Day of Bliss.

Yesterday was a magical day.
Best of all, it was magical for no particular reason.
I love days like that!
Tuesday night I picked up an overnight shift at work, so I went in at 10 pm and got out at 8 am.  Needless to say I got about 4 hours of sleep on the office floor.  This is a sleeping shift, but picture yourself in a big, silent shelter.  Would you want to go downstairs and sleep? I didn't think so.  When I got home I was awake, and had no intention of going to sleep.  I had things to do you know? But when I went to tell Mike I was home he insisted I lay down and take a nap, so I tried.  After trying really hard, I woke up from a coma at 2 pm!  That is such a foreign feeling to me, but I felt amazing!
This mega-long sleep in session really set the tone for the rest of my insignificant, but perfect day!
Mike had a couple of errands to run, so I quickly got ready.  My hair was somehow acceptably curly.  The weather was breezy and cool enough for me to throw on my favorite leggings and a newish oversized sweatshirt. I was ready to go.
We ran the errands.
We took the back way home. Which led to us visiting a few homes that we have our eye on for purchase
; )
Then we ran to the mall, because what kind of day would it be without a little bit of shopping? We are in the market for a new tent. Instead I got the most fabulous shorts on sale at Pac Sun, nail polish, new summer candles, and summer hand soap for the kitchen and bathroom.  Can you say impulse buys?
When we left the mall I decided I needed a slushy, so we drove to the closest Sonic. Ocean water-YUMMY!
We had a couple more errands to run, and eventually we were back home.
I did the speediest, but efficient cleaning marathon on the apartment. Did a load of laundry. Baked some tasty mini fruit pizzas. It was perfect.
Mike and I made the bed with fresh sheets and pillow cases and crawled in to watch a couple of episodes of Friends.
I mean really does it get any better than this?

Free Time

I definitely do not mean to treat this blog as a diary.
You know, the beautiful journal that you receive as a gift and vow to write in everyday.
"Dear Diary, Aunt Lindy got you for me and I am so excited.  I will write in your everyday!"
Things get busy, though, you know?
Preparing for graduation, house hunting, final exams, graduation, a 2 week trip to work on an Indian reservation.
Excuses, excuses.
But today I felt the urge, so here I am writing.
I have a long day ahead of me today.  I work at a domestic violence shelter on the weekends, and we are terribly understaffed on the weekends. There is a first shift worker, a second shift worker, and a third shift worker.  Meaning that anytime the second shift worker or I need time off the other is stuck working a long 16 hour shift.  I am blessed enough that the third shift worker graciously accepted my request for her to come in at 10 rather than 11, so I work 15 hours today instead of 16.
It is okay though, because I love this job and I desperately need the hours.
And I have a ridiculous amount of free time on my hands now. More than I have ever had before in my entire life. Seriously, I am pretty sure I had more on my plate as a toddler than I do currently.
What did my life look like just months ago? A weekday job, and weekday internship, full load of classes, weekend job.  Fast forward to now.  I work on the weekend and have 1 class on Tuesday nights. Now that is insane!
I am trying to enjoy it though.  This week I was able to sleep in!  Celebrate my birthday for 2 days : ) Spend lots of time with my sister, Chelsi, including a trip to the beach! (Where I may have turned a nice shade of tomato red!)
And, while I know that it is extremely necessary and important for me to find a full time job as soon as possible, I think that this free time is a blessing from God.  I have been able to clean the heck out of the apartment and cook dinner for Mike every night.  It could not have came at a more perfect time because he worked crazy overtime this week!  I have more time to think, to pray, to contemplate.  I feel happy, and fulfilled. And that is nothing short of a blessing.
Things can get a little hectic here at the shelter on the weekends.  Kids running around, reminding mom's to keep an eye on those running kids, messes, reminding folks to clean the messes, problems, crisis. It can be a little overwhelming for everyone.  But this morning, despite my long day ahead, I feel more than prepared.
The house is still cold from the air running throughout the night.  I am cozy in my new over-sized sweatshirt, blanket on my lap, yummy coffee in hand.  I am excited to greet each resident as she wakes up and makes her way to the kitchen for a hot mug of coffee.  I clearly see the opportunity set in front of me to hear stories and to be a positive part of those stories.
Happy Saturday everyone!