They didn't say I couldn't

But I am sure I would have heard them say "Oh no you di-int"

But seriously, in my defense, they never said I couldn't scrub my toilet.


Whats that?


Common sense?


Didn't you know they removed that after the first surgery? The rest was an all brainer, and they took it all out yesterday when they blasted me.


And all I have left to say is:


Y'OUCH! That hurts!

A stones throw

Last November I had several very large stones in my left kidney. I had orthoscopic surgery to remove the largest, with Lithotripsy to blast the littler of the buggers. I then had a stent in for a week following to be sure that anything left behind could pass without interference (which by the way, if you have ever had any of this done, the stent is the worst part - talk about yanking your bladder out your woohoo everytime you consider peeing).

And all was well.

Until last week.

On Monday I woke up thinking the pain I was having was not Fibro pain, but I didn't want to admit that it could be what I was fearing. So I ignored it.

On Tuesday it was getting harder to deny, but still, I didn't want to give into the thought, and if I ignored it it would go away right?

Nope...

On Wednesday I was moving very slow. By noon I couldnt sit any longer, and by the time I made it to the doctor at 1:45 I was no longer walking.

Demoral and Visterol were administered so I could lay down to have a CT Scan that would reveal what I already knew.

And then I was rushed to Mankato to the hospital that actually has a Urologist.

Thursday I had a stent placed in my left kidney - under General Anesthesia which I never respond well to.

Friday I came home with Vicodin and a pharmacuetical chest of other fine meds.

Friday night I was back in the emergency room with pain so intolerable I thought I was giving birth to a 25 year old sumo wrestler.

Saturday - Today I have been on Percocet - a lovely little substitute for the Dilantin they gave me on Friday night.

And tomorrow I get to go back in for surgery at 8 am to get this stupid thing removed.

But the stupid stent will stay put for up to 2 more weeks.

And then the anti food diet will begin. If it has calcium I am almost guaranteed to be told never again to eat it.

I have the same Urologist as last year, and the first words out of his mouth on Thursday were "why didn't you follow up with me? I told you what you needed to do to prevent this again".

Um, well doc, there was this little thing called life. And life included my step fathers death and my sons near death, so I am sorry that I didn't follow up. But I am guessing the third time wont be very charming, so I had better listen this time.

UGH!

Vacation Pictures

A few days before we left for vacation "Great Grandpa" (Jims Grandpa) turned 93. He is in the nursing home, and it makes me sad because he spends a lot of time alone. Grandma Rose has been gone almost a year now.

So this was taken in June, but since I fell upon it while uploading vacation pictures I decided to share it with you (besides, the flowers are now brown and shrivelled up, so its nice to see them lush). Anyway, this baby bird was taking flying lessons and decided to perch in my flower pot. He watched us 1/2 the morning. This little guy also visited Jims mirror on his truck, the kids playset at the base of the slide, and the window sill in the family room. Like Flat Stanley or Wheres Waldo, only we never had the camera handy...

The Bucket List: For 7 summers we have vacationed at my aunt and uncles cabin. These two buckets have been used in a similar fashion first by Mantha, and then by both kids since the first visit. There is always at least one day's worth of play that includes little people sitting in them.

As you can see, Daschel was getting a little envious of said bucket play





So the kids generously donated a miniature version of the red bucket

and he played and played and played with it... all weekend long.

Im pretty sure that you dont water ski on your face (see the ski on the left side of the wake?). I give Mantha kudo's for trying, but she seriously doubled her weight in water and lost interest immediately. She was a trooper tho!

I know for sure that you cant swim in sand, but it was so cute to watch that I didnt have a heart to tell Jadon that he wasnt going to get anywhere that way.


Dash loved the water. The breed is not a water dog, but apparently no one told him. We are hoping that this will make baths easier!

Built like momma, and decadent desserts too!

So tonight my son, a boy, masculine, tough guy (ok not so much), walks up the stairs from the dungeon I mean playroom, and this is what I saw coming at me:

Shake it to the left, shake it to the right.... Thank God they were made of a football and a basket ball (mini in size, but still of masculine sorts)

oY....Oy.... oY!

On to my other favorite subject:

The Club, Flowers and Dessert!

The Club had a Back Yards and Blooms Garden Tour last week. Along with the tour, the Club hosted a Decadent Dessert party, where local ladies made and donated the desserts and the recipes for us to provide for the after party. Below you may drool over the spectical of decadence, but please, restrain yourselves because we ate them all gone! Sorry!

The one you will notice is only halved in the photo because well, it was so good that it started going before the picture was taken. And please, dont judge me for the day old day lillies. I wasnt thinking.... Again, I am sorry!

Enjoy!

Tres Leches with fruit. Fresh Grapefruit Cake (this was to die for amazing, and I will share the recipe if you beg me).

Tres Leches, Fresh Grapefruit Cake, Tirimisu Torte (some idiot [me] cut it before the photo) and Chocolate Praline (this was the only dessert I didnt get to sample as I am allergic to most nuts).

There were at least a dozen other desserts that were equally as stunning to look at, but they were not in photographical states at the time that these pictures were taken.

If you are planning on visiting my neck of the woods next summer about this time, let me know, I will be sure to get you tickets and will reserve you something decadently tasty, yet amazingly calorie free!

It could be worse!

I received an email on the heels of several sparring matches with Board Members today, and although the whole jist of the email is not appropriate for blogging, one line was:

Should you find yourself the victim of other people's bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities; remember, things could be worse. You could be one of them!

That will be my motto and my armor today, because as long as I remember I could be one of them I will stay grounded and avoid their level.

Although the one comment keeps replaying over and over in my head: "We would help but we all have full time jobs". Ok, well little missy (aka Vice President of both of my Boards of Directors), if it weren't for your ignorance, I would have a full time job too, but you don't seem to think that my working 50 hours+ for 32 hours of pay is enough so you pile more on and then remind me that YOUR employer pays you for the hours you work! At least pay me some respect - it will balance out some of those unpaid work hours!

I hope that didn't put me on her level... Oy... pennance time.

I guess I had to let that out. Sorry!

My baby is starting school in less than two months...

Happy. Amazed. Sad.

He is so happy, he can't wait to start. Pre-school was what he lived for this past year, and every morning when we drive past the elementary, he comments on what is changing (its being remodelled) and wonders how his Kindergarten room will be affected.

It amazes me how much he is learning at his new daycare. Maybe it is because she is on the school board, loves kids, and believes in helping her little dumplings get ready for the new school year, or maybe he is finally thriving in a socially hyperactive environment.

My sadness is less about him going to school, but more about the preparation... Sad that I have to break the news to him that he needs to go to the doctor in the next few weeks. Sad because after last Novembers 9 day stint at Childrens Hospital, I have tried to protect him from more "pokes", and have done my best to avert his new found fear of doctors, clinics, and needles. I don't blame him, he had needles, tubes and "pokes" in all places at all times for more time than any young child should have to. Thank God it was temporary, but the effects were lasting. And in case we forget, he even has scars to show us as reminders (thank God, this did not leave a scar!).

Today we received reminders from our insurance company with the list of vaccinations he needs before school. As he was placing the reminder stickers on the chart they sent, he noticed that the vaccination ones had pictures of needles on them, and instantly inquired why we were using those stickers. When I told him he would need a few pokes to start school, he quickly stated that he could wait. He didnt need to go to school next month.

Please Lord, give me the strength to get through that appointment without tears, because I know it is not going to go smoothly.

Addiction to get your undies in a bunch

Or inside out in my case.

Ever stayed up so late that you didn't realize the next morning that you dressed yourself in a less than perfect manner? Well that was me this morning. And it took until noon for me to notice. Of course no one else could tell, but nonetheless I was self concious and worried that there was more - like mascara on my lips and lipstick on my lashes. Especially after my opinion post of last week!

Well such addiction is this utterly stupid show called Big Brother. I mean what moron schedules their life around such a sadistic muttering of idiocracy. Oh, me.

Not only do I watch the 3 evenings a week, but I even DVR and fast forward much of the late night stuff so I can have the "inside scoop" on all my peeps that secretly wish they had a DVR and the ability to be me.

Why oh why?

Needless to say, said garments remained status quo because well, I was too tired to care.

The beauty in natures fury

There have been storms all over Minnesota the past two days. Where we are, we have been on the fringe, either a few miles to the north or south - literally. So we have had the beauty of the fury without the beast.

The cabin I was at all last week was within very few miles of a tornado that destroyed a few turkey farms. If I have to guess where the farms were, I would say that as the crow flies, the tornado probably would have been visible if not for the tree's around the cabin.

My dad called to tell me that they had over 2" of rain fall in less than a 1/2 hour. He is up north where the storms were really riled up this early afternoon. There was a tornado in the county their cabin is in, but he wasnt sure where it struck and what damage was done.

Mantha is in the city with her dad, and they are on round like 4 of the wickedness - Heidi, I hope you are getting through it ok!

But like I said, we have just had the beauty. So here are a few shots taken out our front door looking over the neighbors house:

Of course a photo does not do justice to how contrasting this scene was. The lower layer of clouds - which looked to almost touch the roof tops they are that low - ranged from orange to red to silver. They were moving east. The white thunder clouds were pretty much standing still, but building to the west. Some converged right over our heads. We heard a little thunder, but like most of the storms that have hit our corner of the state this month, we are unscathed. As I say this the wind is picking up, but the radar shows nothing, so I will not fret, and rather look at the beauty a little longer before the sun goes down.

If you are in this, or any other storms path, may your family stay safe!

Im just sayin'

This is my opinion. It may not be yours, but it is mine. And since this is my blog and not yours, I get to say what I want to say. If you want to share your opinion and it is not the same as mine, that is fine, because you too are free to speak as you wish, and have opinions as you wish.

That being said...

I am not a make up artist, and I am not a fashionista. But there are a few things that I dont understand about make up and fashion:

1. White eye shadow: There are some people who wear it well (my little "sister" Cricket is one of them). Most young women (under 30-ish) seem to understand how to properly apply it. These same young women are usually not yet burdoned with crows feet and thining brows. Ladies, when you are drying up and getting wrinkled up there, please, move on to darker shades, and maybe not so high on the brow. I am from the school that eye shadow should "shadow" your eye. That doesnt mean the way I wear makeup is the right way by any means, but just like with clothes, white shows the flaws - darker colors mask or avert your eyes from them. Im just sayin...

2. Gloppy thick clumpy mascara: If you arent getting the desired effect from your mascara, dont add more. It wont fix the problem. Try a different kind. Find a formulation that provides the desired look for you. But dont keep glopping it on. Tammy Fae was not a trend setter people. She was not one to model your look after. Clean, natural, long/thick (whatever you are going for) lashes are what is in. Hell, even fakes are in. If you want outrageous go for the feathered or blinged up fakey's, but put down the old dried up clumpy flaky tube. Again, just sayin...

3. Skin tight jeans that show your crack: I know low ridin is the trend. It doesnt work for my fat ars, so I avoid the trend. There are many ladies and young girls out there that need some windex and some papertowels to clean their mirrors off with. Saddle bags, pouches and butts are not attractive when they are cliff hanging over a pair of high (or low) fashioned jeans. I will say it all day long...

Pa-lease... I have small kids, dont ruin their eyesight so early.

4. Flip flops and cracked heels: Need I say more? There is this modern miracle called lotion. Give it a shot. And if you are really trying to impress, try my personal favorite, the Ped Egg. Dont believe that it works? Ask my friend Fad, she knows. She loves its parmesan grating, smooth as silk making, sexy feet creating little self almost as much as I do.

I know, my opinion sucks, but its mine and I like it! :)

What'ev

I dont have the time to play with my mouse.


I want to fast track past security and get to comment nervana so I can join in the fun, but nooooooo, I have to put my finger on that stupid squeaky malfunctioning thing that doesnt like being called blue tooth (I think there is a trailer trash connotation in "blue tooth", but mister squeaky doesnt take to me making up excuses for why its ok to be bt), because apparently my security doesnt believe that "y" stands for "yes", and that if I go there all the time I should get a frequent shopper pass.


In my haste I struggle to spell, and am half blind so "what the" anyway is up with those stupid wavy smooshed together letters for verification. Why oh why??? I know, I make you do them too, but I do it out of spite. I will succumb to peer pressure, if you jump I will too and we can go into non verification bliss together.

Come on, I dare you!

And we're back!

And busier than all get out!

Relay is in 16 Days and we are c.r.a.z.y! I have Chaired Entertainment and Activities, Online Registration and have been the county webmaster, and Teams Co-Chair for Relay for 5 years now, but this year we added Event Chair to my repitoire. It may be the last! Its not much more work, because our core committee has been working together for 5+ years and we have our jobs down pat. But that being said, the added stress of knowing that if something is forgotten its on me is putting me over the edge. Especially since this is in no way my only job. I am trying to stay confident that we will raise enough funds this year - but we aren't seeing the numbers so far. We need good weather so our packed full night of entertainment can happen because the night of we have managed to squeak out over 30K. This is the most entertainment we have ever had (from 5pm - 4am) so we are hoping it will keep wallets open! It sounds greedy, but as a survivor who was diagnosed in this county, I know that the resources we are raising funds for extremely valuable, and awareness is very important. We have one of the highest cancer rates per capita in MN. Its scary!

In the middle of the final count down to Relay, the Club (under the suggestion of myself and a fellow Relay member) decided to do a huge Backyards and Blooms Fundraiser. What were we thinking??? The garden tour started Monday. Its over tonight. But I am in charge of publicity and creative content (ie posters, ticket books and recipe books). What the hell was I thinking???

And then there is my job. Well anyone who works in non profit for business knows, there is no downtime. We will leave it at that!

And now, another moment provided by a blue eyed cuddly 5 y/o:

Me: (waking up) Why are you in my bed?

J: Because I wanted to be.

Me: What is wrong with your bed?

J: Nothing.

Me: Then why are you in my bed?

J: Because I was lonely.

You gotta love him. Soon though I know it will all change, so I am cherishing all of these moments. M on the other hand wants nothing to do with me - well unless she is hungry. Then I am her best friend.

Did I mention how much I was not made to be a mom let a lone a good one? Because I am sure most of you are thinking I run screaming from 1/2 of them (1 out of 2, yes, but its still half so leave me alone!) most of the time.

BTW, my vacation was absolutely perfect. There was only one day that spiked 90, and I spent most of that day yelling at the kids on the other side of the window whilst soaking up the air conditioning! I couldnt keep them out of the lake for anything. But that is what vacation is for. That and reading good crime novels and taking naps at 3 in the afternoon! :) I cried on Saturday because I realized my fantasy life on a lake was almost over for another year. And so was the good ol home cooking my aunt provides.

And we're off!

My golf tournament was AMAZING - not great weather - a storm hit in the middle of it, but they all got back out on the course after and finished playing. We sold out of spots, almost sold out of our raffle (which we never do), and had a great dinner turnout. The parade yesterday was cancelled again due to weather - and something about a tree in the middle of the parade route??? hehehehe

So the kids and I are leaving for a fun filled, lazy days, do whatever we want, vacation in less than an hour. Jim will join us on Wednesday night.

Have a great 4th!

The Microsoft Gods hate me

They do. I tell you, there is no other way to explain what just happened to me. There is nothing you can tell me - not even that it is my fault - that will make me feel any differently.

I have been writing a grant application in Power Point (yes, one of those &%#()@ grant applications that suck the ever living life out of you) all week. I emailed it home to myself tonight because I had to leave work to go to Jim's grandpa's 93rd birthday. I knew I could sneak home early and work on it. So I opened it, (yes here it comes), and I worked on it. I even hit save ever so often, (ok, obsessively), and hit print preview every time I finished a slide to see how wonderfully amazing I was.

And I have been working on it for just over 3 1/2 hours.

I decided I had done enough tonight to have me in a good place to finish up and tweak tomorrow when I am wide awake.

So I opened Outlook Express. I started an email to myself. I selected "attach a file".

...and just like that, it was gone. (what is "that" like that I say "just like that"?)

poof.

adios.

cianara. (I dont even care that I spelled that wrong)

Apparently my amazing skills and talents were so overwhelmingly blinding that I neglected to just once, one time, one second of thought, hit SAVE AS when I was working on my application.

...and just like that, it was gone.

I have searched high and low. Hither and yon. I cannot find the masterpiece.

If there is a computer geek out there that feels like rescuing this damzel in distress, I would welcome your help. But I am sure as the ache in my head that it is gone. Like a figment of my imagination, gone - never was there to begin with.

I am bringing my laptop to work tomorrow in the hopes that I either can shake the document out, or that someone will trip me on the sidewalk causing me to fall flat on my face as I watch my lifeline (laptop - keep up with me people) fly through the air into oncoming traffic (wishful thinking in a town of 5,000), get bounced off the tires of a large diesel, launch a block away onto the railroad tracks where the highspeed locomotive that comes through town every morning at 8:30 will slam on its brakes to avoid said lifeline only to stop just short. Either way, I will exact my revenge on this computer that is obsessed with the devil Microsoft.

Thank you Juicy Juice

Thank you for your ad. You know the one... "The very best juice, for the very best kids". Yeah, um, I have the very best kids but they dont drink you, so they now think they are less than par. So thank you, thank you very much for your ad.

Do rotten kids not get to drink you?

We drink Capri Sun - the "your family's favorite on-the-go thirst quencher". Besides, their graphics are super cool, and we love that they are... oh screw it, we just like 'em better.

So there!

You would think I was afraid of my own shadow

Maybe my shadow is a little extreme (although I am sure I am afraid of my reflection), but my real aversion is to creepy crawly things.

Really, its a fear. A deep seeded, makes my skin crawl, jump across the room and scream at levels only dogs can hear fear. A leave the room, sleep with the lights on and watch the walls and ceilings like they are ready to attack.

And this little fella is the worst (see how evil he looks on those pretty little flowers?).

It has a history, but because I must get back to my staring contest with all things they could crawl on, I will have to wait to share it with you. All I can say is that the one that was coming at me on the sofa had a look of the devil in his eyes, and he was mocking me, the little b*stard. I could hear his squeaky little voice as I caught him out of the corner of my eye.

You were right

Wait, what was that? Oh yeah, I was right.

I think I heard that mysterious sound - almost like a whisper on the wind - like a ghost in the stairwell - like a fragrant florally breeze through the window...

Like stale air after a long winter. Because it fell flat on the follow up of: but you cut it too short.

I have been begging goldy locks to let down her long hair and let me cut it. And the battle has ensued for months. She has extremely thick, extremely wavy and wild hair that is now subjected to a daily dose of chlorine. So I have begged. I have pleaded. I have bribed. Last night I sat on the sofa with a scissors taunting and teasing through what felt like an eternity of uncertainty when finally I heard a small sheepish: ok.

I was on it like flies to a cow pie. And guess what...

SHE LIKES IT SHORT!

OYFINGVEY!

Where's the phone

I need to call someone who cares!

The Care Bears care Mom!

Not what I was looking for, but I guess I need to get their number!

Reincarnation?

Have you ever had a conversation with someone who talks about their "previous life"? Ever wonder - really? Ever think they are making it up? Ever wonder if they really aren't? And then a few weeks, months, years later you have another conversation that is very similar, but even more detailed?

I have these conversations frequently with an important someone in my life. Conversations that I have wondered for the past 2+ years, "How can this be? That is quite the imagination"... or is it?

The conversations are with my 5 1/2 year old son. They ALWAYS start out:

Mom, when you and dad were babies...

And then it trails off into details that seem so very advanced for a 5 1/2 year old.

My religion tells me I believe in reincarnation, but you know, as in all things, I have my doubts. But today we had one of those conversations and it seriously kind of gave me chills. I asked all kinds of questions to see if the story jives with others he has been telling me since he was about 3 1/2 or 4. And interestingly, even in detail, they were almost spot on. Todays story however had a funny twist:

J: Mom, when you and dad were babies, I took my drivers test, in an RV!

Me: Really? Why an RV?

J: I dont know, it was there when I went to take the test, and I didnt have a car that day

Me: (holding back my laughter) Whose RV was it?

J: The guy who sat in the RV with me that made me park

Me: Did you run over anything in the RV?

J: No

Me: Did you pass the test?

J: I dont remember

Me: Did you have any kids when I was a baby

J: No mom, I was only 20. I didnt have kids until I was 25. Remember?

And so on and so on...

Cue Twilight Zone music, cause I am feeling a little "other dimensional'ish".

A Luau Americana

We have waited since October for this day, and it finally arrived! Cricket and T were married last October on a beach in Maui. It was beautiful. They are so happy, and so perfect for each other (T you rock!). When they came back they said that they wanted to share a piece of their wedding with their guests, Luau style.

The plans were best laid, and they were perfect. Every detail. Except one.

That biotch called Mother Nature.

She has been opening her wrath on us for months now. Two weeks ago we knew it was going to rain because well, that is all it has done for months. And when it rains it pours. And blows. And twists. And storms. Its not pretty.

I remember the day when thunder and lightening meant a bad storm. Remember the term electrical storm? It was all we feared "back in the day". We unplugged everything we didn't want damaged, and we stood in our windows and watched the spectacle.

Now however, we find ourselves hiding in our basements. Watching the skies between flashes for large swirls of debris, and hearing phantom sirens in the night air. Our favorite shows are interrupted by weathermen and their maps. Red flashing lights telling us "you are in the path of this dangerous storm"... Its becoming so much the norm that we have a back up plan for our back up plan. And we use the guest room as our alternate sleeping quarters during the summer months.

And last week was no different.

With more rain than one state, let alone one country needs in a given day, it fell and fell and fell. And it blew and blew and blew. And it threatened to send us into a musty basement in Iowa. As it being in Iowa wasn't already insult enough! ; )

Thursday rolled around and there were predictions of a catastrophic natural disaster somewhere in southern Minnesota or Northern Iowa (I live in S MN, and Cricket lives in NW Iowa). After a day of hit and miss storms we all started panicking. Saturday went from 20% chance of storms to 40%. Then on Friday morning we received a call that it was now predicted to be 60% chance of storms. By late Friday afternoon, the prediction was 80%.

Did I tell you the party was in a tent outdoors???

Oh, yeah, the party was a Luau. In a tent. Outdoors.

The tent people first wanted to set up on Thursday. But it was storming so they asked to wait until Friday. Friday the wind was over 40 mph, so they asked to wait until Sat. Late Friday they called and asked if we had a back up plan. Its never good when the tent people want to know if you have a back up plan.

So T called around. And we all continued to remind Cricket that it would be just fine. But its hard to convince a Bride that her dream Luau - outdoors, was no longer in the plans. Luck was on their side, and late morning on Friday there found a Legion Hall that was available in town. While Crickets mom and I made salads, she and T made calls to all those they invited. Over 150 people - in one afternoon. Because this was Friday, and the reception was on Saturday.

No small feat.

So after telling her over and over that it would be just fine, even I panicked when we walked into the American Legion in their home town. As Cricket put it, "it looks like Uncle Sam puked in here". Picture stars and stripes, red, white and blue everywhere. A floor that looked as though it hadnt seen a mop in 50 years, and a ceiling in the kitchen that was peeling, flaking and hanging on for dear life. Add to that the basket ball hoops, mis matched tables and chairs that were missing pieces and various games and do dads tucked in every corner.

She was very stoic, but I could tell it was scaring the living daylights out of her. So I continued to say, "It will be just fine".

And it was. We transformed that nasty run down musty old gymnasium into a Luau - a Luau Americana as T's brother put it.

Thanks to V, Crickets friend, she bought out all of the rafia grass skirts in Sioux Falls, and we bought out all of the green plastic ones we could find, as well as every silk lei we could find, and we plastered the place with them! It worked. And it ended up being a grand success.

We lined the ledge of the stage with grass skirts and table liners. We lined the tables with the same. We then overturned tables on their sides and covered them with fabric on the stage to hide the fooseball (sp?) tables and old piano. You can still see some of the taller stuff, but it wasnt as distracting.

The kitchen had a built in set of bar windows. We spent most of Friday night and Saturday morning trying to figure out how to cover up the nasty ceiling in the kitchen so people wouldnt see it when they were getting drinks. Then V had the "ah ha moment" that saved us. She suggested we close the windows and use the rental bar we were using as a Guest Book table for the bar in front of the kitchen windows. No one would be the wiser! (and yes, that is a very pregnant bar tender. The poor thing worked her butt off along with her friend). We used a grass skirt, a fish net, and left over sea shells from the centerpieces to hide yet more red, white and blue.

The cake straight out of paradise. Simple, elegant and tasty.

Even our 92 year old gram got into the groove and busted a move with Crickets younger older brother.

I will add a photo of the centerpieces, the bride and a few more room shots tomorrow.

I.O.W.A

Well we all made it back alive. The pits of hell did not consume us. It did not turn us into I-wegians, it did not suck us up and spit us back out. It was very gracious and kind, and very hospitable.

I may even go back for another visit soon - well, maybe.

If you arent from Minnesota, you may not get the jabs. But those of you from Iowa, please still love me for all I am - I dont mean you harm, I just have to tell it like it is! ; )

The last few weeks have been crazy busy, but rewarding and irritating, and stressful and fun all the same.

Relay is coming up in 7 weeks and I feel like I am forgetting something. I am a Chair this year, and being closely scrutinized by the past Chair. I think he would like to see us (the other Chair) and I fail so he can say that the reason our county has been ranked #1 in the Midwest, and in the top 10 in the US per capita has been because of his leadership (I dont think he understands that the donors are the ones that got us to that goal. So that is kind of eating at me.

I will get over it!

The club is going well - we have had a lot of rentals which is helping us financially, but we need more members soon. We are doing a fundraiser called "Back Yards and Blooms" that is looking to be a very sucessful venture. We have 6 awesome hosts who will share their "back yard" masterpieces with people who buy tickets. We will end it with amazing home baked non traditional desserts from several ladies in the community that have some undiscovered talent! We arent talking your average cookies, bars, cakes and pies here people, we are talking works of art. I cant wait. We are going to sell the recipes in a little "Back Yards, Blooms and Delicacy's" book to those who want to purchase during the tours. It has been a great fundraiser in the past for the Skate Park, and since they raised all their money, they were happy to let us use the fundraiser for the club. It should raise over $1,2oo, which should pay off the balance left on our sound system. Whew!

Crickets party was a.m.a.z.i.n.g! I will share some pics and the story leading up to the event on another post (maybe tomorrow), but suffice it to say, other than it being in I.O.W.A, it was fantastical!

This is going to be another killer week. Last week I wasnt home a single night - the week before I was home Thursday, and this week, I *may* be home Wednesday, but Thursday morning I leave at 6 am for mini institute in St. Cloud and wont get back until late that night, and then we leave Friday for Jim's Fathers Day camping extravaganza.

Next week I have a week of non stop meetings and last minute projects before the town celebration. We are also in a push for some prime entertainment at the club, so we need to get the fall line up completed before the rest of the summer activities kick off!

The following week is our towns week long summer celebration. Monday is Taste of St J, Tuesday I have a Board Meeting, Wednesday we have a 3 hour business course for our Latino business owners (or potential owners), Thursday we have the Chamber's Rail Run, Friday is the Chambers Golf Tournament, and Saturday is the parade and all day activities. Sunday the kids and I will leave for a peaceful week long vacation at my aunt and uncles, through the 4th of July (YAY - this is our favorite time of year). I have a huge conflict I need to over come however, and that is that I planned a course with our EDA for my members on the 30th - not even considering I will be gone, and that this vacation is planned every year for the same time of year. A vacation that is like changing underwear everyday. The vacation that everyone knows they dont mess with because it is sacred.

The week we come back is our County Fair, the clubs Back Yards and Blooms, and second round of courses that the EDA and I are doing. It will also be Relay crunch time for the event on the 25th (there is a TON to do the last few weeks).

Holy hell, if I survive the next two months I may have to sleep for the month of August just to catch up.

But I love it! And tomorrow our Chick Flick at the club is "Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants", so I will get to start the hectic week off with one of my fav girlie movies!

Have a great one!