Wow...I'm continuously amazed...

The other day Garin and I were working out in our living room and Garin informed me that the carpet smelled like wet dog (I didn't smell this). Yum. Then a little bit later after our workout I was about to get in the shower and Garin comes in and informs me that he has determined that the wet dog smell is coming from my plant that I bought a couple of weeks ago. Now I love house plants and had to leave a couple behind during all our recent moving...and I'm very fond of this palm plant that he was accusing as the smell culprit. So, when he asked if I'd move it outside, I said no and told him that he should deodorize it if its smell was so offensive (I think he has a sense of smell like a blood hound because I sure don't smell an offensive smell even when I'm right on top of the plant...smells like potting dirt to me!). What I meant by this comment was that he should spray some Fabreeze around the plant. Well I proceeded to take my shower and assumed that the problem was resolved. So, when I got out of the shower and walked into the living room I just stopped in my tracks when I saw what is pictured below:


No, my friends, it did not snow here in Florida. The white stuff at the base of the plant is CARPET DEODORIZER! Garin's solution to deodorizing the plant was to put carpet deodorizer on it! I wasn't exactly happy about this (I'm sure that there are some chemicals in that stuff that probably aren't that great for plants and my plant is probably gonna kill over next week!) but I couldn't help but be amused by it (so amused that I had to share it with everyone else). My husband, the problem solver...

Recent Happenings

Well, I guess I should catch everyone up on what's been going on down in Florida. So, here are some pictures and random updates:

We are now officially Floridians. Why? Might you ask did we we decide to change our residence from our beloved home state of North Carolina to sunny southern Florida? Well, three words: No State Tax. That's right, Florida is one of those great states where they don't charge state tax but stick it to you on property tax...but since we are renting and not purchasing, we get the best of both worlds! Also, since we are military, we can carry this residency with us wherever we go and in effect never have to pay state taxes. One of the few perks of being Active Duty.

New Florida Tags on my Jeep

This past weekend we had our first "party" at our house with some of Garin's friends from OCS. I forgot to take a picture when everyone was there so here is one after everyone left and after we started cleaning up. We had a Mexican themed party so we did a taco/burrito bar. Yummy! Oh and the random picture of the bowl with onions and peppers in it, is a picture of what Garin calls "The bowl of leadership". Garin won this bowl at OCS for getting the leadership award. It actually has his name and the award and such engraved on it, but I couldn't get it to show in the picture. Garin thought it was funny that I actually used it to serve with...I don't think anyone noticed...gotta put that thing to some good use, right ;)

The "Bowl of Leadership"

And finally, this past Sunday Garin and I took a night out on the town and went to a Brad Paisley concert in Pensacola. Garin is a pretty big Brad fan, so I got him the tickets for his birthday. I was pretty late in the game on getting tickets, so they weren't the best in the world, but they weren't too shabby either. We were on the front row of the top section, so we didn't have to stand up the entire time and got to enjoy the show.

I wore my super cool cowgirl hat that my dad got me...I fit right in with all the country folk ;) Garin sported his feather vest, that looked kinda country too.

The Paisley

Oh yeah, and one other random event: My car hit 100,000 miles yesterday. Fortunately I had the camera in the car to capture the moment :)

Peter C. Hoffman's Wedding

As I mentioned in an earlier post, Garin got the privilege of being a groomsman in one of his good buddy's wedding. The wedding took place in Newport, NC...such a BEAUTIFUL NC sea town. Here are a couple of pictures of the rehearsal and then the wedding and reception.

Rehearsal

Meredith and Pete Rehearsing

G and me at Rehearsal Dinner

The wedding Party...don't get too close G!

Garin striking a pose

The Boys: Aaron, Pete, and Garin

The Crew: Garin and Lauren with our good friends Aaron and Kristin Byrum...we sure do miss them!!!

Playing Catch Up...Christmas

Well, I finally found the cord to get the pictures off of my camera and onto the computer. I also found a notebook I was missing while looking forward the cord...bonus! I'm still missing a couple of other various housing items. All the boxes are unpacked...I think those items will be a lost cause (although I'm really missing the remote to the TV in our bedroom...no sleep timer!!).

Well just wanted to do a run down of our past month. First of all is Christmas. We had a wonderful Christmas with both of our families. We ate breakfast and lunch with my family and then headed over to the Kirkpatrick's for some skeet shooting and dinner. It was so nice to have all of our family close by to us before we headed off to the wild blue yonder. I got some pictures of us opening presents at my sister's house, but I guess I forgot to take pictures at Garin's parents :(

Christmas at Mary Winn and Alex's

Daddy's BIG girls :) - Lauren, Dad, Mary Winn (she's pregnant)

I guess Garin was more excited about Christmas than I was...

We're Here!!

Well just a quick post to let you know that we have arrived safe and sound. We were able to move in on New Years Eve (we were so exhausted that we went to bed at 10:30PM and didn't even make it to the ball drop!). So the past couple of days have consisted of moving boxes around and organizing. I think we have things settled for the most part. I still need to do some office reorganization and then hanging pictures and such. We also are in need of some living room furniture (coffee and end tables) as well as some bar stools. So I guess I'll be out and about over the next couple of weeks trying to complete our house. Today I'm feeling pretty crummy...I think I have a stomach bug. So today I will just lay on the couch and rest and hope the cable guy comes soon so I can have some TV to watch.

One of these days I'll get some pictures on here. I just don't feel like getting off the couch to get the camera and then finding the cord right now.

Peace!

Oh and for those of you that want our updated address, you'll have to email me to get it. I would post it on here, but since this is a public blog I'm not sure what crazos will happen to read it. I'll be happy to give it out to you normal people if you just email me at garinandlauren@hotmail.com.

Okay, Peace for real now.