Undoubtedly (writer’s assumption) at some point in everyone’s schooling, they had to write a “Reflection” essay, maybe more than once. This can be very uncomfortable for some people, but for me, it’s something I’m naturally compelled to do. on a regular basis. here. on this blog. The only thing you should know going into this is that the only unifying theme is reflection.
If someone were to pay an unexpected visit to my apartment, they would be greeted first by two piles of shoes on either side of the door. Pumps, tennis shoes, flip flops, you name it they’re by the door. I’m taking the Asian approach to footwear, remove it as soon as you step foot in the home. My shoes just never quite make it back to the shoe holder in my closet. They do on occassion-when I’m planning for guests or decide it’s time to be somewhat orderly. A pink gym bag, an over the shoulder tote from a conference, my daily laptop bag, purses–yep, you’re greeted by those too. I also have a giant 5 lb can of Lindsay black olives on my counter.
This natural state of untidiness bothers and embarrasses me. I don’t want people to see that this is my natural state of habitation. I wish someone would come pay an expected visit. I worry about it and I hope for it. It doesn’t happen though. So, I’m a little disorderly, it’s part of who I am–not everyone is neat as a pin–I feel pressured to perfection though. Right now, I only have the focus to be disciplined in one area of life–and that’s now in the health sector. It’s all being channelled there. I suppose that’s a weakness, that one trackedness.
I fill my rooms with color, from the artwork I display, the rugs, quilts, and accessories I place.
I wish I had someone else around. I’ve been thinking about getting a kitten–another little personality to love and enrich my life–and maybe help keep my Gracie cat entertained.
Every morning and evening, I’m greeted by my cat, Gracie(named such before I adopted her.) I adopted her just after college graduation. She was a bit ferret-like when I found her at the Pet Connection, but she was adorable. About 5 minutes after I brought her home, she was let out of the cat carrier and bolted for a hiding place. I learned quickly one of her greatest skills–finding hiding places. We didn’t see her for days. I was certain she’d escaped out an open door and I’d lost her forever. Then, we started to hear noises coming from the upstairs at night (you see I was still sleeping on the living room couch at this point.) Maybe she was still in the house! My mom heard a trick about tracking so, that evening we tried it and I sprinkled flour all over the upstairs floor. Sure enough, we figured out Gracie’d been hiding in a the wall–entering through a smallish hole in the upstairs kitchen. It took time, but eventually she began to trust me. God knows what I would do now if I didn’t have that furry little companion. She loves me unconditionally. Thank goodness. 5am meow wakeup calls and sandpaper kisses on my nose, but nothing beats that little cat’s loyalty and the way she looks up at me and snuggles closer. She allows me to be open and share all the affection I feel but cannot express elsewhere.
This is my home; base of my disorderly life. Vibrant, lonely, lovely, books, shoes, bags, and one tricky, wonderful fluffy kitty cat (or two.)
Or three!!
Like you, I am one-tracked. My apartment is a mess when I’m working out every day. I don’t work out when I decide to cook dinner myself every night. When I got a dog, everything else stopped. Balance is hard.