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August Life

Sunday, August 25, 2013

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

Saturday, August 10, 2013

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

Sunday, August 4, 2013

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

Where Did Summer Go?

Saturday, August 3, 2013

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

Saturday, July 27, 2013

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". 


Week In Review

Saturday, July 20, 2013


It is Love Week at Elevation Church.  Love Week 2013 has been our biggest yet.  We partnered with 150 organizations with over 600 opportunities to serve.  Monday, I helped package food for hungry children around the world with the group Servants With a  Heart.  Thursday, I spent a few hours serving at the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte.  
Friday night I attended the live recording of the new Elevation Worship CD/DVD with 2 of my favorite people in the whole world, Linda & Laura Mackay.  Elevation Worship releases one CD every year and this one will be out early next year. 
Today is Blossom's Re-Birthday.  One year ago today, we adopted Blossom from the Moore County Animal Shelter.  We celebrated her birthday with a cake from Barbara's Canine Cafe in Charlotte.  Below, Scott is working hard to hold her back so that I can take a photo.  After I snapped the picture, we cut the cake and Blossom reluctantly shared with her brother Balto. 
It started in 2010 as an effort to mobilize volunteers in a blitz of service to bless our neighbors and impact our city with the love of Jesus.  That first year, we encouraged volunteers to serve just one hour.  The movement grew from more than 10,000 hours served that first year to more than 50,000 in 2012.  More than 7,000 volunteers joined in the efforts.  Many of those volunteers took the entire week off to serve.  Building on the momentum of LOVE Week 2012, we will serve more hours, mobilize more volunteers and bless more people. - See more at: http://elevationoutreach.com/loveweek/#sthash.F5gl0Ul5.dpuf
  
And, finally, I have to share Colonel Meow's instagram of today.  Colonel Meow is my favorite cat (outside of Greta, of course).  Here he is saying  "Boots, if you get one drop of slobber on my new satellite, you are in big trouble." 
I almost forgot! I get to pick up this sweet girl from camp every day. 



It started in 2010 as an effort to mobilize volunteers in a blitz of service to bless our neighbors and impact our city with the love of Jesus.  That first year, we encouraged volunteers to serve just one hour.  The movement grew from more than 10,000 hours served that first year to more than 50,000 in 2012.  More than 7,000 volunteers joined in the efforts.  Many of those volunteers took the entire week off to serve.  Building on the momentum of LOVE Week 2012, we will serve more hours, mobilize more volunteers and bless more people. - See more at: http://elevationoutreach.com/loveweek/#sthash.F5gl0Ul5.dpuf
It started in 2010 as an effort to mobilize volunteers in a blitz of service to bless our neighbors and impact our city with the love of Jesus.  That first year, we encouraged volunteers to serve just one hour.  The movement grew from more than 10,000 hours served that first year to more than 50,000 in 2012.  More than 7,000 volunteers joined in the efforts.  Many of those volunteers took the entire week off to serve.  Building on the momentum of LOVE Week 2012, we will serve more hours, mobilize more volunteers and bless more people. - See more at: http://elevationoutreach.com/loveweek/#sthash.F5gl0Ul5.dpuf
It started in 2010 as an effort to mobilize volunteers in a blitz of service to bless our neighbors and impact our city with the love of Jesus.  That first year, we encouraged volunteers to serve just one hour.  The movement grew from more than 10,000 hours served that first year to more than 50,000 in 2012.  More than 7,000 volunteers joined in the efforts.  Many of those volunteers took the entire week off to serve.  Building on the momentum of LOVE Week 2012, we will serve more hours, mobilize more volunteers and bless more people. - See more at: http://elevationoutreach.com/loveweek/#sthash.F5gl0Ul5.dpuf
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