Then and Now

It's the end of a year and I was sitting in ze cube thinking about how much things have changed for me since last year at this time.

Last year I was working at a restaurant job that I didn't like (however with several co-workers that I love and still see) while I searched frantically for work back home in Tennessee and locally in PA.

I was pretty unhappy with living here in PA and craved the South so much I couldn't listen to country music without getting teary. How pathetic is that?

My husband and I were both waiting on pins and needles to hear about a possible major job change for him. And we were basically trying to hate everything about where we live because it's not a place we would choose to be. We were desperately clawing to be back where we were comfortable; especially me. I wanted to be back in TN, where I'd had a job that was really challenging, but had a lot of potential. Where I know people and had a lot of friends, where I felt successful. Where my family was closer to me. In short, I was making my and hub's life miserable.

I guess time made things easier for me. We moved to a place that felt more like home than an overpriced, extended stay hotel. The weather warmed, I got a new job with a better schedule, I got out and joined a new yoga studio, we found a church we both like. In short we started actively trying to enjoy ourselves!

Taking a daily walk through the historic downtown area (when weather permitted) was one of my favorite things to do this Summer and it led us to explore our area a bit more. That helped us find some places that would become our favorites. We reached out and made some friends and tried some new things. We did our fair share of travelling (which anyone who knows me knows my destination list is pretty long) and I'm excited for 2010's adventures! I came to see that the job I left behind was not the end-all-be-all of my career and left myself open to big changes in my career. However, I'm being patient about them.

I guess the biggest change of 2009 is that I made the choice not to settle. At the beginning of this year I was applying for every awful job that was open in TN, trying to move back there. And I was mad at my husband for not applying for every job. He said he didn't want to go from a current job he doesn't enjoy to another job he doesn't like. At the time, it felt like he was being selfish, but really he was being mature. And, I'm there now. As much as I want to be back in TN close to my family with all my friends who are still there, I'm not going to settle.

Now is the time to have an adventure. We're young, healthy and have no good reason to turn down a new challenge. I've proven to myself that I can be happy far from home. I can adapt and find the good in any situation and I can do it again if I need to. 2009 has made me stronger, made my marriage stronger and cemented my little family together. We can handle anything; and I am more confident of that now than ever!

So I guess my message to 2010 is "bring it on." I'm ready. I can move anywhere and make it. I've got my goals for myself personally and professionally for this year and I categorically refuse to settle.

Happy New Year people! I'm going home! Nashville here I come! :)

Christmas 2009 - The Highlights

We had a fantastic Christmas and I hope that you did too! We were with my in-laws and spent our long weekend goofing off.


We kicked off the weekend with my husband and his brother comparing their mustaches, which they grew to be judged by the family and friends over Christmas, much to the chagrin of everyone. No one suffered this contest more than my sister-in-law and I though. Someone told my man he looked like a pedophile at a Civil War Re-enactment.


My husband grew the stache and a little spindly chin strap (neither guy can grow much facial hair), while his bro concentrated on the stache only. The results were inconclusive, however I got a priceless shot of the two of them looking tough(to come). We inspired their mean mugs by telling them to channel Steven Segal: Lawman.


There was plenty of snow on the ground from the blizzard two weeks ago, so we spent a good deal of time rolling in the snow, then jumping the in hot tub! I had never done this before and learned that I cannot roll in snow without kicking my feet the entire time I do it! I've got the jimmy legs, what can I say.


We spent our Christmas day opening gifts together and eating, eating, eating. My mother-in-law was a real trooper and cooked the ENTIRE day. She made was a fantastic breakfast, complete with hominy (which is the most delicious thing on the planet). And a fabulous Christmas dinner of turkey, homemade dressing, sauerkraut, fresh cranberry sauce, homemade, hand-mashed potatoes, and so much more! And... sweet tea. Real, authentic, brewed sweet, sweet tea. It was fantastic!

Saturday, we made a plan. Shopping in the morning to cash in on the sales on Christmas cards, gift wrap, etc. My mother-in-law and hubby's aunt got some great deals, but everything I looked at made me think, "I will be packing this when I move." And I know myself well-enough to say that it wouldn't have made it. Into the recycling bin in would have gone.

After our shopping adventure we hit Jack Brown's. It's officially my favorite place in Harrisonburg for the fact that it does one thing, and does it well - burgers. They take American Kobe beef, stick it on a bun, top it with cheese and send it out into the world.

This is what Jack Brown's looks like. It's a tiny little place with a nice selection of beverages, burger, cheeseburgers and we cannot forget the DEEPFRIED OREOS. I thought this delicacy was only available at the local Fair, but I was wrong. This is the icing on top of the already perfect Jack Brown's cupcake. A warm, melty oreo surrounded by what taste like funnel cake. It's outrageous!

This is Aaron Ludwig, one of the people we have to credit for giving us JB's, which is now such a staple of the JMU student body that getting a seat after 7 pm is virtually impossible. We met and chatted with Aaron on our first visit to JB's and he's an awesome guy with a vast knowledge of beer who was picking out my hub's beers for him by the time we left. He's got a good thing going at this place and we will be back!

Sunday was a quiet day of church and time with family before we headed back to PA and for me, back to ze cube. But, fear not, I am a mere three days away from take off for Nashville, TN, to spend New Year celebrating Christmas with my side of the fam and the hubs.

I am looking forward to seeing my friends and enjoying some of Nashville's best! I've got my eye on Bosco's (a staple), Pizza Perfect (my first job!), maybe that soul food restaurant in the Factory? What was that place called? And Krispy Kreme.... And J. Alexander's.... And Calypso Cafe....

Why do I write so much about food?? Gotta quit doing this on my lunch hour!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Just wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday! Have a wonderful celebration with family and friends. Eat, drink and be merry! I'm off to Shenandoah Valley, VA!

States of Happiness

The Center for Disease Control recently released a study of the happiest states in the US and I found the results to be very interesting. The top 5 states were as follows:

1. Louisiana

2. Hawaii (duh)

3. Florida

4. Tennessee (holla!)

5. Arizona

Louisiana ranked number 1 on the list? After all the state has been through in the past few years, all the adversity and pain, the residents of Louisiana believe themselves to be satisfied and happy with their lives.

Researchers found some patterns in the results as well. Sunny states ranked higher than those with little sunshine. States with warmer climates, lower crime rates and better air quality also affected the rankings.

What I found interesting is that after a weekend of being regailed with all the many, many fabulous aspects of the state of Colorado (and it is a great state, don't get me wrong) that it ranked at #23. Despite it being the most educated state per capita, the city of Denver having an average of 300 sunny days per year!

Hawaii being #2 is a no-brainer. Why wouldn't you be happy living there?

Florida I can also understand. It's sunny, beachy, lots of outdoor activity and they boast several cities whose median income is among the highest in the country.

Then comes my little ole' state of Tennessee. We're happy people! Just like the folks in Louisiana, we are not among the richest, the most educated, our states certainly have their issues; but by golly, we're happy. I love this! I've always said that rednecks from the South are more jolly than the Northern country folk. Now I have proof!

I also thought that Arizona was an unlikely winner. But the striking desert landscape, warm sunshine and low cost of living in AZ apparently make its residents very satisfied with their lives. I've been there a few times and I really like it too!

Also intriguing were the states that ranked at the bottom of the list. New York state was dead last. Researchers attribute this to stress, cost living, weather and city congestion, among many other factors.

And California ranked 46th! The Governator has straight up lied to us all! Cali is a stressful place to be! They apparently don't surf all day or lounge on the beach for a living. What a shock! As Chelsea Lately said last night "California, why you so sad girl?"

I think that this study confirms some things that I already knew. A simple life is in many ways a good life. The ability to breathe fresh air, walk out into wild, open spaces, and warm your face in the sunshine really does feed satisfaction into our lives.

Christmas gifting... You'll get what you get and you'll like it!

I've reached an unpleasant place in my Christmas shopping. It's that place where I am done. No more shopping. No more crowds. I will give people stuff out of my closet or make something from pipe cleaners before I brave another store this close to the big day.

I'll get my merry Christmas cheer back shortly. When I am in route to celebrate with my in-laws and all the wrapping and cooking and preparing is finished and the celebration is here! I am usually a pretty jolly person this time of year. But I am temporarily devoid of joy.

I was almost hit by a car today! I ordered my lunch and a tray of goodies for my co-workers from a deli near my office. I had parked my car and was walking across the parking lot (in a crosswalk) towards the deli. A crazed woman on her cell phone, holding a coffee cup and wielding her Ford Taurus like a deadly weapon, nearly took me out! She never acknowledged that I was there and came within about two feet of me. Had I not stopped and been aware of her, she would've flattened me like a pancake!

I am taking deep breaths and staying away from shopping areas of all kinds until this madness is over.

The Turkducken... Mission Accomplished

The Turducken was no sweat. It was easy, mostly because it came ready to pop in the oven. However, I am a little disappointed with the overall consistency, the chicken seemed to be MIA. But, for the most part the Turkducken was good and was stuffed with some fantastic cornbread stuffing! Can't complain about that!



So here it is.... the finished product. Sliced and served with 4-cheese spicy mac and cheese with cajun sausage, red beans and rice, a fresh salad and wine. Eaten with good friends and family during our first real snow of the year. It was a pretty great Saturday!

The Turducken has landed!!

I.AM.EXCITED! According to FedEx, my turducken was delivered today, at 12:24 pm. I'm planning on cooking it on Saturday for a late lunch/early dinner feast and I am pumped! And I am officially a food-geek. Alas...