Pictures and other Random Things

First the Closet:

The BIG things are starting to finish up.  The closet looks good.  I'm glad I switched to white (originally gray wood stain -- pretty, but the white matches our bathroom cabinets.)

Hopefully, by June we should be settled -- furniture and window treatments left to go before we can decorate, etc.

"My" wall.
Ordered a large silver, round mirror
from West Elm for the wall.

From the other angle.
Maybe baskets up top?
It's too high to reach for regular use.

Hubby's area.
Technically more space than my side.
He has empty shelves and a drawer.
BUT, he gave me the shoe closet.
Good man.

Now some random things.

Audio Books:
I canceled the Audible membership with Amazon.  Interesting to note ... when I started the cancelation process, Amazon offered me a 50% discount for three months after my trial ended.  If you like Audibles, it's a good way to get a discount.  The program seems good for the right person and the right circumstance.

BUT ...

I didn't like the audible books.  I read quickly and hearing a book SLOWLY read out-loud was painful and inspired sleep -- not cool for riding in the car.  I'll stick to podcasts and READING books.


Shopping in Charleston:
Every kind of shopping you could imagine-- artisan, local, boutique, mall-stores, couture stores, sweets stores ... the list goes on.

I got a couple gifts for my bff (birthday in September) and a couple of things for me.  Also, the mandatory food gifts for my family.  Jelly, mustard and cookies.  All local and yummy.

For my girlfriend ... a fun handbag and a collapsable vase.  She likes "different" things.  The vase seems to work really well and I liked that it's not glass.

It's a nice size too.
I chose a basic pattern.

Big enough to actually hold things.
Eyes are a mirror.

For me ... an artisan bowl -- Rainbow Row.  It's clay painted over glass.  Food safe and durable.  I love it.  Also, a nightgown that I'll use while I blow-dry my hair.  I like to have something on my body, but the something must be cool enough (workout straightening my hair) and must be able to go over my head without messing up my finished hair.  It's harder than you'd think to find something that works.

The bowl.
Plants STILL alive.

Short BUT pockets, yea

Volunteering:
My break is over.  Back to all things Releash Atlanta.  Applications, looking for the next foster and helping at 2 fundraisers in May.  The break felt really good -- almost too good.  Time to be productive again.


Gluten:
I had some gluten toward the end of the trip.  Now my feet ache and I'm sad.  Yep, knew it was coming.  This time the gluten wasn't worth it.  Breaded, fried foods and lousy bread.  When will I learn?  Maybe never.


Routine:
I'm desperate to get back to a good routine again.  I knew March and April would be spotty, but now it's May and most of the crazy is finished.  It's easy to let it slide to a low priority.  It's hard to push when I have hubby home.  Distractions and interruptions are constant.  The only way to fix this is to make it #1 on the priority schedule.  Obviously, emergencies and whatnot don't count, but regular days need to have ROUTINE.  I need to fight for it because it's not something he needs and therefore doesn't really understand it.  He questions it A LOT.  Why does CHANGE suck for me?

Even though I had a great time away for the weekend, I'm really empty on quiet time for myself.  Coming home to contractors in my BEDROOM for two days makes me jittery.  It's hard to get quiet time because hubby is home and talking to me ALL THE TIME.  I'm upstairs in my office this morning because he's so chatty.

I set a TIME on this FEELING.  Not sure if that's a smart choice, but it's helped before (it's also wildly backfired -- if it doesn't go as planned).  Today is Wednesday.  By Sunday, I will feel well -- mentally, physically.  That means for this week, I WON'T feel well.  I accept it.  Since life will feel yucky for a few days, best time to do all the yucky things.  Clean, organize, chores, errands.  After days of eating better, being productive, calming down -- I SHOULD feel better.  Stay tuned ...

I'm expecting today to feel a little better (expecting can be dangerous though).  No contractors.  Closet is set-up.  I can finally get out to the grocery store, start cleaning and get my life back to all things REGULAR.  I need some CERTAINTY this week.  It's a balance.  I spent too much time in VARIETY and it's giving me a nervous breakdown of sorts.

Happy Wednesday.  5 days until I feel GREAT -- hah, fingers crossed.