It was a working week for Em and we had
a rental car of our own so we could come and go with total dependence
on a phone navigator program. We met up with her in uptown just
before her lunch break so she could give us a brief tour through the
LS3P (yes that is the name http://www.ls3p.com/) office which occupies the whole seventh
floor of a beautiful tall office building. I took a picture of her at
her office space and at the reception desk and also the lobby
sculpture and a couple outside. This firm has graciously consented to
her doing some part time work for them to help her complete the work
hours she requires for licensure as an architect. These are hours she
wouldn't be able to get through her job at BASF. The folks we met were
all friendly and the office space is gorgeous and has scenic views
from all windows. It is the middle building in the picture.
Later we followed her to her other
office in another part of Charlotte. It is more of an industrial
neighborhood although the single story office space is nice and has
pretty landscaping. Previously she shared an office with a coworker
but just recently moved into a space of her own. I took a couple
pictures there as well. She has familiar photos of her niece and
nephews at her computer. She has her name next to her office door
which is kinda cool. So, she is actually working two jobs right now
and studying for two more licensure exams. In her spare time she is
training to run another half marathon in Savannah, Georgia.
Steve and I did some work around the
house and in the yard while we were there. It is a pleasure so help
her get to some things that she just doesn't have the time for right
now. We got to know several Home Depot stores around town.We enjoyed
Leena the dog during our stay. She is a leaner and a lover and craves
all the attention she can get. Em's new gas logs were installed
during our visit so we got to enjoy the new flames during the cool
evenings. We purchased a couple mums and a fall door wreath to bring
in the season change and spruce up the house for the birthday party.
The birthday party on Saturday was a
“dry run for Thanksgiving” party so Em supplied the turkey and a
couple sides and her friends all brought additional sides, desserts
and beverages. We learned how to deep-fry turkey breast and how to
infuse flavorings and add spices prior to cooking. It was a fabulous
feast and a fun time for us to meet her multi-talented friends and
neighbors. We hope to reuse some of these great recipes when our
family of westerners gathers in Charlotte for the real Thanksgiving
this year.
Another highlight of our trip was the
day trip to Asheville, North Carolina about an hour and a half from
Charlotte going west toward the mountains. Griffin was the driver so
we could enjoy the view of the forests, trees and mountains. We spent
part of the day in the town walking around and going through the
booths at a Jewish festival that happened to be going on that
weekend. We had some delicious food (best macaroon cookies ever) and
the sights and music. Asheville is hilly so it was a good walk keeping
up with the more fit ones. Then Griffin drove us up the Blue Ridge
Parkway that heads up the mountain. We stopped at several overlooks
to see the trees changing colors in the distance. It was the red
color that was the most showy as the yellow haven't quite popped out
yet from the greens. It was just lovely. I am glad I finally got to
see some of the oaks and maples in color, we just do not have much of
that in Wyoming.
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