Getting Down in Florida

This past weekend we traveled down to Florida to attend a family wedding. We rode with Meredith and Harry and met up with Clay's parents, Martha, Madison and Luke in Jacksonville for a weekend of free food and terrific weather. The bride and groom looked fabulous and we very much enjoyed the beautiful reception at the beach. After experiencing the stress of buying/putting a house together we appreciated the opportunity to experience a mini-vacation.


On our way to the reception.


Madison, Luke and Martha


Yeah, we're that cool...


Dancing middle school style...HOT!


Meredith and Harry


Right before Clay broke out The Robot...


Married 3 years and 4 months

South Park Karen and Clay

Make your own!

They're Home!

Tree, Please Don't Die

We're slowly making progress. Cable, Internet and phone have been installed, appliances were delivered and (yippee) our household goods arrived yesterday. Also, over the past couple of days seven (yes, seven) different phone books have arrived at our doorstep. Who could possibly need this many phone books? We typically just Google information because we're cool like that. I become sad thinking about all the trees that died to become a phone book, a phone book that will sit in a closet silently sobbing because a faster, sexier Google has replaced its only function of existence. On a completely unrelated note, we have fallen in love with the area and still can't believe this is our new home. Unbelievable.

We Have Keys (and Internet)

Happy Birthday Luke!

This afternoon Clay, myself and our landlords ventured to inland NC to celebrate Luke's first birthday. Luke is the happiest baby and lived up to his reputation by thoroughly enjoying the people, food and presents.


The birthday boy and me.


Edward, Martha and Madison assisting Luke blowing out his candle.


The universe caved in...


The Family

Still Alive...

In less than a week we will close on our house and no longer be Kato Kaelin' it at Clay's parents. The animals are adjusting to the transition period better than us; we're just so excited to finally move into a home to call our own. As you can see Desi has made the 'beach guest room' his own...

ARMY Magazine April 2008

Click here to read an article featuring a picture of Clay while deployed to Afghanistan. Captain Mike Schmidt wrote a very insightful piece concerning the 'transition' period once arriving home.

Furniture Shopping.

It started with Meh Ling. Striking from outside our peripheral vision, she pounced upon our entering of the furniture store. We listened to her script and politely told her that we were just browsing and did not need her assistance to discuss our feelings towards furniture or discover our likes and dislikes. Left alone (or so we thought), we walked around the store. She first popped from behind a large potted leafy plant exclaiming “you can get that couch in a variety of fabric!” Clay gave her a nice smile while I curtly replied “thanks” and did the slow back away. Shaken by the surprise vegetation attack but determined to go on, we continued making our way around the stocked showroom.

It was when we were sinking into a deep, soft and comfortable tweed couch Meh Ling sprung from behind the matching chair and a half proclaiming the good cheer of the “Everything Must Go Tax Refund Rebate Sale Due To Shipment Error.” We explained that we would let her know if we were interested in a particular piece. She smiled. We smiled. She didn't move. We stared back. She finally walked away. Freedom.

By now we were expecting Meh Ling to zip line from the rafters to the kitchen tables but to our disappointment, she did not. However, while we were admiring a nice leather ottoman she wedged herself in between us with a flyer advertising even better deals than the “Everything Must Go Tax Refund Rebate Sale Due To Shipment Error.” We smiled and explained (again) that we would prefer to have the opportunity to explore the showroom ourselves and would let her know if her assistance is needed. We continued.

We spotted her first. We were by the desks and she by the living room sets. Clay put his recon skills to use and mapped the most direct route to the automated exit doors. He grabbed my hand and we weaved in and out of the recliners with agility and grace that would make Tara Lipinski cry with appreciation.

“Here’s my card.”

Damn.

A breathless Meh Ling panted as she held white cardstock with an outstretched hand. I took the card; a sign of defeat. We walked out the door letting the Carolina sun soak up our frustration and worked to summon the courage to go inside yet another furniture store.

Southern Living

I am staying in Wilmington, NC with Clay's parents while he finishes up at Fort Drum. Sewing, decorating magazines, furniture shopping and the shining sun are keeping me busy in preparation for our mid-April closing date. In a few short days he will venture down South and we can finally begin to live the civilian life together. However, we decided to keep a line cast with Uncle Sam and Clay joined the North Carolina National Guard...we will see what adventures (if any) the experience will bring. It still does not seem real.