Why People Need Creative Outlets

Y'all, let me tell you something. Without fully opening up on here, I must say I have been going through some craziness for the past several weeks. My home life has essentially been flipped upside down, and without going into too much detail, I've been a complete mess. It's shown in my (lack of) promoting sponsors, lack of interacting on social media, lack of reading and commenting on blog posts. Well, you get the idea.

Enter my creative outlet.

I've always had a deep love for art. I love drawing, painting, singing, all of it. Art to me is the best way to express yourself because there's no wrong way to do it. It's in art that I've been able to grab ahold of my creative outlet to get through these tough times.

A few weeks ago, you probably saw this on instagram.

This was the first time in over 10 years that I've actually sat down, and made an effort to just draw for the fun of it.
Y'all. I felt amazing just to draw. Ever since that day, I've really felt more relaxed. I'm incredibly grateful that I took a few moments for myself.

Since then, I've been drawing like crazy. Sometimes it's a silly doodle with Ainsley. Sometimes, it's like the bear up there and I make an effort for it to look nice. The only problem is I haven't had really good pencils for drawing. I had said something about not having great sketching materials to a friend's dad two weeks ago. I mentioned that I'm so glad that I'm back into drawing and I feel like I have "me" time again. The only downside is, I didn't have my charcoals and all that. But, I said that you work with what you have, right? Right!

Well, this past Friday, I got this in the mail. A totally, complete surprise from my friend's dad.

I seriously cried y'all. It's people like this that the world needs more of. I didn't ask for sketching things. I didn't say I needed them. He just sent them. I'm grateful to have him in my life.

After I got the drawing materials, I immediately starting sketching. For the longest time I've had this face in my head. I'm not sure who she is. And please forgive, because I'm really horrible at drawing people. But the happiness I felt while drawing her was so great. Loved it.

So, what I'm trying to say. If you don't have a creative outlet. Find one. It helps. I never knew how much I needed it until I just started drawing. For all of this, I'm grateful, and I'm starting this week on a happy note.

linking up with Emily.

What He Wants for Christmas

Is it just me, or does it seem like the men in my life are the most difficult to shop for? Women I know have pinterest pages, and wish lists on amazon, and circled items in pages of the recent Tiffany magazine. Just me? Ok... moving on. I'm lucky that I know my husband really well and I know his interests. But what about the other men in my life? Like my dad. Sure, every year he says "Don't get me anything." My sister and I never listen though. Never. He always ends up with something from the both of us.

Linking up with Ash and Tay for #Blogmas14

Dad Gifts by camachom featuring gift packs

// Drumsticks. My dad is a drummer. I learned at a very young age that he goes through drumsticks like most people go through chapstick. (or is that just me again?) So every Christmas he gets a nice shiny pair of new drumsticks!

// A silly tie. Don't judge. He loves these things. Sure, some years he'll get a nice one from me, but my dad is a jokester and silly ties are his thing.

// A shirt with a statement. (not pictured) Did I mention my dad is a jokester? I got him a shirt very similar to this last year and he LOVED it. He even wore it after Christmas. (Get it? Noel?) Yeah, a few of the family members thought I was dumb for getting it for him.

// Uncle John's Bathroom Reader. For the man in your life that likes to know a bunch of random crap. And to learn said random crap while... well, you get it.

// Meats and Cheeses. Because show me a guy that doesn't love some good meats and cheeses.

// A new Calendar. My dad ALWAYS (always) gets my sister and I a new calendar for Christmas. He's done it for as long as I can remember, so I started returning the favor. Even though Grandma always (always) makes a family Christmas calendar. (more on that another time). He likes his silly stuff.

// Hotwheels. My dad has a collection. He never takes these out of the packaging, and they're displayed on a WALL in his office. Yes, a wall. It's really very cool to see.

What would you get a special guy in your life? Anything on here strike your fancy? 

Halfway To Christmas

If anyone reading my blog has read my about me section then you already know: Christmas Day is my birthday. I'm sure y'all have seen tons of stuff on TV and the internet talking about "we're halfway to Christmas!" This of course means it's halfway to my birthday!

My Birthday 2006 at Amanda's 

I'd like to clear the air to tell everyone in the world wide webs that having my birthday on Christmas doesn't suck at all. Well, no I shouldn't say "at all"; I live in Georgia and therefore I hardly ever get snow for my birthday. When it does snow in GA it quickly turns to ice and there's hardly anything fun about ice.

I digress...

Growing up, my family never made me feel like I was getting any less presents. We would always do Christmas presents first. After everyone opened Christmas, we'd move on to birthday. There was always a separate pile for my birthday presents and they were always wrapped in pink birthday paper.

I still get excited about my birthday. I'll be 27 this year, but it doesn't bother me. Ask me in three years though... 30 might be an issue. hahaha.

Now that I'm a mom, Christmas is all about the kids. I could care less if I get anything for Christmas or my birthday... I just want the kids to have an amazing Christmas.

SO the countdown begins. For those that are sickened by the mention of Christmas, just think of it as halfway to my birthday!