Acceptance

I got accepted to University of South Florida! It came in the mail yesterday! I know you can't really see the letter but it is nice to know it is real. Now I have to work on immunizations and figuring out classes!

Good times never felt so good

So this week was a roller coaster week for the Burke household. It started with Bruce ending his relationship with Payzone on Monday due to not getting his paycheck on the 15th. Yes we did give them 5 days to give us the money but you get to a point where you know the money is just not there. Oh well, Bruce already has offers on the table so we are moving on.

On Wednesday, Bruce had his follow up appointment with the hematologist for his blood clots. He was told that the coumadin is working and he will be on it for the rest of his life. The doctor won't need to see him unless he develops more blood clots.

On the way home from this appointment, Bruce got in a minor fender bender. The guy was a real pain and even though neither car was damaged, the guy is now after our insurance saying he has an injury. Interestingly enough, he refused the ambulance when they came after he called 911. Bruce actually took some pictures with his phone and we believe it will help our insurance company. So besides a ticket, we survived this one too.

Yesterday was the all time high of the week. Yes it was exciting on Thursday to watch the Rays beat the Phillies. But last night was my hot date with Bruce to go to Neil Diamond's concert. We sat in the Outback suite and this was our view of the stage without any zooming of camera's. It was excellent. He came out rocking with Holly Holy. He did a great mix of old and new songs. I rocked out so much in my chair that I was sweating by the end and my voice is horse. Bruce enjoyed it too but he was not as crazy as I am. Things I learned while at the concert - Neil's first professional gig 42 years ago was in Tampa so he has a strong love of this area - his left hip was really bothering him last night even though he tried to hide it- he has written songs that are more emotional and meaningful in the last couple of years that may not be as popular with the generations that were at the concert but they still strike a chord read the lyrics here to see what I mean- and most of all he still cares - he cares about the people - he wants us to enjoy his concert but it doesn't stop there he is helping with the Hurricane Ike victims as well.

My new spa bath

Bruce and I had a very busy weekend. We finally painted my bathroom. I decided to paint it the same color as our bedroom. I think it turned out great.



While we were out doing errands on Sunday, we decided to stop by Linens n Things and see what sort of sale items we could find. We found these great curtains for 30% off and although at first we were looking for the guest room, we ended up hanging them in our master bedroom. They are silk and add a feeling of luxery that is nice.
It is wonderful to sit back and enjoy our hard work. Even if we still have other items on our to do list. I don't think that the list ever ends once you own a house.

More Birthday fun

I just wanted to post a couple more pictures from by birthday weekend. Dad gave me the map of Florida's Pirate treasures and Mom gave me the new purple shirt. I loved both - the map is hung in our living room/office.

We went to Pat and Glenn's house for a birthday party. Here is me getting to blow out some candles. They were those trick candles and wouldn't go out. But I still tried. It was a really fun birthday. I am really lucky to have such great loved ones in my life.

Reasons why I love my husband

On Thursday at work I got a call from the front desk that I had a package to pick up. I really wasn't thinking that it would be something fun but something work related. When I went to pick it up it was a big beautiful bouquet of flowers from my husband. All shades of purple and pink. He knows me so well and I really appreciate him taking the time to do this. The smell of them was heavenly and brightened up my cubicle for two days. I brought them home this weekend and they still smell and look great. It is nice to be loved so much.This is the other big gift that my husband gave me for my birthday. It is nice to have a laptop to work on. I actually got it last week but it took me this long to get everything loaded onto it. It is my first new computer that is mine. (Bruce has always down the set up for our other computers). I had no idea how much work it is to get everything set up on a computer. At least it is worth it and I am having so much fun with it.

I will have to take pictures of the rest of my presents later and blog. All I know is for being 32 I am being spoiled and I love it.

Memories of Key West

Finally I have time to blog about our great vacation to the Key's.

First of all, I highly recommend driving to the key's at least once in your life. Yes it is one lane of traffic so you have to just go with the flow. But to start in Key Largo where the water is a deep almost purple blue on both sides of the highway and to end in Key West where the water becomes a light blue green is a beautiful journey. Also, there are plenty of great places to stop along the way and shop, eat, or relax. Below is a picture of our stop at the Veteran's Memorial Park just south of the seven mile bridge on the ocean side. The bridge is behind me. We stopped here to take a break and put our feet in the water.



Key West is definitely a place to hang out and have fun. Our first walk down Duval street, we had to wet our whistles at Fat Tuesday. I enjoyed my official vacation drink - a Miami Vice. It is 1/2 strawberry daquiri and 1/2 pina colada. Yes I enjoyed it.



Sunsets are the highlight of the day in Key West. Enjoying a sunset at mallory square is the main event. Every night there are different street performers, musicians and entertainment to enjoy. But I have a feeling that the sunset always steals the spotlight. How can you not feel God's love when you see something like this?

There are many things to do in Key West - from visiting the southernmost point in the US to Hemmingways house. Here is one of my favorite pictures of Bruce. He is such a handsome husband.
After Key West we traveled back North to Islamorada. I enjoyed Key West but I loved Islamorada. Why? Well first of all Key West is very touristy even in the slowest month September. There were cruise ships that came to port and with all the crowds and not a lot of space it wouldn't be a place that I want to stay for longer then two or three days. But Islamorada didn't have crowds and we stayed right on the water. I am standing on our front porch taking this picture. I could live with this view and be a very happy person.
The place in Islamorada where we stayed is called Pines and Palms. They are small cottages that are so charming inside and out. We really enjoyed California the great white heron that has a broken toe and hangs around Pines and Palms. He really enjoyed hanging with Shirley. This is a snap shot that I took of her visiting with California while she waited for us to pick her up for dinner. According to legend, California loves steak especially T-bones so you have to watch your food around him. He does not like crackers but loves cheese -guess he is a bird with great taste.
Bruce and I had planned on going to swim with dolphins and renting a boat for a day to explore the water. Due to rainy days, we missed those plans but I don't really mind. First of all the relaxing did us a lot of good but also because now I get to plan another visit next year back to Islamorada for us to do those things. I can't wait! Hopefully we can stay three or four days if not a week here next time.

Where's the kitty litter?

So Bruce and I have had the kitty litter in a closet for the past year that we really wanted to use for a pantry. We came across a kitty litter box that looks like furniture and it solved our problems of where to put the kitty litter. Sparky loves the privacy too. See how his tail is curled? Means he is happy.

Loss

I am sorry I haven't posted a lot lately. But last weekend my friend called to tell me her dad passed away. He has been fighting lung cancer for over a year. I can't imagine what it feels to lose your dad - I am lucky enough to know mine is just a phone call or flight away. But I do know that when he had cancer it was rough. I feel like one of the best days of bonding I had with him was taking him for chemo. I really appreciate that day and even though it was hard I enjoyed being there for him. Anyways, I can't take on the feeling of loss that she is experiencing but I can do some of her work for her. So I have been very busy working. I don't mind at all. Makes me feel like I am doing something. I hope she knows that I am here for her when ever she needs a friend or anything else. I know she is a strong woman and will get through this hard time. But I want her to know she doesn't have to do it alone.