house hunting

This weekend we spent our Saturday driving around with our realtor looking at houses and townhomes. The entire process of looking to buy a house has been very educational; I never realized how much paperwork, searching and planning goes in to owning your own home. I had really been anticipating getting out and seeing some places we were interested in.

The first lesson of the day was learned when we visited a house that I had found doing my own searching. From what we could see online, this place was awesome and I was probably the most excited about seeing it...then we drove up. The house needed some siding work, the chain-smoking owners were home and had not considered picking up before showing their house...needless to say, it was a bust. Never trust the pictures online or the descriptions the seller's realtor has written...such as "almost fully updated...." if that means a chunk of the ceiling has fallen in, the floors are ripped up and the places is un-livable at the moment, then yea, it's "almost fully updated..." (yes, this was the case at 1 place we looked at...as our realtor reminded us constantly, you have to get out and look at places becasue you never know what you'll find).

At the end of the day we did see several places that were possibilities...we'll continue to look throghout July when we will need to decide if we're going to buy something or find another place to rent.

Decisions, decisions...we're not really sure what we want to do. It's exciting and intimidating. It's been fun so far and we'll keep you posted.

happy birthday love

Today is my husband's 26th birthday. I hope (and think) that it has been special for him. Sometimes it can be difficult to do something for Ryan that adequately expresses my great appreciation, respect and love for him. If you are reading this and know him, you know what I'm talking about. For some reason God has chosen to give me a husband that lives his life in such a way that it inspires me, and others, to love God more; it really is an amazing thing and I know that I am fortunate to have friends who have experienced this same thing with their spouses. So happy day Ryan, I love you :-)

sunday fun

We enjoyed an afternoon at the Botanic Gardens, eating low-point treats (hehe) and doing some fun shopping...

disturbed

So you might be looking at these pictures and be wondering what is going on... this looks like me, but strangely not like me at the same time. Here's the story: my darling husband asked to take my picture last night and wouldn't tell me why...30 min. later he is laughing while he worked on the computer and eventually showed me what he had been doing; testing to see which side of my face is my "best side." Isn't that nice of him... if you'll notice, the left side of my face is apparently slimmer and more defined in my cheek and jaw than my right. The top photo is 2 of my left-sides put together and the 2nd photo is 2 of my right-side put together...below is the real picture.

All day today I have been paranoid that I am un-even. I am officially un-even.

help found

I have found an awesome intern for my new internship program at work! I cannot express how ecstatic that I am about this! The student that came to interview today will be a perfect fit in our department and has plenty of skills to help lighten the work load, and I think he could be an excellent candidate to make a full-time employee when he graduates next May.

Our CEO is also very excited that I have started an internship program and today he asked me why I have been so diligent in setting it up, and for me it is a no-brainier. The sole reason I have my job that I do today is because I was given an outstanding internship opportunity that allowed me to gain a wealth of experience for an entire year before I graduated. Now that I am in a management position and have the freedom to develop this program, I hope to give many students that same opportunity. Yea for interns!

tuesdays with kim e.

Here's a quick run down on what we've been up to lately...a surprise weekend getaway to Orlando/Disney World (thanks wonderful husband)...Memorial Day Weekend cookout/wiffle-ball...helping out with Switch (youth group)...a really fun visit from Grandpa & Georiga...trying to be good on my WeightWatchers program (I have lost 4 pounds in 2 weeks!)

For your viewing pleasure, above is a pic from Disney (Downtown Celebration) along with a great photo of me & Grandpa at the top of Jupiter Lighthouse.

Hurricane season officially started last Friday and we're not so sure what to think about it all. The state of Florida has "tax-free" hurricane supplies for the next couple of weeks...generators (under $1,000, of course); "items sold as artifical ice" (under $10); visqueen (under $50...um, what is that???); and a bunch of other items you can see here.

Basically, we have no idea what we've gotten ourselves in to. People at work keep laughing and joking about the last round of "real" hurricanes from a couple of years ago and they can't wait for this year's "hurricane parties." (Which I have been told are block parties people have when their electricity goes out...they quickly BBQ their meat with neighbors and have a big party outside before the storms hit and their meat goes bad)...

I've also been notified that since I work at a hospital I have 12 hours to report to work once the hurricane warning is posted. I then have to wear a bright orange vest until the event has cleared out...I am allowed to bring immediate family members and pets, but I have to supply food and water for any family or pets I bring in. I don't know, this just isn't sounding like anything I would laugh or joke about, or a party ocassion that I would look forward to. Why wasn't this part of my interview and orientation....

I guess I'm just not a Florida girl yet.