Countdowns

These three events are what I'm living for right now.  They're in chronological order, not the order I would like for them to happen.  I'll let you decide what order that is.

Going to Illinois

Matt's Graduation

Last day of Work

Happy Easter!



We Fell Down the Rabbit Hole

*click on the icon to read about a great organization!

"Do you think Howie has dogs?" "What do you think Howie, Curt and Terry do at slumber parties?" "Oh, my gosh, I can't wait for tonight" "Do you think I'll get to touch them?" "Matt, aren't you excited?" "I'm going to lay down and take a nap.  Oh, man, I just can't sleep." "I think I'll bring a camera just in case."

That's what filled the day leading up to "The Big Gig in Wonderland".  My mindless questions and giddy excitement.  Poor Matt was supposed to be having a man's weekend doing an Army training, but due to bad weather it was canceled and he had to come home early.  To me.  Who was obsessed with her childhood crush.  Don't worry, I bought Matt his favorite snack as a thank-you for putting up with me.

During the silent auction that Matt and I were manning - yes, I felt the need to insert another football crush - Terry walked RIGHT BY US.  I could've touched him if I wanted to.  Better judgment kept me from doing it.  Matt was appreciative.  We also were in the scenes on the local news station - check it out if you'd like.

Moving on to our next job - the live auction.  The live auction was actually what Terry, Howie and Curt were there for.  They were the guest auctioneers.  And guess who was assigned the table where the Longs, Bradshaws, Menafees and Londons (UVA football coach) were sitting... that's right, yours truly.  I about peed my pants.  So before the auction started I was able to overhear Terry telling stories about old football games and something about Oklahoma.  I think I was too distracted looking at Howie to pay attention to Terry's story. I later found out he was talking about his cattle ranch in Oklahoma.  Boy, am I glad I was gazing at Howie rather than listening to that!

Once the auction started the boys went on stage and the bidding began.  Our job was to mark who currently held the highest bid by standing by that person and holding up our lighted pom-pom.  After the person won the item we put a flashing necklace on them so that the "runners" were able to locate the winner and take down their information.  Let me tell ya, the Long/Bradshaw/Menafee/London table were big spenders so I got to spend a lot of time with them... even if it was just the wives.  So let's re-cap: I talked to Mrs. Bradshaw, Mrs. Long and Howie's son Chris Long who plays for the St. Louis Rams.  Actually, I got to touch him because I put the necklace around his neck.  He's closer to my age so it was probably more appropriate than if it had been Howie.  I'm pretty sure Howie could be my father.

No, I didn't get to talk to Howie or Terry, but I didn't really expect to have the opportunity.  I was just happy to be breathing the same air as them.  Plus, it was fun to see them as auctioneers.  They were very animated and you could tell they were having a good time.  My long-awaited excitement was quickly coming to an end, but you know what, at the end of the night, I think I got to go home with the best guy there.

Montpelier

Two weekends ago, Jenn and I went to Montpelier, the home of James Madison.  It underwent a complete renovation that was completed a few years ago to return it to its state when Madison lived and died there.  Madison’s father built the original house and the family moved in during his teen years.  I love the classic pillars and porch on the front of the building, even if the color scheme isn’t my favorite (maybe it's paying homage to Jenn's alma mater the Green Wave?).  Madison originally designed it as a duplex for his mother on one side and his family on the other.  A solid wall ran through the middle to separate the two.  After his mother’s death, he broke through the wall to make it one house.  There were many interesting stories.  After the British burned the White House in 1814, Madison brought his personal china from his house to be used there, then brought it home at the end of his presidency.  Before the constitutional convention, Madison sat in his library overlooking the front porch for months studying systems of government of the past and why they had failed as he began to design the US government of today.  Madison and his family are buried on the grounds.

Unfortunately, when Madison died he left a large amount of debt resulting in the house being sold by his wife.  No, it wasn't Madison who couldn't balance a checkbook.  His step-son (Dolley's son from a previous marriage) was an alcoholic and compulsive gambler.  He was the one who put the family in financial ruin.  In addition to the house being sold, all of his furniture was sold, too.  So now the group which owns the house is trying to find Madison’s furniture which is a difficult task.  As a result, much of the interior is unfurnished.  Still the house is a spectacular sight.  

Virginia is for Lovers (of history)

Just as a head's up to all you wonderful readers:  Matt's really gotten on a history kick.  Lucky for you, you only have to read about it.  I, on the other hand, am in the process of being dragged to several of our Founding Father's homes over the next several weeks.  Last weekend was Montpelier (James Madison) and this weekend will be Ash Lawn (James Monroe).  Lucky for me Matt has an Army FTX (that's field training exercise for all you civilians) the following weekend meaning I'll have the weekend off from brown signs. More on what I have planned for me that weekend later.  I'll give you a hint... I've been looking forward to it for months.  You're right, that's not really a hint.  Guess you'll just have to come back and see what it is!

Anywho, enjoy the virtual tour of the lamest best Virginia has to offer!  Oh, and I'll be posting about my favorite "historical" landmark we've seen in Virginia soon as well.  It blows all of these presidential homes out of the water.

Home Sweet Home (for now)

 

We've signed a lease!  We will be renting for 6 months - and less than that if I have my way - from Autumn Ridge before buying our first home in Georgia.  During the trip to Atlanta we narrowed it down to three different complexes.  None of them would have been bad choices, but since we went more the 60 days before moving they weren't sure of their availability.  So we checked back in with them this week and made our decision.  For anyone who is familiar with my past apartments, the complex itself reminds me of the one I had in Indy (very nautical feeling), but the individual unit reminds me of my apartment in Savoy as well as the residential feel.  This one will be much more spacious, though - two bedrooms and two bathrooms.  That's right... for any of you who wish to visit, you'll have your very own suite.  Just don't expect wake-up calls or mints on the pillow.  :)

P.S. Yes, you're right.  The apartment's website is a bit dated.  It's a smaller outfit so I doubt they have a huge marketing department.  But that's why we liked it so much.  Much smaller complex means much more personal.  I mean, have you ever heard of an apartment having a community breakfast?  I didn't think so.