It's a Miracle

We've been issued our visas. Matt leaves today. I rebooked the return portion of my flight -- and here's the kicker: it was only $89. I have a knack for never coming or going on the original book dates, so I know what hefty change fees look like and I am thankful, thankful, thankful they didn't slap me with a bigger fee!

On another note -- cheers to delightful spring weather! I am enjoying the sun and warmer temps!

Euphoria?

Check out that beautiful sunset!

The cutest mom and dad there ever was!

I'm obsessed with the sunsets over the mountains. Gorgeous!

Have you ever had a moment in life where you wanted time to freeze and everything to stay the same? Where life is so sweet and so good you just want to bottle it up and keep it that way? The past few weeks in Lynchburg have been that sweet and so good. 

I think Lynchburg is good for my soul. It's possibly a combination of things: the pace of life, the mountains, the local way of life, a good church, the people. There's a lot of good people in Lynchburg. Have I mentioned that before? Man, everywhere I turn I'm running into good people here. I can hardly walk into a coffee shop here without running into someone who's really meant something special to me or who I've had a hearty laugh with. 

The past few weeks have been spent with all kinds of people we just adore. In addition to lots of quality time with my parents, we've had dinner with Deb & Jordan, cookouts at the Giles and at Brad's, many meals with Jalvis & Meg ... then with Scott & Holly, tea & dessert with an old prof and his wife. Yesterday I spent the afternoon with a dear, dear friend who was a bridesmaid in my wedding -- I can't explain to you how good it was to catch up with her after not having seen her in over a year and a half. 

Lynchburg holds such a dear place in my heart -- not because it's such a cool, little city -- but because of all the wonderful people who make this community so enriching and unique. If I could bottle it up, I would. Instead, I'll remember just how blessed I've been. 

P.S. - If you've never had ice cream from Coldstone Creamery, you have not lived. In the picture below, I'm happily about to dig into cake batter ice cream. If you're one of those people who loves a dabble of cake batter (or cookie dough) before it hits the oven, you must try this delectable treat! 

The Size of Texas

Clearly, there is no better way to start a Saturday morning than with a chocolate covered strawberry the size of Texas. (Compliments of Edible Arrangements).

Note: that strawberry is the size of my palm!

A very happy Ashli.

Favorite "M's" of Lynchburg

Moyanne Interiors

Montana Plains Bakery in Boonesboro (Try the ham and gouda brioche)

Marlin - the Blue Marlin to be precise- fish tacos at lunch: yum!

Rest Easy ...

It's almost the weekend!

"Lynchburg is growing more rapidly than any [town] I have ever known in any country." - Thomas Jefferson in 1817

Did You Know?

Did you know that you can find out the city's assessed value of any home and the price the owner purchased the home for? If you are on the market to buy a home, looking at the city's deed book and tax parcels could tell you a lot about the house you're considering. 

For example, I did some research on one of the houses my mom and I visited at an open house this past Sunday. The owners of this home bought it as a new construction in 2003. There have been no substantial improvements since they bought the home. Yet, in little over five years, these buyers are now asking 50% more than what they paid for the home. That's a huge markup!  The house is not worth that much -- even though it's nice.  Now my suspicions as to why the house has been on the market awhile and is sitting empty are confirmed. 

If you're considering making an offer on a house, think of the bargaining chips you would have if you do your research: you would know that the city assessed the property at a much lower rate and the buyer purchased the house at a substantially lower cost. If you wanted to do more homework and be an even more informed buyer, you could find out the rate of increased cost for labor and supplies in the area which you are buying (for example, as of December 2008, the cost of lumber has gone down by 55% in the past two-three years). 

Bottom line: Do your homework. Be informed. And potentially save money!