{Helpmeet In Training} Glorious Internet

If you couldn't tell by the title of this post, I really love internet. Especially after going two weeks without having it easily accessible. But finally, this morning, that was fixed!!!

Anyways, here I am in my new apartment, and loving it. The move itself went great, and since then it's been a fun time of learning and adventure (gosh, I sound like a kid's TV show). Things like grocery shopping, laundromats, and cooking with a gas stove have all been a part of this newness.

But, I'm learning. I didn't forget anything this week when I went grocery shopping! Maybe, I may actually start remembering to pull the meat for dinner out of the freezer in the morning, so I don't have to go through the thaw-in-the-microwave routine every night.

I've found that a laundromat really isn't so scary, though it is a rather boring and somewhat dirty, and I've already lost one sock to it's $2.25-per-load washing machines.

All my herbs are growing happily from their places on the deep windowsills, and furniture is slowing trickling into fill the apartment. Curtains will be hung by the end of the week, and with internet now working, I'd say this apartment is well under-way to becoming home.

All in all, I'm really enjoying this new phase of life, even though there is tons of change in it!

{One Step At A Time} Early Morning

This week has really been another blah jogging week. I had such a busy weekend that by Monday I felt barely alive. Also, since this cold just won't leave, I took a break from jogging both Monday and Tuesday. The past three days, I've only been able to get to .9 miles, but I think I may also be increasing my speed. Either way, it's been slightly discouraging.

But there was one really great moment this week. On Friday morning I was walking through the second neighborhood on my route, the sun was shining, the air was warm, and I was passing many other people out for walks and with their dogs; I almost forgot that it was only 7:45 in the morning!

See, I used to abhor having to get up any time earlier than 8 or 9 am. I guess I kind of assumed that the only people who would willing get up early are those you have work or school, and they always seem cranky about having to get up early. But apparently, it seems there are plenty of people who even enjoy getting up early!

Now granted, I admit that I still do enjoy getting to sleep in every now and again, and I'm pretty cranky when I first wake up in the morning. But I truly think I would miss those lovely morning hours if I were to start sleeping in till 8 or 9 every day.

Total mileage this week: 3 miles
Longest distance non-stop: 1.6 miles
Total mileage since 4/13/13: 14.6 miles

{Works With Her Hands} Moving Prep

Only one more day till Moving Day! All my projects this week have been related to moving, and here are pictures of two:

My dresser is now bright blue! So much better than the dingy white it was before.

 I'm thinking that at some point, I'd really like to do some stenciling on it like this, but this week I just haven't had the time.

I also was able to sew together four more collapsible cubes, plus get all the fabric and cardboard cut out for the last three! It looks so cool, and I'm able to store more in the cubes than I was able to store directly on the shelves. Bonus all the way around.

{Helpmeet In Training} Grown-Up Birthday

You know you're growing up when you get this as a birthday present and you're thrilled! =D

I'm in the midst of the final week before moving, and it's crazy! Packing, making lists, cleaning, painting my dresser.......yeah, I'm busy.

But, on Sunday my family had a get-together to celebrate my brother's and my birthdays. Two of the presents I received were that basket full of kitchen items, and an ironing board! When you're getting ready to set up a house for the first time, it's all those practical household items that make you happy!

{One Step At A Time} Two Extremes

This past week has been a weird jogging week. The first day, I set a new record at 1.6 miles, but the third day, I was only able to go .7 miles! I've been fighting a cold, which I don't think has helped, but it's still been strange. I've been finding it difficult to even get to .9 miles, and I first made that distance about 2 or 3 weeks ago. I don't know if I'm jogging faster, or if it's just because I'm sick, or what. But it has been strange, and a bit discouraging. Any more experienced runners know what might be going on?

One nice thing is that I've gotten into a good routine time-wise. I usually pass the same people who are also out walking, many of them with their dogs. It's nice to see familiar faces, even if we only say good-morning in passing.


Total mileage this week: 5.3 miles
Longest distance non-stop: 1.6 miles
Total mileage since 4/13/13: 11.6 miles 

{Works With Her Hands} Organizing

In preparation for moving on the 4th, most of my week has been spent organizing, going through my closet and dresser drawers, deciding what to keep and what to get rid of.

Now, I have one of those oh-so-mondern-and-trendy, screams-that-its-from-Target black cube bookselves. When I got it, I didn't want to spend $7 a piece to get 8 pre-made collapsible cubes to use in it. So, although the bookshelf definitely serves its purpose and holds a bunch of stuff, it kind of looks awful and entirely not organized. Right now it is my closet, so it's not a big deal. But at the new place, it will have to be out in my bedroom, and I don't really want to see clutter all the time.

In light of this, I decided to try to make my own collapsible cubes. I found this tutorial on Pinterest; it looked easy enough, so I gave it a go. While it was a little tricky sewing the bottom in, and my binding is kind of sloppy, I think it turned out well over-all. I used a very light-weight cardboard for this one, and it still works well, but the rest of them will be made using a slightly heavier cardboard. I plan on making 7 mores of these to fill all 8 shelves; it's going to be a little tricky, though, because as a quilter I tend to have small scraps of fabric instead of large pieces.

Anyways, here are some pictures.

I love this yellow print I found!

The bottom has a removable cardboard base so that it can fold up:

When not in use, it all folds up nice and neatly.

And look....it fits perfectly and hides and holds the clutter!

The last great thing about this is that it provides yet another place in which to have color!!!

{Helpmeet In Training} A Big Change

I've heard it said that change is a good thing; perhaps it may be. I also know that change is a scary thing. Whether we find change to be a fun adventure or a terrifying monster, it will always come. And right now, Change is knocking on my front door.

Why? Well, because I'm moving out of my parents house! Crazy, isn't it? But, I have the opportunity to move into an apartment with a friend from work. It's a nice little place, and within my limited budget. So, in less than two weeks, I'll be packing up and moving to Caledonia!

I'm looking forward to it, and scared of it all at the same time. There's just so much to think about. But, I believe I'm doing the right thing, and I know God is working in all of this. So, say a prayer and wish me luck!