Spilling the Beans

Sometimes I find I hold things in, telling myself that they'll get better, only to have them explode in my face later. Here I am in one of those moments, so I'm spilling the beans on life.

It's been a long time since I last blogged and it always feels like there's not enough time. I just got home from a long day at work. The dog won't stop barking. Matt is out of town. Dinner needs to be made. Shopping needs to be done. Trash needs to be taken out. More laundry needs to be done. I need a shower. Lunch needs to be made for tomorrow. Etc, etc, etc. I decided though that the dog will have to wait, along with the trash, dinner, laundry, and grocery shopping, because it's been too long since I've taken any me time and it's about time I did.

My job, as much as I love it, requires I take care of 8 other bodies all day. Along with my fellow staff members, of course. Being new at a job I constantly feel like I need to be on my very most A-game around the clock, which is exhausting when you also have 2 bodies to take care of at home. Those bodies would be a puppy (which let me say I now HATE puppies and would NEVER get one again. Seriously.) and of course Matt, whom makes life so much easier- when he's here that it.

I knew Matt would travel but I didn't expect to feel so isolated after moving up here and it's made it harder. It's been hard to make friends because everyone lives in other cities and already has busy lives. It's also hard because with Matt gone the puppy is my full responsibility and I have to always be home after work and on weekends to take care of him and train him. Which doesn't leave time to go out or even run errands. It's also been hard at work because the people I teach with all speak a different language all day, which makes it hard to get to know one another, get work done, and feel included in my new job. Granted, these are wonderfully kind people- we just don't speak the same language. So I feel alone all day and I come home to an empty house at night. I'm struggling to say the least.

I just feel overwhelmed with all of my life changes and responsibilities. Marriage, new city, new part of the state, far away from family, lack of friends, annoying puppy, new apartment, new job, etc, etc, etc. So many times I just find myself overwhelmed, lonely, unhappy, and in tears. I feel like I went from having time to myself at the gym, with family/friends, to read, to shop, to watch tv... to nothing for me and everything being spent on everyone else. I'm literally always taking care of someone else and I'm exhausted. And the fact that I'm exhausted makes me feel like a total failure at this new life.

I feel like I should be able to do this. It seems so simple after all. I've moved before. I've worked before. I've helped run a household before. I've known Matt for years. So why is this all so hard? I just want some peace and quiet and I don't remember the last time I had any. I'm so thankful for the few sweet friends I have at my new job because they have made that part easier, and I'm always hoping the future will be brighter, but for right now I seem to feel the future is so far away and of course I wonder, "What if it doesn't get better?" What if I always feel like a failure? I'm constantly feeling like I'm not good enough at work, in my marriage, in my home, as a friend, as an aunt, sister, daughter, as a puppy-mom. I feel pulled and needed in so many directions that I feel run down and overwhelmed. And did I mention the last month I've had a severe sinus infection?

I haven't felt this alone in life since my second year of college when I had a broken foot, no car, no way to drive, and no life. I never thought I would feel like this when I moved here. I thought I would make friends, the puppy would be easy, and I would be totally fine with Matt traveling. But I'm not. And I'm a mess. And I'm spilling the beans about it. Finally.

A Tisket, A Tasket, Everyone Needs Awesome Baskets

Laundry

Vases

 

Cleaning Supplies

I love how a basket can nicely store just about anything. It keeps everything in one spot. It looks good doing it. And it is easy to access. Looking at a neatly organized basket makes my heart happy.

I recently worked on tidying up my laundry closet. Matt thought I was nuts and it looked fine but I still saw room for improvement. So I added a few baskets. One was to hold an assortment of laundry supplies and another was to replace a cardboard box my vases were in. I also decided to keep our extra hangers in the closet, which makes it very easy to hang items up as they come out of the wash. I also like having a spot to hang my cleaning rags, which I use frequently to clean and polish our granite countertops.

Easy DIY Storage Update

Updated with frosted drawers

For several years now I have been using Sterilite Drawer Carts as storage solutions in many places, including nightside tables, but being that I am an anti-clutter freak, I never liked how you can see what is inside the clear drawers. So yesterday a light bulb went off in my mind and being the crafty woman that I am, I asked my husband to run to Home Depot (with one of our wedding gift cards) and pick up some Rustoleum Frosted Glass spray paint. I prepped the three carts we have and then spent the afternoon painting two of the three, following the instructions on the can. I wish that they would have been a little more frosted but I am still happy with the change. I still have one more to do but I will finish it next weekend. In the picture below you can see the cart on the left has been frosted and the cart on the right still needs to be finished. And yes, in my house GasX is a must. Having people be able to see these items is just one of the reasons I wanted to obscure the view! Haha!

One tip: cut paper and take it to the sides and bottoms of the drawer that you do not want paint on, otherwise the spray paint will blend onto those areas. If you don't care, then don't worry about prepping to that extent. 

DIY Scrapbook Project 2

DIY Cute Whiteboard

This was another idea I got from the amazing Pinterest. All you have to do is grab a picture frame, a piece of scrapbook paper, and a white board marker.

Step 1: On my trip to Michaels (as mentioned in the previous DIY post) I also spotted a white picture frame which was on sale for 50% off. I also grabbed a piece of scrapbook paper (3 for $1 sale) and I grabbed a package of white board markers (clearance bin for $1). Many of you probably have all of these things laying around your house but since I just moved I needed to restock.

Step 2: Put the piece of scrapbook paper in the frame. Easy enough.

Step 3: Hang the frame on the wall. Once again I used the Command hangers. All you have to do now is write on it with your white board markers.

I love how you can change out the paper to update the look and how much cuter it is than the typical white board. I hung mine by our calendar for an easy information area.

DIY with Scrapbook Paper

Inspiration from Pinterest

My DIY version 

Canvass Artwork
There were a few spots in our home that I felt were suffering from the terrible BBD - Bare & Boring Disease. To rectify this dilemma I hopped onto my Pinterest page for some ideas. 


(Side note: Pinterest is a website where, like a bulletin board, you can pin pictures and ideas and quotes and things you like. The pin then directs you back to the original website for full information. All in all, AWESOME.) 

I ended up finding this great little DIY project that I thought would fit perfectly and be budget friendly. So address in hand, I hopped into my car, plugged in my GPS, and headed off to find my nearest Michaels. When I arrived I found they were having a huge sale. SCORE! That made this budget friendly project even better! Here is the step by step of my DIY artwork. Please forgive the low quality pictures I took with my iPhone. (Who makes those things anyways?)

Step 1:

Get some 8x10 canvasses (or a different size depending on the space you want to fill). I found a package of 10 on sale for $19.99 and they were thin, which was perfect for the space I needed. I also bought a basic brand of white acrylic paint and a basic brush. You take each canvass and paint the edges and just over the front, about 1 inch. You could also use spray paint, as well as other colors, depending on the look you want. Then let dry.

Step 2: 

For this project I also purchased 10 sheets of color coordinating scrapbook paper. Since it was my lucky day I was able to get them all on sale, 3 for $1. When I got home, I cut the paper to a size that was about 1/3 smaller than my canvass. I also needed an adhesive. There are a lot of spray adhesives on the market but I find them messy and smelly. One of my favorite products is called Mod Podge and in this project I used it to glue my paper to my painted and dried canvass. In this picture you will see I have glued (using Mod Podge) one piece of paper to a canvass. 

Step 3:

After finishing my gluing, I then took a piece of fine sandpaper and sanded down the paper and edges of the canvass. This made for a smoother edge and finish. You don't want to sand too much though because obviously it can wear away all of the paper. 

Step 4: 

Finally I sealed the fronts and edges using my Mod Podge. I did several layers to ensure they had a strong seal. I also choose a Mod Podge that had a glossy finish versus other types for Matte or even Metallic finishes. It's important to let them dry between coats, and to not stack them, as they can get stuck together. 

Step 5: 

Once they are all dry and complete, you then want to find the layout you want to hang them in. Command has started making these new picture hangers, which act like velcro, and are my new preferred way to hang things. I put one strip at the top of each canvass. 

Step 6: 

We measured and laid out a rectangle with painters tape to hang the canvasses. My inspiration piece had 9 and was hung in a square but since I had 10 I decided on a rectangle. We hung them all following the instructions on the Command packaging, and we're really happy with the outcome!

Announcing our puppy... Hunter!

Yesterday we picked up our miniature dachshund puppy from a private breeder and family in Durham (near Chico). It was a LONG day and we are so glad to be home with him.

After a lot of discussion, trials, and changing our minds, we decided to name him Hunter because of his love of sniffing, his breed, and it just seemed to fit. Not to mention we happen to love that name. Part of our struggle was that one of our good friends has a dog named Hunter too, and we struggled with naming our dogs the same thing, but she was sweet enough to give her blessing on it. Thanks Lindsay!

He is about 4 pounds, about the length of my foot, and should grow to be about 11 pounds as an adult. We are working on several main commands with him such as Leave It, Outside, Inside, and Hurry Up (for the bathroom). So far he seems to be doing pretty well with listening and mostly with obeying. :) He is very affectionate and curious, which we like, because he so far he hasn't been scared by anything. One of his favorite friends he has met at our house so far has been the broom. We are working with him becoming comfortable sleeping alone and in his crate for naps and nighttime.

We have some pictures and short videos for you to enjoy!

Leaving the breeder's home with Hunter!

I held him in the back for the first part so he would get used to us and bond better.  Don't worry, I put my seatbelt on before we drove off. 

First time on the grass. At first he wasn't so sure but now he loves it!

I'm not sure who was happier- the dog or Matt.

Most of the ride he just hung out or napped in his crate in the back seat. I was worried he would get carsick but he did great! This means we should be good to go when we drive down south for visits.

Welcome home Hunter!

Last night Matt was a trooper and did puppy duty and I think we'll take turns. For the most part he's adjusting pretty well but when he is left alone and is awake there is no doubt he is pure hound. The howls and whines are LOUD! He tends to play for an hour or two and then sleep for an hour or two. I am pretty sure puppies are more work than babies, but on the bright side, this should mean that someday a baby will seem easy! (No babies for now though!) Here't to hoping he'll give us more sleep soon!

Team Scott Home Projects

I have been up here in Sunnyvale for just over a week and have been busy unpacking and moving in. I thought I would update you all with some photos of the projects we've been working on.

OUTSIDE PATIO:

Herb & Vegetable Garden

We love our BBQ! Great wedding gift from Matt's sister and her boyfriend.

OUTSIDE STORAGE CLOSET:

LIVING ROOM, DINING ROOM, & KITCHEN:

BEDROOM, BATHROOM, & LAUNDRY:

PROJECTS UP CLOSE:

Little den for our puppy who comes home tomorrow!

There wasn't room for dishes & groceries
so we bought this cabinet for the dishes.

Our kitchen is really dark so I put these mirrors above the sink
to reflect the light that comes in from the living room.

Instead of candy jars I put out jars of nuts to snack on.
I like the way it looks and that it's a healthier option!

This is the perfect drawer to drop off items as you come in the door.
I also used a small mason jar to put out some mints, and I love
the candle holder from Bath & Body Works! 

We will pick up the puppy tomorrow and we will be sure to post lots of pictures of him and let you know when we pick out a name! :)