Bookshelves!!!

So my latest craze has been stalking Craigslist's free section for the North Shore and trying to find items to put in my new room.  I have been having success!!!

Here's my original list with updates and comments:

Items for my room

• Mattress Twin mattress available at Walmart for $100
• Bed frame Possibly from a friend...
• Table Found a free corner desk and am going to try to pick it up this weekend
• Chair Maybe one from Craigslist
• Dresser/Clothing-holder Being resourceful and going to use 3 free bookshelves from Craigslist as dresser space.  I just picked them up today with a special thanks to Roland Griggs!
• Mirror If I must pay, $15 at Target
• Nightstand? I may not have room or need at this point
• Curtains? Will use bed sheets and make my own
• Curtain rods? I have options with this: considering shower curtain rings or dowels from a craft store

Good Happenings for the Morning

Mist

Comfy Clothes

Babysitting

Pooh Bear
http://youtu.be/dbyO-iPb7xo

Items for my room

• Mattress
• Bed frame
• Table
• Chair
• Dresser/Clothing-holder
• Mirror
• Nightstand?
• Curtains?
• Curtain rods?

Happy Easter!

Chris in Boston, Day 1

Today, Chris and I enjoyed a leisurely day at Apple Tree Cottage.

• We slept in, he longer than me with the time difference.
• I took the liberty to read on the porch this morning next to my cute little herbs growing in their starter kits.  They're turning up quite nicely I think.  Soon I'll have to figure out a better way to plant them, because it's already getting a bit crowded.
• After a while, I decided it might be nice to have fresh muffins for breakfast.  I decided to try the homemade oatmeal muffins from the cook book Mom bought me.  I use that thing all the time, and I love it!  Chris woke up and came downstairs to the kitchen right after I put the muffins in the oven, so we chatted for a bit while the muffins finished baking.  Once done, I couldn't help myself but dive in.  They were okay...seriously not that bad, but not my favorite either.  
• Enough time inside with a sunny day beyond the porch windows demanded a walk.  I though a trip to Ocean Lawn would be nice and rewarding, but when we packed up and walked over there, the chain with the "Closed" sign was still up.  :(  So sad.  On the account that it was significantly colder than I thought it would be, we turned back to head to the house.
• Next, we sat down for a little lunch snack and decided the dinner menu.  
• Food menu for the week:
• Fish sticks and steak fries
• Pot roast and potatoes
• Homemade lasagna (for tonight)
• Chips and candy (for snacking) (Constant Vigilance!)
• Iced tea and Marinelli's Apple Cider
• One of the best surprises at the store is that Chris picked out a Mum plant for me!  It has white, purple, and yellow mums.  They are a combination gift from him and Mom.  I love them!  They're currently sitting on the dining room table waiting for me to take pictures of them.
• The return home led to beginning the lasagna.  Chris was in charge of the Italian sweet sausage, which were practically perfect. :D  We also opened the bags of chips: Mesquite Kettle Chips and Ruffles hot wings.  The Ruffles were excellent.
• Settlers of Catan
• I had mentioned playing all day, but he was the one to suggest it after the groceries were all put away.  
• He caught on to the game play REALLY fast.  Not fair.  But he's naturally good at these types of games, so I wasn't surprised.
• Game 1: Chris
• Game 2: Katie
• Game 3 to be scheduled soon.
• Lasagna
• Perfetto!
• We each had these huge pieces.  I eat really fast; Chris even commented...
• Tangled
• A nice transition to a quiet relaxing day.  We brought down the air mattress to the dining room and watched the movie next to the heater.
• Munched on Sour Patch Jelly Beans
• I actually allowed myself to laugh out loud and commentate on the movie.  Some parts I really enjoyed, but others were distinguishably cheesy.  I couldn't help but point those out.
• Nearing the end of the day, and my next task is to create an account of http://www.playr.org/.

Another day gone, and well spent.

It has been so nice having Chris around because of all of the little unspokens.  These include minute habits and reactions and ways of thinking that we both share because we grew up together.  I don't have to think about having to explain why I do certain things that I do because he does them too, for mostly the same reasons.  There's this sense of commonality that I have really missed being away from my family.  I know I am loved by my community here in Massachusetts, but I am truly thankful for the little love reminders and time spent with my family.

Psalm 73:21-28

When my heart was embittered and I was pierced within, 
Then I was senseless and ignorant; I was like a beast before You. 


Nevertheless I am continually with You; You have taken hold of my right hand. 
With Your counsel You will guide me, and afterward receive me to glory. 
Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. 
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. 
For, behold, those who are far from You will perish; You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to You. 
But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all Your works.

Pot Roast and Ice Cream Cake

I know this is a late post, but still I have pictures to share.

On March 15th, Megan and I went to share dinner with our friends in Peabody and we brought a pot roast with carrots and celery, mashed potatoes, and Megan's homemade ice cream cake. It was such a wonderful time to spend with them in their warm well lit apartment.

So good!

We played Settlers of Catan and Roland won!

Collaging and Paint

Two weeks ago I was accumulating a pile of "To Do's" as well as emotional thoughts to process. Both in combination have heightened my stress level, but I have been doing an okay job dodging the stress-attacks by distracting myself with other activities that have served as outlets and also procrastination tactics. Some of these outlets include collaging, painting, crocheting, journaling, and reading. Let the Renaissance begin (although I do realize that my Renaissance is a result of a slightly twisted and manipulative source)!

Throughout this time of "finding myself" via outlets, I have also been thinking about the idea of purpose.

What is my purpose? Am I thinking too much about my "purpose?" Should I be acting more quickly, and through my actions, purpose is created? Are beauty and creativity useless purposes? What do I have to offer?