humming right along

southerner

Thursday, August 18, 2011

{photo credit: israbox.com}

hey yaaaaa'll. although i have lived in the south for 17 years, i don't really consider myself a true southerner. i don't have an accent. i hate our sticky, unbearably hot summers. eating at cracker barrel does not make me swoon. BUT, that being said, i really do love the south in general. people are friendly. we wave and nod and give you directions. the south is where small town america is alive and well.

but, i digress. this post is not, in fact, all about the south. it's really all about free music. free. what a stellar word. noisetrade is one of my favorite music websites. they have thousands of artists and albums available for zero dollars. i know what you're thinking. "if they are available for zero dollars, they must be artists who record in their basement and play instruments that no one has ever heard of before." that's where you are wrong. these artists are amazing. ever heard of katie herzig? ben rector? the civil wars? not everything i listen to is my personal style or taste, but when you're not being charged to listen and download, you can afford to take that risk.

trent dabbs is currently giving away his album southerner. it is my new favorite download. perfect for road tripping. if you don't have any road trips coming up, you can also play it on your way to the grocery store or the car wash. same effect. go ahead and make your way over to noisetrade and discover some new music. you will not regret it. i'm willing to bet you'll find a new artist you'll really like.

happy thursday. see you soon! or, as we say in the south, ya'll come back now!

baby boy you stay on my mind

Monday, August 15, 2011

{photo credit: pinterest.com}

big news, HUGE news.

my bestie sarah and her sweet hubs jason are having a BABY BOY!

wooooooo!!! i'm going to be a pseudo aunt!

quick, what are my responsibilities?

*~~knit booties~~ buy knitted booties

*~~crochet baby blanket~~ purchase crocheted blanket

*~~build wooden horse rocker~~ leave this to someone with carpentry skills

*~~record myself singing lullaby tunes and put together a mix cd~~ done

sarah has been my bestie since college. she's gorgeous, hilarious, so very kind, has kil-ler skin, and is married to a sweet, southern gentleman. i'm so excited that they will be adding a sweet baby boy to their little family! congratulations sarah and jason!

{photo credit: facebook.com}

(are they not freaking adorable?)

blue collar american

Friday, August 12, 2011

{photo credit: pinterest.com}

today marks the start of my last weekend as a non-working woman. come monday, and i'll be contributing to society once again. huzzah! i'm really looking forward to having a schedule again. getting up, making coffee, and heading to the pool day after day does not count as a schedule.

but, in all honesty, the past six months have been wonderful on so many levels. it's been a time of mandatory rest. i really enjoyed my last job, but i was working a lot of overtime and feeling very stressed. in a way, the fact that the business closed down was a weird blessing. it's not how i thought my prayers were going to be answered at all. it was actually a huge shock when me and my co-workers got the news, but i have been able to look back and see how God has provided for me in every area.

i have been able to rest and recuperate, i've had more time to craft, i've spent more quality time with my Savior, i made the decision to lead my small group, i've been available to help friends out during the week, i was able to volunteer with my church, i made more trips home to see my family, etc.

of course, it hasn't been all peaches and cream. at times, i've wanted to pull my hair out/throw myself on the floor and cry/open a pint of ben and jerry's and eat it all in one sitting. and when i say i've wanted to what i mean is that's really what happened. BUT even in the midst of my pity party, i knew i was being taken care of. it's such a relief to know that i am not ultimately in charge of my future.

so, i know the big question on all of your minds is, "lacey, tell us! what will you be doing? what's your new job? where will you be working? what are the details?" woah. ok, ok, one at a time. i will be working at duke hospital as the health unit coordinator for the lung transplant floor. oooh, fancy! well, not really. health unit coordinator (huc) is basically a glorified term for secretary. my duties will include answering incoming phone calls, directing patient calls to the appropriate nurse, dancing on command, distributing faxes, organizing patient charts, perpetually smelling like flowers, coordinating transportation for patients, entering discharge orders into the computer, and always having a smile on my face. i think i can handle it. well, maybe not the smelling like flowers part. (sometimes i don't take showers.)

this weekend i've got some fun things planned before i start orientation on monday. i'm going to get a pedicure (sooo excited), lay out at the pool, have a yummy dinner with friends, attend a leadership conference at my church, hang out in southern pines with my roommate and my friends chelsea and matt, visit my favorite baristas at swank coffee shop, and go to my friend michelle's baby shower. should be a good time! what are your weekend plans?

p.s. just want to say thank you to everyone who reads this blog! i have a lot of fun putting together my posts. i like sharing my life, my interests, my stories with you. thanks for all of your funny, kind, witty, sweet, thoughtful comments, too. you guys make me want to be a more funny, kind, witty, sweet, thoughtful person. here's to you, my awesome followers!

august mix

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

{photo credit: weheartit.com}

the end of summer is getting closer and closer. i can't tell you how happy this makes me. i get butterflies in my stomach when i think about crunchy leaves, boots, and this strange and wonderous phenomenon called a breeze. have you heard of it? it's crazy.

fall is just around the corner but, alas, we're still currently living in the dog days of summer. two things that are helping me get through this triple digit weather: iced beverages (coffee, wine, margaritas) and happy tunes. i meant to post this mix earlier in the month, but the internet connection at our apartment (that we were stealing from our neighbors, ahem) suddenly requires a password, and i haven't been able to get online as much as i would like. i think it was God's way of telling us that stealing internet is wrong. oh please. like you've never made a bad decision. seriously. wipe that self-righteous grin off your face.

without further ado, i present the august mix!

free my mind : katie herzig (free!)

stereo hearts : gym class heroes

be with you : michael castro

take me into the beautiful : cloverton

i'll be yours : those dancing days

cloud nine : ben howard

66 : the afghan wigs

uncharted : sara bareilles

send someone away : embee

never be daunted : jaymay

happy listening, my friends! what songs are on your current playlist?

...ohmygosh. are you still thinking about the stolen internet? judgers.

dear (blank),

Monday, August 8, 2011

{photo credit: pinterest.com}

dear...

unemployment,
we have to talk. during our six month relationship, there have been some red flags that, until now, i've ignored. i don't see us having a future together. please know that i'm not trying to be harsh. in some ways, you've been really great. you let me sleep till noon on many occasions. you didn't scold me when i wore my pajamas all day. even though i'll miss the close bond we shared, the end is near. it's better this way. it's not me, it's you.

apartment complex pool,
for the first time in my entire life, i have a tan. i couldn't have done it without you. your hot plastic chairs and depth of three and a half feet are excellent amenities for a rookie sunbather such as myself. some people call you shallow, but i look deeper. you have a lot of amazing qualities. don't let anyone tell you different.

coffee shops with wifi,
you are so faithful and true. i can't count the wonderful mornings i spend with you. my addiction to coffee and surfing the world wide web are considered cool and hip when i'm with you. under your roof, nobody judges me when i order three grande americanos during one visit.

planet fitness,
thank you for providing me with reasonably cheap stress relief. there are not many activities/therapy sessions that cost a mere $10 a month. not only do you help me burn off steam, but you also provide a wide array of interesting characters to watch while i'm hitting the treadmill. my personal favorite, mr. short shorts, never fails to amuse. i have you to thank for him.

employment,
as much fun as i've had with unemployment, i think we both knew it was just a fling. it was fun and carefree, but i need some stability, you know? commitment. that's why i'm so glad you came along when you did. i think we're going to go far. i can't wait to start a life with you.

all my love,
lacey