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!

Deck the Halls

So amidst all of the hustle and bustle of the daily grind, Josh and I picked out a lovely Christmas tree and decorated our little humble abode with some holiday decorations.

Sugar Rush

As some of you know, I've taken on the hobby of cake decorating. Just recently I've had the opportunity to decorate with fondant. Personally, I don't care much for the taste of fondant (not that it's bad, just different), but it makes for some pretty cakes. I'm quite upset that I forgot to take a picture of my 2-tiered cake that I made for Thanksgiving. It was white fondant with burgundy ribbon around the bottom and burgundy, orange, and golden yellow leaves on the top. Here are my first attempts.

One week down...Only 21 more to go

Well, just an update about what's been going on in the Miller household. Josh finished his first week of the acadmey, and it definitely lived up to every horror story you have ever heard! Everyone is always late and wrong. One minute showers, 3 minute meals, lots of physical activity, lots of screaming, and lots of responsibilities. On top of all that stress, they have class for the majority of the day. Josh said that Thursday was the worst day of his life. He had the pleasure of taking a direct shot to the face with OC spray (pepper spray). He claimed it was the worst feeling he has ever experienced. (It also gave him a lovely rash on his lovely hairless head). Although they get to come home on the weekends, Josh didn't come home till 11:00 p.m.! After 4 loads of laundry-washed, dried, and ironed, 4+page paper, flashcards, spelling test, and boot polishing, it was hardly a weekend "off." To make things even better, between me being at school and Josh confined in a chicken-house-like living situation, I contracted tonsillitis, and lucky me, also had the stomach flu on top of that. What a fun, quality weekend with my hubby. I wait all week long to see him and...this? All I have to say is, I guess we have 21 more to go and hopefully they'll be less stressed then this first one.