I took the day off from work on Tuesday, knowing that I would be exhausted from a late night of driving after the Death Cab for Cutie show (which, by the way, blew my mind just as hard as I expected it to). Instead of wasting a day sleeping in and then sitting on the computer like I had originally planned, I decided to put some stuff in my car and drive to my parents' house for a day of unpacking and organizing my old room.

I'm sometimes impressed with my high-school self. For example, the above wind chime was picked out by a younger me, and it's just perfect. It hangs outside my bedroom's porch door and I love it so much. It's just right for its space.

I cannot say the same thing for my bookshelf.

Here it is, in all its disheveled glory. It's stuffed with books I don't read anymore and actual trash that hails from a world where I did not appreciate the perfection that is a built-in bookcase. So, I spent three hours emptying it and starting over.

It still needs some work, especially in the space that should be my desk, but at least what's there is alphabetized.

--

One of the oldest things in my house needs no improvement. Rocky hung out with me all day. 

I think he's only getting more awesome in his old age.

There's a lot to be said for growing up.

At least, that's what my dog told me.

Here are some glimpses into my life the past three days.

 I had an omelet from Mill Mountain.

 Post-breakfast visit to the farmer's market.

 I borrowed a necklace from my mother's closet.

 Rocky relaxed on the upstairs deck.

 Leaves sprouted from trees and hung over the lake.

 We said goodbye and good luck to Andrew (middle) before he leaves to hike the Appalachian Trail.

 Sunday Brunch at The Hotel Roanoke.

 It rained.

I spent some time untangling the wind chime outside my bedroom door. 

How was your weekend? 

Did you see The Hunger Games like I did? 

Umm...did you weep like some sort of insane person like I did?

Hope you have a happy Monday!

The more time I spend at home with my family, the less I want to leave when Sunday evening rolls around. 

This reminded me of a scene I saw in Downton Abbey; in which one character says to another that being homesick isn't something to be ashamed of, because it means you come from a happy home. I don't know any of the characters' names, because there are far too many of them and I've only seen three episodes so far, but that exchange stuck with me.

I am a sometimes anxious and often strange young woman full of quirks that confuse even myself. But I'm not ashamed of much. And I'm certainly not embarrassed to admit that I started crying in the passenger seat as soon as we drove away.

--

Most of the pictures I took this weekend are of food. 

My brother and his friends were on Spring Break this week, so on Friday they all came to the lake. I rode with my mom from Charlottesville, and Rob came to meet us from North Carolina. Together, we ended up having a wonderful time and sharing some really good food. My parents' house has always been the perfect place for magical little gatherings like this.

Spring is coming. I have never been more ready.