The Good, the Bad, and the Undecided

Well, it's official.  I'm getting old.  The big 2-7 was a week and a half ago.  It was a great day filled with surprises and a nice dinner out with the hubby.  The kids across the hall were pretty stealthy and filled my classroom door and surrounding wall with giant birthday cards.  It was incredibly sweet.  I came home after tutoring there were a dozen red roses and two bottles of wine on the table and Pat was dressed and ready to go get dinner at Gigi's where on Wednesdays they have 1/2 off bottles of wine!  Winning!  When we got home there was one more surprise...an ice cream cake from Coldstone!!

News came that Pat's third rotation was cancelled and rescheduled for internal medicine in the Keys.  I'm slightly jealous....ok, I'm beyond irked.  On top of that, we won't be decorating for the holidays which makes me as grumpy as him not being home for six weeks.  I always get "north-sick" around this time of the year and I love decorating but not this year. :( 

In other news, I've decided to drop out (I hate that choice of words) of the UF Teacher Leadership Master's Program and start my Master's degree in Educational Leadership at St. Leo's.  I'm looking forward to getting started and working my way up to administration (dad was always right!).

Finally, yesterday was the 7th anniversary of Pat and I meeting at the Ohio State at Purdue football game.  We had some fun picking on each other....until Purdue won....again.  He's quite the sore loser.  Regardless, we took some fun photos with the helmets from the wedding and another at half time.  You can tell who was up at halftime ;)

All in all, it's the same as always, crazy, busy, lots of unknowns and tons of things to do, both fun and not.  Here's to surviving the holiday season...solo.

A Day to Ourselves....Kind of...

Pat and I hit the links today at Largo Golf Course.  We used our $15 Groupon for two rounds of golf, a golf cart, and two hot dogs at the turn.  We were excited to have a day to ourselves when we got there but quickly realized the course was packed (it was 67 and breezy out today) and we were paired up with an older couple who actually ended up being pretty fun to golf with.  Overall, we did pretty well for not playing in awhile...

Check out some of the boys on the course today (they were EVERYWHERE!!)  <3

"Excuse me, but I mustache you a question"

Today Pat, Brutus, and I took some time to get into the Halloween spirit and carve our pumpkin!  Last Sunday, Pat and I stopped at the church down the street that was selling pumpkins.  After what seemed like forever of perusing hundreds of pumpkins we returned home with our pick of the litter. 

So, after narrowing down our carving options to frankenstein, a skeleton, or the incognito jack-o-lantern face, we went with the good ol' jack-o-lantern face.  Pat wasn't necessarily thrilled at first with our choice of getting the stencil onto the pumpkin.  He went right to work though.  We had to tape the stencil to the pumpkin and then make little marks in the pumpkin to actually transfer the image to the pumpkin.  Brutus was pretty interested with the entire operation.

In the end, the pumpkin looks pretty amazing!  Pat did a fantastic job!  I've name it, "Excuse me, but I mustache you a question".

As for the seeds, I've never really had pumpkin seeds before (of course Mom always made them, but I never actually ate them).  But today, I decided to try a few flavors and actually try them.  I made regular salted seeds, Italian flavored seeds, and cinnamon sugar seeds.  They all turned out pretty scrumptious if I do say so myself! 

With the cooler weather and getting a breather in our busy schedule to carve a pumpkin it's beginning to feel like fall around here.    <3

It's been forever and a day...

At least that's what it feels like since I've last posted.

Pat and I have been pretty busy since school started back up for each of us.  While nothing exciting has happened we've both been incredibly busy.  Pat started and finished his first rotation already at Planned Parenthood her in St. Pete.  The hours were different each day and he was always leaving herpes pamphlets on the counter so needless to say I'm glad he's done with the rotation!  Although they really seemed to enjoy having him there!  Check out the picture of the card they gave him on his last day.  He's moved on to family medicine in St. Pete and now feels the pain of having to get up while it's still dark out.

On my end, school is leaps and bounds better than last year.  The students are much better.  I only have about four that make me go crazy but with the new bell schedule it's eliminating a lot of the issues.  Tomorrow marks the opening of our new building on campus and it's beautiful.  I've moved rooms last week from the third floor to the first.  I'm not feeling as stressed out which may be why I've signed up for just about everything else this year.  Outside of teacher, I tutor now on Mondays and Wednesdays, work ABS (alternative bell schedule - 4 hour after school suspension) every Friday, I now lead the Student Literacy Team, and the University of Florida Inquiry Coach.  I'm still taking UF Master's classes and working on my ESOL endorsement too.

A few weeks ago Momma and Papa Beyer rolled through St. Pete for a weekend and we had fun.  Some Boilermaker chili made watching college football just perfect.  While Pat was working, the three of us headed to John's Pass and did some shopping and some wine tasting, but mostly some wine tasting. :)  It was a great weekend.

Just this past weekend Pat's parents came down to visit and surprised me with an early birthday get together complete with a birthday cake and singing.  I was a lucky girl and they gave me a gift, my new "beep beep"...you know one of those things that locks/unlocks your car for you.  :)

Brutus, well, he's doing just fine.  Although, he got bit by something this past week and looked a hot mess, covered in big bumps. Come to find out, he loves relaxing just as much as anyone else...

Overall, life is good...busy as ever, but still good.

New York to North Carolina...Road Trip!

It's been a long two weeks but Pat and I made it!  At the end of July (I can't even tell you what day it feels like it was so long ago) I drove over to Mom and Dad's to drop off Brutus.  He stayed with his grandma and grandpa for the trip since we couldn't take him with us.  He loves staying there.  Apparently mom dressed him up to keep him preoccupied.  Too funny.

I drove back to St. Pete and packed up for the big trip.  Pat finished his last exam of his didactic year (woo hoo!!) and after dinner we headed back to pack up the car.  We left bright and early for New York.  Our friend Erik was getting married and Pat was the best man.  We meet Erik in Gainesville a few years back.  It took us 19 hours but we finally made it to New York around 1 a.m.!  Friday we ran some errands before heading out to the rehearsal dinner which was delicious.  We headed over to Zach and Kelly's house to have a few drinks and play some cornhole before heading to the bar.  There we lost Dan, one of the groomsmen.  All that was left was a lonely can of Pabst where he was sitting.  After wrangling up the groomsmen we headed back to our hotel where we found Dan!  Apparently the allure of McDonald's and a ride home were pretty appealing.  Saturday was the wedding and the ceremony and reception were both beautiful.  Erik's family were so incredibly sweet and his friends were such a trip.  We had so much fun with them.  We had a riot at the reception playing the "pebble" game with the boys and dancing our butts off.  Unfortunately after the reception we couldn't hang out since we had to get up early and head off to North Carolina.

We were on the road by 8 the next morning and cruising down to Duck.  Pat's parents and sisters were already there.  We arrived safely by 7ish Sunday night and were happy to sit down and eat a meal with the family.  Elizabeth, Kim and Darren's daughter, has really gotten talkative and she's so inquisitive.  We spent the next few days laying out at the beach during the day, playing games at night, and eating delicious meals.  The boys went golfing on Thursday and the girls went shopping.  By Friday we couldn't believe how fast the week went.  We headed out for dinner our last night there.  After dinner we headed up to the upper most deck of the house to snap some pictures.  Early Saturday morning we headed out back to Mom and Dad's to pick up Brutus.  We spent the night hanging out with them and having a few drinks before heading to bed.  A quick but yummy breakfast at Mulligans was in order before we finally started our last leg of our journey. By Sunday afternoon we were home.

53 hours in a car total!  Don't get me wrong, I love road trips...but I love being home with my hubby and my pooch even more :)

Pretty as a Picture

When Pat's school held the golf outing and silent auction we ended up with so many prizes that some never received any bids.  Toward the end of the auction we opened up the bidding to a new starting minimum of $5 per item for all items left without bids.  There was a mad dash to certain items but I gravitated toward a photo shoot.  I scored a one for $40 on a river in Tampa and it was the quickest photo shoot I've ever been to.  Brutus almost jumped in the water which is unusual for him since he doesn't like to swim.  I know it's just Pat, Brutus, and I but I thought it would be something fun to do and get the whole "family" picture thing accomplished.  Today they sent us the proof for the picture we chose to have put on canvas and I think it turned out great.  I'm hoping for two minor touch ups and then once I give the final okay they'll print it!  Can't wait! 

Fishy Update!

The two Dalmatian Mollies have had babies!  There are at least six little ones (that we can count) swimming around in the tank!  Happiness!  Here's hoping they all survive!

Happy 1st Anniversary to Us!

Pat and I recently celebrated our 1st wedding anniversary.  The past year has been full of ups and downs and the quite certainly the busiest and most stressful year of our lives.  While we couldn't afford a big get away to celebrate we opted out for a smaller get away.  

Saturday afternoon we dropped Brutus off at aVIP (a "cage free" boarding kennel).  Then we headed down to Clearwater Beach to check into our hotel.  Our room overlooked part of the Gulf...it was beautiful.

We headed down for dinner at Jimmy's Fish House which was right on the water too.  

 

After dinner we walked to the to the Tropics Party Boat for a sunset cruise.  Because of the weather forecast a lot of couples apparently had canceled but it ended up working out for us because it was a nice, fairly quiet, boat ride.    

We headed back to the hotel and relaxed the rest of the night.  The next morning we walked to breakfast and stopped at the beach for a moment. We decided we missed our pooch and checked out to go pick him up.  Once we got home, Brutus was happy to wear his dad's lei from the sunset cruise.

Finally, Sunday night after dinner we dug into the top layer of our wedding cake.  Pat was less than thrilled but he manned up and tried some of the cake.  It wasn't half as bad as either of us thought!  But...we still threw it out.

Happy 1st Anniversary to Us!

Tampa Bay Times Interview

Well, it wasn't much more than a simple mention of Dreams by Design Events, but a mention in the major newspaper nonetheless.

I found it on the main page of the Tampa Bay Times website and was happy that the reporter didn't make the bride out to be a huge penny pincher.   However, from the rash of comment that have already accumulated the general public isn't very happy about her method of paying for her wedding. 

I, on the other hand, have already received an email from another wedding vendor in the area looking to work with me when it comes to future events.  Fingers crossed that there are other events to come!

Step in the Right Direction

So it's no surprise that I'm a little O.C.D. when it comes to most things in life...  The older I get the more I want to use my powers for good!  I started Dreams by Design Events back in December in the hopes that before the value of education dropped so low that my pay was based off 8 hours of my students' school year that I could have a successful small business doing something I truly enjoy.  Boy was I wrong...the lovely Rick Scott passed the bill and teaching has taken a turn for the worst in Florida.  However, Dreams has taken a step in the right direction.  A friend of the family offered up some advice while I was in New York to take up Twitter.  I did so grudgingly and found an account named BuckforaBride.  This bride was looking for ways to do her dream wedding on a small budget so I started following her account and then she followed mine...  I eventually offered my services for free and she accepted.  It was nothing big to me until she emailed me saying the Tampa Bay Times would like me to attend her interview about being a frugal bride and using social media to get help.  YAY!  I went downtown today and met with both Yolanda, the bride, and Susan, the reporter.  It was great and I can't wait to attend the wedding and see this amazing wedding alllll put together!

  

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July, Everyone!  

Pat and I have had a great weekend so far spending time with Jeff & Ali, our friends from Gainesville.  They came down Saturday morning and we made our way to the Pas-a-Grille Beach in St. Petersburg.  It was a gorgeous day out and the beach wasn't over crowded.  I certainly waited too long to put any sunscreen on and am currently paying for it.  We came home, ordered some yummy pizza, and watched the UFC fight before crashing.  Sunday we headed to Channelside to grab lunch at by far the most interesting restaurant I've ever been to called Stumpf's.  It was a mix of horribly corny music, 70's inspired decor, and some type of pirate ship theme.  Then we headed over to one of the coolest places down there called Wet Willies which is basically an alcohol infused slushie station.  Pat and I split the most delicious Bahama Mama slushie.  Late last night, Pat and I were able to just lay on the couch and watch a movie...something we don't get to do too often anymore.  As for today, the actual 4th...we don't have any plans.  Pat is busy studying and I suppose I should find some work to do as well while I cuddle up with Brutus.  Looking forward to next weekend when we can get a little more beach and a little more time alone to ourselves for our anniversary weekend!

More Pictures as Promised!

Here are some more great pictures from my weekend in Buffalo via Momma Beyer!  :)  

 If you couldn't tell, I was miserable it was so cold, but Uncle Tom made me a fire!

A Little Pomp & Circumstance...

I spent last Thursday afternoon til Sunday morning in Buffalo for David's graduation.  What a whirlwind weekend! 

Thursday - After sitting next to who may have been the most adorable and interesting 70 year old woman I was pleasantly surprised to get picked up not only by Momma Beyer but David and Hannah as well.  After a quick stop at the Archer's where I was mauled by my second favorite pooch, Sarge, we headed to....CHEF'S!   Seriously, if I had the money I'd put one in St. Petersburg...specifically on the same road I live on.  Afterward, we headed out to Antoinette's.  I could barely touch my ice cream after dinner but decided taking home some sponge candy couldn't hurt....needless to say, I finished it before I got back on the plane.

  Friday - I had a riot Friday with the rents, Uncle Bob and Lannie, and the Archer's!  We traveled up to the Finger Lakes where we made it to 8 different vineyards.  I can't remember the name of most, but I know I bought a bottle from 6 of them!  They were each so adorable and quaint.  The wine was amazing and I can't wait to pick up my bottles in July (I couldn't take them on the plane so mom and dad drove them back home with them).  The great end to the night was some of Aunt Jan's famous taco salad. Days like these makes a girl miss good ol' New York.

Saturday - David's big day.  This boy sure knows how to make a room full of his relatives cry.  Danielle, mom, and I were pretty much in tears once the speeches started.  We couldn't be prouder of him.  It feels like yesterday that he was strapped in his car and I was painting those little baby fingers of his!  We left the ceremony and headed back to the Archer’s so we could change (it was about 60 and rainy) and Uncle Tom even made a fire for me since I was freezing.  We headed out to his graduation party and had a great time with family and friends.  Side note: David’s dog is hilarious…Off for a quick visit at a friend’s birthday party and then home again.  

Sunday – Back on the plane at 8 a.m. and headed home.  What a weekend!


More pictures to come!

Someone's not to happy...

Brutus had a busy day and he's not particularly pleased at the current moment.  Today we traveled downtown to get his yearly shots.  He was the talk of the place and happier than a bird with a french fry...until they drew his blood, stuck his front forearm, stuck one in the thigh, and then one in the nose in all of about two minutes!  He was not too happy.  Then to make matters worse, a little mastiff puppy came in and he suddenly found himself ignored.  Someone wasn't too happy...

After all the drama, he spent much of the afternoon cuddling up with me while I typed up my homework.  He was as comfy as could be...until he saw me get out the suitcases.  I'm leaving tomorrow morning for Buffalo since David is graduating!!  Brutus followed me around the house aimlessly while I gathered my things to pack.  Not thinking, I had placed the suitcase on his usual spot so when I finally sat down to take a second he was pacing around the couch trying to figure out what to do.  Now he just looks miserable laying next to it and making me feel pretty guilty for leaving him tomorrow.  Someone's not to happy...

Out with the uh...sleeping fish? and in with the new!

We unexpectedly lost our three angelfish a couple weeks ago from unknown causes.  At first we figured it was just the big guys time, but then within days the other two were gone as well...off to the big fishy heaven in the sky...er...water?

After a short period of  trying to decipher why perhaps we lost the three beauties, we finally decided to replenish the tank since our pleco seemed to be getting lonely.  We came home with 4 little bloodfin tetras and 2 dalmatian mollys.  

18 hours in and everyone is still alive.  So far....so good...

As to naming them....we're open to ideas!

What an AMAZING concert!

 So the Keith Urban concert was just too good to be true!  First, we got into our best "country get up" as we like to call it.  It's rather funny to see, but we both think that we were secretly meant to be living in Texas, with horses, and...stuff.  

Back to the concert though, we prepaid for parking online which at first we were a little skeptical about since it was $12 but we ended up parking directly next to the arena.  So we go up to the 300 level where our seats are and it's DEAD!  There's only about two out of the tons of vendors actually open and not a soul in sight so we grab a beer and a pretzel and head to our seats.  Before we can get past the curtain the usher stops us and asks if we'd like better seats at no charge to us!  Well, YEAH...DUH!  So we head over to this really nice lady who offers us our choice of seats in certain sections of the 200 club level.  In celebration fashion I decide I MUST have my picture taken with Keith...or at least a banner with his face on it.

We pick the section that faces the stage directly and get lost trying to find this seemingly secret floor.

Jake Owen opens up the show just after 7:30.  We don't know many of his songs but find it pretty humorous that he places the words "Tampa" and "Florida" into whatever song he is singing.  There's no jumbo-tron, if you will, that helped you actually see if it was him singing up on the stage, but we took his word for it.

After a quick bathroom break, we got back in time to take a cute pic of our cowboy boots and finish our drinks.  

 

When the lights dim the crowd goes wild (are you surprised?!) but Keith's lead in song is a Beatles song....Silly Love Songs.  Either way, his Aussie accent is hot and so is he.  The crew rips down the backdrop and a huge screen appears with his gorgeous face!  

He belted out 26 of his best songs before retiring for the night...oh..wait...nope...an encore...or two!  Make that 28 songs that I absolutely love and I of course made it a point to sing just about every lyric.  (You can check out the setlist...I'm pretty sure I've found a new playlist for the iPod!) I'm pretty sure Pat was tired of listening to my desperate attempt to be one of Keith's backup singers by the end of the night. I even tried to video tape segments of my favorite songs, but the crowd completely interfered...or my phone just blows...so unfortunately I have 6 video clips of teenagers and country girls screaming wildly while what appears a miniature ant moves across a piece of grass.  Either way, one amazing concert!

Love us some Keith Urban!

So last night, just before ticket sales ended we made a last minute game time decision and bought tickets to see Keith Urban tomorrow night!  We saw him back in Columbus a few years ago and he's amazing in concert.  Granted we're so far up in the nosebleeds we could probably touch the roof of the building, we're still really excited!  I made Pat give up his favorite Keith Urban song which proved difficult at first because there were lots of questions and debate like, "fast or slow?" or "well from his old songs...".  Turns out we both decided on Days Go By as our favorite song.  Even after we still just kept naming songs we liked.  If I wasn't excited before I am now!  

So Here We Go...

So I'm currently on summer break.  Sounds like days of sleeping in, laying at the pool, and reading the latest and greatest bestsellers, right?  

Not quite.  I've signed up for two professional development opportunities, I'm enrolled in two master's classes, I'm currently writing lesson plans for the tutoring company I work for during the school year, working on getting my wedding and event planning business going, and trying to get into the habit of working out.  While the days aren't nearly as busy as they are during the school year, it's not quite the break I had hoped for but it's all for the better.   


However, if you know me at all, you  know I despise talking on the phone.  Hopefully I can really work on this blog over the summer and it will help us keep in touch with our families that are...well...just about everywhere!

Patrick is still working his butt off of course.  This time, the summer course is cramming 16 weeks of class into 10.  After this, he's onto his rotations.  It's days like today that leave me a little lonely though.  He was home for about 30 minutes yesterday and then off to study.  Today it was home to change and out the door again since they have another exam in the morning.   I know he'll do great like always.

Brutus...he's just hanging out on the couch like always and keeping me company.  What a good puppy!