Ever have one of those weekends that is so jam packed with things you've been waiting on that by the time you get to Saturday night you feel like tomorrow could be Monday and you'd (almost) be ok with that? This is my bonus weekend.

 

Last night we went to an Iowa Cubs game - and it was fantastic. We won over the Red Birds (Cardinal's AAA) 10-3. We had a group of about 14 gals there - and my darling hubby. He took it in stride and was a complete gentleman. We had brauts with kraut and a couple of sodas and I kept score. It's amazing to me that noone seems to keep score anymore. I can't imagine NOT keeping score. Then again, it brings me close to my father (gone now almost 4 years) when I'm at a ball game and keeping track of each play. I thank God that I have those memories and how fresh they can become by just going to a game. Priceless.

 

Today I threw a baby shower for a good friend. I'm absolutely thrilled for them. She's due in August and I can't wait to meet the little one. I know they'll be awesome parents. The party went really well with tons of fruits, veggies, angel food cake, bread with dip, grilled potatoes with bacon and many other yummy things. Games were played and I think everyone had a good time. For those of you who know me really well, you'll understand when I say it was something I really enjoyed doing but found emotionally difficult and draining. *hug*

 

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend as well.

 

  

DH and I ended the long weekend with a night at the movies. Saw the Indiana Jones flick. *shiver* Wow, I must not be a fan because it was a thumbs down for me. The only word I can use to describe it? Cheese. Lots and lots of cheese.

 

Oh well, a date is always a good thing. :)

This morning started with some rain that gave away to sun. It's in the high 70s and a wonderful breeze from the west. Dan and I decided to grill and eat out on the new deck. I then stayed out and read for awhile while he mowed the front yard. Blue skies make it hard to want to come back inside.

 

The most current finish was the book "Friday Night Knitting Club" by Kate Jacobs. What an absolutely beautiful book revolving around the lives of a unique group of women. I would highly suggest this book.

 

More information:

 

Blessings to all who have gone before. Know you are missed.

 

(miss you daddy)

Well, the burn has now turned into something that looks more like leprosy than a sunburn. Everytime I go to itch my forhead or bump my nose I get a soft falling of icky dead skin. *eeww!* These hotspots are sore an do not like to be touched or they lead to a stinging sensation. Here's hoping it will heal up quickly.

 

In other news - have you see the Wii Fit by Nintendo?

 

I only found out about the game last Friday night at a meeting and by then none of the stores were selling any additional reservations. The game came out yesterday and I was on a mission. I called 3 Targets; no go. Then I called 2 Best Buys; nope. Then I tried the 2 GameStops over on the east side; nope, all sold out. I then tried Sears at the mall and... they had 2 left in stock! I used an hour of comp time to run across town... to find out they sold both during the 20 minute commute.

 

Dejected I decided to walk the mall and convince myself that I really didn't think I could find a copy anyway. That's when I noticed our mall has a GameStop. I walked in and chuckled while asking the young kid behind the counter "don't suppose you have any of the Wii Fit games?" His answer? "Actually, we have one left."

 

*blink blink* Silence. "I'll take it."

 

Awesome! So last night we plugged it in and set up our accounts and my hefty little Mii did some skiing, soccer, hula hooping, a light three minute jog around "the park," dancing and even Yoga! I'll admit it - my legs were a touch sore. What an awesome concept and I'm so glad we got our copy. *happy dance*

 

I've had a couple of friends ask me just how much sun I got on Sunday.

 

Well, here I am, you make the call.

 

 

Hmm, photo doesn't show the blisters on the bridge of the nose and pealing on the forehead... but good enough *wince*

... both reflecting RED. Yup, glowing.

 

On Saturday I went out and hit garage sales all morning as the weather was just beautiful and I'm such an addict when it comes to looking at other's people stuff they are trying to sell. I'm always on the look out for stitching supplies, books and large vases. I found one home that was selling 2 large cedar chests but she wouldn't take a lower offer and I wasn't about to pay the $120/ea she was wishing for.

 

Dan and I then headed up to see friends who were camping at Ledges State Park. We played games, grilled out and then threw around the football for awhile. It was awesome and the sunshine was great - and turned me a little pink.

 

... Then came Sunday. I worked 6 hours out on blacktop outside the Newton Raceway (cars) handing out copies of the DNR magazine to those passing by. Mostly it was those people who missed the main ticket booth to our south and had walked too far. We were near the National Guards men and a poor guy who had almost noone stop to talk to him who was trying to sell trailers. After that much time in the sun, no amount of sunscreen was going to save my sensitive skin. Yup, I'm red. Mrs. Rudolf with a severe red cast to the forehead and cheeks as well. I hurt. Itch. Ale Vera Gel is my Best FRIEND.

 

Sooo... it was one of those weekends. Felt great to get outside and I wouldn't do anything differently (other than wear a HAT yesterday).

 

Oh, and some guy named "Ickler" won.

 

So I thought I'd type up a blog and let everyone know I'm still alive - just swamped.

 

Work has been keeping me hopping. From online live cameras of baby falcons to turkey hunting information, fishing clinics, Honey Creek Resort State Park information, boating laws, watershed improvement information and so on - it's been a busy couple of weeks. Ah, summer.

 

In other news, my back is doing really well. There's very few things I still stay away from (lifting, walking inclines/declines, etc) but on a whole it is not controlling my daily activities anymore. For me - that's HUGE. *happy dance*

 

Also, I've been starting to map out my family bush and am having a pretty good time. There's my mom's side (Johnson), dad's side (Cardwell), husband's sides (Fahrion and Clendenin), my birth mom's side (Schmitz) and then birth father's side (Weihs). So far it's going along smoothly and I'm really wanting to get my hands on some photos and also get out to some of the cemeteries and find the final resting place of family members. I've only been working on this for just over 2 weeks but I'm really enjoying "getting to know" family I never knew existed.

 

Glitter Graphics

The story of profound loss of life in the Myanmar region overwhelms me. Entire families lost, little air coming in and awesome levels of devastation. I can't even begin to comprehend. My thoughts and prayers are with those in the region and everyone worldwide who has found themselves touched by this event.

 

U.S. envoy: Myanmar deaths may top 100,000 (Cnn.com)

YANGON, Myanmar (CNN) -- The death toll from the cyclone that ravaged the Irrawaddy delta in Myanmar may exceed 100,000, the senior U.S. diplomat in the military-ruled country said Wednesday. "The information we are receiving indicates over 100,000 deaths," the U.S. Charge D'Affaires in Yangon, Shari Villarosa, said on a conference call. The U.S. figure is almost five times more than the 22,000 the Myanmar government has estimated. Little aid has reached the area since Cyclone Nargis hit last weekend, and on Wednesday crowds of hungry survivors stormed reopened shops in the devastated Irrawaddy delta.

 

Manic Monday Questions:
http://manicmondaymeme.blogspot.com/

 

1. What name would you want have if you were the opposite sex?
Gosh, I have no idea. I've always loved the names Daniel and Christopher.

2. Would you share the tooth brush of your spouse/significant other? Why or why not?
Nope. I would rather "fake brush" using my finger.

 

3. What is a song that you love to hate?

Mambo Number 5

Today's running of the Kentucky Derby had been on my mind all week long and I was especially excited as we had a filly running the race with the big boys - Eight Belles. Jockey Saez was slowing her down after completing the race and she somehow went down after fracturing both front ankles. It hasn't been stated if she might have stumbled first or due to the accident, but once she was done it was decided to euthanize her as she laid on the track. What a horrible end for such a true spirit.

 

For more on the 3 yr old's history:

And Kentucky Derby 2008 story on SportsIllustrated.com

 

 

 

Congrats to winner, Big Brown ... and prayers to all who worked with this magnificant filly.

Bah, nothing new happening at all so I thought I'd post my April 2008 photo gallery. Enjoy ... and if you see any of that summer weather please send it towards Iowa.