Thinking about all the things I want to do this year. As you may have read, I'm kind of in a weird place where I'm halfway content with where I am and also really wanting to do more with my life, time, and talents. We'll see where that gets me. I've been really intentional about scheduling my time well and getting things done lately, so that's been really motivating.

Listening to podcasts, mainly Freakonomics Radio and Spilled Milk. I always learn something totally interesting during Freakonomics episodes, and Spilled Milk makes me laugh so hard that people around me seem alarmed. (And no, I haven't listened to Serial. I listened to the first episode and it gave me way too much anxiety. While I appreciate what appears to be a really well-done program, it's just not for me.)

Watching Gilmore Girls (still!), Parenthood, and Friends. And oh my goodness you guys, Gilmore Girls is never going to end. I've actually never seen the end! So right now I'm coming up on the end of the final season and everything seems really good and normal and I know it can't end like that, right? Am I totally boring if I want it to end like that? Here's where I am: I love Christopher and I'm totally smitten with Logan. I think Luke is a big baby man child and I hear talk of Jess coming back but it sounds like I'm the only person in the world who is just totally dreading it.

(Not) Drinking enough water. How do you guys do it? I always mean to drink water and I hardly ever have more than three cups a day. Sometimes if I put lemon in some hot water I can trick myself into refilling it throughout the day, but lots of afternoons pass by and I realize I've barely had a sip. Water drinkers, share your tips!

Looking forward to getting a puppy! Rob and I applied to adopt a really cute little guy and we actually had a home visit with the rescue people last night. I have no idea how these things work and I think maybe it could still fall through (maybe not?), so I've been trying not to get too attached but I look at the puppy's picture approximately every twenty minutes. I think we may have a dog in the next week or two!

Loving finally feeling settled in Charlotte. I've made some friends and I meet Rob for lunch or coffee pretty regularly in the city and I'm really enjoying my life and schedule around here. It was really nice to travel to Minneapolis and then Salt Lake City, and today I'm actually off to Roanoke for the weekend but after that I'm looking forward to a long stretch with nowhere to be but at home.

What are you up to currently? Thanks to my blog-friend Dani for the post inspiration as always!

Photo by V.A. Photography.

Thinking about this life that Rob and I have together. Sometimes it's so bizarre to reminisce about where we started--almost six years ago I met him for the first time at a Halloween party in college and we became friends before starting to date a few months later. Now he's my husband and we've lived in Roanoke, Charlottesville, Minneapolis, and Charlotte together--from undergrads to graduate students, working for Geek Squad and as a barista (I'll let you guess who was who in that scenario). We moved in together, graduated, found jobs, moved out, left jobs, moved back in, got married. Working, traveling, and having so much fun.

Fall always makes me extra nostalgic, but this year I feel like I have a lot more to look back on and be thankful for. (Also how crazy is it that we were in Virginia for our engagement shoot one year ago last month! Time is flying.)

Drinking almond milk lattes--like, too many of them. There's a coffee shop I love in downtown Charlotte (they call it Uptown here even though there isn't a separate "downtown") that is just wonderful and not ridiculously expensive, but it's dangerous because I talk myself into stopping there after a morning run at least once a week.

Doing a bit of balancing--I actually started a part-time job a couple of weeks ago, so there are two days a week that I usually feel like I have too much going on. But it's been good and when I do get used to it, I find that having a lot off different balls in the air often makes me more organized than when I have too much downtime. It's just the transition period that usually makes me cry while standing in front of a kitchen sink full of dirty dishes, but we'll get past it.

Loving this cooler weather that's finally made its way to Charlotte! (I said this last time but it was a fluke.) Snuggling up under the covers and sleeping with the windows open when it's chilly is one of my favorite things, and we're doing it all week. I went on an extra-long run yesterday morning because it was just so beautiful outside. 

Watching Gilmore Girls on Netflix but you guys, I can't stand Lorelai. She talks way too fast and I just don't find any of it charming like I assume I am supposed to. I've seen episodes here and there in the past, but I've never watched the whole thing through. Right now I'm on season two and I don't know if I'll ever finish because after each episode I feel like I need a break from her. Anyone else?

What have you been up to these days?

As always, thanks to my friend Dani for the post inspiration!

Reading A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, which I found on my bookshelf the other day and have somehow never read until now. It's so beautifully written and I'm really enjoying taking my time with it.

Watching so much Modern Family. I've had a tough couple of months, and watching that show with Rob always makes me laugh, cheers me up, and brings me optimism. I love how it can be so hilarious and ridiculous but always ends up making me cry in the last minute or two. Such a wonderful show.

Missing Minneapolis, a lot. I thought that once it started to cool down up there I'd be happy to have "escaped" it, if you will, but I'm finding myself really wishing we were back, feeling those cold mornings and wondering when that first snow will come. It doesn't help that there are countless fabulous restaurants, my favorite coffee shop, and a few great friends of mine who I really miss, too.

Looking forward to another long stretch of no events. My friend Tina's wedding was a few weeks ago and we had some time to wind down here in our new place, and then yesterday I got back from another long weekend in Roanoke for a going-away party and a baby shower for two different friends. It's still really nice being able to drive back and see people, but sometimes I feel like Rob and I are always on the move.

Thinking about some people in my life who lost a dear friend unexpectedly over the weekend. My heart is broken for all of them. Life is short, and it's devastatingly unfair sometimes.

Loving these cooler mornings and the hint of fall in the air here in North Carolina. I think my favorite season might finally be upon us (she says impatiently on this, the first day of fall)!

What have you been up to currently?

Thanks, Dani, for the post inspiration!