craving creativity

I don't know if it's that fall is just around the corner, that I'm finally getting settled in my new home, or that I just wanted to update things around here, but I felt like Jenny D from TN needed a bit of a facelift.  I'm pumped about how it looks so far.  Thanks for stopping by, and way to go on making it through this long Tuesday!

waiting, prayerfully

It's Monday.  Sometimes I learn things on Mondays.  A lot of times, Mondays sit in a fog.  But, sometimes, Mondays shift into focus.  After a weekend that has refreshed my heart and my soul, this day is just good.  That isn't to say that it is easier than other days. Or slower.  Or out-of-the-ordinary.  But there is something different about it.  Days have been kinda hard as of late.  Lots of change, lots of sad.  After a long season of feeling enormously led, even in the tiniest of decisions and steps, this most recent time has been, well, quiet in that department.  Today feels like a new season might be on my horizon - much like my beloved fall, which promises to show itself soon. Today I'm grateful for things that renew my spirit: local music with JC & watching football games smack-dab between Mama D and Spanky & my cuddly puppy & chai tea & the book of Romans.  So grateful.

I don't read Anne Lamott regularly, or even know much about her.  But I stumbled upon something that she shared with her readers today.

"Fifteen years ago, my pastor Veronica said that when she had no clue what direction to take, she imagined standing in a spotlight, as if on stage, and waited, prayerfully, until one more spotlight began to appear nearby. Then she would go stand in that circle of light."

Wow.  I just love that.  Moving from light to light.  Prayerfully considering our next steps, and taking action after the Leader of our hearts has revealed a glimpse of what we're supposed to do.  And using a stage to teach me that?  Well, the tiny dancer in my soul grins because that image must have come from a kindred spirit that needed to learn that lesson, too.  Funny how that works.

I'm going to fight hard against the temptation to take this season into my own hands.  To seek Light, first...not my own understanding.  For now, I'm just waiting, prayerfully.

slow down easy

I make lists. I love lists. But I'm learning that woman does not live by list alone.  Life calls for self-motivation and intentional planning.  But sometimes I take all that a little too seriously.  Tonight, I'm feeling puny, and I'm just taking a step away from my lists.  Because some days you just have to.  So, I'll lay in my bed, binge watching 80s sitcoms on Netflix while my puppy sleeps next to me and I drink milk from a mug.  And while I'm not necessarily excited about being under the weather, I'm grateful for a night when things slow down, even if it's just for a little while.

goodbye to 449

In August of 2012, I moved into the most magical little downtown apartment I could have ever imagined.  Complete with exposed brick walls, polished concrete floors, and plenty of character, I quickly turned Apartment 449 into my home.  It was almost effortless, really.  It was like we just got each other - because I am romantic enough to believe that places have personalities.

This sweet little home of mine allowed me to grow up.  I experienced big life changes, made difficult decisions, hosted my first parties, and adopted a puppy here.  I started graduate school and received a Master's degree here.  Jordan picked me up for our first date here.  I accepted my first full time job here.  I learned how to cook [sort of] here.  449 was the place I sipped coffee, had quiet time, watched my favorite movies, and really learned who I am.  And I will be forever grateful for it's cozy, comforting walls.

Leaving 449 was more difficult than I expected.  It was abrupt and quick - and a teary goodbye was given my last night there that nearly broke my heart.  Although that sounds terribly dramatic and I know that a new adventure is just around the corner, there is a bittersweet sadness to leaving your first grown-up home - the one where you really made a place yours for the first time.  But, it is time for me to leave, to find a new nest, only blocks away [more to come on that].  And there is peace in knowing that time is not ours, but belongs to the One who is much wiser than we can ever hope to be.

My prayer as I left 449 was that those who call it home next are welcomed with the same warm embrace I felt my first night there.  That it knows they need a place to call theirs as much as I did.  That they laugh there and find comfort there and share it with all of their friends and family.  That they become regulars at Pete's and Soccer Taco and Cafe 4.  That they call 449 home as quickly as I did.  That they love this special home like no place they've ever known.  And that, when it is time for them to go, it is a bittersweet goodbye.

Millie Pup Comes Home

Well, it's been a long while since I've posted. I'll chalk that up to working and finishing a Master's degree.  But.....in all that craziness, one of the happiest things of my whole life has happened.  If you know me even a tiny little bit, you know that I have a deep and long lasting love for the canine species.  As a little girl, I barked during my first dance recital, wrote every single creative writing assignment from kindergarten through second grade about a dog, got my family to play 101 Dalmatians with me approximately 9 times a week, you get the idea.  When we got our sweet Holly dog growing up, dreams came true.  And when I went off to college, I was ready for one of my own, but not really. [Spoiler Alert: Dogs are a lot of work and responsibility, and I needed to wait.]  So, for years, I mean YEARS, I have waited patiently (and sometimes not so patiently) for the right time for me to get a pup of my own.  And then for the right pup to come along.  Here is the story of Millie.

I decided earlier in the year that I would get a puppy at the conclusion of my graduate degree.  So, I began looking diligently on adoptapet.com.  And then I found her. THE dog.  There was this little 4 month old cavapoo puppy [Cavalier King Charles Spaniel + Poodle] that needed a home.  She had been at a pet store, but hadn't been taken care of.  She got sick and rather than taking her to the vet, they were going to just put her to sleep.  East Coast Humane Society heard about this and rescued her.  When I found her online, she had only been in the shelter about half a day - so I applied quickly and was accepted to adopt!  She had to stay at the shelter nearly a month before she was healthy enough to come home.  She had several parasites, Kennel Cough, and infected eyes that would require surgery.  Once she was better, she was transported to Chattanooga where Jordan and I went to pick her up.  It was one of the most joyous things I have experienced.

She was placed in my arms by a very kind man who said, "I believe she belongs to you."  And that was it.  We were officially a pair.  She took to Jordan and me pretty quickly, although she was a little scared and visibly exhausted.  The whole car ride home she took some time warming up to us.  The sweetest moment came when I crawled into the backseat to ride with her.  And she came to sit right beside me, putting her furry paw up on my leg.  And it was in that tiny moment, halfway back to Knoxville, that we both knew we were the right match.

Millie pup has settled in so nicely at home.  And we've gotten to know each other pretty well.  She loves downtown and her fox toy and helping me make my bed (please view the images below).  Oh, and she is basically the cutest thing I have ever seen in my life.  She really is so good.  And she loves people.  She is like a furry little bundle of joy.

So, Millie is the pup I've waited ages for and she's here.  And I think she is pretty happy I'm her person.  

High Five for Friday

I haven't done a High Five for Friday, so in honor of an incredibly great week, here it is.

1.  Saw the guy's acappella group, VOLume, perform in ICCA South's competition last weekend.  They NAILED IT. And placed third in their first ever competition - I mean, it's no big deal.

2.  Snowpocalyse hit scruffy little Knoxville this week.  Possibly the most snow I've seen since the infamous Blizzard of '93.  Trust me, I didn't hate it. Not one bit.

3.  Had an impromptu date night with my main dude at our first date spot.  And they brought me a macaroon with a heart on it. Coincidence?  I think not.

4.  GOT MY CALLIGRAPHY KIT IN THE MAIL AND WROTE MY FIRST NOTE.  I was kinda excited about it.

5.  Allow me to brag on Jordan Cross here for a minute.  Upon driving back into Knoxville early Sunday morning on 3 hours of sleep, he brought coffee to me at church because he thought I might be tired.  Let me say that again. [[He thought I might be tired.]] Not sure how I was blessed enough to have this guy ask me on a date a while back, but I sure am he did.

new years.

So, it's January 30th and I'm just now getting around to posting about my New Year's Resolutions.  Why? Because I wanted to see if I actually stuck with them. It hasn't been perfect, but hey - perfect seems pretty boring to me. So, without further ado...my 14 resolutions for 2014.

1. Don't give up on resolutions. I think this one is pretty obvious.  But I am the queen of giving up by January 3rd because I missed a day. Not happening this year.

2. Get healthy. This is not a goal about a magic number on a scale and that makes my heart sing.  This is about lifestyle choices - being active, eating well, learning to cook. So far, so good. Also, Trader Joe's is a gift from above.

3. Tidy up. This has made my life significantly simpler.  At the end of each day, I take about 10 minutes to do things around my apartment that need to be done - folding clothes, organizing my desk, putting away the dishes. Some nights are more effective than others, but I have avoided "cleaning parties" by doing things a little bit at a time.

4. Get fit. Once again, not about weight loss.  Growing up, I danced multiple hours a day just about every day of the week.  I have lost flexibility and stamina and I'm working to get those things back.

5. Don't snooze.  This is the least successful goal so far.  I have a terrible habit of snoozing in the morning.  We're talking SERIOUS separation anxiety with my bed.  I'm gonna get over it...one day...maybe.

6. Make my bed.  I love a clean room.  And a made bed is a large part of that.  I've been pretty diligent about making my bed in the morning and it has made a huge difference.  Such a simple change!

7. Hydrate.  Drink. More. Water. Period. End of story.

8. Read.  Read a book a month. A little behind on my January reading, but I'll catch up!  More to come on my reading list.

9. Be intentional.  I have a lot of dear friends and family who do not live in good ol' Knoxville.  I want to be better about having phone conversations, writing notes, and going on coffee dates. Who doesn't love a resolution that is all about words?

10. Travel.  I just want to go places. This year, I'm traveling to the Big Apple.  It is happening - 100%.

11. Finish projects.  I am the queen of starting something and never getting about to finishing it. So, watch out Pinterest. I'm coming for ya.

12. Be still.  I have not done a great job the last little while about having quiet time.  I want to listen to what God is telling me, but I am terrible about being silent.  I'm looking forward to setting aside time to be in The Word and just be still.

13. Learn calligraphy.  I think calligraphy is a beautiful art and a skill that will be such a fun one to acquire.  I have ordered a "calligraphy how-to" kit and am so excited to write beautiful notes and letters.

14. GET A PUPPY. I can hardly bear how excited I am about this goal.  But come June, there will be a new member of 449 and I could not be more thrilled.  I'll be rescuing and am so excited about what this new adventure has in store!  Until then, you can find me googling all things puppy until the wee small hours of the morning.  How glorious!