December

Quite possibly my favorite month of the year...

The Christmas music. The Christmas trees. The Christmas lights.

The chill in the air. The rosy cheeks. The first snowflakes.

How generous people can be. The act of giving. The focus on December 25th of why we're all here.

The time off from work. Seeing family at the holidays. Wrapping up all you need to in the current year.

The traditional Christmas Eve dinner. Baking cookies. Bûche de Noël.

December puts the perfect amount of finishing touches on the past year, and is the perfect lead in to the next.

Carl Lane Metzler

My cousin would have been 29 years old today… and on this Thanksgiving, I’m most thankful for him. As tradition goes, we watched the ‘video montage’ my Aunt made of Carl… 40 minutes of heartache and laughs all in one. There are about 10 songs in this video… 3 of them make me cry the whole way through, but only 1 of them stops my breath- Flogging Molly’s “If I Ever Leave This World Alive.” I don’t think it’s a popular song, but yet, somehow it always seems to find its way into my life time and time again when I don’t expect it. I absolutely LOVE this song. Couple other things I love because of Carl- Guinness, Livestrong, and Boondock Saints. One thing I don’t- Goldschläger.

I am amazed at one thing in particular that has been different with Carl than other people I’ve lost in life… his memory is still so strong. It has been over 6 years and I can still clearly recall the conversations, see his face in detail from the last time I hugged him goodbye, and hear his laugh and his slight little lisp. His personality was so strong and I’ve been able to find him so often in my daily life because of it. Happy Birthday Carlos.

“I held him close for only a short time, but after he was gone, I'd see his smile on the face of a perfect stranger & I knew he would be there with me all the rest of my days.”

Text Messaging

Specifically how all my friends know I’m much better at text than I am at returning an actual phone call. I love that my Mom sends text photos upside down and double spaces all of her words. That I get updated photos of my niece and nephew this way. I love that my friends are able to talk their husbands into letting them have text service back on their phone plan, and then upgraded to unlimited accessibility. I pretend to get mad and then laugh to tears at the inappropriateness of my high school friends 3am updates. Adore the ones that simply say good morning. I love the panther kitten calls that my Auntie sends over before a football game. Or the classic ‘O-H’ each Fall Saturday from diehard fans. I see my dog in 99% percent of what Dad sends my way… the other 1% is always some natural phenomenon he has stumbled across. I love the videos that come through of friend’s babies growing up that I watch each week as if not to miss a single moment of their development. I love the forwards that never need an explanation of who it’s from. And I love forwarding the ‘I don’t give a…’ to my girlfriends who share in my idea of an idiotic greeting card line. Storing good texts are so much simpler than saving voicemails. I only wish we could do without the confusion of tone and how our wording comes across sometimes… it’s one thing a human voice will always be best at. I admit that I hide behind texts occasionally, like writing and emailing instead of having an actual conversation… I’m sorry about that. But not really… texting makes me happy.

Someone Else’s Blog

Specifically ‘1,000 Awesome Things’ by Neil Pasricha

Working his way through 1,000 awesome things in life, one weekday at a time. I think what I love most about his picks are that they are so often forgotten…

Such as: picking up a ‘q’ and ‘u’ at the same time during a Scrabble game, pants straight out of the dryer on a cold day, the parking lot pull through, when you get the milk/cereal ratio just right, when your microwave pops your popcorn perfectly, waking up before your alarm and realizing you have hours left to sleep, being at home when the storm starts, when batteries are included, finding something you lost a long time ago, the little hole at the top of the sink that prevents the water from overflowing, pulling out a weed… roots attached.

But my absolute favorites (so far): when the guy in front of you at a red light nudges up a bit so that you are able to make that right hand turn, living with someone who doesn’t mind killing spiders, using rock paper scissors to settle an argument, perfect parallel parking on the first try, bakery air, snow falling on Christmas Eve, absolute perfect silence, squeezing through a door as it’s shutting without having to touch it, listening to your new favorite song over and over and over again, when it seems like the lyrics to a song were written just for you, when you find out your new place has a really good shower, fully justifying whatever terrible thing you’re eating, figuring out ‘how did we get on this topic', correctly guessing if the door is push or pull, when someone pronounces your name right on the first try.

Especially that last one...

Excellent Customer Service

Boring post but worth mentioning...

It has always been a mission of mine (and a hard one at that) to be a little kinder than necessary. I don’t expect it from others of course because I’d be disappointed, often. But it’s always a nice surprise when it does happen. USAA… great customer service. I think if I was having a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day I would even consider calling USAA just to have a good friend to talk to. I’m also going to throw Chipotle, Target cashiers, Barnes and Noble, Vanguard Group, and United Colors of Benetton in there. Now you pretty much know which businesses I cling to, and for good reason.

My Girlfriends

The girls I’ve been close to since high school, the ones I spend my weeknights with in Charlotte, and the wondrous friends I’ve met in between. The roommates, the classmates, the relatives, the coworkers. Here’s to the road trips down 35, star gazing on Sullivan’s, wine tasting in Napa. For traveling the world with me, taking me in as family when I moved away from my own, for giving me the job. For cursing the bad guys, telling others how to correctly pronounce my name, and always cooking me dinner. Thank you for letting me stand in as your children’s Auntie Anna, be beside you on your wedding day, and with you when no one else is allowed in. I secretly enjoy the inappropriate text pictures I yell at you for, and know I am a better person for the fears you’ve made me confront. I miss the old school Wednesdays at Qdoba, and love the current Wednesday date nights. Thank you for taking me on family beach vacations, houseboat trips to the lake, and putting me up in your Chateau when I’m in Charleston. Cheers to curling up on the couch with a beer, wine tasting on our IKEA beds, and Bloody Marys… any day, any time, any place. Thank you for getting me through my work day though we’re 3 hours apart, for having me over for Thanksgiving when I can’t go home, and spoiling me when I’m sick. I am better because of you, I am stronger because of you, and I am most definitely less sensible at times because of you: )

“We are friends and I would miss you, do miss you, and think of you often.”
~Jeanette Winterson~

The Little Things This Fall

Grilling out. A new sundress. Skylines. Freshly washed sheets. A fair mechanic. The cool side of the pillow. An umbrella that matches my outfit. Trying out local Charlotte bars, one bloody mary at a time. Wednesday night date night. Sushi. A good run. How beautiful the trees are in our neck of the woods. Picture texts of my friend’s babies. A perfect avocado. Having time for an afternoon nap. White roses. Rooftops. Trader Joes. Ochocinco on a Sunday. Watching the clouds go by with someone. Paper Skyscraper. Haribo gummy bears. A simple ‘good morning’ text. Road trips. A new restaurant. Post Its. FNL. The occasional can of pop. Quiet weekends. Gel pens. Being on the water, specifically Lake Cumberland. Homemade pizza. Finally figuring out the correct lyrics. Browsing through greeting cards. Getting a package slip. Watching a best friend fall in love. Mixed CDs. Warm toes. A visit to see my parents. Fresh haircuts. Easy breezy fall days. Taking a stroll. Strike City OSU fans. Festivals. Early outs. Cornhole. Everyone’s ‘first day of school’ photos. Windows down. Sitting outside to eat. Switching from the typical white mocha to the chai or pumpkin spice. Him. Having a list of favorites that are pretty specific to my favorite season of the year.

Charleston, South Carolina

Sweet, sweet Charleston. The history, the art, the water. Just the smell of Charleston is poignant in a beautiful way (unless you’re headed over the Don Holt Bridge). My favorite streets: King, Rifle Range, Middle, Pitt, East Bay. My favorite restaurants: Sermet’s Corner, Monza, Village Street Bakery, La Pizzeria, Samos, Poe’s. My favorite spots: Pitt Street Pier, top of the Ravenel Bridge, Station 16, the Battery. My favorite events: Spoleto, fireworks at the Yorktown, Marion Square Farmer’s Market, Blessing of the Vine. I’m missing A LOT, I know. But everyone has their favorites, and those will forever be mine.

There’s a comfort that comes over me each time I drive into Charleston, a ‘peaceful, easy, feeling.’

Here’s my favorite picture that I took while strolling the streets with Ashley May one Saturday.

Giving Hugs

I’m pretty sure I love hugging others much more than they like to be hugged. I’ve learned to tone it down when hugging might-as-well-be strangers because they think it, well, strange. But nonetheless I’m so tempted to turn the famous ‘Anna Hug’ on them anyways. Even with the occasional, “please don’t squeeze so hard” I’m still not deterred. I can’t help it; it’s such a wonderful way to show others your emotions without having to say a word in between. I feel like a hug is something that can be given or stolen just the same… and there are few things you can say that about.

As Shel Silverstein so wonderfully wrote:

I will not play at tug o’war
I’d rather play at hug o’war
Where everyone hugs
Instead of tugs
Where everyone giggles
And rolls on the rug
Where everyone kisses
And everyone grins
And everyone cuddles
And everyone wins.

I will always be known for my hugs and that makes me, and hopefully you, very happy.

A Full House

I love peace and quiet, that can’t possibly be a surprise to anyone... BUT, I also love a full house. It has been quiet here for an entire month… and I’m happy to have the noise back. Everyone has returned to the SofLane household. Pip and Luke, Cloakster, Lil’ Ted, Meemaw and Papaw, and of course our sorority sisters (or so we like to think of them as so) come in and out our revolving door. Even when I’m sitting in my room trying to pick out tomorrow’s work outfit, just hearing the laugher and talking brings a wide smile to my face. Things are back to normal, and I’m feeling very fulfilled.

On a side note, the television show makes me happy too.

My Cousins

From the airport pickups, to the airport drop-offs, and the tapping of the Guinness keg in between- they’re there. This past weekend with my cousins in Minnesota was nothing short of the ‘norm.’ I think there is sacredness in the love of a cousin. It’s an understanding that we came from the same grandparents' undying love (thank you G&G), were raised almost identically, and cared for by the same fanatical family members. It’s a relationship that allows for anger at times, but is always forgiven. It’s teaming up and rebelling at similar ages in our lives and being able to discuss what our different punishable outcomes were. During the hardest moment imaginable when we lost one of our own… it’s in each other we found the most comfort. How blessed I am to be able to say that I’ve experienced the love of a cousin when many people are unable. I’m better for knowing them, more unified with them at my side, and reassured by the strong belief that one of them is patiently waiting to welcome me with open arms when my day comes. There is no greater comfort than that.

Staying In On a Friday Night

It's Friday night. I’m headed the opposite way of traffic, to a quiet apartment complex, and an empty gym. As always, it has been a long work week (that is not a complaint) and going out would only exhaust me more. Even the thought makes me wince. It seems to be a great night to do all the things I do during the week, but with the comforting notion that I can sleep past 6am tomorrow morning. It would most commonly involve a quick workout, dinner with the roomie, and falling asleep to our most recently bought chick flick. Make fun all you want… Hell, feel free to give me a call when you need a ride home at 2am, I'm there. Just don’t complain to me on Saturday morning when you wish you’d stayed in because you spent too much money and don’t feel well. I lack sympathy when it comes to that: ) I love my Fridays in… and I’m okay with this being outside what's customary.

My Grandpère

This is probably where I get my quiet side. To me, and I’m sure to my entire family, he is one of the most brilliant men in the world. He chooses his words carefully, hums his music calmly, and challenges you beyond measure. He served his country, is a lifetime student, and always the problem solver. Sharp as ever and influencing me more each moment I’m with him. When there’s not a clear answer, he’ll find it. And he never, ever lets you give up on a brainteaser (which I admit I get frustrated with). He’s the person I will never get to spend enough time with… the one I’ll always have questions for. I love how my Grandpère sits quietly at family events and soaks in the conversation, smiles as he sees us all together, and finds complete joy in being silent when he probably has much more to say than any of us put together.



Here is my favorite piece of work of his called “This I Believe.”

“I believe that I am here and writing this credo for one main purpose: to glorify God, my Heavenly Father. I believe this life is only a grain of sand on a beach called Eternity. I will live here until I die, and then live forever. My eternal home is my choice: up or down, fly or burn, heaven or hell.

I believe that people are praying for me, and I feel the energy of their supplicative petitions continually. I believe that one of my secondary life purposes is to share my life-saver, Jesus Christ, with others, and to share my talents, time and treasures with my brothers and sisters in Him.

I believe that God expects me to pray for his other children, some of whom I don’t even know. Another one of life’s purposes is to immerse myself in His university, the Bible, and follow its guidelines. I believe that God is never in a hurry; but he’s always on time. I believe that sometimes God whispers, sometimes He thunders, and many times He says, “I’ll be back.”

I believe that this confession of beliefs will help me grow in my faith, and I hope it will be a blessing to those who read it. I believe the best answer to the question, “Have you lived here all your life?” is: “NOT YET.”

I believe that there is nothing I can do to God, or nothing I can do for God that will change His mind about me; He loves me and will forever! I believe it’s time to leave.”

When Friends Come Into Town

Had a fabulous weekend with one of my best girls who was sweet enough to drive in from Charleston: A May. She’s my favorite designer/artist in the world and did not let me down as she even designed t-shirts for the weekend. May & Marie Fest included, but was not limited to, the best food we could find, shopping at Forever, wine and wine, movies, and a special bottle of champagne that has a story all its own.



Between the living room dance party in our matching tees and the trip to Chipotle that we treated as our life’s last meal… our favorite 3.5hrs was finding Charlotte’s finest French restaurant: George’s Brasserie. The night’s menu went a little something like this: white beer, deep red wine, escargot, duck confit, and beef bourguignon. I’m deeming it my new favorite ‘spot.’ And so, since I have no good words to describe how amazing the experience really was, just come visit and I’ll take you there myself. That’s all there is to it. What a perfect weekend with my A May. Rest up my dear friend… and thank you, for everything.

Italia

The language. Thin crust pizza. Fashion. Outdoor cafes. Tile kitchens. The Dolomites. Bread. Art museums. Pesto. Castles. Wine. Wine. Wine. Vineyards. How everything shuts down on Sunday for family day. Open markets. The architecture. Pasta. Soccer games. Marble floors. Their love affair with food. How women walk around in high heels from morning to night. Gelato. Family businesses closing down at lunch for however long they want. The Uffizi. Everyone riding bicycles. Italian cinema. Carnevale. The history of the Roman empire. Opera/theater. The colors. The festivals. Tradition. Ceramic masks. Their strong sense of family. Back alleys of Venice. Country drives through Tuscany. The romance. Olive orchards. Not just the language but the way Italians speak… how eloquently words just fall from their mouths. The mafia. How every town has a piazza. Proscuitto. High standard of living. Giro d’Italia. Cobblestone. Open windows. The serenades. Bocce Ball. Pointy toed shoes. Villas. The lakes. The Alps. Cappuccino. Antipasti. The churches… and church bells in the morning. Interior design. Terracotta roof tiles. Shopping in Milan. The monasteries up on mountain tops. Prosecco. Limoncello. The price of house wine. The Vatican. The cars. The coastline. How strong the drinks are. Mopeds. Life there is almost laid back but fast pace at the same time. The fountains. Cheap train rides. Leather purses. The hospitality. Etc etc etc