Later this year, I'll mark my second year with the Greenville Advocate, just as we will mark our 140th year of publication here in the Camellia City.

This is an exciting time here in our lovely little hamlet as new businesses open, established businesses expand and

others get a fresh new look.

As I sit here in the Advocate's office on Hickory Street and look around, I am still amazed at what I see.

Months ago, when I would walk into the office, I hated the carpet, the dingy walls marked with ink and much more.

Now, we have been renovated.

For those of us who have worked through the renovation, seeing the difference is a reason to be proud.

You don't really think about how much you miss seeing sunlight unless you worked in our "old" facility.

There were only five windows and they were at the other end of the building.

The newsroom stayed pretty dark most of the time.

Now, we have windows around the building and when the urge hits, we let the sunshine in.

There were a few days there I thought I would go completely berserk from all the drilling and hammering that went on about me.

Rick Couch used to laugh at me because when a contractor use his nail gun, I continually jumped like I had been shot.

Now, it all seems a little too quiet. Now, don't think I'm complaining, because I'm not.

Today, I'm proud when a friend from Montgomery drops in and sees our "new" building.

Or one of our readers who may not have known we were renovating steps inside.

They talk about the openness and how nice it looks.

I think about how nice it is to have a desk to keep my things in, file cabinets to fill to my heart's desire and how far we've come.

Of course, we are still not done.

A friend came in one day not long after I started here and commented on the awards and such hanging on the wall.

He said he liked our paper because it had a soul.

Now, as I sit here and look at the painted walls that await our numerous awards and photos and other things, I know that soon the Advocate will have its soul back.

For several months, we have had a long journey in giving our building a new look, much like others around town did with their own.

We hope you like the all the changes when it is totally done and that we serve you better through our work. While the Advocate building is not home, it is a great substitute for most of each day.

We hope you visit us soon.

Jay Thomas is managing editor of the Greenville Advocate.

He can be reached at 382-3111, ext. 136 or via email at jay.thomas@greenvilleadvocate.com.