We've disembarked!

We're back on the main land... boy I wish we were still out there at sea! We had such a good time on our cruise for three days.
The drive down and back from Miami was easy and I was amazed at how different that city is from Orlando. I had never been there (other than the airport) so it was really interesting.
Nassau was different than I expected. It was very dirty and touristy right around the port with pushy taxi-drivers, and we had to go across the bridge to Paradise Island to find pretty areas and beaches. Once we did that, I enjoyed this stop. We even snuck into the Atlantis hotel via the beach entrance... but we were so nervous we really only stayed long enough to take a picture inside. lolGreat Stirrup Cay (which, by the way, is right next to Royal Caribbean's CoCo Cay) was beautiful. I loved that island. It was so surreal to be in the middle of the ocean on a teeny island... we had to take tender boats back and forth from the cay to the ship which was the only time I thought I could have gotten sick if the seas had been a little rougher.
I didn't know what to expect going on a cruise, but the boat itself felt like a big hotel. I would completely forget at times that we were on a big boat in the middle of the sea. The room was very small, which I did expect (we did not expect the ONE queen bed, however!! haha) but the bathroom reminded me of a camper trailer bathroom... I don't know what I thought it would be like, but that wasn't it!
The rest of the experience was very similar to an All Inclusive resort and each has it's pros and cons. Cruising was so fun for a weekend getaway because when you wait for the specials to run, it's a really inexpensive trip (as long as you don't buy a lot of sodas or do excursions... or buy those stupid raffle tickets... or snorkel for $30 a day). I think for a longer vacation I still prefer flying and staying at an All Inclusive where it really is ALL included.

Norwegian's marketing campaign though is what really sold me though. They call it "Freestyle Cruising" where you can do what you want, when you want. All their printed materials and advertising before and on the cruise are very laid back, witty and a bit sarcastic. I love the atmosphere they created and I felt completely relaxed the whole trip.

One of the coolest things that happened was our rocket-sighting. At the time we both thought it was the Space Shuttle, but it was amazing to see that thing from the Caribbean, 150 miles south of where it lifted off. It zoomed directly over our ship, and we could actually see the rocket itself. Coolest. Thing. Ever.
I really missed Josh though. Robyn and I discussed at one point that it wasn't so much that we were missing seeing our boys as it was talking to them. Robyn and Brian have done long distance for three years, and Josh and I are well acquainted with this, so that is what we missed most. We would see things and do things and wish we could call them to tell them about it.

Josh had a good weekend at home, had a lot of guy-time, and spent Sunday evening with my parents. He was visiting Abby since he had to go back to Clearwater Monday morning. My darling husband even watered my garden and gave it Miracle Grow while I was gone! So sweet.

All in all it was a fun weekend and I'd love to make this a once-a-year weekend getaway. We'll see how that pans out tough. And maybe one day I can convince (read=force) my hubby to go with me. =)

Josh, Kim & Abby

Embarkation in 18 hours

Yup. It's cruise time!
And of course, Josh is coming home this weekend. Figures. lol

Tomorrow Robyn and I drive down to Miami (in my new car... hehe) and sail away at 5pm. I'm so excited to get away this weekend, and I'm interested to see how I like cruising itself. Josh doesn't want to ever go on one because he thinks he'd be bored, so we'll see what my take is.

Robyn's got her law books packed so she can study on the beach... she takes the Bar Exam in one month!! Congrats girl. =)

Bon voyage!

Kim

May we introduce you to...

my new RAV4!!!!!! =D

And you know there's always a story right? Scroll down to read about the hilarious-ness.Gorgeous, isn't it?? Small SUV, tire on the back, low miles, high mpg... the only thing it doesn't have that was on the list was a sunroof... but I had decided against that anyway. We did pretty darn good!! The RAV4 didn't win the poll (the Xterra did), but it turned out to be my number one choice. So excited.

So if you remember, Josh is working out of Clearwater this summer full time. Robyn and I's cruise is this weekend, so once I found this vehicle and agreed on numbers with the dealership, we really only had today or tomorrow for him to drive home in the evening and sign the paperwork with me. Otherwise we'd switch and he'd be here but I wouldn't.

Nope. Josh's Commander decides it would be best if the crew FLEW down to Orlando today so Josh could sign the paperwork with me. Yep. Josh and crew helicoptered into Orlando Executive so I could get a new car. I don't think the guys at the dealership believed me until the 5 soldiers in uniform walked into the building. The looks on peoples' faces was so entertaining.

And, the guy that did our paperwork said that we weren't the fastest deal he'd done, but we were pretty close to it. At one point he explained that we were signing an agreement saying we weren't buying any accessories he's supposed to try and sell us, but he didn't have time to try and sell them to us. lol

Anyway, the whole thing took about 20 minutes and the guys were out of there with Firehouse sub sandwiches in hand, on their way back to the aircraft and Clearwater.

Only us, right?

And now for more pictures, because it's what I do.

Last picture of my Mustang as the sales guy was transferring my Gator license plate to the new car. It was so good to me for 8 years. And yes, it was hard to drive away from it on the lot. I'm so overly-sentimental....
My car in the Delivery Area all ready to go and waiting on me...
Back at the hotel. yay.
The pink Browning sticker. I got this for Christmas after Josh got his rifle...
My spare tire will have a "Life is Good" cover on it as soon as it comes in (yes, I already ordered it). It's looks like this:
So then, my camera was dead so I couldn't upload any of the new car pictures to the blog... so Abby and I went for a ride to get batteries. I think she likes the new car.
I know to most people getting a new car isn't such a huge deal, but this was a big one for me. My first car was a gift from my parents for getting a full-ride to the University of Florida, so this is the first car I've ever purchased myself. Josh bought his Mountaineer and Lightening while on active duty, so he's already been through all this. For me, it was a big learning experience, and a big step that was a long time coming.

R.I.P. Mustang... I sure did love you. Mom and Dad, thank you again for my gift 8 years ago.

Josh, Kim & Abby

Dad's Day

I did not take a single picture on Father's day. We were a little pre-occupied with another issue and I didn't even think about taking my camera with us to my parents' house or to lunch with Josh's family.

So, in the spirit of Dad's Day, here is a picture from our wedding of my dad and me during our Father/Daughter Dance.
And this is us during "Shout" where we had a little fun...
Our Father/Daughter Dance song was "Come On In Boy" by Rodney Atkins. It's a country song, but I was allowed to play it at the wedding since it was for me and my dad and had nothing to do with Josh. =)

Part of the lyrics are:

Well now that I’m a father,
I’m scared to death one day my daughter
Is gonna find
That teenage boy I used to be
That seems to have just one thing on his mind.
She’s growin' up so fast
It won't be long before
I’ll have to put the fear of God
Into some kid at the door.

Come on in boy, sit on down
And tell me 'bout yourself.
So you like my daughter do ya now?
Yeah we think she's something else.
She's her daddy's girl, her momma's world.
She deserves respect - That’s what she'll get
now ain't it son?
Y’all go out and have some fun.
I'll see you when you get back,
Probably be up all night,
Still cleanin' this gun.

Now it's all for show
Ain’t nobody gonna get hurt.
It’s just a daddy thing,
And hey, believe me man, it works.

When I was around 15, Dad brought out an "Application to Date my Daughter." Josh and I are pretty sure he presented to Josh, but we can't remember for sure. Josh certainly always knew about it though. He also was always very well aware that my dad had guns. Lots of them. It's always been the long-running joke... well, half of a joke. lol

Hence, the above song was perfect for us. I first heard it in the car driving somewhere, and I instantly called my mom and told her I found the song for Dad and me's dance. I don't even think Josh had proposed yet!

During our First Dance, Josh and I decided to have a video running of us growing up (mostly so our guests would be watching the video and NOT us...) so I gathered lots and lots of pictures from his mom. Here are three of my favorites of Josh and his dad as he grew up.

And... before we go... a quick Happy Father's Day to Josh! You're already a great daddy to Abby...
You're going to make the best father in the world one day!! =D

Hope everyone had a FANTASTIC Father's Day!!

Josh, Kim & Abby

Hurricane Kim

Josh calls me his "little hurricane." The explanation to this is embarrassing, but is pertinent to this entry, so I will lose my pride for a moment.

I am a typical woman. I am emotional and over-react about things. I think things have a deeper meaning than they really do sometimes. I interpret things wrong and am easily offended.

I do my part in working on this, but over the years Josh has learned how I tick and understands the way things affect me. His easiest explanation for it, and the quickest way to calm me down, is to give my state of excitedness or upset-ness a "Category." And thus, Hurricane Kim was born.

In Categories 1-3, he says he can see "the storm start to form, gain momentum and intensify"
In Category 4, "he begins to see precipitation" (tears)
Category 5... well, these are very rare, and no one wants to see them. Ever.

I lost my phone yesterday. Again. And for those who don't know, this wasn't my first time losing a phone. Or my second. Or my third. I either break or lose single every phone I get. I don't think I've ever made it all the way through the "New Every 2" program to be eligible for an upgraded phone.

We are, however, well versed in cell phone insurance plans. Ask us anything.

We know where the lost phone is now, because Josh was able to use the "Family Locator" function on Sprint.com, and we found it in a house in the next town over. Seriously. We have the address. Evidently I dropped it getting out of the car yesterday and the person who found it decided it was best to TAKE IT HOME instead of turning it in to lost and found. By the time we went back for it, it was long gone.

When we realized that I had indeed lost another phone, I was incredibly upset. Upset with myself, first of all, because I had done it again and was trying so hard not to lose ANOTHER phone. But I was also upset with the person who took it. That person is so different from me, and I don't understand them. Are there any "good" people anymore?

The only time I smiled about losing my phone yesterday was at my parents' house when Josh said I had "definitely been a Category 3" while we were scrambling to find it and subsequently realized it was stolen. As he said it, he scooped me up in a bear hug, so I know he says it with love.

And he's right. I was really upset. But he did make me smile.

He also said he was surprised he didn't see Category 4 emerge... but I informed him that's only because he was on the phone talking to the insurance people and missed it. I got another hug for that one.

Oh well. Worse things could happen. But, geez... I really hope I can hold on to this new one I get tomorrow.

Josh, Kim & Abby

Garden - 2, Kim - 0

I've killed 2 more plants. Ughhhhh. =( Lost the bell pepper and jalapeno. Back to Home Depot I go....

On a lighter note, I did get a new rock for my garden! This one is from my grandparents for my birthday. There's a pole in the center of the planter where I can't put anything, so it was perfect for my "Welcome" hummingbird stone. Thank you Mamaw and Papaw!!

Yes, you can also see my dead plants in this picture. I think I've narrowed down the problem though - lack of sunlight for these two guys. So I've moved the entire planter over to the other side of the porch, and we'll see what happens. My mom also gave me some Miracle Grow... and no, I don't feel guilty for cheating...

In the midst of rearranging our porch (again) so my plants could get their much needed sun, I turned around to see my dear husband laughing at me from inside the apartment. Apparently, he now believes he married an "old" woman without realizing it. I tried to remind him that he is the one that bought the garden for me, but I guess that's beside the point.

How long should I wait to tell him I bought a "Knitting for Dummies" book?

Josh, Kim & Abby

Our goats

Josh and I live in an entertaining little city. Our apartment is situated just outside a very uppity part of this town, in a well-developed, well-kept area. We've got tons of stores, groceries, a wholesale club and a mall just down the street.

Right in the middle of all this are several undeveloped lots that have been cleared. For some reason or another, the owners have put goats on these pieces of land. Goats. In the middle of uptown and suburbia.

My only guess for their reasoning behind this is that maybe these are investment pieces of land, and they're getting a tax right off of some kind until they're ready to sell them. But I can't be sure. Whatever the reason, makes for a funny sight.

Our apartment complex backs up to one of these lots, and it happens to be behind our apartment building, where we walk Abby in a patch of grass she likes. We share a fence. This spring there was a boom of baby goats, and the owners kept each litter with their momma goat in individual pens on the other side of our fence.

At first the goats were hyper little things, bounding around the pens and following their mom everywhere. Abby would bark at them because she wasn't used to other animals being out there yet. The mom would stand very still and stare through the fence our way, until she would turn abruptly and take her brood back to the other side of the pen for safety.

They're bigger now and come up to the fence by themselves. Abby doesn't bark at them anymore; instead she will sit in the grass and just watch. It's the cutest thing. Well, except when it's hot out and we just want her to hurry up so we can get back inside.

Most people hear birds chirping on their morning walks. We get to hear baby goats bleating for breakfast... our own little farm in the city. It's kind of refreshing.

Josh, Kim & Abby

Debut of the Garden

It's a work-in-progress, but here it is!

So far I have:

• Upside down tomatoes, both big ones and cherry tomatoes.
• Green bell peppers.
• Zucchini (Zuchinni?)
• Jalapeno peppers
• Basil
• Mint
• Rosemary

I am still planning to add a Red Bell Pepper plant, thyme, and chives. And I somehow already killed the cilantro plant, so a new one of those will soon be on its way for attempt #2.

The "rocks" were an amazing find and birthday gift from Robyn. They have the herb's name painted on them and you put them next to the plant. I want some for my veggies now!

We'll see how it goes. Hopefully I can keep all this alive... just the fact that I'm trying this is a big step for me!! lol. Thank you for my birthday present Josh! xoxo

And by the way, this was Abby as I was planting the garden. How cute is she?

Josh, Kim & Abby

Blue & White Ignite?

Josh and I are not basketball fans. College nor professional. We just can't get into it.

Football? Now don't get us started... we love us some Gator Football. You all probably knew that. ;)

Nevertheless, we found ourselves watching more and more of each Magic game as they moved closer to the Finals. It started with Josh saying he just wanted to see them lose so the games wouldn't be on TV anymore, and we could rejoin our regular shows. That plan didn't work. The scene now includes Josh and I either glued to the TV in our apartment or out somewhere, yelling at the refs, yelling at Kobe (that's mostly me. I'm not a fan.), clapping and smiling when the Magic do something good, telling each player BY NAME that they made a good play, and high-fiving when they win. And, we now get very irritated (read: really mad) when they do something silly and lose.

What happened to us?

This confession comes on the heels of the Magic losing Game 4 in OT, again, on Thursday night. Tonight is Game 5, in which the Lakers could go ahead and wrap this thing up. The way the Magic lost it in the 4th Quarter last game, I wouldn't be surprised if that did happen. But, the Magic seem to have a way of making you believe in them with the way they bounce back, and we're the first ones to admit it. Obviously, since we've been so impressed you could now call us "fans," which beforehand we would NEVER have thought possible.

So here's to the Magic. Please beat big bad elbow-throwing Kobe and the Lakers.

But if this doesn't stop soon, Josh and I may start buying Magic t-shirts.

When does football season start???

Josh, Kim & Abby

I found it on Hulu.com

The commercials for Hulu are bizarre. I change the channel on the TV when they come on because I can't stand them. Celebrity aliens? Really?

Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) I've found it's actually a pretty neat website and it hosts pretty much any show.

For instance, my momma loves Prison Break. My dad, notsomuch. They are loyal fans to other shows together, like the #1 watched show of 2008 House, The Unit, and of course, 24, because really, who doesn't love Jack Bauer? Minus those pesky DUI's... come on Kiefer! Straighten up. We want another season...

So, my mom calls us at the apartment on a night we were having the guys over, because she knew between the four of us, someone would know the answer to her question. She hadn't realized Prison Break was back on and somehow missed the entire season, catching the tail end of the seaon finale. Disappointed, she wanted to know where she could possibly find the rest of the season to watch online. Ryan and Byron said it simultaneously. I rolled my eyes, but knew it was true.

www.hulu.com

She has since watched this entire season of Prison Break.

Today, I was looking for a video from the Jimmy Fallon Show. I don't watch this show, I've actually never even seen it. But I heard that the one and only Zach Morris from the series Saved by the Bell made an appearance for Jimmy Fallon in complete character.

Being a child of the 80's and growing up in the 90's, I can quote this show word for word, as most of my friends can as well. Just had to see this video.

I found the complete clip on Hulu, and it is hilarious. Absolutely hilarious. Mark-Paul Gosselaar did an amazing job for not having played the roll in close to 20 years...



Love it. Can't wait for a reunion.

Josh, Kim & Abby

I know we're not the only Old Navy fans...

Backstory:
Josh hates to shop. I mean, hates it. So much so that we get to a point where I'm washing and ironing one pair of jeans and maybe 3 shirts, because he's worn the rest out, and won't go shopping. Point in case - he ventured out to buy a pair of jeans, board shorts and several shirts... 3 hours before our wedding... for our honeymoon...

I love my husband.

So I shop for Josh, mostly. And I end up at Old Navy, mostly. He likes it, it's affordable so he can eventually ruin whatever I find for him, and I know what sizes fit him.

This brings me to the point of this entry.

I heard from Karen at work who heard from Stephanie at work... that Old Navy "buries" coupons on their site for you to hunt and find, and use in-store. I was intrigued due to the fact that we obviously love Old Navy. And coupons.

Turns out, my darling ladies were absolutely correct, but the way Old Navy does it is incredibly interesting and ingenious, really.

This is the site: http://www.oldnavyweekly.com. It's right on the front page of OldNavy.com, so it's legit. I checked that first.

The coupons range anywhere from $5 off $100, to $75 off $100.... umm..... yes!!! To "find" the coupons, you have to perform unique tasks or click on the right link, and each thing you do results in a different coupon. For instance, this week I got a coupon for $20 off $100 by clicking on the surfer as he comes over on a wave. To get the big coupon, you actually had to click on the golf ball, then the golf club to get the ball in the hole (and evidently, if you stop here, you get the coupon for $50 off $100), and then click on the ball as it comes back up out of the hole on a gopher's head. Ya.

The coupons change on Thursdays and every week we're required to do different things for the coupons. To find out the links and/or tasks required, I just Googled "Old Navy Weekly Coupons" and found a forum in the first couple of results that explains how to get each one for that week.

Of course, Old Navy limits the number of each type of coupon that are available, and the big ones go fast. Oh! You can also "gift" a coupon to a friend via Facebook. I thought that was sweet.

Now, go forth and shop!
I'll probably see you there. Josh is down to one pair of jeans.
Again.

Josh, Kim & Abby

Story of our Roaming Gnomes

On our honeymoon in St. Lucia, we met a couple from Texas who were also on their honeymoon. Marcus and April actually had their marriage ceremony on the beach while we were down there, and we passed their wedding, consisting of the two of them plus two guests.
We spent a lot of time with them, and even ended up on the same plane ride back to Miami together. They also went on the first diving trip with us to go snorkeling where I dove for the very first time. Marcus was a huge college football fan (Texas Longhorns), so he and Josh had lots to talk about. Of course, I talked to April about our recent weddings, and newlywed plans.

During one of our conversations, Marcus and April told us about their Roaming Gnomes they each had that are actually college-themed. Marcus, of course, had a Texas Longhorns gnome. April had a gnome from another college that was a cheerleader. They told us that they always take their gnomes with them on trips and take pictures with them, and that people always stop them to ask about them. They had also given them "old people" names, although we can't remember them now. And yes, they had their gnomes with them in St. Lucia, and posed with them on the beach on their wedding day.

Josh and I thought they were the coolest idea and started looking for Gator gnomes as soon as we got back.

So here they are, Josh and I's very own Roaming Gnomes - yet to be named.
I got the cheerleader for my birthday from my parents, and Josh's was a gift from me. He's going to take his to Clearwater next week...

So silly, but fun.

Josh, Kim & Abby

Birthday Week

So I'm 25.
I'm not sure when this happened or where the time has gone, but here it is.
I'm a quarter century old.
Weird.
This week has been a little crazy, being that our Quality Assurance inspector showed up on my birthday and inspected us the next day. That basically means two 14 hour days in a row, so my birthday shenanigans got put on hold. Which is fine, I wasn't too excited about this one anyway. Call it a mid-twenties crisis. lol

My girls had a small birthday party for me last Friday night - Hawaiian themed complete with leis and decorations. So fun.

Josh took me to Pannullo's in Winter Park on Sunday - we love Italian food. Have to say though, we both agree that their pizza is much better than their actual food..... we had to doctor up our entrees with lemon and salt/pepper... but we had a good time anyway!
Tonight, my parents took me to Bonefish Grill. Josh isn't big on seafood, especially at restaurants, so this was a great place for us to go since he was working. Highly recommended! I've always loved their food and service....

And now, present time.
I guess I'm an actual adult now, because I asked Josh for a GARDEN. And he got it for me. And I am SO excited about it.....
I'm going to be planting tomatoes to grow out the bottom and hang, and transferring all my herbs from my current planter to the top of this one, along with new green pepper and red pepper plants. Josh and I will have salsa all the time!
It's not put together yet, but Josh is going to do it before he leaves to work in Clearwater Friday, then I'll get to plant everything this weekend.And, if you know me, you know that I've fallen in love with Pandora bracelets. I'm obsessed with them. They're basically the modern charm bracelet. My grandparents got me the bracelet for Christmas and I've been adding to it, but now I've got lots to show off!
Added to my collection are:

• the pineapple, which is the universal sign for hospitality - Robyn got that for me because we worked at hotels together for years.
  
• the orange flower - two of my co-workers got me this one. The blue one will be added eventually to the other side of the football... in addition to a graduation hat. =)
• and the "T" and horseshoe - from my parents. T for Touchton, horseshoe for country music/country in general.
  

By the way, Josh totally makes fun of me for this.....

Josh, Kim & Abby