i have a place…finally.
after months of moving the computer from table…to old office…to kitchen counter…to corner-on-the-couch…and the feeling of utter and complete disorganization, i could take it no longer. we kept telling ourselves that we were going to move giant piece of old office furniture that’s still sitting in brandyn’s new bedroom to the playroom/old dining room/all-purpose room. and it got put off and put off and i realized it was secretly because i didn’t want giant piece of old office furniture in our perfect little room. i wanted a small quaint-looking desk to complete the space in my mind i had created–a nook for me to work–a nook that felt like it belonged to me–with candles and flowers…a non-office-y and very, very home-y place where i could sip tea, write letters, edit photos all the while being completely submerged in lainey’s little playworld…so she didn’t feel like i was working. i had imagined it, but we just couldn’t (and wouldn’t) spend the money on a desk…especially when this giant piece of old office furniture was sitting in our house and would do the job just fine (but it’s giant).

that is, however, until gary called me and said he picked up an old desk for $10 and that it was old and well-made and if i didn’t want it, i could chop it up into firewood. i was expecting a total piece of crap…and when i walked out to his truck and saw the little treasure in the back, my heart fluttered.

this was it. this was gunna make my nook. an old, quaint little desk with peeling white paint and real, tongue-in-groove joints. weathered wood, pretty scalloped trim and feet with character. and the drawers make charming little squeaks when you pull them. it’s just full of character–and i wouldn’t trade it for a brand new desk for anything…it speaks to me, and i know i will do great things at this desk.

so, the boys hauled it in, and i excitedly led them to its corner spot, ran to home depot ten minutes later to get new glass knobs, and returned home to passionately create my imaginative nook…

…my nook with all its candles and the sweet touches of pink i’ve been longing for…

…the old, worn children’s books my mom’s given me that i had nowhere to display…my little art model man…my favorite mug…and a cupfull of happy buttons.

…and there’s lots of drawers for all my tools and inspiration…

…and, be still my heart…a pull out board for writing letters…real, hand-written letters.

…lainey can play while i’m with her…

…and there’s even room for a teacup.

i worked last night in my new nook with my candles flickering and a cup of coffee, a little music…and it felt so homey. my nook.
i love my nook. and i love my ten-dollar desk.

and…after a search around town for the perfect chair, i returned home for a last-resorted effort on craigslist. only to find a long-lost brother-chair for my sweet little desk.

…two of them for twenty-five. and, considering i’d use a bit of gas to travel the forty minutes to pick them up, i offered her twenty for both, and she took it. so, one for my nook and one to paint some wild, funky color for photos. i’m picking them up tonight.

there you have it. thirty dollars total to complete my dreamy little nook and an extra chair to boot. and, i promise, i’ll stop saying *nook.*

will photo again later with chair and giant picture i ordered to hang over the desk. i’m overjoyed at this darling little space, and i can’t stop smiling.

…and look at this treat.

…this picture makes me cry. her love for her daddy is precious and good and so beautifully magical i can’t quite put words to it. so, i won’t.

…she just gently touches his face and strokes his hair, and when i catch it, i can’t quite breathe for a moment.

big, happy sigh. amid all the yuk in our ever-changing world, there is always room to find and enjoy those happy, little things.

~love. lots.