I Ain't Never Had Too Much Fun...

...But if it were possible, I'd be doin' it!

I've also had soooo much fun lately with a pretty special fella I'll just call the Cap'n. Well, heck...it's no secret! Joe and I have done something fun just about every weekend since he got back from Afghanistan. We're having a blast whether we're skiing at Big Bear Mountain, rock climbing in downtown San Diego, quading in the desert by the Saltan Sea or riding horses in the snowy mountains of the famous apple town, Julian.

Now, if y'all are thinking that it looks like I'm having loads of fun with Joe, you're right. But, not only am I having fun with him, and the family + kids, I'm ALSO having a blast with my girlfriends here in San Diego. You know, for the first time in a while I really feel like I'm in a great place with wonderful people all around me. I know I've been lucky to make good friends everywhere I've lived, but seriously, these are some awesome ladies. Lois is a superstar Public Relations professional who is getting her MBA and is married to a pilot in the squadron (462). Noelle is a rockstar who works for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and is dating another pilot (also named Joe!) in 462. These two have become my fast friends and I'm so grateful for them!

La Jolla Shores

With the amazing beaches of Southern California just 15 minutes away, I'm at the beach a lot! I've always loved being close to the water, and it's been wonderful living here. Mostly I've been to a particular beach called "Seal Beach" in La Jolla on the coast. This place is gorgeous. The cliffs are spectacular! This particular occasion was for Chris' birthday. It was a perfect day (low tide) and we had a great time. Chris and the kids found lots of beach glass, explored caves around the area and even got in the freezing cold water!

If you'd like to come and see the amazing cliffs of La Jolla, feel free to call or email to book your trip West as soon as possible:)

Much love,

me

I'm Baaaaccccckkkkkk!

Wow, I've taken more than a "break" from blogging...it's almost been a year since my last post! SNS sites like Facebook and MySpace have been my online vices for about that long. The charm has worn out though, like my resistance to family and friends who have not stopped threatening bodily harm if I don't blog!

Just some updates: the move to San Diego was seamless, the Hardin Clan is great and I'm slowly but surely making new friends. The only kink has been the job search. It's more than a little difficult out here right now, but it has to pick up eventually.

Below are a few pix from my last few weeks in Raleigh: Wilmington BeerFest, an NC State game, and my going away/Kelli's engagement party. Also, I've included some pix from a "Blues Cruise" I went on with my boyfriend, Joe. He's the Marine Corps pilot that Chris introduced me to at the beginning of the year. Doesn't he look amazing in those dress blues?!

Life is good:)

San Diego...the sweet spot

I just had the most wonderful week in San Diego with Chris, Leslie, the kids, and the Hardin clan. We ate, drank, and did just about everything we can do in San Diego. We had soooo much fun. I was sad to leave, and have to honestly say that I'm still depressed that it's over.

I've included the highlights below for your enjoyment!

P-Fest...WhoopWhoop!

2007 Life is good Pumpkin Festival. I came, I saw. Pumpkins beware. I cut and gut about 25 pumpkins on Friday and then carved about 50+ on Saturday. I eventually ran out of designs to carve! Hearts, stars, faces, crazy designs, words, and finally, a goldfish! Kelli, Sean, Heather and I had an absolute blast!

On Sunday, I went to the State Fair with Joey. We walked around for hours looking at all of the crazy things: fried cheescake, fried twinkies, and the most massive funnel cakes I've ever seen. We rode a few rides, ate some yummy food, and had a SUPER time!

M-I-A-M-I

Wow...what more can I say. Miami was an absolute BLAST! Ann, Jim and I ate dessert every night, partied like rock stars, and then chilled all day at the most gorgeous beach I've ever seen. What a fantastic vacay. I also got to work at FH's Miami office for three days, which was great! On the way back to the house from eating brunch on fabulous South Beach, we took a detour to see these wild peacocks. So cool!

We went to Bill Baggs State Park, and also to Bahia Honda beach. Like I said before, it's the most beautiful beach I've ever seen. The water was so clear and perfect. A picture is worth a thousand words....

And then to top it off, we took a gorgeous trip to Fairchild Gardens. Never have I ever seen so many amazing plants!

Finally, I have to say that my favorite thing in Miami (excluding Ann and Jim, DUH!) were these crazy trees!

I had a fantastic time, and many thanks to my lovely hosts:) You guys rock!

Beach Weekend

I refuse to let summer go. It will be summer until I make my first batch of pumpkin chocolate chip bread, which will most likely be after my Miami visit. I haven't even a pumpkin spice latte yet...so, Joey and I celebrated the continuance of summer this past weekend. Friends of ours got married in Corolla, NC on the beach, and we took the opportunity to take a vacay. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera the night of the wedding. But the pics are from Kill Devil Hills beach...we almost had the beach to ourselves. It was great!!






On Sunday, I woke up to stormy skies. There was a tropical depression on the horizon. Good thing I'm not afraid of a little rain! The ocean was crazy, and the wind was even more intense!





On the way home, we stopped by this crazy sand dune, which was neat. I've never seen anything quite like it. It felt like we were in the Sahara...

My Summer...

Well, my summer has been interesting! I've moved to North Carolina, joined the Fleishman Hillard family, and made a few friends. While Joey was in St. Louis, I visited him and got to see him put on a professional baseball uniform. He looked good!

Right after he was released, we went to Maine for July 4th. I've never been to that part of the country. It was so beautiful! We had a wonderful time.

My new BF, Kelli Beale, is the perfect person to have in my life. She is a NC native and knows the good restaurants, where the malls are and, of course, where the best beaches are! Love her!

And to make this billable (!hahaha, that was for you Ann!) below are some pics of Grande Villas, the luxury condo project that I'm dilligently working on getting media coverage for! I'll leave you with a shot of me from behind....btw, no jokes about that not being my best side! Seriously. Britt made us leave the office early for a little teambuilding. Bowling!

Now, no more getting on to me for no pics! Love you all so much!