Getting Things Done

This first half of the first week after school has been a productive one. I painted one of the bedrooms, finished my wedding scrapbook (finally!), organized my old school papers, finished another Lemony Snicket book (#8), and started another book-Into the Wild, plus all the other normal errands and tasks that occur. I feel good. I'm trying to get a few things done before Lucas comes for the week on Sunday. I still have a couple more days before the weekend, I hope to mark some more to do items off my list.

I went to the movies with Jill and the girls in Franklin. On Wednesday mornings, they have a free show. We saw Nim's Island. It was pretty good. Abby sat on my lap for half of the movie. She's not quite three and was so good during the movie. She's so cute and cuddly. Next week is Horton but I don't know if Lucas can handle sitting for a whole movie. We might try it. I think it's great that the theater offers that. It gives kids a chance to get out and do something at least once a week at no cost!

I also finally got my car fixed for good. The shifter was sticking so we took it in, just to spend too much money on a part that didn't even fix the problem. We took it back to the shop and they replaced a different part at no labor cost and the part for cost. I was so mad about paying for the first replacement that I didn't want to spend another dime, but it needed to be done. I also found out that my brakes lights weren't working, and this part would fix both problems. So far so good, but we'll give it the test of time.

I really enjoy the break from school. I am able to get things accomplished around the house that I always seem to put off. But now I find myself bored at night. My usual routine is to sit on the couch or in front of the computer working on school stuff. Now, I don't have that, and just sitting in front of the tv without something to work on at the same time seems boring. Not complaining, just saying. I still really enjoy the break, especially after Block II.

A Trip to King's Island

So the trip to King's Island on Thursday was exhausting but so much fun! We took the bike so we headed out early (7am) because we were taking a few back roads at first and didn't know how long it would take. Plus, Michael was determined to get every cents worth, and had to be there by the time the gate opened. We were. In fact, 45 minutes before the gate opened. But that's okay. It gave us time to get ready and put our stuff in a locker. We went on the new ride first (I don't know the name but it's the one where you're on your back). All of the picture rides are hilarious; me screaming like I'm going to die and Michael sitting all relaxed with a smile. We went on all the rides except the twirly ones that would make me puke. We even went on Son of Beast which I said I would never go on again but I did. They were having specials on the optional rides that cost extra money. Normally they're $25 a person but they were only $5 and $10 per person so we had to do them. The first one we were put in a harness and then pulled back and really high up on a cord. Then we released the cord and did a free fall until the cord caught us. It was a combination of a sky dive and hang gliding. By far, one of the scariest and most exhilarating things there, and now my favorite ride at the park. The other ride, we were put in this ball thing and shot in the air, higher than anything in the park. That one was fun but hurt my head a little. When the cords catch the ball, it twirls the ball some. Michael is the theme park enthusiast. He could ride every ride there as many times as he could, one after the other, and even right after eating. I, on the hand, need a little break, especially after eating. I like the rides, but I'm more prone to getting sick or hurting afterwards. It's hard for me to keep up with him. My (2nd) favorite ride there is the Scooby Doo ride in the kiddy part. So, even though he wanted to stay until close, we left at 9pm. I couldn't go on one more ride. By the time we left the sun was going down, so the ride home was a little chilly, but not the coldest ride we've ridden. We had a lot of fun and got a little sun and all in all it was a great day.

You know it's hot when...

the motorcycle stand leaves this impression in the black top after sitting maybe 20-30 minutes. We're just glad it didn't sink too far and tip the bike. We're not taking anymore chances...the metal plate is going under the stand no matter what surface we're on! In other motorcycle related news, I got a new helmet yesterday! We have 3/4 helmets now but haven't always been wearing them because they get so hot and they're uncomfortable! I know, shame shame. But I got a new half helmet. It's black with pink flames. So cute! Michael had to order his because they didn't have the size in the style he wanted. We're taking the bike to King's Island tomorrow. It will probably be the longest trip we've taken on the bike so far. We've had it out all day before, but usually there's stops here and there. It should be fun!

My Early Birthday Celebration

Since Jaime is going to be gone on training during my birthday this year, we celebrated it yesterday. The plan was to meet down in Clarksville in the afternoon to do some shopping before going to the Derby Dinner Theater. When she called me in the morning, we were both ready to head down right away, so we met a little early for lunch before shopping. We went to Red Lobster (of course) and on top of lunch we had yummy frosted drinks and chocolate dessert. Then we headed over to the mall to do a little shopping. We walked around some different stores but spent the most time in New York & Co. They were having really good sales and we tried on so many different clothes. It was just fun trying on different outfits. I got a cute new purse and some tops and bottoms. I also got a suit for $16, that's right, $16. The day could have ended there and it would have been a good day. But we still had the dinner theater to go to. We had to stop off at Kmart to pick up some ibuprofen to kill the slight headache that was forming. We also got some breathe mints for Jaime now that she can't chew gum due to her spacers (she's getting braces). When we got to the theater, there were balloons tied to my chair. I was so excited and surprised. We had dinner and then, of course, dessert again. I have been craving strawberry shortcake all summer so that's what I got. Jaime got chocolate again, of course. After dinner, there was a little pre-show. Then they brought out a little birthday cake with a sparkler in it! I was so excited. Since we already had dessert (Jaime didn't want to ruin the surprise) we just tucked the cake away in a box. The play was Beauty and the Beast, my most favorite Disney movie. The play was amazing. The actors were incredible. They sang all of the songs from the movie as well as some other ones just for the play. And we now have a thing for French candlesticks. If you went to the play, you'd understand why. The whole day, from start to end, was absolutely wonderful. I cannot say enough how wonderful my early birthday celebration was. It was such an amazing day. I could never thank Jaime enough for making my day so special.

Puppet Shows & Demolition Derby

Friday was our last day of our Teaching About the Arts class. The class, which was divided into three groups for the semester, came back together for the puppet shows. There were 11 shows performed. All in all, the shows went really well. Many of them were really cute. We based our puppet show from the book "Little Quack's New Friend." We had a really good group (Jill and Brenda were in my group) so it worked out well. It went really smoothly and we got a few laughs. I was nervous although I don't know why. It was fun. Jill brought her 2 year old daughter, Abby. She's just the cutest little girl. After Jill brought her back from the bathroom, she announced to everyone that the "toilet splashed water on my butt." It was hilarious. Kids can say the funniest things. Now we only have a couple more afternoon classes next week (our SPED classes). Not that the summer semester was difficult, but it will be nice to get back to doing what I want during the day.

Last night we went up to the Johnson County fair to meet one of Michael's co-workers at the derby. So I called Jill and she met us over there. It was her first time being to a derby! She ended up picking the car that was the winner, go figure. It was loud and fun, although we never did end up meeting up with Michael's friend. He was there with his wife and kids and I think they stayed on the rides longer than expected. I haven't been to a fair in years, not that we really did any fair activities. I don't trust those rides and we don't play the games. We also took the bike up there, and by the time we left it was dark, so I got my first ride at night. It wasn't too bad, just a couple of bugs to the forehead.

Today I'm headed to Clarksville to meet up with Jaime. We're celebrating my birthday today since she'll be in a school in N. Dakota on the 8th. We're going to go shopping for a little while and then go to a dinner play. The play being performed is Beauty and the Beast, my favorite Disney movie, so it should be excellent.

Your License Please

Yes, I got pulled over on the way to class this morning. It's so upsetting. Not that it makes it right, but everyone speeds through that little area (if you're familiar with the area, it was on River Rd by the campus/air field). I was going 44 in a 30mph, but in my defense-again-it already feels like you're crawling because the road starts out at 55mph--I think, there's no sign--and then goes down to 30mph. He clocked me and had his lights on before I even had a chance to see him. It all went quickly, he didn't even ask to see my registration; just my license and the year of my car. So much for vet plates getting you out of a ticket. I think he had a bunch of tickets written up and ready to go. Apparently I wasn't the first to get pulled over, or the last. I later found out that this trooper doesn't give warnings, and he even wrote his own daughter a ticket once. I wasn't upset so much for getting the ticket as the cost of it. It's about two tanks of gas worth. As soon as I got to school I saw Brenda in the parking lot and cried like a big baby. I was over it 5 minutes later but still. I have a million other things I could spend my money on. Oh well, that will teach me.

Hopefully tonight will go better. Michael and I are taking the motorcycle out for a cruise and get some dinner. Should be nice, the weather is beautiful. I have drill this weekend, which is okay, because I have a lot of schoolwork to get done. Yep, I work on homework inbetween phone calls. It's that or spider solitaire. It's good just drilling there and not being full-time, you're not responsible for anything. Yes it's cake and I like it that way. I'm on my way out.

Life's Book

Where's the instruction manual for life? I want a book that I can find out what to do during certain situations, what choice to make during hard decisions. Is that so much to ask? It seems as we go through life we come to places in which we make decisions that we determine a new path to go down. I know this won't make sense to any of you, but I just needed to get it out. Sometimes I don't want to be the adult and decide. I want someone to tell me what to do. To tell me what the best option is. I'm frustrated and upset and I have to stop now because I have to go to class, although it is drama...

Death of a Hermit Crab

I wish I could tell you who it was, but they've all been trading shells lately and I can't keep track of who is who. I noticed some legs and claw in the bedding and instantly thought that one had died. I was really upset and felt stupid for being upset about a hermit crab, but I hate when living things die, especially something I am taking care of. Jaime looked it up and we learned that hermies shed their exoskeleton when they're growing. So I went digging and found the little guy but he wasn't in his shell. I put an empty shell by him and hoped for the best.

The next day I checked on him and he still wasn't in a shell and this time he was no longer moving. He had died. I was a little more prepared for it. I'm not saying that I was ever devastated, but it's still upsetting to have something die. That's one part of working at Petco that I won't miss at all. So now we are down to four hermie crabs.

The 4th of July

The Columbus fireworks are on the 3rd every year so Jaime and Lucas and our friend Wanda came over Thursday evening for a cookout. Lucas was helping me with the ground beef to make hamburgers. We were sorting it (to freeze different portions) and everything was going good until he got the great idea to taste some of it. He instantly didn't like it and Jaime washed his mouth out. I thought it was hilarious but Jaime could just envision him getting sick from the raw meat. He was fine, but that ended our cooking fun. What can I say, he's a garbage pail kid. After dinner, we lit some of those black snakes and threw around some of those poppers--I can't think of their name. Then we headed over to the airfield for the musical firework show. I always enjoy fireworks, but I really like the way Columbus does it with the music set to the show. It lasted about 30 minutes, Lucas fell asleep about halfway through, and then we headed back home. We were all pretty exhausted and it wasn't long before we were all fast asleep.

Lucas woke up bright and early (5am) the next morning. While Lucas is a lot to handle and very exhausting, I always enjoy having them up here. I bought him a big bag of balls and we played with those for awhile. I also bought him some crayons, which I learned that you can't turn your back on him for 1 millisecond or the carpet will end up being the canvas for his artwork. Luckily it washed out, for the most part. During Lucas's nap Jaime and I were able to get another page done in her pregnancy scrapbook. We also got one done before bed after Lucas went down. At this rate, we'll be done with it in about 17 years. For dinner we actually planned it out this time, so when we went to Texas Roadhouse we went early and called ahead. We got right in. I think that was the first time on a Friday or Saturday that we showed up and didn't have to hear it was going to be a 90 minute wait.

Saturday, we went to Michael's parents for the rest of the weekend. They got another little chihuahua, only about 8 weeks old. She's about a pound and so fluffy and cute. Sammy seemed to get along with her much better than the other one, which is good, but she still can't play with them. She's just too big and would hurt them even if she didn't mean to. When she's around Zeus she looks so little and then when we take her over to his parents she looks like a giant. But she was very well behaved around the dogs. We watched a couple movies and talked and we showed them pictures of the flood and tornado mess.

And now it's Sunday already. It's been a nice long weekend and it was good to visit with family and friends. I always love the Fourth of July and everything that goes with it. Now it's time to go back to the routine. I have to get some grocery shopping done and get ready for school tomorrow (only 2 more weeks).