Bench Time

Somewhere in the middle of yesterday afternoon I was struggling to get through my reading. I moved into the kitchen area of my apartment because it had the most sunlight and I wouldn't need a light that way. I bundled up in blankets because it's been so cold, and as I sat at the table I was reminded that my mother had suggested having a window seat about two feet from where I was sitting. After finally trying out this area of my apartment, I decided she had been right in her window seat idea. So I took a reading break, picked up my cellphone, and did what any knowledgeable gal would do-I called my father.

"Dad," I said, "you wouldn't happen to have any extra lumber just laying around would you? And you wouldn't happen to want to make me a bench on your days off would you? It'd need to be about yea big, yea wide, and yea tall." From which additional discussion ensued about what the actual dimensions should be (Dad believes in measuring tapes while I have hope in guesses) and the fact that I hoped the bench could double as a shelf also. (Plus this would take care of the fact that I only have one chair to use with my table-a problem when having guests for dinner....).

And there arrived in my email inbox this evening the following picture:

With an email attached saying that he hoped I'd be glad that it was made with repurposed wood. He'd taken the wood from a past project he'd made for me during my undergrad days and altered it into the bench. A piece of foam and repurposed fabric and it'll be good as new. Now if only it will make my reading go faster....

It's Been a Productive Day

It's been awhile.....But the good news is that I finally signed on for internet in my apartment (although it took 7 phone calls and two hours of frustration to get it set up this evening). So that means that I will be able to keep up on blogs, post more frequently, and research for my courses from home. The last several weeks have been busier than my last term already and I don't see things letting up much for the duration of the next 9 weeks. So the internet will come in handy!

In addition to getting connected, there were a couple of things that were worthy of note today. One being that I finally attempted to winterize my windows (who knew it'd be so difficult?!) The cutting of the plastic went fabulously well. However the double stick tape didn't want to adhere and with only a couple of electrical outlets in my entire apartment, the cord for the hair dryer didn't quite reach. Hopefully the most-definitely-not-perfect job I did will at least help some with keeping it warmer. It's been cold here today though!

The other happy thing is that I was able to spend a good part of the afternoon cooking. I roasted a huge pan of vegetables which can be used as left overs throughout the week. And I made two jars of vegetable pasta sauce which can be used throughout the coming weeks as well.


So now it's just taking care of the start-of-the-year applications and trying to catch up on all the reading I need to be doing for my courses! But at least now I can post more often! Hope everyone has had a great past couple of weeks!

(The above picture actually was taken from the window of my grandmother's this morning. I am taking one course at a separate university this term and so spend two evenings each week with her, visit with my nearby siblings and friends, and attend church there in order to balance out the trip more effectively.)

Roses in gloom

A lone rose saved in the cutting. I thought it was beautiful and wanted to share. Even amongst the darkness of winter, strong beauty exists.

So here I go...

Somewhere over the break I realized that I wasn't writing as much as I had intended. It's not that I didn't have topics that I think are of great importance, it's not that I'm burnt out on writing from school, and it's not that I didn't have internet access. Somewhere though I was reminded that my better posts take time to contemplate, formulate, and then post what I have to say-and over the break felt that my time should be spent enjoying moments of being present with my family and friends (and in doing some of the other little things that I don't have the opportunity to do in my "other life"). However there is quite the list in my mind of things that I hope to post about...eventually. :-)

The rain is pouring down, I'm drinking a cup of tea, and thinking of all that happened over the last few weeks while also thinking of everything that needs to be done in the next few hours, days, and weeks. The other night I had a thought about our celebration of New Years and of birthdays-the celebration of the passage of time that also creates worry in some people's lives. What if we never marked time according to our current standards? What if we lived each day for what it was and didn't think of lives in yearly cycles? Would we get more enjoyment out of life if we weren't worrying about how age held up to a certain standard or if we couldn't compare last year to this year? If we had no true timely standard by which to measure, would life be better or worse?

I recognize that some of my thoughts are lofty and unrealistic to the society in which we live, but I can't help but wonder about these things all the same...

On another note, before I finish packing and loading up, I would greatly encourage any female, especially of child bearing age, to read the book Having Faith: An Ecologist's Journey to Motherhood by Sandra Steingraber. While the book is somewhat depressing at times due to her explanations of current environmental and toxicological issues and how they effect the fetus, her knowledge of the development of the fetus and her own personal story about her pregnancy are wonderful. Truly the information contained in this book is something that everyone needs to be aware of and attempt to do something about. This might just be the most informational book I've read in a very long time and I seriously hope each of you will check it out and pass it on to others as well.

Hope you all enjoy a wonderful weekend and I'll post again...this time back in the city!

Transitions

I'm running through the things I need to pack back up to the city in two day's time. I'm returning with more than I brought as there are items to be dropped off for family and friends, bags for city recycling, a print of a painting done by my best friend's father, my house plants that have yet to make the move, and a couple of other items that I've picked up since being here. It's going to be one full car.

I'm also making lists of everything that still needs to be done before I can go. I need to finish my program application and read two local library books. I need to spend my last two days with internet usage continuing to job search. I need to download several scholarship forms. I need to exchange my new stainless steel water container for one that won't leak, and I need to order used textbooks online. I also need to drop off a few things at the women's shelter and order a permanent reusable coffee filter online.

My visit here is coming to an end (something that hit home even more today as I said goodbye to my best friends returning to their home on the east coast). Yet endings always bring beginnings- and the last few weeks have been a period of major growth and renewal for me. A recent movie got me thinking about life and I feel that I've reconnected to my original life vision. Sometimes events in our lives disallusion us to our original goals and dreams, yet if we are not passionately pursuing life and our purpose then I can't help but wonder how much we are truly living. Thus the last week has been a time of exploration and planning-discovering the ways to make what I have now match up to what I want it to be. And simply enough.....it's working.

It's funny to me how life opens doors and brings words (from friends, family, and sermons) of wisdom just when we need them most. It's funny how easy it is to create change in oneself and in how to achieve plans when that change weighs so heavily upon one's heart. And it's funny how once you listen to yourself the doors begin to open....

I hope that everyone's hearts have the chance to speak in the coming year-that you all have lives full of passion, full of wonderful endings and fabulous beginnings, and that you find yourself truly living-simply content.

Today...

The following photo was taken by my best friend:

AND THIS IS WHY I LOVE THE OREGON COAST....