tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74485854960020743852024-02-19T07:33:23.658-08:00Bay Lake journalSamples of work. Glimpses of life.Janet Brindle Reddickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00758861195272045910noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7448585496002074385.post-70348481986827728422019-05-07T14:24:00.002-07:002019-05-07T14:24:55.994-07:00The gestation of grief in wonderlandIt's been nine months since my father died.<br />
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It seems like such a long time ago, and yet like yesterday - but the hardest part is that when I do go to pick up the phone to call him to ask him a question, or tell him a funny story, he's not there. </div>
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Right after his death and mom's illness, there were lots of things to "do" and many things to fill time with. Now, it's quieter, and there's more time to pause. More time to think. More chances to be reminded. </div>
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Nine months is that magic number for mothers - to bring new life into the world. And certainly, there's a new reality in my world, too. </div>
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To say that things are different is an understatement. </div>
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I've just now begun to deal with this new world, which feels much like Wonderland. </div>
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Sometimes it's overwhelming. Sometimes it's peculiar. Sometimes it's lonely.</div>
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Sometimes I feel like I'm walking through a forest filled with giant purple trees. </div>
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No. Wait, that's just a picture from the Flower & Garden Festival. </div>
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In that time, so many other people I know have lost parents. Maybe it's not more than usual - maybe I'm just more sensitive about it now, but it really does seem like the past year has been a really busy one up at the pearly gates. In my department alone, three of us have lost fathers in the last nine months. There are only a dozen of us. That's got to be a statisticaly anomale, right?<br />
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***<br />
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I wrote this in March 2016. It's still not any easier in May 2019. </div>
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Janet Brindle Reddickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00758861195272045910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7448585496002074385.post-12464839668162269362015-10-08T17:00:00.000-07:002015-10-08T17:00:00.326-07:00Autumn blooms; new beginningsOne of the hardest things about living in Florida is missing the chance to experience all four seasons. Though I don't miss the cold, snowy winters, I do often lament the lack of the spring fragrances and the cool, crisp, fall evenings that I grew up with in the northeast.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibRVS3I6mddtPUNdYmDe-lEPwDx88jRgpxoBNuFQgXXRbFKjOzV9zHT0f8iTrIq0X3eHUSLX9xf_G6lmYlzUBquDi1bc8AfueBlRin-Kj-5Mxcrp034mlfX3JYmDMY3TbDln_c4H-kZCaX/s1600/IMG_1466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibRVS3I6mddtPUNdYmDe-lEPwDx88jRgpxoBNuFQgXXRbFKjOzV9zHT0f8iTrIq0X3eHUSLX9xf_G6lmYlzUBquDi1bc8AfueBlRin-Kj-5Mxcrp034mlfX3JYmDMY3TbDln_c4H-kZCaX/s200/IMG_1466.JPG" width="200" /></a>But as I've been driving to work the past few days, I've noticed something interesting. The trees may not be changing colors in the traditional deciduous way, but there is a definite transformation happening. New blooms are coming out. Plants that lay dormant under the hot, humid sun have found themselves seeking some fresh air in the cooler mornings.<br />
The result is a new color palette under a bluer sky, with wispy white clouds dotting the atmosphere, instead of the heavy storm clouds that we've become so familiar with all summer.<br />
This change in nature is a good reminder for me that life's rhythms aren't always planned either, and sometimes, there are good things just waiting around the corner if we alter our expectations.<br />
After this summer of loss, the blooming plumeria tree in our front yard seems like hope and new beginnings, and a reminder that adventures are just around the corner. Janet Brindle Reddickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00758861195272045910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7448585496002074385.post-59536095031851315592014-12-11T16:00:00.000-08:002019-05-07T14:22:42.875-07:00The magic of Wanamaker's and #TBT<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As we continue to get moved into the house, one of my
favorite things that I’m doing is putting up photos. We’ve had some older ones
printed for collage-style frames, and it really brings back memories. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Facebook is criticized for many things, but say what you
will about it – it is good for memories. And #TBT takes nostalgia to a new
level with people finding photographs that have long since been forgotten. With
those photos come stories from previous generations and lots of emotions. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Today my aunt posted this amazing photo of she and my father
from the early 1950s: They were going to see Santa Claus at the John Wanamaker’s
Department in Philadelphia. <o:p></o:p></div>
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They surely took the train from Trenton with my Pop Pop and
BaBa. He was a railroad guy, and that was the thing to do. The two of them are
holding hands and going to see the big guy like a pair with a plan. <o:p></o:p></div>
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He was the REAL Santa, of course. Why wouldn’t he be there?
It had the grand pipe organ in the marbled atrium, and there was a narrated
Christmas light show. Maybe I’m making
this up, but I think there was a monorail in the store, near Santa’s village too.</div>
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(Years later, my parents
and my aunt and uncle did the same thing with me and my cousin. During a recent
trip home, we were talking about this tradition, and I recalled that during the
train trips and the commotion in the hot, crowded department store, I think I
got sick once or twice. My cousin corrected me and said, “You threw up EVERY
year.” Sorry about that.)</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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I still don’t love crowded places, and sitting on hot planes
is never my favorite thing in the world, but thank goodness, I’ve become a
better traveler. Unfortunately, Wanamaker’s is long gone (it became Hecht’s or
Lord & Taylor? and is now Macy’s), but I’m glad that I got to do it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s funny – I’ve been working on the Pennsylvania TourBook
all this week, and as I’m getting to Philadelphia, more than anything, I want
to get on the train to go see Santa and ask him to see Pop Pop and BaBa one
more time. As I’m running around getting ready for the holidays, this is a good
reminder about this time of year. <o:p></o:p></div>
Janet Brindle Reddickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00758861195272045910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7448585496002074385.post-90767532623974003902014-11-19T12:16:00.000-08:002019-05-07T14:23:33.314-07:00Our very own palms<div class="MsoNormal">
After nearly two years of living in Florida, this summer, we decided
it was time to set down some roots. We were both settled into our jobs and
decided we really did like the area.</div>
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But every now and then, it still hits us: “Wow. We live
in Florida.” </div>
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Sometimes this feeling comes when we’re riding down the highway in November with
the windows down listening to reports of feet of snow falling up north. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The other day, it happened when I walked into the
Buccaneers’ stadium, and the palm trees were sprouting up. Football and palm
trees don’t go together in most places. <o:p></o:p></div>
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And upon returning home, there were our very own palm
trees on our property. It’s so surreal that we live in this mid-century modern
ranch home, which is SO Florida on its own. (It’s apparently also very hip,
which is not why we bought it, but hey, whatever.) <o:p></o:p></div>
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Now that the house has settled in as well, after some
major initial repairs, we’re looking forward to
putting our stamp on the home. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We’re still working on putting pictures up on the walls
and deciding where some of the furniture is going. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Adding to the moving in delays were the wonderful
addition of two kittens – so kitten proofing the house has delayed things like
putting up new curtains (perfect for sharpening little claws eager to climb.) <o:p></o:p></div>
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Now that they’re starting to mellow out, and driving into
our own driveway (palms and all) feels more natural, we hope that this Florida
thing starts to feel more natural. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Until then, I’ll still be a little homesick for the fall
foliage. <o:p></o:p></div>
Janet Brindle Reddickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00758861195272045910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7448585496002074385.post-80347843608348110482014-08-20T09:00:00.000-07:002014-08-20T09:00:03.503-07:00Pictures of you<div class="MsoNormal">
Years ago, two of my friends lost their mother. They said
one of their regrets was that they had very few pictures of her, because she
didn’t like to be photographed.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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I was sad to hear
that, but at the same time, I totally understood where she was coming from. I
loathe being in pictures. This is not a
new development. Since I can remember, I’ve tried to stand in the back, behind
people, or offered to be the one who takes the picture instead. And it’s not
really a secret as to why – I just don’t love the way I look. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Anyone who reads this blog knows me well enough to not be surprised to
hear this. And most people who know me also aren’t immune from watching me gain and
lose - and gain - weight many times through the years. You'll also agree that I’m the one that will encourage
others to be in pictures and tell me that I do NOT practice what I preach.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But recently, I’ve been struck by something pretty powerful.
I’m not ever going to be as thin as I was however many years ago. My hair will never
be that full again. I’ll never have fewer lines on my face than I do right now.
And when I do look back at pictures when I WAS thinner or younger or tanner or
whatever-er, sure, I notice these things – but the reason I’m in the pictures
in the first place is because I’m capturing memories of people and places. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I’m lucky enough to have traveled to some amazing locations and I hope more are in my future.
But in so many of them, I just have landscape shots, because I didn’t want to
be in the picture. There’s just one of
us at the Grand Canyon. Only one from a day of kayaking through the mangroves
on Grand Turk. I skipped a shot entirely at The Southernmost Point at Key West.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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On girls’ trips, I would only ever agree to far-away
pictures, and certainly wouldn't agree to any close ups. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Selfies with or without friends? Are you kidding? <o:p></o:p></div>
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And what’s saddest is that there’ve been lots of times where
I’d offer to take a picture of a couple, and they’d offer to reciprocate with
me and my husband, but I declined. How short-sighted and silly. Now, we have
those memories of the place, but not of us AT that place. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So I’m coming around. I’d still prefer to be photographed
from above rather than below. In soft light instead of harsh. And definitely with
other people in the frame. But mostly, it’s time for me to create some
permanent memories with me in them.</div>
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Two friends were nearly dumbstruck this weekend when I shared the news that I
wanted to be sure to capture images of the three of us TOGETHER. My husband is
happy that we’ll have more pictures of us. And I hope when the time
comes for people to write my eulogy, my friends and family will have lots of
photo memories to reflect on the laughter of the places we’ve been and the
times we’ve shared – because face it – the friends I’ve surrounded myself with
don’t care a bit about that other stuff.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Janet Brindle Reddickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00758861195272045910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7448585496002074385.post-3010049353156165582014-08-01T16:30:00.000-07:002014-08-01T16:30:00.585-07:00The end is nigh, er, nearNo, nothing to worry about. In fact, this is good news.<br />
For the first time in this crazy roller coaster of a ride that has been house shopping, I THINK we are getting closer to the finish line in getting into our new home. We've crossed almost all of the hurdles now. Offer, negotiations, counter offier, contract, inspection, appraisal, addendums, and now we're just waiting for final insurance approval and then those three little words that we so long to hear: "Clear to Close." Oh, and we still need to write another big-@$$ check.<br />
When I look at the calendar, I realize I only have three weekends to pack the house, because I'm occupied for one of them.<br />
So that means that I'm gearing up for a weekend full of purging, packing and general organizing. We can't wait for our new start in our new home in a city that we have really come to love. There's so much to do and still so much we have to explore.<br />
And now we have space for folks to come visit!Janet Brindle Reddickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00758861195272045910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7448585496002074385.post-77956953355953443632014-06-05T08:50:00.001-07:002014-06-05T08:50:17.277-07:00That location, location, location thing is no jokeWhen we moved to Central Florida, we still hadn't sold our house, and we certainly didn't have the money for a down payment on a house in addition to rent. Besides, we weren't sure if we were going to like it, and we didn't know exactly where in the area we might like to live. <div>
But now it's been almost two years since we made the move to Florida, and we've decided that we're probably going to stay (employers willing, that is), and we know what neighborhoods we'd like to live in. </div>
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Unfortunately, we can't afford those neighborhoods. At least, we can't afford houses in those neighborhoods that aren't "fixer uppers" in the truest sense of the word. </div>
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We ended up selling our house at a time when the market was really depressed, so we took a huge loss. Nothing we could do. It's just how life is. But the equity we had built up in seven years, plus our original down payment all vanished. Add in moving costs and life, and we're back to "starter house" territory in a market that's much more expensive. </div>
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So we're re-evaluating what's really important to us as we continue our search, and just know that with patience, hard work in looking, and a little luck, we'll eventually find something that's just right. </div>
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We'll keep you posted. </div>
Janet Brindle Reddickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00758861195272045910noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7448585496002074385.post-81747766690830204892014-03-17T10:10:00.001-07:002014-03-17T10:10:50.352-07:00Cheap Deals at Disney WorldI was talking to a friend of mine who was looking for some inexpensive ways to enjoy Disney World. I had a list, but couldn't find it. Luckily, it was easy to recreate over lunch.<br />
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Don't get me wrong - I think we have probably paid for the equivalent of two graduate degrees between the tickets, annual passes, merchandise, meals and, of course, our DVC membership through the years. But we enjoy MORE than just the parks themselves. And some of our favorite magic happens outside the parks.<br />
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A lot of this, admittedly, centers around transportation and exploration. But for me, those are two parts of travel that I really enjoy - and since Disney is as big as Manhattan, it's worth exploring.<br />
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<b>Caveat:</b> Be aware that in places where you go through a guard house, you may be asked for picture ID. They are making sure people have a legit reason to be there and not trying to get out of paying for parking for the theme park. As a hotel guest, I appreciate that. So give them the reason for your visit: See the marina, the hotel or the restaurant, to ride or rent a boat, rent a bike, etc. I recommend Wilderness Lodge for the MK activities because rules can be stricter or have time limits at the monorail resorts, because guests of the hotel have first dibs. Boardwalk can be tough if there’s a big convention. If all else fails, park at Downtown Disney.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">The Polynesian boat dock on the Seven Seas Lagoon.</span></td></tr>
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<b>Happy exploring:</b><br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Sail the many seas: Disney has a gigantic fleet of ships on several bodies of water. If you park at Wilderness Lodge, you can ride on Bay Lake between there and Fort Wilderness. (See Fort Wilderness entry). </li>
<li>You can also sail to the Contemporary, and change boats to the Magic Kingdom loop and ride around on the Seven Seas Lagoon to the Grand Floridian and the Polynesian.</li>
<li>While you’re at one of those properties, why not jump off and explore the hotels and the gorgeous grounds. Get a Dole Whip at the Polynesian. Or have a cup of afternoon tea at the Grand Floridian (you need reservations for that last one, but it’s a neat thing.) There are also walking trails all over for a lovely day.</li>
<li>You can change modes of transportation and get on a monorail at one of those hotels. Get off at the Ticket and Transportation Center. Then relax on the monorail out to Epcot. </li>
<li>If you happen to have a season pass, you can go in the park and then get on the boat at the International Gateway for your next adventure. If not, hop on a bus to Boardwalk. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZjvpmtBzjtEOLvkOy6KFGJJhpOKfv8E6hxPyiki9B-FrYSILcTlydE1aDTOKkXH1SPy0tcvWesYxeezf09z542mnG2ErL04HtfR3qLr_WtRalW95LpMF0Tv2A2-6d0CrbTpbtz1foI7L/s1600/boardwalk.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZjvpmtBzjtEOLvkOy6KFGJJhpOKfv8E6hxPyiki9B-FrYSILcTlydE1aDTOKkXH1SPy0tcvWesYxeezf09z542mnG2ErL04HtfR3qLr_WtRalW95LpMF0Tv2A2-6d0CrbTpbtz1foI7L/s1600/boardwalk.gif" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Disney's Boardwalk.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</li>
<li>Boardwalk is a free entertainment district unto itself. You can also just drive there. Yes, the restaurants and clubs cost money, but in the evenings, lots of street performers come out to entertain, and the boardwalk shops have lots of interesting things to look out. You can also take a wonderful cruise to Epcot, the Swan or Dolphin hotels or the and Yacht and Beach Club resorts. (And explore those hotels!) If you walk or take the boat to the International Gateway in the evening, you’ll be able to see some of Illuminations. </li>
<li>If you don’t mind spending a few dollars, the Fantasia mini-golf course is nearby. </li>
<li>Downtown Disney is a fun place to explore and it is free if you don’t buy anything. The Lego store is amazing, as is the toy store, and we love the Art of Disney gallery. There are often special events, shows and festivals going on. All free. </li>
<li>You can take the Sassagoula River Cruise boat ride from Downtown Disney to Saratoga Springs, Old Key West and then to Port Orleans Resort. (Again, explore at your leisure, eat at any of the restaurants – they are all public.)</li>
<li>$$: For something special, book a horse and carriage ride at Port Orleans. </li>
<li>$$: You can rent bikes and/or boats and many of the marinas. </li>
<li>At most of the resorts (especially the Deluxe and DVC resorts) they show evening movies under the stars – sometimes out on the beach.)</li>
<li>At Fort Wilderness, there’s a nightly marshmallow roast. (It might cost a few dollars.)</li>
<li>At the “monorail” and “wilderness” resorts, you can watch the electrical water parade go by nightly. </li>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7u-lvPjHh0co70DZs9xgwwqBEsFd2GeNNpijxjK9T3WL7aflllIuzVGGemb3q2LiJN1RPRWAmrvGpFjkmXAlnIB0Q1SjuePXNuqPtE5335v19yL_kQh5u1xdsezf41I5GjhJ8053SKoWJ/s1600/wishes.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7u-lvPjHh0co70DZs9xgwwqBEsFd2GeNNpijxjK9T3WL7aflllIuzVGGemb3q2LiJN1RPRWAmrvGpFjkmXAlnIB0Q1SjuePXNuqPtE5335v19yL_kQh5u1xdsezf41I5GjhJ8053SKoWJ/s1600/wishes.gif" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Wishes at the Magic Kingdom.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<li>Watch the nightly Magic Kingdom fireworks "Wishes" from the beach at the Polynesian, Fort Wilderness, or Ticket and Transportation Center. They pipe the music in. (Be aware that especially at the Polynesian, you must be a resort guest to gain access to the beach for this during peak times.)</li>
<li>$$: For something different, see a movie while you’re having dinner at the Downtown Disney movie theater that serves a full menu in some of the theaters. </li>
<li>$$: Bowl at the Downtown Disney Bowling Alley.</li>
<li>Want to see the animals but not go into the park? Go to the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Both Jambo House and Kidani Village have Savannah areas to watch the animals. Their hotel gift shop also has very unique items.</li>
</ol>
<br />Janet Brindle Reddickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00758861195272045910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7448585496002074385.post-90454636178780740512014-03-06T08:23:00.001-08:002014-03-06T09:58:52.567-08:00Palm frond miragesI was talking yesterday with one of my coworkers about the strange phenomenon that still happens to me occasionally. It's most often at off-ramps, or when I'm stopped in traffic. It's especially bad when I'm down near the theme parks.<br />
I'll suddenly have to remind myself that I LIVE in Florida. I'm not just here on vacation.<br />
It's because of the palm trees.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH0SJMZgAYGZhln93tuvxvb5njtK69ls5mq3JzR_wL2cGA44G06x31w40S_zjejHdg3LjzeHfRDE0uLnMrCOq_-o9OpksNnIayWp5dEVuatpfU0c_TsNe63tCBW1aNxVpJZaVGrZHlH5MF/s1600/Photo+May+05,+2+34+50+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH0SJMZgAYGZhln93tuvxvb5njtK69ls5mq3JzR_wL2cGA44G06x31w40S_zjejHdg3LjzeHfRDE0uLnMrCOq_-o9OpksNnIayWp5dEVuatpfU0c_TsNe63tCBW1aNxVpJZaVGrZHlH5MF/s1600/Photo+May+05,+2+34+50+PM.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
Before we moved here, we came often enough to know our way around. One of the very first things you see when you land at Orlando International Airport is palm trees. They're everywhere.<br />
And it meant you were on vacation.<br />
But now, they're everywhere.<br />
And it's just where we live.<br />
It's been a blessing this winter to be under these warm leafy fronds while everyone we know has been buried in snow and ice. So I'm not complaining at all.<br />
And it has been about 18 months since we moved down here. For all practical purposes, I think we're settled in to the state. Heck, it's been almost three months since I've been at my new job.<br />
Come to think of it, maybe feeling<br />
like I'm on vacation occasionally isn't such a bad thing after all.Janet Brindle Reddickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00758861195272045910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7448585496002074385.post-59440965981629779372014-02-14T14:00:00.001-08:002014-02-14T14:00:40.502-08:00Another milestone before focusing on what's most important<div class="MsoNormal">
Well, I turned in my second biggish thing this week. Still
working on lots of smaller things, social media stuff, and several medium
projects, and am in the middle of something brand new, but at least it keeps me
busy. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’ll be two months since I started next Wednesday. Hard to
believe that time has gone by so quickly. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had a great opportunity to go to a social media conference
yesterday with a lot of interesting speakers. I hope we’ll be able to use some
of what we got out of it here – just like anywhere, change sometimes comes
slowly – but at least there’s momentum and people talking about moving in the
right direction. And I’m really pleased to be part of a team that is leading
that charge. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now that that assignment is turned in, I can focus on what’s
most important for a few days – family. <o:p></o:p></div>
Janet Brindle Reddickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00758861195272045910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7448585496002074385.post-40163196976376929522014-01-14T19:00:00.000-08:002014-01-14T19:00:01.725-08:00For Inspiration: Assignments for a new yearOne of the hardest things for me when I start a new job is remembering all of the new names. I was especially afraid of that this last time because the team is much bigger than at my last job and I'm not great at remembering for<br />
<br />
But during a staff meeting today, I was able to go around the table today an mentally check off everyone and match names to faces. So that's a pretty good feeling.<br />
<br />
Everyone got their assignments for the year, too, so we can plan out what we'll be spending our time on - which generally appeals to my type-A personality.<br />
<br />
Today was also energizing because I found out that some of the people who've been working here for a long time had some of the same questions I do about some of the new projects that are coming up. So that's comforting. It gives me the feeling that I'm on more equal footing with them.<br />
<br />
As far as the work itself, I'm pretty comfortable that I'll be able to research and write everything well - it's just a matter of putting everything in the right place and making sure I don't crash the content management system, which is pretty complicated. It's not hard, but there's a different screen for almost every process. I'm sure in a few months it'll be second nature.<br />
<br />
All in all though, I feel like my transition is going pretty well. I'm very thankful and feel so lucky.<br />
<br />
It's a great environment and the people are funny, smart and helpful. We even cut up a bunch during the team meeting. Everyone obviously works really hard, but they know that at the end of the day, they have done what they can. Of course, there are frustrations like anywhere else, but we work through those, and I'm finding it much easier to just let those things roll off my back.<br />
<br />
I feel like I've really gotten into the groove.Janet Brindle Reddickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00758861195272045910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7448585496002074385.post-65417514865426929442014-01-10T14:31:00.001-08:002014-01-10T14:32:42.198-08:00A change in the wind: Part 2December 2013 was a whirlwind.<br />
<br />
I left my job at Intelliguide, and sadly, some wonderful people. But I easily shed the things that sent me looking for a new opportunity in the first place - most of all, hours that were too long and some crazy clients.<br />
<br />
When we moved to Central Florida, (and even when we visited on trips), we passed this giant building just off of I-4 with a four-story glass atrium. Now I work there. Kind of crazy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixiRDsD1CT6kauXjiHAAzUgAfwyHfm-afEXY64QzbHrXN4tR2up7O7U645mN6dCtbJ0BI0saA-e1Ubyig_FI-lJspl4z-AoSZJldMO4yqHbRKetDYbV24wzNR-oSsblD5f00RYJqTkhm1U/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixiRDsD1CT6kauXjiHAAzUgAfwyHfm-afEXY64QzbHrXN4tR2up7O7U645mN6dCtbJ0BI0saA-e1Ubyig_FI-lJspl4z-AoSZJldMO4yqHbRKetDYbV24wzNR-oSsblD5f00RYJqTkhm1U/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Atrium of AAA National Building in Heathrow, Fla. at Christmastime.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And really, it's the path of everything that came before now that led me here. I wouldn't have been considered without my travel connections at Northstar. So for that, I am very thankful.<br />
<br />
So since November, it's been crazy busy with visits from my parents, Jay's mother and grandmother, leaving a job, starting a job and two holidays.<br />
<br />
It's a new future and a chance for a fresh start. I feel sort of like Mary Poppins - there was a change in the wind, and when I let go and let it take me where I needed to go, I ended up with this new job, better hours and a new outlook on the future.<br />
<br />
Speaking of letting things go, during some time that we had off, we saw the new Disney movie, "Frozen." So much of the music is wonderful, but the breakout hit, "Let it Go" had a line that just really stuck with me - and I think I'll try to embrace it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrD-n-eal3IZ928dGjrVCYzaTy6gW8tgjsUIOheg9VBCuEklENCfU59CR9MqmrRI2pMZ9ciKO6aeQlYaiTA3J5P92BgVD3Fz6zHCGAK9RmlpisgTlf-vQikmW9C0kt994R082-4PwGvg6a/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrD-n-eal3IZ928dGjrVCYzaTy6gW8tgjsUIOheg9VBCuEklENCfU59CR9MqmrRI2pMZ9ciKO6aeQlYaiTA3J5P92BgVD3Fz6zHCGAK9RmlpisgTlf-vQikmW9C0kt994R082-4PwGvg6a/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="320" width="307" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the Lakeside Cafe. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
"It's time to see what I can do, to test the limits and break through, no right -- no wrong, no rules for me, I'm free."<br />
<br />
We only live once and waiting to be rich enough, thin enough, smart enough or successful enough to try other things defeats the purpose of living a full life. I would say let the storm rage on - the cold never bothered me anyway, but I feel like our seas are getting calmer all the time. So, instead, I'll just toast to changing winds.Janet Brindle Reddickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00758861195272045910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7448585496002074385.post-20505644747840965672013-10-29T15:17:00.001-07:002013-10-30T06:14:10.335-07:00A change in the winds: Seeing old friends, getting new schedules, feeling cooler climates<div>
October has brought so many good things to Jay and I. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
***</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We've been lucky enough to be able to have visits with friends last weekend AND this weekend coming up. And we'll have family coming in just a few weeks after that. We're far from home, and though we've started to make new connections here, there's nothing like seeing the people who know you the best. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
***</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
The heat is finally breaking. We've finally reached the tipping point here in central Florida where I am able to wear jeans and long sleeves in the evening. I'm even able to get through most of the day in my office without turning on the air conditioner.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Even though we went through fall last year, I guess it's because this was our first full summer that it seems like we waited even longer for the cool temperatures to arrive. I have to admit I'm kind of jealous of the kids who will be coming around later this week for trick-or-treating. They'll be able to wear their costumes just as they are. For many years at home in New Jersey, we had to either wear bulky layers UNDER our outfits, or put an coat on OVER our costumes. Alternately, we'd bring our coat, but then not wear it, and freeze. Not great options, any of them, really. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
***</div>
<div>
One of the best bits of news we got over the summer was that Jay would start getting Sundays and Mondays off, so that we'd have a weekend day together. This was the first weekend we had it and it was so nice to have a full day off with Jay - I got to go to a fundraising event at the Jazzercise studio in the afternoon and then we still had plenty of time to do something together that night.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a3ce08b3127ccef42ff71cace500000030O10AcNWTdo1ZtWYPbz4A/cC/f=0/ls=00305354725820131029221647153.JPG/ps=50/r=1/rx=720/ry=480/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a3ce08b3127ccef42ff71cace500000030O10AcNWTdo1ZtWYPbz4A/cC/f=0/ls=00305354725820131029221647153.JPG/ps=50/r=1/rx=720/ry=480/" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shimmy and Shake party at Jazzercize Mills 50 Orlando</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
We were going to go play video games at DisneyQuest, but we decided it was just too beautiful to stay trapped inside, so we headed to to EPCOT for the Food and Wine Festival - and it was, to our delight, pretty empty. We had been to one side several weeks ago, but not to the other, and we're going with some other friends later this weekend, but you can just never get to everything.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a3ce08b3127ccef42ee92e0da400000030O00AcNWTdo1ZtWYPbz4A/cC/f=0/ls=00305354725820131029222307168.JPG/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a3ce08b3127ccef42ee92e0da400000030O00AcNWTdo1ZtWYPbz4A/cC/f=0/ls=00305354725820131029222307168.JPG/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Illuminations finale from the bridge near the U.K.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was just nice to be together. We even stayed to see Illuminations: Reflections of Earth..<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
***</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We're so looking forward to more fun in coming weeks - we've got tickets to some great events, and the holidays will soon be here. </div>
Janet Brindle Reddickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00758861195272045910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7448585496002074385.post-51070291516164149202013-10-17T16:01:00.003-07:002013-10-17T16:01:55.521-07:00Reflecting on images<br />
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</div>
<br />
When we go to a new place, we want to remember our journeys. We capture them with our photographs - they are the least inexpensive souvenirs of any trip, and can often be the most valuable.<br />
<br />
But in judging the quality of a picture, what makes it "good?" There are award-winning photojournalists that capture a person's spirit or a moment in time. There is a technicality that must be present to capture the right light, use the right aperture setting and snap the shutter at the perfect instant.<br />
<br />
But sometimes, when we look back at our family photos or the snaps we've taken from vacations, its just great to see the faces of our friends and family. Most of us are never without our phones now, so taking photos and documenting everyday life with our phones and on Facebook has really become our new collective journaling. Instead of going back to newspaper clippings or microfilm, our ancestors will just look through our old posts.<br />
<br />
I love taking pictures of the scenes that we see, but sometimes the details from our trip spark a memory just as easily.<br />
<br />
For instance: this isn't a particularly great photo - It's just a parking lot, shortly after sunrise, as tons of people walk to the starting line for the start of Jay's race near the Pentagon. But looking at it, I can hear the swoop of the blades of the helicopter, because they came up so loud and so suddenly. It just captured that moment.<br />
<br />
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<br />
In the same way, this picture is just of our poor, poor patch of grass surrounding our our mailbox. But I planted tulip bulbs there the first winter we were there, and every spring after then, we would watch them come up. And now I see this and wonder if the new owners were surprised and delighted when they appeared.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_P3NtMyNPWl60WFFw5ii8pePRDeeyL0eHFuHqJkOheNW_zzRbIlTJ7nmIJu3SLs-aiQoUDIN-qiru6nLVlE4_HedGJ9iShADseMpBBHxG3zSIwZOVKAE_0AJcz1_LSPxEQsr11hvLKbr0/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_P3NtMyNPWl60WFFw5ii8pePRDeeyL0eHFuHqJkOheNW_zzRbIlTJ7nmIJu3SLs-aiQoUDIN-qiru6nLVlE4_HedGJ9iShADseMpBBHxG3zSIwZOVKAE_0AJcz1_LSPxEQsr11hvLKbr0/s320/photo+2.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
Finally, this is a very grainy photo of one of the manatees at The Living Seas at Epcot. It might be Lou. It might not be. I'm not sure. But here's the thing. He represents everything good, quiet, peaceful and calming about the world to me. I'm usually there visiting with Jay, it's at a place we love, it's in the water and well, he's a manatee. It takes me back to our kayak trip on the Space Coast when we saw them in the wild. It reminds me that I like to explore new things (like when I wanted to study oceanography). And it reminds me that I should eat a salad.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii8V0jEz4w8hY-mAypCpwu1ib5zNWFQTGwNbNmlPhLRV_lriYKSL9jP9VonnCEoS3S_nfQh2z0HEVK1iTCRhH6bwPtpyxoBBYGPWFCvNTJBonyWOtgPw1h6NWJFAmKj7-iGY37dabp7s-s/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii8V0jEz4w8hY-mAypCpwu1ib5zNWFQTGwNbNmlPhLRV_lriYKSL9jP9VonnCEoS3S_nfQh2z0HEVK1iTCRhH6bwPtpyxoBBYGPWFCvNTJBonyWOtgPw1h6NWJFAmKj7-iGY37dabp7s-s/s320/photo+4.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
I've got way prettier photos - but sometimes the ones I keep are the ones that bring me back to my happiest memories.<br />
<br />Janet Brindle Reddickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00758861195272045910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7448585496002074385.post-58935438660222645242013-10-14T15:38:00.003-07:002013-10-14T15:38:30.436-07:00Me on a stickBecause my husband is smarter than I am, when he started his new job, he negotiated more vacation time off as part of his starting package. He was able to use a couple of those extra days this week to go back to North Carolina to see family and friends.<br />
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I'm so happy for him that he got to make the trip, but it's also been a little bittersweet to see some of the pictures of the gatherings and to hear all the stories without being there.<br />
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But before he left, I put a picture of myself in his suitcase that I taped to a straw, so that I could be a part of the gatherings.<br />
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<a href="https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/p480x480/1390673_10151799749082740_1680415329_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Photo: Awesome get-together tonight. So much fun" border="0" class="img" height="190" src="https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/p480x480/1390673_10151799749082740_1680415329_n.jpg" style="left: -54px;" width="320" /></a>It was very meta to get a picture back of a mini-me with my friends. My tiny little head looks like it's been to the witch doctor.<br />
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Also, that pizza from Elizabeth's looks pretty good. I hope he brings me some home.Janet Brindle Reddickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00758861195272045910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7448585496002074385.post-64362069715576160822013-10-04T11:00:00.000-07:002013-10-04T11:00:21.094-07:00"Let's go get some glowy things" It's not often you hear someone say something like that. So Jay and I were amused when we heard this comment behind us last night. We were even more delighted when we looked over and saw that it was a couple in their late 50s, and he was donning a spectacular Hawaiian shirt. Good for you, sir. Good for you.<br />
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I think that's a good idea for all of us, really.<br />
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In the middle of a government shutdown, on a day when a mentally-ill woman was involved in a car chase/shooting situation at the Capitol and more people than ever are taking one pharmaceutical or another, I can 't think of better advice than walking into the entrance of EPCOT after work and buying some "glowy things."<br />
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Earlier that night, I saw a Facebook post from a friend of mine who had just checked in a few miles away to the "Not So Scary Halloween Party" at the Magic Kingdom to go trick or treating.<br />
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And again, I thought to myself, why do grown ups not do this more often. Have you been trick or treating lately? (We went to this party a couple of weeks ago, and it's really very satisfying. At the end, you can still trade your candy with your friends or family).<br />
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I also wished a happy birthday online to one of my fabulous Jazzercise instructors, who was wearing a sparkly tiara on her head for the occasion, and she was lamenting the fact that she couldn't wear one every day. Well why not, I say?<br />
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Maybe what Congress needs right now is some trick-or-treating - and a good ol' fashioned candy swap. Almond Joy for a Butterfinger? OK, but only if you through in an M&M too.<br />
<br />Janet Brindle Reddickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00758861195272045910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7448585496002074385.post-19487782613132883602013-10-02T08:17:00.000-07:002013-10-02T10:19:58.512-07:00Embracing our community One of the exciting things about living in our new neighborhood is all of the local businesses that are nearby. We've got a <a href="http://bartcade.com/" target="_blank">bar that offers free video games</a>, a great <a href="http://www.yummisandwiches.com/" target="_blank">Vietnamese sandwich join</a>t, the <a href="http://www.takocheena.com/" target="_blank">best taco place ever</a> (it's tacos with an asian twist!) and, of course, a place that I'm now frequenting twice a week - J<a href="http://jcls.jazzercise.com/facility/jazzercise-orlando-mills-50" target="_blank">azzercise on Mills</a> Ave.<br />
The women there are fantastic, the workout is fun, and now, I've even gotten sucked in to a group performance at half time at a Miami Dolphin's game later this month. (What was I thinking?)<br />
It's great to be in a place with history, old trees and brick streets that is only minutes from downtown and Target - as well as just steps away from <a href="http://www.leugardens.org/" target="_blank">Leu Gardens</a>.<br />
We're so happy we moved to <a href="http://www.colonialtown.org/" target="_blank">Colonialtown North</a>!Janet Brindle Reddickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00758861195272045910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7448585496002074385.post-73611089848242121592013-09-30T17:15:00.001-07:002013-10-01T12:59:12.641-07:00View from Lake HighlandOne of the things that struck us the most when we moved to central Florida was the sheer number of lakes. I remember driving around looking for our apartment and there were people paddle boarding - and I was struck by such a "We're not in Kansas anymore" moment.<br />
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What's so strange about that is when we first moved here, our address was on a road called Lake Shadow. Now we're near Lake Highland. It seems we can't escape it. But now that we're in Orlando instead of Maitland, we feel like we're so much more a part of the heartbeat and the landscape of the city. </div>
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We can walk to restaurants and exercise classes. We can be almost anywhere in the city in about 10 minutes drive.<br />
It's not QUITE as good as living on Bay Lake. </div>
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But it's close. </div>
Janet Brindle Reddickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00758861195272045910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7448585496002074385.post-54258945299215159612012-12-07T14:42:00.002-08:002012-12-07T14:42:51.762-08:00Decoration debacle or gift in disguise?When Jay and I moved into our house in NC in 2005, it was just after Christmas, so we were sort of in a holiday limbo that year. We're sort of in the same boat this year on the tail end of leaving our house. We have all of this stuff that was measured for the house that is too big for this apartment - and it's all crammed into boxes in the storage closet off the patio.<br />
We're very excited to be seeing some family this week, and I had every intention of "decking our halls," but with work being uber crazy, it just hasn't happened. There's a wreath on our door and I'm gonna hang up some lights out on the balcony, but that's pretty much it.<br />
I figure we'll be out and about at places with plenty of holiday cheer - and hopefully next year we'll be in a place with a little more space and feel a little more settled - and they I'll know just where to hang the garland and just where to trim the tree.<br />
While his family is here, we're also planning to take them to see some of the hundreds of decorated trees down at Disney, and to the <a href="http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/epcot/special-events/candlelight-processional/" target="_blank">Candlelight Processional at Epcot</a> and to <a href="http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/magic-kingdom/special-events/mickeys-very-merry-christmas-party/" target="_blank">Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party</a>, so I think that'll be plenty festive!<br />
Our Christmas spirit will come from within - and the post-holiday stress of taking down the decorations is gone! What a gift!Janet Brindle Reddickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00758861195272045910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7448585496002074385.post-61856525606055229852012-12-06T13:03:00.001-08:002012-12-06T14:46:53.813-08:00Tweets vs. Christmas CardsA friend of mine posted something funny on Facebook yesterday - <a href="http://www.theonion.com/articles/dunbar-family-forced-to-discontinue-print-edition,30601/" target="_blank">a funny story from The Onion</a> about a family discontinuing the "print" edition of their Christmas cards in favor of online.<br />
This obviously struck a nerve with me in the year that Newsweek went under, during the same week that saw three more journalists laid off at Jay's newspaper and about the general perceived (or real) decline of print products in general.<br />
As I write this, I can actually see the little mail house where all of the apartments go to pick up their mail in the one centralized hut. There are little garbage cans out there, too - so that people can just chuck their junk mail directly in there.<br />
And it got me to thinking: Do people think our Christmas cards are old-fashioned? Passe? Or do they do for them what they do for me - and to others who I've watched at this box: (Junk. Junk. Bill. Junk. Smile, for the Christmas card.) For so many of us, it's just impossible to send. There's no guilt meant to be put on anyone else here. Frankly, some years, it is just unmanageable. But for me, it's just something I enjoy.<br />
Going through my old address book (still written in pen!) makes me reflect for just a moment on old friends, acquaintances and family to whom I should have spent more time and attention with.<br />
Certainly, things like FB and Twitter have helped with that in some cases. But for the part of my contacts who aren't on those avenues, it will always be a part of my tradition.<br />
But I WOULD like to apologize now. My handwriting STILL isn't getting any better. So the Christmas letter (which my Dad hates!) is typed.<br />
There are many people for whom we are missing addresses. We hope to get them soon to send another batch of cards. Sending them is really the start of the season for us. Happy holidays!Janet Brindle Reddickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00758861195272045910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7448585496002074385.post-15821816350005795152012-09-18T13:44:00.001-07:002012-09-18T13:44:22.316-07:00Silver and Gold
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<![endif--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">There’s an old campfire song that
says, “Make new friends, but keep the old; one is silver and the other gold. A
circle is round, it has no end; That’s how long I will be your friend.”</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">On a day like yesterday, I received so many wonderful birthday wishes from all over the country - from people I haven't seen in a while, and I was reminded just it is so nice to be connected. It made me really think about friendships throughout the years. (Here are some pictures of some of those people.) </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihvahrdNQ_PVUzOXy7EHED9cK4I_ikC7HjrceSoNX-04lK9pZEQ85gVmLRw0BgIwRrjcat_L0Qeh9VPtlaP0KYPuWm74L5ydryxGoFYJ7dVGDrVGA8VkCTcfhLIGhSF5asDEJ4dn-9rnNN/s1600/LIS.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihvahrdNQ_PVUzOXy7EHED9cK4I_ikC7HjrceSoNX-04lK9pZEQ85gVmLRw0BgIwRrjcat_L0Qeh9VPtlaP0KYPuWm74L5ydryxGoFYJ7dVGDrVGA8VkCTcfhLIGhSF5asDEJ4dn-9rnNN/s400/LIS.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sixth Grade at Lawrence Intermediate School</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">During every phase of life, you meet
a slew of new people. Some of them come into your world and make a wonderful
impression, but then slip out of your circle of friends because of time or
space. But the important ones always find their way back.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3f7MUUZ_FVH5RjpjH1Tsvl60wFAVvPm5eph8RGRG3jKTHh-gy5M-ZO8qqC4bpLL9cmKoMgBACVF5mDt-7EmMqC2_Sj9D-kTfZzTUldJdmhb2oYYaZwBQ84cboDm_QwC_0Pwo73HKgqtE/s1600/homecoming.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3f7MUUZ_FVH5RjpjH1Tsvl60wFAVvPm5eph8RGRG3jKTHh-gy5M-ZO8qqC4bpLL9cmKoMgBACVF5mDt-7EmMqC2_Sj9D-kTfZzTUldJdmhb2oYYaZwBQ84cboDm_QwC_0Pwo73HKgqtE/s640/homecoming.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lawrence High School (junior year)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Other people stay in your life’s colander,
never slipping through the holes. There are those who you know are constants –
the ones who have been with you since childhood, or college, or maybe the key people
you met when you first arrived at a new job. These are the souls who really
know you. They’ve seen you ugly cry. They know what you look like first thing
in the morning.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0SotRBRiuWqAYKCOHDy7Tvj9KU-nDzMFiM8YLz69s7aLVyiV7xYeDrZVZv1Fg-SnLHCgk62fjIQZqw_BPtKy8a4AGf80OgRd75d2dAssoaOZ6x4zmYUqHQKXpEwQYuTloTxmmQ9ncFPZR/s1600/Charleston+Riverfront+Park.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0SotRBRiuWqAYKCOHDy7Tvj9KU-nDzMFiM8YLz69s7aLVyiV7xYeDrZVZv1Fg-SnLHCgk62fjIQZqw_BPtKy8a4AGf80OgRd75d2dAssoaOZ6x4zmYUqHQKXpEwQYuTloTxmmQ9ncFPZR/s400/Charleston+Riverfront+Park.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winthrop girls in Charleston (sophomore year??)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> A quality of each friendship can’t
be measured in the same way. In every part of our lives, we need and want
different things from friends, and we have unique memories of each person. We
may even touch people in ways we don’t know. There are those that you know will be permanent. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">These are the people who we know
we can always call when we REALLY need them – even if we haven’t talked in a
while. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7SK7Am3_ZyD5VJX8jc3SWeV-FxtCKOClAIThyTFdIb4NVrj-5y99RXKS0lLiZ6X_MeHbvB60BmQ6agj3aVVrEFFnutTz_kvbtsEMtba0lOw1G1YbtVil3FT6dYksrBrlztvq_R7HfK1b7/s1600/htl.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7SK7Am3_ZyD5VJX8jc3SWeV-FxtCKOClAIThyTFdIb4NVrj-5y99RXKS0lLiZ6X_MeHbvB60BmQ6agj3aVVrEFFnutTz_kvbtsEMtba0lOw1G1YbtVil3FT6dYksrBrlztvq_R7HfK1b7/s320/htl.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tanya's baby shower at Kim's house</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I recently had someone share with me
a memory of something that I had done for her 11 years ago that was meaningful
to her. I had no recollection of it at all. You just never know what will touch
people. A word, or a gesture, or a card at just the right time that seemed
insignificant to you, may have been just the right thing. No matter what, people who take care of other people are gifts to be cherished. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyR50AbFUzodO0ZO__WNKpzc5bbm0CBTKkv4pvqEY0Wi1bBd3CKaac87tNFQ32o7eW6OiFQ9tcsvhah7WPOpBGfcjYgStxq_DsoIEcdAd-GYX-35lLq0NEH_VF6WzMtI8myX6vTZqd_In/s1600/jwm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyR50AbFUzodO0ZO__WNKpzc5bbm0CBTKkv4pvqEY0Wi1bBd3CKaac87tNFQ32o7eW6OiFQ9tcsvhah7WPOpBGfcjYgStxq_DsoIEcdAd-GYX-35lLq0NEH_VF6WzMtI8myX6vTZqd_In/s320/jwm.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the Christmas spirit after a N&R bake sale.</td></tr>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And just because you
lose touch with someone doesn’t mean that they weren’t important – it might
just mean that you both have other things going on. Inevitably, your paths will
always cross again. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">During the past year and a half, I
have been overwhelmed with the love and friendship and goodwill that came to
me, both when I left the News & Record, and now that Jay and I are leaving
North Carolina. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNSbwVW3IUQD-38G1wYcJhkvDDn20k7Ip4olNoXDubLRRKFkdui_8ZubqGcY-LK1bDx7zp3eNpiNJH-beTT6VfNPFmH88_wlDdxafmneUDO-KEv1jOvkniT8OPT7fUs1BknB0d0ZvlZbKG/s1600/N&R.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNSbwVW3IUQD-38G1wYcJhkvDDn20k7Ip4olNoXDubLRRKFkdui_8ZubqGcY-LK1bDx7zp3eNpiNJH-beTT6VfNPFmH88_wlDdxafmneUDO-KEv1jOvkniT8OPT7fUs1BknB0d0ZvlZbKG/s640/N&R.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The N&R gang.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It makes me think that maybe the
song isn’t quite right. I think the friends song – at least the one that I relate
to – isn’t an either or proposition. I think I’m looking for more of a mixed
metal bracelet. What makes the circle strongest is all of the piece together – and they will
never let the chain of silver AND gold break. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKsu41GrblN7e3rykdWdKQyIe-AoJ9kx-aKtahxMoIpuVk3Tr-d_QYt6Fz1K09o8IHBKbMTPle_Fv6hRNRI44T5dQbxBDiJ2L2zyWgsxuOpg36hIdhke83TmF6_Ox5FG1LUOcHVEGYNALn/s1600/lake.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKsu41GrblN7e3rykdWdKQyIe-AoJ9kx-aKtahxMoIpuVk3Tr-d_QYt6Fz1K09o8IHBKbMTPle_Fv6hRNRI44T5dQbxBDiJ2L2zyWgsxuOpg36hIdhke83TmF6_Ox5FG1LUOcHVEGYNALn/s400/lake.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dioni's tubing adventure on the Dan.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Gold and Silver friends in my
life have found wonderful spaces together, and I will miss all of them in their
own way. And I can’t wait to make new ones in our new space.</span></div>
Janet Brindle Reddickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00758861195272045910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7448585496002074385.post-54421471652271120722012-09-09T19:32:00.000-07:002012-09-09T19:32:51.572-07:00Why yes. Little 'ol me is gonna drive this here big truckI consider myself a pro at moving. After our most recent trip, I actually think I'd even consider a career in the logistics business as a highway transportation specialist. (That's my new fancy name for a trucker.) Check out my 26-foot long, 12-foot tall ride that DID take up the entire length of the gas station:<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsSahYA2lDhoDr5N0bIO6pLpzF6yxEPl6vIG4IHznvSvlyCU-AtEjy9lszUxhRdn6i-wvCQ8DI5EPFFJNnDHX-SPZV-otEF-Sx2gdCd90LqhAWSmI-3ilO-Vw6jImHwUTbom_MYZ6tkvdR/s1600/grillview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">:<img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsSahYA2lDhoDr5N0bIO6pLpzF6yxEPl6vIG4IHznvSvlyCU-AtEjy9lszUxhRdn6i-wvCQ8DI5EPFFJNnDHX-SPZV-otEF-Sx2gdCd90LqhAWSmI-3ilO-Vw6jImHwUTbom_MYZ6tkvdR/s200/grillview.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
The first "cross-country" move, of course, was when I went off to college in South Carolina from New Jersey. I didn't have a whole lot of stuff - just what would fit in my my parents car and my <a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=UeF&sa=X&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1067&bih=743&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=hm9zsudTer5pMM:&imgrefurl=http://www.imcdb.org/vehicle_211791-Ford-LTD-Crown-Victoria-1986.html&docid=XkbnIdjvzAesjM&imgurl=http://www.imcdb.org/i211791.jpg&w=720&h=550&ei=HFBNUIDnFIrE9gTRs4GQDA&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=534&sig=113597849467341777152&page=2&tbnh=165&tbnw=210&start=12&ndsp=16&ved=1t:429,r:14,s:12,i:228&tx=111&ty=98" target="_blank">1983 LTD police car model</a> (oh, Bessie, how I miss you) to fit in a half dorm room.<br />
But while I was in college, I moved back home for the summer, then into a different dorm, back home again, and then to a third dorm where I had my own room.<br />
This is where things started getting more complicated. Now, I could fit a small sofa that I got at the Salvation Army. (Whoever's truck I borrowed, thank you (Neely?)).<br />
The following summer, instead of moving home, I moved in to an off- campus apartment (where we bought more furniture.) Another off-campus apartment (with still more furniture now included things like a dining room table and chairs, a coffee table, a super heavy TV cabinet of some sort and I think some dressers and beds? (Again, I have no recollection of how we hauled this stuff around.) I don't remember a Sherpa, but it was a long time ago. <br />
After graduation, my first apartment in Hillsville, Va. was nice, but sparse, and everything I owned fit in a small U-Haul. Friends drove my car while I drove the smallish U-Haul - and boy, that truck did NOT like going UP that big mountain. Thanks to the experience in my giant car, I felt pretty comfortable driving the big truck, though.<br />
Which was good. It came in handy for when I helped a friend of mine move to Petersburg, Va., and she asked me to drive her 24-foot U-Haul truck DOWN the mountain. The truck had plenty of space. Which was good - since she and her fiance had a lot of stuff. <br />
What it did not seeming have was any brake pads. There was not a gear low enough to slow this truck down to a speed that would prevent me from having to use the brakes nearly all the way down the mountain. I suddenly had a very new appreciation for the "runaway truck ramps" and wondered just how much of her grandmother's silver would end up over the side of Low Gap, Va., if we ended up pulling an Evil Knievel. Luckily, it never came to that.<br />
Each new experience after that - up to Maryland and back down to North Carolina, then led me to the wise realization that Jay and I finally came to when we moved into our new home in Kernersville: Hire movers, stupid. Yeah. It was worth it. Of course, that was just an across town move. Sort of affordable.<br />
Cut to our latest adventure, and pricing moves 500 miles away? I don't consider myself cheap. Frugal, perhaps. But $5,000!?? No. I would be back up in that truck. (We could hire movers to load and unload it for a couple hundred and the truck rental for under $1000.)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ZizvGTyI4-5e8xz3bgKi9lR4DcBN5ggKQMV6WgEp83QrMvGBy_vAuV_ixfsGWq8pjewPV1aZ_b7N_e-nv3VM-UCramY2Ui4ZMrvo1PSXgcYgR7LL4RWphVEmvoEgZYJ5_Y_vK1P47PJe/s1600/driveway.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ZizvGTyI4-5e8xz3bgKi9lR4DcBN5ggKQMV6WgEp83QrMvGBy_vAuV_ixfsGWq8pjewPV1aZ_b7N_e-nv3VM-UCramY2Ui4ZMrvo1PSXgcYgR7LL4RWphVEmvoEgZYJ5_Y_vK1P47PJe/s1600/driveway.jpg" /></a><br />
We got the truck in the driveway - And it DID take up nearly the entire length of our driveway.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ZizvGTyI4-5e8xz3bgKi9lR4DcBN5ggKQMV6WgEp83QrMvGBy_vAuV_ixfsGWq8pjewPV1aZ_b7N_e-nv3VM-UCramY2Ui4ZMrvo1PSXgcYgR7LL4RWphVEmvoEgZYJ5_Y_vK1P47PJe/s1600/driveway.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a> And the then people started asking me things like:<br />
<ul>
<li> "Wow. YOU'RE gonna drive THAT truck?"</li>
<li>"So, are you scared to drive it?" </li>
<li>And my favorite: "Oh, I didn't know you had your CDL" (commercial driver's license.) (I don't, I said.) "And they still let you drive it?"</li>
</ul>
I'm pleased to report that I did not hit anyone or anything on the way to Florida. There ARE a couple of stories from the road. Those are coming next.... <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-tdTJf_KQCjvz7Y_74slC4j3MN2RyIPyFQKRpq35HuAo5sKU9S9xTDXRt1ecmXifrkWqM-wWmuoL_k1Bt5O-l27467V-l0aoIv2Cded6EWV0jqa9lYt_J5ooBZuZkDuzQ5lfwHszdFOV6/s1600/road.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-tdTJf_KQCjvz7Y_74slC4j3MN2RyIPyFQKRpq35HuAo5sKU9S9xTDXRt1ecmXifrkWqM-wWmuoL_k1Bt5O-l27467V-l0aoIv2Cded6EWV0jqa9lYt_J5ooBZuZkDuzQ5lfwHszdFOV6/s1600/road.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />Janet Brindle Reddickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00758861195272045910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7448585496002074385.post-84544245526646156702012-09-06T12:23:00.000-07:002013-10-01T13:40:41.235-07:00A whole new worldWith apologies to Alan Mencken and Tim Rice, I can't really think of another way to talk about what Jay and I have gone through in the past eight weeks. ("We're not in Kansas anymore" would certainly be appropriate, but since we're moving to Orlando, I had to go with that.)<br />
<b>The application</b><br />
Right around July 4th, Jay applied for a multi-platform production editor job at the Orlando Sentinel. He got a phone call several weeks later and had a great phone interview.<br />
At the end of the call, I came out of the office at our house and looked down the stairs to ask him how it went. I will never forget the sound of his voice or the look on his face as he stood at the landing at the bottom of the stairs and said, "I think I'm gonna get this job."<br />
A few days later, he was contacted to come down in person.<br />
By then, I spent evenings looking hopefully at apartment and housing listings in the area - just in case. While he was at his interview, I also bought one roll of packing tape. Just in case.<br />
<b>The wait</b><br />
Jay thought everything had gone pretty well. But then we didn't hear anything back for about a week. One night, we had a talk about the fact that it was ok, and there would be other jobs. I knew he was disappointed, but he has done his very best.<br />
The next morning, Aug. 7, I got a call at work.<br />
"Do you have a second?"<br />
I took my cell phone out into the back hallway at work and waited for the bad news.<br />
"Wanna live in Orlando?" he asked.<br />
Everything changed. Just like that.<br />
<b>Get a move on</b><br />
Now what?<br />
Jay had to give notice. I had to hope that my boss would give me permission to work from home. (Thank goodness she did.)<br />
Then all we had to do was find a place to live, pack up everything we owned, move it ten hours away and sell our house. No problem.<br />
What blows my mind is that our house will be on the market this weekend - just a month after all of this began. It looks better than ever, too - with the new paint on the banister and the pressure washing on the vinyl, deck and driveway - it's shiny and bright. I actually find that spackling and painting is pretty relaxing. <br />
We have lots of stories from the actual move. More to come.Janet Brindle Reddickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00758861195272045910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7448585496002074385.post-30984980424759080972012-07-28T15:48:00.000-07:002012-07-28T15:59:30.689-07:00Olympic's parade of nations - a march of athletes or social studies lesson?Every two years, during the opening ceremonies of the Winter or Summer Olympics, there seems to be a debate over whether the commentators (usually NBC's Bob Costas) should try to weave in interesting tidbits about the countries as they parade in. <br />
What would make the most sense on this occasion would be fun facts about the athletes. Or perhaps some insight into a struggle that one of the Olympians has overcome. <br />
But anymore, it has turned into a Western-centric, lowest common denominator boiling down of every stereotype of each country. In the cases where the voices behind the mics actually try to talk about the strife in countries, they are boiled down to a context-less, banal explanation without any insight into the possible impact on the Olympians themselves. <br />
Frankly, there is no time in the 30 seconds per country to begin a geo-political discussion about the issues in Egypt, Syria, Afghanistan or even the political hot buttons of universal health care that were dredged up during theatrical portions of the show. <br />
Here's some friendly advice for the writers of the <a href="http://sochi2014.com/en/" target="_blank">Sochi Winter Games in 2014</a> - keep the spirit of the games in mind.Janet Brindle Reddickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00758861195272045910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7448585496002074385.post-57223134992361942832012-05-20T12:37:00.000-07:002013-09-30T12:39:37.105-07:00General News Feature - "Open-air art - An unusual cabana reflects its owners' spirit of fun"Open-air art - An unusual cabana reflects its owners' spirit of fun<br />
--------------------------------------------------<br />
Greensboro News & Record (NC)-May 20, 2012<br />
Author/Byline: JANET BRINDLE REDDICK<br />
Edition: News & Record<br />
Section: LifePage: D1<br />
<br />
GREENSBORO - You might notice something is a little different as soon as you pull up to the home of Drs. Larry Ransom and Kathleen Lucas.<br />
<br />
A bright bird of paradise is painted on the mailbox. The entry is a stained-glass work of the plant, too, one that blooms into a brilliant plume of yellowish orange, purple and green.<br />
<br />
Proceed down the long driveway. And listen. You'll hear the sound of a … waterfall? Where is it coming from? Is it the carport?<br />
<br />
Nope. That's their car cabana.<br />
<br />
"Par-ty, par-ty, chi-chi-chi," Lucas chanted one recent morning as she described the mood that she and her husband wanted to create when they built the open-air structure.<br />
<br />
Is it functional? Sure. But it's also a piece of art, it's fun, and it captures their spirit.<br />
<br />
The car cabana features a skylight, a water feature, a cupola and a one-of-a-kind, built-in sculpture by renowned Greensboro artist Jim Gallucci.<br />
<br />
Lucas bought the home in northwest Greensboro in 1998, a year before she married Ransom.<br />
<br />
The couple honeymooned in Aruba and then got their first bird of paradise. The plant now stands nearly 4 feet tall in their living room and blooms every year. The colors and its spirit of calm run through their home and her office.<br />
<br />
When Ransom, a neonatologist and a Master Horticulturist, leaves his tiny patients, he comes home to a sanctuary that he has spent years cultivating - one that includes a fruit orchard, mini vineyard, greenhouse and, now, this project.<br />
<br />
The couple had a practical need for a carport. But they had other storage spaces, so the new building didn't need to be a garage.<br />
<br />
"The car cabana isn't just about a place to park," Lucas said. "It's a place to gather and entertain."<br />
<br />
Lucas' home and office are decorated in the colors of the bird of paradise: shades of purple, aqua blues and lush greens.<br />
<br />
"I like things that are art as well as practical," Lucas said.<br />
<br />
Enter architect Carl Myatt, who helped Lucas redesign her pediatric practice years ago.<br />
<br />
"The idea is to start the job with a concept and then figure out how to interpret the idea," Myatt said. "It's got to fit the style of the house and bring in the idea."<br />
<br />
And in this case, the technical requirements weren't easy. The cabana is open on all four sides, with no support beams in the middle, and requires a pump for the water feature.<br />
<br />
But the extra, exposed structural beams underneath just provided an opportunity for more colors to be injected into the project.<br />
<br />
With the help of builder John Fields, Myatt, Gallucci and other experts, they did it. The pitch of the roof and even the shingles match the home's roof.<br />
<br />
Though the carport faces the front of the house, the custom cupola, the water feature and the skylight all face the home.<br />
<br />
"I wanted to relate the structure to the existing home," Myatt said.<br />
<br />
All of the artistic details happened organically, too, Lucas said.<br />
<br />
Whether it was solving problems of splashing or finding creative new touches (such as using a Chinese takeout box as a sculptural element to slow the flow of water on each side), there seems to be a story about every detail.<br />
<br />
Lucas and her sister, Gina Lucas, created a tile mosaic in the catch basin of the water feature, and each capstone in the base of each support beam has a special meaning.<br />
<br />
Even after the space was finished, elements were added. During a trip to Asheville, Lucas found an albatross mobile that now hangs in the middle of the space, almost serving as a protector of the domain.<br />
<br />
When the car cabana was finished, Ransom got to work on other projects, including a Japanese rock garden and a bamboo installation to blend into a nearby koi pond.<br />
<br />
Ransom said the whole project - including the landscaping, cabana and four tons of gravel that he shoveled into the Zen garden - probably cost between $15,000 and $20,000.<br />
<br />
But the end result? A veritable oasis.<br />
<br />
Lucas has advice to other homeowners who might want to make improvements to their homes.<br />
<br />
"Don't be afraid to go out of the box," she said. "Use all of your senses. And then find someone to help you design it."<br />
<br />Janet Brindle Reddickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00758861195272045910noreply@blogger.com0