The End of an Era – Our First Home

A few months back, when Courtney THOUGHT she was moving back to Chicago, she became nostalgic of all the things she would miss once she left her tropical home. Since Max and I are knee deep in house hunting, it now looks like we’ll be moving on in the near future, and while I don’t think I’m becoming nostalgic about leaving this apartment, there is something to be said about the first home we ever shared. The place where we became an engaged couple, the place we have spent the last two years… together… as a family. With that being said, I find myself taking in the area more over the past couple of weeks, savoring these memories. Since, the weather is FINALLY in our favor, we've been sitting on the patio of local bars whenever we can, taking many long walks around the complex (part of the bucket list), and reminiscing on these times. The beginning of our lives together… moments we will forever cherish. 

A Run Through History 5K

               
After a 2 month wait, I sprung out of bed Sunday morning for a road race that promised to be beautiful & interesting.  I ran the Run Through History 5K which followed the paths around Metarie Cemetery (located on the outskirts of NOLA).

This is what we saw the whole time we were running.  

It was quite a different scene. 

The race is the "largest race through a cemetery in the nation!".  Tombs of people from centuries past line the paths, standing in elegant fashion.  It was tempting to slow my pace and admire but, luckily, I maintained focus and finished with a time that pleased me greatly. 

Added bonus: my friend, Megan, is in town from California 

and joined me. Racing is always more fun with a buddy.

                
After a weak attempt at a light race-eve meal, we ended up stuffed and satisfied.  I had spicy basil fried rice (perhaps not the smartest choice the night before a race, but it was soooo good).

                        

My husband even convinced us to go across the 

street for dessert afterward. 

                              
So Sunday, I woke up much earlier than I needed to, ready to go.  I was excited to start my rituals of a PB toast breakfast, banana, coffee and--yes--stretching.

The weather could not have been more perfect for racing. It was breezy and kind of cool...but the sun was out and , when standing directly in it, warmed us perfectly.

              

Well, I may not have run a personal best, but damn close to it. I ran the 3.1 miles in 24:58 (PR is 24:30).  I placed 67th out of over 700 racers. Not bad. I still don't know how I placed among those in my age group, but those stats are good enough for me.

There's a race the weekend Meg & Max are in town...let's see if I can convince them to join the way I convinced my friend. Races are so much fun!! Perfect way to get an early workout in with friends and loved ones...and then you've got your whole day ahead of you!

Friday Five!

p.s. Everyone needs a little reminder now and again.

This week was a complete 180 from last week. I think it was the weather. Honestly. Michigan has a funny way of making its residents EXCEEDINGLY grateful when the first taste of warm breeze and sunshine-y days arrive. No matter what else is going on, you are comforted by these bits of Mother Nature and the stresses of work, or a missed deadline or that pesky to-do list just seem to melt away. I got to run outside (and got a tan line!), have Mexican food with friends at an outside bar, grab a drink with Max on a patio, sit and work on the roof at work. You get the point. Anywho this week rocked. Just did. I’m grateful. And happy.

Wedding day taste testing weekend! So excited! Kicking off Saturday with our realtor checking out a few houses that caught our eye , then off to our cheesecake/cake tasting, and finally moving on to our reception (and ceremony) venue for sampling various appetizers and entrée’s we would like to serve. Since we’ll be downtown already, might as well check off some things from the Summer bucket list by visiting here and here. Going to be a deliciously indulgent day! Although, I think Max is more excited than I am…    

Since Sunday is Cinco de Mayo, going out for a celebratory chips and dip appetizer washed down by a margarita (or 2…3?) is on the agenda. Obviously.

Friday Forte: OnlyLove – Ben Howard (song to be included in our wedding montage video?) 

{the most special necklace I'll ever own}

{jogs + sunshine}

{is it a good thing or a bad thing that the bakery team now includes me on all of their red velvet related communications?}

{5 year anniversary plaque – boy how time has flown by!}

{Wild Game Weekend}

Circuit Training – Session 4

{yes, I realize my technique needs work...}

As usual, do as many circuits as you can in 30 minutes...ready... GO!

1. Scissor Jumps (1 minute)

2. Choo Choo w. 5lb weights (1 minute)

3. Single leg deadlift squat (1 minute)

4. Jabs w. 5 lb weights (1 minute)

5. Push up into Side Plank (1 minute)

6. Slow mo squats (1 minute)

7. Burpees/Mountain Climbers (1 minute)

8. Finish it off by sprinting 150 yards

Project Photo Sort

Now that my husband and I have decided to stay in New Orleans, I've begun to let myself really settle in to the home we've built here.

I've started reorganizing cabinets & closets, planned to hang more pictures and beef up my balcony gardens...
and recently I've been revisiting old photo albums! 

 Craving a project, this was the perfect place to start. 

              

A few months ago my mom mailed me a box of the photo albums from my childhood bedroom.
This has inspired me to start some new, up-to-date books to display in our apartment.

                                   Of course I had to turn it into a full-blown project. All that was missing was a label maker and Friends playing in the background.

I started to notice a trend: I was gravitating toward pictures of my husband and I, starting with 6 years ago when we first moved to New Orleans.  

This was back when I was still in the habit of putting every photo taken into a physical album...before the days of my computer albums. 

 I was (am) obsessed with the houses, trees and parks in this area. 

I really can't stop myself from snapping shot after shot of the 

beauty in this city.

The project narrowed when I decided to bite the bullet (nearly 3 years later) and actually create a wedding album. 

We have so many great pictures from that whole weekend but, until now, they've been resting quietly on my laptop. 

I have several more to have developed, 

but these are my favorites (note the cheek kiss again...kind of a thing with him).

One thing lead to another and, after a I realized I want to completely redesign the way my pictures are organized...

My work has just begun...I love a challenge.

Photo sorting will be a multi-phased journey.

*Upcoming themes*

Childhood
High school
College
Kalamazoo after college
Chicago

NOLA Houses

NOLA Parks

Teaching
Doggies

Domestic Daydreaming - Part II

Alright, so I just can’t stop daydreaming about owning a home (the fun parts, not the my-water-heater-just-broke-HELP part). It’s a sickness. Discussing our “hopes and dreams” for our future abode has become all consuming recently…but in a good way.

Here are some other images (you can find Part I here) that have me so excited for our next chapter:

All images found on my Pinterest board