Yesterday was a two for one.
I didn't feel like going in to work, so I took the day off.
Mostly for no reason.
And, I went to Kuma's Corner for the first time.
DELICIOUS!
Because I got there RIGHT as they opened at 11:30, there was only one set of people in front of us.
Which meant, no wait.
For that place, this is a rare thing.

I came home smelling pretty yuck from all the food, but it was worth it.
I dont' remember now which burger I got, but it had Hot Peppers on it, and Gouda Cheese. UGH!
I ate so much, and it was all so rich, I didn't have to eat for the rest of the day.
And, I had the best food induced nap EVER, just a part of the very perfect day off.

I Vant to Suck your Blood

Today, I decided to donate blood.
Lifesource was having a drive, I saw in the elevator.
Thought it would have been a quick in and out, but it was quite the ordeal.
Didn't help that as the needle came out, this girl got pale and faint.
My friend, whose name I still don't know, took such great care of me.
Ice packs all over, legs elevated, checking on me, getting me water.
So check that sucker off the list, and maybe on the bigger list.
Never again?
I know it's such a good thing to do, but DAMN it made me feel nasty.

43. Train for a destination half-marathon

This one's happening.
Joined CES' Winter Warrior's program.
Just finished week 2.
This week, we'll be doing 7 miles, which is then more than half the total distance.
Also, today, bought a ticket to Miami.
Miami half marathon, January 31, 2010!
So....left to do, finish the training and register for the half.
OH YEAH

I feel like such a Vinner

52. visit washington/california/michigan wine country
let's alter that slightly to include Missouri Wine Country.
Who knew they even had one.
And, what makes it better, you can bike through it!

Oh boy did we.

Despite both Chrisse and I being sick, most of our group did about 15 miles round trip, hit up 2 wineries and a brewery and saw the beautiful country side of Missouri changing colors.

it almost looks fake doesn't it!?

Judy packed us a delicious picnic lunch which we ate at our first stop while drinking a bottle of wine.


before i could get my first sip, i was smacked in the head by this umbrella


which was blown off a table on the deck above us.
it could have been much worse. a bruised bump on the head is all i ended up with.

we ended the night sitting by this camp fire at a brewery with a sampler of beer each and some very drunk people all around.
a perfect ending to a near perfect day!

i swear i've been doing stuff

61. Find 3 perfect pairs of jeans (1/3)
Thanks to all the Gaps advertising, I checked out their new and improved jeans. It wasn't all hype. These things ROCK.
I got 4 pairs and so far chose one as a perfect pair.

53. Watch all of the 100 of AFI's 100 years 100 movies (5/100)
I've hit up the movie in the park twice this summer to see 2 movies on this list.

Psycho with Javi


and then Tootsie with Sarah and Ryan


Which leads directly to checking off Number 3: Watch a Movie in the Park.
DONE.

8. Photos
8.14.09


8.15.09


8.16.09


8.17.09


8.18.09


8.22.09

the earth IS good

#10. Read 3 classic books. 3/3 done!

it's interesting to me that i only said i'd read 3.
i guess i was reading more of my new yorkers and less actual books when i made this list.
i go through stages.
but now that i've been on a book reading kick, i can't stop myself!
so, soon enough it'll be far more than 3/3, but that's ok.


The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck

# 50. Tailgate

Can this be considered tailgating, I don't know.
No grills were involved, but there was beer, we were in the parking lot (albeit not by our own car) and we hung out ahead of time.
I'll count it for now.



Good time!

pictures, i've been slacking for sure:

8.1.09


8.3.09


8.4.09


8.5.09


8.7.09


8.8.09

my heart...it feels things

i was gone all last week, and still feel a little gone.
i shouldn't be at work today, but i'm always saving it for some later date.
whatever, it doesn't need to make any sense.
i've been obsessed with the sky lately.
iowa's sky is intense, dramatic, it is always saying something.
maybe it's just storm season.

i'm drinking a mike's hard lemonade and it reminds me of college.
both pleasant, but also making me feel a bit nauseous. (i had to spell check that)

pictures:
7.29.09


7.28.09


7.27.09


7.25.09


7.24.09
it was hard to choose for this day, i took a shit load on the dramatic ride hom


7.23.09


7.22.09


7.21.09


7.20.09


7.19.09


7.18.09

7.15.09


7.14.09

all things yellow

I'm feeling bored with this blog.
All photos and very little else.

and so, #8. Photos:

7.12.09


7.11.09


7.10.09


7.9.09


7.8.09


7.7.09


18. Buy flowers at the farmers market

Last Thursday, Jackie and I walked over to the Daley Center's weekly farmers market and picked up some BEAUTIFUL flowers.

I didn't exactly have a vase that was suitable for them, so I split them up into two glass water pitchers and put some at the back porch table and some in my room.
They're getting prettier and prettier.

#8. Photos

7.609


7.5.09


7.4.09


7.3.09


7.2.09



#84. New Restaurant


The Old Whistel Stop Cafe in Fox River, IL.
Delicious!





#6 CAMPING!



This was one of those perfect trips.
It required very little planning (on my part) just happened and was SOOOO fun.
Despite the almost break-up of my sister and I over how to work a canoe and my nearly broken wrists, it could not have gone better.

A nice reminder that sometimes it is just that easy to get away and knock something off your list. aka have fun.