34

Half the year is gone by and I've managed to publish the same amount of posts as last year, plus two. The monthly updates started getting harder to write about Wells as he grew. Less noticeable changes then those first few months made it harder to expound on his news. I sat the other day and read all of the monthly's and really appreciated them. It was such a sweet reminder of where we have been. I'm currently creating a photo book of the photos and update deets to send to be printed for our baby book. I hope to finish SOON. I still haven't finished my wedding books from five years ago, but I plan to finish and print. It's my goal.

I have 34 drafts sitting on blogger filled with thoughts and ideas that haven't yet been completed or I'm holding before publishing. I hope to find the words to wrap up some of them soon. It would seem, as I have a lacking social life being new to the island, that I'd spend more time publishing than starting new drafts. Instead, I've been starting new drafts while attempting to keep Wells busy throughout the day, keep the house clean, attack one box at a time, take a good deep breath at nap time, keep us well fed.. ..I also started a 6 am boot camp class which is kicking my butt - in a good way. I've needed it to be kicked.

St. Thomas is treating us well. We have weathered a tropical storm, countless bugs, a mouse living in our grill (yeah, pretty gross), an earthquake, and our first sickness. Wells has had a raging fever for four days spiking into the 104s. Thankfully, fever broke yesterday and then stayed very low around 99/100. Keeping him hydrated with plenty of cuddles is my daily task.

Now to start publishing some of those 34 drafts sitting and clogging my blogger.

Stay tuned.

Featured on Grey Likes Baby

In case you missed it, Grey Likes Baby featured our nursery and first family photo shoot. Grey Likes Baby is a great resource for nursery, maternity, and shower inspiration. I frequented the pages several times while I was pregnant. If you aren't following her blog you should sign up and also like Grey Likes Baby facebook page so you don't miss any goodness. Thanks for the feature! 

Blog neglect is a thing.

Blog neglect is a thing.

We have a few short days to tie up loose ends and close the last box before moving our of our home in Philadelphia. It's been a pretty smooth go, so far.

I've been tending to on going lists of gathering packing essentials and my little busy baby. Along with figuring out backing up on computer online. I spent 9 days backing up to Backblaze only to realize it's not what I'm looking for in online storage. So, I've been letting my computer work and I've been tending to other things which actually has been a great break. A mini blog break that may be continuing for some more time during our transitionally weeks between Philadelphia and St. Thomas.

I'm thinking up some good posts about my first year as a mother, breastfeeding, and what I've learned in the last four years. Whether I post before or after we are settled in STT is still to be determined.

In the meantime, here are a few things to browse:

The Freckled Fox for fun, long locks tutorials on beautiful hairstyles. I've been waiting to chop my hair off and this blog has changed me into wanting to grow it longer.

Check out Crashplan which I believe is what I'm going to end up going with for online storage because they have unlimited file retention. If you are look for online storage that will mirror your computer than Back Blaze is great. I'm looking for online storage with easy online access to files that I have deleted from my computer.

While I'm on a blog hiatus (or even if I'm not) you can always follow my pins to the left. I'm loving my color album.

I've been piling my spring reading lists together and digging in one by one. I'll post which are my favorites at some point. I'm always looking for suggestions so leave yours in the comments below. I tend to browse what others are reading in blog land too. Reading lists: Here, here, and here.

I frequent Wifessionals blog. Are you protecting yourself on instagram?

I've always loved seeing where my blog readers are coming from with the widget Feedjit. During the last several months, I have been using another widget and it's been great to see who each of you are that coming frequently to read my nonsense. It's a user friendly service that keeps informed me to who's reading, where they are coming from, what your popular posts are, search key words, and lots more. It's been interesting and fun! Contact me if you want to know more about this widget for your blog.

Thanks for reading, y'all.

Browse

Today, I'm taking it easy with Wells. We spent our morning slowly getting out of bed. While he napped, I listened to a sermon and then clicked around on the interwebs. A well deserved slow morning after a long night, teething is no joke or at least that is what we think is the culprit. Here are some clicks that I've clicked over the last week or so.

This article was a great read. 7 Crippling Parenting Behaviors That Keep Children From Becoming Leaders.

Reading daily quotes on Clementine Daily "When you cease to dream you cease to live"

This article on breastfeeding in public.

Inturigued by Socality - "A faith-based community committed to sharing the message of love anchored in truth"

Three great blog posts by my friend, Carmen: Hello, I'm a Mom and I'm Jealous of You, Childbirth: A Window into Motherhood, Letting Go the Grip of Comparison in Motherhood and Discovering Grace.

I've been rediscovering Where My Heart Resides, I completely relate and absolutely agree with her post here.

I'm in the middle of reading this book.

Okay, now I'm off to fold laundry.

*You have until tomorrow to enter the giveaway*

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

First introductions: Southern Grade

It's been a very long time coming. I've wanted to change my blog name for years. I threw A TOODLE LEE DO together on a whim. I wanted it to be obscure enough that people wouldn't find it easily. I've hated it since the beginning, but never had the gusto to change it.

I'm introducing my new blog today: Southern Grade. It will still be the same meaningless information and over the top amount of pictures mainly of Wells. But, I hope you continue reading our story. Stay tuned for more new exciting stuff as I add more to this blog.

The blog is in the 'under construction' process. I'll be changing the URL soon so stay updated. I hope to have a redirect through this current URL but I'm not sure how the switch is actually going to happen. Stay updated through my personal facebook or on instagram: tohman. All of my current followers will transfer over to the new blogspot.

Thanks for reading, y'all.

Makers Workshop

Today I wanted to share my friend Lindsey's blog Makers Workshop with you. Lindsey and I met in 2004 while we were in college at Louisiana Tech. One time she trusted me to dye her hair blonde. I failed miserably and somehow we are still friends. 

I gush over all her finds and adventures that she shares on her blog and instagram. She is always traveling and sharing new artists. She also has the cutest kid. Seriously. Just see for yourself. Last week Lindsey did a feature on her husband which was so sweet. They are the coolest family ever. Go over to her instagram to see her beautiful newly installed wood art. 

Her DIY winter blooms were featured in Folk Magazine's winter issue. Which you can read more about here.

Why I Stopped Blogging Last Year

The long hiatus from this blog was semi-intentional. I really didn't know if I'd pick it back up. Even when I began again, I thought about scratching this site and starting fresh. In the end, I decided against it and have continued where I left off.

After a busy start to 2012 I graduated from college, quit my job, vacationed, & found myself feeling homesick & discouraged. The first two years in Philadelphia I gushed with love for the city. The third year a gray cloud moved in and started raining on my shiny view. The newness was wearing off maybe? I felt like I poured myself into several different things. Friends. School. Jobs. City life. Church. Trying to get pregnant. And on. Yet they all seemed to grow dim. Cue feeling homesick like never before. I'm sure that this may not be the last time I feel this way. I'm a military wife & moving is our game. Adapting is something that will be come the norm.

I would sit in front of my white screen jabbing out uninspired. Type. And. Delete.

For a long time, I didn't broadcast this blog to anyone. Thus it was my corner to share whatever with whoever flipped by. All my readers were strangers. I mainly started blogging to give me something to do after we got married and moved away from all my to do's, friends, family, and life. It helped the transition and it still helps. It's always been a great way of compiling what is going on with me and ted. Our life. Our moves. Our struggles. Our travels. Our love.

I stopped blogging because I was uninspired to blog. Each time I sat to type, I felt like I was here to vent so I reneged. And that is okay. I wanted and probably needed a break. I also wanted to venture into creating something else. And it was refreshing.

Starting back has been so great & I'm glad I'm back. All of you who have come back to read, thank you.

i'm ALIVE

believe it or NOT.

i'm still breathing, moving, and living. i've taken a maybe intentional break but definitely never meant for it to go on this lonnnnnnnnnnngg. seriously, i've missed it. i've kept up with my google reader but completely neglected all else.

cheers to a start. a fresh beginning. crisp days ahead. new words to share.

i have so much to share. say. do. post.

stay tuned. . .

Kind of

this blog year


has been

s

l

o

w

.

i'm not sure what i'm thinking, doing, or writing.
what i want to be said or read.
truth is the blog is out of sight.
and mind.
for the time being.
i'm okay with this.
kind of.

feeling guilty for fully neglecting.
but this is the season i'm in.
and 'a toodle lee do' isn't hat the forefront of to do's.
i'm okay with that.
kind of.

start posts all the time.
and scratch posts all the time.
pointless thoughts.
and need better direction.
hence the hint of change.
a new project maybe.

baby steps.

Progress

recently, i heard someone explain emotional pain as a reason for personal growth. i agree, i just haven't actually put it in words like this. over the past few years, i've learned heaps. most of all, i've learned a lot about who i am & the condition of my own heart. it's been painful. lonely. discouraging. and helpful.

tears have poured like a gushing waterfall. my heart has ached as if it were literally pulled into pieces. the emotional journey that i've experienced has been a blessing amidst the difficulty. when i think back to the beginning & remember the initial pain, i had no idea who i would become because of it.

i'm grateful for the way god has used this last couple years to bring me to know him more. if it weren't for the ache of my heart, would i have learned so much?

this year has had far too many unexpected twists. today was the kind of day that sucked the life out of me. the moment someone turns to introduce them self to you at church, stops mid-greeting when they notice your a hot mess crying. lets just say it was heavy stream of tears throughout the day. emotional wreck, twenty-twelve.

some good points in today though. like a phone call to a friend back home. my brother whom always smears a smile across my face. texts from friends around the globe that made today just that much more bearable. i fail. often. i'm trying to live with my hands free from clenching. letting go of trying to make sense of things that make no sense.

maybe i've fallen off the blogroll because i don't know what to say this year has been tough. different. not more tough then past years but a different type of tough. one where i sometime i just wish i had a listening ear.

but, i have high hopes for these last three months of the year. things are looking UP

Make magic

Link: When we speak of magic | The Fresh Exchange

San Fran Advice?

ted & i are going out to san francisco in september. i can't wait. it will be my first time on the west coast. i've heard such good things about san fran. if you have any advice on what to see, eat, do, stay, etc. we dream of going to french laundry. but, our checkbook can't take that kind of hit. i plan on going to tartine bakery though. 

The Influence Conference

i was recently introduced to the influence conference. heard of it? the thought behind it is very intriguing to me. i don't share about my faith often enough on this blog. however, it is a huge part of my life and deeply rooted into who i am. i just haven't found my groove with sharing.


speaker list includes:
from the nato's
chatting at the sky
the wiegands
john saddington
modern mrs darcy
a deeper story
show & tell
the creative mom
tiny twig
naptime diaries

May Sponsor

last month was the first month for me to have a sponsor. it was great. i'm super excited to share my may sponsor mainly because i adore her gorgeous blog. please click over to Of Anselm and discover for yourself. naomi's photography is stunning as well as her family. you can also read her recent posts of Q&A which is grrreat. part 1 and part 2.

please email me at t_varnado(at)hotmail(dot)com if you are interested in an advertise swap for june.

thanks loves.

Lately in a Few Snaps

instagram round up
1. run philadelphia / cityscape
2. window seals
3. plants around the house
4. seated
5. spring flowers
6. morning cups

follow: tohman

Readers, readers, readers

who are you?

it's a question that i tend to keep inside. i look at my google friend connect widget & see a scramble of all different places. readers that return. week after week. AND, i'd like just to say 'HI'. i'm so glad you come to read or look. wander around all you want. but if you've been too shy to say a few words.. i'd encourage you to be heard. i'd love to hear from you. know more about you. 

here's a challenge to you (inspiration from my friend naomi at of anselm):

1. who are you?

2. where do you live?

3. do you blog? if so, share your it! (new, old, in between...)

4. don't have a blog? tell me what your favorite thing about spring is? (favorite flower, drink, read, etc.)

thanks loves! looking forward from hearing from you. 

Note: I had to add word verification to the comment box, sadly. I know how annoying word verification is but I keep getting spam commenter's. I saw no other way. Thanks for reading and commenting.

also, you may notice my newest & first sponsor to the left of the page. Check out Our Beautiful Journey. Happy Easter! xxoo

updated blog look

i decided to play around with the layout and look of a. toodle. lee. do. it may or may not stay the same but wanted to just see what i can come up with for something new. i did download my old layout so that if i totally messed up the look.. i could *easily* revert to the old.

when it come to decisions, i can be pretty fickle. but i think, i needed a change of look for the blog. i sat at a coffee shop yesterday and jotted down ideas about life, blogging, etc... so i'm looking forward to putting it all in motion. which started with... today's updated look.

re ( fresh )

i've been in a real blogger funk. if there is such a thing. and i'm trying to snap out of it. which in this case is easier said than done. i tend to blame the full calendar but really i'm just sitting in my living room staring at the Christmas tree that has now made it past january 15 (!!!!?!). or the pile of jackets sitting on my chair that I've been piling high all week.

b  u  t,  none of which is keeping me from blogging. it's just that I find myself searching craigslist for extended amounts of time searching for that one special place that we want to live. (We are trying to move.. ..still in the city.. ..still downtown.. ..just bigger space.) i just blamed craigslist for my blogging hiatus. i'm not even sure that is plausible.

nonetheless, here I am.

what do you do when you've reach a blogger funk?

This next year

I'm a dreamer. Thoughts of little and BIG ideas race through my head constantly. In three seconds, I could have 100 ideas...or it feels that way. The ideas are not lacking. What's lacking is the 'FOLLOW THROUGH'. This is something has become on of my goals to change about myself. Accomplish what you dream up. Do what you can. It's something that is progressively happening in my life.

It's a creative process that I love to live.