Thursday, July 31, 2014

Off to Alaska!


The hubby, parents, little brother, and I are all off to Alaska tomorrow for a week! I am so excited to cruise around glaciers, see orcas in the wild, and be in cold weather! (Miami is just SO. HOT.)

I'll be back on the blog when we return. Have a great week! :)

Monday, July 28, 2014

The Balancing Act



I'm pretty sure almost everyone (at least at some point in life?) struggles to feel that they've got everything balanced. And I suppose when I say "balanced", I even just mean "getting to do a little bit of everything". I think that's what makes me feel balanced: when I have a checklist and I at least get to touch each item somehow.

But I find that most days, either something doesn't get touched at all (i.e.: reading...seriously when do people read a novel?!) or something isn't done to the extent I would like (apply to more jobs, make a healthy dinner).

What's most startling to me is that right now, I probably have more time in my life to do things than I ever will. And yet I can't do it all! How does that happen? I have definitely found that picking three or four priorities for the day, and being content if at least those get done, helps. But I still want to do more.

Can anyone relate? Do you have any good suggestions for "balancing it all"? Or maybe the key is to be OK with not being able to do everything, as much as I hope to?

Friday, July 25, 2014

Have a wonderful weekend!



What are you up to this weekend? Our weekend consists of job hunting (that will be an "always" until we have one) but also getting ready for our upcoming family holiday to Alaska! We leave one week from today and are so excited!

Here are some links from around the webs and some photos from the week.

Have a great one! :)



10 Things You Need to Know About Social Media that truly are helpful. I feel slightly hypocritical for posting this when I haven't been staying the course lately, but overall, I try to stick to most of these.

I loved this home tour! Until we're settled in our own place, I'm just saving every great home idea I see!

My husband just about peed his pants when he saw this parody. I'm really not that bad.

Traveling on the Schooner Heritage sounds amazing! I'm dying to go now. Discovered this on one of my favorite weekly reads, From China Village.



Peanut Butter, Marshmallow Fluff (gluten free) cookies from Dessert for Two



Found that wood thing in the garage, my grandparents old lamp, and some white, cotton napkins...and I had myself a night stand! I love it.


We'll be here in a week! Can't wait!




Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Back from the land of the happy, adjusting, and unemployed


Ok, well I'm still all of those things (and still living by the beach :)...but I am back on the blog!

As many of you know, hubby and I moved back to the United States just over a month ago. (I can't believe it's been that long already!) It's been full of so many things: excitement, adjustment, food, job hunting, happiness, filling out lots of paperwork, queso, ice-cream, bike riding, swimming, more job hunting, more filling out lots of paperwork, and even more adjustment. Sometimes it feels like a holiday (vacation...I'm slowly getting American lingo back) and sometimes I don't know what to feel. And often, the emotions (and the need to find a job) are what make it difficult for me to keep up with Gumption.

But there have been so many blessings of being back here and I'm looking forward to sharing all sorts of new (and Miami specific, of course) things with you! If you follow me on Instagram, you've probably seen a lot of these already, but here are some snapshots of the blessings of life back in the summery, Northern Hemisphere.

Thanks for sticking around! It's good to be back. :)


"Braaing" (bbq-ing)...and with three bassets!



Little friends!



Sangria! Not that we didn't have that in South Africa, but a night out with the parents and sangria is really fun.



Lounging under palm trees and in the sun.



Wearing my lovely, African skirt. :)



More friends and the beach!



Three bassets under one roof! (A blessing and a curse?)






Being here with him. 


I have to add... This whole move is a far bigger deal and transition for hubby than for me. I basically have come home; he's moved continents. I'm so thankful that we was willing to do that and that we get to do all of this together. Certain things have been hard about the move for both of us, but he is and is doing amazing! Love him.