New year, new goals

Coming out of my New Years weekend haze - on Tuesday - I am faced with the yearly task of setting some goals for the New Year. They are typically always the same, to lose a unattainable number of pounds, to eat right and drink more water, save more money, volunteer more, etc. The list goes on and on. I have learned that those are things I should just do in general, these things should be a second nature to me. So instead of pledging my life away to things that I should already be doing, here is a list of new things I would like to accomplish for myself in 2012. 

• Learn to use my new sewing machine and create a piece that Anthropologie wishes they could sell in their store. 
• Have a better relationship with my dog. I know it sounds silly, but we could both use some quality time together. Over the holidays we both realized that we are stuck with one another. We have to get used to the harsh reality that he will never have thumbs so he can't help with dinner and I am never going to 
• Find a place to live that sticks and let it grow on me. I have this really bad habit of moving cities every two years and completely changing my life to feel normal. What a ridiculous idea. I would really like to see how "domestic" looks on me.
• Challenge myself as often as possible. Whether it be riding my bike to work in 30 degree weather with 33 mph winds (this morning, not kidding), or taking on big tasks to reap big rewards. I need to kick it up a notch.
• Spend more time with the Squid. Just because you live with someone doesn't mean you are spending quality time together. Austin and I have had a wonderful 2012 so far, spending as much QT as we can. Its not all about laundry and cooking folks, we have to keep the romance alive!!

I think this list will do for now - of course my favorite is "travel every month" but didn't feel like it deserved a spot on the new and improved list. 

2012, here I come!

Are you ready for this?

The time is upon us for reflecting on 2011 and ramping up for a world of new possibilities in 2012. Of course, before we move forward, I would like to reflect on the year behind me. Oh, by the way, I am REALLY into bullet points in the new year.Yup, deal with it.

• Blizzard - for the first week of last year I was house bound in Cumming GA with Squid and his family for a winter wonderland lock-down. No one in, no one out. It started with a death trip to Kroger for ice cream and hot coco (who eats ice cream in a blizzard) and ended with cross country skiing through the neighborhood. What a mess.
• Athens most beautiful wedding - Tate got married last year on January 8th and it was incredible. She was stunning and my former company A Divine Event catered everything from the bridesmaid luncheon to the reception. It was exhausting, but worth every minute I got to spend with her. 
• Job of a Lifetime - what a big, unexpected opportunity. I can't even believe a year ago I was headed to DC for a final interview with Kuoni on a Saturday (see above's reference to the Blizzard) and over sushi that night decided with Squid that I should take the leap.
• Erica and Lindley take Atlanta - this also happened in January (wow, what a big month) that my two best friends from DC decided to make a trip South of the Mason Dixon line and go out on the town with me and my local girls. Fado in Buckhead will never be the same, and neither will Lindley's dance moves.  
• Road trip to DC - Valentine's Day weekend I headed to DC with the Squid to get settled in with John and Kelsey as their new "roommate." Little did I know that they didn't have closet space for me, however I made due and the sparkle returned to my eyes as soon as I hit East Capitol.
• The commitment of my lifetime - The Squid also fell victim to my love of DC and shortly joined me with Traveler, our faithful k-9 in our Capital city. My life has literally never been better because I am living with the man I have always wanted and the dog I didn't know I wanted. So life is bliss, just a little more hairy. 
• Learning to live without four wheels - In all of the new changes brought something back from my past. The bicycle. I can't believe how long I had abandoned it for fashion, comfort and logistical reasons, but my life of pushing pedals is wonderful. 
• Going green - with veggies that is. I only lasted about eight months this time without meat. I loved being a vegetarian, but I always gain weight. A gal from Georgia has to eat meat. Its just too good.
• Losing a wonderful man - My grandfather Sterling Wilhoit also known as "Arch" passed away this summer just before the fourth of July in Ashville, NC. He is a man that taught me so many things, from gin rummy to pool, the "Wilhoit ways" are in my blood and I should have known the strategies I was learning with cards and cues would actually help maneuver the roads of life.  I will always adore "papa." 
• Getting back into the DC scene - Networking in this city never ceases to amaze me. The events, dinners, networking opportunities are endless. No wonder this city is considered the "pulse of a Nation."
• Most likely wedding to be picked up by a magazine - My friends Kelsey and John got hitched on September 4th in a very unique style. A beautiful tent at Oxon Hill Manor and a candy table of "sweet treats" showed all of the brides DIY tricks. She did an amazing job, and I am so lucky that I was able to stand beside her when she said "I do."
• Home for the holidays - I truly believe "home is where the heart is" and that is why my holidays were so fabulous. Mom and Paul came to DC for Thanksgiving and we had a delicious meal at the Georgetown Club. Then, Austin and I traveled to Colorado to see the family for Christmas. Of course with a stop at New Belgium Brewery. Magical.

That concludes the highlights of 2011. I can't wait to see what 2012 has to offer me!

The Travel Bug

It seems crazy to think that I have never ridden a train in the US (or not that I can remember) and it is so nice. Even though it is packed, people are really nice and it is quite peaceful. I do wish I had a travel buddy to hang out with, but I guess that is what my computer is for. Even though the wireless continues to go in and out, I am finding it comforting to get back to my writing.

I am writing this post on an Amtrak heading to Philadelphia. I am going for two reasons: the first, because I have a site visit for work, and the most important because I want to see my cousin Natalie for the holidays. I miss going to my Aunt Carol's house on Christmas eve and celebrating with my cousins. So, I bugged and bugged her until she said yes. She and her husband Joel just bought a house - WHOO HOO - and I am going to break in the guest room for them!

With this trip, I have officially caught the travel bug. I will be in Philly for a few days, then next week I head to Colorado for the Christmas holiday and then on the 7th of January I am hopping on a plane to go to Turks and Caicos! Whoa nelly! I have my luggage secured, camera charged and the charger cords for all my electrical devices...life has become complicated. So, here is a little travel food for thought.

• Check the expiration date on your passport. If its expired DEFINITELY choose the expedited service. Mine came in one week door to door. (Oh, you don't need a passport on the train, Philly isn't  its own country, its for Turks and Caicos.)
• Don't wait to pack the morning you leave because you will take a ton of random things, and forget all that is important, like underwear.
• Don't drink too much the night before you have a train ride...hangovers and train tracks DO NOT mix. Trust me on that. Also, everyone will look at you if you keep going in and out of the bathroom.
• Make sure to bring plenty of food and drink (especially if you are traveling alone.) Even through there is a dining car, you will lose your seat if you venture to it. I  have never been more parched in my life. 
• Check your computers compatibility to WiFi networks. - it sucks to be disconnected
• Bring a variety of things to keep you entertained, ie Kindle, iPad, magazines, games...but do not miss looking out the window - it is really important to take it all in and you never know what you are going to see. 
• Don't miss your stop because you will get kicked off the train. Seriously.

Whatever traveling you may be doing over the holidays, have fun and be safe. I know that I will be doing the same!

The fall and the fury

As we move into the fall season, a time of year that is so nostalgic to me because of the fall foliage, college football and the cooler temperatures I have been craving since the spring, I am hit with a wave of anxiety. I have realized that moving forward in life doesn't necessarily get easier. The more we grow the more responsibilities we have and the more we have to do. I am currently in my "busy season" at work. Long hours and weekend work has reemerged, but its nothing compared to the work I did just two years ago. I am also feeling lonely even though I am sharing my life with the man I love, I am feeling lost in my profession and longing for the companionship of my friends. What a "fall down."

It doesn't help that a year ago this past weekend I lost my grandfather and it seems like so many ends are happening all around me. One of my best friends just lost her beloved Gaga, and last night Paul lost his secretary in a horrible wreck. Life is so short and I can't help but feel I am filling mine with all of the wrong things. As my mother said recently, it might be time to re-prioritize my life and the things in it.

It has been weeks since I have enjoyed catching up with friends, and I finally picked myself up off the couch to visit with a few of my girls this weekend. But I know it isn't enough. My sanity and heart can't take it much longer. The drifting apart that we all experience is shaking me to my core and I hope that I can bounce back.

I don't mean for this entry to be a downer, I just need to focus on the things that can make me stronger, laugh louder and be the best version of myself I can be.

So I am proposing a challenge to all of you. Make time for you loved ones - even those who seem too busy. Reach out to your friends, they need you more than you know and enjoy the little things. They all add up and will make you feel complete.

Oh yeah, and if any of you have fabulous new fall clothes, please send pictures...fashion is definitely still a priority.

All my love,

Lacy June

August Already?

I just looked at my calendar and realized it is August 8th! Where did the summer go? I guess I have been hiding indoors since June because of the blistering heat. We had company all summer and very little time to relax. A quick recap...

We had Austin's mom in town for a few days in July. It was great! We took her to all our favorite places and I finally got to have someone on my side about cleaning the house, walking the dog and getting rid of some bikes. She organized the house and helped in the transformation from bike shop to home! Hallelujah! I had a quick work trip to Annapolis during her stay and fell in love with the capital of Maryland. What a charming city!

Then my sister 's visit to town was like a whirlwind. I was recapping the visit to a friend and couldn't believe all the things we did while she was here. Touring the monuments, restaurants, bars, put put, Truckeroo (the most fun food truck festival ever,) Eastern Market, Old Town and lots of wine...I am still recovering and she has been gone for two weeks! My cousin Natalie came down as well and we got some great family time. We haven't all been together since Nat's wedding last summer!

This past weekend I survived my friend Kelsey's bachelorette party with only a sunburn from Tubing. It was so nice to hang out with her, get to know her out of town friends and laugh about how she and her future husband met. They are so wonderful for each other!

Also, I am on a mission to buckle down and start working hard at biking, running (I have been recovering from an injury since mid July) and getting back into yoga! The summer is almost over, and I have a lot of crunches and push-ups to do before getting in a bridesmaid dress. My sister motivated me so much to really take care of my body and kick it up a notch! I also FINALLY ordered some cycling shorts and gloves so I can be more comfortable when I commute to and from work. The whole diet and exercise thing only works when you have dedication and motivation (which clearly I lack considering this is maybe the 10th post having to do with weight.) So please send me your thoughts to make smart choices and be active instead of lazy. No one likes a couch potato!

Tonight is yoga with Melly, so I am starting the week off right! :)