Florida

Luckily, Josh was given a week off after graduation before having to begin work and it happen to fall on my spring break from school! We decided that we both needed a break and headed down to Westin, Florida (about 25 minutes west of Fort Lauderdale) with Andrew and Jessica. What a blast! We had the most beautiful weather, mid-70s to low 80s everyday! As you can also tell by the photos, my hair is not a fan of Florida's humidity. We enjoyed TONS of eating, massages, arcade games, mini-golfing, looking for gators on the Everglades, kayaking on the ocean then snorkeling, and ocean charter fishing. We also got to meet up with my first college roommate, Stacy and meet her boyfriend, Phil. We had a great time and were definitely sad to leave! Already thinking about the next vacation...

Stacy, me, and Jess posing...I'm really not a giant although this picture leads you to believe otherwise

Enjoying crabs at the famous Rustic Inn Crab House

Airboat trip on the Everglades searching for gators!

Look at my awesome fish: a bonita

Kayaking on the ocean...yes, I do have a life jacket...it's on the front of the boat

If you would like to see more pictures, you can visit: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=JoshandLina&target=ALBUM&id=5326200522294713345&authkey=Gv1sRgCIvem8HonumVLQ&authkey=Gv1sRgCIvem8HonumVLQ&feat=email

DSP Graduation

Josh graduated from the State Police Academy on Wednesday, April 8th. What a proud moment!
Here is Josh getting pinned

Josh performed well throughout the academy and earned the "Core Values" award. It was very touching because the TAC officer (one the the "drill sergents") introduced the award as the trooper that epitomizes what the State Police is about and someone that even the TAC officers looked up to.

Josh receiving his "Core Values" award from Sergent Hall

Here's the cake I made for Josh

Although it is definitely nice that the academy is over, now comes the real stressful part. In fact, he began his first shift yesterday at 5:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m....yes, a.m.! I got to see him briefly this morning before work and won't get to see him until tomorrow morning! He seems to really be enjoying it so far. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers! Thank you for all of your continued support!

Seize the Day

Hard to imagine that just last week we had 9 inches of snow with the highest temperatures in the 20's and today temperatures reached mid-70's! That's Delaware for you! It seemed like such a waste to spend the day indoors, so Josh and I got some stuff to grill. We made some Asian-inspired chicken and pineapple kabobs and shrimp.

Not exactly Asian, but we enjoyed some margaritas. Even at this moment, my sobriety is questionable. Just kidding! I'm good to go!

Josh and I enjoyed our time together today. I'm sure that tomorrow it will be cold again...

Nor'easter 2009

Maybe Mother Nature did not get the memo that it is now March. Although technically still winter, March usually signifies the beginning of spring for me. I put up my spring/summer decor (i.e., spring scented candles, palm tree valance in kitchen, vase filled with seashells, etc.) yesterday. Oh well! The funny thing is that on Friday on the way out of school, I said I wanted just one big snow storm before spring comes...I guess my wish came true! The best part is that Josh and I both have a snow day together! I love the look of freshly fallen snow. It looks so beautiful. Here are a couple pictures we took this morning.

This is the view from our back porch
This picture is trying to show you that it snowed 10 inches! How crazy! I was very doubtful that it was going to snow even an inch!

You Know What They Say About Cats and Curiousity

So, most people blog about their children, but I don't have any. However, I do have two lovely kitties. Every day before I leave for work I say, "Be good girls!" Well, last night I was having a marathon grading session and I left a pile of papers on the floor next to table to grade tonight, and tonight when I came home from work, I turned the corner into the house, this is what I saw...

Somehow...I should have known better!

Polar Bear Plunge 2009

Yesterday, Josh and his academy mates formed a Polar Bear team that supported the Special Olympics at Rehoboth Beach. I believe that there were approximately 2,700 people in attendance (I think that's what the newspaper reported). Although it didn't matter much to the plungers, the onlookers were very happy about the 50-something degree weather. The water temperature yesterday was a steamy 37 degrees F. Josh said it felt like pins and needles and the water was very painful. The DSP plunged after the main plunge because they had to conduct crowd control (That's why there doesn't look like a lot of people plunging in the video). If you you look in at Josh in the video, it looks like he's trying to linger in the water--not so much--he was caught in the undertow.

Josh's cousin John, a recruit (not sure of his name), and Josh standing at their posts make sure nobody is out of hand...that guy on the right looks suspicious!

Only about a quarter of the people there

Some of Josh's academy class. The man in the blue shirt and hat is one of three TAC officers at the academy

Baywatch anyone? (The DSP S.C.U.B.A. dive team are setting the barrier)

Me, warming up my sweetie!

Update

Well, it's been awhile that I've updated the blog. I guess it's been awhile for everybody else due to the holidays. Josh and I had a great holiday with both friends and family. I definitely have to say that it did not feel like the holidays. We normally attend several Christmas parties, but not this year. Josh no longer works at All-Span, the McDowells had a baby and didn't have their party, and Michele didn't have her party either. Also, with Josh being at the academy during the week made it feel less like Christmas. Anyway...it was nice and I'm sad that it is over. "Blue Christmas" should be a song about Christmas being over.
As much as I miss Josh's company throughout the week, I am holding up well. I definitely think that Josh has it worse than me. I did get the opportunity to visit Josh last Wedneday at the academy. It's funny to see everyone dress the same and walking a certain way. "Squad Bay" (the sleeping quarters) does NOT seem like fun. It's about 30 bunk beds in a row with lovely itchy wool blankets that were all neatly tucked into the matresses-with exactly 12 inches folded over the top and no "dog ears" under the bottom of the bed (sheet or blanket sticking out of the frame). If it is not made correctly, the "terminator" will strip your bed and you have to make it again. The food was decent and everything was orderly...of course! Josh is counting down the days and he is officially more than half way done. Only 11 more weeks to go! So exciting....Josh received his official DSP uniforms last week. It was quite an overwhelming feeling for him to see hisself portraying the life he has worked so hard to acheive. I'm so proud of him!
Sorry I don't have any fun pictures to post. Haven't done anything exciting lately. Our weekends consist of at least 3 loads of laundry, the gym, several naps, homework (Josh typing notes and studying and grading papers for me), catching up on tv shows, and just hanging out. For now, this our weekend. However, maybe in a couple of weeks, I'll have some pictures of Josh because the recruits have to participate in the Polar Bear Plunge!!!! He asked me if I wanted to do it with him, but I said "How about I take pictures!"
That's all for now...Hope everyone is doing well!