NYE 2010.......Who would have thought!

So it is NYE 2010 and it has been a while since I have even thought of posting anything.  I take this as a good sign meaning that I have been super busy and have firmly planted myself and grown.  In other words, I have survived!

It is a great feeling to know that just 1 1/2 years later I have  a group of great friends coming over to share in our tradition of Dungeness Crab, Minestrone and Sour Dough Bread, brought to you straight from San Francisco.  All of them are special to me in so many ways and I am honored to be able to share this evening with them and toast the many more good times to come in this next year.  I am blessed.

Looking back at this year I am remembering all of the things that have allowed me to call this new place home. Besides my amazing husband and kids and of course one loving doggie, I have found so many different things that make me the person I am today and have allowed me to call this southern state home.  I have learned to embrace where I am and what it has to offer.  I have explored new places and new things and learned so much along the way.  I have met some of the most amazing people who have done such a variety of things that together we are an incredible package.  I have made friends who I will cherish always even once the winds blow and reroute me to my next destination. (note here:  not anytime soon!)  I am luckier than most.

So when life takes you new places and asks you to settle down and plant new roots, do so with enthusiasm and style.  Don't hold any of yourself back trying to fit into a particular mold.  Chances are they have been waiting for you to complete their mold.  And when you meet people who are not willing to get to know you and embrace you, move on and find those who will.

May your 2011 be an amazing year filled with happiness and good health and loving friends and family.

Find a new passion

Now I don't mean the hunky gardener or pool boy...then again if you are lucky enough. Just kidding.  That would actually be a whole different post.  Possibly a "What not to do" one.

One thing I have found in this crazy world is that it is great to have a passion.  For some it is food, wine, running or reading.  For me it is food, wine, walking & ..........volunteering.  I can't help it.  My hand has a terrible habit of going up when someone asks for help.  I sometimes try to sit on it, but it still wiggles out from under my leg.  Then, when I  have finally controlled my hand, my mouth goes and says, "Sure, I can help!"  But I have figured out why this happens.  I really like to help out.  Some might call it a sickness (you know who you are Bob honey), some might call it a gift.  And some might call it just crazy!  But whatever it is for you, for me it is a piece to my puzzle.  It is what makes me tick.  It makes me smile!  It makes me feel useful!  And did I mention all of the really great people you get to meet when you volunteer?  Future friends for sure!

Now we all have something that we love and feel passionate about.  Maybe it is reading, walking, working with seniors, or even gardening.  These are all great things to use as a base to launch your social life in your new surroundings.  Look for the local garden club, go find a day center for the elderly, volunteer at school, at your local library even.  I have started walking with some really great gals in my neighborhood.  We walk at least 3 days a week with the dogs.  We drink coffee and hold poopy bags as we laugh along the trails of the Chatahoochee.

So write out a list of your favorite things or passions and then follow them.  You just might be surprised what great people you can meet from this simple act!  And in no time at all you will feel like you are thriving, not just surviving.

A move always means change....

A move always means change.  Some good, some not so good.  What I have decided is that change keeps you alive.  If we are not always changing, life would get a little boring.  I am learning to embrace all of the new things life has to offer.  New friends, new foods, new situations.  I try and make a point to try something new at least once a week.  Whether it is a new recipe, new coffee house (sorry Starbucks), new friends (the best part!) or a new route to walk the dog.  It is in part the change that makes us the special people that we are.

Now there are some changes that are OK to fight!  Like today when I went to the eye doctor and he told me I needed Bi-focals...........WHAT?  I am not liking that change, but I did pick out a very fun pair of glasses, so at least I will be stylish.  Pictures soon once they arrive.

I hope Y'all embrace the changes in your lives!

Snow Days in GA??????? What???

Imagine this picture......  a line of cars waiting for their turn to try and make it up the hill.  (The operative word is trying)  Apparently a few were not successful.  Here in the Atlanta area,  salt trucks are not common and they really do not make it into the neighborhoods.  And we actually have hills here, as opposed to the place up North where we used to live, so salt on a super icy day is needed.  The hubby actually parked his car and walked back home since he was not willing to go down the one hill he actually made it up.  

The kids of course are in heaven.  Not a lot of snow (under one inch)  but the ice and slide factor is there!  Thankfully I have kept my Northern living skills, and am fully prepared for the onslaught of hungry mouths to feed.  So if you can make it into my neighborhood, come on over for some grilled cheese, tomato soup, and my infamous hot chocolate.  For you adults, I will try and make hubby break into the good stuff!

Happy Wintering Y'all

The Single Most Difficult Thing To Find When You Move.....

The single most difficult thing to find when you move is a good hairdresser.  Sure, doctors and dentists can be tough to locate as well and are up there on the list.  But a good stylist is crucial.  The last time I moved, I got very lucky in finding my hair stylist.  She was a Mom at the pre-school and would play with my hair when we were both volunteering.  She said she was not taking any new clients, but she had to work with my hair so she made an exception.  We were together for many years, even during my non-hair phase in life.

Well, this move I was not so lucky.  I asked various women that I met if they had any recommendations.  Most would not share their secret.  Then I went to the YELP website (see sidebar) and located an Aveda Salon near by.  I figured they were all trained in the same technique, so it should be a safe bet.  No such luck.  I have to say that I actually had the worst haircut of my life.  Somewhere between Carol Brady & Billy Rae Cirus's mullet.  It was really awful.  I gave it a week, but then had to do something about it.  I actually went back to the same salon but asked to speak to the owner.  They agreed that it was a terrible cut, and graciously fixed it at no additional charge. Apparently the gal is no longer there.  I suspect I was not the only victim.  I have since found someone who does a great job, and thankfully have that chore off my list.

So the lesson from this?  Ask around more,  because there is nothing worse than a bad hair day, especially when you are just meeting people.

PS>  Thankfully I will be back in OH for Thanksgiving and will be able to get my coloring done by my faavorite gal!  Sorry, I am only willing to risk so much!

The Many Firsts......

There are many firsts when it comes to moving.  The first friend, the first time you get lost (of many I am sure), and the first holiday that you miss, just to name a few.   Tonight,  is one of them.....Beggars Night.  This is an insane crazy concept that some lunatic person came up with to keep the kids from actually Trick-or-treating on the actual night.  So it is usually 2 or so days before Halloween, and never is it on a Friday or Saturday.

Our neighborhood has always done this event very well.  One of the neighbors organizes it all and all of the families come and have dinner before. Then the bullhorn is blown promptly at 6pm and all of the kids dash to make sure they hit every house before it is time to go home.  He who scores the most candy wins!

 It is a great time for the parents as well and it gives us a chance to say hello, have an adult beverage and catch up.  All day I have been thinking about this and wishing that we could be there too. So many memories come from that night.  The mad dash to get the perfect costume finished.  The year that I finally let the kids go out on their own, with me following somewhere behind chatting with neighbors and replenishing our beverages along the way.   All of these are the things that I missed out on today.  And I admit I was sad.  Especially when a friend left a post saying it wasn't the same without us.  I am trying to cut down on the tear production here people!

But, I am trying to also remember that Saturday we will be starting new memories when we gather with our new neighbors and get to know them a little more.  There will be dinner, and drinks and a mad dash for the best candy.  And everyone will be a stranger at first.   But hopefully, some will be new friends by the end of the night.

Maybe even this guy.

So, maybe all firsts are not such a bad thing.  And maybe the hardest part is just getting through them so that they are no longer "The First".

Making New Friends

The text said meet me for coffee at noon. Somebody wanted to do something with me!!  The problem was I had no clue who it was.  At first I thought perhaps it was a wrong number.  Then I realized it was a local area code and I have an out of state one so they must have known me.  Random dialing that way just does not happen.  Then I determined that it was my new friend Ms. L who I met at Starbucks last week.  She wanted to see me.  Now, for those of you who have not had the luxury of moving, this is an euphoric feeling!  It makes you feel like you are making progress, even when you don't want to.  Let me explain:

It was one of those days where I did not want to put myself out there and just felt like hiding.  I was having a beauty free day (which should have scared anyone away) and I was just going to sit and read the paper at Starbucks.  A treat for me since I do not normally take the time to do that on a daily basis.
Though I didn't feel like chatting, I didn't feel like being at home.  So I dragged myself to the nearest Barista and sat down to enjoy a cup'o Joe and the paper. I was in public, but not required to participate in what was going on.  After a few minutes the gal sitting next to me started up a conversation.  At first I was very quiet (I know, imagine that) but I then decided to actively join in and chat back.  We ended up talking for over an hour and instead of it being that get to know you chat,  it was just pleasant conversation with another human.  We exchanged numbers and agreed to call in the future.  Fast forward 1 week.
The poor gal caught me in a beauty free day again, but she is a Mom and knows how that is.  I must admit, though I was not up to the "meet people" moment last week, I am glad I put myself out there.  Ms. L (identity hidden) is a lovely person who is fun to chat with.  I look forward to our next visit!

Making new friends can be a fun thing to do.  But it can also be exhausting.  Especially when you move.   There is always the notion of having to be on all of the time.  Happy, smiling and full of fun.  But there are days when you just can not chat with another person if your life depended on it.  But sometimes, the effort pays off and you get the pleasure of getting to know another person whom you can call a friend.  So when you feel like crawling into your hole, crawl back out and get a cup of coffee.