Friday 5: Perspective and Exciting Times

5 Thoughts from the Week

1. I’ve come to greatly appreciate Belk (the department store). When I lived in Asheville and was surrounded with super cute boutiques and pretty much any chain retailer I wanted, I never thought much about needing or wanting to buy an article clothing. It was a non-issue. Now I live in a small town. We have amazing farm-to-table restaurants, a number of breweries, artists galore and at least three coffee roasters. But we have NO retail stores other than Belk (for those of you who don’t know what that is, it’s kind of like a Nordstrom). I never ever used to shop there when I had my pick of the litter, but now that I don’t, I’ve bought several cute items there lately (including shoes and my Easter dress). It’s funny how one’s perspective (even about shopping) can change so significantly.

2. I chaperoned my six year old’s field trip yesterday to Sunburst Trout Farm, a local trout farm that has been operating since 1948. We learned how the fish go from hatchlings to full-blown trout to dips, filets and jerky that are then sold to restaurants all over the region. I’ve eaten their trout in a number of regional high-end restaurants and, it is phenomenal. It was so very interesting to watch how the process works. It’s truly a farm-to-table operation. #GoLocal

3. I have my first 1/2 marathon one week from tomorrow, and I’m a little nervous. It’s basically impossible for someone who works full-time but has part-time child care to find time to run 13.1 miles. I have been running consistently, just not nearly as much as I should have been. I’m still super excited about it though. It’s the first ever 1/2 marathon in my town , and inaugural events are always fun and memorable.

4. I’m trucking along with Project 365 on Instagram. Each day of the year, a person is challenged to capture a moment or a memory from the day, document the day of year and use the hashtag #Project365. It’s been really fun. Some days are mundane and nothing extravagant happens, but nonetheless, I have to post a picture so Project 365 always makes me think of something cool or special that happened that day. Today is day 115. I can’t believe that! The year is going so fast. Time truly does fly.

5. Work has been insane lately, but in a good way! I had a fun blogging dinner this past Monday sponsored by the NC Blogger Network. Several Asheville-area bloggers came together to hear Felicia Carter from Go Grow Go speak of her success as a blogger. Ironically, she and I went to the same high school, and I haven’t seen her in ages, so it was great to see an old friend. The web-based marketing firm I’ve been working with over the past seven months, Pixels in My Pocket, has also been super busy. We’ve finished and launched two websites over the past two weeks, so it’s been intense but exciting. Not to mention I’m still working part-time at my old school as an instructional coach. I’m ready for a weekend…

 

5 Photos from the Week