Christmas

We had another wonderful Christmas this year. We had our own Christmas Saturday morning, and then went down to Estero to spend time with the families. We had Christmas lunch with my family in the afternoon, and Christmas dinner with Sterling's family Saturday night. We had a relaxing, lazy day on Sunday, and then this morning we went shooting! Sterling hasn't been allowed to have his guns until he had a safe or locks for them. So he got some trigger locks for Christmas, and wanted to practice a little. He has an SKS that he has never shot, so we shot that and a 9 mm. It was fun! I didn't do too poorly, but I will say I wouldn't want to get on his Dad's bad side. He's quite accurate with his aim...and that's post shoulder surgery and pacemaker! Here are some photos of the action.

Our Christmas Tree

This was a white elephant party we were at with some friends. Though we would love to say we are related. How could you not?

Grant, Leah's baby. Too cute!

Sound asleep.

The SKS (there's a video at the end)

Sterling shooting the 9 mm

Our New Adventure

Well, we have some exciting news! Yep, you guessed it! We know it'll be a big change, but we're super excited, and looking forward to our new adventure. We found out yesterday......that Sterling could do rotations in New York! (Is that what you guessed? =) ). We originally planned on doing rotations for his third year in West Palm Beach. When this opportunity came up, we looked at the rotations and decided the rotation in New York would be more advantageous for him. The hospital is bigger, there are fewer students, twice as much surgical exposure, and an extra elective. It's also the medical center for the whole region, so we're pretty stoked! AND the cost of living is cheaper than West Palm Beach! Nice bonus. The hospital is in Johnson City, near Binghamton. We had to make the decision right away, and it was finalized this morning! Now I have to be on the look-out for warm weather clothes! We'll be heading up there sometime in May. We've googled Johnson City quite a bit, and have found some great pictures. Here are some of my findings:

Oh Yeah! How could you not want to live there?!

(This picture came up every time! haha!)

But really, we're excited to experience seasons,

and especially to have the beautiful fall colors!

Then we'll get the beautiful winter snow, and have a white Christmas!

(I know this is Central Park....but same idea. And we'll leave out the snow-shoveling pictures.)

The homes are quite different from what I'm used to here in Florida. They are much older, but they have a lot of character! It'll be fun to experience something new!

Halloween

We went to a Halloween Festival this year that is put on by local Farmer's Market. It wasn't too big, but is was free (always a plus) and we got yummy ice-cream and homemade kettle corn! Mmmmm..

This was the sunset on our way home. Beautiful!

So, each year since we've been married we've carved a pumpkin....except for last year. Granted that's a quarter of our Halloweens, but we thought it appropriate to reinstate the tradition. I must say I was quite impressed with our skills.

Those bumpy little halloween knives that come in the kits never work. I was pretty happy with our new pumpkin carving tools.

I had the privilege to test my drawing abilities. My excuse: I was drawing on a pumpkin!

Ta Da! I think it turned out pretty well!

My Glass designs

Thanks to Sterling for many of his precious summer hours, because my website is up and running! There are necklaces and bracelets, and earrings are coming soon. It is set up to be customized to you. First you pick out a style, and then the colors you want. I'm always adding new colors, so if you don't see exactly what you're looking for just e-mail me! Each bead is handmade and unique. Check it out!

theglassexperience.com

It's Official!

We are triathletes! So the triathlon was on Saturday, and it was so much fun! We ended up going to bed pretty late (not what we had planned), and had to wake up around 4:15 to get ready and get there on time. We made it on time and got everything set up shortly before the race started. Sterling was in the first wave (men under 40), so we were able to observe them before we had to go. Sterling got a few kicks to the face, but I had a really nice swim. Melica and I were in the third wave, so we went 6 minutes later. The ocean was nice and calm, and the weather was perfect. The bike was three laps, and unlike when you're in the water, you can see the age of the person passing you on their calf. I tried not to look, but I couldn't help it. Let's just say I'm glad I wasn't competing against the 40-60 year olds. They can bust it! I felt pretty good passing one of the 12 year-olds on the bike, but then he smoked me on the run, so that back-fired! Overall though, it was a great experience, and I was pretty happy with my times.

And our wonderful supporters! They were great!

T minus 3 days

It's been a while since I decided to wear any type of spandex shorts. Since around the 4th grade I believe ( and even that is something I probably shouldn't fess up to). Upon receiving my nice tri shorts, and trying them on, I was reminded of why it has been so long since I've worn something of the sort. Too late now. In three days I will be attempting my first triathlon, and these bad boys are gonna carry me through! haha. I am pretty excited. I've wanted to compete in a triathlon for several years now, and my sister and Sterling have so lovingly accepted the challenge with me! Hopefully my next post will be pictures of me alive afterwards! Send good vibes my way Saturday morning!

Plantings

I know it's been a while since I updated, and I know I don't remember everything I wanted to post, but I definitely wanted to get this up. Sterling and I watched Over The Hedge the other night and I thought it was just amazing how accurately the H.O.A. lady was portrayed. Pretty sure she lives in our neighborhood. In fact, we got a nice note from her shortly after we planted our flowers!

I'm not sure if you can read that, but it says, "Please refrain from planting more plantings near unit- any additional plantings must be approved by Board - Thank you." (yes she did capitalize the word board). I think that right there says enough about the condition of the U.S.

Flowers

Sterling took his last exam on Thursday morning, and I finished mine a week ago, so I took Thursday afternoon off so we could play. We haven't had so much freedom in so long, we couldn't figure out what to do! We went to Moe's ($5 burritos for Cinco de Mayo)...can't pass that up, ran a couple errands to get Mother's Day things, and ended up at Lowe's (we got some Mother's Day flowers there). So wandering around in the flower section Sterling thought we should get some flowers to plant to improve the look of our landscaping. He's wanted to do this for quite some time, and I combat it with the fact that we're renting and therefore essentially wasting our money. Not to mention we probably have to get it approved by the H.O.A. before we can move a single piece of mulch. So, we were there, and we found some little flowers on sale for 69 cents. Couldn't pass that up! We got some to line our walkway. Then we got a little spade to plant them with.

With our happy little flowers planted, Sterling decided to reiterate his dislike for a sad little plant by our front door. He even started some bribery....."we'll get you some mapp gas for your beads, and I can get a plant for the front corner!" Needless to say we were in BJ's doing some grocery shopping and came across a nice little tree for a nice little price....and Sterling came off triumphant! Then we had to remove the sad little plant (with a pretty decent root system) and plant the new tree, all with our little spade. It turned out pretty nicely!

FIVE minute break

I don't have any pictures for this one, but I think it might be more entertaining if left to the imagination. So, Sterling and I are in the middle of finals, and yesterday I got home from work, and began looking over my notes. My final (the last one) was on-line and closed at 11:55 p.m. Sterling had a final this morning that he had to study for, worth 40% of his grade. He decided we had studied long enough, and thought a FIVE-minute run to the store would be a good break. I wasn't convinced. He tried to persuade me some more, but I still wasn't convinced. So, he went out to the car, and I thought, "it's only FIVE minutes...that'll be fine." So, I ran out to the car, assuming he had all of the necessary keys, and, of course, locked the door behind me. So, off we went to the store, returned home, and then....searched for the keys that I assumed he had. Yeah, he didn't. Okay....no problem...he's picked our lock before in about FIVE-TEN minutes....we'll be fine. At this point it's about 7:00. So, we find a bobby pin in the car and get started. After declining help from a neighbor noticing our difficulties from across the lake (yes, that's right...watching....constantly, from across the lake), we began to get a little nervous. After a little while another neighbor walked by, and offered his help with the old credit card trick. 2 credit cards and a gym membership later, we were still standing outside our front door. Next try: sliding glass door. No luck. Back to the front door...with prayers this time (notice the "s" on prayers). Apparently lacking in faith, we still ended up standing outside the front door. Luckily Sterling had his cell phone, and, after TWO hours of trying to pick our lock, we called a lock smith. "He will be there in 40 minutes or less." Apparently services aren't free if they don't stick to their expected arrival time, because ONE HOUR later, he showed up. This is after Sterling's phone dies, multiple mosquito bites, several spider encounters, and dodging the largest toad known to man in order to awaken our neighbor to borrow his phone to make sure the lock smith was still coming! Now, if you're not doing the math, it's 10:00 p.m.! With the arrival of the lock smith it took about FIVE minutes (and $140.oo!...it was a good thing I was focused on taking my exam), before we were inside. Home never looked so good! I started my exam, and finished it with 20 minutes to spare. Sterling on the other hand, only got 3 hours of sleep, in order to study for his. That was a great FIVE minute break. =)

Paradise

So, two days ago our A.C. decided to stop working. Yes, that's right, it stopped. But I guess who needs A.C. in April? Not Floridians for sure! So, luckily it was beautiful outside, and much cooler outside our home than inside, so it was the perfect excuse to go to Siesta Key Friday night....and Saturday!

We made it just in time for sunset Friday night.

Saturday was perfect! It was in the mid-80's with a cool breeze... couldn't have asked for better.

And...to top it off, our A.C. got fixed!!! Yea!!!

The Best

Last week:

I came home to these beautiful tulips!

This week:

I came home to this amazing dinner! Yes...homemade by Sterling, and it tasted even better than it looks! Not sure what I did, but I need to keep doin' it!

Finally finished

So, after Sterling and I moved to Bradenton, we decided we needed an end table in the living room. We went to Walmart to check out some end tables that might fit in the budget. I was surprised when they were up close to $100 and still made out of a cardboard, wood-like material. I decided I could buy the supplies and make my own for that much, and we'd get a solid wood table....and I'd get a saw! Can't argue with that! I had a specific design in mind, as we are shorter on space than in our last place. I wanted a table that I could store stuff, but have it hidden as well. I designed the table so that the top opens and I can place books, etc. inside. I drew my plans, made measurements, and got the materials. I think I spent a little more overall than what we would've for a WalMart table, but I think it was well worth it! I started this venture sometime around November, and well, just finished today...in April.

Ta da!

It actually works! I was pretty excited about that.

I found these cool hinges to add a nice look. (okay...I think Sterling found them, but they're great!)

And I added a bottom shelf with some molding to finish off the edges!