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!

Water Lilies

Lately I've been admiring our view from the back of our house. We've got trees and ponds, and since all the rain this week, we've had a ton of water lilies budding! So between the sessions of general conference I decided to snap a few pic's.