Monthly Archives: August 2013

a difficult day

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One of my coworkers was killed in a car accident Friday, so the week has been filled with figuring out what to do to help her students continue in the program. I’ve been so busy with the students, starting my own classes to finish my coursework for my doctorate, and teaching my own classes this week that I have had little time to reflect on losing Erica.

I want to know only one detail in this tragedy, and that is that she didn’t suffer. She died instantly and never knew what hit her, and that’s what I want to remember. I loved her as a friend and as a coworker, and we became very close after going through some difficult transitions within her program. She was strong and had grown into an incredible leader.

I thank God for the time He gave us to get to know each other and to appreciate and learn from each other. Erica, I will miss our 5:00 am swims, chicken fried steak at the line cafe, and your pedicures. I love you, baby, and I know you and your precious baby Cliff are flying high with the angels.

the dream closet

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We moved into our corner farmhouse about fifteen years ago, and it was love at first sight for me. I, of course, agreed to look at lots of houses, but I knew the moment I saw this house, it was the one. When I called to inquire, the realtor told me they had put the for sale sign up that very day, and it was listed below our budget. Below. That never happens to me. I knew it was a match made in heaven.

The upstairs was a converted attic space that was usable, but by no means premium. One summer we gutted the entire thing, insulated it, and built a master suite. I am sharing a couple of pictures of the finished closet because it is amazing. A. Maz. Ing. A dream closet. I’ve purchased a good camera and a camera class, so I intend to take new pictures, but for now, let me share what was one of the nicest things my husband ever did for me.

This is the bedroom side, with the French door leading into the closet. We left the beams exposed and put a wonderful ceiling in.

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It’s hard to tell, but each of the racks running down the middle has a rack on the other side, so we have approximately 72 feet of hanging racks. The window seat is surrounded by shoe shelves, and each side has shelves for purses and sweaters. This summer, I sewed cushions and curtains for the window seat, and I will show updated pictures when I post pictures of our bathroom redesign from this summer.

Back to School

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When I was little, I used to get an itch to go back to school. I would practice putting on my new outfit. Pack and unpack my school supplies, carefully labeled with my name in progressively improved penmanship. Sharpen my pencils, and clean out my desk in preparation for all the homework I imagined I would complete there but, inevitably, sat on my bed completing.

When I was older, I would polish my nails, practice my makeup and hair, and clean out my closet, arranging my clothes into outfits. I would spend just one more day in the sun, bleaching my curly hair with lemons then rubbing them across my cheeks to get rid of the freckles.

So I found a job where, every year, there is a first day of school. I can rearrange my closet, get a mani-pedi, and pack my bookbag. The fall semester starts next week, and I can’t wait.

my first craftroom

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A few years ago, we converted an extra bedroom into my craft room. At the time, I did mostly paper crafts and a little sewing. I thought I would share pictures of the room because I was so blessed to have a dedicated space where I could spread out and create without messing up the whole house. I will post pictures of my new craft room soon, and it is amazing. I loved this room and had fun crafting in it, but I outgrew the storage when I started sewing more. I am very thankful that we had the space and the furniture to make this a happy space to create.

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