Make New Friends, But Keep The Old...

This has been a saying I have pondered over for most of my adult life. After graduating from college and setting out into the big world to do "adult" things, I often thought about how true this statement is. I am one who is 100% content with keeping my old friends, never feeling the need to start new friendships - mostly due to the fact that the wonderful women in my life have devoted their lives to being incredible wives, girlfriends, sisters, mothers, daughters and friends - this makes it nearly impossible to not keep them as friends.

I have never been a lose-a-friend-due-to-a-huge-blow-up kind of girl, and for that I am grateful. I have met many lovely people in my life and have made many new friends, but none that can even come close to the old ones. There is something about having a friend who has known you and loved you through good and bad,  and with whom you share a history. If you have a friend who has seen you through middle school, high school or even college, keep them, hold on to them and cherish them...for these were probably not the most beautiful stages of life...not simply looks (but come on, middle school....?), but more importantly, the choices you made no doubt affected them in some way. If they have stuck by you, honor them.  

It always amazes me that no matter how much time has passed, be it days, weeks or even months, the women I know and love continue to be inspirational, loving and caring. This past weekend was spent with a few of these darling women. M and I went up north to Seattle and stayed with a dear friend from college. It was as though nothing had changed since college (ok, we are prettier and more funny now, right?! Maybe...anyone?). I also got to see another dear college friend who was up from the little state of Texas...it was a short visit, but well worth every second. This too felt as though nothing had changed. I love that no matter where we are in our lives and no matter if it is college or childhood friends, these women will inevitably be a part of my life and will always play a huge role in who I am and who I will become.

So no matter where you are, where we met, who you are...know that you are loved, looked up to and cherished. I have been blessed to hold on to many relationships near and dear to my heart. I am truly and utterly grateful for each one....So to all of you who are making new friends - be bold, be truthful, have fun and learn from these friendships, but never ever forget the old ones because one might be silver, but the other is gold.


Peace and blessings,
B

The Beauty of Nature

I spent the long weekend camping with my family in Northern California.  There is nothing better than a camping trip.  How can you not like the feeling of being in the great outdoors, becoming one with nature?  Four days of sleeping under the stars with the breeze through our tent, a campfire in the morning to cut the bite in the air, fresh percolated coffee first thing when you wake up, smores made over the evening coals and four whole days of no makeup or looking into a mirror even.  We went on a couple of beautiful hikes around the area and saw some amazing waterfalls.  It really is spectacular to think about the natural beauty all around us.  Today I am grateful for being so lucky to live in such an amazing area with natural wonders out our door step.

Other things Im grateful for today...

a hot shower (its never felt so good)

precious time spent with my family

new cozy sleeping bags

the tired feeling you get after a athletic activity

a cold beer

sun on my face

sitting around the campfire

genuine laughter

sauteed onions and mushrooms

ice cream on a cone

road trips

an old joke that never gets old

a new joke

new neighbors

noises out in nature

my Keens

cereal

coffee creamer

And.... my puppy (well, my parents puppy) he is the cutest EVER!

Love you all

K

xoxo

Weekend Projects

This weekend found me and my husband knee deep in mud.  What started out as a simple project of constructing raised beds for my backyard, quickly snowballed into an entire weekend excavation project.  Our new backyard has somewhat of a water problem, to say the least.  There was a French drain installed years back, but unfortunately it was not doing its job anymore.  My husband and I dug out our French drain, all 45 feet of it, by hand mind you.  Then we proceeded to haul yards and yards of river rock from our driveway to fill the now muddy trench that we had running down our backyard.  We laid out our raised beds, which started this crazy project and surrounded them with what was left over of the river rock.  In the end it turned out excellent and with the rain the last few days I think we have fixed our water problem, fingers crossed.  With every muscle in our bodies throbbing, hands red with calluses and exhausted to the point of not being able to stand, my husband and I looked at what we accomplished over those 48 hours and we were proud and pleased.  I am grateful that my body is able to do hard work and manual labor, I am grateful for weekend projects and the feeling of accomplishment and I am grateful that I have an amazing partner to work along side...

Before

After

(now all we need is soil and plants, that will be the next project)

I hope everyone has a wonderful Memorial Day weekend, filled with fun and excitement.  Or maybe a project or two.  Love to all my amazing friends. 

K

xoxo

Laughing

"Make 'em laugh, make 'em laugh. Don't you know everyone wants to laugh, ha ha!" 
-Singing in the Rain

Yesterday I got to watch several consecutive episodes of a hilarious sitcom with a dear friend. We literally laughed, giggled, chuckled and just flat out cracked up. It felt good.

Tonight I am thankful for times like this when we get to spend time with precious friends doing absolutely nothing. It just doesn't get better than that. Here are a few more things I am grateful for.
-garlic bread sticks
-planning showers
-comfy couches
-love notes
-DVDs
-hearing a friend's laugh
-accomplishing a task
-Sicilian pizza
-searching the Humane Society website
-new shampoo

Have a good laugh today. It is GOOD for the soul! :)
xo M

Tuesday and So Much to Be Grateful For...

It's Tuesday again and I just can't seem to figure out how the weeks keep passing by so quickly. Someone once told me to not get too excited for the weekend, for we are simply wishing our lives away by doing so. I concur, yet somehow I look forward to weekends and can't help myself from getting excited and anxious about upcoming events, seasons, holidays and weekends. So as this week has already passed us by, I have much to be grateful for...

- paper chain countdown in the classroom
- girls' weekends
- bridal showers
- fresh berries/smoothies
- phone conversations with brothers
- brides
- new movies
- California
- Disneyland
- catching up with old colleagues and friends

I wish you all a wonderful week. Live in the moment, enjoy your time spent doing whatever it is you do best, find the small joys and breathe in life each day at a time.

Enjoying time,
B

Happy Birthday to You!

B said it, but I just wanted to reiterate how amazing our friend is and take this moment to celebrate her.  Through the years she has been nothing short of the most sincere, caring supportive friend there is.  She is always there, whether you need to cry or just laugh until your cheeks hurt.  So today, I am most grateful for my friend Sara.

To you, on your birthday!!!!
K
xoxo

A Day To Celebrate

                                                        


Today marks the 28th year of one fabulous little lady...

We are celebrating 28 years of a beautiful woman's life...it is our S' birthday and it couldn't be a more perfect day for a birthday.

This birthday girl is one amazing sister, soon-to-be-wife, daughter, student and most of all...friend. I have personally known S for more years than I can count. Through childhood, middle school, high school, college and now the beyond, S has been a true-blue friend and partner in crime. She is nothing short of loving, honest, comforting, trusting and down right fun! She is a friend through and through. S never wavers and is always supportive. We are a lucky group of ladies to have this gorgeous woman be a part of our lives. We love you with all our hearts and can't wait to celebrate your day of birth!

Cheers to you S on your special day. May you have many more blessed years and much more joy in your life. Happy Birthday!

Love,
B

internet monday

Oh how we depend on the internet.  We have made a recent move and with that came no access to internet for the last two weeks.  We finally got our internet hooked up today at our new house and I am so excited.  I dont consider myself a person that is addicted to surfing the net, checking my email or browsing facebook, but you cant blame a girl for wanting to occasionally check the weather, keep up with the latest hollywood gossip or most current fashions.  I know the Iphone does all I need it to, but it just isnt the same.  So today I am grateful for, for the first time in my life, Comcast.  Dont tell my husband, even though he pays them every month to have fast internet and to DVR Swamp People, he still cant stand them.

Other things I am grateful for today...

spending time with my wonderful mom yesterday and having a entire day to celebrate how amazing she is
purple Iris'
new storage solutions
Costco
Home Depot
projects with my dad
the blue recycle bin
going to movies at the theater
home made breakfast
vanilla creamer
sitting right next to my husband at our new desk
facetime
a freshly mowed yard
salt and pepper in olive oil
step ladders
tasks you didnt know you could do until you tried
being able to sit down at my piano and play at my own house
sun coming in a window
hardbacked books
sharpies
Netflix
a shower caddie
looking forward to seeing my girls and catching up

love to everyone
K
xoxo