Rachael Houser Photography Blog

Staying in a condo while on a vacation sounds great doesn’t it? Sure beats staying in a hotel room. I’ll post pictures as soon as we get back home, internet connecting is too slow for uploading pictures, but in the mean time I can still talk about it. The condo, that is.

About 6 years ago my dad and two of his business partners/friends went in together and bought a 3 bedroom/2 bathroom condo in a condominium complex called Sterling Shores right on the beach in Destin, Florida. Since the condos in the complex are for rent and sale those that are owned can also be rented out. My dad and the two others pay a monthly mortgage and monthly HOA fees just like you would any other condo or home that your own. The only difference is that Sterling Shores can rent our condo out to people, just like they would rent out hotel rooms, for close to $3,000/week and the complex gets a small share while my dad and the others get money to help pay for the mortgage. I think they just recently paid off the mortgage but HOA fees alone are $600/month. Someone’s gotta pay for that.

That’s were the renters come in. People rent out the condo for a week or so at a time and pay that $2,800 something. The owners can stay for free as long as they want, Sterling Shores doesn’t care as long as the condo’s mortgage is paid. But because the HOA fees still have to be paid we only come and stay for one week a year, as do the other owners. Every once in a blue moon, though, our condo won’t br rented out for the upcoming week and we’ll have the chance to come and stay for free. Two summers ago my little brother John and his friends found out on a Thursday night that the condo was free for the next week and left two days later for a full week. I think he brought along 7 friends; that’s 8 boys to 1 king bed, 1 queen bed, 1 full bed and a pull out couch; 8 boys to two bathrooms and two bathroom vanities ! I guess boys don’t care too much about that sort of thing, though.

My dad gave Neil and I the option to come down a stay if the condo wasn’t rented some week this summer. We’ve already made a list of people we’re planning on asking if the opportunity arises and we’re able to go. Of course it would be nice for just the two of us to come down alone. Like a second honeymoon!

Pictures of the condo to come!

{photo by me; photo of my brother John; photo taken Saturday, 5/15/2010 in Destin, Florida}

Spring is here!

Today we experienced the most spring day ever. Allow me to elaborate.

It was cloudy this morning afternoon when I woke up. It wasn’t hot but definitely warm outside and VERY humid. As the day grew on it slowly turned a little chilly out but the sun started to shine through the clouds and all of the sudden it was 6PM and there wasn’t a cloud in sight. Now, a few clouds have moved back in but it’s still the same temperature as before.

That was in Eddyville.

In Murray (an hour south) it was sunny in the morning and rained and hailed in the afternoon.

In Paducah (35 minutes west) it was cloudy all day long. I think it threatened to rain but never did.

In Greenville (an hour east) it was hailing and tornado(ing) all the live long day. I was told, anyway, by Megan who’s spending some time there with Bryan’s family.

It’s just like Kentucky to have 7 different levels of spring in one day within a 60 miles radius.

It’s just another reason why I love Kentucky.

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I’m sure most of you are aware of the flooding that happened in middle Tennessee. I haven’t seen it personally but I’ve talked to a few who have and I’ve seen plenty of pictures.

It’s devastating.

There is no other word to describe the damage.

While we didn’t get it anything as bad as middle Tennessee we did have our share of flooding here in the lakes area.

The yard to the right of ours.

They can’t get to their docks.

You can see our dock on the left side of the picture. It has a white roof.

The bench at the edge of our yard.

We can’t get to our dock unless we take the paddle boat, which my momma did frequently.

My dad had to rig his hunting/fishing boat up the dock and the dock ramp to prevent it from breaking away from the shore in case the water level got any higher. It did rise higher in later days but thankfully not enough to damage anything.

Our neighbor’s yard and dock.

Their neighbor’s yard and dock.

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I may or may not be blogging for the next week while I’m on the family vacation. You can bet that I will be taking way too many pictures of the beach and much more. Look for them soon!

This summer is going to be interesting. So many changes and at the same time a lot of what went on last summer.

Thank God summer is finally here!

Let’s get this party started, shall we?

May 8 - Neil graduates from college! Now THIS is exciting! He’s graduating a year late because his first year and a half was spent on being an architecture major – something I don’t think he ever wanted to do but was just doing it because there was a possibility for lots of moola to be made. Happiness is more important than wealth. I’m glad he’s graduating with a degree in which he’ll LOVE to use – Health and Physical Education. He was born to be a P.E teacher and hopefully one day, he’ll couch a high school basketball team…maybe even a college team! Who knows!

May 9 – Mother’s Day! I’m lucky to have two mothers to celebrate with and a sister in law who recently became a mother. I love giving presents too! I got my mom a Jim Shore figurine because she LOVES and collects them. I also bought her a Nutritionist Key Chain..because she’s a dietitian and they don’t make many things for dietitians….good enough. Neil and I chipped in, along with the other siblings, and got Terri a new stove/oven. I want to tell you all SO BADLY what I got Kelly but I’m afraid she might read this a then the surprise will be ruined. Just know that I am SO EXCITED to give it to her!!

May 15-22 – Family Vacation Time! This year we’re going to Destin, Florida and staying in our condo that’s right on the beach. Yea, we won’t be able to get in the water due to the oil spill/leak/suckage but the water is usually chilly around this time of year so no biggie! We’ll still be able to enjoy the beach and shopping and family time. I am upset that we won’t be eating much fresh seafood though

May 25 – I finally have an appointment with an ENT doctor at the Shea Clinic in Memphis, TN. I finally might get REAL treatment for my Meniere’s Disease!

June 20 – My great grand mother would have turned 98 June 17th so in her honor I am singing her favorite song at church the Sunday following her birthday. I am really excited and really nervous about it. Hmm, I should probably start practicing!

June 28 – Cardinals game! My dad’s company gets 4 season tickets every year and divide them amongst a few people. We chose the 28th of June because it was the only date our best friends Megan and Bryan could join us. It’s a Monday evening game so we’ll drive up to St. Louis that afternoon and return late that night. It’s been 2 years since we’ve seen a game so it’s about time!

June 30 – Twilight: Eclipse comes out in theaters! Yea. Enough said!

July 3 – Thunder Over Eddy Bay: Eddy Creek’s annual Fourth of July fireworks show that takes place over Eddy Bay. This will be my family’s 6th year attending the fireworks. It’s something I look forward to every summer.

July 4-9 – Kum Ba Ya Junior Camp. I’ve yet to find out if I’m actually going to be able to help Erin and counsel this year. I had to take off from work for my family vacation in Destin so I’m not sure if they’ll let me have another full week off. I really hope I’m able to help out tho.

July 7 – My and Neil’s 3 year anniversary!!

July 11 – As an anniversary present we’re getting our bridal/wedding photos re done!! Eeee!

Other than those special dates I will be working and enjoying the lake every single day this summer. I can already tell this is going to be one good summer.