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