It’s likely silly to become so excited over a new floor, but Mr. Lyons ripped up dingy, musty carpet in 2007 and over the next few weeks, the floors in every room but mine were replaced. Somehow, my “space” became a bit of a dumping ground–grrrr). So after having a rough plywood floor for almost 2 years, I’m ecstatically happy to share the gorgeous bamboo we decided to put in my office.

It’s the only room to receive such fancy treatment but when we decided to redo the floors, I wanted the one in this room to be special (which is why it wasn’t completed with the rest of the house). I think my patience was well rewarded, don’t you?

I created a new category for this post today — Claim Your Space. With so many things going on beyond our control in this vast world we inhabit, and so much information bombarding us from infinite directions, I think it’s important to surround yourself with things (and people — cats count!) that make you happy. Whether your “space” is comprised of a 30-room mansion, an efficiency apartment or a cupboard under the stairs (go Harry Potter!) I think if you can create an area that brings you peace and allows your body to breathe then you’re on the right track.

Now if I were to share pictures of the typical Lyons’ household look, everyone would wonder how in the world I find my office door, much less my computer. I tend to have real issues with paper and clutter. Trust me, I’m talking Oprah-show type issues when it comes to clutter. Piles. And boxes. And more piles. Did I mention that “Filing Cabinet” is my middle name? And unfortunately–I’m not smiling. (Though I did crack one during my proofread.)

What I am doing is taking the opportunity to create a space for my writing from — literally — the ground up. My goal is to only incorporate things that I absolutely love and that bring me pleasure or that are necessary and beneficial to creating the stories currently inhabiting my head and heart.

As I make progress decorating this room, and strive to rid it of all unnecessary objects and clutter, I’ll bring you along on a pictorial tour.

For now, simply imagine the furry feline currently gracing my bamboo floor, the one with tufts of fur sticking out between each toe (or would that be claw?) doing cartoon-kitty runs and third-base slides all over the floor.

Tags: peace & contentment, writing