spring things..

"It's a helluva start, being able to recognize what makes you happy."
Lucille Ball

This tree in our neighborhood..hundreds of huge blooms!

I saw an adorable photo today and thought of the movie, The Long, Long Trailer. It's a laugh out loud one that totally reminded me of our relationship, and how we never ever fight..only on road trips when we're arguing about directions! I don't know why it's so fun but it is. Because we're snapping at each other and as soon as we get to where we're going we start laughing about the fight and making fun of ourselves. That's the secret.

In the best scene he tells her she can't bring the rock specimens she's just collected onto the rv..she does it anyway. And she attempts to cook in the moving swinging trailer, it's the best.

We haven't been on vacation in a while, staying home and working on the house renovation instead. It's our five year wedding anniversary at the end of August and It's been just enough time since we last visited Chicago, we used to go a few times a year and even got engaged at the top of the Ferris wheel on Navy Pier.
I was 21, he was 23. Now it seems so young to me! But we fell in love over road trips and little adventures.

Pear blossoms are my very favorite, we had a giant pear tree in the front yard of the old farmhouse growing up..I still miss all of that open space.

If I have to be surrounded I prefer lovely old things, and bright fresh greenery.

It's been one of the prettiest spring seasons, so much beauty everywhere!

Sometimes you just have to look with different eyes. We've been enjoying the milder weather and taking walks around the neighborhood with Copper.

I've been trying to absorb it all, because just like that it's here and gone.

Mammoth acorn. The mature trees in our historic neighborhood are massive! You wouldn't believe how active and loud the birds are around here, they love them too.

Bringing a bit of nature inside, my spring mantle.

 Did some rearranging and spring cleaning,

Lu loves to lounge.

I can't believe what a hulking beast this guy has turned into..it's like holding a small fat dog. Lumen's getting his special surgery this weekend. He has no idea what's in store for him haha

We planted lots of flowers inside and out..

Blooming is the best part.

 Trying to eat a lot more vegetarian meals, avocado is always on hand.

But sometimes you just gotta make confetti cupcakes..

 

My vase and vessel collection has been getting a lot of use!

I've finally broken a lifelong habit of nail biting by taking the advice of my 1940's ad..

keep 'em pretty!

A few months ago I mentioned my health struggles and I've been trying out a new thyroid medicine..that made me gain all of the weight back that I worked so hard to take off last spring! That's 25 lbs!  I'm a petite person. And I didn't feel any positive effects, ugh.(and my hair started falling out) More depressing than depression. Nothing like when your body betrays you. I'm a bit of a control freak too, and feeling out of control of my body is getting to me. I'm working on finding a natural way to manage my Hashimoto's symptoms, I just want to feel like my normal happy self..it's tough.

Flowers and sunshine will always make me happy.

Have a lovely week!

winter weary

It turned into a perfect snowy scene for a bit around here.

This was one of those warm days right before it all melted. So quiet, all you could hear was the sound of plump birds rustling about in the brambles around this little semi-frozen pond.

Fresh air is good for the soul.

I dug into my cape collection for the first time this season, vintage and navy..two of my favorites!

Doubled up on the tights, an open weaved textured pair over basic thick ones- both in mint. A bit out of my usual comfort zone. I have what I like to call a "funny" bone in my right leg that curves strangely. My mom asked the Dr.about it growing up and he said they would have to "break it to make it perfect." No thanks.  But now I usually wear dark tights and try to not draw attention to my legs, I'm working on letting go of silly hang ups like that and embracing my quirks. Next it's my crooked little teeth haha! It's weird, I really love "flaws" on everyone else. 

My berets and beanies are coming in handy lately. I straightened my hair for the first time in forever..ah the joys of tirelessly growing out a pixie cut.

This winter has been taking its toll on me and I finally went to the Dr. for a check up for my thyroid autoimmune disorder (Hashimotos) and general run down-ness. I was diagnosed at around 10 but I haven't been treating it, or myself very well for that matter. Blood work was involved..needles are the worst. As someone who is afraid of going it's a small victory in itself, I kept putting it off.  I've been sad and anxious, and just haven't felt like my true self for far too long. A melancholy world. The hardest part for me was admitting that I can't fix everything on my own..and not being embarrassed about things I can't control.
 I'm headstrong and independent. And maybe a bit eccentric and aloof in general. Letting people in on how I'm feeling has always been tough for me. One of my goals this year is to take better care of myself. I'm on the right course and looking on the bright side!
 I've been busy on house renovations and living in a constant construction zone so I'm trying to get into some sort of schedule to balance everything out. I'm too all over the place most of the time to worry about myself and I need to make some changes.
It's my birthday week and Luke's on vacation, we're going to do some fun stuff around here. I'm excited!

Hope you have a great week!

all hallows eve

Mrs Lydia Deetz-Beetlegeuse?

Live people ignore the strange and unusual. I, myself, am strange and unusual.

This is my I'm really sick on the couch costume but I still want to dress up to watch movies. I came down with a horrible cold a few days ago, still not fully recovered. Used a chip clip as a hair clip sick, just dreadful.  My hands and feet are icicles even though I'm cuddled up under blankets and cozy clothes! I blame the Hashimotos. And this cold old house. I'm still trying to get into the spirit with as many traditions as possible..the epic movie marathon included Edward Scissorhands, Beetlejuice, Hocus Pocus, and Arsenic and Old Lace. All musts in my book! Homemade popcorn balls too!

My friends think my staircase looks like the one in Beetlejuice!

Complete with ripped down wallpaper haha

Are you holed up somewhere with a Ouija board,candles,portable record player..thought so. Knew you were cooler than me haha

I did watch the new AHS..what the what?! Gotta get kooky on Halloween, I'll never look at Babe the same way again..

Wherever you are I hope your Halloween's a happy one!

midweek menagerie

A collection of thoughts and things..

"You expected to be sad in the fall. Part of you died each year when the leaves fell from the trees and their branches were bare against the wind and the cold, wintery light. But you knew there would always be the spring, as you knew the river would flow again after it was frozen."— Ernest Hemingway, A Moveable Feast

Moto-

I'm probably the girliest tomboy you'll ever meet. I grew up climbing trees, catching little creatures(mice and toads mostly haha) working on cars, and riding motorcycles.(Mom is a social worker(helps feed families) and I love to volunteer) My dad is an auto body mechanic and I was required to help him work on projects..I say required because at the time I absolutely HATED it. At 14 I would have much rather been hanging out with friends or playing with my hair/makeup, instead I was hanging out in a garage,under a car, covered in grease. (weekends I had to work at the auto shop in st.louis but sometimes I would get to stop in the rainbow clothing store on the way home) In high school we spent an entire year restoring a 70's chevelle from the ground up..took it completely apart. It went from a dusty shell to a glorious muscle car. 454 big block Ls6. Astro blue(black stripes). Driving around town in it was like being a celebrity..people literally waved and wanted to talk to us wherever we went. Not to mention it was a great conversation starter with my crush who also had a classic car haha

I ride dirt bikes and my dad loves to tell the story about how I made it up a super steep hill while grown men were laying their bikes down..I think I made it to the top out of sheer terror because once I cleared the hill I promptly tumped over. I had the gnarliest bruise for a couple weeks. I even wanted to be in a local race.. you know,be the girl that beats the guys and at the end remove my helmet to reveal flowing locks haha!

As much as I used to resent my dad for making me do "guy stuff" I appreciate the fact that I can now hold my own with the boys. I know more about cars than my husband and can change a tire and check my own oil. I'm strong and soft, and that's just perfect to me.  

Newest guilty pleasure-

BBC's Being Human. I recently discovered this on Netflix after searching for the US version. I always have to have some kind of vampire/sci-fi show in my life and this one has everything I love. A ghost,werewolf,and vampire sharing a flat and trying to fit into normal society.

Baby,it's cold inside-

We live in a giant historic brick house with no central air/heat. This is our second winter here and we're still trying to figure out the most practical way to heat it. It doesn't help that my Hashimotos disease makes me super sensitive to cold, my hands and feet are like ice. Luke has these warm old thermals that I've been wearing, cute right?! haha. I'm ready for Always Sunny tonight!

Anyone else feeling down due to the cold/dreary weather?