I'm a little more normal than it seems

Shoe shopping=one of my least favorite activities. Not that my feminine side doesn't appreciate the thrill of finding cute footwear, but having triple E width makes me feel like a freak. Yes, you heard me; that is EEE width, measured by the official footy thingie at the stores.

I just read somewhere online (sorry for losing the link...Google it if you care to verify) that the average foot width for women in the USA is size B. Which just goes to show why I can hardly find a single pair of shoes within a thousand miles that fits me comfortably. BUT what I also just read online is this: the average foot width for women in Europe and many parts of Asia is size D. Not too far off from E...or even triple E. I can wear a D. Apparently I was born to be European. Or Asian.

I think Lo has my feet. They are sturdy little feet.

Waste not, want not

Since our condo is now officially on the market (the owner would prefer selling it to finding new leasees), we have started getting calls from the assigned realtors to schedule viewings. Yesterday morning after getting a request for a short-notice viewing later that day, I did a quick walk-through to determine how a stranger might perceive the place. What cleaning or re-arranging might be most useful at this last-minute stage? I asked myself. This lamp stood out to me during my walk-through. It was a bargain we purchased several months ago at the local thrift store, and at that time had a beautiful ceramic base--which promptly got broken through a mishap during the moving of our couch. As we Tams are not prone to waste anything that still has a semblance of useful life remaining, we found a way to make the base-less lamp keep functioning. It now sits on our bedroom dresser, balanced by a "cast" or splint of sorts made from taped pieces of cardboard, and a couple hand weights to keep it from tipping. Later we had to add string to balast the sides, so the whole contraption is currently quite a sight to behold.

I decided against dismantling it just to appease inspecting tenants or realtors. But I can imagine it might get a few raised eyebrows. Also, I am choosing to ignore the makeshift "curtain" we put over the window above the kitchen sink (duct taped washclothes hung by twine) and the cardboard box that functions as a wastebasket next to our bed. Instead, I will keep the counters wiped, the floors vacuumed, and the air smelling good, etc.--hoping that if the house is clean enough, our frugal decorating quirks can be overlooked.

Writer's Block

Usually the act of writing (or typing, as oft turns to be the case with me) frees up my mind to make sense of clamoring thoughts. Because it brings me comfort and satisfaction, I regularly journal, write letters, blog, and just overall tend to garner a sense of order from my writing hobby. However, the past week has found me with--albeit much thoughts--a hesitation to put my thoughts in tangible form. I have a blue sort of feeling that leaves me with a nagging doubt: no matter how I rearrange them, right now for some reason, letters do not have capacity to convey what I want them to.

So...even though I suspect the results will be shoddy, sometimes it is important to fling words out there just to do it. Breaking through the writer's block.

In the Beginning...

We have determined a need to extend our sociality. We hope the updates and reflections in this site will keep friends and family connected to us. Stay tuned for a separate blog from Courtney about her personal spiritual and intellectual quest. That blog is stemming from an honors course at BYU and Jeremiah 31:21, in which the Lord counsels: Set thee up waymarks. Waymarks are landmarks placed along a path to bring safety and comfort to the traveler, showing where he or she has been in case of disorientation, and also providing help for others who follow. (Think: Hansel and Gretel's bread crumbs, but a more reliable version). I probably should get that blog started within the week and am very excited about it!