A Few Bumps in the Road

As you have read earlier, my grandfather always says "It's just another bump in the road." when the unexpected happens. This week we have run into many bumps, big bumps! On a happy note Tucker and I crossed out another item on our home improvement list. We finally had the three pine trees and the sweet gum tree removed on the left side of the house. It makes a world of difference without them!

We are having the stumps removed later this week. Then we plan to plant a dogwood in that area. Please ignore the gaping hole on the roof of the porch. We had some wood that was rotting, and Tucker attempted to fix it, but it's no one man job. That sore spot will be repaired tomorrow hopefully! And I promise a new roof is on the "Home Improvements" list!

Early Saturday morning I realized that my laptop had finally bit the dust. I took it down to Office Depot and they did a diagnostic test and told me that I have a short in the motherboard (whatever that is), and it would be cheaper to just buy another computer than it would be to repair it. So Tucker and I are adding that to the list of things to do! Then as we were heading to the grocery store later that day, we noticed that Tucker's windshield had cracked! Great! Add that to the list of bumps in the road!   

All in all we are very fortunate, and I should not even complain about all of these little bumps. We have a roof over our heads, food to eat, clothes to wear, and vehicles to drive. I have been fortunate enough to be able to go back to school to get my master's. We live a very happy life!The Lord has truly blessed us! I know it's just another bump in the road, and there will always be bumps in the road.

Next weekend Tucker and I will head down to Vortex Springs, Florida where he is going to be Scuba certified. I'm so excited for him!

Have a great week!

Amanda

Home Improvements

As I write this to you now, I am sitting in a chair on my new deck patio! Tucker took Friday off of work so that we could get a head start on some much needed yard work. Between Lowe's and Home Depot, we bought lumber, plants, straw, and lots of mulch. Our project yesterday included putting new straw in the natural areas in the backyard and building a small deck. The deck was originally intended to hold Tucker's new grill, and it was supposed  to be much smaller. After beginning construction (Ha!), we decided it should be longer and then we could place the patio table with the umbrella and chairs on it. It looks fabulous and we have been enjoying it ever since it was finished!

As you can see, Bandit is back to his normal self! Supervising as usual!

Our project for today was to remove the rocks from the flower beds and replace them with mulch. This was no easy task considering there were millions of rocks. We also only had one shovel and one pair of work gloves. A trip to K-Mart later we had the tools for success- a shovel and one pair of pink working gloves! We also planted azalea bushes, a hydrangea, and many flowers. After a full day of work we are pooped! Tucker and I are sitting together outside on the back patio enjoying all of our hard work!

The azalea bushes in the front flower bed.

The hydrangea in the bed on the right.

The finished product!

Hopefully this week, we will also be having three pine trees and a sweet gum tree removed. Oh, the joys of owing a home!

Amanda



Sad Day

Bandit when he was a puppy!

Today, my little boo, is getting neutered, his teeth cleaned, and his yearly exam. I know that seems like a lot all at once. I did consider this when I made the appointment. I just thought it would be easier to have it all done during my spring break, so that I could nurse him back to health over the course of the rest of the week. My heart has been broken ever since I dropped him off yesterday.

Bandit has been going to All Creatures since he was a little puppy. I love Dr. Bond! She and the staff know Bandit by name. I know he is well taken care of, but I can't help but worry. He's my baby! Many of my other friends have children. I don't have children,I have Bandit. I call him my "fur child". We have been through many happy and also tough times together. I honestly don't know what I would do without him.

I know they think I'm absolutely crazy. I called and asked a ton of questions, cried like a bluthering idiot while there, and even made them double check my contact information, in case of emergency. I cried on and off all night last night. I know I'm doing what is best for him, but I just want to be there with him. He gets so anxious when we board him to the point where sometimes he won't even eat, not even wet food! I just hope the procedures go acoording to plan. Hopefully, if all goes well, I'll be picking up Little Boo around 3-3:30 this afternoon! Say a little prayer for him!

Amanda

Happy Anniversary!!!

Tucker and I celebrated our first year of wedded bliss in Birmingham! We had an amazing time just getting away from it all. We stayed at the Hyatt in downtown Birmingham. It was so nice; I definitely recommend it! We drove up Friday night after Tucker got off of work. We didn't do much Friday night. We were just enjoying being together. Saturday morning we woke up pretty early to go shopping at the Summit! Tucker was so sweet! He went in all the stores I wanted to go in, held my bags, and didn't even complain not even once!

Eating lunch at Johnny Rockets

For lunch, we went to Johnny Rockets. While there we shared a delicious chocolate milkshake. We also heard our wedding song(Sugar Pie Honey Bunch) while there! What are the odds of that happening? We both had a little moment, and I nearly burst into tears of joy!

Later that day we wen to the Birmingham Zoo. It was so much fun!

War Eagle!

Who knew they would have an outhouse at the zoo?

Saturday night, we went to the delicious Cheesecake Factory. It was the first time both of had been there. The food was incredible. We ordered Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake for dessert! I'll be paying for all the food we ate this week!

Tucker and I also ended up giving each other our anniversary presents early! We always seem to give our gifts early no matter what the occasion. We get too excited to wait!

Tucker gave me a diamond pendant necklace. I absolutely love it!

Tucker got a new grill!

Sunday morning we left and stopped by Mymama's for lunch. She spoils us! From there we ventured home to share the top tier of our wedding cake. It was just as good as everyone said it was a year ago!

Tucker and I are so happy, and we can't wait to begin year number two!



Out With the Old...

And in with the new! All I wanted for my birthday was a new rug to go under the pool table in our living/dining room. The pool table is the only piece of manhood that Tucker has left to hang on to so he says. Truth be told, by the time I had moved in, most of the beer signs and sports memorabilia had already been taken down and put away. I just added a touch of sophistication and class! Ha!

Underneath the incredibly large and heavy pool table was this horrid black rug. Some liked to call it shabby chic, but it was more like shabby eeekkkkk! Besides that, it was literally falling apart.

I could no longer bear to look at this tattered and ugly rug. I picked out a fabulous one at World Market. At first, after seeing the price of the rug, Tucker said no way. I assured him that the rug was on sale, and if we bought a nice one now we would not be buying a cheap rug once again next year. I also stuck my lip out and gave him puppy dog eyes! It worked! Thursday, Jay and Tucker were so sweet to work so hard to get the rug underneath the pool table. This was no easy feat. Did I mention that the pool table is heavy?

I my opinion, it changes the whole look of the room. I'm so proud! Thanks very much Tucker and Jay!

Amanda

My Many Birthday Dinners

I'm so lucky to have such a sweet husband! After working hard all day long on Monday (his longest day of the week), he took me to Amsterdam's on my birthday. Dinner was delicious! I had beef tenderloin with potatoes, and Tucker had shrimp pasta. For dessert we had Tag-Along Bread Pudding. Delectable!

Tucker and I at Amsterdam's

On Tuesday, my friends from school took me out to eat at Logan's. It meant so much to me that they took time out of their busy schedules to celebrate my birthday. Unfortunately, Leslie could not come. She caught the stomach bug that has been running rampant at our school for the past two weeks. On a happy note, Mrs. Corbitt came out to join us. I certainly have missed her since her retirement. She filled me in on all the wonderful things I can look forward to when I get retired, if ever. Mrs. Corbitt was also the mastermind of telling the waitress that it was my birthday. At the end of the meal, our waitress told me to stand up in the middle of the dining room, where she proceeded to announce to the crowd that it was my 21st birthday. Everyone sang "Happy Birthday" and gave me a good ole "Yee Haw!". I was mortified to say the least!

Can you say awkward?

Top Row: Mrs. Green, Tricia, Bria

Bottom Row: Mrs. Erlandson, Ms. Burton, me, and Mrs. Corbitt

Also, at school on Tuesday one of my students gave me 52 ounces of varied Hershey's chocolate. Lord, bless that child! She knows exactly what her teacher likes. I'm trying not to eat it all in one seating!

This is what 52 oz. of chocolate looks like!

I'm so blessed to have such wonderful friends and family! My birthday was so special! Thank you all!

Amanda