"It may be..."

"It may be that when we no longer know what to do,
we have come to our real work
and when we no longer know which way to go,
we have begun our real journey.

The mind that is not baffled is not employed.
The impeded stream is the one that sings."

~Wendell Berry

Some critical decisions are going to be made within the month.  All we can do is pray and realize this journey is only the beginning.

I Need a Magic 8 Ball

I don't like to make decisions.  I think this may be (one) of the things that drives poor Karl insane. 

Karl: "Where do you want to eat?"
Me: "Somewhere there is food?"

Karl: "Where do you want to go?"
Me: "Doesn't matter to me.  Where do you want to go?"

Karl: "Do you like this?"
Me: "I don't know, what do you think about it?"

This form of communication has led to eating at Burger King on Valentine's Day.  What can I say?  I wanted onion rings.

These situations have various versions.  In fact, I can do it with almost any sort of question.  It is one of my great talents.  However, it is a bit ironic, as most people see me as very demanding.  If you see me with Karl, I'm a bit of a princess; but this is only because Karl fosters my princess-y-ness.  Paradoxically, I'm a people pleaser.  I don't like confrontations, and I don't like people upset with me. 

Thus, planning a wedding can be somewhat of a nightmare. In my mind, I see what I want.  Pinterest has been very good at giving me images to stick in my brain (even if some are fairly fantastical).  But when questions come at me, my standard response is a meek, "I don't care."  In fact, that is not true (in the sense you are thinking of).  I do care a great deal.  I don't mean "I don't care" as in "this is not important to me."  I truly mean, "SOMEONE TELL ME WHAT TO DO!"  When it came to bridesmaid dresses, I didn't care.  Wear what you want, you have to buy it and keep it and wear it.  But they kept saying, "You're the bride."  I know this.  I haven't forgotten.  But I don't want them to be angry.  For a society that thinks ill of a bridezilla, it certainly is not a fan of the meek and humble bride either-you know, the one prone to crying.

Sometimes, when I'm overwhelmed, I think "I should have eloped." And I'm loathe to admit that as of late, I have said I'm getting married in the courthouse in the presence of my two dogs and cat as witnesses.  *shrugs shoulders*

I guess, in the end, as a million people have said: "Everyone goes through this." "You'll be just as married." and "At least you are marrying your best friend." And, compared to some others, I'm lucky to have an involved, caring set of families and future families, so praise God for that.  But if someone wouldn't mind sending me a Magic 8 ball, that's how I'll be making all my future decisions.

Snapshots

A few snapshots of my week:

This scene...

...because candlelit darkness, it is okay to wear sweats and wrap in blankets to watch a movie.

 Kenz holding a hammer...

...because in order to be in total darkness, you have to hammer a blanket in the doorway.

 This book....

...because it completely sucked me in. And I love dystopian literature.

 This child's reflection....

....because was I that on track as a 3rd grader?

These donuts...

....because sometimes bribery is okay in order to accomplish work.

Wish List

Everything on Anthropologie

I've recently gotten back into my Anthropologie obsession.  Thus, I have decided to post my favorite finds (notice the -s on that) from today.

Homegrown Monogram Mugs

Homegrown Monogram Mugs | Anthropologie

Steeping Thoughts Large Journal

Steeping Thoughts | Anthropologie

 

Mr. Boddington's Collection

 



Mr. Boddington's Collection | Anthropologie

 

 

The Newlywed Cookbook

 

The Newlywed Cookbook | Anthropologie

 

* Neither "Wish List" posts nor "Wish List" photographs have been endorsed by any company. I do not (currently) own any items, and all views expressed are entirely my own. 

A Small Sort of Despair

Every so often, a wave of perfectionism will sweep over me.  Since college, I have learned to roll with "it" (whatever "it" may be at the time) and ride out the waves in collectedness.  Yet sometimes I find myself reverting to my own ways.  The ways where I think that I control every outcome.  Where I determine whether my life has been successful thus far.  Where I wish to mold myself into some sort of Super Woman with the ability to be ridiculously fantastic/successful.

Shortly after finishing Divergent, I was astounded to learn the author wrote the book when she was 24 years of age.  TWENTY FOUR!  I realize that I am not 24 (yet), nevertheless, a strong feeling of inadequacy overwhelmed me.  What have I done so far?  Better yet, what am I doing?  I assure you that I am not writing the next great dystopian novel.  Playing BINGO with seventh graders is more like it.

But I guess part of being a teacher is remembering the lasting effects you can have on any child at any moment.  Perhaps one of my seventh graders will remember my lesson on literary devices as he/she writes a celebrated novel.  That would be pretty fantastic.

P.S. Please read Divergent.  It's a little on The Hunger Games side, but more mature, and a teensy tiny bit more "cool."  Whatever I mean by that.

Snapshots

A few snapshots of my week during Christmas week:

This table setting...

... because weddings over the holidays are so much fun.

 Chandeliers...

...because chandeliers in a lodge are beautiful.

This view...

...because the snow was endless.

 This tea...

...because it is in my mother's teacup.

This place setting...

...because it looks so fancy in our little ghetto house.

Wish List

Self-Important Mini Sticky Notes

Sticky Notes | Heliotrope

I love home office supplies.  In fact, that department is one of my favorites.  Labels, sticky notes, highlighters, and a good pen are really quite important in determining if I am effectively learning.  Luckily, I still need to use these supplies as a teacher since my college days are somewhat behind me.  These little sticky notes seem to be multi-taskers.  Firstly, they are reminders.  I love a good "to-do" note.  I especially love completing the task.  Secondly, they are assigners.  Sometimes I am overwhelmed by the tasks at hand, and a sticky note that is written as I think of the chore and tells me how important it is directly is always appreciated.  Thirdly, they are fun to look at.  The colors are bright, and the headings are humorous.

The website itself is simple, and there are some products I have seen before from other retailers.  Yet the overall theme of the website seems to be good "fun" products, and there are some fantastic categories for gifts.

* Neither "Wish List" posts nor "Wish List" photographs have been endorsed by any company. I do not (currently) own any items, and all views expressed are entirely my own.