get comfortable.

I've been reflecting a lot over the past couple of weeks, reading through old journals and whatnot...

It's insane how quickly time goes. I swear I was a junior at Utah State, like, yesterday. Of course, I have thousands of memories between USU and present time, but that's hardly the point not my entire point.

Time marches forward, and I've been thinking back on my life--the trials, the vacations, the day-to-day happenings--all of it. When I stop and think about it, I can hardly believe I'm 31 years old, you know? That I earned my Masters degree nearly eight years ago, that I've had my career for seven-and-a-half years...all of it. It's shocking!

But all this self-reflection has made me more aware of my blessings, you know? I'm working in a field I love. I've got an amazing family; my parents, brothers, sisters-in-law, and nieces & nephews are the most supportive, loving people I know. My friends are fun and caring and they bless my life daily. The town-home in which I live is a comfortable and happy place. I see the hand of God at work in my life, and even though I'm still not quite where I thought I'd be at this point in my life, I like my life. I recognize that I am exactly where I need to be right now, and all is well...

Here are some pictures of what's been going down since my last catch-up:

The last several evenings have shown us overcast skies, but about a week and a half ago? GLORIOUS sunsets!

The mother of a client introduced me to cranberry crunch peanut butter.
I don't want to sound hyperbolic by saying it's life-changing, but it comes close...

I've been craving Lisa's Cambodian curry for weeks, and finally got around to making it on Sunday.

We had a "freezing fog" happen a few times at night last week,
which left the early-morning trees in a lovely frosted state.
(This picture does it no justice.)

Funny work story: a client was telling me about all the "hairy" things she owned (listed above);
when she talked about her hairy poster, I finally understood she was talking about Harry Styles.

I came across this quote yesterday and kind of fell in love with it. Well-said, Brother Lewis!

Also at work: I went in a bit early yesterday to look through my ottoman/storage box and my giant desk drawer,
when happily I discovered a bag of Halloween candy (from, I want to say, 2012). I had to throw away
the Laffy Taffy (hard enough to break teeth, I venture), but was thrilled to re-discover my long-lost,
long-forgotten stash of Nerds. Come to mama!

Aside from work (and the contemplation mentioned above), I've been looking (at thrift shops and online) for a kitchen table and chairs, as well as a TV stand for my brand new 40" flat screen TV. (I know, in this day and age, "flat screen" is kind of implied; also, 40" maybe isn't anything worth bragging about--but it's my first flat screen, and I'm quite happy with it, so there you go.)

My dear roommate, Michelle, is moving back to Shelley soon. It's kind of a bummer, but I'm coping alright, I think. Since Michelle is moving, she feels that it's appropriate for her to take all her things with her--including, but not limited to, her TV and TV stand, kitchen table and chairs, and her KitchenAid. ;)

And so I've been shopping.

Furniture can be expensive, you know, which is why I've taken to looking at thrift shops. I left the secondhand stores empty-handed and kind of depressed; I wanted to find something nice enough to justify a purchase, you know? Something gently-used that maybe just needed a little vision and refining. (No, I don't possess either of those qualities, but I have friends who do!)

After the bummer that was the thrift shops in town, I decided to look on Craigslist. It took a little bit lot of searching, but I found an old solid-wood table that will work nicely. Jami and JR went with me to check it out, and also to help me haul it away. To their house. (JR's got a truck,  and Jami's got the vision and skill to help me make this dining set something I can love. Also, they have an unfinished basement where we can work without freezing. Bless their hearts.) -Jami and I are going to meet up tomorrow to discuss plans, and I must say: I've never been more excited to try to be imaginative and crafty! (I'll take pictures along the way and post the process once it's done.)

One more quick story before I go: I found a TV stand on Craigslist that I didn't love, but I figured I could deal with it until finding something I could love, you know? I really, really didn't love it, but it was in town, and it was cheap. So I texted the guy and decided I'd go over after work on Monday, after he picked up his kids from day care.

I typically hit red lights with alarming regularity, but sailed through green lights the entire way to his place; I got there much earlier than I had intended, so I had to sit in my car and wait for him to get home. As I approached, I noticed I was in a rather sketchy neighborhood. I locked my doors. And I waited.

About fifteen minutes had passed when I saw a guy in a station wagon drive by and pull into the parking lot behind the apartments, and figured this was my guy. I gave him a few minutes to get his kids inside, then I got out of my car and slowly walked toward his front door. As I approached, I wondered if the guy in the station wagon was the guy I was looking for. I was also thinking about what I would say to him; he seemed like he really wanted to make this sale, and I wasn't quite certain I wanted to buy it for sure.

I knocked on the door, and was overcome with an unsettled, anxious feeling. I looked around at the guys smoking several yards away, and I prayed that this guy wasn't home. I was tense and nervous, and I wanted to get out of there.

I backed away, still facing the front door, and when nobody answered, I rushed back to my car, locked the doors, and called my brother as I drove away.

Vance picked up and I told him my story, asking him for reassurance. I didn't want to upset the guy for bailing--he had my number, after all. Vance told me to shoot the guy a text and then forget about it.

I texted the guy, "Something came up and and I had to go home," which was kind of truthful; feelings of agitation and edginess came up, and I needed to remove myself from the situation.

I'm not sure what would have happened with Mr. TV Stand; I'm not saying he'd have turned out to be a Craigslist Killer or anything. And maybe it wasn't even Mr. TV Stand, but the two guys nearby who were watching me. Maybe it was nothing. But I'm glad I got out of there when I did. I think we get those "get-out-of-here-NOW" feelings for a reason, and I'm grateful for them.

What's that you say? Why did I go alone in the first place? Oh...I've got an answer for you. It's because I'm independent, you guys. And I'm trusting by nature; I think the best of people, and it didn't even cross my mind that I'd ever get a creepy vibe from anyone selling something on Craigslist. And although I'd consider myself to be a smart person, sometimes I'm just a dumb girl.

I took a "which Disney princess are you?" quiz this week and I got Snow White.
I was surprised, but the description is pretty accurate (except for the "friend to creatures" bit).

Lesson learned, okay?