some sad news

I'm sorry to tell everyone that Bliss' father, John, died this Saturday. Here is a copy of his obituary.

We left Friday afternoon and got to Louisiana around 12:30. We went straight to the hospital and saw Johnny. He was sedated but Bliss got to spend a little time with him and talk to the nurse about what was going on. We went to Bliss' grandmothers house for the night but got a call the next morning from his mother saying that we needed to get back to the hospital soon. When we got there, there were lots of Johnny family around. We all got to say our goodbyes then we left the room so that Bliss and his mother could be with Johnny. The doctors did everything they could for him but there was just too much going wrong. Just before noon, Johnny died.

That afternoon we went to the funeral home to get everything planned. There is SO much ridiculous stuff that people can do/buy for their dead loved ones...Bliss' cousin Erin and I were just amazed and we walked though the display area. Anyway, in with all the paperwork, Vicki had to sign something giving permission to remove John's defibrillator. Now he just got this back in December and it cost $110,000 for the hardware...not putting it in, just the device. Bliss was amazed by the cost since it really is just a battery. His phone is way more impressive and cost $199. So, as Vicki is signing this form, she explains that Bliss is a computer geek and asked the funeral director if they can have it. We all start to laugh...the poor funeral director turned bright red and laughed nervously, not knowing how to react this crazy ass family. He asked and turns out we were able to have it! We assumed that we would get it when we got the ashes in 2-3 days, but just a few min after we finished all the paperwork and planning, he gave it to us. Here it is!!!




On Sunday we ran a few errands and went though a bunch of photos looking for some good ones of Johnny. He was such a good looking man and had a great life. It was obvious in the photos that he really loved Vicki and Bliss; and even though I'm a damn yankee who came down and stole his good southern boy, I know he loved me too.

We had the memorial service on Monday morning. Bliss' cousin Erin sung, his Uncle Jack talked about Johnny's life, then another relative Kent sang to close. So many people showed up, it was wonderful. Most everyone went back to Bliss' grandmothers house after. I made a comment to Bliss about how there was so much food. His response was "This is the South, that's how we mourn". Too funny. I love that I married a man that can make jokes where there isn't anything reason to be funny. After everyone left, we went back to the house, changed and left for the casino! Johnny loved going to the casino and Vicki didn't want to be in the house so it seemed like the thing to do.

Tuesday Bliss helped out his mother doing some stuff around the house, then we did another of Johnny's favorite things, we went to Poncho's - an all you can eat Mexican restaurant.

We left today before lunch and got home uneventfully. I know it was very hard for Bliss to leave his mom, but she has so much support there, I know she will be just fine. That's about it...our extended weekend in a nut shell.



We love and miss you Johnny.

For 20 years we've been friends!!

Over Memorial day weekend, I went down to FL to see my mom and Julie. Julie is one of my bestest and oldest friends. We've known each since 1st grade but became bff's in 3rd. 20 effing years. It makes me feel old when I can very easily remember 20 years ago.

Anyway, I went to hang. Julie and I went out on Sat night. We went to a bar in Spring Hill and had a GREAT time. Ladies drink for free till 11 so we dumped a few back...then drank a little more :) Since we talked about how we had known each other for so long before we went out that night, Julie kept telling everyone that we've been friends for 20 years. Also, she kept telling me that my hair looked cute...like every 15 min she said it. She fixed it so it did look a hell of a lot better that usual.

Here's a pic of us all ready to go.




I really need to hang out with her more....

Way down upon the Swanee River

About a month ago, I was really missing my mom so I suggested we meet in the middle and have a little camping trip! The 5.5 hr drive between our houses is just too much for a weekend. We went to Swanee River State Park in North Florida. Unfortunately, the river was quickly rising so we weren't able to rent canoes. We did a little light hiking and tried to see some sites.

Here is the "balancing rock"...the river is so high, its just a rock in the water.



And here are some steps in to the water :)



The Jourdans



Jeff working on the fire



Mom on a hike



And me on a tree out over the river...I just knew I was going to fall in



The state was worried that the river would flood the road out so they were evacuating everyone Sunday morning. We got up nice and early, packed up, had breakfast at Huddle House then headed home. Since we got up early, once we got home, we unpacked the car and laid around the rest of the day.

I had a great time with my mom and Jeff and hope that we can do this again soon!!

Its all gone

I chopped my hair off, well, 9 inches of it :) I was trying to find a pic of me showing how long it was, but I can't fine anything super recent.

So here is one from the beginning of December so just picture it with a few more inches.



Here is me now! I know its not a great pic, but I forgot to take one the day Tracy cut and fixed it.



Bliss said it was like having a whole new wife :)

so much to catch up on....

***Just a forewarning, this may be a little lengthy***

There have been a few things going on in our lives that I was planning on writing about, but never got the time. So here goes!!

March 1...It snowed in Macon!!! I know that I would always go home for Christmas when I was in college so I missed a cold month each year, but I have only seen it snow once since I moved down here. That was December 2000 as I was getting on my plane in Macon to fly home. Now it has snowed in Atlanta and North GA, but never as far down as here. I truly did enjoy it :) The dogs didn't know what to make of it, it was funny watching them. Bliss was making fun of me because I started singing Christmas songs...I guess it’s just been ingrained in my head that when it starts to snow, Christmas is coming. I know I'm a few months late. Sadly enough, I was in more of a Christmas mood in March then I was in December. Here are a few pics of the day. I know it’s not a lot of snow, but gas prices went up and some schools canceled school the next day.





I am moving again at work. It’s a lateral move...really the same thing, just a little different. I will be working on the Michigan team so only handling MI calls. MI is a very strange state when it comes to insurance. Lots of people think that they live in a state that is no-fault but that is just concerning med bills. MI really is a no-fault state and because of that, there is TONS of weird stuff that go along with it. Anyway, I'm excited. I'm going to start there next week.

Bliss got a new job!! He is super excited and so am I!! Its more in the line of what he wants to do and where he wants his career to go. He will be working for Northrop Grumman doing IT stuff. The office is still in Warner Robins near the base where he works now, so it’s still a bit of a drive, BUT he won’t have to travel anymore!!!! YAY!!!! And as if all that wasn't good enough, he'll be making more money. Bring home the bacon, Baby!!

Last but certainly no least, my dad and Susan came to visit us! They were in FL for vacation, so they came up on Friday and stayed till Sunday. Daddy likes carrot cake so I made one from scratch. It was my first try, but I think it was pretty damn good. We went to the GA Aquarium on Sat and had a great time. Unfortunately I wasn't able to get both Sat and Sun off so I had to work Sun night. I always love it when people come to visit, but when I only get to see them like once a year, it’s really hard when they leave. Hopefully I'll be able to get up to Maine this year and see everyone. Here are a few pics of our visit.









I'm off to get some errands done. Hope everyone is doing well!

Things are getting back to normal

We got our check from the insurance company and have bought most of our replacement stuff. All we need now is the mount for the tv and we'll be set. We are taking a few more precautions now to make sure this doesn't happen again, but trying to not let it effect our lives too much.

Right now, I'm laying on the couch after just browsing around the web for 2 hours (I had a lot to catch up on!) and Bliss is in his office playing World of Warcraft...yup, things are defiantly back to normal and I like it!!

4 months as a Mr. & Mrs.

Today is the big 4 month mark. Most of the time I'm surprised at how fast time is passing since we got married, but today, I can't believe its only been 4 months!!



Funny little side note, Bliss has this pic on his desk in a frame that says:

under new management
just ask my wife

Thanks for the great frame Jamie :)