On my nightstand there is:
- a picture of Jason and I at the altar on our wedding day, with my dad in the background (he had just given me away)
- my alarm clock
- a picture of my two sisters and me, taken about eight years ago
- a lamp
- a picture of my big sister and myself, taken about 26 years ago (Ruth, it's the one where I'm sticking my tongue out)
- whatever I'm currently reading (Destined to Reign, right now)
Occasionally there is a pen or two, some jewelry, and some hair ties, but the above items are consistent. The bottom shelf of my nightstand holds:
- two small packages of pictures, one of our vacation this summer, one of just the girls
- my Bible, notebook, and a copy of The Power of a Praying Wife
- a beautiful, leather bound book for writing my stories. Jason gave it to me.
- a notebook for writing cute little stories about the girls
- a notebook for writing . . . oh, mostly dreams I suppose, although some practical things go in there too. I don't know how to explain what this notebook is for, I only know when something does or does not belong in it. Actually, Jason gave me this one too, when we were courting.
- a pink notebook specifically for stories or articles. The first drafts. Only mostly perfected ones go in the leather bound book.
- a pen with my name engraved on the side (Jas got me this, too. Suddenly I'm thinking it's time for me to go buy him something...)
- a sudoku book
- the three stuffed animals Jason gave me when we were courting (two green bears and an elephant)
- a box full of index cards. At my baby shower for Elsie, my friends wrote encouraging words and tidbits of advice down for me. You don't even know how many times I've read through them.
And then UNDER my nightstand (because apparently I can't live without any of these things close at hand at all times) I have:
- Natalie's baby book and notes for all the things I'm going to put in Elsie's baby book
- a scrap book, and a pile of crayon drawings to put in it
- a tiny notebook that I used as for church notes and journaling in Bible College. I think I keep this one around because a.) it has extra pages, in case I need to make a list or something and just need a little piece of paper and b.) because it's my journal from Bible College! Ha! It's good to not be 18 again.
- two spiral notebooks that used to be Jason's, and that I've somehow (truly) by accident taken over. This is for rough drafts or stories that haven't shaped themselves as well as the ones that go in that pink notebook. I guess that one is more for second drafts...
I'm telling you all this because I was removing and replacing things on my nightstand to dust it the other day. I laughed at myself and thought, "What does all this stuff say about me?" That I still have pack rat tendencies? That I need to consolidate my notebooks? That this stuff has no other place to go?
And I was wondering if there are any souls out there brave enough to tell me: What is on your nightstand/bookshelf/floor by your bed?
This cracked me up! You are truly a sentimental woman :-) But, I have to admit I'm right there with you. I too, have "loads" of journals. Some on my headboard and some in the drawers beneath my bed. And then there are books, books and more books also on my headboard and usually the most current one or two I'm reading on my nightstand. I also keep one journal, opened and ready to write in -- along with a pen beside it. This is so I can write down any dreams I think are worth recording. Of course, lots of other things get written on there too -- ideas I have to put down on paper so I can go to sleep and quit running them through my mind. Enough said. This is getting too long!
ReplyDeleteYeah, Cheri! Thanks for playing along. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I am truly sentimental. That is one thing my nightstand says about me for sure.
I have the kids' baby books, and a bookshelf. :) So lots of books. My Bible, What to Expect When You're Expecting (from when I was pregnant... probably can put that one away now), What to Expect the First Year (because they don't make enough money off of "When You're Expecting" anymore, apparently), my new iPod docking station complete with dual alarm clock and iPod, a pencil and a pad of paper for getting the songs out of my head so I can sleep (Cheri! :), and on the wall (does that count?) is a picture Halle drew for me and taped up there one morning while I was asleep. Oh yeah, On Becoming Babywise is in there, too. So... books mostly. I guess my nightstand/bookcase says I'm boring! :)
ReplyDeleteIt says you like to read before you go to sleep. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd Halle taped a picture on the wall for you while you were asleep? That is so sweet! What an awesome girl. I say it totally counts. :)