New car, meet everyone - Everyone, meet my new car

Yes, you read correctly! I have officially purchased my very first car! (I sign papers, etc on Tuesday evening).
Before you start thinking about all the other cars that I've had since I started driving...
1984 Chevy Celebrity (Navy Blue, handed down from Grandpa)
1987 Chevy Blazer (Navy Blue, handed down from Dad) P.S. this one was and still is my favorite
19?? Chevy ?? (Light Blue - nicknamed "The Tank", handed down from Grandpa)
1993 Toyota Camry (Dark Green, handed down from Mom)
This brings us to current. Here she is!!! Please pay extra special attention to the mileage that is listed at time of purchase...it's amazing! I've never seen that before on a car.

I didn't drop off the face of the planet..I've just been busy

Since I wrote to you last...I have been working, purchasing bridesmaid's dresses, making wedding invitations, search for a car, and trying to keep up with the rest of my life.

What I haven't done is advance any of my knitting, clean my house (beyond the top layer of stuff), apply for scholarships for school, purchased a car, or any number of other tasks that are on my list. I spent

Thursday night with Max and Nick so that Tassy and Adam could take Alex school shopping for the first time (bittersweet really...Alex is growing up). We had so much fun that I can't wait to do it again.

My car - I have decided on a 2007/2008 Honda Civic EX, 4 doors, Automatic in either Blue or Grey. No silver, no beige, and because I actually want my sister (the cop) to keep talking to me, no red. Dad suggests no black, and I don't want white...which leaves pretty slim pickings... Green is good, Blue is good, Grey is good...

I have also been keeping really busy at Supervalu trying to keep up with all the work and all the changes. There is more going on than I realize and pay attention to. Oy vey...

Guess what?!?!?!? Adam found the games on my laptop that Vista hides (don't tell Mom and Dad...my laptop is supposed to be for school).

In other randomness...I was browsing some of my old e-mails, blogs, and cds and came accross a few pics that I am posting, more for the heck of it than anything. Keep in mind, these aren't in any sort of order..they're just jumbled.

Updates

Long time no chat everyone! Here are a few updates for you all.

First - Happy 3rd Birthday to Max!!!! I love you sooooo much and love to watch you grow. I look forward to many more birthdays (hopefully not all will be filled with bugs...)

Second - The car hunt is still underway and I'm finding out that I have a more detailed list of wants than I originally believed.

Third - I have been accepted into graduate school and am on the hunt for financial aid to help me pay for it...ugh

That's it for now...hope to chat with you all soon!

A night with Alex

Employee Appreciation Day's are really nice...and my latest was no exception. I got a half day off from Supervalu, and got tickets to the Saint Paul Saints game. I decided to take Alex. Needless to say, he had a blast!!! We played in the play area, ate junk food, and had a wonderful time. I will be posting pictures soon.

In addition to that (which was the 20th of June); I got tickets (through Supervalu) to the U.S. Women's Open. I went to that on the 24th of June. I got to see all kinds of Pro Golfers and even got to sit in the club house and cool off from the hot weater. I am celebrating my birthday today by relaxing and playing in the pool. Presents included some Blue Agave pre-mixed margaritas from Mom and Dad, a windbreaker jacket, and the grand finale - a laptop (from which I am posting this message). It's one of the best presents ever!!! Pictures to come soon from all adventures.

Oh yeah, one more thing...I have decided against getting the Corolla. I will be pursuing a 2007 - 2008 Honda Civic. Can't wait for car shopping to wrap up now that I have chosen a car. Just thought you all would like to have an update.

I'm getting a new car!!!

Ok, well it won't be for a little while yet, but before September...I'll be the proud new owner of this... a 2009 Toyota Corolla S

I'm soooo excited!! I still have yet to drive the Honda Civic so let's not get too excited that this is the car...but so far....
As I said, it's not for a little while, and I still have one more car to try...but if the Honda doesn't blow me out of the water... Here's my new baby!!! Color and everything.

Thanks to Mom and Dad for helping me finance the car!!! I couldn't have done it without you! :)

Oh, what a beautiful morning...

Before I break out in song today...let me tell you all about my morning.

Also, before I begin, let me "throw out there" that I am certainly not "complaining" or "venting", but am instead sharing an experience so that you all can be more informed should you find yourselves in this same situation.

My morning started off really smooth...I woke up at 5:45 with my alarm, jumped in the shower, got to work by 6:50 and worked solid until 8:15, when I was scheduled to leave to attend a Toastmasters function.

I arrived at said Toastmasters function, which was really hosting a group of 6 people as they learned how to become better speakers and presenters. It was sooo much fun, and I got to learn a lot about these wonderful people who all work out in SuperValu-land. I was inspired to laugh about stressful times to help you get through, to volunteer helping children in need, to climb a 14-eer (14,000 foot mountain); be cautious about drinking, acknowledge that when following your pasion, you never know when you'll get the chance to meet your hero, and that every piece of recycling that I do helps out a little bit!

These people were fantastic!!! Most of them had no prior speaking experience, but I feel that the feedback that they were giving to each other was outstanding! I cannot tell you enuogh wonderful things about these participants, and can only ask that I am allowed to be included the next time that this kind of experience rolls around.

Following this, I headed to the gas station to fill my car which was bordering on empty...(oops). Filled up with gas. Nothing...no engine...no starting...no power... HOLY #)%(U$!!!!!! The kind man working at the gas station brought his car over to jumpstart mine, and I got out of the parking lot, into the turn lane to head toward my mechanic's shop (which I'm figuring is the safest place to be) - stop for the red light. DEAD! Completely and truly dead!

Again, HOLY #)($&!!! Next step after the initial freak out and waving people around me is to call the mechanic. Now, I ask you...do I really have any idea what I expect him to do?? No. But I figure that I have no idea WHAT to do, so I call him. He says that if I can hold tight for 10 - 15 minutes that he'll come out and jump the car and get us both back to the shop.

He comes to the rescue 15 - 20 minutes later with 2 batteries in his trunk along with the jumper box. Jumps the car, leaves the jumper box attached and drives my car - backwards - into the parking lot of the gas station. In a calming voice, he tells me that if I feel comfortable, that I can drive his car into the parking lot (yeah, like that's going to happen, my adrenaline is running so high, I don't trust myself to do much besides breathe...even that's a task at this point). Next step, change the battery - test to validate that it was indeed the battery and not the alternator.

Works like a dream, get back to the shop, he tops off the fluids in my car, changes a burnt out bulb, and I get to go back to work. I arrive at work with a wallet that now has less money than before, and at 12:15... So much for 10:30.

The rest of the afternoon was fairly uneventful considering the mornings adventure. This is one morning I don't care to repeat.

So...how was your morning???

A wonderful weekend

Schooner Days! Schooner Days! Schooner Days!!! Each year on the last weekend in May/first weekend in June, the Eden Prairie Lions' Club hosts a carnival named Schooner Days. The carnival consists of rides for kids, games, lots and lots of food, as well as a giant tent for Bingo. I remember being a kid and going to Schooner Days with my parents and always had a great time.

My very first (and only) goldfish was won at Schooner Days (her name was Rosie). I remember having so much fun riding rides, and eating cotton candy and mini donuts (which have gotten spendy at $3.50 and $4.00 per bag, respectively). I always remember that my Dad would volunteer (he was a fireman), and Mom and I would come down to see him. We'd have hot dogs and then they would play bingo.

This is how I remember Schooner Days...I'm sure that if you asked my parents...the story would be somewhat different. Nevertheless, I really enjoyed playing bingo and the atmosphere of the weekend couldn't be beat! Every year since I have been back home (2004), I have been meaning to go to Schooner Days. This year, I finally made it!!! I brought my friends Tassy, Adam, and their 3 boys (Alex - 5, Max - 2, and Nick - 1), and my roommate Lisa. We all had fun, the two older boys rode rides, and we had a picnic in the soccer fields of the high school who shares the parking lot.

I have to admit that Schooner Days is much smaller than I remember it being, but I suppose that's what happens when you grow up. To complete our day, we headed back to Tassy and Adam's house where we taught Alex how to play spoons while the little ones slept. Talk about fun! Try playing spoons with a 5 year old...sober... I rounded out my evening with Tassy and Adam by playing Mariokart on the Wii with their boys and going back to Schooner Days to play bingo with Tassy.

It is still just as popular as I remember it being, but the people are so much younger than I remember... Such was my Saturday! Sunday was pretty low key with the spring purging occuring.

That's it from this end! I leave you with pictures from Kaity's visit to the Wildlife Sanctuary in Australia. She's still doing well in school, getting to get out and do more this semester. Sister night isn't the same without her, but she's having the experience of a lifetime.