King of Pop

Sure, Michael Jackson might have been a freak this decade.  He may have had some legal, parenting, and nose issues but I like to remember MJ during the 80s and early 90s, when I thought he hung the moon and when I couldn't get enough of "Bad."  Somehow, as long as MJ was still pioneering new and innovative things in the music and dance world, everything kind of just worked for everyone else.  Yesterday, was a sad day for this fan in particular.

MJ was my first introduction to pop music, I used to watch him ALL the time--I even learned to Moonwalk in college (little known fact).  I defended him in my circle of friends and still faithfully listened to his albums as I drove with my windows down.  Artists today would have nothing to imitate if it weren't for MJ.  

In closing, I leave you with my favorite MJ video of all time.  10-4 good buddy.

Adventures in Driving

Mapquest sucks.  

Thanks to Mapquest (or as so I have aptly renamed, "GetLost") our adventure to the Chick-fil-A in Greensboro ended up in a 90 minute quest for impossibly hidden street names, endless games of "I know where we are, turn left! No, right!" and 4 roads with 3 different names.  We finally made it, battered and bruised but not defeated.  Turns out, this store is awesome.  The management loved Matt, wanted to hire him (yesssss!) and is willing to work around our crazy schedule complete with my church responsibilities and our family visitation promises.

Sometimes God even outdoes Himself!

In other news, the apartment is still shambly but the gym is fabulous.  I would also like to state for the record that Mrs. Smalling has held Mr. Smalling to his closest winning margin in basketball since our first game Summer 2006.  Either he's really rusty or I've gotten better--I like to think it's because I've gotten better AND he's a little bit rusty--but he only won our "first to 5" by 1 basket.  Lucky shot.  He thinks he's Kobe.  I, on the other hand, was also wearing tennis shoes--a true first for me--instead of some sort of cute flat, or wedge heel.

Further basketball updates and hopefully a potential win for Mrs. Smalling will soon happen! 

Boxes, boxes, and more boxes

We. Are. Officially. Moved.

((huge sigh of relief/exhaustion)

After a week that was... unexpected, we finally got ourselves moved down here and "settled."  the amusement began at 7am Saturday morning as we rolled out with 3 cars and a Penske truck.  Somehow I was nominated as the lead car and we began our journey.  MTOs at Sheetz and one, ahem, "alternative" route to find a gas station somewhere outside of Durham, we arrived at noon.  The St. Mark's Welcome Wagon made our moving in slightly less traumatic with a huge basket of goodies--from gift cards to toilet paper--which has proven to be quite the blessing.  In fact, St. Mark's has quickly proven it's awesomeness with a fabulous team of people that I am thrilled to be working with for... hopefully the rest of time.  Shout out to Shea for bringing lunch and hugs from the staff!

I found it incredibly amusing to wash clothes in our new washer and dryer.  The good news is that our new washer and dryer does NOT sound like a space ship waiting to take off.  The even good-er news is our loads are cut down because of the magic that is a "front-loading" unit.  In addition, our bathroom is the size of our previous kitchen and we have a separate area for both LIVING and DINING.  A true first for the Smallings.  I love North Carolina.

As I'm writing this, Matt and Dad are attempting to hang a key hook/mirror thing and may or may not have just drilled into the AC unit.  Even five minutes before my parents leave, we're still having the adventures.

Moving could have been terrible, but having Mom and Dad there to laugh with us (like when Matt fell off the ramp with a pile of boxes or when I forgot where we lived or when Dad almost backed into the car at Chick-fil-A) made things go a little easier.  Exploring the town, finding the Target and watching Dad and Matt bond over things like the Simpsons and Family Guy are some the things that make leaving them just a little bit harder.  We will never be able to thank them enough, but I hope they know that we are eternally grateful.  I hope they know that they are welcome ANYTIME.

Once we get the boxes moved out of the guest bedroom, we are open to visitors.  So, that's You, reader-of-this-blog.  The challenge has been issued, you are officially invited.

Pictures to follow.

Inauguration

So.

Matt and I decided (and by "Matt and I" I really mean just "I") that in order to keep everyone involved and updated (and maintain our sanity) we are going to document our major life events--minor events too pending on time and day and humor level of said author--here.  Please read about us and feed my ego.  Follow us as we navigate a new town, new jobs, new apartment, and potentially a new house here in the future.  We promise to keep in touch with phone calls and cards, too, but we want to share with you what we're up to daily/weekly/monthly as well.  

My family is accustomed to my writing styles, but I feel that it's my wifely duty to welcome Matt's family to my mindless chatter and wanderings that vaguely resemble an update about our life.  Don't be scared.  I'm really quite harmless but secretly desire to be one of those salacious Hollywood bloggers that uses words in amazingly hilarious, yet socially poignant ways.  But I digress.

Countdown to moving day: 8