2013

I moved back into my room a couple days ago. The house has been turned upside down with us getting rid of clutter and mouse droppings. This couldn’t have happened at a better time. The house is getting a fresh start just as the New Year rolls in. 2013 has been a good year.

This year we moved into our cute, old and drafty house. We’re still making it our own but it’s coming along. The way the sun shines through my window is welcoming and familiar now. I love the french doors leading into our unfinished, less than glamorous dining room and I’m not even scared to go down into the basement anymore… mostly.

I took Fundraising 101 this past spring when preparing to go to Ghana. Asking for money is definitely a most humbling experience. I can now tell you a thing or two about bake sales and this was the first time I put on a yard sale, nothing shy of hard work. I’ll never forget the feeling of touching down in Accra, a dream and vision realized. I told myself then, that it wouldn’t be the last time I felt that tingle in my bones.

I went back to school this fall and can’t be happier about that decision. I checked my grades on Christmas day: A,A,B- and C+. Not too bad. The C was in math and I’m happy with it.

I get ready for another chapter and semester proud of what I’ve done and happy to be getting the opportunity to continue doing what makes me happy. 

Peace and happiness for the next year… xoxo.

Photo Share!

 

I'm usually not a big picture taker but I took a few this week and thought I'd share a few random things that I enjoyed.

 

 

 

My outfit for Friday night's Dickens of a Christmas recieved a failing grade. Exact words were: "...Just because it's frigid doesn't mean you look like you walked fresh off the yard at Woodstock!" and then my favorite part... "How dare you smile..."

 

 

 

Meet Deputy Scott. He was smiling right before I took this picture, he's not aloud to look unprofessional in his uniform. I met him this week at an unfortunate rendezvous at the Roanoke City Jail. I can't disclose the exact reason just yet; it's too soon.

 

 

 

This is one of the 6 or 7 mice caught in our house this week. Yes, 6 or 7. Live traps and my bestfriend is setting them free in the woods. We respect living things in our house, even if they are ruining our things and making us uncomfortable.

 

 

This was an interesting conversation I had with a new but good friend of mine. I asked for a favor, he politely declined... I don't know why though...

 

 

Finals

Last week of classes for the semester.

I did it and that's how I'm feelin'. I'm tired of homework and we still haven't caught the mouse. He beat the trap and hasn't been seen lately.

... La vie est belle.

99 Problems

Got a couple first world problems going on here...

The scratching under my floor boards indicated a rodent. I didn't know what kind until I saw it on Thanksgiving. The little guy ran from behind the stove and back again as I screamed at the sight of him. The four days I spent out of town must have given him time to get comfortable. I spent the last few nights in the recliner downstairs while the mouse took over my room. I don't want it to die but I've got to live!

We had to kick one of the roommates out. The portion of her rent that is now my responsibility is killing my full-time student budget. I work 6 days a week and still have no money. 

The closest thing I have to a boyfriend is the ex that calls late night after he's drunk. He tells me how bad of a person I am for breaking up with him. He leaves messages and texts that wish me loneliness and dispare for the rest if my days. When I get past the thought of his nerve, I'm glad I dodged a bullet. 

My best friend is frustrated with my sulking. I told her she "doesn't understand." And called the only person I could talk to without shame, my little brother.

"Are you actually crying?" He asked as I sucked the snot back up my nose.

"Yes." I answered painfully, my chest heavy with stress and exhaustion. "I just can't get it. I give up."

"Listen. Put some gloves on, maybe even a mask if you have to and go get that fucking mouse! You're not allowed to give up." He continued. "There are mice everywhere in this world and you're going to have to learn to live with them."

My sobs slowed as he let the truth, my truth, flow. I'm tired and stressed, poor and deflated but for only as long as I let myself.

Sorry for the typos, my laptop is broken so I have to blog on my phone. 

Thankful

- Three weeks left in the semester.
- 5 days of vacation coming up.
- Sister Wives on Netflix.
- Pumpkin pancakes.
- Perfect timing.

The Non-Conformist

I stood in my black bohemian skirt; long and flowy, pulled tight to my waste so it wouldn’t drag on the ground. The black long-sleeved shirt I paired it with felt comfortable on my curves and set the back drop for my handmade multicolor scarf.

“I wouldn’t say frumpy… more like tattered.”

“Tattered?” I asked

“Yeah, but not tattered like homeless. Tattered like, like homely.”

“Tattered like, I don’t have any style?” I dug some more.

“Yeah.” She nodded with a grin.

I paused with my mouth wide open looking toward the ceiling of the massive museum. I can take it. I had asked. I really wanted to know what type of image people were getting of me. The two friends, of whose opinions I had just asked, stood tall on either side of me, one in patent leather pumps and the other slumming it in a pair of designer flats.

The curls in their hair made me wish I had done something to the horsetail slung over my shoulder in a haphazard braid. I need a trim, I know. A deep conditioning treatment would do anything but hurt and I understand that. I lower my head and rationalize the blows just before the next round started.

I was then told that I should continue wearing lip gloss and that some mascara would do me good. Apparently my cheeks are not rosy enough and I should apply a little rouge. I was always told I didn’t need make up; I guess there was an expiration date on that compliment.

How did I come to be homely? I give my roommate advice on style all the time… she must look terrible.

I took the honest words with a grain of salt. I let them jog around in my thoughts until the morning. I made plans to jog my body around and maybe fit into some of my cuter clothes that had been set aside for the season. This morning we began our discussion in Sunday school on conformity. I found a place to let the thoughts and words roam. As we went around the table collecting the experiences from the other adults at the table, I discovered I wasn’t the only one having issues with personal appearance.

Earlier this evening the urge to shop compelled me to hit up the nearest retail establishment on the way home from dinner. I bought a pair of trousers and was about to buy a pair of shoes when I had to stop and think of who I was buying them for. Comparing myself to everyone in the room and making plans to please anyone other than the person I am would be against my non-conformist lifestyle.

All of this considered, I will go get my hair trimmed and conditioned. I’ll keep my lip gloss close and jog those laps, though the mascara and the rouge will have to wait.

I left those shoes there, just to make sure, but if they are still there tomorrow I’ll know they were meant to be mine.  

Ha!

So that blog I wrote last week, I had a great time and talked a lot of trash about commitment... THEN I forgot to write this Sunday. Ha! My bad. Setting an alarm as we speak.

I watched a very nice and capable man win the office of Roanoke City Sheriff tonight, s/o to Tim Allen for winning the race, I am really excited for him. To see someone plug away at something for so long and have things come out in their favor really boosts my excitement for things to come. Stay tuned...