Universal Studios- Orlando

John's friend Jeff is visiting us from California this week and we decided to take him for a little day trip to Universal Studios/ Island of Adventures in Orlando. We like to go at least once every year because we get free tickets. It's so much fun! The Hulk and the Duelling Dragons are my two favorite roller coasters there! I gladly wait in line for 90 minutes to experience the thrill and exhilaration of those AWESOME rides! We learned a little trick this time - If you go on the ride as a single person instead of waiting in line with your whole group, you are through the line in like 5 minutes! We skipped a 75 minute wait time for the Hulk by going in the single line! It was great! We had so much fun! Here are some pictures that we took...



Waiting in line for Duelling Dragons. Oh the anticipation!


John's brother Robert and his girlfriend Amanda with Jeff from Cali


Jiggidy Jeffro getting eaten by the Jaws shark


Great summer fun was had by all! I love Universal Studios!

It's Official

Today, I officially rejoined the world of the employed. I am going back to work on Aug. 4. Where? Well, I'm going all the way back to my old job! A few weeks ago, I received an email from my Director from Corporate Communications at the company that I worked for and she asked me if I wanted to come back. Evidently they've gone a little too "bare bones" and need to hire additional help to get the work done. So who was the first person she called? Me! They must miss me terribly back there! :)
Anyway, all in all, I think this has worked out pretty well. How many people out there get a 60 day paid vacation and get to go right back to what they were doing! I'm happy! I will definitely miss my life of leisure, going to the gym and the beach during the day and being able to sleep in! But I'm very grateful that I'm able to work again. It was a little scary looking for a job during this terrible economy where most companies are getting rid of people instead of hiring them! I feel extremely lucky to have received this opportunity to go back. I certainly wasn't expecting it!

Someone/ something took a bite out of my shrub!

Behold the wrath of that little tree limb that fell from our tree the other day (see post below). Don't mess with those Oak trees!

Lucky Streak

We've had a little bit of a lucky streak lately. We finally closed on our flip house last week (after a grueling 45 days of jumping through hoops for the buyer's lender)! In addition, it looks like I have found a job! More details on that will follow soon, I'm still working out the details with the hiring director. I'll do a blog post about it when everything is finalized.
But what tops everything off, I came home the other day to find this...



We've had quite a bit of rain lately but I'm still not exactly sure how this happened. A HUGE limb from the Oak tree in our front yard broke off. This menacing branch has been looming over our house for years and it finally fell. Some of you might consider this UNLUCKY and at first, I did as well but it didn't even touch our house which is A MIRACLE. No damage was done to our roof or anything! My flower beds and shrubs definitely took a hit but those are easy to replace! Here are some more pictures of this tiny little branch that fell in our front yard!



This is what you see when you open our front door!




John's reaction when he came home from work that day!


Our good friend Dean is kindly helping us cut this branch up and get it cleared out today. From the size of that thing, we are so grateful that we still have a house! So the moral of this blog post is... COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS. We're definitely counting ours right now!

"Are these red pants too loud for a job interview?"

"Are these red pants too loud for an interview?" asked my cousin Kristin as we were packing her up for her new adventure in New York.

"Hmmmm...Absolutely!" I replied! I should make that my quote of the week! I've got to keep that girl in line! Notice the leopard print on the inside of those pants! What can I say, she's an artist!

If you would like to purchase any of her art, good news... you can! It will only set you back $850! And it's well worth the money! Visit the Women's Center of Jacksonville Gallery.





Look out NYC! Kristin Lea Robinson is comin your way!

A whole different side of John!

This picture was taken by John's sister Emily when we were on vacation a few weeks back and it just cracks me up whenever I look at it! Check out that cute bum! What a ham!

Beautiful Disaster

John and I looked at this house for sale the other day in Historic Springfield. It's a 1908 Craftsman style house in a "slightly shady" area of town north of Jacksonville (considered "crack town" by most). Springfield is currently being revitalized and has been for the last 15 years but I'd say it's about another 10 years away from where it needs to be.
We went to see this house and fell in love with it's old charm. It's a great deal (priced at $39,000) but it's a complete gut job on the inside. By gut job, I mean the whole bottom floor needs to be torn down to the studs and the WHOLE HOUSE needs to be rewired. I think it could be a GREAT house! So if there's anyone out there with a little extra money that's looking for a project, this is your house!

Memories

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!
2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

Happy 4th of July!

John and I spent 4th of July weekend in Charleston, SC with his family for a little mini family vacation. It was so much fun! Charleston is one of my favorite cities and it felt so special going on the 4th of July because of Charleston's rich revolutionary and civil war history. I love touring the old homes, plantations, and GREAT restaurants. During our trip, we had the opportunity to tour the USS Yorktown, a WWII air craft carrier that was based in Charleston. It was so neat to see what the ship was like on the inside and where the troops ate, slept, and to see the fighter planes up close. One really neat exhibit that was on the ship was a Congressional Medal of Honor Showcase of all the men that won medals for bravery during war time. As I read through many of the stories of these brave, courageous men, it made me so grateful for the freedom that I enjoy and I was very humbled by the sacrifice of all the men and women fighting to preserve our safety and freedom. God Bless America! I'm so proud to be an American! Here are some highlights from our weekend.

Charleston harbor



L-R: John's brother Robert, sister Emily, John, me

Lunch at Jestine's Kitchen


People line up outside the door to get into this place


Rainbow row


Touring historic homes






Man was it hot!


Middleton Plantation










USS Yorktown








Tribute to fallen heroes





I was really touched by this one that was awarded just this year. This brave young man threw himself over a grenade to save his crew members so they could escape. He looked like he was only 18 or 19 years old! I'm completely amazed at his courage, selflessness, and bravery ESPECIALLY at such a young age when he had so much to live for. Young men like this make me SO PROUD to be an American!



I hope everyone had a wonderful 4th!



Here are a couple more pictures of my adorable nephews that I just received! I can't get enought of these little cuties!