from the heART: snail mail is the best mail

There is something about receiving mail and more specifically, snail mail, that is so lovely! Between the bills and junk mail, when there is a little something personal, I believe it can really brighten someones day.

Call me crazy, but I might enjoy sending mail just as much as receiving it. Taking the time to address the package with a little artsy flare just makes me smile! I've heard it many times before and believe it to be true, that everything is designed, so why not make it beautifully designed! 

from the heART: more wine please

Number 64: go on a wine tour was a very fun one to cross off the list. A small group took a short day trip a little outside Charlotte and went to a couple of vineyards. It was a relaxing day tasting wine and spending time with new friends. So for any friends that want to come visit and like wine, I know exactly where to go. 

 

from the heART: MGJ

There are few moments in life that seem to have a tendency to make me reflect upon how I am living my life and if I am doing good. The passing of my dear sweet grandma Mary Jane a couple weeks ago now is one of those moments. Thinking back on the time spent with her and grandpa growing up only bring good memories to mind. Going over to their house to swim in their pool, visiting them each and every halloween to show off our costumes (and without fail she would have the best package for us filled with candy and movies), and playing their slot machine. 

On our more recent visits, we would catch her up on the happenings of our lives and normally answer her questions regarding our love lives. Followed by her telling us what that month or year had in store for each of us regarding our astrological sign. I will always remember MGJ as such a positive, witty, always happy grandma who loved us and we loved very much. 

from the heART: new city, new year, new start

With every new year comes new hopes and wishes for the future and what is to come. Also, it is a time when people reflect upon the year that is now in the past, so I will also follow suit and look back on the past year. Two thousand and twelve for me is a year to remember. The highlights that I will always remember are: moving to North Carolina, both of my sisters weddings, my older sisters move to Hawaii, AZ Tough Mudder, and Nashville Marathon with my mom. 

Two thousand and thirteen has a lot to live up too but I am hoping it will be just as good, if not better. New city, new year, new start. I already have so much to look forward too this coming year including a road trip to Florida, two trips to Nashville, my mom and sister already have trips planned to visit, and a girls weekend in Charlotte. Others not currently on the calendar but with high hopes of adding include, a trip to visit my sister and brother-in-law in Hawaii, becoming an aunt (fingers crossed, no pressure) and running another marathon perhaps. 

from the heART: charlotte life update

Months of updates to be posted. I figure the best way to accomplish this with keeping interest, is through photos.  

SO...Charlotte life update here we go....

from the heART: sub 100 degrees

Before moving to North Carolina, my entire life was lived in the beautiful Arizona desert. Grew up in Phoenix, ventured the 1.5 hour drive to Tucson for school, then back up to Phoenix after. Living in this dry dry heat my whole life, I started to convince myself that everywhere else must endure the same melt worthy temperatures. Obviously knowing better, but having not yet experienced it, I will say that it is a very happy day to look at the forecast, during August mind you, and not have a single temperature over 100 degrees. 

from the heART: ticket for one

Number 95 on my list, go to a movie by myself, is something that I've come to find people have many different ideas about. I have a number of friends who when I have asked if they have ever gone to a movie alone, emphatically respond, of course. Followed by a puzzled look and the question, haven't you? Up until recently the answer was always no. 

Moving to a new city, knowing only a handful of people, and having multiple work days off, I found myself with nothing to do. I had the thought, a movie would be nice, then the thought, but I have no one to call. Screw it, is what my internal more independent self decided, and I went anyways! Yes, alone. I enjoyed the movie (Your Sister's Sister) very much and now understand how seeing a movie alone is not as big of deal as I had previously imagined and would not be opposed to doing it again.   

from the heART: geeking out geo style

Many years ago now my old(er) sister introduced our family to the crazy, geek'ed out world of geocaching. www.geocaching.com In simply terms it is a global GPS scavenger hunt. For some, geo caching is a fun, recreational active that we don't take to seriously. However, in the reverse, some take it to the next level completely. Caching in multiple states, having it be incorporated in proposals and even creating a geo logo cough *geo-nerd* cough. But I will say that I have enjoyed my time caching with cache.money very much throughout the years. Now being on my own, not only in a new city but a whole new state, caching can and will take you to places you may not have ever discovered on your own. So, here is my first cache find in North Carolina and I'm sure it probably won't be last.