Since my last post kiddo and I hit the open sea once again.  We headed to Orlando airport where we spent a couple of nights and celebrated a good friend's 10th anniversary and renewal of vows.  From there we headed to the coast, staying at a hotel we previously stayed at - but we got in late, so we didn't get to spend as much time in the lazy river as we would have liked.  The next morning it was onto Adventure of the seas with two my sisters to Nassau (our first visit to the new Royal Beach Club), Falmouth Jamaica, and Cococay.  Post-cruise kiddo and I went to the space center.  We could have easily doubled our time there to see everything.  It was a great trip!

Now that we're home I'm in catch up mode.  Laundry, mowing, and the like.  Last night we were awakened by the smoke detectors!  I heard them sound and indicate "fire" and sat straight up in bed.  But they didn't persist.  In my startled awake state I thought perhaps I dreamt it and went to the bathroom during which it sounded once again for a quick bleep and "fire".  At this point my heart is racing.  I'm shoeing the dog downstairs and opening girl-child's bedroom to rouse her and get her downstairs to make an exit should it prove necessary.  I searched the house over and found nothing so I allowed kiddo to return to bed.  I lingered awake for a while, I'm not going to lie, I was pretty freaked out.

In my research this "nuisance alarm" (that's putting it mildly) could be due to dust (that wouldn't shock me) or a sensor failing but who knows which one triggered the alarm.  Today I also vacuumed around each detector and pressed each and every 'test' button.

I'm glad I had today scheduled off as it allowed me to do some of that catchup.  We also had an ortho appointment; kiddo got her expander removed and lower braces put on.  I still have so much to get done.  I so don't want to have to go back to work tomorrow.  Time to play the lottery and dream big.

Yesterday I marveled at how quickly news and information can travel, including somewhat niche information.  Kiddo and I have greatly enjoyed music from Oliver Tree for the past few years.  We'd dance waiting for the bus, we'd rewatch the videos and be goofy in the living room, he brought me joy.  I was watching for tour dates and hoping he would come near so I could go -- even better if it was all ages that I could take kiddo to her first show.

Within hours of two helicopters colliding in South America resulting in his death I heard about it.  Isn't that a bit crazy?  At first it sounded like a joke/publicity prank.  Now it just sits oddly.  Music industry screwed in the past few weeks, going independent, and now suddenly gone.  It's odd, it's too much of a coincidence, and it's just straight up sad.  Rest in peace Oliver.  Thank you for the joy.

This past weekend I came to terms with my situation and went back to the appliance store.  When I left I was still deciding if I was getting another LG fridge or a Kitchenaid and had only intended to get the fridge, not the stove.  By the time I got there I realized I should say eff it, I ordered both.  Fortunately the fridge I wanted was available and it was delivered today.  The stove will come in the next few weeks.  I went with Kitchenaid.  I'm not gonna lie, I liked the little red 'ends' on the pulls.  I didn't go for the black ore - but believe me I wanted to - it's stainless but more of a matte stainless.  I like it.  I also didn't go after cool colored pulls.  I can always order those in the future if I am feeling speedy.

As always I now have more marks on my walls etc from getting the old out and the new in - and they weren't reckless, so I don't blame them.  I did throw things away as I removed food from the old fridge.  In order to get back online for a meeting I rushed to cram everything into the new one over lunch.  I figured it best to keep the doors shut so it would come up to temp quickly.  I'm definitely going to need to do some reorganizing (like I don't have enough areas in the house that are in desperate need of such attention).

Observations so far:  I hadn't noticed that it didn't have a closable spot for butter.  That's weird.  The main shelf above the drawers angles up on the sides a bit which kind of reduces usable area IMHO.  I went from a 24 ft^3 to a 30 ft^3 fridge and it's still full, explain that.  The filter doesn't invade the storage space as much as it did on the LG.

Summer is official as kiddo's last day of 2nd grade was last week, and the weather has been beautiful.  I've been keeping up with mowing the lawn so far.  Fortunately with a bit less rain it should slow down.  Less rain also made it painfully obvious that my rain barrel is definitely leaking out as it is bone dry at the moment.  I'll need to figure that out as it's nice to not use the tap for many reasons.

I ended up buying tomato and pepper plants from Home Depot and Lowes when they were doing slightly reduced prices over Memorial Day.  I feel like a sell out, but who knows when I'd get to one of the farms to get them purchased and I didn't want to miss out on sweet 100s.  Everything went into their pots and are acclimating well.

My favorite egg's dad, the landscaper, came and refreshed my mulch and broke apart some of the plants out front.  I love how sharp everything looks with fresh mulch.  He also sprayed the property for ticks, which seems very necessary this year.

Now it's time to shift into getting things in order for summer activities and vacation.  Both things I look forward to, but I'm still behind on.  I at least got a new swim top ordered this morning, I'd hate to get too close to the date and not have everything I need.