Why I Love Valdosta

February 17, 2011 |

Welcome to the sneaky giveaway via this vintage post. Just leave a comment below to enter to win a TRX home kit! I’ll pick the winner this Thursday night, midnight EST and announce in Friday Faves. xoxo

 

 

I know what you’re thinking. You saw the title and probably thought “What in the what? LOVE Valdosta? She couldn’t stand that place”

As you guys know, I wasn’t the biggest Valdosta fan on the planet and definitely made it known a thousand handful of times on the blog. Even though I wasn’t in love with it at first, Valdizzy now has a special place in my heart.

When we first drove into Valdosta, with the Pilot in the U-Haul towing his Jeep and Viesa, myself following him in my car with Bella, I wondered what in the world I got myself into.

valdizzy

It had a Wal-Mart, no Trader Joe’s for four hours, the mall had JC Penney’s and Sears instead of Dillard’s or Nordstrom,  a Victoria’s Secret with the 80s style gold heart wallpaper (shopping ability is critical haha), and I was a little afraid of the unknown. Despite being in North Carolina for a couple of months with the Pilot (which I loved), I hadn’t spent much time in the South. I didn’t know any of the wives yet and was about to start a new job as a department store Area Sales Manager.

Even though I’m a very positive person in general, quite a few times I’d mention to the Pilot that I was unhappy and felt trapped in my new situation. He said to me “One day, probably after we move, you’ll think of Valdosta and miss it. We’ll have good memories here, I promise”

He was totally right.

The Pilot is so wise like that 😉

Since we’re about to find out our new assignment (any day now, please!!) I thought it would be fun to reflect on the things I really do LOVE about Valdosta.

Our condo:

casa house

house (3) closet

crannie

(the kitchen was my fave, by far)

Dinners at 306 North, Two Friends and Charlie Trippers

goat cheese fritters

tuna

Being SO close to Jacksonville and Orlando

beach

 goofers

The PEOPLE. People in Valdosta are so friendly and kind – I was very fortunate to build friendships with my clients, fellow trainer and boss at the gym

IMG00017-20100104-2028

The lifelong friends I made through the squadron. The wives, now my closest friends, ended up being like family to me, especially while the Pilot was away.

flowers 

Main Squeeze

juice

The INDIAN RESTAURANT 🙂

019

Fresh organic fruits and veggies, harvested before our eyes at Robert’s Farm

roberts

goofies

My dentist (he never hurt me with the tooth-scraper)

All of the memories that I’ll never forget….

Legendary dinner parties, gardening, when the Pilot saved the dog, grilling together, pool days, girls nights, date nights, cuddling on the couch and watching movies…

pilot 009

Starting this little blog, which ended up being the most amazing, exciting, best job I could ever wish for. You’re all 100% the reason why this little space is so much fun 🙂

me 

If I didn’t start out in Valdosta, I wouldn’t have the blog, or you guys <3

Things work out the way they’re supposed to, right?

xoxo

Gina

When was the last time a less-than-stellar situation turned out way better than you imagined??

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1,043 Comments

  1. Emily on June 23, 2015 at 10:54 am

    What a throwback! And a fun sneaky giveaway.

    Reply
  2. Amy on June 23, 2015 at 10:56 am

    I’d LOVE to win a TRX home kit! It would be wonderful both for myself (I want to build muscles) and my fiance who is super into CrossFit and TRX (but doesn’t have the resources for either a class or home gym) as we dive into our marriage with each other. It would be lovely to be able to workout on this equipment together!

    Reply
  3. Naomi on June 23, 2015 at 10:56 am

    Haha I love the sneaky giveaway! Fun to see a throwback post 🙂

    Reply
  4. Jessica Renfro on June 23, 2015 at 11:00 am

    I would LOVE a TRX kit! I just started my lifestyle change through Beachbody.

    Reply
  5. Jessie R on June 23, 2015 at 11:01 am

    So sneaky!!!

    Reply
  6. Melanie Kellar on June 23, 2015 at 11:01 am

    I love sneaky giveaways 🙂 and I’ve been dying to try out some TRX workouts!

    Reply
  7. Melissa on June 23, 2015 at 11:02 am

    Thanks for the chance to win this sneaky giveaway. 🙂

    Reply
  8. Erin on June 23, 2015 at 11:03 am

    Would love a TRX Kit!

    Reply
  9. KristeN b on June 23, 2015 at 11:03 am

    sneaky sneaky! I would LOVE a trx home kit! My work schedule recently changed and I’m not able to make the class at my gym anymore

    Reply
  10. Andrea Bilbija on June 23, 2015 at 11:04 am

    yay sneaky giveaway!!

    Reply
  11. Melissa VanSlambrouck on June 23, 2015 at 11:04 am

    Thanks for another giveaway! Your blog is the best, I look forward to reading it throughout the week! Xoxo

    Reply
  12. Jess on June 23, 2015 at 11:05 am

    Love the Sneaky giveaway!

    Reply
  13. Hayley on June 23, 2015 at 11:06 am

    Such a cute idea!

    Reply
  14. Ashley v on June 23, 2015 at 11:08 am

    Thanks for the sneaky giveaway!

    Reply
  15. Madelyn McCalmon on June 23, 2015 at 11:08 am

    I would love a TRX! My husband and I are in the process of adopting our first child, and we are definitely going to need an at home workout system for the first few months!

    Reply
  16. Stacy on June 23, 2015 at 11:09 am

    We would love a TRX to workout with at home!

    Reply
  17. Lisa on June 23, 2015 at 11:09 am

    I remember this post! Longtime reader!!

    Reply
  18. Amanda on June 23, 2015 at 11:09 am

    Wooo love your blog!

    Reply
  19. Christina on June 23, 2015 at 11:10 am

    Fun giveaway!

    Reply
  20. Aimee on June 23, 2015 at 11:12 am

    Yay! Give away!! would love to try TRX.

    Reply
  21. kayla on June 23, 2015 at 11:12 am

    sneaky sneaky 🙂

    Reply
  22. Krista on June 23, 2015 at 11:12 am

    Would love to win an at home TRX! I remember your Valdosta days. Fun to read an old post

    Reply
  23. Angela on June 23, 2015 at 11:12 am

    Love sneaky giveaways! You’re the best!

    Reply
  24. Brooke P on June 23, 2015 at 11:13 am

    I’ve had my eye on a TRX forever, but haven’t been able to swing it! I’ve used them a few times and they’re so much fun and way more challenging than they look! Love this sneak little giveaway 🙂

    Reply
  25. Dakota C. on June 23, 2015 at 11:15 am

    love this!

    Reply
  26. Emily @ Always Emily H. on June 23, 2015 at 11:17 am

    I love sneaky giveaways (and vintage posts!)

    Reply
  27. Jessica on June 23, 2015 at 11:20 am

    Woah, flashback! Fun to return to an old post.

    Reply
  28. Jacki on June 23, 2015 at 11:20 am

    Happy Blogiversary!

    Reply
  29. Kelsey on June 23, 2015 at 11:22 am

    It’s neat to look back at an old post and see how things have changed!

    Reply
  30. Courtni H on June 23, 2015 at 11:22 am

    Love this and TRX! Receiving it would be an incredible gift! 🙂

    Reply
  31. Kellie Mooney on June 23, 2015 at 11:23 am

    would love a TRX system!

    Reply
  32. Jema on June 23, 2015 at 11:26 am

    What a great giveaway! My husband and I would love to try the TRX workout 🙂

    Reply
  33. Christina on June 23, 2015 at 11:26 am

    Would love a chance to have a TRX system for my house for both me and soon to be hubby to use!

    Reply
  34. Anna on June 23, 2015 at 11:27 am

    I’d love a trx to use at home!

    Reply
  35. Leah H. on June 23, 2015 at 11:27 am

    I am dying to try TRX!

    Reply
  36. alyssa on June 23, 2015 at 11:27 am

    sneaky, sneaky!

    Reply
  37. Stephanie @ My Freckled Life on June 23, 2015 at 11:32 am

    So sneaky! Love it!

    Reply
  38. Jill on June 23, 2015 at 11:32 am

    Aww, hi Viesa! Such a cute little face. I love that photo of you and the Pilot! This sneaky giveaway is fun. I’d love a TRX to put up in my office at work for some lunchtime workouts and stretching!

    Reply
  39. Alyssa on June 23, 2015 at 11:34 am

    Ive heard tons about the TRX system and would love a chance to try it out!

    Reply
  40. Shelly on June 23, 2015 at 11:34 am

    love your sneaky ways!

    Reply
  41. Jen on June 23, 2015 at 11:36 am

    I’ve never tried TRX before but would love to. Thanks for many years of quality content!

    Reply
  42. ErikaMC on June 23, 2015 at 11:37 am

    Pretty sneaky! I’ve been researching more about TRX and am so ready to try it out!

    Reply
  43. Hillary on June 23, 2015 at 11:37 am

    A TRX home system would be perfect for this expecting mama!

    Reply
  44. Sarah on June 23, 2015 at 11:38 am

    Yay sneaky giveaway!! Although I would still love to see you do an interpretive dance 🙂

    Reply
  45. em on June 23, 2015 at 11:38 am

    Sneaky! I used to do TRX at a gym regularly, but have since moved, and haven’t found a replacement class – I miss it!

    Reply
  46. Stephanie on June 23, 2015 at 11:40 am

    Love coming to your blog every day and hearing about adventures in mommyhood and fitness. Would love a chance to win the trx sneaky giveaway!

    Reply
  47. Sarah on June 23, 2015 at 11:40 am

    I have a new baby at home so I can’t get out much to go to the gym. I would love another piece of equipment for home workouts. Thanks.

    Reply
  48. Tracy on June 23, 2015 at 11:44 am

    You are so sneaky!! <3

    Reply
  49. Meghan F on June 23, 2015 at 11:44 am

    I’d love to win! 🙂

    Reply
  50. Jenessa on June 23, 2015 at 11:44 am

    I enjoy the fitness inspiration and would enjoy a TRX kit!!!

    Reply

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