Gotta go back in time...

So lately I've been feeling like I'm in "Back to the Future" or something. The Saab is gone and once we received the check from State Farm for it, I had five days to let go of the "gangsta mobile" or else we would have to begin paying the entire amount for the rental fees. Not going to happen. And, we being the cautious Copelands, did not want to go out and buy another car immediately. So what did we do? Well, my Dad graciously offered me my old car. The one he bought me when I was 18- a 1996 Subaru Outback Impreza (first model of the Outback series.) It has 169,000 miles, but it drives great. No A/C or heat, but who's complaining? Not me...

Many of you may remember "The Sube." Because I had the "new" car in college, I drove all over the Southeastern United States on road trips. This car has been to Savannah, Memphis, countless trips to Chattanooga, Knoxville, Atlanta, Callaway Gardens, Columbus, Asheville and many other cities I'm sure. I even spent the night in it a few times (college kids don't have extra money lying around for hotel rooms and gas was about 99 cents/gallon back then.)

When I was 23 and suddenly a "grown up" I decided I would sell "The Sube" back to my dad for my little sister, Maddie, to drive (these daddy deals always seem to work in my favor, but that's another post for another day.) Now the car has Maddie's mark all over it. The bumper stickers on the back say "Forever Bluegrass", "GPS Alumna" and "Keep your butt in your car, the earth is not your ashtray!" I love it...

So while we are looking for a "deal" on a new car, I will be pretending I am 18 again... cruising the streets in "The Sube" with all these great bumper stickers on the back. What a great trip down memory lane...

You want to know what the best part of this story is? Once we buy a car, I am going to donate the car to the Hephzibah Children's Home here in Macon and another young driver will get to drive the beloved "Sube." My dad gets a tax deduction and a young kid gets transportation- a win/win for all.

My Saab Story...

My beautiful, black Saab met its match last Wednesday when a large deer ran in front of it. I have mixed feelings about this. In many ways, it's like the end of an era. This car was the first car I ever bought by myself. It was my "I'm a single and successful young woman" car that I bought when I was 23. It's almost symbolic of that time period of my life. I almost cried when I went today and cleaned it out. It's been a constant in my life and has seen me get married, buy our first home, take a step of faith and move to Georgia, buy our second home and now as we are trying to sell and move again. There was nothing like the carefree feeling of driving the rural roads of Georgia with my sunroof open, radio blaring and turbo engine revving. I'm very sad that this car had to go "this way."

At the same time, we've been needing a new car and were just holding on to this car until the right "deal" came along. And thankfully the insurance company gave us way more money than we could have gotten for a trade-in or even a private seller. AND, most importantly, the car did its job and protected me from harm.

So, I leave you with pictures of my car...may it rest in peace.

The Happiest Place on Earth...

Ok guys,

Here's my long overdue post about Disney World. I'm reliving that week in my mind since this past week has been so awful. By the way, Friday night our hot water heater broke and leaked water all over the garage, and the home warranty technicians can't come until Monday morning, soooo no hot water all weekend. What a way to top off the week!

So back to the "happiest place on earth..." I would certainly agree with that statement. I was certainly happy while I was down there. We stayed at the Pop Century resort and bought park hopper passes. We went to all the parks, rode all the rides and ate like the princesses we all are. Side note, stay on Disney property and use the dining plan. Wow...we ate at all the best restaurants. Le Cellier Steakhouse in Canada in Epcot was the best (in my opinion.)

We had some great girl time, although no craziness like the last trip. Maybe having the older sister along as a "chaperone" was good for Gina and I... we tend to get in trouble when we are alone. :)

I leave you with some fun pics from our trip...

Us with Winnie the Pooh at The Crystal Palace at the Magic Kingdom.

Us with Piglet (my favorite character).

We saw En Vogue at Epcot all three nights they were there. What an amazing live concert! Shandra and I knew just about every word to every song they sang. Brought me back to the 90's. For all those that don't remember they sang such songs as "Free Your Mind", "Whatta Man (w/ Salt and Peppa), "Don't Let Go", "Never Gonna Get It", etc. Such a great concert .

And if Gina will give me permission, I'll post a hilarious photo of her with her anti-snoring device.

All in all a GREAT week.

I'm a gangsta...

Hey guys,

wow, it's been almost a month since I updated anything. A LOT has changed. I went to Disney World with my friend, Gina and her sister, Shandra. We had a BLAST. I'll post more about that later (with some great photos!)

Right after I got back from Disney, I began work as the Interim Executive Director at the Jones County/Gray Chamber of Commerce and Development Authority. It's a lot of responsibility, but I'm enjoying learning new things that will hopefully help me in my career down the road. The job is part of the reason I haven't posted anything in a while. My brain is just too pooped to blog at the end of the day.

Now, to get to the title of this post...

Yesterday I was minding my own business driving and a deer decided to commit suicide and ran DIRECTLY in front of me on the rural highway I drive to work. I swerved to miss it, but almost head on collided with a huge gravel truck. I really am lucky to be alive right now, but my car is totaled. Luckily, my co-worker was on her way to work and was an angel. She met me at a gas station and waited on the deputy and the wrecker to tow my car. Scott came home early and we got a rental car. So now we will probably be in the market for a car and unfortunately our "car fund" is in mutual funds/stocks. Bad timing. We were hoping that my car would last another year and then we'd be in better shape to buy one. Keep us in your prayers as we embark on this journey. I hate HAVING to buy a car.

Anyway, here's my car for the next couple of weeks...a Chevrolet HHR. Scott and I call it my "gangsta car." Whatcha think? Does it fit me?

Update

hey guys,

sorry I haven't blogged in a while. I told you from the beginning that my life isn't too much to "blog" about (like that play on words?) :)

Not too much going on here besides living in two different cities. I'm working a lot with both my jobs (which is good) and I am trying to find a job and sell a house in the worst financial crisis since the great depression (which is bad.) I have a job interview tomorrow for a job that I'm very interested in and would be great for my schedule (lots of travel and I can work from home from here or Lawrenceville.) Please think of me and utter a quick prayer on Wednesday at 1:00 p.m.

I just got back from Savannah for a conference and will be leaving Sunday for Disney World with my wild, crazy and long time friend Gina. I'm sure there will be lots of blog-worthy material that comes from this trip. Let's see... last time we went we 1) got sushi and saki bought for us by a single guy at Shogun, 2) ate dinner with Disney characters 3) crashed a private party in downtown Disney 4) I got hit on by the "bouncer" i.e. the young associate for the company hosting the party- he gave me his card and told me to call him if I ever got divorced! Wow!

I can't wait to spend some quality time with my longest friend. We've known each other since we were 5 years old. Still going strong 25 years later!

here's a couple of pics from my time in Savannah. I just LOVE that city. Hopefully I'll have them up on Flickr soon.

Rest in Peace, Darrick...

Hey guys,

I just found out that a dear friend and co-worker of mine from TVA passed away while serving in Iraq in the Army Reserves. His name was Darrick Wright and he was only 37 years old. He had gotten married since I left TVA three years ago and his wife is expecting their first child in November. He and I started on the same day in 2000 at TVA and went through all the "fun" new employee orientations and training and really bonded. I even tried to set him up with Joy- but he was too short for her. :) remember that, Joy? We cooked for him at our apartment at The Landings! He actually took my place when I left TVA in the Market Research and Evaluation group. He was an incredible guy that never met a stranger. Everyone at TVA is understandably upset. Please keep this family in your prayers, especially his young wife.

More info here and here

Caption Please...

Hey guys,

Last weekend I had the joy of being involved with a communion and candlelight service. My friend, Chris, is a Worship Pastor at a small church plant in Griffin, GA called Journey Church. We've been friends since I worked as the Tourism Director in Monroe County and Chris was the Assistant Chief of Police in Forsyth (County seat of Monroe.) It was fun discovering that we had so much in common- he is a bi-vocational Worship Pastor! We love hanging out with Chris and Heather and their son, Lance and we wish we could see them more (he works at the new Johns Creek police department now in Fulton County.)

Chris was really creative and had some really neat elements to the service, including a 8' cross that was carried into the service and hung while we sang "Wonderful Cross." I got to sing two songs, "Sing to the King" and "To Speak Your Name"- and I had an absolute blast!

Here's a pic from our service. What I want to know is this: What AM I thinking in this picture? Am I thinking "What a wonderful cross?" or Thank you, God." or hopefully not "What's for dinner?" :)

What do you guys think?