I woke up this morning and my gut thought was to call in sick.

Not because I was actually sick, but apparently I turned on my alarm but forgot to change the time for the work week. It was 8:34, my usual bus comes at 8:30. The next bus comes at 8:50. No shower, messy bun & headband for work. Of course I still needed to dress, put in contacts, quick makeup, grab lunch and coffee. Now it's just a minute before 9:00 am, the next bus comes at 9:20. Decided I could drive to work and clock in by 9:20 instead. Of course early bird parking rate ends at 9:00 and I would have to pay extra.

Got into work, that was going well. I was going to have to stay late to make up time for this morning. At 4:20 Melissa called to say there was a mystery puddle of water in the living room. The basement corner gets wet whenever there's a torrential rainstorm, but never a living room puddle. Decided to go home early to access the situation.

Almost out of gas(I think, because my gas gauge doesn't work) but made it without running out of gas. Lots of stop lights were 4-way flashing or out on my way home. Branches down, mud and stalled out cars on Stinson.

Got home and the puddle was slowly drying up. No water damage on the ceiling, no other wet spots. The basement corner was soaking per usual. I threw down some towels and turned on the dehumidifer.

I figured home early means I can get some errands down. Got ready to head out, made one last check on the basement corner, and I stepped wrong on my problem ankle. Resprained it! I was forced to butt crawl back up the stairs, find a frozen bag of vegetables and lie on the couch instead.

Today deserves a total do over.

"We will soon be able to do everything by electricity; who knows but some genius will invent something for the especial use of lovers? something, for instance, to carry in their pockets, so when they are far away from each other, and pine for a sound of 'that beloved voice,' they will have only to take up this electrical apparatus, put it to their ears, and be happy. Ah! blissful lovers of the future!"

From Wired Love, 1880, by Ella Cheever Thayer

June 4-5: Northern Spark arts festival
June 30: Book club screening The Help
July 8-9: Basilica Block Party
July 15: Harry Potter opens
August 5-6: Villagefest
August 13: Mpls movies in parks, The Green Hornet (Windom Pk)
August 24: Solera rooftop movie, The Town


Twins & Saints games
Stillwater, maybe patio dining at Shanghai Bistro
Bemidji cabin weekend, Itasca State Park
Vali-hi Drive-in movies
Nami Sushi (gift certificate)
Pyscho Suzi’s patio
Valleyfair
Mystic Lake for Cosmic Bingo
Minnehaha Falls
Sculpture Garden
State Fair

So my association set up a conference call for tonight at 7 pm (during Glee!) but never called. I didn't realize that because one person responded "any night works" but didn't respond "Ok" to Tuesday, 7 pm that meant it was not on. I could have been watching Glee or making my other dreaded call (I scratched someone's car on Sunday, enough so that I felt I needed to leave my contact info for insurance, which never should have happened in the first place, so stupid of me).

I waited until 7:30 to be sure that I wouldn't be called in the middle of something else. And that I wouldn't have my notebook in front of me to take notes (the joy of being secretary). Now I need to go grocery shopping and get stuff done for tomorrow. Argh.

Busy, busy at work too. I might ask if I can do a couple hours of overtime on Sunday get caught up and to keep my stress levels down.

Edited 10:30 pm: Association email discussions, in circles again, clogging up my email. *headdesk* Plus I have to take notes every time.

Pisces
All of us worry from time to time, especially when tiny issues suddenly seem to multiply. At the moment, you might be worrying a bit more than you really should, but you won't be willing to let it go until you've spoken to someone about it. Whether the issue is health or work-related doesn't matter. Face it, get it over with and get it done. It's time for a new start, but you won't be able to pull that off until you're sure.

July is gone, it's already August, where did the summer go...

It went to the Taste of Minnesota to see Gin Blossoms, Needtobreathe, Counting Crows with Augustana. It made brownies at the "hippy house". It went to see Eclipse. And to seeing Eclipse again. It listened to Ingrid Michaelson, VV Brown, Guster, The Avett Brothers, and Barenaked Ladies at the Basilica Block Party. It read The Help by Kathryn Stockett and recommends it to you. It reached a work milestone (5 years). It Zumba-ed! And joined a gym. It celebrated at a wedding reception and a birthday party. It gave the gift of life at the blood donation. And soaked up the sunshine at the beach. It ate a lot of good food, laughed and enjoyed friends. And wishes it could last forever.

"I don't recall a single care
Just greenery and humid air
Then Labor day came and went
And we shed what was left of our summer skin"

~ Death Cab for Cutie, "Summer Skin"

June is coming to a close and hopefully things will slow down. After my back-to-back bachelorettes there were back-to-back weddings on opposite ends of the spectrum.

I went Connecticut on July 18-20 for my college roommate's wedding. Everything was lovely other than my luggage not arriving with my plane (it was delivered at 3:30 am). She had a huge bridal party - 9 bridesmaids, 1 matron of honor, 5 flower girls, 9 groomsmen, 2 best men, 3 ushers. It was a big to do. The rehearsal dinner was the whole party plus family and some friends (like me!) at an Italian restaurant with lots of food and open bar. The wedding included 3-4 limos, a cocktail hour with appetizers, 4 course dinner plus wedding cake, and again an open bar at the Greenwich Hyatt. Plus a band! I can't begin to imagine how much this thing cost. Though it was terrific.


Salve girls: Kate, Jess, Me and Gina. Looking forward to seeing us in our college Report From Newport. ( More )

On the opposite end was Naomi and Jeremy's wedding this weekend. Where it was just family, a witness each and a couple accessory people. The day was warm, sunny and beautiful and such a small group kept it relaxed and happy, not stressful.


Naomi's parents with the happy couple

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It seems like I got back from LA only days ago but it's been longer and I'm still feeling the effects. Specifically on my foot where I had an uncomfortable callus and my heel cracked really badly. The cause was the dry sand and too much walking in my flip flops. The result is a stop at the pedicurist, the podiatrist, the pharmacist and some quality time with my pumice stone. Also a shoe shop – no more flops for awhile. This is probably a good thing. I should make my sandal collection more work appropriate.

The journey started out almost two weeks ago on Friday when my friend Tiffany and I boarded our flight to Denver which got a little bumpy. I had to ask for an air sickness bag, "just as a precaution" I assured my neighbors, and thankfully I didn't have to use it. I always check that there's a bag, but apparently this is one more "perk" that airlines are cutting out of their budgets. I got a small plastic garbage bag, but in a pinch it would have done the job. The second flight into LA was smoother but I kept that bag with me.


Santa Monica pier
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The weekend renovation went really well but it exhausted me. I'm also busy at work and in my activities and I'm afraid I might not be sleeping again until next fall.

There were a few mishaps, I was holding back the laminate counter top for gluing and I broke it, but we glued it and you can't really tell. I ordered the missing screen 2 inches too tall (drat!!) and had to reorder another one. Then Monday night my internet and some lights weren't working. It was raining and the breaker wouldn't reset. On the phone with my dad, we finally narrowed it down to the outlet outside which needs a new faceplate. Of course it's been raining this whole week, so it's duct taped as much as possible until a dry day when I can replace it.

I took a few photos of the work. ( Photos )

While working we listened to the Brett Dennen cd "Hope for the Hopeless". It's a good summer cd, I imagine I'll be listening to it a lot out there on the new patio set :)

This weekend was the big backyard renovation and fix-ups. I've got plenty to talk about with that, but for now I need opinions on this patio set.



Copano Bay Firepit Set

Sadly it's backordered until June 23, but I think I can wait for it. I might get 2 apple green/lime Adirondack chairs in the meantime. Or 2 chaise lounge chairs? There are too many possibilities in outdoor furniture!

Edit: Ok, I ordered it! Now if only I have enough patience until it arrives.