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Monday, July 30, 2012

Our Honeymoon / Virtual Vacation

I was thinking how much baseball has consumed our lives lately and how relaxing a summer beach vacation would be about now. As I was pulling photos for an update post of the last few weeks I came across our honeymoon photos.  What a perfect time to relive it all! 

My aunt and uncle gifted us a week in Cabo for our wedding present. It was awesome! We were especially grateful to have such a nice place to go and relax after the chaotic and exciting baseball season and all the wedding planning. 

We sat through two time share presentations and honestly...we almost got hooked. We told each other before we went to them we were NOT buying a timeshare. Period. They made it look good, real good. We got out of Mexico without owning property though and instead ended up getting some great excursions for a little less than $70 a piece. Steal. We went on a scuba adventure, baja buggies, and jet skiing. The other time we spent eating chips, salsa, and guacamole or other things honeymooners do. My favorite line from the excursion salesmen was "You're on your honeymoon, want to know how I know? Because you look tired and she looks happy." I said that with an accent as I was typing it, I hope you do the same. Made me laugh every time!  We didn't get  a ton of pictures but we took our GoPro video camera and captured our adventures. 







If only we were there now instead of living through these photos...sigh.

LD

Thursday, July 19, 2012

I Ain't No Quitter

Apparently I hate the idea of being a quitter. I've logged some hours sewing this week. Don't really have much else for you right now except some pics of things I've been working on. 

I'd love to know what you'd like to see more (or less) of.

Laminated Fabric Keychains - aka waterproof beauties, available here,

the everything pouch - ereader compatible, all of these are still available ($12 + 2 S&H)

my attempt at an iPad case - will get correct measurements on the next one

 and the cutest diaper & wipes case...ever! Isn't baby stuff adorable. I should get one...in a couple years. 

I have been loving the quilted look as of late. Although it takes more time, it makes the quality and look of the bag so much better.  Now.. if only I can get these all of these items available in the shop. 

LD

Sunday, July 15, 2012

No Sugar Coating, I'm Not Willy Wonka

Yikes. I have seen an ugly side of myself this week. After parting ways with Brandon at the airport on Thursday morning I have been in quite a funk. It actually died off about Friday evening but it was ugly while it lasted. I was sad and deflated. How could such a wonderful seven days with my husband leave me feeling like this?

I try to stay positive here on the blog, not to give you the wrong idea but more so to encourage others to be positive. I truly feel I've been honest with you all about how I've been dealing with being a baseball wife and all that comes with it. I have enjoyed the travel, adventure, and the unexpected. I have found myself keeping busy with multitude of things and it hasn't seem bad at all. Until lately. I cracked. 

I was craving more time with him. Another morning to wake up next to each other and I couldn't have it. I was both angry and sad, yet helpless. This is what it looks like. The ugly side. I wanted to crawl into bed and sleep the day away. But at the same time I knew I wanted to change how I felt. I knew that I had overcome these less severe feelings I've had in the past and that I could do it again.

This negativity snowballed. Yes it gets worse. The whole time I drove from Memphis to Missouri I debated back and forth on closing LaurenDarlings. I've been blessed with this gift but I am struggling to figure out how to utilize it in the way I was created to do so. I really enjoy making and creating/sewing different things. The weeks when I am with Brandon I pretty much have to put the shop in vacation mode. I also don't want to spend all my time online networking when I can be looking at his cute face, cooking him dinner, or spending quality time with him. It has left me torn and at this point I haven't figured out how to balance and make both work. Of course he will always come first no question.

When I'm not with Brandon I spend my time sewing. As I just explained, I wasn't sure my heart was in the right place on return from this trip. What was the point, at this point, to keep making anything? I just kept buying more, and making more, and selling less. I'm not concerned with making a profit, I would just like to be able to make back what I put into my shop. But I wasn't, I'm not and that is really discouraging.

I sat at my machine for an hour before I even turned it on, maybe longer. I had a few requests from some people I knew in town asking for various items. I had told them I would try to make those products so that's what I was going to do. I have to say those projects are what helped me out of the slump. I'm grateful for them. I also apologize to those individuals who have been patiently waiting for me to fill their requests. Truth be told I want to keep all the things I made for them. But I won't. 

In the meantime Brandon knew I was in a sad place and that I was missing him terribly. He text me this. 

"P.U.S.H. through it." 

He always has been very simple but that text was exactly what I needed. For those who have never heard this, it's an acronym for pray until something happens. I can always count on him to say the right thing and encourage me when I need it most. 

You, as well as myself, will be glad to hear the slump is over. I prayed for peace and direction and I still am. I miss Brandon dearly but... I am thankful my passion to sew and create hasn't been taken from me. For a minute, I thought it was gone and I would have dealt with it. It was a great reminder to me of how much I actually love sewing.

I can't tell you for sure the direction LaurenDarlings will take. I've decided only this, I'm going to keep making product and use whatever supplies I have on hand without buying new. I will be listing and selling these various items and most likely there may be only one available. Some fabrics I have more of, others I only have a scrap piece, If you love it snatch it up. I will probably make them first available to my Instagram followers because it's my favorite and easiest form of social media. If you're not following me my username is @larnlevydickson. From there I will list them in my storenvy shop - LaurenDarlings. As always you can contact me via email - laurendarlings@gmail.com. 

I know posts that aren't happy, cheery, and full of great photos aren't fun to read but I felt the need to be honest about my feelings and whats been on my heart. My life is easily stereotyped and misconstrued to be luxurious and carefree and I just want you to remember that I'm human too. I will leave you with one happy photo from our trip last week just so we end on a good note.



LD

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

niagara fALLSTAR break

Greetings from...Buffalo, NY! How is everyone? I'm not going to stay long. I've been trying not to spend too much time on the computer/blogging when I have things I can be doing, seeing, and enjoying this summer. Life is too short.

Anyway if you follow me on Instagram, which you're crazy if you don't (kidding), you would have seen that yesterday we visited the gorgeous Niagara Falls.

I can't tell you enough how great of time we had. It is rare that I get to spend a warm summer day doing something great with my handsome other half so when we do it makes me extremely happy. He did have some baseball duties to report for yesterday afternoon but I was feeling under the weather towards the end of our adventure and napped all afternoon while he was gone so it worked out perfectly.







LD

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Lately...

 Been feeding my man....
Driving a lot, swimming, name change, traffic.
Lake weekend with the girls.
 Boat rides and fetch with Goliath.
Jewelry making.
Best friends baby, H20, Baseball Crafting
Flags, Cobbler, Favorite Baseball game snacks.

I've been enjoying the last few weeks of summer as you can see. Taking a bit of a break here from the blog but don't want to leave you out on our adventures. 

We were going to have three joyous days off for the all star break Monday - Wednesday. Last week we found out Brandon was selected to represent the Memphis team so instead of heading south to chill for a few days we are headed to Buffalo, NY. Congratulations to my two time AAA All Star. Thanks again for another new adventure you're taking me on.

LD 

Friday, June 29, 2012

Friday's Letters - Week III


Hey all, just back for a jiffy and some Friday's Letters. Leaving again this afternoon to head to the lake for the weekend with some friends from college. To say I'm excited is an understatement. Anyway, I'll let you get on with your life. Have a good weekend.


Dear Little Blue, 
Little Blue is my old car, not to be confused with Big Blue Brandon's  our truck. Anyway..Dear Little Blue. You don't guzzle as much gas but you make me stop more often. I've trained myself to make it with one stop and you're cramping my style with your tiny tank.  Also I feel like I'm sitting on the road driving and the fact that you don't have XM radio makes me like you a little less. I still find enough music for my car dance parties. You haven't stopped me there.

Dear Favorite Blue Dress and Rain Jacket,
Remember how last week I thought I lost you? Eh well I only lost half of you. I found Blue Dress hanging up, where I left it. Thankfully my sweet man surprised me on Tuesday with a new spiffy rain jacket. All is well. Never letting that dress out of my sight again.

Dear Sister, 
Two funny texts this week. Are you kidding me? I mean seriously what do you do all day - get. on.the.ball. In other news. I will be mailing a small bit of your birthday present soon. I think I'm just going to spread it out for the next few months. Sound good to you - good.

Dear Mom,
Remember on Monday when we stayed up until 5 am sewing my new awesome tote? Yeah, I love it and thank you for helping me. 

Dear Holdens,
I looooved getting to meet part of the fam this week. Y'all are wonderful people. Already looking forward to the next visit.

Dear Fresh Garden Veggies,
It doesn't get much better than you. You're delightful smell is intoxicating. Something about the dirt and fresh tomatoes.  Get on it Yankee candle. 

Dear Scorching Hot Temps,
I don't mind you, you can stay, but only for a little bit. You're the reason I endulge guilt free in as many Icee's, Sonic Slushes, and Popsciles I can. Actually now that I think about it I don't need an excuse. I learned that Popsciles make it less hot from my Dad. When we were kids we would go down to the basement where it was cool and have ice pops. 

Dear Husband,
Thanks for making me giggle for a day and a half. You're the silliest person I know. Thanks for not telling me if I overcooked the okra or if that casserole tasted awful. I do believe you enjoyed both and completely forgot once you started in on the banana pudding. I can't imagine my life without you.  I'm sorry I left town and will you miss your game tonight, but you will do just fine without me. I feel it. Thanks for my new jacket - I love it despite what you think. You make me happy!

LD

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Monday, June 25, 2012

More Travel

Hey y'all. I can say y'all today because I'm headed to Alabama today. Roll Tide. This is a half business/half fun little trip. Business because the main reason I am going is to drive back my vehicle that my parent's are taking from us. Right now they have one car with air conditioning and one without. When I get back they will both have the luxury that is cool air on these hot summer days. To break up the ten hour drive, I will be stopping in Memphis for two nights to see Brandon. I originally was gonna skip trying to see him because it was a short three game series at home. It all worked out though and I'm taking care of two birds with one stone. Don't worry no animals will actually be harmed although last week I did hit a bird in Big Blue. It's fault, not mine. I'm going on a few hours of sleep because I decided at 11 p.m. I needed a new tote/purse. It was worth it. Sorry to leave you hanging, I know your probably excited to see the new bags. Truth be told I have travel plans up until the 12th so I can't give you a date they will be available. I decided my life comes first and enjoying time being with my husband, friends, and family needs to be first priority. Also since I never schedule posts I don't know when I'll be stopping by here but I guess that's fun for you because you'll be surprised! Time to hop on the plane! Have a spectacular week awesome folks!! LD