Georgia Vs. Missouri

Moving to Middle-of-Nowhere, Missouri from Atlanta, Georgia has been a huge culture shock for me. And slightly frustrating. There are so many great things about living in and around a big city, and I miss it. Let's make a list (cause we all know how much I like lists) of things I miss from Georgia.

1. Chick-fil-A
They are everywhere in Georgia. It's my absolute fave fast food place, and they always have amazing service and clean bathrooms. I know there are some here in Missouri, but we have to travel at least 30 mins away to get to one, huge bummer.

2. Moe's 
This place is like heaven in a red plastic food basket. Its a less healthy version of Chipolte (aka they have amazing white cheese sauce). They've got burritos, nachos, and salads. Ah-may-zing.

3. The Mall of Georgia
The largest mall in the state (duh) that has almost every store you could think of in one place. AND a movie theater.

4. The Georgia Aquarium
Let me just tell you how much I love watching the Beluga whales. They are so graceful in the water, it's like ballet. Plus the dolphin show, the whale sharks, and of course the cutest penguins ever!

5. Quick Trip
Only the best gas station in the world. I have yet to see one here in our area. The Hy-vee fuel center is a pretty close comparison though.

6. My Family
Seriously, guys, this is the thing I miss most. Especially my mom.


While I still refer to Georgia as my "home," I am beginning to love some little things about this tiny town in Missouri where I currently reside.

1. No Traffic!
Like, ever. It's amazing!

2. Snow!
We hardly ever got snow in Georgia, and I think it is so beautiful.

3. Cheaper Gas
I brag to my mom all the time cause our gas prices are lower than theirs.

4. The slower pace of life.
It's nice that everyone isn't always in such a hurry here. It helps me to relax and actually enjoy my experiences more.

5. Our House
It's nice to live in a real house, with a yard, and no roommates. I can decorate how I want. I can walk around naked if I want (Hubs would love this!)

6. My Hubs
He's the whole reason I moved here to begin with. He's done his best to make this place feel like home for me, but in all reality, home is not a physical place. It's where your heart is, and my heart is with him.

What do you like best about your town?

Linking up with

Super Duper Long Weekend in GA Re-Cap

Now that I'm home and settled, I can do a re-cap of my super long "weekend" in Georgia for Mother's Day. So here we go!

Thursday: Driving to Georgia. I saw the sunrise for the first time since December! The trip down took me about 13.5 hours this time, stopping three twice for gas, once for food, and a couple times to use the restroom.

Lavender Dreams

I was looking through my posts and realized that I haven't shown you much of our home, besides the kitchen and bathroom. I am driving home from Georgia today, and besides my husband (!!!), my bed is what I miss most when I'm away from home, so I thought I'd take you on a tour of our master bedroom.

I didn't have to do much in here, as it was already painted my favorite color. I hung curtains, put some art on the walls, and rearranged the furniture a few times until I found a layout I liked that worked with the functionality we needed in the room.

My (almost) Completed Kitchen

It's been while since I've worked in my Kitchen, mainly because I just didn't feel like it. It's a big room and there was so much to do, I wasn't looking forward to doing it all by myself. Well Philip had a four day weekend for the Easter holiday, and we decided that would be a great time to check that kitchen project off the list. We did two things: paint the walls and re-finish the cabinets.

Get caught up with my Kitchen project here and here.

Sunday Social

Tough It Out Tuesday: A Fresh Start

I'm trading my TMI Tuesday posts for Tough It Out Tuesday Posts. 

Sorry TMI Tuesday Blog! I love you, but I think TIOT will be a better fit for my blog and lifestyle at the moment. Plus, Allie and Kay are huge inspirations for me lately.

School and Money Go Hand in Hand

Source

SQUEEEEEEEEEE!

I got accepted to Columbia College, Lake of the Ozarks!! 

Back to School

College was always something that seemed natural but a little out of my reach, mostly for financial reasons. However, I did attend one lonely year at a Baptist school in North Georgia right out of high school. I started out studying music, then decided that I wanted to be able to enjoy it, not nitpick it to death, so I changed my major to nothing and finished the year with core classes and a fabulous art class. After that school year, I jumped into my string of menial jobs, one even paid for a certificate course that taught me everything I already know about being an admin.

Project Painting: Phase 2, Priming The Bathroom

Finally got back in the mood to paint. So I decided to tackle the bathroom next. Our bathroom was a bright almost royal blue, not a bad color. But again, like the kitchen, too dark for the space. Since I'm painting it a lighter color, I had to prime it first. And let me just say, maneuvering a ladder in a tiny bathroom is like trying to have sex in an airplane bathroom, not an easy feat.

Project Painting: Phase 1, Priming The Kitchen

Kitchen Before

In coming to Missouri, I knew I was walking into a bachelor pad of sorts, but I also knew that I was going to have to deal with lingering bits of Philip's ex-girlfriend.

How I Got to Missouri

My name is Amanda and I was born and raised in and around Atlanta, Georgia. I always said that I'd never move away, even for a man. Well, I was wrong.

Just under three years ago I was dating this guy who really brought out the geek in me. He got me started on this online game and after seeing all the cute pets and fashion for the characters you play, I was hooked. Lets just face it, that is the real reason girls play those type of games. I made a bunch of friends to play with even after my loser boyfriend quit playing and the relationship ended. One of those friends was Philip. Just so happens that in February of 2013 we were both newly single. We started talking to each other more and outside of the game. Soon Philip confessed that he had always had a bit of a crush on me (insert cute giggles and blushing) and I admitted that I was starting to like him too.

It was the end of March, specifically the Friday before Easter. Philip and I are chatting on Skype and he was telling me he was excited about having the next few days off work. I joked saying he should come and visit me. He responded saying "what the hell, why not?" and about 14 hours later at 5:00AM he showed up at my door. I was nervous that he wouldn't like me in person, not to mention very surprised he came at all. We had a wonderful weekend together and he returned home Monday.

Our romance grew over the summer, even through my super tough patch. He was there for me when I was struggling with my job and when I stopped talking to everyone, including him. I literally went into some crazy hibernation, gorging myself with pizza and ice cream, but he gave me the space I needed. Only God knows why, but Philip was there for me when I finally worked myself out enough to come out of hiding, put on real clothes, and wash my hair.

His next visit, planned this time, was the weekend after my birthday in August. This time I was able to take him to see a coveted landmark in Atlanta: The Big Chicken. And we hung out with my amazing roommate and his boyfriend. Another great weekend.

Fast forward to the middle of September. I was having a particularly rough day at work. After sobbing on the phone to my mother while I was running errands for my boss, I had decided, with her encouragement and support, that I was just going to do it. I was going to move to Missouri and start over. I called Philip to tell him my decision and to ask him if he and his two cats would take me in or turn my crazy ass away. He likes my ass too much to turn it away and all animals love me, so here I am!

It's four months later and I'm sitting on the couch and he's fallen asleep to Conan. Pumpkin is curled up on my left and Misty has chosen her usual spot in Philip's lap. I couldn't be happier.