my first apartment was adorable, but had no windows: only skylights.  it was on the top floor of a dorm when i worked at exeter, and it was so cozy, but in the winter it was DARK.  all i wanted to do when i got home from work was get in bed and go to sleep, and that does not make for a happy and active miss claire.  it was a little underground rabbit warren...just on the top floor of a dorm.

this apartment is so LIGHT - east and south facing windows, and lots of them.  i love how bright it is, and as a bad/good consequence, i can't sleep late at all any more (being 30 doesn't hurt, either).  most mornings i am AWAKE, ready to get out of bed, by 8:30, my bedroom a little greenhouse of light and heat from the windows getting the morning sun.  this is bad for sleeping in, but great for my mood and for getting me up and moving in the mornings.  i bought a basil plant which is so pleased to be on my living room windowsill.

this morning i didn't get out of bed until almost 10, and i was confused about why...then peeked through the blinds and realized it was raining - no sunny morning here!  i love (the occasional) rainy day, and this one gave me a chance to sleep in, too.  i know that the east coast is getting way more than their fair share of rain (mom sent me photos of the little creek at the farm overflowing its banks), but i'm glad we got a rainy day here in houston, too.