Hellooo August

I can't believe you are here already. Summer is in full swing and the days are muggy and hot as all get out here in the Bull City. Needless to say, I'M READY FOR FALL. But then again, I'm always ready for fall so that's about par for the course. I've been spending my days wrapping up my last few real estate deals, inventorying our household goods, catching up with friends and family, and running around like a crazy person. We have had a wedding to go to every month since April, and my yoga teacher training has continued to get more in-depth and intense. So we are definitely all over the place, but in a good way!

I have been trying to be better about living with intention in each moment and finding gratitude in little, everyday things because it seems like time just won't slow down and I don't want to miss anything, especially during times like this where everything is going a million miles a minute and it's so easy to just plunder through without noticing or appreciating anything.

Luckily, I rediscovered my copy of The 52 Lists Project today while attempting to inventory all of our stuff today! I never finished it because, go figure, we moved and I couldn't find it anywhere. This book is such a beautiful way to find inspiration and gratitude each week with a new though-provoking topic. And this weeks topic is 'List the Things That Make You Excited'.

I am so happy that I found this book, and can't help but feel like it showed up right when I needed it the most :) That being said, I am reinstating that weekly blog prompt from this wonderful book and I invite you all to play along too!

As an easily excitable person, this could end up being quite an extensive list but here goes...

Things That Make Me Excited
-Good books
-Hole-in-the-wall coffee bookshops/coffee shops
-Traveling to new places
-Harry Potter
-The first snow of the year
-When the seasons change
-Seeing old friends
-Sales
-Cook books
-Baby animals
-Hearing other peoples good news
-New yoga pants
-Seeing my hubby after we've been apart
-Christmas!
-Cozy dinner parties
-Fridays
-That moment when you first see the beach
-Making lists (lol)
-Getting packages
-Dressing up
-People standing up for others


What are some of the things that make you excited??

Em <3

End of the Month Update

Whew! Today is the last day of February and I am stepping out of the whirlwind to breathe for a minute and write an update post since things have been so crazy lately. I don't know what I was thinking when I thought that things would slow down now that the wedding is over. With the combination of work, yoga teacher training, flight school, and every day life things, we have been a bit all over the place. J is in the last month of flight school and I have never seen him so busy, its almost like he's back in TBS, but we just keep telling ourselves that its almost over, its almost over, its almost over. And then we will actually get to live in the same state again! What a concept, hunh?

Thankfully, I have been super busy with the spring real estate market and have had very little time time dwell on the fact that in the next few weeks we will be getting our first duty station assignment; Japan, Hawaii, New River or San Diego...talk about the four corners of the earth! But honestly, it has felt so amazing to get back into the family business and be working 24/7. I forgot how much I enjoy the thrill of writing up offers and helping my clients find their dream homes! It's like a big jig-saw puzzle! It also doesn't hurt that I love bragging about my awesome city to people and helping them to find their place in Durham. The city really sells itself, as is evidenced by the fact that the housing inventory is crazy low right now, but nobody wants to leave and I don't blame them!

I also was able to get into a Yoga Teacher Training Program for my RYT200 through the MyCAA funding for military spouses which is a great opportunity! I am doing my training through Yoga Garden in Apex and even though it is a hike to get out there, the teachers are wonderful and I'm excited to keep learning what they have to teach us. I have definitely had to amp up my yoga practice though, we are required to attend a certain number of classes a week, and keep a nightly journal on our asana, mouna, pranayama, and dharana practice. Meditation has NEVER been my strong suit so I've been putting in some good extra practice on that and it is getting easier to slow my mind down. The trick is to find that happy medium where you are calm and peaceful but still awake...lol, tricky tricky. But apparently it is frowned upon to start snoring during savasana sooooo...yup.

I'm having a lot of fun with my practice though and it has been wonderful to read all of the yoga books we are required to read for class. Being the nerd that I am, I found these amazing asana flash cards on Etsy that show detailed instructions and descriptions of the 108 major yoga asanas. It may have been the highlight of my week, and they have been super helpful in learning the sanskrit names for the poses and organizing class sequences! I 100% recommend them to anyone wanting to gain a more in depth knowledge of the asanas, whether or not you're in a teacher training program!

In the next month or so I will start to teach some little practice classes on my back deck to learn how to vocalize during a class and practice helping others find their flow. I'm nervous but excited because it seems very similar to teaching a dance class but I haven't done that in a while...

What are some of your favorite poses? Sequences you wish were done more in class? Things you don't like in yoga classes? Music preference? I'm looking for any and all feedback so I can take it into account :) Also, any tips from you yoga pros and people who have gone through the training program before!

Lay it on me!
Em

P.S
Here is the Etsy listing for the flashcards I was talking about! #supportlocal #durham

108 Yoga Love

A New Chapter: NC to FL to TX

Ya'll. I made it to North Carolina and J made it to Texas. It has been a long couple of weeks getting ready for this move, but we are both settling in nicely and appreciate everyones help with the move both physically and emotionally!

I have never been good with change. I love the idea of it and crave it when things get too monotonous. But when it comes time to actually pick up and go, I dig in my heels. This move was no exception, and the added stress of not being able to move together didn't help. But after unpacking and getting into the swing of things again around here I've started to appreciate that we made the right choice.

Today was my first day back in the office. I even got to go show a house with my mom (a REAL HOUSE, not a trailer) PRAISE!! I am not made for the life of a housewife, at least not right now. The last three months have been so incredibly tough for me not having a career, and I can't believe how motivated I am to work 24/7 right now. At least now I can hit the ground running and make the most of my months here in Durham so that J and I can save money and I won't drive us both crazy with my bored antics! I'm definitely a lucky girl to be marrying someone who appreciates my mania and encourages me to do whatever makes me happy <3

There are already so many things going on...Wedding appointments are on the books as we only have 3 months until the big day, the Trinity Park House Tour is in a couple of weeks, the Durham housing market is not slowing down anytime soon, I just got my Durham Pure Barre Membership up and running, and this Saturday I am 'running' a 10k (if I die, Brittney is to blame). I can not wait to get back into a groove again. The moving process really throws off any chance of having a normal schedule, and I am a planner so that never works out well for anybody.

So, here's to the next chapter of our crazy, peripatetic life!

Stay tuned...

Picture that James texted me when we first started dating haha

Monday Morning Motivation

Monday mornings have always been a bit of a 'catch-up' day for me. So, when the storms rolled in this morning, and the thunder started rumbling, I poured myself a hot cup of coffee and started going through my emails from the last 24 hours.

I love the feeling of getting my week started with a bang. And recently, it's been difficult for me to have that feeling of excitement since things around here are much slower than I am used to. But I've got NPR on the radio, its less than 107 degrees, and my to-do list is getting out of control!

There are new client searches to get started, closing details to organize, wedding vendors to respond to, offers to be written (!), and a million little details in between.

Setting the tone for your week early on is a great way to ensure productivity, something that is easy some days and nearly impossible other days. Usually I wake up and get the coffee started, put some essential oils in our diffuser (peppermint, sweet orange, and eucalyptus since it's been so hot), and turn on NPR (or HGTV) so that my brain has a chance to wake up as I'm getting ready.

Then it's on to the emails, and phone calls, and texts. I absolutely love my Day Designer planner because as I'm going through everything I have an easy to fill out blue print for my week! Each day has a timeline progressing in half hours, a notes section, a to-do list chunk, and a spot for top goals (because let's be honest...the top three things on your list are the ones that HAVE to get done).

Some days those are the ONLY things that get done, but that's life. Especially when you are awake half the night because your 70 pound dog is sleeping on your head because the smoke detector is beeping in the guest room and it is the single most terrifying thing he's ever heard.

But! I will get everything done today! And I will do it with a smile on my face because I am thankful, and alive, and motivated woohooo! (How's that for a Monday mantra??)

What are some ways you get started on the right foot on a Monday Morning?

The ABC's of Real Estate: EMR

Most of you know that I am a Realtor by trade, but for those of you who didn't know...I am a Realtor by trade! I've been working a lot over the weekend to revamp my company's Facebook page where we are constantly posting events, listings, market trends, and other helpful tidbits. Check it out and give us a like! I am happy to answer any questions you have :)

Emilie Morgan Realty

Sunday Morning in Milton

It's a brisk Sunday morning here in Milton and the house is relatively quiet compared to how it's been the past couple of weeks. We were lucky to be able to spend the beginning of 2016 with dear friends and family who have since moved on to their next adventures. And although, it was wonderful having a house full of the people we love, it has been really nice with just the two of us the last couple of days. Right now the only sounds I can hear are the dryer humming, the Panthers game playing in the living room, and the clicking of my keys as I type. Utter peace. 

We woke up and made a huge Sunday morning feast of pancakes, coffee, and hash browns, and ate them while watching a couple of episodes of the X-files (#itsthelittlethings)!! So nerdy, but so wonderful haha :) Today will definitely be a day of relaxation, sports watching, and tidying up the house after the non-stop action of the last few weeks. 

There's always something exciting but a little bit sad about the new year. A whole year has come and gone. All of your accomplishments, regrets, memories, and changes from the previous year seem weirdly far away on this side of January first. It can be a little bit daunting looking a whole new year right in the face! You just never know whats going to happen! I'm getting quickly used to the fact that marrying a Marine means I will never have much control over our life, but that doesn't mean that the choices we make each day don't impact our lives greatly. We have been so fortunate to be surrounded by such an amazing and empowering support group. Through flight school, my real estate business, and our new neighborhood, we have met incredibly lovely people down here and I feel so blessed that, despite what can be a very isolating situation, we find ourselves flooded with love and encouragement. 

It's going to be an exciting year. The real estate market is in full swing, our wedding planning is full steam ahead, and flight school seems to be flying by with alarming speed (no pun intended). Living in the moment, appreciating each day for what is it, and always looking for the good in every situation will be my mantra this year! I know it will go by in the blink of an eye, just like last year, but I want to live each moment fully and bask in the excitement of this time in our lives!! 

With that being said, let's all travel, learn, love, eat, fly, laugh, read, dance, & live our way through 2016 with open hearts and minds, and hopefully through our actions, thoughts, and words, create a happier and more peaceful world for all of us to live in.

<3 Em

Weekend Vibes & Kitchen Update

Things have finally slowed down a little bit. I've been spending my time unpacking boxes slowly but surely, filling out paperwork for my new company, and nesting into this wonderful home of ours. It always takes a little bit of time to adjust and make a new house feel like a home, but this transition has been seamless and it already feels like home here. 

Even though it's November, it has been in the 70's during the day down here so we have been leaving the windows open and letting the cool breeze blow through the house. Not that I don't love warm weather, but it is definitely weird not having it be cold and snowy this far into the winter! To make up for the lack of wintery atmosphere I have been diffusing a Balsam Fir/Cinnamon/Peppermint blend to make it smell like home. I love the smell of all the spices swirling through the house as we sip our coffee and read under clean, warm blankets on the couch. That is definitely my happy place!

With the holidays upon us, I cant help but miss home and family a bit more than usual. It can be pretty isolating when you first move to a new place. And even though we've only moved a few miles closer to base I haven't had a chance to meet the neighbors yet so it has been a little lonely. But not for long! I am totally that nerdy neighbor who will knock on your door with cookies so I can introduce myself (maybe its my inner Realtor coming out...)

There is also so much to do that I haven't had much time to sit down and really think about all the changes we have been making! Getting a business up and running is no easy task! There are signs and cards to be ordered, advertising to be done, and paperwork to fill out. But, everyone has been so wonderfully supportive that I can't help but smile when I think of what the future holds. Not to mention, the decorating possibilities for a home office are pretty unlimited...and you know how much I love a good room-specific, home decor Pinterest board :)

Currently, I am in the process of getting some before and after pictures done of the house but there are still a lot of boxes to unpack and honestly, I am not in too big of a rush to unpack them! Whenever I move, the room I always unpack first is the kitchen. Kitchens are the eternal hang out room especially when they open up into the living space, which is why I think a good open floor plan is important. It allows the energy to flow easily from one space to another. Both my family and J's are foodies so somehow we always end up loitering near the food areas, therefore, the kitchen is the first room to get set up and ready to go! Here are some pictures of the progress we have made in the kitchen...

More to come soon! Hope you all have a great Saturday :)

-E

Our crazy, hectic, amazing, hilarious, messy, awesome week.

Holy moly. This week has been absolutely ridiculous. I've heard the saying, 'when it rains, it pours' but now I believe it with all of my heart! First off I would like to say that J and I have AMAZING friends. There is no way we would have gotten through this week without you guys! You helped us move, unpack, gave us your boxspring, brought us food, and kept us laughing and having fun during this whole experience!

On that note, let's jump right in! On Tuesday, we closed on our house. I can't count the number of closings I've been to in my life, and that moment when my clients get the keys to their new house is always my absolute favorite part of the whole buying experience. But this time it was us who got the keys, and I am happy to say that it is even more amazing being on the receiving end! This was also my first experience with the new TRID laws as a realtor (yes, I was our real estate agent haha) and I have to say that our lender and title company were informed and on top of things the whole time. It was a definite learning experience though, and I'm glad that we were the guinea pigs so that now I know what to tell my clients to expect :)

One thing that J and I have been laughing about all week is how crazy it is that we are 'adulting' so hard right now. I never thought I would be so excited about appliances...but let me tell you, getting that washer and dryer hooked up was probably the highlight of my day! It can be a little scary when you do something as permanent as buying a house, or putting down roots in a new place, but it is also so very exciting. It's important to realize that as young twenty-somethings it IS a good idea to start building a foundation for your success, but that that doesn't mean you have to become a boring old, suit and tie wearing, stick up the butt 'adult'. That notion is completely archaic and stereotypical, and if you have the resources to build equity in your life now, go for it! You can still have a kegger in your brand new 'adult' home, you can decorate it the way you want, you can rent it out for a couple of years and then sell it for more than you bought it. 

Basically what I am saying is that, we love our new home and it is crazy to think that this is where we are at this point in our lives. You never really know what direction your life will take you, especially when the military is involved. All you can do is jump in with both feet and enjoy the ride!

Speaking of jumping in with both feet and enjoying the ride...

After a lot of thought and consideration (and advice from trusted friends & family) I have decided to open my own real estate brokerage while we are here in Florida. My brief stint with Keller Williams was great and I learned A LOT, but in my heart I know that going back to my small business roots will allow me to better serve my community and provide my clients with a more hand on and personalized experience. I'M SO EXCITED!! I absolutely can not wait to continue building this business venture and see where it goes. 

Overall, this week was completely insane. We still have boxes everywhere, I can't find any of my leggings, and the battery in J's car may be dead...BUT we found the coffee maker, all the animals made it un-traumatized, and we finally have a bed frame. Life is good.

What would make me reaaaally happy right now is if we could go get our christmas tree, but even I can admit that it is a little too soon. So, for now, I will content myself by diffusing my christmas blend oils and burning my frasier fir tree candles :)

I hope that everyone had a great week! The holidays are officially upon us and 2015 is coming to an end. There has been a lot of negativity and violence in the world in recent months, and my hope for all of you is that you continue to see the light in dark times. Treat everyone with respect no matter their religion, skin color, language, or beliefs, be thankful for what you have, help those in need, and always tell your people that you love them. Life is too short to give in to the darkness, and it's important to remember that every single act of kindness, no matter how small, can make a huge difference. 

Happy Friday <3

flexoffers

Little Friday

Boxes, boxes, boxes, coffee. 

This morning I am working from home instead of my usual coffee shop in order to get our life packed into boxes and ready for our move. The SECOND one this year I might add. Hooray Marine Corps! But seriously, I am so excited and thankful to be moving into our new house. I've spent my morning making a couple of cold calls, transaction coordinating a bit, piling books up, wrapping dishes up, listening to NPR, and chugging coffee like my life depends on it. 

Good thing I work well under pressure! Work is incredibly busy all of the sudden so it's been difficult to find time to get things packed up but this morning I am on a roll. And thank goodness because I know that moving day will be here before we know it, and the holidays will follow almost immediately. 

I'm excited for all of the festivities we are going to have in the new place; decorating, getting a big christmas tree, baking in a REAL kitchen, listening to holiday music! But, I definitely subconsciously skipped over the whole packing and moving thing in my brain which was a huge amateur move. Oh well, I'm on it now, and actually I find it very therapeutic to go through our things and organize/pack them up. It's a good way to get rid of things you don't need and get your life organized again.

With all that being said, moving is still a pain in the you-know-what and unfortunately a big part of military life. I even have an entire pinterest board dedicated to PCSing and moving tips (feel free to check it out...there is actually some awesome info) But the best tips I can give in regards to moving are below...

1. Start early. 
2. Go one room at a time.
3. Get free boxes from grocery stores, costco, or ask around on the spouse pages on FB.
4. For the love of god, USE LABELS!
5. News paper, and styrofoam/paper plates make packing kitchen stuff up really easy.
6. You need more tape than you think.
7. Use blankets, pillows, and linens to keep breakable things safe.
8. Ask for help. Have your friends come help you move and provide beer and pizza!
9. Pack the heaviest stuff in small boxes so you don't overload them.
10. Put the things you will need right away in a very obvious box. (cough cough toilet paper cough)

Hope these little tid-bits help!
E

Bull City Race Fest

It feels like its been forever since I have had a chance to sit down and write! Probably, because it has been. Last week was insane because I had to study for and take my Florida Real Estate Brokers exam. It was so tricky, but thankfully having my license in NC made it much easier than it could have been. I definitely don't recommend taking the brokers class online without a real teacher if you don't have any experience with real estate because you will learn LITERALLY nothing. Anyway, I passed and its over! I can officially work as a buyers agent in the state of Florida now wooooooo :)

With all the excitement from my test, work being crazy, and planning our move out of the apartment (!) I almost completely forgot about the half marathon I was supposed to be training for...

Welp, I did it! 13.1 miles of hills that I didn't even know existed in Durham. It was actually a really liberating and empowering experience. I never even knew I COULD run that far so it's absolutely hilarious to me that I did it. It was also really fun to be back in my hometown and see what fall is supposed to look like! Running through the city all the leaves were changing, there was no humidity, and the day was sunny, mid 50's, and absolutely beautiful. 

My knees are killing me, and I will probably be walking like an 80 year old for the next week but it was totally worth it and I may be hooked...I have already started looking up other races to run in which is funny because for the whole last chunk of the race I was telling myself I would NEVER do it again. They have a Disney Princess Run in Disney World. That makes me so happy! If I could find a Harry Potter race I would be in heaven...

So hears to doing activities you thought were nearly impossible, pushing your limits, and trying new things!!

Sunday Night Blues (And The 52 Lists Prompt: List 40)

It's that time of the week again. Sunday night. 
It is so hard to enjoy these last few hours of freedom when I know I have to go back to work tomorrow. 

Don't get me wrong, I have a job that I like but starting over as a real estate broker in a new town is not the easiest way to go. It's hard having to work in an administrative position when I have been a licensed broker for longer than most people I work with. 

But I know my stuff and have 3 years of real life experience under my belt, so at least there is that! I just didn't realize how long it would take for my application paperwork to go through! Since Florida doesn't have reciprocity with any other state I had to completely start over when I got here, which included a new background check, a pre-licensing class, a class exam, finger printing, numerous application fees, and a state exam (that I am STILL waiting for the okay to take). 

Once I am finally able to take my state exam I will be in a much better position though, and I have to keep reminding myself that. Nothing is permanent, and in real estate if you work hard, know your market, and do your business in a respectful & educated way, things will generally work out :) I learned that from the best...my mama haha, but seriously!

Anyway, this first week of the 52 Lists Project could not come at a better time because I could use a little bit of motivation right now. Since I am starting in the fall section, I will be starting with list 40 which is...

List your top 20 mood boosting songs!

I am going to be taking this week to work on my list, and probably revisit some great, moldy oldies from my high school and college music collection. Everyone is welcome to share all or part of their lists in the comments below! 

Can't wait to see what everyone comes up with...

E

real estate

   As most of you probably know, I have been a Realtor in North Carolina for 3 years and am currently getting licensed as a broker in Florida. But one could argue that I've been in Real Estate for my entire life. Growing up, I was constantly surrounded by realtors, dragged along to closings, and barraged by information regarding the real estate market in a way that only a person with generations of realtors as family members could be. 

   My grandmother, Marie Austin, started her Real Estate company in her very own living room in 1960. She was ahead of her time in many ways, but especially as a woman in a predominantly male field of work during a time when it was almost completely unheard of for a wife and mother to own a business. However, her dedication to her clients and willingness to go above and beyond for each person, no matter the price tag of their home, their skin color, or where they came from, soon made it known that Marie Austin was a force to be reckoned in the Real Estate market of good old Durham, North Carolina. 

   Well I guess being a Realtor was genetic because my mother, Joan Austin, went to work for the family business (which was going stronger than ever) almost straight out of college! Together, with a group of almost solely female agents, Marie Austin Realty became one of the most well-known and respected realty firms in the triangle. Known for many things, tenacity and kindness included, Marie Austin Realty became the standard for service, quality, & tradition in the real estate market. 

   My mother and grandmother showed me at an early age that women not only belonged, but thrived in the business world. Having such strong female role models as a young girl made me the strong, independent woman I am today. And let me tell you, those Austin women are a force to be reckoned with, especially when you are on the other side of the negotiations...I would know! Growing up, I never in a million years thought I too would follow in their footsteps and become a realtor. But after being convinced to get my license because "it might come in handy one day," I took the course and became a licensed broker in NC. 

   There were times when I wasn't sure that real estate was for me. Living up to such high standards in a community where my grandmother and mother were so well-known was daunting and, as I'm sure anyone will tell you, working in a family business can be a difficult balancing act. But, over the years I have grown to truly appreciate the history behind my family business and the amazing knowledge that has been passed down to me for so many years!

   When I decided to move to Florida with James, it was the single hardest decision that I've ever made in my life for many reasons. Who would leave behind a ready made career and family business that had been handed down after 50+ years of work?? Even I thought I was crazy at times. My family, friends, network, trusted clients and coworkers, all of the wonderful vendors and attorneys and local businesses that I had been working with for my whole career were going to be in NC...

I honestly struggled with this decision for about 6 months before taking the plunge and making the move. I was worried that I was letting my family down. But, if I had learned anything from those strong go-getter women, it was that you should always follow your heart and trust your gut!

   Now, as I work to learn the market down here in Florida and meet new friends and co-workers and clients, I've come to realize that all of the knowledge I learned in Durham has followed me down here and I know now that Real Estate IS what I'm meant to do. I love meeting new people and working to find them the perfect new home! And I love the challenge of marketing a house for my sellers, its become such a game of social media and knowing the ins and outs of your local market, its almost like a giant puzzle that is made specifically for millennials like me ;) There is honestly no better feeling than knowing you have made your clients happy and that through hard work and determination you have helped them through one of the more arduous tasks in life (and become good friends in the process!)

   I know that for the next few years, I will probably not be in any one place for too long. However, real estate is a wonderful job to have while being nomadic. Getting to meet new people, learn about the markets in different places, expand my knowledge of the national real estate trends, and help people find homes all over the country sounds like a pretty great adventure to me! This is a career where you never stop learning and must always be ahead of the curve, so it never gets dull. I know that one day I will end up back in the Bull City carrying on the family tradition of Marie Austin Realty, but until then I am excited to continue helping bring buyers and sellers together right here...wherever here may be!

w o r k & p l a y

Hello friends!
It's been quite a while since I've had a chance to sit down and write and I'm so happy to be relaxing on my couch right now with a glass of wine (maybe watching the Bachelorette...) and taking a moment to reflect on the past couple of weeks. 

After the amazing week spent with family and friends for Kevan and Rebekkah's wedding, James and I were able to relax and lay low for a couple of wonderful weeks. We took the dogs to the beach, cooked dinner together, read books, and slept late! It was so nice after the stress of my previous job and API. However, during this time, through a series of crazy events, I came in contact with a wonderful real estate agent who ended up hiring me as her transaction coordinator while i work on getting my real estate license! It was such a relief after worrying about being able to find a job, and i couldn't be happier or more excited about how this job is going :)

This week is my second week at work and i feel like I'm finally settling in and understanding my place in the office. Even though the hours are a little longer than I anticipated, the time goes incredibly fast and I am learning SO MUCH about real estate in florida. It's very different from the rules and regulations in NC but luckily my three years in NC have given me a great platform to jump from and i can't wait to see where this goes.

On a completely separate note, I have somehow let Rebekkah talk me into running a half marathon with her in October! And I'm actually really excited about it. For my whole life I have lived under the impression that i can not physically run because i am a fat kid stuck in a skinny kids body. Welp, this experience has proven that...I was right hahahaha 

At this point in time, I can run a 12 minute mile without dying, which is two minutes more than i ever thought possible! You would think that after being a dancer and growing up as a fairly athletic person, I would be able to run, but that is not necessarily the case. There are three months though before the half marathon and the training program we are using seems to be keeping me on track so far...fingers crossed!

And the best part about this half marathon is that its in Durham! I can't wait to go back and see everyone and hopefully complete this crazy race before they close down the track and send everyone home ;) On that note, any tips on running are welcome in the comment below! I can use all the help I can get!

Hope everyone is having a great week!

g r a t i t u d e & a t t i t u d e

the beginning of july has come and gone, and with it, a wonderful week of revels with family and friends. we celebrated the marriage of Kevan & Rebekkah (J's sister and brother-in-law) with a week-long extravaganza of seafood, music, funny stories, and heartfelt thanks as these two wonderful families came together and it was such a beautiful experience to be a part of! 

my parents were also in town during the wedding week so i was finally able to show them around pensacola and give them a glimpse into out little life down here. the name of this post is 'gratitude & attitude' because sometimes it takes a big event, like a wedding, to realize how much the little things in life matter. showing small, everyday bits of gratitude for the people and things in your life makes a huge difference in how you feel and carry yourself.

one of the big things that has been bringing me down recently was my job as a nanny here in pensacola. i unfortunately let the poison of that job filter into other aspects of my life and make me miserable. i honestly don't know what i would have done without the support of my amazing friends and family as i struggled to get out of that contract. i allowed my entire being to lose its light and just coming home and making dinner after a day at work became a chore. however, with the encouragement of james, my beautiful friends, and my awesome family, i decided to quit my job (yikes!),get my real estate license in florida, and continue selling houses down here as well as in nc!

today was my first 'unemployed' day and i have to admit that although liberating, it was a little nerve-wracking to realize i don't currently have a job! luckily, through connections we've already made down here, i have a job lined up with a real estate firm as soon as i complete my 72 hour online course. whew! talk about a relief!! sometimes you have to suck it up and make a change, be it a change in scenery, job, or attitude, and in this case i changed a little bit of all three. its scary making huge life changing choices, but without change there is no room for growth :)

as i sit here reflecting on how crazy the last week was, i am struck by the enormous gratitude i feel for the love and encouragement of the people in our life. no matter what is going on in life, through the highs and lows, the happiness and the sadness, the worry and doubt, and all of the beautiful, messy moments in between nothing would hold any meaning without these kooky, sweet people we call our family and friends. i wish it didn't take a job change and a wedding for me to realize this but sometimes we all need a little kick in the ass, right? 

i am also thankful for the super great NEW friends we were able to make because of Kevan and Rebekkah's marriage. its so crazy to think about how much light there is in the world, and how many wonderful new people and experiences are out there, if we could only just change the lens we look through and have a more open and positive attitude. so, in the wake of a truly awesome fourth of july week, i am making a promise to myself and all of you, to be a more positive, optimistic, and encouraging person DESPITE the darkness in life. because lets be honest, we've all got it pretty darn good! and if something isn't gelling with your vision of how you want your life to be, CHANGE IT!! FOR GOODNESS SAKE, just jump off that metaphorical cliff and take life by the horns! 

i hope that all of you had a great week! and if ever you feel some part of your life is not going in the right direction, remember that its never too late to change it. tell the people in your life that you love them, help a stranger, laugh A LOT, ask people how they are and CARE about the answer, and never ever ever settle for something less than absolute happiness!

<3 E
p.s James, im also thankful for the vacuum...those stairs would have been nightmare without it ;)

(this last photo was taken by Jerry Padgett Photography)

t r u c k i n a l o n g

i have officially been back in NC for a week and it has been lovely getting to spend time with my family every day. i also finally got to go out with my girls last night which was much needed! i don't know what i will do without them in florida but I've already met so many nice new friends, and i know my old friends will come visit me a bunch (beaches can be very persuasive) haha!

today i also had my first day of my last real estate post licensing class. and yes, i have taken the whole three years to complete it, true to form ;) it was SO boring. saturday and sunday 9:00-5:00 for the next two weekends... fortunately we are allowed to miss 6 of those hours. soooo i skipped out around 2 today hollerrrr. it was for a great reason though. brittney and i had to get mani/pedi's because i was a wreck from the move and looked like i had never groomed my nails in my life. #fragglelife

between work, CE classes on the weekends, and trying to get my old place cleaned up and ready for my renters, i can tell my time here is going to fly by. but i am so excited to get back to james and start my new job and finish getting settled into our new place. some of awesome things on my agenda for this summer include; getting scuba certified, starting paddle board yoga, looking into some grad classes at the local colleges, and getting involved in our local co-op classes. it will be a summer of new adventures and i am so ready! 

with the amazing support of my family and friends, both near and far, i am making moves (literally) and jumping into this crazy new life slowly but surely! Now all i need to do is finish getting my bikini body ready for all of these awesome beach activities woooo!

b a c k a n d f o r t h

two amazing whirlwind weeks of moving, unpacking, job-hunting, meeting new friends, beaching it, and spending time with my babe. amazing in every sense of the word. some moments were harder than others, but the most difficult part is over and we have settled in to our new routines fairly gracefully. 

except now, i am back in north carolina for a couple of weeks to wrap up some real estate deals and finish up my contract with the family i nanny for. however, since all of my belongings are down in pensacola...i am camping out at my parents house...with my two dogs.  not the most comfortable situation spatially, but great quality time with the fan before officially moving down and staying for good. or at least until the next move. 

the next three weeks here will be completely insane. somehow, i forgot about my CE for real estate and so i will be in class for the next two weekends, saturday & sunday, from 9:00-5:00. shoot me now. i have a feeling i will be writing some excellent blog posts during this time because god knows i can't sit that long without going crazy. i will also be working overtime with baby D so that i can make up for the last two weeks of not working at all. yikes!

i plan on spending as much time with my friends and family here as i can, enjoying spring in durham, going to Bulls games, lounging at Duke Gardens, drinking at my favorite bars, and trying not to lose the tan i got while in florida. haha but seriously. 

as amazing as it feels to be back here with all the people i love, i can't help but feel frustrated at all of the back and forth.it seems like i finally got settled in down in pensacola and then had to drop everything again and come back up. but all good things take time and i always knew this was the plan. change makes me slightly nervous so this is probably good for me haha. its like my dad always says; you're building character. so. much. character.

all i know is that i will be so happy to settle into my new job, home, and life with james. its not like i will never see my nc peeps again. I'm already planning my parents first trip down here, and my friends know they are always welcome to crash at our place and spend some glorious days at the beach. now i just have to convince molly and brittney to skip work and drive down with me for jazz fest in a couple of weeks....priorities!

s a t u r da y m o r n i n g

there is something amazing about being able to wake up slowly in the morning, knowing you have nowhere to be, nothing to do. just coffee to drink, a good book to read, some refreshing oils to diffuse...

my bedroom gets the most beautiful morning light. that bright golden, warm kind that makes you both sleepy and ready to get up and embrace the day. its been a while since i haven't had to work on a saturday because its such a good day to show houses. but this weekend i decided to focus on getting my stuff together for the move and taking it easy. i want to enjoy my last couple of weeks here before i empty out the house and take the plunge. 

so here i am sitting in my bed with a hot cup of coffee, lavender & lemon in the diffuser, dogs chomping merrily on their bones, listening to NPR and playing on pinterest. perfection. 

sometimes you have to take time out to relax and get your bearings before jumping into a flurry of activity. and believe me when i say that my to do list goes from about here to belgium today! 

but first! coffee. 

s o m u c h c o f f e e

today was uneventful with the exception that, like every thursday, I take care of children for over 11 hours. during the day I'm with one family and at night another. don't get me wrong, i love my job! who wouldn't want to hang out with kids all day, read books, play dress up, do ridiculous impressions, and basically act like a fool for a living? but, id be lying if i said i wasn't ready to crawl into bed right about now. in case anyone is on the fence about having a child, i suggest caring for someone else's kid for a day. its amazing birth control. but also reaffirms my belief that one day ill be a pretty badass mom. 

one of my favorite parts about being a nanny is hearing the hilarious things my kiddos say. they are seriously funny little people! for example: tonight i told the kids to go up and get ready for bed (brush teeth, get p.j's on etc...). all of the sudden a hear loud mexican singing and shakers coming down the stairs. when i walk to the base of the stairs i see one of the kids wearing a sombrero, sunglasses, mismatched socks, a huge t-shirt, and a running medal. he is shaking maracas and dancing down the stairs with no pants on. freaking hilarious. i couldn't even be mad at him for not listening because it was so funny. he did a lap around the kitchen and went back upstairs. a few seconds later i hear a yell, and then 'emilieeeeeee!' of course my first thought is, oh great someone got hit in the head with a maraca. but no. jack proceeds to throw his green shirt downstairs at me yelling, 'can you wash this? i peed on it.' i could not make this up. its really nice to hang out with kids that talk back to me after being with a 4 month old all day...even if its about things like pee shirts.

I've been taking care of these four kiddos on and off for about 5 years and I'm going to miss them so much when i move. but i can't wait until they are old enough to cringe when i tell them all of the ridiculous stories about them when they were this age! i really hope i am able to find a family this great to work for in pensacola. i will continue to fly up to NC to do real estate every once in a while, but i know i want to continue working with kids. we're just on the same page mentally i guess.

on a completely separate note, i have officially perfected my bulletproof coffee recipe! the secret ingredient is brown sugar and a dab of vanilla. sooo yummy. if you haven't tried a version of bulletproof coffee i recommend trying it with your breakfast. be sure to use 'pastured' butter though, which means it comes from grass fed cows, because that is where the extra nutrients come in. i also prefer to include coconut oil and a splash of milk. and of course a side of frozen blueberries, just because. 

m e h

today was one of those days. it was already depressing because the house was too quiet, too clean, too empty without james here. but to top it off i had to have my car towed and shell out $700 to have the alternator replaced. then my dog threw up in my bed. and baby D was having one of those days where a nap was just not going to happen. then i spoke with james, who is now in florida, and he said our apartment isn't as great as the pictures made it seem (something i should have expected as a real estate agent) and that it was tiny.

talk about horrible timing! moving is already expensive & stressful, but it seems like murphy's law is in full swing around here these days. of course, in the grand scheme of things, these small issues are nothing. its all about how you handle it and your attitude towards things that come your way. did i bitch and moan about shitty luck today? yes. did i curse the automotive gods and swear to take revenge upon carmax? yes. but overall, there are far more things in my life to be thankful for and I'm basically over it now. not to mention, hearing my babes' voice before going to bed is always nice. and thankfully we both agree that we can work with our apartment situation. 

so here's to the week going up from here! tomorrow is supposed to be 70 degrees and sunny, i am working with some amazing real estate clients right now, and I've got far too much on my plate with this move to feel sorry for myself. aaaand my young living essential oil kit is supposed to be here tomorrow woooo! bring it on hump day!