A Taste Of Home

My house has a certain feeling.

It’s the comforting feeling of waking up on a Saturday to find dad piddling around in the garage and mom in her PJs in the kitchen feeding Lily Cat. Walking into the kitchen to make a cup of coffee and curling up on the couch with momma, the Winston-Salem Journal and TLC on TV. My house is Dad coming in with his jacket and boots on with a crisp air from the outside surrounding him as he sits down on the computer to browse. It’s a feeling of familiarity. My house is opening and closing the front door over and over and over again so that Lily Cat can come and go as she pleases as her cat curiosities kill her. And all of this happening simultaneously before 8:30am.

Its home.

It’s a Saturday morning or a holiday like this past Thanksgiving.

It’s what I love.

It’s what I miss.

It’s the simple feelings of life that I will cherish forever.

It’s the one positive aspect of not permanently living Kernersville.

It’s the opportunity to go back home on a weekend or holiday and truly LIVE in my house again just like I did eight years ago; Experience all those morning sights and sounds just like I did for 20 some years. You really take for granted that when you wake up in the morning the house is always clean, there are always groceries in the fridge and the yard is always mowed. It’s comforting to be at home and in many ways still be able to be the “kid” and have mom and dad take care of you; make your cup of coffee with exactly the right amount of sugar and cream.

This wouldn’t be so if I lived in Kernersville. I would have my own house and would never need to stay at my parents again. Where is the fun in that?

People ask me over and over when I am going to move back to Kernersville and over and over again my answer is the same: no time soon. I like it here in Charlotte and I love the life that I have built. I do miss so much about Kernersville but mainly it’s not the town, it’s the people. It’s Mom and Dad, Sister, Sam and Olivia. It’s Aunt Sharon and Uncle Bob. Its Grandma and Paw- Paw. It’s Chad, Tara, Landon and Addie. It’s my house and the experiences and history it has inside of it. But by not living in Kernersville, I get to truly experience going home. Getting to take a step back every time and sleeping in my room and waking up to everything familiar. It is like this past weekend where I was reminded exactly what it was like to live at home…and it was perfect! More than I could have asked for. I will ALWAYS know where my true home is and it is on Gehring Drive.

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Many things have stayed the same in my home for the past 20 years but there are so many things that have changed that remind me everyday that life is good and it goes on. My room is now Livi's room for when she stays with Mom and Dad. There are baby toys everywhere and little girl clothes in the dirty laundry. I guess its like what our house used to be like 26 years ago with Blair and I. It reminds me that life is good

Here is the little turkey herself in her Thanksgiving outfit!

And I couldn't resist snapping one of her in the bathtub! Those little eyes staring up at me melts every bit of my heart.

It was a perfect Thanksgiving!

"I Got A Sofa, I Got A Sofa, I Got A Sofa HEY HEY HEY HEY!"

When I get something stuck in my head I am going to get it done and I will focus on it 100%. Sometimes it is a good thing and sometimes it will drive others crazy. It is my personality and I can’t help it. I am blaming it on my father; I am definitely his child.
Two weeks ago I decided that I wanted a new sofa-couch-love seat-sectional-something for my new apartment. My original plan was to use the couches that “Charleston” had at his old apartment in Greensboro but, after further investigation, they have been living with boys for the past five years and they might be hazardous to my health ;)

Mom and I started shopping in Winston-Salem and Greensboro last time I was at home and I found several things that I really enjoyed! Some were cute, smaller pieces with dainty fabric. Totally my style! I was thinking “chic” apartment with lots of fun soft colors. But then at the next store, I would fall in love with an elegant “library/study” dark leather sofa that screamed sophistication and reading a novel by a roaring fire with glasses hanging from the crease of my mouth.

There were sooo many choices……

But then again….

There were sooo few choices…..

My opinion on furniture is that you truly get what you pay for. You go cheap and you get cheap material and cheap fabric/foundation. You go expensive and you get a very nice piece that will withstand the test of time (but would you ever want to change your style a little?)

Therefore, for the past week I have been on a shop attack for the perfect couch. Serious crazy person shopping from the second I leave the office to the second my head hits the pillow. I questioned myself at times. My butt has felt every available couch in the Charlotte region.

Overall the verdict: there are a TON of overpriced, uncomfortable, ugly couches out there. If it doesn’t fall into this category then it is a ridiculously expensive 100% leather sofa way out of my price range.

On my very first day of shopping I fell in love with a beige/brown/tan sectional at Ashley Furniture. I didn’t want to jump the gun on the first day which I think is what sparked my shop attack (maybe this attack was more of a need-to-make-sure-there-is-nothing-else-out-there kind of shopping but…I was trying to stay as open as possible!) This sectional was not at all dainty like I thought I originally wanted but very traditional and strong enough to withstand boy.

Well…this first love has become my final love and I am going to purchase my very first big girl piece of living room furniture today from Ashley Furniture Home Store. I am excited! It is going to look perfect in my new place and I can’t wait to get a good movie and curl up in the corner with a cozy blanket!

The moral of the story: My persistence and stubbornness paid off because my urgency got me a fabulous BLACK FRIDAY discount!

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I can't wait for this to be in MY living room!

Stuffed Mushrooms AGAIN!

I am obsessed with stuffed mushrooms. I have tried many many recipes and so far the one I posted last year around this time (click right here) has been my FAVORITE! Well the Pioneer Woman has done it again and provided me with a new stuffed mushroom recipe that I can not wait to get my hands on this weekend! It includes one of my favorite ingredients ~ ONIONS!!! And lots of them....

French Onion Soup Stuffed Mushrooms

Ingredients
2 Tablespoons Butter
2 whole Large Onions, Halved And Sliced Thin
¼ cups Beef Broth
7 dashes Worcestershire Sauce
Splash Of Red Or White Wine
½ cups Grated Gruyere Cheese (can Use Swiss)
Kosher Salt
24 whole White Or Crimini Mushrooms, Washed And Stems Removed
Minced Parsley

Preparation Instructions
In a medium skillet, melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat. Add onions and saute for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until very soft. Splash in wine, broth, and Worcestershire. Cook for another 5 minutes, or until liquid is cooked down. Set aside.

Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Throw in mushrooms and toss around for 2 minutes, just to start the cooking process. Sprinkle mushrooms with salt.

Place mushroom caps face down in a baking dish. Heap cavity with sauteed mushrooms, then sprinkle Gruyere over the top. Bake at 10 minutes on 325 degrees. Turn on broiler and broil for a couple of minutes, until the top of the Gruyere starts to bubble and slightly turn brown.

Sprinkle minced parsley over the top and serve.

YUMMMM I can't wait!

Halloween Weekend

There are two activities that I have never been that interested in. The first, Halloween. The second, UNC football games.

I love the concept of Halloween. I LOVE the decorating aspect, pumpkin carving and little kids running door to door saying “tick-or-treat.” I HATE being 26 years old and having to dress up. I know that no one is twisting my arm and holding a gun to my head until I step into a stupid looking outfit but… every year it’s inevitable that I am faced with a costume party to attend.

When it comes to college football, why would I have ever been interested in any team other than NC State? This was true up until a UNC alum walked into my life and became someone very special. Therefore, I have and will continue to try my hardest to respect UNC sports and cheer them on when the time is right.

Anyway, all in one weekend I faced these two activities head on. On Saturday October 31, “Charleston” and I headed to Chapel Hill for UNC’s homecoming and football game against Gardner Webb and then to Raleigh Saturday night for a Halloween party at our friend Carter’s house.

“Charleston” and I could not decide what we wanted to dress up as and of course we didn’t want to break the bank in doing so …therefore, after a hot shower one night before bed I had a genius idea:

What do you get when you combine white scrub pants, a white t-shirt, a white hard hat and 5 bags of cotton balls?

Well…..

Q-tips of course!

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Q-tip costumes handmade by ME with a little hot glue, cotton balls, and blue paint!

"Charleston" with Carter, Kristen, and Brian
With our friends Mason and Melissa Hurley

"Charleston" and I in the stands at UNC Chapel Hill! Happy Homecoming Tar Heel Fans!

I tried my hardest to find ANY Carolina blue in my closet. This little tank and necklace came to the rescue!

It's Almost Official...My New Home

A little while ago I told you all that I was moving out on my own; putting my big girl panties on and braving the world by myself. I have had roommates since the womb and I am finally ready to take this leap of faith. I have searched high and low across the Charlotte area in hopes of a reasonably priced, two bedroom condo/apartment in an area I am comfortable with. I still want to be close to Uptown and work, but love the Myers Park, Dilworth, Selwyn and Elizabeth areas around Charlotte. The problem with these areas is that they are SO expensive. For the past several weeks I have shopped online and put more miles on my car then it has seen all year driving around checking out FOR RENT signs in the front yards of many houses. After endless hours of number crunching and soul searching I have finally made a decision (lease isn't signed but deposit is down; cross your fingers!).......Drum Roll Please.....

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and here she is...

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I have chosen this little two story brick townhome with 2 bedrooms and 1 1/2 baths. It sits in a perfect location that is close to work and a wonderful neighborhood not far from Freedom Park!

Rhonda Honda has already made herself at home as well. She looks so cute sitting out front!

It is an older townhome but all utilities are included so I know exactly what my payments are going to be each month. For a type A planner personality like myself, that is right up my alley! I can run the air or heat all I want and not fret over every little degree! (hand wash dishes..ha..yeah right! use that water!) (Just kidding. I do love the environment and will still keep these resources in mind and not go crazy!)

Oh yeah, and boyfriend and I went to the NC State vs. Clemson game last Saturday at Clemson. This was "Charleston" and I before the game when I was pumped and excited to experience Death Valley and how silent it was going to sound when we kicked some tiger butt....

Too bad it was this Wolfpack's butt who walked out in silence. Man what a game. I was not a happy camper on the ride home. At least I was in good company of the Atkins family!

It's Just One Of Those Days

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Yesterday Was The Start Of Fall.....For Me

It officially became fall yesterday.

Well…officially in my book for three reasons:

1. I wore my coat on my walk to work and my walk home from work. Lately it’s just been worn once during the day but…not yesterday! I snagged this little puppy at Old Navy last week for $20.00 with a lovely sale price and a coupon!

2. Harris Teeter started carrying Coffee-Mate Pumpkin Spice Creamer again! Tis the season!. A drop of this magic will go in every cup of coffee until February when they pull it off the shelf again. Whoever said pumpkin shouldn’t be enjoyed year round is seriously disturbed.

3. I made my first crock-pot of chili for dinner tonight and to freeze for several lunches next week! I used a new “heathier” recipe I got from the Crockpot cookbook my momma gave me for Christmas last year. (Plus I already had all the beans in the pantry as well as a pound of ground turkey in the fridge intended for turkey burgers! It was just meant to be!)

Fall has been kicked in the butt and it’s finally here with fun coats, pots of chili and pumpkin spice! Bring it on!

Three Bean Turkey Chili
Hands-On Time: 10 minutes

Ready In: 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 hours

Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients
1 pound lean ground turkey

1 small onion, chopped

1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained

1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas, rinsed and drained

1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained

1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce

1 can (4 ounces) diced mild green chiles

1 to 2 tablespoons chili powdersalt to taste

Directions
1. Cook and stir turkey and onion in medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until turkey is no longer pink. Drain and discard fat. Transfer to 4 1/2-quart CROCK-POT® slow cooker.
2. Add remaining ingredients; mix well. Cover; cook on HIGH 6 to 8 hours.

Along with my chili tonight I am making these corm muffins I saw Rachael Ray make Monday night on 30-Minute Meals. (Hey, if the Chili is “healthy” my caloric intake can withstand a little bacon and cheddar!)

Corn Muffins with Bacon Bits and Cheddar Cheese
Serves:
6 to 8 muffins depending on tin size

Ingredients
A drizzle extra-virgin olive oil
6 slices bacon, chopped
1 box corn muffin mix plus ingredients according to package directions to make 1 batch muffins
1 rounded teaspoon smoked sweet paprika
3 to 4 tablespoons finely chopped chives
1/3 pound brick sharp yellow Cheddar, chopped into 1/4-inch dice

Directions
Preheat oven to muffin mix package directions.
Drizzle a little extra-virgin olive oil into a small skillet and place over medium-high heat. Add bacon to hot pan and crisp, 5 to 6 minutes. Remove from pan and drain on a paper towel. Set aside.
Prepare the muffin mix and muffin tin to package directions. Stir in paprika, chives, chopped cheese and crisp bacon bits. Fill muffin tins and bake until golden brown.

Odwalla

I am always looking for new things to try for breakfast. It’s hard to have a breakfast food that is healthy and can be enjoyed at my desk at 5:30am. Omelets and anything that has to be cooked are obviously out of the question and any kind of pastry or bread is just loaded with calories and carbs. Therefore, last week “Charleston’s” sister brought home some of these little puppies below from the cafeteria at CMC hospital and told us to help ourselves to breakfast! This little shake was AMAZING! I put it into the freezer as soon as I got to work and let it “chill” for about 30 minutes and then enjoyed it as a slushy. It kept me full until lunch and the flavor was outstanding. I’m headed to the grocery store today to see if I can pick up some of these bad boys to have for breakfast for the rest of the week!

ODWALLA

Pictured below is the Strawberry Banana Fruit Smoothie Blend

Hit or Miss....Wall Decals ?

Living in a rented apartment kind of puts a damper on my decorating instinct. I just don’t ever have the feeling that it’s “home” or something permanent (obviously, because it’s not!) but it hinders the follow through of my creative side. I don’t own the place and won’t be there “forever” so why spend the money to paint the walls or buy particular furniture for a particular room? Therefore all I can do is dream until the first down payment is made. Therefore, I have hoarded ALL KINDS of design s, colors and ideas I can’t wait to make permanent in my mansion one day :)

One of the ideas I have always been curious about is wall decals; I am actually slightly wishy washy on them. Do they look as good as the online picture as they do on the actual wall? Do they look cheap or out of place? I have seen people use the shapes before to create a wall with polka dots but my favorites online are the quote decals. I am a HUGE quote person; the kind of person that if it were acceptable at my work, would have a quote at the bottom of my email signature; that kind of obsessed with quotes person.

Are quotes/words/sayings tacky on a wall? I’m thinking they could pass as long as they are meticulously placed in the appropriate location. Did all my designer potential go down the drain with this thought of wall quote decal or is anyone else on board? I just don’t know….

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This could be cute above a group of frames of fun vacation pictures

So sweet!
I would love this one for a bedroom or home office.

This could go in any kids room!

Could be cute on a bathroom wall..

Could be fun......NOPE!!!! Just Kidding! This is ridiculous! Who would ever put this on their wall!

Summer To Fall Transition

The hair on my head has a mind of its own. Depending on what I eat, how much exercise I get, if I took my vitamins and how much “styling” I do to it, it either grows like a weed or splits like a fork in the road. Some days I can LOVE it and some days I just don’t “feel cute” because it’s a disaster hair day. (Ask “Charleston”, he knows all too well the kind of mood I get in when my hair is wrong and I don’t look cute!) I’m not the person that schedules a cut and color every six weeks either. I wait until I absolutely cannot stand the hair on my head and immediately jump online and schedule an emergency cut and color session. That emergency has come and is scheduled for tomorrow. It’s also the turning point from Summer Blain Hair to Fall Blain Hair. The transformation from blonde to brown occurs. Tomorrow’s inspiration is going to come from the following: I got so excited about this girls hair color that I sent it straight to Erin (my hair girl) and she is going to re-create this on my head! I cannot wait! What do you think?!

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(Not going to go to heavy with the stripes but definitely have some smaller blonde ones poke through!)

Perfect transition color from summer to fall...at least in my opinion! (If not, it's just hair color!!! Take a walk on the wild side!!!)

In Needed A Dose Of O.C.

I was missing my weekly dose of little miss Livi, therefore “Charleston” and I headed to Kernersville Friday night to stay with my Sister and Sam and to spend some quality time with my niece! I am such a proud aunt that it is stupid ridiculous; I just love her little face so freaking much! She played, ate, pooped, slept, played, ate, pooped, slept…you know, the usual 5 month old schedule. Life is good.

Olivia is such a good baby. She never cries, sleeps through the night, and smiles CONSTANTLY. The cutest thing is to watch “Charleston” and my brother-in-law Sam interact with her. Seeing Blair as a mother comes as no shock; she is a natural. Throughout life Blair and I babysat A LOT so seeing sister raise her own child just looks normal. But to see guys in their 20s, interacting with a baby, is the most precious thing ever. Sammie and “Charleston” look like pros. It all just melts my heart.

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Olivia Claire was excited to eat some peaches!

I just love that little bird mouth!
Livi has gotten to be such a big girl; being able to sit up in her chair for meal time!

Life's Lessons As A Woman

(This one was kind of hard to write. Its against my human nature to admit my weaknesses. I know they are there but bringing them to the public is simply hard. anyone agree? I like to come across as this confident woman but... we can't always be superwoman at every moment in life. We need these lessons to help us grow.)

Over at the blog, Enjoying the Small Things, Kelle Hampton posted today about Dove’s Self Esteem Movement. Simply stated, the movement is to empower women and young girls to be confident in themselves no matter how they were created or what cards they have been dealt throughout life. Kelle then posed her own question to her readers…What do you know now that you wish you would have known at 13?

I can’t say at 13 I needed to know tooooo much, but there is a piece of information that I wish I would have known when I was beginning to date and have serious boyfriends in high school and college.

You control your happiness, no one else. You are not dependent but independent.

It has been something I have struggled with... Ever since my first relationship in college I have let the man of my life at the time control me emotionally, robbing me of MY happiness. He never knew he was doing it and he never did it intentionally, but, I based my happiness on the attention, effort, and commitment he had to me and our relationship. Ultimately it was my lack of confidence in myself thinking that having him in my life, him wanting me, is what made my life happy. If we were ever struggling, arguing and not getting along, I felt as if my world was ending because I based so much of my happiness on him and “us”. What would I do if I lost him? No matter how much he might be pulling me away from the person that I was, I always allowed that silent control. My happiness was based on him. By secretly allowing someone to control my every thought, I lost myself.

Where was my brain? What in the hell was I thinking. My mother and father instilled in me that I am a strong and motivated individual and that the world was an open book ready for me to read every page. For so many years and relationships this loss of MY own happiness was a repeated tragedy. I lost "Blain" and the person that I inspired to be. My happiness was based on him; based on someone else.

It wasn’t until a couple years ago that a quick sharp turn in a relationship made me realize how wrong I had been for allowing this to strangle me. A relationship ended and for the first time in SO long I felt FREE. It was a sense of feeling that I had not had since high school. I was in control; my happiness was mine. I was a girl with an education given to me by my generous parents; I had a successful career; I had friends; I had my health; I had my family. No one could take any of that away from me and all of that was happiness. I determined my next move, not some guy. A relationship was not what was going to drive my happiness; not anymore.

Since this realization I have never felt better in my life. I am confident because I am happy on my own terms. This decision is mine, my happiness is mine to determine and why should I not wake up every day and be happy about all that surrounds me. Even though I still struggle with this at times and loose sight of the big picture, I have to take the time and reel myself back in. Remember what I have learned and where I don't want to go again. It might always be a slight struggle but my relationships since this turning point have grown and I have become an independent woman willing to support the man in my life but remembering to support myself at the same time. My personal happiness leads to a happy relationship, not a happy relationship leading to a happy personal life.

I control my happiness, no one else. I am not dependent but independent.

Carolina

I go through those phases where I have that one single song that just takes a happy day and makes it brighter; on a sad or frustrated day, my frown gets turned upside down.

Lately that song has been Carolina by Eric Church. I have to stop myself at work from belting out the lyrics as it breaks for the first time in to the chorus…and of course every time after that.

The best part was seeing Eric the other weekend in concert and hearing this song LIVE! 10 times even better!

I will also agree with Eric in that I could never imagine calling another state, other than North Carolina home! I love this place from the mountains in Boone and Asheville to the Coast in Wilmington and the Outer Banks. What is there not to love about North Carolina!!

Carolina – by Eric Church

There's a cabin in a valley

My grandpa built on your land

Your mountains are a canvas for the maker's hand

Tonight I'm fishing Elk River

If only in my mind

No I haven't seen her banks in such a long, long time

I carry you in my heart

Your memory comes over me like the dark

And like a phone call from my baby

Saying honey I miss you like crazy

Like the sound of a siren song

Oh Carolina you keep calling me home

Calling me home, calling me home

Calling me home

Sometimes I grow weary from going all the time

I'd love to take a minute

And let you ease my mind

I'd love to see my Mama

And maybe go for a drive

But I gotta play the star in some little town again tonight

But don't get me wrong

I love what I do

It's just another song about missing you

And like a phone call from my baby

Saying honey I miss you like crazy

Like the sound of a siren song

Oh Carolina you keep calling me home

Calling me home, calling me home

Calling me home

Oh, oh, I'm almost home

Like a phone call from my baby

Saying hone I miss you, I miss you like crazy

Just like the sound of a siren song

Oh Carolina, Carolina, Carolina

You keep calling me home

If you have never heard of Eric before, I suggest you try out his Carolina CD. One of my favorites from start to finish!

Better In My Closet

I think these would all look better in my closet then online.

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Love this outfit! perfect for work!

Two colors you never see, but...perfect! I might have to pick new boots though; maybe ankle boots. For someone with very short legs like my stumps, these just don't flatter!
Perfect outfit for a fall Saturday afternoon?! Yes please!

and this belongs around my neck....

and this wants to become friends with my skinny jeans.....

and these on my feetsies....

and this for a Friday night to dinner with a cream color cropped cardigan and fun jewels around my neck...

and this just because....just because I have a fetish with winter coats!

Oh what you do to me Ruche.com!

A New Move On My Own

I was an orange in a juicer.

Emotionally drained.

Every ounce of feelings and soul had been squeezed out of me yesterday.

It wears and tears on my heart to make decisions without a concrete plan; especially a decision that effects someone else.

When I came to Charlotte in 2007, I was coming off a college track record of moving every year. I went from Lee Dorm on NC State’s campus, to a four-bedroom townhouse at University Suites, to the sorority house, to a five-bedroom house on Canterbury Street, and finally into a two bedroom house on Dixie Avenue with Allie. It was a vicious cycle of packing and unpacking; re-arranging and re-adjusting.

But when I got to Charlotte, I settled into an apartment with two friends that I called home for more than two years. For once it was nice to stay put. Last January though, with the push and pull of the economy, my two roommates and I made the decision to move to a cheaper apartment (but nicer) in uptown. We packed, unpacked, re-arranged and re-adjusted.
We were once again settled into a new three bedroom, 1500 sq ft apartment. I was ready to stay put for another (at least) two years. Well several months ago, one of my roommates, Anna, got engaged and informed us she would not be renewing the lease come January.

This news came as no shock and Leann and I thought we would simply find someone to move into Anna’s space. That’s when my head and my heart started going in all directions. I have shared living space and a bathroom since the day I was born. I have lived with roommates for the past 8 years and not for one second would I trade a minute of it but…when was it going to be my turn; become a “grown-up” and get a place of my own? I will have the rest of my life to share a space with a “roommate” (hopefully a husband) so with this pending move ahead of me do I make it solo? Do I get my own space? My own kitchen? My own bedroom? My own living room? My own bathroom?

As these questions were all lying on my heart because getting a place on my own means leaving Leann, I couldn’t ignore them. I also couldn’t ignore one other HUGE fact. Over the past three years, I have fallen in love with Charlotte. I see myself here; possibly raising a family here and establishing some roots here. Therefore, when will it be appropriate for me to stop throwing money at rent and ground myself in the Queen city with a house purchase? Is it smart for me to move into a two bedroom with Leann, sign a year lease, but then run into the possibility of finding my dream home next summer? If I have to break a lease, I force Leann to move out or burn myself having to find someone to sublease for me while I break the bank and purchase my very first home.

Therefore with all of these questions and possibilities, my insides have been eaten alive with emotion. I would never want to hurt Leann because she moved in as a stranger but has become a very close friend; I don’t want to leave her high and dry. But, I am ready to have something that’s “mine”; something that I will live in until I decide to move, not having to move because a roommates engagement or job change.

Well I did it; I made up my mind. I have decided come January, to get a place of my own. A two bedroom apartment or condo somewhere here in Charlotte that will be just for me. I stressed all day about telling Leann my decision but after discussing it with her last night, she was very understanding and supported me in my decision. That’s why I love her. That’s why over the past two years we have become good friends. She is an amazing woman.

So…long story short. For the first time in my 26 year history, I will truly be on my own in my own place. I’m going to have to learn how to budget myself a little better because inevitably it will be more expensive but I am excited for this new chapter in life!!!

Friends, Wine and GOOD NEWS!

Secrets.

I am usually so good with secrets but this one has seriously given my lip muscles a cramp trying to hold it in…

“Charleston” is moving to Charlotte!

I am beside myself …although…I really don’t think it has hit me yet. It probably won’t until Sunday night on the 17th when he ends up staying in Charlotte instead of driving back to Greensboro!

Several weeks ago, “Charleston” had an interview with BASF, and afterwards I had this gut instinct that he landed the job. Something inside of me told me to stay positive and this situation would work itself out. We have talked over the last year about how bad we want to be in the same city and experience “week day life” together and so far, every day, I have prayed so hard this would one day come true.

Well being the intelligent, organized, self-motivated and responsible man that he is, “Charleston” is making this dream a reality. I am so proud of him for accomplishing this professional advancement and can’t wait to be the woman to stand behind him and support him throughout this new adventure. He starts his new job on October 18th and will officially become a Charlotte resident again! (He is from Charlotte so you can only imagine how excited his family is as well!)

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Anyways…now that that giant cat is out of the bag…I can relax and move on to the wine festival…

On Saturday we attended the Great Grapes Wine Festival in SouthPark's Symphony Park. The weather was gorgeous; The music was entertaining; The wine was flowing. We walked around for an hour or two and sampled all kinds of North Carolina wines, in the process trying to look “professional” as we sipped, commented and swirled our glass. When we were done “sipping”, Lauren, “Charleston” and I pulled up a big blanket in the shade, bought two bottles of local wine and enjoyed the rest of the afternoon!
The weather was wonderful! Jeans and short sleeves...my favorite!
Miss Lauren Vincent came into town Saturday for the fun festivities! I am so blessed with the most amazing girls in my life!

Diva all around!

Cheers to my baybee!

Not only was Saturday the wine festival but it was also Miss Laura Faust’s birthday! With plans to go out that night, we opted not to stay at the wine festival ALL day so we headed over to Taco Mac to catch the NC State vs. VT game (which I will leave with no comment except for sad times for the Wolfpack) and a bite to eat and then home to rest up for a fun night at Dixie’s Tavern! Happy Birthday Faust!

Overall a fabulous weekend for Faust’s birthday and the news coming out that my hunny hunny is moving to Charlotte!