On Day 789...
I thought I would reflect a little on my new job and list a few things that I have learned from working for Riverwood Real Estate Development Company, Corp. Sounds important doesn't it? How's this: I am working for Andrew's dad... ahhh... back to reality. :) I am sure you never needed to know this, and probably never will... but oh well...
1. I only thought I was organized, Drew's dad brings a whole new meaning to the word.
2. Dry Erase boards are a pain to hang.
3. It costs $760.00 to install a water meter.
4. Parking in Asheville is a ROYAL PAIN, there are no parking lots, wide roads or two-way streets, everything is narrow, one-way, with metered parallel parking. (all of which I detest).
5. People really do write checks for over $40,000. (I got to touch one!)
6. Someone really named their company The Real Estate Firm. How boring is that!
7. NC just repealed its law that required businesses to have separate toilets for separate sexes.
8. In NC, if I were to dump paint into a pan, and then give the pan to Drew to paint (delegation at its best) I would have to label the paint as hazardous... just in case Drew was thirsty and wanted a paint cocktail.
9. You can spend $755.00 on a toilet! Granted, it is brushed chrome, but still!
10. I don't have another one, but it felt weird to end with # 9.
L
2.23.2005
2.18.2005
Soap Box Moment
On Day 784...
As some of you may know, when we moved to NC I went from working full-time (plus some) to working part-time. This change, even though I love it, has come with more than its fair-share of comments from the general public/friends/acquaintances etc. Friends in DC, and around the US, when they found out we were moving immediately jumped to the conclusion that our goal was to move away and start a family ASAP. I am coming closer and closer to using some of Sarah M.'s suggestions to get people off your back like: "Oh, well I hate children" or "we have been trying for two years and haven't been able to" or "I have some from a previous relationship so we really don't want any more." All of them are rather tempting, but probably not the best thing to say when trying to make new friends. I have been civil to all people who ask, and even nice. However, that can only last so long. The comment that inspired today's blog came a few days ago when someone I had only met once before (two years ago at our wedding reception) made a comment about how working part-time meant that "oh, now you have time to pop out some babies!" I have nothing against the woman who said it, I am sure she meant it as a joke... but after about 239 similar jokes... it gets old. (My stubborn streak says, Fine, snub them all, don't ever have children! But as we all know, doing something because people expect the opposite is a stupid reason to do anything.) What bothered me about the statement was that she 1. doesn't know me well enough to joke about such things 2. implies that if I am not working full-time I don't have enough to do and 3. did I say that I planned to start a family right now? (the self-evident answer is: NO).
That said, I don't have any problem with having a family, in fact I plan to have one myself some day (surprise surprise). Children are a blessing from the Lord and when the time comes I know I will be happy about it and ready for that stage of my life, but I am enjoying the one I am in right now.
Also, the reason I decided to work part-time is that there are too many things I want/need to do, other than work a job 40 hours a week. I now have time to exercise every day, read books, take walks, keep up with friends & make new ones, keep a clean house and even cook more than mac & cheese. Isn't (or maybe a better word is shouldn't) life be about working to live instead of living to work? Am I so off base? (I do want to clarify that I have nothing against those who work full-time, I just can't do it all and remain sane. If you can... more power to you!)
All that to say that 1. I like working part-time, it allows me time to do things I enjoy and just live a more balanced life 2. don't ask me when we are going to start a family (I promise I will tell you when it does happen, but for now I am just taking one day at a time).
And now I shall step down from my soap box... at least for the moment.
L
As some of you may know, when we moved to NC I went from working full-time (plus some) to working part-time. This change, even though I love it, has come with more than its fair-share of comments from the general public/friends/acquaintances etc. Friends in DC, and around the US, when they found out we were moving immediately jumped to the conclusion that our goal was to move away and start a family ASAP. I am coming closer and closer to using some of Sarah M.'s suggestions to get people off your back like: "Oh, well I hate children" or "we have been trying for two years and haven't been able to" or "I have some from a previous relationship so we really don't want any more." All of them are rather tempting, but probably not the best thing to say when trying to make new friends. I have been civil to all people who ask, and even nice. However, that can only last so long. The comment that inspired today's blog came a few days ago when someone I had only met once before (two years ago at our wedding reception) made a comment about how working part-time meant that "oh, now you have time to pop out some babies!" I have nothing against the woman who said it, I am sure she meant it as a joke... but after about 239 similar jokes... it gets old. (My stubborn streak says, Fine, snub them all, don't ever have children! But as we all know, doing something because people expect the opposite is a stupid reason to do anything.) What bothered me about the statement was that she 1. doesn't know me well enough to joke about such things 2. implies that if I am not working full-time I don't have enough to do and 3. did I say that I planned to start a family right now? (the self-evident answer is: NO).
That said, I don't have any problem with having a family, in fact I plan to have one myself some day (surprise surprise). Children are a blessing from the Lord and when the time comes I know I will be happy about it and ready for that stage of my life, but I am enjoying the one I am in right now.
Also, the reason I decided to work part-time is that there are too many things I want/need to do, other than work a job 40 hours a week. I now have time to exercise every day, read books, take walks, keep up with friends & make new ones, keep a clean house and even cook more than mac & cheese. Isn't (or maybe a better word is shouldn't) life be about working to live instead of living to work? Am I so off base? (I do want to clarify that I have nothing against those who work full-time, I just can't do it all and remain sane. If you can... more power to you!)
All that to say that 1. I like working part-time, it allows me time to do things I enjoy and just live a more balanced life 2. don't ask me when we are going to start a family (I promise I will tell you when it does happen, but for now I am just taking one day at a time).
And now I shall step down from my soap box... at least for the moment.
L
2.15.2005
A Mansion, A Double-wide & A Steakhouse
On Day 781...
Well, the three really don't have much to do with each other, besides the fact that I was at each one on three consecutive days... but I anyway... here is a recap from the weekend :)
The Mansion
Some of you know, and some of you may not know, that Asheville is home to the largest single family residence in the US, the Biltmore House (built by George Vanderbilt in the late 1800s). It is something like 150,000 square feet of living space, 225 rooms, and absolutely gorgeous. But even more than that, it sits on thousands of acres filled with trees, animals, hotels, shops, walking paths, fields, ponds, waterfalls, benches and restaurants. On Saturday Jonanthon (Drew's brother) showed us around and Drew and I used some Christmas money to buy annual passes. It was a gorgeous day and we spent Saturday afternoon walking around the pond, and through the greenhouse & gardens, and we also walked through the house. I can't wait until it gets a little warmer and I can buy a kite and take Drew up for a picnic lunch and kite flying. :)
The Double Wide
Now, for those of you who have been to NC, double-wide trailers are FAR from sparse. However, have you ever been to church in a double-wide??? Well, we hadn't either... until Sunday. Andrew and I have been looking for churches in the Asheville area, and someone had recommended Blue Ridge Bible Church. On Saturday we found out they met at 10:45, and even mapquested the address to make sure we made it on time. On Sunday we set out a few minutes late and arrived one minute late, and between the double-wide trailer with a cross nailed to the side, the 5 cars parked outside and the orange curtains on the french doors (is it wrong to use double-wide & french in the same sentence?) and being late we almost left right then. However, as fate would have it, someone opened the door and invited us in. I should be used to it by now, but NOTHING starts on time around here, including church. I think that church finally started around 11:05. When there are only 17 people in the church, 2 new ones is the big excitement. We were bombarded by people and cards to fill out. We were even embarrassed... I mean introduced by the pastor at the beginning of the sermon. (During the sermon the pastor said that next week they really needed to start on time... no one in the congregation, not even his wife or mother, knew what time that was.) The music could best be described as painful, and although the pastor left a nice outline in the bulletin, and I was opened to the right passage in the Bible, neither Drew nor I had any idea how what he said, and what we read had to do with each other. Needless to say, I think we will be trying another one next week.
The Steakhouse
When Drew came home last night, he had brought me a BEAUTIFUL vase of long-stem roses. He then informed me that there was something more and to sit down at the table and close my eyes. I followed the instructions. After about 5 minutes he finally told me I could open my eyes and I was met by the stare of the most hideous, despicable creature I have ever seen. It is a 3 foot tall wood-carved statue of some sort of gargoyle, gremlin creature. It had huge wings and evil eyes, and spikes down his back. As I sat in horror Drew just howled with laughter. Well, to the chagrin of Emily Post, I rejected the gift immediately, and it is gone forever, never to return. Andrew made up for it by taking me to a Japanese Steakhouse, where they make all the food in front of you. The food was great and so was the show. All in all, it was a great Valentine's Day.
L
P.S. Happy Anniversary Mike & Rachelle!
Well, the three really don't have much to do with each other, besides the fact that I was at each one on three consecutive days... but I anyway... here is a recap from the weekend :)
The Mansion
Some of you know, and some of you may not know, that Asheville is home to the largest single family residence in the US, the Biltmore House (built by George Vanderbilt in the late 1800s). It is something like 150,000 square feet of living space, 225 rooms, and absolutely gorgeous. But even more than that, it sits on thousands of acres filled with trees, animals, hotels, shops, walking paths, fields, ponds, waterfalls, benches and restaurants. On Saturday Jonanthon (Drew's brother) showed us around and Drew and I used some Christmas money to buy annual passes. It was a gorgeous day and we spent Saturday afternoon walking around the pond, and through the greenhouse & gardens, and we also walked through the house. I can't wait until it gets a little warmer and I can buy a kite and take Drew up for a picnic lunch and kite flying. :)
The Double Wide
Now, for those of you who have been to NC, double-wide trailers are FAR from sparse. However, have you ever been to church in a double-wide??? Well, we hadn't either... until Sunday. Andrew and I have been looking for churches in the Asheville area, and someone had recommended Blue Ridge Bible Church. On Saturday we found out they met at 10:45, and even mapquested the address to make sure we made it on time. On Sunday we set out a few minutes late and arrived one minute late, and between the double-wide trailer with a cross nailed to the side, the 5 cars parked outside and the orange curtains on the french doors (is it wrong to use double-wide & french in the same sentence?) and being late we almost left right then. However, as fate would have it, someone opened the door and invited us in. I should be used to it by now, but NOTHING starts on time around here, including church. I think that church finally started around 11:05. When there are only 17 people in the church, 2 new ones is the big excitement. We were bombarded by people and cards to fill out. We were even embarrassed... I mean introduced by the pastor at the beginning of the sermon. (During the sermon the pastor said that next week they really needed to start on time... no one in the congregation, not even his wife or mother, knew what time that was.) The music could best be described as painful, and although the pastor left a nice outline in the bulletin, and I was opened to the right passage in the Bible, neither Drew nor I had any idea how what he said, and what we read had to do with each other. Needless to say, I think we will be trying another one next week.
The Steakhouse
When Drew came home last night, he had brought me a BEAUTIFUL vase of long-stem roses. He then informed me that there was something more and to sit down at the table and close my eyes. I followed the instructions. After about 5 minutes he finally told me I could open my eyes and I was met by the stare of the most hideous, despicable creature I have ever seen. It is a 3 foot tall wood-carved statue of some sort of gargoyle, gremlin creature. It had huge wings and evil eyes, and spikes down his back. As I sat in horror Drew just howled with laughter. Well, to the chagrin of Emily Post, I rejected the gift immediately, and it is gone forever, never to return. Andrew made up for it by taking me to a Japanese Steakhouse, where they make all the food in front of you. The food was great and so was the show. All in all, it was a great Valentine's Day.
L
P.S. Happy Anniversary Mike & Rachelle!
2.11.2005
Are You Serious?
On Day 777...
I was at the grocery store today buying hollandaise sauce, amoung other things. When I was having a bit of trouble finding it, I asked Doug, the nice man in the blue vest. Here was his response (please add a southern accent): "Huh, hollandaise sauce you say? That's a wonder, missy. Well, you should try lookin' in dairy... well, thinkin' again... you should look in produce... yeah, I'm purddy sure it's a vegetable." AH! Only in NC :)
L
I was at the grocery store today buying hollandaise sauce, amoung other things. When I was having a bit of trouble finding it, I asked Doug, the nice man in the blue vest. Here was his response (please add a southern accent): "Huh, hollandaise sauce you say? That's a wonder, missy. Well, you should try lookin' in dairy... well, thinkin' again... you should look in produce... yeah, I'm purddy sure it's a vegetable." AH! Only in NC :)
L
2.09.2005
Ahh... Tea
On Day 775...
Many of you know that I absolutely detest shopping unless it is toothbrushes, shampoo... and now tea. Since moving I have found that drinking tea is very relaxing and refreshing. I started with a cup in the morning, and then one in the evening as well... and not I drink tea three to four times a day... I am addicted. At the grocery store, I can't help but walk by the tea isle, just to see if they have added something that I need to try. (Which drives Drew nuts when he is with me... his philosophy is that unless it is on the list we are not buying it :) But I suppose, there are worse things, right?
L
Many of you know that I absolutely detest shopping unless it is toothbrushes, shampoo... and now tea. Since moving I have found that drinking tea is very relaxing and refreshing. I started with a cup in the morning, and then one in the evening as well... and not I drink tea three to four times a day... I am addicted. At the grocery store, I can't help but walk by the tea isle, just to see if they have added something that I need to try. (Which drives Drew nuts when he is with me... his philosophy is that unless it is on the list we are not buying it :) But I suppose, there are worse things, right?
L
2.08.2005
Tips for Foreigners
On Day 774...
If any of you ever have a chance to visit NC, and especially if you move here, please keep these things in mind... it will make it much more enjoyable. :)
-Do not go anywhere near Super Walmart for a week after its grand opening. It is the event of the year here in NC and everyone and their cousin (who is also their wife) is there.
-When a complete stranger waves at you while driving... wave back! If you don't, they will be offended. (Just a note...in other parts of the country this is grounds for being shot).
-How do you tell the difference between a "northerner" and a "southerner"? (According to my 10-year-old brother-in-law and his friend). I was informed that southerners are born in the south and listen to country music and northerners are born in the north and listen to rap or hip hop.*
L
*If you are born in the south, but your parents are from the north you are still considered a northerner, even if you listen to country. LKZ
If any of you ever have a chance to visit NC, and especially if you move here, please keep these things in mind... it will make it much more enjoyable. :)
-Do not go anywhere near Super Walmart for a week after its grand opening. It is the event of the year here in NC and everyone and their cousin (who is also their wife) is there.
-When a complete stranger waves at you while driving... wave back! If you don't, they will be offended. (Just a note...in other parts of the country this is grounds for being shot).
-How do you tell the difference between a "northerner" and a "southerner"? (According to my 10-year-old brother-in-law and his friend). I was informed that southerners are born in the south and listen to country music and northerners are born in the north and listen to rap or hip hop.*
L
*If you are born in the south, but your parents are from the north you are still considered a northerner, even if you listen to country. LKZ
Greetings from Asheville!
On Day 774...
After far too many hours on the phone, and far too much money our internet is finally working! Praise the Lord! I have felt cut off from the world for the past two weeks. I have no idea what has gone on in the rest of the world (well, almost... Go Patriots!) Here in rather peaceful Asheville, NC my life has been carrying on in an almost normal fashion. Here are a few highlights/observations/lessons learned from the last few days:
1. Who puts rubber deer heads over the hitch on the back of their car? Well, here in NC it is par for the course.
2. Unlike in DC, people are nice hear! I still look about 19, but down here that is old enough to be treated like a human being, and not scum on the bottom of your shoe. You can even wear jeans and a T-shirt and they are still nice. (I know, because I tested it at the Bank yesterday, I went in with my Columbia coat and jeans and they were nice and helpful and not even one bit snobbish!).
3. Unpacking takes far more time than packing, and it is far more exhausting. When the size of your kitchen is cut in half and the size of your extra bedroom (on a different floor) is doubled where do you put the extra dishes and what do you do with all the extra room upstairs?
4. We bought our first washer and dryer! We even found them on clearance and were able to get a much nicer set for our budget merely because they were black and no one seems to like black. Hey, it works for me!
5. Showers per capital are about half what they are in the DC area.
6. The dress code for work and church has greatly decreased, just tuck your shirt into your overalls and you are good to go!
7. Going from the wife of a white-collar guy to the wife of a blue-collar guy has been a change (don't worry I am still married to the same amazing guy). I now pick up dirty boots instead of ties. I wash two loads of laundry a day instead of going to the drycleaners. And I have to cook about twice as much food as before... but life is less stressful, which makes it worth it.
Well, that is all for now.... and soon to come... Tips for Foreigners when visiting NC!
L
After far too many hours on the phone, and far too much money our internet is finally working! Praise the Lord! I have felt cut off from the world for the past two weeks. I have no idea what has gone on in the rest of the world (well, almost... Go Patriots!) Here in rather peaceful Asheville, NC my life has been carrying on in an almost normal fashion. Here are a few highlights/observations/lessons learned from the last few days:
1. Who puts rubber deer heads over the hitch on the back of their car? Well, here in NC it is par for the course.
2. Unlike in DC, people are nice hear! I still look about 19, but down here that is old enough to be treated like a human being, and not scum on the bottom of your shoe. You can even wear jeans and a T-shirt and they are still nice. (I know, because I tested it at the Bank yesterday, I went in with my Columbia coat and jeans and they were nice and helpful and not even one bit snobbish!).
3. Unpacking takes far more time than packing, and it is far more exhausting. When the size of your kitchen is cut in half and the size of your extra bedroom (on a different floor) is doubled where do you put the extra dishes and what do you do with all the extra room upstairs?
4. We bought our first washer and dryer! We even found them on clearance and were able to get a much nicer set for our budget merely because they were black and no one seems to like black. Hey, it works for me!
5. Showers per capital are about half what they are in the DC area.
6. The dress code for work and church has greatly decreased, just tuck your shirt into your overalls and you are good to go!
7. Going from the wife of a white-collar guy to the wife of a blue-collar guy has been a change (don't worry I am still married to the same amazing guy). I now pick up dirty boots instead of ties. I wash two loads of laundry a day instead of going to the drycleaners. And I have to cook about twice as much food as before... but life is less stressful, which makes it worth it.
Well, that is all for now.... and soon to come... Tips for Foreigners when visiting NC!
L
2.01.2005
We're Not Dead!
On Day 767...
We really aren't dead... but we don't have an internet connection at the house yet. I will write more about Wild & Weird North Carolina soon...
L
We really aren't dead... but we don't have an internet connection at the house yet. I will write more about Wild & Weird North Carolina soon...
L
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