Moving On...

So, yesterday was officially the last day for Leon County basketball league. Rob's team, Syn-Tech Systems played at Swift Creek... Sadly, they lost, but overall out of 9 teams in their division, Syn-Tech finished right smack in the middle somewhere, so at least they didn't suck too bad... LOL

Melissa (Dan's wife) and I attended all the games diligently, along with the other team-mates girlfriends/fiancees who came occasionally. It was so much fun cheering for our men, but Melissa and I are just anxious to get the season over with. Since Dan also plays softball with Rob, Melissa and I are so used to the winning streak we had last season, plus we're just really looking forward to softball season... It's quite a stark contrast from basketball. We get to just hang out in the bleechers, sometimes bringing books or magazines or just talking about anything and not even paying attention to the game, but it was hard to do that with basketball.It was also hard to watch our husbands (and my brothers since they were also on the team) get hurt or fall... We would often say, "If we're so freaked out about them getting hurt, then we'd lose our minds when we have kids!!!" Haha... It is true, though! I couldn't even imagine that...

And now we're moving on to Softball, which starts next Monday... and ends in late June (yeah, pretty long season)! Then Kevin starts Spring football very soon... I'm excited to see the Green and Gold game as well as their Spring Jamboree at the end of Spring... I wonder if his coaches will move him to a different position instead of being the Center??? I'm really glad Spring's almost here... My intuition says the coming months will be amazing. Not only will we get to visit my relatives in Vancouver for almost 2 weeks, we're also going to the beach almost every weekend... *Sigh* I really DO love living in Florida!!!

So, springtime's here in Tallahassee... For the past week or so, we've had temperatures in the 70's!!! I'm loving it... Well, with the occasional thunderstorms like last Sunday, but it wasn't too bad. Besides, there's something utterly romantic when it rains on a Sunday afternoon :-) Which Rob and I took advantage of... we lazed around and cuddled, then we went on a dinner date that night... Did I mention I have the sweetest husband ever???!!! I just love Sundays like those!

Speaking of last weekend, our shooting spree in Madison on Saturday was a blast (LOL... no pun intended)!!! My sister was supposed to go, but she was studying for her nursing board (NCLEX) exams... Good Luck, Kat!!! I shot a rifle once but I didn't really find it amusing... I told Rob I'd do it again though. So, while the men were having fun shooting, Jimmy's fiancee--Jess--and I hung out watching "The Girls Next Door" and chatting about their wedding and her pregnancy! Poor thing... she was having morning sickness and stuff, so I tried to make her laugh and then she felt a lot better afterwards :-)

The boys shooting at their target

Jimmy (Sauls) and Rob doing a run through

How many guns can you spot?

Rob: "You better NOT MESS with MY WIFE!!!"

Boys: "There's no such thing as TOO MANY WEAPONS!!!"

"We need more ammo, man!"

"Freeze... Keep your hands up!!!"

Spencer loves to ride the tractor on cousin Jimmy's 20-acre property

Oh yeah... Rob actually let Spencer shoot the rifle too!!! Sshhh... don't tell mom, alright?

This weekend, Rob and I are planning on going to our beach house in Alligator Point. We haven't been there since the 4th of July, so we'll see if the weather cooperates! Mom, dad and Spencer are going too... so, it'll be fun! I love laying out with mom and Aunt Pam on the beach, while we read a good novel... and Rob usually rides around the island with Spencer on his golf cart... or we usually go jet-skiing, but since the water is still freezing, we have to wait a few more weeks to be able to do that! Our favorite thing to do down there is dinner with the family on Saturday nights at the various seafood restaurants in Apalachicola. Sometimes, Rob and I would drive down there just to have dinner with them and drive back up to Tally (Since it's only 45 minutes away)... We're also eagerly anticipating the Grand re-opening of Angelo's--our most favorite place ever since they have the best seafood dishes in Florida!

We're also planning on going to Tallahassee Nurseries this Saturday to pick out some bushes for our backyard. We have a couple azaleas, but I really don't like them eventhough they're low maintenance! I would love to replace them with hydrangeas. They would look so awesome for Spring and even late Summer! So, with all the plans in store for us this weekend, it's just a glimpse on what Spring awaits us... Hope you guys have a great one!!!

You Are What You Drive

According to a recent British study, the type of car you drive does say a lot about your personality...

Well, if so... then here's how my family fares....

My mom (AKA Mama) doesn't drive because she chose not to... but now that my siblings are slowly leaving home, she won't have a personal chauffeur any much longer... so, she's determined to get her driver's license soon... LOL

My dad (AKA Papa)
White GMC Envoy SUV


"You're very adventurous and since you like white, you're a status-seeking extrovert driver."
Hmmm... I don't know how much of this really matches my dad's personality... but OK!

My sister (Kathryn)
Teal Honda Civic Sedan

"You have the need for rationality and character."
"You're an introspective, reflective and cautious driver."

My brother (JB)
Dark Gray Toyota Camry Sedan

"You are practical and nurturing" (huh???)... LOL
"You are calm, sober, and dedicated to your work." -- Yeah, this is definitely true!!!

My other brother (Kevin)
Garnet Nissan Frontier Truck

"You have the combination of power, control and gender identity."
"The color denotes that you are full of zest, energy and are driven." (I guess so!)

Rob's Mom (AKA Mom)
Silver Lexus LS400 Sedan

"You have the need for status and rejuvenation."
"You are cool, calm and slightly aloof."

Rob's Dad (AKA Dad)
Champagne GMC Sierra 1500 4-door Truck

"You are least likely to be involved in accidents and are self-contained."
"You also scream more power and control"

Rob's Dad (again)
Yellow 1972 Corvette

"You are idealistic and novelty loving, but also want impulse control" --- how ironic!

Rob
Black BMW 540i

"You have an aggressive personality and is someone who is an outsider or a rebel." -- WHAT??? LOL....
"You also scream youthful exuberance, rejuvenation, impulse control and the obvious--status symbol."

Me
Silver Infiniti G35 Sport

"You are someone who's cool and calm." (Haha! My husband can tell you this is SO NOT true!) LOL
"You've also got the status, which tells others that you have arrived." (Hmmm... Maybe!)

So, that was pretty interesting... I don't agree with most of it, but anyways.... moving on...We had a busy weekend. Rob's party was last Saturday and it was a ton of fun... I got some last-minute calls, but we had about 30 people who showed up. Too bad I didn't even take pictures! But the karaoke was GREAT! I've gotten suggestions that we should do that more often... so, why not! Everybody thought I did a great job throwing my first party ever since we got married and they kept saying how good of a party-planner I am... LOL... I don't know, I just have the natural flair of keeping everybody going, I guess. They were also referring to our reception, where the dance floor was jam-packed and that Rob and I definitely know how to throw a party!

Well, it's a simple thing, really... Just load up on a bunch of liquor, beer and cocktails, throw in some hors d'oeuvres and voila--you've got a great party! I mean, once people get intoxicated, the party then begins to take a life of its own... LOL... It's true though! We filled up 2 coolers full of beer and we still have 1 cooler left and we had a bunch of wine bottles unopened which mom took home :-) It really was such an awesome party and we can't wait to throw another one!

I can't believe how fast this week has gone... My body is sore all over from working out. I do cardio for at least an hour 5 days a week... and am just now starting strength training... So, yeah! It's going to be a painful week, but I'm slowly getting there :-)

This weekend's not going to be as busy as last, but we're planning on a day trip to Madison and have a shooting fest... Haha! Kathryn's going with Rob and I, along with Jimmy and his girlfriend Whitney to Jimmy's (Rob's cousin) property and his fiancee Jess. Those men are dying to try their new weapons out... So, we'll pack up some lunch and hit the road Saturday morning. I'll let you know how that goes...

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

To my dear husband,

For everything that you are
and for all the things that I'm not...
I love you with every ounce of my being.
Happy (first) Valentine's day, baby!

Robert Louis

By: Kerstin Joy Walling (c) 2007

Feb. 14, 2007

Where do I begin?

For words cannot suffice

Nor can they justify

Our love through thine eyes

On this first Valentine

We shall then reminisce

When our hearts became entwined

Forever... my Robert Louis

I sought every nook with hope

Waited every second in patience

For that simple, quiet love

Now blooming in abundance

And we celebrate this day

Deeply engraving it momentuous

Eternity, thus, claims

Thou art mine... my Robert Louis

My heart stops and thine starts

In this sea of infinity

Thy blood drains from my flesh

Through this stream of continuity

Today shall be marked

As two lives coalesce

Ingrained in this world

Eternally... my Robert Louis

Thy love for me is full

Of passion and affection

Ineffably tender towards thee

With devotion and adulation

For on this very day

Nothing is more precious

And treasured as can be

Than thee... my Robert Louis

In the universe of infinity

Everything is flawless

Having you in this life

My dear... my Robert Louis

Basking aglow in this light

Of pure joy in our oneness

Ingrained in this world

Endlessly... my Robert Louis

Forever mine... my Valentine

My heart... my Robert Louis

Love,

K

Oh, Vera... How I Love Thee!!!

So, I started working out again--for a few weeks now actually... Not that I completely stopped, but for months, I refused to go to the gym--only going once or twice monthly, while Rob went diligently almost every other day. Well, I then realized what a waste of money our membership was costing us and I really needed to lose weight, so now that we signed up my brother Kevin, the 3 of us are motivated... We better be, right? We just extended our contract until 2009!!!

Anyways, when I'm not running on the treadmill or speed-walking, you can usually find me at the elliptical or riding a bike when I bring reading materials. So, the other day, I got my new Vogue subscription and took it with me to the gym. And I was tickled with excitement on what I saw (more on this later)!!!

Let's backtrack to Dec. 14, 2004--the day Rob proposed. The minute I said "Yes", my obsession with the great Vera Wang started :-) First, it was subtle and began with my wedding dress. I knew I HAD to wear a Vera Wang! The ONLY drawback was living in Tallahassee... There is NOT a single bridal store that carries her creations :-) In July 2005, we went to visit my cousins in Atlanta--who were also my bridesmaids. We went to Lenox Mall and the other malls in Buckhead, but didn't really find the Vera Wang I had in mind! Which was rightly so, because Rob was with me and there is no way in the world I would have allowed him to take a peek at my wedding dress!

That September, we went to Boston and New York City. While in New York, I dragged my poor fiance up and down 5th Avenue in search for Vera's flagship salon, only to find out it was actually a few blocks away on Madison Avenue... LOL!!! Anyways, to make a long story short... I got the Vera Wang gown of my dreams--no lace, no beadings, no ruffles... I had wanted something I can look back on 30 years from now and not be embarassed of my wedding style. A chic yet classic Vera Wang made of 100% pure Duchesse silk, with a semi-Cathedral train (without Rob seeing what it looked like, of course)!!! And not only that, after getting the gown, I wanted more and more of her stuff... So, I got the perfect veil and shoes to go with it :-) And even got her perfume, appropriately named "Vera Wang Sheer Veil."

And when time came for us to do our wedding registry, I knew the perfect Vera Wang China, wine glasses, tea goblets, champagne flutes, silverware, serving ware, and platters to sign up for. We got the complete set--which we registered for the traditional 12-place settings!!! Actually, we got EVERYTHING on our registry and that according to our registry consultant is VERY RARE! We even got a few doubles... i.e. we have 2 crock-pots, 2 sets of baking stuff, etc... My Vera Wangs are now sitting in our china cabinet--untouched, with stickers still attached... LOL!!! We're just waiting for the first formal dinner we are going to host... for now :-)

Our Vera Wang China in Platinum Grosgrain... Love it!!!

Vera Wang Grosgrain servers

And the rest of the accessories

Our Vera Wang Grosgrain stemware

...and our Vera Wang silverware

At exactly 3:00 pm on May 6th, 2006, I walked down that very long aisle--my mom to my left, my dad to my right and my handsome groom waiting for me at the altar--all scented and clad in Vera Wang from head to toe. I was in heaven... I couldn't be happier then!!! Months later, when I saw some of our wedding guests at other functions, they told me how they never forget that gorgeous dress, the sheer cathedral veil and most importantly--the biggest smile they have ever seen :-)

My Vera Wang Veil

My precious Vera Wang Dress

... And my Vera Wang shoes

So, after the wedding... my most-treassured dress was well-preserved, along with my veil after being dry-cleaned. It is now stored in a huge, sealed box in our guest bedroom. Perhaps, our future-daughter would wear it someday?

Well, I thought the obsession has completely wilted... but the other day, at the gym, while thumbing through the new Vogue, there it was... the newest Vera Wang fragrance "Truly Pink"!!! I got so excited I almost fell off the treadmill... hahaha! And then it dawned on me that just because I'm no longer a bride-to-be does not mean I can forget about all things Vera... Besides, she now has an assortment of non-bridal designs, such as beddings and picture frames to name a few! It's only a start of her branching out of the bridal realm...

And because of this, I guess I'll always be a Vera Wang bride through and through :-)

2 Certain Things...

So, you've probably heard of the saying... "There are 2 things certain in life... Death and Taxes"??? Well, it's THAT time of the year again... And while I used to ALWAYS look forward to this time of the year, (Oooh, NOT THE WEATHER) Taxes time I mean--because I always got some refund, it's TOTALLY different this year... I'm married now... and well, I thought since we're married and filing jointly that we're getting more refund back... WRONG!!!... Worse, actually--> We got slapped with what the IRS dubs as the "marriage penalty." Aaaggh!!!

So, instead of getting a refund... WE STILL owe Uncle Sam!!! Hmmm... how strange is it that I got a big refund last year and getting ZIP this time? (and same goes with Rob!)... You'd think they would give married couples a break? I mean, it doesn't make sense AT ALL! It's as if the system works towards the benefit of couples who co-habitate instead of getting married... or even divorcees!!! And you wonder why the U.S. has the highest divorce rates and the highest percentages of non-married couples living together??? Why... I think I just answered THAT question... It all comes down to taxes!!! LOL...

It's not even enough that they already took out a huge chunk of our paychecks every period... we still have to pay! Apparently, Rob and I made too much last year? Oh, please... give us a BREAK! They SHOULD look at taxes by age group as well... Ok, so we made a lot more than what our peers are currently making, but they overlook the fact that we are ONLY in our 20s!!! GEEZ!... And in this case, it's actually a bad idea for us to be planning "financial stability" first before having kids, because we get penalized for being married and having NO kids too!!!

But there were several factors that determined what our final bill was... and well, after tallying these up, it doesn't seem so bad afterall...

Perhaps you haven't done your taxes yet... (well, you have until April 15th)!!! You can either use Turbo Tax like we did and talk to an expert (mom helped us with ours... she's a CPA!!!), or you can check off the following deductions (which applied to Rob and I):
* Mortgage interest* Real Estate/Property taxes
* Sales tax for major purchases, such as cars, etc.
* Roth IRA or IRA contributions (which I have in ING... NOTE: 401K plans do not qualify!!!)
* Charitable contributions (such as clothes donated to Goodwill, volunteer hours and United Way or FSEC donations)
* Religious contributions (which we donated to the church where we got married at!)
* Tax preparations (i.e. Turbo Tax, H&R Block, etc.)
* Investment Expenses (i.e. Broker fees)

... And here are others which did not apply to us (Talk to a tax expert because these are with CERTAIN LIMITATIONS!!!):
* Medical bills* Child care expenses
* Gambling losses
* Hybrid car credit
* Job-related expenses which were not reimbursed by your company (i.e. Travel, food and lodging)
* Education at the College level or Continuing education (i.e. Grad school, Microsoft courses)
* Business-related expenses (if you're self-employed)
* ... and I'm sure there are a lot more!

In other news... I've sent out the invitations to Rob's karaoke party at our house on the 17th! Now, it's time to plan the menu... Mama, mom and I are doing all the cooking! It's going to be a lot of fun... We're expecting about 50-60 people... I'm just going to have to convince Rob to sing at least once!!! LOL... Good Luck to me :-)

So, what've we been up to lately, you ask? I know I haven't written much about what we've been doing and stuff... It's just been really really busy. It seems like I eat and breath basketball lately... Rob and my brothers have 2 games every week and when they're not playing, FSU has 2 home games every week and you can ALWAYS find us there... Other than work and pretty much relaxing when we're off work, there's really not much going on... Well, Valentine's day is coming up and Rob told me he'd love to cook for me... haha! I've been cooking almost every night, so he probably thought I should be getting some break that day... LOL We'll see... It's been a couple of years since he last surprised me with a 3-course meal which he prepared from scratch while mom walked him through on the phone :-)

And like I said on my other post, I've been catching up on my reading. I've finished "The Mermaid Chair" and am now reading "The Memory Keeper's Daughter." Great books, by the way, if you haven't read them yet... Well, I guess I'm off to another basketball game in a few!!! Hope you have a great week--what's left of it anyway :p