Wineaux Suggestions

I LOVE this wine! I bought it thinking it was another kind I'd had, but this rocked! It's perfect for summertime.

Chief Tonto and Pocahontas Do Asheville

Matt and I went to Asheville for the weekend back in May/June. We rented a tipi where I blogged about here. WOW! It was cool! Or should I say HOW. That's the only Indian word I know how to say so it was repeatedly said all weekend. Let's just say that the headdresses were a hit! Instead of talking about everything we did, I'm going to let the pictures talk and tell you we had a blast even if it was just the two of us!

We also went and toured the Biltmore. I have wanted to see this place ever since the movie Richie Rich was filmed there. Let's just say I have found my summer home, but don't fret, visitors are welcome.

Mississippi Life In The Cabin

Cleaning Off My Camera - Austin's Graduation

I should be written up and suspended. This is WAY overdue. It's embarassing how much I've neglected this blog. I don't even know where to start, it's been so long. I have folders of pictures on my desktop in a folder called "Need to Blog".

I think the oldest are from my brother's graduation. Here they are.....I'm counting them as my graduation photos because I was so obese in mine I burned them all. Plus, I partied that night like it was my graduation! Here are the before pictures...

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/sD7rs7QPYrhQmmLUyunqeYj32T-wydR8oX7QILjp8ug?feat=directlink

I've blogged about him in the past and some of his reporting work he's done. Well, since I've neglected the blog for so long, I can now report that he has a job. Yes. Within a month of him graduating, he got his dream job. Lucky duck. Watching his first newcast, I cried I was so happy for him. Crazy how things happen and watching him on TV. Enough already, here's the little bro....

http://www.wdam.com/video?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=5991341

Way to go bro!

Austin - The Great Communicator

I meant to post this a month ago and thought I did....well, here it is even if it is late!

My dad once referred to my brother as "The Great Communicator". This was said in the most sarcastic voice. If there was a sarcastic font, it'd be used now. Not to get off on a tangent, but they should create a sarcastic font to go right beside the italics icon. Maybe that will be my million dollar idea and I'll no longer have to set an alarm, pack a lunch and sit at a desk from 8AM-5PM. Just let me dream.

Focus. Back to Austin. His phone is always on silent, he rarely answers and responds to texts after you've found your answer or his girlfriend responded. Needless to say, he's not exactly the greatest communicator when it comes to his family, but apparently he doesn't hesitate to put all of his communication skills into one basket - his school projects.

In a previous blog post, I mentioned him being modest as a mouse, receiving a letter from his school about winning the Outstanding Senior in Broadcast Journalism award. Not only did he win this award, but they also presented him with the Best Sports News Package of the Year at USM award. Last weekend, he won 1st and 3rd place for the Mississippi Associated Press Awards. His resume is stacked full of awards, honors and experience. He really likes to downplay his smarts, but he's kicked some booty and deserves a shout out. Check out this article that mentions all of his recent awards.

Here's to you little brother! Congrats on graduation and may the realization of how much the real world stinks and the realization of college was the life not hit you as hard as it hit me.

I wouldn't know what it's like to be presented with an award, much less, to not have to desperately think of something to put in my Awards and Activities section of my resume. I'm sure it comes as a surprise to all of you, but I'm slightly jealous. Just slightly. I'll stick to my theory and keep telling myself it's ok because I got the looks and he got the smarts.

In all seriousness, Austin, I'm so proud of you and know you have the talent to succeed in any job you pursue. I love you and wish you the best. I leave you with these words of advice:

"Find a job you love and you'll never have to work a day in your life."

Summer Vacation

Yes, I'm alive. I have neglected this blog and I'm currently taking a break. Let's just call it summer vacation, yet I still go to work. I'm just neglecting my responsibilities like blogging. I shall return soon.

It's Tipi Time!!!!!!

It's Tipi Time!!!!!! (said in a Jersey Shore accent)

Yes, ladies and gents, this is the big weekend. I will be a temporary Indian. Matt and I are almost packed and ready to go. Headdresses in tow. We're hoping to get that perfect Christmas card shot. I'm trying to figure out what to do without a hairdryer and A/C. I'm venturing outside this box I call Leighanne Land. Wish me luck!

Next up, next weekend that is, we'll be staying in The Shack Up Inn for a wedding where Matt will be marrying his two friends. Next, next up.....Matt becoming ordained will be a future blog post when I have additional time.

Stand By

I promise I'm still alive. I traveled cross country last week/beginning of the week. I went to Memphis, Austin's graduation, partied like I graduated, then I went home and now I'm back in Nashville training. Needless to say, put a fork in me, I'm done. Pooped. Exhausted. Tired. Worn out. Spent.

You'll be seeing more of me again shortly.

Please standby. In the words of Sam & Dave, "Hold on, I'm coming!" 

I had to add this picture.....it cracks me up!

New Day, New Job

Made it to Memphis without using floatation devices - check.

Arrive on my first day of training in a timely manner - check.

Get to know those at the office - check.

Make it through the day without being overwhelmed - check.

First day on the new job - success.

All-in-all, everyone is down-to-earth, humorous, outgoing and extremely friendly. Let's see how the rest of the week goes!

Should I Stay or Should I Go

For those of you who don't already know, I accepted a new job! It was handsdown, one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make. I'd say it made it in the top five - no, top three. Don't ask me what the other two are, I'm just assuming there are others out there.

I've never been one who liked people telling me what to do - that actually makes me do the opposite. But, in this rare instance, I was begging my parents to tell me what to do. I've never wanted them to be before, now I do and they say it's my decision. Really?!? We prayed about it, but I really just hoped God would drop a boulder in front of me with a post-it that said "stay" or "go". Unfortunately, this never happened, so the ball was in my court.

I have become so close with some of my current co-workers. They have taken me under their wing and become my Nashville family. They are some of the most amazing, thoughtful, caring and people I've met and I thank God everyday for bringing them into my life. We have learned, laughed and cried together. This is what made this decision so hard. Ultimately, I decided I can't let these three people be the reason I stay in a job I'm not satisfied with. One door may be closing and another opening, but those people brought into my life - no matter what side of the door they're on - will never be forgotten.

Ok. Down to the nitty gritty - I'll be working for a company based out of Memphis. No, I will not be moving. I'll be their Account Coordinator for one of their major accounts headquartered here in Nashville. I'm excited and nervous all at the same time. I can't help but wonder if I made the right decision, but I can't live with regrets so I just have to go for it. I never know where life may take me, the unknown is what scares the daylights out of me, but in the end, I know it will all work out.

I am extremely fortunate that I had to make a decision between two jobs, rather than be without one, but I am emotionally exhausted! This roller coaster/seesaw ride has just about done me in.

Moving forward, in the next couple of weeks I'll be in Memphis for training (where I'll be able to see my dear friend Lenzi and her family - so excited!). I'll be there for two weeks of training and the weekend in between I'll be traveling to Mississippi for my brother's college graduation. I can't believe he's graduating and going into the real world. This makes me feel old. Anyways, I just wanted to warm you I may be absent for a while, but will try and continue posting in the midst of the new, exciting yet scary changes I've made in this overserved life of mine.

I miss the days when my biggest decision was what I wanted to drink that night at the bar.

Cheers to new beginnings!