A Quiet Place

We all need one. A place where we can go to be alone, to think and dream, to plan and pray. I am alone most of the day in my empty nest so you wouldn't think I'd need one spot to identify as my quiet place but I do. There is something about a little corner space that speaks safety and comfort. I love a corner booth in a restaurant, a chair against the wall in the coffee shop and a nook to curl up in in my home.

my quiet place

Our bedroom, when we first got married, sported an office for my husband which I longed to see moved to another area. Bedrooms just should not have an office in them. It's not conducive to things that bedrooms were designed for.  Right? I was therefore, very proactive about creating new office space elsewhere in the house in order that someday, that little corner alcove could be converted to something much more intimate and soothing.

Yes. My quiet space.

private retreat

When the day came, I was ready. I had already scored at the thrift store,  a double recliner loveseat. The fabric was wrong but nothing a pretty slipcover wouldn't cure. I painted the alcove a soothing celery green and added a pretty floral wallpaper border. We already had bookshelves loaded with goodies-- they just needed dusting, organizing and, yes, even some downsizing. To finish the decorating touches I hung garden scenery pictures on the walls at eye level from the couch view. The finished result is very much a feeling of retreat. A private garden. A quiet space.

the antique plate came from my mom, the bottom one my daughter made for me when she was in grade school!

the centerpiece was made by my talented sister

Because our bedroom is on the second floor and the alcove is on the backside of the house, my little corner really feels very much removed from the rest of the house. I can hear what is going on outside and below me but yet I feel safe and securely tucked away, hidden and protected. It's a very good feeling.

recently updated the bedcover and the slipcover!

I am spending a lot of time here these days as I allow my injured foot to heal. It's a cool place to abide on a warm summer's day. I recently updated the slipcover; it feels more like a little rose garden than ever before. It is soothing and with all the fractured feelings floating around inside me right now, it's the perfect antidote.

spending a lot of time here....

books, cell phone, laptop, all at my fingertips, what more do I need? 

now, if I could just replace this carpeting.....

Unintentional AWOL

I didn't plan to not blog for a week and a half. I sat down several times to start writing and after staring at the blank page for 30 seconds, I would close the page and limp away. Sometimes my writing muse does that. Goes on vacation and doesn't tell me. And honestly, don't we all ask these questions once in awhile: What new thing can I blog about? What words of inspiration, humor, wisdom or nonsense can I share with others today? And the answer I came up with was as blank as my blog post page.

I have been tired a lot. I mean, a lot tired and a lot of the time. I go to work each morning and stumble around and do my best and come home and sit. And sit. And sit some more. Part of this I blame on physical exhaustion as my job does demand a fair amount of physical responsibility. My brain can slide into neutral a lot of the time as I sort the mail and chat with a co-worker but my arms and hands, my legs, my feet, even my back, take a beating most days. Yet, I enjoy the job, the keeping busy, the people I work with, the pay check. I count myself blessed and lucky in this economy to have this job. But I often find myself asking, how long can I do this?

One of the physical tolls on my body has been pain in my feet, that awesome condition known as plantar fasciitis. But something else was going on and it was getting worse so I finally went to the doctor and it was decided I am probably dealing with a stress fracture in my left foot. The metatarsal to be exact. Top of the foot, the bridge part. I am now sporting a big thick black boot as my newest fashion accessory. I was also told that staying off my foot for the next 4 weeks was going to help it heal. I can't do that. I can't be gone from work for 4 weeks. And I can't do my job in a modified manner (as in sitting down-- it just won't work) I am taking this week off to try and stabilize things. Ice, ibuprofen, elevation, rest... repeat.... and we'll see how next week goes.

My emotional state has also been a little bit blank. I question of any of my tiredness is related to that depressive fog that has threatened me in the past from time to time. But this heart-fog feeling isn't like past times. So I examine a little more closely my spiritual state as that greatly impacts my heart. And I find that the spark I usually feel about Jesus and worship and spending time in the Word has gotten a little.... cold. I don't like that feeling.

I recently downloaded the YouVersion of the bible app on my phone and have been using that for my morning daily devotional time. I recently started a new reading plan called 'Falling in Love with Jesus Again and the scripture focus is Psalm 139. I am only on day 2. The prospect is to let Jesus reveal the parts of my life that need His touch. To invite Him to search me out and reveal what needs changing.

I sense this could be painful yet necessary. I want to get back on track. With my physical abilities, my emotional stabilities and my spiritual willingness. And, yes, back into writing. Inspiration, humor, wisdom, or nonsense. I'll take it.