Thanksgiving - a little late

Wow. I can't believe that it has already been a week since we left for our Thanksgiving trip. We started out in Marion to visit Paul's parents. We had a great time eating and catching up - we even saw Andrew & Gary!

Traffic was extremely heavy on I-40, I guess it didn't hurt that gasoline finally came down a few more cents - we bought for $1.99 at our house! It's sad that we were excited for it being under $2...

We met up with my parents in Asheville on Thursday afternoon and then headed over the Grove Park for our Thanksgiving meal. We ate at the Grovewood Cafe ("we have reservations!") and then took a walk around the Inn. The gingerbread houses were amazing, of course. However, they were spread out ALL over the place. I don't think we even saw them all. We did see most of the winners - they were absolutely incredible. (I took pictures - but they are on Paul's laptop since our camera's memory stick had a breakdown.... long story, but thankfully I have a few pictures of our trip).

Not your typical gingerbread creation, but it was stunning!
(Adult 4th place)

And so was this (Adult 1st place)

(pictures from the GPI website)

We took it easy the entire time we were in Asheville - except that I had mom get up EARLY on Friday morning so we could catch some sales. We didn't make it out of the hotel until 7am, but we were done shopping by 10am, so that was a SCORE!

On Saturday, we took a little drive on the "new" I-26 from Asheville to Johnson City. My parents did want to check out the JC Penny store at the Johnson City Mall, and we just wanted to get out of Asheville for the day (seeing that a large chunk of the parkway was closed due to snow). On our way into Johnson City I recognized the road that Becky-Lu lives off. As we passed the exit, I could see her apartment in the distance and knew that on our way back we HAD to stop and at least see if my instincts were right. After shopping at the mall and lunch we headed back out on I-26 and turned off at Becky-Lu's road... low-and-behold, we found her! And bad me for not calling in advance! She was the perfect last minute hostess and we stayed and talked for a little bit. It was so good to see 'Lu!

Ok, enough rambling, I'll post some pictures soon. All in all it was a great trip, even though Paul and I were both sick!

Snow flurries in Asheville :)

From WLOS:

"Snow Flurries fell through the night and we could see some more today.

A snow advisory is in effect for Buncombe, Henderson, Jackson, Transylvania and Macon Counties until six o'clock Wednesday morning. Highway Patrol says there are no real trouble spots this morning. However, in the higher elevations, it is a good idea to slow down and increase your stopping distance. Stay with News 13 for the latest Accu-Weather forecast on the threat of snow throughout the day.

((Posted at 7:00 am, 11/22/05))"

WLOS skycam as of 7:30am - you can see a little white on the mts. in the distance.


We're leaving for the NC mountains tomorrow! Can't wait to see them again - it has been too long!

NCSU is now selling its own ice cream!

I've always wondered about all the cows we have on campus, they had to be more than just for study - and now I see they are doing something useful! You can buy ice cream from the university!

How fun is that? Check it out!

Hawaii sunrise

While taking my "lunch break" (i.e. my 5 minutes of eating cheerios in front of my computer) I took a look at all the webcams on the WRAL site. Low and behold, I found the camera at Ala Moana (near Waikiki Beach in Hawaii) and it was just about time for the sun to rise.

You can see Hawaii too or lots of other US cities.

ooooo, here is Pearl Harbor too (just a few minutes later)

Coffee adicts anon.

Hello, my name is Julie [hello Julie!] and I am a coffee addict.

Today is the third day in a week (work week) that I have treked to Starbucks and ordered a VENTI regular coffee (today is it the Verona). That is 20oz of pure caffeine goodness (and only 15 calories - well, without sugar & cream).

The good thing is that I have walked each time and it is 0.11 miles each way, which means that my treks have equated to a good walk of just over a half mile (+ hills!)

Ugh!

This is right next to my new office, as in I can see them from the front door. We moved from a nice quiet residential area to a very dicey area. No more quick runs to the ATM or Harris Teeter after dark for me! (Although this did happen in BROAD DAYLIGHT!) ACK! Thankfully I am usually very aware of my surroundings, but this is NOT cool. I come to work before anyone else (almost in the dark) and am usually the last to leave (just before dark). Not cool people, not cool.

Robberies Reported At Raleigh's Cameron Village

POSTED: 8:07 am EST November 14, 2005

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Authorities are investigating two hold-ups at a Raleigh shopping center.

Over the weekend, a man robbed the Fresh Market grocery store in Cameron Village. The suspect appears to be in his late 20s, measuring about 5 feet 10 inches tall. He wore wire-rimmed glasses and has thinning blond hair.

Police are also investigating a robbery at an ATM at Cameron Village. Officers say a man held up a woman at a bank across from the Harris Teeter.

Police say the description of the two suspects is similar.

What is up with this?!

Email recieved 1/2 a dozen times within about 10 minutes (this is getting just plain annoying!):

From: univ univ [wantthevisa@hotmail.com]
To: ?
Subject: Hello, This is for you................

Hello My name is Ms. claudia Woodrow.
I am very happy to get to you.
I am presently in London.Hope you'll get the email.
I really want to get into a serious relationship.
We can get to know each other?.
I do not have any private picture profile.
However I can send some nice pics.
I work at the Trading firm of my uncle.
I am single.
I really want to hear from you.
I want you to be serious about this email and I need long term relationship.
Your response will determine how far we can go.
Mum died many years ago.
She's a nice woman.
Dad is working with a government agency over here.
Life has been good,Though I want to get more experince and contribute my bit.
I do not want to write more.
My phone is now ready ,call me on +44 70 40 11 2703 My fax address is +44 870 0682346
You can call me in the morning tomorrow.
I want you to respond and let's get to know each other.
Take care
Cheers.
Ms. claudia Woodrow.

The walkway is extended

Pictures from Paul's work on the walkway last weekend. It's now been extended to the trashcan area. YAY!



The tan bricks are where the trashcan & recycling bin sit. We also planted 2 acubas (closer to the a/c unit).

Congrats Brad & Donna!

My cousin Brad was married last Friday (11/4) on the island of St. Thomas to a sweet gal, Donna. Congrats and welcome to the family! :)

Fall

It looks like fall has come to the trees in Raleigh, however, the weather is FAR from fallish. It's supposed to be close to 80 today, that's at least 20 degrees higher than the average. The trees did change over the weekend to some brillant yellows, oranges and reds. This morning the color was fading fast and I'm sure by the weekend most leaves will have left their branches.

The morning drive into work was quite a challenge due to very thick fog. It was pretty in some spots but very freaky in others - like you couldn't see the traffic light until you were RIGHT at it. It took me at least 10 minutes longer than usual to get to work, blah!

Here's the view of fall color from the WLOS skycam in Asheville, NC. We're headed up that way for Thanksgiving in just over 2 weeks! I can't wait.

My desk at the new office

The first 2 are what you see from the front door & my desk area. I look right at a nice cubicle wall - which is better than the back of someone's head. Everything is still a bit of a mess, but I'm getting things a bit more settled. It is dangerous for me to have a digital camera, I have way too much fun. Like my self portraits at the desk? Yay for a timer! Ok, now I really need to get to work!

Walkway landscaping

This is what we did over the weekend - it was a lot of work, but I think it will pay off.

We planted 3 azalea bushes (the "encore" variety which will bloom spring & fall), lots of pansies and my first attempt at bulbs. We'll see how those work out next spring.

Here's what you see (this is on the far right side of the house)



The brick pathway will continue around the side of the house... it's a massive project and will take a bit of time to complete.

Moving = blah!

Moving is very exhausting. I knew this long before today, but just somehow blocked out the physical pain, mental exhaustion and disorientating effects of packing up everything in sight to move it less than a mile away and spend twice as long putting it back in place. Not to mention all the details of getting a dialtone on the phone, an internet connection and attempting to adjust the new thermostat so it's not as cold as a fridge.

My office has moved less than a mile away from our old location. We technically have more square footage, but a lot less storage and "flex" space. We no longer have a kitchen, but instead a closet where 2 mini-fridges are stacked with a microwave on top. I can no longer see natural light from my desk and thus need another lamp (I've already for 2).

I am barely unpacked since everyone else in my office needs assistance to get their things in order. Several already have every book on a shelf and pictures on the wall. I haven't even unloaded my pencil drawer. UGH. If I work late today, that will make the fourth day of insane overtime - i.e. 10+ hours with NO break. I've had some food, but I haven't sat and eaten.

I can not wait to get this place back in order, but with my co-workrers inability to move a box or plug in a computer cord, that is going to take a loooooooong while.