A Few of My Happy Places

My bed…so many pillows and blankets and things (usually not this neat, but rather covered with books, bags, mittens, random things). it’s one of those places you just sink into, curl up and feel right.

walking on the beach (florida, cape town, anywhere really)

my porch in africa or on one of the mountains and well africa in general

Lindo on my shouldersDriving in a car with big sunglasses on, windows down, music up loud

So, there are a few of my happy places. There are many more…but that’s a start. 🙂

What about you? Where’s your happy place/s? Do you have a favorite place? (I don’t do favorites!).

*Check out other happy places at The Gypsy Mama’s

Full

My heart is full.  Saturday proved to be a perfect, full day.  I woke up thinking and tweeting: “sunny saturday and no plans as of yet. not sure how I feel about that…”

I started out by staying in bed for a bit and then going outside to embrace the sunshine.  I read and got a tan while laying on a combo of a sleeping bag, blanket, towel and three pillows with music playing in the background next to six different books (Wide Awake, Out of the Salt Shaker, Her Name is Woman, Christ In You, The Bible, Inner Healing).  I even had a blank canvas, paints, a journal, pens, and of course sunglasses.  I like to be prepared/going inside and up the stairs to get something is not an ideal interruption.

Somewhere along the way I decided to pile all my stuff on my stairs in case I decided to return to my spot on the porch after I made delicious sweet tea.  Sweet tea makes my heart happy and feel like summer.  Though, I never did make it back to lay on the porch.  Instead, I helped (Josh–a volunteer here for 10 days) make a sweet video in iMovie.  I am so using that to make some fun stuff.

Then I intended to go on a walk (with Jace), which was delayed due to hanging out and chatting.  Eventually, we (Jace, Allen, and I) made our way to the pond where we saw some poor, sad, dead frogs while discussing how dirty the pool looked and how we needed to get gloves before trying to shimmy down the zip line.  After the walk, we (Jace, Allen, Jen, and I) jumped into a game of Settlers, which made my heart happy since we hadn’t played it yet.  Then dinner, hanging out (most/all of the interns plus the volunteers), playing guitar on an adorable little guitar, talking about life, laughing, time for prayer (for Tara’s family–pray for them too!), and then we ended the day with watching Wolverine.  I even stayed awake and got in some discussion about how some characters have some bitter roots!

Thus, the day ended with the thought and tweet: “what an awesome full saturday that is ending with a full heart 🙂 praise God!”  I am so thankful for the people God has put around me during this time to walk with me and build me up during this time of re-learning, un-learning, and learning while embracing who I am in Him!

One, Two, Three: Pack

Unpacking. Packing. Unpacking. Packing. This has been my life for the last few days.   I feel like I have accumulated so much stuff.  Though, I have enjoyed being able to organize and reorganized everything.  I put up pictures in my room and added my happy yellow mirror.  I created an extra bookcase until I can have the white one.  I made a happy place in my closet and turned my bed into a “I want to get in right now and never leave” place.  Here are some photos of the finished product.  Well, at least for now.  I still have more packing and unpacking and organizing to do, but you can get the general gist of things 🙂

Closet/makeshift bookshelf and happy area. Note: I still have to add clothes to the left side, but have to wait since I have to decide what I’m bringing still….

11 pillows. 2 down comforters. 1 feather bed. 1 comforter. 1 blanket (for now).

My bed was too tall so I stacked the night stands 🙂

Bookshelf, speakers and night stands, and flowers

Okay, I’m ready for bed now!

16 Things

1. I have a love/hate relationship with Matt Nathanson’s song Come on Get Higher
2. I was told a horrible story about the dentist and didn’t go for like years. I still don’t like the dentist, but now I have one that gives me headphones and tv.
3. I used to collect Boyds Bears. Yep. That’s all.
4. My first job was at DQ. I can actually make cones which is exciting.
5. I lived in Indiana for 4 years so sometimes I can pull out the slight southern accent.
6. I really want to take a spin class. Maybe even teach work out classes someday!
7. I have 0 unread posts in my reader.
8. I love “butterflies” and butterflies 🙂
9. I love love love reading. I just finished Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson
10. I’m going to see Twilight!
11. I’m a pack rat. I still have all my notes from classes including High School, College, etc. Even notes from elementary school.
12. I love having a desk, but hate sitting at it. I’d rather sit on my bed or the floor to do homework or anything.
13. I can’t sit straight and normal–even at work. I like to sit cross-legged or with my feet on my computer tower. ridiculous, I know 🙂
14. I currently have around 8 pillows and 5 blankets and two down comforters and flannel sheets on my bed.  And they’re on top of a feather bed
15. I love making bowls and taking ceramics courses and being at the potter’s wheel or even handbuilding.  
16. I’ve eat oatmeal almost everyday for breakfast this last month. I’m a bit obsessed. Before this, it was Special K with Red Berries. I go in streaks. I LOVE breakfast

 

Thanks for the fun idea, Tam!

6 Places I Want To Be

Here are the first 6 that came to mind:

1. 1. Curled up with a book and a boy (only the right one 😉 ) and tons of down comforters and pillows 
   2. Mountains
   3. Running or walking in the forest by a lake
   4. On my deck at home with the sunrise or the stars
   5. With my friends who are far away or will be
   6. On a beach or dock by water

    

   Thanks for the inspiration, Mandy!