My Plants Runneth Over

I have a new favorite plant since moving to Virginia.  Can you guess which one it is?

Okay, NOW can you guess?  Why yes, it IS the mass of brilliant green spilling prolifically out of my planter!  Called the Sweet Potato Vine, it is, in a word, spectacular.  The plant comes in a striking deep purple color too, but since I already had spiky purple in the pot I went with the acid green.

Throw some red geraniums and purple petunias in the mix, and boom.  I love walking up to my front door with these beauties greeting  me with such abundance. 

Except right now the poor things are most thoroughly waterlogged...we've had heavy rain since Monday, and no end of the rain and thunderstorms until Saturday.  Sigh.  I actually like storms, but not for an entire week, especially when that week coincides with the first week that my 2 older kids are back in school. 

I have a whole line-up of furniture refinishing projects ready to work on now that the weather is (was) becoming less humid and spray paint actually has a fighting chance to dry well.  Our garage has been insanely crowded all summer, and I'm anxiously awaiting the chance to finish all my furniture projects so we can get our garage space back.  Just in time to get it all messy again as we dive into ripping out the rest of our basement and finish my studio.  You haven't heard about that whole adventure?  It started with this post here and the last you saw of it was here. 

Here's a picture to engage your visual sense of the divine.  Or not.  That was what my studio looked like during demolition - isn't it pretty? 

Long story short, a previous owner had installed the sheetrock without properly framing the walls with studs, so there was nothing to attach the electric outlet boxes to.  So they just screwed the outlets into the wooden furring strips, sans plastic housings. You can see one of the cute little fire hazards peeking through the rungs of the ladder.

Which means we have to demolish our entire basement to fix it.  My studio is largely finished, but the rest of the basement needs "The Treatment".  We've got to start now because we'll likely have to move in a year (military wife) and it's got to be done before we rent or sell the place.  Don't talk to me about moving.  Not a good subject.  :-)

Anyway, hopefully by the end of September I'll have all sorts of exciting progress to post about, at least in the furniture refinishing category. 

Here's a quick peek just to get you started.

So I've also got to get cracking on new patterns and a bunch of other stuff that I'm in the middle of.  There is SO much behind-the-scenes work to be dealt with, it's really hard not to throw my hands up in the air and go sleep for 15 hours instead of chipping away at everything. 

And this darn economy isn't helping either.  Maybe in another 2 years I'll actually be making enough money to cover expenses.  It's a good thing I love what I do, because right now I'd be much better off (financially) working at McDonald's.  You think I'm joking.  Let's just say that I keep thinking I'm turning a corner, only to find another gigantic hill ahead of me.  Momentum is pretty hard to maintain after so many years of uphill climbs, but at this point I have too much invested both emotionally and otherwise to call it quits.  Believe me, I have considered many times whether or not I should continue trying to make my way in this highly competetive industry.  It's very exciting and emotionally rewarding, but it's also a LOT of work and makes it very hard to balance all of my roles and responsibilities as a wife and mother.  But despite the cons, I keep feeling like I need to press on.  I am determined not to fail, despite all the setbacks...as long as my gut keeps telling me I'm supposed to forge ahead, that is.  Yes, guts can talk.  Too bad my guts can't be my secretary, or accountant, or art agent, or pattern maker...

Well.  Speaking of guts, I sure spilled mine more than I had planned to.  Sorry 'bout that, sometimes it just happens.  Who reads photo-less text on a crafty blog anyway?  But hey - at least my SPV (sweet potato vine) can still brighten my world!  Even when it's raining.

Comments

[Katie W.]

I read it and wish I was near so I could help out in some way. Good luck with everything! You do a terrific job in all your roles!

[shelley]

Thanks, Katie - I know you would be happy to help if you were near. Thanks for the encouraging words - you give me more credit than I deserve!

[Donna Robbins]

My husband has started two businesses and its been a roller coaster ride. He says when he gets right to the edge of quitting, he asks the Lord for a little encouragement. And, He always delivers. He has blessed you with the gift of creativity. Keep going! I have made your curtains and I am constantly amazed at all that you do.

[shelley]

Thanks Donna,
I really, really appreciate your words of encouragement!