{I've lost my shovel}

So remember how I have been talking about slowing down and finding balance?

Hmm...turns out I'm not taking my own advice.

If I can be completely honest...today I went home on my lunch break with a horrible headache. I couldn't get a kitchen cabinet door to shut so I punched it. Then I screamed. Then I sobbed so uncontrollably that I scared myself.

Friends...I think that means I'm a tad overwhelmed?

I don't want this to scare you or make you worry too much about me...I'm going to be OK. But, whoa this life has me feeling suffocated right now. 

Layers upon layers upon layers of life's responsibilities have piled on top of each other and today I felt a bit like I lost my shovel. And I've always had horrible upper body strength to begin with.

I don't know what I need to do, but I know I need to do something. I've had more venti lattes in the past week than I care to admit. 

Yesterday I went to McDonald's and comforted myself with a large coke and chicken nuggets, with BBQ sauce of course. Yum that stuff is heaven, is it not? Oh yes...I am a comfort eater/drinker for sure.

So I'm overwhelmed and 10 pounds heavier. Fabulous. 

The thing is...I work from 8-5. I'm a mom when I get home. I'm working on my doodles most nights after the boys go to bed. I don't have any margin...any breathing room.

And any parent knows that weekends aren't weekends and vacations aren't vacations...so those hardly ever leave me feeling refreshed.

Why am I sharing this bowl full of despair with you? I'm hoping that at least some of you can relate and that maybe we can wallow in our shovel-less suffocation together. Or maybe you can pray for me? Or just leave a virtual hug in the comments? 

And just so I don't leave you feeling worse than when you got here...cats doing cute things...



XOXO,

{adventures in pattern making}

I've been taking an online course with the super talented artist Lisa Congdon through the Creative Bug website the past few weeks and she has inspired me to try my hand at pattern making. 

I've been sharing a few of the patterns I've worked on through Instagram...

And then I had a little fun with Photoshop digitally coloring them in. Here is a sample of three of them...

I'm super excited about how they are turning out, and am already playing around with pairing the patterns and my doodles together. 

Do you have a favorite? I'm leaning toward the keys...

XO,

{playing dress up}

I'm going to ignore the fact that it is SNOWING outside right now, and focus on the fact that tomorrow it is going to be 50 degrees, so I'm declaring spring is here! 

And in honor of this momentous occasion, I've been having some fun with color. I have two new-ish orange sweaters that I paired this past week with two different springy colors.

The first was this Lucky brand open weave sweater I found on clearance at TJ Maxx...

I paired it with a sheer yellow button down I bought on Instagram and really love how springy it feels...and how different it is for me. I never wear this much color, especially these two colors. And the white polka dots on the top are so fun! 

Last week I scored this slouchy light-weight orange sweater at Goodwill...

See the pockets? Love little details like that. 

Yesterday I paired it with a light turquoise top from TJ Maxx...

This sweater is super comfy and perfect for this in-between seasons weather. I am so excited for spring colors and lighter-weight clothing!

Do you have orange pieces in your wardrobe? What color do you like to pair it with?

XO,

{slowing down}

I spent basically all day yesterday in bed with a sinus infection.

Other than the pounding pressure in my ears, it was heavenly.

Wrapped up in my favorite green fluffy blanket, wearing my fleece pants and cozy slippers.

My body forced me to slow down this week and for the most part, I'm thanking it.

I realized this week that busy has become my new normal. If I'm not filling every moment with an important task, I feel like I'm wasting time.

Can you relate to this?

I had a super crazy month at work with two big events...I've been working a lot on my doodles...and then there is the business of being a mom and wife. All of that together makes for one freaking busy life.

And my body reacted by filling up my sinuses and wearing my mind down to the point where all I could do a few nights ago to keep from breaking down was mindlessly eat ice cream on the couch...

I wonder sometimes if God created our bodies and minds for this.

{Not for ice cream eating...I'm sure He approves of that.}

But for the BUSY that so many of us celebrate. The idea that if we aren't productive we aren't living up to our potential. I've decided that I need to reframe all of this for myself and find a better balance of productive time and allowing myself periods of rest.

I know I've been neglecting the blog too...my last post was February 17th. Sorry friends....life is just too full these days. I'm trying to figure out how to balance it all...the necessities and the extras that make my heart happy and full. Most days the things I would like to cut out are the necessities which aren't an option, so that is frustrating. My drawing sustains me a lot these days...eases my anxiety and gives me purpose.

I spent the morning Wednesday at our local coffee shop drawing and it was so therapeutic...

Here is one that came out of that session...

Hoping I can find another day soon to do that.

So bear with me as I'm finding my way through this busy life and trying to find a good balance.

Any tips?

XO,