Many of you already know this but since its kind of a big deal in our house, I thought I would post about it.
Tomorrow is my last day at Schenkel Shultz. I have taken a position with a local firm called Moseley Architects. Hopefully it will be a greener pastures move. There are a bunch of reasons why I have chose to make ANOTHER career move, but some of the hightlights are:
1. Closer to home - probably one of the least important but definitely an added bonus.
2. Opportunity - I will get the opportunity to "try" and spearhead Higher Ed work in NC.
3. Smaller firm but bigger local office - This should benefit me greatly.
4. Bunch of layoffs at my current firm - never fun
5. Less stress!!!
So hopefully all of these reasons will hold true. Fingers crossed!
10.14.2008
9.30.2008
September Song
As the song goes, "Oh, it's a long, long while From May to December But the days grow short, When you reach September." September flew by and here we sit on the day before October.
We have had a jammed packed month!
First was Labor Day which Sean and I spent at Carolina Beach. It was a much needed vacation and we had perfect weather for it - even though Hurricane Gustav sat somewhere out in the Atlantic.
Second came my 10 year high school reunion. This weekend was full of rain and kept us away from the football game Friday night. But we headed to the local bowling alley and enjoyed ourselves. It is always so good to see friends you haven't seen in awhile. And real friendships are so great because no matter how long its been you can just pick up where you left off like no time has passed at all. Saturday night was the big party. A bunch of us met up at Jaclyn's parents house and hung out before we headed out. We took excellent "prom" pictures on the grand staircase with our "dates". Overall it was an awesome weekend that brought back all those wonderful memories from high school. Even the not-so-great memories seem funny now that we are all "grown up". So many of my friends I have known since elementary school and I am just blessed to have such amazing friends that I can laugh with and know will always be there for me.
Also during September, we were privileged to go to the Annual UNC College of Nursing Alumni awards banquet where Becky (Sean's mom) was receiving an award for her exceptional community services. She works in many different facets but I guess the most noted one would be the free clinic that she runs up in Jackson county. I am probably not doing all the work she does justice, but we are very proud of her and are glad we got to attend. It was also nice to see other family members that were able to join her and Dick. Gramma Lib, Johanna & Debbie made the trip and we got to visit at dinner and catch up on some of the haps in Sylva and Rutherfordton.
This past weekend I spent up in the mountains with the women of my family. We haven't come up with an official name, but for now we will call it "Cousin's weekend". We had a group of 9 this year and 3 generations. Mama Jean (my grandmother), Aunt Jenny (my great-aunt), Teresa, Ann, & Karen (my mom's 1st cousins), Ginger (my 1st cousin & Ann's daughter), Aunt Cathy (my aunt & my mom's sis-in-law), my mom & me. There was lots of reminiscing and story telling. We had Mama Jean laughing so hard she was crying. A treat from the middle generations childhood was found at the Mast General Store - Fizzies. For those of you like me that don't know what fizzies are just think flavored alkaselzer tablets - things were rough back then :).
During this same time, Sean was at a bachelor party for his(our) good friend Chris Bushnell. They went to Busch Gardens and then enjoyed the evening out near William and Mary. Though I am not privy to all that they did - it sounds like they had a really fun time.
So all that and throw in a track event, a football game and a charity gala and you have a busy month. October is going to be just as crazy - with 2 weddings (one being Chris and Hayley's), 2 football games, our family beach trip and Sean's PE exam. I'm exhausted just thinking about it! But we can't complain because we live a very full life - filled with wonderful friends, family and fun.
We have had a jammed packed month!
First was Labor Day which Sean and I spent at Carolina Beach. It was a much needed vacation and we had perfect weather for it - even though Hurricane Gustav sat somewhere out in the Atlantic.
Second came my 10 year high school reunion. This weekend was full of rain and kept us away from the football game Friday night. But we headed to the local bowling alley and enjoyed ourselves. It is always so good to see friends you haven't seen in awhile. And real friendships are so great because no matter how long its been you can just pick up where you left off like no time has passed at all. Saturday night was the big party. A bunch of us met up at Jaclyn's parents house and hung out before we headed out. We took excellent "prom" pictures on the grand staircase with our "dates". Overall it was an awesome weekend that brought back all those wonderful memories from high school. Even the not-so-great memories seem funny now that we are all "grown up". So many of my friends I have known since elementary school and I am just blessed to have such amazing friends that I can laugh with and know will always be there for me.
Also during September, we were privileged to go to the Annual UNC College of Nursing Alumni awards banquet where Becky (Sean's mom) was receiving an award for her exceptional community services. She works in many different facets but I guess the most noted one would be the free clinic that she runs up in Jackson county. I am probably not doing all the work she does justice, but we are very proud of her and are glad we got to attend. It was also nice to see other family members that were able to join her and Dick. Gramma Lib, Johanna & Debbie made the trip and we got to visit at dinner and catch up on some of the haps in Sylva and Rutherfordton.
This past weekend I spent up in the mountains with the women of my family. We haven't come up with an official name, but for now we will call it "Cousin's weekend". We had a group of 9 this year and 3 generations. Mama Jean (my grandmother), Aunt Jenny (my great-aunt), Teresa, Ann, & Karen (my mom's 1st cousins), Ginger (my 1st cousin & Ann's daughter), Aunt Cathy (my aunt & my mom's sis-in-law), my mom & me. There was lots of reminiscing and story telling. We had Mama Jean laughing so hard she was crying. A treat from the middle generations childhood was found at the Mast General Store - Fizzies. For those of you like me that don't know what fizzies are just think flavored alkaselzer tablets - things were rough back then :).
During this same time, Sean was at a bachelor party for his(our) good friend Chris Bushnell. They went to Busch Gardens and then enjoyed the evening out near William and Mary. Though I am not privy to all that they did - it sounds like they had a really fun time.
So all that and throw in a track event, a football game and a charity gala and you have a busy month. October is going to be just as crazy - with 2 weddings (one being Chris and Hayley's), 2 football games, our family beach trip and Sean's PE exam. I'm exhausted just thinking about it! But we can't complain because we live a very full life - filled with wonderful friends, family and fun.
8.08.2008
Hootie at Harrah's
I've said it before, and I'll say it again...those guys ROCK!!! This was my 7th HBF show, and I continue to be impressed at how good of a show they put on. Their set list is always well thought-out, and they always sound great. The show at Harrah's was no exception. Every song they performed was great (although I am a bit biased).
The guy working the band's soundboard noticed our enthusiasm and knowledge of the songs, and gave us a set list. That makes 2 set lists from our last 2 shows. Kinda cool.
The rest of the trip was great. We pretty much wore ourselves out, but we had a good time. The Riverfest over in Asheville was nice, but wasn't quite all it was hyped up to be. I think the city was just festivaled-out after Belle Chere the weekend prior. After hanging out there for a little while, Ashley, Taylor, Bo, Megan, Karl (their dog) and I went into downtown Asheville for lunch. We ate at Mayfel's on their outdoor patio. The food was terrific, and the people watching was as well. I had the best Muffaletta sandwich I have had in a long time.
We spent Saturday afternoon back at the house in Sylva. We all needed a nap after the day's adventures and to prepare for staying up late for the show. After a nice dinner with the folks, we took off to Cherokee. While we didn't get to spend much time with them, it was good to see them.
Now we have to slow down a little bit so that I can get more studying done for this PE exam. Oh joy.
The crowd on the other hand...UGH!!! The way Harrah's has their ticket distribution set up meant that an easy 85% of people at the show were VIP's/high rollers/etc. and were given their tickets. This meant that most everyone there didn't really know the music and were simply there to watch a show. It was, unfortunately, the only rock concert either Ashley or I have ever been to in which we had to sit almost the entire time. However, when the band broke into a cover of "You don't call me Darlin", we jumped up and sang our lungs out.
The guy working the band's soundboard noticed our enthusiasm and knowledge of the songs, and gave us a set list. That makes 2 set lists from our last 2 shows. Kinda cool.
The rest of the trip was great. We pretty much wore ourselves out, but we had a good time. The Riverfest over in Asheville was nice, but wasn't quite all it was hyped up to be. I think the city was just festivaled-out after Belle Chere the weekend prior. After hanging out there for a little while, Ashley, Taylor, Bo, Megan, Karl (their dog) and I went into downtown Asheville for lunch. We ate at Mayfel's on their outdoor patio. The food was terrific, and the people watching was as well. I had the best Muffaletta sandwich I have had in a long time.
We spent Saturday afternoon back at the house in Sylva. We all needed a nap after the day's adventures and to prepare for staying up late for the show. After a nice dinner with the folks, we took off to Cherokee. While we didn't get to spend much time with them, it was good to see them.
Now we have to slow down a little bit so that I can get more studying done for this PE exam. Oh joy.
8.05.2008
Hanging out with "The King"
I will let Sean post about the concert (which was amazing btw), but right now I want to write about the way I spent my Tuesday morning. I headed out down 64 from Raleigh around 8 with another coworker. We were headed to Asheboro for the groundbreaking for Randolph Community College's new automotive center. The exciti
ng part is the facility was recently named the Richard Petty Education Center. So of course guess who was at the groundbreaking but none other than "The King". I got to meet him before the presentation b/c I was one of the podium speakers and then I stood by while he and the other big shots in Randolph County talked racing. I didn't want to embarrass myself but I did know who won the race at Pocono. It was cool to see him hanging out and being so "normal". I had always heard he was a real down to earth man and I can now say that those rumors are definitely true. Then we all spoke - people clapped and we got to play in dirt with our "official" shovels. I also got his autograph and my picture taken with him. It was an exciting morning! Also he was flying out immediately following the groundbreaking to Jackson Hole - Greg and Ann keep an eye out for him.
Watch the TV clip here (make sure to click on the play button in the upper right)
ng part is the facility was recently named the Richard Petty Education Center. So of course guess who was at the groundbreaking but none other than "The King". I got to meet him before the presentation b/c I was one of the podium speakers and then I stood by while he and the other big shots in Randolph County talked racing. I didn't want to embarrass myself but I did know who won the race at Pocono. It was cool to see him hanging out and being so "normal". I had always heard he was a real down to earth man and I can now say that those rumors are definitely true. Then we all spoke - people clapped and we got to play in dirt with our "official" shovels. I also got his autograph and my picture taken with him. It was an exciting morning! Also he was flying out immediately following the groundbreaking to Jackson Hole - Greg and Ann keep an eye out for him.Watch the TV clip here (make sure to click on the play button in the upper right)
7.31.2008
Road Trip!!!
***Unbelievable. I'm finally posting another entry***
This Friday, Ashley, our friend Taylor Moran, and I will be heading to up to Sylva. The purpose of the trip is to go to the Hootie & The Blowfish concert at Harrah's Cherokee Casino on Saturday night. I've been a huge HBF fan since 1994, and the chance to see them playing near my hometown couldn't be passed up. Taylor has been quite a fan as well, and since he hasn't had a chance to see them in a few years, he's pumped. Ashley, who wasn't a big fan before we met, has mercifully given in to my attempts to prove to her that they are the best band ever, and is now a true, die hard, singing-every-lyric fan just like myself.
I'm a little weary of how the show is going to be, however. Since the general Harrah's Cherokee crowd is quite different from the average HBF crowd, I'm not sure what the vibe is going to be like. This, combined with the fact that they don't serve alcohol at the casino, could certainly produce a sit-on-your-hands type crowd. I know Ashley and I will gladly be the only ones standing and singing the whole time if we have to be, but I certainly hope it doesn't have to come down to that. I think I'm going to go in with low expectations so that I have the chance of being pleasantly surprised.
The trip will also give us the opportunity to see the Sylva clan, although our time with them will be somewhat limited compared to other trips up there. Part of our Saturday will be spent in Asheville at the Rockin' Riverfest. We plan on meeting up with my old friend Bo Carpenter and his fiancee, Megan Apple.
On Sunday, we MAY stop by the Eagle's Rest Hillclimb (a car race up the ski resort's access road) in Banner Elk on our way home.
It will be a busy weekend, but should be a blast.
This Friday, Ashley, our friend Taylor Moran, and I will be heading to up to Sylva. The purpose of the trip is to go to the Hootie & The Blowfish concert at Harrah's Cherokee Casino on Saturday night. I've been a huge HBF fan since 1994, and the chance to see them playing near my hometown couldn't be passed up. Taylor has been quite a fan as well, and since he hasn't had a chance to see them in a few years, he's pumped. Ashley, who wasn't a big fan before we met, has mercifully given in to my attempts to prove to her that they are the best band ever, and is now a true, die hard, singing-every-lyric fan just like myself.
I'm a little weary of how the show is going to be, however. Since the general Harrah's Cherokee crowd is quite different from the average HBF crowd, I'm not sure what the vibe is going to be like. This, combined with the fact that they don't serve alcohol at the casino, could certainly produce a sit-on-your-hands type crowd. I know Ashley and I will gladly be the only ones standing and singing the whole time if we have to be, but I certainly hope it doesn't have to come down to that. I think I'm going to go in with low expectations so that I have the chance of being pleasantly surprised.
The trip will also give us the opportunity to see the Sylva clan, although our time with them will be somewhat limited compared to other trips up there. Part of our Saturday will be spent in Asheville at the Rockin' Riverfest. We plan on meeting up with my old friend Bo Carpenter and his fiancee, Megan Apple.
On Sunday, we MAY stop by the Eagle's Rest Hillclimb (a car race up the ski resort's access road) in Banner Elk on our way home.
It will be a busy weekend, but should be a blast.
7.10.2008
new addition (to the blog)
So as you can all see I have added a few of my favorite blogs' links on the side. I love this feature on OPB because it always opens my eyes to cool new sites. Please check these out and hopefully they will become some of your favorite sites too.
7.03.2008
Well hello there July
So you would think since there are two of us that we would be better about updating this thing, but alas we have failed. When I read other people's blogs (OPB) I feel like I should go back to school and take a creative writing class, b/c well my writing is not so creative.
Any who ... let me think of what has been going on in our lives since early June.
June 7th - We went to the Jimmy Buffett concert. It was so much fun. We tailgated with 4 other couples and had quite a nice set-up. 2 tents, chairs for everyone, a fan, lots of food, a grill and lots of excellent decorations. It was over 100 degrees outside so that was less than ideal, but a few beers and Buffett made it all worthwhile.
The whole crew at Buffett
June 14th - 16th - We headed up to Sylva for a birthday weekend celebration. Sean's Gramma Lib turned 90 and our nephew Brandon turned 1. It was great getting to see all the in-laws and celebrate such a milestone with the Libster. Also, we felt very blessed to actually be in town for one of the niece/nephews birthdays. We have 5 of them but they all live up in the "high country", so we are the bad aunt and uncle that never get to be there. There was an excellent pinata game with a bunch of 1-8 year olds and a whiffle bat. Needless to say - the pinata won but it provided us grown ups with a lot of great laughs.
Sean and Gramma Lib at her 90th Birthday Party
Brandon sporting his blue icing
July 21st - Sean headed off to CMP (Carolina Motorsports Park) down in SC for a long weekend of racing. I stayed home and went to the Toby Keith concert on Saturday night with Kim and Ashley Wilson. Though a big fan, I had never been to a country concert before. It was a lot of fun and definitely a concert I could sing along to. We got some crazy weather that weekend. So before the concert a monsoon hit and it down poured for 3 hours straight. Lucky we had a tent and had gotten it up before it started raining. Two concerts in the same month and completely different weather - thanks NC weather!
The group at Toby Keith (before the rain)
July 28th-29th - This past weekend was much more low key. We had two cookouts to go to but no traveling was involved - thank goodness. I studied a bunch because I had my second ARE exam on Monday. Hopefully I will be posting in a few weeks that I passed - cross your fingers!
And now here we are in July - I swear time is flying this year.
Yesterday we went out to dinner with Kim, John & Aidan for Kimber's birthday. It was great to see them and celebrate with her. Yesterday was also Bo's 8th birthday. I got him a "doggie peanut butter cupcake" which he mostly just licked but seemed pretty excited about. We also got him one of those Benafulls (sp?) meals. He devoured that and ended his birthday with a full belly asleep on the couch. I still can't believe he is 8. He's such an old man.
Bo licking all the icing and sprinkles off his cupcake
We are staying in town for the 4th weekend. Tomorrow we are walking over to Brian & Kim O'Days for a cookout and fireworks show.
We hope you all have a safe and happy 4th of July!
Happy Birthday America :)!
Any who ... let me think of what has been going on in our lives since early June.
June 7th - We went to the Jimmy Buffett concert. It was so much fun. We tailgated with 4 other couples and had quite a nice set-up. 2 tents, chairs for everyone, a fan, lots of food, a grill and lots of excellent decorations. It was over 100 degrees outside so that was less than ideal, but a few beers and Buffett made it all worthwhile.
The whole crew at BuffettJune 14th - 16th - We headed up to Sylva for a birthday weekend celebration. Sean's Gramma Lib turned 90 and our nephew Brandon turned 1. It was great getting to see all the in-laws and celebrate such a milestone with the Libster. Also, we felt very blessed to actually be in town for one of the niece/nephews birthdays. We have 5 of them but they all live up in the "high country", so we are the bad aunt and uncle that never get to be there. There was an excellent pinata game with a bunch of 1-8 year olds and a whiffle bat. Needless to say - the pinata won but it provided us grown ups with a lot of great laughs.
Sean and Gramma Lib at her 90th Birthday Party
Brandon sporting his blue icing
The group at Toby Keith (before the rain)July 28th-29th - This past weekend was much more low key. We had two cookouts to go to but no traveling was involved - thank goodness. I studied a bunch because I had my second ARE exam on Monday. Hopefully I will be posting in a few weeks that I passed - cross your fingers!
And now here we are in July - I swear time is flying this year.
Yesterday we went out to dinner with Kim, John & Aidan for Kimber's birthday. It was great to see them and celebrate with her. Yesterday was also Bo's 8th birthday. I got him a "doggie peanut butter cupcake" which he mostly just licked but seemed pretty excited about. We also got him one of those Benafulls (sp?) meals. He devoured that and ended his birthday with a full belly asleep on the couch. I still can't believe he is 8. He's such an old man.
Bo licking all the icing and sprinkles off his cupcakeWe hope you all have a safe and happy 4th of July!
Happy Birthday America :)!
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