Wow, truly wow

I'm raising money for the MS Walk. Something personally important to me because my battle with MS brought some really good things to my life. Good things? I know, sounds crazy, right? But it gave—no, blessed me—with much needed perspective. You already know the sayings: Life is too short; live today like it's your last; be the change. And it's all true. And I'm living it now. Although I've experienced a major shift in my life since MS, nothing compares to what's happened while I've raised money for the walk. Your generosity is what. Your beautiful giving and compassionate hearts.

I started a modest goal: $200. I'm in the throes of closing on a house and living out of a suitcase. Work is busy. And I only had a few weeks to raise the money. I didn't want to do anything too big. I just knew I wanted to give to this organization that many people with MS depend on for support. Even if it meant I would give the $200 myself. But you guys did something that amazed me: You donated more than $500 in three short weeks, and the funds keep coming. I finally raised my goal to $600. And I know we'll surpass that too. How do I thank you? How could I possibly tell you how much this means to me when I don't have the words?

From the bottom of my heart, thank you. And for those of you still wanting to donate, you can do so from my fundraising site. I'm walking for you!

Giveaway!

There are those people in this world that exist to create beautiful things, and then they give them away...for free! And we get a chance to own some of the creativity. Another Ordinary Life is an amazing crafter. I'm lucky enough to own some of her jewelry. And I envy her knits. Lucky for us, she's giving away one of her fun knitted headbands over at A Capricious Perspective's blog. Go check it out and win yourself a knitted headband that's perfect for the chilly spring morning and evenings!

House update: OMG! It's yellow!

We ventured out in the rain on Saturday to go see our house. I was expecting to see counter tops and bathroom floors, instead I got lighting fixtures, paint, and a panic attack.

Harvester is more sunny yellow than I was expecting. I think I can learn to like it, because, honestly, I think the panic attack is due more to living in white boxes my whole life. My eyes are virgins when it comes to seeing color on the walls. So after some anxiety filled picture texts to my sister, I was talked back from running screaming to the nearest store to pick out a new paint.

And those lighting fixtures? They're nice. The entire time I was freaking out over the yellow, Jonathan was exclaiming how much he liked the lighting fixtures. He was even sending pictures of them to his mom. Excuse me? The walls?! What do you think of the walls?! He's a true guy, and said that he didn't mind the yellow. Doesn't mind or doesn't care? Deep breaths, crazy lady!

This is what I've been thinking about

Sorry I've been absent from here as of late. Life has been rather busy. Last weekend I spent my days at my yoga studio attending a Les Leventhal workshop. 12 hours of yoga. Crazy wonderful. But my house (you've heard about my house, right? please tell me you already knew) is never far from my mind. We go to look at it again this weekend. Seeing it has become routine because giddy and exciting magic seems to be taking place everyday. This week: counter tops and bathroom vinyl.

In the meantime, I've been looking at some fabulous things I imagine in my home. I'm not buying yet just because I need to be in the space some time before I decide what's going to be a good fit. A trip to Chicago so I can shop Ikea might be in order. And Young House Love turned me on to Lamps Plus that has some fun drum pendant lighting. It's so easy to go overboard with dreams. Good thing they're just dreams.

House update: walls and cabinets