Our Newest Addition

So last summer, Taris and I decided that our yard needed a deck. Taris had talked the year before about doing it himself, but he had a realization and we found a wonderful guy to hire. So, after one year of being up in the yard, we FINALLY got around to staining it. We got Taris a fancy paint sprayer just for the project. And in just a couple of hours...right before the rain, we got it all finished. Enjoy the before and after.

Before the deck

After

The special spot for the grill

Taris...ready to stain

All finished...and put back together

Happy Birthday to Me

I turned the big 2-8! I am not feeling terribly old...just a little. Taris and I had a nice night in. We got new phones for our birthdays...the big gift and all I wanted from Taris was a nice dinner. He had this fancy meal planned. We only made it to the second course before I was full. His intentions were good and he still owes me the mustard crusted leg of lamb and the chocolate souffle. He did get me beautiful flowers and a wonderful evening with just the two of us. Pictures for your enjoyment below.

My flowers that awaited me at home.

Taris fixing our dinner

My only picture of me on the big 2-8

Taris...ready to eat the crab cakes

The crab cakes...Taris was trying out plating.




Crab and Corn chowder...I will have to post the recipe...excellent!

Major Excitement

After months of updating, waiting, and finger-nail biting (me, not Taris)...we got the word we were hoping for. Taris has been waiting on word from the Major's Board...he will be promoted to Major (sometime in 2009)! We are so excited! It is a long story and some excellent lessons have been learned which we have passed on to as many friends that we could...but we are stress free now. Now we just have to see if we get to extend or pack up the family for our next adventure. As nice as it would be to stay, I am getting a little antsy to make another move again. (We won't know anything until at least January.) Anyway, just wanted to pass on our little news!

More posts to come soon! I promise.

Going back to hitting the books

No...you are not seeing a mirage! After several years of wanting to go back to college and get my education, I am finally taking the plunge. No fancy university for me...I am going the more practical route. I am going to attend a local school that specializes in becoming a Medical Assistant. Nothing glamorous, but I have been dieing to get back into the medical field and this will allow me to take the first step...not to mention a little job security! I am very excited. I am hoping to start August 11th, but that all depends on financial aid...and that all depends on our CPA getting our taxes done. (I know what you are thinking= it is July, what taxes?) We have yet to file our 2007 federal income taxes...and I have finally gathered up everything that we are going to need to take to the CPA. (And just for the record: I am not so lazy that I refuse to do the taxes myself, but with a rental house with many tax write-off expenses, we need all the help that we can get!) Anyway, if August doesn't work out...September here we come! I am getting so excited. I need to get my brain back into shape.

My Quilt

Now to catch up on past moments...I learned how to quilt! Kathleen's mom, Sandy aka Honey, was in town for Mother's Day. Mrs. Fitzpatrick is an awesome quilter and also teaches classes. She offered to teach Kathleen and I how to quilt in one weekend. The rules were that we have fabric in hand and all the tools that we needed. What an adventure! I had the best time. We learned how to make a rail fence quilt...easiest one to learn first...to get your feet wet. I posted pictures of the project along the way. Thanks Mrs. Fitzpatrick for your time and instruction!!

Testing out my 1/4" seem on a test piece on Nana Byers' late 50's model Kenmore machine. They don't make them like they used to!

Using the rotary cutter to cut strips...not as easy as it sounds.

Laying my pattern out to be sewn together.

Kathleen's quilt...getting pieced together.

Kathleen is visiting her mom now and is coming back to teach me how to bind off the quilt. When I get the final step, I promise to post the finished product!

Blueberries

It is blueberry season out here in Florida and I have been taking full advantage. So far I have been three times and my freezer is now stocked for a year! I certainly understand why blueberries cost so much in the store...major manual labor! The first little spot was out in Molino...a town smaller than Pace (if you can believe it)! It is about a twenty minute drive, but for $1.00 per pound you won't hear me complain. The blueberry plants were very close together and we were in much need of some OFF. The second place was between Milton and Jay...and across the street from a pecan farm...awesome!! Although these blueberries were $1.50 per pound...I could certainly justify the price different. The rows were spread out, maintained, and they have about twenty different varieties...who knew there were so many types of blueberries. Enough about blueberries. I will stop before I put everyone to sleep. I have posted some pictures below for your viewing enjoyment!

Part of our gang...before the fun began.

Me after we were done. It was a LITTLE toasty out there!!

I am here!

I am SO far behind...do I recap or forget about it and start from where I am now? I haven't decided yet, but I guess you will find out soon enough! Just wanted you to know that I am still here and will be blogging again soon!!