The Only Mess I Can Handle

As I've mentioned before, I'm a neat freak who married a slob (is there a nicer way to put that?).  I'm also a neat freak who has spent the past week laying in bed recovering from my back surgery and the fact of the matter is that with me unable to do anything around the house, it's easy for it to very quickly get to a bad state.

I'm pretty much relegated to the bedroom right now, and honestly, I'm surrounded by a super mess.  Stuff is spread out all over, things are piling up, there's an empty Cheeto bag on the nightstand.  But for some reason, it's not really getting to me.  As I looked around the room today, I realized that I think that's because though there is a mess, it's a lovely one.  It's the loveliest mess I've ever seen, because everywhere I look in this room, I feel love and support and memories from family and friends and everyone I love.

Here:

(1) PJ pants I bought on a trip to see my favorite college friends.
(2) My laptop, which has All of the Stuff up on it, this blog that I am so excited to share with Kendra, Heidi, and Sam everyday!
(3) Flowers from my parents and siblings.
(4) A TV from my grandparents.
(5) My husband's biking clothes, which are kinda stinky, but are a great reminder of something he loves to do.
(6) Magazines brought over by sweet friends.
(7) Crosswords sent by my thoughtful cousins.
(8) My phone I've received a million "thinking of you" texts on.
(9) A tapestry my husband brought back from Bonnaroo, a yearly tradition (both him going AND him bringing me back a tapestry)

I feel a lot of things laying on this bed in this room - among them, boredom, restlessness, and discomfort - but I also feel a whole lot of love.  Laying here it's easy to see that love really is all around, even in (and perhaps especially in) the mess.

crock pot chicken!

It's no secret that I love the Skinnytaste website for recipes. They are fairly simple recipes with pictures, and I enjoy feeling like I ate sort of ate healthy. This time we busted out the crock pot for this simple delicious meal.

There are a ton of varieties of this dish, so really I'm not sure how original it is, but it's quick, easy, makes tons of leftovers and perfect for a chilly fall night. We ate over rice, but then doubled it up and did rice in a tortilla with our leftovers! We also added some more spices because my husband loves his spice!

Crock Pot Sante Fe Chicken

Please ignore my just showered look.

Single Girl Swag: Single Ladies

(via)

I want to be a crazy lady too.

I was taking a leisurely stroll through the neighborhood with my pup, Zia, the other day when I see a small sedan flying around the corner and then abruptly stop on the side of the street.  A woman inside, late 50s, petite, bounded out of the car, door left open, and started dancing wildly.

I was obviously staring, how could you not?  So she yells to me from across the street "I just needed a moment, and I haven't heard this song in years. I love this song!"

First reaction: whoa, crazy.
Second reaction: I want to be just like her.

I want to be the woman who finds joy in the simple things. 
I want to be the woman who shares her excitement with strangers.
I want to be the woman who stops to dance in the street.

Man Down, Man Down!

We originally had the usual Friday group post planned for today, but one of our comrades is down for the count. So instead, we decided a well wishes post was more appropriate!

For the past two{ish} years, Valerie was fighting major back problems. However, yesterday, she had surgery that's going to fix her right up and this back business will be done for good.  So, after a speedy recovery, she can get back to her...

elvis impersonating,

stair jumping,

party-rockin', self!

Get well soon Val.
All our love :)

Letting It Go

I tend to over-analyze a situation past the point of real reasoning.  Please tell me other people do this too (actually no, I don't wish that on anyone!). It gets pretty far-fetched, trust me.  But when my feelers are hurt by a situation, I take it hard.  Even when I look back and realize it really wasn't that big of a deal.  In the moment, it still hurts, right?

So, I needed this simple reminder to let things go today.
If for no other reason than what I was worrying over was getting just plain heavy.

Maybe you needed this little reminder too :)

(photo via Rocketrictic)

Remember the days when sitting inside of a truck pretending to drive (or look at your self in the mirror) was entertaining. 

I love how innocent and sweet children are.

Here's to being more childlike.

*picture via me