I have some big news...

If you follow me on instagram then you've already heard the news but if not...

I FINALLY GOT MY LICENSE!!

I never intended to wait this long to get my license. I actually never really considered it in high school. Even though I grew up in the country I always had my mom or a friend to drive me places so it wasn't really needed. I remember sitting in homeroom hearing my friends and acquaintances talk about drivers ed the previous night and feeling like "what? we're old enough for that already?!" The years passed and I started to get freaked out by the idea of driving. For some reason me driving a car just seemed too strange. I knew I eventually wanted my license but I was in no rush at all.

It's been on my list of goals for a few years now and each year I had put it off. But for some reason I just knew this was the year, something was (is) different. I'm no longer content cooped up in my house. I need to get out and explore. I mean, sure, it's not that bad but I really really felt trapped and getting my license was the first step in finding a cure for this. 

Learning to drive was fun, honestly. I'll admit it was definitely scary at first. I would move over in my lane when a car was coming from the opposite direction in their lane, I wasn't able to take a hand off the wheel to scratch my nose and I always felt like I was drifting to the right (which I wasn't!) But one day it was like something clicked and I wasn't nervous anymore. I could give you a list of a thousand little changes I see in my driving already. Obviously I still have a lot to learn but I can't even begin to tell you how proud I am of my progress this far.

I went out for the day yesterday because of course I'm going to go drive around after I get my license.  I can't even believe it when I think about it but that was literally the first time I've been somewhere alone. I'm so in love how this feels, it's the best. It is so liberating. My car can take me just about anywhere and that's such a great thought.

Today I'm, oddly enough, spending the day at home to catch up on some work I got backed up from all the excitement of the last few days but you best believe when I'm finished I'll be planning some awesome day trips to take in the very near future. I'm definitely down to hear any suggestions of must visit places anywhere near Cleveland, Erie, Pittsburgh, etc. area. I'm really into silly roadside attractions and fun museums!

xoxo

Maggie & Crum

A few weeks back I introduced you all to Maggie, my parents new puppy. She's just the roundest little snuggly thing ever. She doesn't seem to have grown much since she was first brought into the family which I think is just the best thing ever. I love seeing this tiny pup and Crum interact.

How hilarious is Crum's face in that third picture? If there was ever a picture that completely summed him up that one would be it. He's such a dork.

I look forward to when Maggie is big enough that Crum doesn't accidentally step on her when they're playing anymore. I sure do love their size difference now though, it makes their cuddling that much cuter. The fact that she just crawls up on him and sits down is just too precious.

Here's one last one of Maggie with a huge smile! Oh my goodness! She's too cute.

Have a wonderful day!

xoxo

humble beginnings

Last year I admitted to being my neighborhood's crazy flower lady. What do you mean you don't have forty potted plants on your deck?* They're so pretty! This year I got a slightly earlier start on planting so hopefully I can grow even bigger and more beautiful flowers, not that I had any problems last year. After I was done planting and watering each one I took a photo. A "before photo" to be able to look back on when these babies really start to grow and bloom. Most don't really look so impressive yet but I'm excited just imagining how great they're going to look in a few weeks.

This year I'm trying to step outside of my comfort zone a little with flowers. When I first started doing flowers each spring (three years ago) my mom made most of my planters and filled them with flowers she's super comfortable growing - petunias. Last year I got a bunch of petunias because I know I could grow them well and then branched out a little with some marigolds, salvia (which did both did AMAZING), and a few other things. This year I got all my old favorites, a few new things and I'm even trying my hand out at growing some peppers. Since it's still early in the season I'm now on the hunt to find more flowers I've never grown before to plant.

Anyway, here are my some of my newly planted goodies. I'll definitely be sharing photos of them from time to time to update you on their growth because as silly of a hobby as growing flowers on my deck is I can't help but get really into it. I LOVE FLOWERS!

And of course, it's not even possible to talk about my flowers without including a photo of my planting pal, Lloyd. I think he might even like planting as much as I do.

xoxo

*I said 40 as a joke but I'm currently resting at a solid 30 planters full on my back deck. Although who knows how long before I add more. Haha!