October

The month of October has not been the traditional dry and beautiful month here in Atlanta, it rained most of the first two weeks, but now we have enjoyed this past week of great sun!

Jarod's almost done with the outdoor kitchen, he just has to put the last finishing touches on it and I'll be posting pictures.

This weekend we are having some friends over Saturday to watch football, and next weekend we are going to Marcy and Cleo's for Halloween and also to celebrate Jarod's birthday a little early.

My mom came down last Friday and we had a really nice visit Friday and Saturday. Saturday night we went to our friends Erika's birthday dinner which was SO fun! And then Sunday we had a wedding which was beautiful.

The leaves haven't changed much, I think because it's been a different season mostly in October, we have had a lot of January type weather with low's in the 30's and rain and high's in the 50's so I am hoping they might change I just LOVE the fall!!

Hope everyone is doing well and getting ready for all the up coming holiday! I can't believe we are so close to the end of the year!

I will be posting pics VERY SOON! The last few months I have been VERY BUSY and just haven't had a chance to do it, but I will post pics of the outdoor kitchen and some other fun links!

Miss everyone!

Lindsey & Jarod

Narvo

As soon as I get the pictures from my friend Kristin who went with us (my camera died up there), I will post the pictures of the weekend, but for now I thought I would fill everyone in on our amazing weekend!!!

Jarod and I flew up to Milwaukee last Friday September 25. We arrived and went straight to the baseball game. Chris Narveson is one of Jarod's best friends from high school and he now plays for the Brewers, he went pro after high school and has worked his butt off over the last 9 year to make it to the big leagues but he's there! He was supposed to be the starting pitcher that night, but due to a change in the schedule he ended up pitching the Wednesday before we arrived. He threw a great game against the cubs and he impressed all the brewer's fans!

When we got to the game it was raining, which was fine because they play in a dome there, which was amazing I haven't ever seen a baseball game played in a dome and it was really cool! Afterwards we had passes to the club house where we met Narv and some of the other players. Narv hadn't eaten anything so he took us (me Jarod Bo and Kristin) out to dinner at a wonderful steakhouse called Mo's all of our food was amazing!!

Saturday we got moving early, headed down to the field with Narv around 11:00am (the game wasn't until 6). We had a private tour of the ENTIRE stadium! Jarod and Bo got to go in the locker room and they said it was amazing. We got to sit in the dougout and and the coolest part of the whole thing was getting to sit in the stands, during BP (batting practice) and catch home run balls from some of the biggest names in baseball. The brewers were playing the Phillies that weekend so there a lot of great players there! We cought 7 total! It was so cool. After Kristin and I had almost been hit several times we decided to head back down to the field. We stayed there on the field right beside home plate watching them hit until the start of the game.

It was their last home series so it was totally sold out! They won both Friday night and Saturday night. After the game we all went out with Narv's friends on the team and had a great time! Everyone was so funny and interesting. It was an amazing weekend!

We are all so proud of Narv he is doing so well! We watched him pitch against the Rockies this past Tuesday on TV and he did well again, although they lost in 11 innings he didn't get the lose. He really seems comfortable there and it was so neat to get to share that experience with him!

Maybe one day he'll be playing for the braves :)

Life on the Hooch!

So I am sure many of you have heard by now that Atlanta has been flooded. As you know Jarod and I live very close to the river, but thank goodness we are OK! No problems at all in our neighborhood, but I-285 at our house was shut down this morning because it wasn't an interstate it was a RIVER! In addition Woodland Brooke a road we take daily was also closed by our home and the River has risen so high it's flooded our favorite restaurant Canoe!

Canoe is right on the rive and has wonderful gardens and tents outside with a beautiful cabin feel on the inside, unfortunately now the river is up to the top of the front doors so it will be awhile before we eat there again.

Last night we went on a drive to the road we could get to and there were many people who had fled their homes near us and several families lost their cars and had homes completely flooded!

Thank goodness we are OK but there has been 7 deaths and there are many that are in much need of help! Keep them in your thoughts and prayers!

Hope this finds all of you well.

09/09/09

I finally have the blog up and working so I thought I would take advantage of this unique date to give you an update of our year because the reason I started it was to keep everyone informed and up to spend about our life.

Jarod and my's year has been mostly focused on our careers and getting ourselves established. In January I decided to start my own Lifestyle Services and Event Planning business now know as Gracious Living. While I was getting that up and running through business plans, business license, etc I was still working for the family I have been a personal assistant for the Smiths.

I published a website for my business and go my structure in place for all my services. Gracious Living : Southern Hospitality Lifestyle Services & Event Planning. I focused on marketing the business and was thrilled to be asked to do our friend's wedding in June which took place in Asheville.

After the wedding I focused on completing the last component which was obtaining my license to be a Realtor for Harry Norman (an Atlanta Agency). In July I passed the exams, and began combining my Gracious Living business with my real estate to create an one stop shop for all your lifestyle needs.

My business is focused in Vinings, the area I live and I am currently building my career. I have known for many years I wanted to be in real estate and event planning, and through my experience at the Smith's I learned a unique way to market all my skills, passions, and interest into a "lifestyle Industry". So far things are really taking off, although I am still working full time with the Smith's. I have a listing in the Vinings area, and I focusing on networking and marketing my self with real estate as I build my career.

As you can imagine building a business is a full time job and when it is your "2nd Job" I end up with very little time for myself after my duties to my home, friends and family. So consequently I have not had as much time to take vacations, travel, visit, or even catch up over the phone, which is why I wanted to have a way to keep in touch with everyone.

I don't anticipate it being like this forever - the ultimate goal is to work for myself so that I can be at home when Jarod and I decide to start a family.

In the midst of my career - Jarod has been very focused as well on staying on top of his career. He is still with Massana the General Contracting firm here in Atlanta, but is currently working for their "sister company" on a job where he is "sub- contractor" for Keweitt. It's the largest and longest job Jarod has ever been on. It will take at least 3 years to complete. He is thrilled to have the opportunity to learn and have so much responsibility however it can be very time consuming. He is so thankful to be on a long job especially given the state of the economy. He is doing GREAT! Exceeding expectations and really being a leader in the field to his guys. I am so happy he enjoys what he does and he is good at it.

We are both working really hard now but we know it will pay off in the future. I can't believe it's 09-09-09 already! Our year has flown by and we are really looking forward to the fun events coming up in Fall!

We are going at the end of September to see Chris Narveson play he is pitching now for the Brewers and will be his last home series.

We are also planning a "rib fest" for October for Jarod to show off his outdoor kitchen.

November we are going with my Mom to St. Augustine Florida for Thanksgiving, which should be a lot of fun!

Jarod's Grandparents - the Quick's are coming for Christmas it sounds like so that will be great!

So I have no doubt the rest of 2009 with be as fast as the other part of 2009!

So here's to the 09-09-09!

Our BIG Day OFF!

So it's Labor Day and Jarod and I really enjoying ringing in the fall season! Jarod is finishing up his outdoor kitchen which will be on our blog soon with pictures for all to see, and I am relaxing on my first FULL day off in TWO months!

We had a great time visiting Jarod's parents last night in Newnan. The weekend has been a good mix of getting to see good friends and family. Our friends Hannah and Mike came into town, along with Ben and VA and we were able to spend time with them and Erika and Jason Friday and Saturday. We all had a great time enjoying the city and are really excited about the possibility of Hannah and Mike moving to Atlanta!

Should be a nice work week with only 4 days! Jarod and I are so exicted our favorite time of year is here and are sure to have many posts with pictures of our favorite season!!!

Happy Labor Day!!

Marcy and I just created my new blog!! Hopefully now Jarod and I will be better about keeping in touch! Keep checking back for new pictures and posts of events! Happy Labor Day to all!

Lindsey and Jarod