If You Can Dream It...

I'm not what one might call a crafty person.  I don't crochet, sew, scrapbook or have cute labels on everything.  But recently I've been trying a few new things, and am (hopefully) finding that I can find a crafty side after-all.  Why this is necessary, I am not sure.  But I am recently hell-bent on finding it anyway.

A friend of mine suggested we take a class on cake decorating at our local Hobby Lobby.  Since I've been volunteering for Free Cakes for Fort Campbell Kids, I figured any kid who got my cake would thank me if I went to this class, so I said yes.  As these things go, she didn't end up signing up (which turned out alright anyway), but every week they gave us fun tasks to complete.

Like on week two where we learned to transfer images onto our cakes... and then fill them in.  (yes, this looks horrible, but the book example didn't look much better.)

The next week we learned how to make flowers (and put them on cupcakes).  Although my "Pom" turned out alright.

I'm not sure it's just the horrible-gray color that makes this "shaggy mum" look like a monster.  (I was going for purple, but didn't care when it got too blue apparently.)

For our final week we learned roses and lettering.  By far, it was the least-offensive cake I made in the class.  To me, that says it's a win.

I've also started painting pottery.  Meaning I've done it twice.  Here is my first shot at it.  (the second is still being fired.)

I guess I'll stick to all craftyness coming out in my latest hobby: cooking.  And I guess I'm getting good at it since I won the chili cook-off this weekend!  Six Companies, Twelve Contestants, One Huge Trophy (including bragging-rights and a day off for everyone in the company - making me the most popular person in the 2-502).

Bee Tee Dub, if you're interested in said award-winning recipe, go to my cooking blog and check it out.  http://thegingercooks.blogspot.com/2011/10/award-winning-strike-force-chili.html

if life were made of moments, then you'd never know you had one

A List of Things:
- Rally squirrel.  If you've watched the St. Louis Cardinals in the playoffs like I have, you'll know that in two games there was a squirrel.  If you're on facebook, you'll know that people refuse to stop talking about it.  I'm over it.
- Honey Badger.  This was an internet phenom like a year ago.  And I am NOT over it, because saying things like "honey badger don't care."  Or "watch out, says that bird!" continue to be funny to me.  However, I recently saw honey badger parody on a commercial for pistachios. This means I have to stop liking it quite so much, I think.  (second thought: pistachios also did ads with Kermit the Frog, and Angry Birds, and I am NOT quitting those... so maybe I'll stay loving it.  because my dog, Honey Barney, he don't give a crap.)




- Have I recently talked about how excited I am for The Muppets?  Jason Segal + childhood + great preview = my favorite holiday just got better.  (it comes out on Thanksgiving Weekend.)
- I apologize to my poor tablespoon measure which I garbage disposaled for like 20 seconds last week.

- I just got a new vacuum.  You know you're old/married/boring when you get a new vacuum in the mail and can not wait to try it out.  By the way, it's amazing.  And tomorrow I'm going to try steaming, too.  *boring and old alert*

Travel Blog I: I just want to say how cool fall is.  Like, cooler thank just one bullet point.  Here are some pictures of just hanging out around Tennessee earlier this month and being so happy that fall has finally come.  As you can see, the dog loves hiking. As you can further see, now that it's not a million degrees outside I am enjoying where I live much more.

Travel Blog II: This weekend I ran with Team Frison at the Ft. Knox Run for the Fallen.  Even though the event brought me to tears no less than 4 times, I am so happy I got to go.  To support Team Frison, and to add a little more perspective into my world.  So strange to think The Husband has been home for over four months now... how does time work?  Honestly, sometimes it blows my mind.  Shout out to Mrs. Frison for letting me on her cool team.  She is one strong Army/Gold Star Wife.

so many Team Frison supporters.  Plus the banner.

For Ending: Next weekend I'm going to a Civil War Re-Enactment... because that is just the kind of crazy stuff people think Southerners do all day (example: that cute Reese Witherspoon movie Sweet Home Alabama).  Sometimes my life is awesome.

so raise your glass if you are wrong

 There is a quote from Grey's Anatomy where George (so you know it's old) says "who here feels like they have no idea what they're doing" and everyone raises their hand.  I feel like that is me for a lot of my life.  Especially now that I don't have the things I usually define myself with (no job, new friends, far away from my family). 

Here is one issue: everyone I know is having kids.  Or will in the next 6 months.  Or did in the last 6 months.  Right now is a very hot time for anyone I know or have ever known and kids.  And all the while, I feel like this picture.

Which is to say that in my head, I am not sure how I am more than 22 years old.  And although many of my friends had children at 22 (I am from Utah), I still feel my mind blown that I am old enough to have kids.  You know, because I'm 22.  (which is a huge jump from feeling 19, which was for a lot of years.)

Here is a second issue: I felt like at thirty, I would know what I was doing with my life.  I'd have a career, or a kid or at least a plan.  I tried to make a plan.  I've actually been trying for weeks.  But I think the problem is "have no clue what I want to do with my life."  Should I try a new career?  (fun, but what will it be that is more interesting and less annoying than what I already hypothetically do?)  Should I go back to school? (fun, but for what?)  Should I try to develop a plan to become independently wealthy?  (fun, but still working on logistics.) 

Apparently the problem with making a plan is, you have to know where you're going (other than "happy").  Everyone always says you need a plan to accomplish things.  And so I'm trying.  Because I'd like to accomplish things.  I just wish I really understood what those "things" were so I could start trying to get them done.