Planes, Trains, and Canes.

Officially, I have a new bike. Yes, it is Mom's, but she's willing to hand it over and find herself a new one since its what I really want. Hooray! Two bike rides in the past two days! Woop! She's a bute, but she will need a little spiffing up/TLC.

Lenny is also movin' on up! He has a new, gigantic house! At first he was a bit shy, but he is finally settling in like a true champ.

[pictures to follow soon.. for both!]


And now, in a few short days, I will be trailin' the train rails back to the Windy City for some Shedd Aquarium visiting! I have seen most of the sites to see in Chicago throughout my life, but somehow this one has slipped through the cracks! But, finally, I will get to smile and wave to all the baby belugas, sharks, and sea turtles!
And if I'm really lucky, I will soon be back at my beloved Disney World to see the BEST musical ever. Yeah, I have the soundtrack on my iPod. What?

Buzz Aldrin=Gangsta

This weekend, I shopped my little heart out, made some delicious food, hugged my bebe, finally saw UP!, and spent ample amounts of time sleeping (a little too much on Monday, which foiled my football ticket dreams).

Today, my mother and I painted the kitchen a glorious citrus yellow. Of course, until my mom replaces the 70's pea green flooring and tan wheat printed backsplash, the yellow will not quite reach its full potential.

Hilariously, though, my father refused to help with ANYTHING, because, well, he is a HUGE baby. He hates change, and unfortunately, I have inherited a touch of his disorder. Although I am all for a new coat of paint and personalizing one's environment; also, I at least have the ability to recognize when something is "broken." Sigh. Poor mom, schlepping the furniture around with little 5' nothing me. Luckily my prince came over to help. Taunting us with his ability to paint the ceiling without necessity of a chair.

So now, we rest. As I type, Tom is asleep in my bed. And Lenny has just retired into his blankets (i.e. washcloths) for a long nap.



And soon, I WILL have a fun bike ride; today was just toooo hot. I escaped the painting madness for a bit to buy some substrate for Lenny's new house from Petco. And it was BRUTAL. Almost 100 degrees! I love the warmth of the sun, but with scorching humidity.. I'll take the A/C while I can.

(This is what my house will look like someday.)

D____e

HOME FREE!

I am officially on vacay at mom and pop's house for 2 weeks! I could not be more excited!

Yes, we pulled into the drive promptly at 7:18, with Big Star to go! Oh, how I have craved thee. Of course, as usual, shortly after consuming my grilled cheese, fries, and 2 jalapeno poppers (with ranch), I developed an excruciating stomach ache. It persists. Ah, vacation.
I was also so excited to be home that I already gave my dad his father's day card (one of those "talking cards" with Tom Hanks and a quote from 'A League of Their Own'.. I've been trying to locate the VHS all night. No luck.)

(swoon swoon swoon)

And finally, as I near the end of a great book, Youth In Revolt, I must confess my infatuation with Nick Twisp. We both appear to have a unexplainable love of robots. And finally, after years of searching for an appropriate answer to the question "why robots?" I can now quote NT in saying "It just feels right."

(swooning a little more.. or a lot more, whatev)

No Dogs Allowed on Beach

I have been alarmingly uninteresting lately. I am so focused on my "vacation" back home that all I can do is make lists and deliciously simple food, go to work, and read away all my free time. I suppose there are worse things I could be doing..

So, anyway, here I am, just hours away from neverending naps, breathtaking bikerides, and stolen smooches with my beloved.. alliteration is probably the easiest and most underused literary technique, plus it makes this description even more mind-numbingly sappy.


On to less nauseating things, once at home, I plan to take the advantage of having a car and THREE weekends off to continue to improve myself. Item number one on the list: purchase a bike. Sure, I have an old mountain bike at home, but it is missing a few important parts (i.e. rear breaks) and it is not very "road friendly." So, my first full day in the 'nosh (I hate that abbrev. so why did I type it?) will be spent garage sale/flea market hopping with my parents to find a sweet new ride.

The bike, besides being an easy and obvious mode of transportation, will be a chance for me to explore new territory, as well as a fun means of exercise! The freedom a bike would provide is immeasurable, and I cannot wait (!) to begin my search.

Jalapeno Poppers and a Tall Rootbeer Float

Even after a few delightfully uneventful days off, I am apparently still in desperate need of a vacation.

Last night I had a dream that I was planning a road trip to Alabama, Colorado, Arizona, and finally California. Despite the fact that I had re-created the geography of the United States on my "dream map," this trip was to be glorious! There were several mountainous views, just enough beach time, and plenty of home cooking and relaxation. Although I've been to Alabama several times (stop one was to visit my grandma), I really would LOVE to visit Colorado, Arizona, and California.. perhaps I should make this a reality!

Although, I would also be content just going home for a bit (which I will be doing soon!) for some R&R. Including, of course, Big Star, homemade potato salad, and several bike rides around the marina. MMM.. I can already taste it.. more on this later..

And finally, in somewhat depressing news, Colin Hanks is engaged. Depressing, why? I always thought that I would meet him someday and he would instantly fall head over heels in love with me and wisk me away to meet his father. He certainly is a foxy chip off the ol' block. Le sigh.
p.s. all photos today courtesy of the internet. =)

14 Bottles of Robitussin

OH my! What a week.

The past 6 days in 30 words.. and some pictures:

ZOO!

Wal-mart.
GROCERIES [peaches]
Burn!
Rootbeer floats. FOR FREE!
Monona Terrace.
Bananagrams.
Wal-Mart.
Broccoli cheddar soup. In a bread bowl.
WORST DAY OF WORK/life in Madison.
CARPENTER ANTS!
Shopping.



In other news, I WILL have some outfit pics soon.. I just need to find a good way to take them. Mirror shots=terrible. Also, I have made myself a list of things I would like to add to my closet in hopes of having a more diverse/useful wardrobe:

Anchor/tooth/fossil necklace
Riding boots
LBD-cotton jersey
LBD-fancier, but still casual
L BLUE D-navy
Printed shorts
Summer scarf
Bright sunglasses
Grey vest
Moto jacket
Bright blue/aqua flats
Yellow cardi
Tribal/graphic print skirt

And now, the hunt begins.


p.s. 8 more work hours until BLAST OFF!