Night Running...and Catching Up

First things first, I know I was MIA. I would apologize, but I know it will happen again because life happens and then I'm just silly saying sorry 50 times. So anyway, I'm back.

I'll catch you up on the past couple of weeks with some pictures, but first, I'd like to mention something magical that I experienced last night! Night running! My mom and I make a habit of running most Monday and Wednesdays after work on the greenway close to her house. It's flat, safe, filled with friendly faces and easy to mark distance. But now it's dark out at 5:30 and there are no lights on the greenway, so we've decided to run through the neighborhood. Mom got us some reflective gear, so we are looking super sporty.

We strapped these babies are on our arms and went out for a two mile run. I was a little nervous. I hadn't run in over a week (my best friend was in town) and I was nervous about the dark and not having perfectly marked and flat trails ahead. But it was AWESOME. Somehow the new route energized me and it was a great run. I hadn't had one of those runs that makes you remember that you actually like running in a long time and I had that last night and it was amazing.

Ok. Now some catch up pics! This is gonna be lengthy, so grab a coffee and relax.

Sangria for a Saturday night with the girls

Nachos at a new restaurant, Yardhouse

Always dressing. Never stuffing. 

I don't know why this makes me laugh so hard.

Delish local beer. I'm not big on pumpkiny/fall flavors (I know, please don't shoot me), but this was awesome.

MG and I at Busy Bee.

Joe and I at Busy Bee.

Nicholas and I at the fair! 

Chris and MG

A new purse the fam brought back from NYC. Oh and Justin Walker in the background. Typical

I was having a good hair day. 

Tailgate treats: deep-fried ricotta sage meatballs.

Tailgate treats: sour cream and chive biscuits with brown sugar butter country ham

My heart.

Daddy and I watching the boys beat State!

TJ Yates and I. BFFs.

Mom didn't buy my 'TJ and I are bffs' act.

Lauren with baby Austin!

Painted pumpkin. 

Cross between black swan and princess for Halloween. Too bad I barely had any trick or treaters!

Throwback picture with Em! She came to visit last week and had a couple of interviews down here!

Homemade sage, ricotta, salami, caramelized onion pizza. AKA all of this will go bad soon so let's throw it on a pizza, pizza.

The holidays are here!

TO, Em and I

Po came to the Georgia Tech game! Here we are tailgating.

I needed this today. Perfect.

Tip: After painting, just throw the brush away, don't try to clean it. I would much rather spend $4.00 on a new one than scrub away half of my skin and still have my nails look like this.

What's new with y'all?!

Blessed.

You know those days when you're tired (most Mondays for me - I still get the Sunday night can't sleep anxieties no matter how much I love my job) and it's gloomy and you find yourself complaining? But then something hits you and you say, "Wait a second? THIS is what I'm complaining about??" And you look around and count your blessings and say a special thank you for the amazing people and gifts in your life and tell yourself to hush and appreciate?

I just had one of those moments.

Monday Morning Review

It's been a while since one of these, huh? I feel like my blog has gotten a lot less organized over the past few months, but I think that's okay. I think that's okay because sometimes I was doing things like "Monday Morning Review" just because it was Monday and I had to. Not because I wanted to or felt like writing or had anything good to share. So maybe we can file this one under Sorry I'm Not Sorry?

Anyway, the weekend was a good one - low key and relaxed. Friday night I did a whole lot of nothing, including SVU reruns and laying on the couch. Saturday I went to Costco (love that place) and got a whole bunch of necessites for mom and I to split. Then we walked up to North Hills and had a beer. I headed home to watch my Heels play Miami and we got the W! It was a really intense game. We played well, but had way too many turnovers. Gio is from Miami and he played incredibly well.

Saturday night I made sangria and Lauren, Meghan and Caroline came over. Then I went to bed because obviously I can't have too much stimulation in one day. Yesterday was for hanging out with Marcus and friends, visiting a new restaurant (Yard House at North Hills - really fun) and afternoon naps - in other words, a perfect Sunday.

It's a gloomy Monday here, so I'm just trying to pound out some work. Looking forward to meeting up with Lauren and Sluss tonight to celebrate Sluss' bday.

How was your weekend?

Kale

I wanted to hate it, y'all, I really did.

I've read about a trazillion times how good for you it is and I bit the bullet and ordered it in my Papa Spuds delivery. Knowing it was going to take more than some raw kale for me to like it, I researched recipes. I decided on two: kale pesto and kale chips.

And they were both delicious.

Now, I have to say, I think they are more delicious because of the other ingredients. I mean, the pesto is basically a whole head of roasted garlic, pine nuts, parmesan cheese, olive oil and some kale. The kale chips are kale leaves slathered in sea salt, parmesan cheese and olive oil, baked crispy. So yes, I'm adding tons of calories to a basically calorie-free food, but I figure kale pesto still gets some of those amazing kale nutrients in in my system when I use pesto on sandwiches all the time and kale chips are better than real chips.

The older I get, the more hippy dippy I get, I swear. Isn't it supposed to be the reverse?

This weekend...

This weekend was for celebrating a sweet friend's birthday on Friday night, tailgating in the rain and watching my Heels beat up on Idaho Saturday (66-0, yikes), a walk and lunch with Mom yesterday, followed by a whole lot of relaxation and catching up on TV shows.

And today is most definitely a Monday. A super dreary Monday where I wish I was still in bed!

But here's to the start of a new week and a new month!

Life in Pictures

Marcus and I at friends' wedding in Greenville. 

Texans, Yurman, Heels.

Yes, my fantasy team is named after TJ Yates. (Yaters Gonna Yate!)

Perfect.

Really into this book 7. It's about how we all live with so much excess. Read that last paragraph. Insane.

Homemade feta, caramelized onion and spinach bread.

Game day feet.

Beer, sausage dip, Louise for the Carolina v. Louisville game.

Sibling love.

Shoe fun.

I'm weird and take inventory of all the food in my house. It helps me to not waste!

Dad, brother and I at the Carolina v. ECU game. Victory!

Baby B and I at the Carolina v. ECU game.

Porch sitting, supporting Teej and my Texans.

Facts.

1. I don't like anything from any body of water. Most people would call that seafood. But, I'm going to go ahead and include things from lakes, seaweed, etc. I really wish I did, because I love food. But I just can't do it. In fact, I've convinced myself that I have an allergy (I don't) just to justify it. 
2. I'm a homebody. And I need my alone time.  Much, much more than most people I know. That being said, I love going out every once in a while.
3. I love clothes. Way too much.
4. My love for Carolina football may have surpassed my love for Carolina basketball. The amount that I love Carolina football is ridiculous.
5. I  miss basketball. I played for most of my life and miss it so much.
6. I have a soft spot in my heart for Clemson. My blood bleeds Carolina blue, but I'm pretty sure there's a tinge of Clemson orange in there too. Both sides of my family have Clemson roots and game day down there is like no other.
7. I have a not so secret desire to start a tailgate catering business. Too bad I'm always tailgating myself on game days.
8. Running has invaded my blood. It's a love/hate relationship, but I couldn't live without it.
9. This morning I had yogurt with granola and chia seeds for breakfast. Oh yeah, and a brownie.
10. I very rarely do my hair. Sorry. Not sorry.
11. I lovelovelove grocery shopping. I love to spend hours in the store just browsing and finding the deals. I'm on a first name basis with all of the cashiers and baggers.
12. I'm a serious list-maker. "To Do," "Want," "Ways to Lead a Fuller Life," are some consistent ones.
13. I want to live every second of every day to the fullest, but I really really love my sleep and need at least 8 hours a night. This contradiction annoys me daily.
14. My family is crazy. And amazing.
15. Sometimes I feel like I'm super cynical and don't find things funny enough. I had some belly laughs last night that warmed my heart.
16. I swear by Biotin. 
17. I've taken Pilates twice a week, every week, for the past three years. 
18. I believe in second (and third and fourth chances). Because if you see a little bit of yourself in everyone, how can't you forgive? 
19. I am blessed beyond belief.

September Goals

I cannot believe it's September. I'm sort of confused about how I feel about this. I lovelovelove summer. But I didn't take a lot of trips this summer which means I still have vacation days to use before the end of the year which may make me lovelovelove fall. But while I adore football and Thanksgiving, I'm not really on the whole pumpkin bandwagon (please, don't shoot). I think I'm one of those weird people who honestly likes something in every season. Call me an optimist.

Anyway, it's time to create some new September goals. But first, let's review August's.

1. Pick up running again. I took some time off (oh hey 100 degree summer in N.C.), but I'm ready to get back into it. I went on a short run last night and remembered that sometimes, I really don't hate running. I'm not going for anything crazy. Just back up to 5K status.
Yes - I've started running again! Nothing serious, but it's a start.

2. Save money. This is always a goal.
No - I didn't do a particularly great job at saving, but I did come into some money to put into savings. Weird, I know.

3. Get house projects done. I've still got to paint a coffee table, a bench, set up my new tv, get some rocking chairs and get the backyard in order.
Yes! I've painted the coffee table and bench, set up my new tv, got the rocking chairs and cleaned up the backyard. Good job on this one, Linds.

4. Have some fun. As Po told me the other day when I was worried about turning the number I will turn in 8 days, "You're young. You're beautiful. Have fun. Be crazy. Worry about being old in 30 years. And then you still won't be old. Listen to your grandmother."
Yes!

5. Work on starting a small catering business. This has been a goal for a while, but not a very realistic one while sharing a kitchen. Now that I'm in my own house, I can move this back up the priority list.
No. Need to work on.

6. More yoga.
Fail. Didn't go to one class in August. 

7. Make time for girlfriends. Until recently, a good percentage of my friends have been guys. And I love that. Those boys are my brothers and I know they will be for the rest of my life. But I've gotten closer to some pretty awesome girlfriends lately. It's time to do some of the things the boys always make fun of me for doing (wine nights etc).
Yes! Hosted a couple of wine nights with my favorite girls.

8. Be kind. Always. No matter what.
Hopefully this is true!

9. Put together some ridiculously awesome tailgate outfits. And recipes. Go Heels.
First tailgate went great. Next, looking forward to ECU in a couple of weeks!

And for September:

1. Take more pictures! I have a wedding this weekend - perfect opportunity.
2. Get back to 5k status.
3. Be grateful. And keep things in perspective. Janie's accident has reinforced this more than ever.
4. Cherish family and spend time with them.
5. Save money. Still. Always.
6. Plan a trip/Vacation days.
7. Up strength training.
8. Spend time in fellowship.

First Game Day!

Hey y'all! We started out the season in style beating Elon 62-0. It was amazing! Even more importantly, our tailgate at our brand new tailgate spot went great! Here are some pictures from the day!

Game day spirit. 

Carolina cake pops.

Note the time.

Setting up the tailgate.

Carolina girls!

Faith Unmatched

I know, I know. Once again I have fallen off the blog wagon. I'm sorry. Life has been life and hasn't left much time for blogging.

I did want to take a minute to tell you all about one of my dear friends. I was lucky enough to have a girl named Mary Norris as my intern a few semesters back. She was a great worker, always positive and most importantly, loved her Carolina sports. Carolina students are known for loving their basketball team, but their football team, not so much. Mary Norris and I love both and would talk sports constantly. She is genuinely one of my favorite people.

A couple of weeks ago Mary Norris' sister, Janie, was in a horrible car accident. She is in a medically induced coma and every day is a struggle. But somehow, throughout it all that family has remained incredibly faithful and positive. Mary Norris' mom, Emily, writes a blog that touches my heart and soul in all the right places. She speaks of her relationship with God and how he is getting them through this difficult time. In the midst of tragedy and stress, her faith, the whole Fountain family's faith, has not wavered once. They are incredible.

And they also serve as a huge reminder. While I'm complaining about my bad night's sleep last night, or how much work I have to do, or what a mess my house is because I was lazy all weekend, Janie is in a coma and no one is complaining. Sure they are upset and sad and terrified, but they are still giving it all to God, praising him and thanking him. What a perspective check.

I do have a favor to ask. If you are a religious person, please please pray for Janie and the entire Fountain family. If you aren't, good thoughts will help too. Janie is only 18 and I know God has huge, awesome plans for her.

The Past Two Months...In Pictures

New curtains (the couch has since been moved to the other window as  for best viewing of my new TV!)

Catching some rays at my favorite place ever, Kenan.

Hanging with some of my favorite boys.

Painted bench!

DIY wine bottle citronella torches. 

Painted table (I've been on a painting kick!)

Birthdays!

Mantle arranging.

Mulch for seating area. 

Homemade pasta!

Sibling love.

First homemade pasta dish.

Farm fresh blueberries.

Date night!

Mimosa brunch with mom.

Porch sitting.

Words with friends battles. 

Texans love. 

12 Days

until Carolina football.

I'm not counting down or anything, though.

GO HEELS!

August Goals

I absolutely cannot believe it's August. Where has this summer  year gone? But, I have to admit, August does have a soft spot in my heart. Besides being my birthday month, it also means football season is right around the corner which makes my Carolina, Kenan Stadium, tailgating lovin' heart all sorts of happy.

Here are my goals for August:

1. Pick up running again. I took some time off (oh hey 100 degree summer in N.C.), but I'm ready to get back into it. I went on a short run last night and remembered that sometimes, I really don't hate running. I'm not going for anything crazy. Just back up to 5K status.

2. Save money. This is always a goal.

3. Get house projects done. I've still got to paint a coffee table, a bench, set up my new tv, get some rocking chairs and get the backyard in order.

4. Have some fun. As Po told me the other day when I was worried about turning the number I will turn in 8 days, "You're young. You're beautiful. Have fun. Be crazy. Worry about being old in 30 years. And then you still won't be old. Listen to your grandmother."

5. Work on starting a small catering business. This has been a goal for a while, but not a very realistic one while sharing a kitchen. Now that I'm in my own house, I can move this back up the priority list.

6. More yoga.

7. Make time for girlfriends. Until recently, a good percentage of my friends have been guys. And I love that. Those boys are my brothers and I know they will be for the rest of my life. But I've gotten closer to some pretty awesome girlfriends lately. It's time to do some of the things the boys always make fun of me for doing (wine nights etc).

8. Be kind. Always. No matter what.

9. Put together some ridiculously awesome tailgate outfits. And recipes. Go Heels.

Happy August, kiddos. What goals are you working toward this month?

Today is my two year anniversary at work! I can't believe it's been two years. It seems like yesterday I was  gathering up the strength to quit my old job and now I've been here for two years. It's been an AMAZING two years. Not only do I get to do what I love all day (write), but more importantly I have met some of the most fabulous people ever. Here are a few lessons I've learned in my time here.

1) Don't be so scared. Your ideas are valid. No one cares about your age as long as you have something valuable to say.

2) There are amazing people out there. I have the most incredible clients in the world. I have some that I even consider extended family.

3) Jewelry is fun. :)

4) The amount I've grown up between 21 and 25 (yes, the next number is less than two weeks away, but I'm  ignoring it) is astounding. That being said, I still love to talk Bachelorette, tailgating and Greek life drama with my interns. They keep me young! 

5)  Nothing is that serious. As a PR practitioner, I've had to handle a few crisis situations. I've learned (from experience and from clients) how to handle those calmly and with grace AND to remember what is truly important in life. 

Here's to more lessons to come in the next few years. Happy Friday, y'all.

Gift Cards

Are you guys good at saving gift cards for when you really need them? I'm not. Once I get them, they start burning a whole in my pocket and I want to use them immediately. Case in point, my aunts sent me a Pier 1 gift card earlier this week. I can't wait to spend it this weekend. I guess I did move recently, so I sort of need it...

How long do y'all hold on to your gift cards?

Guess who's back? Back again.

I haven't been over a month without blogging in a while. My apologies to whatever sweet readers I still have. Y'all are awesome. I wish I had some super cool excuse for being MIA for a month, like I was on an incredible trip around the country. But no. Once again, life has been life and it's taken over mine.

First there was the big move (I adore my house, y'all) and then a death in the family. It wasn't unexpected, but it was still hard and taxing emotionally. Losing someone you love is never easy, no matter the circumstances.

But, I'm back, so let's get to living life again and sharing about it. Have y'all been doing anything fun while I've been gone? Do tell!

Shammond Gets a Coaching Job!

For those of you who don't know me, this post will probably make me seem like a giant stalker. Actually, it may make those of you do know me think that too (or just reaffirm that thought).

When I was about 9 years old, my dad and I started going to Eric Montross' Father's Day basketball camp. It was a fun camp filled with tons of current and former Carolina basketball players. I was at the age where I was just getting into Carolina basketball and only knew the really famous players.

As we walked around to get autographs and take pictures, I came across a player I didn't know.

"Who's that, Dad? Should I get his autograph?"
"His name is Shammond and he's a sophomore. Take a picture with him, he's going to be good."

Shammond came from a high school in Greenville, S.C. and while he was a great player there, he didn't receive much Division 1 attention. He did, however, get a D1 offer from Georgia Tech. To be in the band.

He decided his heart belonged to basketball and went to Fork Union Military Academy for a year where he caught the eye of Dean Smith.

I took a picture with him and discovered he was one of the nicest guys I had ever met. Thus began my love of Shammond Williams.

Shammond became a starter for his next to years at Carolina and I became his biggest fan. Literally. My family and I followed him to the followed him to the NBA Draft in Vancouver (okay, there were other Carolina players there too) and made it on t.v. with a sign that said, "Raleigh, N.C. supports Shammond, Antawn, Vince and Maktar."

That sign still makes me laugh hysterically. Antwan and Vince were two of the top players in the country and were both lottery picks, but Shammond had to be first on that sign.

After some moving around in the NBA, Shammond settled down with the Seattle SuperSonics for a few years. I immediately got a "Williams" Sonics jersey made (they didn't really mass produce those) and my dad bought us tickets for the game in Charlotte against the Hornets.

We got there early. Super early. Before the doors opened. Finally the doors opened, but then we were just waiting in the lobby until they let us in the stadium. While we were waiting, a very tall woman came up to me and said, "I love your jersey! Where did you get that?"

I explained that we had it made and told her Shammond was my favorite player in the world. I then found out I was talking to his mom! We talked for about an hour and she was one of the nicest people I had ever met. Once the doors opened, she made sure that I got to talk to Shammond.

Shammond was so incredibly gracious. He thanked us for coming, thanked us for being such a good fan and called my dad "sir." We took pictures and we became friends. I refused to wash my hand from where he shook it. There is a picture of Shammond and I that day and my eyes are about the size of my face.

From that day on, we'd go to all of his games and he'd come and speak to us and treat us as friends. I'm not exaggerating when I say he is honestly one of the kindest, most humble people I have ever met.

Shammond retired from basketball last year and has been hanging around Chapel Hill, giving pointers to current players. Yesterday, Furman (in Greenville, his old stomping grounds) announced that Shammond was their new assistant coach.

I could not be happier for him. Or prouder.

And now you all know what a crazy basketball stalker fan I am. No shame.

Catch Up Sesh

I'm sorry I've been MIA! Life has been, well, life, but here is a catch up on my life the last month in pictures.

Beach days

And pool days

And dinner dates

And day beds for my new house

My first attempt at painting through a Wine and Design Class

And a little Lady Antebellum with great friends

Weekend in Pictures (And a Few Words!)

My weekend started like this. The Mudcats are a 1A baseball team nearby. Their stadium has to be the nicest 1A stadium in the country. They have a gourmet restaurant, so I pretty much just ate and drank my way through the game. My kinda baseball. 

Speaking of eating, I did a lot of it this weekend. These are my all time favorite chip EVER. They are awful for you, so I never get them, but I was having a pity party since I was home dog/house-sitting while everyone else was at the beach. 

Brother and I at the Mudcats game in my new Mudcats hat!

Friday night fireworks at the Mudcats game. I am a sucker for fireworks.

Mis tres amigos for the weekend. Please ignore the Duke photo in the background. I'm too lazy to crop.

Growth Through Blogs

Time is a funny thing. You know that it passes and you know that you change, but it's really hard to tell in what ways, when and how. I was thinking about this the other day when I realized that I can actually track some of my personal changes/growth through the blogs that I read.

The first blog I came across was a very personal, emotional blog - mostly about relationships. I was ending high school and starting college and drama appealed to me. Not to say this person's blog was dramatic, but... well, actually it was. And little 17/18 year old Lindsay ate it up. I loved it. I read every line with that "Oh my gosh, I can totally relate" feeling.

Now, I stay away from those blogs. There is definitely a time and place for them (try my  high school!), but they bore me now. I've learned that it's okay to be happy. It's okay to be content. Things don't have to be super high or super low all the time. It exhausts me just thinking about that crazy emotional roller coaster.

Most of the blogs I read now are healthy living blogs. I also read lots of foodie blogs and some fashion and interior design blogs. As well as a few faith-based ones. I know that doesn't really seem important, but it shows me that I've grown from that dramatic place of extreme highs and lows to knowing who I am and what interests me. And that...that makes me extremely happy.

Mother's Day, Onion Strings, Free Dessert and a Nap

Doesn't that sound like the perfect day? It was!

I met my mom around 9:30 for a nice 3 mile walk on the greenway. The weather was in the high sixties and was perfect. We're really blessed to have such a fantastic greenway system in Raleigh. My mom's house (and mine for that matter) is about .25 miles from the start of one part of the greenway. Right now the greenway is covered in honeysuckles (my absolute favorite) and wild blackberries. I lovelovelove to eat the blackberries right off the tree. So sweet and fresh.

After our walk, we cleaned up and went to an early lunch. We decided to be "bad" before our salads and had a big ol' plate of onion strings. They were amazing! Our waiter then informed us that my mom got a free dessert  in honor of Mother's Day! Mom isn't huge on sweets, but we split a warm brownie with cookies n' cream ice cream. Delish!

When we got home, I found myself drawn to the couch where I napped for a solid hour and a half. It was heavenly. I then spent the rest of the afternoon at the rehab facility where my grandfather is staying, wishing my grandmother a happy mother's day!

I know I've said it a thousand times, but my mom really is the best. She is brilliant, beautiful, kind, supportive, loving and funny. I have no idea where I'd be without her. I love you, Mom!!

I'm Moving!

I'm excited to announce that after an incredibly amazing, crazy, heartwarming, insanely fun year at the house with Lauren, I'm going to be moving out July 1.

We have had the absolute best time living together in a gorgeous (read: way too nice for us!!) house and Lauren has become one of my closest friends in the world (read: people are actually freaked out by house close  we are), but I think we're both ready for our own places.

I'll be moving into a little bungalow in a great location in Raleigh. It's super cute, but on the older side. What suggestions do y'all have for making an older bungalow feel like home?

Smoothie Success

After posts (onpostsonposts) about smoothies all over the blogosphere, I decided to try my hand at one this morning. I haven't made a smoothie since I was a kid and those weren't the most healthy ones. Today I threw everything but the kitchen sink into the blender and it turned out delicious. I included a banana, about 5 huge strawberries, half a container of strawberry banana chobani, some random amount of oats, some random amount of chia seeds, a handful of spinach (okay y'all were right - you really can't taste it!), ice and a splash of milk.

The texture is a little weird - I think as the result of the oats - but I almost like it because it seems more filling. Smoothie #1 - success!!

Crazy Love

Po and Big are my grandparents (long story on the names, but suffice to say, leaving grandparents' names up to the grandchildren is the way to go). I've been wanting to write about them on here for a long time, but have hesitated. I've hesitated for a couple of reasons. I've hesitated because they've come across some tough times of late and I don't want to only give you that small of view of them. Mostly, I've hesitated though, because I don't think I can do them justice.

Po is a southern grandmother in the best sense of the word. She is southern, sassy and not-at-all grandmother like except in her love for her grandchildren. Growing up I remember a diamond iguana pin that Po would wear on her clothes. She's still one of the most fashionable people I know and goes to the "beauty shop" once a week. She would always cook me bacon and eggs and sing and dance with me.

Big is a tougher shell to crack, but it's worth it once you get through. A former football player and Army veteran, Big is all testosterone. When I was younger, Big didn't always talk a lot, but he was always given the responsibility of saying the blessing before dinner. He always said the best blessing and thanked God for the opportunity to be together and for "help in our future business endeavors." I always thought that was funny, but that's just the type of guy he is.

Po and Big met in Georgia when they were twelve. They've been inseparable ever since.

Po and Big are fun. They drink. They cuss. They are irreverent. And they are madly in love.

Po and Big are not the old gray-haired grandparents you think of who hold hands (though they do that) and sit quietly. They are not together because they have been together for 50 years. They are together because they are crazy in love. Po and Big are loud. And sassy. And flirt. They look at each other today like they'd do it all again in a second if they could.

Their love isn't the picture perfect love you see in movies. It's crazy and fun and wild and doesn't give a damn. And in my mind, that's perfect.