The beach...and a catch up of the last 5 months

So, once again lots of things have changed since my last post. I no longer have "the kids". Anton and Cassie broke up and Anton moved back to Iowa and eventually in a month or so to Branson, Missouri to live his roll and roll dream out. Cassie moved out the same day - one of her friends at work needed another roommate so now she lives in the fan. So that has been about 6 weeks ago and I have to tell you - I was so sad to see them go, but glad to have my house back with my husband so we can have more time to focus on us.

Grandmother Plumly passed away May 19th. She is in a much better place! She lived for several years declining in health, which was very difficult for the family to witness - especially when she sometimes couldn't remember who we are. The funeral was beautiful and it was awesome to be able to reconnect with all of the Plumly employees that worked so long and hard for Plumly Lumber. That gave my dad so much pride and happiness to see them and have them pay their respects to our family. We are all so thankful for those people to help make Plumly Lumber what it once was.

Ashley and Jon Raider came down too, about a month ago. Ashley is recovering at lightening speed. It was wonderful to see them and to see how much she has progressed. The last time I saw her was in a coma. We visited Cumberland - the last place that all of her siblings lived together and she remembers so many details about the place, which was really amazing - from where the treehouse was to what color each room was once painted. The man that lives there now was very nice to let us in the house. These type of trips are really helpful to Ashley regaining her memory to what it once was.

Next on the list is Val getting married. Wow... I think about a couple of years ago to how unhappy she was and how she is truly a different person. It really is true how the people you surround yourself with can really change your way of thinking, demeanor, and make you a better person. Mike has done just that. He has been such a blessing to our family and has made Val such a happier person - not mention the kids as well. I was the wedding coordinator for this event - which I have to say was a little challenging that day, given the weather restrictions (we were racing against the rain), but all in all - everything turned out really well.

Next up, I changed jobs. Ever since I returned to work from my surgery I have been literally STRESSED to the MAX. Life for me was not great during that time. I have found that there are more important things in life than working 70 hours a week, when that still isn't enough and people still expect more. My family suffered. I was a different person. Steve and I barely saw each other and when we did, I have to admit that I was always so stressed out and quick to snap. Since then - April 21st I started at WellPoint and have been soooo much more happy. I LOVE the people I work with and love my boss. It couldn't be a better working environment, not to mention something a little different than what I was doing before and quite interesting and challenging. I am so thankful for this opportunity!!!!!!

So, the beach....Steve and I originally thought the beach would consist of Steve and I and Lila and "the kids", but since they left prior to the beach it ended up being just Steve and I (and Lila), which was perfect. It is so funny how vacation seems to go so slow until Wednesday - and then you blink and it's gone - back to reality. We had a GREAT time! First of all, I got lots of sun and finished a great book I was reading and got the chance to start on another. I have to say - I am a sun girl and always will be and LOVE being tan! Although yesterday my lips actually got burned and I do have some tiny blisters on them - but at least I can say I know what I would look like if I got collagen injections in my upper lip :) ---not the look I am going for. Fun things we did: took Lila out to Corolla and got to see the horses, I actually drove on the beach this time and wasn't even scared! Went shopping - Steve was very patient and got a few cute new pieces of clothing. Ate at Carolina Seafood - delicious, Chili Peppers, and Awful Arthurs. Wish we had gotten a chance to eat at Sam and Omie's and gotten some crabs, but that never happened - maybe next time. The week went by so fast oo that we didn't even get a chance to go to Oregon Inlet. Wednesday night was doozy. I had a little too much fun at Jolly Rogers, and accidentally lost Steve's Further hat. Anyone going to a Further tour soon??????? I would love to be able to surprise Steve with another one. We also met some great people at Jolly Rogers and ran into an old coworker too - the world is so small! All in all - it was a GREAT trip - just too short; now back to reality! Steve starts his new job on Monday and will be back in school. Life goes just way to fast, but I was really happy to be able to enjoy a much needed vacation with my baby by ourselves! It was great "us" time!!!!

Oh how life has changed!!!

So, I have kids now...Yup that's right - two 20 year olds. Cassie and Anton moved in with Steve and I about a week and a half ago. They moved from Iowa to find a better life in VA, get jobs and become self-reliant. So far, they have applied at many different places, but we have heard nothing. Job searches are so difficult, but I will keep encouraging and we WILL find them a job!

I do love having them here. They help out a lot in the house since I am at work ALL the time and are really fun to be around.

Another change - Donnie has finally moved to Richmond and has begun taking classes at VCU. Quite a change for him from Harrisonburg. I am so proud of him and am also so glad that both of my siblings are within 10 minutes of me (or as Christina would say 30 minutes, but that's a discussion for another day).

Ashley's accident....The first week of January Ashley, one of my other nieces and her husband Jon got into a very serious car accident due to hitting some black ice and hitting 3 trees. Jon faired much better than Ashley, by only having a broken arm - and many scratches and bruises. He now has a plate in his arm the size of his forearm. Ashley on the other hand, was in critical condition. She was in a coma for 8 days, had internal bleeding, a broken pelvis, brain selling, among other things, but by the grad of God, finally woke up! Now, she stands in front of the long road to recovery. She has been moved to a rehab center to help with her rehabilition and we hope to see her again in the next few weeks.

Life can change in an instant. I never thought that one year ago I would be saying all of the these things that have happened to me in just the first few weeks of a new year, but I guess that's why they call it life.

Remind me Again why I took this Position

Two weeks before I had surgery I accepted a position in Long-Term Care as their financial analyst. One week before surgery I was closing the books on two business segments - count them two - Primary Care and LTC (old job, new job). Coming back from surgery three weeks later and now working ~50-70 hours per week. Remind me again why I changed jobs???? To be able to own a business segment fully and to have experience in another line of business, right?

Dear God, please give me the strength and patience to get through this transition time with this new job and still enjoy Christmas.

At Laaaaast!

At Last! First day back to the gym since tearing the ligaments in my foot - and it felt GREAT I might add. I have certainly been feeling quite the frump over these last few weeks, watching my thighs and gut expand and not being able to do anything about it to prevent it. Okay, well I could have ate less, but hey. So, I did 15 minutes walking on the treadmill and 10 on the elliptical and then lifted some weights - light weights. I feel rejuvenated and so glad to get back. So here's to being able to work, here's to feeling the "high" after a workout, and here's to staying healthy! Now once I start running again I will know I have made my full circle back to where I was before this clumsy accident.

VACATION!!!

Vacation was GREAT! We (Steve, Lila, and I), my brother and his dog Dude, sister, mom and her husband, and Logan, Donnie's roommate and childhood friend all went to Corolla last week. The weather was fantastic. Just what this sungirl had in mind. Sunny, hot and perfect for getting a good tan.

We were only 6 miles from the 4x4 beach area, so we got to drive on the beach several times during the trip. THIS time I actually felt comfortable driving on the beach too. I don't know what it was about driving on the sand that made me nervous, but I do know that the Tundra is one tough truck. I also caught 5 fish! First time that I have ever caught a fish in my life. They were croakers - Steve made me fell where the croaker croaks too - creepy. So, now I can finally knock that one off of my things to do before I die list.

Some of the more memorable moments were catching the fish, watching the sunset on the beach, laying on the raft for HOURS talking with my mom about everything and nothing at all, Reading my fantastic book, which I finally finished this morning - repeatedly declaring "I'm on Vacation - I can do what I want" (you had to be there). Swimming in the ocean late at night, playing a "new" game of ball with Lila. She thought it was so fun to nose the ball into the pool - then we would throw it to the other side and she would try to get it. She did fall in twice, it was hilarious. Watching Dude and Lila box and Dude bite at Lila's legs. Watching Dude and Lila take the toy in both of the their mouths at the same time and walk around until finally one of them gave up. Opening the door at any point in time and hearing 8 little canine legs running down several flights of stairs to greet us. Taking Lila for a walk with my husband - (that never happens in Richmond) and was so nice. He ended up being the poop bag holder :) hehe. Swimming laps in the pool while Lila walked back and forth thinking it was funny or a game of some sort and by the end of the week barking at me as I was swimming laps. Taking a fabulous bike ride on my new awesome bike. Running with my brother and taking a walk on the beach with him and mom and even Christina. Getting a pedicure for my birthday and eating a TON of crabs. Eating ice cream with Steve and then running from store to store in between the slow parts of a thunderstorm. Playing pool and ladder golf and falling asleep in the chair while the rays beamed on my.

It was great! More pictures to come too! The Saturday we had to leave we woke up to an overcast drizzly day - which made it much easier to say goodbye to the beach. Traffic was great coming back too. Now...back to reality.

I had a GREAT day!

I usually do not say this, but really - I had a great day. Not because anything in particular happened. It isn't a Friday or Saturday or even a holiday - I was just HAPPY! I think all of the stress of the neighbor situation has subsided - it's been a beautiful summer and spring, work has been fairly relaxing over the past two weeks and I was just in a darn good mood. I wish these days and moods lasted longer! Anyway - happy Wednesday everyone - I am going outside to play ball with my dog and hang out with my man. It's a beautiful evening.

VICTORY AT LAST!

So after 5 months of worrying and stressing about Michael's outrageous lies and accusations of Steve trespassing onto the property...actually jumping the fence late at night in 8 degree weather to throw rocks at the house - what???? like we would REALLY want to do that! We have victory today and I have to say - it feels SOOOO good! I am so glad that is over and resolved!!! So, for those who don't know, due to our pesky neighbors we had to get a video camera to protect ourselves. Well, it finally did its magic by proving to the court who the instigator/problem in this whole situation is, Michael Smith!!! After four long years of living next door to these crazy people, the court finally ruled in our favor as the prosecutor was able to see through there crazy lies and finally see the truth. So, the outcome...we all agreed to have no contact for one year (which we don't do anyway, but Michael may have a problem with it as he likes to randomly scream obscenities to Steve every now and again). If we have a problem with them we are to call our lawyer as they are to do the same. Of course, they could make up another story, but I think when Denny saw the pictures of Michael trespassing on our property and his mouth dropped, he is less likely to believe Michael and probably does not want to be put through something like this again. The prosecutor actually has recommended to Denny that Michael should move out!!! It would be the best day ever to see that moving truck in their driveway again.

Next steps...I do have to go to court when Michael has his trespassing court date and ensure that he receives the same stipulations as what Steve received.

Conclusion: we paid a LOT of money to get a court to tell them to have NO contact with us and finally they are seeing thru the lies and who is the problem. It took a while and a lot of stress and money, but now it is over. Hopefully, the bad dreams and stressful nights will quickly subside so we can go on to living a normal life in our neighborhood!