The Daily 80

Alaska - Part 1

2012-01-03T20:22:00.000-08:00

(Excerpts taken from my travel notes)

June 2, 2011

My house is going to be empty for the next 10 days, it's never been alone that long. My trip begins with a cab ride (Green Cab-Madison) to the Union to catch a bus to O'hare Airport. Get on the bus in Madison, switch buses in Janesville and then get to O'Hare about 5:30 am. Yes am! After a smooth check in and body scan at security I settle in and wait for my plane. It's always interesting to watch people come, go, and occasionally sit and chat with you. I tend to sit in one spot and occasionally wander, but mostly I prefer to sit and make sure everything will go smoothly. As always good to go! Six hours and one plane ride later (with a little turbulence, though I've had far worse!) I arrived in Anchorage, Alaska! Greeted by the fabulous Becky T I was swooped up and and taken back to the condo. So glad I got my own room/the future baby room (Hank arrived about 1 month after I flew home) for the entire stay.

Becky and I got me slightly settled and then met Chris for dinner downtown at Humpy's Bar and Restaurant. I ordered the Halibut Fish n Chips and was reminded that things in Alaska tend to cost more than they would in Wisconsin. A beer at McGinley's (lovely Irish Bar) followed! It was about 80 degrees that day in the sun. Unseasonably warm for June in Alaska.

Below are the mountains as I'm flying into Alaska... there is nothing like it.

2012 Blogging

2012-01-03T17:16:00.000-08:00

So coming soon you'll be seeing some of what I call back blogging!!! Travels I should have blogged on last year and didn't so I'll be working on that this year. First stop?!

ALASKA

And no I cannot post all 432 pictures.

Little Norway/Cave of the Mounds

2011-10-05T15:56:00.000-07:00

OK - So it's been a while since I've posted and yes, I've been doing some traveling!

Little Norway was pretty cool, being that I grew up in a slightly more north area of the state we didn't visit it in grade school so I had never heard of this BUT I greatly enjoyed it. You go and take a tour (guided) and they tell you all about the original owners of the property (how they came to the US etc) all the way to the present owners and how they used each of the buildings as well as the Norwegian culture. Again I grew up with allot of German lifestyle, so the Norwegian is a cool change of pace. After the tour you are welcome to mill around the grounds and revisit the outside of the buildings and peer in on your own. There is also a nifty gift shop there as well! (Bathrooms on site too)

Cave of the Mounds was different than I remembered it, it seems they have added more buildings! Granted the last time I was there I was a teenager (I think). The tour was still the same but the grounds have been expanded. You can have lunch on a grassy knoll or next to the tiered flower gardens behind the main building. For around $1 you can buy a map/flyer of the grounds that you can reuse again and again in the future. That's kinda cool to just go and walk around on a nice day. The tour you would have to pay for time and time again, but on the hot days of summer this would be a great place to take visiting friends and/or family. Mind you it takes a while for the caves to change their look so even 10 years isn't enough for it to change (it'll still look the same).

I don't have any pictures of Cave of the Mounds of Little Norway because Mom has them all on her camera.

In the Area - For those adults over 21 take a picnic to Botham Vineyard and buy a bottle of wine to enjoy on their outdoor terrace in Barneveld or The Grumpy Troll Brewery in downtown Mount Horeb for a beer and burger!

Split Spring Weekend?!

2011-05-16T04:43:00.000-07:00

Here's the view from the inside today!

Saturday traveled down to Dubuque to visit a friend and often forget how close DBQ really is. Only 1.5 hours from where I live with alot of potential stops along the way. Historic sites, breweries, wineries, etc etc. Saturday was of course cloudy and chilly due to wind but it didn't rain! We went up in the Fenelon Place Elevator located in downtown DBQ. $2 round trip for adults it takes you up 189 feet to give you a panoramic view of the tri state area (IA,WI, IL) it's quite beautiful I bet when the weather is nice! After we ate at Crust (a newer restaraunt) comparible to, but different from, Benvenutos in the Madison area. Build you own pastas was a nice touch and the options were cool too! Sunday's drive home bought even more wind but at least sunshine and wispy clouds! A last minute decision to stop at Botham Vineyards in Barneveld involved the purchase of 2 bottles of wine. Complimentary samples are a plus. Only 30 minutes from Madison they also have a terrace you can sit outside and enjoy the country and your wine on.

http://www.dbq.com/fenplco/
http://crustdubuque.com/
http://www.bothamvineyards.com/

Colorado - Easter Sunday

2011-03-28T18:53:00.000-07:00

Well I thought that Spring was etching closer (and it is) but this weekend temps were again in the low 30s upper 20 during the day and down below 15 at night. But the picture to the left was taken Sunday... We're getting there.

A friend of mine recently traveled to Colorado and I asked her to bring me back a post card. One of the places that she went to was Red Rocks Park. Red Rocks is located in Denver CO and in Red Rocks they have an Amphitheatre. My cousin will soon be going to a concert there but the primary stance of this blog is that they do an Easter Sunday Sunrise ceremony. Being that I have been to Easter Sunday's sunrise service (though not in a while) I bet this would be quite the experience. To be outside surrounded by nature just like they were the morning that Christ rose again. To feel the chill in the air and watch the sun come over the rocks must be absolutely breath taking. At least that is how I imagine it. Someday maybe I will make it there and see this place. I hope you get to experience it as well.

That's all for this week - until next time!

First Day of Spring

2011-03-20T10:21:00.000-07:00

The first day of spring. No snow on the ground (though they're forecasting it for this week). It's raining. 3 days after St Patricks Day.

I've often thought about traveling to Ireland. I know people that have been there and I love the quotes on plaques that you constantly see everywhere this time of year. But even just to walk around the beautiful countryside and spend some time by the sea. Amazing I bet.

I'm trying to figure out what to put into what I hope will become weekly blogs. I'm guessing in time that it'll work itself out, of course when log on to write then my mind goes blank. What gives. Have a good week and enjoy spring (come flowers and snow as always you will see in spring in Wisconsin)

Galapogos Islands

2011-03-10T16:32:00.000-08:00

A couple weeks ago there was a three hour tv special (or not) on tv. Being that it was a Sunday and snowed in we decided to watch it. This location is also somewhere that my brother wanted to go at one point so it always sticks out to me.

It was interesting to learn about the animals that inhabit the island and the differences of the species and adaption to each island. Each island is different from the other which makes this an intriguing place to visit. Charles Darwin visited here way back when too. I'm a sucker for beautiful animals and wildlife and while I know this trip isn't close enough for me to be able to afford if I lived within driving distance I would definitely check this place out. That and they have animals called blue footed boobies. (tortoise, lizards, birds etc)

Is a view always better?

2011-03-08T17:22:00.000-08:00

Today was one a kind. Recently my office (which is two cubicles) lost one of it's tenants (not me) allowing me to switch to the window side. Now this allows me to view the parking lot and the comings and goings of all of our members. Last week I even watching one member hit another with their car. No serious damage but none the less *crashed*.

Today though I happened to look up and see this boy of thirteenish heading for the door... coughing. It's winter people cough. And then he stopped to spit (maybe a lougie) by the outside door. Coughing coughing and now he's throwing up. PUKING outside my window. And we're not talking the clear stuff here. We're talking... I won't go into detail. He then comes inside and I mind you was did that really happen?! Comes inside, sits down at a lobby computer and is looking at images of bongs. yes bongs. To top it off, why are these two kids not in school (maybe they were sick). And the Mom made a comment (while not tending to her sick pukey child) that I told you that you ate to many tacos last night. You made yourself sick. Thank you Mother for that one.

Needless to say the image stuck with me through the day giving me my own little gag reflex of awesomeness. It is NEVER a dull day at a credit union!

I got to go to Noah's Ark

2010-08-11T20:40:00.000-07:00

Got the gang together!! And we went to Noah's Ark for a day of fun in the sun and grilling/tailgating. Tailgating should be a staple point in all fun group activities and it's something new that we added last year for our NA trip. Socializing and hanging out!

The bridesmaid dress arrived finally! It fits, but is a might big. Thank God it's corseted and they can strap me in tight. Funny thing - they have to take 3 inches off it. Granted I'm wearing flats but I was still surprised. It comes with straps and looks good with or without them. I know people are ITCHING for pictures. There are no gloves or big bows like some had hoped, but the ladies at the store say it would look great shortened and turned into a party dress too...

Itching is the word for July/August with all the mosquitoes. Planning some hiking/outdoors this Friday in the Baraboo and bringing the big spray.

With the wedding, work, and gym I am staying busy. Gym at least 3 days a week. work 4-5. and well wedding it's on again off again.

Exciting trips coming up. I've got a trip to Appleton/Door County planned. Finally - never been there (DR Cnty) and we'll be seeing wineries too. Wine/Harvest Festival (girls only) and prepping an afternoon/grilling trip to a state park for the church I go to. Also, looking to visit the Galena area weekend after the wedding to check out some stuff. I find it's easier to make these plans and do them on my own. It's less disappointing when I can't find someone to go and adds to my experience and strength of doing things on my own.

Plans are in the works to start structuring my big Alaskan trip next year. It's been 4 years since I've been there (5 by the time trip rolls around). I'm picturing my suitcase filled with coffee and hip waders. 3 hour time difference. And have to admit kinda scared that I'd be the one to hook the 200 lb halibut. Uhm yeah - how am I going to get that in the boat?!

NEwho - looking to start dating and meeting people again. Should prove interesting as I don't know how to meet new people. Good luck to me. Darn being one of those people who loves instant gratification.

july already

2010-07-06T16:47:00.001-07:00

Not to much new here. 1/2 way through summer. I've been fishing once - no fish. Tried camping but canceled due to bad weather. Seems the rest of the summer is booked up with wedding stuff, music stuff, water parks and once I have a free day hopefully some hiking.

Made it to Summerfest to see The Gufs and was very excited about that as they only play once maybe twice a year now but are so good in concert. There were many many bands I could have seen but alas taking all the days off plus having to pay to get in... well it makes me wish I lived in Milwaukee for 2 weeks.

Here in Madison they have "Concerts on the Square" from the end of June through the begining of August on Wednesday nights. I hope to make it to one or two at least. I've registered for a Camp Cooking Basic's class that REI offers for free and am looking forward to that. Another thing that I'm looking forward to is being past mosquito season. With all the rain and humidity they are thriving and my white legs are staying inside.

The brothers wedding is coming up in less than two months, the invites are out and I'm still waiting for my dress to arrive. Come on already dress! That and hoping my funky tan lines don't aren't funky for the strapless dress on the day of.

Thats all for now. ;)

randoms...

2010-04-16T19:18:00.000-07:00

Planning two camping trips - Devil's Lake and Governor Dodge - hope it all works out. June will for sure. Septembers a bit far out for some.

Thinking on a trip to Tennessee Wine Country perhaps October, I hear it's beautiful and I've always wanted to go. Take a week? Have to find a travel person.

Joined the gym this week - saw the trainer for a "assessment" Wednesday. I suck. I cannot afford a trainer. Thats ok - I used the website they have and as soon as I get my legs to work normally again I'll be hitting that. Attempted using the ball here at home Thursday, not to shabby. The tri's are feeling it today as a the abs a bit - but thats the point yeah. Doesn't happen over night but if I keep pushing it. Hooah. Going in tomorrow afternoon after work too. Skipping Sunday and going Monday.

Keep running into these weekends where there are always two choices of things to do and I want to do both. It's a hard choice to have when you commit to one thing with someone and really look forward to it but then something else comes up too with someone you haven't seen in a while but this other thing is something that you really want to do but you want to really see the other person too....

Ahh life.

Seriously. Wine country in Fall? Takers?

Lovely Monday

2010-03-01T20:34:00.000-08:00

7:00 am - wake up thinking it's later... which is good. The whole place is cleaner than before and all organized. Watching season 2 of the office. Go to church - come home and watch the bachelor who picks Vienna, ugh. Whtvr. Currently reading Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout. It gets more interesting as I go...

10:15 pm - Door buzzer goes off... I usually don't let people in on a whim (hello - stupid. no.) so I say hello and get nothing. So I stand at the peep hole cuz I hear talking in the hallway and a firefighter walks by. All I catch is that they don't smell smoke... next thing I see is a firefighter taking a fan on wheels upstairs w/ a bucket. Don't know what was in the bucket but I only ever saw one fire figher. Weird.

Manic Monday

2010-02-15T18:07:00.000-08:00

So Mom went into the hospital today. Thankfully after two rounds of tests all came back negative. A trip to the doctor for more tests will follow. Wow - wasn't planning that for a Monday. Thoughts of what do my parents have planned. What would life be like? Thankfully today we don't have to think about that but it makes me think about tomorrow and what life will be. What to think about and what to dismiss. 2 days until 30. What if she wasn't there.

Thank you

2010-01-22T21:46:00.001-08:00

Thank you for putting Avatar on the Imax in 3D. I just saw it for a second time. I still love it and wish that I could be Navi and have an Ikran.

Also, made it home safely from Vegas with more knowledge than I left with. It seems even the little things help me learn more these days. Even the little things give me greater understanding. Each time I fly for some reason life becomes more clear and concise. Can't wait for my next trip, glad to be home but man I could use some more sun and a little warmth. It gets so cold here that sometimes it's hard for me to get warm. Single winters suck :P

EOY 2009

2009-12-24T20:24:00.000-08:00

Ahhh what a year.

January - Broke up with J, checking into therapy. February - Trip to Amazing Key West with Mom, still in therapy, Turn 29. March - Finally a clean bill of health, now just check ups every 6 months until Sept 2010 and we'll be good. April - May. June - Visited JD in SC, got my new place back on the West Syde. July - Family vacation up north, friends C and B get married, D and H get their new casa, J visits from AZ, bbq, drinks and noah's ark are had. August - A and H visit, another trip to noah's ark. September - Badger Football tailgating starts, Taste of Madison fun, camping to Gov Dodge. October - More tailgating, Halloween in GB, brother gets engaged. November - Book trip to Vegas, celebrate C's 4th birthday, Thanksgiving in Tomah. December - got sick and out of work three days with URI and pink eye - feel five, work holiday party is a complete success as is the after party, holidays with family - 18 inch snow storm closes Wisconsin (literally) with state wide weather blast - NYE party to ship E off to the Army in January. Looking forward to in 2010... January - Trip to Vegas, goddaughters 2nd birthday. February - 30th birthday, ski trip to Northern MI. March - bro turns 27, JF expecting. April - DS and NK expecting. June - JJ getting married, possible camping. July - SUMMER HEAT, Art fair on the square, farmers markets, noah's ark. August - ?. September - Brothers wedding. October - ? November - ? December - ?...

As you can see it's a but out there to be looking at those months but these are just SOME of what I look forward to next year. As always it's been an interesting year but without interesting years my life would be no fun. I hope to be able to stay in one place of residence more than a year (some are running out of space to change their address books) but I can't tell what life looks like that far out. I'm going to miss my friends that are moving away and continue to miss those that already have. Your lives have touch mine in ways that continue to bless me day in and day out. Without my friends I would not be who I am today as you accept me for exactly who I am and laugh when I'm stupid, support me when I'm down and listen to everything that I am. Without that I would be nothing but a sad person that felt no one accepted her. Instead I am rich with the love and laughter of those that continue to be part of my life. Someday I hope to be able to travel all over the US and visit those who mean the world to me. I look forward to starting to look for an ugly sweater for next holiday season!

Much love and all the best in 2010. LA

Santa baby....

2009-12-11T19:15:00.001-08:00

Working on Christmas cards and starting to wrap presents. Had secret santa this week and will be "revealing" myself to my person at the holiday party tomorrow. its been a little interesting with gifting this year as it makes me recall where I was a year ago at this time, which was a completely different place than I am now. While at that time I was in a "good" place. I know now that I'm in a "good" though different place. I've got loads of great friends and one couldn't ask for more than a companion in life, and while thats something that I would love... I would only love it if it were the right thing. I've got my mini tree (real) up and decorated with a set of mutli color lights and ornaments collected over the years from trips, travels and presents. The annual Christmas camel has been set up as well as the nativity and Grandma's mini snow-couple. AND I finally get to display my stacking Lang boxes as well. Something that when I lived with the guys never felt I could do. Things are rolling. Holiday party is tomorrow. The crew is ready, I'm gonna roll with the punches. Gotta go into work which should be ok. As long as I'm able to drop the stuff @ the venue. go home get ready and then pick up the yummy yummy cakes and PAR-TAY.

December Already?

2009-12-01T17:20:00.000-08:00

Well started out this month with a URI or Upper Respitory Infection and woke up this morning with Pink eye. Thats three days off this week that I wasn't planning on. But I have great co-workers picking up in my stead and the world has yet to fall apart there without me.

Christmas is a mere 23 days away. The work holiday party is a mere 10. Secret Santa starts Monday. I've done some Christmas shopping but seem unconcerned by the rest. I am not stressed about it for some reason. It seems most people haven't even done a list. I emailed one out and some seemed surprized about it. The larger items that I inquired on some seems surprised at. But oddly at my age and single status I have nearly everything that I want. Larger ticket items really shouldn't surprise people. I live in a stupid and only have room for so much.

On another note I discovered yesterday that my ipod has games. I now can sit in the lunch room and play games while listening to my music.

This year will be my last in my 20's. Next year starts my 30's and I do not feel old. This time next year my goddaughter will be almost 3 and have a little brother. My little brother will be married (god willing) for the second time and just over 3 months. I will have gone to Vegas for the second time in my life and taken my first ski trip. Mostly I will be one year ahead of where I am now. And I look forward to next year and all the good moments that I had this year. 2009 has flown by and they say the good ones go the fastest. I agree. I learned alot this year. Got to see many of my freinds and spend a good amount of time with each of them. Those are the memories that I treasure and hold in my heart until I get to see those people and enjoy time with them again. in the mean time in the words of Spock. "Live Long and Prosper" Now I'm going to go see if I can find my darn holiday stuff :P

Orange and Red?

2009-09-28T20:16:00.000-07:00

So I've started Christmas shopping... ironocally the same day I started buying halloween stuff. At least I have two people done shopping for now! Thats a major bonus. But they're the easy ones... I worry about the rest of them all.

As for everything else. The Badgers beat MI State on Saturday and I definetly can't complain there. I'm having some trust issues with a few people in my life and thats a bit upsetting as well it affects my stability both professionally and personally. I hate trusting people and then having doubts. It makes me feel in adequite and makes me not want to have anything to do with a person. Not cool.

Thats all for tonight. Until nexttime I'm hoping to post more regularly but heck I don't even keep a journal.

Northern Vaca

2009-07-10T18:03:00.000-07:00

3.5 hours north. fill up the car and head up! Get to the cabin and unpack. It take a little while to unwind from the whole...day to day rigamorol or go go go run run run. 6 days of no internet, roaming phones, fresh air and quiet mornings, afternoons, and fire crackling evenings. We stayed on lower gresham lake. We went there when we were kids. Haven't been back since, just me and the fam. No tv! (well three channels) It's so good when you can just unwind and forget what time it is. I haven't fished in so long. This year I bought my own pole. It's orange (my color). Crappies seemed to be the name of the game this year. With spinner lures. I'm going to have to learn to to tie knots now and get some of my own gear... or just keep using the bro's and step dad's. Another thing that I love in the north woods????!!!!! FLEA MARKETS! Oh they are so fun. lol. I get a set of 800 count sheets for $20.00 here in "the city" at any regular store you're going to pay SO much more. I also got a antique version of Pride and Prejudice (we're talking like hard cover old old old for $5 @ a rummage. LUCKY! The rest of the norm... We saw the movie "The Proposal" with the bro and his girl. Based mostly in Sitka, Alaska it made him want to go back - her want to visit - and me want to go too! It's SO beautiful in Alaska. All the same it's good to be home but it was great to be gone. It was good to think, and dream and wish and wonder again. Oddly enough I still feel like me, more than ever. Just me in my skin without someone. Now I just become me again. And stay me. And someday someone will like me as more than a friend for who I am. In the meantime I get to be me and stay happy and tell everyone to get used to it because this is me. Until next time.

Day 5

2009-03-07T07:30:00.001-08:00

The last two months have been trying. Full of happiness and tears. Lots of fear and questions.

I said it to myself last night. I dated a wonderful man.

Even now it upsets me. Because he was wonderful. He wasn't a bad person, never did drugs, liked to drink beer and have fun with freinds, had hobbies, loves, cared for me. But when it came down to it and I asked him to be with me, he couldn't. I'll explain.

Mind you I tell this from my point of view and not his.

January - Romantical weekend in Galena. I can't take it anymore and after drinking excessively the whole time we're there I tell him I'm not happy and don't know what to do. His first question is are you breaking up with me. (This was not what I had planned) But those were the first words out of his mouth and I may have said something like "I don't know what else to do" Needless to say we check out of the hotel early and go home. I asked to be at home and relax and take breathing space yet we talk all day each day until finally Friday at work something happened on the phone and it was over. I'd been having panic attacks almost everyday and there was lots of crying. It wasn't what I wanted why was he reacting this way. He was suppose to help me be happy and work it out. That Saturday I go to get all my things out of his house at his request. I thought that he was breaking up with me. Why else would he ask me to take everything?! Since then I've not even had a toothbrush in his house.

We take a mini break of like two days. I know I overreacted, he agrees. I still want to be with him and try. I set up appointments to go see a therapist. He doesn't think that I'm depressed. Yet my girl doc and this guy say yes, mild depression, perhaps S.A.D. which is common, and it's just after the holidays.

I have a trip to Florida w/ Mom planned. He tells me I deserve it, go have fun with Mom and we'll talk when I get back. I go directly to him when I return. He's the place that I wanted to be first. The person that I wanted to see. He thought that after Florida (where I tried not to think about us at all) would show me and come back to him and we would be together. Didn't it mean anything that I wanted him to be the first person that I saw?!

Fast forward to the Wednesday before Valentines (the day after I got home). He texts me and says, Lora if you want me back...all you have to do is ask." Valentines I get a card for him and sign it "Would you give us another chance?" He says no. I don't talk to him for 6 days. He calls on my birthday and is surprised that I don't answer or call him back.

Fast forward to February 28. WICKED! Our what was suppose to be 1 year anniversary weekend. Now it's 1 year of having each other in our lives. He doesn't want to be with me but I can be the adult and be a freind. Thats hard to do when he says I look beautiful and hot and he wants to do things to me. It's confusing as hell seeing as he doesn't want to or can't be with me. Needless to say the drive involves tears because he's confusing me but dinner is nice, the show is wonderful. I look pretty. I'm wearing heels which make me feel good and I have a strong man in a suit by my side. Who wants to take me home. I wish he could spend the night but I know that he won't he has to go.

Sunday - his moving day. He says that he has enough help. He calls me telling me he's stressed to the max. I always did want to help him. I do my stuff at home (groceries, laundry etc) and head that way getting to the old house around 4. It's completely empty and I almost cry. His Mom is there and right away she give me a hug. Says it's nice to see you. He's having a rough day. Back to Monroe to go to the apartment where I help organize and set things up to what will be better for him, kitchen and bathroom. some bedroom stuff. I spend the night. We both miss each other and want to be with each other.

Monday afternoon - I call him and say lets quit the BS if you want to be with me and I want to be with you lets be together. Lets work on things! He says lets talk to night. We "talk" on gmail. Maybe yeah that was stupid but it was his choice. I tried and fought and said take what you need, if you want something do it. If you feel like a day without me take it. Please just keep me in your life is basically what I'm saying. He can't as he's scared and also feels that he needs to take the time to see what he wants and needs. The second that he says "goodbye for now" I log off and haven't talked to him since. Did he think that I could take the soul wracking sobs that occured again after I asked for him back? Did he think that I could pick up the phone again in two days and listen to how much he misses me but can't be with me? What did he think that it would be like? Did he think that I could go on in this limbo forever?! I know I said things and I know that I made mistakes but I never wanted him out of my life. I wanted to work on things and be happy with him again. It's his demons that keep him from moving forward. And trying to again be happy with me. To camp with me in the summer,teaching me to learn to ride the bike, doing things together and seperately, learning to grow and laugh again. Now I feel like I had to make the decision and set him free to learn and see what it's like to be alone. I've been alone. I highly enjoyed being with him. But it seems that there is no middle ground. I can't be with him and have the space to breath and be myself. It's to much and to scary for him. So the days go on and maybe one day he will understand what a lifetime is. That two lovers will not always like and want to be around each other but they stand on the ground that they want to be with the other person. In good and bad. Thick and thin. Calm and tough spots. They cannot imagine that person not at their side.

CleanChristmas

2008-11-23T16:55:00.000-08:00

A clean bill of health. FINALLY. No more infection, it is gone-zo!

Un-beleiveable. I got it back in July and no according to the tests it's gone. LOL I've grown so accustumed to having it.

Christmas is around the corner and I'm not ready to pick up and start thinking about setting up the tree. I've started to get minor items, but I still can't get in the mood to actually wrap things and set up the tree. We've had to at work already as well as starting to plan secret santa and final preparations for the holiday party too. But luckily enough black friday was last weekend and I finished most of my shopping! YAY!

NON- VEGAS Vacation

2008-10-30T04:53:00.000-07:00

OK, So I was off for 7 days and it felt like two weeks! That's awesome :)

So I spent the first three days with my boyfriend doing whatever we wanted or didn't want to do because we both had off which almost never happens. Went over to see Granny and take her out to lunch while Dad was in Mexico. Hung a couple pictures in her "new" place and had a good visit. Came home did a little shopping in the Madison area then went to his house. The next night was dinner with his parents and aunt and uncle. Phew passed another test! On the way there (Dubuque) the spring in his car broke. And I guess now the struts are bad too, not sure what he's going to do there. Saturday was nice. We sat at home eating popcorn and watching movies. Sunday he went back to work and I grocery shopped and went to bible study.

The next three days were spent without him, perfectly OK as we talked most nights.

Monday was me me me day and lunch with mom at noodles downtown. I wasn't impressed with my noodles, to overcooked :(. Tuesday was shopping in the dells with friend Deborah. We shopped for ourselves and all ages of little munchkins. Had lunch and were still home by 5. Seven hours of shopping was enough. Wednesday was a sleep in/lazy day. Saw the movie "The Secret Life of Bees" good flick with Carol and Grace followed up by dinner at Hubbard Avenue Diner. So good to catch up with the mother daughter duo I haven't seen them since I think it was March :P And now it's back to work. 2.5 days until the weekend. It'll be nice to see everyone again. I was saying Monday that I miss everyone but not the work so I'm not ready to go back. After working a 1/2 day this weekend it'll be off to spend some time with Josh and then his nephews birthday party...at a bowling alley! And talk with mom, Karen, about the specifics of Josh's 30th birthday party. I always tell him he's an old man.

More next week I'm sure! tt4n - Lora

White coats

2008-09-30T05:19:00.000-07:00

Don't ever get an intestinal infection. It's a tough one to kick! We're looking at anything from a week to three months. But hey I'm better than I was. More later when I have more time. Tonight, I clean the house!! Woo hoo

like it!

2008-09-15T19:30:00.000-07:00

Wow. Got a nice weekend behind me. Sending cards to my ma, don and two joshuas. My friend, joshua's grandfather passed away today. It was sudden and unexpected. I'm sad for him as over the last month my own grandmother has not been doing so well. I have plans to see her next weekend in my head but sometimes thats just not the way that it goes. This last weekend it was cold and rainy. A trip to the farmers market brought fresh yummy veggies. Cucumbers, zuchini, peppers, peas, cilantro, tomotos, lettuce, beets, koharbi, and apples! I can't wait to try those!!!! Yummies. Needless to say this week will be salads for lunch with all sorts of fresh veggies and yummies. My moms came out and we had dinner at the great dane friday night. mmmm fish fry. Saturday was the farmers market followed by pedicures and lunch followed by mom getting like 13 inches of hair cut off!! Then I came home and relaxed. Ha ha napped from like 5-630. Packed and headed to joshuas. Sunday we bowled. 115 131 and 99. Seeing as I'm finally feeling better I think that was the heaviest thing that I've lifted in quite a while. LOL :( It's sad actually. My energy is coming back. We like to take walks at night. For some reason he likes to walk after dark lol. Anywho. After bowling we came home to cook. And cook we do. A double batch of brownies in the oven. Marinated pork chops. roasted zuchini and potates. Grilled peppers, stuffed with rice and corn. PLUS salads with apples, zuchini, olives and vinigrette. Follow that with brownies and frozen moose tracks.

Fall is coming. The chill is in the air. Nights are cool and then warm the next. Winter will be here before we know it. I must get a sled this year! It's crazy to think about Christmas already. LOL.

This month apple picking and the comedy club.

Next month VEGAS!!!!!

Monday Moday

2008-08-25T19:24:00.000-07:00

Today is monday and the man has been gone since thursday. They started the trip back today and are staying in Sturgis tonight. He's going to be so sore from riding when he gets home. Thank god that some of the hotels have had hot tubs in them! I can't wait to hear all about the trip and see the pictures and the stories. I'm a little jealous to hear about him doing these things with out me BUT with all the riding that they are doing I'm glad that I'm not there. I would do a much more relaxed ride lol.

On another note this week is crazy! I had off today. Dropped off the car to get the "ding" on both passenger doors fixed. Picked up the rental. DOGDE CHARGER YEAH! Did some stuff for me. then had a dentist appointment to get my filling filled. I hate the dentist and the drilling. Not cool. But it has to be done.

On another note this weekend is Labor day and I FINALLY just hung pictures in my room as well as settling a little more and organizing and filing this weekend! After being sick for a month it was good to feel like doing some of that stuff. And with Labor day being this weekend...HOLY CRAP. Theres so many things to do this weekend. I have the option to go to Taste of Madison. Hang out with the mans family to make popcorn and then sneak it into the drive-in...

the road

2008-08-22T05:06:00.000-07:00

It's amazing how many roads there are. I'm on the road to recovery. Feeling much better and have almost all of the weight (14 pounds) back on that I lost. While I wouldn't mind keeping 4 pounds of this off I'm just happy to be feeling like myself and smiling and laughing and goofing around again! Another road is the one that J is on. He and his father are riding (motorcycles) out to the Bad Lands and back. They left yesterday. Made it all the way to Mitchell SD in the rain. Pretty good distance for one day they said. I wouldn't know. We had a trip to the Harley Museum in Milwaukke last week to get him psyched and excited for the trip. It was actually pretty cool. I learned a lot more about bikes than I knew and we got to look at a whole bunch of bikes and talk about the Harley that he wants and of course the helmet that I'll have to get because I won't ride without one! We ate at Kopps for lunch stopped at Cap City Harley on the way home. Went out for dinner and then went to play volleyball with some friends (I watched, he played) It was a great day and since he will be gone this sunday for our 6 month (yes 6 months!) anniversary we turned that day into our celebration. It has flown by so quickly it's hard to beleive that it's been that "long" already. Plans now in the works for a very busy saturday and a no plans sunday. Have a great weekend!

lickity split

2008-08-04T17:18:00.000-07:00

so here I sit flipping channels and it's the teen choice awards and rain wilson from THE OFFICE. Yippy Skippy I am ready for the new seasons of the following to start. The Office, Greys Anatomy, Battlestar Gallactica, Gossip Girl, Bones. As for life. Well I can't believe it's August already. Flower places are closing for the season. Corn is starting to be harvested. In two months the leaves will start changing and we'll start getting that nip in the air that will make us start getting out our sweaters and gloves. Cuddling up to the ones that we love and talking brisk walks in the cool air that turn your cheeks pink. Ok I'm not ready for that but I can't beleive that it'll be here before we know it. Ok, keeping this one short. Peace out. L.

white coats

2008-07-12T20:05:00.000-07:00

ahhhh so a lovely evening last night (not really) followed up with a visit to urgent care this morning. So I went in last week for symptoms. It seemed to be getting better. But then again, funny how things can be decieving. Up every hour on the hour last night. Throwing up even water this morning. Called the parents. Urgent care doesn't open until 9. Well you can bet they let me right in. lol. 2 bags of saline. Minus 2 vials of blood and a prescription for 7 days of antibiotics. As well as strict orders to follow up with a family medicine doctor (great now I gotta find one)! So they are still doing labs and have more tests to do before they find out what is wrong. I apparently have some sort of infection. My white blood cells are up. Hence the anitbiotics, so we wait and see. Meanwhile monday I will have to call and see if I can get my doc reassigned. It very likey could be from the lake water in a flood area that I swam in and not intentially got in my nose/may have swallowed. We shall see. All I know is that I can't wait to be better again. Due to this I am missing Art Fair on the Square with my stepdad who instead got to spend time with me at urgent care. As well as a work Brewer's game which I organized. Oh well, the cost of health is priceless. Plus now my step dad and bro get to go to the game in my place. Works good since the bro was suppose to go to the game tonight. Got there and then realized that the tickets were in his car. In Lake Mills. Woops...Hopefully on the path to wellness. I will keep you posted.

patriotic fireworks

2008-07-05T22:14:00.000-07:00

Well the week of the 4th is finally upon/past us. The thing is...it doesn't seem like it was the 4th. Jessica isn't here like she was last year. The man is working. My friends all have plans and gas prices are way high. So I went to Monroe fireworks. Awesome! Better than Watertowns (not that it's hard) But they have patriotic music and we were right beyond the falling debre zone...still got a little dusting though but thats ok. I had ice cream and got to sit in the grass on a blanket. The only odd thing....it was like 50 degrees out. Not even the mosquitos were bothering us. Odd for the 4th. It was a gorgeous day. Not to hot. Saturday and Sunday were warmer. Saturday however I "hung out" at the gym with the man. I'm not excited about how my sides are going to feel tomorrow. I used this contraption that I've never used before. Actually a bunch of them. Chris you likely would know what they are. Lets just say one of them had me swinging like a monkey! Makes me wish that I had a gym membership so that I could go back and make the pain go away...kinda like the hair of the dog sorta thing. All pain no gain...unless you got that gym membership, lol! Anywho, came home. Wasn't feeling well (gonna leave it at that) talked to man and mom. Man convinced me to go into urgent care. I got to see a cool doctor who told me what the problem was and now well I've got to get it under control. Yay, bill shouldn't be to bad. No prescriptions. No x-rays. Don't worry I'm not dying or anything like that. It's all good, though he did say no caffiene. Gotta go cold turkey....

A view from the garage

2008-06-22T20:12:00.000-07:00

Standing in the garage today I looked out and there was a steady drizzle with sun streaming through it. I honestly think that this is one of the most wonderful things that we could ever have been given. 28 years old and this still grabs my childhood wonder.

This weekend was my first trip to the farmers market this year. I came home with asparagus, strawberries, pea pods, baby lettuce, dill cheese curds, kohlrabi, green onions, flowers. Dinner tonight was grilled asparagus with butterfly cut jerk/pepper season grilled pork chops. Followed up with French Vanilla ice cream topped with peanut butter, chocolate sauce, chopped nuts and fresh strawberries. Beverage of choice was Spotted Cow from New Glarus.

Got the air conditioner installed. Killed two mosquito's. Finally got thru the movie Amelie. I love this movie. It's in French has subtitles and it just odd. Perhaps why I love it, there is not really an explanation for any of it the first time you watch it. I could watch this movie over and over again.

Went to THREE different stores today to find stinking "fans" for the adjustable "wings" on the air conditioner. Even the people working at Home Depot didn't know they had what we were looking for...we just happened to stumble onto them. lol. Gotta love that. Honestly some day I will have my own home where I only have to do all this stuff once and I will be done with it. Done I say.

Meanwhile. More boxes are unpacked. My oregano died. Everywhere I go they have Greek Oregano which looks absolutely nothing like the oregano that I had. Things are getting cleaner and more organized. I still have allot to do, but friend Shane will be moving in at the end of July and that will solidify thing a bit more around here as to what I can have out and where...I am missing my monkey clock in the living room...I'll have to dig it out. I think that I know where it it.

124 days until VEGAS 2008. This year hopefully...Hoover Dam, La Reve, Thunder from Down Under, shopping, and at least two buffets at decent places like Rio, Bellagio, or The Wynne. Down with the boys making all the decisions!!!!

a day in june

2008-06-16T19:11:00.000-07:00

just past the center of the month. heading for the middle of the year. i'm again settling into a new place. setting up new house and new home. missing freinds to share it with. i've got that special person to share it with. but it's always the ones that you want here the most and can't physically have to share it with. thats a bummer. there is so much that I want to do all at once here. gardening. planting. painting. settling more. i've got the kitchen done. josh and I actually cooked a meal in it the other day. meatloaf! it was actually good. we were both impressed. now i have to unpack and put together the living room...i think that will be worked on like wednesday night. hopefully. the parents will be out on saturday to see it and come out. this week has had its ups and downs already. I'm ready for a relaxing weekend (lol) after the annual meeting on saurday. a trip to the farmers market is planned. mmmm cannot wait. josh has never been.

A Lodi Wedding

2008-05-27T16:33:00.000-07:00

Memorial Day weekend wedding.

I'm always amazed @ how many people show up for these seeing as it's a holiday weekend. But I don't think that it's crazy busy for people like the 4th of July, Thanksgiving, or Christmas...The Bride Sue Brown. The Groom Eric Hardel. Freinds of Josh, the man I am currently dating. He was the Best Man. :)

Friday - Josh and I went to the bride and grooms house where I got to hang out with twin six week old girls while the guys prepared food! (score). Then the guys went to get the tuxes and I was left to cut fruit and watch the babies. Yikes. They are both still under 8 pounds! Needless to say we are all still alive. Then was the rehearsal, very cool paster. Then the dinner. Sitting around the bonfire and eating and just hanging out. Very Chill.

Saturday - Up @ 6 to get Josh to Lodi to eat breakfast w/ the whole crew. They had to be @ the golf course for an 8:00 tee time. We all had to be to the church by 1:00 so that the men could finish dressing and start pictures...by now no one has really eaten lunch and we're running a bit behind schedule (so much for grilling out @ lunch, lol) The ceremony started a little after 3 and was great! The bride and groom rented a stretch hummer. The wedding party got to go in that. (Nice!) Me and the other guest book attendant (new title, got that friday night...) took Josh's truck and cruised up to the dells. The food was ok. Others agreed, I really wanted a cheeseburger after dinner, not sure why... Much fun was had at the dance. My guy decided to shave his leg friday night and put a garter on. Fooled the groom until he got a look @ his "brides" foot. The words "I hate you" followed a very confused look. The night ended up with several of the bridal party in the pool formal wear included. Long day. Lots of fun followed w/ a chaser of Advil

Sunday - Gift opening. Left over giant strawberries dipped in chocolate. Lunch @ Moosejaw w/ the families of the bride & groom. them home to finally relax by 6:00 pm. Good weekend :) Great wedding. We didn't get any pictures (he brought his camera but didn't use it) but I know that likely the photographer did and the brides mother did for sure of the two of us.

Today...

2008-05-05T17:56:00.000-07:00

Crazy ass monday at work. Didn't leave until like 615 but it was nice to relax and get some things done after work! Mary Kay party this saturday...gotta try to keep this place clean until then. lol...peace