sunday log three.

Well, I am coming to you at 10:36 pm, but... better late than never, right?

Three Sundays in a row. I may well be on my way to forming a habit. 

I'm going to level with you right here - my leisure reading of late has been nearly nonexistent. I used to be a person who read, at the very least, a chapter of an actual, real life book nearly every single day. And now? I scroll various social media before passing out with my phone in my hand each night. How the mighty have fallen. 

Earlier today, however, I opened up and read an article in Smithsonian Magazine. Call it small, but it made me feel better about myself. 

Now, I just have to address the issue of how I have managed to be in the process of reading the same book since last. year.  I don't even really know what to say about that, other than... ugh. 

I know this is a short post, but really, I just need the accountability. So next time you see me, if I have a phone in my hand, do me a favor and hand me a book instead. 

sunday log two | Pilates and commas.

Two Sundays in a row? This has to be some kind of record, right? All joking aside, I am very happy to have found my way here today. It's 6:30 in the morning, I am sipping coffee, and the morning light still has that blue tinge to it. It's the Fourth of July - we are going to grill hot dogs, slice a watermelon, play outside in the baby pool, and later on, we will make and enjoy angel food cake with strawberries and cool whip.

I hate to say it, but the last few days, I've been in a bad mood. I've been short-tempered, I've been withdrawn, I've just been... whiny. I know, everyone has these kinds of days, but I woke up this morning feeling tired of it. It is a goal of mine for July to be a very productive month, one in which my house is well maintained, I cook more nights a week than not, and I take care of my body by drinking lots of water, eating delicious and healthy food, and working out consistently. So far, my water consumption needs a reboot, I'm doing moderately well with food, and I've actually done really well with regard to workouts. I've been doing Pilates with The Balanced Life since 2017, but I held off on becoming a member, with access to the workout calendars and the whole collection of workout videos (and all of the other resources Robin supplies), until August of 2020. Since becoming a member in August of last year, I had yet to reach the milestone of "completing the calendar," that is, doing every workout scheduled for the month. In June, I did it, and I am really loving the way I feel. My body has changed so much in just that short month of real, true consistency. I am stronger, and my body just... feels better. More flexible. More... stable. I am really happy to have found Robin all of those years ago, searching on YouTube for "quick, effective Pilates workouts."

This post wasn't supposed to be about workouts. But then again, I'm not entirely sure what it was supposed to be about. I just kind of opened my laptop and started typing. And aside from possibly picking a topic other than Pilates, I probably could have used fewer commas. But, I am here. And that is an improvement.

Happy Fourth of July, from my better-mood-on-the-horizon, Pilates-and-comma-loving house, to yours. 

sunday log one.

Good morning, and happy Sunday! If you have read my blog for any length of time, you will likely be familiar with The Sunday Currently. Last I checked, I had completed 125 volumes of this particular series (!), and for a long time, it was a great joy in my life. However, things run their course, and, as they say, "all good things come to an end." This was true of The Sunday Currently. I even thought I was ending TSC when I wrote the 100th edition of it, but I eventually came back to revive it for another 25 volumes, because I loved the practice so very much. 

In the last couple of years, as I've sporadically revisited this space, you may have noticed me talking a lot about missing posting consistently, how I really wish I could start posting consistently again, and "remember the glory days of blogging in [insert any give year here]." Another theme I noticed when re-reading some old posts yesterday, was that I kept coming back to the idea that I would "always be a person who has a blog." I am fairly certain that is true. And, well, here I am today, in 2021. This blog has been written on since 2011. I had never really stopped to think about the fact that this blog has been going on for 10 years - but when I do think about it, I am filled with a very particular kind of pride, and definitely sentimentalism. 

With this milestone in mind, today I am bringing you (and myself, haha) the prospect of a vehicle through which to begin posting with regularity again - a Sunday post that goes up every week, sharing tidbits and miniutia of everyday life. Thoughts and feelings and things I love. This will not exactly be the rebirth of The Sunday Currently, but rather, The Sunday Currently's.... second cousin? I don't know. They will be related, but they will not be identical. One week it might just be a scenario where I open the blogging window and let words pour out (kind of like today). Another week it may be a categorized list of thoughts and snippets of everyday life, like the TSC posts of yore. Another week yet, it might be a collection of photographs, and perhaps some ramblings about those photographs. It all remains to be seen. 

I am unsure if the excitement is adequate in its translation from my fingertips through the screen to you, but suffice it to say, I am thrilled and immensely looking forward to having a consistent place to call my writing home for the foreseeable future. I hope you share my excitement a little bit, dear readers. After all, we've now been in a relationship for 10 years. And that is something. 

See siddathornton's first post here. 

See the beginning of siddathornton's very first series here.

[Editor's Note - it is not lost on me that this blog needs a facelift. It will be forthcoming.]

a post.

I'm writing to you from the couch. It's a dark and rainy summer afternoon. 

There are only two things I like about summer: crepe myrtles and thunderstorms, and I was lucky enough to experience both today. 

A lot has been happening in my life recently, and I feel like I'm in a period of flux, of transition, and if you know me, you know I royally suck at transitions. I can prepare, I can meditate on it, I can make nearly-tangible plans. It doesn't matter. If things are changing around me, I feel like the mental depiction of a cat thrown into bath water. 

A member of my family passed away as spring was turning into summer this year. A combination of factors keep me from being present, something that makes things feel unfinished. 

Opportunities and ideas and creativity have been swirling around in our house this year. Unable to travel, we sit tethered to our home, and the ideas come, bringing with them excitement and hope and at times, overwhelm. My thoughts feel jumbled, and I am working daily to disentangle the good stuff from the chaos. 

But aside from that and other things, I know that... 

... both ice cream and cereal taste better from coffee mugs. 

... writing daily - even just a little bit, even a tiny scribble in the margins of a planner - is transformative. 

... working out daily - even if only for ten minutes - is also transformative in ways I wasn't previously aware of. Pilates is my favorite, followed by barre. What's yours? 

... there is value in being as direct as possible. I am a sugar-coater to my core, but I am working on saying things and expressing my opinions more plainly. I think sometimes I give off the impression that I have no opinion, but that couldn't be further from the truth. 

... it is important to get outside. Despite being, in Jack Dawson's words, "kind of an indoor girl," I can't quite describe the benefits I feel from walking outside for a little while. As a mother of two children, I recognize the benefit to them as well. 

... I will always come back here, to this place, to this holder of memories. And every time I return, the inspiration is there, waiting for me, like an old, time-worn friend. 

from the floor of a bedroom, part two.

Good morning from Lake Norman. 

Yesterday, Justin, the boys, & I went out for Saturday morning coffee. When it was time to return home, we decided to just keep driving, & this is where we ended up. It has afforded us an impromptu visit with family, as well as a respite from daily life in our own little bubble. 

Life lately has consisted of adhering to nap times, drinking inordinate amounts of coffee, having hummus & crackers with my two-and-a-half-year-old, & trying to squeeze in some sleep here & there. We are currently making our way through the four month sleep regression. I phrase it in that way because I truly believe that this particular developmental milestone demands that you simply survive. Sure, I've read the books, I follow the sleep experts on Instagram (and watch their stories religiously)... but somehow, we are still met with a bit of a challenge in this department right now. 

I won't sugar coat it - it's hard. And unfortunately, I am one of those particular individuals who are grumpy when they lack sleep. 

But, it won't last forever, and we will persevere. 

I'm making it sound far too dramatic, but that's what happens on little sleep & a lot of coffee. 

I was chatting with a friend yesterday via text, and she remarked that maybe, one day, we would look back on this time in our lives and miss it. 

I replied that I thought we certainly would. After all, despite the challenges of our daily lives, there is an overarching tone of joy, of purpose. From moment to moment, hour to hour, I find myself already missing it. The whole-face smile of a four month old baby, the stories told by a nearly-three-year-old, punctuated by the question, "Ee-mem-er?" On two hours' sleep or twelve, nothing could be sweeter, nothing could be more significant. 

on consistency & self discipline.

hastily tapped out in my phone notes while en route from Denver to Raleigh last week - 

I'll never understand why I stop doing things that I like.

Working out. Eating healthfully. Writing on this blog. 

Human nature seems to dictate this weird need to depart from routines and activities and tasks, even if those things are beloved to us. Do we need a break from the monotony? Do we secretly need to rebel? Are we all just that wishy washy? 

Maybe it's just me. But really, drawing from conversations with friends, I'm quite sure that it is not just me. Many of us seem to have to struggle inwardly against ourselves to make sure we are doing - consistently - the things that we love. 

I know people who don't seem to struggle in this way. And a character trait that I observe in them, alongside this faithful, relentless, and unfailing consistency? Self discipline. 

A long time ago, in what was probably 2006 or 2007, there was this feature you were able to install on Facebook that allowed individuals to write anonymous messages to you, that only you could view. I'll never forget one of the messages I got one night (in fact, it's the only message from that feature I even remember at all). It read, 

"I wish you weren't such a flake." 

Even now, I am not sure who of my friends wrote that message to me, though I have an idea or two that would certainly make sense*. At that time in my life, I will admit that I was flaky. I was flighty and anxious and always trying to fit in and please people and be viewed as fun. And now, I can recognize that life - and living a happy one at that - is not about pleasing everyone with what a lively and vivacious person you are, with how many stories you have to tell, with how new and exciting your life is - and remains - day after day. Your real friends and family will love you, even when you're dull, even when you don't know what to say, even when you're in a dark place. 

I wish I would have known that back then, so that I could have been the kind of friend to whomever wrote that message, that I try to emulate now. I wish I would have known how to look deep inside myself and recognize all that I truly love and hold dear. And I wish I would have had the courage then, to be true to myself. I wish I would have had more self discipline, to stick beside plans, to stick beside my friends, to stick beside myself. 

And now, I hope and pray for the kind of self discipline that yields consistency. Consistency with exercise, healthful eating, sharing by way of this blog, connecting with dear friends. 

I hope and pray for that magical, unyielding consistency. 

*If you wrote that message to me, and you are reading this, please know that I am truly sorry that I was not there for you. I sincerely wish I would have been. 

the sunday currently, volume 124.

beautiful flowers all around vail

reading Fierce, by Aly Raisman. A couple of weeks ago, I finally finished Big Little Lies, by Liane Moriarty, which I really enjoyed.
writing a lot in my bullet journal, including adding photos and keepsakes. It's been a while since I've done this kind of journaling, and it really is my favorite.
listening to the Office while typing out this blog post. Nothing makes me feel better like this show does.
thinking that I am really glad that Justin and I built in some trip recovery time on the back end of our trek to Colorado. It really does take some time to get re-acclimated to the time zone you've returned to. We've both been feeling so tired since we got back.
smelling coffee and donuts. The breakfast of champions.
wishing for some tortilla soup today. I had some at a place called Hacienda Colorado in Denver. It was so good, and I've been craving it ever since.
hoping for a productive and joyful week ahead.
wearing pajamas, just like I have been doing since we arrived home from Colorado.
loving the flowers we got to enjoy all around Vail (see photo above).
wanting tortilla soup. I'm telling you, I can't stop thinking about it.
needing a shower and a fresh perspective.
feeling sad for a dear friend and praying for healing and comfort for her and her family.

See all volumes of The Sunday Currently here.

What little pieces are making up the normal in your life today? Link up & share below. 

from my library perch.

Hello. Good morning. Greetings. 

I'm coming to you today from my school's library. I am perched at one of the prime tables, right when you walk in, staring out over the already-packed parking lot. I both rose early and got here early today, and that is more than I can say for any of the previous weeks of this semester. I feel like I am finally settling into the groove of fall two-thousand-fifteen, and boy do I hope it stays that way.

There is a list of things, sitting to my left, staring at me, coaxing me to do the right thing and possibly cross some of those tasks off, as I have quite a load of free time ahead before class starts. 

But, instead, here I am, writing this blog post. A few of my classmates have zoomed by my table, headed to work on projects, or perhaps read, or perhaps type out blog posts of their own. They ask me what I'm up to, and when I reply, "blogging," I feel transported back to a time when that was almost everything I really had to do each day, back when I was here. I miss Wilmington, especially recently, but I am happy to be busy and to be working toward something in OT school. That's for sure. 

I've been missing Texas lately, too. And yearning for a visit. And Shreveport. I've been missing a lot of places. 

And with the holidays on the distant horizon, that vague sort of excitement has been hanging in the air around me, infusing my days with small, delightful joys. This is, by far, my favorite time of the year. And autumn will officially be upon us in two days.

And, Justin got back into town, via CLT --> PGV late last night. Tahoe and I greeted him as he hauled his golf bag, suitcase, and laptop bag into the waiting vehicle. Words can't express how glad I am that he is home. Words can't express how grateful I am for friends who know that I hate staying home alone and either let me spend the night with them, or spend the night with me. Words can't express how much I truly love normalcy and routine. And couch time each night with television and movies and dinner together. 

I've been running and working out a lot recently, too. I ran in a 5k this past Saturday, and I ran the entire time, which is something I haven't been able to do lately. It was just as much a mental victory as a physical one, and now I am more inspired than ever. This inspiration is expertly timed, as another half marathon has been signed up for, hurtling toward me via its April 2016 date. To say I'm excited is an understatement. To say I'm in for lots and lots of training is an understatement. But, I'm hell bent on training correctly for my second half, since I did everything but for my first. And then, another 5k is on the docket for this weekend.

Thus concludes this rambly bit of nonsense I've elected to post on the internet this morning. I hope these words find you well, and that maybe you're sipping a pumpkin iced coffee, just like I am. 

the sunday currently, volume 107.

breakfast post-race at the scullery with rebekah

Good Sunday morning to ya! Today I have quite a lot to check off on my to-do list, and I am feeling ready to get all of that accomplished! Also, later on I get to pick Justin up from the airport! I can't wait! I have had a great weekend full of homemade curry, spending the night with a friend, and running in a 5k. I'm hoping to carry over this joy into the week, working hard on school and checking everything off my future to-do lists. Here we go!

On this Sunday, I am currently...

reading for school this week. I'm really trying to get back on track with everything and get into a better study schedule. 

writing a lot in my planner lately. It's making me feel a lot better. I feel like I go through phases with my planner, and I'm really happy to be in an "on" one right now.

listening to my Fall 2015 playlist, which I talked about in my TSC post from two weeks ago and will be posting here on siddathornton this Wednesday, since it is the Fall Equinox, and we will finally be officially in the Autumn season!

thinking that I am ready for Justin to get home! He has been in Kansas on a golf tournament since this past Wednesday, and I'm tired of holding down the fort over here. I can't wait to see him!

smelling like Brown Sugar and Fig from Bath and Body Works and Burberry Brit lately has made me so very happy. I'm so glad that I discovered that my favorite scent was back on B&BWorks' website, and that my parents got me a wonderful Burberry Brit gift set for my birthday. Yay for signature scents!

wishing I was better at adulting. I hate staying home by myself while Justin is out of town. Luckily, I have some wonderful friends who have let me sleep over at their houses in the past few days. 

hoping I will have a productive school work week ahead. 

wearing the gel manicure that I got two weeks and one day ago... still. That is a pretty amazing fact, if you ask me. I can't believe it has lasted this long. I must be honest - I am getting a little tired of the color. I might remove it sometime this week and paint them a different color. Maybe grey? Maybe red? We'll see.

loving the fact that I changed my social media handles back to siddathornton - they were lrschristy for a while there. I know it's a bit confusing to change things like this, but lately I've realized just how special the siddathornton name is to me. It feels like a comfortable thing to come back to.

wanting to do quite a few things today: work on statistics at Coffee Shack with Danielle, dye my hair, do a little grocery shopping, and look into transferring my blog over to Word Press, as well as look into purchasing a dot com. And then, of course, pick Justin up from the airport! Busy day ahead! And I love it.

needing to run 3 miles a couple of times this week. I ran the Vidant Run, Walk, and Roll yesterday, and I am so happy. I ran the whole time, albeit quite slow, and it was very inspiring to me. I plan to keep the pace up and hopefully beat my time - 37:16 - at the 5k that Justin & I [and some of my classmates] are doing this coming up Saturday. 

feeling great. I've been working out a lot lately, and it has been a really good change for me. Now, I just need to get my eating in order. Healthy habits! Something I always have to work toward.

clicking Blackboard, my ECU email account, and other such things this week. Here's to school work!

I hope you're having a wonderful weekend! Here's to safe travels for Justin today, as well as anyone else on the road or in the air.

--
siddathornton through the years:
2012

What are you doing? Link up and share below.

so that's what i'll do.

into New Bern

"No One's Gonna Love You" by Band of Horses is playing and we are sitting in Coffee Shack reading and writing and emailing. 

I keep having that out-of-body feeling, even when I'm talking to R or D, like I'm floating above myself, watching us interacting. Sometimes this feeling happens when I start to realize how fleeting these moments really are. It's as if it's my body's way of telling me, this won't last forever, so here's what it will feel like when it's a memory.

I've always known that this wouldn't last forever. We're given two years of classes together, and then we have six months of being in the field, preparing for when we are actually part of our profession. And during those six months, we might be in the same place, but we might not. 

It's hard to imagine what life will be like after we graduate. I've grown so comfortable in my rhythm here, in the patterns of studying and talking-instead-of-studying and running races and doing projects and sitting together in class. It's become home to me, and I know it will be hard when everything shifts, like I know that it will.

All I can do is soak in the moments of the next eight months. All I can do is attend as many gatherings as I can. Participate in as many service opportunities as possible. Meet up for coffee as much as my schedule allows. 

So that's what I'll do.

--

siddathornton through the years:

2012 

the sunday currently, volume 106.

from where i sit

Good morning afternoon! Today I am coming to you from one of my favorite places in Greenville/Winterville - The Coffee Shack - because I've been working with a couple of my friends on statistics this morning. Now, I am no longer working on statistics, but eating a piece of cake and writing a blog post. 

On this Coffee Shack Sunday, I am currently... 

reading nothing. This needs to change. I still haven't finished reading Go Set a Watchman. I just need to make time for it this week. I still haven't made a schedule. I need to just do it. 

writing blog post fragments in my phone lately. I've been having some "moments," since this is the second to last classroom-based semester that I'll have with my classmates, who have become like family. I'm not really allowing myself to think to hard on the fact that the rest of our classroom time together is going to go so fast. 

listening to the songs they're playing in here. Sometimes the music selections make me feel overly emotional. And when they play Christmas music, sometimes I cry. Or, it did last year at least.

thinking that a large piece of cake is always a good idea. Especially since Justin and I are going to go on a run when I get home.

smelling the delicious smell of coffee and baked goods. Environments like this are always the best for getting things done. It's such a comforting atmosphere to me.

wishing I had gotten up earlier today. I'm going to be working on that all week. I will get it right!

hoping to get a lot done once I go home today, as well as this week. I may make a list of everything I want to accomplish this week, later today.

wearing my Jackson Hole shirt and missing Wyoming so much. I want to go back.

loving my friends. I never expected to meet such wonderful people in school, but I did.

wanting a good run today, and a clean house to show by the end of the day.

needing to clean up my diet this week. I have a plan formulated to ween myself off of the ridiculous amount of sweets I've been eating. I've been in a good workout routine, so I need to stop sabotaging that with endless sweets and indulgent meals.

feeling content and productive.

clicking the Sunday Secrets. And I just emailed them to Danielle so she can click on them too.

Well, now I'm off to go for a run and clean up the rest of my house. Here's to productivity! And, also, here's to the wonderful, fall-tastic chill in the air this morning!

What are you doing? Link up and share below.

the sunday currently, volume 105.

yesterday: christmas in september at coffee shack

Greetings! I hope you'll excuse my tardiness for this week's edition of The Sunday Currently. This morning, Justin and I were driving around, trying to figure out where to go for breakfast. Long story short, we ended up driving to New Bern so that we could go to Baker's Kitchen. Hands down, best decision of the week. We had the most delicious coffee and breakfast. I am happy.

And also, I am currently...

reading nothing at the moment.

writing nothing at the moment. It feels good to be experiencing a holiday weekend, I'll tell you that.

listening to my Fall 2015 playlist that I made yesterday on Spotify. I'm still finalizing the details of the list, but once it's complete, I think I might share it here.

thinking that a bad night's sleep is pretty debilitating. I woke up feeling worn out, and my legs felt heavy on the walk with Tahoe and Justin this morning. I'm hoping this afternoon's workout will help.

smelling a mixture of coffee, waffle batter, sizzling bacon, and other breakfast fare was a welcome, wonderful thing this morning. What a comfort.

wishing I had gotten a better night's sleep last night.

hoping to have a great workout this afternoon.

wearing my workout clothes already.

loving my manicure! Danielle and I went to have a mani/pedi yesterday, and I got dark, reddish purple shellac. To me, September is such a purply-grey month, and I wanted my nails to reflect that. I am hoping to keep the gel manicures going for a while - they are so nice. And they last for two weeks!

wanting some more couch time after I finish this post. I'm lazy today. You could probably tell from my lackluster responses.

needing a nap.

feeling tired, worn out, and uninspired. Like I said, I'm hoping my workout is a remedy for that. It usually is.

clicking through threads on Reddit, as usual.

It's overcast and muggy here in Greenville today. Maybe that's the reason for my sluggish demeanor? Either way, here's hoping things pick up a bit in the energy/personality department as the day goes on.

What are you doing? Link up and share below.

the sunday currently, volume 104.

scenes from a morning walk

I can't believe it's only been a week since last week's edition of The Sunday Currently - it feels like so much has happened! Between starting fall semester, hanging out with friends, and going to events, I feel like it has been about a month since my last post. But, I'm happy, because it also means I'm being more productive, which I love. Here's to even more productivity to come!

On this back-in-the-swing-of-things Sunday,  I am currently...

reading two books: Go Set A Watchman, by Harper Lee, and Triathlon 101: Essentials for Multisport Success, by John Mora. First off, I have GOT to finish GSAW, which means that a reading schedule needs to be constructed today. Jessica is probably wondering when she is going to get her book back! Secondly, I'm reading the triathlon book because I plan to compete in my first triathlon next year! My dad sent the book over to me this past week, and I'm enjoying learning more about it.

writing a long to-do list for today. school work, housework, workouts, etc. All good things, but things that need to be done. I'm hoping I can do it all today! Also, writing schedules for the week ahead, so that I can stay ahead!

listening to the old CDs that my parents sent over to me. My high school and college self had good taste in music, if I do say so myself. I am thinking of buying a new album soon, but I'm still deciding what that will be, as I'm sure in the future it will be what defines Fall 2015 for me. What albums would you suggest? Black Keys? Cults? Of Monsters and Men? Matt and Kim? Glass Animals' album, Zaba, is already one that defines Spring 2015 for me, so that amazing album has already been experienced. Please share you music suggestions in the comments!

thinking that Vanilla Cardamom coffee from The Fresh Market is one of the best things. What a perfect flavor coffee to bridge the gap between summer and fall.

smelling like... BROWN SUGAR AND FIG! Remember when I complained about Bath & Body Works in my last post [see: smelling]? And remember how I discovered my favorite scent was available online? Well, I ordered it. And I couldn't be more happy. I am concerned, however, that it is only available online, and that it was so steeply discounted. Does this mean it's going away forever? Who knows.

wishing for a week of low stress and high productivity. This is where the lists mentioned in this week's writing come in.

hoping we have a fun trip to the grocery store. Sundays are grocery shopping days in the Christy Household, and with the birth of our new let's-eat-more-meals-at-home policy, the weekly grocery trips suddenly have more [exciting!] meaning.

wearing workout clothes. Both Justin and I got up early this morning and took TBear on a long walk. I think all parties benefitted, and now we have a puppy sleeping under the table at which we are sitting and enjoying coffee. In short: what a great morning it's been.

loving that this one-hundred-fourth edition of The Sunday Currently is one of those ones where I write a whole lot. Those TSCs are always the more satisfying ones, especially when I go back and read it many months later. It's like a snapshot of my life at that very moment. Therein lies the beauty of these posts for me, and the entire reason I have brought them back to this blog.

wanting to get a tab back at the top of this blog for The Sunday Currently. Back in August 2014, when I wrote the Centennial TSC post, I took the tab off of my blog, since I would no longer be the flagship for these posts. Now that I am hosting again, I need some representation in this space. [And thus opens the can of worms that lies in taking this space to the "next level" - do I switch platforms? Do I redesign? Do I hire a professional designer to "brand" me? I don't know. Sometimes I feel like DIY'ed blogs have a more authentic feel. I want this space to remain authentic and homey and relatable. Any and all feedback on this matter is appreciated.]

needing feedback. And lots of it. See this week's wanting.

feeling content. Drinking coffee, writing this week's TSC post, petting Tahoe every once in a while, talking to Justin, gearing up to go to the grocery store, mentally creating a to-do list for school, etc. Contentment is such an interestingly simple feeling.

clicking Coffitivity. Danielle sent it over to me and told me about an article about how the sounds experienced in environments like coffee shops/cafes promote creative thinking. Love this concept, love this website. Also, hoping to soon be clicking the blogs of certain people in my life. They have expressed that they want to begin blogging, and I'm ready for that to happen!

Well, that's all for this week, folks. I hope you are all having a great, relaxing, productive weekend!

What are you doing? Link up and share below!

the sunday currently, volume 103.

the joy of birthday dinner

Oh, my lofty goals. I'll put up my TSC posts at 10 a.m. from now on, she said. It'll work, she said. I'm going to be on top of it, she said.

Let's be real. And let's keep the publishing time to noon on Sundays, ok?

Ok.

Now that we have that business out of the way, I can tell you that, as of yesterday, I am officially 29 years old. I had a birthday weekend in Raleigh, and it was wonderful. We had dinner last night at Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern, and it was absolutely delicious. Here's to 29!

On this it's-wonderful-to-be-settling-back-in-at-home Sunday, I am currently...

reading some items for school today. I have a quiz tomorrow, on the first day of fall semester! Also, still reading Go Set A Watchman. I didn't read a lick while in Shreveport, nor on my travels back east. I am going to craft a reading schedule today so that I can finish it by next weekend.

writing a long to-do list for today. Things need to happen. Things, like dyeing my hair, writing thank you notes, getting a little first-day-of-OT-school gift together for my buddy, etc. All fun, productive things, which I am looking forward to doing. The best kind of to-do list.

listening to Justin. Sometimes we are having conversations while I tap out these posts. Now, he's talking to Tahoe. Let's just say that TBear is relieved to have us all back under the same roof; specifically the roof that she is used to being under. She stayed at "her hotel" while we were away in Wyoming, and then I was gone in Shreveport for a week after that. Add in our weekend jaunt to Raleigh, and you have the perfect recipe for a dog in moderate distress. She slept like an absolute baby last night, and she seems to be pretty pumped that life seems to be going back to normal.

thinking that I am also glad to be back home and gearing up for fall semester. I LOVE THE FALL. It is my favorite time of year. The holidays are coming, dark nail polish time is coming, boots, sweaters, darker hair and makeup, football season, a chill in the air. What could be better? I was telling Justin all of this on our walk this morning. I think he agrees. Here's to fall!

smelling like Wild Madagascar Vanilla from Bath and Body Works, and loving it. Nobody tell them I said that, though, because then they will discontinue the scent, like they do with all of the good ones [ahem, Brown Sugar and Fig, I miss you]. WAIT A SECOND. Right after I typed that last sentence, I felt the need to Google Brown Sugar and Fig, just to make absolutely sure that was the name, and it looks like they brought it back! YAY. Sorry for what I said, Bath and Body Works [but you know it's true].

wishing for a wonderfully, relaxingly productive day. As soon as this post goes up, Justin and I are heading out to grab some lunch. Then, it's to-do list making time. Then it's checking off to-do list time.

hoping the semester gets off to a good start!

wearing my favorite workout pants from Tangerine, an Under Armor top, a mint and cream cardigan that my mom gave me while I was in town [it's the best when she cleans out her closet], and a scarf. Basically, my daily uniform.

loving being home and getting back into my routine. I value the ordinary.

wanting my parents to come visit me. And my sister to as well!

needing to get inspired. I feel it coming on.

feeling content. And that first-day-of-school feeling in my stomach. And loved, due to all of the birthday wishes I received yesterday. And happy. And calm. And all of those good things.

clicking The Sunday Secrets, as usual.

Here's to the beginning of a new semester tomorrow! And here's to blogging. It is giving me so much joy to be back here in this space.

What are you doing? Link up and share below. 

inspiration: found. searching for discipline.

serendipitous photographs  

My mom and I ran into a friend while out shopping today. 

We talked about so many things, and it felt so great to reconnect, but it struck me [as it always does when this topic comes up in real life conversations] when we talked about blogging.

She shared that she herself was interested in getting into blogging.

"My blog has been paid for for a few months now," she said. "But it's blank - there's no content."

I want her to start blogging. She's witty, she's funny - she has the BEST kind of dry humor. 

And it made me think. Maybe if I want her to blog so badly, I also want me to blog just as much. And I do. I want to be here. I miss sharing. I miss connecting. 

With the rebirth of The Sunday Currently, I've felt so much joy. That means something, doesn't it? Yes, it does.

Long live blogging. Long live the written word. Long live siddathornton.

the sunday currently, volume 102 | "the monday currently."

when in wyoming

[*Editor's Note: This is the very first edition of The Sunday Currently that is being published on Monday. What can I say? Life happens. See the bottom of this post for additional information on all future editions of TSC.]

Greetings from Shreveport! I know in last week's post, I said I would be coming to you from Wyoming, but we were having such a great time, I refrained from blogging. I did, however, write a few recaps in my journal while we were there, so I will be combing through those later this week to decide what to share here. For now, though, I will say this: Wyoming is absolutely beautiful, and I look forward to going back one day.

I arrived in Shreveport late Friday night, and I've stayed busy since then, with a trip over to Natchitoches on Saturday, as well as a visit to the Gem and Mineral Show yesterday. It feels great to be here, and I'm greatly looking forward to all the adventures that lie ahead for the rest of my stay.

On this Monday edition of The Sunday Currently, I am currently...

reading Go Set A Watchman, by Harper Lee. I was unaware of the controversy until my mom told me about it two days ago.

writing in my Filofax and my Moleskine journal.

listening to the Mates of State Pandora station while I'm in Shreveport. Ever since May 2013, it's become a Shreveport tradition that I look forward to every time I visit. Right now, "Heart It Races," by Dr. Dog, is playing. I love this song, and it reminds me of some wonderful years that I spent here in my hometown.

thinking that I'm so happy to be in Shreveport right now! I love being here to spend time with my parents.

smelling the caramel Starbucks K-cup I just brewed. And the Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin lotion from Bath and Body Works that I slathered on a few minutes ago.

wishing I would have gotten up this early for all of the days we spent in Wyoming. It's currently 7:08 a.m., and I've been up now for about 30 minutes. In a little while, I plan to go for a run before getting ready for the day. When fall semester starts back up (a week from today, actually), I plan to be rising at 6:00 a.m. every morning. I've been working on my schedule for the semester, and I'm looking forward to getting into the groove. I am planning to begin training for my first triathlon soon, so I'm going to have to exhibit some discipline with my training schedule. Let the fun begin!

hoping to order my Travelers Notebook soon. I can't stop thinking about it. I will probably share my set-up once I order it and get settled into it.

wearing my already-beloved Jackson Hole t-shirt. I've worn it every day since we got it during our stay there (which I already miss).

loving that we took a day trip to Natchitoches on Saturday. I am already grappling with how to put my thoughts on the trip into words, but I may try to put both literal and figurative pen to paper about it soon. I will probably share it here, too.

wanting to drink my coffee soon. And also, to listen to the mix tape CDs from a few years ago, today. I'm pretty excited about the latter, actually. I found them in a box of old stuff (including my gymnastics trophies) that my dad had me go through last night.

needing a workout and a shower. Both of those things are coming, respectively, after this blog post is written and published.

feeling content. And happy - so happy - that I woke up early this morning. And suddenly lonesome for our cozy Wilmington apartment. And suddenly excited for whatever becomes our house once I have graduated school.

clicking The Sunday Secrets this morning. I didn't read them last week, which I regret. They have become part of my weekly routine, and I don't like to skip them! Also clicking? The Chic Sparrow website, because I'm pretty sure a purchase is in my future...

pssst: last week I talked about how there were going to be some changes to The Sunday Currently as we move forward. Here they are:

1) The Sunday Currently has its own Twitter account! Follow here to be alerted when a new TSC post has gone live, as well as to see your name "in lights" each week as I tweet out the twitter handles of all participants.

2) Each following edition of The Sunday Currently will be published by 10:00 a.m. eastern time.

3) Those who link up with The Sunday Currently will be shouted out on TSC's twitter account the following Tuesday, throughout the day. If you would like your twitter handle included, make sure it is easily accessible from your blog. I will search for about 2 minutes, then I will give up. True story.

That's all for now, folks. As always, thank you for linking up and carrying on TSC's tradition!

What are you doing? Link up and share below.

a mid-summer currently.

summer semester is over - let freedom ring

Today I am experiencing a huge pull to write again (and the logistics of my new blog have yet to be sorted out), and I thought I would scrawl out a quick little currently post. As some of you may know, I used to host a link-up called The Sunday Currently, where I shared what was going on in my life each week. Rather than try to write a from-scratch post today, I thought I would revert back to this old familiar favorite of mine. 

So, on this mid-summer day, I am currently...

READING nothing at this exact moment. If you would have asked me a couple of days ago, I would have told you all about the study guides I was reading in preparation for my final exams, but as it happens, those are now complete, and I am in this weird limbo land where I have nothing to do. I plan to start reading Go Set A Watchman, by Harper Lee, which my classmate Jessica has loaned out to me. I greatly enjoyed To Kill A Mockingbird, so I am looking forward to this new sampling of Lee's work.

WRITING is something that I need in my life. I have said this many times before, but it is ringing especially true this morning (or, well, afternoon). I find that every time I experience a major life event, I am pulled back to this space, and that is how I know that I a meant to continue blogging. 

LISTENING to the whir and clink of our ceiling fan, the stirrings of Tahoe every once in a while as she naps, as well as Justin as we discuss bill-paying and finances. Standard Saturday business around here.

THINKING that life is short, but sweet. I found out last night that a dear family pet has passed away, and though I am extremely sad over it, I know that she had a wonderful, full life. I will always miss her, and I am profoundly sad that she will not be there to greet me when I go home to Shreveport in August.

SMELLING like Cactus Verde lately, which is a perfume that I picked up in Anthropologie when we  visited Charleston in May. I love it.

WISHING I had gotten up early this morning, but I had a late night with friends, which is always worth it.

HOPING for a productive rest of the day, rest of the weekend, and entire next week! Soon, we jet off to Wyoming for a much-needed vacation, and I can't wait. And then, it's off to Shreveport.

WEARING scarves like it's my job. I think the summer scarf is an oft-forgotten and underestimated comfort.

LOVING my life and all of the people and animals in it. I take nothing for granted. I feel very, very lucky and blessed to be living this life. I am content, I am overjoyed. I am thankful.

WANTING something good for lunch. I wonder what we will end up feasting on? An afternoon pot of coffee wouldn't be too bad, either.

NEEDING a long, hot shower. I find that they are restorative and good for the soul. I need that today. Perhaps after my afternoon run and long walk with Tahoe?

FEELING nostalgic, emotional, sad, happy, and relieved all at the same time. 

CLICKING Lush's website a lot lately, filling my cart with wonderful bath goodies I hope to someday purchase, as well as Teavana's site, for the same - albeit tea-related - purposes. 

What are you doing? I know we haven't spoken in quite some time, but I would love to hear from you. I hope you all have a wonderful, safe, relaxing, productive weekend. 

the centennial sunday currently.

glen iris flowers

Hello & welcome to the one hundredth edition of The Sunday Currently! It's hard for me to believe that I've sat down & tapped out one hundred different Sunday posts. In fact, to someone whose concept of numbers is a little... skewed... it seems like a much bigger number than it really is. 

I grappled with whether or not I was going to continue weekly editions of The Sunday Currently after this 100-post mark, & after careful thought & consideration, it is with slight sadness, but persistent confidence that I announce that this will be the last in the series. I thought it would be a nice way to wrap up this fun little series, to have a complete set of 100 to look back on. I'm not saying I'll never do a currently post again, nor am I implying that I'll never do another edition of specifically The Sunday Currently. I'm simply relinquishing the responsibility to write & post one each week, on Sunday, at noon eastern, on the dot. In fact, as you may have noticed, this post is not going up at noon eastern. Which brings me to my next point...

Lately, I've felt drawn to getting out & really just living my life, without the bonds of social media & constantly capturing every moment & making sure to do blog-worthy things weighing on my mind. It's felt liberating. I know what that means for my blog, really, but I am optimistic that this space will continue to be updated, maybe with a different kind of content, maybe not regularly, & maybe not forever, but for the time being. You know how people usually say they just know when a blog's time has kind of run out? Well, I won't lie to you & say I haven't felt those feelings about this space, because I have. BUT, I am not yet ready to let it go just yet. I don't know what the future holds for siddathornton, but I know that I'm probably one of those people who will always have a blog. 

I'll share more with you all as these thoughts develop & change. But for now, that's where I am. 

Seriousness aside, I'm happy to say that I've been in Shreveport since Wednesday! Completely surprising my parents was a success, & I think that we have all enjoyed our time here together. I am sad to be leaving soon, but I am also ready to get back home to Justin & Tahoe & get school started!

C U R R E N T L Y . . .

R E A D I N G  will resume in full force tomorrow. I haven't been good about keeping up with my reading on this trip, since I've been so busy running around! I've missed my daily Bible readings, & I'm excited to get back into them.

W R I T I N G  has also fallen off a bit.  

L I S T E N I N G  to the Mates of State Pandora station - it's been my Shreveport thing for the past few visits.  

T H I N K I N G  that trips home are a treasure.

S M E L L I N G  the French Lavender & Honey that I sprayed - liberally - on myself while we shopped around in Bath & Body Works just a little while ago.

W I S H I N G  I could have done even more than I did during my Shreveport trip. I'm so glad I finally got to meet Baby Austen, but there is so much more that I always want to do. It's hard to get everything squeezed into one trip! 

W E A R I N G  J. Crew plaid & dark nail polish.

L O V I N G  my family & friends who took time out of their schedules to visit with me while I've been in town - it means the world to me! 

W A N T I N G  Southern Maid donuts later. I'm excited!

N E E D I N G  to wash my hair. And pack my suitcase.

F E E L I N G  bittersweet. The Sunday Currently has been such a labor of love for me. I know I'll miss it, but I also know this is the right choice.

this week's posts:

songs from greenville, volume 1

rain in greenville

three from wilmington

the sunday currently, volume 99

Well, folks, it's been a good run for The Sunday Currently. Thank you to everyone who has linked up & commented & Tweeted & Instagrammed about this link-up. It wouldn't have been what it was without all of you. Thank you for helping me to celebrate the every-day & in commemorating the simple moments. Most of all, just thank you.

What are you doing? Link up & share below.

songs from greenville, volume 1.

One week ago, I set myself to the task of creating a playlist that I hoped to listen to while putting the finishing touches on unpacking & arranging & organizing our house. I wanted it to be the kind of playlist that, whenever listened to in the future, would create feelings of happy nostalgia for the time when we first moved into our place in Greenville. After seven days of listening, I am happy to say that this string of 51 songs is going to be exactly that. 

listen to it here

rain in greenville.

In our first week here in Greenville, sunny days gave way to rainy ones. 

We traversed out into the country to sample some local fare at Yoder's Dutch Pantry. What more is there to say, other than one big, hearty yum? The Grifton scenery was nothing to sneeze at on this lovely day. 

As the week wore on however, we found ourselves wading through torrential, steady downpours. Even so, we made our way out into our new town, set to explore & eat & learn. I can already tell that I'm going to love being back here in East Carolina, with its cozy corners & rainy deluges.