The 29th Year

Well... that was quite a hiatus I unexpectedly took that I'm sure no one but my husband and sister noticed (if that). Regardless things have changed since my reflection on 2011.

[I apologize in advance to a long post, but at least it's somewhat entertaining!]

2012 started well. To begin, I started a new job at a ad tech startup, 33Across. I was hired on as the Creative Services Manager. My job was to manage the production of a rich media ad campaigns (meaning the flashy ads you see on the web with bells and whistles like video and twitter feeds... you know the annoying ones that get you every time they push what you're reading to the side as they get your attention... yeah it works doesn't it??). The team at 33Across was amazing and it really felt like one big family. We even found a place to call home right down the street from the office, with a name that was home to me in more ways than one.

That March I turned 29. Nick, Anya, Tim and I made a quick trip to Atlantic City, NJ to celebrate (sans ID since NY state still had not sent me my license yet...) But we still had a great meal and good company.

In the spring of 2012 Nick and I enjoyed a bit of a New York landmark and saw Lady Antebellum at Radio City Music Hall. Hands down best concert and venue I've ever been too!

We also witnessed a little bit of history as the space shuttle Enterprise flew over New York, headed to it's final home on the USS Intrepid Museum.

At the end of March my Edwards family got together to ring in my Mamie's 90th year. It was a special weekend for us and we were so happy to have Maggie Stoup of Homeworks Video Productions to capture the moments.

In May of that year we met up with friends in Las Vegas to celebrate the nuptials of our friends Kayton and Waverley.

We celebrated 2 years of marriage in June and later that month we watched as a friend of ours, Marc Leishman, win his first PGA tournament.

The summer took us to Long Island and the Hamptons a few times to visit with Nick's dad and step-mom. We enjoyed sun, sand, lobsters and a bit of a wait to catch our ride after the Jitney dropped us off at the Starbucks.

On Labor Day weekend we visited Nick's mother and family in Texas. A wild (but fun) weekend to say the least.

That fall, we cheered for the Falcons all the way from NYC, went to the Top of the Rock with Nick's sister, Sarah and her boyfriend, Bart, for a breathtaking sunset over Manhattan, and finally rounded out October with good 'ole fashion Homecoming fun at JMU with my best friend, Elizabeth and her husband, John.

(Sorry Elizabeth that Nick broke your $10 chair... but then again it was only $10) ;)

We made it back from homecoming with only hours to spare before Hurricane/Superstorm Sandy graced the Northeast with her presence. This was the most heart-wrenching period of time when we lived in New York. As New York and New Jersey fell to it's knees after Sandy hit, I have never seen a powerhouse taken down so quickly. Subways were closed for a week, power was lost in the lower half of Manhattan, people flocked to the Upper East or West Sides to seek shelter, light, and warm food. A team of my 33x'ers spent the day helping in Staten Island as the clean up efforts were well underway even two weeks after the storm. Mother Nature did not disappoint by even dumping snow on us a few days after the storm had passed when people were without heat and electricity still. It was one of the most devastating things I've seen first hand, but through it all they were strong and made it through the toughest days.

The view below 40th Street in Manhattan. Darkness

A home ripped from it's foundation as flood waters pushed it to the back of the lot.

Snow at 33Across

The only cool thing that came out of Sandy. Nick and I saw Anne Burrell from the Food Network hanging out outside an Upper East Side bar so we got a picture with her. Me = starstruck

We began to wrap up 2012 with another concert, this being Zac Brown Band at Madison Square garden.

Thanksgiving brought my sister, brother-in-law, and their 2 girls to NYC! It was a first trip for 3 of the 4. We checked the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade off our list, made a tiny TV appearance, saw all the Christmas/NY sights there were to see, stuffed our bellies, and sent the Cox clan home on a train.

In December we announced to the world that we were leaving NYC, and moving back "home" to Atlanta. While we were sad to say goodbye to our NY friends, we knew there were more exciting days to come. With that I had a final drink at Smithfield with my 33x'ers, Nick gathered the boxes, our cat, Abe, helped with the packing, and we waved farewell to out life in the Big Apple... But first we had to buy a car and of course I still decorated my tree.

In the midst of packing, planning, and moving... we still had time to celebrate Charlie & Janna's nuptials!

In January 2013 We finally made it back to Atlanta, welcomed by good friends!

I returned to Kapp Koncepts where nothing had changed. Me still doing all the work while everyone else goofs around all day. Sheesh... typical.

And as my 29th year came to a close, we had the best news to share of all... We are going to be parents in 2013 to an actual human being (no not another animal... but that was a good guess though!). Gotta say that we are both really excited and very nervous at the same time. But we will figure it out, as we always do when life gives us new experiences.

So here's to my 30th year! May it not take me a year to write the next post.