No longer shall we be Hot-Lantans

That's right. Wes and I are moving back to the Port City, to Wilmy, whatever you want to call it: We're moving HOME. I gave my notice at work today and yet it's still surreal. We've been here for almost three years, more than half our marriage. I'm ready (and I think I can safely say Wes is too) to head back to the beach, to be surrounded by family and our old friends and to start the next phase of our lives.

I will be working in the office at Chrysalis Counseling Center and start mid-June. Wes will be working at Winter Park Baptist. We have to sell our house but since everything has worked out so perfectly so far, I have to believe that will work itself out too.

If you're in Wilmington, we'll see you this summer at the beach. If not, come visit!

I've restored my faith in Dentistry

If you read my blog a few weeks ago, then you know I had an awful experience at the dentist. Well, just to let you know, I had a great experience today. I went to Kimball Bridge Dentist and they were wonderful. No, I do not have periodontal disease and the Dentist there thought the Dentist at Coast was crazy. I also found out that Hygenists work off commission at Coast and other corporate places...so watch out!

They can't be serious...

Today's Atlanta Journal-Constitution had an article that was a little weird. Read this.

I can't imagine that they think the government is actually taking them seriously. I mean, give me a break. First, the quotes from this article are as if big guys in the the industry actually think that Americans can't be sexual without pornography. That's just insulting. Secondly, a porn star actually commented that she thought it was crazy that these gentlemen are asking for a bailout. She seems to be doing fine since she makes $1,200-$2,000 for one scene in an "adult film". I can't imagine what senators and representatives will think or do when they actually ask for this. Or maybe they already have at this point. Still, I'd like to see their faces during the request. CNN's Campbell Brown even reports, "They concede the $13 billion industry is in no fear of collapse, but say in this environment, why take chances?" People are losing their houses to foreclosures, being laid off after 30 years of service and losing their retirement savings because of the economy and this is where American tax payers money should go?

Thoughts?

p.s. I apologize if any of those Google ads are advertising any adult or inappropriate websites through my blog. I don't choose which ads pop up!

It's Christmas time in the city...

At least it is in the 'burbs because we have not one but TWO Christmas parties this weekend. I'm so excited. My work party is Saturday night at Startime Entertainment in Roswell. It should be a lot of fun because this is the first time that our company has had a paid party off site in 2 1/2 years! Yay for European leaders.

Our second party is a neighborhood tacky Christmas sweater party in our cul-de-sac. It should be really fun too. I'm hoping that our camera makes it an I can post some pics.

The worst dental experience ever

Yesterday I went to a new dentist because I haven't been since we moved to Atlanta. I use to go every six months and need to get back on that schedule. I had an amazing dentist in Wilmington who I miss terribly, but my insurance will only allow for dentists in Georgia. Anyway, I won't give you the whole story, but I will say I was there for two hours and didn't receive a cleaning. After 18 x-rays and nearly gagging until I was sick, the hygienist came in to "measure" my teeth. After about 30 minutes, she decided I needed a special cleaning. The basic cleaning that insurance covers wouldn't suffice. She proceeded to tell me that I had all kinds of problems with my gums. I NEVER had any gum problems before this and my dentist raved about my whole mouth back in Wilmington. Anyway, after her sales pitch, I told her that I wasn't spending the money (which by the way was $170!!) I asked her to just give me a basic cleaning. She wouldn't!!!!! That's right, she said that she couldn't because that wasn't what she recommended as my "treatment plan". Grrrr....I was so upset by this point it was almost embarrassing. (OK, I was an embarrassment, but I'm never going back so I guess it doesn't matter). This dentist was Coast Dental. Run far far away if you ever have to go there. It's a chain apparently, maybe that has something to do with it. So, now I'm back to the old drawing board of finding a dentist. My insurance company sent a long list so I am going to call around and hopefully find a good one.

Conversations

This conversation took place last night while Wes and I were sitting on the couch, watching Heroes.

While watching the episode where the heroes lose their powers because of a solar eclipse, Alexis learns that this is how they originally gained their powers. Since Alexis only started watching the show this season, she had an important question to ask:

Alexis: Didn't this show just start a couple of years ago? How can there be two solar eclipses across the whole world within such a short time frame? I thought those things only happened like every 50 years...
Wes: (sarcastically) Every now and again on this show, they go just outside the realm of reality.

Actually, we learn a lot about Solar Eclipses here

Dogs/Gators

Living in Atlanta has given us a chance to see how SEC fans view football. It's like ACC basketball I think. Well, maybe just UNC vs Duke basketball. It's a culture here different from any other place and, perhaps, conference. Everyone in Atlanta is either a UGA or Georgia Tech fan. We haven't really picked a side but we did see this really awesome video story on College Game Day about Matt Richt (headcoach for UGA) about his family and their adoption story. The heartstrings were pulled and I cheered for Georgia this weekend against LSU (sorry, Ryan).

This Saturday is a big day in Atlanta and probably everywhere else in the South with a vested interest in football. Saturday is Georgia v Florida. I thought this picture was priceless on the AJC this morning:



I only know two people that actually went to Florida and they don't look anything like this but Kevin and Faydra, I think you should dress up like this for Halloween or at least get your kids to dress up like this!

Lettuce in a bag

A couple of weekends ago, my Mom and sister came to visit and one night, we went to the grocery store to get some food for dinner. We bought a rotisserie chicken, some salad fixings and baking potatoes. Once we got home, we put everything in the fridge because it was too early to eat. Well, after some time, Mom and I started pulling things out to prepare our meal. I pulled out the bag of lettuce that we bought and staring at me in the face was this:


(Ironically enough sitting right on top of "no preservatives"...yea, ok!)

Anyway, of course I freaked and then we kinda laughed and I was just glad that I noticed it BEFORE we opened the bag. My sister brought it back to the grocery store to get our money back and apparently, the employee just said, "Oh...sorry". It makes me think they've seen this before...

From another blog

Well, last night it was made clear (I've only read it, not heard one of the candidates actually utter the words) that the McCain/Palin ticket will be taxing us on company provided health insurance. Wow! Now, I know that many people are Republicans because they are really wealthy or really conservative and that's all fine and dandy but aren't there conservatives who work 8 - 5 just like I do? My company pays about $150 a month for my health plan (I pay the difference), that's $1,860 a year that I've never been taxed on but would be should they win. When I worked at Dockside, they paid for ALL my insurance! There's no way I could have paid the taxes on that. $5,000 allowance will barely cover Wes and me, two healthy 20 somethings...let alone if we had children.

"The disturbing truth about John McCain's healthcare plan"
By Christopher Hass

Following the conclusion of tonight's debate, Obama-Biden Campaign Spokesman Bill Burton said the following:

Tonight, the American people heard the disturbing truth about John McCain’s healthcare plan: that while he would offer tax credits to help families pay for insurance, he would pay for them by taxing health care benefits for the first time in history. The McCain healthcare tax would come directly out of your pockets, but the tax credit would go directly to the insurance companies. It’s an old Washington bait and switch: he gives you a tax credit with one hand, but raises your taxes with the other. Barack Obama’s healthcare plan will cut costs, lower premiums for the average family by as much as $2,500, and provide affordable, accessible health insurance for every American.

Learn the three facts that everyone should know about John McCain's healthcare plan.

***

Now, I know that many of you are voting with the GOP candidate and you probably heard things last night that you can't understand from the Democratic ticket, but this is a biggie for me.

Interesting Article...

My friend Andy posted this article as well but I'd like some input from my readers. This small article tucked away in the Atlanta Journal Constitution has sparked many comments on a controversial topic. I'll let you read the article about the Southern Baptist Convention and some of the posted comments.

http://www.ajc.com/living/content/living/stories/2008/09/18/gospel_magazine_pulled.html?cxntlid=homepage_tab_newstab#comments

As someone who grew up in a Cooperative Baptist Church which broke away from the SBC, it's difficult for me to understand why they are so against women preachers. There is one comment that I did find very interesting:

By walter
Sep 19, 2008 7:25 AM
Soooooo, Southern Baptist Convention will support Sarah Palin to be the President of the United States but won't support a woman to be a Pastor?

Comments? Thoughts?

Breathe

I haven't stopped once today. Work has been crazy busy this week! I am leaving work in 5 min to head down to the first of three productions of "Family Night on Peachtree: The Beat Goes On" at Wieuca. This has been a crazy week but has flown by. I will post pictures of the craziness that is FNOP (that may explain a little if you seen that acronym on my Facebook). Here's hoping we get to chill a little this weekend!

I've been tagged

Erica tagged me, so I'm to fill out the below...finally, I'm getting to it:

Four jobs I have had in my life:
1. Current- Executive Assistant - Honeywell Enraf Americas Inc., Roswell GA
2. Manager - Dockside Restaurant, Wilmington, NC
3. Fitness Services Associate - YMCA, Raleigh, NC
4. Super Scooper - Kohl's Frozen Custard, Wrightsville Beach, NC

Four movies I've watched more than once:
1. SHAG, the Movie
2. Forrest Gump
3. Ray
4. Steel Magnolias

T.V. Shows that I watch:
1. LOST
2. American Idol
3. CSI:
4. The Office

Four places I have been:
1. Gibraltar
2. Wine Country (California)
3. Wine Country (Georgia...yes, there is one)
4. Six Flags over Georgia

Four People who e-mail me (regularly):
1. Penny
2. GAP
3. Wes
4. Wieuca people

Four of my favorite foods:
1. Anything Mexican
2. Curry
3. Anything Tyler Florence makes on "The Ultimate"
4. Spaghetti

Four places I would like to visit:
Four? I can think of a thousand!
1. Italy
2. Boston
3. Hwy 1 from Canada to Mexico
4. Thailand (mainly for the Curry)

Things I am looking forward to in the coming year:
1. Building a deck
2. Getting a car into the garage
3. Going on a trip to one of the above places...ok, that's just a dream but that's ok
4. Visiting family

I'd love to hear from all of you!