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Friday, December 31, 2010

Nine Month Anniversary

This month Jim and I celebrated our nine month anniversary. Kinda crazy because it doesn't feel like that long at all. I still am just relieved to be done planning a wedding and have all that stress behind me. Since I have this week off and Jim was not on shift that day we decided to make a road trip.
We have been to Charleston once together and each of us have traveled there for work a time or two but we have been looking forward to a more planned out trip and seeing some of the things we missed the last time.
This is a house across the lake/swamp as you go over the bridge to Georgetown. It looks huge and pretty!
Ahh the bridge. I love this bridge. Partially because it reminds me of the bridge on OSU's campus and partially because it makes me think of my dad and how he could tell you all about it's construction and why/how it works.

We parked and walked a bit to exchange a gift at the apple store and then made our way to Starbucks for something to warm us up. This building was across the street from Starbucks.

I also thought it was funny to see a Moe's built into this beautiful old building.


The church that was playing Christmas carols with it's bells. There was also a man playing carols on his saxophone across the street.

All of these sights were things we saw while on our way to one of my favorite destinations.....
CUPCAKE! I had heard about these cupcakes from family friends that frequently visit Charleston and had brought them home. I distinctly remember the bright pink box and huge icing.
Don't they just look yummy? They were really so pretty.

They have several flavors and even some "adventurous" ones.
Jim (left) had vanilla and I (right) had the chocolate strawberry.
They even make a mega cupcake that would make the perfect small birthday cake. Although my next birthday is 9 months away.... I think that would be nice (hint, hint Jim).

They even sell all sorts of Cupcake items like coffee cups, shirts, and spatulas.

And all the cupcakes are made right there in the open where you can watch. We were lucky enough to get to watch a few being made, it is seriously more of an art than anything I've ever iced.

Look at all those cupcakes waiting to be eaten! Yum, yum!

We passed a used book store that had the cutest bike outside... which is a great way to call attention to the store as I would not have noticed it otherwise. And tell me those books don't look so pretty on the back of that bike... but I love books.

The same store also had a fluffy cat sunning itself in the front window. This is definitely my kind of book store!

Many of the houses and apartments don't have large yards but share courtyards that they make very beautiful.


Of course there was a park with statues of historic significance. Charleston played a large roll in history from a military and social standpoint.

This palm tree is larger than many that we have here in MB. I was so pleased to have my picture taken with it.



More beautiful buildings.

Rainbow Row or part of it at least.

This tree perplexed us both as it looked plastic and didn't have traditional bark.

We also visited The Hayward-Washington House.  It belonged to the Hayward family. It was built by Daniel Hayward and by the time it was completed he gave it to his son Thomas Hayward who signed the Declaration of Independence. George Washington also rented and stayed in the home during his time in Charleston while he was traveling trying to unite the colonies into the United States.
Kitchens were actually in buildings separate from the main home due to the likelihood of fires. It was also interesting to learn that at that time the top three causes of death for women were 1. Childbirth 2. Dying from or in a fire related to cooking 3. Catching whatever illness or disease the other members of the family they were caring for had.

Laundry was also done in the same separate building.

Beautiful backyard garden.

Happy Tourists

View of the house from the back of the garden.

View of the garden from the staircase window.

The Hayward-Washington House.

Another beautiful shared courtyard.

Charleston is full of beautiful architecture.



We also visited the Old Slave Market Museum which was actually a bit disappointing. It is in the original building and had a lot of information printed on the walls with some pictures. They did have  many sets of "handcuffs" but not a whole lot else. When you are inside the building it is all covered over with carpet and the printed poster type displays, it is easy to forget where you really are.There really isn't much more. I had expected something that would convey the injustice and lack of respect for humanity. A stark mental image that would make you walk away shaking your head.

We left Charleston in the evening. This picture is of the shipyard from the bridge.



Thursday, December 30, 2010

Beautiful Beach Photos

Last Thursday was my last day of work until the New Year. With my last visit for the day being on the south end near Jim's station I decided to visit him. He was however out on a call so I decided to suffer through a stop at the beach to begin my 11 day vacation!
The water here is cold so I felt bad for these poor little birds and couldn't understand why they were standing in the surf. It does look pretty though.
 These pictures are from Surfside Beach, where my family will be coming to vacation this upcoming summer. I am so looking forward to having you all here!
Toes in the sand.



Wednesday, December 29, 2010

White Day After Christmas

For the entire week leading up to Christmas all people could talk about was the possibility of snow. Sure enough the day after Christmas this is what we woke up to.
You can't see much along the grass but it was a dusting.


I haven't been so excited about snow since there was a possibility of a snow day!

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Christmas in South Carolina Part 2

Since we could not be with family this year Jim and I mixed a little bit of what we are both used to. I cooked ham, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, noodles, stuffing, and rolls.  We had lunch here and then went to watch Little Fockers (so funny).  I hadn't realized that going to the movies on  Christmas Eve is common, so I was a little surprised to see so many people there. We came home and watched Christmas movies, opened and put on our Christmas pajamas, and cuddled on the couch.
Our Christmas card display was wonderful this year!

I have always had a difficult time falling asleep Christmas Eve or waiting for others to wake up Christmas morning this year was no different.  I attempted to talk Jim into opening gifts several times before he finally woke up with me. Santa was very good to us this year.





One of four snowmen in the snowman band my mom sent me. They are from Hallmark and all link up and play songs together.

Tucker got a stuffed toy and a rawhide.

Scarlet got a mouse that wiggles and shakes.

Jim got me fuzzy socks.... he said this way I won't need to put my freezing cold toes on him to warm them up any more.

I got Jim a fireman ornament! :)

And he got me the hat I have been wanting.

Jim also got a WWII Flying Ace Snoopy,

a new toolbox,
and a Wii. Which has consumed both of our attention since then.

We spent the rest of the day playing with our new gifts and then went for dinner with our friends Jody and Larry and their children. There we played Scrabble Slam and Mad Gab!
We hope you had a Merry Christmas too! We got more than we ever could have asked for!