Sunrise Running Cures the Blues

I can't lie... my life is one huge blur at the moment... Kind of like when all you want to do is grab a glass of wine and sit in front of a Seinfeld marathon but instead walk into the laundry room with an overwhelming pile of wrinkled clothes screaming at you to fold and put away. Demanding little chores, you!... Go away! 

(Not actual photo of my place... but pretty close)

With the moving process well underway, vacation creeping up around the corner, and bills piling up quicker than the predicted snow totals back home today... I am feeling a little bit overwhelmed.

Luckily, my rommate and I enjoy the same insane ritual of waking up way before the sunrise (ahem... hello 4:45am) to lace up our sneakers before work and hit the streets for a good long run. I can't tell you how much I have needed these runs this week, what with all this chaotic change happening. It's nice to have something like running in the company of your good friend, sharing personal stories and thoughts, laughing at something completely trivial and inconsequential, all before the world gets going around you to bombard you with sounds and sights.

pic

 

Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Saturday Thoughts

I listen to music way too much. I mean, WAY too much... or maybe just enough.
Being a vegan is making my eyeballs whiter. Weird? Day 4 on the V Tree!
Does yoga make people happy? Or do happy people do yoga?
I want a French Bulldog more than I want anything else. And name him Sir Charles.
Kors watches. Period
Men's forearms are sexy
There's a dog hair on my ring finger, almost mistook it as my own. Ew
I need to vaccuum...
And nap (not necessarily in that order)
I'm seeing my favorite Lizzy Boo tonight. Bring on the adventures!
Wimbledon. Sharapova
Olympics. Beckham
Go make cake, self! I finally got a big girl job (cross that off the summer list) more about this on Monday
Is it Autumn yet? I want scarves and a soy pumpkin latte, pwease!
Pinterest, you always save me from wasting time during my morning insomnia episodes
I found a jump rope!
I look goofy in bowling shoes.
Does Vanilla Ice melt?
My veins free flow with coffee
Maybe I'll start a photo journal
Putting up a help-wanted ad: In need of a good cuddle buddy
I am building a life, one small brick and smile at a time. Hashtag-Success
I moved to a pretty wonderful city...

 

Happiness Is...

Before my mom left from unpacking my life in this new city, we made a promise to each other- we must wake up and go to sleep with a smile on each of our faces. Some days have been harder than others, I will admit... But today I woke up with a great big smile thinking about the great things that are to come. Perhaps it's because for me,  Happiness is....

Knowing I will be traveling up to see my family (and this little mutt) in exactly a week.

I will also be attending a good friend's wedding, eating cake, and swimming in the pool with my Daddio!

Planning out my next cupcake escapade. Possible concoctions include salted caramel, strawberry kiwi, and pink champagne.

Coffee.... Period.

Getting a phone call and an email about a job interview on Monday morning. The possibility of *FINALLY* obtaining a big-girl job within a respectable company and alongside nice people just brings smiles all 'round.

Finding this little lady on Etsy and planning on spending some of my first paycheck (wherever it may come from) on one of her works.

What is everyone out there happy about today? If nothing else, it's almost the weekend AND summertime is only a blink away!

Brief Weekend Recap

This weekend I moved into my new apartment right in the South Park area of Charlotte. Let me tell you, getting that horse trailer into the city wasn't an issue... until 4pm rush hour hit on the highway!


We get to the apartment, look for the keys, find them...
Drive off to find my dad, get lost, find him, get lost again....
Dear Charlotte- Why do all of your streets change names every four blocks?! That's not normal just in case you thought it was...





Anyway... through some tears, bumps and bruises from carrying couches and mattresses up the stairs, and a lot of stress... we finally have a functional apartment with electricity, groceries in the pantry, and a semi-normal looking living space. My bedroom, which is a little lot smaller than I had planned originally, is filled to the brim with pictures of family and friends, clothes, and my collection of Friends DVD's. No pictures yet, but once the place comes together at least 90%, I'll share some pictures of the little abode.

Until then, I am spending time working on finding a job, drinking my first cup of Caribou Coffee since the move, and trying to find sanity in this crazy life decision I just made. Whew! Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Hey It's Ok... I'm moving today!

Today is the day!! Moving day has finally arrived. I remember the day like it was yesterday. April 1st, posting a hypothetical facebook status "Anyone looking for a roommate in Charlotte?", getting an instant reply from a friend I met back in January, and signing a lease four days later.

For weeks I have been going to swingsets, running down trails, and walking at dusk- reflecting on my current life and anticipating this new adventure as part of my blooming adulthood... And now, I am on the road with a horse trailer filled with my life belongings. As excited as I am, I can't help but feel a bit stressed... maybe even a little nervous? Am I really heading to a new city with no plans, no jobs, and no agenda?

YUP! That would be oh so correct. But after visiting the city briefly (A total of 2 times and only for 24 hours each) and hours and hours of praying that God would lead me to a post-graduation destination, Charlotte NC was ringing a bell loud and clear.

Perhaps the hardest part of leaving is looking in my rearview to see a beautiful farm and my family that I love more than life itself. Their support and guidance, not only through this moving process, but for the last 22 years of my life just brings a tear to my eye. They are beyond wonderful and I couldn't have asked God for a more perfect image of his grace and humility than what I see from my mom, dad, and brother.

But on a lighter note, I leave you....

Oh Darling, It's Ok!
If you forgot that "You Got Mail" is your favorite Meg Ryan film because of the quirky grandmother comments and the nostaligia you reach when you hear that "*weeooohhh reeeowwwww* DINGA DINGA *Kaching!* You got mail!" sound in every scene.

CRED

Your BEST FRIENDS are named Monica, Chandler, Pheobe, Joey, Ross, and Rachel

Before looking up directions to your new apartment, you search the surrounding restaraunts to see where you'll be dining your first night in town.

If you place all of your stuffed animals in the back seat of your car for the moving trip and buckle them up. Hey! Safety first!

If you come across an old photo from your high school's senior prom and get a pain in your heart when you realize you miss an old friend so so much, even if you haven't kept in touch with them as much as you now wish you had...

Have a great weekend, lovelies! Next time I write you, I'll be in the Queen City!

A Little Bear Hug

With the big move down south TOMORROW!! Nerves are a' tremblin' and tears are a' formin'!

Sometimes we all just feel a little better with a little Bear Hug.

(I know my momma and I do!)
Happy Thursday, all!

Why I've Been MIA

It's been close to a week since I have been able to actually sit down and write a post. Between packing up to move my life back to NC, doctors appointments, and finding the perfect coffee concoctions, I have had a hard time finding twenty minutes to share some thoughts.

Luckily, it's 10:30 on a Tuesday night, my tummy full of yummy pasta and ice cream
(goodbye celebrations with my grandparents always leave my stomach smiling)
and I have a spare few thoughts to splatter across my page...

I'm leaving on Friday to a new life full of adventures...
Or so I hope. No, I know so.
It will be tough at first. I know this...and plan to embrace it-
But can I help it if I have a panic attack at 3:24 on Tuesday afternoon
and the only remedy is green tea, honey, and all season 3 episodes of Friends?
Hardly, my dears.
But I am excited! Very excited to embark on the newest voyage into adulthood.
Responsibilities. Hardships. Joys. Tears. The Unexpected.
So happy to reunite with friends. Long lost yet not forgotten or forsaken.
Like the first jump in the swimming pool in summer
I look forward to the rush. The chill of the expected unexpected.
Bring on the thunder-showers, rainbows. Hail storms and cloudless skies.
Bring on friendships, new and old! I have plenty of room in my heart for them to grow.
Like a garden full of new seedlings. May the skies open with opportunity and growth.
And until then, in the remaining two days at home...
May I understand my place in this community, in this abode where friends melt into family
and laughter melts all anxiety, and love conquers all battles- selfish or selfless
May negativity blow away with the morning winds and my feet travel the road always traveled.
May comfort expand in my blood if only for the next 48 hours.
And may I serve my family and Lord with the utmost gratitude and appreciation
my heart may hold.

God is good. And so is His creation. Happy Hump Day, One and All.

Photo Cred: HERE

Hey, It's Ok

Perhaps it's the pre-moving jitters hitting me, or the insanity that has settled in due to my lack of running (stupey back problem), but I have let up on my guard when it comes to some of my good/bad habits...It's been a while since I did one of these, but with some shame-ful indulgences happening all up in this piece, I think it's only appropriate to share...

Hey, It's OK!

If you think you deserve a panty-makeover because you haven't been able to exercise (helllooo Vickies 5 for $25). Perhaps these cute little under garments will snugg that tush into perfect form rather than the usual 30 miles you previously completed weekly...

If you wake up planning on eating a grapefruit with low-fat cottage cheese, a piece of whole wheat toast, and black coffee...but then after an invite to breakfast with your family, you wind up eating three banana pecan pancakes with butter and syrup... and cream and sugar in your coffee. It's Friday, time for a little reward for surviving the week, am I right?

If you have a mini panic attack at the thought of moving in exactly 2 weeks. Especially thinking about the hoards of clothes still needing to be packed, errands needing to be run, and friends to see!

If every day you wake up with intentions to paint your nails a pretty pink, but come sun-down, all you have is non-painted, stubs that were actually longer nails that morning...

 (cred)

If every spotify playlist contains that ONE song that just makes you want to dance, dance, dance, no matter what the overall "feel" of the other songs are... For me, it's Grouplove's "Tongue Tied"

Have a great weekend, one and all!

Paint Prep

If you follow me on Pinterest... (Which you should, 'Cause I'd love you forever and ever... and more than likely follow you in return) You've probably noticed a trend.
Headboards, dressers, lighting, Oh My!

With the Charlotte-countdown-to-move-in barely above the 4 week mark, I am starting to get down and dirty with the move-out process. I recently cleared out my closet, ridding my packing process of old skirts and sweaters. But lets face it, I'll probably have to go through it AGAIN just to make the total number of clothing boxes fall below 10...hundred (only kidding... or am I?)

PS- When I move, I am DEFINITELY LABELING MY BOXES LIKE THIS

Along with the clean out, I have been collecting bedroom furniture, painting pictures, and browsing through IKEA. It's getting real, folks! Remember when I posted this thought on facebook?

Well, I am still working on the job and pet part (which is turning out to be a lot harder than originally anticipated), but with the move-in comes the chance to decorate my bedroom! And instead of the usual bright oranges, blues, and yellows- I am heading toward a more neutral approach:
Browns, whites, navys, and copper.

3 years ago, I took a wicker 4-drawer dresser from my mom's own furniture stash, painted it white, and used it at school.

 But like I said, I am leaning towards the brown wood look. 3 cans of spray paint later...

What do you think? It's like a blonde transforming into a luscious brundette... kinda?
Until later, I will continue my daily quest for all things move-worthy, a bridal shower gift, and the recipe for the perfect banana pancakes. Happy Thursday!

On the Move...

Spring time is here, and that means it's time for cleaning, fresh starts, and adventures! Hooray for yard sales on every corner and consignment stores getting new items daily (By the truck-full!) Why am I this excited about cleaning out the house and finding bargain furniture? 

Well...Because this girl is moving back down south on June 1st!

Scouring Pinterest for bedding ideas and DIY decor, I am so so SO excited to get my bargain-shopping on! One thing that I LOVE about moving into a new space is the creativity I will be able to put forth into a new bedroom, especially the headboard. Remember when I redid my room back at home? 

I replaced the overhead space above my bed with shelves of lights, Boyds Bears, and photographs. But this time, I'm leaning more towards a simple, rustic feel... Much like these Pinterest finds-

 Previously working at a coffee shop, I hope to use left over burlap coffee bean sacks to overlay wooden pallets. Another great reason to dream of coffee and its infinite glory...

 

Plain pallets are EVERYWHERE around this farm, so they are accessible (ahemm... FREE!!) and the perfect size! Plus, they lend to endless possibilities for hanging Christmas lights in-between the slates for a cozier feel.

Just as easy as pallets, four or five basic wood slates, sanded down and glossed. Finish them with a spray painted word of wisdom to wake up to. Me? I like the "love" in this picture, but any word that suits my fancy upon completion can be substituted!

Alternating window shutters. A little harder to find, but once they have been located, a thin layer of paint (I'll be leaning towards natural tan and white instead of green) and then to hang at pillow tops. 

 

What is your favorite part of moving and re-decorating? Anything come to mind when you get those creative juices flowing and spring fever hits?