Jamaica Mon!

B-rad & I have just returned from a 5 day trip to Montego Bay, Jamaica.  We 'earned' the trip from the company we buy seed from on the farm.  I say 'earned' because we sure as hell didn't 'win' it (we had to buy enough seed to qualify), nor is it 'free' (we will get 1099's for it next year).

 When you spend $131,766.00 on corn & bean seed - they 'throw in' a trip for 2.  

(& if you think I'm making that number up you don't know me at all.)

We flew out of Louisville at 6am last Thursday morning.  We flew to Atlanta to get on a connecting flight to Montego Bay.  The lady that sat beside me had the SAME Coach bag as me... guess which one is mine...

 The plane from Atlanta to Montego Bay was cool because it had screens & free movies to watch in the back of the seats.  

We have never flown internationally before.  The only experience we have w/ customs was on cruises & it was super simple (granted the last time was 5 years ago so I'm sure things have changed since then.)  Customs in the Montego Bay airport was very confusing & stressful.  You kinda feel like a criminal or that you've done something wrong.  You have to tell them where you're staying, the flight # you flew in on, scan your passport, tell them why you're there, etc.  At the kiosk it prints out a ticket w/ your info on it & it takes your picture.  Then you have to go through a couple of customs officers that look over your info & decide whether or not to let you into the country.  
There were signs ALL over the airport & customs that we weren't allowed to take pictures...so I didn't.  I mean-I already felt like a criminal - I didn't want to give them an excuse to throw me in Jamaican jail.

I had gotten international plans on our cell phones to have the ability to text.  Call us spoiled but I didn't want to go 5 days w/out being able to text.  The plan had unlimited texts, phone calls are $1.00/minute & we got 120mb of data.  I had my fingers crossed that the wi-fi at the resort would be acceptable for important things like checking emails & social media.  (& it was AWESOME.  You know how you go to hotels & get wi-fi & it totally sucks & you wanna kill yourself when you use it?  Not this resort!  I downloaded a book by the pool, B-rad downloaded 2 movies like it was nothing.  The wi-fi even worked on the beach.  It really was like heaven on earth...) 
When we turned our phones on we were connected to the 'FLOW' network.  No AT&T in Jamaica, mon.

We stayed at the Secrets St. James resort.  It's all inclusive which we've also never done before - all the food & drinks you want & it's included.  It took us a minute to get used to it but once we did we were all in.  

All the rooms have balconies.  Our room overlooked one of the 3 pools.

 There was a welcome dinner on the lawn for us the first night & we looked out our room & all of a sudden there were tables & chairs set up.    These people don't mess around.

 We had to sit towards the front where they had a steel drum band.  They were really really good, but it got real annoying on the ears after a while because we were so close.  

 A little video quiz for you... can you figure out the song they're playing?

I don't know what to call this, but they had a 'bat signal' of sorts on the building.

Our first full day B-rad lounged in the pool w/ some of the guys & I sat & read.  They started to call me 'Pool mom' because I would hold all their stuff & remind them over & over & over to "drink plenty of water!" & I was fine w/ that.   
This pool had a swim up bar.

This is how you know B-rad loves me - he found a drink called 'Purple Rain' & brought it out to me.

 There was a resident Peacock on the property & he was quite vocal.  He was outside the door where we ate breakfast each morning & I was able to get him with his feathers fanned out.    Isn't he beautiful?

The female walking around didn't give a shit about his feather fanning.  B-rad said, 'Yea-story of my life, buddy...'

 Jamaica's local beer is 'Red Stripe'.  When we checked into the resort there was a man standing w/ a tray of them for us to drink & they had rum punch for us as well.  They enjoy their rum & put it in everything!   There was a burger hut near the pool that had self serve drinks.  

On the left were Coke products...

 on the right was Red Stripe...

 We only left the resort one day.  I went on a shopping excursion & B-rad went golfing.  I was the only person solo on the shopping excursion - everyone else had their hubbies w/ them.  Lucky for me I'm used to shopping by myself.  I did pal around a bit w/ our seed salesman's mom , dad, mother in law & father in law.  They're also Brodbeck customers & 'earned' a trip.

Margaritaville was down the street from one of our stops so we walked down to get a Margarita.  This guy walked up for pics & at my height his uhm, uh, AREA was the same level as my face.  I made a super funny face when he walked over & the guys just laughed & laughed.  If you've never been to Jamaica - they're pretty aggressive when you're around them (wanting you to buy what they're selling, to come into their store, restaurant, etc).  This guys was nice & posed, but when we were finished he said, 'something for the tall man?' He wanted a tip & I gave him a $1.

That doesn't sound like much, but $1 US is equivalent to $112 Jamaican.  Can you believe that?

They drive on the left side of the road & they're motto is, 'The left side is the right side - the right side is suicide.'  And they drive CRAZY, people. They would tell you, 'close your eyes if you get nervous - we will get you there no problem.'

This beer delivery truck was in the road & I'm next to the window on the bus--you can see how close the driver got & the guy kept unloading his beer like no big deal.

The water was BEAUTIFUL.  It was so clear.  I got out in it about waist deep & could still see my toes.

This resort is First class, people.  THEY RAKED THE SAND ON THE BEACH EVERY NIGHT.  What American would do THAT job?

 The final night they had a farewell dinner for us on the beach. 

 We were right on the beach...you can see the water coming up on the sand.  I took this from my chair w/ no zoom.

The bat signal was out again too.

B-rad gets mad at me because I'm always ready to come home.  What can I say?  I miss my bed,  my dvr & McDonald's... On Sunday I was ready to come home.  (Ok so I'm not big on 'weird' food.  I don't wanna eat weird fish or anything like that.  Their big thing is 'jerk' seasoning & it's really good, but they leave all the bones in their chicken.  I'm a 'pick through my chicken' kinda gal & whilst picking through my chicken & seeing a huge bone sliced in half just doesn't do it for me.  I was really looking forward to eating McDonald's in the Atlanta airport.  Sadly that dream was not realized.  Read on for that story...)

The weather was awesome everyday - in the high 80's.  I have a tan that you guys would wanna KILL me for in February...

We flew out of Jamaica Tuesday afternoon.  Check out the chick on the right... sometimes it's just not cool to do what the locals do.  
NO NO NO NO NO.

We had to go through US customs when we got into Atlanta.  If you've never done this - let me tell you it's seriously stressful - EVEN though we're on our own soil!   Keep in mind we had an hour & a half before our flight back to Louisville.  US customs is standing in line for more kiosks where you scan your passport, it takes your picture & prints it out w/ your info on it (like in Jamaica), they ask you what flight you came in on, where you'd been, if you'd visited any farms & if you are bringing back over $800 in duty free {aka tax free} merchandise.  You take yourself to the customs officer where he checks the print out to your actual face.  (Again - no photos allowed in this area.  HMPH.)  THEN you go pick up your checked luggage & stand in line again to show your printed photo to ANOTHER customs officer.  Next you drop your luggage back off & stand in line for security.  We got in the security line around 5:50 pm & our flight was leaving at 7:15pm.  We stood in line to get through security for an hour.   And this is when B-rad & I started to melt down... it was frustrating to be stuck there & know our plane may leave us.  I tried to be positive about it but ya'll know my love neuroticism for being early so this was not good for me.  Once we made it through security we had to jump on the train to take us from the E building to the B building to our gate.  When we hurried down the gate to walk on the plane the timer said '20 minutes to departure'.  For me that's cutting it close!  

We got home around 10:00pm Tuesday night & I only unpacked my toiletries because I had to be at work Wednesday morning at 7:30am.  I didn't need to unpack any clothes - we brought home t-shirts & shorts - couldn't wear those here!
When I finally laid down Sonny was right on top of me & in my face...he misses us when we're gone. He's conflicted because he's mad that we left him, but he's happy we're home...  
Honestly I missed him too...until he laid in my face causing me to not be able to enjoy my dvr...

 

Bathroom demo has begun

I told ya'll about the bathroom remodel... the '16 years in the making' bathroom remodel...

I gave B-rad strict instructions that it was to be done BEFORE he started planting.  It has been slow going, but progress HAS been made.  Usually when he comes home from the barn each night he does a little something in there.

Before w/ the useless tub.

Taking the tub out gave us SO much room.

(The towel is covering the hole in the floor where the plumbing for the tub is.  You could feel cold air coming up from the garage!)

Our little shower...

buh-bye little shower...

(side note - this is where the toilet will be.  We've gone back & forth w/ ideas that I won't bore you with - but when this all started I wanted 2 things:  a bigger shower & a closet.   The closet was going to be where the shower was & the new shower would've been on the same wall as the toilet was.  We've figured out how to get an even bigger shower which leaves no room for the toilet where it used to be.  Now, don't feel too bad for me about not having a closet...I am getting a MUCH better vanity that will have tons more storage, plus there will be room to fit a small cabinet between the shower & the wall for extra storage.)  I'm so freakin' excited you guys I can't even tell you.

I thought you guys might be entertained by me whining about my new living conditions using the other bathroom.  YES I should be thankful that we have an extra bathroom & I am (blah blah blah) but you know how it is to have all your stuff in its own spot & then to have all that disrupted is a pain.  

I am glad we had done some work to this bathroom a few years ago.  Nothing major - just paint & B-rad put a sliding door on the tub (all it had was a bar for a curtain) & I added this shelf.  

The vanity isn't much to talk about in here (I'll show you in a sec) & there are no shelves to put anything on.  There's no medicine cabinet either so all my facial stuff is out on the counter.

I had to bring my hand soap dispenser from my bathroom so it's 'fragrance' free soap... ugh.

The vanity is crammed w/ towels & the decorations that used to be on the counter but had to be moved to make room for my all important age defying facial regimen.  My 'hair essentials' basket is on the bottom along w/ my deodorant & hairspray.  The pink bag houses items like extra contacts, B-rad's shaving stuff, etc.  See-no shelves... just allll open space. Notice how cheap the vanity is - it has no back!  I'm telling you - when we got married at 23 & 22 the modular was the best way for us to go.  (plus they were all the rage in 1999) It came w/ everything we needed except furniture & was cost effective... but you can see where the costs are cut in this pic...

It's all hands on deck around here & the decorations had to become functioning pieces.  I stuck our tooth brushes (does that sound right?  TOOTH brushes?  It's not teeth brushes...) in the little glass stones.  You might think ghetto but I think I need to put this idea on Pinterest, people....

Of course I had other stuff crammed in the spare bathroom vanity that had to be moved to make way for day to day items.  It all resides in my office now.  I have travel sized things in the top basket, band aids & other items.   In the bottom basket are all my cosmetic bags...yes that basket is the same size as the top & it's stuffed full.  I have an obsession w/ cosmetic bags...  

I had a cabinet over the toilet in the master bath so I had to shove all that stuff into boxes which are also now in my office...

We're going to do 2 pocket doors & I volunteered to stain the doors because B-rad 'had to go to the barn to load trucks'.  He got me all set up & started to demonstrate how it should be done.

While he was giving instructions I was busy taking pictures listening intently...  

& making sure my nails were well protected.

I have no 'old' clothes. You know - like clothes that are dirty or painted on or old so you don't care if they get dirty or painted on.  (I throw away, people - if it doesn't fit, if I don't like it, if I haven't worn it for a year it's GONE.)

But I know someone who DOES have lots of that stuff - B-RAD.  I grabbed one of his work t-shirts & I was immediately overtaken by the wonderfully intoxicating smell of detergent.  (I wash his stuff separate from mine...) & then I realized, "Wait - I can't let this touch my skin..." so I had to put one of my 'no smelly goodness' t-shirts on under it & I was ready to go.

I quickly realized that the longer I stayed quiet the longer he would keep staining... so I stood there as quiet as a little mouse until he remembered I was there & handed the brush over to me.  Curses...

(I'm totally not good at stuff like this.  I am not a perfectionist.  I am not patient.  And he was right not to trust me...the doors have a couple of spots where the stain ran... OOOPSIE.)   He said, 'See-that's what happens when you don't pay attention & don't take your time...' I hate it when he's right...

Another unfortunate side effect is that my house is now in dis-array.  There's a vanity top, side splash & a pocket door frame all in the dining room.

B-rad is super handy but he learned everything he knows from his dad.  Stanley offered to help him do the work & he came over last night so they could start working on a game plan & figure out how they want to do the plumbing.  Of course everything looks like a bomb went off while they're working but after he left last night I tried to organize things. 

Power tools in the kitchen.

The washer & dryer became the spot to set things down & to write on.  (It's right outside our bathroom.)  I moved everything off, put towels down to protect the washer & dryer from scratches & then put all the stuff they had had on it back. B-rad also brought in the industrial trash can so I didn't have to keep going outside w/ garbage.

 The black box is where the toilet used to be & that door goes into our bedroom.  (you can see our attempt to update it a bit by using the peel & stick tiles over the original linoleum.)

To give you a sneak peek, this is the color of the vanity top... it's called 'Blue Pearl' but I see more grey & black in it. It does have some blues in it put I choose not to see them.  The bathroom is going to be black & grey w/ red accents (to match our bedroom).  I don't know how much trouble it will be to keep clean or how well it will show dirt but I really love it 

This is a better picture of what it will look like.  The middle vanity is the one I picked (ours will be twice this size - the floor model is only 24") & the top is the blue pearl.  It's a bit more of a modern look than I usually go for, but our bedroom is a mix of modern & rustic so I plan to do the same with the bathroom.  I have a mosaic vase in the bedroom in these colors w/ sticks in it & the vase matches the front of vanity & the top.  

Strangely enough, this ensemble is called 'Mosaic'...I thought that was a good sign!

Carrie Underwood Concert

Friday night Shauna & I went to the Carrie Underwood concert at the YUM center.  I know, I know it's not nearly as entertaining as travelling no less than 2 hours from home for a concert but what are ya gonna do?

Since I love all things social media - I noticed this pic Carrie Underwood posted on Friday morning about the statue outside her hotel window.  And being the super sleuth I am - I FIGURED it had to be in Louisville since she was in concert there that night...

(Never mind it says 17 hours ago - I didn't screen shot it on my phone until Saturday morning when I realized it would be part of my blog story...)

I was stuck in horrible traffic downtown & Shauna had already parked so she was helping me (ok-she told me step by step where to turn...) navigate the streets of downtown Louisville to get me to the parking garage where she was parked..  As I drove down 7th street up to to Main (I think?) I had to sit at a light & as I was perusing my surroundings - LOOK WHAT I SAW!

Carrie Underwood slept in that building beside me...  

We were promptly in our seats at 7:00 when the opening acts started.

First up was the Swon Brothers.  I know one of their songs so we stayed to listen to them... then Easton Corbin came out.  I had to search for him on iTunes to find out what he sings.  (God BLESS the internet...) & decided we didn't like any of his music.  Neither of us were feeling it so we went & hung out inside the YUM center.  If you've never been there it's a really nice place.  Lots of bathrooms (which is important to us ladies) & different food stations to eat.  We stood around in a lobby area that had a dj & lots of room to sit or stand.

Finally Easton Corbin was over so we went back inside.  The stage was really cool & took up most of the floor.  There were no seats on the floor-only people standing.  This is an 'un-zoomed' view from our seats.

I always love to see the different, creative ways artists come out on stage.  When the music started, there were 3 rings (large, middle, then small) that started coming down from the ceiling & all lit up... I thought she was gonna be on top of them but she wasn't.  When they finally hit the floor & the spot lights came on, she had come UP from under the stage through the rings & was singing on 'top' of them.

Beautiful lady w/ a HELL of a voice, people.  

If you're a fan of American Idol - you may remember she WON her season & that's where she got her start.

The rings that came down in the beginning played a big part of her show.  They would light up or show videos while staying stacked on top of each other.  During her song 'Blown Away' the rings started to move through each other & diagonally.  (I paint a vivid picture don't I?)  

The lightning bolts were a nice touch since the song is about child abuse & makes references to a storm/tornado.  Ya'll REALLY should love country music...this is a POWERFUL song!  She has a few songs w/ some pretty heavy subject matter - but she also sings about funny stuff - like destroying her boyfriends truck when he cheats on her:

I dug my keys into the side 

of his pretty little supped up 4 wheel drive-

 carved my name into his leather seats.

 I took a Louisville Slugger to both head lights

 slashed a hole in all four tires-

maybe next time he'll think before he cheats. 

  Have you figured out that I L-O-V-E music?  It's good stuff, people! 

 {Maybe you've heard of a little song called 'Jesus Take the Wheel'?

  That's her song, people!} 

 If you don't know her music, please, please, please search 'There Must Have Been Something In the Water'... you won't be disappointed.

I might start making all you blog stalkers go to concerts w/ me to give you a country music education!!!

And YES we're going to see Garth Brooks again when he comes to Louisville.  It's not nearly as fun only driving 30 minutes from home rather than 8 hours to Atlanta for a concert, but whatever.  If you've never seen him & were a fan back in the day - do yourself a favor - splurge & go.  Tickets will be around $85 & it's worth it-he's an amazing entertainer.

Wait - on second thought - never mind don't go... (I don't know how quick tickets will sell out & I don't want any of you nabbing ours!)