Here we are

Happy 2014.

It's not too late to reflect is it?

Here we are settled into a new city, moved in a new house and I feel like I am just (5 months later) soaking it all in.  Work, weddings, and traveling have been good distractions in some ways, it was lonely here for a bit.

2013 was full of big, life-changing events. In fact, when I think about every year for the past 5, I have had a big life-changing event. Moving from Atlanta to Birmingham to Durham, graduating with my masters, getting married, buying a home, and on and on and on. I'm looking forward to 2014 just being about getting settled, taking it all in, no major life changes (hint: we're not having children this year). We do have big travel plans and house projects on the horizon which has been so fun to plan with J. It's my favorite time to spend with him, working on something together.

Some things I learned in 2013:

1. Don't rush, don't keep up, enjoy life at your own pace and respect your partner's pace
2. Corrector is a necessary step in concealing... (changed my life for real)
3. Always keep your home bar stocked. It's so nice just to whip up a mid week cocktail when needed.
4. As a novice vegetarian, pizza is always an option mid-week when you don't feel like julienning 10 squash.
5. Let your husband design and build his man cave, it gives you the rest of the house for "pale" pink pillows and mirrored tables. Win.

For now, I'm off to make blood orange everything, move all the furniture around while J is in NYC and snuggle with Mia until Spring.

Hola.Bonjour.Aloha.Hello?

Nothing like a natural disaster to get the mind running. and fingers typing.

After the storm last week, I've had a few afterthoughts.

1. Birmingham is truly a magic city. News articles have noted the "army of volunteers" reaching out, and I know personally of one tragedy and the support all around for that person has overwhelmed me. Finally, I can appreciate the small-town-ness of it all. Sad, that it took this.
2. During the storm, I had not one thought of any material posessions. I even forgot about my engagement ring and asked my mom over the phone if I should leave the bathroom (my safe spot) to put it on. Refreshing.
3. I am a big girl. I was ready to tackle that tornado had it come any closer (although, if it had I may very well not be typing this right now). But I felt strong, and capable. Just me and the dogs, (on leashes) in the bathtub. Ready for it.
4. Not sure why our community was spared, but thank God. Thank you, God.

USA! Germany!

Um, so totally not a sports fanaticl, but I am loving this world cup.!...just caught myself screaming at the TV....what?

let's go USA!!!!


and umm, I wouldn't mind if Germany won either ;)

habits die hard

s-p-o-i-l-e-d. ugg. (please also notice the pristine backyard)

confessions:
i hate to cook (is that normal?), and have been doing absolutely none of it lately... (forgot to find a french chef boyfriend along the way)
told someone for the first time to stop being rude to me and felt bad about it for HOURS, hours?!
putting off schoolwork until the last possible second (and sometimes later than the last possible second which i guess technically means it's late...)
i may or may not really believe our house has a little spirit action going on!
ok, i feel better.

currently perched on the edge of our bed stealing internet from who knows where. the ghost knocked some trees down, narrowly missing the house but taking down the cable lines. (maybe it doesn't like TV). living without television and internet is hard. i wish i had the willpower to not bring the TV back... habits die hard. don't judge me- i need my reality tv to unwind
yikes. our ghostie is kinda nice- it spared the new car (jackson thankfully wasn't home!)

ghostly events at our house:
-nicholas spontaneously being locked in the bedroom (the lock malfunctioned? i think not.)
-friends having nightmares and/or hearing thumping sounds in the night when they sleep in the guestroom
-giant trees "blown" over. psh.

;)

had the best time at robyn y bobby's new casa - we totally want one now!

back to painting and running and watching julie&julia (my next blog is going to be food to cook when you loathe cooking- stay tuned).

Big timing!

Big News! Jackson got the job he wanted! Small company, working from home, sales position- he's elated and I am so proud!

We are celebrating this weekend! (after our yard sale- I can't wait to meet all of the crazy yard sale addicts).



Congratulations, engineer. ;)

Savant Drawings

Inspiring.


Stephen Wiltshire has drawn London (at age 11!), Rome and Toyko from memory after only short helicopter rides above the cities. He draws everything from memory, including the number of windows on the buildings.

mutts

adopt a dog.
there are thousands of dogs at shelters killed everyday.
i love all of our friend's purebred dogs, but there are dogs that are just as sweet, loving and fun in every shelter in every city.
find a purebred at a local shelter, or a rescue group if you feel you need a specific breed.