living with the lowrys

signing off

2013-03-17T13:07:00.000-04:00

I've put a lot of thought into this, but my heart is just not in this blog anymore. For many reasons, I'm going to be starting a new blog. I will not be linking it to this blog, because I am seeking more anonymity and privacy. I've made most of my accounts - Facebook, twitter, and Instagram - private.

I'm super disappointed Google is getting rid of Google Reader, and I'm really scared they will do away with Blogger, so that was my final push to relocate.

If you would still like to keep in touch, please leave your email address in the comments section, and I will happily send you the url for my new blog.

Thank you to everyone who has followed along with my life since 2008 {and just shy of 1000 posts!}. There's more to come - just on a different site.

photography workshop

2013-03-03T08:37:00.000-05:00

I had such a fun time on Saturday with these ladies. They had all recently gotten dSLR cameras and wanted to learn how to use them. I held a four hour workshop with a lot of help from Paige and her mom, Joyce. Everyone seemed to be getting the hang of it by the time our workshop was over, so I'm hoping they'll keep practicing. If you've ever learned to make the switch from using automatic to manual mode on your camera, you know just how awkward it feels in the beginning. But we're all still learning in our own ways.

i love...

2013-02-19T06:00:00.000-05:00

watching fat snowflakes falling

discovering a new restaurant downtown

deep conversation

perusing photography boards on Pinterest

Zack Galifianakis

snuggling on the couch

that daylight saving time is two weeks away

14 days of love

2013-02-17T14:27:00.000-05:00

In an effort to celebrate everything a little more, Jason and I decided to celebrate Valentine's Day for the first 14 days of February. If you are an Instagram follower, you've been able to see our acts of love each day. I wanted to compile them in one post and explain them a little bit. It was such a fun thing to look forward to each day, I'm kind of sad it ended. We'll definitely incorporate acts of love more often, and do this again next year.

1. I am often up at 5:10 in the morning at the gym, so on the first day of love, I stopped by Starbucks to get Jason a coffee. It was Friday, and he woke up with a sore throat, so it was much needed and appreciated.

2. I love nothing more than foot massages. When I usually ask for them before bed, they last all of a minute and are done so enthusiastically, so it was a big deal when Jason gave me the longest and best foot massage ever! I love that he even emailed me a coupon.

3. Jason loves crêpes, so I made him some on Sunday morning complete with Justin's chocolate hazelnut butter.

4. Jason consulted Google for some of the cute sayings he left me. I love smoked almonds.

5. Jason was bummed that I got to hang out with the kids all day when I was tracked out, and he had to work. He also had class that night, so he knew he couldn't even get dinner. I planned to meet him at Whole Foods {he goes there before class} and surprise him. We all had dinner together before he went to class.

6. I have a love affair with the Whole Foods olive bar.

7. I listed out favorite memories throughout our relationship and wrote them on hearts and taped them to the bathroom mirror for Jason to find in the morning.

8. I was PMSing majorly on this day and wanted nothing more than chocolate. Best chocolate ever.

9. We went downtown to try vegan hot chocolate at Escazú. Delicious.

10. With so much grad school reading, Jason doesn't get to enjoy his favorite magazine often.

11. I love bubble baths.

12. Jason surprised me with this text and walked the dogs before going to class. That's usually my responsibility and not my favorite thing to do in the winter. Hate it.

13. & 14. I started a love notes journal for us and we both wrote entries to one another. We're going to keep this going.

Hope you had a great Valentine's Day!

day at the museum

2013-02-15T16:00:00.000-05:00

I was tracked out last week and so were my cousins. With my last job, we were never on the same track-out schedule, but now, our schedules overlap some, which is awesome. I was able to pick them up on a random Tuesday and spend the day with them at them traipsing around Raleigh. First, we headed the Museum of Natural Sciences and then the Museum of History. They are right across from one another, which is super convenient. They are also free and a great place to spend a winter day.

I think the kids were most impressed with the dinosaur exhibit and loved the video that went with it.
Kayla enjoyed finding the various plants and animals listed around the museum. She was really good at spotting everything.
Kaden enjoyed the poop exhibit. I don't know what else to call it. It had various types of poop, and you had to match the poop with the animal.
I think they enjoyed the gift shop the most and deciding how to spend their $10. I think they would have spent it all on candy, until we had a little lesson on the side. They each got a piece or two of candy, but also chose something they actually saw in the museum. I thought it was really funny how Kaden spent a lot of his childhood wearing an eye patch to make his other eye stronger, and then chose to buy a pirate's eye patch. Maybe, we should have gotten him a pirate eye patch all along?

fly with me

2013-02-13T18:05:00.002-05:00

Laura, a friend of mine from college, and her husband, David, a private pilot, invited Jason and me to fly with them two Sundays ago. I know, I took a little time off from blogging. We also have pretty amazing friends. Jason has been thinking of getting his private pilot's license when he finishes graduate school, so it was the perfect opportunity to try it out.

It was really fun going to a section of the airport we had never experienced - the private side.

The terminal looked so small when taking off.

We flew over Durham, Chapel Hill {you can see my favorite stadium above and the Dean Dome in the far left of the photo}.
We also flew over Downtown Raleigh, North Hills, and Meredith College. All of my favorite places.

It was a pretty windy day, so the turbulence was pretty unreal. We had to stop and get a Ginger Ale on our way home. Thanks again, David and Laura! You can see more photos of our day in my Instagram feed. There is a link on the right, and you don't have to sign in or sign up. Just click on it {that's mainly for my aunt, Lori}.

branding and such

2013-02-06T14:04:00.000-05:00

I am so excited for my mom. She finally has decided to get focused and sell her pottery through Etsy. She's been doing pottery since 1999 and trained in Seagrove, North Carolina. However, she hasn't been super focused in her vision and goals for her business. I absolutely love branding and designing logos and websites. I just like to do it on the side and for fun. She already had the name for her business and website, so I went from there. I created a mood board, too. We still have lots to do, such as take product photos of her pottery to put on Etsy and design her booth for future festivals. But, the branding stuff is taken care of, and so is her website. It's a work in progress, but the bones are there. Check it out!

february goals

2013-02-01T06:00:00.000-05:00

1. Read Beautiful Ruins for book club.

2. Stay under budget. I did AWESOME with this in January.

3. Complete 14 days of love. More on that later this month.

4. Declutter during track-out.

5. Learn to use iMovie better.

january book club

2013-01-31T06:00:00.000-05:00

I met up with Paige, Emily, and Sandee for January's book club meeting after reading The Midwife's Confession. I was able to download it onto my iPad from the library for free. It was the first time I had done that and read a book electronically. I have to say, it was pretty handy. When I had a few extra minutes throughout my day, I found myself reading it. It was an easy read and sort of like a mystery, so I was trying to figure out details throughout the book. I would definitely suggest reading it.

Up next:

March - Beautiful Ruins

April - Gone Girl

the fresh 20

2013-01-29T06:00:00.000-05:00

During book club last week, my friend, Paige, told me about the fresh 20. You can choose between classic, gluten free, and vegan/vegetarian meal plans. I chose vegan/vegetarian, and I was provided with five recipes for the week, a shopping list {of about 20 items} organized by the layout of the store, and a prep to-do list. I've noticed several benefits:

1. This saves me tons of time! I used to spend over an hour each week planning meals and making my list.

2. I don't waste anything. All produce you buy is accounted for in the recipes. For example, I bought a bunch of six green onions. Usually, I use about two of those onions, but I used them all this week.

3. I'm trying meals I never would have made before. Carrot soup. I would never have made carrot soup. I just wouldn't have thought of it.

4. Some of the vegetarian meal plans call for eggs, cheese, milk, honey, grapeseed oil, etc. We don't eat these things, but I've been able to substitute most of the items easily to make them vegan {and cheaper}. There was only one recipe out of 15 I couldn't make work, because it was a frittata. I suppose you could make that vegan, but I don't love tofu enough, especially when it's made to resemble eggs. Gag. Also, we use olive oil or vegetable broth in place of grapeseed oil. From my research, grapeseed oil isn't a very healthy fat.

5. All of the produce suggested is seasonal.

6. My grocery bill is within budget.

7. The cost of the service comes to $5 a month - $15 for three months. That's about the cost of a new cookbook, and this does more work for me. Sold.

8. Leftovers for lunch.

9. Variety. The recipes really don't repeat, which is awesome, because I like variety.

10. Meal time is quicker, because I prep everything on the weekend. It took me about an hour to prep for the rest of the week, but week night meals are really quick.

The post was not sponsored. Haha, like the fresh 20 know who I am. I mean, I have a username and they have my PayPal info, but I don't receive anything free. Not that I would mind...I just love their service and thought I'd share.

new year check-in

2013-01-27T16:00:00.000-05:00

I was uploading photos this weekend and totally forgot about these fun New Year's Eve photos. You guys know I set some pretty lofty goals in order to make things happen in 2013. So I thought I would sort of check-in and let you know how I'm doing so far.

So far this year, I have stuck with my workout plan, not gone out to eat because I was too lazy to cook, and have not felt pressure to buy anything new. I have also made a conscious effort not to be on the computer when Jason is home. Pretty good, huh?

I've also visited friends this month and made plans with new friends. Check.

I'd say things are still off to a good start. I'm thinking of making monthly goals for each month this year, and I'll share them at the start of each month. How are you guys doing with your resolutions and goals?

firefly fare

2013-01-24T12:19:00.000-05:00

Roanoke, Virginia is not a super vegan-friendly destination, like Asheville or even Charlottesville. There are no vegetarian or vegan only restaurants. No Whole Foods. But I can always find something to eat when I'm there. This weekend, we tried Firefly Fare in the City Market Building. The market was set up like a smaller scale Fauneuil Hall. The menu offers lots of local and vegetarian options. They were also able to make a few vegetarian dishes vegan. We tried the Teriyaki Tofu Bowl {it's pictured above} and the Falafel Pita. Jason and I split them, and I have to say I preferred the colorful tofu bowl. The tofu was cooked perfectly - not too squishy. We will definitely go again when we are in Roanoke.

best weekend

2013-01-22T17:14:00.000-05:00

Jason and I realized we hadn't seen Kelli, one of my best friends from middle school, in over a year and a half! We had a great time visiting her and her adorable family this long weekend. Jason and I mostly marveled at the parenting skills required for a four year old and ten year old. It was utterly exhausting just watching. Even though we are both teachers, and you'd think we were used to being around kids, it's so different when kids aren't in a classroom setting. Hats off to parents of toddlers!

This photo shoot almost didn't happen, since John had flu-like symptoms and it was freezing outside, and it's almost nearly impossible to get a four year old to do what you want in order to take a great photo. So, we mostly played and I snapped.

I love this photo of Kelli and me. Thanks goodness for some brow waxing and hair straightening - things we didn't do in middle school!

I can't wait to hang out next time!

this weekend

2013-01-18T15:40:00.000-05:00

vegan potluck

2013-01-14T06:00:00.000-05:00

Jason and I met Meredith, whom I had followed on Twitter forever, and her boyfriend, Grant in December. She's a vegan and lives in Raleigh and had a holiday party last month where we met another couple, Victoria and Paul, who are vegan and live in Raleigh. So, we all decided to meet up for a little middle of the week potluck. Grant made a fire, since it was so warm outside for January. We're planning to do it again, and it feels amazing to have some local vegan friends. Those have been hard to come by, but we're looking forward to getting together again in the next couple of weeks.

making things happen 2013 goals

2013-01-13T17:00:00.000-05:00

I've been thinking about my goals for a while, and I've got 10, which are below. I'm happy with 10. Seems manageable and I'm pretty excited!

BONUS STEP: What one word really resonates with you for this year?

The word that resonates with me is BALANCE. I was getting the hang of it in the latter part of 2012. I just want 2013 to be about balancing everything in my life. Last year was full of big changes, and I don't think for a minute 2013 is going to be any different. Instead of being paralyzed by fear when the universe sends change my way, I hope to be able to balance it with more grace. In my head, I'm imaging myself doing the tree pose in yoga. It's OK to sway back and forth to get your balance. It's even OK to break the pose and tap your toe against the ground, as long as you get back into the pose. I don't want changes to allow me to break the pose, and I just stand there looking at everyone else in the class balancing. I want to get my balance and get back into the pose.

Refine and finish things out on steps 1-8! This means I get to edit all year, right?!

Write out your 2013 Goals!

Goal 1: I want to be content with what I have. I want to stop comparing my house, clothes, car, vacations, etc. I want to be happy with what I have and not go over our budget. This means saying, "We can't afford that right now," to friends and family members. I've already had to do this in 2013. It wasn't as bad as I thought. We just want to be able to pay for the rest of Jason's tuition without loans and be able to maintain our savings {and possibly add a little to it}.

Goal 2: I want to go out to eat less often and make healthy meals at home. This helps the budget and our waistlines. So often, I make it to Thursday night and just want to be lazy and go get something from Whole Foods. Jason and I are going to try to plan better and encourage one another not to be lazy.

Goal 3: I want to be a supportive wife while Jason finishes grad school. My first kiss wrote in my yearbook one year that I'd make a great wife. I think he meant I was overbearing {I was way too excited to have a boyfriend} and a bit of a prude, but that always stuck with me, and it was my dream to be a great wife and have an amazing marriage. I have way more time at home than Jason does to make sure the house is clean and what time we get together is awesome and not spent doing chores.

Goal 4: I want to love spending time alone. Jason and are sort of attached at the hip. I love spending time with him. More than anyone else. I like him. A lot. Hence why I married him. However, he has a really hard semester coming up and will be spending a lot of time working with his grad school group. I will have lots of time alone on my hands. Last year, I learned how to really like this time alone. I want to learn to love it this year and use the time to accomplish my goals.

Goal 5: I want to celebrate more in 2013. I have a chilled bottle of Prosecco in the fridge to pop at any moment. I am looking for things to celebrate. I also find it easy to not celebrate holidays or good things because of lack of space, money, time, etc. The excuses come easily with this one. However, there is so much worth celebrating in my life.

Goal 6: I want to say "Oh, hell yeah" more. In fact, if I got a tattoo, which I won't, but if I did, it would say oh, hell yeah, and it would be on my ass. This phrase comes from a story when my grandma was younger and drunk and on a dare, said this phrase before she ran around the Washington Monument topless. She probably said this phrase too much in life, but I need to say it more. I want this to be my mindset. I want to be as fun, infectious, and full of life as she was. Anyone want to dare me?

Goal 7: I want to limit my time in virtual world {the Internet}. It's so easy to get sucked in and not actually live life. When Jason is home, I'm not going to be on the computer. He's going to love enforcing this goal. But really, it will help me meet every single one of my goals. Real life > Facebook.

Goal 8: Refine my friendships and relationships. I just want to make choices that deepen the friendships and relationships I have, and I want to continue making friends in Raleigh. More weekend visits and dinners. More oh, hell yeahs when it comes to week night fun with friends, too.

Goal 9: I want to focus on loving photography again. I have felt immense pressure to turn my love of photography into a business. But I don't want to. I don't mind photographing friends, family, and other things for fun {and on the side}, but I have no desire to have a formal website, business cards, and pressure to market myself. I LOVE teaching. I have bad years. Every teacher does. I had a horrible teaching experience two years ago that really made me question everything. This is normal for teachers. But I love my current position. I love that I feel like I am making a difference. I am teaching children to read. I feel myself changing the world. I really do as crazy as that sounds after eight years of teaching. And in my mind, taking beautiful photos is wonderful, but a far cry from my contribution to the world through teaching. I am a way better teacher than photographer, and the world is already full of way more talented photographers. There are way more talented teachers than me, too, but the world needs as many talented teachers possible. As Jason would say, the demand is there and the supply is lower. However, I want to have fun taking photos again just for the sake of taking pretty photos of the people, places, and things I love.

Goal 10: I want to be strong physically. I have worked out off and on all of my life it seems. But I haven't really stuck to a routine. I have one that I love now, and I've actually stuck to it for a couple of months. This is huge for me! I'm starting to see definition in my body, which is awesome, but I want to be strong. I want to be able to do real pushups and at least a couple of pull-ups. I'm determined to not be that girl doing "the hang" during middle school PE class anymore, and I have a really good plan to get me there.

all images via laracasey.com

making things happen in 2013, part 2

2013-01-08T06:00:00.000-05:00

There are only 10 steps, so we're getting close...

What are the biggest things you learned from what DID work?

Moving out of my comfort zone is uncomfortable and that’s OK. Go with it. I made the choice to leave my school where I had taught for five years because my then principal offered me a new position, which didn’t turn out to be what was originally offered, and I wasn't happy with that. I saw an opening for a dream teaching position at a school even closer to my house. I interviewed and accepted the position on the spot, which is so impulsive and unlike me. I gave my notice the next day. This all happened within the span of a few days. It was impulsive, I couldn’t overthink or analyze the situation, and I was super scared. But it turned out to be the best decision of 2012.
Don’t give up. This applies to so much of 2012 and is under both what worked and didn’t work. What worked: my marriage, my exercise routine, relationships, the list goes on and on…
Put myself out there. Ask for what I want. Sometimes this requires being a bit vulnerable. I wanted to present some professional development at my school. I saw a need. I asked and I did it. I wanted more local couple friends. I put it out there. I got them.

What are the three biggest things you learned from what DIDN'T work?

Stop worrying and questioning everything. It really doesn’t help me and wastes my time.
Stop the glorification of busy. I had to say no to things I thought I didn’t want to say no to, but it took longer than it should have for me to come to that conclusion and helped me find some semblance of balance.
Don’t give up. What didn’t work: cooking at home more, staying on budget

DO more of what fires you up and then write out your 2013 Vision.

Loving Jason, encouraging those around me, being present and mindful, active, healthy, lots of laughter, deep and meaningful friendships and relationships, simplicity, order, spontaneity, adventure, {I purposely left a comma here because I plan to add to this throughout the year.}

So, what is NOT in that vision?

Make your list of 20 things you are saying NO to in 2013.

Worrying
Doubt
Fear
Inconsistency
Insecurity
Comparison
Living by others’ expectations
Harmful stress
Being in virtual world (computer/social media) too much
Excuses
Frivolous spending
Negativity
Eating out so much
Clutter
Consumerism
Stubbornness
Laziness
Monotony
Apathy
Bitterness

What are you saying YES to in 2013?

Celebrating {with Prosecco} more
More phone calls and real letters
My workout routine
Cooking at home more and enjoying it – lighting candles, music, kitchen dancing
Less virtual world
Intentional journaling and blogging
Reaching savings goals
Being content with the “stuff” I have
Sticking to my chore schedule to prevent being overwhelmed
Travel
Cultivating new friendships
Encouraging others
Loving time by myself
Balance
Love
An orderly and simple house/car/work environment
Reading more
Bubble baths/relaxation
Walking and brushing my dogs more
Adventure

all images via laracasey.com

making things happen in 2013

2013-01-06T15:07:00.000-05:00

Lara Casey called out all of the lurkers on her blog recently. That's what I've been for a while. I'm great at lurking, but decided to join in on the fun with some in depth goal setting for 2013. Lara created Southern Weddings Magazine, and the Making Things Happen movement. I figure she must know a thing or two about this goal setting process. You can start with this blog post if you want to join in. Here goes nothing...

Let's take a look back at what worked in 2012.

1. I changed teaching positions after thinking about it for years.

2. I fell in love with my husband again and again each day.

3. I became a more supportive wife.

4. I traveled to China.

5. I took first step in repairing a relationship.

6. I gave my blog a mini makeover.

7. I improved my photography.

8. I maintained an exercise routine.

9. I presented professional development to faculty at my new school.

10. I enjoyed being alone for the first time in my life.

11. I strengthened friendships.

12. I ditched some toxic people from my life.

13. I started pampering myself with monthly facials, pedicures, and buying myself nice clothing.

14. I discovered my fun city and new friends.

15. I read some really powerful books

I am grateful for:

16. the best husband ever

17. being able to redefine relationships

18. my family

19. my health

20. my dogs

21. my new teaching position

22. my cute condo

23. time

24. new technology in my life

25. setting boundaries and limits

26. an announced change at work, which takes place in 2013

27. the opportunities I took advantage of

28. realizing what’s most important to me

29. discovering new places and people

30. my education

What didn't work?

1. I did not speak up for myself enough.

2. I was fearful, hesitant, and questioned myself way too much.

3. I did not eat as healthy as I would have liked.

4. I did not stick to a budget and did not save as much money as I would have liked.

5. I didn’t find a work/home balance until later in the year.

What fires you up?

We were encouraged to create a visual representation via Pinterest. I will keep editing my Making Things Happen in 2013 board throughout the year.

I've never done goal setting quite like this before, so I'm excited. I'm not looking to create "resolutions" that aren't thought of past March, and this is not an all-or-nothing process for me. I didn't start on January 1st. I'm taking it day by day. I'm not focusing on perfection either. I just want to make sure I'm focusing more on what fires me up.

all images via laracasey.com

new year in asheville

2013-01-03T18:05:00.000-05:00

Jason and I spent New Year's Eve in Asheville with Grace and Jon. We had such a fun day eating and drinking our way around Asheville, laughing, and trying to stay up until midnight {or was that just me?}. I loved introducing Jon to New Year's Eve coverage with Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffith.

I mainly just enjoyed the weekend and didn't worry too much about taking pictures with my big camera. Make sure to follow me on Instagram so you can see them all.

welcome twenty thirteen

2013-01-01T06:00:00.000-05:00

Ugh. I felt so guilty this holiday season. Every day, I would check the mail and some sweet, sweet soul would send us a holiday card. Each time I would open an envelope, I would feel some slight guilt that I did not send out holiday cards this year. It is so hit or miss for me and cards.

Then, Grandma Shirley told me how much she loves cards. She really loves cards. I saw how they could make or break her day. More guilt. Even moms with kids could get cards out. What's my excuse? I'd rather play on Pinterest and rewatch Downton Abbey on Netflix. It's a hard life.

I decided on Christmas Day {not too late, right?} to make a New Year's card. Better than nothing. So, if you sent me a card this year, I'm sending you one back. Plus a few to some out of town people I love. It may be a little late, but it's better than never.

And if you didn't send me a card, no hard feelings. You are my people. But here's a digital one. No waste. You don't have to feel bad for throwing it away. You don't have to feel like you have to save it and create clutter either.

If you send cards {or don't}, I'd love to know your rationale for doing so, or not, in the comments.

Happy New Year!

living with the lowrys in 2012

2012-12-30T06:00:00.000-05:00

Jason was in the throws of his MBA program in January and February, so it was nice to get away to Bald Head Island for Grace's 30th birthday. A fun fact is that Grace, Jon, and I all celebrated our 30th birthdays on the island. We just couldn't think of a better place to do it.

In February, we took Kayla and Kaden {my cousins} to Atlanta to visit Aunt Lori and Steve. We made valentines, and Kaden learned to blow a bubble.

It felt like the whole year led up to our trip in China in March. Jason and I took a group of his students to Beijing, Xi'an, and Shanghai. It was the highlight of my entire year!

In April, we mainly hung out with friends and perfected the tea date on the porch at Whole Foods. Being a student again, we're always looking for inexpensive dates, and buying an Honest Tea and sitting outside on the patio is an inexpensive way to catch up and connect. With the stresses of working full-time and getting an MBA, this was a much needed habit, which we continued throughout the year.

We had planned to take both of my cousins to Bald Head Island in May, since it was warmer, but Kaden got in trouble. So, we took Kayla to the island and had some much needed girl time in the sun.

We visited Grace and Jon in Asheville for Jason's birthday in June. I found my second favorite place in North Carolina - Max Patch. It's a park that was cleared to be used as a pasture in the 1800s, and then in the 1920s, it was used as a landing strip. Now, it offers the most peaceful and amazing views I've ever seen in my state.

Alice, David, Jason, and I drove to Niagara Falls in July. This was right before school started, and little did I know, it was our last track-out all together. We do have the holidays off, though, and have been really good about keeping in touch with one another despite Alice and me not working together anymore.

It was on the way back from Niagara Falls that I received an email from my then principal that pushed me to look for another job. I'm so happy I did, because I found a position I had been dying for since I had graduated from grad school. I accepted a grades 3-5 reading intervention position in August that has made me a more responsive teacher. I am so thankful for my new position and am happier {and less stressed} than ever!

In September, my college friends and I started a book club that was not affiliated with the college. Unfortunately, this was our first and last meeting, but we've agreed to step things up in the new year.

We headed back to Atlanta in October with our cousins. We took this trip so that my cousins, Kayla and Kaden, could visit our cousin, Erica, in her dorm room. She's a freshman, and it was so fun to visit her on campus, especially since she visited me in my dorm room when I was a freshman in college. Maybe Erica will visit Kayla and Kaden in their dorm rooms their freshman year of college?

Jon and Grace invited us to Bald Head Island in October to celebrate Jon's 30th birthday. We do what we normally do when visiting with one another - we drank, ate, and relaxed.

We took the kids on a hike the day after Thanksgiving, which allowed us all to talk and make plans for the next year.

We visited Jason's grandmother in Florida in December. We hadn't been to visit her in a few years, so it was really nice to get a few days to reconnect and take some road trips.

We are really looking forward to 2013! We're trying to save money until Jason graduates in December. We're still hoping to squeeze in a ski trip with Kayla and Kaden {hoping for tons of snow in the mountains}, hang out with friends, take some day trips, and plan a second honeymoon in December to Costa Rica. Jason will have just graduated, and we'll be celebrating ten years of marriage in 2014 {holy crap, that makes me seem so old!}, so we have a lot to celebrate.

Happy 2013!

living with the lowrys in 2009

living with the lowrys in 2010

living with the lowrys in 2011

sunny florida

2012-12-27T09:49:00.000-05:00

Jason's grandma Shirley is always asking us to come visit her in "sunny Florida". Shirley is widowed and lives smack dab in the middle of the state where there is very little to do. When we visit her, we always take her on road trips. This time, we took one day to visit her husband's grave, which is two hours away in a veterans' cemetery. She had not been to visit in over a year, so she was pretty happy to have Jason chauffeur her there. And we also took her to the beach for a day. She's so sweet and just loves visitors. She's always trying to give me everything in her house, including old clothes. Last visit, it was a coral Hawaiian print moo-moo, and this time, it was size 14 palm tree capris with an elastic waist band and some of her old bras. Sexy stuff. I politely declined.

We also went through some old family photos and videos with her one night. She seemed to love reminiscing, and I sure loved listening to the stories and asking a million questions. I found an old photo of Jason and me in her album from 2002. That was two years after Jason and I met. I guess since I have officially made the family album, I'm a Lowry. She's always made me feel like part of her family, and that's why we enjoy visiting her so much. Until next time...

holiday playlist

2012-12-20T05:00:00.000-05:00

Here are some of my favorite holiday songs for you to enjoy this weekend. I just discovered Spotify, and I'm pretty smitten. I'd love to know what your favorite holiday songs are in the comments.

listen on spotify

living with the lowrys holiday

happy birthday, kayla

2012-12-17T06:00:00.000-05:00

10 years old

9 years old

8 years old

gift ideas for the vegan on your list

2012-12-14T06:00:00.000-05:00

1. vegan fudge of the month club

2. rescue an animal in need

3. eat more kale t-shirt

4. vegnews subscription

5. acure organics lotion