Archive for Lists

Reflecting on 2008

January 6, 2009 · Filed under Confection Company, Family Stuff, General, Lists, Melissa's Wedding

I am not quite sure if I am getting old and my memory is starting to go or if this has been a pretty boring year.  I have sat here racking my brain trying to think of all the great (and even not-so-great) things that happened with our family in 2008. 

  • Probably the most exciting and time-consuming event was my sister’s wedding.   We love our new brother-in-law, niece, and nephew!!  They are a great addition to our family.
  • We were devastated when I lost my job over the summer, but felt so blessed when I found a new one a few months later. 
  • This is the first year probably in my entire life that I did not go to the beach.  The last time we were there was Labor Day 2007, which feels like forever ago.  That is why one of my resolutions is to slow down a little and take more time for ourselves — a beach trip will definitely be in our near future. 
  • The family Savannah trip – The only place we did get to visit this year was Savannah in mid March for my Granny’s 76th Birthday.  It was one of the greatest trips ever!  Savannah has long been a special place for Jonathan and me, but now it is special for my whole family.  He wants to move there so bad he can hardly stand it!
  • THE Driver’s Permit — In October, Phillip got his driver’s permit.  That makes him a grown up now — didn’t you realize that?  Me either!  He is doing a great job, however.
  • Jonathan left the fire department – After 20 years as a volunteer fireman, Jonathan hung up his turn-out gear for the last time this year.  I think, more than anything, he just needed a break.  I actually hope he will decide to return in a few years. 
  • The Confection Company grew tremendously — In this failing economy, 2008 was actually a really great year for the Confection Company.  We added a lot of new products, did several new shows, and now have the excitement of moving!  I predict that 2009 will hold even more surprises!
  • Another year and no baby — This is probably the saddest part of my year for me personally.  Each year around this time, my mom tells me that this will be “our year” and “it’s going to happen…I just know it will,” but each year she is wrong (usually just about this; she is usually right about everything else), but I am praying will all my heart that this will be the year she is right and we will find a way to bring a new little one into our lives. 
  • Since Jonathan and I have been together, we have had a difficult time finding a church where we can both be happy.  A nice blend of the churches from our past.  Little did we know that a church unlike any other we have ever attended would fit the bill!  Brick City Community Church has been a blessing to us both and I hope 2009 will allow us the time and resources to become even more involved. 

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Things I love about Sanford

May 26, 2008 · Filed under Downtown Sanford/Lee County, Lists

Melissa at I am the Mama had a great post today about the things she loves in Sanford.  She and I attended the 2nd Century meeting Thursday night and it really made me think about the great places in our town. 

I was born and raised in Sanford and remember a time when I couldn’t wait to get out.  I wanted to move to a big city and get as far away from Sanford as possible.  Some of my friends did just that – they left and never looked back.  I have often heard the comment that I “was stuck in Sanford” or “never escaped,” but I don’t feel that way at all. 

1.  One of the 2nd Century questions was “If you sent a friend a postcard of Sanford, what would be on the postcard?”  — My list was quite long — Endor Furnace (Jonathan used to play there as a child and has great memories and stories passed on to him about the furnace), the camelback bridge (another place from Jonathan’s childhood.  He talks about fishing and taking a john boat there and all the “creatures” they would find.  When we go there now, it is just such a peaceful place and a great spot for a picnic), Depot Park (simply stunning!), Temple Theater (more about that below), a view of downtown (of course including Shops of Steele Street, DWA Photography, and Carolina Sporting Goods – I love all three of those buildings), the old Coca-Cola building (in my opinion, the coolest building in Sanford), and the old city hall.

2.  They also asked about characters in town or funny stories.  When my granny talks about the Temple Theater, she always recalls her days as a teenager when the picture shows were there and that was where she did her courtin’.  If those walls could talk!  With me being from Lemon Springs, I love the stories of how folks would take the train to Lemon Springs to stay and take advantage of the “therapeutic” hot springs.  I wish they were still there! 

Jimmy Haire was mentioned several times at the meeting, and to me, he is one of the characters living here in Sanford.  He has probably taken every Sanford native’s picture more than once.  During that time, you hear tales of Sanford’s history (some true and so many not so true!).  I remember looking at The Sanford Herald as a child and it seemed he was always at every wreck, storm aftermath, celebration, or any other “event” in Sanford/Lee County.  The pictures from that time were amazing and many of them hang in his studio today and silently speak volumes about Sanford’s past. 

3.  My personal Sanford favorites: 

  • You can’t be a show at the Temple Theater.  It is a beautiful place with a great history, and it brings A LOT of business to downtown.
  • As above, Endor Furnace, Camelback Bridge, Depot park, the Coca-Cola building, old town hall, and the other historic downtown buildings are amongst some of my favorite places. 
  • Restaurants – I remember being a child and wanting so bad to carve my name in the booths at Yarborough’s Ice Cream, but being to afraid to ever do it.  I eat at Big T’s every chance I get.  My dad always talks about flipping burgers there as a teenager when it was Duke’s.  I have loved the Dairy Bar for as long as I can remember.  Our current “special dinner” place is Davison’s.  I will admit that up until a few months ago we always drove out of town for special dinners, but with the price of gas, that is now a rare occurence!  Our entire family loves Ron’s Barn.  I have had more meals than I care to count from the Fastop Grill in Lemon Springs.  You can beat a sandwich and soup from Fresh Choice.  And, of course, our new favorite is Myra’s Kitchen.
  • Shopping – Of course I love Shops of Steele Street — no, not just because we have a shop there, but I truly think it is the most unique shopping experience in Sanford.  It is not a place you should just run in and out of, but actually take your time and look through each “booth” as if you were walking in and out of seperate shops.  I have shopped there since it opened and am so proud to be a shop owner there.  I also love our Hallmark shop.  It is one of the best Hallmarks ever!
  • Salons – Meredith Neal Sercy at Illusions is by far the best hairdresser I have ever been to and I have A LOT of hair and it is quite a job for whomever does it!  Erin Lutterloh on Tramway Road has been one of my very best friends for as long as I can remember and is by far the best massage therapist in Sanford. 
  • Edited to add — Jay Riley so kindly reminded me that I overlooked something/someone so, so special to me…Dr. Patterson at The Family Doc and Natural Balance Medical Spa.  I love Dr. Patterson and his whole family (Jay is okay too I guess – just kidding Jay).  Dr. P honestly takes care of us as if we were his children and makes us feel like we can call on him any time day or night.  If you ask me about him or his office, be prepared for me to talk your ear off.  I could talk for hours about what a good man and great physician he is.  And for the spa, even though I do love Erin (those months of free massages during massage school were a great bribe!), I also have a special connection with Natural Balance.  If you book a treatment there, be ready for a little snack, as they serve my Carolina Cake Truffles each day complimentary with your service!  They also do an orange-infused water that I love and is very refreshing.  Allison Poteat, the new medical massage therapist, does a superb job and is very focused on making your time there just about you.  I leave so relaxed I can hardly drive home!

 

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Six Things

April 22, 2008 · Filed under Lists

Six Things

 

Kim Pritt tagged me so now you get to know 6 random things about me.

1. I will not walk over sidewalk grates or manholes.  I go out of my way to walk around them. 

2. I love, love, love to play board games (my favorites are Pictionary, Cranium, Catch Phrase, and Scene It).  It is a great way for us to spend time with Brandon (our oldest) and his girlfriend.

3. I am a huge germaphobe!!  If I think too much about it it drives me crazy! (that should make Amy’s Confection Company customers feel very secure in their purchase!)

4. My degree is in horticulture — go figure!

5. Despite the huge amount of cake I make each and every day, I don’t really eat cake!

6. In addition to Amy’s Confection Company, I also still work a full-time job as a medical transcriptionist.

Six rules for those of you who were tagged:

1. Link to the person who tagged you.

2. Post the rules on your blog.

3. Write six random things about yourself.

4. Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.

5. Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.

6. Let your tagger know when your entry is up.

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The Hubby Meme

April 20, 2008 · Filed under Lists

I really enjoyed reading the answers on Emily Page’s blog, so I figured I would try it out!

How long did you date? 8 months before we got married, but I think we would have gotten married about two weeks into dating if we could have!

How old is he? 38. He is so much closer to 40 than me (which I remind him often)!
Who eats more? Definetely Jonathan — he usually finishes my plate for me!

Who said “I love you” first? It was more of a conversation than I said/he said after the same friend who set us up asked us each if we were into the whole “I love you part yet.”

Who is taller? Him just barely.  In heels I am taller.

Who sings better? Such a close tie.  I think each of us sound best when we are singing together!

Who is smarter? I think it is a tie.

Whose temper is worse? Depends on what day it is!

Who does the laundry? We both do, but here lately it seems he has had to do it a lot more than me (hooray!).

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? He does
Who pays the bills? We both do

Who cooks dinner? Typically me, but he is a really good cook.

Who drives when you are together? Always him.  I hate to drive.  I wish I could win the lottery and hire a chauffeur for when Jonathan is at work.

Who is more stubborn? Me, me, me

Who kissed who first? It was so him!
Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? Usually him.

Whose parents do you see the most? Mine, because they are within walking distance

Who proposed? He did – in front of Dr. Patterson’s hormone seminar with 300 hormonal women watching and screaming!

Who is more sensitive? It is a close tie

Who has more friends? He definitely knows more people (he knows everyone!), but I have closer relationships.

Who has more siblings? Equal – each with one sister

Who wears the pants in the family? We each share one leg!

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