there's no place like gnome.

Do you ever look at the floor and think, Hey, floor.  I want to lay down on you right now.

I’m there.  I’m at that point.  I’m exhausted and the floor looks so … so … nice.

Monday was a three meeting day that lasted into the evening.  Yesterday was a three meeting day that lasted into the evening.  Today is a care-center-worship-and-confirmation-day that will last into the evening.  I’m exhausted, physically and introvert-wise.

But mostly introvert-wise.  Which makes me think of this buzzfeed list I saw earlier this week: 27 problems only introverts will understand.  I heartily echo nearly all of them.  And happily adopt the phrase from number two as an explanation of why strangers tell me to smile.  [Can I also adopt the man in number two as my cuddle buddy while I nap on the floor?]

Thankfully, tomorrow is only a one meeting day that will not go into the evening.  You will find me at home recharging my introvert juices all night.  Until then, the floor still looks tempting …

Last night, my younger brother posted a photo to facebook from the trip my mom, sister, and I took to visit him over the summer.  Take me back – now, please – to kayaking on a glacial lake outside of Valdez.  See that valley of ice to the right of me?  It’s a glacier.  nbd.  Sometimes it’s still hard to realize that my brother lives there, in the midst of gorgeous scenery each and every day.  [Then I remember that he also deals with hundreds of inches of snow a winter and constant darkness for part of the year.  And then I’m okay only visiting every other year in the summer months.]

Sister Em and I

First, church.  Ho hum, ho hum.  It was okay.  I was a little off … and so was the congregation.  I NEVER have to tell them to stand for the alleluia before the gospel; they automatically do it.  Except for today.  It was weird.  But so it was.

After church, I ate a quick lunch and then was off to the Blooming Prairie High School production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.  It was delightful and full of laughs.  When leaving, I ran into a couple that I married last summer – one of the most delightful couples ever.  They don’t live nearby and so I don’t often see them at church.  She saw me and didn’t even hesitate before she gave me a big hug.  She’s so awesome.

I came home and all I wanted was a nap.  I was tired from the moment I got up this morning – probably a combination of cold-stuffy-stuff and the fact that hanging out with three kids named Carter, Penelope, and Graham yesterday afternoon wore. me. out.  [How do you parents do it?]  We did play some epic legos though.  Legos these days have awesome hair.

Right.  So I was tired.  It was only 3:30 but I promptly put on my flannel pajama pants and settled in on the couch.

*knock, knock, knock*

Sigh.  It was my fun fifth grade neighbor.  She was delivering fundraising goodies.  And then her dad and brother needed the church unlocked for a cub scout meeting. Across the parking lot I trotted in my blue pajama pants, unlocked the door, and then back to the parsonage.  When Mabel decided to run away.  Twice.

Which led to Lindsay trotting down the road – in her pajama pants and slippers – to search for her dog.  Twice.  I bet I looked awesome.

Neighbor girl: Why are you in your pajamas?
Me: Do you think it’s too early for pajamas?
Neighbor girl: Well … kinda …

The neighbor girl wanted to chat for a bit.  We sat on the stoop until it got too chilly and home she walked.  And that, my friends, is how today went, no nap and all.

I received this magnet in the mail, direct from friends who recently had traveled to Las Vegas.  *cue giggles*

And seems to me, I recall a song about gnomes written to this tune already … one of the many wonderful ways the gnome folk of Dawson sent me off at the end of internship over three years ago.  Sing along here.

The estate sale.  It called to me.

I went back on Saturday when everything was 50% off and I discovered a few more goodies.

Aren’t these little tin plates a joy?  I shall name them Sally Jane and Howard.  They live in the guest room and will welcome you when you come to visit.  [$1/each]

Funky bowl [$1.50] and old school wooden blocks [$4].  They also live in the guest room.  Come play with blocks at my house.

I also bought a piggy bank, a couple frames, metal cookie cutters, and some flat sheets for the quilters at church.  Estate sales are the best.

Oh.  And ps.  Here is the green typing table making a home in my craft room.  Functional, cheap and green.  All my favorites.

Are you ready to die of sweetness?

I received the largest, most beautiful bouquet of flowers I’ve ever received in my life today.

They were delivered to me, stem by stem, by the kids of Red Oak Grove during the children’s sermon.

When I called the kids forward for the children’s sermon, they walked down the aisle with their hands behind their back.  As each presented their stem of flowers to me, they said thank you to me.

Are you melting?  Because I did.  I’m a puddle just thinking about it.  It was hands down, seriously the best.

It was then announced that coffee hour would be in my honor because of pastor appreciation month and they showered me with cards and kind words.  Aww, shucks.   It’s not necessary but it certainly is nice to know one is appreciated.  So super sweet.  Thanks, Groovy Grovers.*

* Did I tell you? I heard a rumor that the people of Red Oak Grove used to be referred to as the Groovy Grovers.  We’re bringing it back.  Okay.  I’m bringing it back.  Still looking to get others on board.

I quilted with the ladies yesterday morning at church.  I tied quilts for much of the morning with them.  Here’s a story:

I was tying next to Dorothy.  [I figure her identity is still protected because, well, there are many Dorothy’s.]  Now, first, you need to know that I’ve taken to wearing a very large ring on my index finger of my left hand.  I receive many compliments on it when I wear it but – truth be told – it’s really cheap and has turned my finger a bit colored from the metal.  I feel I’m committed now; I wear the ring to cover the color.  It’s a perpetual cycle.

I was wearing this ring while quilting and Dorothy pointed to it.  Is that one ring or many? she asked.  It’s actually three, I answered.  Next, she took her hand and touched my ring finger.  You really should have a ring to wear on that finger, she said.  *wink, wink*

How I wanted to reply: [sarcasm] Really?  Attending three weddings of three friends in the last three weeks hadn’t made me think about that at all!

How I actually replied: [giggle]  Yeah …

Sigh.  The Dorothy meant well.  File this under the-odd-things-people-say-to-their-pastor-that-they’d-never-say-to-oh-their-doctor.

Remember this dresser I got for free from the church auction?

It now looks like this in my guest room –

First, I glued and clamped it back together.  There were lots of pieces that needed reconnecting and reenforcing.  Next, I stripped off the icky veneer that had begun to chip and peel from the top and the sides.  Some of the veneer got tricky; I couldn’t quite get it off with a putty knife.  I read some blogs about using water and the heat of an iron but I didn’t want to ruin an iron [or buy another one for this one purpose].  Then I remembered that I had a craft heat gun from my stamping days.  Worked like a charm to heat the glue under the veneer; it came right off.

Next there was some sanding and some painting.  A few new knobs and a trip into the guest room.  The only thing I’m missing are a couple of knobs for the bottom drawer.  I’d really like to find some funky doorknobs to use …  All in all, not bad for a free piece of furniture.  I like free.

A summary of the October wedding extravaganza: three weekends, three weddings.

First, it was my seminary friend and roommate, jeanette.  She married Mr. Dan in the chapel at Luther Seminary.  The ceremony was wonderful; intimate and lovely.  I met someone that evening; she was actually in the wedding, standing up on Mr. Dan’s side.  Former Grace intern Erika and I had much to talk about; gnomes, cardigans, and all.

Mr. Dan likes legos and that’s how he proposed to Jeanette. For cute.

A reception with fun games!

Jeanette and Mr.Dan were married one weekend and then had two more receptions to celebrate with congregations and other family/friends. I attended the marriage blessing and reception this past weekend at Jeanette’s church because … [next slide]

I made cakepops for the occasion!

Unlike most brides, Jeanette is getting her money’s worth out of her dress. Weekend #3.

Jeanette’s church always serves egg coffee. It was delicious. Egg coffee and I are having some sort of wrestling match for my taste buds.

Next was my BFF from my years at Trinity in Stillwater.  Sara and I met while working in the CYF department there and we bonded over taking inflatable monkeys to camp.  Sara married Mr. Josh, a very tall gentleman who makes me laugh.  I officiated the ceremony which was outside at sunset.  Romantical.  Then, after the cake was served, I had an emotional breakdown.  But we won’t talk about that.

Last but not least was my college friend, Kara.  Kara married Mr. Clint who is kinda of crazy in a fun way and collects clocks.  They actually were married at the courthouse many weeks ago but invited family and friends to celebrate with dinner and a reception this past weekend.

Receiving a blessing for their marriage.

Phew.  That’s a whole lot of love.  I think one of my favorite parts of my friends getting married is that I feel like I gain a new friend.  This month, I gained three.  Three stand-up guys who love my friends.  They’re all fun people and make my friends happy.  That’s lots to celebrate.