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. Kelsey on June 23, 2015 at 9:28 am

    Very sneaky! To read through this post and to see how far you have come, not to mention how long I have been following you. Thank you for all you do! You have not only touched my life in so many ways but also so many others. Can’t wait to see what the next year holds for you.

    Reply
  2. Emily on June 23, 2015 at 9:29 am

    Longtime reader! Love the Blog! 🙂

    Reply
  3. Devin on June 23, 2015 at 9:31 am

    Sneaky, sneaky! Would love to win to get my post-baby body in check.

    Reply
  4. Tiffany F. on June 23, 2015 at 9:32 am

    Awesome giveaway! Fingers crossed 😉

    Reply
  5. Chelsea on June 23, 2015 at 9:33 am

    Very sneaky, but worth it for a TRX!

    Reply
  6. Stephanie @ Whole Health Dork on June 23, 2015 at 9:34 am

    OMG! A TRX home kit! Amazing! And I just moved a bunch of my workout stuff to the basement!

    Reply
  7. Lindsay on June 23, 2015 at 9:34 am

    so sneaky! Due with #2 10/20 so always looking for different ways to get back in shape!

    Reply
  8. Angie on June 23, 2015 at 9:34 am

    Love giveaways and being sneaky!

    Reply
  9. Jackie K on June 23, 2015 at 9:34 am

    Thank You!

    Reply
  10. Natalie on June 23, 2015 at 9:35 am

    Ahh I would love a home TRX kit! Awesome giveaway!

    Reply
  11. Rachel on June 23, 2015 at 9:35 am

    I love the sneak! Thanks for all your hard work and care for your readers 🙂 Peace & Love from Montreal, Canada!

    Reply
  12. Abbey on June 23, 2015 at 9:37 am

    Awesome, I love this! 🙂

    Reply
  13. Jen on June 23, 2015 at 9:38 am

    Wow. I love this post…for me it was when my boyfriend and I left our apartment to live with family. Even though it wasn’t the easiest at times it put us in a reply good place and now we’re moving to a beach town which is where we really want to be.

    Reply
  14. Alex d on June 23, 2015 at 9:39 am

    Sneaky, sneaky! Would love a TRX 🙂

    Reply
  15. Leila on June 23, 2015 at 9:39 am

    I have a home gym and the one thing missing is a TRX! I was actually talking to my husband the other day about how we should look into getting one!

    Reply
  16. Bethany on June 23, 2015 at 9:40 am

    I’m not going to lie…I was really hoping for the dance, but a sneaky giveaway will do!

    Reply
  17. Molly on June 23, 2015 at 9:41 am

    How fun!! I would love to get fit with TRX!

    Reply
  18. Lauren on June 23, 2015 at 9:42 am

    I’d love to win a trx pack.. I take trx classes at my gym but it would be great to have a set for at home workouts!

    Reply
  19. Sara on June 23, 2015 at 9:42 am

    Yay for sneaky giveaways! Thanks! 🙂

    Reply
  20. Audra on June 23, 2015 at 9:42 am

    Love the sneaky giveaway!!

    Reply
  21. Stacy on June 23, 2015 at 9:43 am

    I would love a TRX home gym! I am 7 months post partum and could definitely use some help!

    Reply
  22. Beth C on June 23, 2015 at 9:46 am

    I love TRX! Thanks Gina!

    Reply
  23. Erica on June 23, 2015 at 9:46 am

    Sneaky sneak. I love TRX and would love to do it at home. 🙂

    Reply
  24. Mary-Cameron on June 23, 2015 at 9:48 am

    Sneaky sneaky! =)

    Reply
  25. Angel on June 23, 2015 at 9:48 am

    Yay for sneaky giveaways!!

    Reply
  26. Stephanie K on June 23, 2015 at 9:48 am

    Yay sneaky giveaway! 🙂

    Reply
  27. Meghan on June 23, 2015 at 9:48 am

    Love your sneakiness! And I would love to win a TRX. Thank you so much for hosting yet another generous giveaway!

    Reply
  28. Ashley on June 23, 2015 at 9:51 am

    I would love to have a trx at home since I’m pausing my gym membership for the summer (too many small trips and events popping up).

    Reply
  29. Lauren on June 23, 2015 at 9:51 am

    Love the sneaky giveaways 😉

    Reply
  30. Liz on June 23, 2015 at 9:51 am

    I was hoping you’d pick sneaky giveaway! love them!

    Reply
  31. Cara's Healthy Cravings on June 23, 2015 at 9:52 am

    Yeah for sneaky giveaways!

    Reply
  32. Kristy B. on June 23, 2015 at 9:53 am

    I think in general bad situations tend to end up working out for the best. My husband recently got laid off from his job due to budget cuts, and though he still hasn’t gotten a job offer, he has had several leads for jobs that we think he will like much more than what he had, and for now though it’s hard to get by, we are treating this like a blessing in disguise.

    Reply
  33. Jen on June 23, 2015 at 9:53 am

    I would love a TRX system!

    Reply
  34. sarah on June 23, 2015 at 9:56 am

    Oooooh I love a sneaky giveaway! A TRX system would be awesome especially on days like today when the temps are almost to 100!

    Reply
  35. Angela on June 23, 2015 at 9:56 am

    Yay!! I would love to try the TRX!!

    Reply
  36. Molly P on June 23, 2015 at 9:56 am

    I would loveeee a TRX system for my home gym! Thanks for the sneaky giveaway 🙂

    Reply
  37. Rachael on June 23, 2015 at 9:57 am

    TRX hurts so good!!

    Reply
  38. Anni on June 23, 2015 at 9:58 am

    yay!

    Reply
  39. Meaghan on June 23, 2015 at 10:00 am

    I would LOVE TRX home kit! I am thinking about becoming certified in TRX – I currently have my AFAA certification and teach WERQ dance fitness, so adding a strength based workout to my teaching schedule would be great! Especially one as challenging and worthwhile as TRX!

    Reply
  40. Crissy on June 23, 2015 at 10:02 am

    OOO this is going to be exciting. Love your blog and attitude on life, thanks for all you do!

    Reply
  41. Melissa M on June 23, 2015 at 10:02 am

    Yeah for sneaky giveaway!! Love TRX too 🙂

    Reply
  42. Na'ama on June 23, 2015 at 10:02 am

    Giveaways are always exciting 🙂

    Reply
  43. Julianna @ Julianna Bananna on June 23, 2015 at 10:03 am

    would love a trx!!

    Reply
  44. Sam on June 23, 2015 at 10:06 am

    Awesome sneaky giveaway!

    Reply
  45. Katie C. on June 23, 2015 at 10:08 am

    I would love a TRX system!

    Reply
  46. Sara on June 23, 2015 at 10:08 am

    Super sneaky! A TRX kit might help me actually get a workout in on those days I don’t go to the gym.

    Reply
  47. Amanda jones on June 23, 2015 at 10:09 am

    Love love love your blog!! I have been reading for years and years and often refer back to old military/ Jacksonville posts! That’s where my husband and I love now due to military relocation!

    Reply
  48. Natalie on June 23, 2015 at 10:09 am

    Love this sneaky giveaway. Thanks Gina!

    Reply
  49. Mélissa on June 23, 2015 at 10:10 am

    I would love a TRX !

    Reply
  50. Amy on June 23, 2015 at 10:11 am

    So sneaky in a great way!!! I want to visit Valdizzy!!

    Reply

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