Last Few Dallas Days...Part 3

*I am writing this while the movers are at our place. I'm so thankful it's not me carrying our stuff down our 3-story condo! When we moved in we enlisted family and friends, and I basically cussed the entire way. Doug and I promised we'd pay people the next go-round. And now that day has arrived, 18 months later. They had to remove our banisters as they carry the big furniture down the stairs. It's a looong way down and I'm currently a basket case!*

Now back to the topic at hand:

Tuesday
After a fabulous Monday off, I went back to the office for my last 4 days of work. As I rounded the corner from the elevator this is the first thing I saw:

this sign --

and as I continued down the hall--


getting closer to my department's area--


So fun!


An homage to Texas Tech and Vandy--


Can't forget about food--


And my desk! People came by all week to visit and get a "goodbye kiss."

Just a hop, skip and a jump away!

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An Open Letter to the Lone Star State

Dear Texas,

You've been a good friend to me, always been there for me my whole life. After all, your Indian name Tejas means "friend."

Now, you are fickle and antagonistic at times: I can recall numerous times it's snowed on Easter and I've worn shorts in December. Why so difficult? It's okay though...

Your people are proud - perhaps to a fault?! Texas was once it's own country, brews its own beer , and has everything from superhighways to farm-to-market roads. We have our own type of music and dancing, food, culture and customs. No doubt I will miss my favorite Tex-Mex when I'm gone. We Texans have our own style, borrowed a little from the south and a little from the west and call it cowboy chic. I will miss the hairspray and teased hair.

We have beaches, mountains, canyons and plains. We have windy days and rainy days - but if I don't like the weather - I'll wait it out 15 minutes then it's gone. There's nothing like a Lubbock thunderstorm - watching the lightning from my college apartment balcony was fabulous.

Texas - I'm moving on now. It's not you ... we've certainly had some great times. There's a mysterious allure of "The South" that I must follow ... but I'll be back soon.

Lots of love,

Stephanie M.

Weekend Recap/Quote of the Day

Our weekend was wonderful! We partook (not sure that's a real word) in some of my favorite July 4th activities: laying out, getting sunburned, grilling out, eating pie, watching fireworks from a rooftop, being with friends and family. It is so nice having an extra day to relax.

These days we are doing some major packing and cleaning out of the condo. We are moving in less than 3 weeks. Slow down, time!

Since packing and cleaning are NOT exciting activities, I have no new pictures to post. Tomorrow I am taking the day off to pack and lay out, so I will leave you with this:



As crazy/busy as this time is right now, I am reminding myself how excited I am to move to Nashville with my best friend!

Hooray!

This morning at 9:15 I was showing my co-worker the video of *Doug getting his head shaved *(priorities, right!) when my phone rang and it was a Nashville number. Instantly I freaked out a little then tried to compose myself and prepare for news - good or bad.


THEY OFFERED ME THE JOB! I could not be more thrilled. Even if we weren't moving, this is a job I would be interested in doing anyway. What a blessing, and thank you Lord that it all worked out in the end. I'll be working at Vanderbilt under the Development/Alumni Relations department, specifically doing research to discover new donor prospects. It will be interesting and challenging and something I'm excited to sink my teeth into.

Today, about a bazillion of you have called/texted/sent messages of congratulations and to be honest, I am completely blown away! We have such wonderful friends who love and support us and genuinely want to see the Lord's will for our lives. Wow...it's setting in that we're actually leaving and now I have to put on my big girl panties and deal with it...

Now we're both Vanderbilt Commodores...!!! Doug and I are going out to celebrate tonight!

*Video of the head-shaving will be posted soon!*

VERY SERIOUS BLOG POST

That's right folks - this is a topic I take very seriously ...

...my husband's hair! (Okay, I know it might be a slightly ridiculous blog post topic, but this blog is dedicated to our life as it changes, and as we move to Nashville and everything in between. There is a connection, if you'll allow me to make it.)

Let me just say first how much I love him and his adorably spike hair! If you don't know him, let me tell you he is an extremely practical person who loves saving money when possible, and where I can grow emotionally attached to things - he doesn't.

So he decided a few months ago to shave his head before we move. That's right, his gorgeous albeit spiky brown hair just gone! We currently pay the same amount for haircuts, so financially-speaking, it's a good move. Not to mention we're moving away from his hair person and Doug has described to me (more than once, because I just don't get it) how men fear seeing a new hair person and having to explain how they want their hair cut. Apparently, men like to sit down in the chair of a barber and simply state, "I'll have the usual." (Except, Doug sees my hair girl, Cristina, who is much more fancy/expensive than a plain ol barber.) The main point being he gets his hair cut pretty often and in the long run it will save a ton of money, since we're transitioning into one income.

He wanted to wait until closer to our move date and have our beloved Cristina shave his head, then teach me how to do it in the future. Well, that day is TODAY! Personal opinion, getting your head shaved is such a mixed bag because you might have a funny-shaped head and not even know it. Guess we'll find out... I will be there and plan to shoot video! So ... stay tuned for details please don't quit reading my blog!

Quote of the Day

Photo: We Heart It

{Note: I've 'fallen off'... but it wasn't because I was standing still ... it was because my bike was going 90mph down a giant hill at White Rock Lake!}

Check it OUT!

Good morning, everyone!

Just wanted to tell you about one of my favorite blogs I read EVERY DAY! www.smartandsassywithsprinkles.blogspot.com

Allison is a fabulous blogger and is currently on her own journey - just moved from Texas2Chicago. I have enjoyed keeping up with her as she's moved and is now exploring the Windy City.

She's hosting a giveaway on her blog so check it out and REGISTER!

Quote of the Day

image: lovely & true, via la dolce vita

Flying to Nashville for a job interview...be back late Tuesday!

One giant mess?

Is this a giant pile of junk in our guest bedroom? Why no....in fact, I would say one man's junk is another man's treasure! We are preparing for the first-ever Midkiff garage sale this weekend and hoping to unload a lot of "treasures!"