We had almost a week of rain here in Charlotte, which I kind of love, but this morning I went outside and it's warm and everything is green and that's my favorite thing about spring--the transformation. And the smell of fresh air plus wet grass.

On Wednesday night, Ender peed in our bed and at 11:30 PM we found ourselves at Walmart, buying white vinegar, a large box of baking soda, and a little hand-held vacuum. It wasn't the best night. Rob did an awesome job cleaning it (he was up until 3:00 AM), but we had to let the mattress dry so we've been sleeping in our guest bedroom. Last night we finally got to sleep in our own room again and I can't believe we ever had anything other than a king. It is just so comfy.

Our first wedding anniversary is coming up next weekend and I just think that is so crazy. Sometimes May 3, 2014 feels like it was just yesterday and sometimes it feels like it was ages ago. I'm excited to celebrate--we're going out for a really nice dinner on Saturday and on Sunday we have massages scheduled at a spa in our neighborhood. We also have a bottle of champagne in the fridge, ready to go.

I've been really busy lately and not so great with my time management, so as a result I've been feeling kind of frazzled most of the time. I've been sitting around during the day and then trying to catch up at night which just doesn't work for me at all. It's a new week and I'm determined to make the most of it--get my life and work together and feel a little less anxious these next few days. I have a big to-do list sitting on my desk and every intention to get it done before 5:00 rolls around this evening. How do you get back on track once you've let yourself get overwhelmed?

Wishing you a bright and happy Monday!

Photo by Sarah Gatrell, from my most recent La Crema collaboration.

Spring is in the air here in Charlotte, and on Monday I put on some coconut body butter and sat down to drink a cup of coffee with the windows open. The combination of coconut and coffee always immediately make me think of being on vacation. I think it's because one spring, years ago, my family and I went to Atlantis and every morning my mom and I would walk to the resort Starbucks for iced coffees with almond and coconut syrup in them.

I started going to Pure Barre last week and I'm kind of hooked! I got a one-month unlimited membership so I'm trying to make the most of the classes they offer until April 1st. Today will be my 8th class. I'm still figuring out a lot of the movements, but I'm already seeing some results, which is encouraging. I think I'm going to write a blog post about my experience and general thoughts about barre after this month is over.

I've been eating a lot of peanut butter recently and man, is it better than almond butter.

Yesterday while we were on a walk, the buckle on Ender's puppy collar busted open and he got away from me and even managed to run into the street for a moment. It was one of the most terrifying things I've experienced and after I finally got him to come back to me I carried him home, shaking and on the verge of tears. He fell asleep and I just watched him, thinking how strange it is that just over a month ago he was a homeless dog in a rescue who needed to be adopted. It's bizarre and even heartbreaking to think that he could be anywhere else right now. He's changed our lives so much already and I'm so happy he's ours.

“so much depends
upon

a red wheel
barrow

glazed with rain
water

beside the white
chickens.”

— William Carlos Williams, Spring and All

Yesterday, on the first of December, Charlotte reached 70 degrees. I lit an apple spice candle and moped around our apartment all day. Today it's chilly and grey and I'm in a coffee shop feeling more alive than ever. I always feel like yeah, weather affects me a lot; but the truth is that yeah, weather really affects me a lot. With the exception of maybe our wedding weekend, I don't think I've ever wished for a sunny day. Sometimes I think Seattle is where I'm supposed to be.

Rob and I bought a dog collar at Hampden-Sydney last month.

I've been listening to podcasts non-stop over the past few weeks. I go for long runs and the time just flies by. My favorites are This American Life, The Dinner Party Download, The Thomas Jefferson Hour, Stuff You Missed in History Class, and Spilled Milk.

I'm looking forward to a new year. I love this time of year--everything seems magical and hope is everywhere. Sitting down to a list of goals is one of my favorite ways to start a new month, and that's just completely magnified at the start of a new year. There is so much to look forward to.

"I wish the world was flat like the old days / Then I could travel just by folding a map / No more airplanes, or speed trains, or freeways / There'd be no distance that could hold us back"

--Death Cab for Cutie, The New Year