When it rains, it pours......

I was so excited to share our Sunday's beauty to bedlam moment, until my friend, the Nester, asked us to ponder some of our imperfect mistreatments. So, I am going to share my only mistreatment and then please scroll down for our amazing beauty from bedlam moment.

Window Mistreatment....let me tell you that I had never heard the word until 2 weeks ago when I was first introduced to this blog world. You may want to sit down for this. I don't do drapes. Wait, I think they are called window treatments. Yes, you heard me...I cringe when I admit it, but I have 22 beautiful windows that have nothing on them.
Are you hyperventilating?
I thought so. Let me explain. It's not that I don't want to, I do, but with a tight budget and lack of know how, it just hasn't happened. As you can see above, we live in the middle of total beauty with no visible neighbors. It's been a great excuse for why they aren't necessary. But that is going to change.
I am a woman in process, and loving it. Now, before you make assumptions about me, and the state of our "haven of hospitality"...it's really warm and welcoming - just with naked windows. Do you still love me anyhow? Yep, unconditionally?

So with that being said...

oh, I am so long-winded...
here is my only mistreatment...and I am so excited to share!!

I had all the items sitting around the house. The "rods" were little twig hearts that I picked up at Walmart for .25, and I just knocked a few twigs out to push the material on through.The material I had laying around, and talk about not being perfect...the ends are just cut with a scissor and completely frayed. Yep, I guess I could hot glue the ends under. I know they are pretty pathetic, but I am so fine with them. I have lots of other projects to tackle :)
*Note the gold fruit basket thingy on the right. That is so getting spray painted either white or soft yellow today. What have I been thinking for the last 4 years?
Only 21 window "mistreatments" to go.
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Now for my balance of beauty and bedlam moment......

We decided to be spontaneous and go blueberry picking.
Well, not quite so spontaneous...I had gone before with the little ones, but decided one of the beauties of multiple kids is the cheap labor.

So train them well when they're young...it's so worth the hard work!

My sil happened upon the most amazing find. Are you ready - a gentleman's front yard covered with organic blueberry bushes, with a note scribbled on the picnic table that says to pick all you want, and leave the money in the jar. You GOTTA love the country.

Now for the BEAUTY - $5 a GALLON!!!
Do you know how many blueberries fit in a gallon....
A LOT!
Do you know how much time it takes to pick a gallon...MORE!
Well, 5 minutes into our picking, the skies grew VERY dark.
No, that's not a bad picture...it grew very scary.
Sheer bedlam, I tell you.
"Pick, Pick, Pick, as fast as you can," I urged frantically.
It is NOT going to rain on my spontaneous parade.
Remember, it's the simple things that are the big things...
A little thunder never hurt anyone.
Well, the Lord had other plans, and since I had a choice to let the 'AH HA' moment slip away, and have my beautifully spontaneous moment ruined, or find joy in the little things....

I CHOSE JOY!When is the last time you sang in the rain?
Forget singing in the rain...when is the last time that you danced in the rain?We were already drenched, and so when we pulled in the driveway, I decided to have a blast in the downpour. It didn't take much to convince 4/5 of my kids.
We twirled, and giggled and hugged!
OH MY...I can't urge you enough to let loose.
Freedom at its finest.
I didn't care about my hair, my clothes, my make-up, my weight...
just living LIFE to its fullest, and sharing it with my family.

I let my eldest off the hook .

My power of persuasion wained with him. I needed a camera man so he came through...in the rain...getting wet. I must point out that I am completely being "real" to post this amazing outfit. I know you are all jealous, wanting to run out and copy my unbelievable fashion. When you have the "it" factor - what else can be said?

I put the tank shirt on to paint, and threw on my PJ shorts since they are SO comfy.
I "knew" no one was going to see me blueberry picking, so what did I care?
As my eldest downloaded this picture for me, he said, "Mom, sorry to say, but you're looking a little heavy in this picture." He then went on to subtly point out the areas that needed work.
Do you think I don't know? I am not sensitive to that at all...no, never. I have gained 10 pounds in the last year, but that's for another post.

Remember...it's the little things that are the big things.

When my 13 year old ds glowed, "Mom, I am never going to forget this day,"
my momma heart melted.
Lord, you are so good to bring me beauty from bedlam.
I am passionately pursuing that balance,
and this was one of the best balancing acts ever!