Pictures taken with my HTC phone on Friday, August 20, 2013 at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.  No filter used.  I took many, many photos which makes it really cool to scroll fast on my phone!  I thought I'd try to only post a few here.  TRY. 

I was surprised at how quickly it happened and...how cool it was even though I always try to watch the sunrise at least once when I'm at the beach.  I guess it just never gets old watching the sunrise!  I'll post more photos from our trip very soon (hopefully this weekend). 

Labor Day

I love Labor Day.  It might just be my favorite holiday. There are no expectations...just relaxation.  And...no fireworks!  

Daniel, my nephew, is in Pre-kindergarten this year.  I have the pleasure of taking him to school each morning. While I don't have a picture of that (yet), here are a couple of Daniel with Uncle Scott. 

In other news, Blossom decided she wanted the pie on the cover of Southern Living magazine...

August Life

On the 15th, we celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary:

To my surprise, I received flowers at work:

In other flower news, I bought a plant for my desk to cheer up our empty office:

 

My "niece dog" Sophie is loving the cool weather. Memorial Day weekend, my friend, Jenny, came over and shaved Sophie's hair.  It is really starting to grow back out.  We are all so thankful to Jenny for shaving her Sophie!

 

The Dynamic Duo or "Double Trouble" (depending on the day) are doing well.  They never seem to get tired of playing with each other. 

 

Balto is always upside down and "smiling" at us. 

Work is going.  I really miss the way things were before my old company sold our office.  But I am reminded of what my pastor said in a sermon the day before the sale went through.  I had no idea that he was talking to me....

And I believe Romans 8:28:
²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

That doesn't mean that my new position will be easy but God will use it to teach me what I need to learn at this time.

  

And finally, Greta posed for this picture yesterday:

Tough Week

I don't really know where to begin.  Monday morning was business as usual.  I went to work for Pizzagalli Properties.  We knew that our office park would be sold that day but we didn't know what time.  At 20 minutes until 5:00, my sister-in-law called and asked me if I could please pick up my niece from camp because she couldn't make it.  So, I ran out the door without really getting to say goodbye to my boss or my coworker Pat.  

Tuesday, I walked through the office door and everything had changed.  My boss, Fred, and my coworker, Pat, were gone, and their offices were empty.  Soon a group of very excited and energetic people from our new company, Adler Realty Services, arrived ready to "Adlerize" us, as our new boss put it.  As I listened to all of my new responsibilities and all of the new terminology that I didn't recognize, I started to feel the tears beginning to surface.  Where am I?  I'm sitting at the same desk I have sat at for the past 12 years but I don't recognize my life.  I might as well be sitting on the moon.  

Even though everyone from Adler has been more than nice to me, I spent the first 3 days overwhelmed, fighting tears and pondering how much notice I should give.  It is very strange not knowing the answers when I use to know them so well. 

By Thursday afternoon, everyone had left town and life started to feel a little more normal.  I have to admit that it is awesome having such a quiet office.  It is so peaceful and I have been able to accomplish a lot.  I am really, really loving the atmosphere.  As I learn all of my new responsibilities one by one, I think I might just make it after all.  I'm actually starting to feel excited again. I am very thankful that everyone I have been in contact with at the new company has been so wonderful.  That helps tremendously. 

That part aside, Sunday was Laura's birthday.  She turned 7 years old.  We had a wonderful meal at Red Robin (we think it is her favorite) and then we all went back to her house for cake.  Oh I love that girl.  

I apologize for not having better pictures.  I only had my camera phone and the lighting was just too low.  Scott was supposed to take a few pictures for me but instead, he was taking video and didn't know it!  Maybe I'll post some video soon.

Kevin (my brother) celebrated his birthday on Monday.  Due to my crazy day, I didn't get to join in the festivities.  Happy Birthday Kevin!

Miscellaneous photos from the week:

Row, Row, Row Your Boat

My dad and my nephew sing a duet of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat".  I've heard better.

Where Did Summer Go?

I can't believe it is already August.  I've been so busy at work with our pending sale that I haven't had a chance to really enjoy the season.  Unless something happens, the sale will close on Monday.  I'll start the day working for Pizzagalli Properties of Vermont and end the day an employee of Adler Realty Services of Miami, Florida.  It has been both sad and awkward watching my boss and a coworker clean out their offices all week.  When the sale goes through on Monday, I guess we'll say goodbye and they will leave for good.  My new boss is flying in to spend the week with us on Tuesday.  This will be very interesting!!!

It was a bad week for "directions" in my house.  One morning I got out of the shower to find Blossom eating the directions to my new iron. 

The next day she ate the directions to my new hair dryer and the day after that she ate the directions to my new alarm clock.  I have no idea where she even found them!  She also ate most of the dental benefits brochure from my future employer.  I'm just glad it wasn't the enrollment form!

Buddies.

This week our good friends the Funderburkes said goodbye to their beloved Steely Dan.  Steely had a long and full life filled with lots and lots of love and fun.  His sweet and loving personality made the world a better place for all who knew him.  Michael, Jill, Bailey & Saraya...Scott & Julie send our love. 

Photos Galore

Note:  Before you read this post please note that I have noticed their is some weird script on the side.  I am working on how to get it off.  I can tell it is about Love Week but that was last week!  I'm going to see if my super smart husband can figure it out.  

Monday started the week off with a bang.  Greta had to go for her semi-annual visit to the vet.  She really hates going to the vet.  As usual, she tried to stay in her crate:

Dr. Moses lets Greta stay in her crate for most of the exam but she eventually has to move her to the scale.  Greta likes the scale too.

Greta doesn't look her age....14 next month!  Other than a need to increase her thyroid medicine again....she received a good report from her visit.  The bad news is that she has to go back in 4 weeks for another blood test.  That is especially bad news for my girl as she is a "hard stick" so they have to take blood from her neck.  :-(

Rana's mother & brother, Salim, are visiting with us for the Summer.  On Monday, we celebrated Salim's birthday.  

Daniel saw that I had my phone out so he asked me to take a picture of him.  This was the best smile I could get out of him.

Daniel sure loves his Uncle Salim:

He also loves the camera:

 Rana and her mother made some awesome food:

These are definitely some of my favorite Arabic dishes:

Of course there was cake!

 

It isn't a birthday without a picture of Laura sticking her fingers in her ears while we sing "Happy Birthday". 

The cake was loved by all.  Why I forgot to take a picture of everyone else at the party...I don't know.  We have 2 more birthdays in 2 weeks (Laura & Kevin) so I'll get pictures of everyone then!  

I made sure that the bathroom doors were shut tight last night but I still woke up to this:

 That was after getting out of the shower earlier in the week to find this:

 I realized that I am not crazy.  Blossom is opening the doors herself. 

 

I don't want to leave out my sweet boy.  He's such a huggybear.

In other news, I will be starting a new job on August 6th.  Sort of.  The company I have worked for the past 12 years has decided to make some changes.  They sold the office park that I help manage.  The new owners (as of 8/5) made me an offer to work for them.  While I am happy for this new opportunity it is very bittersweet as not everyone else in my company has been lucky enough to keep their jobs.  I just keep praying for each of them and reminding myself that God has a plan and this could mean bigger and better things for all of them. As my pastor always says, "The best is yet to come".