Christmas

I'm getting really excited about going home to Fort Worth this weekend for 8 whole days. It will be really nice to get to spend time with my family and catch up with friends. I will be sad to have to leave Geoff but he flies home on Christmas eve so we will get 5 days with him. Christmas is one of my favorite times of year, I was that child who would get up secretly extra, extra early on Christmas morning to see all the things "Santa" had brought then go back to bed for a few more hours. Its is such a joyful time of year and I find it hard to stop singing Christmas carols after the holiday is over.

Here are a few things I am especially excited about this Christmas:
1. Seeing friends and family I haven't see since we live so far away.
2. Going to my great aunt and uncle's house Christmas eve to see everyone on my Dad's side of the family. We have been doing this for over 27 years...
3. Going to Joe T's after the party Christmas Eve, having the dinner and sharing good food, laughter, and a few margarita's with everyone. 4. Spending time with Caroline (sister) and Matt (fiance), ever since they have gotten engaged I haven't been able to spend any time with them.
5. Meeting Katy's David for the very first time!!! Catching up with both of them along with Jackie and Todd Young, who we haven't seen since our wedding.
6. Lastly, being back in Fort Worth, Texas!! I miss it dearly and no place will ever take it's place in my heart.

Friendship

I love meeting new people and have been feeling a little down over the past couple of months because I've been having a hard time making friends in Greenville. I was told by a wise woman that it usually takes about 18 months to really feel "at home" in a new location and at first I was willing to believe this statement but in the past few months I have started feeling a little better about our situation. I have been living in Greenville for a year and one month going on two and that 18th month really feels like it is close to me.

I have found that I am becoming more comfortable in Greenville and meeting new people every now and then. I will say it makes life easier when you have those friends to call who don't live thousands of miles away from you. This past year I have wanted to get involved in many different organizations and groups in Greenville and I am working my way into many of the ones I set out to join. While attending one of these opportunities I met Stephanie Bunn who works for one of the groups. We both work for ECU and are enjoying getting to know each other and going to lunch.

This past weekend, to start the holiday season, I invited Stephanie and her husband, Brooks, to join Geoff and I at the Greenville Tree Lighting and Art Walk in Uptown Greenville. We had the best time watching the tree and listening to the mayor read Twas the Night Before Christmas to the children in the crowd.














Here is a picture of Geoff and I, Stephanie and Brooks Bunn at the Christmas Tree Lighting.

After the tree lighting we walked around downtown Greenville on the Art Walk. We went to the art gallery Emerge Gallery and Art Center. It was really nice, they had local artists set up in booths all around the gallery selling their goods. I will be going back soon to get a better look, a lot of people in one small area doesn't let you see everything. After going to Emerge, we went down to Jefferson's, I love everything about this store except for some of the prices. My wallet needs to be a little deeper for me to buy some of the items.
Here are a few shots of the store, they have everything from flowers to furniture to glassware, then soaps, decorative items, etc.
There are so many things to find and next time anyone comes to visit we will go see this store.

We shopped a little longer and then went to the 4th St. Wine bar for wine tasting but there was an overflow of people in the store for this free event so we decided to go to Dulcinea. This store is a very unique place which has everything from clothing to jewelry, coffee to candles, handbags to decorative items. Very creative and owned by a jewelry maker. Such a great time we had while shopping. Afterwards we shared a great meal at Finnelli's italian resturant.

Thanks so much for Stephanie and Brooks for a great night. We had a blast and can't wait to do it again!

Thanksgiving

I really feel like Christmas is finally here. I love this season the most of all and love sharing the holidays with friends and family. Geoff and I spent Thanksgiving with my mom's side of the family at Lake Hyco in North Carolina. We were able to go to Freddie and Cindy's new lake house to celebrate. It was so much fun to hang out with our family and share a wonderful meal. When we arrived at the lake we were told that my cousin Stephanie and her boyfriend, PK (Paul Kelley), were engaged!! I was so happy for for the both of them and excited to talk about wedding details with someone again. I am missing out on a lot of the details for Caroline's wedding so maybe this will help with my wants of being there for her. We had fried turkey and all the normal things you usually eat on this day. I had never eaten a fried turkey but it was very good. Way to go Bo, Freddie and Tyler.
While we were there Geoff and I took a picture for our Christmas card since every other one we have is no good for the card. :) Here is our picture, your cards will be coming this week so check your mailbox.