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.
![\"Quantcast\"/](\"//pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-1e3-7hOJ_U8Bg.gif\")
Wow, Julie! What an awesome blessing! New job, new city! 🙂
Congrats to Ryan, you and Sadie!
P.S. We still need to get together! I know the next couple of weeks will be crazy, but if you get a chance for lunch–let’s go! Carrie, too!
woohoo, congratulations! I am sure you will adjust swimmingly, and it is amazing that you are in a place in your career that you can make this move together!
I will say that I read the whole blog post – but was weirdly nervous in anticipation of what the big news could be, haha!
That is awesome! Congrats to Ryan on the new job!! How exciting!! 🙂
Congratulations! That’s awesome. I really hope you get your dream house. 🙂
I read the whole post (*pats myself on the back*)
Congrats on your exciting new venture — moving is always fun and a bit scary, but in a good way.
Boo that Ryan is no longer an LMer =(
Big changes, sometimes you sacrifice a city life for a good career. Small town’s can truly be wonderful and you are close to everything still.
Check out Meetup.com to see if there are groups in Ocala, it can help make the transition so much easier.
Congratulations!! I jumped online just to see if you had made your announcement post! Very exciting to have the opportunity for a new adventure!!!
Such exciting news! Congrats to you & Ryan on this new adventure!
When you get there, try meetup.com to make friends. You might end up with a bunch of weirdos, but if you make even one friend, it might be worth it! I also joined a running group when I moved and that helped me meet like-minded friends.
Good luck! 😀
That is such exciting news! I would give anything to move to a small town but at the moment my job is in DC and even though I live 2 hours from work, I’m still in suburb city. One day the husband and I hope to move to Vermont and live the rural life. I’d take horses to DC politicians any day!!! Good luck with the move (hubs and I just moved last weekend and it was NOT fun) and I really hope you find a home you love (since you’ll be spending the most time there). Can’t wait to hear about your new adventures!
Wow, how exciting!! Congratulations to Ryan. 🙂 I am sending lots of positive thoughts your way as you get set for (and hopefully excited about) a new adventure!
(Also, random addenda:
1) I not only read the whole thing, but I am a new reader! Double points?
2) I *love* edamame. Like, in love. Have you ever had edamame ravioli? Todiefor.
3) Your picture of froyo made me want to throw the apple I was currently eating out the door of my office. Food envy, thy name is Tara.)
I was keeping my fingers crossed for NC so Sadie and Koda coup be vbffs (obviously vizsla bffs) but I’m excited for you and Ryan!! Fresh starts are so exhilarating 🙂
good luck!
Congratulations! Me and my husband moved from a big city to a small town about 5 years ago, and have never looked back. You will love it!
That salad looks awesome! Congratulations also!
Congratulations!! I have to admit I’m a little disappointed since I live in Orlando and I love the familiarity I get when reading about the places you go knowing that I go there as well. But I’m sure Ocala will be great. I often stop by there on the way back to my college stomping grounds, Gainesville. Best of luck!
I knew the announcement would be about you moving, but I thought you had already found a house. Good luck with your move!
(PS: I read it all! ;D)
Wonderful news!!! Congratulations to Ryan! This is a very exciting time for you both, and I sound so corny but I really do love reading along everyday to take part in your daily life! 🙂
congratulations to ryan! how exciting for you both!
Congrats to both of you! Hope everything goes very smoothly for you. Just the fact that it has a Bonefish would make it worth moving to IMO.
Yay Julie! You are super sneaky and fooled us all! Good luck on the move, girl! and congrats to Ryan!
Mmm the salad and fro-yo look delicious!
Congrats on Ryan’s new job, good luck with the move and everything!
That’s fantastic news (I was a little bummed that is was not a new puppy, but I’ll get over it)!
Change can be scary, but fun! So, have fun!
great news for you two! I don’t think you’ll have any problems making friends. I”m like you..I need to see what stores are around…no Target=no way!
good luck to you both!
I read the whole post too! The only thing I know about Ocala is there were glass-bottom boat tours there when we were kids. We stopped and took the tour on our way driving from WV to Miami!
Congrats lady! You are too funny, I keep laughing at all the “Be my friend” replies you posted. Haha, I’m sure you will love it!
Isn’t it amazing how everything happens the way it is suppose to? If you hadn’t had the courage to quit your full time job and devote your time to your real passions, Ryan wouldn’t have been able to take this job opportunity! It is all going to work out great 😉
Oh, and I’ll be your friend!…just from Phoenix, AZ. Sorry!
Congrats! That’s so great for you guys! It’s always so exciting to start a new chapter!
Congrats, Ryan! So excited for you guys! You are so young – it’s the perfect time to make a move.
I’m super excited to see where you shack up! It’s always fun to move into a new place…well, at least it’s exciting. The packing/unpacking thing is not so fun.
Congrats!
My grandmother lived in Ocala for years–you weren’t kidding about it being horse country–I think those are some of my most vivid memories of Ocala….
HOWEVER, live off of the main strip a little ways and it’s gorgeous….enjoy!
Congrats to Ryan!!! We stopped at Ocala once and spend the night there on our way to Orlando (we couldn’t check in our hotel until the next day). We really liked it, such a small town feel. I think you and Ryan will really like living there. Good luck finding a house!
Congratulations to Ryan on the job and to both of you on the big move! One of my very best friends is from Ocala, we met in college in Texas! She loved it there and even moved back for a little while after college before accepting a job in Colorado.
I’ve been reading your blog for a little over a month now and don’t think I’ve ever commented. I look forward to your posts each day and think you are wonderful!
Oh wow, congrats to Ryan on the new job, and congrats to both of you on the decision to move! You’re young, and sometimes it’s nice for that fresh start, ya know? 🙂
FTR – I DID read the part before the announcement! haha — your lunch and fro-yo looks delish. And it’s always nice to catch up with someone from your past that you had good experience with. Sounds like you had a nice lunch date. Well, not date…but you know what I mean!
Congrats to you guys, Julie!! Very exciting! Good luck with finding a place… let me just say that I recently moved into a house with a fenced-in yard for my dog (crazy, high energy like Sadie).. it will change your life!!! So much easier & Sadie will be super happy 🙂
The important question is, is there a FroYo place in Ocala?!?! =)
Congratulations!! I read the whole post too haha we all like what you have to say too much to skip anything! It sounds like it will be absolutely lovely. Small towns are so much more relaxing than the big city! Think about all the fresh air and someone said before Sadie is going to have so much fun chasing all the “nature”!!! Yay change! Congratulations to you both! life seems to be falling into place 🙂
Congrats Julie! Good luck with everything! i feel like I drive through Ocala often, I’ll let you know next time!
Oh I’d love to get together. Definitely let me know!
WOW! Congratulations! A new apartment and a fresh start only a few short hours away from parents and friends. Life is good!
Congrats Julie! That’s so exciting, so many fun changes! Random question, but does Ryan currently work for LM? I may have seen him at a conference and forgot to ask! It was like one of those moments where you recognize someone and you dont know from where… and then afterwards I was reading your blog and was like “i bet that was him!” haha hope that doesn’t sound creepy, but there’s on in Orlando, so it’s totally possible! and i’ve been at GTL.
Yes!!! How funny!
Congrats! I was having a similar convo with a friend about where we would like to live after marriage. Call us cheesy but we both agreed that place is negligible when you are with the person you love. That support alone will make the transition easier. All the best!
Congrats and best of luck I”m not sure if you ‘ll read this far down in the reply’s but we just moved from Pennyslvania to a town called Dunedin, FL My husband got a job in St Pete so we packed up the 2 kids and golden retriever and boy what a adjustment ! IT is exciting to have a fresh start somewhere new! Congrats again!
The pastor from our wedding lived in Dunedin!
I have family in Dunedin. It is a great town. A must for any sweet tooth person is Kookie Krumbs on Main Street. Love the white chocolate macadamia nut cookie.
Congratulations for Ryan´s new job. In fact, congrats for you both, and for all that you achive toghether!
Congrats on your new adventure! I grew up on one of those horse farms in Ocala. I moved to Orlando after high school to attend UCF. There is definitely a different pace to life in Ocala but, it’s not a bad difference. Ocala was a great place to grow up and I am absolutely positive Sadie is going to love it there!
Good luck to you and Ryan on your big move!
I read the entire post too! 🙂
Congrats to Ryan on the new job and good luck with finding a place/moving! You guys will find a great place I’m sure 🙂
One of my favorite quotes that I think you can appreciate right now – “Never is life so exciting than at the beginning of a journey”
Also, I bet Sadie is jumping with joy at all of her future new pee spots! 🙂
So exciting!!
Congrats Julie! I think you guys will have a great time in your new place.. especially if you land this place of your dreams!
Making a decision like this is hard.. but good things will come! You are so right about how great it is that you don’t have to worry about your work.. since you can take it anywhere!
Congrats to Ryan!
congrats to you and ryan! my parents own an apartment in ocala, they have had the same tenant for about 20 years. unfortanately we live about 1000 miles from florida! i’m sure you, ryan, and sadie will adjust to your new surrondings in no time!
Congrats to you and Ryan! After college my husband and I moved from Boston to Burlington VT for 2 years and while our friends all harassed us about moving up to the middle of nowhere, we had a great time! (I did miss good shopping though) Exploring a new place together is great and really solidifies the we’re a team feeling. Good luck and keep us posted!!
Congrats on both the job and the move! My cousin lives in Ocala, I’ve not visited but her condo is amazing looking. It is definitely nice for you (and less pressure I would assume) to be able to work from anywhere. One thing I dislike about my intended career path is that I feel like I’m destined to NYC or LA and I wish there were more options for me in terms of location.
Ohh that is very exciting! Congratulations to Ryan on his new job. What an exciting change in both your lives.
Is it sad I skipped forward to see what your frozen treat looked like? I even read all the add-ins, YUM! Um also, CONGRATULATIONS! We moved in 2 weeks, I empathize, just know it can be done!