Finally Finished

I have FINALLY finished painting the house...the hallways, the living room, the kitchen..phew! It took 8 weeks to get it done, but I can now say that the house is painted like we want it. Now, don't go looking in the bedrooms or bathrooms b/c they aren't painted or fixed up yet. All in good time! Enjoy the before and after pics:

Time to add some detail now!!

Backwards Glance

In all the hype about our vacation to Key West, I neglected to post that I GRADUATED! Hahaha...this is exciting, but going to Key West obviously took precedence in my blogging world! For those who are unaware, I graduated with my Doctorate in Physical Therapy, after many long years of graduate school! This has been a long time coming, with my "mid-life crisis" occurring 2 years into our marriage and consisting of a radical change in my career choice/education. I had worked so hard in undergrad and grad school to become this amazing genetic researcher only to realize that I just didn't fit this profession. But I have found my niche and the past 3-1/2 years have flown by. I was so blessed to have my family and friends to help me celebrate this long-awaited day. Here are some pics of the event!

Now, all that's left is 1 week of classes in Lexington, 10 weeks of internship at WBH in Paducah, and comp exam and board exam! YAY!! Bring it on--I am so ready for the adult world! :)

The Week In Pictures

For those of you (Lindsy!) who have been anxiously checking my blog for Key West updates, only to be disappointed...I apologize! I didn't really pick the computer back up. But, as promised, here are some pics from the rest of our vacay. Some of the pictures speak for themselves, others you will question. I will explain but not publicly! We had a blast and finally made it home safe and sound (no thanks to Delta Airlines and Atlanta weather...)

Without further ado:

View from our balconyKey Lime Pie Varieties (Strawberry and Mango/Passion Fruit) YUM.
Smathers Beach (and, yes, that is a man in nothing but a loin cloth)

Mallory Square Sunset Celebration

A ginormous sea sponge--Josh was ultra-grossed out! Art- Key West style (it was weird, but cool!) In case you didn't notice, the statue in the top pic is painting the naked statues...and the person laying down under the naked statues, is a statue as well! (not a real person, even though I thought so at first!)

Pool Gazebo-- Josh was in heaven!
Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory (I could have posted all 200 pics that I took, but I will spare you...if you have time I will show you. This was AMAZING!)
Yes, this is us at the southernmost point in the continental USA (in case you don't read the buoy)
We didn't care anything about paying to go into Hemingway's house, but here it is...and I am looking for his famous 6-toe cats!! He has about 60 of them!
Hemingway cats--not sure if they had 6 toes or not! Didn't get that close--someone told us they were "ferocious"

Pretty homes

Dinner at B.O.'s Fish Wagon...amazing shrimp sandwich!

Sunset Sailboat Cruise (booze-cruise)...the Apple Dore tall ship.

This is the beginning of a V-E-R-Y interesting night.

The captain actually let me drive the vessel...after 3 sangria's and some chardonnay! "Tonight We Drink...Tomorrow We Sail!" -captain
After the sail, the night became even more interesting...ask for the story (depending on who you are I will tell you!)
We went to a bar that had an amazing magician...check out the card in Josh's beer!

to sum the night up:

Delicious Cuban food---WOW! Courtesy of "The Pirate"

Atop the tallest building in Key West

Our final Sunset Celebration...and it was beautiful!

We had so much fun and cannot wait for our next vacation! Despite the stress that we had trying to get this trip together and the drama at the airport (both going and coming home!) I realized that there isn't anyone else in this world who I would want to travel the world with. BUT we are always willing to have company...so if anyone wants to vacation with us someday, holla! Until next time...

From Key West, with love

We Made It!! Whoo hoo...and it far exceeds my expectations (which is always a good thing!). It was a nightmare getting here--we nearly missed our connecting flight in Atlanta and had to RUN (yes, both of us RAN) from one concourse to another to get on our plane--we just prayed our luggage made it on! It did. We sat next to a woman from Miami and she gave us several touristy things to do while on our drive to Key West from Miami. We took her up on them and weren't disappointed. Here are some pics from Day 1.

p.s. Josh is exhausted so I am letting him sleep, while I am blogging from my amazing balcony that overlooks the pool, tiki bar, and palm trees! Try not to be too jealous :) Sigh--I was made for vacations!!

Getting lunch and a Key Lime Freeze at a diner in Key Largo

View from our car window...

Tarpon feeding frenzy--these fish were 5-6 feet long!

Key West Sunset

Duval Street

Stay posted, if I have time I will add more...but I am NOT checking emails 'cause this is vacay!! (just so you know!)