Happy New Year, a little late!

It has been so busy.  Erik is sick with a terrible cold.  I still have Christmas "stuff" up and I have to go back to school on Monday.  We went to Simpsonville on Wednesday night to see our friend Kayte, her hubby, and her new baby girl Kayden. All was well when we left Blythewood. 

We also saw Erik's family.  We stayed at Kayte's mom's house (did that make sense???) and visited for the evening.  We played their Wii--I beat Erik on bowling!  We rang in the new year with a little sparkling grape juice and had a good time. I took pictures but I have not uploaded them yet.  Sorry.  

On Thursday we spent the day with Mom and Dad Barlik.  It was a lazy, relaxing kind of day.  Dad grilled out steaks--yeah in the cold!  And we had a nice dinner together.  No, we didn't have the traditional southern fare to eat.  Erik's parents are not fans of collard greans and hog jawls!  I could have eaten my fill of peas and rice though!  Oh well, our dinner was great anyway.  We watched the terrible football game between Carolina and Iowa.  I don't even know if it was a game!  Anyway, Erik drove most of the way home because my knee is crunching.  Don't ask.  I guess my advanced workout was a little too advanced.  I either tore a ligament or dislocated something.  I go to my doctor on Tuesday.  I am sure he will let me know what happened.  The good thing is it does not hurt except to get up or if I tweek it.  I am trying hard not to tweek it.  Pray for me!  

Upon our arrival home, we assumed all was well and good at Hotel Barlik here in Blythewood. However, on my inspection the next morning (Friday) I discovered that our back yard was burned and our wooden privacy fence was also burned.  A post was kicked down, our water hose was off of the hook/holder and my gate was open.  YIKES!!  DOUBLE YIKES!! I immediately woke Erik up from his slumber (he was beginning to feel the yukiness he feels today).  I got semi-dressed and went to really inspect.  I found firework remnants!!  :(  My neighbor's yard was burnt as well.  It came so close to the house.  Now, our home has vinyl siding and that stuff melts so stinking fast.  Luckily, blessed really, ours was not touched. So, I called the sherriff's department, the home owners association, and our insurance company.  They were all very nice and helpful.  I also talked with the fire department--who did come out I found out.  Got that report today and was surprised that no one called 911 for 45 minutes!!  HOLY MOLY!!  Well, the neighbor's home suffered melting siding and the fireman told the lady that lives next door that she should have called sooner because it could have caused our home to burn.  The sad thing is, the ladies that live next door are part of a group home and they didn't even know there was a fire until someone knocked on their door to tell them.  Those ladies are handicapped and I am so glad they got out.  What does make me mad is that it was fireworks!  I have never had a problem with them in the past, but I know that it was windy on Wednesday night and it was dry!  Hello?? That combo does not make for happy new year people!  

The next step is to get estimates to replace the fence.  We are praying that it won't be too terribly expensive.  We have to get it fixed because our little puppy angel Arwyn will be coming home in a few weeks.  She will need to be safe in her yard.  :)  
Well, I am ready for Monday (not really).  I hope my next post is not so sporadic!