Orange Park Endodontics

Oh yeah... I'd say this is pretty important too.

Check it out: www.orangeparkendo.com.

July

I think I am finally getting settled enough to give you the retrospective of the last month. It has been wild and crazy, exciting and intense. I am finally hitting my own rhythm, and I absolutely love the days I haul my chair, a book and a bottle of water down to the beach. There is a lot to be said for that little piece of peace. Let me begin from the beginning...

The week before we left NC the Super Moon was in full bloom. One night we rode out to Jordan Lake a state park not far from our apartment. We parked the truck and got in the back with folding chairs like good rednecks. One truck stopped to see if we were catching anything, but they quickly realized we weren't fishing. I didn't know it then, but it was a beautiful foreshadowing of nights to come.

His parents arrived first for graduation festivities. We really were sitting pretty as far as the move. There was little to be done, so we were able to enjoy each other. We ate some nice meals and enjoyed Chapel Hill. That Friday evening we celebrated Tom's accomplishment with the Endodontics department. The faculty and staff has a surplus of amazing and appreciative things to say about my Tom Brown. It was a special night. Mostly it was special because everyone thought - at one point - that he was going to propose. Each resident got up and said something. He began to talk about getting me while he was here and the next step. Even he realized it sounded like a proposal and cut his chatting short. My heart was definitely jumping out of my chest, but I was able to laugh about it. Here is my Doctor Master Thomas Allen Brown, Jr.

The next day my parents arrived. It was so good to see them. I didn't know at 30 when things are wild that you sometimes still just want your Mama. It was so good to hug them. Tom and I were thrilled that everyone seemed like old friends. The meeting of the parents wasn't strenuous at all. I am sure that having bigger fish to fry (the move) kept me decently distracted. At one point in Florida, Tom and I sat back and watched the moms and dads chat at the lunch table. It was effortless, and we were grateful. I don't think we could have asked for anything more.

Tuesday was the physical transportation of our stuff and your physical beings and my psyche to Florida. It was truly a horrible drive. We were in pouring rain almost the entire time. When we stopped for lunch, I decided to break out ahead of them. We were trying to make it in time for new mattresses to be delivered. About an hour outside of FL, the rain finally stopped, and blue sky emerged. I white-knuckled the steering wheel for nearly 7 hours but was so relieved to finally settle back in my seat and use the cruise control. I owe my parents a thousand thanks you for their help with that drive. It was a less-than-ideal scenario for the trip.

Movers came the next morning to pull all of this out of the truck...

It was an absolute mess for a few days. I hit a wall at one point and just couldn't deal with it anymore. Mama and Mary were wonderfully helpful, but I had to walk away from the nonstop work. One morning Daddy, Mama and I walked down to the beach to see the sunrise. That first week there were lots of evening walks on the beach. It was wonderful. We'd get out after dinner and walk maybe a mile or less with his parents.

Slowly the boxes cleared, and things began looking more like a home.

We got a new side table and coffee table from Cottage by the Sea. They were refinished by a local artist, and we both really liked them instantly. We're quite pleased with these.

Mom and I had a blast in Bed Bath and Beyond with bedding. That usually isn't my scene, but I was in the zone. Once those rooms are complete, I'll share pictures. For now, I am trying my hand a refinishing a bedside table. If that works, I will do the headboard to match. We also need new bedside tables in our bedroom. Hopefully that happens sooner rather than later, but for now we are on a budget.

In the meantime, we have greatly enjoyed our outdoor space. Tom purchased a grill the first day we were here, and we are already using it right and left. His Mama was too kind and treated us to lots of little odds and ends to round out our home. One of those treats was the 9-foot umbrella on our  patio. It is great and provides some much needed shade when the sun is beating down. You can also see the glorious hibiscus plants we have. Yellow and pink bushes line both sides of the house in the backyard. We have beautiful bottle brush trees on either side of our driveway and some other really great foliage.

Tom has already taken to maintaining the backyard as well as adding to it. He has our hanging plants on pretty hangers along with bird feeders and Cranmommie's wind chimes all adding to the ambiance. I will be sure to post more pictures of his handiwork.

We were treated to a rainbow one afternoon. This is the view looking towards the east off of our bedroom balcony.

This is the same view from our balcony of the July full moon. It was beautiful. The night after this was taken we walked down to the beach to see the moonrise. It came over the horizon in a glorious deep orange color. Its light briefly spilled over the ocean. We maybe got to see if for 5 to 10 minutes before it dipped back behind a cloud as it mades its ascent.

I've had a blast going through old boxes of stuff that my parents brought. This picture from Emily's 25th birthday party wasn't in those boxes, but it made me grin from ear to ear. 

One Friday morning I borrowed Tom's bike and rode down to Lillie's Coffee Bar up in Atlantic Beach. I forgot a cruiser bike would make for a slow ride, but it was enjoyable. (Tom reminded me the purpose of a cruiser is to cruise. Hmm.) I settled into a nice spot and journaled while I sipped on a hot coffee and nibbled on a delicious croissant. I hope when I have my own bike we frequently ride to Lillie's. It was a nice 35-minute ride and great happy place to enjoy. When I got there, I instantly thought of my Mama. It wasn't even 8:30 a.m., and the eclairs were ready in the dessert case. I had to smile.

Tom has twice now gone to the hunting camp he has joined in order to work on the camper he'll stay in. On one of those mornings, I got up and made a special batch of coffee from beans Mom and Dad sent from their trip to Dallas. This is a Mexican Chocolate blend from Addison Coffee Roasters. They bought it at Central Market. I am definitely feeling a bit jealous of their quick trip over Mom's birthday. Anyway, I poured my special coffee (that was just perfect by the way) in a travel mug and took an early morning walk on the beach. There were fishermen out and lots of ladies walking their dogs. It was insanely humid. I felt like I was wearing a wet blanket, but the scenery was stunning.

Here and there I've had the time to do some things that make my heart feel warm and fuzzy. This little fruit serving was for our breakfast one morning. We agreed the mango was especially delicious.

I made two batches of scones one afternoon. One was for us and his parents, and the other he took into the office. I really enjoyed myself that afternoon. I love using our kitchen. I am going to be very spoiled by this wonderful space we have. To have moved in sight-unseen, we couldn't have asked for more. Other than being on the corner of a very busy street, this place would otherwise be a perfect forever spot.

This past Sunday we were finally settled enough to have friends over for dinner. Kris, Steph and Austin came along with Kandi, Matthew and Bruce. Two little boys under the age of two made for a hysterical and wonderful evening. They were everywhere. I feel badly that their mamas may not have been able to relax, but T and I loved having them over. We were most looking forward to showing Austin T's fish tank. Austin is a lover of sharks, so of course he took an instant liking to the tank. I had to apologize to the fish the next morning for all the excitement outside their home, but no one seemed to protest.

Here are two pictures from preparing for dinner. In the move, I rediscovered a great apron from Andie. I had to laugh as I slipped it on to do a few last minute dishes before everyone arrived. It made me miss my friends even more and wish they were closer to join us for dinner.

Here is T with his 4 racks of ribs. They were delicious, and we had way too many. There was a definite learning curve there. Our refrigerator is bulging this week, but we are learning to freeze for later.

In all, things are going really well. I feel like I am hitting my groove. I teach for the first time tonight at the new studio. Next week I will have more clients. I am really happy to not be working a ton. I know it is bizarre, but I'm getting to enjoy (hold on to your hats) mopping and vacuuming. I have detested these particular chores in the past, but with the time to do them, I've found a lot of happiness just keeping our pretty new home in working order.

 I am so grateful for this place and for the man I am blessed to share it with. We are looking forward to lots of guests - both those who come for dinner and those who come for several nights. I certainly walked through a rough transition initially, but I am happy to be on the other side of it. I know we have many, many good times ahead of us.