Men are from Mars...

So this whole living with someone thing...it is quite a recipe for something special. Can you sense the sarcasm in my writing? It is so interesting what you learn about someone once you decide to cohabitate. Mother's around the world scream "don't do it for financial reasons!" and "he will never buy the cow when he gets the milk for free!" Well, when was the last time any of us actually were smart enough to take our mother's advice on love? Silly little girls...

Austin and I have been living together for one month and five days. I think the epiphany happened on day 30 that I couldn't take it anymore. When we first got here is was so much fun - we were organizing, arranging and enjoying each other so much. Then it happened.

Issue #1: The Closet. Ok, so I know that when you merge two lives you have to give certain things up - but why he thought it was going to be one inch of space in MY closet, I will never know. I mean, I have created TONS of space for him in the rest of the house with all his gear. Cycling gear, hiking gear, camping gear, climbing gear...the list goes on and on! So I just want one spot for my things. And he doesn't even know about the three boxes my mom just shipped up from Georgia. (insert evil laugh here)

Issue #2: The Kitchen. We have a 3x12 galley kitchen or crap kitchen, whatever the correct term may be. He LOVES to cook, and he is wonderful at it. But we did discover his worst allergies - dish soap and water! Seriously? You can't wash a dish? Grow up and put on some gloves. Don't worry about the fact that they are pink.

Issue #3: The Bed. This isn't where I talk about our sex life. If you want details, ask me offline, my mother is all over this blog. I am talking about changing sheets and making the bed. Again, is this not something that a man understands? There is nothing better than clean sheets after a long day and I certainly don't want his dirty ass all over my clean sheets. ARG.

Issue #4: The Dog. You will be hearing more and more about my favorite K9 Traveler, but we are talking about his hair on this one. And I am not faulting him for the hair all over the place, I am faulting his dad because he lacks the ability to push around a swiffer.

Issue #5: Clothes. I am a clothes-horse for sure. There is no denying that. But Austin undresses and stacks his clothing in little piles around the room. It is bizarre, but I guess in his own little way it is his way of organizing. Heaven forbid I touch these piles because there is hell to pay if something goes missing. It's like the man from mars is making crop circles.

Issues don't equal problems, I actually laugh more than I ever have and have a happy heart everyday. But it is nice to vent every once in a while. Also, I have come to the conclusion, I love aliens...especially the ones from Mars. :)

Wings or Roots...Part I

Well, this is a LONG overdue post. It is my two month anniversary of being back in our Nation's Capital. I can't believe I am back and that I have been here for two months! It took a lot of soul searching, tears and money to get back here, but I have never been happier!

On this journey back to my hearts home, I have struggled with the wings vs. roots debate. This isn't new for me, I have bounced back and forth for most of my life now, and have realized that it is a daily battle. Of course we all want roots - family and friends that we rely on and have known us for years, familiar streets and places that are safe and reliable and a sense of nostalgia of times spent with these people in these particular places. But I am also intrigued by my wings - how far they can carry me, what new adventures they will lead me to and the people and places I will discover along the way. There is nothing better than that feeling of the unknown and unfamiliar. Each day is filled with hope and uncertainty. Its truly exhilarating. So lets talk about these wings of mine...

I have settled into a cozy little one bedroom on 9th Street NE in the Capitol Hill neighborhood - technically I am in the Atlas District - the hottest up and coming neighborhood (that status currently rivaled only by U Street) home to Grandville Moore's delicious mussels, Rock and Roll Hotel's crowded dance floor and Sticky Rice's tasty tots. I have given up my love of driving for a 7300 Trek bike. The brick building I live in was built sometime in the 1920's and I love to tell my friends that I have a Carrie lock on my door (Sex in the City's famous fashionista.) I am living with my boyfriend and his dog, Traveler. Yeah, this life is different, but SO fun.

I commute each day about 1 hour each way to and from home. Yes, it is hard to get my lazy bones out of bed, especially on rainy mornings, which we have not been in short supply of. I don't remember ever having this much rain, but today is beautiful and sunny (thank you Spring!) My office is located in Old Town Alexandria. It is such a quaint and interesting town with SO much history. I have retired most of my heels for flats, and bought my first pair of Tom's that already have been worn through. I have said "so long" to fabulous purses and bags to take my North Face backpack everyday to work. I don't mind that I look like a college student, it makes me look younger. :)

My job is wonderful. I handle something new everyday and have appointments and meetings all over the city. I have become very close with my coworkers and we are in the process of introducing ourselves to the city and the key players in it. Each day is new, and fun. I have programs in town all the time, and I entertain and operate each program to the best of my ability. I will travel to Boca next month to work. I am so happy that this company embraces my love of travel.

This is a lot to take in, but exactly why I love my wings. I soak in my surroundings all the time, taking in each new experience as a positive step in the journey of my life. Of course I miss my parents and friends in Atlanta, but this experience in indescribable.

Everyone has wings - they may be the size of a beautiful Eagle and allow you to soar with little or no effort to the greatest heights, or they might be chicken wings that don't allow you to fly at all. The point is, you have them and you should have the courage to try them out. If you are disappointed by the outcome, that is OK - at least you attempted to fly. :)

SANTA, baby.

Today has been a pretty awesome day. I have been in Colorado for several days and have had the pleasure of hanging out with my sister, brother-in-law and wonderful niece and nephew. It is amazing how much better Christmas is when you have kids involved. I feel very fortunate to have a sister who loves having me over and especially love the fact that I can spoil Layne, my beautiful niece and not feel bad about it!

Christmas can be super intense when you are trying to play "hide the Santa presents" and "no kids, Santa really does exist." The best example is what happened last night. Kate and Mitch planned for Santa to come by the house and say hey to Layne and Elijah. Now, Layne is usually too smart for her own good and this situation was no different. We made Santa cookies, and around 7:20pm we headed to the front door. Layne runs out and we take pictures, she is super excited and jumping all around. But when Santa leaves she says, "why was Santa tugging at his beard?" We all look at each other trying to come up with an explanation she goes on, "I mean, I think it wasn't even real." BUSTED. We come up with Santa had a shaving accident and had to wear a fake beard this year. We hoped that it would grow back by next year. This is tough.

Anyway, I loved cuddling with her last night and watching she and her little brother open all the presents that were scattered around the living room. The best part was when she opened her American Girl doll, Lanie. She is in love with it and can't stop hugging and kissing me for her most favorite Christmas present this year. Our trip has been wounderful, and I wouldn't trade this for anything in the world. Well, maybe a neice who is a little less skeptical about Santa. Now, if we were talking Unicorns, we would have that shit locked up.

Merry Christmas to everyone, and I hope your holiday season is a joyous one.

XOXO Lacy

Holidays, Snow and Sleep Deprivation

Well, it's 10pm and I am just sitting at my "home office" preparing for tomorrow's morning meeting, having a glass (or three) of wine and wondering what the hell is wrong with me. I mean, my favorite time of year is winter, I love cold weather, snow (and Atlanta's got some!) and festive events. I purchased a few key pieces during the Thanksgiving rush to wear, but I haven't had the opportunity because I have been slaving over work events, my life. My heart can't give it up! Also, I am dating a fabulous man who adores me, but I can seldom find the time to be with him. Excuse? WORK. So that has me wondering, how do you love your job and maintain a healthy balance of personal time? How do you truly make your heart happy?

Last week my good friend and savior, Elle, invited me to a fabulous Burlesque dance class which awakened me. I felt alive for the first time in months, hell - maybe years. Then I went to a vinyasa yoga class which I used to do three times a week when I lives in Charlotte, but have abandoned for almost five years. It was wonderful, inspiring, amazing. I am a victim of other peoples pleasure. If they are happy I am for a short while, and then I am empty. Alone.

I guess this is a lonely girl spinning her wheels, but I am working my way back into happiness. I really am a happy and loving person, but I wish I was content with being alone like I used to be. Young, naive, alive and free. Well, maybe everything but the naive part. That was brutal!

So my never-ending promise and prayer for myself is to have grace, life balance and love. I think I will accomplish one of those one day. More love soon...xoxo

Mountains and Men

Yesterday was an incredible day today. I woke up after sleeping in a bit late, went for a run, made coffee and started to watch a great movie on TV. Just as I was beginning to feel a little lonely, one of my favorite people called, to see if I was free.

He is sweet, he plays a guitar and has an amazing way about him - sounds sexy, right? Now the thing with him is that he is easy, non-committal and dangerously comfortable for someone I am skeptical to trust. BUT, all that said I feel amazing when I'm with him and deliriously happy. This has happened once before when I was much younger and it ended badly. What is it with me and men like this? Its just not a good idea, or is it?

Anyway, we decided to go to Dahlonega, a place I visited as a child, but for the coldest day yet this fall and that I knew Christmas decorations were up I felt like it would be the perfect place. It was wonderful. We went to the most adorable place called the Crescent Moon and had a late lunch and listened to some blue grass music. It was just peaceful and perfect. They also had 1554, one of my favorite brews from New Belgium Brewery.

We were on our way down the road that I thought was the way back to Atlanta when we hit gravel and a steep mountain grade. And of course I had to pee. We continue going up and up and wind through the trees. I squeal angrily with a deathgrip on his arm from my ridged and tense body (Tex isn't the best driver and is relentless when he knows you have to go.) We make it up the hill and get to the place he wanted to show me - a beautiful rock face that would be ideal to climb, thank goodness I didn't have the proper shoes. There were icicles and rolling mountain views. Every time I see a place like this I understand why men like being in the woods.

After hiking far away to relieve myself in private, I see him fumbling around in the back of the car. This I know is a bad sign. He pulls out a huge back with two guns. Yup, guns. So, I watch as he loads one up and misses every target. He blames it on the "scope" but I still laughed under my breath. Then he grabs the big one and takes a shot. The sound is deafening and as I look over he eyes are as big as saucers and is grinning from ear to ear. I laugh with a snort and know its time to hit the road again.

What is it with men, mountains and guns. If that is what they are interested in why do I even shower, put on makeup and buy adorable clothes? All wasted on a man really.