born to be nice

we're pretty fortunate here at Seasons Inn. we always say we're not the fanciest ('cause we're not fancy people) but we're the cleanest and the friendliest place you can stay.

those are things we can control.

clean.

and friendly.

especially friendly.

because being friendly is important. being nice is important.

treating people how you want to be treated is important.

we know that.

we get it.

it's been instilled in both chris and i by our parents.

and now we instill it in our boys.

they've been taught to be nice. they've been challenged to be nice.

they are reminded to be nice.

today as we were heading to the bank, my youngest and i had the following conversation.

----
Tommy: "Mom?"

Me: "Yes?"

Tommy:  "I think people who are at work should have a smile on their face. I think they should act like they're in a good mood."

Me: "I agree. It's not fun to go somewhere and think the person is mad or in a bad mood."

Tommy: "Right. Even if you're in a bad mood you should serve people with happiness because that could make someone else happy too."

-------

oh, tommy, you are so right.

there are those of us who are brought up to be nice. those of us who are taught to be nice.

and there are those that are born to be nice.

because to them, being nice is just as normal as breathing air. it comes naturally. and without hesitation.

because they want others to be happy.

and as our tommy boy knows at such a young age...that's a pretty great thing to be.

musings from the bathroom-running on empty

this is a sight i see quite frequently in the rooms at Seasons Inn. an empty toilet roll. oh, there's paper to be found, it just doesn't seem to always make it back to its place.

 

i find it here. a lot.

and here. a lot.

and in the middle of putting the 10,000th (quite possibly an exaggeration) roll back in the right place, i started thinking about people. about how everyone is so rushed. about how we all run from point A to point B and never really stop to enjoy it. how we never really enjoy life.

we're so busy MAKING a life, that we forget to LIVE it. and we're so tired at the end of it, that even the thought of putting the toilet paper roll back in place requires too much effort. (ok, let's be honest, some people are just lazy, but that's a totally different post!)

and sadly, how most of us find the only quiet time and sometimes the only peaceful part of our day...in the bathroom. and i don't know about you, but i hardly think that's the place to be living life.

so i propose an idea. a goal. a challenge of sorts. let's all make a "my life rules" list. commandments of sorts to live by. nothing earth shattering or major, just a list of things you want to change, or improve, or do to give yourself more quality of life.

i made a list yesterday and it includes things like no computer after 8pm (to stop my endless internet wanderings on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, you name it, that sometimes leaves me going to bed at 1am only to lay there because my brain REFUSES to shut off),  all televisions off by 10pm (again with the 1am problem and i say "all" because we have one in each room in our house), and (imagine this!) going to bed by 10pm.

(here's the front of my list. i spared you the back because i figured you get the idea.)

it's not a pretty list. or a perfect list. or even a final list. i'll adjust it as i need to. and add to it when i need to. it's a work in progress.

kinda like me.

but i'm hoping that the quality of my list and the quality of my life greatly improves because i'm taking steps to make it that way.

because it's often when we take the time to notice something, that it finally becomes meaningful to us. and i don't know about you, but i could use a little more meaning to life.

and all this wisdom came from something we pretty much ignore every day.  who would have ever thought??!!

let's go out and live life people.

and let's start putting the toilet paper back on the roll.

for you.

and for me.

happy wednesday!!!

starting over

it's been awhile.

it's been too long.

but we're finally starting this blog again.

a new name. a new concept. a new road.

join us as we journey through the day and life at a mom and pop (and son and son) motel.

sometimes it gets dirty...but there's nothing a little sweat and sometimes a LOT of prayer can't clean up and make look new again.

welcome to our world!!!

Emory University : Athletics - Gabe Shivers makes a diving catch during Emory's season-opener against Oglethorpe

Emory University : Athletics - Gabe Shivers makes a diving catch during Emory's season-opener against Oglethorpe

Emory University : Athletics - Gabe Shivers

Emory University : Athletics - Gabe Shivers

My favorite YHC player from 2008-2009 is doing great at Emory!!!

Plenty of Highlights as YHC Wraps Up JUCO Era :: Young Harris College Athletics

Plenty of Highlights as YHC Wraps Up JUCO Era :: Young Harris College Athletics

Lowery, Knox, Holloway Earn All-GJCAA; Lowery Named League's Top Defensive Player :: Young Harris College Athletics

Lowery, Knox, Holloway Earn All-GJCAA; Lowery Named League's Top Defensive Player :: Young Harris College Athletics

Knox Tosses Shutout, Bats Busy As YHC Opens Twin Bill With 12-0 Win :: Young Harris College Athletics

Knox Tosses Shutout, Bats Busy As YHC Opens Twin Bill With 12-0 Win :: Young Harris College Athletics

Lowery Racks Up Six Hits in YHC's 9-5 Win at Andrew Saturday :: Young Harris College Athletics

Lowery Racks Up Six Hits in YHC's 9-5 Win at Andrew Saturday :: Young Harris College Athletics

YHC Wins Thriller on Ethan Herron's Walkoff Grand Slam :: Young Harris College Athletics

YHC Wins Thriller on Ethan Herron's Walkoff Grand Slam :: Young Harris College Athletics

YHC Baseball 2010

It's hard to believe but another year has passed and it's time for baseball season again! Our local favorite-Young Harris College-travels to Florida this week for their first games of 2010. We helped to host a dinner for them this past Saturday and had a chance to meet the players face to face-it was GREAT!! Their first home game is set for Saturday, February 13th at noon against Roane State. Since YHC is going to a 4 year program, this will be the last time we see these teams that play them each year. Though YHC remains at the top of our list, we've made friends with alot of the coaches and it will be hard to see them for the last time. Here's to another safe season!!!

YHC Baseball Season

It's my favorite time of year again...baseball season at Young Harris College! If you've never been out to one of the games, you don't know what you're missing. Coach Rick Robinson and the YHC Mountain Lions have been GJCAA Champions for 7 out of the past 8 years-only missing it once since 2000.

In 2007 the team went to the Junior College World Series in Grand Junction Colorado (only 10 teams in the nation get to go each year), and though last year Walter's State inched past them for the JUCO spot, we know 2009 is going to see YHC coming back strong!

The first home game is scheduled for Saturday, February 7th at 12 noon at Zell Miller field on the campus of Young Harris College. Though I've asked Coach Robinson to do something about the temperature, be sure to bundle up, it's a little cold in the stadium in February!

Hope to see you at the game!!!

Happy New Year

I can't believe it's already the New Year-where does the time go? Though I'm rarely one to make a New Year's resolution, I am going to try and ENJOY life more this year, instead of just letting it just whizz right past. Easier said than done, I know, but it seems like so much gets lost in the hustle and bustle and I don't want to be 90 years old one day and wonder where my life went. So if that means putting down the magazines, turning off the tv, stopping the unnecessary (but constant) internet searches, than so be it. It's a small sacrifice to pay in exchange for some good quality of life.

I'll keep you posted on my progress.

Colleen :)

YHC Baseball-Season Wrap Up

Though the Mountain Lions ended up 2 wins short of going to the JUCO World Series, there's no doubt of the incredible season they've had and how proud we are of Coach Robinson and the entire Young Harris baseball team!

Season Highlights:

-2008 GJCAA Champions

-8 players named to the GJCAA All Conference Team-Michael Hornsby, Michael Glantz,Kenny Swab, Mark Swanson, Derrick Lowery, CJ Cmith, Trevor Collias and Grimes Medlin
-2008 Region XVII Tournament Champions
-6 players named to the All Tournament Team-Michael Glantz, Mark Swanson, Derrick Lowery, CJ Smith, Trevor Collias and Daniel Warzon (Tournament MVP)
-2 players named to the All District team for the East Central District-Michael Glantz and Mark Swanson
-2008 GJCAA Coach of the Year-Rick Robinson
-500th Career Win-Coach Robinson
-reached #2 ranking in the Perfect Game Crosschecker Junior College Baseball Top 25 Poll

Congratulations Mountain Lions on an awesome season of baseball!!!

YHC Baseball-Coach Robinson

note: the above article is taken from the YHC baseball website

Congratulations to Rick Robinson-Head Coach of our favorite YHC Mountain Lions Baseball Team-on his 500th Career Win!

Among all his accomplishments (and the list is a long one), I think the best thing about Coach Robinson is not that he leads his team to know the value in victory but rather that he leads his team to know the value in the Lord. It's rare in life to find people who are able to do both!

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16

YHC Baseball-Region XVII Champions!!!

Coach Robinson and the YHC Mountain Lions have captured the Region XVII Championship for the 2008 season. This weekend they host Walters State Community College in a best 2 out of 3 series to determine the District Championship.

These games will prove to be a battle between two great teams as the winner will move on to Grand Junction and the 51st JUCO World Series. Both teams have earned spots in the past, YHC in 2007 and Walters State most recently in 2006.

Come out and support our Mountain Lions as they move one step closer to competing for the National Championship. Game 1 is set for Friday night. Check www.yhc.edu/athletics/baseball.aspx for game times and updates.

Relay for Life Three County Fundraiser!!!

The Relay For Life teams from Union Cty (GA), Towns Cty (GA) and Clay Cty (NC) are “coming together for the cause” in the ongoing fight against this disease we call cancer. On Saturday, April 19, 2008 our Relay teams will host the “Great American Gut-Bustingly Serious Display of Undiscovered Natural Talent Extravaganza” at the Georgia Mountain Fairground’s Anderson Music Hall.

Unlike any other fundraiser to date, this event will focus on extreme laughter and side splitting displays of totally outrageous fun! Featuring a hilarious variety show highlighting the inspired and often overlooked talents of eighteen local contestants, we’re determined to change the focus on cancer from one that produces fear to one that creates hope.

But we can’t do this without your help. With a goal of selling all 2900 seats at the Anderson Music Hall, we need the support of our communities to achieve what some have already told us cannot be done. With a team of Relay volunteers from all three counties, we’re relying on our neighbors to band together and prove that when we work together, anything can be accomplished. The cure for cancer is not a dream for us, it’s a reality that we are working towards everyday to achieve.

If you would like to be part of the cure with us, here’s how you can help:

1) VOLUNTEER -with an event like this, there are always things that need to get done. If you have a few minutes, a few hours or a few days, we’d love to have your help.

2) MAKE A DONATION-whether through services donated, items donated or a monetary donation, every little bit we save means the profits from our event go to help current cancer survivors, caregivers and researchers.

3) BUY A TICKET- with a Relay For Life Classic Car Show being held at the fairgrounds during the day and our “GAGS” Dinner and a Show fundraiser that night, there’ll be plenty for everyone to enjoy in Hiawassee on April 19th. If for some reason you cannot attend- buy a ticket for a friend or a neighbor or a stranger-it will be the gift they talk about for years to come!
Tickets for the show are $5.00 and can be purchased at the following locations:
Cadence Bank- Blairsville GA 706-745-5588

Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds- Hiawassee GA 706-896-4191

Nantahala Bank - Hayesville NC 828-389-0700

Seasons Inn Blairsville GA 706-781-7388

4) SPREAD THE WORD- did we mention we want to fill up the music hall? Please pass this info on to anyone you know who can help.
This will be a night to remember. Though cancer has touched our lives in so many ways, we choose to focus on the blessings and not the curse. Please help us as we prove that cancer is only a temporary setback…we will not be beaten unless we give up and we ABSOLUTELY REFUSE to give up!

Thank you in advance for your help and support. Together we will overcome!

Contact Colleen Urbaniuk for more details: 706-781-7388

Young Harris College Baseball

This weekend our YHC Mountain Lions host Potomac State for 3 games over a two day period. Saturday's double header starts at noon with a nine inning game followed by a 2nd seven inning game at 3pm. Sunday's game will start at noon. All games will be played at the Zell B. Miller field on the beautiful Young Harris College campus.

Both Head Coaches (Rick Robinson-YHC and Doug Little-Potomac) have led previous teams to the JUCO World Series. Most recently YHC in 2007 and Potomac in 2006. If you want to see some exciting baseball moments, this is one weekend you won't want to miss!!!

www.yhc.edu/athletics/baseball.aspx

If you can't make it out to the game, listen to it live over the internet on Wolf Creek Broadcasting: www.wolfcreekbroadcasting.com/mediaplayer2.htm

Tour de Georgia- "The Night Before The Climb"

Blairsville will be the official start of Stage 6 of the Tour de Georgia presented by AT&T premier cycling race, which has earned the reputation as a major warm up to the renowned Tour de France event. An expected tour of 15 teams of world class cyclists will wind their way through this majestic mountain town as they journey to what has become known as the signature “Queen Climb”-the grueling race to the summit of nearby Brasstown Bald Mountain- the highest peak in Georgia.
On Friday, April 25th, downtown Blairsville will host “The Night Before The Climb”, an event to capture some of the excitement of the next day’s race, featuring outdoor dining, live music, official Tour merchandise and team autograph sessions. The event will be held from 6:00pm-9:00pm in the Seasons Inn Plaza, across from the historic Union County Courthouse and will be free to the public.

Sponsored by the Downtown Development Authority, Blairsville-Union County Chamber of Commerce and Seasons Inn.
Visit: www.DowntownBlairsville.com for more details.

Relay for Life Three County Fundraiser!!!

"The Great American Gut-Bustingly Serious Display

of Undiscovered Natural Talent Extravaganza"

is coming to town!!!
What is it? What will happen? What will you miss if you're not there?

I guess you'll have to come to find out!

Join us on Saturday, April, 19, 2008 at the Georgia Mtn Fair Music Hall in Hiawassee, GA

as the Relay for Life teams from Towns Cty (GA), Union Cty (GA) and Clay Cty (NC)

"come together for the cause" and host a night of extreme laughter

and side splitting displays of totally outrageous fun!!!

Tickets are $10.00 and include dinner and the show.

Contact Colleen Urbaniuk for more info: 706-781-7388

and keep checking this blog for updates...this is one night you WON"T want to miss!!!