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It seems as Mother Nature has skipped right over my favorite part of fall (the 50 and 60 degree weather) straight to the crappy ‘almost winter’ part of fall. IT SNOWED THIS WEEKEND! I mean real blowing snow! All I have to say to that is “Really Mother Nature? Really?!?! It’s only October 12th today!”
The only thing I am looking forward to is the colors peaking and the photos I hope to get! We shall see if Ms. Nature cooperates!
8 years ago today I was at UW – LaCrosse. It was the start of my first year of college. I was the lucky one who got stuck with a 7:45 math class and then English right after. I had a cold, and wasnt feeling the best that morning, but I dragged my butt out of bed to class anyways. It sucked. Math went on as normal and when the class ended I walked across campus to my second class of the day, we had computer lab for English. I remember thinking that campus was empty compared to some days, but I thought it was just because I was running a bit late because I had asked my professor a question after class.
I was the only person in that English class who didnt know, in fact, most people didnt even show up to class.
Its crazy how I can remember the exact second I realized what had happened. We were told that there would be no English class that day in light of the events that had happened but we were welcome to stay in the lab and read about it. I still didnt know what they were talking about. I turned to a classmate besides me and asked, all the did was turn the computer monitor so I could see the photo and said “this”.
I left the computer lab right after that and when I got back to my dorm room called home (I didnt have a cell phone yet). I called my mom at work first, and while I was on the phone with her got a call from my best friend. Throughout the day, I dont think I moved from the chair in my dorm room, nor did I turn off the television or go more than an hour without speaking to my loved ones.
September 11, 2001 is a day I will never forget. The tragic memories of that day and the months following will live in my heart forever. My thoughts and prayers go out to all the people who lost loved ones that day. Keep the events of this day 8 years ago in your mind and hearts and NEVER FORGET!
So i know i should have updated this earlier BUT I can now say the exciting news is that my good friend (we will call her ‘Squared’), whom I have known since 5th grade is having her first little babe! 
) She has been married for 6 years now and her and her husband are very excited, as are all of us lucky enough to be in her life!
I could not be more happy for her. I am so excited to share in this part of her life. She is farther away than we all would like but I will make the effort to stay in touch through all of it and be there for her if she needs me!
EEEEE!
I just received some great news which I am sooooo happy about! I cant say anything yet, but AHHHHHHHHHHH! Hopefully in the next day or so I can blog about it to get it off my chest because I may just burst with excitement if I dont! 
In one word – NO!
In two – HATE THIS!
Last year I was devastated after we lost in the NFC Championship because we all thought retirement was on the horizon. Then he decided he still wanted to play. Then he retired and I was yet again devastated. Then he came out of retirement to play with the Jets. And while I was upset with this and wasnt happy about it, I was happy about one thing – It wasnt the Vikings!
Now, a year later, he has flipped and flopped yet again, and has come out of retirement for the second time this off season and signed with the Vikings. This leaves me nothing to be happy about! NOTHING! In fact, I kind of hate him now.
I was one of the biggest Favre fans ever! I owned everything Favre and purchased even more last year after the big press conference when he “retired” last year. Now, I couldnt be more disappointed in the only man who played the only quarterback I had ever known, up until last year. Fortunately I have a few games with good memories under my belt to remember when I feel like kicking him in the face.
Here is one of the good memories:
The “Snow Bowl”. One of the most amazing things I have ever seen. This photos is not a poor quality photo, it was just snowing that hard! It was beautiful! On top of the beautiful snow that made it seem like you were in the center of a giant snow globe, we kicked Seattle’s butt!
Anyways, I will not dwell and write a giant post on the newest member of the Vikings, I just must say, you let us down Mr. Favre, you let us down! Unfortunately for you, I wish nothing more than the worst for you in Minnesota. I hope we come out with the Thunder when we play you, and stomp you into the ground!
I feel like I have accomplished a lot this summer. I have been working on getting healthier. In fact BF has started running to train for the Cellcom Half Marathon next year and it is making me work harder to get in better shape! Its great! I have a 5K coming up at the end of September so that has also been making me kick it into a higher gear! Its great! I feel awesome and energized!
I also have done quite a bit this summer. Brewers games, weddings, Florida vacation, fishing, baptisms, among lots of other things. My BFF and I have hung out TONS this summer, which is wonderful! I ♥ her!
On top of all the fun stuff I have done, I have worked quite a bit on my photography. I did 6 month photos for my niece and for my BFF’s daughter and baptism photos. I also got some great photos that werent for anything in particular; flowers, birds etc.
Here are a few of my newer photos (I have more, but havent uploaded them to Flickr yet):
OMG Florida was AMAZING! And of course now that I am back work has been crazy and I havent had a chance to blog about that or anything else that has been going on. But, Florida. WOW! I could not have asked for a better trip.
Here is the shortened version:
Flights were late getting in on Thursday but all was ok. Got to our house and went to bed. Got up early on Friday and headed straight to Bonita Beach! BEAUTIFUL! It was super warm out and the water was crystal clear (oh, and 88 degrees to be exact). Dad and I decided we were going to rent Jet Ski’s! Wow that was a blast! I am not a person who really likes to be in the ocean, partially because of the salt water and it getting in your eyes and what not, and partially because of all the scary animals that live there, but I made the most and braved it, and you know what, I am so glad I did. We took them out only for 30 minutes, but I have to say that was one of the highlights of the trip!
After that we visited at my cousins house, spent time in the pool and then the rest of the family came over and we had a pizza party. Great times and so much fun to see the rest of the family again.
Saturday was the reunion. We went to Wiggins Pass State Park and had the rented pavilion which was within a 2 minute walk right to the beach. Got a family photo of everyone! It was great! Some other fun stuff happened but its too detailed to write now so I will get back to that later, when I have more time – its pretty funny! After the reunion, we all went back to my cousins house and swam. Around 5:30 we had to be dressed, ready and at my other cousins house for Uncle Jim & Aunt Jill’s surprise 80th party. We got them good – they were so surprised! It was great. Saturday ended early, because my cousin’s baby’s baptism was on Sunday and everyone wanted a good nights sleep.
Sunday was truly amazing. So many great and wonderful things happened. Another cousin of mine, David is in seminary school and did a sermon and Uncle Tom’s church (Uncle Tom & Uncle Jimmy are both Pastors). He did such a good job! I couldnt believe how much he has grown up. I am so blessed to have such an amazing family with such strong faith! I wish more people got to experience what it was like to have such a strong bond with their whole families. So many people dont get that today.
After David’s sermon was Danielle’s baptism which was another miraculous thing. Danielle was born at home. Her mother, my cousin, Heather, had gone into the hospital that day thinking she was in labor only to be sent home because she was not. She got in the bathwhen she got home and 5 hours later, Danielle was born with the help of an amazing 9-1-1 operator talking Heather’s husband Steve through the whole birth. If you want to hear the 9-1-1 call you can google Disarro Estero Birth and i believe it will come up. Or you can read/watch one of the stories here. Its amazing. We were all able to hear Danielle’s first cry through the media. Another blessing that could have been tragic, but because of the 9-1-1 operator, KJ, it was a miracle.
KJ just happened to be Danielle’s sponsor for her baptism. It yet again, is another blessing that such a wonderful person was brought into our family’s lives and will forever be apart of the miracle that is Danielle.
After church and the baptism, we went back to my cousin’s house had a little lunch and it was back home to Wisconsin.
I am so blessed to have gotten to spend the weekend with my family and be there for all of the wonderful things that happened this weekend. I miss them all so much already and I cant wait to go back. I will post photos as I get them and will update with a few more details when I have time.
I am beyond excited today! One week from today, at 3:30 in the afternoon, I will be heading to the airport for my first real vacation in a few years! For me vacation has always been a regular thing. From the time I was an infant my parents ALWAYS took me (and my sister) along on vacation. At 18 months old I had already been to Disney World for my first time. By 5 I had traveled to Canada. I have visited every state on the East Coast except for Maine and Rhode Island, I think 23 states in all. We probably went on at least two, sometimes more, trips out of state every year. And ALWAYS went camping within the state many, many more times a year. We drove EVERYWHERE! So much in fact that the first time I was on a plane, even with all the places I have traveled, was my sophomore year of high school. I have still only flown three times, two round trips and one one-way trip. Next week will be my fourth flight!
I am going to Florida for a family reunion. I get to see the side of my family that I havent seen in years. In fact, my cousin Heather is married and has a baby now and I havent even met her husband yet (I think they have been married for 3 years). I am so excited! The only part I am really hesitant about is the flying. Like I said before I have only flown three times and out of those times I only flew once by myself (still drunk after the Milwaukee Wave Championship win in St. Louis). I am a little scared to fly alone down there. I know it will be ok and by the time next week rolls around I will be so excited that I wont be able to to wait to get on the plane.
I have everything pretty much planned out and packed already, aside from the last minute nessesities that you cant pack until the day of. I will be rearranging some things in my iTunes to make room to put two movies on my iPod for the trip. This way if I get completely bored I have something to do. I also have games on my iPod so I think I will be able to keep myself occupied, I may even bring my PSP with me. AHHH just thinking about all of this makes me smile. I cant wait to get there to see the family that I miss so much all the time.
This side of the family is where I get my personality from. We are all so much alike that whenever we get together it is a GRAND ol’ time! We sing, we dance, and all of us can talk for hours! Its just fun. And its relaxing not having to try to get along or try to find things to talk about because we all love the same stuff.
Next weekend will be something of significance as well. My dad’s two cousins are both Pastors. And my younger cousin David is studying to become a Pastor also. He only has one more year left until he is finished. SO – Not only is Heather’s daughter getting baptised, but both of my dad’s cousins are doing the service and my cousin David will be doing the sermon. Next weekend we will also be celebrating my Great Aunt & Uncle’s 80th birthday! They are truly amazing and I am so happy I get to be there for the surprise. I am touched to get to share in both of these events with my family!
ON A SIDE NOTE: I want to bring my camera with me as a carry on but the bag is kind of big and I want to be able to pack a few other things for my “carry on” besides just my camera. Does anyone know if I can bring my camera bag PLUS a small carry on?
Well last week I would count as a success. I did my 10 flights of stairs everyday since I blogged about it. Went for at least a 20 minute walk each night, did my free weights, push-ups and crunches and still accomplished a lot at night. I felt great! I cant wait to see what I am going to feel like after doing this for the next month!
The weekend was wonderful. Went to Appleton Friday night. Called it an early night after a delicious shrimp and jasmine rice supper. Saturday was reserved for fishing at Little Green Lake. While it was a wonderfully nice day (a little windy but I wasnt complaining because it would have been horribly hot without the wind) we caught NOTHING. All day, from about 10am until 7pm, NOTHING! Again, I am not complaining because even though I caught zero fish, I still got a ton of sun and got to enjoy the nice weather. After we got home around 9, we played 4 or 5 rounds of Yahtzee (of which I got killed in all but one) and then it was bed time for me. Sunday we woke up and decided to go to High Cliff State Park to go hiking.
The idea came from a discussion on the way fishing on Saturday. I asked if there was anywhere around the lake that we could hike or if there were good bike trails or anything near by to take photos on and BF brought up High Cliff. What a great idea! Aside from the 100’s of giant mosquitoes (one guy we passed while hiking called them pterodactyls) it was amazingly beautiful and a great hike. The cliffs made for a great view the entire time and the scenery was amazing!
Onto the photos from the day. There arent many but I am going to post a few of my favorites
I count Day 1 of working on my new goals as a success! I walked 7 flights (up and then back down) of stairs yesterday at lunch. When I got home, I walked 25 minutes, came home, ate a delicious supper, did some chores around the house, and watched so you think you can dance. On every commercial I did a different free weight arm exercise for the first hour and during the second hour I stretched. Once the show was done I went for another 25 minute walk and came back and did some plyometrics )
Nothing extrordinary but successful none the less. Hopefully day 2 will be equally successful!
