Anniversaries and A Decorated Office.

I realized this week that this summer marks a number of anniversaries for me. Twenty years since I moved from Illinois to Texas to begin college. Fifteen years since the summer I spent with the man who set the benchmark for me on what love is. Ten years since I moved to Dallas as the result of a transfer with my former firm.

Thinking about these anniversaries has brought a mix of emotions: nostalgia, anger, the sweetness of one's first grown-up love and disbelief that I have survived for so long in this conservative Southern city among them. I cannot help but believe that the convergence of these anniversaries makes this a sort of milestone year for me. I have finally grasped some long-sought after prizes and now is the perfect time to sketch out what I want my life to be, then turn the wheel in that direction.

I will think about this in a few weeks, while I explore the nooks and crannies of Vermont and New Hampshire during my fall vacation. But for now, I'm enjoying the open vista before me.



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On a less deep note, the re-decorating of my office is nearly complete! It began with firm-provided loaner furniture and a very dark little corner. It now looks like this, with only an end table, some art on the walls and a bit of tidying up left to do:





This is one of my two identical lamps . . . I love them!



I am proud that I have made such significant changes so economically.

Big purchase

It took me literally all day yesterday to pack up the items I have been stockpiling for donation. Clothes, bedding, books, etc. Twelve large trash bags and one large laundry basket worth of items! But my guest room finally looks like a room habitable by humans again, and it is ready for my guest's arrival on Wednesday.

Turning to other things I have worked on this weekend, as part of making partner at my firm, I get to choose new furniture for my office. The budget is generous, but it is a lifetime budget, so I'm trying to use my money wisely. I was set to buy new furniture, a whole fancy put-together system that I designed (it would even have included a cabinet that could hold a small refrigerator!). But I was afraid of the price, which would have burned most of my budget. So, I turned back to the internet, finally discovering a place that has a really wide selection of used executive desks. There I found this lovely vintage set, which my friends K and D were nice enough to check out (and approve) for me this weekend, and which I was impulsive enough to buy this weekend, and I think I'm going to like it--have I made a crazy decision?

8' Vintage Walnut Desk Credenza Set

Interesting Web Site

Via Kottke, this web site about Newspaper Design: Best Front Design. Maybe you'll find it as interesting as I did. Of note: the Chicago Tribune is a frequent winner.

If you're wondering why I'm posting at this hour, I accidentally took a huge nap upon returning home today and am having trouble getting back to sleep. Dang!