Snow Day Productivity

 ...and took major steps toward making my old sewing room feel like a sleeping room for humans. A sparest of spare rooms for you kindred spirits. 

On Wednesday, January 23rd we were gifted with a snow day. Something about snow days allow for a productivity that doesn’t exist on normal “off” days. For one, I was so amped up from waking up and looking out my window a million times to see if it “snowed enough” and then checking Facebook to see if they’d called it yet, I was rearin’ to go around 5:30. For two, it was a day designated for work anyway so filling it with house work isn't disheartening and actually feels like a bonus. So. I finally, on twenty third day of January, took down my Christmas tree...

This closet used to be my sewing desk space. And then full of stuff. This is BIG progress people.

Why I March

I participated in the women’s march on Saturday, January 19. . Before I shared pictures, I wanted to think again, and share some of the reasons #WhyIMarch 

Because all people matter, and they need to know and feel included. 

Because the church that raised me is engaging intentionally in conversation around women in leadership, when it had never occurred to me I might not “be allowed to lead” because of my gender. 

Because we are all leaders in our every day actions and I want to be intentional about the message I send out. 

Because it’s important that I model what peacefully coming to the conversation looks like. 

Because I have capabilities that allow me to come to the conversation and others do not, it’s my duty. 

Because the longer I live here the more I learn just how many people believe that women’s bodies are not their own to decision make for. 

Because Planned Parenthood was once MY backup plan. Because individuals with varied abilities should be praised for their gifts not mocked for their differences. 

Because I am helping to raise our future every day I go to work in a school. These kids need to know they matter, know others matter, and know they can make a difference. They are our leaders for tomorrow. 

Layers, Balance, and Vulnerability

Y’all. I have had some great days. Some huge triumphs. I graduated. I’m finishing a difficult teaching year strong. I have good things planned for the summer.
There’s a chance I might be filling my summer so that I don’t have to think about the hard things.
Because they’re hard. And sometimes it feels easier to be so busy you can’t think about it.

Then someone who knows you helps peel back the layers, and kindly sheds light on the parts you’d rather not see. A friend who is glad that you’re happy and busy, but also wants you to take care of you so that you can work on healing rather than ignoring the gaping wound you’ve covered for convenience.

It’s important to find that balance. I haven’t. I’m grateful for the people with me on the journey.

I still don’t know what to do with that place of hurt and feelings. I’d like to put it somewhere or tell it what to do or be.

It still feels somewhat temporary. Like we’re doing the long distance schtick again, or he’s gone for work.

I see movie clips where the couple  is loving and taking care of each other. That was us. I thought it was. When did it become not? Was it just me?

Relationships are a catch 22. You have to be all in to get the most out of it. You have to be more vulnerable to your person than to anybody be you’ve ever opened up to before. While you might be capable of being on your own and independent, you learn to rely on your person. Let them do what they’re great at and support them whee they rely on you. From that grows a beautiful dependence. A relationship.

Woah is it gut wrenching when that gets pulled out from under you.when the partnership, thencomittment isn’t what you thought.

I wonder, what could/should I have done differently? What did I do wrong? I know I pursued and invited all possible options. I don’t un wish any of my time. Yet, if I can’t find a “what I’ll do differently next time” then it forces me to reconcile with the idea that a “next time” or a new person can’t be guaranteed either.

I’m now familiar with everything in risking by pursuing another life partnership.

I’m also all together more familiar with what I’m giving up if I don’t pursue another partnership.

I don’t know what to do with that.

Successes and Gratitude
Homemade pizza lesson for #roomatekyle (which meant eating homemade pizza.)
A yard full of plants ready to turn into lovely.
Living in a town with a lovely Saturday farmers market, and nearby walking and hiking trails.
The approaching end of school year.

Knitters who Hike

Today I went with knitters (and a new friend Rico and I met on Moscow Mountain yesterday) to Boulder Creek which is on the edge of Helmer and Deary. Three dogs, five friends, one great time! I'm loving that knitting group is turning into quite the hiking group as well! No one HAS to go, but if someone says "I'm going!" There's always bound to be someone else interested too! I love my tribe! I love that there are so many people in my tribe...or that I am a part of so many tribes. I feel blessed by all of you!

Moscow Mountain...Finally

Rico and I ventured up to Moscow Mountain for the first time. We traversed the Headwaters Trail (Loop?). I had been feeling envy of all my peeps up at Huntington Lake this weekend. The feel on Moscow Mountain was close enough such that some of the homesickness was eased. It was great fun. In Moscow, Idaho spring fashion the wild flowers were on full display. We didn't get run over by any mountain bikes, and we met some great people. The only mortifying thing was that people wake up bright and early and then go RUN that trail!!! I had strong feelings about that. 

Rico's strong feelings post hike were as pictured below. 

Re-purposed Rough Drafts

My increased walking has led to an increase in stamina for Rico too. He’s pretty insistent on walks now. It’s probably good for both of us. He’s really not fond of rain though. He probably needs a rain jacket. We only got about two blocks in this rainy day before he decided he was done. 

One of many things I love about Moscow is the abundance of beautiful blooms in the spring! Some of the lupine shrubs are particularly prolific.
I pulled out some fabric to do some quilting this weekend. (Rico hates quilting sessions by the way. Like, hates it more than apple and carrot eating but maybe not quite so much as campfire crackles.) I opted to paper piece the strip quilting effect. Turns out grad school rough drafts are the perfect paper material for that. Who would have guessed. How convenient that I have a stack of them just waiting for a purpose.