Remembering '08

Happy December everyone! Just a little later than usual.

Just to catch up....Thanksgiving in Beaufort was great, and just like home. There was no crazy uncle out front with a deep-fryer on the lawn, promising us the most juicy turkey ever. Just a home full of people all helping to prepare, nibble, talk, eat, watch football, do dishes and lay around miserably full until you found room for dessert! Chris' mom made some wonderful dishes, and we got lots of left overs!

December has been busier at the salon (of course), and I finally feel like I am building a clientele. I don't know if I've mentioned it, but I have been using Paul Mitchell color since moving here, for numerous reasons, but mostly because of the cost effectiveness, and the education I can get. Well, they have opened a Paul Mitchell School here in Columbia, and some of us from the salon went to the opening. It was great to see something so modern and fresh come to Columbia! I think it will bring much needed style, professionalism, and trendiness to this area. One of the cool things was to get my picture taken with John Paul DeJoria!

The other cool thing was to find out that I could get into education with them, as a guest teaching something I excel at, or I can take a class at the State level, and become an educator for the company, full or part-time. Not sure what I will do yet, but I love thinking of the possibilities to take hairstyling to another level for me.

The weather here has been weird. It gets really cold, like 50 for the high, in the teens or 20's for the lows, and then the next week in the 70's. Needless to say many are sick at this time of year, and I don't think the weather helps that. I have been lucky in the health dept. so far, (knock wood).
Chris had a bout with some stomach thing that of course had to hit the day of the Governor's Christmas reception. He felt well enough for us to go, but we didn't stay long, and he was out for the next 3 days. Poor guy.

It was really cool to go to the Governor's mansion, here's a picture of the outside, built in 1855.

I understand they recently remodeled inside, and it is quite beautiful. They had a lovely spread of food for us, and here's something you won't get in California....A Grits bar! lol Pretty cool.

We had our salon party the Sunday before Christmas, and that was fun. They do the White Elephant "steal" a present thing just a little differently, but it was all fun, and my co-worker Laura made all the food for us! I have to say, she did a magnificent job! So much good food from one person, she really outdid herself!

It was fun for Chris to meet the rest of the crew too!

Now I'll have to work extra hard to lose the last 10 lbs I've gained since moving here! sheesh! It's not only the food, (not that I can eat any of the fried stuff they have in such plentitude) but the weather keeps me indoors more often than in CA. Though I've been able to get out and walk much more now than when I was working at Starbucks.

Christmas was nice and relaxing, as our plans to go to Beaufort got changed since none of Chris' other siblings were going to be there until Friday. So we got to hang out together at home for our first Christmas together, which was wonderful!

Santa Chris brought me some binoculars so I can see all the critters here that are new to me! I hope to see the owl responsible for all that hootin' right out back!

YAY! Thank you Sweetie!

Chris is in Beaufort now with everyone, and I stayed here to work.

I hope all of you had a very Merry Christmas and Happy Hannukah!

Now the last thing besides Happy New Year, is to let you know I am coming to CA in July for a visit! I booked my flight already as I found an EXCELLENT deal. I will be there July 18-22. I really hope to see as many of my friends and family as possible, and go to the OC fair! (and hopefully see Weird Al)

I'll keep you posted as it gets closer.

2008 was a fun adventure, a new chapter in my life, and I look forward to all the new adventures to come in 2009!

I miss and love you all! Chris and I wish you a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

New Computer!

It's moving from Fall into Winter here it seems, as the mornings are getting a little too cold for me to walk outside. It's actually going to get down to 19* Sat. morning! Now, I'm sure that's "nothing" to SOME of you, but for me it's COLD!!! I love it tho. As long as it's not wet or really windy, I can handle cold. I just go down to the work out room we have here at the Apts. and bundle up during the day.

Seems like the trees were just starting to change color, and now many are bare! I got a couple of pictures of the trees around here, but they don't do justice to their beauty, that's for sure.

It's funny, I moved here in January, and that was the first time I ever had to, or even heard of having to leave some water dripping in the faucets to prevent the pipes from freezing. Well, we have to do that again now! It sucks when you're already in bed, and are just getting warm when you remember. DOH!

There are going to be a few more firsts here this coming holiday season.

It was like Christmas for me yesterday. I got my new laptop! YAY! I was always kind of keeping an eye out, and the prices can't be beat at this time, so I bought a new Toshiba to replace my old Toshiba. This time I got a 17" monitor! I can't believe the difference, and amazing clarity of this new one. AND it has a webcam! so....if anyone wants to have a video chat..let me know, and we can fire up skype and we can see each other! :) It's amazing, and I'm loving typing on it!

I also got my first pair of CROCS! hahahaha I didn't know what I was missing!

I was always a Birkenstock girl, and didn't really try them out, but over the weekend we were in GA., everyone had them, and Chris got a pair from his sister. I used Mary's and they were so comfy, and convienient and yet warm. Anyway, I ended up going to the website, and got a pair called the "Specialist". They are for work, as they have no holes up top (I did get the ones with vents), a raised heel and arch support for 'all day comfort'. I'm wearing them today to work. They're Awesome people!

I also ordered some See's candy to take with us to Chris' mom's house for Thanksgiving. That will be a first for many of them. I think they should really be scolded for not having any stores East of the Mississippi. BAD. Unfortunately, shipping is half the price of a box! Otherwise, I would have bought more. I can't wait to hear what they think!

OK, late getting ready, just love the new 'puter! :)

Halloween!

Which brings me to Halloween.

I have always liked Halloween, but not to the "all-out" extent. I like to dress up, but just for a little fun. I mostly like to see little kids in their costumes, and hand out candy.

Here at our apartment complex, there are very few children, and most are not even trick or treating age, so we got NO trick-or-treaters.

Turns out, I was the ONLY person who dressed up at work. SHEESH!! Where are your inner children?!?! lol I found a really cool afro wig, and built on that. I ended up being a "70's chick".

It was a pretty slow day at the salon, and I thought it was time for a change, so I changed my hair color to brown (ish red). It's fun to change, and works for winter.

On the first of November, I finally went to my FIRST college football game! USC (Carolina) vs. Tennesee. Courtney got some tickets from her client, and invited me. It was really fun. We didn't tail gate since we had to work that day, but our brilliant plan was to meet downtown and take a taxi to the stadium. It was great! We dressed all warm, and enjoyed the Gamecocks kickin some Tennesee butt! I loved the school spirit, the student section was crazy! The marching band was great! They did "Thriller" and I have never seen a band put their instruments down and all do the zombie dance in unison. Fun! Even the mascot, "Cocky" (I kid you not) made me laugh. USC was up by 3 touchdowns by the 4th quarter, so we left to get a taxi back before they changed the traffic flow to outgoing only. It was a very fun night. Thanks Courtney! (Still waitin' on those pics.....)

I hope you all had a Happy Halloween, and are enjoying football season!

Georgia Trip

Happy November everyone! LATE.

I was waiting for some pictures to be sent before I updated, but they're still not here, so I will do without.

So much to talk about, I'm going to have to make multiple entries, or I will blab on and on and bore you all!

Starting a few weeks back in October, Chris and I went to Georgia to see his Dad and Step Mom. They live in Tate, which is North of Atlanta, and about a 4 hour drive.

Georgia is very pretty, and was a nice drive, tho I didn't get to see Atlanta as we drove around the city to avoid road closures, and save time.

Tate is a marble town in Pikens county. So much marble from the quarries there, they have huge hunks just laying on the side of the railroad tracks (all of which are numbered, and would take heavy machinery to steal!) It was beautiful and cold!

Chris' sister, brother-in-law and neice also came out, and we all had a great time.

Jim and Mary have a very nice home, and some property on which they have a barn, and some cool black walnut trees. Mary's family came over Sunday, and there were kids and food, and fun as Jim took us all around Tate in the back of his small pick up truck! We visited the Tate graveyard that has (as you can imagine) Huge marble headstones and mausoleums.

But the coolest part of the day was the evening when Jim called us all out front to sit in lawn chairs and "watch the birds come in to roost". Huh?

Oh my goodness. I have never seen such a thing. These 'cowbirds' (we don't know what they are) come IN THE THOUSANDS to sleep in this bamboo forest one street over. But it's a whole ritual they do as they all fly in that is the amazing thing to watch. Flock after flock after flock come in, and they group up, and fly around like a school of fish in the air, and are quite a sight to behold, and hear! It's something I think you have to see. Me describing it is an injustice, but I am NOT kidding when I say THOUSANDS! hahaha

Monday we all went to the Chattahoochee river, and walked the trail there. It is so beautiful, and this time of year with the leaves changing made it even better, but the best part for me? When Mary doled out the Groucho Marx glasses for everyone, and we all took them with us for pictures and general silliness! :)

We had a great time, and will definitely go back again sooner than later. Tate is only about an hour away from Chattanooga, TN. so hopefully we can get up there next time! I love seeing these United States!

Here is a photo of the river.

I have many more stories to tell, but I have to get to work.

Maybe tonight. :) Love you all!

Happy Birthday to all my Scorpio friends and Family!!!!

Mammogram

Funny Story.

Last week I went in for my mammogram. (Please ladies, get checked.)

I went to the breast center just outside the hospital here in Columbia. Nice place. Nurse calls me back, tells me to put on gown, lock door on this side, and wait for tech to come in from other side. I'm sitting at a vanity looking at myself in the most flattering light I have ever seen myself! wooow! I look pretty! lol
The tech knocks on the door, opens it, it's MY CLIENT!!!
She was cool, and sends me off in the end with "I'll call you next week for my hair!"
Yeah, Good Times.

Congratulations!

Just want to send out heartfelt congratulations to our friends Danielle and Malcolm.

On October 3rd they adopted a 5 week old baby girl they've named Cathleen Marie Craycroft.

Chris and I want to wish you both every happiness on your new addition, and can't wait to meet baby 'Catie' as soon as possible!

Congratulations!

SC State Fair!

Chris and I went to the South Carolina State Fair on Sunday!

We met a friend of his from work and his family. I thought (from looking at the websites map) that this fair was going to be smaller than our County Fair in CA, but I was wrong. I was surprised once we started walking around, how big it really is! I was also pleasantly surprised at how many similar things they have!

There was a building full of those silly things like the 'personality test', a building with home and crafts, even the glass cases with the baked goods just like in OC! It made me think of Danielle and Stephanie's baking. YUM. That one also had fruits, vegetables, etc. from local farms that I thought were pretty cool. They were displayed on carts you might see in farmers markets.

There was a building with art, but I was disappointed in how little photography there was, and the weird (in MY opinion) paintings taking up all too precious photo room. ;) A big difference: there is a HUGE sand sculpture display/competition. It was at LEAST 2 stories high, and this one depicted a sword-weilding horseback warrior of some kind. They were working on it as you walk past. Pretty cool! But I wondered, did they knock it down and the next team started theirs? hmmm.. I will have to investigate.

Chris, Al, Cathy and I ate a deep-fried Oreo. That was good, but I could only do one. For many reasons.

We walked around, and looked at the CRAZY rides, of course seeing the screaming kids, and hoping no one got sick near us. We decided to go on the Ferris Wheel, my favorite, and got to see Columbia from a birds eye! Very pretty view, and great cool breeze up there.

I think that SC has more games than in OC. I did try the water gun game, but barely missed. SHOCKER! LOL The Fair is just fun. No matter where you are! I've decided. We parted ways with our group, and I insisted on trying an 'Elephant Ear'. Apparently a solid Funnel Cake! I got powdered sugar and cinnamon on top. YUM! It was so big Chris had to eat at least half!

We made our way to the exit when we forgot we didn't see the animals!!! Oh Dear...We can't leave without seeing the cows and pigs, etc. So we marched back to the barns to see the animals. Here there aren't any barriers between you and the cows, so you could walk right up and touch them. (not that I would do that OR recommend it!) We saw all the other animals too, and Chris saw his first live, in person Turkey. Yessir, all kinds of cool things at the fair.

I can't wait for July '09. I plan to come to CA for a visit, and it just so happens the OC Fair is in July! YAY!

Birthday in Beaufort

OK. As I mentioned before, last weekend we went down to Beaufort for Chris' moms birthday.

It was really fun to get back down there and having the whole family come out made it really fun for all of us, but especially for Egie. Chris' brother and sister with their spouses and kids, his Uncle, Aunt and cousin, Egie's friends, neighbors, and I believe her cousins made it a full house!

We had tons of food, and beautiful weather.

I gotta tell you, it must have been so cool growing up in that house, in that yard, and in that neighborhood, because it's cool now!

Here in South Carolina, fences are few, and so the yards all run together, but even still, theirs is plenty big on it's own. That's a very cool thing about this place, and I'm not sure if it's the
South, South Carolina, or just the East Coast, but here you have a yard to go play in. You
really can go outside and play.
We had so much fun just being in the yard, either playing frisbee, or catch with glove
and ball. Egie lives on the water, an inlet I think they would call it, and they have a
dock. No boat, but a dock. Well, there's a canoe, and the teens took that out for a spin.
The little kids fished off the dock, and actually caught some fish! We only got a pic
of one. If you know what kind of fish this is, let me know, 'cause none of us knew.

And BIG, old trees to climb!

The live Oaks are amazing, with all the Spanish moss hanging down.

We were all having fun out back and Chris' brother-in-law was playing 'football' with the kids. Here he is teaching Adam how to tackle Mattie!

After all that food, and some fantastic "not your momma's banana puddin'", most of the crowd was ready for bed around 8:30! hahaha

We all got up in the morning, and met at a restaurant for breakfast, and we had fun all over again, before everyone headed home. It was a great weekend, and fun meeting new family, and hangin' with all of Chris' clan. Just a couple more pics for you.

The back of the house from down by the water, and the porch fun a little closer.

Autumn is here!!

Happy October everyone!

Wow, I can't believe it's been a whole month since I've written anything. I keep thinking I should post, but then I can't think of what to write about.

Well, now I have some things to tell, so here goes....

September just seemed to still be hot, still had storms, and it seemed like it was going to be just another month of HOT, but somewhere in the middle of the month the mornings started getting cooler. I stayed outside longer watching the hummingbirds fight over our feeder. I got excited that I needed a long sleeved shirt to go walking. The humidity was gone! There was a day a few weeks back that was as if I called and requested the perfect day from God: "Yes, please, 78 for the high, cool breeze, clear blue sky except for a couple random clouds, warm in the sun, cool in the shade, 54 for the low". THANK YOU!! :)

I love the Fall. Chris says it's your reward for making it through the Summer. True.

I do have my skates, and all the gear, but haven't gotten a picture of me all decked out yet. Don't worry, it's coming. I've been out here in the parking lot a couple of times, but it was still just hot enough to be too hot to skate for a long time yet.

Fall also means Football, and play off Baseball. I still root for the Chargers, but the Carolina Panthers are a pretty good team this year, so that is fun. I'm hoping we can go to a game this season. Charlotte is only about 50 mins away, and Chris has never been to a professional Football game. He hasn't been to a pro Hockey game either, and that is something I hope to remedy also, but the Hurricanes play in Raleigh, and that is like 4 hours away! sheesh. NO PRO SPORTS IN THIS TOWN SUCKS. lol I never realized how spoiled I was. Still haven't made it to a USC game (Carolina), not sure if we will make one this year, but I still hope.

I was really sad that the Angels lost, but honestly, I'm a fan, and I didn't see a spark in their step, and the fielding errors were inexcusable at this stage in the game. 'nuff said. Maybe I'll post a random rant about how weird it is that Football is on so late here on the East Coast! hahaha

The salon is going pretty good. A little drama here and there is normal, a couple of people have left. One girl is pregnant, and left to save money, another guy left to return to an old salon, also to save money. The economy crunch has hit everyone. Even the hair stylist, a normally "recession resistant" profession. I still like it there, and am getting busier.

I don't miss Starbucks much at all except for my friends, and of course, the free coffee. I was shocked and amazed a couple of weeks ago when I couldn't remember the name of a drink I was trying to tell Chris about. I stopped, and raised my arms in the air. "I FORGOT A DRINK!!" Yes! I have cleared out space in my mind that was occupied by Starbucks drinks and recipes. That just tickles me.

So, October is here, and the weather just keeps getting better, but the sun is out less. That's the sucky part. When the weather finally gets good enough to go outside and do stuff, it's dark at 6. I'll make it work.

October means the fair is here! YAY! It opened yesterday, and unfortunately, it rained. Here the fair is only 10 days! I have to make sure we get out there this weekend. We hope to go with some people from Chris' work. I'll write a review next week.

October 2 is Chris' moms birthday, so last weekend we drove down to Beaufort. Last week was one year ago I came out here to meet Chris for the first time, and also my first trip to Beaufort, and to meet his family. This time it was an even bigger crowd, and lots of fun!

I think I'll save that story for later also. I want to upload some pictures from the day, and I'm too tired to do it tonight. This is already too long.

I love you all, more to come soon, I promise!

Hurricane Season!

Happy September everyone!

Well, this is my first ever hurricane season, and so far, it's not bad.

Hanna did not affect us in the least. It only hit SC on the Northern coast, and was a tropical storm by then, so mostly rain with little damage. We are in Columbia, which is in the center of the state, about 2 hours from the coast, so far enough away from real danger, but still in the path. I am reminded of this by the Hurricane Preparedness flyer we received on the door of our apartment.

I was just checking on Ike, and that one seems to be headed more West. Chris says it's a hurricane makin' machine out there in the Atlantic, and that the 'season' lasts through November! Gee.

Hurricanes answer a question I had when I first came here about why the traffic signals are on strings here. Yes, on strings! lol That's what it looks like to me. When I first came out here to visit Chris, we were driving, and I was just looking around when he came to a stop. I looked up and said, "Oh my gosh! there's a red light! in the middle of the sky!" It seemed as if it appeared out of nowhere! It really did seem strange when I am so used to traffic signals being on steel arms and poles in CLEARLY marked intersections!

Check this out. This is very close to our place. A 'typical' intersection.

The only reason I can think of for putting signals on strings is for high winds, but I'm no engineer. I'm used to it now, but when Chris asked me what was the first thing I wanted to do when I got here? I said DRIVE! I have got to get used to these! It's just one thing on a list of things that are different here.

Notice no crosswalk in this intersection? Yeah, there aren't many. In fact, even if there WERE crosswalks, I don't know that people would use them, because here you just walk across the street whenever and wherever you feel the need to. Or for that matter, just walk down the center of the street! There is Jaywalkin' O'plenty here, and no one seems to think anything of it. I am so conditioned from California, that I sit and wait on the light to change before crossing the street, but I seem to be the only one. (unless you're another person not from these parts) I see people in the middle of the street all the time, and cops just drive right past 'em, so I guess it's not illegal. ???? Oh well. Sometimes it seems I was thrust into the past here. No helmets on motorcycles, smoking in restaurants (now only bars, Thank God), people riding in the back of pickup trucks, etc. But I just keep on doin' it the way I know how, and I'm happy as can be.

It's still pretty darn hot. High 80's to low 90's most days, but the nights and mornings are getting cooler! I'm soooo excited for Fall weather!

I got my skates! They are beauties! Very comfortable, I can't wait to get started! I'm just waiting for my helmet to arrive, and Chris' have been held up, but it's been too hot still to go out and really excercise, so we have time.

Hope this finds everyone happy and healthy! Happy Birthday to Mom, Ann, and any other September babies! :)

No More Starbucks!

I sit here writing in my nice cushy chair on a Monday morning 8 am after having a couple cups of coffee, and going for a walk, no longer a Starbucks employee! Yes, I quit.
So many factors went into the decision, but mainly it was exhausting to get up at 4:30 am 4 days a week (sometimes 5) and then 2 weeks later, I get a $300. check!
I want to do hair! It's my joy. And it pays the bills.
I will miss the people I worked with, as I miss the ones I worked with in CA. I will miss free coffee, and my discount. I will miss some of the customers. That's it. It was fun for 4 years, served it's purpose, but I'm done.
I look forward to a normal schedule. Walking in the morning again, and not having to go to bed at 10! Now I can be at the salon 5 days.

Chris has been very supportive, and knows how hard it's been. He's been awesome to talk through it all. We will have more time together now too!

The weather is finally cooling down a little, and we have been talking about getting outside. We have decided to get skates! I have rollerblades, and have enjoyed them for close to 10 years, but I took them out the other night, and they are falling apart. Chris is thinking old school is the way to go, so we're getting "quads"! (I'm thinkin' they're safer too!) We should be ordering them this week, and when we get them, we will most definitely post a pic! There are so many places for us to skate here, including the gi-normous parking lot in our apartment complex. We're both looking forward to it!

We also got a hummingbird feeder! Within 5 minutes we had a hummingbird come, and within about 15 minutes we had 2 birds fighting over it! It's just one of those little things that make us really happy!

We enjoyed the Olympics, and I look forward to London 2012. (that sounds really weird)
Now it's time for FOOTBALL! I really hope to go to a Gamecock game. Yes, that's right, Gamecocks. I live in a college town now, and USC football (South Carolina, NOT So. Cal) is HUGE. I have never been to a college football game, and I really want to experience one, so...keep you posted.

FALL is coming!!!! YAY!

Beijing 2008

Hands up if you're watching the Olympics!

I Love the Olympics. Always have. I would say more so back in the day when I was a kid, and it seemed grander somehow, (and Russia was our arch enemy) but I have always liked to watch. There just seems to be something magical about them. I know I get sucked in by all the stories of adversity, but that's what makes it great! Someone to root for!

I have always been athletic, and I am one of those women who really like sports. I like competition. The Olympics is the epitome of that.

It's cool that they only come around every four years, it's more of a spectacle that way. And the kids who work those four years or more getting ready for their event(s)? God Bless them.

I can't even imagine how cool it must be to represent your COUNTRY in sport. Not just YOU. Your Country.

The opening ceremonies in Beijing were by far the most brilliant, spectacular, amazing, and awe inspiring I have ever seen. Wasn't it awesome?! The drummers! 2,008 performers! The costumes! The unison. All of it. Even if the Fireworks added to all that smog.

I can't fathom what it would feel like to walk into that stadium with 91,000 people. What would that energy feel like? And there you are, because you're special. You're an athlete representing your country. Very Cool.

All politics go out the window for me, and I'm glad Bush was there. I think the Chinese are cool, and I love everybody. Especially the USA! hehehe

So, all weekend, Chris and I watched. We set our remote to toggle between only Olympic channels! I watched more than he, and I love seeing things like fencing, and archery. I really want to see handball. I don't think its that kind you play with a little black ball up against a wall. I also want to see Judo or Taekwondo.

This is the only time I like to watch gymnastics, women's soccer, water polo, and ping-pong!

I am sad that this is the last year for softball.

I'll be cheering on Michael Phelps. How 'bout that relay last night?!?! I look forward to Track and Field, and hope there isn't a bunch of doping going on. So sad. It makes it hard to not be a little suspicious instead of being inspired by someones true talent.

And I'm still not sure how I feel about professional athletes competing in the Olympics. And who decided there's no more perfect 10 in gymnastics?!?!

Anyway, I'm glad I don't have to decide. I just get to watch and enjoy.

Hope you are too! GO USA!!!

Summer trips

Well, Happy August everybody!

August to me means Summer is closer to it's end, and that makes me happy! The heat will soon be fading, and I can go outside again! (I really just don't do well in extreme heat)
Salon business will pick back up again for back to school do's, and Mom's will be more free to come in. Football season is gearing up, and sweater weather is, (I hope) just around the corner!

Chris and I are doing well, and still loving the Ice Palace. It's nice when you comment just about every day how much you love coming home! I've hung a couple of pictures, and even though I never seem to have enough time, I'm feeling the pressure to get this place decorated!

I've finally decorated my station at work too! I couldn't decide on a "theme" for a long time. Zen?, Shabby-Chic?, California/beachy?, everytime I came into my nice, clean, uncluttered station I put it off again. But I found a cool 'painting' I really liked, and so it was decided, Shabby-Chic. I will have to show you pictures later, describing seems really boring. I am erring on the side of "less is more" and keeping it as uncluttered as possible.

I haven't really talked about the Salon yet, but I love it, and though Summer is slow everywhere, I feel once Fall kicks in, I'll get busier. I already have some repeat clients, and I'm working a referral program that I hope will work better than relying on walk-ins. I have switched to the Paul Mitchell color line, and it's working out really well. Many reasons, but mostly for education, range of possibilites, and cost effectiveness. They are opening a "Paul Mitchell, The School" (cosmetology academy) here in Columbia, which will bring some much needed progressive trendiness to this area.

I'm still at Starbucks, but I feel that is coming to an end. (in case you were wondering, NO, we're not affected by the recent closures) The more I weigh it out, the less sense it makes to be working a job that really isn't paying off, in SO MANY ways. I still haven't received my insurance packet, (hopefully because of the move) and if I didn't qualify this last quarter for benefits, I'm done. I need to be in the Salon doing what makes me most happy, and most money. I have looked into buying insurance for myself, and if I'm busy in the salon, it's totally doable. (is that a word?)

Anyway, I wanted this post to be more about the couple of little trips I took this last month and a half.

One of the cool things about the East coast is that the States are WAY closer together than on the West coast. You can drive for 10 hours and never leave California. Here, you drive 10 hours and can go through about 5 States! Since I haven't been to many states on this coast, I like to just take an afternoon and go see something new!
Augusta, Georgia is only about 50 minutes away, so a few weeks back, I headed there after work. I didn't really have a destination in mind, just wanted to drive there. I jumped on I-20, and off I went! As I got closer to the border, there was major construction on the freeway that slowed us down to about 30 mph, so I could snap these pics of the Savannah river (right at the border), and the "Welcome to Georgia" sign!







I went to the Georgia tourist information center, and got a map of GA, and a copy of the Augusta Chronicle. I only ventured in a few miles, the construction kept me from many exits, so I didn't see much, but it was a busy place. I got some drive thru, and headed home. I'll be back in GA soon. Chris and I are planning a trip in Oct. to go see his Dad who lives in Tate, GA. NW of Atlanta. Savannah is about 2 1/2 hours South, and also on my list.



Just this last week, I drove to North Carolina.

Charlotte is about an hour from Columbia, and everyone told me about this "really cool Mall" called South Park! lol It even has a Nordstrom! woo hoo! I checked it out. Very nice mall, but more like a one story South Coast Plaza, minus Bloomingdales. It was nice to see more of Charlotte. I really liked it there, it's got a bit more to do there than here in Columbia. It has public trasportation too, (something that is conspicuously absent here) but also more people, and more traffic, so.... close enough to visit, but just far enough away. It was nice to see a Nordstrom, Urban Outfitters and a Pottery Barn again. :) And THEY have Jack-in the-Box!!! It's sad, but God, I miss that place!

I wouldn't mind moving a bit North, or even to North Carolina, as they have more familiar things, and are not as resistant to progress, but for now I am content in my little niche, and the progress will come. Of that, I am sure. We DO have some cool stuff here, don't get me wrong. I have most everything I need here, and when we get a Trader Joe's or a Jack in the Box, or that Costco opens, I'll be an even happier camper!

Addendum

I want to add one more thing to the bug story. I came across this picture in my file, and wanted to show you the biggest moth I have ever seen.

I walked out of the old apartment one day, and looked down to see what I thought was a leaf, but upon closer inspection, found it to be a moth! The most interesting part about it to ME? Um, do you see a head? I sure don't. and this guy is alive, cause when we touched it, it spread it's wings for us. Nature. Trippy, but cool.

BUGS

A few weeks ago, I walked outside, and heard this very strange noise. It sort of sounded like crickets, but louder. Maybe some strange bird noise coming from the trees. I just ignored it, and went about my business. But that night it was still there, and the next day, and the next day.

Chris and I were going out, and I asked "What's that noise? Is it birds?" He says, "I think its insects." I did a little investigating, and turns out they're cicadas! The funny thing is, they 'rev' up, it sounds like a motor, going from slow to fast, and then they slow down to stop! It's the weirdest noise I've heard. And it's a sort of constant noise here like crickets, getting louder in the evenings. After moving, I came home one day, and what do you think I saw sitting on the ground? You guessed it! They're kinda ugly, but I was fascinated! Here's the picture I took.

It's funny, after writing about the thunderstorms, a friend says, I can't wait until you see your first firefly! I got all excited, and ran to tell Chris, "Tracy says she can't wait til I see a firefly!" He says "WHAT?!?! You've never seen a firefly?" I said "nope!" He informs me that he just saw one out back the night before, and he was sure I'd see one. Just as we were talking about it, I saw one! lol I was like a little kid, all excited. We don't have them in CA, and was just tickled to see what so many kids here grow up catching, and possibly not even noticing as adults. The next couple of nights I saw more, and am still tickled. Chris says they're slow moving and easy to catch. He ran off after one the other night, and actually CAUGHT it! I saw one up close and personal, but it didn't light up for me. It's ok. I just like knowing they're out there! Maybe I'll get a jar at some point.

There are LOTS of bugs here. I had been warned too. "Palmetto bugs" they call the cockroaches. Spiders o'plenty, and lots of gnats and flies. Then there's dragonflies, carpenter bees, black wasps, red wasps, mud daubers, and beetles. I guess thats what you get with such lush surroundings. All that rain, and all those trees, keeps a nice home for all kinds of critters.
Including me! :)
Ooh! I forgot to mention the frogs! Tons of small frogs that make a whole lot of noise! 'bout the size of an egg and beige colored, Chris and I make up what we think they are saying. hehe

Stormy Weather

Another one of the different things I'm experiencing here in the South are the Thunderstorms.

We've had a few since I've been here, but none like the one this past Wednesday. I have to say it was my first MAJOR thunderstorm. Oh, I've seen lightning, and I've heard thunder, but Good Lord! This was scary! lol

Now, in California, it seems to me that in the summer the hottest part of the day is between 12 and 3 or 4, and then it cools down as the sun sets. Well, not here. Here the day gets hotter between 4 and 7, and that heat can (according to the link) produce a Thunderstorm in only 20 minutes. This last week a storm came in the likes of which I have never seen. The big pines out back were bending and swaying under the force of turbulent winds, as the lightning show started. Off in the near distance, I saw a bolt come down that shone red around the body! Followed by that loud CRRRAAAACCCKKKK!! With this Chris turns to me, and says: "NOW you see why I unplug the computers during a thunderstorm?". (One year lightning struck a tree just outside his apartment that hit the building, and fried his computer) That's when the torrential rain came down, and I heard the loudest thunder in my life. It sounded like someone smashing metal trashcans together as hard as they could INSIDE MY HEAD. It scared me to say the least, and I'm not usually scared by storms, but it was right on top of us. Chris informs me this is still mild compared to some he's seen. WOW. Well, it was a big one for me. Mother Nature is one powerful force. I felt very small and vulnerable. (Tho the lightning show was really pretty cool to watch.)

The good thing about these storms? My car gets washed weekly. :)

People had told me about the humidity, but I had no idea what that was. Now I do. It's just as bad as they say. It's oppressive, and gross. Apparently, I still have a good month and a half of summer to go. Well, at least we have the ICE PALACE as a refuge!

Happy 4th!

Greetings from the Ice Palace!
That's what we're calling our new apartment, because it's FREEZING in here compared to our old place.
We've been in now for 6 days, and it's awesome! Like night and day. It's clean and new, light and airy, cool and open, and and and! There is a lot more open space here as far as the whole complex goes. The last place was older and wood, and the trees were so close it was a bit claustrophobic. I felt like I was in a cabin in the mountains.
We've been out walking around the complex after dinner, and it's so nice to see everything neat and clean. There is a vine covered bridge over the lake that feels romantic, and some benches scattered around the lake inviting you to sit and rest. Anyway, it's very nice to come home, and we just keep being amazed at how COOL it is in here!

Today is the 4th of July, my least favorite holiday. Not for the significance of the day, but for the moronic behavior people seem to exhibit when playing with fire. I like the big, professional shows where you go ooooh and ahhhh, but I now live in a state where fireworks are legal, and there are Fireworks Stores here open year round. So, you can imagine I am particularly happy that it is raining at the moment. (8:30 pm local time)
The Thunder storms here are a pretty cool thing. Another blog perhaps....

I am really happy to have the day off from BOTH jobs today, and actually slept in, went for a walk, took a nap, and am still in my jammies. :) Life is good. Not to mention COLD.

Hope you all have a "safe and sane" 4th of July!

Moving in Summer

Hello everyone!

Greetings from South Carolina!
I was thinking that a blog would be a good idea to keep everyone updated on the happenings of my new "Southern Life", so here goes!

There is so much little stuff, but I'll try to keep to the big stuff.
Chris and I are doing very well, and are having fun being together! I am working at Starbucks still, and really like my new store, and co workers. I also found a salon! It is in a nice shopping center, that reminds me of California. (in that its NEW, lol) There are A LOT of old buildings, and old centers that just aren't kept up here, but thats another story.
So, all that is good. I'm working lots.

We are in the process of moving to a new apartment, and will be in on Saturday. We paid for an extra week so we could have some time to shuttle stuff over, and have only big stuff to move on Sat. with the big truck, and helpers. Now keep in mind it's averaging 95 degrees this week, so yeah, we're not having tons of fun, but the whole reason we're moving is because our current apartment has no AC flow in one of the bedrooms and the management keeps trying to tell us that's normal. (right). So, long story short, they let us out of our lease, and we're moving. It's called Broad River Trace, and it's beautiful and new (1998).

It's even tougher to get moving this week because just yesterday I had surgery to take the basal cell carcinoma off my neck. This was planned before the move. We drove down to Beaufort, (Chris' hometown) to the surgeon's office where Chris' Mom works. She helped me get it taken care of since I am still waiting for insurance from Starbucks. I'm VERY relieved to have it off, and done, but now I have a bandage on my neck, and I'm all sweaty trying to get things moved.

Beaufort is beautiful, and I finally got to see the beach in South Carolina!
Yes, I met the Atlantic!
Chris kept trying to tell me it isn't as easy to get to the beach in SC as in CA, but I just couldn't understand it unless I saw for myself, so... we went!
You drive out to the turn for the beach parking, and after paying $4 PER person, you proceed to wind your way back into this jungle of trees! I have never known so many trees to be at the beach! I imagined the early settlers with machetes, hacking their way through this forest, and coming across the ocean on accident! And it's not just the palmetto's, there are PINE trees here too! It really is beautiful, but now I know what Chris was talking about. You don't just drive down Newport Blvd to any street, park, get out and walk onto the sand.
Anyway, I will get the pictures uploaded soon, and then you will see. We saw the Lighthouse there at Hunting Island, and I dipped into the WARM water of the Atlantic, snapped some pictures, grabbed some shells, and left! That was fun. We even saw some dolfins just off shore! It would be fun to spend some time there at the beach.
We ate at one of Chris' (and Beauforts) favorite sandwich shops, Alvin Ord's. They make REALLY good sandwiches, and now I'm afraid I will start craving them! hehehe

OK, this is a good start. I will try my best to keep this current, and let everyone know what's happening, and how Chris and I are doing! He's taking good care of me, and I like to think I take good care of him too!

I love and miss you all!