When I lay my clothes out in the morning...I get out of the shower and see this:

Cuddles, how many cozy surfaces are there in this home for you to lay on? You REALLY have to choose my clean, hair-free blouse? 

I guess it's just my daily reminder that I am unconditionally loved.

Why It’s Harder To Write When You’re Happy

Couldn't help but agree with this! Read on, dear friends!

Why It’s Harder To Write When You’re Happy « Thought Catalog

Source: 6thstreetdesignschool.blogspot.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

About this week...

It seems as though it's been much longer than I week since I was here--I don't know how I feel about a week being so long! My absence has been due to a few things. First, and most importantly, I have been packing for our move which started LAST NIGHT! Second, I have not had internet at home since the 4th in preparation for said move. But, back to the important stuff: we are moving!!!

James and I signed the lease on our new place last night and got my stuff pretty much moved over in just two trips. Over the next two days we'll be finishing up at my apartment which, at this point means furniture and clothes, and also moving over as much of James' stuff as possible while we have access to the van my dad is bringing up tomorrow morning.

James has off today, so he'll get a lot of his boxes moved over while I'm at work this morning, and then I'll join him for the afternoon. Tomorrow we are totally blessed by having help from my dad and James' uncle and cousin--they are awesome! With four guys, I'm sure the move will go really well and will definitely save me from straining my back any more than I need to. It will be a crazy few days, but we are so looking forward to being all settled in and enjoying our new place together. Oh, did I mention we'll also be seeing the midnight show of Harry Potter tonight? Tell me, what move is complete without that!?

Check in for updates in the next week or so--pictures included!

A Very Good Day

Today was just an all around good day. It began around 6am when I got out of bed and planned on working on a paper that was due later today. (Un)fortunately, I decided to check in on some of the blogs I like to read and was reminded that the Royal Wedding was this morning! How I forgot that, I'm not really sure, considering James and I watched every imaginable show that was on about it last weekend. So, I ended up watching ABC News instead of working on my paper. Personally, I thought Kate looked beautiful, and I was excited to see that my friend Alexa and I were right about the style of dress she would wear! Ends up her dress is pretty much my fantasy wedding dress (minus the long train and a little bit of the poof). I'm getting off track. So my very good day started with a happy moment in world history. Contrary to what my dad had to say about the whole thing, I do think that this wedding is important history and I do have respect for the Royal Family, whatever their role in British government might be.

Anyway, around 8:30 I headed to the library to finish up two papers that were due today. Yup, I was truly getting them done the day they were due--that's life! Around 10:30, however, I was finished! By finished, I mean with the entire semester. Actually, the entire academic year--my first year of graduate school. Done. Like I said, it was a really good day.

Around the same time I finished my papers, my friend Ashley showed up. Little did she know, we were throwing a miniature baby shower for her during lunch today before our last Macro class. So, in order to keep her busy, we went for a walk down to Washington Park and got a sneak peek at all of the tulips that are just about ready for Tulip Fest next weekend! It was nice to enjoy the flowers without the crowds, and I made a promise to try to spend more time in the park this summer. It's really a lovely little spot and it was actually really quiet and peaceful midday.

Around noon we arrived back at school and surprised Ashley with cake, flowers and balloons. We gabbed over lunch and cake before class started.

As we were chatting, another woman from my class asked me if I'd lost weight recently, saying that she noticed I look slimmer and has been meaning to compliment me. I was really flattered and it meant a lot, as it's the first compliment I've received since working out at the gym for the past three months. I'm not complaining. I actually haven't lost a lot of weight, and to the people who see me every day I probably don't look very different. But, it is nice to have hard work validated with a comment like that!

Class commenced with a guest speaker who spoke about legislation and lobbying, which was right up my alley! I learned a lot and I'm looking forward to checking out some of the websites she recommended. After about an hour long presentation, we got out of class early, and for the first time in a long time I spent the afternoon on the couch watching some TV. It felt good to relax and know that I had absolutely nothing pressing to do.

The night ended with a cheese fondue dinner at Tabitha and Don's house ("our couple") followed by strawberry shortcake. It was so nice to spend a relaxing evening with friends.

See? Wasn't it a very good day? And now I have a beautiful weekend to look forward to! Sunny and warm tomorrow and Sunday--what a way to start my summer!

Water is good for you, aparment shopping is stressful, and flowers just make everything better!

I have felt crummy all day, but I still decided to go to the gym this afternoon. Yeah, bad idea. I didn't actually vomit, but I felt like I was going to the entire time I was working out with my trainer. She was easy on me (thank God!), but I was hard on myself because I could not believe how weak I felt! Things that should have been easy for me were really hard. I have felt very tired lately--beyond my normal tiredness. I often feel that I would choose sleep over almost any other option, and I'm thinking that's not a good thing. I think I'm going to go to the doctor soon to figure out what's up, but I'm afraid it will be one of those situations where there really isn't an answer. In the meantime, I read an article today talking about women who thought they were sick or depressed but were really just dehydrated. So, I'm going to make a better effort than I have been lately to drink lots and lots of water every day. My red water bottle is my new best friend.

In other news, James and I are looking for an apartment together to move into this summer. It's proven to be a little stressful. We looked at four places on Saturday and I didn't love any of them. So, I ended the day in tears because I was just discouraged and bummed. On Sunday we fell in love with a little gem with a working fireplace, crown molding, beautiful kitchen, and ONE BEDROOM. Bummer. I almost considered selling all of my furniture so we could fit into it but, after talking it over with my sister, I realized that our need for two bedrooms is a non-negotiable. James and I are both moving from our own places that are well-established and we are, admittedly, attached to many of our belongings. Part of me feels really guilty for this--this attachment to stuff, but I have already parred down so much this year and the stuff left over is meaningful to me and difficult to let go of. James is the same way, and I don't want either of us to feel like we are losing part of ourselves in order to make this move work. Yes, we both need to make some sacrifices and compromises, but we don't need to compromise the things in our lives that are important to us and bring us joy. Yes, my antique kitchen table and my grandma's desk bring me JOY! And why shouldn't they?

While this is a stressful, tired time for me, there are a few things that make me happy. One of them is the fresh flowers that I have vowed to keep in my house on a regular basis. I have mentioned before how good fresh cut flowers can make you feel, and I completely stand by that. Here are the flowers (and vases) that I bought last week for my birthday party.

And here are the roses that James bought me for my birthday. Aren't they lovely!?

Unfortunately, the roses bit the dust today and some of the daisies are on their way out. I guess that means I'll just have to pick up some new blooms later this week... :)

happy thoughts for a snowy Monday...

I have the best siblings in the world. 

My parents have always been an example of what a loving marriage should look like, while still showing us that life ain't always easy.

I live in a beautiful, diverse city...

...but I still have nature at my fingertips.

I share my home (and my bed) with a loyal friend who is always up for a "cuddle".

I've met (and managed to hold onto) an honest, funny, and adorable man who is my best friend and love of a lifetime.