Ode to a Cat

Oh Killian, how you make us laugh.

Since the day we brought you home we knew you'd be so fun.
Flipping tricks and chasing sticks is all you really do, except for laying in the sun.

Taunting doggies off our deck is how you spend your day,
and when you pounce me (oh yes, only me!) in the night, it makes me want to say:

Oh Killian, how you make me mad.

Driving Bobby crazy is what you're meant to do.
Your cat hair goes everywhere - it makes him scoff at you.

Hiding up on top the fridge and scaring everyone in sight
is not a kind way to make friends, but gives you much delight!

Oh Killian, you just love being bad.

So tell me, high-maintenance Kitty, is it worth all our toil?
To clean your toilet, feed your belly and watch Bobby's temper boil?

"Oh yes", I say, "Indeed it is!" to watch him groan and wine.
Because, you see, the fact is he (the cat) thinks that everything is fine!

Oh Killian, you're just the king over everything, aren't you?

The Honeymooners

As Fall weather approaches, Bobby and I are reminded that just 4 months ago, we were laying in an infinity pool, sipping freshly made mojitos, eating all the "mexican snacks" we wanted and getting a fabulous tan. Needless to say, our honeymoon was relaxing. We only looked at the clock once a day, and that was to make sure we were on time for the all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet in one of the resorts restaurants.
Yes, we spent most of our time laying around and relaxing, but we also did take some tours around beautiful Cozumel, Mexico! Our first "excursion" was to Tulum, an architectural site of the Mayan ruins. Just about an hour south (and a 30 minute ferry ride across the ocean) of Playa Del Carmel and the Rivera Maya, lay hundreds of ancient temples where the Mayan people habituated. Just over the cliff, these Mayan's enjoyed the most breathtaking waterfront view of all: overlooking the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Ocean. Later on that afternoon, we were able to go swimming. Although we had to walk down 48365 steep stairs to get there from the cliff, it was well worth it. The sand was like powdered sugar and the water was like a bath. Bobby was also quite busy looking for sharks... seeing as he didn't want to get eaten!

Another tour led us to a "National Park," Chankanaab, where we were left to botanical gardens, LOTS of iguanas, one of the worlds last remaining natural lagoons, and some of the most beautiful reefs in the world to snorkel! After a leisurely walk around the gardens, Bobby and I put on our goofy snorkel gear (I so wish I had a picture of this one...) and jumped right in. Bobby was still looking for sharks. There were so many beautiful fish, it was amazing to see God's creativity in each one of them!
Around Wednesday (half way through our trip), I began to notice a quite itchy rash on my arms, which was spreading rather quickly around my body. My new husband, being the eagle scout that he is, diagnosed it as contact dermatitis: a skin rash similar to the reaction of poison ivy. I was allergic to the hotel soap! He quickly ran down to the hotel store to get me some calamine lotion, and after trying to convince the bell boy that his new bride would not go for the bright pink lotion, he found a clear version instead. I sat crying on our cold marble floors and Bobby applied the lotion, but I quickly stopped when I learned that room service was included in our stay! We ordered in 3 times that day...
So, skin disease aside, our week long "siesta," along with three gourmet meals a day (if not more), sun bathing, clear ocean water, a hot tub in our room, and the most relaxing honeymoon anyone could dream of, we were ready to come home. Both of us slept on the plane on the way home and when we finally arrived at our new home, Bobby did indeed carry his new bride over the threshold. Welcome Home, Mr. and Mrs. Barrick!
Here are some honeymoon pictures for you to enjoy! I highly recommend Cozumel to anyone interested in vacationing somewhere tropical! It was just beautiful!

Our fabulous hotel room, complete with an ocean-view room (not shown) and hot tub!
The Mayan Ruins at Tulum. Just behind this temple was the Caribbean Ocean and a rather large cliff!


The rather large cliff!

Our last night... a beautiful Cozumel sunset, pool-side.

Southern Pride

One thing that Bobby and I have quickly learned while being down in the depths of Southern St. Mary's County, Maryland is that the entire county shuts down for one weekend and almost everyone can be found at the St. Mary's County Fair. It was the finest display of agricultural splendor and toothless smiles (just kidding) I have ever seen! Before enjoying some fabulous people-watching, Bobby and I made no hesitations to visit the corn dog and barbecue stand. Not having been to a fair in quite some time (the North Carolina State Fair a few years ago was the most recent), I was quite amused by the assortment of animals - the ones with fur, not the ones hanging around the beer stand - so I snapped a few shots!
We have also enjoyed the company of Bobby's best friend, Tim, who is down in St. Mary's County doing a rural medical practice rotation (there is a formal name for it...), so he came with us to the fair! Slightly amused by the "commercial room" (the tent with local vendors with their displays), Tim and Bobby made their way in to visit all of the local vendors. They proceeded to visit each and every vendor, signing up their other friend, Mark (who is not present at this time), to receive information. Note: these vendors included the likes of Mary Kay Cosmetics, Tastefully Simple, Pampered Chef, Sliding Glass Doors "2" Go, and not to be forgotten, Mark would most definitely be interested in becoming an Avon Lady. According to Tim and Bobby, this was the highlight of the evening... I must have married a comedian!
Needless to say, Bobby and I were well acquainted with the Southern culture after leaving the St. Mary's County Fair... a fun (and interesting) way to begin our first Fall season together :o)
A few pictures to remember the evening...

The NewlyWeds

Settling into newlywed life is known for it's challenges, but most notably for its rewards. Bobby and I have thoroughly enjoyed setting up our new life and our cozy apartment for the past (almost!) 3 months. It's hard to believe that just 3 months ago, we were walking (almost running) down the aisle out of the church to begin our new life together!
So far we have enjoyed a beautiful and relaxing honeymoon in Cozumel, Mexico. We were treated with an all-inclusive vacation of 24-hour room service, all-you-can-eat gourmet food (Bobby indulged himself in "mexican snacks"), lounging by the infinity pool, and snorkeling among the worlds most beautiful coral reefs in the world. Although neither of us spoke ANY Spanish, everyone was more than willing to help us navigate around the island!
After suffering from contact dermatitis (a very itchy skin rash) from the soap we used at the hotel, I was quite ready to come home and settle in to our new home :o) I wasn't working for about a month after we got home, so I was able to put all of the gifts away and organize each room. Bobby spent his evenings refinishing some dining room furniture (given to us by his parents) while I was test-driving my cooking skills in the kitchen!
Our place finally looks like home... in the living area, that is. We have yet to furnish and decorate our bedroom! One thing at a time...
So in case you haven't been able to visit us in our humble abode, here are some pictures to introduce you!