Dear Richmond,

Today is the day. Move day.

I remember moving to Richmond post college in 2006 with no plan, no job, no place to live (must be a pattern here with me). I was excited. The world was my oyster. I was going to take it over......

But Richmond, you knocked me down more than a few times.

Thank you. It all made me who I am today. Some people hate the saying "everything happens for a reason" but sometimes, it has been the only thing that has pushed me through. And Richmond, you happened for a reason.

I will miss all of the amazing friends that I have made. (Amy, Johannah.....my lifelines. What am I going to do without seeing your faces?) But I know they are the friendships that will last a lifetime so I am continuing to pretend that this is by far NOT goodbye.

I sat last night in my empty apartment, wet and stinky from cleaning and taking trash out in the rain. I grew up there. I loved there, I cried there, I sang there........It will always be a special part of my life. My first apartment by myself. My little retreat. I will miss you.

(Me and Johannah, my first night in the apartment, May 08')

I will miss you Richmond but I am ready to call this home:

love.

good luck charms

Good Luck Charms from Valerie McQueen on Vimeo.

pumpkin pie hangover

We blessed the turkey and ate....alot.

Norton was the same but diferent. Isn't that the way going home always feels? Nevertheless, I had a great T-day. It was a quick trip home and back but Andrew and I always enjoy a good road trip through VA.

We successfully bugged my Mother in the kitchen while she was cooking until we all got the boot. It is a bit of a family tradition. Each year she gets a little bit better and goes a little bit longer before her face starts to turn red and she "shoos" us all out.

(aren't we nice children?) This is my brother Jason getting way to close to the cook near the stove. The fork is in optimal position to take an eye out.

Andrew jumped right in and really pushed it. This behind the back move could have cost him a arm or leg if Mom would have caught him. I have seen some pretty nasty injuries on Thanksgiving Day.

;)

I tried to help carve the turkey but was quickly shoved to the side. "This is a mans job" was thrown into the conversation. (oh puuuhleaseee)

I loved being with my Mammaw and listening to all of her stories. She is what you would call a "hoot". Mammaw love is the best love.

Mom, once again, cooked us into a food coma. The food was soooooooooooo good. We all agreed that if there was a Wise Country T-Day cookoff competition, she would win first prize hands down.

Isn't she the prettiest thing?

And we shan't forget Mr. Ben.

Oh, Mr. Ben. One day you will come running into my arms saying "Aunt Val you are the best and I love you and I want to just sit in your lap the entire visit".

Until that day comes, I will continue to force you to hug me, kiss me and trick you into taking pictures with me. Love you little bug. ;)

Love to all my friends and family. We are all so blessed.

XOXO

ps. 3 days until move day :)

countdown continues...

I spent the morning driving back into Richmond. In the rain. But, it wasn't all that bad. Especially when I realized I only have 7 days left in Richmond.

And 2 of those days will be spent traveling and spending time in Norton. Yes, a good ole' foot stompin' Thanksgiving in Norton. Thankfully, my incredibly intuitive, gracious mother realized things would be a bit cramped in the house and booked us a room at the new, 5 story Holiday Inn located in downtown Norton.

Yes. We are going big time for Thanksgiving. I have never stayed in a hotel in my hometown. Should be interesting (i think i will miss being at home...even if it is cramped).

What else, what else...

I had a great weekend. I am fully embracing my country roots. When is the last time you wore overalls? I know, I know...they are not remotely in style, nor should they be, but I LOVE putting the straps on & clicking them in place. I just feel all strapped in and taken care of.

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.

.

.

.

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c'mon. you know what I mean.

it's like reverting back to childhood.

anyways. I brushed my horse, made Andrew take pictures and then we ate Little Debbie christmas tree cakes and had a bonfire and roasted hot dogs over the burning drywall that we had cleaned out of the shed earlier to burn.

that was not a good choice.

if anyone ever thinks about it.....just pass along my advice.

It is not, I repeat, a good choice.

Then Glenn, (andrew's dad) gave us a bucket ride in the back hoe.

I love bucket rides. A lot.

especially with this guy:

and here's a cheeser from me:

(notice the grip on the.....well, whatever that part is)

With a to do list that is growing like crazy....(like how I should be packing right now and not playing on the internet machine) it's nice to get away and play with Andrew on the farm.

And that's what we did. All weekend.

And I wore my overalls. All weekend.

hooray for monday. (lies).

i love...

being here. with him. (even if he does put me to work 'till sunset every day)

Happy Weekend.

"It's all happening"

Today I started cleaning out my office.

Today I felt relaxed.

Today I tore the post-it on my desk to reveal that I have 13 days left in Richmond.

wow.

A quote from one of my favorite movies, "Almost Famous" keeps popping in my head.

"It's all happening"

I hope to have more pictures from the gala this past weekend to share soon. If you have talked to me in the past um..say year, I am sure I have told you about this. It was the 16th annual Starry Night Gala to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and someone....SOMEONE thought that I could be in charge of it. AH!

I must say though, I feel really proud. It was not anything I achieved by myself but with the help of many many many volunteers, co-workers and folks supporting the Foundation. I can't wait to show pictures but for now...here is the aftermath.

Andrew came in to help volunteer and was my knight in shining armour.

We celebrated the night with fried food and a celebratory drink (oh yes...I did it. GERD can just bite me)

This picture doesn't even capture how excited I was. But, it is a face I like to make when I am REALLY happy and a camera is lying around. (like that fancy schmancy name tag?)

I wasn't just exited. WE were so excited. This has been an event that we were both waiting for for a LOOOONG time. Not only has it been my major focus at work but it was our countdown for the move.

"Just wait until the gala is over"

"You will be so relieved when it is over"

"You will be moving just 2 weeks after the gala"

"We will be together so soon"

Right now, all I can think is, "It's all happening".

happy birthday

i love you to the moon and back.