Galapogos Islands

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?

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

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

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...

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

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

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.