Why I Will Look Under The Couch More Often...

One evening a couple of weeks ago I crouched down to retrieve a dog toy for Emma that had rolled under the couch. Under our couch is a scary, dangerous place where dog toys, dog hair, and dust collect at rapid rates. Something out of the ordinary, though equally as scary, caught my eye that night. I quickly grabbed the couch and pulled it away from the wall... and this is what I discovered:

Obviously we had bad water damage. Things that started rolling through my mind: "I hope it's not a leak from under the slab", "How have we not noticed this?", "OMG mold!", "Thank God Miguel is here!", "Not the hardwoods!", "We have been living with this right under our noses?!?", "No, Jack! Don't lick that!"... 

We started walking around the house and started to notice water stains in both the bathrooms as well. It seemed pretty clear that one of the showers had the leak. Unfortunately, both showers back up to about four different walls/rooms in the house. Wonderful. 

Miguel started pulling off the floor boards and threw away the molded pieces of wood. We called our insurance and made a claim. On that note, I would like to say that I was very pleased with the timely and professional manner of Cotton States Insurance. As far as insurance companies go... with their reputations akin to that of lawyers and con men... they did very well in their response. 

Long story short... The next morning a plumber came out to assess the damage and find the cause. Thankfully there was no leak under the slab. Turns out we had a small leak in our master shower. The cold water pipe slowly dripped every time it was in use. Of course this was all behind the tiled wall so we never saw it. After the insurance adjuster came out, it was determined that we would have to replace the majority, if not all, of the hardwood in the living room, a good chunk of the drywall in the living room, and patch up pieces of drywall in both bathrooms and our laundry room. Cotton States recommended a general contractor and we moved forward with the repairs. The contractor came and removed some of the floor and the wall and left a fan for a couple of days to air and dry it out. 

Next, the majority of the floor was removed and patched. Luckily, due to the hardwood being new - it was only put in last summer - it was easy to match and we only had to replace half of the room. I have to mention (and anyone who has had work like this done in there house knows what I'm talking about) it is so annoying to live in a house in such a displaced state! Also, to have people, who are strangers really, coming and going in and out of your house is a pain as well. It is no fun to feel quarantined in your own home. Also, as an added bonus, having this disruption caused the dogs to believe that they had free reign and all the old, regular house rules no longer applied. That was fun. 

There was a layer of white dust EVERYWHERE in our house after the work was completed. And I do mean everywhere! I keep finding dust I have somehow missed when I'm in a room and the light is shining at a different angle though.  It was costly and I am very thankful for home insurance! However, all in all, well as far as this sort of situation is concerned, it was generally as hassle free as it could be. And there is no greater feeling than getting your house back to yourself, all clean, and in order once again!

Ahhh, back to normal!

Holiday Visitors, Round 1

This week Miguel's brother, Juan, and his girlfriend, Jessie, came to visit us for a few days. I had to work during the day so Miguel did a good job of hosting and entertained everyone by showing them the city. On their last night here we stayed in and grilled some pizzas. Everyone pitched in.. Jack was more than willing to do his fare share.

 

We made a special hot chicken wing pizza that was a special recipe of Jessie's as well as a basil mozzarella pizza and both were yummy.

Thanks for coming to visit us Juan and Jessie! It was so much fun to get to spend so much time together over the holidays and we look forward to seeing you again soon!

We Will NEVER Forget

09.11.01

We will never forget.

Thank you to all the brave people who have and who are willing to sacrifice their lives and to those who work to protect our country and our freedom. 

God Bless America.

Getting There

So I've complained on here a few times about how much weight I've gained and how I really want to start shedding the extra pounds I've picked up. Unfortunately, I'm on some medicine that makes me gain and retain weight... but that isn't the only reason I've gained weight. I have been lazy and not very active. Well, the past two weeks I have finally started to do something about it. I purchased a Living Social deal for a month of unlimited yoga for only $30. Normally the price tag is $150. Yay for good deals! I've really been enjoying the classes. Yoga really does help with relieving stress levels and my body always feels really fresh and free afterwards. In fact, yoga has many benefits including:

• Reduces stress and enhances relaxation
• Boosts physical strength and flexibility
• Enhances powers of concentration and self control
• Heals old and new injuries
• Boosts the immune system
• Improves blood circulation
• Increases respiratory efficiency
• Results in healthy, glowing skin
• Cleanses and improves overall organ function
• Decreases anxiety and depression
• Infuses a sense of balance and inner harmony

The classes are at The Savannah Yoga Room located on Whitemarsh Island. The room is on the small side and is in a building that also houses a ballet school. I like the intimate feel. The instructor and owner is really cool. She's from France and is made to teach yoga. She has a soothing voice and an extensive knowledge of multiple yoga practices. I really, really like her.

Sophie, the instructor and owner via

I've taken two variations of classes. The first is a Hatha Flow class levels one and two. This class is "sequences of linked poses performed slowly with detailed descriptions. Basic breathing techniques are practiced to deepen the breath and relax the mind and nervous system". I really enjoy this class. I feel like I get a good core work out as well as a great time relaxing. My favorite part of this class is the relaxation you get at the end. You put a pillow beneath your legs, a blanket under your head and Sophie comes around and places a lavender eye pillow on your eyes. It is wonderfully calming.  The second class I've attended is a Power Vinyasa class. This class is described as, "movements, synchronized with the breath, turn the sun salutation into a dance where form, movement, and breath become an art. Power Vinyasa is practiced in a heated room of 85°. It's really challenging. I sweat like a pig and some poses I can't yet complete. However, I feel invigorated and rejuvenated after class. 

After only two weeks I'm already stronger and more flexible! I'm really enjoying yoga. I can even get myself to go at night... this is the first time I can get myself to work out any time besides first thing in the morning. 

I'm also slowly going back to being a blonde. I know it is completely cliché, but I really do honestly feel better with light hair. Now I just have to keep up with the working out, and need to start eating better... but hopefully in a few months I'll feel better and be back to my normal self... fingers crossed!

Also, while blogging I noticed Jack was chewing something. So I immediately opened his mouth and took this out:

The back of the remote is now chewed to destruction. Oh well. If I hold the batteries in it still works. Silly Jack!

Nature is the art of God. ~ Thomas Browne

I had so much fun snapping some nature shots from Mrs. Wilder's garden that I grabbed the camera and headed outside to my yard (notice I say yard, not garden) and took some pictures! One day I'm going to have a beautiful yard and garden! Can't wait till it gets to that point!

Mrs. Wilder, how does your garden grow?

Wednesday I headed to Atlanta to go to a concert with my best friend of 19 years. I got to her house a little early. Instead of just sitting in the car I explored her mom's beautiful garden. Not only is this garden strikingly beautiful, but Mrs. Wilder did it all herself. When they moved in to this house a very steep ridge was all that was there. Now it is a wonderful world of green, buzzing carpenter bees, and a patio that makes you feel like you can go escape the troubles of the world and disappear into a secret, special place. I quickly grabbed my camera and luckily got some shots before a huge rain storm blew threw. Enjoy!

Passing through the vine covered arbor and gates, looking down through the garden.

Bee!

Framing Memories

I meant to blog about this a long time ago but for some reason never got around to it. But in honor of our first anniversary, I decided now was a good time to get around to it. Right after the wedding my mom took my beautiful bridal bouquet to a specialist to have it dried and framed. It took a long time to have it finished. I got the finished product at Christmas time. I love how it turned out! I'm surprised how much color stayed once the flowers dried. We also got to choose the backing and the frame itself. We went for a rustic, shabby feel which mimicked our wedding.  Also framed is a handkerchief of my gramma's which I carried with my bouquet the day of. Again, I love how it turned out.

This was the before:

And here is the after! Love it!

In addition to my beautiful framed bouquet my parents also had our wedding invitation framed. I love it! We keep in in our bedroom next to a photograph of us on our wedding day. 

Thanks mom and dad for framing these items and helping preserve our precious memories!

Sarah Came to Visit Me!!!!

Miss Sarah F came to visit me for a few days! So much fun! I needed girl time and miss hanging out with my buddy =) 

Sarah got here Thursday afternoon. We spent some time chatting then headed out so Miguel could study for his test without the noise of giggling girls. Sarah and I went to dinner at Cha Bella, one of my favorite restaurants in Savannah. Sarah and I both got the Vegetarian Fettuccini with roasted sweet potato, parsnips, leeks, and carrots with a caramelized onion marsala cream. It was really good... besides the parsnips. I will definitely get that again. Which is saying something, because their filet is really good, and I almost always order a filet. 

After dinner we went to Jen's & Friends. We both tried the Savannah Bee Vanilla martini. SOO good! I don't think I will try another variety again. I'm sticking to this drink!

The Savannah Bee and vanilla martini

After drinks we went to River Street and then up to Rocks on the Roof to see the views. Afterwards we met up with some friends and hung out for a bit before we went home and crashed into bed. It was a little cold once the sun went down and we were happy to get into warm beds. 

It is March... Brrrr

Friday morning Sarah and I woke up intent on heading to the beach. We put on our suits and cover ups before going outside. Ummm... yeah it was freezing! It was only like 67°. We took the dog to the park and ate some lunch downtown, then decided it was too cold to A) go to the beach and B) stay in our bathing suits any longer! So we headed home and took naps! Ha.

Emma had to sit on Sarah's lap on the way to the park.

We did eventually peel ourselves out of bed to go check out Bonaventure Cemetery. You may know of it as it was featured in the movie Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Sarah has family buried there. It was pretty neat to have a connection in such a historic place. 

Bonaventure is so large! And Sarah is soo small!

Sarah's family's plot

Friday night we went to the Crystal Beer Parlor for dinner with some friends and then to Savannah Smiles.

Crystal Beer Parlor

Tim and Miguel at dinner

Savannah Smiles... dueling piano bar.

So apparently Sarah's first memory of me is from high school where I told her I had a special talent of tying my hair around my nose and it would stay. Yes, I don't know why she is friends with me. 

Sarah trying to be as cool as me... 

I don't feel as special now... Sarah could finally do it 

Saturday we slept in a bit, force fed Sarah some espresso (because she had never had it before!), and then headed to the beach!

Cuddles in the morning!

Sarah trying her espresso

The girls sun bathed and read trashy magazines

The boys played football

I had a big hat =)

This kid worked on his sand hole the whole time we were at the beach. That thing was deep! He was around the age of ten, so he wasn't that short.

Pretty day, it was warm, but not in the 80's like last week.

After hanging at the beach for a while, we packed up and headed home to shower and then head back out. We spent the afternoon/evening cooking out at Jason's place. We took the corn hole and played some, in between rain showers. Poor Miguel got stuck standing in the rain grilling. We had loads of yummy food. After Jason's we stopped by a friends to try their moonshine they were distilling. I had a glass of wine... Miguel told me horror stories about people going blind when they drank moonshine.

"Miguel, STOP eating!" 

Sunday we slept and chilled while Miguel went to his flag football games. He got stuck out in Pooler while he waited out some pretty nasty storms. We got a lot of lightning and hail. 

So sad Sarah's visit came to an end! Love her and loved having her to visit!