It's been too long, I know.

Will you forgive me? Life. Has. Been. Busy. I have MUCH to update y'all on, and after my mom visits this weekend I vow to tell you all about the going ons in the Loftin household. Lots of exciting things happening!

In the meantime, I'm going to be the big 3-0 in a week. YIKES. Here's a photo of me when I was a babe. Not a great photo since my mom took it with her phone and sent it to me, but get past the quality and just look at how darn cute I was ;) Stay tuned....

2013... It wasn't paradise

These last 12 months were not my favorite of all those I've enjoyed in my 20s. BUT, the time most definitely taught me a lot about attitude and perseverance. 

No matter how much I try to glean from my past experiences, I've never felt prepared for the next greater challenges to come. What my adversities have taught me is the wisdom to not repeat some of the choices I've made, e.g. live apart from my husband for a year, and NOT drive down a road right next to a beach below sea level during a torrential downpour or you're likely to flood your car out (yah, THAT HAPPENED, in August). Had to replace my entire engine. During these difficult times, I often cried, screamed out loud, sighed, and eventually I moved on. 

I didn't always handle myself well and a lot of it was due to my attitude and how I perceived my situation. That's on me. My biggest take away from 2013 is knowing that inevitably more stressors lie ahead, and so I resolve to rejoice in the moments that my world doesn't feel upside down. For that life lesson, I am grateful.  

Here's a video recap of 2013!

I'll be the BIG 30 in 2014. Buhbye 20s. They were certainly some of the most transitional and transformational years, and I guess they're suppose to be. I have a lot to be proud of and have definitely become more resilient as an individual. 

So here's a toast to 2014 marking the beginning of my 30s, and what I'm looking forward to in whatever order they come:

• Planting our roots in Louisiana so I can finally feel at home and establish a sense of place and purpose
• Finding a job that where I can make a positive contribution to my community

AND

• Starting a family!

What are you out to achieve in 2014?

A few of my favorite things

November and December are just flat out crazy months for us. Kyle and I were out of town for at least an overnighter every weekend in November, and December is turning out the same. That doesn't leave me a lot of time to just sit for 30 mins and let my creativity flow, so I can share with you all the going ons in our lives lately.

Kyle and I went to San Francisco for a vacation the first week of November. WOW. IT. WAS FUN. Perhaps more so because it was a our first, yes, FIRST vacation together in our nearly 8 years as a couple that wasn't within driving distance and over a couple of nights. In the course of six years, I have lived in four states, we've paid for our wedding, I went to grad school for two years, and we've forked over a lot of money on moving. That doesn't leave a whole lot of extra moolah for, well, anything. But we finally decided to just do it, and I am so glad we did because we had the most spectacular time.

Here's a couple of pix from our trip and some of my other favorite things...

At Muir Woods. The scents were SPECTACULAR!

Biking over the Golden Gate Bridge. Probably the most fun thing we did. 

Half Moon Bay for the day.

Kyle and I love to get dressed up together and go out on the town. We went to his corporate Christmas party this weekend in New Orleans and had a great time.

And finally, I love putting together complete meals. Entree, drink and dessert. Here's one of my latest.  I called it Ritas, Thai and Apple pie.

Here are the recipes I used incase you're interested in replicating.
Ritas: http://goo.gl/3BcLRM
Thai: http://fw.to/apqxxlC
Apple pie: http://www.food.com/recipe/unbelievable-apple-pie-100480

Hope your holiday season is going well!

Holiday fun begins!

Cooler weather and the time change means more leisure hours inside AND holiday festivities! When I lived in Kansas, I spent a lot more time indoors beginning October/November until the end of February because the bitter and/or rainy cold temperatures outside were simply unbearable.

After living in the South for the last six years, there are still enough cold or rainy days during the winter that keep me in and thus force me to flex my creative muscles... My mother visited a couple weeks ago and we did some projects worth sharing. I'm also happy to pass on the tricks we used to accomplish each of them.

My favorite of the two projects is this holiday wreath. My mom and I went to an arts and crafts festival while she was here and there were a ton of wreaths for sell. But they were SO expensive. I examined a few of them for the materials and told my mom we could make one ourselves for half the price. And that's exactly what we did! This wreath cost about $45 compared to the $100+ the vendors wanted.

This wreath used:
–2 different types of burlap ribbon (about 10 feet a piece)
–4 berry sprigs
–2 burlap poinsettia arrangements
–pipe cleaners
–and of course the wreath.

The most difficult task for this project was that damn bow! It took a bit of googling, but I finally found one I could understand.

One of these should work for you.
–http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ske_0dUJpEc
–http://tidbitsandtwine.com/diy-inexpensive-fall-wreath-and-fancy-bow/
–http://www.howdini.com/video/8663250/how-to-make-a-bow-for-a-wreath

The next project we did was refurbishing this HIDEOUS bedside table Kyle got from a hotel his company was remodeling. Structurally it's a solid piece, but it has that laminate top so wood won't warp from liquids, but that stuff just looks so frickin' cheap.

My mom suggested we paint it with chalk paint–all the trend right now. I thought we would have to sand it down first, which I HATE, and so I was not amused by the idea. But she assured me we would not.

–We unscrewed the door hinges so we could paint the inside more easily
–Put two coats of paint on, along with touch up of a few more areas that just seemed to soak up the paint.
–Added two coats of clear wax and then dark wax in some of the crevices
–Sanded some of the edges

                            AND VOILA!

Now how good does that look? I was so so so pleased with it. I often describe my taste in interior design as vintage farmhouse chic and this paint definitely gives you the possibility of making things look and feel aged and antiqued. I already have a couple of other projects lined up to use it on!

Well, that's it for now.

Looking forward to the little things

I have one more week of class and my assistantship before my two-year grad school journey comes to and end. May is going to be a very very busy month and I have several fun and exciting events to look forward to.

The second weekend in May... I'm going to spend in Biloxi with Kyle and likely sign a lease to an apartment in this restored 1920s stucco house just across the street from the beach! We tried looking for a house to buy, but nothing felt right. I'll post pics of that after I visit. But here's a view from the house.

Can you just imagine waking up and seeing that view everyday and being
that close to the sand. Aaaah, I can just feel myself soaking up the sun now.

The third weekend in May... is GRADUATION! I can't believe it's actually happening... My parents and Aunt Julie are coming for the big day and then we're taking a trip to Orange Beach, AL to celebrate. Kyle and I will also be celebrating our third wedding anniversary as well. Lord, where has time gone?!

We had four days of absolute AMAZING weather. I can only hope that we will
have that same luck again so we can enjoy being outside together and relaxing. 

The fourth weekend in May... is the Memorial holiday and a few friends from Kansas are flying into Nola with their husbands. I've not seen these girls in five years. That will be one crazy reunion. I will also get to spend some time with a couple grad school pals–Kristin, who is visiting from Washington, and Mia–before I make the move to Biloxi the following and final week of May.

This was from a white trash-themed party I had at my house in May 2012. 

I'm trying not to get too worked up about the big transition and many changes coming. The last week of May is going to entail A LOT of packing and the house in disarray as I get things ready to haul.

I'm starting to feel that bittersweet sense of nostalgia creeping up as this chapter in my life comes to a close. I want to stay positive and focus on all the entertainment coming up, but I can't help thinking of what I'm going to miss and what's ahead.

The post-holiday blues

Knock, knock. Yes, I'm here. I'm sorry for the hiatus the past month. I simply can't believe that nearly six weeks have come and gone since I shared my Thanksgiving post. When I was a child, I remember feeling on the verge of absolute combustion once Halloween was over; I was filled with in anticipation for the holiday season, family get togethers, feasts and a break from school. It felt then as if each day consisted of many more hours than 24 and now, I wish for more hours in every day because there's just too much to accomplish. Time flies by so fast in my life these days and in a few blinks of my lashes one season has changed into the next.

With exception to Thanksgiving day, I spent that mini break finalizing projects, writing papers and studying my butt off. It was my most successful semester yet and extremely stressful, in part because Kyle and I hit the six month mark of living a part and I really felt his absence when my stress was at its peak. Most of this holiday break I have spent traveling between New Orleans, Biloxi and back to Baton Rouge to visit Kyle or his family. With all the driving I've done, it really hasn't felt like a whole lot of time "off." Four weeks have felt more like a long weekend and I'm just one more week away from beginning what will be my last semester of grad school. WOW.

My 2012 Thanksgiving and Christmas, and 2013 New Year's are over and I've got a serious case of the blues. One song in particular comes to mind for me after the high and the crash of each holiday season. Elvis was apart of my every day growing up as he was one of my dad's favorite musicians so I know about every word to every song that ever crossed those luscious lips ;). I know this song doesn't exactly address the "blues" I'm feeling about the close of this holiday season, but can't you just feel the heartache in this number?!

I'll leave you to enjoy Elvis at your leisure with this last thought for you to consider. While I was in Ocean Springs visiting Kyle, I heard several store owners discussing what days they were going to be closed for the holidays and several remarked that they would only be closed Christmas day. They then added to their response "because it's just another day." That gave me reason to pause, as I pondered regarding the holidays as "just another day." For me, they represent so much more and so if you're feeling the post-holiday blues, I'm right there with you.

My cliche Thanksgiving post

On the eve of Thanksgiving, I am sitting in my warm, cozy house wrapping up homework and lounging with my animals. Tomorrow I am off to my in-laws to enjoy a feast fit for a king and while I miss my family in Kansas, I will be embraced by others that love me just as dearly.

My Facebook feed has been blowing up all month with daily 'what I'm thankful for' statuses and I haven't posted one. The truth is, I've been so wrapped up in my own adversities and personal challenges this semester, and others in the last year, that I haven't spent a single moment reflecting on all I should be thankful and grateful for.

The past six months have been a roller coaster. My emotions fluctuate sometimes on an hourly basis between bitter and angry about life and confident and content that this is God's plan and I need to just let go and allow him to work his magic. Some days I am so terribly lonely without Kyle home every night to comfort and support me as I finish up my third semester of grad school that I just want to hide under my covers with the cat and the dog and push the whole world away. Other days, I am ok and we Facetime in the evening and it feels normal. 

When I start feeling like the weight of the world is sitting right on top of my chest, I have to force myself to conduct a reality check and put things into perspective. So, on that note, I thought I would take this opportunity to encompass all that I'm thankful for before I spiral into a black hole the next two weeks as I finish up several major projects and prepare for final exams.

I am thankful for my husband Kyle. He is my rock, voice of reason and love of my life. He would do anything for me.

 
I am thankful for my friends. They commiserate with me, send me notes of encouragement, dress up with me and forgive me when I'm a total bitch.

 

 

And of course, my family. I would not be the strong, persistent and passionate woman I am today without their unconditional love. 

Weekend Rewind: smores, lazy rivers and football

I am half way through my second to last semester of grad school and I couldn't be more excited. I took advantage of my fall break and decided to make it extra long.

I drove to Biloxi on a Wednesday evening and since it's around a two hour drive, Kyle and I usually have dinner and a drink and spend the rest of the evening veging out. I was really craving smores so I picked up the essentials at the store and Kyle and I had that for dessert.

I don't know how after six and a half years Kyle and I have never had smores together but some how that was the case. When we cleaned up dinner and I asked if he was ready for one he told me "YES!" and that I would have to make them because he didn't know how. What?!?!?? Kyle didn't have homemade deserts growing up (not that smores are fancy or anything) but I was in complete shock when I heard this. There's something so comforting about this simple combination that melts my cares away when I sink my teeth into it's marshmallow chocolatey graham cracker goodness. We had two!

Thursday and Friday we spent in Pensacola at the Holiday Inn Resort. Two absolute glorious days of just the right temperature and bountiful sunshine. We laid out all afternoon, drank our freshly made sangria and watched the tides roll in and out. We even got in the water and after a few moments it felt just perfect.

We also went out to dinner at The Grand Marlin and enjoyed a remarkable meal, beautiful view of the water and great tunes by the live band. We toasted to six and a half years together.

The hotel also had a lazy river, which I floated around a couple of times, but surprisingly the pool water was colder than the ocean. I spent the rest of my time on the pool deck catching up on the 9th book in the Sookie Stackhouse series "Dead in the Family." Nothing like escaping the rigor of grad school dry, dense academic reading with vampires, werewolves and telepaths :)

Saturday we met up with Kyle's cousin's who lives in Mobile, AL and watched the University of South Alabama football game. They recently started an official team, instead of the inner-mural league they've had for years, and it was a great game. We went to dinner that evening at Kitchen on George and that was fabulous.

It was a superberb weekend and I was thankful for the break because the next month of school will be incredibly busy and stressful.