Book lovers never go to bed alone.

There are only six things I spend my money on.

1. Makeup
2. Diet Coke
3. Music
4. Movies
5. Jewelry
6. Books

I admit, I give myself more money in my budget for books. When I get money, I buy books. If any is left, I buy food and clothing. I love my books. They're my friends. Is that kinda sad? Maybe. But I'm the modern day cat lady...but I hate cats, so I choose books. This obsession started when I was a wee lass. My grandpa raised me on the written word. We had our own book club. Could you imagine? A six year old and an old man sitting their whole lives, reading together? But we rocked it. He had his fascination with history and western books, and I started young with the Berenstain Bears, Cinderella, and all my 200 beloved children's books I still have, which I will read to my babies one day. When I was little, I would even sleep with my books! Then began my fascination with anything and everything Jane Austen and Louisa May Alcott. My collection started young, and oh my how I loved my books. I remember identifying with Little Women. I grew up calling my mom "Marmie". And like Jo, I often found myself never being able to picture myself anywhere except for at home with my family. When I read that part where Jo says, "Why must we marry at all? Why can't things just stay as they are?"...I nearly cried. I was Jo. I never wanted to leave home, just wanted to be in my lovely house with all my family surrounded by me, writing, having boys as my best friends, in my happy little home. The older I got, I fell more in love, and started to really understand and appreciate Jane Austen. My goodness, how she knows women, and how she respects the female mind and power. Books became important to me; they became a part of me. And later, writing became my outlet. Growing up, I was never very good at words. So I wrote. And I drew. I learned to express myself through writing and art and music. My love of books is out of control really. I have eight huge plastic storage boxes under my bed packed full of books I've read. I have a huge bookshelf in my room, next to my bed, with shelves filled with books. I have books in the hallway, in my closet, on my desk, under my desk, in storage boxes in the closet...I mean they're everywhere. But I love it. I'm surrounded by the things I love. I am so thankful I grew up on the written word, and that my family started me young on the importance of reading, the freedom of escaping into another world, and the expression of writing. I don't know what I'd do without my books, or without writing.

Colin Thompson made my life by creating this piece of art. It will be hanging on my wall in a matter of weeks, and be gracing the outside of my MAC in no time. Thank you Colin. I love you.
(Click on it and look at it closer. The detail is incredible. It's beautiful. And I feel like it's a painting of the inside of my mind hahaha.)

This will be a room in my house one day. Guaranteed.