Strolled in to work at 6:45am, coffee in hand.  Unshowered.  Forgot the candy I said I'd bring for little trick or treaters.  Forgot my headphones.  And I'm still just as behind on this deadline as when I went to bed last night.  Today, my friends, is going to be a ride.  Prayers appreciated.  

Happy Halloween. 

15/20

I've been thinking about saying "no" to things.  About how we'll be saying no to 'plans' next month.  I'm a lit nerd right, so I spend my hours alone getting lost in thought about things like: "Huh, it's so odd that the holiday season begins with "NO-vember. It's the month that ends with Thanksgiving, and then drops us off at Christmas - for which we spend lots of time writing shopping lists and wish lists." It just seems odd.  Maybe even ironic, to have the month that marks the beginning of the biggest over-eating, over-indulging, over-spending season, begin with "no."

 I think more than just saying no to plans next month, I'm going to focus on saying no to buying things I don't need.  Spending too much at the grocery store.  Eating sweets I don't need.  Drinking more coffee than I really ought to... or wine for that matter.  Complaining about my day at work to John.  Complaining about [insert word here] to John.

I'm going to focus on what's before me - what I have and what I can work for - rather than what I want.  I'm going to think about how rich I am.  How many thank you letters I have reason to write. I'm going to practice starting prayers with something other than "Dear Lord, please bless...."

I'm going to practice "no" next month.
Then I'm going to be grateful.
Then I'm going to be generous.
Then I'm going to turn 27th! Woot.

John Acuff had a little something to say on bravery today that struck a cord with what I've been ruminating on myself over here and at Uncommon.  

The Ugly Truth About Bravery. 

November is No-Plans-Ember.

For the month of November, we aren't making any new plans.  It's already been hard, as we've had to say no to some truly great offers.  But I think this will be good - a chance to focus on priorities that tend to get last place and fall into the calendar cracks.  For November, it will be different.

If you invite us, we will probably talk about it for a while, going back and forth, both taking turns at the devil's advocate... but hopefully in the end, we'll reply with "sincere regrets" and an attempt to reschedule after the holidays. 

Stolen pieces from Esther and Uncommon today.  So very, very true. 

Studio Oliver Gustav. 

Good morning!  And happy Friday, dear friends.  We have circled back around yet again to this glorious day of finishing and waiting.  Waiting for the weekend.  And this Friday is especially ceremonious at my office, as by 3pm all the networks will be down and by 5 every desk in boxes.  We've been in a remodel (and will be for 6 more weeks), and today marks our move into the first finished floor.  It has been a TRIP - packing up an entire marketing department - yesterday I attacked our WALL of binder coils.  Just binder coil.  Thursday, I alphabetized CDs of project photography.  A few hundred CDs later and I was humming Goo Goo Dolls like I was back in 7th grade.

But come 5 pm, it won't be the weekend yet for us.  We'll be heading to our recent 'second job' from 7-11. AND THEN, it's the weekend.  In celebration, I have worn my newly stolen favorite sweater (thank you Beau).  I hear it's made from real Alpacas.  My favorite wool socks and my boots.  Work appropriate? I'm not sure.  Friday appropriate?  Absolutely.  

This week of work packing has followed a full week of 'home packing' and moving John into his new house.  His beautiful, beautiful new house.  It feels so oddly big.  We're used to both our apartments, so to have an expanse with a real dining area, a living room, a separate kitchen and then THREE bedrooms?  It's crazy.  It just really feels odd.  I like to pace the place.  And a couple nights ago when I was over, I overheard doors opening and closing all over the house.  Over and over.  Apparently, John had just decided to walk around, opening, then closing each door in the house.  Because he could.  Because they are his.  It's pretty fun to watch and be a part of - his first project of course is mounting a retractable projector screen into the ceiling.  Something I couldn't be happier about, as it meas no longer will 100 sq ft be constantly covered by a projector screen. A 100 sq ft, which currently includes his beautiful new fire place.  :)

This weekend - will hopefully mean rest.  I need it.  He needs it too.