Nerdy Update

I realize that I haven't been updating much the past month - the truth is that I ran out of batteries and I'm too forgetful to get more or to recharge the ones we have. It's too bad - there's been a few fun things that have happened over the last few weeks - our youth pastor at church got married, the landscape island is still alive, the dogs are well, Mom and Dad Tyndell visited this past weekend, and we went out a boat with some friends - but I have no photos of any of it to share so you'll have to use your imagination. The other reason there haven't been updates is that I pretty much spend all my time out at this construction site lately for work. Here's a cool photo from last week showing the progress. I have nightmares about this project and it takes up most of my week. So despite any fun things going on in life - I only have this nerdy update to share. Eat your hearts out biosolids (hence the delicious brown color of the text).

The Long Road to the Tropical Island

Well - it's been a long road to the landscape island but it was finally finished this past weekend! The weekend before last, we pulled tons of weeds, added fill to the area of the front yard where the tree used to be, and picked out all the plants at the nursery. Jeff gave me a lesson in landscape planning - and I quote him as he rode the golfcart around the garden center - "yeah -what's that? Cool - I'll take 15 of those. Yeah - 2 of those, 7 of those, throw in about 10 of those...do you deliver? Nice - let's do that!" This past weekend, the plants were delivered and Jeff planted them (sadly I had to work all weekend and couldn't be of any help except withthe mulching and watering)! Surprisingly, after the random planning process, we had gotten just the right amount of plants to allow room to grow and fill the space. It's hard to capture it all in one picture, but in general, the island has a big Royal Poincientta on the right, a Starburst on the left, and an Agave and 2 Queen Emma Lilys in the middle. Then it's all surrounded by grasses, foxtail ferns, xanadu, small olive bushes, junipers, and garlic. We also took out a small Live Oak that was beside the driveway before and replaced it with a Screw Pine. We've been assured that most of the plants are drought tolerant so hopefully after they get established, it won't be too much maintenance. Regardless, it looks a lot better than the big dirty hole it's been for a year or with the big "I want to topple over your house" olive tree that used to be there. We got some ferns and bromeliads for the backyard but haven't finished that area yet - more to come....

A Letter to Karma and Zen

Just in case you don't read 5-year oldese, the card says, "Hi Karma and Zen. It's me - Kaitlyn and Matthew. I love you." I love how you can't tell how many legs they have - this is pretty much the best picture I have ever seen! Karma and Zen definitely love their personal letter from our niece and nephew, which was given to them before our vacation. It made the fridge with the Elvis magnets!

The ULTIMATE Family Vacation in Review

Jeff and I just got back from the ultimate family vacation - both our families (let's count us all - me, Jeff, Dave, Judy, Brandon, his friend - Carter, Gail, Jim, Chris, Debbie, Kaitlyn, and Matthew - that's right - 12 of us!) went on a cruise to the western caribbean together this past week and had a great time. The ship was ridiculously fun - plenty of activities, good food (and more food and more food and...), and time with everyone. We had two days on the boat at sea and also stopped in Haiti, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel. We rode jet skiis in Haiti, did the classic Dunn's River Falls climb in Jamaica, shopping in Grand Cayman, and checked out some Mayan ruins in Cozumel. Everyone pretty much did their own thing during the day, then we all met in the dining room for dinner to compare stories and then headed for the night shows onboard. This was actually my first cruise and it is definitely a great vacation idea for a family so that everyone can do exactly what they want and eat what they want - it pleases all. So anyway - it was impressive. Thanks family - we had a great time and miss you already!

Sniff, sniff...the B&B are Moving!

Our great neighbors and friends, Brennan and Beth (aka B&B), are moving to Atlanta in a week, so last night some of us got together to toast to their new chapter of life and say some goodbyes. Here are Bryan, Beth, Brennan, Tammy, Keith, and Jeff before we went out to dinner in Boca. We will miss you B&B!

Guster...Finally!

Some of you may remember the trama experienced a couple of months ago when Jeff and I thought we could randomly go down to Ft. Lauderdale to see Guster but didn't have tickets. Well, they came back, and I got to go with friends Keith and Tammy last weekend (but Jeff was in San Diego so he missed out). It was the best show ever and I even got a few pics - although the true drummer wasn't playing this night - it was great fun. I haven't seen Guster since my Clemson days - they are as good as ever. Their encore was "Running with the Devil" a la Van Halen and then "Jesus on the Radio" acoustic style - absolutely wonderful - I was in Guster heaven.

Courtney's Baby Shower

Here are a few pics from Courtney's (who I work with) baby shower - it was such a fun event and she definitely racked up on some excellent goods as you can see! Congratulations Courtney and Mark - we can't wait to meet little Lemasney!

Morakami New Year

Last weekend, Jeff and I went to the Morakami museum and gardens during their New Year celebration - we love the Japanese themed garden and it's definitely one of the coolest places in Delray Beach to see. All the plants are amazing and the setting is very relaxing. Delray Beach was first settled by Japanese farmers and this site was set aside by one of the first families to help preserve their culture and history in Florida. Good times.

Christmas Polar Bear

Here's the most recent painting that I did a few weeks ago - it's actually Brandon's Christmas present, so I get to pack it up and ship out to NC soon since it's finally dry. I did a polar bear b/c Brandon likes them, added his old dog, Gwen, and a gnome and it was complete. The setting are these Mayan ruins in Belize that my family visited once just b/c it's pretty and I figured it would be more interesting to have a polar bear in the jungle than in the ice setting. It's not a reminder of global warming or anything....haha...I promise.

Christmas/New Years 2007

Here are just a few pictures from the holidays. Our Christmas was pretty quiet and relaxing - Jeff and I just hung out at home, caught up with some friends from church, made food, and took a walk on the beach. Of course, the case of wine that Mom Tyndell gave Jeff made for a fun day (haha...just kidding). On New Years, we had some of the neighbors over to watch the Clemson vs. Auburn game. Horrible outcome of course, but the party was full of fun and dance party (with maracas). When Brennan fell asleep, as he does at all parties, Danielle and I could test out our kung fu skills. Check out the ladies of Mallard Drive, my gingerbread train, and Karma and Zen chillin' in their holiday outfits.

Enjoying Their Presents!

Here are our super cute niece and nephew, Kaitlyn and Matthew, enjoying some cool gifts from Uncle Jeff and Aunt Brooke.

HDR Holiday Boat Cruise

We went to my work holiday cruise over the weekend and a co-worker sent me a few pics from the event - we all went out on a boat on the intercoastal canal which was pretty fun and the weather was fantastic. Here is one of me and Dave, who is the construction manager on that biosolids project I work on. You can't see it, but his name tag says "Brooke's Boss." The other picture is a few people from the Miami Lakes office and Jeff is standing next to my actual boss, Anwar, which is why the other picture is so funny. haha...consulting humor. Anyway - it was a great time had by all. We even got to see some of the Fort Lauderdale boat parade.