Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Merry Christmas!!
Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas!! We are planning on spending the day with my family. More later!
Monday, December 22, 2008
Happy Anniversary!
The main reason we went on the cruise was to celebrate my grandparents' 50th anniversary!
Here's a wedding picture.
Here they are after 50 years of marriage!
Happy Anniversary, G'pa & G'ma!! And thank ya'll for the cruise!!
Cruise!
We had a wonderful time on our cruise! We flew to Ft Lauderdale and met up w/my great-aunt & uncle (Jerry & Barb) as they were surprising G'pa & G'ma on this trip.
So, for the sake of saving time at the airport, T & I packed light. We were planning on carrying-on our luggage...(aren't you impressed? I had the 3oz liquids in the 1qt baggies and everything!) However, at the last minute, Dad talked us into just checking our bags since the rest of our group was checking their luggage anyways. So, my luggage is ALWAYS last. It doesn't matter who I'm traveling with, where we are going, but it's ALWAYS last off the belt. So when we get to Ft Lauderdale and my bag is the only one missing from our luggage stack, I don't stress b/c I figure, once again, it's going to be last. However, this time it was different. For some reason, my luggage (and yes, ONLY mine!) ended up at the Miami airport instead of Ft Lauderdale. Very convenient, I know. After my suitcase is found in Miami, the Delta attendant (who, by the way, is way too happy for this early in the day, especially to be talking to someone who isn't so happy that her suitcase is 45 minutes away) reassures us this is not a big deal, someone from Carnival cruise will pick it up and take it our ship, but first we must check in w/our cruise line before they will do anything. (Are you thinking that she's making this sound ALL too familiar?? -- yeah, me too!) Once we checked in and talked to several cruise reps, I learned that my suitcase was on a van w/ "all the other luggage and it's on its way to port right now". "All the other luggage" at this point in the day made me feel somewhat comforted...I guess I wouldn't have been the only one on the ship wearing a turtleneck, long jean skirt, cotton tights, and snow boots in the 80 degree weather for the next 5 days! Anyways, to make a long story short, I got my suitcase about 4 hours later just before we left the port. *whew!* I must add that I didn't start really stressing about this until about 1 hour before we left the port...aren't you impressed??? Somehow I knew I could trust the Carnival reps w/my dearly beloved suitcase! lol :)
Anyways, we really did have an awesome trip, despite the missing-for-6-hours suitcase.
We left from Miami, went to the Bahamas, Half Moon Cay, & Grand Turk.
In the Bahamas we visited Paradise Island via ferry from Nassau. On the ferry we learned a lot about the island, who lives there, owns it, etc. In the slide show below there are pictures from the Atlantis (on Paradise Island). We toured the Atlantis and did some shopping at the market.
Half Moon Cay is a privately owned island about 79 miles from the Bahamas. And it's just beautiful! The water is so pretty!! We spent the day soaking in the sun and enjoying the beautiful beach. There are also some pictures below.
Lastly, we went to Grand Turk. It is known for it's snorkeling and beaches...and also it's shopping. We went shopping and also visited the beach. We would have liked to tour the island but didn't have much time to spare after shopping. :)
The last day on the ship we spent the day at sea. Thankfully, the seas were "smooth sailing" that day. We learned how to make towel animals, watched as a large block of ice was carved into a swan and just relaxed. And of course, ate a LOT! :)
Enjoy the pictures!
Friday, December 12, 2008
Semester Fall 2008: COMPLETE!
Yay!!! We have officially completed another semester!! And our grades are posted: all A's & B's for both of us! We are very happy!
So in the midst of studying my brains out this week, I met a man who can't read and write. I was (and still am) in complete shock! T & I were dogsitting this week and the couple's house we were staying at, is getting some additions/repairs done on the house. So it just so happens that the garage door installer shows up (thankfully T was there!) to install the garage door and the keyless entry. The owners had left a list of instructions posted in the garage, in case the contractors came while we weren't there. So T & I greet this man and he tells us what he thinks he's supposed to be doing. Just to verify he was doing what needed to be done, I walked over to the list and said, "Well, here's a list, maybe this has something on it that applies to the garage door". He preceeds by telling me that he can't read and write and asks if I would mind reading it to him. I have to say I probably paused for a complete 5 seconds just trying to grasp the fact that a 50-something year old man can't read and write. I have to say, since then, I have given a lot of thought to this. I honestly can say I believe him, I don't think he was lying to me. But how can you not know how to read and write by the time you are 50-something? This is America! Most education is FREE! So, while he worked on the garage, he talked to T & I - told us about his family, how he was looking forward to Christmas, his daughter just had a baby (girl) and how excited he was to see her again during the holidays. Just a good 'ole Southern man! I have to say, this did put a damper on my stressing for finals. Here I am, stressing about finals, trying to complete a college degree and worried about making a B in a class and yet, there are still people (in America!) that can't read and write. Wow...
So, T & I were talking about this later and he said he that heard once that there have been studies that show that there are people who graduate w/a high school diploma and still can't read and write. Being an education major at one point and having completed a minor degree in education, this was never mentioned...so now I'm interested...are there really people out there like this?
What an eye-opener week! Now to get ready for the cruise... :)
So in the midst of studying my brains out this week, I met a man who can't read and write. I was (and still am) in complete shock! T & I were dogsitting this week and the couple's house we were staying at, is getting some additions/repairs done on the house. So it just so happens that the garage door installer shows up (thankfully T was there!) to install the garage door and the keyless entry. The owners had left a list of instructions posted in the garage, in case the contractors came while we weren't there. So T & I greet this man and he tells us what he thinks he's supposed to be doing. Just to verify he was doing what needed to be done, I walked over to the list and said, "Well, here's a list, maybe this has something on it that applies to the garage door". He preceeds by telling me that he can't read and write and asks if I would mind reading it to him. I have to say I probably paused for a complete 5 seconds just trying to grasp the fact that a 50-something year old man can't read and write. I have to say, since then, I have given a lot of thought to this. I honestly can say I believe him, I don't think he was lying to me. But how can you not know how to read and write by the time you are 50-something? This is America! Most education is FREE! So, while he worked on the garage, he talked to T & I - told us about his family, how he was looking forward to Christmas, his daughter just had a baby (girl) and how excited he was to see her again during the holidays. Just a good 'ole Southern man! I have to say, this did put a damper on my stressing for finals. Here I am, stressing about finals, trying to complete a college degree and worried about making a B in a class and yet, there are still people (in America!) that can't read and write. Wow...
So, T & I were talking about this later and he said he that heard once that there have been studies that show that there are people who graduate w/a high school diploma and still can't read and write. Being an education major at one point and having completed a minor degree in education, this was never mentioned...so now I'm interested...are there really people out there like this?
What an eye-opener week! Now to get ready for the cruise... :)
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
End of another semester...(well, almost)
Can't believe we are approaching the end of another semester. In August, this week of finals seems so far away!
Tim is done with his finals and awaiting his final grades to be posted. However, we know that he made a 100 in his Stats class!!! Yes, that's a FINAL avg!! :) I'm so proud of him! I just wish I could go to class w/out the textbook, pen/pencil, or calculator, and not take any notes, not study, wait until the NIGHT before a project is due to START on it (and make an 98 - and have the professor ask to keep it for future examples!) and have no problem making straight A's! Hopefully our children will have his learning abilities!
I have one final down, two more to go. I, too, am waiting for my grade to be posted. Thankfully these professors have a deadline for this or we (students) would be pulling our hair out with anticipation! My accounting final (Thursday) is the only one I'm dreading b/c it's cumulative. I'll be glad to get it over with, no doubt! Thankfully, my boss is a CPA and understands how overwhelming this is and therefore is letting me off early tomorrow so I get some more studying done! :)
We are looking forward to our cruise next week when we can RELAX!!
Now back to studying...
Tim is done with his finals and awaiting his final grades to be posted. However, we know that he made a 100 in his Stats class!!! Yes, that's a FINAL avg!! :) I'm so proud of him! I just wish I could go to class w/out the textbook, pen/pencil, or calculator, and not take any notes, not study, wait until the NIGHT before a project is due to START on it (and make an 98 - and have the professor ask to keep it for future examples!) and have no problem making straight A's! Hopefully our children will have his learning abilities!
I have one final down, two more to go. I, too, am waiting for my grade to be posted. Thankfully these professors have a deadline for this or we (students) would be pulling our hair out with anticipation! My accounting final (Thursday) is the only one I'm dreading b/c it's cumulative. I'll be glad to get it over with, no doubt! Thankfully, my boss is a CPA and understands how overwhelming this is and therefore is letting me off early tomorrow so I get some more studying done! :)
We are looking forward to our cruise next week when we can RELAX!!
Now back to studying...
Monday, November 24, 2008
I Am Thankful...
Someone sent this poem to me a couple years ago, and I thought I would share. We truly have SO much to be thankful for! Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
I Am Thankful…
I am thankful for the wife who says it's hot dogs tonight because she is home with me and not with someone else.
For the husband who is on the sofa who is being a couch potato because he is home with me and not out at the bars.
For the teenager who is complaining about doing dishes, because that he or she is at home, not on the streets.
For the taxes that I pay, because it means that I am employed.
For the mess to clean after a party, because it means that I have been surrounded by friends.
For the clothes that fit a little too snug, because it means I have enough to eat.
For my shadow that watches me work, because it means I am in the sunshine.
For a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning, and gutters that need fixing, because it means I have a home.
For all the complaining I hear about the government, because it means that we have freedom of speech.
For the parking spot I find at the far end of the parking lot, because it means I am able to walk and that I have been blessed with transportation.
For my huge heating bill, because it means I am warm.
For the lady behind me in church that sings off key, because it means that I can hear.
For the pile of laundry and ironing, because it means I have clothes to wear.
For weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day, because it means I have been capable of working hard.
For the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours, because it means that I am alive.
Live Well, Laugh often and love with all of your heart!
I am thankful for the wife who says it's hot dogs tonight because she is home with me and not with someone else.
For the husband who is on the sofa who is being a couch potato because he is home with me and not out at the bars.
For the teenager who is complaining about doing dishes, because that he or she is at home, not on the streets.
For the taxes that I pay, because it means that I am employed.
For the mess to clean after a party, because it means that I have been surrounded by friends.
For the clothes that fit a little too snug, because it means I have enough to eat.
For my shadow that watches me work, because it means I am in the sunshine.
For a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning, and gutters that need fixing, because it means I have a home.
For all the complaining I hear about the government, because it means that we have freedom of speech.
For the parking spot I find at the far end of the parking lot, because it means I am able to walk and that I have been blessed with transportation.
For my huge heating bill, because it means I am warm.
For the lady behind me in church that sings off key, because it means that I can hear.
For the pile of laundry and ironing, because it means I have clothes to wear.
For weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day, because it means I have been capable of working hard.
For the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours, because it means that I am alive.
Live Well, Laugh often and love with all of your heart!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Catch up!
It seems like forever since we've taken the time to blog! And it also seems that our blog always starts with "we've been staying busy with school and work", and yes, that's the excuse this time too! However, we HAVE found some time to attend get-togethers, play tennis, play disc golf, laser tag, and go bowling with Jeremy & Scott, help one of Tim's co-workers with his car (rebuilding a motor), attend Girls' Night Out...oh, the list goes on!
Tim had to work, but I went to the Hick's GTG a few weekends ago. It was lots of fun (as always)! Alvin & Joann were also celebrating their 50th anniversary! :) Enjoy the pictures...
Tim & I decided to try tennis a couple weeks ago! We discovered that we live very close to a park with tennis courts! :) Neither one of us have ever played but it was fun, nevertheless. :)
We also got to go bowling and play laser tag with Jeremy & Scott a couple weeks ago. It was loads of fun. The next day, we played disc golf with them! I have to admit I wasn't looking forward to this...but it ended up to a lot of fun. We have gone back since then and I think we are "hooked"!
Cameron & Scott - doing who-knows-what??
Amber, Amanda, Cameron, Jeremy
Tim - in action! Scott in the background
If I wasn't looking forward to playing disc golf, you can only imagine my reaction to helping one of Tim's friends rebuild his motor. :-/ However, I learned so much "helping" them (without having to get too greasy/oily/dirty in the process) and actually gave them an idea that solved a major issue (imagine that!? a girl's idea working??) ;) I also got to know this guy's wife, who happens to be a teacher! Now the car is up and running, so everyone is happy!
This week we had Girls' Night Out at The Melting Pot in Duluth. After we figured out the menu (I still agree w/Melissa, you need a PhD to eat there!), we had a fun night. :) We used to do Girls' Night Out more often but haven't for a while. Britta suggested it, so we threw it all together kinda last minute and it turned out to be a blast! I forgot my camera in the car, but here are some pictures I "stole" from Mom...
All the Ladies
All the Ladies again
Britta's Birthday
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
