B: BFF LYLAS PTL LOL

Begin by hopping to the youtubes to hit play on this song.

Tomorrow is a big day in the life of my bestie B.  Tomorrow is the day that she follows the call on her life to love people in the nation of Uganda.  You see, nearly a decade and a half ago, she began to feel a burden for the people of Uganda.  And over time, the burden has only intensified.  So tomorrow she will put aside all the creature comforts of America in order to follow Jesus.  And I couldn't be more proud.

This is, most likely, the first picture we took together.  B's dad took it on his Polaroid camera when we were, I believe, in 4th grade....so at least 16 years ago.  There continues to be an awkward amount of difference in our height as well as a huge difference in our athletic prowesses (of course she is more of an athlete than me).

But after 19 years of friendship, countless sleepovers, and at least 500 games of Spit (our made-up card game), we're still besties.

Golly gee, Beezie, I'm going to miss you like like crazy.  But I'm unbelievably proud of the decision you've made and the path you're following.  I've shed quite a few tears this weekend and I'm sure more will follow in the next several days, but the overwhelming peace that this is exactly what you need to be doing completely surpasses the sadness.  So go, sweet friend.  Do your thang.  Love Jesus.  Love the people.  And avoid snakes.  I can't handle another snake story.  In two years, I promise to greet you with coffee and sushi.

Sending you more love, prayers, and thoughts of chips and salsa than you could possibly know.

A Series

So there was this one time in June that 3 ladies from Abilene came to partake in all the amenities Topeka could offer.  Food was eaten, pedicures were given, shopping was done, and laughter was heard.  A day that ranks in the top 10 of all days this summer. 

And then we tried to take a picture.  And this happened.

 Yes, let's sit on the couch.

 Waiting so patiently.

 Minor adjustments.

 Happy.

 Happier.

 My favorite.

 Offering suggestions.

 Mid-swap.

 Happy again.

 Hahahahahahahaha.  Love you, B.

 Stair-stepping.

 Awkward hand.

I think there's one or two winners in this series, right? 

House Stuff (and stuff)

***Disclaimer:  when I spend large amounts of time away from people (aka: summer), my humor apparently distorts and I do weird things like tell you about my conversation with my front door.  You've been warned.  Carry on.***

How's that for a descriptive title?  I bet it makes you all excited.  Will this be about her patio?  Ooooo, what about her new-to-her piano?  Or even Daniel's mower saga?????  The possibilities are endless!!!!

Well, friends, this is about littlish changes I have made since the old house tour of May 2013.  But, before you read on, if you are a female and you live in or near Topeka, please take a moment to read this.   I trust you did that.  Let's move on.

So I've been waiting to show you a few things until some spaces are perfect.  But, let's be honest, no space is ever perfect or done, so let's just call these pics progress.  

You may or may not remember this vignette from the May house tour.  The lamp was disturbingly awkward....recall?  So a series of events occurred (the details would probably bore you to tears).  Let's just say that my mom bought me this lamp.  Fun, huh?  And I'm in the process of trying to regrow some sweet potato vines (mom, I noticed today that some roots are formed.....what do I do next?). 

 Still a happy corner.  I've never been crazy about red in my home, but since this dresser was my very first project (5 years ago? 6 years ago?), I can't bear to think about repainting it (shocker, I know).

Side note:  if you follow me on Instagram, you know that we bought a piano from our Alma Mater for a steal.  Upon it's arrival home, Daniel asked me if I was going to paint it.  After gasping in horror for 10ish minutes, I flailed around and hollered "No!"  He was legitimately surprised.....I suppose after you paint every surface in your house [(including kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, office built-ins, Craigslist furniture, and every wall (some more than once)], you build a name for yourself.  Note to self. I digress. 

 Love me some burlap. 

 SIL Tammy found the idea somewhere on the interwebz to put a few small things in a small foyer.  So we did!  Daniel thinks they're silly, but he thinks 75% of my never-ending-always-looking-for-something decor tweaks are silly.  The chevron-esque basket functions as a holding point for things that need to go upstairs.  And the price tag is still on my TJ Maxx clearance faux plant.  Super. 

 OMG.  Almost forgot to mention my stripes!  Holy knees-throbbing-back-aching stripes.  Totes worth it, but picture me saying "oh my woooooooord" 500 times during the process.  Yes.  Five hours of taping (an old house = walls that aren't square, so the use of a level is pointless). 

 And my yellow front door!  Every time I come downstairs, it says, "Well hellooooooooooooo Heidi!  I'm feeling mighty fine today!!!"  And I respond, "Hello old door.  You only took half a morning to paint, so I approve of your emotions."  And Daniel says, "She may be cray, but I love her anyway."

 Just for kicks, here is a close-up of the stripes.  I read a few tutorials first and then made up my own tutorial.  My own tutorial is a-comin!

 But for now I'm just going to relish in the happiness that is our foyer.......and then I'll start thinking about painting above the chair rail.  I believe I'll be enlisting help for that one.

 I updated this cute little lamp that I've had for a decade and bought at a thrift shop.  A different lamp shade can really liven up a sad little lamp.  Oh look, there's my piano!  With a mass of accessories atop.  Someday I'll address that.  

A project that has been brewing for quite some time is window treatments in our family room.  For my birthday, yes, 3 months ago, I asked for fabric.  Long story short, this fabric came from a teeny-tiny fabric store 5 miles south of Canada in a little town in Washington.  Ah, the interwebz. 

 I'm not 100% thrilled with the way they turned out (I get all perfectionistic when I make things like this), but I'm just living with them for now.

 I really wish they had more depth to them, so I'm thinking about making some faux ties in a deep gray color or attaching a border to draw the eye up.

 We shall see.  In the meantime, here is a close-up of the fabric.  It's sort of blue-grayish with deep yellow flowers. 

 Oh yes, and my MIL bought a new ottoman for her house, so we took her old one off her hands.  And, of course, I painted it.  Was not thrilled with how it turned out, but my SIL suggested that I go over the white with a glaze (when we got it, it was black) to add some depth. 

 Lest you think my house is always this picked up, allow me to turn 180 degrees.  What can I say?  We do a lot of living here. :) 

Also, with school starting in less than a month (picture me sobbing uncontrollably like a small child), our house projects will certainly start to dwindle.  Oh the beauty of summer.  It's fun while it lasts.

Next up - stripe tutorial!! 

Ladies of Topeka!!

***If you love information as much as I do, read this whole post.  If you just want the deets, read only what is in blue. Just looking out for my skimming friends. :) ***

About a month ago, I was given a vision of something I need to start.  My close friends know me to have many life revelations, which is all good and fun, but my "visions" are few and far between.  And most of the time, I don't share them with anyone due to fear of any number of things.  I've wrestled with this one.  To many, it might not be a big deal to throw it out there, but to me, it feels risky.  Here we go...

I've learned quite a bit about prayer over the past 6 months.  Golly, people, prayer is powerful.  I mean, blow your mind, cross your eyes, stop your heart, pull out your hair powerful.  And I've learned that I don't pray with people enough.  Sure, I pray for people all the time, but making a conscious effort to gather with others just to pray has not exactly been a priority for years.  Let me back up.

In middle school, one of my youth pastors met with a small group of students every Monday morning at Daylight Donuts for prayer time (tweens, donuts, early morning.....bless him).  Sure there was probably more giggling and general adolescent shenanigans than actual prayer, but for a handful of tweens, I'd say it was pretty focused.  Then in high school, I joined a prayer group that gathered once a week in a corner of the school to pray.  It was a larger group of kiddos (still only about 8-10) and was definitely more focused.  Throughout college I participated off and on with various groups that gathered to share and pray (and occasionally dare....get it Tabor folks?).  ALL these times were meaningful and full of growth.  Since college, however, I haven't been part of or tried to establish a group that meets solely to pray.

For the past year or so, my heart has been aching to gather with women and just pray.  Daniel hears everything on my heart.  He's a fantastic sounding board and the best listener of all time, but there's just something about women gathering to share and pray.  Truth.   Pray for each other, pray for our families, pray for our workplaces, pray for our neighborhoods, pray for our city.  Just pray.

So I've been wanting to start a prayer group, but over the past year, I've come up with the following excuses:
-I may be a morning person, but few people are, so no one would show up in the morning.
-Afternoons/evenings are full and I'm tired, so I wouldn't mentally be present.
-No one would be interested.  Then I would feel lame.
-I don't want to host because then I always have to be there.  hahaha
-What if no one shares anything and it becomes a place to share about our neighbor's aunt and our brother's dog?  (Let it be known that I know that God cares about and hears every request, but, come on people, we've all been in communities where those are the types of requests shared.  Not awesome.)

.....but about a month ago, I realized that enough is enough.  I need to be part of a group that gathers to pray.  Like, I legit need this.  I told Daniel of my vision and he said, "Yes.  You should definitely do this."  So here we go...

Ladies of Topeka, listen up.  Beginning on the Thursday after Labor Day (Thursday, September 5) at 6:30 AM, you are invited to the Carlson Casa for prayer time.  We'll meet every Thursday, same time, same place.  I'll provide coffee, hot tea, and a place.  You provide yourself.  

(Sweaty-palmed as I write this.....see the excuses above.) 

I'll need to run out the door right at 7:15, but you're welcome to stick around (my home is your home!).  Gals, this is going to happen through the whole school year, so come as often as you can, and stay as long as you can.  If you know there is no way you're showing up anywhere at 6:30 AM, then come at 7!  Or come once a month.  Depending on the size any given week, I imagine we'll split up into groups of 3-4 and scatter around the house to pray.  Nervous because you might not know anyone?  Just take it all in for a few weeks.  Or, better yet, bring a friend!!  Your friends are my friends. :) Not willing to share what's really on your heart at first?  Totes fine.  I'm pumped about getting down and dirty and praying with you all.  So just come.  Your heart will most definitely be filled.  This I know. 

So looking forward to praying with you.

And seriously believing in this: "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them." - Matthew 18:20

Holler at me with questions!