Biffles and Memories

You know those friends you have that are just always there?

Like, no matter how much time, distance, or life has gone by, you just pick up where you left off and laugh til your belly hurts, tears stream down your face, and everything is as it always was?

Last weekend really was epic.  I mean, I saw my parents and I got together with girlfriends I haven't seen in real life in 3+ years!

One of my best friends got married last weekend and since mom and dad were in town, we just drove back for the ceremony, hung out for a few minutes and then drove back to the campground.
I'm so glad we did.

Seeing these girls was worth every hour in the car.  Not to mention, seeing my girlfriend so incredibly, genuinely happy was the best.

Our babies are almost exactly 2 months apart.

Friends like these and weekends like that really are what life is all about.  So blessed.

P.S. Happy Halloween!

A pop of Sunshine

The beautiful Manda nominated me for the Sunshine Award so I thought I'd spread some sunshine today.  These are the rules in case you get tagged:

1. Include award logo in a post or on your blog.

2. Link to the person who nominated you.
3. Answer 10 questions about yourself. 
4. Nominate 10 bloggers to receive the award. 
5. Link your nominees to the post and comment on their blogs letting them know they’ve been nominated

Now for Manda's questions...

Scarf: gift, Top: Liz Lange Maternity, Jeans: Liz Lange Maternity

1. What made you start blogging?

I was reading several other blogs.  Particularly ones about sewing and sharing different tutorials.  After really connecting with some of those bloggers I decided I wanted in on the community that blogging provides.  So, I started my own space and haven't looked back since!

2. If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?

I think if I could live anywhere it would be somewhere all of my friends and family lived.  There are certain places I would love to live, but it would put me far away from my loved ones so as long as I could take them with me I'd be good.

3. What's your favorite vacation spot or dream vacation?

I love our honeymoon; we did things on that trip that we knew we might never be able to afford to do again.  However, we would both really like to go to the west coast and rent a car to drive up and down and I would love to visit Italy and France.

4. If you could meet a blogger you haven't had a chance to meet in person, who would it be?

There are a few!  I would love to meet Manda because we text back and forth so much, I feel like we have been friends since childhood.  I would also really love to meet Merrick and Leanne.  They are 2 I originally started reading and they are SO talented.

5. What's your dream job?

I would love to be a stay at home mom.  I know I've been in school for many years, still paying debt on my loans, and that I just completed my National Boards, but I really want to just stay home with my babes.

6. What's your perfect date consist of?

I think the perfect date would be a walk on the beach with the dogs and a quiet dinner with live music.

7. What's your favorite bible passage or saying and why?

Psalm 46:5 God is within her; she will not fall.

8. If you were stuck on a desert island what would you bring?

Sunscreen, a filtered water bottle, and bug spray.  Bare essentials. 

9. What's your favorite thing to do on a free day?
I love free days.  Waking up early, enjoying a cup of coffee or cocoa, lighting some candles, and just easing in to my day.  Then I love sewing, making a Target run, or just being home.  I'm a huge homebody.

10. What would be your favorite gift you've ever received or given?
I have to admit my husband is the best gift giver, but I must say the priceless gift of being a mommy is the BEST gift I've ever received.

My questions:
1. Who is your blogger inspiration?
2. What is your biggest dream?
3.  How do you gain inspiration for your writing?
4.  What is your favorite holiday tradition?
5.  If money were no object, what would your perfect weekend entail?
6.  What is your favorite fall activity?
7.  What is one passion you may or may not share on your blog?
8.  What is your exercise routine?
9.  What was the last book you read?  How would you rate it?
10.  Share one thing about yourself.

My nominations:
Fitness Blondie
Mal Smiles
Because Shanna Said So
Still Being Molly
Head to Toe Chic
Mia Maree
Camp Patton
For Lauren and Lauren
Bliss to Bean
This is Happiness

Linking up for the Trend of the Month

1. Worse, 2. Better

Maybe I'm at the age where life just got real and things get tougher.
Maybe I'm more aware of what is going on around me because I'm not as self-consumed as I was.
Maybe I'm just surrounded by marriage and babies and things that make life complicated because I'm at that stage of life myself.  Either way, I'm alarmed and saddened by the amount of people that are so willing to throw things away for "grass that is greener" or so it appears.

I'm not going to lie to you and say that everything about my life or my marriage has been rainbows and butterflies.  That's not reality.  Fact is, we face obstacles and hardships daily because they shape us and make us better human beings.  And they are worth it.

I look around me and see people giving up on marriages and love and relationships in general because they aren't meeting expectations.  Women seeking the attention they want from their husbands from their male coworkers instead.  Men flirting with female counterparts rather than their wives.  The grass is greener on the other side...in their eyes.  It makes my heart sad.

Just like grass needs the rain, our relationships need attention.  Rather than admiring what someone else has, seek to make what you have better.  Flirt.  Go on a date.  Cook a special meal.  Find a new hobby together.  Go for a walk.  Sit down at the dinner table and turn off the tv.  Try a new restaurant.  Turn off technology.  Listen.  Kiss.  Hold hands.  Dance.  Remind each other why you fell in love in the first place.

I wish more people would spend some time on their relationships before throwing in the towel.  It's not always easy, but it's always worth it.  A friend shared this quote on Facebook this week...

Maybe more marriages would last if people realized sometimes the 

better comes after the worse.

Unknown

I love you, Jus. xoxo

Soul Cleansing on the Wine Trail

My Outfit (middle): Tank: NY&Co (old), Shorts: Express via Marshall's, Shoes: TJ Maxx

Last weekend I met up with 5 girlfriends from college in Charlottesville, VA for a wine tour.  If you've never been to Charlottesville I would say it is a mixture of Charleston, SC and Burlington, VT.

There is something about a good group of girlfriends that is just soul-cleansing.  Every time I leave these girls I feel like a better version of myself.  You know what I mean?  It's like the laughter, reminiscing, and memory making is medicine for my soul.  We don't get to get together as often as we would like.  You're looking at Philly, VA Beach, North Carolina, Boston, and central VA here.  So when we do get together, we live it up.

It's always scary making big life decisions and choosing a college was one of those scary ones for me.  Every time I get together with these girls, I realize just how RIGHT I was in my decision to attend Juniata College.  This is proof that I was exactly where I was meant to be.

Linked up with Shanna and The Pleated Poppy

Bows over Bros

If you follow me on Instagram (domesticatedwwoman), you see things like this at least once a week.  Sometimes I post pictures of my shoes on the road, rehydrating after a run, or my sweaty face after making a PR.  You're not going to see me apologize for any of it.

I've heard people complaining about the number of pictures posted or the "unnecessary" sharing of pictures.  And it always irritates me a little bit.  For one, no one is making you look at those pictures.  You are choosing to follow the person whose picture is on your screen.  If you don't like what they're sharing, don't follow!  For two, people share what they want or sometimes need to share.

I need to share pictures like this.  It keeps my goals in front of my face where I need to see them.  It motivates me to keep going.  It motivates others.  It holds me accountable.

I need motivation.  I need someone in my corner cheering for me.  I need to know that if I fail to run not only am I letting myself down, but I'm letting someone else down as well.  Maybe it's only one person, but that person is helping me to reach my goals.

Whatever happened to sisterhood, bows over bros, and loving support?  I can't really understand why seeing images like this would make someone upset unless their upset stems from jealousy.  If anything, when I see images like this on other people's feeds, I'm motivated to go do the same thing!

Recently a friend texted me saying, "I just wanted you to know I've started running because I see you posting about your 50 miles all the time."  That is why I post my pictures.

I love the community that social networking provides.  There are people I would have never met if not for Instagram or blogging and I'm so grateful to have them in my corner.  Kristine is a fantastic motivator and friend.  She is uplifting and positive and leads the lifestyle I lead.  I co-host Fitness Friday with Kelly and she always shares great recipe ideas.  Ashley is the sweetest, most supportive person ever.  She is constantly encouraging me on MyFitnessPal and Twitter.  Nikki and Manda are always encouraging me and inspiring me to push harder and stay on track.  Check them out and stick around if you're in need of some fitness motivation and inspiration!

I say let's stop with the jealousy, stop tearing each other apart

and start building one another up and working toward our goals together!

You with me?!

Here is what I accomplished this week for my May miles:
Saturday: 5k (PR = 28:20) = 3.1 miles
Sunday: 1 with dogs
Monday: off
Tuesday: 3 miles, 1 with dogs
Wednesday: 4 miles, 1 with dogs
Thursday: 2 miles with dogs

Total: 15 for a total of 19 miles so far!

Link up your fitness achievements/goals below!

<center><a href="http://sweettea-lemonade.blogspot.com"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5clXjzKX4gNA0chIPtWIZAPmL3lbsSYttLppenWLSTj_Px4heDbAxFiVA5vz0A_WsUrIenJREIcIwdNGQlbBJPshzSqaH0I0F1Od1XddSVGqMPrwjRp-6aH39o4Ppi9Qr9rij19eH1q0/s320/running3.jpg" /></a></center>
<center><a href="http://sweettea-lemonade.blogspot.com"><img border="0" src="http://i1320.photobucket.com/albums/u539/kelly_ann2/734181_10101165715438801_2009838143_n-002_zps4b7bcb27.jpg" /></a></center>

Part of Something Bigger

I'm a runner.

I still remember the first half-marathon I ran.  I was so nervous.  I was worried people would look at me and question my abilities.  I was scared I wouldn't finish or I would finish dead last.  It was foreign to me - this running long distances with others thing.  It was out of my comfort zone.

My husband walked me up to the corral and kissed me goodbye.  I reminded him to take pictures.  I asked him to follow me along the route.  I was worried that if I didn't see him I would lose motivation.

After he left and I was standing there all alone, I realized I wasn't alone at all.  In fact, I couldn't have been more surrounded by people just like me.

Standing in that corral I had an emotional, spiritual experience.  Looking around me I saw all these other people dressed in their running attire, all with the same goal in mind.  All with the same desire in their hearts, drive in their souls.  It was amazing to realize that I was part of something so much bigger, so much more grand than anything I had ever been part of before.  Much bigger than anything I had realized I was signing up for.  All these people running for loved ones, for charities, for sport.  In that moment, I realized what a community running is.  

This community, albeit a little crazy, is full of the most gracious, sensitive, hard working, considerate, loyal, diligent, strong, supportive, and uplifting people I have ever met.  That's why when I see the news right now I focus on the people running to help those in need after the explosions.  The people holding each other and carrying one another out of the wreckage are the people I choose to pay homage to.  Running is a community.

I'm praying for the victims of the Boston Marathon explosions, the families, the spectators, the emergency responders, and the people who did this.  I have faith that justice will prevail.

Feel Good Kinda People

You know those people in your life that always make you feel good?  They say the right things, do the right things, and lift you up.  They notice your efforts and let you know that they notice.

I want to be one of those people.

Blazer: Kohl's (Lauren Conrad), Blouse: H&M, Pants: Gap Outlet (old), Shoes: Belk, Watch: Silpada

I mention those people because they really do make your heart smile throughout the day.  And sometimes, let's face it, our heart needs a good smile.

When I wore this outfit to work the other day, the secretary said, "You look so pretty."
It was a small thing, but it really made my heart smile. 

"I just like to smile, smiling's my favorite."

Elf

You Gotta Live a Little

Via Pinterest

Last weekend I went to a birthday party for my friend, Laura's, 2 year old daughter.

When we arrived to the party, there was a swing set in the back of the church.

I couldn't resist...

I used to be very aware...overtly aware of what other people were thinking and saying about me.

I would not act like myself because I didn't want to come off "weird."

Last weekend I got one of the best compliments (in my "weird" opinion):

"You have the personality of Zooey Deschanel."

Ummm.....have I told you of my obsession with the New Girl?!

I want to be her best friend and neighbor.  In fact, if I lived in CA, I'd probably be a stalker.  Thank God He landed me in NC.  I think she's safe.

A while back I genuinely stopped caring what people thought of me and what they had to say.

It was like Jesus just came into my heart, coated it with a layer of camo, and made it all okay.

So now...

via Pinterest

 I live my life like a musical and I'm the star of the show.

If people don't like it, they can buzz off and tune out.

The ones that love me, love my "weird."

Do you struggle with concern about what others think?  Are you your own version of weird?
 

**Tomorrow is the first Frugalista Friday Link-Up so grab the button on my sidebar and write a post about your deal, steal, or sale of the week!
Frugalista Friday gives us the opportunity to share great deals with one another while maintaining our own individual styles.**
I am hosting with the beautiful, Marissa.

OOTD & Excited Fingers

I am super excited for the first meeting of TriFABB tonight!

This is what I decided to wear.

Shirt: Target, Belt: Forever 21, Skirt: Thrifted, Shoes: Wilsons Leather (old)

Can't wait to tell you all about my fabulous evening making new friends!

Friendship

Friendship is one of the most valuable gifts.

Since moving to NC and being a "Yankee" there have been many times I've cried to my extremely understanding and loving hubby about how I "don't have any good friends here."

Which is not entirely true and a little selfish of me to say.

I do have some select friends here that are absolutely wonderful to me.

They don't mind the fact that I talk different or grew up with different stories/experiences/traditions.

So, for all the times I've said the above, I am truly sorry to those friends that are amazing.

I've always been the type of person to have a small group of GREAT friends as opposed to a large group of good friends/acquaintances.

My heart is big and there is room for lots of people, but if you hurt it, you get evicted effective immediately.

I am one of the most loyal people you will meet.  Loyal meaning if you hurt my friend I will rip your head off and feed it to the lions.

For reals.

This past weekend I got to see some of the best friends I could have ever made.

I went to college 9 hours from home.  I feel pretty certain divine intervention is what caused me to make that decision because, quite frankly, I can't imagine my life without these people.

We are all so different yet we compliment each other so well.

When we get together its as though we were never separated.

Our love is unconditional; we have seen each other at our absolute worst, we have cried together, we have sweat together, we have hurt each other and forgiven each other.

We've even showered together (we played soccer at JC!)

These are the people I will raise my children with, they are the people that I am willing to drive 8 hours to see just for a weekend, people that I can call after going 6 mos without seeing each other just to talk or listen.

People that God placed in my life to make me a better person and to teach me what true friendship really is and why its so important.

This here picture is us doing what we call the "Focus Face"

Let me tell you a little about these girls: (from left to right)

Evan: I have grown closer to Evan since graduating JC and she is the most darling person.  She is absolutely beautiful if you can't tell, but even more beautiful on the inside if you can imagine.  She is going to be a great doctor and she is very understanding, loving, and rooted in her faith.

Me: The red head.  I'm just grateful these girls allowed me in.  I have a big heart and I think they like that.  They love me for me and accept my insecurities and flaws.  I love them so much.

Alicia: Lish is the first friend I made at JC and my best friend.  She is so fun to be around - literally pee your pants funny.  She is also so understanding and trustworthy.  I call her and cry, vent, etc. and she always listens, gives occasional advice, and never tells a soul.  She is extremely supportive and wants what is best for me - no matter what.

Kelly: Kelly is one of the most intelligent people I've ever known.  She is the most supportive, encouraging person.  She will be your biggest fan.  She, too, is unconditionally loving and will crack you up with her jokes.  I love her personality and her smile.  She was a leader on the soccer field and she is a leader in life.  I am proud to say I am her friend.

Kristen: Kristen is the sweetest person ever.  She has a huge heart and loves animals, people, etc.  I adore the fact that she is so true to herself.  She is very loving and will be the first to swoop in with a hug, a hand-squeeze, or an understanding glance.  She is an extremely loyal friend; I've never heard her say a negative thing about anyone.

Russo: Her real name is Lisa, but no one really knows that.  She was the goal keeper on our soccer team and in many ways, that role has carried over into real life/friendship.  Russ is real; she doesn't sugar coat things or beat around the bush.  To know Russo is to know her heart because she puts everything out there.  She is one of the most dedicated, hard working women I know.  She is the originator of the "Focus Face" because she would be so focused in a soccer game that she constantly had this expression.  In college, if she wasn't on the soccer field or in the gym, you would find her in the lab.

I am very blessed to know these women and to have them in my life.  I thank God regularly for their friendship, love, counsel, and laughter.

I know they think I'm the mushy one (and I am), but I really don't know what I would do without them.

I love you girls.

 That's what I did this weekend!
 

A Perfect Day Off

Yesterday was the perfect day off...

I started off the morning with a hot cup o' joe with my hubby (There is nothing quite like a cup of coffee in the morning while watching the news.  Can I get an Amen?)

I had a doctor's appointment at 9:15 in Sanford, my old stomping grounds.  I must say, I keep all of my doctors in Sanford still because it gives me an excuse to visit every now and then.  I have to admit, I miss Sanford.  It's strange to some people to hear me say that because Sanford is nothing spectacular, but I genuinely miss the convenience, social life, and community.

 As I was driving to Sanford, I couldn't help but stare at my left hand and feel so blessed.

Do you ever have moments where you just can't believe that this is your life?

After my appointment, I went to Walmart and purchased a boo-coo (love that expression) of flowers to plant at our house.  I love this time of year simply for the harvest that is about to take place.  This year in particular I am super excited because we have also started a veggie garden on our back porch using 5 gallon buckets.

In it, we have tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, squash, zucchini, and okra.

I can't wait to harvest!

Perhaps the best part of my afternoon was lunch with my good friend, Laura.  I do not see Laura often enough and miss her terribly.  We are such busy women and can't always find make time to get together.  We ate at Miss Lacy's tea house and chatted for two hours!  It was bliss.

Once I got home I completed my (extremely belated) birthday present for my father.  I almost posted a picture until I realized he hasn't opened it yet and will see it if I do that!  So pictures on that (and perhaps my first tutorial??) later.

Then, my dear husband came home and took me out to sushi and The Hunger Games!

He had not seen the movie yet and we both enjoyed it.

On the way out of the movie theater, I saw the sweetest old couple holding hands.  I love it!