Hi, my name is Jordan, and I'm an Introvert

So, in case you don't know, I am a classic introvert, and I didn't know it until college when someone straightened out my definitions of "introvert" and "extrovert".

I saw this description of introvertedness (Is that a word? Just go with it.) on Cup of Jo Friday, and while it made me laugh, it also made me say to myself, "That's so true and absolutely applies to me!"

Consider this my public service announcement in which I explain that although I am not (typically) socially awkward or withdrawn in public settings (unless I am sick and/or know no one in the room), I am definitely an introvert.

This doesn't mean I don't have people who I love and who I love spending time with. It means the anticipation of being away from home surrounded by people almost always sounds draining. My favorite, much embraced definition of an introvert is someone who recharges when alone, so after a long day or week at work when I'm constantly interacting with people and I have to be "on" for 8+ hours, I dream of my couch (or let's be honest, my bed) and a good novel.

It does not mean that I don't want to come to your house for dinner or that I don't want to see a play with you and your husband. It means I sometimes have to remind myself that those activities are fun and I enjoy them once I am there, particularly if I haven't had any down time recently. And by recently, I mean within 2-3 days. (Just trying to be honest, friends.)

Please don't misunderstand me: I love my friends, and I love catching up with them or eating with them or discussing what God is teaching us through life or laughing our heads off reminiscing. I also adore my husband, and I can be completely transparent with him, so time with just us at home is perfectly refreshing, not draining. Which is good because we live together, and this house is only so big. :)

But being out in and amongst people wears me out. Even people who I love, so I sometimes act like a hermit. A hermit who still wants to hang out with you...but who needs enough solitary silence to make it all balance out.

Hopefully this PSA has enlightened you as to one of my many quirks and you will still invite me to hang out...and understand if I occasionally politely decline. Have a blessed week!

House Happenings

We've been in our house for about six months, and we've slowly but steadily been finishing various projects and making improvements. This week was especially productive, and I finished a few big projects and several small ones.

I finally edged in the breakfast area, and now all that's left is to install the light fixture and move in the table.

I also created an awesome magnetic chalkboard on one of our half walls. It only took 6 coats of paint total, and I love it.

Husband bought a recycle bin to replace the series of cardboard boxes we've been using and then recycling. As my dad will tell you, I'm an obsessive recycler, so the bin makes ridiculously happy.

I just finished painting our guest bathroom with textured paint. (It was wallpapered, so that was a 5-step process.)

Also, I finally replaced the plant stand I've been using as a "temporary" nightstand with a small table, moved a plant onto the stand, and created a jewelry holder from a picture frame. The frame was a $5 purchase at a garage sale, and I'm keeping my eyes open for a few more with character for when inspiration strikes again.

Have a crafty productive week!

Long weekend

I need more of those so that I can catch up on all the stuff I like to do when well rested, or maybe I just need a vacation.

Anyway, Memorial Day weekend was wonderful. I managed to find a good balance of relaxation and productivity, which enhances the effects of both. We ended Monday with a delicious meal, pictured below. My husband can grill. Be jealous.

And then after the short work week, we headed up to visit my family and had another brilliant weekend.

But today is when the stars aligned and I got the good news that a client appreciated my extensive work editing a document, received an inscribed copy of a book I helped edit, and came home to a mostly tiled kitchen and breakfast area. Talk about a good day. My name is in the Acknowledgments section of a book, y'all! That's kind of like seeing my picture on the silver screen for a bookworm/lover of literature like me.

So tomorrow a crew will finish tiling our main living spaces and I will relish the fact that my name is in print in a bound, published tome of literary merit. Sounds like tomorrow is shaping up to be pretty good, too.

Happy (belated) Day of Moms

I made Mother's Day cards for the moms and grandmas in our life this year. And I had to wait to post this until they received them. I enjoyed pulling out my scrapbooking paper and mixing and matching until I found the right combination of texture, pattern, and layers for each color scheme. And I already had the supplies so all the labor of love cost me was part of a Saturday.

In other news, my sister and cousin successfully graduated from college and there was good food and a good time had by all in attendance at the party afterward. I can't vouch that anyone had fun at the ceremony, but it was well organized and very ceremonial, as such events should be.

Also, my niece graduated from preschool, complete with a little white robe/gown and cap. Her ceremony was tons of fun since seeing little kids walk around in too-long robes and pose for pictures is entertaining. And there was singing. The graduates performed for us, which was adorable.

So here's hoping you all celebrated your moms and if you're obligated (ahem, honored) to sit through a graduation this month, may it be brief and appropriately solemn/celebratory.

Nurse Sister

My sister graduates from college this weekend, which for some reason makes me feel older than when I graduated. Maybe since I'm not caught up in the stress and sleep-deprivation of finals and projects, her graduation sunk in sooner.

For those of you who don't know her, my younger sister is tall, statuesque and probably smarter than me. Don't tell her I said that. She also has a huge heart for the people Jesus said we should look out for: the poor, weak, and wounded. So what is my compassionate, vivacious sister going to be when she grows up (read: graduates)? A nurse, of course.

Here's to many years of my tender-hearted, intelligent sister taking care of people who need her the most. She's a knockout, even in scrubs, I love her, and I'm crazy proud of her.

Jordan, Jordan, how does your garden grow?

One of the many things I've been doing other than blogging is trying to grow a garden. Since I have gained notoriety as a serial killer of house plants, I'm more than proud of the few blooms our garden is producing. Particularly since the weather has been having trouble deciding what season it is.

Will we actually get to eat anything that we grew in our backyard? Maybe not. But it's been a fun science experiment with Husband, and a good reason to spend some time outside.

In other news, I finished painting the breakfast nook (which was a long time coming), made greeting cards and refinished a table today. Productive Saturday for the win.

Been Thinking About This for a While

I read other people's blogs daily, so I should be a better contributor. I've been thinking about that for a while, and then my grandma shamed me on facebook and called me out for never writing.

I could have commented that I write 8+ hours a day and get paid for it, but most of what I do at work is edit and wordsmith, not write.

So, here I am to describe the lovely weekend away I had with my husband. Husband teaches orchestra, and Spring= orchestra widow season, so I have been all on my own a lot lately while he works like crazy at a job he loves and where he makes a difference in the lives of children...so I try not to complain much.

Anyway, he had a free Saturday so we took a mini vacation to Huntsville to see Pirates of Penzance, stay at a B&B, eat delicious foods, and tour Sam Houston's museum/houses.

We're already planning our next visit. It was so much fun and a much needed break from the ordinary. (Our ordinary is extremely blessed, but still.)

So, you too should go to Huntsville, stay at the Whistler, eat at the Homestead, and see a show at Sam Houston State.

Trust me, you'll love it. And you might even have the bonus experience of learning more about Sam Houston and buying an antique side table.

And now, without further ado, some pictures of our room at the B&B. You're welcome, Grandma Rose.