Home Again, Home Again

We MADE it! We are officially Virginians! I guess I should catch you up on all things Winchester. ;)

So, after spending a glorious week with my family on Folly Beach I drove to Greenville this past Saturday to stay at my parents' house. Sunday I woke up and packed up the car then headed to Roanoke with 9 potted plants, all my luggage, lamps/shades, cleaning supplies & dogs in tow. After 5 hours (lunch stop included) in the car we made it! I dropped the kiddos off at the kennel then went straight to the corporate apartment that Chris has been living in for the last month. It was so great to be reunited with him! He cooked me a great dinner of salmon, baked potato, and green beans with Prosecco (one of my favorites).

HOME! :)

Monday morning he went to work and we met up for the closing at 9am. All went well as we signed our lives away (for the second time!). Keys in hand, we parted ways and I went HOME! I am not going to lie--as I pulled in the driveway, walked up the pathway and opened the door I think I skipped then danced my way into the house. I was absolutely elated to say the least.

The movers showed up at about 10am and I stood in the yard and directed them in the placement of all our boxes/furniture. They finished up by about 3pm and I think I did ANOTHER dance. (Small victories, ok!?) I didn't waste any time either. I started unpacking the kitchen until Chris got home to pick me up. We went to the corporate apt and got all our things out then locked up. From there we did what was completely necessary--got a Hot 'N Ready from Little Caesar's and cracked a bottle of bubbly. :) After our dinner of champions we got busy to work and finished the entire kitchen!

Since then I have been busting it to finish the rest. Tuesday I started on the dining room/den and got those finished then yesterday I did the master bedroom (mainly closet organization), the bathrooms and tons of laundry. I have to finish the basement today and it will be DONE! This one little paragraph makes it all seem like a piece of cake--but rest assured--every single part of me just flat out hurts.

I have to mention that I have been to the hardware store quite a few times in the last couple days (courtesy of my GPS). By the way, Mom and I named my GPS "Wanda" just in case I bring "her" up and you have no clue what I am referencing. Anyhoo--Wanda and I did a little exploring this week. I was quickly reminded of my time in Italy when I ventured out for the first time. Thank God they speak English in Virginia. ;) We went to Lowe's, Home Depot, several Krogers, TJ Maxx, & Bed, Bath, and Beyond. I am not sure what it is but I must have a perma-look on my face of "I am confused." I swear every store I go into the employees ask "You look lost...can I help you." First of all--they have NO idea. Second, thank GOODNESS they care. Third--I think that "look" is subconscious for "please someone speak to me." As most of you know, I am a pretty social woman and I'll make friends anywhere--even in a grocery store aisle.

I was successful in my errands and managed to fix the dryer, make two meals in my new kitchen (LOVE IT!),  make copies of our keys (and color code them), get odds & ends for the bathrooms, etc. So I guess the exploring has paid off for us.

Oh, random aside, we have met two neighbors so far and they are SUPER nice. What an excellent perk!

So, there you have it--my first few days in the 'Noke (as I have heard people refer to it). I am pretty stoked about my family (minus SA--boo!) coming tomorrow! They have offered to be our paint crew and I am sure we will find some time to show them around and enjoy a few good meals! Stay tuned for an update and maybe a few "Before/Afters" from this weekend.

Love,

The Homeowner

P.S. Lowe's is better than Home Depot.

For the last time

It actually happened. I knew this day would come, I just had no clue how bad it would hurt and how quick it was really coming. Today Chris began our move to VA and just pulled out of 1060 Summit Dr. for the last time. I'll be staying here in G'ville for a couple of weeks to go through the closing on this house and keep the dogs until our VA house is closed on.

Today was strange. We woke up, I went to grab breakfast for us at Dunkin Donuts (our pantry and fridge are now bare). I brought breakfast home and we did some things around the house/packed up clothes in wardrobe boxes. For lunch we decided to go to our favorite Mexican restaurant, Compadres, one more time. They know us so well they don't even bother to hand out the menus. We ate a very good lunch (that salsa is oh-so-addicting!) then came home to realize we had locked ourselves out of the house.  The last thing we wanted to do was call a locksmith on a Sunday to let us back into our own house. [Side note: If you've ever been through a move, you know how pricey it can be.] For such a mindless mistake we knew there was likely a (yet another) big price to pay. The locksmith came out and it turns out we have an upside-down lock (and it was impossible to pick) so he had to replace the whole darn thing. TWO HUNDRED dollars later--it was fixed.

Of course Chris also somehow managed to lose/misplace one of his shoes and his sunglasses (which only added to the chaos of the day as he was trying to get packed up and out the door). The contractor doing all the house repairs was banging on the house fixing board after board. Eventually, we both just couldn't take any more stress, noise, to-dos, bills, or phone calls. All the little things and much bigger things were mounting up.We just held onto each other and cried. In that moment in my busy brain I knew it was the last time we'd be standing in our first home, the last time we'd be in the space we tried so hard to make ours. Flashbacks of eating pizza on the bare floors on move-in day, putting up the icicle lights at Christmas, eating our chili on the porch as trick-or-treaters arrived, cooking glorious meals in our kitchen, having our friends and family over, landscaping the yard, planting our garden, picking out new furniture and paint all just whirled around making me dizzy with emotion then extremely still.The world just stopped around us and things felt quieter. The dogs even felt it and stayed right there with us. I fell in love all over again. We had made all those memories together. Chris eventually walked out the door for the last time, got in the car, pulled out of the driveway and signed an "I love you" as he always does through the car window. I reciprocated  by signing it back then holding up "2" fingers as I always do. That, my friends, will never change.

Before

 

 

 

After

I know I will be okay as long as I can just be there to hold Chris and tell him I love him, feel it back and have our pups by our sides. No matter where we live or what we live in--that's what will matter most. There are new memories to be made.

Love,

Missing Him Already



"If I lay here, If I just lay here, would you lie with me and just forget the world?"- Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol

Falling (HARD) into Place

 Moving is quite the process and such a huge headache; at this point, I can vouch for that statement. As most of you know, Chris and I are moving up to Roanoke, VA as he has been given an amazing opportunity to work with GE Energy. It's hard to believe that us two Greenville natives are packing up our first home on Summit Drive and moving two states away. If I had to describe this experience in less than three words I would simply say, "a lot" about covers it. It's just a whole lot of stress, planning, time, expense, emotion, coordinating, goodbye-saying, etc and I am definitely a get-it-done/rip-the-band-aid-off-quick kinda gal.

I'm tipping my hat to all this change by renaming my blog.Obviously, "Reaching Summit" wouldn't get you very far anymore when it comes to visiting these Winchesters. ;) I was driving in the car and it hit me that the perfect name for this blog is "Remaining Anonymous."

Literally, the meaning is quite ironic. Who the heck writes a blog with an intention to remain anonymous?? (That meaning is just my literary genius shining through.) teehee! Another interpretation is that the title has something to do with the fact that we won't know anyone in VA, but I certainly don't intend for it to remain that way. Lastly, another meaning that can be seen as a goal in life that I strive to accomplish--to be a servant to others and the Lord and to do it "anonymously" without the need to be recognized.

All of these are fair definitions but not quite the root I was intending. The real meaning is very personal and close to my heart. Through the years, one of my favorite quotes that my dad often says is "Coincidence is God's way of remaining anonymous." If I wrote down every "coincidence" that has occurred during this moving process --much less my whole life-- you'd be completely blown away. This is where my faith has grown the most. Coincidence is where God "speaks" to me. He gets me through everything and his purpose is made clear for me every day as he speaks.

I would agree that there's no doubt that, as my cousin Jenn said, "God is shining down on this move." Here are a few examples of some recent coincidences I am talking about below. Some are so intricate that I may lose you so I'll keep it to three:

-We needed to sell our house very quickly. I prayed it would go to someone young who would love it as much as we do.  It sold in THREE WEEKS to an adorable young teacher who is so energetic and excited to live in it and she even appreciates everything we did to it.

-We also had to find a new house to call home in VA. We had seen about 30 homes up there and eventually decided to wait until our house sold before really looking anymore. Our house went under contract on a Friday (the same day that Chris had driven back home from training in Roanoke). Despite every fiber in Chris' being, we decided to drive back up to VA the very next day to look at houses--talk about whip lash! According to our Realtor, there was a new one on the market that would get snatched up quickly and she thought it was just what we were looking for--it was a must see! We fell in love and put in an offer and had a contract on it a couple of days later.

-I got two job offers this week and accepted a job in the best school District in Roanoke as an Instructional Assistant. Two phone interviews and an in-person interview later, I secured this position that will allow me to gain experience in a classroom and work one-on-one with a student. I feel pretty darn lucky considering the fact that certified teachers are struggling to get jobs up there right now.

These are just a small sampling of  "coincidences" surrounding our move. People say that things "always fall into place" but this just seems miraculous and I am so thankful.

Roanoke, VA at night--our new city!

 Love,

Waiting Patiently for the Next Steps


(From now on, I won't sign my posts with a real name. Sticking to the theme, Pseudonym = Anonymous, right??)


 P.S. Sorry this post was so long! Next time, I'll add more pictures.

New Dawn, New Day, New Life

So [with a New Year] most people have resolutions. I have decided, instead, to have a new outlook on life. I am trying to see this year and each day in it as an opportunity to live more but stress less. Try new things and learn more to avoid being overwhelmed or stressed. Make sense? My biggest problem is that I am almost interested in too many things; my 2012 plan becomes a little counterproductive as I stress over what to try first. I even made a list....no, seriously, I did:

1. sewing/smocking
2. piano lessons
3. starting a book club and/or supper club
4. photography/learning photoshop
5. blogging/writing/journaling
6. crafts/jewelry making
7. scrapbooking
8. cooking and baking
9. reading/studying scripture
10. singing/theatre
11. running/long walks
12. biking
13. songwriting (lyrics only)
14. taking roadtrips
15. hiking and camping
16. working out/weightlifting
17. yoga
18. tennis
19. wine
20. food styling/plating
21. homemaking

This is not a comprehensive list and I will probably add more. Some of the things I have tried, some I do often, and some I've never attempted. I going to take it a day at a time though, and see what sticks. Chris made a list and we compared our interests. For the ones that overlap, we have decided to try them or do them together. The first two days of the New Year, I started working out again (#16) and today I bought a Nook (#9). It's a start, right?! Soon, I am going to finalize my reading list for 2012 and I'll share it on here.

In the meantime, if any of YOU would want to try anything with me from the list above, let's go for it. I've already got a friend who wants to take a smocking class with me. You only live once, right? ;)

Happy NEW Year to you and yours!

L. Winchester

Reason for the Season #2

Honestly, nothing makes me happier than making our house our home and being there; this especially applies this time of year. Home means Chris and two loving dogs. Home means curling up by the real wood burning fireplace. Home means cooking and inventing in the kitchen. Home means wrapping gifts by mixing and matching paper with sparkly wired ribbon. Home means cleaning for guests to arrive. Home means potted pansies by the door. Home means chocolate after dinner. Home means a relaxing bubble bath. Home means saying prayers with my husband. Home is just, well, good.

At home the other day, I realized that there's one small and seemingly simple part of wrapping gifts that, subliminally, is a much bigger deal. You know when you get to the bow-tying process and you need someone to push down on the ribbon with their finger to tie the knot? Yeah, that's actually not necessary. If you had to, you could just do it yourself. I think there's something more to it. I started thinking about how ridiculous it was that I actually called Chris in from the other room and had him put down everything he was doing just to press down the ribbon for me to tie a knot. In actuality, I just wanted to see him for a minute and know that, in a way, he helped me complete that gift. To give and to be with those you love. Both a tangible part of Christmas and the season among so many crucial intangibles. In that moment, I had both and my heart was very happy.

Please Come Home for Christmas

by Charles Brown

Bells will be ringing, the glad, glad news;
Oh, what a Christmas, to have the blues;
My baby's gone;
I have no friends;
To wish me greetings, once again;
Choirs will be singing, Silent Night
Oh, Christmas Carols, by candlelight;

Please come home for Christmas;
Please come home for Christmas;
If not for Christmas, by New Year's Night;

Friends and relations;
Send salutations;
Just as sure as the stars shine above;

This is Christmas, Christmas my dear;
The time of year to be with the one that you love;
Then will you tell me, you'll never more roam;
Christmas and New Year will find you home;
There'll be no more sorrow;
No grief or pain;
'Cause I'll be happy that it's Christmas once again

 

If you have anyone to spend the holiday with, be joyful! Be thankful. Give, love, and be loved.


Merry Christmas,

L. Winchester

Pages in the Next Chapter

It's a great feeling to be truly happy. I think sometimes something that seems so simple- happiness- can be taken for granted. Things in the Winchester household are really going great. I feel so blessed. Since I last wrote, we have been given even more open doors and new opportunities! I now work at the Westin Poinsett Hotel as the Catering Sales Manager and couldn't be more excited to go to work each day! I am actually using my degree in Travel and Tourism and loving the sales aspect of it. Chris is working very hard and is extremely enthusiastic about his career as a Financial Advisor. I continue to be SO proud of him for pursuing this and finding his passion to serve others in such an important way.

I have added a little more to my plate after getting situated at the Westin. Recently, I (alongside one of my best friends, Lindsay) have embarked on another adventure of sorts. I became a Stylist for Stella & Dot. This company is truly unreal and they continue to impress me every day. Stella & Dot offers up a gorgeous high-quality jewelry line (and what's even better is that half the line is under $50)! Designers working for S&D come from careers at Marc Jacobs, Coach, Cartier, Banana Republic, etc. I had my launch party last week with my family and friends and it was truly a great time. Here are some pictures from that party! :)

 

Here I am with some of the jewels! :)

These two statement necklaces are so fun!

 

 Lindsay and I are planning a fun Fall fashion show event on August 25th at the Woman's Club complete with a fashion show, dj, cocktails, and giveaways! Let me know if you're interested and in town for it.

 

I know I need to get on the ball and not write in this blog once every 5 months, but life kinda gets in the way. I hope y'all are doing great.

 

Cheers!

 

L. Winchester

Opportunity Knocks

We have been loving our new married life! Between fixing up the house one light fixture at a time, working, hanging out with friends/family, cooking together, Netflix-ing, and church shopping, it's been a wonderful year so far.

Last week marked one full year with Erwin-Penland for me; what's even more crazy is that last week also marked my last day on the Verizon account. The opportunity arose for me to join the newest account at EP, Lennar Homes. I am very excited about this new adventure! It's like I have a brand new job altogether because I now sit in a new building and have a new team. There is truly never a dull moment in advertising.

Interestingly enough, Chris got a new job and gave his two weeks the same day I found out I was moving accounts. I am so incredibly proud of him! He started his new career today with Merrill Lynch in their training program for Financial Advising. Over the course of the next few months, he will be studying all day everyday to pass a series of exams. (Basically, getting paid to go to graduate school!) Once he has passed his exams, he will be "in production." This means that he's free to start advising! For all of you who know Chris, you know this is such a blessing and awesome opportunity. He LOVES researching markets, economies, and all that other stuff that makes the financial world tick.

On other fronts, we have been visiting churches together to find where we belong as a "family" and keep going back to 1st Pres. We have been going to a study on Wednesday nights called The Alpha Course. This is a course taught across the globe and gets down to the nitty gritty as far as Christianity is concerned. It is very informative and gives so much insight to everyone taking it: believers, non-believers and everyone in between. We have loved every minute of it and highly suggest this course if you have the chance to take it.

As far as home-making goes, we have been re-landscaping the front and back yard. It looks so different already! It's truly unreal what a little bit of mulching, transplanting, and TLC can do. I have to give Chris (and his dad, Jeff) most of the credit. He has done such a great job. I can't wait to start planting flowers in a month or so and get the garden planted again. I think I am going to do tomatoes mainly with a full herb garden. I didn't have much luck with squash or cucumber last year. Once all the plants are in, we are really looking forward to hosting parties and get-togethers this Spring and Summer. :)

That about covers most of what we have going on these days. Please pray for Chris as he goes through his training/testing. It is going to be quite a challenging process but I have all the confidence in the world that he will do great in this career. Thank you all for the support! :)

'til next time, Much LOVE!

Lauren