It's 9am and I am at school waiting for 9:30 to roll around. I normally have class at 8am on Tuesdays, but the Prof cancelled class for today. I have to be in the studio at 9:30 to be videotaped for my Interviewing and Counseling class. Uck. I have to interview another classmate. And then that classmate will interview me. Then I have to study the videotape and write a paper on it for Thursday. I hate seeing myself on tape and I hate hearing my own voice, so I am not looking forward to it. Bet money that I get my hair cut and go on a diet after viewing!
It's gonna be a long day today. After my taping, I have Sociology class from 12 to 2. On my last test in this class, I got 103% correct! It was an essay test and I'm pretty good at bullshitting. Plus the prof likes me. He wrote on my test "You go girl!" with a smiley face. I felt like I was in grade school again... and I liked it.
Then from 4 to 8 I have my CPR renewal class. I have to take this every year for the rest of my life. Boring. And long.
I got my German exam back yesterday with an A. Woohoo for me. But the best news of the week was for my Chemistry exam. I needed a 92% to push my grade up to an A, so I studyed my ass off... and got a 92%! Big Woohoo for me! Now I gotta keep it there! We just started Organic Chemistry which is completely new to me, so I think its gonna be harder than ever. This is my toughest class.
In German we have these projects coming up where we have to come up with an entertaining skit, in German of course, be videotaped, and then present it to the class. This sucks to begin with, but then I got stuck with the world's worst partner. Her name is Lydia and she is about as spineless and timid as they come. She couldn't even give me a straight answer on when she would be available to work on this thing. Everything I asked her, her reply was, "Uhhh... I don't know." Plus she doesn't know her German and has no clue on what is going on in the class. I have a feeling I know who is going to be doing most of the work on this one....
Brandon started hockey. Our arena was being remodeled so the first bunch of practices were held in Silver Bay. I'm sharing carpooling this year with two other hockey moms so that should help out a ton. His first game is Thursday, I think.
He also has conferences coming up. I wasn't gonna go because his grades are okay and there hasn't been any major issues. But the more I think about it, I think I will. I want to talk to his Band teacher... he has been missing his books for about 3 weeks now. His lessons didn't start when they were suppose to. And the "bad" players don't get to be in the concert! I have problems with all of this. I also want to talk to his science teacher and tell him what a great job he is doing... Brandon is totally excited about his class. And then the Math teacher... I heard there were weekly things for parents to sign, but Brandon has only given me one since the beginning of school. I wonder how conferences work now that he is in middle school and has numerous teachers.
The last Gopher game is this weekend. This season went so fast! Christmas will be here before we know it! I think Brandon and I will be going to Alabama to visit my parents again this Christmas. And we'll probably take a side trip to Walt Disney World like we did last year...except for a shorter amount of time. It's always hard for me to say no to WDW... it is the happiest place on earth, you know!
Gotta go to my taping. Auf Weidersehen!
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Tuesday, November 7, 2006
Voting disappointment
I was excited about voting today... I think Two Harbors is ready for big changes, and our country is ready for big changes. I did my homework, studying the candidates, and made my notes. I vote at the Alden Township Town Hall building down the road. I live 8 miles from Two Harbors and 24 miles from Duluth. My home is in St. Louis County, but a small portion of my land is in Lake County. Even though I live in St. Louis County, I am in the Two Harbors school district. I arrived at the polls, notes in hand, and excited about making a difference. I sat down in my booth and glanced over the voting sheet. To my dismay, because of where I live, I didn't get to vote for any of the Two Harbors candidates! I feel so cheated! The only Two Harbors item I got to vote for was the school district referendum. Totally sucks. Why does my address say Two Harbors if I am not considered a voting resident? How mixed up is that?
I was also disappointed that nobody asked to see my driver's license. The voting poll volunteers obviously didn't recognize me since they seemed surprised that I was already registered. I've only been voting there for 6 years and our township has like a handful of voters. I pushed it in front of her anyway, hoping she would get the hint for future voters. But no, no one behind me was asked for a DL either. Anybody could come in and vote several times under other peoples names.
Anyway, on to other news. I finished my German Section 1 class with an A+ on the final exam, and an A for the final grade. I am currently getting a B in Chemistry... I need to get a 92% on the exam tomorrow in order to push that grade to an A. I have no idea what I'm getting in Sociology. We had midterms last week and haven't gotten the test back yet. I got an A+ on one of my papers, and the prof likes me, so maybe that will count for something. In my interviewing/counseling class it's also too soon to tell.
I've decided to apply to the nursing program one more time next fall... if I don't get in, then I am not suppose to be a nurse. The man upstairs will have spoken. If I don't get in I will switch my major to Health Information Management... I think.
Went to the cities last weekend. Sent Jeff and Brandon to the Gopher/Indiana game without me since I had to study for Chemistry. I had a heck of a time finding a coffee shop to study in! Where are they when you need them? When you don't, they seem to be on every corner. I ended up at the one on Grand Avenue in St. Paul. Got a lot of studying in, but it was so damn hot in there and there is a hair salon around the corner so it stunk like perm. But otherwise, good!
Had dinner with Ryan and Julie, the newlyweds, at an Irish place in Maple Grove. It is always so comforting to be with old familiar friends. It's like putting on an old favorite sweater. By the way, the martinis there are really good. As is the fish and chips. But don't order a full order!
I took Polar in to see the vet last week. She'll be 18 in June! Amazing! I'm thinking there might be a world record there somewhere. She had a growth on her ear that she had removed... she was so good for the vet. Of course, he is the world's best vet so of course she would be good for him. He also did a senior citizen health check on her. She is having a neurological problem with her back legs. That's why she is falling so frequently. It's a part of old age. But otherwise she is good. She sleeps a lot, tends to poop in the house on occassion (can't make it outside fast enough), and I have to carry her down the steps, but otherwise is happy and content. Every day I wonder if I'm going to come home and find her dead in her bed. That's gonna be a real sad day.
Okay, enough already! I really need to start studying for my Chemistry test tomorrow. Wish me luck for the 92% I need!
Warm wishes to you all!
I was also disappointed that nobody asked to see my driver's license. The voting poll volunteers obviously didn't recognize me since they seemed surprised that I was already registered. I've only been voting there for 6 years and our township has like a handful of voters. I pushed it in front of her anyway, hoping she would get the hint for future voters. But no, no one behind me was asked for a DL either. Anybody could come in and vote several times under other peoples names.
Anyway, on to other news. I finished my German Section 1 class with an A+ on the final exam, and an A for the final grade. I am currently getting a B in Chemistry... I need to get a 92% on the exam tomorrow in order to push that grade to an A. I have no idea what I'm getting in Sociology. We had midterms last week and haven't gotten the test back yet. I got an A+ on one of my papers, and the prof likes me, so maybe that will count for something. In my interviewing/counseling class it's also too soon to tell.
I've decided to apply to the nursing program one more time next fall... if I don't get in, then I am not suppose to be a nurse. The man upstairs will have spoken. If I don't get in I will switch my major to Health Information Management... I think.
Went to the cities last weekend. Sent Jeff and Brandon to the Gopher/Indiana game without me since I had to study for Chemistry. I had a heck of a time finding a coffee shop to study in! Where are they when you need them? When you don't, they seem to be on every corner. I ended up at the one on Grand Avenue in St. Paul. Got a lot of studying in, but it was so damn hot in there and there is a hair salon around the corner so it stunk like perm. But otherwise, good!
Had dinner with Ryan and Julie, the newlyweds, at an Irish place in Maple Grove. It is always so comforting to be with old familiar friends. It's like putting on an old favorite sweater. By the way, the martinis there are really good. As is the fish and chips. But don't order a full order!
I took Polar in to see the vet last week. She'll be 18 in June! Amazing! I'm thinking there might be a world record there somewhere. She had a growth on her ear that she had removed... she was so good for the vet. Of course, he is the world's best vet so of course she would be good for him. He also did a senior citizen health check on her. She is having a neurological problem with her back legs. That's why she is falling so frequently. It's a part of old age. But otherwise she is good. She sleeps a lot, tends to poop in the house on occassion (can't make it outside fast enough), and I have to carry her down the steps, but otherwise is happy and content. Every day I wonder if I'm going to come home and find her dead in her bed. That's gonna be a real sad day.
Okay, enough already! I really need to start studying for my Chemistry test tomorrow. Wish me luck for the 92% I need!
Warm wishes to you all!
Monday, October 23, 2006
I hate the unknown
And God must know this about me and must love to throw unknown curve balls in my direction to make me squirm. I don't even like it when I don't have a plan for tomorrow, let alone, next month, next year, the next 5 years, or beyond!
As you know, I quit my corporate america job to become a nurse. I really wanted my bachelor's in nursing, and St. Scholastica told me that I could have this 4-year degree in the same amount of time that it would take to get my 2-year at Lake Superior College. So I made the switch.
On Oct. 2nd, I applied for the nursing program with my recruiter and advisor telling me that I had nothing to worry about because of my high GPA and my membership with Phi Theta Kappa. On Oct. 19th I got a letter saying that I'm a reject.
The next day there was a group of girls, including myself, outside my advisor's office in tears. Apparently they had way more applicants than they expected.
I can reapply next fall. And if accepted, graduate in May, 2010.
The problem is, the money I am living on stops coming in when Brandon turns 16. November 25, 2009.
I really wanted to be an RN. Not only would I be damn good at it, it pays well enough where I could pay off my student loans, and cram for retirement, making up for the lost income years.
What are my options?
Other than this latest turmoil, life has been good. All I do is study. Although, this last weekend I took off from studying and went down to the cities and played with Jeff. We went to the Gopher football game on Saturday... if you missed the news, the win felt like a loss. Fire Mason.
Allrighty then.... gotta go study some Chemistry before The New Adventures of Old Christine comes on. LOVE this show.
Missing you all!
As you know, I quit my corporate america job to become a nurse. I really wanted my bachelor's in nursing, and St. Scholastica told me that I could have this 4-year degree in the same amount of time that it would take to get my 2-year at Lake Superior College. So I made the switch.
On Oct. 2nd, I applied for the nursing program with my recruiter and advisor telling me that I had nothing to worry about because of my high GPA and my membership with Phi Theta Kappa. On Oct. 19th I got a letter saying that I'm a reject.
The next day there was a group of girls, including myself, outside my advisor's office in tears. Apparently they had way more applicants than they expected.
I can reapply next fall. And if accepted, graduate in May, 2010.
The problem is, the money I am living on stops coming in when Brandon turns 16. November 25, 2009.
I really wanted to be an RN. Not only would I be damn good at it, it pays well enough where I could pay off my student loans, and cram for retirement, making up for the lost income years.
What are my options?
- If I ever make it off the waiting list at LSC, I could transfer back and get my AA in nursing.
- I could reapply next fall, and if accepted, I could work over breaks, saving every penny for the 6 months where I'll have no income. Graduate in 2010 with a double degree in Nursing and Business Management.
- I could quit school, play for the next 3 years, and then find a sugar daddy to shack up with. ;-)
- I could switch majors:
- Education: my original career dream, but sadly, I don't think it pays enough.
- Social Work: completely different course schema, and I don't think it pays enough.
- Health Information Management: I would still be employed in the healthcare world, my double major in Bus Mgmt would go nicely with it, it doesn't pay like a nurse, but after a few years, it doesn't pay too badly.
Other than this latest turmoil, life has been good. All I do is study. Although, this last weekend I took off from studying and went down to the cities and played with Jeff. We went to the Gopher football game on Saturday... if you missed the news, the win felt like a loss. Fire Mason.
Allrighty then.... gotta go study some Chemistry before The New Adventures of Old Christine comes on. LOVE this show.
Missing you all!
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Winter is coming... like it or not
Stopped at Java Express (the best thing that has EVER happened to Two Harbors) tonight after picking up B's hockey equipment and the owner told me that we are suppose to get 8 inches of SNOW between now and this weekend. No way! The last 2 days have been in the upper 50s and gorgeous... how is this possible? And how mean, really!
Not to mention I still have so much left to do. I took the camper in to the dump station yesterday and cleaned out the tanks... what a pretty job for me to do. Visions of the movie RV always flashes through my mind as I complete this horrific task.
As I was putting away bird baths and bird feeders in my back yard I managed to step in a big pile of bear poop. I bet most of you have never made this statement! It was fresh too... and slippery... thank god I didn't slip and fall right into it. Oh the excitement of living in the woods...
BTW, I got an A on my German exam. The extremely immature girl who sits behind me and who says the F word 5 times every minute got a D-. :-D
Okay, I gotta run and get Brandon from town... he had a football game in Grand Marais tonight.
Have a great Wednesday!
Not to mention I still have so much left to do. I took the camper in to the dump station yesterday and cleaned out the tanks... what a pretty job for me to do. Visions of the movie RV always flashes through my mind as I complete this horrific task.
As I was putting away bird baths and bird feeders in my back yard I managed to step in a big pile of bear poop. I bet most of you have never made this statement! It was fresh too... and slippery... thank god I didn't slip and fall right into it. Oh the excitement of living in the woods...
BTW, I got an A on my German exam. The extremely immature girl who sits behind me and who says the F word 5 times every minute got a D-. :-D
Okay, I gotta run and get Brandon from town... he had a football game in Grand Marais tonight.
Have a great Wednesday!
Tuesday, October 3, 2006
Bad day/Good Day
Bad, bad start to my day yesterday. I wanted to head into Duluth early so that I could spend a good hour at Caribou studying for my German Exam at 10:30. I didn't get my shit together the night before, and ending up spending way too much time trying to find my MN State CNA license that I needed to make a copy of and hand in with my application to the Nursing program. The deadline was yesterday. Never found it but gave up.
No time for Caribou, but I thought Plan B would work just as well. I'd get coffee at school and spend the hour there studying before the exam. But no, I could not find a parking spot if my life depended on it. Even the illegal spots were taken. And my timing must have been off, no classes were getting out, therefore no people leaving in their cars. I drove around for 25 minutes before I found a spot over by the dorms.
I had spent some time this morning packing my workout bag so that I could work out at the awesome fitness center at the school. I have found my workout fever that has been gone since 1998, so I was looking forward to working out after my last class. As I was thinking this thought while parking my car, I realized that I left my Student Id in my jacket pocket at home. Ugh! This not only means I cannot workout at the awesome fitness center, but it also means that I can't use the Student copy machine to make copies of my CPR and First Aid training cards that are also needed for my degree application. Ugh!
So, I hike to Tower and plan to check my mail (my Chem test results should be there), get coffee, and spend a half hour reviewing before my German test. No mail. 2 people in line at coffee. Doesn't seem bad, but those two ladies took a good 10 minutes to get through! Ugh!
So I get my coffee. My sling-style bag (my bf calls this bag "the splitter".... nice.) is pulling my hair, so as I am trying to wrestle my hair free, my phone starts to ring. I pull my hand out from hair quickly to dig my phone out and a huge handful of hair gets tangled into my Norway ring and rips right out of my head. Great. And I didn't make it to the phone in time.
So I have 15 minutes to study. Not enough time. I feel okay about the test... Brandon quizzed me using the flashcards on the way down to the cities this weekend and the way back. On the last 3 quizzes I've only gotten 1 wrong, so I should be okay.
Head to class... Within minutes I realize that we are suppose to hand in our journals today... mine is sitting on my desk at home. Fantastic. She hands out the exam and I immediately see that this is going to be tougher than I thought. The anxiety starts to set in. Every German word I know runs screaming from my brain in sheer panic. I take a couple of deep breaths, and a couple of swallows of my coffee, and start at it. Luckily, the screaming German words decided to come back to my brain, and I think I did okay.
After class, I run to the copy place in Duluth and make my copies, run back to school, hand in what I have (which makes me nervous because the lady says that she doesn't think I need all this extra stuff... I tell her that the instruction sheet said I did... was this really the right place to hand it in? Is she going to lose it and I won't be accepted to Nursing School this spring?).
I check my mail for the 20th time and still no test results. I see other students pulling the scan sheets from their mailboxes, so where is mine?
I head to Chem where the prof says that he gave the mailroom the tests at 9am. After class I check again. Still nothing. I head back to the science bldg to the prof's office. He remembers grading mine because of all the students he has, I am the only Q. He says I did "extremely well." He is now looking up my grade while telling me that the class average was 82%. I got a 94%!!! I only got 3 wrong! I couldn't believe it! He had said during class that he felt that the avg was so high because a lot of it was review from high school. Well, high school is a long way off for me, so none of it was review! Whew!!
So, there you have my very bad day, turned good.
Later!
No time for Caribou, but I thought Plan B would work just as well. I'd get coffee at school and spend the hour there studying before the exam. But no, I could not find a parking spot if my life depended on it. Even the illegal spots were taken. And my timing must have been off, no classes were getting out, therefore no people leaving in their cars. I drove around for 25 minutes before I found a spot over by the dorms.
I had spent some time this morning packing my workout bag so that I could work out at the awesome fitness center at the school. I have found my workout fever that has been gone since 1998, so I was looking forward to working out after my last class. As I was thinking this thought while parking my car, I realized that I left my Student Id in my jacket pocket at home. Ugh! This not only means I cannot workout at the awesome fitness center, but it also means that I can't use the Student copy machine to make copies of my CPR and First Aid training cards that are also needed for my degree application. Ugh!
So, I hike to Tower and plan to check my mail (my Chem test results should be there), get coffee, and spend a half hour reviewing before my German test. No mail. 2 people in line at coffee. Doesn't seem bad, but those two ladies took a good 10 minutes to get through! Ugh!
So I get my coffee. My sling-style bag (my bf calls this bag "the splitter".... nice.) is pulling my hair, so as I am trying to wrestle my hair free, my phone starts to ring. I pull my hand out from hair quickly to dig my phone out and a huge handful of hair gets tangled into my Norway ring and rips right out of my head. Great. And I didn't make it to the phone in time.
So I have 15 minutes to study. Not enough time. I feel okay about the test... Brandon quizzed me using the flashcards on the way down to the cities this weekend and the way back. On the last 3 quizzes I've only gotten 1 wrong, so I should be okay.
Head to class... Within minutes I realize that we are suppose to hand in our journals today... mine is sitting on my desk at home. Fantastic. She hands out the exam and I immediately see that this is going to be tougher than I thought. The anxiety starts to set in. Every German word I know runs screaming from my brain in sheer panic. I take a couple of deep breaths, and a couple of swallows of my coffee, and start at it. Luckily, the screaming German words decided to come back to my brain, and I think I did okay.
After class, I run to the copy place in Duluth and make my copies, run back to school, hand in what I have (which makes me nervous because the lady says that she doesn't think I need all this extra stuff... I tell her that the instruction sheet said I did... was this really the right place to hand it in? Is she going to lose it and I won't be accepted to Nursing School this spring?).
I check my mail for the 20th time and still no test results. I see other students pulling the scan sheets from their mailboxes, so where is mine?
I head to Chem where the prof says that he gave the mailroom the tests at 9am. After class I check again. Still nothing. I head back to the science bldg to the prof's office. He remembers grading mine because of all the students he has, I am the only Q. He says I did "extremely well." He is now looking up my grade while telling me that the class average was 82%. I got a 94%!!! I only got 3 wrong! I couldn't believe it! He had said during class that he felt that the avg was so high because a lot of it was review from high school. Well, high school is a long way off for me, so none of it was review! Whew!!
So, there you have my very bad day, turned good.
Later!
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Exhausted and feeling overwhelmed
I had a huge test today that I have been studying for constantly since last week. It was chemistry. I felt like I had a handle on the material when I sat down for the test, even though it's the most confusing crap I have ever had to learn. By the end of the test, I couldn't wipe the huge grin off my face. I grinned the whole way through the auditiorium... grinned at the professor as I walked by... grinned as I put my finished test on the table... grinned at the lab instructor (who looks like a female John Candy and thinks she is Ellen Degeneres)... and grinned all the way back to my car. Hopefully my grade won't disappoint me now! I'll have it back by Monday. In my mailbox. I actually have a school mailbox! It totally brings back memories of the first time in college.... 1983... checking that damn mailbox numerous times and it always being empty! Same things happening now... empty, empty, empty. If anyone's interested... my address is:
Evelyn Quast
CSS Box 1863
1200 Kenwood Avenue
Duluth, MN 55811
:-)
I stole a photo of me and my friend Jacquie/Paige (long story on the name!) from her blog...
We haven't changed a bit since 1984!!
Okay, gotta run... gotta pay my sprint bill before they shut me down (OH the Horrors!) and then run from football practice to catchecism. Single parents rock!!! Well, the good ones who do their job, anyway.
Evelyn Quast
CSS Box 1863
1200 Kenwood Avenue
Duluth, MN 55811
:-)
I stole a photo of me and my friend Jacquie/Paige (long story on the name!) from her blog...
We haven't changed a bit since 1984!!
Okay, gotta run... gotta pay my sprint bill before they shut me down (OH the Horrors!) and then run from football practice to catchecism. Single parents rock!!! Well, the good ones who do their job, anyway.
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Yep, school has started.
School has started and I've been so consumed with studying that other things, like blogging, and remembering my boyfriend's birthday, have fallen to the wayside. I'm so nervous about my grades this semester. Last year I made the Dean's list both semesters and the National Dean's list for the year. Lake Superior College required a 3.5 gpa for their Dean's List. St. Scholastica requires a 3.75 gpa... and the classes are harder. So, we'll see. I should be studying now, but I thought I would blog while drinking my am coffee. Plus I promised Paige I would get back to blogging.
Speaking of Paige, I had dinner with her Friday night in the cities. For those of you who don't know, she is a friend I have had since Junior High. We lost each other for a few years after college (the very first time in college), but I found her again when she was featured in the 3M newspaper as a new employee. I haven't seen her in nearly 3 years.... much too long! But she is a friend who, no matter how long it's been since we had seen each other last, we just fall into comfortable conversation like we had seen each other just last week. We went to this fantastic restaurant near her home on Cathedral hill. La Grolla http://www.minnesota-restaurants.com/main/OLDBMS/BUSCGI/ViewFrontPage.cgi?acctindx=2000098
I will definitely be visiting there again!
I spent Friday night at my parents... we stayed up late catching up, even though I just saw them last weekend! I have the coolest parents ever and I feel so blessed that they chose to adopt me. We went to IHOP for bkfst and then hit the farmer's market. The St Paul Farmers Market is probably what I miss most about living in the cities. I just love it. The smells, the people, the colors... even if I don't buy a thing, the experience itself is worth it.
I still can't believe summer is over. In fact, yesterday was the first day of autumn! I had a great summer though.... got lots of camping trips in. The last one was at Pattison State Park with Jeff and his boys. We stayed up every night until midnight playing Flashlight tag and spent our days riding bikes.
Jeff making bkfst one morning. PB&J French Toast with bacon. Nummy!
My kid and Jeff's youngest kid.
Camping Polar. Still alive at 17 1/2 years old. Amazing.
Okay, I really got to go hit the books. I have a German quiz tomorrow morning and a Chemistry exam on Wednesday. Scary!
Speaking of Paige, I had dinner with her Friday night in the cities. For those of you who don't know, she is a friend I have had since Junior High. We lost each other for a few years after college (the very first time in college), but I found her again when she was featured in the 3M newspaper as a new employee. I haven't seen her in nearly 3 years.... much too long! But she is a friend who, no matter how long it's been since we had seen each other last, we just fall into comfortable conversation like we had seen each other just last week. We went to this fantastic restaurant near her home on Cathedral hill. La Grolla http://www.minnesota-restaurant
I will definitely be visiting there again!
I spent Friday night at my parents... we stayed up late catching up, even though I just saw them last weekend! I have the coolest parents ever and I feel so blessed that they chose to adopt me. We went to IHOP for bkfst and then hit the farmer's market. The St Paul Farmers Market is probably what I miss most about living in the cities. I just love it. The smells, the people, the colors... even if I don't buy a thing, the experience itself is worth it.
I still can't believe summer is over. In fact, yesterday was the first day of autumn! I had a great summer though.... got lots of camping trips in. The last one was at Pattison State Park with Jeff and his boys. We stayed up every night until midnight playing Flashlight tag and spent our days riding bikes.
Jeff making bkfst one morning. PB&J French Toast with bacon. Nummy!
My kid and Jeff's youngest kid.
Camping Polar. Still alive at 17 1/2 years old. Amazing.Okay, I really got to go hit the books. I have a German quiz tomorrow morning and a Chemistry exam on Wednesday. Scary!
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Catch Up!
It's nearly 6pm and I just now finished my morning coffee... that's the kind of crazy day I've had. Brandon had his 7th Grade Orientation this morning. Very well-organized and they did a great job of getting the kids acclimated to the new world of class periods. Brandon is very excited about school this year. He got into his favorite art teacher's class... he got into Industrial Arts with his friend Nick... and he is looking forward to his Science class. He also starts band this year and chose the trumpet as his instrument (his band teacher talked him out of the drums, thank God!). We got that all settled with Schmitt music this afternoon so he is excited and ready to go.
We got home around 2pm and I was amazed at how awesome the porch reconstruction project is shaping up!
I've added the new window that you see (there was only one in the back before. The old porch was literally falling off the house... the guy who built it didn't attach it; just shoved it up the house. This one is so solid! And it has a new door (which you can't see at the moment) and it will also have the new screen door that I picked out at Home Depot.
This is a phot from the back of the house. The old porch didn't line up with house at all... it was just slid under the fascia (sp?). They have electrical stuff, shingles, screen doors and gutters left to do. Maybe they will be done by tomorrow?! I may not even know until Monday because we are leaving to go camping with Jeff and the boys tomorrow around noon or so....
Yesterday I had my last lunch with the Wednesday Lunch Ladies... we go out for lunch every Wednesday from about May until mid-October. My school schedule is full over lunch every day so this was my last.
This is us, minus one -- Jane who attends sporadically. Not a great photo, since my eyes are shut, but you get the idea anyhow. From left to right is Janie who is daughter of Kathy (next to her), Judy (who lives on Lake Superior in the summer and Panama Beach Fl in the winter), Donna (a local) and me.
Since sports are over for the summer season, I thought I'd share a couple of photos.
This one is of Brandon on his way to Golf. His game has really improved over this summer... I hope to get him out one more time before the end.
This is Brandon and the kids from next door: Micky, Brad, and Malory. I found myself the carpool driver for baseball this year since I'm the only mom around who is home during the day.
Did I mention we had a bear visit our place while we were on our last camping trip? Based on the advice given on the news, I stopped feeding the birds so that hungry bears wouldn't come around. But while we were gone he went after the empty feeders that were hanging off the deck. As you can see, they are destroyed. Now I bring the feeders in the house every night. I guess this is why the name of Hungry Bear Acres fits our place here in the woods!
That's all the news for now... I need to go pick up Brandon from football practice. Have a safe and fun Labor Day weekend!
We got home around 2pm and I was amazed at how awesome the porch reconstruction project is shaping up!
I've added the new window that you see (there was only one in the back before. The old porch was literally falling off the house... the guy who built it didn't attach it; just shoved it up the house. This one is so solid! And it has a new door (which you can't see at the moment) and it will also have the new screen door that I picked out at Home Depot.
This is a phot from the back of the house. The old porch didn't line up with house at all... it was just slid under the fascia (sp?). They have electrical stuff, shingles, screen doors and gutters left to do. Maybe they will be done by tomorrow?! I may not even know until Monday because we are leaving to go camping with Jeff and the boys tomorrow around noon or so....
Yesterday I had my last lunch with the Wednesday Lunch Ladies... we go out for lunch every Wednesday from about May until mid-October. My school schedule is full over lunch every day so this was my last.
This is us, minus one -- Jane who attends sporadically. Not a great photo, since my eyes are shut, but you get the idea anyhow. From left to right is Janie who is daughter of Kathy (next to her), Judy (who lives on Lake Superior in the summer and Panama Beach Fl in the winter), Donna (a local) and me.Since sports are over for the summer season, I thought I'd share a couple of photos.
This one is of Brandon on his way to Golf. His game has really improved over this summer... I hope to get him out one more time before the end.
This is Brandon and the kids from next door: Micky, Brad, and Malory. I found myself the carpool driver for baseball this year since I'm the only mom around who is home during the day.
Did I mention we had a bear visit our place while we were on our last camping trip? Based on the advice given on the news, I stopped feeding the birds so that hungry bears wouldn't come around. But while we were gone he went after the empty feeders that were hanging off the deck. As you can see, they are destroyed. Now I bring the feeders in the house every night. I guess this is why the name of Hungry Bear Acres fits our place here in the woods!That's all the news for now... I need to go pick up Brandon from football practice. Have a safe and fun Labor Day weekend!
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Where has the summer gone?
I cannot believe that one week from today I will be back in school! This was the fastest summer ever!
I haven't posted in over a month, so I have a lot to catch up on. I'll start with today and work backwards. The guys from Jim Perrault Construction (http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/living/ask_expert_front.htm?forumId=2010) started working on my porch yesterday. Within hours they had it demolished (you would not believe the amount of mouse stuff in the insulation... yuck!) and the framework is up as of now. I ran to Home Depot and picked up my new screen door. It had gone on sale since I last looked at it... yippee for me!
Brandon started football practice today... 5-7 everyday.
I picked up my books from St Scholastica.... I am now $543 poorer.
Last weekend I found myself on my own so I went on an awesome 4 hour hike... about 7 miles. I started at the Trail Center at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park and headed up Day Hill and across the highway to the Superior Hiking Trail. It was incredible!
This of course is the infamous lighthouse. I have hundreds of photos like this, but yet I cannot resist taking more shots when I visit. I wonder if it might be the most photographed landmark in Minnesota?
I hiked up this huge hill (more like a mountain) called Day Hill. At the top is this fireplace built on a rock. Apparently a man in the late 1800's named Frank Day owned this hill. He proposed to the love of his life, she said yes, and he began building their dream home on this hill. She then left him for someone else... this fireplace is what remains. How sad.
This is the breathtaking view from the top of Day Hill... well worth the sweat and feeling of exhaustion from climbing it! Plus, what a great place to relax and catch my breath!
This is my day pack and the book detailing the hike that I went on. This book is great because the hikes are all in a circuit; therefore no repeats. And he goes into great detail every step of the way. I highly recommend it. http://www.amazon.com/50-Circuit-Hikes-A/dp/0816641994/sr=8-1/qid=1156894958/ref=sr_1_1/002-9921608-4011241?ie=UTF8
Me, on the hike, on top of Day Hill.
This is scat (aka wild animal poop) on the trail. I took the photo so I could figure out what animal did it when I got home. My conclusion? Timberwolf. I took other photos of other scat, but I won't make you go through that! ;-)
Do you see that tiny white dot in the distance? That's the lighthouse. I have now hiked across the highway and am up on a ridge overlooking the lake. It's awesome!
This is the remnants of an old mine from like 1905. You can find it within Split Rock State Park.
That's all for today... I gotta go pick up Brandon from Football. Later!
I haven't posted in over a month, so I have a lot to catch up on. I'll start with today and work backwards. The guys from Jim Perrault Construction (http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/living/ask_expert_front.htm?forumId=2010) started working on my porch yesterday. Within hours they had it demolished (you would not believe the amount of mouse stuff in the insulation... yuck!) and the framework is up as of now. I ran to Home Depot and picked up my new screen door. It had gone on sale since I last looked at it... yippee for me!
Brandon started football practice today... 5-7 everyday.
I picked up my books from St Scholastica.... I am now $543 poorer.
Last weekend I found myself on my own so I went on an awesome 4 hour hike... about 7 miles. I started at the Trail Center at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park and headed up Day Hill and across the highway to the Superior Hiking Trail. It was incredible!
This of course is the infamous lighthouse. I have hundreds of photos like this, but yet I cannot resist taking more shots when I visit. I wonder if it might be the most photographed landmark in Minnesota?
I hiked up this huge hill (more like a mountain) called Day Hill. At the top is this fireplace built on a rock. Apparently a man in the late 1800's named Frank Day owned this hill. He proposed to the love of his life, she said yes, and he began building their dream home on this hill. She then left him for someone else... this fireplace is what remains. How sad.
This is the breathtaking view from the top of Day Hill... well worth the sweat and feeling of exhaustion from climbing it! Plus, what a great place to relax and catch my breath!
This is my day pack and the book detailing the hike that I went on. This book is great because the hikes are all in a circuit; therefore no repeats. And he goes into great detail every step of the way. I highly recommend it. http://www.amazon.com/50-Circuit-Hikes-A/dp/0816641994/sr=8-1/qid=1156894958/ref=sr_1_1/002-9921608-4011241?ie=UTF8
Me, on the hike, on top of Day Hill.
This is scat (aka wild animal poop) on the trail. I took the photo so I could figure out what animal did it when I got home. My conclusion? Timberwolf. I took other photos of other scat, but I won't make you go through that! ;-)
Do you see that tiny white dot in the distance? That's the lighthouse. I have now hiked across the highway and am up on a ridge overlooking the lake. It's awesome!
This is the remnants of an old mine from like 1905. You can find it within Split Rock State Park.That's all for today... I gotta go pick up Brandon from Football. Later!
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Updated Summer List
1. Make contact with old friends: there is a group in the cities that I have not talked to in like 3 years.... I need to make contact!
2. Finish painting kitchen: purchased the wainscoting.
3. Find a way to get into my old PC, get the photos off of it, and then take it to the landfill
4. Dentist appts for both B and me
5. Finish mulching the vegetable garden
6. Remove the blue hole in the front garden and purchase a fancy bird bath or bench something to put in its place: Done 7/25/06! Solar bird bath with spitting fish! Looks great!
7. Paint the house, garage and decks
8. Paint the school chair
9. Build a gate for the veggie garden
10. Get the oil changed in the SUV and have it detailed. Scheduled for Thurs. 6/29 Done!
11. Call Hunter regarding my ceiling fan
12. Investigate Lasik Surgery (I'm tired of being blind). Scheduled for July 21. Done!
13. Take bike in for new tires: In Shop Now
14. Get health insurance for next year. Mailed 6/28. Follow up on this.
15. Finish student loan process. Scheduled for 6/27. One step left to do.
16. Finalize with Jeff about summer schedule (for the 100th time)... are we going away for end of summer weekend? Are they coming to Custer with us? Are we going to Vermillion? Are we going camping?
17. Find a time to get together with Kennicutts
18. Start running again
19. Fix shades in bedroom.
20. Paint the family room.
Oh my God!!! It's almost August!!
2. Finish painting kitchen: purchased the wainscoting.
3. Find a way to get into my old PC, get the photos off of it, and then take it to the landfill
4. Dentist appts for both B and me
5. Finish mulching the vegetable garden
6. Remove the blue hole in the front garden and purchase a fancy bird bath or bench something to put in its place: Done 7/25/06! Solar bird bath with spitting fish! Looks great!
7. Paint the house, garage and decks
8. Paint the school chair
9. Build a gate for the veggie garden
10. Get the oil changed in the SUV and have it detailed. Scheduled for Thurs. 6/29 Done!
11. Call Hunter regarding my ceiling fan
12. Investigate Lasik Surgery (I'm tired of being blind). Scheduled for July 21. Done!
13. Take bike in for new tires: In Shop Now
14. Get health insurance for next year. Mailed 6/28. Follow up on this.
15. Finish student loan process. Scheduled for 6/27. One step left to do.
16. Finalize with Jeff about summer schedule (for the 100th time)... are we going away for end of summer weekend? Are they coming to Custer with us? Are we going to Vermillion? Are we going camping?
17. Find a time to get together with Kennicutts
18. Start running again
19. Fix shades in bedroom.
20. Paint the family room.
Oh my God!!! It's almost August!!
Monday, July 24, 2006
My Birthday Gift to Me.... New Eyeballs!
I am so excited... I had Lasik Surgery on Friday morning and, I swear it's a miracle, after a simple procedure and a 5 hour nap, I can see better than ever! I had it done at the Crosby Eye Clinic: http://crosbyeyeclinic.com/index.cfm?pageid=180 . This place was fantastic! I had my preop appt in Duluth last Tuesday. I was taken immediately back and given test after test to make sure my eyes were good candidates for the surgery. They even made me watch a video about the surgery and take a quiz to make sure I understood. I was there an hour and a half.... their thoroughness made me confident that I had chosen the right clinic.
The surgery took place in Crosby MN, which is about 30 minutes from Brainerd. Brandon and I drove down early Thursday and spent some time in the Waterpark at our hotel http://www.rapidriverlodge.com/. At the waterpark, I immediately "lost" Brandon because I had taken my glasses off and left them in my bag (did I mention that I have not worn my contacts or any makeup since July 4?). The only thing I could do was to stand against the wall and wait for him to find me. I couldn't help but wonder if this would be the last time I would ever have this problem. It seemed too good to be true.
Jeff met us later that day to be my "desiginated driver" for the surgery and the follow-up appt on Saturday. The morning of the surgery, I was slightly nervous, and incredibly excited at the possibilities. They ran a few more tests (measure twice, cut once you know), explained the procedure again, and gave me a relaxant. Jeff and Brandon were able to watch the procedure from another room. Not only did they see me, but a closeup of my eye on a television screen.
The first eye went really smoothly. They gave me a rubbery football to hang on to... I found myself squeezing it the entire time (the same thing I do at the dentist). They numbed my eye and then kept it open with something that felt like a vise. It felt like my eyelashes were being yanked out. Then they cut my eye with a tool, making a little flap, and then, before opening the little flap, they warned me that everything would go black.... which it did.... and it felt incredibly freaky and scary... I couldn't help but wonder if my sight would ever come back. Then I was able to see a red light which I was told to focus on. I then heard the laser and smelled flesh burning.... which also freaked me out a little. But within a couple of minutes it was over... my flap was put back, my vision was there... blurry, but there.
And then they moved on to my other eye. They warned me that this eye would seem to hurt because I knew what was coming... almost a mental thing. It did!! Not horribly painful, but more creepy feeling. I was praying for it to end. And it did.
A minute later, I was walking back to the exam room where they placed clear plastic eye shields on my eyes as well as sunglasses. I was told to go back to the hotel and take a 3 to 5 hour nap. My nose hurt like hell (like a sinus headache I guess) and my eyes felt tired, but otherwise I felt great. I took some Advil for my nose and the pain went away. After a rough go at putting drops in my eyes (sorry Jeff... I hate people putting drops in my eyes!), I settled in for a nap while Jeff and Brandon shopped (thanks for the pink sunglasses and Tshirt!) and played at the waterpark.
When I woke up I felt fantastic! I took the eyeshields off and headed to the waterpark to find the boys. I walked in and was able to scan the area and locate them! A big difference from the day before! I immediately said a huge thank you prayer!
Since then, my vision was tested at 20/20 and my eyes have never felt better. It is amazing to be able to wake up and immediately see. I'm thrilled!
After a round of mini-golf and numerous races around the go-kart tract, Brandon and I headed to Leaf Lake (about 80 miles west of Brainerd) to visit my Aunt and Uncles cabin. We had a wonderful time! Brandon, my Dad, and my Uncle went fishing this morning and caught about 45 fish in like 2-hours. I'm looking forward to frying them up! My aunt, who has pancreatic cancer, looked really well and seemed especially happy to see us. I'm really glad we decided to make the trip.
I can't wear makeup for another two weeks... I can't rub my eyes for 6 months... I have to wear sunglasses for a couple of weeks when outside to avoid dust... and I have to wear the shields to bed for another 5 nights... and for about a week I need drops 3 times a day.... but that's it!!
Everything was good at home... Polar's dog sitter had dropped her off and she was happy. The plants survived. The roses have buds again. And the tomatoes are getting bigger. Great trip, but I am happy to be home! With my new eyes!!
The surgery took place in Crosby MN, which is about 30 minutes from Brainerd. Brandon and I drove down early Thursday and spent some time in the Waterpark at our hotel http://www.rapidriverlodge.com/. At the waterpark, I immediately "lost" Brandon because I had taken my glasses off and left them in my bag (did I mention that I have not worn my contacts or any makeup since July 4?). The only thing I could do was to stand against the wall and wait for him to find me. I couldn't help but wonder if this would be the last time I would ever have this problem. It seemed too good to be true.
Jeff met us later that day to be my "desiginated driver" for the surgery and the follow-up appt on Saturday. The morning of the surgery, I was slightly nervous, and incredibly excited at the possibilities. They ran a few more tests (measure twice, cut once you know), explained the procedure again, and gave me a relaxant. Jeff and Brandon were able to watch the procedure from another room. Not only did they see me, but a closeup of my eye on a television screen.
The first eye went really smoothly. They gave me a rubbery football to hang on to... I found myself squeezing it the entire time (the same thing I do at the dentist). They numbed my eye and then kept it open with something that felt like a vise. It felt like my eyelashes were being yanked out. Then they cut my eye with a tool, making a little flap, and then, before opening the little flap, they warned me that everything would go black.... which it did.... and it felt incredibly freaky and scary... I couldn't help but wonder if my sight would ever come back. Then I was able to see a red light which I was told to focus on. I then heard the laser and smelled flesh burning.... which also freaked me out a little. But within a couple of minutes it was over... my flap was put back, my vision was there... blurry, but there.
And then they moved on to my other eye. They warned me that this eye would seem to hurt because I knew what was coming... almost a mental thing. It did!! Not horribly painful, but more creepy feeling. I was praying for it to end. And it did.
A minute later, I was walking back to the exam room where they placed clear plastic eye shields on my eyes as well as sunglasses. I was told to go back to the hotel and take a 3 to 5 hour nap. My nose hurt like hell (like a sinus headache I guess) and my eyes felt tired, but otherwise I felt great. I took some Advil for my nose and the pain went away. After a rough go at putting drops in my eyes (sorry Jeff... I hate people putting drops in my eyes!), I settled in for a nap while Jeff and Brandon shopped (thanks for the pink sunglasses and Tshirt!) and played at the waterpark.
When I woke up I felt fantastic! I took the eyeshields off and headed to the waterpark to find the boys. I walked in and was able to scan the area and locate them! A big difference from the day before! I immediately said a huge thank you prayer!
Since then, my vision was tested at 20/20 and my eyes have never felt better. It is amazing to be able to wake up and immediately see. I'm thrilled!
After a round of mini-golf and numerous races around the go-kart tract, Brandon and I headed to Leaf Lake (about 80 miles west of Brainerd) to visit my Aunt and Uncles cabin. We had a wonderful time! Brandon, my Dad, and my Uncle went fishing this morning and caught about 45 fish in like 2-hours. I'm looking forward to frying them up! My aunt, who has pancreatic cancer, looked really well and seemed especially happy to see us. I'm really glad we decided to make the trip.
I can't wear makeup for another two weeks... I can't rub my eyes for 6 months... I have to wear sunglasses for a couple of weeks when outside to avoid dust... and I have to wear the shields to bed for another 5 nights... and for about a week I need drops 3 times a day.... but that's it!!
Everything was good at home... Polar's dog sitter had dropped her off and she was happy. The plants survived. The roses have buds again. And the tomatoes are getting bigger. Great trip, but I am happy to be home! With my new eyes!!
Friday, July 14, 2006
Heat: Makes the world go cranky
I got called in to work at the Nursing Home from 2 to 11 last night. It was like working in a sauna. But not "sit at your desk" kind of work but "hauling water from the creek" kind of work. I drank 6 glasses of water. As I leaned over to help people the sweat dripped from my face and landed on them. It was unbelievable. And gross (for the people my sweat was hitting anyway).
And it made the residents cranky. The sweet lady who calls me "Sugar" and "Honey" and "Baby" told me to leave her alone. One lady got so cranky they sent her to a special home in Litchfield for residents with behavior problems (sounds ominous, doesn't it?). Her husband eats dinner (the same tray as her as well as a cover up for him too... how sweet is that?) with her every night. Even though she was sent away, he still came for dinner to eat with his sister. His sister never says a word and sits with her eyes tightly shut. Although last night she opened them for a second when I told her I wanted to see her pretty eyes. And she smiled a little. So apparently she is one who likes heat.
My big lumberjack resident must also like the heat. I could hear him whistling down the hall and when I walked into the room he smiled at me. I've never seen him smile. In fact, the other CNAs warned me to watch out for him because he likes to hit. He's been nothing than pleasant with me (although last night as I rolled him over he said very loudly, "Owwww. Goddamit!"). Anyway, he smiled at me. I told him I loved his smile and would like to see it every day from now on.
So, my night was going pretty well even though the residents were cranky as all get out. One of the nurses asked me to work in the am (6-2:30). Without thinking I said sure. That's when everything took a turn for the worse.
It started with the gal who is 3 years older than me. She was so cranky she was giving me the evil eye. Everything I asked her was answered with "I don't care." With huge tone.
"Sally, would you like to wear these pink pj's?"
"I don't care."
"Sally, would you like to wash your face?"
"I don't care."
"Sally, would you like to go with me to the big lake and jump in?"
"I don't care."
So getting her cleaned up and tucked into bed took twice as long. Not to mention, whoever had her in the am didn't do a very good job cleaning her up so she was doubly dirty.
After tucking her in, I checked in on my lumberjack who had pooped for the third time my shift. And his poops have a smell that I have never smelled before... some unnatural, not from this world kind of smell. He is a very large man who can't help at all. Which means I have to roll him from side to side alot to get him cleaned up. My muscles and back usually scream "Owww... Goddamit" when I'm done with him. Sadly, when rolling him, he got his cover sheet dirty as well (the small sheet that keeps the main bed sheet from getting dirty). This meant more rolling to get the dirty sheet out from him and the clean one in. Keep in mind I woke him up from a deep sleep to roll him around. It was like waking an angry bear early from hibernation.
After the Lumberjack, I went to tuck in Lucy a very large, pretty mobile (wheelchair to walker and back), and very alert resident. To pull her up to standing you grab onto the back of her pants and pull her up. Without giving you the grossest of details, she had had the runs at some point. I didn't realize it until pulling her up... that's when I noticed it... all over her pants, all over her wheelchair, and all over the floor. Nice. It took me 4 times as long to get her tucked into bed than usual. And by now I was extremely cranky. Although, she would have never known it.
I did some charting and then made my last rounds right before my shift was to end. Sure enough, the Lumberjack had done it again. What a nice ending to my night. Hmmmm... and I had agreed to come in again in the morning! What had I been thinking?
So this morning when my alarm went off at 5 and my back and shoulder and arm muscles were still screaming, "Owww... Goddamit!" I did the unthinkable. Something I have never done in my entire working career. I called in sick even though I wasn't.
Oh, the horror!
Guilt washed over me when the RN who answered the phone said that she hoped I felt better soon.
What a horrible monster I am.
And the worse thing is, now I can't go into town to have bkfst or get coffee because someone might see me!
And it made the residents cranky. The sweet lady who calls me "Sugar" and "Honey" and "Baby" told me to leave her alone. One lady got so cranky they sent her to a special home in Litchfield for residents with behavior problems (sounds ominous, doesn't it?). Her husband eats dinner (the same tray as her as well as a cover up for him too... how sweet is that?) with her every night. Even though she was sent away, he still came for dinner to eat with his sister. His sister never says a word and sits with her eyes tightly shut. Although last night she opened them for a second when I told her I wanted to see her pretty eyes. And she smiled a little. So apparently she is one who likes heat.
My big lumberjack resident must also like the heat. I could hear him whistling down the hall and when I walked into the room he smiled at me. I've never seen him smile. In fact, the other CNAs warned me to watch out for him because he likes to hit. He's been nothing than pleasant with me (although last night as I rolled him over he said very loudly, "Owwww. Goddamit!"). Anyway, he smiled at me. I told him I loved his smile and would like to see it every day from now on.
So, my night was going pretty well even though the residents were cranky as all get out. One of the nurses asked me to work in the am (6-2:30). Without thinking I said sure. That's when everything took a turn for the worse.
It started with the gal who is 3 years older than me. She was so cranky she was giving me the evil eye. Everything I asked her was answered with "I don't care." With huge tone.
"Sally, would you like to wear these pink pj's?"
"I don't care."
"Sally, would you like to wash your face?"
"I don't care."
"Sally, would you like to go with me to the big lake and jump in?"
"I don't care."
So getting her cleaned up and tucked into bed took twice as long. Not to mention, whoever had her in the am didn't do a very good job cleaning her up so she was doubly dirty.
After tucking her in, I checked in on my lumberjack who had pooped for the third time my shift. And his poops have a smell that I have never smelled before... some unnatural, not from this world kind of smell. He is a very large man who can't help at all. Which means I have to roll him from side to side alot to get him cleaned up. My muscles and back usually scream "Owww... Goddamit" when I'm done with him. Sadly, when rolling him, he got his cover sheet dirty as well (the small sheet that keeps the main bed sheet from getting dirty). This meant more rolling to get the dirty sheet out from him and the clean one in. Keep in mind I woke him up from a deep sleep to roll him around. It was like waking an angry bear early from hibernation.
After the Lumberjack, I went to tuck in Lucy a very large, pretty mobile (wheelchair to walker and back), and very alert resident. To pull her up to standing you grab onto the back of her pants and pull her up. Without giving you the grossest of details, she had had the runs at some point. I didn't realize it until pulling her up... that's when I noticed it... all over her pants, all over her wheelchair, and all over the floor. Nice. It took me 4 times as long to get her tucked into bed than usual. And by now I was extremely cranky. Although, she would have never known it.
I did some charting and then made my last rounds right before my shift was to end. Sure enough, the Lumberjack had done it again. What a nice ending to my night. Hmmmm... and I had agreed to come in again in the morning! What had I been thinking?
So this morning when my alarm went off at 5 and my back and shoulder and arm muscles were still screaming, "Owww... Goddamit!" I did the unthinkable. Something I have never done in my entire working career. I called in sick even though I wasn't.
Oh, the horror!
Guilt washed over me when the RN who answered the phone said that she hoped I felt better soon.
What a horrible monster I am.
And the worse thing is, now I can't go into town to have bkfst or get coffee because someone might see me!
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Missing Norway
It's been a year since I visited the beautiful country of Norway, and lately I've been missing it like crazy for some reason! On my mind a lot....
So I thought I'd throw a couple of pictures on here periodically to help ease my lonesome heart. I promise I won't put all 800+ out here at one time... just a couple a post. Promise!
This is me upon arrival at my Hostel in Oslo... I have EXTREME jetlag. My plane was delayed like 8 hours in Iceland... I got lost on the way to my hotel... I was extremely tired and extremely hungry to the point of feeling sick.
This is me a few moments later when I realized where I was... on vacation for 3 weeks by myself in NORWAY! Much better...
This is my very inexpensive room in a Hostel in Oslo in a neighborhood just behind the palace and filled with expensive shops and restaraunts. There was a sink in my room but the bathroom was shared and across the hall. I never had to wait however, and they were extremely clean and recently remodeled.
My little sink in my room.
The view from my window. Below was a very popular, and sometimes noisy restaurant/bar.
So I thought I'd throw a couple of pictures on here periodically to help ease my lonesome heart. I promise I won't put all 800+ out here at one time... just a couple a post. Promise!
This is me upon arrival at my Hostel in Oslo... I have EXTREME jetlag. My plane was delayed like 8 hours in Iceland... I got lost on the way to my hotel... I was extremely tired and extremely hungry to the point of feeling sick.
This is me a few moments later when I realized where I was... on vacation for 3 weeks by myself in NORWAY! Much better...
This is my very inexpensive room in a Hostel in Oslo in a neighborhood just behind the palace and filled with expensive shops and restaraunts. There was a sink in my room but the bathroom was shared and across the hall. I never had to wait however, and they were extremely clean and recently remodeled.
My little sink in my room.
The view from my window. Below was a very popular, and sometimes noisy restaurant/bar.
Perfect Camping Weekend
Brandon, Polar and I spent the last 3 days at Jay Cooke State Park camping. The weather was absolutely perfect! We had a cold front come in which to me is happy news... I despise heat. I think the highs were around 70-75 and at night we were comfy with the windows shut and our blankets. Perfect.
This was our 2nd camping trip this summer. In June we went to Pattison State Park just south of Superior. This had been our 1st time to this park... gorgeous!
This is Brandon, Polar and I at Pattison sitting in front of our little camper.
These are the new gadgets we
bought for camping this season. I love the tripod thingy! It makes cooking over the campfire so much simpler. We cooked steaks along with pepper and onion foil packets for this meal. Dessert was Banana Cream Pies in the Pie Irons. Yum-O.
B and I went on a 2-hour hike at Jay Cooke.
A lot of the path for the hike looked like this
<--------------
Yes, very weedy and in need of a good mow. But it still was a really good hike. There were no mosquitoes and just a couple of horseflys. The weather was cool and the sun was shining.... can't ask for much more than that!
We saw a Leopard Frog (the below photo is not mine, but learn more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leopard_frog) and an extremely large, very scary spider inside a huge hole in a tree.
We've stopped taking Polar on our hikes because she just can't keep up anymore. Her legs just don't have the strength. It's tough getting old... and she's old for a dog -- she turned 17 on June 1st! She loves to camp though... she likes to wander around the campsite, lounge on the outdoor rug, or sleep in the doorway of the camper. She is an excellent traveling dog!
Below are some miscellaneous photos of our latest camping trip at Jay Cooke. The swinging bridge is always popular... I've been visiting this park since I was in grade school. My parents have many pictures of me on the bridge just like the one below of Brandon. Jay Cooke is one of my most favorite parks... I love all the rocks along the river. There is a huge rock wall in the campground that I used to climb as a kid. I tried to climb it last summer, but freaked out about a 1/3 of the way up. Tough to get old! I love the River Inn at Jay Cooke.... as soon as I walk in, the smell of the old logs brings me right back to my childhood. I attended many naturalist programs in this building and sang many camp songs!
This was our 2nd camping trip this summer. In June we went to Pattison State Park just south of Superior. This had been our 1st time to this park... gorgeous!
This is Brandon, Polar and I at Pattison sitting in front of our little camper.
These are the new gadgets we
bought for camping this season. I love the tripod thingy! It makes cooking over the campfire so much simpler. We cooked steaks along with pepper and onion foil packets for this meal. Dessert was Banana Cream Pies in the Pie Irons. Yum-O.
B and I went on a 2-hour hike at Jay Cooke.
A lot of the path for the hike looked like this<--------------
Yes, very weedy and in need of a good mow. But it still was a really good hike. There were no mosquitoes and just a couple of horseflys. The weather was cool and the sun was shining.... can't ask for much more than that!
We saw a Leopard Frog (the below photo is not mine, but learn more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leopard_frog) and an extremely large, very scary spider inside a huge hole in a tree.
We've stopped taking Polar on our hikes because she just can't keep up anymore. Her legs just don't have the strength. It's tough getting old... and she's old for a dog -- she turned 17 on June 1st! She loves to camp though... she likes to wander around the campsite, lounge on the outdoor rug, or sleep in the doorway of the camper. She is an excellent traveling dog!
Below are some miscellaneous photos of our latest camping trip at Jay Cooke. The swinging bridge is always popular... I've been visiting this park since I was in grade school. My parents have many pictures of me on the bridge just like the one below of Brandon. Jay Cooke is one of my most favorite parks... I love all the rocks along the river. There is a huge rock wall in the campground that I used to climb as a kid. I tried to climb it last summer, but freaked out about a 1/3 of the way up. Tough to get old! I love the River Inn at Jay Cooke.... as soon as I walk in, the smell of the old logs brings me right back to my childhood. I attended many naturalist programs in this building and sang many camp songs!
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Touched by an Angel... in the Nursing Home
The other day at work, I was trying to get Jane (names have been changed to protect the innocent) to eat her dinner (I have never seen her eat... I don't know how she survives). Jane is ancient and with alzeheimer's. I also believe she is near death based on various things she does (I read tons of books on this sort of thing after Paul died). While I was coaxing her to eat, she had her face very close to mine and was saying various nonsense, but cute, things... like, she asked me to tell Pete that she liked him (I have no idea who Pete is). All of a sudden her eyes very quickly shifted from mine to somewhere over my shoulder. She pulled her face back from mine, still staring over my shoulder and said, "Who's that there?"
I looked over my shoulder and saw nothing but the elevator. I said, "Who?"
"That man there."
"What man?
"That nice man standing behind you."
"Is it anyone you know?"
"No, I've never seen him before." She then began reaching just beyond me, her hand grazing my shoulder.
"What does he look like, Jane?"
"He looks like a nice man. He's kinda tall, and he's smiling, and he looks almost like an angel. Yes, that's it, he looks like an angel standing there. What a nice looking angel!"
Sadly, we were then interrupted by one of the nurses. The hair was standing up on the back of my neck and I was covered in goosebumps. It felt like all the blood had drained from my face.
In many of the books I read, they talked about how when a person is dieing slowly (e.g. old age, disease) they are often inbetween worlds... this one that we know, and the world beyond (in my belief, heaven). Often times they see things that are definetely very real to them but we are unable to see them because they are not of this world. All of the books said that the best thing to do is not tell the person that it is in their imagination (I sure wish I knew this before Paul died!), but to ask them as many questions as you can. Some books argue with this, saying that it is simply hallucinations... the mind playing tricks on them. I like to think the former train of thought is true.
I consider it a true gift that I was able to share this experience with Jane.
I looked over my shoulder and saw nothing but the elevator. I said, "Who?"
"That man there."
"What man?
"That nice man standing behind you."
"Is it anyone you know?"
"No, I've never seen him before." She then began reaching just beyond me, her hand grazing my shoulder.
"What does he look like, Jane?"
"He looks like a nice man. He's kinda tall, and he's smiling, and he looks almost like an angel. Yes, that's it, he looks like an angel standing there. What a nice looking angel!"
Sadly, we were then interrupted by one of the nurses. The hair was standing up on the back of my neck and I was covered in goosebumps. It felt like all the blood had drained from my face.
In many of the books I read, they talked about how when a person is dieing slowly (e.g. old age, disease) they are often inbetween worlds... this one that we know, and the world beyond (in my belief, heaven). Often times they see things that are definetely very real to them but we are unable to see them because they are not of this world. All of the books said that the best thing to do is not tell the person that it is in their imagination (I sure wish I knew this before Paul died!), but to ask them as many questions as you can. Some books argue with this, saying that it is simply hallucinations... the mind playing tricks on them. I like to think the former train of thought is true.
I consider it a true gift that I was able to share this experience with Jane.
Wednesday, July 5, 2006
My Weekend
This weekend FLEW by!
Friday I took Brandon to meet up with his Gparents in Banning Jct. Then I did a couple of errands for Jeff (BTW... you owe me $.70!) and a little shopping at the mall. Old Navy seemed to be the store of choice this shopping trip.
Saturday Jeff and I ate bkfst at the Rustic Inn in Castle Danger. He bought me this really cool chunky silver necklace with a pale green stone (what is this called??!!) in their neat gift shop. Love it! Then we headed north to the Silver Bay Golf course where we played eighteen in gale-force winds. At about the 11th hole I finally figured out how to keep my ball from heading to the right... I'm thrilled! It's only taken like 5 years to figure it out...
If you're a golfer and you haven't tried the Silver Bay course, I highly recommend it. ESPECIALLY, over the Two Harbors course. It is clean and really well-maintained. It's only a 9-hole course, but that makes it all the more fun since you can compare how you did the first time around.
Later we met Jennifer, Perry and Dasia for dinner (which ended up being just appetizers.... how did this happen) and drinks. I'm really glad Perry brought Dasia... I hadn't really had a chance to get to know here when I worked there and this gave me an opportunity. She seems really, really nice and I think she's really good for Perry.
It was especially nice to see Jenn! We laughed the entire night at things no one else found funny. I really need to be better at organizing get-togethers with her.
Sunday Jeff and I headed to the cities for the Twins game. He won tickets... and wow! were they great tickets! 4 rows directly behind home plate! We ate incredibly expensive hot dogs (with proceeds going to Concordia Academy... imagine that!) and did a lot of people watching and I kept the stats in the scorecard (what a geek I can be!). We had a fantastic time!
That night we stayed at the Hotel Sofitel in Bloomington. Got a great price -- $65! -- not bad for a 4-star hotel. It was really, really nice. Done European style, which of course I loved being the European-traveling snob that Jeff claims I am.
We ate steaks at the Wildfire (?) followed by Creme Brulee. Nummy!
The next day we did some shopping at Dick's and the MOA. I got another pair of Crocs for work.... only $29 at Nordstroms... in Fuschia. These are great! And if they get messed at work, I can just hose them off! And they are super comfy! I also got a really cool hat.
Then we picked up Brandon from his Gparents and took him to the Thai restaraunt across from the Farmer's Market in St Paul... it used to be the Sawatadee, but now it has a new name and I can't remember what it's called. Really Nummy!
Tuesday we golfed 9 holes at Lakeview in Two Harbors. This course sucks. There is more weeds than grass and if your ball goes in the rough you'll never see it again. But, we still managed to have a pretty good time.
The afternoon was spent watching the Pink Panther and grilling burgers. Later we went to the TH fireworks. We sat in front of the depot which was a perfect location. It was actually a really good show. Better than a lot of the ones I've seen in the cities.
Today I had lunch with the ladies at Nokomis. Nokomis is this really hip restaurant on the scenic hwy. http://www.nokomisonthelake.com/
I had my fav Basil, Tomato, Ricotta sammich. Nummy, Nummy, Nummy!
Then Brandon had a baseball game (lost 5-4). And then we met a group of friends in town for pizza at Do North.
Whew!
Friday I took Brandon to meet up with his Gparents in Banning Jct. Then I did a couple of errands for Jeff (BTW... you owe me $.70!) and a little shopping at the mall. Old Navy seemed to be the store of choice this shopping trip.
Saturday Jeff and I ate bkfst at the Rustic Inn in Castle Danger. He bought me this really cool chunky silver necklace with a pale green stone (what is this called??!!) in their neat gift shop. Love it! Then we headed north to the Silver Bay Golf course where we played eighteen in gale-force winds. At about the 11th hole I finally figured out how to keep my ball from heading to the right... I'm thrilled! It's only taken like 5 years to figure it out...
If you're a golfer and you haven't tried the Silver Bay course, I highly recommend it. ESPECIALLY, over the Two Harbors course. It is clean and really well-maintained. It's only a 9-hole course, but that makes it all the more fun since you can compare how you did the first time around.
Later we met Jennifer, Perry and Dasia for dinner (which ended up being just appetizers.... how did this happen) and drinks. I'm really glad Perry brought Dasia... I hadn't really had a chance to get to know here when I worked there and this gave me an opportunity. She seems really, really nice and I think she's really good for Perry.
It was especially nice to see Jenn! We laughed the entire night at things no one else found funny. I really need to be better at organizing get-togethers with her.
Sunday Jeff and I headed to the cities for the Twins game. He won tickets... and wow! were they great tickets! 4 rows directly behind home plate! We ate incredibly expensive hot dogs (with proceeds going to Concordia Academy... imagine that!) and did a lot of people watching and I kept the stats in the scorecard (what a geek I can be!). We had a fantastic time!
That night we stayed at the Hotel Sofitel in Bloomington. Got a great price -- $65! -- not bad for a 4-star hotel. It was really, really nice. Done European style, which of course I loved being the European-traveling snob that Jeff claims I am.
We ate steaks at the Wildfire (?) followed by Creme Brulee. Nummy!
The next day we did some shopping at Dick's and the MOA. I got another pair of Crocs for work.... only $29 at Nordstroms... in Fuschia. These are great! And if they get messed at work, I can just hose them off! And they are super comfy! I also got a really cool hat.
Then we picked up Brandon from his Gparents and took him to the Thai restaraunt across from the Farmer's Market in St Paul... it used to be the Sawatadee, but now it has a new name and I can't remember what it's called. Really Nummy!
Tuesday we golfed 9 holes at Lakeview in Two Harbors. This course sucks. There is more weeds than grass and if your ball goes in the rough you'll never see it again. But, we still managed to have a pretty good time.
The afternoon was spent watching the Pink Panther and grilling burgers. Later we went to the TH fireworks. We sat in front of the depot which was a perfect location. It was actually a really good show. Better than a lot of the ones I've seen in the cities.
Today I had lunch with the ladies at Nokomis. Nokomis is this really hip restaurant on the scenic hwy. http://www.nokomisonthelake.com/
I had my fav Basil, Tomato, Ricotta sammich. Nummy, Nummy, Nummy!
Then Brandon had a baseball game (lost 5-4). And then we met a group of friends in town for pizza at Do North.
Whew!
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
1st Photo!
This is the very first photo taken of Jeff and I together. We are so cute!!!!! I can't believe we have been seeing each other for several months and there hasn't been any photos taken of us together.... especially since he was once a professional photographer. Hmmmm.... not sure how I feel about that! :)
Just got back from lunch with the ladies (Judy, Jane, Donna, Janie, and Kathy) at the Olive Garden. We have lunch every Wednesday. Love those gals!
In the next few minutes I'll have to take Brandon to his baseball game. I'll probably run and get a coffee from Java Express for the game. Love that coffee shack!
I am soooo looking forward to this weekend. Jeff and I haven't had a weekend to ourselves in over a month. Saturday we are meeting our pals Perry and Jenn for dinner and drinks at Blackwoods. I miss those guys! Then Sunday we are heading to the cities... Jeff got free tickets to the Twins game. I got us an incredible deal at Hotel Sofitel in Mpls. so that's where we'll be staying Sunday night. He took Monday off so we can hang out. We'll pick Brandon up at his grandparents and then head home late Monday afternoon. Can't wait!
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Summer List
These are the things I need to get done before school starts in the fall:
1. Make contact with old friends: there is a group in the cities that I have not talked to in like 3 years.... I need to make contact!
2. Finish painting kitchen
3. Find a way to get into my old PC, get the photos off of it, and then take it to the landfill
4. Dentist appts for both B and me
5. Finish mulching the vegetable garden
6. Remove the blue hole in the front garden and purchase a fancy bird bath or bench something to put in its place
7. Paint the house, garage and decks
8. Paint the school chair
9. Build a gate for the veggie garden
10. Get the oil changed in the SUV and have it detailed. Scheduled for Thurs. 6/29
11. Call Hunter regarding my ceiling fan
12. Investigate Lasik Surgery (I'm tired of being blind). Scheduled for July 21.
13. Take bike in for new tires
14. Get health insurance for next year. Mailed 6/28.
15. Finish student loan process. Scheduled for 6/27.
16. Finalize with Jeff about summer schedule (for the 100th time)... are we going away for end of summer weekend? Are they coming to Custer with us? Are we going to Vermillion? Are we going camping?
17. Find a time to get together with Kennicutts
18. Start running again
19. Fix shades in bedroom.
That's all for now.... although I'm sure I'll think of more to add to it later.
1. Make contact with old friends: there is a group in the cities that I have not talked to in like 3 years.... I need to make contact!
2. Finish painting kitchen
3. Find a way to get into my old PC, get the photos off of it, and then take it to the landfill
4. Dentist appts for both B and me
5. Finish mulching the vegetable garden
6. Remove the blue hole in the front garden and purchase a fancy bird bath or bench something to put in its place
7. Paint the house, garage and decks
8. Paint the school chair
9. Build a gate for the veggie garden
10. Get the oil changed in the SUV and have it detailed. Scheduled for Thurs. 6/29
11. Call Hunter regarding my ceiling fan
12. Investigate Lasik Surgery (I'm tired of being blind). Scheduled for July 21.
13. Take bike in for new tires
14. Get health insurance for next year. Mailed 6/28.
15. Finish student loan process. Scheduled for 6/27.
16. Finalize with Jeff about summer schedule (for the 100th time)... are we going away for end of summer weekend? Are they coming to Custer with us? Are we going to Vermillion? Are we going camping?
17. Find a time to get together with Kennicutts
18. Start running again
19. Fix shades in bedroom.
That's all for now.... although I'm sure I'll think of more to add to it later.
Monday, June 26, 2006
Weekend news and my day at work
Had a great weekend even tho I spent a lot of it working with Jeff on his apt. We packed his remaining stuff up and stored it in my garage. And cleaned. Funny how work doesn't seem so awful when I'm doing it with him...
The three of us saw Over the Hedge Friday night. Excellent movie that made me laugh out loud numerous times. We had dinner at the China Star.... this time the MSG didn't affect me, so I'm thinking it only happens when I have a buildup of MSG in my system.
Sunday we (Jeff, Brandon and I) golfed the Silver Bay course (which reminds me that I forgot to get the scorecard from Jeff). Nice course! On the 4th hole I got it on the green in one shot!! Of course then it took me like 4 more to putt it in.... but still!
I got up at 5am this morning to be at work by 6. I teamed up with another gal because I'm still in training, but I got two gals up and ready for the day all by myself. My first gal is 43 and has MS and slight dementia. She has a gorgeous daughter that graduated from HS this year. I've never seen her visit her mom tho. Every time I work with her, I say a quick prayer to God thanking him that I have my health. The other gal I worked with is elderly and a tiny, tiny woman. I can lift her up by myself with no problems. She is an absolute sweetheart until she gets tired. She always calls me baby or sweetheart. She shares a room with her husband who I have never seen even acknowlege her. He doesn't even join her for meals (she eats in the dining room and he eats in his room). She asks about him tho. How sad. Their daughter and son-in-law visited them today and were there for a good hour.
By the end of my shift at 2:30 I'm exhausted! And don't feel like doin' nuttin! After my shift I ran home and picked up Brandon and his friend Micky and raced them to the ball field. They had a game at 4:15 but wanted to be there for the 3pm game in case they were short players. Brandon is getting a ride home from Micky's mom and actually said that I didn't need to be there for his game.... how thrilling and unusual since he expects me to be at every hockey game and practice and watching every single moment! So I've had the house to myself since 3:30.... I took a wonderful and rare 1/2 hour nap.
Polar pooped in the house twice today without ever asking to go out. She also is pooping on the back deck for some reason. I bought her a little non-slip rug for in front of her food and water bowls so she would stop slipping on the slippery floor, but yesterday her legs gave out and she fell right into her bowls! She never seems in pain.... she's quite happy actually... so I just don't know what to do with her. I hate even the thought of putting her down. I've had her for nearly my entire adult life (17 years)!
I'm reading a Bill Bryson book right now... Neither Here nor There, I think it's called. It's about his journeys in Europe. He makes me laugh out loud.
One of my residents told me today that I have a really nice laugh.
Another one (the lumberjack) told me he was going to whistle me a song... and then did! How do you not smile at that?! I smiled inside and out. He also told me he was as hungry as a timberwolf.
I saw Big D at Tejas last week. She was there with a balding little man and a woman with mousey brown short hair. I passed her on the way to the bathroom... on the way back she had turned her whole body toward the booth and was hiding her face with her hand as she talked. She obviously didn't want me to see her. I so wish I was bold.... I could have said to her, "Hey! How are you! How is that sexual orientation treament working for you?" Or any other numerous comments to bash her. She is pure evil like I have never seen before.
Gotta go.... Brandon should be home any minute.
Joy to you all!
The three of us saw Over the Hedge Friday night. Excellent movie that made me laugh out loud numerous times. We had dinner at the China Star.... this time the MSG didn't affect me, so I'm thinking it only happens when I have a buildup of MSG in my system.
Sunday we (Jeff, Brandon and I) golfed the Silver Bay course (which reminds me that I forgot to get the scorecard from Jeff). Nice course! On the 4th hole I got it on the green in one shot!! Of course then it took me like 4 more to putt it in.... but still!
I got up at 5am this morning to be at work by 6. I teamed up with another gal because I'm still in training, but I got two gals up and ready for the day all by myself. My first gal is 43 and has MS and slight dementia. She has a gorgeous daughter that graduated from HS this year. I've never seen her visit her mom tho. Every time I work with her, I say a quick prayer to God thanking him that I have my health. The other gal I worked with is elderly and a tiny, tiny woman. I can lift her up by myself with no problems. She is an absolute sweetheart until she gets tired. She always calls me baby or sweetheart. She shares a room with her husband who I have never seen even acknowlege her. He doesn't even join her for meals (she eats in the dining room and he eats in his room). She asks about him tho. How sad. Their daughter and son-in-law visited them today and were there for a good hour.
By the end of my shift at 2:30 I'm exhausted! And don't feel like doin' nuttin! After my shift I ran home and picked up Brandon and his friend Micky and raced them to the ball field. They had a game at 4:15 but wanted to be there for the 3pm game in case they were short players. Brandon is getting a ride home from Micky's mom and actually said that I didn't need to be there for his game.... how thrilling and unusual since he expects me to be at every hockey game and practice and watching every single moment! So I've had the house to myself since 3:30.... I took a wonderful and rare 1/2 hour nap.
Polar pooped in the house twice today without ever asking to go out. She also is pooping on the back deck for some reason. I bought her a little non-slip rug for in front of her food and water bowls so she would stop slipping on the slippery floor, but yesterday her legs gave out and she fell right into her bowls! She never seems in pain.... she's quite happy actually... so I just don't know what to do with her. I hate even the thought of putting her down. I've had her for nearly my entire adult life (17 years)!
I'm reading a Bill Bryson book right now... Neither Here nor There, I think it's called. It's about his journeys in Europe. He makes me laugh out loud.
One of my residents told me today that I have a really nice laugh.
Another one (the lumberjack) told me he was going to whistle me a song... and then did! How do you not smile at that?! I smiled inside and out. He also told me he was as hungry as a timberwolf.
I saw Big D at Tejas last week. She was there with a balding little man and a woman with mousey brown short hair. I passed her on the way to the bathroom... on the way back she had turned her whole body toward the booth and was hiding her face with her hand as she talked. She obviously didn't want me to see her. I so wish I was bold.... I could have said to her, "Hey! How are you! How is that sexual orientation treament working for you?" Or any other numerous comments to bash her. She is pure evil like I have never seen before.
Gotta go.... Brandon should be home any minute.
Joy to you all!
Monday, June 19, 2006
Back at it!
Jacquie sent me her blog and it's inspired me to write in mine again.... Thanks Jacquie!
Today's happenings:
Jeff came to the North Country to drop off his kids last night and met me at Brandon's hockey game. He spent the night and the three of us had breakfast at the Bean before he headed back to the city and to work.
B and I then went to the arena to get his baseball outfit (yea, I know, boys don't think of this as an "outfit") and schedule. A man there said to me as I was leaving that it was nice seeing me again.... who is he? I hate when this happens.
We then went to the bakery to pick up brat buns... found out that bakers dont make any money baking bread and buns.... what?! What is happening to our country if bakerys stop baking!
Next on our run through town was a trip to the greenhouse to pick up a couple of hanging baskets for the front deck. Also picked up 4 jalepeno pepper plants.
At home I hung up the baskets and hammered up some lattice to my deck for my clematis to vine on. Looks good.
Talked to Jeff for awhile and then B and I headed to Duluth to see Cars. Excellent movie with amazing animation. The popcorn had too much butter and gave me a belly ache. Plus I really, really had to pee badly. Otherwise, an excellent time. Previews showed quite of few new family movies coming up that look pretty good.
We then went to lunch/dinner at Old Chicago... had bad sandwiches and played trivia.
Forced myself to take a 2-hour nap since I have to work at 10:30 tonight until 6:30 tomorrow morning at the nursing home. My first night shift.... not sure what to expect.
When I woke up me and B cleaned out the crap from under his bed. Boys are yucky! Then I cleaned out the rubbermaid boxes under mine. Got rid of 3 bags of stuff.
Pretty good summer day, I must say.
Missing Jeff..... Friday Baby! B has been talking non stop while I type this.... driving me a little crazy. I'm super sad for B and for me that his dad is once again backing out of his visitation weekend this coming weekend. He is such an idiot and has no clue how his actions affect B. What could I have possibly been thinking when I married him?
Today's happenings:
Jeff came to the North Country to drop off his kids last night and met me at Brandon's hockey game. He spent the night and the three of us had breakfast at the Bean before he headed back to the city and to work.
B and I then went to the arena to get his baseball outfit (yea, I know, boys don't think of this as an "outfit") and schedule. A man there said to me as I was leaving that it was nice seeing me again.... who is he? I hate when this happens.
We then went to the bakery to pick up brat buns... found out that bakers dont make any money baking bread and buns.... what?! What is happening to our country if bakerys stop baking!
Next on our run through town was a trip to the greenhouse to pick up a couple of hanging baskets for the front deck. Also picked up 4 jalepeno pepper plants.
At home I hung up the baskets and hammered up some lattice to my deck for my clematis to vine on. Looks good.
Talked to Jeff for awhile and then B and I headed to Duluth to see Cars. Excellent movie with amazing animation. The popcorn had too much butter and gave me a belly ache. Plus I really, really had to pee badly. Otherwise, an excellent time. Previews showed quite of few new family movies coming up that look pretty good.
We then went to lunch/dinner at Old Chicago... had bad sandwiches and played trivia.
Forced myself to take a 2-hour nap since I have to work at 10:30 tonight until 6:30 tomorrow morning at the nursing home. My first night shift.... not sure what to expect.
When I woke up me and B cleaned out the crap from under his bed. Boys are yucky! Then I cleaned out the rubbermaid boxes under mine. Got rid of 3 bags of stuff.
Pretty good summer day, I must say.
Missing Jeff..... Friday Baby! B has been talking non stop while I type this.... driving me a little crazy. I'm super sad for B and for me that his dad is once again backing out of his visitation weekend this coming weekend. He is such an idiot and has no clue how his actions affect B. What could I have possibly been thinking when I married him?
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