2 thoughts for the day

To succeed, it is necessary to accept the world as it is- and rise above it.
-

Our lives are not determined by what happens to us, but how we react to what happens; not by what life brings to us, but by the attitude we bring to life.

A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events, and outcomes. It is a catalyst....a spark that creates extraordinary results.
-source unknown

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Whew! What a week. And it is only Wednesday!

Forecaster Predicts Above-Average Hurricane Activity In October

Colorado State University hurricane researcher William Gray predicted there will be two more hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean this month, one of them a major storm. The long-term average for October is one hurricane.Gray and fellow researcher Philip Klotzbach say the likelihood of a major hurricane hitting the U.S. coastline is 49 percent, compared with an average of 29 percent from 1950 to 2000.The probability of a hurricane making landfall in the U.S. is 21 percent, compared with the long-term average of 15 percent.Through the end of September, this season has had nine hurricanes, five of them major, and 17 named storms.Hurricanes Dennis, Katrina and Rita were this year's major hurricanes that made landfall. Ophelia hit the North Carolina coast as a Category 1 hurricane, though its eye remained just offshore.

2005 HURRICANE SEASON

2005 Storm Names
2004 Storms
River Levels | Lake Levels
All About Flooding
Tornado Guide
Southeast Web Cams
WRAL Hurricane Section
Doppler 5000
Latest Satellite Images
Sign Up For Severe Weather Alerts By E-Mail

HURRICANES

Hurricanes 101
Atlantic Hurricane Tracker
National Hurricane Center

PHOTOS

Ivan Damage: Western N.C | Central N.C. | Fla., Alabama (Sept. 17)
Frances: Asheville Flooding (Sept. 8)
Charley: Florida Damage
Charley/Bonnie: Pender Tornado Damage (Aug. 13)
Harnett Storm Damage (Aug. 12)
Hurricane Alex Photos: Aug. 4 | Aug. 3

Wake County Parade of Homes

Our floorplan/house elevation is featured in this year's Parade of Homes! :) How cool is that?

http://www.hbawake.com/paradeofhomes/display.php?lot=58+Ashland+B

It is in a neighborhood in Southern Wake County - we briefly looked at, but after seeing they used vinyl siding and some less desirable construction techniques, we were sold on the neighborhood in Wake Forest. I thought it was so cool to see OUR house (floorplan/elevation) in the Parade.

Paul and I hope to get out and see some Parade homes up our way this weekend. The most pricey home in the Parade is in Wakefield (just a hop, skip & a jump away from our house). It is $3,999,900 - Heated Sq. Footage: 15,500 (that is more than 7 times the size of our house!)

http://www.hbawake.com/paradeofhomes/display.php?lot=217+Baldwin+Manor

Is it actually October?

(UNCA campus, Fall 2002)

For some reason I just can't accept that it is October. My office calendar is still September, I am still writing 9/-- and the weather isn't feeling very fall-like at all. I love the month of October. It is my favorite month of the year (followed closely by May). But for some reason, I just don't believe that it is already here. Go figure!

In other news....

Paul is starting his new job TOMORROW! Today is his last day with Elettric 80. He is packing up all his tools, computer and other company owned things (i.e. cell phone) and shipping them to Chicago. Goodness knows how much that will cost - but it is on the company! :) We're both very anxious about the job change... neither one of us can sleep. The last 2 nights, despite going to bed at a reasonable hour, we've both barely gotten a full 8 hours. I am dragging today, but I've got lots to do b/c our office is moving in less than a month and I am in charge of packing most everything. I'm trying to take it easy, I really don't need to injure myself. But on the other hand, I just want it to be done, but I can't get it all done since we can't get into the new office until Nov. 1. ACK!

Am I rambling? Sure! I'm sleep deprived and hungry - that's a bad combo.

The weekend was ok - we got to spend a little time with our "long distance neighbors," Philip and Jennifer. We took them up to the Middleburg Steakhouse on Saturday night and cooked them a good breakfast on Sunday. It was great to catch up with them, we miss them a lot! We hope to go and visit them soon (Wilmington is TONS more fun than Raleigh/Wake Forest) ;) Jennifer also started a new job this week - and she won't be working weekends anymore, YAY! Big big YAY!

Ok, I've got to get into work mode, I've gotten into a habit of working like a mad woman 7-8am and then taking a break, and then finishing up everything by lunch and then the afternoon drags on....... you'd think I would learn by now. I really do my best work first thing in the morning despite my hate for getting out of bed at 5:15am. That's all for now :)