quotable

i saw a good quote today and wanted to remember it.

sometimes you have to give up on people. not because you don't care, but because they don't. 

so true.

feeling better today

ok, i have come off "the ledge" so to speak.

i talked to Jeff for a long time yesterday and he made me feel  lot better about feeling like i have to save everyone. he reminded me that everyone is in charge of their OWN destiny. i can say whatever i want and i can do whatever i want but ultimately it is up to the other person.

DUH.

i know this.

but it didn't sink in until yesterday.

and my other feeling...the one that no one is on my side and all of that...well, unfounded. Jeff is always there. he was wonderful. he knew something was wrong and he came to me to talk it out.

i guess sometimes i just need a good talk.

today my dad and brother in law are coming to take all the tools back from the weekend of projects. should be a quiet day today and i am looking forward to spending the day with my Jeff.

oh! and here is my beautiful new porch!

thankfulness and ranting

the power washing is done, and our new stairs are built. i am so thankful for my dad's help with these projects. he is always there to lend a hand with stuff like that. my mom and grandma came along for the ride and spent the afternoon sitting in the shade of our maple tree enjoying pizza and conversation. it was a very nice weekend. 

but...

i came to a conclusion this morning and i need to rant. 

i am everyone's person. everyone. i am the one who lifts people up, keeps them encouraged, makes sure they are feeling ok and happy. it is my unspoken job to inspire everyone. and 99% of the time i do this job happily and with great enthusiasm because i thoroughly enjoy helping people and making people happy. it is something i have loved doing my whole life.  

but i realized this morning that it doesn't really feel like it is anyone's job to inspire me. sure, it is there if i ask for it from various people in my life. but no one seems to be generally worried about my well being. 

don't get me wrong.

i have so much love in my life. i am loved so deeply by my beloved Jeff and so completely by him and our families. 

but, it just feels like no one is "lifting me up" unless i ask for it. and that sucks, because no one wants to ask for inspiration...then you feel like a burden. 

alas...when we have no other job but to be everyone's hero...who's job is it to be the hero's hero? 

POWER! washing :)

today my dad is coming to the house to help us with some projects that need to get done. today starts the power washing of the house, and this weekend he is coming to help us rebuild our back stairs that got crushed by a tree that fell in a storm earlier this year. and my dad is bringing my mom and grandma on the weekend trip, so it will be a busy few days for us! here is hoping everything goes smooth.

                                    

                                    

i hope everyone has a great day!

~mandy~

my first giraffe

i have never painted a giraffe before which is strange since i love them! i thought it would be fun to try. not too shabby for my first try i think. acrylic on canvas board.

baggo boards

my dad made some baggo boards for some of my boyfriends family and i did the design. they asked for the Steelers logo. i think it turned out pretty well. acrylic on wood.

werewolf

so my boyfriend asked if i would paint him a werewolf! i have never done anything like that before, but it turned out pretty well i think. done with acrylic on paper canvas.

watercolor still life

i am trying my hand at painting in watercolor from still life landscapes in my house. below is my first attempt. not  perfect, scale is off...but all and all...not too bad i think!