Positive Project #5: A New Home

A New Place to Hang my Hat

I moved this weekend. A new place. A new start. A new adventure. 

I'm a bit smitten with my apartment right now and think that the Positive Project might include more posts about it. 

• I'm happy to be writing from my own couch.
• I'm happy to have friends who lifted all of the heavy things for me.
• I'm happy for evening quiet.
• I'm happy that so many things could happen here. 

And that so many things will happen here.

What's your bit of happy today, readers? Share in the comments, please!

Positive Project #4: Warm Drinks

I am not a morning person. But I'm getting better at it. Because I'm growing old and by the time you reach 70 you have to be up and accomplished before the sun rises. It's a law.

I imagine that when I do hit the big 7-0, I'll love getting up before dawn. I'll read have my laundry done before The Today Show even begins. And then I'll read some Large Print books and have lunch at 10 am.

But until then, I need a little love in the morning. I need a good hour and half to get myself ready. Not because I'm high-maintenance. But because I'm just slow-moving. Because I'll be better equipped to talk to you if I can take my time. I need breakfast about 3 hours after I wake up, if it's earlier I'll get sick to my stomach.

And my heart wants a warm drink in the morning. Even if I feel stressed before my day officially begins, even if I want to cry, even if I am having the best day ever. A hot drink just makes it better.

Chai Tea

My ultimate comfort drink. It's the way to my heart, so take not future suitors. It will make me smile. I could drink it forever.

Earl Grey Tea

My standard. This is what I'll look for in a box of assorted teas. It's what I'll request first at restaurants. I have some with lavender in it. Perfect for cold mornings.

Cinnamon Dolce Latte

My sometimes-treat at Starbucks. I am not a coffee drink, if you couldn't have already guessed. But this latte is more cinnamon and milk than anything else. To be had only when nothing else will brighten a morning. Have yet to try it iced.

So what about you, readers? What do you drink in the morning? Does a certain drink perk your mood? 

Oh! and you still have time to vote for in the most recent round of the TV Boyfriend Bracket. Don't let the Nice Guys finish last!

Positive Project #4: Beards

I keep sitting down to write a serious post about something in my life for which I am grateful, but this week is a ball of busy. The type of busy that meant I didn't even take off my shoes until well after 8pm. This almost never happens.

So today I'm going to sing praise for beards. Do you need to have a beard to date me? Absolutely not. In fact, only one of my past loves had facial hair on a regular basis. So the odds are really in the clean-shaven's favor.  I'll consider it a treat when you're by my side with a day's worth of stubble.

But if I happen to pass you on the street and you do have a beard? You get an automatic +2 points in the attractive department.

Just this morning I spotted three different men, who when I locked eyes with, I thought to myself "I'd make out with you."

So today's list, in celebration of the excitement that beards bring in my life, I give you some of my favorite current beards.

Seneca Crane

Fun fact, I actually leaned over to my friend, during The Hunger Games and said these words: 

"I'm oddly attracted to him."

The Avett Brothers

This type of beard says to me, "Come on over honey, I'll strum on my guitar. We'll drink mulled cider. Maybe, if you're feeling feisty, I'll let you pluck my banjo."

Ron Swanson

Not technically a beard. But the only man with a mustache I'd consider having a passionate love-affair with. I want to be the librarian that isn't Tammy and makes the whole Parks Department rethink their stance on books.

But really. It's this version of Nick Offerman that really makes me thankful for beards.

My second favorite photo.

I need to stop with the swooning.

So readers, who claims your favorite beard? Do you have a beard of your own? Leave the love in the comments!

Positive Project #3: Ballet Flats

Over the last year or so I have become a lover of the heel. I usually wear high heels at least 3 to 4 days a week. And I love the way I feel when a little kitten heel highlights a dress or a skirt.

But right now? I don't have the stamina to walk around all day in a heel. Let alone jumping up and down during storytime in a heel.

So thank goodness for ballet flats. And thank goodness I own many of them.

Now? Do I own any of these ballet flats? Um, let's just say they are a little out of my budget. But a girl can dream, can't she?

What about you readers, what's your positive piece today?

Positive Project #2: The TV Boyfriend Bracket

It's probably no surprise as a librarian that I fall in love with fictional characters. My main form of entertainment is engrossing myself in fictional worlds. My ultimate book boyfriend? Marc Darcy, the updated version of Mr. Darcy of Pride and Prejudice from Bridget Jones' Diary. There are others too but as I sit here and think about them, I'm thinking this should probably be its own blog post.

So when my good friend Brenna posed the question "Which TV character would you like to date?" I was there with a list of answers. Brenna and I regularly pick apart the storyline of How I Met Your Mother with precision every week and go back and forth on the merits of Ted Mosby. And our friends have sent more emails than I can count over the last year regarding the men of Friday Night Lights. That any of us have TV Boyfriends is no surprise.

So what started out as a poll between friends grew to a bracket of 16 and then well....into this madness of 64 ultimate TV Boyfriends throughout time.

You've got the Men Who Get Shit Done vs. those Hopeless Romantics. And Nice Guys vs. the ones who are a Bit Complicated. And it's awesome.

This has been a source of pure joy, hilarity, and excitement since last week when I was bruised and battered and mending. I encourage you (both women and men) to join in on the fun. Voting begins today. Up first are are the Complicated Men. You can cast your vote here and be sure to voice your opinion loud in clear in the comments.

But because I want to persuade my readers to cast votes in favor of my favorite men. I give you my ultimate TV Boyfriend Breakdown.

It's Complicated

Tim Riggins

He's broken but not beyond repair. He went to jail to cover up for his brother. He loves with all of his heart. He is loyal and just wants to live a simple life. He has seen the dark side and would do all he could to protect you from seeing it too. He loves Texas, Forever. And I'd pack up my belongings and  join him in a state didn't impress me when I visited years ago, if he asked.

Hopeless Romantic

Seth Cohen

Honestly this was the hardest category for me to pick a favorite. Not because I love too many romantics, but because of the opposite. I don't really fall for romantic men in real life or in fictional life. I like elements of romance in my life, but I've never been the girl who was or wanted a Hopeless Romantic. Seth was chosen by default because Ted Mosby often acts without thinking about the consequences of his actions in regards to others. And if I chose Matt Seracen that would mean 3 out of  4 my top picks came from Friday Night Lights. And I don't love high school football all that much. So why do I love Seth? He was reading Michael Chabon in high school. He has that cute curly-haired thing going on and once loved a girl from Pittsburgh. He is the type of guy who would be romantic in a geeky way. He'd remember your favorite scene in a book and reenact for you. He'd score you autographed copies from your favorite author and buy you tickets to the band you love so much. He's jut the right amount of romance for me.

Gets Shit Done

Coach Eric Taylor

Coach Taylor molds young men. He may mind when they knock on his door in the wee hours of the morning or when they date his daughter, but in the end, he just wants to help them out and put them on the right path to success. He'll cuddle on the couch with you with a glass of wine and probably rub your feet after a long day. He stands up for what is right and fair. He looks good in polo shirts and hats. I think if he wasn't so in love with Tammy Taylor, he would love to have a Librarian in his life.

Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can't Lose.

Nice Guys

Josh Lyman

There is an asterisk next to Josh's name in the TV Boyfriend Bracket. Because he just kind of fell into this category because those who seeded it didn't really know what to do with him. Ideally, he should probably be in Get Shit Done. But I'll argue here that Josh is a Nice Guy. He is a champion for the little man. He got into politics because he wants to make a difference. He won't be so nice to you if your'e causing trouble up on the Hill, but it's because his heart is in the right place. He is wicked smart. His job is his life. He loves Democrats, he loves President Bartlet. 

And I just want to love him.

(If you know anything about me, you should know that Josh Lyman is my ultimate TV Boyfriend. I love him so much. But I realize he has a polarizing personality. I tend to fall for those types anyway.)

So dear readers, who will you cast your vote for? Is there someone that was left out of the TV Boyfriend Bracket? Do you have issues with my picks? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Postive Project #1: Friendship

If your'e a regular reader of this blog you may have deduced that something happened in my life last week. It was a tough thing, a scary thing, and a thing that forced me to slow down and take a break from the world for some time. It was not a thing I enjoyed.

When something like this happens along the road of life, a lot of things happen because of it. And one of things I let consume me? Negative thought.

I've been trying to fight off the blues for a few weeks now. They seem to have been wanting to settle in since sometime mid-February. And I have been trying, with all of my might on some days, to ward them off at the entrance.

But very recently? Specifically Tuesday/Wednesday of this past week? Forget it. If you happened to talk to me during those days, or read my tweets, or sent me text messages. You would have heard things such as "All of my friends are getting married and having babies and I'm just getting {insert issue here}."

And I'm just not going to take it anymore. I'm on a mission to hyper-inject a serious dose of positivity in my life. So with that, I'm starting my 30-day Positive Project. I'm pledging that for the next 30 days, I will blog about something positive in my life that gives me joy and makes me smile. I'm (as my dearest friend's father stated: Giving up negativity for Lent) and forcing myself to concentrate on what I do have, what I do love, and what I am blessed with other than what is missing or hurting.

Positive Project #1?

Friendship

I never have to look very far to be reminded of how much love I have in my life because of my friends. It's an eclectic group of people I've met along the way: just a few from high school, some from travels, those who know my dark secrets from college, the ones who are from grad school, those I met as a professional, and believe it or not, some I met online. But they know me. They support me. They love me. 

They were there within minutes and hours of needing some cheer, they are setting time aside to help me move, they call from across the country, send silly text messages during the work day, write elaborate emails about TV boyfriends and The Hunger Games, and tweet about bad hair days and tacos. They cry with me, they laugh with me, and force me to laugh at myself even in the darkest of times. 

I may not have that lifelong friend that I met in Kindergarten. But as adult? Friendships rock a lot.

I love you, friends. And I hope I'm half friend as you are to me. If your'e here in my life, I don't want to lose you. And I am pledging to be the best friend I can be.

So dear readers, can you help out and participate in my 30-day Positive Project? Leave a comment and tell me one thing positive in your life today. Or write 30 blog posts too. I truly believe the more positive thoughts and the more positive actions we put out int he world? The more positive energy and actions we'll see and feel. 

Letter #37: A Hiatus

Dear Readers,

I'm going to step away from the blog for a little bit and do some mending.

An instance has arisen that has is taking me away from my normal routine right now and there is little I can or want to say about it here.

I always hate when bloggers post things that are cryptic or seem to be fishing for attention, so please know that this is neither.  But since so much of my life is in this weird place right now, I don't have much else to say.

I don't think this hiatus will last long. I hope to be back at blogging in a week or so. But right now I just need some time to take care of my mind, my body, and my heart. Luckily, I have some amazing family and friends who never stop letting me know how much I am loved and cared for. And for that, I am eternally grateful. So much in the last few years has challenged my own strength, but consistently, I have found that some bonds cannot be broken. I love you all, so very much.

I'm thankful for you too, readers, for sending me messages of good spirt. And always sticking by me. I am always amazed and touched by the number of people who regularly read this blog and I hope you'll stick with me as I take some time away.

I promise to be back with life stories, dating woes, and a few good lists. The lists will probably be Hunger Games related.

Always. Love.