Wide Open Spaces

"Wide Open Spaces"   Dixie Chicks

I thought I'd try something new. Blog upstairs, in bed. Rather than in my usual corner perch on the couch. It's pretty nice. I'm facing the foot of the bed. So every time Steve lets out a really loud, obnoxious snore, I can kindly jam my slipper up his nose.


This is what I woke up to this morning. (okay, yesterday morning...it's kinda still my Thursday...yea, yea, I know. I'm seriously thinking about becoming a vampire.)

Mr. Twinkie. Just chillin' at the bottom of the steps. Sitting there like, *Yo! You up there...the food's gettin' low in my bowl...get your butt down here*

So, I head to the kitchen, top off his Purina Fat Cat Chow and relax a bit with some coffee and one of the many pumpkin treats my Mom sent me home with this week.

And I no sooner later find this...
What's a matter, Twinks? Too much breakfast for you?!


All day I was itchin' for a run. It looked like the perfect weather. And before I knew it, it was getting later. I only had about an hour until it grew dark.  You know, the new dark that comes right around 5 o'clock.  I could have just went around the neighborhood or stayed local...gained an extra 20 minutes or so...
but I didn't want to go 'round in circles. I didn't want to see the same darn things every 5 minutes I completed a lap.
I wanted to feel free.
I wanted my space.

And that's just what I got.
And what I'm getting from this new chapter's first few pages.

It was cold. The kind of cold that smells of snow. I love that smell.
I wasn't out long. Maybe 40 minutes at most.
But, they were some good 40 minutes.

I liked breathing in the chilly air and seeing a few trees still full of color and life. I liked the clarity I gained from each step of my run, and the calmness I felt when I'd stop to walk.
I loved passing by this adorable little chubby boy, walking with his Mom, that kept repeating, "Mom!!! That's it! NO MORE WALKING!!  I mean it!"
(seriously, he was so cute...I was cracking up!)

I loved these simple, almost bare trees that reminded me...
Winter is coming soon.
(Yea, I totally listened to about 2 hours of Christmas music today.)

Having a choice in which path I chose...not having to go round and round...
that's what made it so exhilarating.
And never boring.


Each time I go on these runs and walks, I learn lessons.  I see things in the light they need to be seen in. 
This past week, I've had much time to think about things. 
I've gathered more peace.  Sometimes, in the most unlikely of places. 
I've realized even more...
that if you put the crowded thoughts inside your head into words.  Write it out.  Type it out.  Whether it be just jotting it down, responding to an email, or publishing it in a blog post...

It is amazing what you can discover.

I'm thankful for this weekend's openness.  It's the last one in a while, that won't be busy and full. 
I enjoy a packed calendar.
But every now and then, we need a few of those spaces open.

It hasn't been quite 20 days.  Saturday, will mark 3 weeks since we said goodbye to that chapter.
It took a lot to get there.  To say it and mean it.

And in time, I'll say more.

Some days are easy.  Some nights are bittersweet. 
But ultimately, each day and night reveal more truth.

And that's the beauty in taking this time.  Having space...
There's room for it all to make sense.

I hope everyone has a FABULOUS weekend!! 


Muffin and I wish you a VERY...

(woahhh, I see some fangs there...Vampire Moofy)

(this was her, so innocent, just seconds before the pic above)

She's crazy. 

I can relate.

:)

Weekend Lovin',