Made My Bed and Curled Up In It
from gograph.com
Steven and I moved into our new apartment over two weeks ago now. I thought I would feel really strange living with someone for the first time, but I haven’t felt this comfortable living with someone since I was a child. As I think I’ve mentioned, my family moved a lot as I was growing up (not that I’m done, lol.) I’ve come to love moving.
The best part is going through my things again. Since almost everything I own has been in storage for 9 months, each box I opened was somewhat of an adventure. Yeah, I labelled everything, but still…
A photo album here. A couple of writing portfolios. Several boxes of books–Beats literature, Brit lit, poetry journals, anthologies, etc. And then there’s the dishes, which I never though much about before, but suddenly seem so integral.
Originally, when my stepmother gave me her old dishes, I didn’t know what I would ever do with serving dishes and multiple wine glasses. Now I realize that I have a home, my home, our home, the home that I will have people over for dinner. The home we pull out all of the wine glasses to toast to friends and family. Continue reading
Spring Storm Preparation…
Living in Indiana during storm season is something I’ve always loved. During my high school years, my family lived in a large ranch style home (with a full basement) out in the middle of the country and oftentimes when a storm was brewing, we’d sit outside and watch the rain come across the cornfield. Cornfield. That wasn’t stereotypical for Indiana, was it? 
For real, though. I love storms. The rain. The lightening. The thunder. The big blobs of orange and red on Chuck Lofton’s radar. Since I’m afraid of everything else (heights, roller coasters, lakes, oceans, ghost sounds in the baby monitor, etc.), storms were one thing I kinda looked forward to…
Until now. Back then, I had the comfort and safety of:
1. My mom, who always created a lovely, comfortable nest in the bathtub for my brother and sister. Candles surrounding us. Radio on the bathroom sink. Dad sitting in the living room pretending like we were all crazy and a tornado really wasn’t going to strike us.
2. The basement, where I could sleep through an F4 tornado and not even know it. My bedroom was there. No windows. No outside walls. Straight up PEACEFUL sleeping while Dorothy and Toto blew away outside. Continue reading
I Don’t Want To Wake Up!
The countdown is on! I’m taking Friday off to begin the fabulous process of relocating my life. My boyfriend and I are heading into the office early Friday morning to finalize the lease, grabbing the keys and beginning the move.Our cable guy is coming an hour or so later to set up the internet/cable, so I’m coming armed with technology.
How many people show up to sign their lease with a car all ready to unload? I’m not saying this is exciting or anything but… besides my storage unit (my life in an 8×10), I’m about 80% packed. I’ve moved so many times, it’s thrilling to do. If practice makes perfect, I should teach classes on moving. I’ve got an awesome process for it too.
The boxes do come from the liquor store because they are the perfect size–especially for someone who owns a lot of books. Don’t worry–most neighbors have enough sense to know I’m not hauling in 30 boxes of random types of alcohol. I don’t think I give off that vibe. Particularly since each box is meticulously labelled. Continue reading
Wrap’em Up Tight!
Our Xmas guard dog...kills with kisses!
I looked out our front window the other night when I shut off the tree lights. My car sat, as usual, in front of the house. At that time of night–the time I only know by the deep yawns and rubbing of heavy eye lids–the street is eerily empty. Although we live close to busy intersections, the sound rarely penetrates–even late at night.
Looking at my car, I remembered how sound affects our street at night. Absolutely no noise and then the shoving of a door, footsteps on the pavement, every creak is noticeable. Several years ago, the intrusive sound was my car alarm. According to my brother, he saw an indistinct blur of a man shocked at the blinking and beeping contraption. The man ran and nothing was taken.
We’re at that time of year again though. Coming back to the big city, I’m reminded that safety here is different. In college, students are always told to walk with a buddy and, if they’re going to drink, drink in a safe environment. Indy isn’t quite the same. Continue reading
Leave a commentFeeling A Little Green This Season?
So, here they are: the holidays. The time of year I often forget to put a little cushion between my thoughts and my words.
To some, the holidays are a precious time with their loved ones–time to spend with the little ones and the “out-of-town” relatives. For many other people, the holidays are lonely. I’ve had both but, in either case, the holiday season is always busy.
In the last few years, my holidays have more resembled a headless chicken running for help than the peacefulness of a nativity scene. In college, the weeks before Thanksgiving and Christmas, were insane. Projects wrapping up, plans in the making and friends to gather with before heading home.
Look familiar?
Last year my class project marathon gave me pneumonia and I spent most of Christmas Eve/day alone and asleep. The year before that I ping-ponged between families and heart-warming shrieks of laughter. Each year is unpredictably different and has its own rewards.
**On a side note: hand-made crafts are a great way to unwind and ease up on holiday costs. I try doing something different every year like crocheted scarves or hand-stitched journals. I learn something new while avoiding shopping outside my sales job.**
My goal this year is to focus on cherishing the traditions I participate in instead of taking this lovely time of year to be as negative and cantankerous as possible. Maybe I’ll plan to soak up some sunshine or maybe I’ll ease up on the holiday snacks.
Either way, I’d only like to be the Grinch for Halloween. My family deserves a Cindy Lou Hoo instead.
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