"ie" Adventures

Dear Dacia

2010-09-02T23:48:00.000-04:00

http://blogs.fpcgreensboro.org/ashlie/2010/09/dear-dacia.html

(From DGH Team) White River Idol

2010-07-20T19:38:00.002-04:00

I wasn’t sure if this trip could get much better after a rough start, then doing a shark cage dive and meeting Desmond Tutu but tonight was another incredible night.

After a day of souvenir shopping with the kids we got ready for White River Idol, a talent show of local kids to raise money for Hands at Work that Paul and Mike Matthews organized. The level of talent was amazing. I thought that I was just going to be taking pictures but I was informed that I was going to be the MC for the evening. Not sure how I got that job, I guess I drew the short straw. The crazy thing is that I don’t remember every drawing any straws.

I received the list of acts with a brief description right before the show started so I was flying blind. Nobody had thought about recording the event on video or audio so Marty and Lexx jumped into action. Mr. Gadget figured out how to patch into their sound system and we had multiple video camera running during the show.

Lou, Lynne and Melissa worked the box office. All of the sudden it was show time with MC Green and the White River Idol. The local acts were incredible, with singing and dancing.

The Globetrotters stepped on stage and blew it away. Their act started with a poem that they had written about Dustin’s GreenHouse with a harmonica accompaniment by Lexx, then they broke into their step dance as the recited Invictus. It was awesome!

Here is the poem out Globetrotters wrote:

Out of tragedy seeds are sown

By the mends of the Green’s their faith is known

And through their efforts our lives have grown

Over the ocean and across new lands

We lay God’s blanket with giving hands

His loving wildness inspires our plans

This journey will forever change our lives

Through planes and sharks, we have survived

We thank our leaders with this surprise

Hope Grows Here

As the show finished our kids ran up on stage and started dancing which prompted all the other acts to join them. The night finished with all the kids who participated dancing on the stage. I can’t wait until you get to see the film, it is amazing! I love these kids!!!!

A Month in Review

2010-07-12T17:27:00.000-04:00

I have not been the best about blogging on the odds and ends that are going on in our lives lately. Now that my part-time "stay at home"/part-time "world traveling" husband is officially back to work I thought I would share a quick recap of the past few weeks.

We have officially launched The Village (www.dustinsvillage.org). This is an all-girls supplement to Dustin's GreenHouse that focuses on changing the power of influence in the lives of teenage girls. We have a team of 12 students that meets collectively twice a month, once for life coaching exercises and once for service based learning. Each student is also paired with a mentor and our mentor-pairings participate in weekly activities: phone calls, text messages, dinners, cooking classes, etc. We've been up and running for about three months now and the experience has been incredible. Our girls are learning so much about themselves, some are participating in summer internships and they are in the process of making a significant contribution to a local organization called Kids Path. (More on that soon!)

Dustin's GreenHouse is also going full-steam ahead! The 2010 team leaves for South Africa today! I am so proud of the program my parents and the other leaders have put together. The Globetrotter Program continues to break barriers and introduce students to life-changing environments. If you'd like to learn more about the 2010 kids, here is a link to their profile page: http://www.dustinsgreenhouse.org/2010-globetrotters.html and they will be sharing their journeys on www.hopegrowshere.blogspot.com.

On a family front, I had the unique privilege of having my husband home for a couple week-days in June and July. Prior to his trip to South Africa for the World Cup, he was in Greensboro for an entire week! And following his return I got him for another 5 days straight. It was bliss! We had dinner together, did chores, played chess, rocked on the front porch, talked, played with Addie, went on date nights, played golf, visited parents... We were like normal married people!

As I alluded to above, Mike headed to South Africa June 25th - July 6th where he joined the soccer crazies - vuvuzelas, Shakira's "Waka, Waka" and all! You'll have to ask him to tell you some of his stories. (They are hilarious and I fear I won't do them justice if I try to re-tell them here.) I will tell you that he said the Ghana v. Uruguay game was one of the best soccer matches he has ever been to in his entire life. Other memories involved late night clubbing, hanging with kids, scalping tickets, drinking and driving, a disruptive "chicken," chasing Africans on foot, paying people to not rob your car and spotting the big 5.

Since Mike was away over the 4th of July, a dear friend of mine adopted me for the holiday weekend. In somewhat last-minute fashion (big surprise) I spent part of the weekend with her and her mom at Lake Raybun in Georgia. Talk about Americana... holy cuteness! It was like stumbling upon hidden treasures. Families were everywhere, grills were hot, boats and boat docks were adorned in red, white and blue. We went to a blue-grass community picnic Saturday night and to boat church on Sunday morning. I wish I would have had my camera (it was with Mike in SA); the experience was truly unreal. After a big breakfast Sunday morning we headed back North East to meet the other side of her family in Grandfather Mountain. (No, it really does not get more perfect!) We spent the next two days enjoying more food, family and fireworks. We even got a round of golf in on Monday, and believe it or not, I was about 6 inches away from having my first hole-in-one!

So that pretty much concludes the past month weeks in our world. I will do my best to get a few pictures up soon. Don't forget to keep your eyes on hopegrowshere.blogspot.com. Their adventures promise to put mine to shame!

2010-07-11T22:11:00.001-04:00

I have washed the same load of clothes 3 times now! RIDICULOUS! Laundry and my schedule... they do not mix!

Wyndham Championship Partners with Kevin Harvick Foundation and Technology Concepts & Design

2010-07-09T10:11:00.000-04:00

GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Wyndham Championship is partnering with the Kevin Harvick Foundation and Technology Concepts & Design for the PGA TOUR event’s Monday pro-am, it was announced today. The 71st annual Wyndham Championship is set for Aug. 16-22, 2010 at Sedgefield Country Club.

The Kevin Harvick Foundation Pro-Am presented by Technology Concepts & Design is set for Monday, Aug. 16. This special event will feature PGA TOUR professionals, multiple NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers and other amateurs. Kevin Harvick will be joined by fellow NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers Elliott Sadler and Scott Speed. In addition, NASCAR show cars will be on display at Sedgefield Country Club that day. Admission to the Kevin Harvick Foundation Pro-Am is just $15.

Harvick and his wife, DeLana, founded the Kevin Harvick Foundation earlier this year to support programs that enrich the lives of children throughout the United States. The Foundation strives to help underprivileged children realize their goals.

“I want to thank Mark Brazil and everyone else at the Wyndham Championship for giving the Kevin Harvick Foundation this opportunity,” Harvick said. “There are a lot of kids who have dreams of becoming a race car driver, a policeman, a doctor or scientist but don’t see a way to achieve those dreams. DeLana and I want to provide opportunities to children who might not realize their potential and give them the courage to pursue their dreams.”

Harvick, who currently leads the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series point standings, is a 13-time race winner in NASCAR’s elite series. He has also been part of three NASCAR Nationwide Series championships, winning the title outright in 2001 and ‘06 and co-driving for the owners-only championship in 2003.

“We are looking forward to a rewarding relationship with Kevin and his foundation,” Wyndham Championship tournament director Mark Brazil said. “Kevin and DeLana have great plans for the foundation, and we are honored to partner with them. With their support of Victory Junction and other children’s charities throughout the Piedmont Triad, we feel very fortunate to have the Kevin Harvick Foundation associated with the Wyndham Championship. I believe this is the first concrete relationship between a PGA TOUR event and a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver’s foundation, and we are happy to have it.”

Technology Concepts & Design, Inc. (TCDI) was founded in 1988 to provide business and government clients with advanced application and system design services. Today, the company is recognized as a leader in the litigation software and services market, serving many Fortune 500 companies and AmLaw 200 law firms who operate in some of the most complex legal environments in the world.

“Technology Concepts & Design has been a big supporter of the Wyndham Championship for a few years now,” Brazil said. “We appreciate their continued support and their decision to step up as the presenting sponsor of the Kevin Harvick Foundation Pro-Am. We are happy to continue working with Bill Johnson and his team at TCDI.”

The 2010 Wyndham Championship is set for Aug. 16-22 at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, N.C. Tickets are available at www.wyndhamchampionship.com <http://www.wyndhamchampionship.com/> or through the tournament office. The tournament thanks title sponsor Wyndham Worldwide and Premier Partners, BB&T, Flow Automotive, Harris Teeter and VF Corporation for their continued support. Additional tournament information, including ticket packages and sponsorship information, is available at www.wyndhamchampionship.com <http://www.wyndhamchampionship.com/> or through the tournament office at (336) 379-1570. For more information about Wyndham Worldwide, please visit www.wyndhamworldwide.com <http://www.wyndhamworldwide.com/> .

About Kevin Harvick Foundation:

Established in 2010 by NASCAR Sprint Cup Driver Kevin Harvick and his wife, DeLana, the mission of the Kevin Harvick Foundation (KHF) is to support programs that enrich the lives of children throughout the United States. The foundation works to not only improve the quality of life, but to help underprivileged youth find and realize their dreams by supporting programs such as the Kevin Harvick Athletic Scholarship Fund at California State University, Bakersfield, a camper cabin at Victory Junction, Baptist Children’s Homes of NC, Boys & Girls Clubs and Kevin’s Krew.

New DGH Facebook Page...

2010-06-30T08:01:00.000-04:00

Become a fan: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dustins-Greenhouse/103825472998677?ref=ts

Kates & Cory, Mike & Me

2010-06-29T23:57:00.003-04:00

Village Voices (Week of June 29, 2010)

2010-06-29T23:45:00.002-04:00

The following is a weekly piece that Ashley sends out to our Village mentors. The goal is to help keep everyone informed of team activities. I am so thankful for our incredible volunteers and so proud of our students that I'd like to start sharing "Village Voices" with you...

Weekly Inspiration:
“Just for today I will… Choose and display the right attitudes. Determine and act on important ideas. Know and follow healthy guidelines. Communicate with and care for my family. Practice and develop good thinking. Make and keep proper commitments. Earn and properly manage finances. Deepen and live out my faith. Initiate and invest in solid relationships. Plan for and model generosity. Embrace and practice good values. Seek and experience improvements. Act on these decisions and practice these disciplines, and then one day I will see the compounding results of a day lived well.”
~John C. Maxwell

Recent Activities:

Betsy and Audra are continuing resume work and internship focus.
Monisola and Kris had lunch at Biscuit Factory last Monday, took pics, and completed their questionnaire.
Hannah, Elizabeth, and Ashlie went to the Farmers Market on Saturday morning.
Frankie and Quana helped at the DGH Special Persons Dinner on Saturday Night. (Elizabeth and Ashlie attended as guests.)
Ash and Ash are guiding Genny through the internship process.
Nikki attended Freshman Orientation at South Carolina on June 20-21.
Johnisha is at A&T orientation.
Howard had lunch with Johnisha and a cousin last Friday. The goal is driver’s license in July!
Lara has been working closely with Frankie on details and logistics for her spaghetti dinner (see below.)
Hannah is in Georgia at Young Life camp until Sunday.
Monisola and Ricky have left for July.
Nikki leaves on July 1st for a 5-week trip to Greece.
Kathleen is back from an incredible week of service and heading to the beach with her family. Let’s remember all these girls in our thoughts and prayers as they travel.

Up & Coming:

Frankie’s spaghetti dinner is next Tuesday, July 6th. Tickets are $10 and will be held at Valleybrook Special Event Center, time TBA. Maximum seating of 40 people.
Service Based Learning Saturday, July 10th at Kids Path from 11-2
Dustin’s Village Monthly Meeting, July 21st at Junior League Headquarters, 6:30 – 8 PM. Our monthly topic: Dreams vs. Goals (Dreamboarding with mentors and students! More to follow…)

A little happy...

2010-06-24T10:26:00.002-04:00

Make time to “hear the sweet music God whispers when you fall asleep at night.”

2010-06-23T17:19:00.000-04:00

When I decided to kick-off “momentary sabbaticals” two weeks ago, I pulled some old books out of the drawer by my bed. They were books that have offered inspiration in the past but (unfortunately) they have not recently been given the chance to see the light of day. The passage below is from one of those books. I stumbled upon it indirectly Monday morning and was struck by its intense relevance and specificity. (Click here for the rest)

A Great Kind of War!

2010-06-21T17:30:00.002-04:00

On Tuesday, June 29th The Bistro at Adams Farm is having a RESTAURANT WAR.

For those who are unfamiliar with this concept, it breaks down to a BIG trading of places. For one night, The Bistro's head chef, Kristina Fuller and her culinary crew will drop their cutlery and leave their stove tops in exchange for serving trays and some customer facing. Likewise, the maître d’ and her wait staff will head to the kitchen tasked with everything from menu design through to "order-up" preparation.

The Bistro is never shy of friendly faces, entertainment or excellent food. They are also incredibly philanthropic, and in that light will be donating 15% of the night's proceeds to Dustin's GreenHouse.

So for a number of reasons, please call and reserve your space before it's too late! This is one you really don't want to miss.
xo,
Ashlie

Reservations: 336.294.4610 (Make sure to tell Rhonda I sent you!)
Entrée prices will range from $15-$17.

5710 High Point Road
Greensboro, NC 27407
www.thebistroatadamsfarm.com

Words of wisdom

2010-06-15T07:17:00.001-04:00

"You will achieve your grand dream a day at a time, so set goals for each day. Not long and difficult projects, but chores that will take you, step by step, toward your rainbow. Write them down, if you must, but limit your list so that you won't have to drag today's undone matters into tomorrow. Remember that you cannot build your pyramid in twenty-four hours. Be patient. Never allow your day to become so cluttered that you neglect your most important goal: to do the best you can. Enjoy this day, and rest satisfied with what you have accomplished." OM

Rocking Spaces

2010-06-10T00:55:00.000-04:00

I spent some time on our front porch last night rocking and thinking. I had a chocolate chip cookie, a mug of mandarin tea and Addie resting contently at my feet. It was warm, but comfortable, and other than the sound of the breeze and the bullfrogs croaking in the creek nearby, everything was quiet. I made a mental note, "this is powerfully perfect." (More if you are interested...)

A few pics from the first triathlon, which I loved.

2010-06-07T23:40:00.000-04:00

The PAM application...

After I got the wetsuit on correctly - first attempt was backwards. Very embarassing!

One of those splashes is me...

A VERY slow transition.

Cannot wait to do another one. Think I will actually train a little this time.

Job opportunity with the company I work for...

2010-05-25T16:29:00.000-04:00

TCDI has an open Technical Support Analyst position. A brief job description is as follows:

Answer all incoming support calls, address client concerns and follow through on client needs. Work closely with Project Management and Second Level Support to troubleshoot and resolve any issues that arise during day to day operations. Monitor and handle user email requests. Document all calls, requests, and incidents. Perform user account creation, maintenance, and deletion. Prepare and maintain SOPs.

Primary hours for the open position are 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with the flexibility to work other hours and shifts based on client and company needs. The position requires the ability to provide after hours, on call assistance on weekends and occasionally during the week.

Let me know if you're interested. xo-Ash

16 and incredible!

2010-05-20T00:29:00.001-04:00

One of our Village girls, Genny Parshley, has played an instrumental role in helping Invisible Children get to this much needed point. Her passion, compassion and beautiful brilliance astound me. Check this out... she started at Page High School, she scooped me up on the way, and she's one of the millions working behind the scenes to encourage congress to talk about something we should all be very concerned with. http://blog.invisiblechildren.com/2010/05/pres-obama-please-make-a-public-statement-about-the-lra/

Could be your "home sweet home!"

2010-05-19T08:56:00.001-04:00

One of my best friend's moms is an interior designer and she has recently gotten into the real estate business. If you know of anyone who is in the market for an adorable house with a newly refurbished interior, check out this adorable spot. (More details here...)

For Mom...

2010-05-14T10:28:00.000-04:00

I am the oldest of three kids and was raised in a very close-knit family. Now that my baby sister has graduated from college, and my parents are officially empty nesters, I can see a physical and emotional emptiness that is present in my parents’ lives – my mom’s in particular. They are both really good about staying busy and pursuing hobbies, but not having any of us at home is a big change, and as we all know, change can be difficult. (You know the drill...)

A "Happy Book"

2010-05-08T12:38:00.000-04:00

For some reason the last part of April and the transition into May has been crazy. I feel like I am going 100 miles an hour and being pulled in just about every emotional direction possible. While I recognize the need to pause and catch my breath, slowing pace is not always easy. (More if you are interested...)

Addie Dearest

2010-05-03T23:23:00.002-04:00

I'm sorry, but I am just so in love with this little girl. How can you resist those big, brown eyes!

One of "those" people.

2010-04-30T18:03:00.000-04:00

You know how in life there are people, and then there are “those” people… the special (and sometimes hard to come by) types who have this uncanny way of holding your attention. Perhaps it is their abundance of perspective, or maybe it is their deep seeded passion… regardless, there is something about them that manages to surprise, inspire, challenge and humble you in a remarkable kind-of way. Well, I think most would agree with me in saying Sid Batts is one of “those” people. (More if you are interested...)

Junior League of Greensboro Fall Provisionals - Come one, come all!

2010-04-26T09:43:00.000-04:00

I am Chairing the Junior League of Greensboro's Membership Development Committee next year. That means, on top of what is already an incredibly exciting opportunity, it's going to be filled with even more fun and adventure! (Totally kidding!!! The Junior League of Greensboro's new membership program has a LONG and outstanding history. I am honored to have the opportunity to build upon what so many other incredible women have initiated before me.)

If you are interested in learning more about the Junior League and/or about membership, here is a link to our website and to the new member information packet. (Feel free to call or email me as well.)

www.juniorleagueofgreensboro.org
http://www.juniorleagueofgreensboro.org/content/greensboro/ProvisionalApp-2010.pdf

The ride... "A new kind of journey"

2010-04-24T18:40:00.000-04:00

My husband and I decided to take on a little adventure over the weekend. We cut our work week a day short, flew to Houston, Texas and showed up at a friend of a friend’s house around 11:00pm on Thursday night to pick up two loaner bikes. We then proceeded to join approximately 15,000 other people in an effort to raise money for MS by riding a bike from Houston to Austin, Texas. (Read More...)

The wrong shoe.

Just to give you an idea of how many bikers there were...

Mike and me at lunch on day 1.

Mike after the finish, swearing he will never ride a bike again. :)

One of life's little moments

2010-04-15T21:38:00.002-04:00

Walking through the Houston airport...

I'm farming!

2010-04-14T20:44:00.000-04:00

Fresh lettuce... an assortment of romaine, red leaf, bibb and more! It requires a couple rounds of washing and spinning but it's very, very yummy! I'll let you know if I move beyond a pot to a plot.

An amazing experience "at First" Presbyterian Church

2010-04-07T01:46:00.002-04:00

http://blogs.fpcgreensboro.org/ashlie/2010/04/an-amazing-experience-at-first-presbyterian-church.html

Random thoughts...

2010-04-05T21:57:00.000-04:00

I don’t like being home all alone… Adds is having her hair cut tonight and Mike is away which means I don’t have anyone to talk to.

I found 6 ants in our kitchen on Sunday and now I am paranoid that the whole farm is headed our way. The sinks are plugged, the dishwasher locked and there is no food anywhere on our counters…. crossing my fingers that their little tentacles will choose to sniff elsewhere!

I need to post my church blog entry for tomorrow, which always makes me nervous.

I am soooo excited about Dustin’s Village. We had an amazing volunteer dinner last week and we have our first program meeting on the 21st. The girls will be taking the Myers Briggs test and doing some analysis of their individual family histories. Our goal is that the entire village team will gain a better understanding of why we are who we are.

I miss Easter Sunday. It was perfect on so many levels: the purpose, the weather, the sermon at church, quality time with my husband… I wish it would have lasted forever.

Mike and I are in the midst of a sock project that entails collecting every single black men’s sock in our household and replacing them with one, consistent brand. It will make for sock matching heaven!

There is an amazing movie debuting this weekend called Letters to God. Opening weekend is critically important to films like this. If at all possible, go see this movie this weekend!!! (View the movie trailer: http://www.letterstogodthemovie.com/)

What's wrong with this picture?

2010-04-02T10:05:00.000-04:00

Yes, I definitely walked out of the house with two different shoes on today. Thankfully I realized it before making into the office.

Behind a Prayer

2010-04-02T08:59:00.002-04:00

http://blogs.fpcgreensboro.org/ashlie/

New Pictures of Emerson Violet

2010-04-02T08:55:00.000-04:00

Hook, line and sinker...

2010-04-01T09:43:00.000-04:00

I suck at April Fools! Google got me.

Publish Post

Baby Everhart

2010-03-26T09:05:00.000-04:00

Hope to have more pics by this afternoon, but here is a first peek at Emerson Violet Everhart - who I am calling EV for short.

A Friendly Week

2010-03-24T09:01:00.002-04:00

http://blogs.fpcgreensboro.org/ashlie/2010/03/a-friendly-week.html

A baby is coming!

2010-03-23T22:59:00.001-04:00

Carrie is having contractions. Stay tuned!!!

Self-Examination & Finding Our Core

2010-03-16T23:35:00.000-04:00

A few more thoughts, three weeks in...
http://blogs.fpcgreensboro.org/ashlie/2010/03/selfexamination-finding-our-core.html

A new role :)

2010-03-14T21:44:00.003-04:00

I just spent the past 6 hours acting as the proxy for a friend's husband in hypno-birthing class.

Just imagine the curiousity that materialized in the minds of our classmates when Carli and I walked into class together... And when they pulled out the knitted (sample) uterus and I started asking questions about where your cervical lining dissapears to... And the size of my eyes as we watched live birthing video after live birthing video! Deep breaths (4 seconds in, 8 seconds out).

Despite being a fish out of water, I survived and I actually enjoyed it!
Here are a few tidbits I gathered in class today that I thought my mom-friends would find interesting:

- When you go to a birthing class at the hospital they teach you how to be a good patient. This is not the same thing as teaching someone how to have a great birthing experience.

- Pick a lulabye to sing to your child (in utero) when you are stressed. Use that same song with your child after they are born to calm them down. Likewise, pick a lulabye to sing to your child (in utero) when it's time to go to sleep. Use that same song to help set a good sleep pattern once they are born.

- It IS possible to deliver a baby without tears or cuts. Yes, I am SO going there because I am just learning about all of this stuff myself and I'm in a state of disbelief and shock! (When I tried to tell Mike about this part of class he quickly said, "Ok... too much information," and changed the subject.) For real though, nurses will come into your room and apply hot compresses down there... they will even massage your southern areas in order to create maximum (um) elasticity! Not sure how I feel about any of this, but I guess you have to choose between the lesser of two evils!

- Kids can remember the books you read them while in utero.

- Kids develop a sense of hearing and a sense taste 2-3 months post conception.

- A 12-week old fetus weighs less than an asprin.

- According to wikipedia, a doula is an assistant who provides various forms of non-medical and non-midwifery support in the childbirth process. Don't laugh... I am going to be Carli's doula. :)

Thought for the week...

2010-03-11T16:49:00.000-05:00

Redefining Surrender: www.fpcgreensboro.blog/ashlie

Baptism by Fire?

2010-03-02T17:12:00.001-05:00

Oh boy! I've taken on a new responsibility that is SUPER scary and intimidating... I'm looking for all of the advice (plus TLC) I can get. The church we joined in January has asked me to start a blog. As you know, I love sharing random thoughts and ideas but I have never done so with a faith-based focus (or at least not intentionally). Anyway, they are launching my first post this afternoon. Give it a peek, and if you have any suggestions, please send them my way.

http://blogs.fpcgreensboro.org/ashlie/

P.S. Not a huge fan of the picture but it was out of my control. God's probably sending me a message... humble pie. :)

The 12th UNC Dance Marathon

2010-02-28T22:34:00.000-05:00

24 hours, over 1,000 college-aged dancers, and $421,851.32 raised for the NC Children's Hospital. Truly a night to remember!

You can call me Martha...

2010-02-28T21:54:00.001-05:00

The following pictures aptly represent the difference in my lifestyle and skills and those of some of my closest friends.

Picture 1: My attempt to make heart-shaped (slice-and-bake) cookies for my husband for Valentine’s Day.

Picture 2: The desert Carli brought to my house for our girls dinner… it is the first cake she decorated in her cake baking class!

Mike Hearts Curling

2010-02-20T13:28:00.002-05:00

My husband LOVES watching curling. He likes the game so much that during the winter Olympics it consumes a ridiculous amount of space on our DVR and an unhealthy amount of our marital conversation.
Recap of last night...

I was downstairs fixing dinner and hear Mike talking to himself upstairs.
Mike: Where do you go?
Mike: Oh wow...
Mike: YAAAAAAY!!!!

I hear the TV pause and Mike tromping down the back stairs.
Mike: Guess how much a rock weighs?
Me: I have no clue.
Mike: 42lbs. (Begins conversation with himself) They have 8 rocks so that's 336lbs. I wonder if they all have their own set of Rocks... I wonder if they have two sets... because there's a red and yellow set... Curlers must spend a lot of money on gas... Can you imagine carrying 672lbs around in your trunk?
Me: ummm

Flash forward about 10 minutes. We've carried our dinner trays upstairs and Mike has the remote back in-hand. I have given up all hopes of recapping our weeks and try to try to engage in his love of the game, or match, or whatever it's called.

Me: I wonder if Curlers like bowling.
Mike: What?
Me: I just wonder if Curlers meet up and go bowling... it's kind-of similar.
Mike: No it's not. It's like chess.
Me: What?
Mike: It's a game of strategy; it's like chess.
Me: Babe, there's no ice in chess.
Mike: (Dumbfounded, and starting to laugh) I can't argue with that.
Me: Yay, I win!

"We must embrace pain and burn it as fuel for our journey."

2010-02-10T18:50:00.001-05:00

I subscribe to a quote of the day and these were the words of wisdom I was given to ponder this morning.

I live a very blessed life but it does make you think... what are your pains, and more importantly, what is your journey?

Any idea?

2010-02-09T16:47:00.000-05:00

Does anyone remember the picture craze from the early 90's that had everyone staring at a bunch of dots looking for hidden images? What were those things called????

What girls do during the Superbowl

2010-02-07T19:55:00.001-05:00

The babies continue...

2010-02-05T23:05:00.000-05:00

The mother-to-be that I could not mention by name yesterday has revealed her secret. I'm going to let her tell you the same way she told her husband and the rest of the world: http://rebeccasharpe.blogspot.com/

Ironically enough, my sister also emailed this morning with news that her sister-in-law (to-be) is also a fellow mommy-to-be. Another one for the list! (Beginning to wonder if our generation is going to give the baby boomers a run for their money.)

And while I am on the topic of babies, last night I had a dream that I found a little girl in an apartment building. Her name was Saia (pronounced say-a) and she was living in a run-down unit with two old ladies who would smoke cigarettes while feeding the children. I was so appalled with the conditions that I told them I was taking Saia with me. I grabbed the child and ran out.

Earlier tonight I passionately replayed this dream for my sweet husband, at which point he started to laugh!!! There I was, emotionally invested in the well-being of our imaginary child, and all Mike could do was laugh - yes, this definitely pissed me off!

Come to find out Mike had a dream of his own last night. He dreamed I was in a play and that he flew home early to catch the opening show. Because we had both been busy with work, he had not asked a lot of questions about the show, and when he arrived he realized it was a nude play - yes, this definitely pissed him off. :)

P.S. I recognize that it doesn't take a rocket scientist to decipher what has been on each of our minds lately. Sweet dreams!

This is what happens when I am completely unproductive...

2010-02-04T21:50:00.005-05:00

The hubby is stuck in Miami, I have about 100 emails that I need to catch-up on and I am oh-so-distracted. So... I have decided to turn tonight into a completely unproductive evening and share some of the random thoughts that are on my mind tonight.

1) What caused our gas bill to go through the roof last month? Not Kidding!!! Being that Mike travels Monday - Thursday we are technically a one & a half person family occupying a three bedroom house. How can we have a $400+ gas bill? Upon seeing this astronomical expense Sunday afternoon, I raced upstairs and began quizzing my husband on what contributes to a gas bill. Ironically, or not, he had no clue. The only thing we could identify as an absolute factor were our gas logs. So please let me know if you can shed light on this domestic dilemma! Piedmont Natural Gas has to stop pillaging the Bucy household!

2) Babies, babies, babies! I am not exaggerating when I say I am close to being the only woman left in our circle of friends who can still enjoy a glass of wine over dinner. Amidst all of these maternal miracles, I am also gaining a new appreciation for the female body, learning how to navigate through Babies-R-Us despite their cryptic gift registries and showing significant improvement at measuring things in weeks as opposed to “real time.” Here is a start to a list of all my mommies-to-be:

Parker
Cecelia
Amy
Alisha
Hillary
Carrie
Carli
Abby
Kara
Brae
Margaret
Whitney
Emily
Christina
Sheresa
And one to be disclosed next week :)
P.S. Congrats to our newest moms, Emily and Lori!

3) Please let the roads be clear on Saturday afternoon. This is such a vain and selfish request, but every time I schedule an appointment to have my hair cut and highlighted, it snows. I am going to be a brunette by spring time if this continues.

My thoughts on the SotU

2010-02-01T22:27:00.000-05:00

Wondered if Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Biden were intentionally color coordinated. Her purple suit and his purple tie were oh-so-cute.
Not sure how I feel about the tax on big banks. Would love to see a list of which banks he is talking about at the very least.
He went on and on about the massive tax cuts but I have not seen my taxes cut. Did I miss something?
I think it's both arrogant and ignorant to expect an applause for not raising income taxes "by one cent!" I know I sound like a Republican but good grief, I work my @$$ off, accept no federal assistance and have to sit idle while congress gives tax refunds to people who don't even pay taxes in the first place. Could we please edit Einstein's definition of insanity!
I love hearing a charge to STOP partisan bickering. It is too expensive and you are right President Obama, the American people do deserve better.
I love his proposal to eliminate capital gains taxes on investments in small business. Anyone interested in investing in Leopard Umbrella???
Don't Ask, Don't Tell is archaic... glad to see it go!
"Not True" - the entire exchange was shocking!

Welcome back to blogging for me and welcome to 30 for Elena.

2010-01-26T18:06:00.000-05:00

For starters, I apologize for having turned into one of the biggest blog slackers ever. I assure you this absence is not attributed to a lack of activity in the Bucy household. In fact, activity is the problem... there is just way TOO much going on!

Nonetheless, I'm going to make a concerted effort to return to my digital journaling. I'd love for some of you to be able to catch-up on everything that is happening in our lives, and I know Mike and I will appreciate the "scrapbook" of memories in years to come.

So entry #1 in the return of ie Adventures is going to start with pictures from last weekend. One of my best friends from elementary school, Elena Menendez Hume, turned 30. (BTW: yes, this is hard to fathom, and yes this means I too am nearing the third decade of life!) To celebrate this momentous occasion, Elena's adorable husband invited Mollie, Candice Nicole and me to a surprise birthday party at the new Ritz Carlton in Charlotte. If birthdays from here on out end up being anywhere close to as spectacular as Elena's was on Saturday night, I think old age is going to suit me quite well!

Baby Steps

2009-12-21T01:18:00.000-05:00

It’s nearing 1:30am, Band-Aids adorn both of my hands and our playroom is an absolute disaster, but I think I am actually making some progress with regards to my sewing skills. “Yes, you read that right. S-E-W-I-N-G!”

Some of you may recall the last time I decided to dabble in the world of needles and threads. The goal was to make a doggie outfit for Addie; the end result was a ridiculous placemat type-of-thing and a two year hiatus from my sewing machine. (Visual reminder of attempt number 1: http://hopegrowshere.blogspot.com/2008/01/so-long-project-runway.html).

Thanks to some telephone coaching from Missy and an actual tutorial from a new friend at church, I am inching my way closer to producing items that are somewhat normal, one stitch at a time.

P.S. I am well aware of the "growth" bubbling up around the ankle bone area of this stocking. If you run into Heidi, please tell her it's going to be a few more years before I am ready.

Dustin's GreenHouse Wishlist in the News and Record!

2009-12-09T09:26:00.002-05:00

http://www.news-record.com/wishlist

One of those times...

2009-12-08T00:29:00.004-05:00

Sometimes I just feel the need to write. Tonight is one of those times so here begins another stream of conscience.

Sunday School… wow! If you have any preconceived notion of what Sunday School entails, I want you to imagine the exact opposite and that is my Sunday School class. We are a group of strangers turned family, and while we only meet once a week, we are present in each others’ lives 24 x 7. We talk about faith and love, but more importantly, we seek ways to live faithfully and lovingly. I have never felt so close to God. Every day I am thankful for this new group of friends in my life.

Speaking of things that "I am"… I am also scared. We are going through a challenging time with one of our DGH students. Challenging in a way that I have not experienced in my 8 years of doing this type of volunteer work – and believe me, I have seen my fair share of doozies.
It is so hard to know what to do because, admittedly, you cannot relate to the lives that some of these kids lead. For me, it’s like trying to imagine being gay, and black, and homeless. You may laugh, but can you imagine being gay, and black, and homeless?
I wish I had the perfect words. I wish there was a secret recipe. I love this child so incredibly much… why does she refuse to feel that love?

And now on to love… my little sister is so head over heels in love that it makes me proud. Yes, there are an infinite number of emotions you feel when it comes to your little sister getting engaged, but more than anything else, right now I feel proud. I am so incredibly proud of her morals and her values. I am proud of the fact that she pays attention to the details that come with loving another human being, and I am proud of the fact that
she is willing to work to become a better person though this love. Little Birdy, you make me so proud!

Last, but certainly not least, I have to give thanks to my husband. As many of you know, I go at 100 miles an hour. Miraculously, Mike remains one step ahead of me in my quest for life. He is ready to greet me in victory when I succeed, and he is also ready to embrace me in sorrow when I fail. I do not know what I did to deserve such an amazing partner in life, but for the record God, I am VERY, VERY thankful!

Mike's first time ever picking out a Christmas tree!

2009-12-06T22:03:00.001-05:00

I could not believe it when Mike told me he had never been to pick out a Christmas tree. Just another reason this holiday season is going to be extra special.

The perfect gifts this holiday season...

2009-12-01T08:31:00.000-05:00

The gift of listening.

The gift of affection.

The gift of laughter.

The gift of a written note.

The gift of a compliment.

Merry Christmas!!!

Why God?

2009-11-19T21:37:00.000-05:00

Why God? A little girl… a hopeful, beautiful, talented little girl robbed of every shred of innocence, every ounce of humanity.

Why God? A young boy… a frighteningly typical, adolescent boy turned monster. He wanted so badly to be a part of something that he was willing to rape this little girl.

Why God? She is also his cousin.

Why God? I sit here feeling helpless… and hating the fact that I am even trying to use the word “helpless.” That word should be reserved for Megan.

Why God?

A very special trio.

2009-11-13T17:30:00.000-05:00

This pic was taken back in August when Caroline, Ash and I snuck down to Wrightsville for the weekend. I know it's "old news" in terms of blog journaling, but I had to include it for nostalgia purposes. Hoping it becomes the first of many get-aways I will end up sharing with these very special friends.

Boo

2009-10-31T11:08:00.001-04:00

Grace.

2009-10-28T23:08:00.002-04:00

It is a true gift when someone can make you laugh consistently... when someone can encourage you to reflect so introspectively that tears of clarity begin to surface... when someone unknowingly bestows such a sense of peace upon you that it reaches in and touches your soul.

I just spent an evening with that type of friend. A friend who seems to have an endless ability to introduce me to new blessings in life, and a friend who is forever willing to sit across the table and not only catch my dreams, but run alongside of me as I take off in their pursuit.

I write this to say thank you.

Could this be Chapter 3?

2009-10-23T23:50:00.002-04:00

Sometimes life feels achingly paradoxical. It is 10:30 on a Friday night. I have been anxiously awaiting my husband’s return all week, and although he has arrived safely, I just finished eating dinner alone, again.

It would be a generous estimate to say that Mike and I have spent a total of 45 minutes together over the past three weeks. He has been working tirelessly on a McKinsey project, averaging (maybe) one hour of sleep per night. I too have been busy, consumed by work, Dustin’s GreenHouse, Junior League and a weak attempt at “playing mom” to Addie and maintaining our home life.

If this narrative sounds sad and depressing, believe me; it has been gut-wrenchingly difficult for both of us at times. But that is where the paradox comes into play… While I struggle to find quality time with my husband, fret over his jet-setting and insomniatic lifestyle and attempt to juggle all of the balls flying around in my world, I also feel insanely blessed.

When I got home tonight, Mike wrapped his arms around me and just held me until I was ready for him to let go. After being pulled away by a conference call, he came and found me in our bedroom where he stretched out (sideways) on our bed and began eagerly asking about my week. Minutes later, and still sideways, he was fast asleep. Occasionally, he would wake and mumble something about a one-way flight, and about wanting to eat dinner together. Then he would fall right back into his much-needed slumber. By the time dinner was ready, I lacked the heart to wake him. I turned on some music, poured a glass of wine and just started thinking about how outrageously beautiful our life has become.

If this is what my parents meant by “working hard” and “paying your dues,” I think we are headed in the right direction. I am so proud of Mike. I appreciate our health, our home, our wonderful friends, our four-legged little girl and our collective pursuit of big dreams. It may be unconventional and painstakingly difficult at times, but I truly believe we are only a couple of chapters into what will become a beautiful love story.

DGH Highlighted in the Business and Philanthropy Journals:

2009-10-23T09:43:00.002-04:00

Check out the article!

http://philanthropyjournal.org/nc/ncnews/dustin%E2%80%99s-greenhouse-aims-nurture-kids

So you will know what they are poking you with...

2009-10-14T10:46:00.001-04:00

I know a lot of people are lining up to get the newest flu vaccine, and I am hardly a doctor who can advise you one way or another. That being said, I thought it might be good for you to know some of the ingredients in the "fast-tracked" H1N1 Vaccine. Knowledge is power, right!!!

Disodium phosphate: a white powder, water-soluble salt. It is used as an anti-caking additive in powdered products. This inorganic chemical is also used as a fungicide and microbiocide.

Formaldehyde: a known carcinogen and reproductive or developmental toxicant. Interestingly, according to PANNA, in 2007, California used 30,328 pounds of this carcinogen, as a microbiocide [a drug or other agent that can kill microbes] on the top 50 crops grown in the state.(8)

Octoxynol 10: (Also known as Triton X-100) A detergent, emulsifier, wetting and defoaming agent. [Octoxynol-9 is a spermatocide.] It can alter metabolic activity, damage membranes, and cause a rapid decline in cell function.

Polysorbate 80: Also known as Tween 80. It is used as an emulsifier in cosmetics, and is one of the ingredients in Gardasil, the cervical cancer vaccine that is being mandated/promoted for teen-age girls. This ingredient is known to cause infertility, grand mal convulsions, spontaneous abortions, and life-threatening anaphylactic shock. So far, 28 Gardasil deaths have been reported.

Sodium Chloride: Refined table salt. Salt is a naturally occurring complex mineral that balances the water inside and outside our cells. Refined salt, sodium chloride, is chemically treated and contains many other hidden chemicals that destroy natural salt's healing abilities. The body can get most of its daily requirement by eating a well-balanced, organic diet --eliminating processed foods. A good source is untreated, natural sea salt.

Squalene: A natural oil found in sharks (mostly found in their livers) and humans. The American Journal of Pathology (2000) reported that rats injected with squalene triggered "chronic, immune-mediated joint-specific inflammation," i.e., rheumatoid arthritis. How will this affect people who already have an immune inflammation, or will it cause untold new cases (lupus, chronic fatigue)? Squalene is being added to all new vaccines. It is linked to the thousands of military who have contracted "Gulf War Syndrome" and have suffered irreparable auto-immune damage, including lupis, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, and rheumatoid arthritis.(9)

Thimersol: (MERCURY). Put in all multiple doses of vaccines. Any amount of mercury is highly toxic. There is no safe level. This is has been repeatedly linked to the increasing rates of autism, multiple sclerosis, and ADD.(10)

Vitamin E: This anti-oxidant vitamin helps protect the body's red blood cell functions, and helps to oxygenate our tissues. The best sources are from organic, cold-pressed vegetable oils, such as wheat germ, sunflower seeds, and safflower. Vitamin E from corn or soybean oil now often comes from genetically engineered sources.

I miss my husband!

2009-10-13T21:55:00.001-04:00

Addie and I are sitting upstairs next to a warm fire. I am enjoying a glass of wine and doing a little work. Things are ALMOST perfect...

Sweets, if you happen to read this, please know that I am so proud of you. I hope the revenues are rolling up in your models, I hope the segments you were talking about this weekend are starting to make sense and I hope your cell phone battery still has some life left in it at the end of the night. Get some sleep and eat dinner, ok!!!

Skymail

2009-10-01T12:52:00.002-04:00

Dearest Dustin,

I recently heard someone say that death broke their heart into more pieces than they even knew could make-up a heart in the first place. I wish I did not know the feeling! On April 15, my heart shattered into so many pieces that sometimes it still feels like millions of angry soldiers are trying to march right out of my chest. At other times, the pieces feel so small that I wonder if I have any real heartbeat left at all.

It has been seven and a half years. Today would have been your 27th birthday. As I am sure you can see, we are still trying to make sense of everything, and the most out of your earthly presence.

I still find myself wishing God would let you come visit for a day. You could inspire us with stories of divine beauty. You could play golf with dad and grin-and-bear the snuggles of mom. Bird would want to catch-up on your love life, and I could make you dinner (and desert), fix your hair and help you pick out your clothes for tomorrow.

I miss you little brother. I hope the angels are helping you celebrate on this very special day. Happy, happy, happy birthday.

Love, "Ash-tone"

Random observation...

2009-09-29T00:04:00.000-04:00

It is weird that you now have to scroll down to get to the year 1980 in drop-down menus. I feel old!

Are there really only 6 days left in September... how can one month go by so quickly????

2009-09-25T01:46:00.001-04:00

Despite the warp speed at which things have transpired, the past three weeks have proved to be an incredibly productive period in my life. Greatest set of accomplishments revolve around Dustin's GreenHouse! We are growing by leaps and bounds. Check out the DGH site for updates on upcoming events, new activities and some very impressive student accomplishments! I am also proud to say that we have informally launched Leopard Umbrella. My good friend Carli Prillaman is leading this charge; she is already hard at work on several projects.

Bucket List Summary:

Write and mail long-overdue thank you notes: Almost Complete
Read 1) Judgment of Paris: Almost complete and more fascinated by wines than ever. Part of the reason it is taking me so long to finish this book is because it always makes me crave a glass of wine. Once I start sipping, my ability to focus on the fine print goes downhill; I am continually drawn towards people and conversation!
Read 2) So Sexy, So Soon: If I ever finish "Wine" I will start on "Sex"
Catch-up on all things GreenHouse: Great strides! Thank you Ash!!!
House Stuff 1) Make an appointment with an interior decorator: Kara came last week. Talk about a Pandora’s Box! This is going to be a long and expensive process.
House Stuff 2) Get all rooms to a comfortable and functionable point: Much to my husband's dismay, I am sucking wind on this one. It's the Mary Poppins phenomenon... things just keeping coming out of nowhere!
Attend a writing workshop: Signed up for the NC Writer's Network event November 21-22
Start a "Learning Journal": It's on paper, but definitely needs some pretty-ing up! It's something that will always be a work-in-progress.
Finish planters in front yard: The gardening to-do's are increasing... for some reason I bought 90 bulbs at Costco last week. Then Ashley Staton handed me a catalog full of gorgeous roses. I need major help here!
Spend time with my amazing sister: I have enjoyed every minute with my little Birdy!!!
Go to the beach and have cocktails in the sand dunes at sunset: We did this and more!
Develop a workout schedule... yoga, yoga, a little walking, and more yoga: "Schedule" might be a stretch, but the yoga mat has been dusted off and has, once again, seen the light of a studio!
Finish flight school: Flight lessons are ongoing. I was very naive to think I could complete everything in a month!
Take a cooking class: The cooking class has been tentatively scheduled... we indentified our instructor, now we just need to find a small window of opportunity in her very busy schedule and nail down a date.
Start a business: As I mentioned, Carli is at the helm and the ship is starting to set sail.
Take golf lessons: Check, but I still suck!
Spend time with some of the little people who have a special place in my heart: Another item on the list that has grown with time. Our nieces are coming in town this weekend and I get to see Eli on Monday. I can hardly wait!!

Long D's...

2009-09-15T20:23:00.002-04:00

Mike and I are trying to figure out the whole long-distance thing. Granted we have been long-distance for the majority of our dating life, engagement and marriage, but this is the first time, since 2006, that we have both been working and apart.

Personal realizations:
- Mr. Myers and Mr. Briggs... I am all "E." It is weird, and slightly uncomfortable for me to come home to a quiet and empty house.

- Working husbands are sexy. I like the suit, I like the conversation, I like the fact that he is out there solving problems and making a difference on a global scale!

- I prefer to cook for 2+. (That probably goes back to the whole Extravert thing.)

- Thank goodness for Addie. A recurring blessing in my life.

- Good neighbors make a world of difference. Gary and Carrie are constantly checking on me, Carli is just a few blocks away and Betty brings over sweet goodies like homemade pecan pie.

- Long-working-distance relationships require strong communication skills and strategy.

- I like staying "fluffed" and having a special dinner ready on Thursday evenings (the night Mike typically gets back in town). Yes, it feels a little old fashion, but the desire is genuine. Addie and I are almost on the street corner waiting for him to turn onto Wallace Drive.

2009-09-14T23:05:00.001-04:00

Target is a branding genius. Love the term "Frugalista!"

My Baby.

2009-09-09T10:35:00.002-04:00

Look who I found sleeping in the huge pile of clothes in my closet!

The (September) Bucket List

2009-09-07T22:57:00.001-04:00

Write and mail long-overdue thank you notes.

Read: 1) Judgement of Paris, 2) So Sexy, So Soon

Catch-up on all things GreenHouse: grants, golf tourney, Village Program.

House Stuff: 1) Make an appointment with an interior decorator, 2) Get all rooms to a comfortable and functionable point (i.e. wrap-up all projects)

Attend a writing workshop.

Start a "Learning Journal" where I can store all of the helpful hints that I pick-up from people on a daily basis. (So far the chapters are: House, Food, Husband, Kids and Garden)

Finish planters in front yard.

Spend time with my amazing sister.

Go to the beach and have cocktails in the sand dunes at sunset.

Develop a workout schedule... yoga, yoga, a little walking, and more yoga!

Finish flight school.

Take a cooking class.

Start a business - get Leopard Umbrella up and running.

Take golf lessons.

Spend time with some of the little people who have a special place in my heart: Caroline Perez, Allie Saffioti and Madeline Jones.

A new chapter, but first, a Bucket List...

2009-09-04T12:11:00.001-04:00

Just over two years ago, I was sitting in a hotel in a remote part of Ecuador with a group of GreenHouse students. We were taking turns making commitments, setting goals and outlining how our lives would be different upon returning to the States. When it was my turn, I shared the fact that I had hit a wall professionally. I was not learning, growing, contributing or loving my work. I made a promise to myself, and to the team, that I would leave brij in search of something better. "Life is too short..."

Two and a half years later, I am finally following through on that promise. The rationale behind why it took so long is lengthy: working for a family business, having a husband in law school, fearing this down-turn economy... the list goes on and on. But after Mike started his job a couple weeks ago, and after having some very positive conversations with my dad, I took the jump and announced I would be leaving the company.

A couple points of perspective as I embark on my new world:

1. I was extremely fortunate to learn everything that I did over the past 4 1/2 years. Beyond managing several different departments at brij (Partnership Development, Marketing, a new Territory), I also had the opportunity to work alongside a multitude of businesses up and down the east coast. Whether I was working with a chemical company in Pennsylvania or a rock company in Raleigh, these experiences taught me how to streamline processes, evaluate and implement change, budget for projects, train employees, take new products to market, motivate teams, present ideas, and so much more.

2. Pulling out and dusting off the old resume is scary. Thankfully, Mike Cunningham, a dear family friend and a veteran Career Coach, gave me some great pointers. I received very positive feedback and was blessed to have several opportunities surface almost immediately.

3. I have accepted one of these offers and will begin a new phase of my professional career on October 1st (a very special day for a number of reasons). I am excited about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead... I will be working with a brilliant team of people in a very strong litigation software company called TCDI. (www.tcdi.com)

4. Before embarking on this next phase, I am heeding the advice of a dear friend, Caroline Jones. Caroline encouraged me to take advantage of this small window of opportunity between jobs. She started listing-off all types of ideas: cooking classes in France, yoga retreats in India, scuba camps in Mexico... and while I am not going that grand with my planning, I do have a "bucket list" of activities that I hope to accomplish during the month of September. Please help to hold me accountable as I mark off the items on this list; I do not know the next time I will be able to comfortably chase my dreams, organize my life, and embrace all of the little things in a day that bring me absolute spiritual and emotional bliss.

More Good News!

2009-08-31T23:48:00.000-04:00

Mike passed the Bar!

Just Call Me (Almost) Captain

2009-08-28T00:20:00.000-04:00

I don't know any other way to position this other than to just put it out there, so here it goes... I am taking flying lessons.
Random? Yes!
Crazy? Yes!
Exciting? Yes!
Scary? Yes!

Today was my first day of ground school. (I am two days behind the rest of the class so I have a novels-worth of reading to get through in order to catch up. I also need to schedule my first partner flight with our instructor, Ricardo.) All-in-all, it was amazing and I cannot wait to take to the skies!

Ricardo is absolutely adorable and seems to know everything there is to know about flying a plane. The only hiccup is that he is from Venezuela so he speaks with quite a strong accent. For example, he kept talking about “trust” tonight… It did not make complete contextual sense to me, but since I’m a little behind the rest of the class, I kept my mouth shut. Finally I realized he was talking about “thrust” not “trust.” Let's hope I can overcome the language barrier soon; I'd like to trust that Ricardo is not going to thrust me into harms way!

I am absolutely exhausted, but I promise to share more updates from my aeronautical adventures soon. Sweet Dreams :)

Is a home really a home without drama?

2009-08-26T22:18:00.000-04:00

It has been over a month since I posted about our leaky roof... and for a short time, I thought the situation had been resolved thanks to a simple fix. Unfortunately, the torrential rains that came through Greensboro over the past week and a half proved that this is/was not the case. So, Mike arranged for two different companies to come out to assess the situation yesterday; both agreed we need a new roof and will likely need to fix some water damage in the upstairs ceiling. NOT FUN! So the question of the day is whether we shingle over the old roof (which I had never heard of) or have them tear the old shingles off and start fresh. I vote for the "fresh" option... the more expensive option, of course. Still waiting to hear hubby's opinion.

On top of the roof issue, we have hit another home owner's road block. Our downstairs furnace is shot and must be replaced. Apparently there is something stuck in the canal, there are mismatched parts and there are cracks in the piping. One of the AC guys who came out the other weekend to take a look at the system just kept repeating, "this is a big mess, this is a big mess" over and over again. I finally had to ask him if he would stop saying that. He was about to put me over the edge!

Last but not least, I experienced my first error message on our washer and dryer this weekend. I was running around trying to get out the door so we could go watch the last day of the Wyndham tournament, when I happened to notice a bubble bath exploding out of the washing machine! When I looked at the display screen it said “SUD” and I wanted to scream back at it, “No Sh**! Tell me what in the world I am supposed to do to stop the white volccano that is now streaming into the hallway!!!” Thankfully my mom was over and felt fairly confident the "SUD" problem was caused by user error. After scooping what seemed like an impossible amount of bubbles out of the machine, I decided to retire the super-concentrated detergent I bought at Target, and go back to the good-ole regular stuff.

Things are calmer around the Bucy household tonight. Aside from being hot, I am safe, happy and thankful to be able to call such a cozy (slightly bruised) place home.

Mike passed his CFA Level 2!!!!

2009-08-18T09:55:00.000-04:00

A New Day Has Dawned!!!!

2009-08-12T08:41:00.001-04:00

Wednesday, August 12, 2009
By Mark Binker

RALEIGH — This was the year lawmakers on Tobacco Road asked smokers to take it outside.

As the General Assembly session adjourned Tuesday, lawmakers pointed to a new law that will ban smoking in bars and restaurants starting Jan. 2

Home, alone.

2009-08-05T19:33:00.000-04:00

I just returned to the United States Monday evening (after being gone for over 2 weeks), and already Mike and I have been forced to go our separate ways. This time it is Mike who had to pack his bags... McKinsey training starts tomorrow and lasts through Friday of next week.

Although I have known this day was coming for some time, to actually experience it feels awkwardly surreal. Throughout our marriage, I have been the one who traveled, the one who came home late, the one who spent 99% of the day surrounded by people.
I am not used to coming home to a quiet, empty house. I must fill my calendar quickly or I will surely go crazy!

MRB, I miss you. Guess we are back to the "just 3 days" kind-of lifestyle. I can't wait to savor every second I have with you this weekend! I love you.

The time has come...

2009-08-04T20:25:00.001-04:00

Thanks to blogging technology, and my feeble attempt at leveraging this fabulous means of communication, I have spent the past 2 & 1/2 years recording/sharing stories from my life (many of which pertained to Dustin's GreenHouse) with thousands of you.

Fortunately, Dustin's GreenHouse continues to grow, and likewise, outside interest in our activities and plans for the future increase as well. So, the time has come for me to separate my personal (and often random) commentary from that which pertains exclusively to the Dustin's GreenHouse organization. Hence the creation of a second blog, "ie Adventures."

I hope you will take the time to follow both "digital" journeys as they unfold in my everyday life. While I cannot promise either will be a remarkable (or ingenious) collection of thought, I can assure you both will tell a tale of adventure. As Steven Covey once said, "People live life day after day with unused potential. They experience synergy only in small, peripheral ways. But creative experiences can be produced regularly, consistently, almost daily in people’s lives. It requires enormous personal security and openness, and a spirit of adventure."