Daily Dose of Lacey

Well, it's that time of year.. I've waited as long as I could but I cannot contain myself anymore. My true colors are about to come out and I'm not even sorry. 

Sept 2nd: Write about what makes you happy, from the little joys to the huge game-changers.

So, I've told the story of the meeting! If you missed it, you should click here to catch up.


After we met and had good conversation the first night at the Firemen's Dance, we decided to get some friends together to go out for a drink. It was casual and it again went very well. I wasn't sure how I was feeling about him at that point.

Then, he asked me to go on a date with him. I had company coming to visit the day he asked so we decided to take a rain check. So, instead of going on a date, Brice asked if my friend and I would like to go to the lake with him and his friend.

We had so much fun chatting, playing bean bags and getting completely sunburned. In the car on the way home I told my friend, "I think I'm starting to like him."

That same night, we all decided to go out for another drink. A drink at the bar turned into the decision to have some beers around a fire and that led to decided to go out stargazing.

The three of us went and had an awesome time and when the night was just about over, Brice asked me out for Chinese food for our first official date.

I looked at him and said, "Yes...it's a...plan..."

My friend was in the car listening and after I said that...laughing.

The weekend fun wasn't over, though. The next morning I got a text from him saying he left his coat in my apartment the night before. Yup, he sure did. Smooth.

When he came over to get it we went decided to play frisbee golf. Conversation was great so we decided to go for a walk together. Conversation was even better so we decided to go for a run together. And conversation was even BETTER.

Now, I'd like to say the rest is history. He was funny, smart, easy to talk to, good looking, had lots in common with me. But, that was still just the beginning.

My next part of the Love Story will be the actual first date.

As I mentioned on my About Me page, this blog is all about my life in a small town, my life as a writer, my love in small town and how they all come together.Love is a big part of anyone's life. So, the posts on the Love page are dedicated to love and inspiration and hope all in one place. Here I will talk about my Love Story, positivity and overall happiness and how it all ties back to my passions for life and writing. 

Hello readers – old and new – I am happy to announce that I am back and blogging.
I decided to completely revamp the old blog to better reflect my personality. I have been thinking a lot about my writing lately and have been considering the idea of dedicating time to my blog again, along with bigger projects. 

Isn't it funny how much your life changes when you meet "the one"?

Well, for my readers who do not know me; I have recently gotten engaged! Woo-hoo!

The way Brice and I met can be defined in two ways, depending on how romantic you are. To me it was fate but to others it can be simply be described as meeting through  friend.

I had moved to town about a year before and was still in the process of making friends. Then, a couple of months into my job as a staff writer at the local newspaper, I had an interview for a story with a guy who was around the same age as me. He and I became pretty good friends over the following months and would often go see movies together or get together with other friends and play board games.

One night last spring, my friend sent me a text message asking if I wanted to go out for supper and then go see the new version of the Wizard of Oz.

Most people make New Year resolutions. I make Birthday resolutions.

And since today is my 26th Birthday, I figured it would be time for an evaluation of my 25th year of life.


What happened this year:

• I won a First Place award for an arts and entertainment story I wrote
• I was able to attend my first Minnesota Newspaper Association convention where I was proud to be surrounded my people who share my same passion for journalism.
• I moved into a house on the edge of town from and apartment right in town...with my boyfriend
• I went on an unforgettable vacation to Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park
• I got engaged
• I went on a surprise trip to NYC (yes, my now fiancé surprised me with a weekend trip to NYC)
• I saw Newsies on Broadway
• I was a part of two of my dear friends' weddings
• My sister got married
• My best friend became engaged
• I bought a new computer after more than two years of using one that did not work, which led to the fact that;
• I made the awesome decision to begin working on my idea for a novel (And this is the big, exciting secret I've been teasing everyone with.)

So, with such an overwhelmingly awesome year last year, I have some big expectations for next year!

Stay tuned for my goals for the year and be sure to follow along throughout the year as I share stories about wedding planning and engagement, adjusting to all the transitions is life and my progress as I pursue the writing of my novel.

Happy Birthday to me and here's to another awesome year of life!

Love; no one can really describe what it is. But there's one important component to love which I think many people don't pick up on. And to me that component is inspiration. I think those who love you and are loved by you should always be a source of inspiration, in some or all areas of your life.
I am always inspired by my family and close friends.

However, with all the hustle and bustle of adult life (I'm 25, to be 26 in less than a week so I guess that makes me an adult) we can easily lose sight of all of this just trying to balance all the loved ones.

I am a huge committer of this crime. I can't say no to those I love, because, well, I love them and would do anything I can to help or be that source of inspiration and hope for them.

If any of you are like me in that respect, I have a few tips on how to find some me time while playing the adulthood balancing act.

1. Clean.
I know this sounds crazy, but sometimes just taking 15 minutes and cleaning can clear your mind and then you won't have to worry about that when you're trying to actually relax.

2. Go for a walk -- alone.
Even a short walk around the block by yourself will usually help clear your mind in the midst of doing the adulthood juggle. I know a little exercise and fresh air always helps one clear their mind.

3. Read a book
Books are the kind of thing you can keep picking up and putting back down as time allows. If you have a few minutes after work or in between chores or volunteering, pick up a book and read yourself into someone else's world.  How would that not work?

4. The ever-popular: take a shower or bath.
This one always helps me relax, but then again, I was that child who ASKED to take a bath everyday instead of being told to do so. A good steamy bath is a good place to be left alone, too (usually).

5. Bring in the professionals.
Sometimes when the home remedies don't work you need to bring out the big guns. Going to get your hair done, get a manicure or a massage are all perfecto ways to relax. But, if you are pinching pennies or are a tad frugal give yourself a mani/pedi at home which is also relaxing.

6. Retail therapy.
This probably isn't the best option for those of you who are, like I said before, watching the checkbook balance rather closely. But for others going to the mall is a great way to unwind. For me personally, I would rather go to the book store or browse through office supplies, but to each his/her own.

7. Go to work.
To me, after entertaining or spending time helping others out with something, nothing is more relaxing than actually just going into the office. I don't know if it is the work or if it is because of the next suggestion:

8. Have and stick to a routine.
This is rumored to work best with children, they like routine. But, I think most adults could handle a little more routine in their life. Even if you have an unpredictable work schedule you can map out your morning and right before bed. Having some semblance of a structure in your life usually helps eliminate stress AND allows for you to schedule in a little alone time (maybe).

9. Keep a journal.
Not everyone is a writer by nature, but taking time to reflect on your day and writing it down in a journal gives you a chance to have some down time and to see how or if you have been managing your time. And, they're always fun to go back and reread years later.

10. LEARN TO SAY NO!
My last piece of advice is directed more toward myself than anyone else. Just say no. If you're feeling stressed, tired out or just unable to entertain, help or listen to a family or friend. Just be honest and tell them you need a break. Then you can come back refreshed the next time they need your help or need to talk.

Overall, remember the one person who is most important to love --YOURSELF. If you have been stretched out to your limit helping others, then you are going to be so overwhelmed you won't be of any use to anyone.

So, follow some of my tips or use some of your own to get some 'you time,' and before you do, take a couple minutes to share some of your tips in the comment section below. How do you relax when you need some alone time?

Well I find myself enlisting the help of every single one of my coping methods today and here they are in order.
1. A little pick me up...coffee
2. I had a long day....an iced coffee
3. I have too much on my mind...long run
4. Ran and still thinking...a beer/drink
5. Can't sleep...blankie
6. Still can't sleep...daisy mae my doll
7. Ok bad dreams now...I'll just go sleep on the couch
8. And now I'm wide awake from getting out of bed to move to the couch....thats when I'm pulling out Cats

Im sure I should be diagnosed lol...what are your coping methods?
Maybe I'm the only one with such a set procedure but do you ever wonder why we find comfort in such specific things?
Nostalgia probably....
Okay enough of my rambling I'm going to enjoy some fine musical work by Andrew Lloyd Weber and hope I dream about broadway instead of something awful lol.

Ps I realize I went from rocking last week to sucking this week but it happens so sue me lol