Happy Thanksgiving!! I hope your holiday is filled with lots of love, laughter and yummy food! There is so much to be grateful for this year and I look forward to spending the day counting my blessings!
Have a beautiful holiday.
ps…I’ll be back to regular posting next week
xx
Kate
This weekend Brian and I are celebrating our first wedding anniversary. I cannot believe that it has been a year already! I get all sappy thinking about our wedding day. It was perfection- so cliché but it really was the most magical day of my life. Marrying that man was the best decision I have ever made. I’m so grateful to be his wife. Like seriously…SO grateful.
Happy Anniversary, my love! You are the keel to my sail.
*
“Don’t marry the person you think you can live with; marry only the individual you think you can’t live without.”
James Dobson
things I am grateful for this thanksgiving…
+ my husband – I got a really good one. It sounds so cliché but he really is my best friend. He’s so supportive of me and always makes me feel loved. I couldn’t love him more
+ frankers – that little puppy makes me smile every single day
+ our home – it’s exactly what I had on my vision board. light, bright, modern & by the beach
+ our wedding day – such a joyful experience. I felt as if my heart was going to burst
+ the card that Brian wrote to me before our ceremony
+ my family – they stick by me no matter what. They are a loving, thoughtful and hysterical bunch.
+ my new family – I got very lucky in this department
+ publishing an essay
+ my health
+ the wonderfully generous wedding gifts we received
+ having the opportunity to start volunteering as a big sister
+ my girlfriends – the add so much to my daily life
+ feeling inspired again
+ the chill in the air
+ pumpkin pie
+ our espresso machine
+ fresh starts
+ synchronicity
+ my new leather jacket – I would sleep in it if I could
+ date nights with our favorite couples
+ opportunities
+ cozy nights in with my little family
+ upcoming travel plans
+ this blog and community
+ the warmth of the holidays
+ my life
find me elsewhere: instagram @kate365, twitter, facebook
Sweet baby Jesus. We’re getting married in 13 days. That’s less than two weeks in case you didn’t know. That’s just crazy. I’m sorry I haven’t been posting much (well, at all really) the last week or so. I think I’ve been a bit paralyzed by everything. Man I thought turning thirty was overwhelming but a wedding is a whole different animal. There’s been so much to do and finalize these last two weeks that every time I would sit down to write I wasn’t quite sure what to share. My head felt like a jumbled mess. On top of all the stress I’m filled with silly excitement now. Just can’t wait to be married to that man.
This weekend we slowed everything down and spent a lot of one on one time with each other. We spent Saturday morning at Brian’s office using their laser cutter for a wedding project. Well, let’s be honest…Brian was using the laser cuter while I spent hours perusing the internet for a dress to wear to our rehearsal dinner. Who knew that finding a rehearsal dress would be harder than a wedding dress? I have a vision people! Anyways, after four hours of work I still had no dress but the project was done so we decided to take ourselves to The Lazy Ox for lunch before heading home. We pretty much had the place to ourselves and we took advantage of it and had a long, lazy and delicious lunch. It was exactly what we needed. Saturday night we headed to the movies to see “Bad Grandpa” which seriously cracked me up. I haven’t laughed that hard a while. I’m a sucker for that kind of humor.
Oh and we also put the finishing touches on our mini moon this weekend. Brian and I decided to postpone our big honeymoon until spring. One because we were finding it hard to plan both the wedding and a month-long trip to Asia and two because I really want to go to Bali and it’s their rainy season now. And who wants to go to Bali when it’s raining most of the day, you know? So with our big trip postponed until the spring Brian and I decided to plan a little trip after the wedding because it would have been much to depressing to go back to work on Monday. So we are hitting the road the day after the wedding. First stop…Big Sur…which is one of our favorite spots. I love that you rarely get cell service there. I love that you’re surrounded by majestic redwoods. I love the windy road up the coast with the vast ocean views. I love the quiet. Brian found us the perfect little cabin to cozy up in for a night. All I want to do is play cards, drink red wine and cuddle by the fireplace for the whole evening.
Then we are heading up the coast to Tomales Bay in Northern California for a few nights. Neither of us have ever been up there so we are both excited to explore. It’s known for its fresh oysters which makes both Brian and I very excited. I’m quite sure we will spend a lot of time eating oysters and sipping cold beers in the sun while staring at the pacific. We will probably throw in a hike or two as well. Then we are off to San Francisco for a night in the city. Not quite sure what we will do yet but I’m sure we will find something fun to get into to. Lastly, we will be finishing up our mini moon in Berkley because Brian has a work conference to attend. I’m just along for the ride at that point. I’m sure I’ll just get lost on foot around Berkley exploring.
I know these next few weeks are going to fly by and I’m trying to enjoy every single little moment.
So grateful.
find me elsewhere: instagram @kate365, twitter, facebook
I feel like the next six months are going to be a whirlwind and I want to stay present so I can enjoy all the fabulous things that will be happening. I feel so damn lucky. It’s a bit like living in a dream world at the moment. A dream world that I have worked really hard to create. It wasn’t too long ago that I felt like I was living in hell. Everything felt confusing, overwhelming and I felt alone in it. Seriously, twenty-eight was a really hard year for me. So, I don’t say “I feel like I’m living in a dream world” lightly. I feel tremendously grateful. The next six months are going to be filled with beautiful memories and events. Starting with bringing home our new puppy in twelve days. I know we are probably in for a bunch of sleepless night and frustrating days but I am still so excited. I think raising this little guy is going to be a fun time for us as a couple. An intro to parenting, if you will. Then in early July, I will be celebrating my 31st birthday. Gosh, I really can’t believe it’s already time to blow out birthday candles again. Considering thirty-one isn’t an epic birthday I’ve decided I just want a little afternoon BBQ with a few friends to celebrate. I’d also like to think of it as Frank’s coming out party! Then in August I am heading to Sedona with all bridal party to celebrate my bachelorette. Having all my favorite woman under one roof for a long weekend sounds like pure bliss. I’m sure it will be a rowdy but very funny few days. In September my Mom, Step-Mom and maid of honor, Taline, are hosting a bridal shower for me with all the amazing woman in my life and then in October Brian’s family will be hosting us another shower. Then on November 9th we get hitched! I can’t even imagine what that day is going to feel like. I’m sure something like being bathed in love for twenty-four hours straight. Lastly, in December we depart for our honeymoon- most likely to Bali & Thailand. AMAZINGLY FABULOUS WHIRLWIND SIX MONTHS. I’m so excited for all of it. I keep reminding myself to stop and breath and take it all in. I’m guilty of having a personality that always wants more and is constantly riding myself to work harder but, I’ve decided (with the help of my lovely therapist) that I want to take a break from that type of behavior and instead soak up this life of mine that is so lovely right now. Soon we will be returning from our honeymoon, it will be January, Brian and I will be married and back to reality but until then…
“We’re so busy watching out for what’s just ahead of us that we don’t take time to enjoy where we are.” – Bill Watterson
find me elsewhere:
Dear Readers,
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your warm, thoughtful, enlightening and honest comments to my post about my issues with anxiety. I was truly overwhelmed by the response. It was very difficult for me to write about something so personal that I am also embarrassed about. The morning I posted it, I spent a good twenty minutes going back and forth with myself before hitting “publish”. Once I finally did, and it was out into the open, I felt relieved. It felt good to be the authentic & messy me. Now you all know my dirty little secret and after reading all of your comments, I know that I don’t suffer alone.
We’re all a work in progress, huh? And this living thing can get a bit messy and confusing sometimes.
I was telling Maggi, my life coach about how touched I was by the feedback the piece received and she reminded me of something that was rather painful for me to hear as a writer- that up until “The Cloak”, I haven’t been sharing as deeply as I used to in my posts these past few months. At first, I scoffed at this and pointed out a few posts here and there that I did but I knew that she spoke the truth. Totally annoying when that happens, huh?
I used to let it alllllll hang out here. But these last few months have been so difficult for me that I just couldn’t go there. I mean it’s taken all my might to just make it through the day with my anxiety, the stress and joy of planning a wedding, buying our first home, worrying about the future, building my career and showing up for my family, friends and partner. I was scared that if I stood still long enough to describe the tornado to all of you, while I was standing in the friggin center of the tornado, I would be swallowed up.
Does that make sense?
So instead, I decided to focus on the little joys in life like nesting, cooking Sunday night dinners for family, creating a new office space and going on artist dates with myself. It helped keep me somewhat sane in these anxious times. I can’t be heavy every day, ya know? Also, part of me didn’t want to seem ungrateful. When I started this blog my life was in the shitter. I was broke, confused about my career, supplementing my freelance income with nannying (which was truly painful activity- I could write a whole book about that year), depressed and single. In a little under two years my life looks completely different. I am getting married to the man of my dreams, my writing career has enjoyed many great highs and advancements (even if I am still want more), I’m not stressed about money, we are proud new owners of a loft that I swear looks exactly like the images on my vision board and I’m generally a very happy person.
I got everything I wanted these last two years.
I was afraid that if I told you how off I was feeling you guys would think I was nuts, negative or ungrateful.
But then I thought, maybe that’s it. Maybe getting everything you want also comes with a price and being a woman in your thirties is hard to navigate. The stakes are different from being a woman in your twenties. I doubt I’m alone in feeling this. So I decided it was time to share about my fears and anxieties and curl up on the couch on a rainy Wednesday afternoon and write from the most honest place I could.
I am so very honored that you guys responded with such love and I am grateful for each one of you.
Thank you for being on this journey with me and thanks for again reminding me that I am not alone.
L,
Kate
Inspirations, gratitude and surprises
image via
I feel so damn happy and full of life. I’m so aware of how lucky I am to have so much love in my life. How lucky I am not to worry about money at the moment (I have in the past and it’s exhausting). How lucky I am to have a partner in life who really takes being my partner seriously. How lucky I am for my health. I recently learned a family member was diagnosed with brain cancer at 58, and the news has left me speechless. The other night in yoga I found myself so overcome with gratitude that my heart felt like it was going to burst .
I’m not saying everything is perfect. I still I find myself sitting in my car or in the shower and thinking…what the fuck?…why isn’t such and such going my way? But recently rather than get bogged down by those thoughts, and take it as a sign that the universe is against me, I have found myself trustful that universe’s delay’s aren’t a bad thing. I truly believe from the bottom of my heart that everything is unfolding exactly as it should.
This weekend should be a fun one. Tonight I have a date with two lovely ladies, Katie and Melissa, whom I met on Jennifer Pastiloff’s Manifestation Retreat earlier this year. Saturday Brian and I plan to pack all day- so fun, huh? Although we will be taking a small break to skype with a possible wedding photographer. Fun! Sunday I have another girls date- a morning yoga with Rachel and Sophie. Then Brian and I are going to head over to the new house to do some measuring. We move in exactly two weeks!!
Lastly, I’ve decided to bring back “Inspiration, Gratitude & Surprise” posts every Friday. They are a really great way for me to reflect on the week.
What inspired me this week?
This post by Katie of Confessions From An Imperfect Life – Her raw honesty opens up my heart every time I read her words.
This post by Jen of Manifestation Yoga– seriously it’s a must read. It really made me think about where fear was rearing its ugly head in my life.
The new blog Valleybrink Road– it makes me want to cook!!
This article by Katie Roiphe about memoir writing
Planning out my artists dates with myself every Friday in February
What am I grateful for this week?
my cozy flannel pajamas
The Vegan Thai restaurant down the street
Work is really busy and I am always grateful when that happens
Taline- for giving us boxes from her move for our move!
What surprised me this week?
I’ve made it ten days with no sugar, gluten, dairy or alcohol and I haven’t gone mad. Clearly, I deserve an award or something. Now for the real test- I start a three-day Pressed Juicery cleanse tomorrow.
*
“I have learned that faith means trusting in advance what will only make sense in reverse”
Phillip Yancy
365til30.com 