paint the grout lines because "it would add something to the room." So I sat on my now old, flat bottom and painted grout lines only to cover most of the floor with a new oriental rug. I like the rug; the grout lines add nothing to the room. Lesson: don't take decorating advice from a moody teenager who makes fun of you, your flat, old bottom, and your willingness to listen to their bad advice.

With the painting completed, I thought the room would come together quickly. Haha! That is a joke. Over the weekend, I decided to refinish my dining room table. The final kiss of death on the table finish was when Jordan set a hot iron on the table and walked away for a few minutes. There was a very noticeable burn mark in the finish. It was not cute or charming, like the paint marks or scratches created during childhood from art projects. I got the grand idea to strip the finish, sand the table, and refinish it, thinking it would take me a day. I put the last coat of polyurethane on the tabletop yesterday. I bought the wrong size curtain rods to add to the self-imposed chaos. My sheers are an inch too long; the ribbon I purchased to outline my custom drapes is not thirty yards, but three, and my vision for reimagining an old table into a matching pair of sideboards will take more time and effort than I currently have. Oh, let us not forget that the stupid window between the dining room and the sunroom will be covered with a custom chalkboard on the dining room side, and bookshelves on the sunroom side aren't even started yet. Sigh, I am so bad at time management.

Let me also add that I waited until the absolute busiest time of our business year to begin this project, and you can quickly see how poorly planned this project really is. I am a cotton-headed ninny-muggins. By the time I put in eight to ten hours in the studio, I don't feel like doing anything at the house. It also doesn't help that it gets dark at 4:30, and I have been going to bed at 7:30. I genuinely have very old-lady-like behaviors. I am obnoxious, open mouth, yawning if I am still awake at 9:00. Sadly, I can still remember being able to stay up all night working on a project and still having the energy to complete a full day the next day. Where, oh where, has that ability gone? It's probably gone down the same path as my metabolism and growth hormones. Sigh.

I will only have curtains on my windows for Thanksgiving because of my talented friend, Janet. Janet graciously agreed to hem my too-long sheers and sew my custom drapes. I had grand visions of sewing my curtains and the professional results that would ensue, only to realize I was truly disillusioned about time and abilities. Janet will indeed create beautiful, professional quality drapes, while mine would look like a kindergartner with ADD lost focus halfway through and cut all kinds of corners to get it done. Or, more accurately, they would look like a heap of fabric stuffed in a tote that is never to be completed. I have a lot of totes.

Despite the incompleteness of my dining room decor, I plan to cook a Thanksgiving feast to wow my family and friends. The Bibbed Wonder fusses at me "to take it easy" on Thanksgiving. He keeps sending me ads for made-to-order meals and restaurants that offer Thanksgiving dinner and has even declared we should order Chinese food. The Bean finally told him to stop with his campaign for an easy Thanksgiving. She stated, "You know mom will do what she wants. Just stop." I want to cook. I like to cook the Thanksgiving meal. It makes me feel close to my dad, builds memories, and makes me happy. I will be exhausted and perhaps a bit grumpy afterward, but it will all be worth it.

So, as much as I hate to admit it, I created a poor plan with poor timing. My holiday will not be held in the perfect environment I imagined. However, the feeling of the holiday will still be there. Unless Eric makes me order Chinese food, then there will be a new level of moodiness he has not experienced, and he has experienced a lot with me in the last twenty-two years. Martha Stewert will be disappointed with my acceptance of my reality and lack of integrity in completing my project promptly. Sigh, I can strive for perfection for Christmas...or maybe after the New Year...definitely by spring.

On this snowy November day, stay safe, be smarter than I am, don't start projects that are too big to complete during your busiest season, don't tell Martha Stewert I let her down, and keep washing your hands.

The Future Is Bright

The Best Group: Fayette County FFA

This month is filled with excitement and anticipation. I love the holiday season. To me, the holidays begin with Halloween, my favorite holiday. Then, we move into my second favorite and most nostalgic holiday, Thanksgiving. I love Thanksgiving because my dad loved Thanksgiving. Last but not least, we end with Christmas. Although it is third on my list, I love it because it is Jordan's favorite holiday. An excited child makes everything magical.

Making the season even more exciting is that this is our busiest time of year. I love the hustle and bustle in the studio. My bib overall-wearing buddy thrives on fast-paced pressure. It has been a good season. Even more exciting is our list of fundraisers happening in the next few weeks. Fundraisers have become my new favorite part of our little business. I'm unsure if it is the element of surprise: I wonder how this organization did with their fundraiser? Or if it's knowing our products are helping to make a dream possible or helping someone meet a goal. Perhaps it's the fact that I get a little peek inside a classroom again? More than likely, it is all three.

Yesterday, we had the pleasure of driving to Fayette County Technical Institute and delivering the products sold by the FFA for a fundraiser. The students did an excellent job with their fundraising, which has been the most successful fundraiser we have done to date. Adalyn, the FFA leader, is so sweet, professional, and lovely to work with. Working with her and her group for two years has been a pleasure. With each fundraiser they do, their profits improve. It's fun to see the growth of the fundraisers when they are annual events. Adalyn and her students did a terrific job.

I also enjoy having the opportunity to meet the individuals who make the magic happen. Adalyn welcomed us into her classroom, where we met her students and saw all the incredible opportunities and innovations she had created for them. Their interactions made it clear that Adalyn is well-loved by her students, and the feeling is reciprocated. I can't say enough nice things about this group. They were helpful, polite, enthusiastic, and engaging. As soon as I stepped out of the car, I was greeted by a Nigerian Dwarf goat on a lead. I want to say the young girl at the end of the lead was in charge, but it was apparent little Chip was in charge. The FFA cares for two Nigerian Dwarf goats for the winter. In nice weather, the goats reside at the elementary school. In the cold months, the high school kids get to hang out with, play with, and care for two of the fattest little goats I have ever seen. What an excellent opportunity for the kids.

We also saw the new greenhouse recently added to the program and the exciting space Adalyn has created for her students to learn. I was impressed with the classroom and the students. I was even more impressed when Adalyn shared that her program has grown from seventeen kids to nearly fifty in just two years. That speaks well for her as a person and a teacher. Even more impressive, the majority of the new students are young women. How wonderful it is to see such interest and participation by young women in a program primarily dominated by young men. I saw a bright future for agriculture and small, farm-based businesses. Being in that classroom and around those kids gave me hope for the future.

To make a rewarding experience even better, I received a message from Haylee, one of the three top sellers. We make a practice of giving a gift to the organization leader, as well as the top sellers for the fundraiser. For the Fayette FFA, three students were within pennies of each other. Haylee was one of the top three sellers that received a gift. She took the time to message me and thank me for the gift. I was so impressed with this young woman. Most adults, let alone teenagers, don't take the time to write a thank you. That one act tells me this young woman is going far. I was impressed and touched.

Another young woman visited our website and wrote a glowing review of our products, business, and fundraiser. The best news was she shared that our fundraiser helped her earn all the money she needed to attend the Pennsylvania State Farm Show this year. This information made my day, probably my month. I feel good knowing in a small way; we helped this hard-working young person achieve their goal. That's a pretty awesome feeling.

If you are searching for a way to help an organization meet a goal or create an opportunity, we happily (and I mean this sincerely) offer a fundraising option. It's a simple process, and the profit margin is higher than most fundraising options. The products are nonperishable, of the highest quality, and useful. We have received the highest reviews on our fundraiser. If you require information, there is a fundraising button on the taskbar at the top of the website, or send us a message. We would love to put you on our fundraising schedule.

On this foggy November morning, stay safe, be smart, and know the future is bright. There are a lot of terrific kids out there; helping people feels good. And, of course, keep washing your hands, especially if you work with kids.

Tuesday Spotlight: Milk, Honey and Oatmeal

This week's spotlight shines on our popular Milk, Honey, and Oatmeal soap. The scent is soft and delicious, and the honey makes a lovely, thick lather. The oatmeal is excellent for gentle exfoliation and easing dry, itchy skin. With the upcoming cold weather, our skin needs a little extra TLC.

After gently exfoliating with our Milk, Honey, and Oatmeal soap, I suggest following up with our thick, rich moisturizer. The moisturizer helps lock in the moisture and aids in healing dry, rough skin. For an extra refreshing treat, store the moisturizer in the refrigerator for a cooling, soothing effect. Chilled moisturizer is especially delightful after working outside.

Allow our products to help you get your skin into shape before winter. Whether stocking up on a favorite, trying something new, or purchasing a thoughtful gift, now is a great time to save. As always, no promo code is needed for the weekly special. The savings are exclusive to the website and will be applied at checkout.

On this overcast Tuesday, stay safe, be smart, enjoy the savings, care for your skin, and keep washing your hands.