Is it tomorrow yet?

This is what my bedroom currently looks like...

This state of bedroom messiness makes me loco. I have my bag almost packed to go to IOWA and I am just sitting here at my computer watching Breaking Bad counting the hours until I can go to sleep and then wake up and head out to see the McCool Family.

Today, I had to wake up CRAZY early and go to the eye doctor. He fixed my right contact and man I can seeeeee! I don't know what took me so long to go back to contacts instead of glasses. I never lose them, I never get them dirty, I never break them... contacts are really brilliant.

Then, as usual, I had to go to another doctors appointment. This time the dentist. [I know, aren't you excited?] He literally shaved the back of my tooth off. Like to a grinder to it and sanded it down. Holy cow, I couldn't stand the feeling. I had to wiggle my toes and fingers and breathe a lot and still I almost passed out. I'm what one in the medical professional field would call a wimp.

And what day of summer would be complete with out my trip to the Chiropractor? That man cracks my bones in ways that are terrifying awesome. The good news is that my body is a lot less achy. So maybe all of these mornings sitting in waiting rooms and exam room have actually been worth it. I literally stand up from the table and feel a difference. Perhaps it is psychosomatic but shoot, I'm perfectly okay with my brain tricking me like this because I feel so much better!

For my womyn readers (look at that debater-ese coming out) isn't purse shopping the worst thing ever. I went everywhere that one could go in Jacksonville, and NO WHERE had ANYTHING good. What a tough life I live. I was planning to spend good money on something I didn't really need... and no.  Instead I bought a great yellow dress to wear in Iowa... oh did I mention that I board the plane for IOWA IN TWELVE HOURS!!?!?!

The rest of the day has been spent watching Breaking Bad and packing and napping. Remember how when you were little you went to bed early so Santa would come sooner? Thats exactly where I am right now. Making myself stay awake because I want to actually sleep the whole night.

So much is going through my mind! Will they like me? Will they think I'm good enough for Chaser? Would I fit in to the scheme of things? What all are we going to do? What will I get to see? Will Chase like my new dress? Silly little questions. But its so fun to have this be the stress in my day. I am so stinking blessed. The Lord is so good to me, my family, and to Chaser. I am continually amazed by all of the blessings that are pouring down upon us.

My flight leaves the airport at 945, so we're leaving the house at 8:15. The airport is about the size of my house, getting through security won't be a big deal--- at all! Chaser's mom will pick me up around 130ish and three hours later we'll be back at his house! Not long later- Chase will come home! Can you tell I'm excited?

I will keep blogging of course- and will have better photos. I will actually be getting dressed in the mornings and am going to make myself photograph worthy. Hahah. So here's to safe travels and new people. Very wonderfully blessed!

12 Hours Until I Get to Pretend to be a McCool

Very Tired

I'm very tired, headed to bed, but had to post something for today.

This is it...

Day Six in Stepford!

Well, today was our last full day in Cary. Our time here has come to a close. Whew- we are worn out completely. This morning I played with Lila, slept during nap time, went to Southpointe, and played with Leo and Lila, made dinner, and watched tv. Wow listing what you did is probably them most boring way to start a blog.

So... Southpointe... I visited the Mac store again. The things they told me last week to do my battery didn't work, so thanks to the glorious AppleCare plan I got a new battery. I'm not sure that is working, but a new battery is better than a two year old battery. It is kinda funny how clean and white it is when the rest of my case is all banged up and grimy. Gabby has been through a lot.

After, the Mac store I simply had to jump next door to Anthropologie. After all they were having a sale and I had a gift card. No excuse not to... Especially, since Chase and I are going out on a date on Friday while I am in Iowa. I must brag about the deal I got...

this dress for 49.99 instead of its original price of 188.00 --> I simply had to have it. 

For goodness sakes its Marimekko! 

The rest of the day was super laid back, lots of playing and family time. When the Z family gets near cable it makes it very difficult for us to do anything else --> hence the reason we don't have it at home!

I am so stinking excited to go to Iowa. So much fun stuff is going to happen. It will be so fun to be around Chase's super lovely family. His brother and sisters are going to be there, and I'll get to meet his cousins and stuff. And I really like the 4th of July. Fireworks and stuff. Plus there is this super awesome t-shirt store that I think we'll get to visit that has the funniest shirts. I'm not going to post any photos until I purchase something! Don't want to ruin the surprise.

Tomorrow, I get to go to to Irregardless Cafe [yes it is IRregardless] and have lunch with the lovely Alexa D. and my parents. I have a feeling its going to be a really great time. We'll also hit the Farmer's Market and Trader Joes. What a day of Culinary Delights.

Grocery Shopping makes me think about cooking which makes me think about kitchens which makes me think of my new apartments which makes me super excited. I have so much stuff I want to get for the apartment but Dad has said NO MORE STUFF-- and he's right, its already going to be a squeeze to get it all into the Car and the Station wagon (which still doesn't have a name).  As I type that I think I kinda like the name Sadie the Station wagon.  Her full name could be Saide Subaru. Works pretty well. Wow, I must be getting tired.

I have to stay awake until the end of Real Housewives of New Jersey- that Dannielle chick is freaking crazy, and then bed time prayers with my Chaser and then BED! I love sleep.

Hope you are as happy as me. Its a great way to be.

wow that rhymed. don't judge.

Life Saver.

Neck Pain? Shoulders Hurt? Lots of Tension? ---> Story of my life! 

Great Yoga Video.

Anusara Yoga® Therapy for the Neck from Sarah Starnes on Vimeo.

You can skip to about 2:44 if youre just intetersted in the exercises, but I think she has some awesomely informative information and the whole video is worth posting! 

Family Bonding

My parents are are enjoying this very hot evening inside, on my Aunt's fabulous couch....

and watching Bridezillas!

My Mom literally just said to the TV,
 "Ew don't kiss, if I see any tongue I'm going to throw up."

Quality.

Every Single Sunday

I want Chik-Fil-A every SINGLE Sunday after church.

There is just something about a lemonade, fries, and Polynesian Sauce that would go very well with the worship of our Lord Jesus Christ. Don't even need chicken, just the fries and the sauce...



UPDATE:
Instead of eating waffle fries, I cut up some red potatoes, brushed them with olive oil, and sprinkled sea salt and herbs de Provence. They are cooking now.

But still no Polynesian Sauce.

Exhausted Lauren

This morning I am very tired. I went to see three Triad Stage / Theatre 232 shows last night and then drove back to Cary- arriving home around 2am. I wasn't tired then, but oh my goodness, I am tired now. But it was worth it to see my friends and eat some awesome Vegan food. Love me some Vegans and their food. But especially these ones because they are just awesome people. Simple as that. 

The Triad shows were pretty good.  I especially liked the shows done in the Upstage Cabaret space. I had a pretty good seat, and as you can see below that makes all the difference.

Lets just say UNCG MFA student Leah Turley is really talented. She really was the star of the night.  Providence Gap was not what I expected it to be, but it had some really awesome elements. And Laurelyn Dosset of course wrote some really beautiful music. I like her work a lot. Her style of music just really moves me.  If you go to Triad's Website you can hear some of the music from the show. Trust me its good. 

It was really nice to talk to Chase while I was driving home.  We just talked about everything and nothing. The best kind of conversation.

Today I slept late- meaning 8:30am- and am kinda sitting around waiting for church. I really love going to my aunt's church. Crosspointe in Cary is really an amazing group of people, and the teaching pastors are really quite profound and genuinely hold my interest with their sermons. The amazing coffee they serve doesn't hurt either. And And And the music at the beginning of each service is always amazing in itself. Music can be such a powerful part worship experience, I especially love it when I already know the words and the tunes. Oh and I especially especially love it when they modernize classic hymns. Whew, usually brings me to tears! During the music parts of a worship service I feel this incredible relaxation, and sometimes I think its just- as silly as this might seem- a little taste of heaven.

Lots of their sermon's are online. And they can be found on itunes. If you're interested go to their website and look at the messages page. It is amazing how God has brought me the right message at the right time. Something that was preached months ago I have on several occasions just happened to listen to at the exact time I needed those answers. God is good.

My dad is coming to stay with us today. Yay. Mommy realllllllly misses him. Mushy mushy mushy. Guess I can't really say much. I am aching for some Chaser! This whole distance thing is very difficult. But I can already see how it has been good for us in some ways.

So, I think I'll start the day. Lila is in her playroom making up songs and singing them in the highest octave possible - and she's super cute. Leo and Mom are asleep and I am thinking about stuff I *need* to buy for my new apartment. Dad says I can't buy anything else cause it won't fit into my car-- doesn't mean I can't dream! 

4 Days Till I Get to Pretend I'm a McCool

VeryVeryExcited

Stuck.

So this is what is happening in the house right now. 

Every one is asleep except for me. I'm watching Breaking Bad. 

I have so much on my mind! I feel stuck in limbo. I am so excited to go see Chase, but that is in 5 days. I am excited to work at the camp, but that is in  like three weeks. I am more than excited to move to Ohio, but thats in what... a little over 5 weeks?  I just seems like I am spending all of my time looking forward to something. I'm not sure thats a good way to live. Enjoy the moment and all that stuff.

I've been so tired lately, and wanting to exercise but having no motivation. I am just lazy. Simple as that. Lazy. And not sleeping well. Whine whine whine. So change of mood!

Big fat prayer request answered! Chase got that awesome job! And he's going to be paid pretty well! I am so stinking proud of him. God is blessing him in so many ways! Chase sure has worked hard.

Okay.
Everyone else is awake.
Which means I could take a nap!

Yawn!!

Vampires II

he he he

Uh. No.

So if you're a Gossip Girl fan like I am...

[I read the books before the show was even thought about]

CvZ Has a new Book....

Don't Waste Your Time. Not even worth reading at the pool.

Day Two in Stepford!

Yawn. I'm Sleepy.

Today is going to be a lot like yesterday. Naps, Snacks, Pool, Lunch, Naps, Snack, Dinner, Bed. Whew! Well, actually, yesterday we didn't get to go to the pool. A HURRICANE of winds hit Cary right at the time we were headed over there. Crazy.

One week until Iowa. Very Happy.

Much Prayers Needed: Chase has a big interview today with Wells Fargo for a really sweet Temporary Job in their legal department. Could be an amazing opportunity. Really praying that God opens doors and makes opportunities for him! He has worked so hard and he deserves it!

The Handsomest Man Ever

I mean, who wouldn't want to hire a man who knows how to handle a black panther!?

I can't write more and I'm not very interesting.

thankyouverymuch to my new bite guard that keeps me from sleeping.

Grrrr.

Cranky.

Day One in Stepford!

Location: Cary, NC
aka
Stepford
(yes, like the weird movie!)
Today I had the pleasure of visiting the Southpoint Apple Store. 

And the Genius lived up to his name by fixing Gabby's Battery.
 [my Mac's name is Gabby]
FYI : Gabby "dates" Ryan's Mac Toby [TobyMac!].
 Meaning they Screen Share- wink wink.

Additionally, today is day one of babysitting Lila and Leo. I took my aunt and uncle to the airport this morning at a very early 4:45am. And even then it was hot and humid. Now, it must be nine thousand degrees outside. So we are INSIDE. Leo, who is one, loves to take things out of the cupboards and throw them on the floor.... repeatedly. Lila is hilarious. No specific reason. Just cute. 

See obligatory PhotoBooth Photo below.

The rest of the day holds naptime, snack time, a trip to the uber lush pool, dinner time, and BED TIME! The kids go to bed at 7 and 8 and I think Mom and I will be heading to bed around 9! Greatest form of birth control is watching other peoples' kids! Don't you agree?

I checked out 7 books from the J'ville Public Library. Really random assortment of fiction-- and mostly girl based subjects. From the Revolutionary War, to Gatsby, to the new book by the Gossip Girl author.

Quality. High Brow. I know.

I might not go to bed early and sit out on the back porch till late in the night. Ahh Summer. Hopefully, I won't get carried away by the notorious Carolina mosquito. 

Holy Cow.

It is 100 degrees outside.

thats all i have to say about that.

Nesting: Part 1 [I'm sure there will be More!]

I really want a red couch. Really. Preferably a Microsuede Sectional Sofa. 

My Uncle D. and Aunt P. have one that is perfect. 

And so does Overstock.com!

It is $595.00 and it seems like the shipping is actually really cheap. I'm not sure... If I don't find one in BG I think I will buy this one! Love Love Love it.

And Mrs. Stephanie Approves. 

And if Stephanie approves you know it must be good. 

8 Days till I get to pretend to be a McCool!

Bionic Lauren

Today, I became bionic. I got my contacts fixed, a massage and my back cracked, and my bite guard. Okay so maybe thats not bionic- but I feel kind of like I live at the doctor. I feel like between all of the different medicines I take, contacts, and now this mouth thing- whew!

Tomorrow is organize my stuff and get ready to go to Cary day. I would love to get my stuff more organized I hate how its all falling in on me. Okay maybe not literally. See photo. 

Small Sample of Stuff

I'm so incredibly excited to move to Ohio. Set up house and nest some. I am really looking forward to buying furniture and stuff. Because I got that camp job I will be able to buy a couch! I am hunting for a red couch. Big and fluffy. I'm budgeting around $400. Is that good? 

I also have to start planning for camp. I need to figure out what the schedule is going to be and how what I am going to have as the final performance. Probably cool children's books. Like I did back in the day :).
All of a sudden our house smells weird. Anyway.
Chase - with his mom's suggestion - found the coolest neighborhood of houses in Des Moines. It is called Beaverdale. Lots of cute little bungalows and wonderful happy front yards. See for yourself! Isn't this just Adorable? Its so fun to dream!
Ohh I love the outside of this one!

I want a front porch and a yard... and... and... and...

This site has so many good ones!
http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/2108-36th-St-Des-Moines-IA-50310/803484_zpid/
Ahhhhh!

Hypocrisy?

Warning: Not for the Timid or Blood Shy!

I can't help it.  I really like True Blood. I know I shouldn't its a naughty show, but I am so darn addicted! I also feel like a hypocrite because I really look down upon those who like Twilight... dumb Vampire Books.

Don't Judge. 

Happy Father's Day!

A Very Old Photo of me and My Daddy!
( I still had red hair then!)

I am blessed with a wonderful Daddy! He is a not only super cool but a great role model!

Today is Father's Day and I am very blessed with someone who is as wonderful as my Daddy. As his present I am making these awesome Molten Lava Cakes using Cadbury chocolate! They are super easy to make and super tasty.

After church we all came home and ate lunch and - of course - fell asleep! Naps are glorious. Now we're just being lazy and hanging out in our Pj's --> the Family Uniform!

This week has some fun things ahead
--> Eye Appointment
--> Chiropractor Massage!
--> Finally getting my stinking bite guard so I don't grind my teeth to oblivion!
--> Going to Cary to Babysit my cousins!
--> Hopefully going to Greensboro to see the Vegans and some Theatre! 

I am counting down the days until I leave for Iowa! I cannot wait to be with Chaser and his family. Sigh. Ten Days! 

Greetings!

Okay, so give me a chance to catch my breath! I just graduated! I will start this blog as soon as I get to Bowling Green (both the city and the school!)
But please check back!
LZ