Short and Sweet...

Hey Sweet Friends. Remember me? I know, its been a while. I just cant' seem to get my act together can I? Well, please be patient with me. Time seems to be moving at a standstill when it comes to having the finances up and running back to normal. A word to the wise: whenever you decide to up and move your life to a new city, make sure you've saved up LOTS of money. It takes time for you to get up and running on payroll and have all the extra expenses put to rest.

So, until probably week after next, I'll just continue doing what I'm actually used to at this point. No tv or internet. I must say, its quite refreshing. It has forced me to relax with a good book {Eat, Pray, Love ... to be exact} and go out and socialize. Both of which I NEVER did in Florida. I'm afraid I'll always look back on those days in disgust.

I can finally say that a year has come and gone since the heartbreak of 2009. What is the phrase, "in like a lion, out like a lamb" ?? This time last year, the world was over for me and now its just beginning!! What an amazing blessing. Thanks to all of you for putting up with me all this time. Thanks for your sweet words of encouragment. I'm beyond grateful for my amazing friends!!

Until next time...

Ikea...

It wasn't too long ago that a day with "nothing to do" really meant having NOTHING to do. Now, however, this phrase really holds no meaning. I'm actually having to LIMIT myself to only so much fun. Wait, I'm 26...is this too old to live this way? I really hope not, because I don't think I'm going to stop due to inappropriateness.

This morning, instead of just slothing around like I used to do on holidays, I decided to make a little trip to IKEA.

Ok ok, hold the reactions. I'm sure you've all either heard or experienced the sheer bliss that takes over the second you step off the escalator into several hours worth of a maze full of incredible home decor. Sure, the quality isn't always the best {hence the wobbly coffee table I will soon replace}, but the ideas flowing through that heaven on earth is enough to pull me back into the blog world immediately.

I snapped a few pictures on my phone along the way, so please ignore the poor quality, but rather enjoy several things that left me drooling.


This sink was unlike anything I've seen before. The actual "bowl" is really shallow and just perfect. Absolutely perfect.

REALLY going to need this for a new side table. REALLY about to make a purchase.

Currently obsessed with this color combo. I've actually seen this rug in several magazines prior and when I saw it in person, I knew it was meant to be. Pretty sure this will be in my living room very shortly.

This wardrobe was absolutley insane. Loving the color!!

Happy 4th...

OOPS!! No pictures of the condo. Its been an incredibly fun weekend without a moment to spare to do a photo shoot. Maybe today, I'll get around to it.

Rewind...

Friday, Ryan came in town for the weekend. We went with friends to an incredible mexican restaurant and came back to my place for a pretty crazy game of cornhole. I really wish I had taken pictures of that. I had ample opportunity because the next day, the boys played literally ALL day at the pool. We spent the day catching up on some much needed sun, the grilled out at Ev and Joe's and watched some really big UFC (??) fight. Personally, I don't get into watching people kill each other, but apparantly, I'm in the minority.

Then yesterday was another day at the pool, followed by a new favorite...unplugged in the park. This really fun venue has bands play every Sunday. The food is really good and you can bring your dogs. Mine stayed at home...four dogs would have been too much.

Anyway, it was so much fun. I'm pretty sure that I will be frequenting that quite a bit this summer!! And the best part is that it sits right off this HUGE park with an incredible skyline view of midtown...
Hope that all you guys had a restful weekend. Mine was fabulous and the best part is I have all of today still to relax!!

still behind...

I'm a little ashamed to admit this, but I've kinda gotten used to not having the internet at home. And I've kinda gotten used to not being obsessed with blogs like I was in my boring Florida days. DONT HATE ME!! Hopefully (fingers crossed), I'll have internet this time next week. I'm in no rush at this point though. Moving has been astronomically expensive, so at this point, I'm just in pure survival mode. Little extras like cable and internet are low on the list for this girl. At this point, my priorities are rent and groceries.

ANYWAY...off that sob story!!

I had a friend inform me today that I haven't written in a while, so I PROMISED to log back in and post an update. So here we go...

Where to begin??

First, I don't know if she reads this or not, but I have an AMAZING friend here {EVYAN...an old college roomate} who has just been awesome!! She has pulled me into her social circle and made me feel right at home. So a million thank you's Ev!! Last Friday after work, we all piled into the car and went to Sweetwater for a beer tasting. If you've ever been to this, you'll know how much fun these things can be. A little background. Eight dollars will buy you a collector glass and 6 beers. Can't beat that huh?? Currently, I am OBSESSED with Sweetwater blue. VERY delish...go try it if you've never had it before. The atmosphere there was so much fun...so relaxed and lively. A nice band jamming in the background, lots of people to mingle with. A great way to spend a Friday afternoon. Well that turned into a three am night that was completely innocent. Made a new friend who is just too precious and called it a night.

Saturday night was game night, which may sound a little cheesy, but I must admit, Ev put on a show. I highly suggest gathering up a group of crazy friends, setting out several appetizers, providing a few drinks and whipping out some board games. Guaranteed laughs!!

Sunday was spent by the pool catching up on some much needed sun {you'ld think I'ld have a tan living in Florida...nope...looks like I've been living in a casket}. And this week, Ryan came to visit me a few days en route to his next assignment. We went to an INCREDIBLE tapas restaurant for dinner Monday then out for drinks. If you're ever in Atlanta, I highly recommend Eclipse de Luna. Awesome food, fun atmosphere and very reasonable {all you can eat tapas $15/person Monday nights...you know with that kid we got our money's worth}.

As far as work goes...still loving it. I have quite a bit more time on my hands that I did at my old job, so I can stay in touch with all of you via email. I feel a little strange blogging on the job, but I don't see in harm with a little gchat. If you have gchat or windows live, send me your email, I'ld love to stay in touch during the day {rachel.machen@gmail.com}

Everything else is going good. All settled in. Learning my way around this city...somewhat.

The condo picture session will be this weekend, so I promise to have some up by Saturday...promise!!

Until then...have a wonderful holiday weekend and stay safe.

Catch Up...

I'm really surprised by the lack of hate emails over the fact that I haven't blogged in over two weeks. Please do forgive me. I have VERY limited internet access these days {currently I'm sitting in quite the posh condo business center playing some MAJOR catch up!}.

So, I'll be brief and try to catch things up to speed.

Let me see. Work. Is AWESOME!!! I was just completely overwhelmed by the warm southern welcome I received from LOTS of my fellow co-workers. I dove right in and put my event planning skills to work {although I had to make some adjustments...National Sales Meetings don't function exactly the same way that a fundraiser does}. I'm still finding myself trying to break free of the non-profit habits I have. When I got the assignment to coordinate the National Sales Meeting for all of our Sales Department, immediately, the wheels in my head started spinning. I asked, "what is our budget??" And I was SHOCKED when I heard, "budget?
Nothing less than 4 stars." "Ummmm I'm not sure how I'm going to get that donated!!" OH wait!! There is NO need for that! Anyway, the meeting has come and gone and went off without a hitch. Loved every stinking second of it.

Life Outside of Work. I've officially been a resident of Atlanta for one week today. The movers showed up with a HUGE truck full of my things. We worked for about 7 hours moving everything and I spent all weekend in what looked like a war zone. Fortunately, by Sunday night, I actually had put everything away and now it looks like someone lives here! I LOVE my new place. If I could find my nice camera, I would take pictures and post, but that is like finding a needle in a haystack. One piece at a time right now.

We're going to have to put up with my photo-less posts for just a while until I can get internet in my house. Moving is astronomically expensive, so I'm just going to have to save my pennies for about 2 weeks. LOVE IT.

I've missed you blog world...never to abandon you!!!

Camp Grandparents...

To My Sweet Puppies:

I know you think your sweet mom has completely lost her mind. First quitting her job. Then wisking you back to Florida for two days to put all our things in LOTS of boxes. Then jetting off to a new city for a new job, all the while you're at Camp Grandparents {which happens to be the most luxurious camp around}.

So you're wondering what the french is going on right now. And rightfully so. But just trust your crazy mom because she's found you an AWESOME new home complete with a top notch back yard to run free in...

A home without carpet so it doesn't smell like wet dog...
And the nicest of amenities that will make mom very very happy which makes your life even more enjoyable...
Enjoy camp, bubbies, because very soon all the craziness will be over and we'll be all settled in. And we'll be gracing all the fun parks that Atlanta has to offer. Your next door neighbors are adorable West Highland Terriers and Bulldogs. And the fun Zoey is just across the street. Its going to be fun...lots of fun!!

Love,

Your Crazy Mom

**No, I'm not already moved in. Give me a break, I was offered the job Monday and started work TODAY, so needless to say, I have NOT had time to move in. Rome wasnt built in a day. But once its all put together, you can bet I'll have pictures up!! This is, however, my exact place!!

Fix You...

Just two weeks ago today, this is how I felt.

"When you try your best, but you don't succeed
When you get what you want, but not what you need
When you feel so tired, but you can't sleep
Stuck in reverse

And the tears come streaming down your face
When you lose something you can't replace
When you love someone, but it goes to waste
Could it be worse?

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you

And high up above or down below
When you're too in love to let it go
But if you never try you'll never know
Just what you're worth"
Coldplay


And I started feeling this really strong calling to call it quits with my love affair aka my job at MDA. It made absolutely no sense. I mean, WHO quits a job they love without anything lined up? Seriously.

But I just kept trusting in a very faithful Father whose commands made no sense, but were guaranteed to be perfect. He has graciously kept me calm cool and collected all this time. And if you know me, THAT is a miracle in itself. I haven't worried one time. I've used the past week to...get this...relax. I know...a foreign idea to us go getters.

Well. The promise was a good one. Because in just two days, I'll be living here...

That's correct. I'm moving to my lifelong dream city...Atlanta. Things are crazy now. I've got A LOT to do in VERY little time. But, again, if you know me...this just gets me going!! Oh I love a challenge in a time crunch!! So, send your prayers my way...I'll need them!

A little sidenote: thankyou to all of you for your sweet words of encouragement throughout this past month. I'm forever endebted to each of you! God is so incredibly good. He's been working in me this past year and I'm just thrilled to see where He's taking me from here. All credit to Him. This was not my doing one bit!