Soul Settling

We have officially been York, SC residence for 3 weeks and 4 days. I've finished the kitchen {mostly, I still plan on painting the floor, getting a spice rack, and possibly refacing the cabinets. But those are all projects for down the road.} finished the living room {except covering our big chair} and bathroom. I've still got a LOT to do for the studio/guest room and mostly just cosmetic fun stuff in the bedroom. I promised Reed that I would try and mash our two styles better this time, at the tiny house I basically just hung my art and all my funky colors easily took over the house. Having the attic is helping a lot, because I don't feel like all of my stuff has to be up on a wall. We have the space to store it for later, ya know like this winter when I decide to redecorate :) 

Sunflower field on the Ranch 

So I realized that I've shared the house and how the make overs are happening but I haven't shared much about life in general. If you follow me on Instagram then you see pictures of the Farm/Ranch pretty often. It is stunning and I absolutely LOVE living some place that has such spectacular views. But unless you are one of my closest friends you probably haven't heard much else.

I realized on Wednesday that I've pretended to be settled in the house. I've had fun decorating, painting, and crafting like always but I haven't totally settled. This hit me when I forced myself to do a load of laundry (that wasn't sheets or towels) and unpack my clothes. Yep it had been 3 weeks and I was STILL not unpacked. I don't know what I have been doing. But I know I wasn't really settled.

I thought it may do me good to share why I feel that I haven't totally settled in my soul. 

Old Town, Rock Hill 

I think most of it has to do with what my future looks like. I'm a planner and I love planning. I like knowing what is coming next and that I'm gonna be busy for the next however long. But moving here I dropped all of that. I didn't have a plan, I don't have things I HAVE to do. I've learned that if I don't have set projects or goals for the day that I literally do nothing. Even when dishes are stacking up in the sink and I could easily wash every dish in the house 700 times in the day because thats how bored I am, I still do nothing. I'm not good at taking care of the house. Usually I have a clean house, and I cook dinner, and take showers, and do productive things. But I've found that if I don't have a reason  like a project, or class, or work to get up and do, that I don't DO anything. Right now I look around the house and I've pulled the back cushions off the sofa, dishes are all over the kitchen, all the floors need a good sweeping, and some how Reed and I have 10 dirty towels that haven't gotten washed all hanging on the bathroom door. I have lots to do but I can't force myself to do them. I need to but I don't.

After talking to a friend about this we decided that laziness strikes like a sly and sneaky snake. It sneaks up, I know I'm not doing anything and yeah thats lazy but I think laziness really becomes an issue when you KNOW and acknowledge you are just being lazy and STILL refuse to get up. I'm struggling, like seriously. The things I want to get up and do require money, and after the move we just don't have it in our budget for me to go out and buy all new curtains, or even fabric to make any! Its hard not having my creative juices flowing everyday just for a few hours. I watch HGTV and get so annoyed that I can't have that, not always the house but that job! I want to be able to redecorate, repurpose, and  be creative every day with some one else's stuff and money!

This has been the first time that my thankful instagram posts have been pretty forced. I'm glad I'm keeping it going but man I don't feel thankful like I should. We have been so blessed by this job. How many college graduates get there dream job that they could keep as a life long career 2 weeks after graduation? Not many, but Reed did. I'm so thankful, he has worked so hard to get to where he is and he loves it. He has worked odd jobs that he has enjoyed and some that he hasn't enjoyed. So having a job that is hard, challenging, and different everyday is everything he could have asked for. Then on top of the amazing job he has made friends with his boss, they eat lunch together almost everyday and have a cold beer together at the end of each day. I'm so glad that he has found a mentor and friend, its so unbelievable to know that we are taken care of and that the people WANT Reed here and will help us make that happen. 

 {I got to ride around with Reed one morning to count the cows,  it was a sweet time seeing what he does daily}

Not only have we been blessed by a dream job, but its a job that comes with a home. It may not be everything I ever dreamed but it is a home that I get to do as I please with AND not pay rent. Reed and I are going to be able to really practice saving and tithing in this stage of life and are so excited to see how we can learn from that for the future. Not paying rent not only allows us to save and tithe but gives me the chance to find what I want. I'm not pressured to find a job so we can live. Obviously more money is nice but at this point we aren't feeling the pressure that we are gonna miss rent or not be able to get groceries and gas. 

Our back yard 

The Front porch 

I want a job, I'm unhappy and have become lazy because I'm bored. 

I hate this. Not where we are, this is something I never could have even thought to ask for. Being blessed with time to be bored is unreal! Now I need to honor this blessing by making something of my time! I've got to learn how to be a better wife and clean the house and do the laundry and cook dinner even when I don't want to. I need to show Reed that I'm proud of him and that I support him working so hard every day and I can do that by making our house a home and someplace he wants to come home to and invite friends over. I can use this time to make more art! I've always wanted time to grow my blog and etsy store, and now that I'm blessed with time I need to do it! I need to better my body, not that I'm unhappy with it but if I get in the habit of taking better care of it with small little work outs and runs then later in the future I wont have to worry so much. And mostly I need to make a habit of spending time with the Lord each day. He is the one who has blessed us. He has taken care of us better than anyone ever could have. And by being lazy and bored I'm slapping him in the face, basically not being grateful for the blessing he has so generously given us.

I'm starting to get better, I'm forcing myself to do things through out the day. I hope I get busy soon and I pray that I can handle it when it happens. I'm thankful for everything we have and for the summer that has given me the chance to learn and grow already. Hopefully I will finish up some of the other projects around the house and share more with you soon. I'm thankful to have y'all hear to talk to, sorry if this was long and wasn't fun and creative like you were hoping :)

Out in the boondocks

Heres the deal, WE MOVED :)
Reed was offered a dream job at Flying King Ranch in York, SC. He will be one of 2 landmanagers on the 4,600 acre ranch/farm. As of right now he has been at work for a full 2 weeks and is totally in love. It all happened quick enough that I am still looking to find something for me. I've got a few things brewing but haven't totally locked anything in place yet. 

So for the past 2 and half weeks we have become the newest residence of York. I've been staying home trying to make our new house a home. It is coming together and I've done a lot already but I needed to share some BEFORE pictures. These are all of the house when we visited so I could see where we agreed to move before actually moving in.

First thing: we are in the BOONDOCKS! I grew up on a dirt road but we were still relatively close to everything. I've found that the nearest craft store is 45minutes from our house now... We also had a hard time getting any kind of internet or TV out here. 

So this is the front of the house. You drive up a dirt road and our house is on the left with lots of lovely trees all around. The house had been used as the "hunting lodge" for the ranches hunt club members so as far as updates it was pretty far behind. 

OO, bad picture... Sorry these are from my phone. I didn't have my big camera with me at the time.
This is the kitchen. It is a pretty large space just not the best layout, or lighting.

Before we moved in the kitchen had 1 wall of cabinets and counter top with the washer and dryer and water heater added in. The fridge was facing the back door in the center of a wall, all alone. It was a bizarre use of  a pretty large space.  This is the room that has changed the most! And it is finished so I will share with you guys later this week :) 

Annnnd next is the bathroom. MUCH larger than our last bathroom and tons of storage. So nice compared to what we came from. It still needed updating to the vanity, and lighting.
Also, the vanity is so close to the tub that if you step back you will fall in. I did this the first week we moved in. 

Bedroom #1: is similar in size to our last room which is small.
BUT the windows are giant and let in so much amazing light. I've chosen this room as my studio/guestroom. The updates that I'm making are totally more studio oriented but we figured we wouldn't have too many guests soooo I took over :)  

Bedroom #2 is a nice size. This is what we have claimed as our room. I love having space. Our bed is no longer shoved up against the wall!!! 

Living room. Again, these windows are beautiful! We also have an awesome working fireplace that we are going to use all the time in the winter :) 

And an awesome antique door! 

So much has changed to this house. I am really liking all the little touches we have been able to add to make it our own. Can not wait to share some of my finish projects so I will posting more soon!

House tour #2

Soooo here is our second room tour! 

I'm so excited to share this with yall. It isn't that special but is part of our new little home. 

I think I'm gonna change it up soon. 

But that can be another post. 

This is a photo that I've shared before

these pillows were given as a gift from my boss at The Fizz. 

She had them personalized just for us and they match the bed PERFECTLY!

These are some shots of our tiny room. I'm standing back as far as I can to get these pictures. 

Our room is tiny. When you walk in you almost run directly in to the bed. 

There is only enough room to walk around the bed and is pushed up against one wall. 

So tiny tiny tiny! 

Above our bed is the canvas wall hanging that I talked about earlier. 

It has our vows and reminds us of what we promised each other on August 4th 2012. 

At the foot of our bed is Reeds armoire. 

He has all of his "decor" on that side of the room. 

The buck scull mount was one that Reed harvested last year with my brother in Columbia. 

The squirrel mount is one that is apparently really rare. I'm not sure of all the details on that.

The butterflies are some that Reed has collected over multiple years. They are from ALL OVER. I think some are even from Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Honduras! 

He had a bunch of these cases full of his insects but during the move a few got destroyed by other bugs... 

And then there is our engagement pictures in our honeymoon jar.

I know we didn't put sand in it. 

So I'm gonna change it to our first house jar. And take some dirt from the yard and fill it up

and then add pictures of us through the year in our new home! 

Then this is our bedside table. 

The one the door almost hits when you come in...

Thats the bible we used as a guest book.

We try to read together every night, it has been really fun finding the random notes from our wedding!

And the picture on the left is of the chest of drawers across from the bed. 

The fabulous mirror was given to us by Reeds Aunt Becky and we LOVE IT! 

I can't wait until we have a place to put it where everyone can enjoy it. 

And the detail of our junk in front of the mirror. 

Reed has gum, 3 knives and 2 watches... 

I will never understand why he needs multiples. 

Well, I guess I take that back. 

My side is covered with earrings. 

Yes I have a lot but they all have a story!

A few of those Reed made me, most of them have been gifts from either Reed, my mom, or my mother in law. And most of the others are from Nicaragua! 

I don't know if you can see them or not, but the 2 moon earrings that are sitting on the frame 

where graduation gifts from a teacher in high school. 

I was with her all 4 years doing student government work and we got pretty close. 

She got me these from an art show out in California. 

I've never been able to wear them, but thats not the point.

They are pieces of art and I hope I can display them better some day soon! 

So, that is our tiny bedroom. 

But its good enough for us! 

Like I said, I will probably move some stuff around meaning there will be another bedroom house tour but thats ok! I'm sure yall are tooootallly interested in my life, right?:) 

House Project #4

So the house projects got put on hold once I started my summer class. 

I still have about a thousand things we are trying to do to the house but they are just going to have to wait until after the wedding. I'm working slowly on a few smaller projects in my down time, but with only about 1 week before I go home for the wedding I doubt they will be shared until later :) 

So here is one of the small projects that should have taken a few hours but lasted about a week! 

Our quirky little house is precious but kinda tucked back behind big trees and looks almost identical to the rest of the street. Reed is the one who suggested making a sign or something to put out by the mailbox that would make our house stand out a little more. 

Of course I wasn't going to just order a garden flag, not when I could use things that I have around the apartment and make a one of a kind sign! 

This was how our sign started. 

Just a rough piece of wood that I had to yank lots of nails out of and it probably shouldn't have required so much work but thats ok. 

I then just used some out door paint that I got super cheap from Lowes. (I pretty much visit the paint section and just stock up on all the mis-tints, it is an awesome way to get great colors!)

It was really weird knowing that this is about to be MY last name! 

And its weird driving up and seeing the sign on the mailbox, Reed hung it while I was at school so when I pulled up after class to meet Reed for dinner it really hit me that in less than 2 weeks I will be driving home to this sign EVERY DAY! 

Well, that is all.

I know that is a baby post but I have my second crit. tomorrow so after that and doing some final documentation of that project I will start the post for the 2nd sculpture project of the summer! 

I've also just started packing. 

I have officially emptied out my art cabinet in to boxes. 

This was taken with my phone so its pretty bad quality. Sorry. 

I've also cleaned out my desk and the storage from under my bed. 

I decided just moving my craft/art supplies and projects was a good way to start. I just had no idea how much I had!! Hopefully Reed is ready to give up his hunting room and willing to make it a studio! 

House Project #3

 For project #3 I wanted to find something to anchor my artwork on the wall. I knew that in our tiny living room it could get cluttered real fast so I wanted to make sure that everything I displayed was some how anchored together. 

I went through lots of different ideas like cork board, peg board, painting a "frame", and finally landed on using a pallet. Being as lucky as we are at Lowes Reed knew of some fencing that was damaged and on sale for uber cheap. 

This project total cost was $5!! 

We used the damaged fencing from Lowes and squeezed the pickets together (we had to do damage control to just one picket!) to create one solid piece of fencing. 

After that we used heavy duty picture hangers to hang the fencing to the wall and I then tied pieces of twine and let them hang loose and then clothes pinned my different pieces of art to it! 

This way I can keep changing up the artwork with out putting another hole in the wall or worrying about framing! 

It also gave Reed another great spot for him to show off his 7.5 lb bass mount! 

The pieces I have hanging are some of my favorite prints from my photography classes and then my woodblock prints from beginning printmaking. I also put up some of my favorites from the print exchange. The Owl print was done by one of my best friends Emily, and the one on the top left is one that my teacher, Matt, did of a sort of Jungle Book inspired piece. (Matts pieces always have a great story behind them, if I ever get a written copy of his stories I will totally share, they will be more than worthy of reading!)

PS. I start my summer sculpture studio today and I am SUPER anxious!! I love sculpture and can't wait to get back in the studio, I just know that this is gonna make July fly by! I am getting a little overwhelmed about how fast August 4th is coming!!!! 

I used this post to Link up to the Uncommon Link party.
Go check them out!

House Project #2

Project # 2 has taken me the longest to finish. I just kept running out of time, but I finally made myself sit down and knock it out! 

Because our new kitchen is so tiny and lacking in cabinet/counter space I decided to make a rolling island. This way we can add more space for storage and prep with out taking up our limited wall space.

First things first. I raided my parents barn. I knew I needed a super cheap piece of furniture I wasn't sure if it was gonna be a file cabinet, bookshelf, or end table but I knew I needed something that I could add a countertop and wheels too. Luckily when my parents and I went poking around in the barn we found this guy. 

Its pretty rough had so much dust, spiderwebs, mold and peeling paint that Reed immediately told me it wasn't worth my time. But, I knew that with a little sanding and fresh paint I could repurpose this little dude! 

On one of our many trips to Lowes (its becoming my home a way from home. Seriously, they told me I should just work there) Reed showed me some countertop that got water damage a few weeks ago when one of the over head sprinklers went off. The countertop was getting  some major mark downs so Reed and I picked out one and got a 4ft piece (that had practically no damage) for $30!! 

 

On another trip to Lowes, we never manage to remember everything we need at one time so we usually make about 2 trips a day, We picked up some casters to attach to the bottom of the book case so it can be moved around the kitchen and tucked in a corner when not used. However, the bookcase was old enough that we had to add blocks to attach the casters to on the bottom. 

Reed is always prepared with 2 drills, no one should have to deal with changing drill bits. 

 After lots  of sanding and even more drilling, screwing and nailing the bookcase is sturdy enough to have the countertop put in place and ready for the awesome paint!!

As I'm sure you have already guessed the paint is also a deal given to us by the Lowes gods. 

Have you ever checked out the clearance section in the paint department? If not you should. They always have mistints which are usually beautifully unique colors that are priced as low as .75 cents! We got this gorgeous gallon of blue latex paint for $5!! 

I was extremely excited and can't wait to find something else to paint with this amazing color! 

Now that the bookshelf is completed and adding space to our cramped kitchen I am beginning to feel like this may actually be our home not just Reeds. 

I can't wait until August 4th, I'm ready to be married and play house in this quirky little place!!

Linked up to the DIY Fall Challenge

House Project #1

Once the house was officially flea free Reed and I started really moving in. 

I have been looking forward to decorating our house for ever and I finally get to start it! 

First let me tell you about this sofa! Reed and I found it on Craigslist for $100!

Its a two year old micro fiber queen pull out sofa. 

We needed something that was small but not too small. Our living room is only 12x16 which means we don't have very much room at all. We love having people over so we needed a sofa that would provide enough seating with out taking up the entire room. Because we are both poor college students we couldn't just go shopping for new furniture so we had to really dig deep and search hard. I was fully prepared to end up with a well used "retro" sofa that desperately needed a slip cover. But! Again, God has blessed us with another amazing deal! Finding this super nice sofa that acts as seating annnnnd can help when family comes to visit as far as sleeping arrangements was a HUGE blessing. I mean really, I think $100 bucks is a steal. We also have a love seat and chair in Columbia, hopefully the next time I get home I can bring those back! 

So with only having a TV stand, sofa bed, and a few kitchen chairs the only real decorating I could do is hang stuff. 

I set out everything on the floor so that I could rearrange it as much as I want with out putting holes in the wall. These are all things that Reed and I had around the house. 

-The Deer was Reeds first ever buck from Edgefield when he was 13. 

- The "washed by the water" painting was one I did the other night just for fun. I'm thinking about doing a few more and selling them on here. What do you think?

- The dog drawing next to it is one that was Reeds parents, they gave us two beautiful pieces that we now have in our living room. 

-The long painting between the deer and the dogs was done by The Chicken Man in Columbia. His paintings are so quirky and fun, they are pretty popular around the Midlands. He is a interesting character. He paints on scrap wood and has his "roaming studio" in random places around Columbia. JB (my brother) found him one day and bought a few different pieces for a great deal and was generous enough to give me 2! This one and then a Clemson one that I think is gonna go up in the kitchen!!

- The round butterfly plates were given to Reed after his Nanna passed this past August. Reed has always been a big bug collector and has a beautiful collection of butterflies from numerous different places. These just have a little more sentimental value to them so we decided to hang these instead of his personal catches.
-And finally the beetle, butterfly, and snake paintings are all gifts I gave to Reed back in 2009. They are watercolor and color pencil drawings of his favorite things. I can't name them for you anymore but I do know that he has the beetle and butterfly in his bug collection and  the snake was a pet that he had for a long time, sadly she is no longer with us. She didn't make it through the cold winter of 2011. 

Reed is always such a generous helper. 

I called him in from the yard to get him to help me hang the Deer because I didn't want to risk messing it up and he told me to step back and direct him so that I cold get it just right on the first try. 

He really is so great, I love that he is willing to help decorate around the house even if I get picky with how close the dogs are to the chicken. 

Looking around the living room today I realized that we are going to have a pretty good amount of animals in it. I'll have to share more when I get pictures of the other projects in the room. But just beware, if you ever visit our house you will be greeted with a deer, raccoon, bass, and possibly a duck all as soon as you walk in the front door :)  

Our Little House

So this week I'm doing more personal updates than I think I have everdone. But hopefully this time in my life is interesting to more people than just myself :) If you're tired of the personal and want more art let me know! I'm here to cater to YOU :)

Ok, update on the house. Its still our little quircky first house, and it has been showing more and more character the longer Reed is in it. I didn't share this in the first post about the house cause there weren't many details and I wasn't sure what the outcome would be. Now that it is finally taken care of I think I can share with you.

When Reed first moved in June 8th I was at the beach with my family so we had some great friends and family help him move from Seneca to Pendleton. They were very efficent and got all of the house moved in ONE day! It was such a blessing to have Reed in our home with no problems!

Then, I got a phone call the last day of the beach.

 FLEAS.

Our precious little house was infested with fleas!

Before Reed moved in the Realty company had it sprayed twice. Once just because it was so bad they couldn't send the workers in to get the house cleaned and ready for move in. Then they sprayed again the day before Reed moved in. Reed had so many flea bites that he looked like he had the chicken pox!

We got the exterminator back out the Tuesday I returned from the beach and even he was amazed by the fleas that survived the last 2 sprays. The next day THEY WERE STILL IN THE HOUSE!

Reed had moved everything in to our first home but was unable to sit any where other than the kitchen. And he had unpacked nothing but kitchen gadets.We were getting really fed up when it hit the one week mark.

We got the house sprayed again, this time with another chemical and it seems to have worked! It has been about 4 days since Reed last saw a flea.

I think we are officially FLEA FREE!

Another little surprise came last night when Reed got home from work and attempted to set up the internet.

He had just gotten in the router and all the other doo-dads that go along with hooking up wireless internet and called the company to see how it all fits together to some how produce our wireless internet. The man on the phone politly said "Its really simple. Plug the router in to the phone jack and thats it!"

Reed looked around and found NO PHONE JACK. This house has not been set up to have a phone or any kind of internet. Luckily we have gotten to know the ladies at the realty office really well and they are sending someone out this week to fix that. So hopefully Reed will have internet this week!!

These are I guess kind of boring little house stories but they are just part of the reason why there is a delay in posting all the projects I have going on. I have started about a million projects but haven't been able to put them up until the house is set up just a tiny bit more.

I think by this weekend you will have your first update of the yard and living room!

PS. I know this is random and unofficial but I wanted to share the first piece of  our mail at our house.

This gives me goosebumbs every time I see it. In Less than 45 days we will be Mr. & Mrs.!!!

Currently doing a Pinterest blog hop hosted by the D.I.Y. Dreamer go check it out and get some cool Pinterest craft ideas!! 

running ragged

Alright. I'm really not "ragged" just tired today.
I know I've been absent for a while I've been really busy and as much as I want blogging to be high on my list it always gets knocked further down.
Last week I was lucky enough to spend a week with my family on Kiawah Island. I'm pretty sure that is one of my favorite places in the world. I would love to live out in that area one day (probably not ON Kiawah, but close). I read 2 books and got nice and tan... Mmmm I just love summer :)

So after my fabulous week vacation I came back to Clemson to help Reed move in to our home. Thats weird to say. I mean, its not technically "ours" because we are renting but hey its the first place we will live together! Reed is moving in a couple months before the wedding to fix it up and to allow me time to do whatever I want to it before I officially move in as "Mrs. Lathrop". (Ooooh thats even weirder to say!!).

These are some of the pictures from the house. They are rough in both picture quality and whats in them. I really don't want to share them but I want to be able to show you the transformation once I get my hands on the place!!


First up. The Living room. Gross. But I will say it looks a lot better already! I've moved all the boxes out and rearranged what furniture Reed has now. Hopefully by the end of this month we will have my living room furniture in place and I can start really putting the room together.

Second room is the guest/art/hunting room. I don't think it will stay all of these things but we are hoping to fit a day bed, my desk and craft cabinet along with Reeds gun cabinet and bows... I have a plan to make it more of "my room" than his. He has the entire back yard and 2 sheds!

Annnnd this is going to be our bedroom. Its tiny. We are only gonna be able to fit in our bed, a dresser, and maybe a bookcase.

And this is the bathroom. No room for storage... I may add some corner shelves... I don't have a plan for this one yet.

But I'm hoping to get a piece of furniture to put out in the hall to hold my make up and the towels. I've been thrifting trying to find the right piece... 

And finally the kitchen. Well, I don't have much to say other than it is small.
Reed and his cousin worked really hard to move the stove to where it is now to give a little room for a table in the corner. Before the washer hook ups were where the stove is and the stove was to the left of the fridge. It didn't make any sense. This isn't much better but at least we can have a kitchen table!

The other view of the kitchen. Yep those are the only cabinets. I've come up with a few creative solutions just gotta wait to put them to work. I'm in the middle of making a rolling island and am also on the hunt for 2 small pieces of furniture to add as "counter space"...

And this is the laundry room/utility closet. 

its long and narrow. Before they only had the dryer hook up  in here and the washer was in the kitchen. Luckily I have a handy man and he was able to move the hook ups so we can do laundry in one place now :) He also plans to work on that shelving in the back... And I am planning to hang some peg board above the washer and dryer so that we can hang our pots and pans in here instead of taking up our limited cabinet space! 

 This is the front of the house. Not very exciting but nice. I'm moving some hydrangea bushes to the front just to add some color to the house :)

The glorious back yard. The picture doesn't do it justice. This is really what sold us on the house. A 1 acre fenced in yard!!! Reed has sense moved in 2 sheds, 2 boats, 3 cars, and a motorcycle... good thing we got an acre... I've talked to Reed about not turning it in to a parking lot and he is now parking 2 cars behind the shed.

Thats our house!
Not much. I'm working like a mad woman to get this place feeling like a home instead of a rental. Reed has been awesome and we have spent lots of late nights working, him in the yard and me in the kitchen and living room. Hopefully before the wedding it will be in ship shape and ready for me to move in come August!

We have already had our first guests :) Our good friends came over for dinner and so graciously stood in the kitchen while I organized the pantry and then ate tacos with us in our junk filled living room. So much fun, and I am so glad they love us despite the hectic-ness that is our lives!