Goodbyes.

Tonight I attended the last 20s and 30s Bible Study scheduled before I say goodbye to Bristol. I consider myself very lucky to have formed several different groups of friends while I've been in Bristol... "The HistArchs", the other arch students-especially the North American contingent, my housemates, the Dean's Court flat group, MethSoc, and "20s & 30s". With the "20s & 30s" group I've found friends with whom I could laugh and share. I remember the first time I attended 20s & 30s I was quite nervous as I didn't really know who or what I might encounter, but before the night was through I realized it would be a fun group to be a part of. Tonight I said goodbye... for now, hopefully not forever. Thinking about leaving isn't terribly easy, but it helps to know they will continue to meet on the 1st Monday and 3rd Wednesday to think, grow, and pray together. Best wishes and hope to see you in February.

Just, Margaret

Southern Classic

Some of the soon to be ex-residents of MIH are having a covered dish, aka potluck dinner, tomorrow night. Blog surfing through the posts of friends of friends I ran across a recipe for Key Lime Pie and decided that was one I had to bring. What says "Southern Summer" better? I had to adapt it a bit with my English ingredients, but I'm fairly certain I got it right. Most exciting of all is that I've never baked one from scratch before, which made it all very adventurous and fun.

Just, Margaret

Nightly Rituals

Okay so I'm kinda obsessed with using facial mud masks... you know to exfoliate and such. Its a de-stresser for me and it also seems to help my skin, so I do it about twice a week. Usually later at night, just before bed or in the morning before I shower... though I'm never really worried about seeing anyone with it on cause I'm in my room and if I see my housemates is usually running into them in the hall or kitchen. Sure you can see where this is going. I decided to prepare for bed early cause I'm waiting on a Skype call from my parents and grandparents and I also wanted to read and it is a Sunday and so what if I get ready for bed before 10 sometimes (my teacher friends go to bed by 9). I'm also tired from a busy weekend (JM and I walked at least 5 miles yesterday and mostly uphill) and I didn't allow myself to take an afternoon nap. So I put on the mask (which is a pale lavender that when dried I'm sure makes me look like one of the walking dead... ghostly pallor and all) and start reading and forget its there until... "Knock, knock". Yep go to the door and its Ibrahim and Hiro, nice guys but guys none the less. And so I yell out the door as I'm opening it because its inevitable now that I've already asked "who is it?" that "my face is purple and I'm sorry. What do they need?" [oy] That was one of the longest 3 minutes in my life because I and they are acutely aware of my abnormally colored face. Conversation over and I close the door and all I can think is "of course this would have to happen to me."

Just, Margaret

Final Post of the Day

Another day has gone by and I don't feel I've accomplished much, but I'm told that's typical of dissertation writing. I've set some goals and I'm hoping to start afresh tomorrow working toward achieving them. I'll make sure to post toward the end of the week how I do.

Before I say goodnight I do have a silly story to tell. Last night while drifting off to sleep I happened to glance at the wall beside my bed where I saw a big spider... and I don't mean big by my over active, almost asleep, arachnophobic brain. It was really quite large about an inch and a half in diameter spread out on the wall. For those of you who know me... especially those who have lived with me... I'm sure you're wondering who I found late last night to help me capture the spider. I will admit my first instinct was to scream, then I though how silly that would make me look. Waking up the whole household because of probably harmless spider. So somehow I captured it using a plastic bottle I had in my room which I then, at the suggestion of my mother whom I called to freak out on the phone to after the whole episode, placed outside my door so I wouldn't have to think of it actually being in my room. It all feels like a blur today, but I have to admit I am a bit weary of getting ready for bed tonight in fear last night might be repeated. Where there was one there might be many... think Aragog in Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone. Still makes me shiver to think about it. Just in case you were wondering the spider was released this morning into our garden by the warden.

Just, Margaret

Makeshift clothesline

Sunday is usually laundry day for me.  Let me explain a bit about my laundry situation.  First you must understand that until this point I've led a charmed life, well at least in regards to washing and drying my clothes.  [smile] The laundry rooms of my childhood homes (we only lived in one at a time, we just moved a lot) were my parent's, mostly my mom's, domain.  We were asked to help out around the house (make our beds every day, set the table, clean our rooms, fold clothes ect.), but until I was getting ready to go to college I didn't know how to work the washer or dryer.  Then at LaGrange College I continued to live my laundry fairy tale.  Okay I was quickly introduced to the curse of trying to secure a free washer or dryer, but I through my entire college career I did not have to pay for one load of laundry.  Yes you read that correctly.  LaGrange College in addition to challenging minds and inspiring souls also treats their on campus students to free laundry facilities.  I'd say waiting for an open machine was a small price to pay.  Then again when I moved to North Dakota and Louisiana still no coin operated machines for me.  In North Dakota I actually had a pair of machines just for me, so no waiting!  It was great.  

So I guess it was just a matter of time that eventually I would be introduced to the real world of coin operated laundry machines.  And what better place than here. Luckily MIH does have a washing machine on site so I don't have to walk with a heavy duffle of laundry to a laundromat.  Not so luckily, we don't have a dryer... a drying room yes, but no dryer.  This has taken some time to get used to, but mostly it works okay.  Except for this week.  This is an old house and the boiler has been on the fritz, the heat of which helps keep the drying room warm.  Consequently the room is full as its taking longer for things to dry and I'm left with trying to find a space for my clothes.  I got about half of my laundry in the room, but the other half are back in my room "hanging out." (Sorry for the pun... it was just too perfect. [smile])  I've got them hanging in my open window, hoping our rain won't come back this afternoon.  Actually I'm not sure how much good hanging them in my open window is doing, because its quite cloudy and chilly today.  I'm counting on my good laundry karma.  Here's hoping it works.  

Just, Margaret

Photo on a Friday, but not "Photo Friday"

I took this photo while in Wales last weekend (with a little photo shop magic).  Something about the dove felt so evocative to the peace I felt that day.  I waited for several minutes to capture the bird in flight, but wasn't able to get the image I was looking for.  Still I think this one is pretty great.  

Just, Margaret