In Love

I know I've been slacking lately but it's been busy. Those that read this can understand. I don't have pictures today either because my camera is MIA (I think it's at the school). So, update...

Duane came back from Sturgis and I will post another picture or two from his huge file shortly, I promise...and I also promise it won't be one of the panties and chaps shots that guys seem to like to take.

Duane has gotten motivated lately and although I haven't lost anything more than the 12 pounds yet this summer...he has lost about 10 pounds. Brandi has lost a couple of pounds too. We're working at getting skinny. It will work. Brandi is loving more walks. Duane is jogging a few nights a week. School is starting for me (which means fewer hours at JCP...and less mall food for lunch!)

We are now the proud owners of a Wii system. Wii fit is on the way. Duane did it. When he got home from Sturgis to surprise me early...his Christmas list was sitting on the coffee table. He decided not to wait. Turd. BUT...we did have fun boxing last night...I beat him, KO. Ha!

I'm reading a lot. I've decided to start re-reading the Kathy Reichs books in order this time. She is the author that the TV series "Bones" is based on. Her books feature the same leading lady although the cast of characters and settings are a bit different.

I went shopping. We had two days where our JCP discount was worth 35% instead of 20...and I had $150 in customer service awards to spend from the summer. For the first time, I have a truly professional wardrobe. No more black pants with the school t-shirts or the few nice shirts I had. I now have blacks, grays, browns, and khakis that aren't cargos...and a slew of shirts to match those AND jeans. I even got $150 worth of new socks and etc... I spent $300, but with the discount and the awards, that was more than $1000 worth of wardrobe. I saved for that this summer. It was my present to myself for working full time on my summer vacation.

Band Camp has come and gone. As unhappy as I was with the results of last year, I can honestly say I'm ready to go back. Even I am surprised at that. I think it's the change in pace that I'm looking forward to. I also think that it's because I have an outstanding group of seniors that I will be able to call upon this year. I expect great things. Our final concert is already planned with a recall of all the favorite tune from the last few years. It should be a doozy!

I guess that's it for now. All I can think of anyway. I'm in Love. In love with my husband (even though Duane can be a turd sometimes.....) In love with my job, my career, and life in general right now. I find myself grinning for no good reason on a regular basis and realize that I'm just plain happy. I hope the best for all of you as well. For now, I'm off to work.

Betrayed

A hero no more. I expected better from you. Break a leg in MN Mr. Favre. I'm not being poetic or theatrical. I mean it from the bottom of my frost-bitten heart. Break a leg.

Ruined

Saturday night I got a text from Duane. This is odd because Duane doesn't have a text plan and it costs him to use it. It asked what shift I worked on Sunday. I answered him via text and asked why he wanted to know. I figured he was expecting a UPS package and was wondering if I'd be around. He didn't reply.

Sunday, on my way home from work, I get thinking "How wonderful it would be if my husband were home. I miss him and more than likely won't see him until Tuesday (sigh)".

When I got home, there was a puppy in the window...yeah Brandi! Wait, was that a shadow? Yea, right.

So now I'm shutting my door and walking to the house and a big, white SUV pulls in the driveway. Huh? Who's that? It took me a moment to let the visor she was wearing register in my head...so...I ran to the house.

"Honey, the Pizza Hut girl spoiled your surprise!!!!"

My baby is home! YEA!!!!!!

Pictures to come.

A message from Duane

Duane sent an email today in order to share some of his vacation with us. I miss him and look forward to maybe making the trip with him next year. I'm sure the following shots need little explanation so I'll just post them now and let him fill us all in with more details and pics when he gets the chance.

Brief update

Duane is apparently doing very well in Sturgis. He called this morning to say Good Morning. Plans for the day included Devil's Tower. I'm jealous. Here I am keeping the house clean and waiting for shifts at work. Humpfh.

I went to the school this morning to mail band letters. That was fun. Or not. No big deal, just had to be done. When I got home I took Brandi out today. We went to Pettibone and walked the wooded trail and of course let the girl go swimming and walk the beach route back. We had much fun.

So yeah. That's about it. I have Brandi pics I could post for you, but you've seen so many dogs I figured I'd let you off the hook with that. Instead, I'm posting a pic from when Wendy came to visit. I always meant to ask...

Duane (Sr.), how did you like the Kohlrabi?

While Pa's Away...the Puppy will Play!

Duane is in Sturgis. He promises pictures when he gets home. He MUST be having a great time because he's already talking about next year. I miss him terribly, and Brandi goes nuts every time she hears a cycle go by the house thinking it's him. So...with Sunday and Monday off work, I took Brandi on a mini puppy vacation.

She got to ride in the car all the way to Tomah (that's a big deal for her) and play with her "cousins" for a day. We left around noon Sunday after doing some chores at home and got there just in time to enjoy the heat of the day. Brandi hasn't figured out that she won't pant and drool so much if she saves her running for the cooler evening...so she was pooped in no time. Meet...the "cousins".

This is Leo. Full name: Fuzzy Leonard Chubaca (ask Elizabeth, she did it...)

Meet Blue. He's the newest of the clan. He used to live down the hill but was adopted by our family when his had to move and couldn't take him. Essentially, he was adopted to live with his friends.

This is IA (eye-uh). He's named after me. Again, ask Elizabeth. He came with the house. Was found on the side of the road as a puppy, no one claimed him and he became our boy. He's the patriarch pooch.

I tried to get action shots with all of them but that didn't work out so well. Brandi and Blue were TOO spastic to catch in the same frame and IA and Leo were just into being lazy and getting their bellies rubbed. I did catch a couple of cute moments when they finally sat down to chill though. Here are just a few good ones.




Brandi is not the only one that enjoyed her mini-vacation. I took my puzzles and a book (two actually) intending to do little other than sit on the porch, pet dogs, maybe throw them a few balls, and read. It didn't happen that way. I did sit and do puzzles and read...but come the evening hours and the end of the Brewer game I got into conversation with Matty, another "adopted child". (Ok, not really, but he does live there). It wasn't long before he asked if I'd ever played the Wii (no, couldn't figure out how to turn it on!)...and off we went. Kristen (the last "adopted child") joined us and before you know it...it was after 3 am. The evening also included some impromptu trumpet and piano playing (and Blue singing). It was 4:15 when I finally crashed. It's been a long time since I've stayed up like that. Thanks guys, lets do it again sometime. The only picture I have is of Matty and Kristen...otherwise I was too busy trying to golf, bowl, and play tennis.


And now...it's time for bed...early...yes...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz