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!