What a day! You know those days when you have 5,000 hours of work that you somehow need to cram into one working day?
Fortunately I got a lot accomplished this morning, but I have some techy stuff I need to finish up on the blog this afternoon that will likely be time consuming but exciting at the same time. I’m crossing my fingers for a smooth transition!
I took a break around noon for lunch at Greens & Grill. I met up with one of my former bosses, Mark, to catch up and chat.
I worked as an intern for Mark for about a year during my senior year in college. I applied for the internship when one of my favorite professors at UCF told me that her husband’s company was looking for an intern.
When I got the job, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed my experience since I was mostly writing about power companies! It was a great experience and working under Mark was a great fit for me. He is the kind of boss you respect both personally and professionally. Plus, I thought the company was awesome. When I worked there, they had every employee take the Myers-Briggs personality test so everyone had a head’s up about their coworker’s personalities. It was really neat because the results were then posted outside your office and you knew before approaching a colleague how to better communicate with them.
Mark and I ended up chatting for nearly two hours. I hadn’t seen him a couple of years so we had a lot of conversation to cram into a quick lunchtime meet up!
Greens & Grille makes some awesome salads! The highlights of my salad included tart apple slices, edamame and sautéed onions.
What better way to wash down a salad than with a cup of fro yo?
On my way home from lunch, I swung by a frozen yogurt shop and enjoyed a cup of peanut butter and Nutella frozen yogurt, topped with brownie chunks, whipped cream and Butterfinger pieces.
(Don’t you miss my in-the-car-on-the-way-to-work photos? 
)
A winning combination!
Now it’s time for the big announcement… which you probably skipped ahead to anyway.
For those of you who are actually reading these words, HI! I LOVE YOU THE MOST!
Also, the Fashion page was updated so have a field day and check it out if you’d like!
The Big Announcement
No, I’m not pregnant.
No, Sadie isn’t getting a boyfriend, brother or sister.
No, we’re not moving out of Florida.
***
But we are moving out of Orlando.
Ryan and I will be moving to Ocala, a small town located about an hour north of Orlando.
A couple of weeks ago Ryan interviewed for a new job. Remember that one Tuesday when I blogged from Starbucks and Ryan and I went on a random mid-week date?
Well I kind of blog-lied.
I didn’t “just feel like getting out of the house” to work that day. I accompanied Ryan to Ocala where he had a long interview scheduled for a new position with a prominent company in the area. While I worked and blogged from Starbucks, he interviewed and then I picked him up and we ate dinner in Ocala before heading home.
And remember last weekend when we were searching for houses to rent all day long? It took so long because we had to drive the hour to Ocala and then we drove all around the town, trying to figure out which areas would be best for us to live.
And that fancy-schmancy dinner last weekend? That was a celebration dinner for Ryan! He officially accepted his new job last Friday and on Saturday I planned a surprise date for us to celebrate this exciting step in his career.
The Decision
Ryan’s decision to accept the position in Ocala was one we made together and one we made very carefully after many nights of long discussions about where we see ourselves in the future and Ryan’s career goals. We said over and over again how lucky we feel that my job can be done from anywhere, making the decision to move a bit easier since I won’t be out of work.
While the position itself seems like a good one and is one that aligns with the future goals of our family and Ryan’s career, we are obviously a bit nervous about moving to Ocala. Those of you who live in Florida likely understand our feelings, but for those of you who have never heard of Ocala, this little tidbit of information should help paint a picture about the new town we’ll be living in for you: More Kentucky Derby horses come out of Ocala than anywhere else in United States.
Let’s just say you would’ve thought Ryan and I saw Santa Claus when we drove past a Target last weekend! 
Though we’ve obviously heard a lot about the stereotypes of Ocala, as we explored the area, it definitely had more to offer than we expected. A mall, Best Buy, Joann’s, Ulta (!!!), Starbucks, Bonefish Grill, TJMaxx and many other stores we’ve become accustomed to in Orlando also have locations in Ocala. Ocala is also home to some amazing hiking trails, parks and camp grounds, which excites us a lot! Plus, it’s only an hour from our friends in Orlando and about two hours or so from our families in St. Pete and Sarasota.
I am so, so, so pumped about finding a nicer place to live. I become elated at the thought of living in a mouse-free apartment!
It seems like you can get more for your money in terms of housing in Ocala, so Ryan and I are hopeful that we’ll find a nice house to rent with a beautiful kitchen (my dream!), an office for me (our kitchen table isn’t cutting it), a fenced-in backyard for Sadie and possibly a pool. We finally heard back from the landlord of the dream house we found online last week and have plans to go see it on Monday. Yay!
Ryan will officially begin his new job on July 25, so we’re in quite a time crunch to pack up, find a place and move. Since we’ll be in Chicago all weekend for a wedding, the pressure will be on when we return!
I really am looking forward to this next chapter in our lives. I think we’re ready for something new.
I’m also really grateful that we’ll still be close to Orlando because we have great connections with friends, colleagues and other bloggers in the area, and it’s only an hour drive to see everyone.
Also, if any of you live in Ocala, please speak up because I’m going to do my best to coerce you into being my friend. This will be us: 
Deep in love like. Great, now you already think I’m totally creepy. Seriously though, I need a friend… that’s a human and not a horse.
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=) !!!! Very exciting!!
SO excited for you both! What an awesome next step!
Congrats to Ryan! Good luck on the apartment search! Having a pool is like a dream of mine!
I read it all Julie, not just the announcement HAHA… I am happy for you! My husband is also job searching so I understand everything you just went through! You have my prayers for this very busy & exciting time in your life!
haha i bet you’re one of the few! 🙂 and thank you for your kind words. sending positive thoughts your way for your husband’s job search!
Me, too! (I read it all!) I was thinking about how odd it seems to have lunch with your old boss that you haven’t seen in a few years. But obviously you have a very different relationship with your boss than I do with mine!
Congrats on Ryan’s new job and your new moving situation!! Although I live in Texas, my Step-Mother and half-sister used to live right outside of Ocala. She’s actually in the race horse business and moved around quite a bit in that area. I love that area so much. You will definitely have to take a little trip to The Villages. It’s a retirement community with a great shopping square. The whole town is designed to match; even the fast food restaurants have the same architectural design!
Congrats! This is very exciting, even though I hope you don’t have to resort to becoming best friends with a horse. I hope you guys can rent the perfect apartment and that Ryan loves his new job.
HOW EXCITING! I totally thought you were pregnant. But doesn’t everyone always think that when there is big “news”? 🙂 Congrats!
That’s so exciting! Congratulations
WOW, CONGRATULATIONS!!! Totally amazing news for Ryan, and I’m so thrilled for you both, it will be such an adventure to move to a new location, and perfect now that you are a freelancer so can work wherever you choose 🙂 Such freedom…it’s awesome <3 SO happy for you both and excited to follow along on this part of yours and Ryan's life! (In a good way, not a weird stalker-ish way, lol!) Big smiles and happy high fives! xyx
Yaaay! I’m so happy for you that you’re moving and no longer have to live with rodents 🙂 That mouse was SCARY! Congrats!!
Congrats and that is so exciting!!! I ran the Ocala Marathon back in Jan 2010 and thought it was so beautiful. I loved all the horse farms and there seems more to do there than meets the eye 🙂
so glad you had a good experience in ocala! wanna move there and be my friend? 😉
🙂 I would love a smaller town life but I’m stuck in the NYC area. Oh and that big sport store is awesome. I spent hours there while in ocala.
Congrats!! It seems like you guys would adjust well to a smaller-town lifestyle since you’re such homebodies, so I’m sure you’ll love having a beautiful house. You should get yourselves one of those horses! 😉 Best of luck and congratulations to Ryan 🙂
that’s EXACTLY what we said. we’re SUCH homebodies and love just hanging out at home, so i think a small town may even appeal to us more.
Julie , Congrats to you and Ryan!! So happy for you guys! I know how you feel about moving to a small town from a big city, at first it was a little hard for me, but Mike and I are homebodies too, and we really love it here where we are now in a small town, and it is great! U guys will adjust well to your new home and love it!!!!! So happy for you both!
Congrats to Ryan on the new gig and to both of you for the exciting move! It sounds very romantic, the two of you moving somewhere new together 🙂 best of luck with the dream house!
Yay congrats to Ryan!!!! With both of your great attitudes and outlooks I’m sure you can make it work anywhere 🙂 Looking forward to all the moving adventures!!
Congratulations to Ryan and to both of you for a change! It will be exciting and fun!
All I know about Ocala is that I was once stuck in a massive traffic jam there on the way from MCO to Gainesville. 2 hours to go 3.5 miles. I bet, though, that you can find an awesome place to rent for not much money. Hope there is good fro-yo
Yay! Congrats to Ryan and to you both for this move. How exciting!! 🙂
That’s so exciting!!! Congratulations to Ryan and to your family for this great change:) I’m sure everything will work out wonderfully (with the house, friends).
Best of luck! You guys are awesome!
So exciting! Congrats! I can’t wait to see your new place once everything is finalized!
Congrats to Ryan & You on his new job, and your new location! We live about an hour (down?south?west? I don’t know.. on 75 towards Tampa) 75 from Ocala. We’ve randomly driven up there to just explore. It’s a really pretty area.. and I doubt you are into this kind of thing, but there is a Gander Mountain, lol, it’s the “Bass Pro Shop” of Orlando.. It’s not nearly as cool as BPS, but it’s okay..y’know, if you need some gun stuff, or fishing stuff? Ha (it’s on 200 in Ocala).
ummmm, ryan already said he plans to make gander mountain his “home away from home.” please come save me!
There is Dick’s Sporting Goods there so you can make that your home 🙂 My boyfriend is actually a Store Manager for them and he worked in that store recently, he said its a nice area! We actually just moved to the Orlando area (he is managing the store in Davenport) and while I was nervous, it has all worked out, I was offered plenty of teaching jobs (my major concern) and we really love it so far! I know it will be the same for you!!!
Ocala is only about an hr from our place in Clermont so when Ryan decides to camp out in Gander Mtn email me and I can come save you 🙂
Congrats to both of you! That’s so exciting! Did you make sure Ocala gyms have BodyPump classes? Haha
one does! only one though… that was one of the first things i checked! and the times it is offered are very odd, so i have a feeling i’m REALLY, REALLY going to miss bodypump a lot!
that’s so sad! I got attached to a yoga studio when I lived in Chicago and miss it so much! isn’t it weird the things we think about when we are moving?
I just moved and miss my minneapolis yoga studio (core power yoga) sooooo much! The only thing I miss since getting married/moving 🙂
Great news! Congrats to you both. Though I must say there’s definitely something in the Orlando waters. Too many bloggers moved out already! Glad you won’t be too far 😀
I was super confused by the horses and santa claus thing but I get it now. Ha. Congratulations! I’m sure you’ll love it! (Especially if you get your dream home there!)
Super duper!!! Congrats!
Congrats to both you and Ryan! Moving is so exciting and personally, I love the idea of moving out of the big city one day and settling into suburbian or country life 🙂
Can’t wait to follow you through the journey!
Your lives are both growing and changing – it’s exciting! Congrats to Ryan, and with your awesome attitude I’m sure you’ll love it!
Congrats! Small towns can be charming 🙂
Yay congrats to Ryan on his new job! Hopefully this leads to bigger and better things for you guys (including a non-mouse house). Can’t wait to read about your experiences in this small town…I just moved to one myself and it’s uh…very interesting thus far. Let’s just say I would be thrilled for a Target/Ulta/ANYTHING.
And for the record I read the whole post. 🙂 Good luck to you guys!!
10 points for reading the whole post! 😀 and 10 extra points for being a small town girl.
Congratulations!!! I’m sure you two will love it there. I’m going through a big move right now – Dallas on Monday! It’s nervewracking and exciting all at the same time
so exciting!!! good luck to you, clare!
Oh wow! Congrats! That is way exciting that Ryan accepted a new job, and you all are moving. Change is ALWAYS a good thing, promise 🙂
Best of luck finding a place, and you’ll have NO prob finding friends, I am sure!
This is wonderful news! Congrats to you, Ryan, and Sadie. I can’t wait to follow all of your new adventures!
Very exciting news! Congratulations to Ryan on the new position, just send those vibes along to my Ryan so he gets one! 😉
Happy house hunting!
yayayayay congrats!!!! maybe you will become a horse whisperer? you have lots of opportunities!!! just kidding, I am sure there are lots of awesome people in Ocala!
Congrats on getting out of your apartment and into a new place! Yayy! If I didn’t live in Phoenix, Arizona, I would totally be your friend and we could enjoy fro-yo and chat about our viszlas (mine’s name is Tommy).
please move here!!! fro yo & vizslas!?!? BFFs for life, right there.
Congrats to Ryan!! I am a huge small town fan. I’m sure you guys will be so happy to spread out mouse free! 🙂
This is really exciting Julie! Congrats to Ryan on the new job and hopefully you find your dream house. Yay!
I’m sad that you’re moving out so Paula and I can’t creepily stalk you anymore (kidding – for real), but CONGRATS!!
You’ll still be coming to Central Fl Blogger stuff right? 🙂
My mom lives near Ocala and the drive really isn’t that bad from Orlando (it’s even better when there aren’t screaming kids in the car!). It is a beautiful part of Florida for sure!
YES!! i definitely want to still come to all the blogger stuff in orlando! i love it so much and had a blast meeting you last time!
Yay! I’m so glad it worked out…I’ve been thinking about you and was wondering about your fancy schmancy dinner. 😉
Congrats to you and Ryan!!
Congrats to you and Ryan! As someone who just moved, I feel your anxiety! I hope everything goes nice and smooth for you!! Best advice – HIRE MOVERS. Made mine and my husbands life so much easier! 🙂
i’m going to blow up this comment, make copies and post it around our apartment. think ryan will get the hint?
haha! hopefully. seriously, worth.every.dime.
Congrats, Ryan!!!!
Very exciting for both of you. Went to school in Gainesville, which is about 30 mins from Ocala.
There’s tonsssss of amazing outdoorsy things to do out there (juniper springs, Sonny’s BBQ and everything in Gville) which makes it extra legit.
cant wait to follow your adventures!
Congrats to you and Ryan!! Wishing you all the best!
CONGRATS to Ryan on the new job!!! That is SO exciting 😀
So happy for the the both of you, things seem to be REALLY looking up & you have many new & exciting things coming your way!!!! 😀
Congrats! I live in Tampa and used to drive to Gainseville a lot, so I’ve made some stops in Ocala. Its gotten to be a lot better than it used to be! Plus, its very close to Gainseville which has a ton of restaurants and a decent mall. I bet you guys will love it!
Congrats!! New opportunities are always exciting… So happy for you guys:)
Congrats to Ryan (and you) and starting somewhere new!!! I can’t wait to hear about your new adventures in a new place!!
Sadly, I do not live there or else I would say be my friend! Or maybe I would just introduce my bf to Ryan because the whole gander mountain comment… ya, thats my life every weekend 😉
Ill forgive you for blog-lying since it was to share such good news. Fist-pump for mouse-free livin’!
Oh how fun! The company that I work for actually has an office in Ocala (that would be strange if it was the same company!) and I’ve been lucky enough to travel to their office a handful of times—such a pretty place! Good luck! 🙂
Congrats!! And I read the whole thing 🙂 I am graduating from grad school and will be looking for a jobs soon in the real world so I am very much enjoying all your work related and new house and moving posts. Have you guys found a new gym yet?
we looked at a few and they were all really crummy. there is one that’s decent but they’re not nearly as nice as the orlando ones. we’ll make it work though!
Congrats to you and Ryan! Ocala really is just around the corner from Orlando. You two will be fine. 🙂
Congrats Julie! New chapters in life are always exciting, there’s something about the unknown that’s thrilling isn’t there? I’m sure Sadie will love all the open fields Ocala has to offer 🙂
How exciting!! Sounds like this is the perfect decision for you two 🙂 Can’t wait to hear all about your new adventures!!
AOT
KD IN THE HOOOOOUSE! 😀