Down a Housemate

One of my housemates has officially left for a multi-month trip to Oregon. The townhouse already feels empty without her!

(Not helping: the really dramatic and depressing instrumental music my other housemates are currently playing on Spotify.)

Thankfully, she left us lots of cute notes.

Come back soon, TG!

Monday

* housemate and her boyfriend walk into the kitchen *

I am standing at the counter eating frozen pizza, pudding, and potato chips.

The Boyfriend: “Amy! How was work today?”

Me: * motions to food * “This beats alcohol.”

The Boyfriend: * nods * “Yeah, nice….so…work went well today?”

Me: “You clearly don’t have sisters.”

Don’t Underestimate A Hug

I’ve been attending a new church for a few weeks now and I really like it. I’ve reached the point, however, where I don’t know if I’m a “visitor” anymore or an attendee. Do congregation talks apply to me?

Anyway, standing up to take communion today I felt my isolation rather keenly. I arrive early. I sit alone. I smile and maybe say hi to the pastor on the way out.

But while standing in line, a woman came up behind me and tapped me on the shoulder.

“Amy.” I smiled and she gave me the biggest hug. “I remembered this time!”

Then she went back to her seat and I was left feeling just that tiny bit more seen.

The Walk That Never Was

Monday: It is so gorgeous out! I’m going to go for a walk when I get home. * leaves work in the dark *

Tuesday: It is so gorgeous out! I’m going to go for a walk when I get home. * leaves work after dark *

Wednesday: It is so gorgeous out! I’m going to go for a walk when I get home. * leaves work after dark *

Thursday: It is kind of rainy. I’m going to go for a walk when I get home. * leaves work after dark *

Friday: It is so gorgeous out! I’m going to go for a walk when I get home. * leaves work after dark *

Saturday: It is so gorgeous out! I’ve got to run to the office but I won’t stay too late.. * leaves work after dark *

I’VE GOT ONE DAY LEFT TO MAKE THIS WALK HAPPEN.

Casual Friday

I had quite the internal debate with myself this morning about how “casual” I could make this “Casual Friday.” Jeans, of course. That’s every day. A sweatshirt? Much harder sell—but I paired it with heeled boots. And then I decided to skip makeup and deal with slightly greasy-hair-in-need-of-a-trim instead of washing it. Because Friday, right? I hadn’t seen my boss all week. What were the odds I’d run into him today?

Three times. I had three separate conversations with him. Then, halfway through the afternoon, he brought two outside attorneys in full suits by my office for a full conversation.

I think I was beat red the entire conversation.

Next time I dress up for Friday.

What’s In a Name?

* Me on the phone with a member from the South *

Member: “So, Amy…oh, I’m sorry. Should it be Miss Amy? Or Miss… *unrecognizably butchered version of my last name * I want to make sure I’m showing proper respect.”

Me: “Amy is fine. I’m from Wisconsin originally.”

Member: “Oh, good. I mean not good, but I can’t get used to the whole name thing here. I’m grew up in California.”

* very next call with a different member *

Me: “This is Amy.”

Member: “Thanks for taking my call, Susie. So, it is like I was telling Jennifer…”

Me: “You mean…Jane?”

Things I Am Grateful For

• A nearly 3 hour talk with my sister last night
• My favorite steak house (good or bad thing that they’re starting to recognize me when I walk in?)
• Sleep. Need more sleep.
• My therapist
• Work slowing down a teeny bit
• The sunroom at my townhouse on my lunch break
• Pockets of quiet
• Coffee
• Co-workers with coffee
• Marco Polos from friends
• God’s abundant grace over the last few days with my Grandpa

Happy Birthday, Grandpa!

Today my Grandpa turns 85. I’m incredibly grateful to get to type those words, as he took a horrific fall this past Friday resulting in 4 broken ribs and 7 staples in his head.

Even though I’m far away, my heart is with my family today celebrating that Grandpa made it another year around the sun. I love you, Grandpa! ❤

Hope Darst – Peace Be Still

TG: “If you are having a hard day, listen to this song. If you aren’t, well, listen to it anyway.”

Narnian Life Goals

While completing my re-read of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis today, I came upon this line describing the rule of Peter the Magnificent, Susan the Gentle, Edmund the Just, and Lucy Valiant.

“And they made good laws and kept the peace, and saved good trees from being unnecessarily cut down, and liberated young dwarfs and young satyrs from being sent to school, and generally stopped busybodies and interferers and encouraged ordinary people who wanted to live and let live.”

Which, if you think about it, is what I do every day. (Except for the trees bit. I’ll work on that.)