Weekend Update

I said I was done- but clearly, my resolve was not as strong as flattery from extended family members. So look, relatives! I do fun things!

Wednesday: Father Dear was in town on business. I will never turn down a daddy-daughter date.
(This is not a church building. This is the Barlow Center, a glorified church building- as evidenced by the overflowing trash outside the kitchen.)

Friday: soccer game in the rain. Embarrassed to admit how sore I still am, two days later. 

 Saturday morning we woke up EARLY so we could go to the Eastern Market and dine on the locally celebrated blueberry buckwheat pancakes. [nomnom] Then we walked around and ate more fresh fruit and salsa samples like shameless freeloaders- but seriously BEST cantaloupe I've had in my life. And the Mexican Purse finally got to retire when I found this baby at the flea market across the road.

Mom asked me to send her a pic. I'm not just being tacky.

I have this karmic philosophy about shopping. You have to be patient, and not force it- and if you do, the universe will reward you for your wait. Not about things that don't matter- like when you're at the grocery store agonizing "black or pinto?!?!?"- but about the really important decisions. You know, life-or-death things like shoes. bags. apartments. Things you plan on using a lot and keeping around for a long time. The trick is, you have to hold out until you find something you love. My experience has been that after you decide you want something, you usually don't get it right away. Instead, you keep your eyes open and wait for it to come to you. The good part is, it always comes.

(Welcome to my life, strange red leather scripture-case purse!!)

ALSO ON SATURDAY.
Haylee and I made a change.

Before...

Seriously, I don't know who these people think they are.

 AFTER.
Observe a) the double-twin bed...

b) the elegant window bookshelf with potted succulents... 

c) the beautifully organized desk space with charming dishware and map print. (And just wait until I pick up some sunflowers from the grocery store.)

This home renovation project happened because of two very important reasons.

1.) We were tired of feeling like we were living in a prison cell.

2.) We needed to maximize our wall space so we could do this:

Yes, we devoted the rest of our weekend to watching the entire first season of Downton Abbey.
Needless to say, it was time well spent.

And then tonight at the Jefferson memorial.  The fireflies made their debut.

This one's for you, Grandma.