Blogging for a Cause

I was in a Hotel & Lodging Meeting this past month when we were reviewing our financial standings. With the number of hotels in the area we have MORE then enough in the bank for our purposes. The question then became "what do we do with all this extra money?"

Not a phrase any of us were use to thinking about and definitely not a bad problem to have. We knew as a group that we wanted to donate it but the question was to where? Within just a few minutes we had a list a mile long of options - everyone had their own causes. This got me thinking.

I talked to Jonathan about it and we decided we could use our blog. With most any fundraising organization their primary goal is to raise awareness of their cause, educate people about it, and then of course raise money.

Between the two of us, we had our own list of organizations and foundations we wanted to be able to support. Financially, for two people, its almost impossible. But we have this great tool here to help us.

Each month we will feature a different organization/foundation/charity. We'll provide links with the information to educate you on it and on up coming fundraising events you may want to participate in.

So far, we have enough on our list to get us through the next year but I'm sure there are more out there. If you have any recommendations you would either like to learn more about OR would like us to inform others of, please e-mail them to us at Niki.Parris@Hilton.com.

Back Yard - Work in Progress

As promised, here are pictures of the Back Yard as of now. We still have some work to do but it's coming along.

Maggie LOVES not having to be on a leash all the time

and the neighbor dogs come over to play.

It has been awhile since our last posting and my guess is you are here because you're wondering "what have Niki & Jonathan been up to?". Well friends, let me give you a quick update.
WE HAVE BEEN WORKING OUR TAILS OFF!!!!!!!!!!!

We did make it to Loudon for the Baby Gracie Ride which was a huge success... despite the fact that Mr. Earl conned his way into getting to stay at the Hampton Inn & Suites Murfreesboro.

Last week was our Managers Meeting for Moutaintop so I had my hands full at the hotel starting Sunday night. By Thursday night I crashed. Jonathan had been Batchin' it most of the week so Friday we both only worked 1/2 a day and spent the rest of the day in the yard.

We both had to work on Saturday and I was at the office a few hours on Sunday as well which meant this yard thing lasted all weekend and we still have a little work left to do.

This week I'm Spring Flingin' it! Its State Championship time for all High School Spring Sports which means I have two hotels full of teams. Look for my interview on www.dnj.com tomorrow. I'll be signing autographs in the lobby from 1pm-3pm.

We are looking forward to this weekend!!! Its Hunters 1st Birthday PLUS we get to hang out and relax for a few days!!!!

That's about it! Once we get the finishing touches on the yard I'll post some pictures so you can see what Jonathan was up to while I was living at the hotel.

There is also some video of Maggie I'm hoping to have up and viewable shortly but I think I'm having to upload issues.

Build Fence - Check!

Its finally done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We have a fence!!!!!! When I closed on the house last April (PS My 1 year anniversary was last week - thanks for remembering!), the first thing we wanted to do was build a fence. One year and one week later, that has been checked off the list.

I wish I could say that it was the party I had hoped for, but I think both sets of parents would disagree. Friday our plans were pushed back due to weather but we did get to have dinner at Millers Grocery. I think that's one thing we all enjoyed. We hadn't dug any holes at that point though.

Saturday morning, the sky's cleared and construction began. The auger we had rented however only got us about 10-15 inches of the 24 needed before we hit rock. And not just one rock. Layer after layer of rock! They can't say that we didn't build our house on a firm foundation.

Out of the 18 holes we had to dig, the auger was only able to complete 1 on its own. The 6 of us, (Yes 6. My mother was in work clothes and actually worked all day both days!) were in a rotation: one had the shovel, one had the rock buster, one with a post hole digger, and one on their hands and knees clearing out any busted rock pieces we could. The other two were checking the next hole or resting. By 6pm we had all holes dug and poles set. After a quick shower and dinner we all passed out.

Sunday was suppose to be the easy day. All that was left to do was tack up the panels and hang the gates. ...No such luck. The gates were an issue and only one of them is currently functioning properly. The second one was too heavy and a light weight gate will have to be ordered.

The good news is though, its done! AND, I got to use power tools! We now have some landscape work to finish which Jonathan is at home working on now. Once complete, we'll have some before and after shots to post.

Maggie is VERY Happy with her new play area. Good thing she has grandparents who love her!