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.
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Congratulations to you both! Will there be room in this house for a vizsla friend for Sadie? 😉
The real question is, are there a lot of fro-yo joints in Ocala? How will you survive, if not?
Congratulations! 🙂
there is ONE i’m told!
Sooo exciting!! I am going on Super Senior status at UF right now! Soo, I have many friends from Ocala and I’ve heard mixed emotions! I am excited to see how you find Ocala to be!
GOOD LUCK! and Congrats to him!!
Can you share what Ryan will be doing or who he will be working for?
He will be working as a senior financial accountant. 🙂
Smartypants 😉 Good for him! Sidenote: I know you’ve mentioned a few things about attending church on your blog before… I have a few suggestions if you need them 🙂
would like them*
Congrats on the changes! I love the time of change.. always fun to switch things up a bit! 🙂
PS – That salad looked amazing. I wish more restaurants used edamame.
They don’t just have racehorses there, they also have hunter/jumper horses! LOL. I was a professional horseback rider (I mostly did the hunters, which means I jumped over things in a ring) and went to Ocala for the winters sometimes (Ocala and Palm Beach). I actually liked it in Ocala!! Hope you enjoy your new city 🙂
Wow, what a great and crazy change! I love changes and I think they’re so essential to a healthy life! God bless you both and…I guess I won’t be meeting you anytime soon because I’m far away in CALI haha 😛
Congrats and you won’t be too far from me. I’m in Jacksonville. I’d love to meet up for lunch sometime. The guys can always time bodypump together!!! lol
Congratulations to Ryan on his new job and to you both on the upcoming move to a mouse-free place! How very exciting it all must be. I’m looking forward to reading all about it!
I read the whole post 🙂
So exciting! Congrats guys!
I live in Gainesville, which is about 45 north of ocala. I love new friends 🙂
Good luck with the move!!
Stacey
Yay how exciting!!! Congrats to you and Ryan!
Congratulations on the move!
I live in Orlando and I think Ocala is a great area as well. I’m sure you will be happy wherever you are 🙂
Also, Greens & Grille= THE BEST.
Excited for you, Julie!! I have friends in Ocala, and am SURE you’ll make plenty yourself in no time flat! Good luck with packing and the move itself!
I see you have another Liza reader up there!! ^ Shout out to the other Liza! 🙂
Julie, I am so excited for your new opportunity! I think you will like Ocala a lot. One of my ADPi sisters is house-hunting there right now, actually – her fiance got a job there and she is looking for one as an elem. school teacher. I’ll send you a FB message with her name (heck, you might already know her from UCF!) so you guys can meet! She has two little Yorkies that Sadie would go bananas for, I bet.
Congrats again!!
That would be amazing! Thanks so much, Liza!
CONGRATS!!! That’s so wonderful that Ryan got this new job and that it sounds like you can get a great place in the area! This sounds like a fantastic step forward for you both! I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you for the house!!
Yay, you love me the most! LOL Congrats to Ryan on his new job, good luck to both of you 🙂
Congratulations to Ryan. I am so happy for the both of you. I am sure you will have friends in no time. Your a wonderful person. Best of luck and I will keep you in my prayers on a great home for the 3 of you!! Love Sadie too. 🙂
Congrats! Sounds like Ocala could be a really great fit for you guys 🙂 My husband’s in finance, too, and we’ve had to move twice for his jobs (once to Manhattan, once to Austin), so I feel you on the nerves. So glad you have so much flexibility with your job, though. Good luck putting everything together in time!
Congrats to you and Ryan! Sounds like an exciting adventure!
Congrats! this is soso exciting! I was soo betting on it being a bfriend for Sadie, but this is way cooler (for you guys at least!) Cannot wait to hear more 🙂
I think a move to a small town can have some perks- cheaper cost of living, less traffic and more sense of community. I think you’ll do great in Ocala!
Congrats on the move and to Ryan for the new job!! I bet you guys are so excited!!
And–NUTELLA FROZEN YOGURT?! They do not have that in Chicago!! Not fair!! lol
Goodluck in Ocala…it sounds like a good move!!
So your life is pretty much falling into place right now, huh? That’s amazing! I wish I could give you a giant congratulatory hug!
Congratulations! That’s really exciting news!
I’m about 40 minutes from Ocala, and have been there quite a few times. You’re absolutely right about the proximity to great outdoorsy things, and don’t discount the springs, both near you and just north of Gainesville. Swimming, kayaking, it’s all great.
Other than that, I don’t know much about Ocala itself (aside from what you mentioned about the horses), but it doesn’t sound like you’ll have too much trouble making friends. Good luck!
How exciting! Congrats to you & Ryan!
Julie! Congratulations to you and Ryan! How exciting! Whether you stay in Ocala for a short time or for a very long time, it’s a very exciting step.
Good luck in your house search, I’m sure you’ll find something great and mouse free =]
Enjoy this time in your life – it’s so exciting!!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!
So happy for you & your cute family!!!! And I have a feeling Sadie will like Ocala! I think she’ll be happy making some new furry friends and enjoying the more outdoorsy landscape 😀
I read the whole post! I was enticed by your salad photos first…
Congrats to Ryan on the new gig and to both of you on the big move! I used to visit Ocala with my family when I was younger. We’d visit Silver Springs, which is cheesy in some parts but I remember it being a pretty nice nature park. The area is definitely good for hiking and outdoor activities!
I love when great things happen to great people!!!
Congrats to Ryan on the new job!! 🙂 And I’m familiar with Ocala b/c I went to UF in Gainesville. The cool thing is that you’ll be pretty close to Gainesville, and there’s a lot of stuff to do there… especially if you enjoy the atmosphere of a college town!!
Believe me, I can relate to your hesitancy about the move. As I’ve mentioned in my blog, I moved from Sarasota, Florida to WAPAKONETA, Ohio. I mean, really. I’m actually going to post about Wapak tomorrow, because I just get such a kick out of where I’m currently living! 😉 But there’s always positive things about each new place. And I’m sure you’ll make friends quickly!
Congrats again and best wishes on the move!
Hey isn’t that where the Travolta family lives?? You’ll be running into John and Kelly! =)
Congrats – what an adventure!! I hope you find the perfect home to rent!!
Firstly congratulations to Ryan for the new job! That’s all so exciting, I can’t wait to see photos of your future home town and I really hope you find the house you’re looking for! You’re such a lovely family, you deserve it 🙂
Congrats on the big changes! It’s scary, but exciting. I’d say mostly exciting though, especially if this works with Ryan’s career goals – that’s really important!
If you have family in Sarasota, does this mean you are familiar with Anna Maria Island at all? I ask because my husband and I were married there. I love Florida – so honestly, I think that anywhere you move will be awesome because Florida is awesome!!!
ryan knows the area a little better than i do. he says anna maria is beautiful!
I’m excited for you! When I moved to my town in Indiana (12 years ago), I threw a fit. Mainly because my parents made the decision for us, but also because I knew it had a lot of cornfields and nearly no restaurants or entertainment. Well, 12 years later, we have a movie theater, an Applebee’s, and even a super Wal-Mart (oh yes, we’re living large 😉 ). Towns and cities grow, and more importantly, you’ll make a home there. I had the opportunity to go to a great school district and meet my boyfriend here…I believe everything (and every move) happens for a reason!
Ahh! Congrats to both you and Ryan! What an exciting step in your lives! 🙂
Congrats Ms. Julie! I will be moving from a small town to a city soon, for college and am freaking out! I bought two more years by attending the branch campus becasue I’m a small town girl, but now I have to move on and am freaking out, so I envy you for getting to move to a small town! 🙂
Congratulations to Ryan, and good luck to you both!
Hi Julie!
First of all, let me just say I love your blog! Another thing I must tell you is that I live in Ocala!! It’s definitely different from Orlando!
I can definitely email you a bunch of “ocala advice” if you want! 🙂
You could always start a new hobby of horseback riding!
Congrats! U can be friends with john travolta and family haha!
Congratulations on your decision and new community! It sounds like an interesting city, and I’m sure that you and Ryan will quickly make it your home. A rental house with a pool? Sweet!
RE: the comment ahead of mine, Let me know if you have any questions on horseback riding, I casually ride and next to hiking, my favorite way to explore a wilderness area is on horseback. It’s a challenging workout, and horses are incredible animals to learn from!
Ahhhh! I live in Ocala! Well I will until August 15 when I move to Tally to go to college at FSU!
We just got an awesome fro yo place that I LOVE! I always used to read your blog and wish we had one, and now we do 🙂
let me know if you have any questions about Ocala, born and raised!
Congratulations PBF family!!:)
Exciting! And I really did read the entire post before the announcement part- I like to build it up 🙂
Yayy! Congrats to you and Ryan on the big move! 🙂 I actually read the whole thing… but I was speed readin’ until I got to the big news lol. And there’s adantages to “quick packing”, you won’t have to debate over what to keep, sell, or toss! You’ll just go with your gut reaction and probably get rid of a ton :).
Congrats to you and Ryan!!
Congratulations you guys! I’m so happy for you 🙂
Yay for living mouse free, too!! I look forward to reading all about the packing and moving chaos 😉
Congrats on your new adventure! I was wondering what the annoucement would be! You’ll have a great time….don’t get too stressed with the move, etc!
THIS IS AWESOME!!! Congrats to you guys both! 😉
That is so exciting! Congrats to Ryan for the new job and to both of you for getting out of your apartment! Goodbye lil mice!