Ready for Visitors!!

Many exciting things to report! First, we got hired at the Sanderling Resort, where we will be making big bucks catering fancy weddings on the weekends. Second, we had our first friends over for a wine and cheese party tonight. And finally... we decided on a whim to plug in the cable to see if we actually have tv... and guess what, the cable company, located very far away, did not deem it necessary to drive up here and disconnect when the last resident left... sooooo... we have tv! FOR FREE! I can't wait to catch up on "Where in the World is Matt Lauer" in the morning!

Goodbye insomnia, hello Discovery Channel, all at no cost to Ben & Sarah, yay!

Click on the photos to make them bigger (and read the captions)

Other news: in my first week of work, I've ridden my bike to get there, led a few tours in the maritime forest of Currituck Banks National Estuarine Research Reserve, set out to learn bird calls (Ben is so proud!), visited the Great Dismal Swamp, taught kids about insects, responded to a call about a dead dolphin, gone out listening for frogs until 11pm, and found a fully-engorged tick on my hip. We really are having a blast and are officially READY FOR VISITORS at any time!

True Residents!

Well, we've been here for a week and done all kinds of running around. First, off, who would have thought that we had to take a written DRIVERS TEST to get a license in this state? We spent the entire day at the DMV, but we both passed... and our license plates are so cute: OBX-something something something-18 and 19 (since we were in line together, they are only one number different). Ben thinks its corny when we're parked side by side in our shopping center but I think its adorable :)

Other than studying for the drivers test, we have actually finished unpacking boxes (still working on putting everything away) and making great progress on getting this place to feel like home! Maverick is settling in- he's chomping on his new nylabone that we brought him from the major shopping trip to Virginia yesterday (had to drive over 2 hours to get to a Target and Sam's Club, but it was worth the trip- we hit the jackpot on deals and we're set!) He is still terrified of Otis, haha, can't quite get him figured out, but really comical to watch. Otis has a new place to call his own, we call it the Terrap-Inn, where he can cruise around to his little heart's content, while soaking up the sunshine filtering in through the blinds.

Ben is cooking something gourmet (he says its a tofu surprise!) in the kitchen, using our sweet new pans (they're red!) and we're actually going to eat dinner tonight at the dining room table- its been covered in boxes and uninhabitable. The next big task is hanging up the rest of the pictures and trinkets and we'll be ready for visitors (and to post pics on the blog). The final step in the process is picking up some thrift store furniture that we got a great deal on (1/2 off all furniture!) to make our living room complete. More pics to follow...

We're at the Beach!

Although we're still moving stuff around (what I mean is SQUEEZING all of our belongings into our tiny apartment) but our little apartment is SOOOO CUTE :) We're in this quaint shopping center where we sponsored the pizza joint and general store during the FIVE HOURS of moving stuff from both cars and U-haul... just ourselves! It stinks moving to a place where you know NO ONE that can help carry a couch up to a second story apartment (check out the outdoor stairs in the picture, ugh)! That's our place upstairs- the double windows are our kitchen, and yes those are sky lights! Downstairs is a place that rents kayaks and bicycles, but there are tons of shops (some aren't open yet, but will be by May 1). We made pals with the pizza shop guys (they even hooked us up on our bill!) and all of the people we've seen around here are under 30! And everyone has dogs!

We still have lots of organizing to do, but we're getting settled in. We took Maverick out today for his 5th birthday and he learned a whole new game of "catch the sea shell" on his first ever trip to the beach! Of course, he was tired out after all of his running around, and spent all afternoon on his gigantic, plush dog bed, watching us unpack! By the way, the beach is 5 minutes away, I love that part :)

Once we're all set up and have a second to relax, there will be pictures posted, but we've got a ways to go! Stay tuned :)

All Packed Up and Ready to Go!

Ben and I spent all day packing up the U-haul with all of the furniture and other good stuff that we're taking up to NC. We sure are beat, but I wanted to post some pictures of this apparatus because we are traveling in style let me tell ya!

The itinerary is to leave Atlanta in the morning, stop by Fayetteville and stay with Matt, and then head straight to Corolla on Saturday morning, in time to pick up keys at the new pad and get all moved in. We're so excited :)

Yesterday, we had a relaxing day, so that we could get back into the grind today- Ben took me to the High Museum of Art, downtown, and we had a lovely time! I snapped a picture of the Olympic Torch from the 1996 games during our outing. Way bigger than it looked on tv, don't ya think?

Tuesday is Departure Day

Much packing, several going away parties, and sheer excitement have been leading up to D-Day (that's Departure Day) on Tuesday. I'm putting the final stuff in boxes today, running a million errands around town, and hitting up the beach with friends to wind down my days here in Naples. The sun is brilliantly hot this morning, I've hung the laundry on the clothesline, Otis is enjoying his breakfast in the yard, and I'm beginning the task of fitting everything in the car. Deep cleaning the house is the next thing. Good times around here!

I will truly miss my friends in Florida... but I know that we will all keep in touch and visit each other often. For someone who dispised Naples for the first 12 months of my stay here, I've really come around and have grown to love this beachy paradise. BUT... I'm so excited about a new chapter in life that begins 1200 miles north of here- OBX, here we come!

New Kids are Back

Remember these guys? If you are an 80's child, these kids will forever have a place in your heart... THE NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK ARE BACK TOGETHER AND ON TOUR! Check out the story here at the offical nkotb.com webpage. How exciting!!
How old does it make you feel to hear this is the 20th anniversary of Hangin' Tough? Check out a video of their big announcement on the Today Show here. Pretty spiffy!

Dave & Jodi's Wedding

Ben and I celebrated Dave and Jodi's wedding in Washington DC this past weekend. It's such a beautiful time of year there with all of the cherry trees in blossom! The reception was on the 14th floor of the Key Bridge Marriot in Arlington so we enjoyed seeing the city lights from the dining area. Jodi was gorgeous in her lovely dress and Dave was sharp in his tux. It was so nice to see Dave's family and our friends from high school and to show off Ben to everyone :)

We had the pleasure of seeing the city a bit as well. We strolled through the Smithsonians and walked the Mall. People were flying kites aroudn the Washington Monument, which was really cool to see people outside having fun on a Sunday when I was FREEZING my BUTT off since I'm not used to cold (40s) and brisk wind!

Ben and I tried to go to Ford's Theatre (but it was closed for renovation) so we visited "the house where Lincoln died" right across the street. It was a tiny little place (see plaque to read more info).

On my way home I met Katie Couric in the airport; I'm such a fan! I've watched the Today Show religiously for years and its just not the same without her. I've actually met her before, outside of Rockefeller Center in NYC, many years ago, and ran into Al Roker in Charleston on King Street one day. If only I could run into Matt Lauer somewhere...