Just Another Day

I know it hasn’t been THAT long since I last posted, but it feels like a lot has happened. I suppose now that I try to write about it, I’ll realize that the past week was probably less eventful than I thought.

It’s definitely been nice to have Bill back home. We spent a lot of last week eating out or ordering in… this week’s goal – all home cooked food. Seriously, it isn’t that hard!

Bill presented to one of the 5th grade classes last Friday. I got to sneak in on my lunch break to watch the story telling and video footage. It’s fun to see Bill in front of kids – he’s such a natural teacher. The kids were captivated. It was fun for me, too, to watch the amazement of a place I once lived… what a different world.

We spent our long weekend up at Dad’s. We celebrated mom’s birthday a few days early with breakfast at the Montana. Then we headed out for a long snowmobile ride across the lake. Lo came and hung out, we got to see Gram and Gramp… only Apey was missing from the weekend. But she was having her own fun down in Iowa!

We’ve been trying to tack down some spring break plans. I’m fortunate to get a whole week off, so we figure we’d better take advantage of that time. Hopefully we’ll have something solid to share soon. 🙂

And also… I need to take some pictures.

It was so very nice to see Bill in the livingroom when I arrived home from school yesterday. To celebrate the completion of his second trip into rural Alaska (where he dined on ramen-style cuisine, straight from it’s sweet styrofoam packaging) we decided to head out for dinner and drinks. We chose a wonderful local restaraunt, Prairie Bay Grill & Catering. It has a very cozy atmosphere (complete with a local guitarist playing mostly sounds of the 60’s and 70’s), and the food was fantastic. By the time I took this picture we were full of salads, entrees, and raspberry creme brulee… mmm!

The travel must’ve caught up with Bill, as he slept a solid 15 hours. I managed to relax pretty well myself, today. We got caught up on LOST but still have some Diggnation to enjoy this evening.

Here’s hoping you’ve had a happpy weekend, too!

You’ve probably caught on to the fact that I think the world of my grandparents, and sometimes I think I was meant to grow up in their generation – the big band music, the house dresses, the baking. It’s funny to me, that when I picture “the olden days” I often imagine everything in black and white – like the early Andy Griffith episodes. I feel like life must’ve been simpler then…Of course, I can’t neglect the reality of my Grandma waiting back home for a couple of YEARS after she and Grandpa got married and while he was serving in the War.

It’s these sorts of things I stop and think about when I look at how very much in love Gram and Gramp still are 65 years after they got married.

It was another nice weekend in Cook. April and I drove to Duluth on Saturday morning to get my bridesmaid dress squared away. Then we stopped and visited with Gram and Gramp (or G2 – read G squared) as we refer to them all too often! 🙂 It was a pretty good visit. We started talking about the fact that this Wednesday is their 65th anniversary. They are so cute; at the mention of their anniversary their eyes lit up. They are still so very much in love. 

We got home Saturday afternoon, and Lo came out. I finally convinced the girls to come and watch The Holiday with me… and then I fell asleep. I guess I just needed a nap. Really, that’s kind of how I was feeling all weekend – I just wanted to snuggle into my bed and let the rest of the world go about the rush of it all. I did make some eclairs after spending the past couple of weeks thinking about them. They were pretty good – and now it’s out of my system!

I think that taking a couple of days to just be lazy payed off today. I was so refreshed and ready for work. What a wonderful feeling – not one I often find on a Monday! Still, the day went well. We’re in the midst of a figurative language and poetry unit. (Yes, me and poetry…) Today we wrote haikus and painted watercolors to go along with them. Some of the kids are true artists… and those that are not make me feel wonderful about the examples I share. Ah, perspective!

Tonight I’ve been busy trying to clean the apartment a bit. I’ve neglected the dusting, the mopping, the toilet scrubbing for too long. I’m not anxious to get back to it, but I suppose it’s about that time.Happy Monday, All. 

Well, tonight I decided that I should probably cut down on the caffeine. This came after I talked April’s ear off and then thought about todays consumption… coffee + 2 diet Dr. Peppers. I really don’t usually drink that much pop, and getting the coffee going on a school day is rare for me. So, perhaps I’ll do a little experiment and see if I calm down. Probably not tomorrow, though. I’m loving Starbucks these days and have basically promised myself a cinnamon dolche latte tomorrow afternoon for getting through the work week. A little treat for my drive to Cook…

ANYWAY – I’m seemingly still a little hyped up. Currently, I’m video skyping with my hubby. (Andrea, it’s just an instant messenger program – on steroids.) Poor Bill is stuck in Nome again. It’s not really a place you want to get stuck. Anyway, he’s safe, and warm, and he’s in the “nice” hotel there – so, it’s all good. Plus, we’re able to visit. We’re at the end of week two, so it’s definitely nice to be able to talk face to face. Here’s a screen shot of the two of us “together”.

What would we do without technology?

Mine’s on the list for tomorrow. Far below zero temps have granted me a Wednesday off. Yahoo!

My plans to be lazy this weekend have so far been unsuccessful. I imagine, though, that tomorrow will bring plenty of opportunity for that!Last night Sara, Emily, Kaarin, and I headed over to Staples for a Diva night at Kacey’s. It was a nice change to get out of town and spend a Friday evening together. It’s also fun to see another house and the pictures and stories that go with that person’s life. To top off the evening, the radio station was playing a sweet mix of songs that took us back to high school and college – so, we enjoyed that on our drive back to Brainerd.

Today April and Jesse were nice enough to make the drive to St. Cloud to meet me for lunch. I even got to pick the spot (Panera). We had some tasty soup and salads! Jesse humored us with a little shopping and then it was time for a little Coldstone. It was a wonderful afternoon!

I decided to head to the school for a bit this evening when I got back into town… so as I wouldn’t find myself there tomorrow. The time always goes so quickly when I’m working on my classroom projects. And on top of lesson stuff, I found myself having the desire to organize our laptop cart. (It gets to be such a MESS, and I’m pretty particular about cords – ask Bill!) Anyway, I lost track of time and finally left a little before 10:00 tonight. I won’t be giving that place a second thought tomorrow. 🙂

Alright – I’m going to video skype with my hubby now. It’s nice to see his face though it’s 3000 miles away!   

Well, I’ve been keeping busy since I dropped Bill of at the airport Monday morning. I know he, too, has been busy hoping flights left and right. In fact, he’s already in the 3rd village for this trip! He’s been updating his blog frequently for those of you who’d given up on checking!

Anyhoo… we had an inservice  day on Monday then “Courage Retreat” for our 6th graders on Tuesday. So, by the time I actually had to teach a lesson, it was Wednesday! Now, of course, Friday is staring me in the face – and I’m loving it!

Tonight Amanda came over and we FINALLY worked on our scrapbooks! She did some darling pages of Axton, and I started a book of Alaska pictures. Now, some of you are thinking – oh, she must’ve finished her wedding book. You, however, would be incorrect. I just decided that it’d be a good time to get down some of the stories from the past 3 years before I lose the fun details and it becomes a blur. So, the wedding album will have to continue to wait. Maybe this’ll be practice enough so I’ll be confident to put it together!

Here are a couple of pictures from our evening.

Amanda sharing her creativity.

The first page of my book.

I’m not sure what (other than a trip to Staples tomorrow night) this weekend holds. I may meet up with Ape in Maple Grove to get a bridesmaid dress ordered. I’ve definitely got SLEEPING IN on the agenda. Yahoo.

laughing with my Grandma.

I’ve been battling a flu / sinus infection combo this week, but sitting down with my grandparents was the best medicine I’ve found so far. Tomorrow we’ll go and celebrate my grandpa’s 87th birthday!

It’s a nice break to be out of the apartment and “city life” this weekend… We got to Dad’s just in time to see the sun setting over the lake. January is a wonderful month for sunsets on Vermilion.

Bill and I are just haning out by ourselves tonight – trying to keep the fire stoked and working on 3 weeks worth of laundry I let pile up due to lack of quarters. 🙂

We’ve pretty much just been watching 24 this week. Work and 24.

The weekend went insanely fast, despite really doing nothing. The Svirs helped us break it up a bit with a round of Wii playing… I’m no longer the boxing champion. 🙁

Of course, Monday mornings always seem to hit me in the face. Somehow, though I’ve managed to float my way through to Wednesday night, which means I’m over 1/2 way to Friday again! Does life ever slow down?

Bill and I are heading to Cook this weekend. Bill has been busy getting into the BWCAW lottery for this summer. He’s got some tech-related ideas for our camping trips, so I imagine he and my dad will both be fired up to talk ideas this weekend. I’ll probably be working to finish up my grading… It’s the end of the quarter on Friday – grades are due Monday.

Wish I had something a little more interesting to write about. Of course, I love down time, so maybe this isn’t too bad.