This time next week I’ll be wrapping up another trip to Nashville. Have you ever been? It’s pretty cool and it’s become an annual pilgrimage for us {you can read about some favorite spots and trip dos and don’ts here and here} I’m equally parts excited and queasy as per usual. It seems surreal since we first started planning to attend this music conference in January and now I feel like I barely turned around good and it’s September!

And because I apparently love to schedule everything at once, it also falls one week before our next vintage show… nothing like a tight deadline and impending trip to make one question their sanity.

Being on the hunt all summer for merchandise and on the hook to repurpose, clean and create has left little time to write {and I’ve missed y’all!!} but I felt the pull to pop in and share a few truths and treasures I’ve discovered this summer.

Some silly and some serious… but this is how life is. A delicate dance between the insane and the inspiring.

Without further ado, here we go!

1. Our lives don’t have to be all or nothing. If you, like me, are tempted to berate yourself when you fail to be consistent or achieve your goals, realize this: just being a little better than the day before is still a win.

2. Making goals may not work for everyone. I struggle with goal setting– 90 day, SMART goals, life goals- you name it– I’ve set them all and blown most of them. BUT here’s the blinding flash of the blatantly obvious that struck last week: Having goals doesn’t make your life magically better, but forming good habits does…

3. And speaking of good habits, here’s one to start: the art of preparing ahead. {it’s kinda rocking my world…} It could be making lunches the night before, setting out materials the morning of for a project, figuring out what to wear {or pack waaaay before the morning you leave on a trip…trust me on this one…}, or updating our calendar consistently but the payoff we feel after being proactive is exponential. My friend and I even exercised this skill in prepping for the show and playing with booth layout for 9/30.{it just might actually all fit…}

4. Naps are our friends. I’m sorry it took so long to learn this.

5. How to raise kittens. Well, their mama raised them, we just fostered them. It’s not for the faint of heart and though you say you will not be attached, it’s a lie. They grow on you… like a furry fungus.

6. We always have a choice. We choose anger or we choose love. Feelings are sneaky, but actions– what we do and what we say is our choice.

7. Old photos on display = happiness. 

8. How to modge -podge chairs (or how to hodge podge it as the husband calls it…)

9. How NOT to make chalk paint with plaster of paris…refer to the modge-podging above which may or may not have been used to soften that blow…

10. It’s ok to drive a mini-van even if you’re not a soccer mom or don’t have little kids… here’s your permission, you’re welcome. {Is it sad to say a 10 year old van is the nicest thing I’ve driven in 7 years…? And just think of the treasures I can fit in it!!}

11. Scrolling Facebook is draining. Sometimes we need to keep in touch but if we’re looking for more life giving amusements– music, writing, crafting and yes, sometimes cleaning are way more beneficial…

12. What to do when you encounter a box full of vintage Christmas light bulbs at an estate sale…

13. Cats can fit in baby clothes size 0-3… which cracks me up and makes me wish I had known this 2 years ago!

14. Confidence is just the willingness to try and our lives can be changed in 5 seconds…

15. Perfection is overrated. Progress is what we should strive for. Inch by inch. Day by day as my Daddy says. 

16. Kitschy Christmas remains a favorite… and this little Santa shelf sitter dug out of another estate sale can be simultaneously cute or creepy depending on whom you ask… what’s your vote?

17. It’s never a bad idea to ask for help…

{thanks to my husband for his painting efforts leading up to the show… I’ll make sure you get your cut…!}

So long, Summer of ’17. We have learned much and forgotten more I’m sure. You have not been without your quirks and heartaches but you were beautiful just the same.

Tell me about your summer or what’s on your plate for fall!?

♥

I’ve also been dabbling in some new software to create pretty printables like this one below for you!

Put your email here and not only will you get a set of scripture cards, you’ll also receive this positive print!

Use the quotes as journaling prompts or print them out to remind you of God’s grace and goodness.

See you in your inbox soon!

♥

 

 

Thank you to these lovely ladies who faithfully host the parties below!

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#Graceandtruth

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#WriterWednesday

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#Sittingamongfriends

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#dancewithjesus

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