Pics from the weekend: Yellowwood S.F.

A few gems from the drive through Yellowwood.

Metal bridge.

Wooden bridge.

And this is my favorite.

It's the reflection of the trees in the river.

Gorgeous.

Pics from the weekend: B&B

Our room had a balcony!

Balcony view.

Antique-y furniture, but nice bathroom.

Here's the lovely room.

Us, 2-years later, not quite so decked-out

but still happy,

and standing outside our room on the balcony.

A big week.

Well, this has been a crazy week. Kyle and I spent Sat/Sun in Brown County, touring the Edinburgh Outlet Mall, Bloomington's Food Offerings downtown, Oliver Winery grounds (and tasting, mmm), and Yellowwood State Forest, not to mention several unknown country roads as we attempted to outsmart the horrific traffic jam on Hwy 46 between Columbus and Nashville.

We stayed in a bed & breakfast--a first time experience for both of us. It was really fun. The couple running the place were the kindest hippies (how perfect) I've ever met and unbelievable cooks. The woman told us she used to work for an Italian chef. After tasting breakfast, I know she's had training somewhere. We talked food places with them--hearing their favorite spots in Bloomington and surrounding areas and also about things they cook at home.

What we didn't check out before booking was what was going on at IU. Turns out it was Freshmen Parents' Weekend. Plus, there was a night game! So, not only did that explain WHY every place was booked out for the weekend, but it also would have warned us about the nightmarish traffic. Oliver Winery was so full, people were parking in the grass (we had to). We were stuck in traffic numerous times, but still managed to have a great getaway.

The weekend was to celebrate our anniversary, which was Monday--2 years! On Monday, however, I never saw Kyle, my mom came for dinner and to spend the night, and I had class (arriving home at 10p). Mom's visit was really to take me in for surgery early on Tuesday morning. It was the last attempt to fix my eyes before throwing our hands up and saying -- LASIK is it!

Surgery went well and quickly (over in 10 minutes), and besides being another traumatic experience without any relaxing drugs, I survived well. Later in the day, I couldn't even tell they'd done anything. I've not had any pain or discomfort, other than a dry yet leaky eye (and that was only today). There has been some minor improvement in vision, but I'm so tired still, and my eye is just a bit foggy, I think because it's dry.

I worked a late night on Wednesday, following a super early morning rise & shine for my day-after eye appointment in Indy. This is why I'm so exhausted. Early mornings and really late nights (for an oldy like me). I will work all day on Saturday and then we're having some friends over for a visit. Wow...long, crazy, tiring week. But, looks like I'll be able to get all my school work done which is essential.

Oh, and the other thing that was HUGE this week: I got a new phone! Seriously, this is amazing. For whatever reason, I started browsing some new phone ideas -- I was up for my free upgrade with Verizon. And I found this touch-screen phone that's not a smartphone, but it's a heck of a lot closer than the one I had. So, I got it because it was FREE to me. And I purchased a really small data plan so I can have some access to the Internet on my phone. Kyle was able to set up everything on the phone for me, including getting my contacts from one phone to the other, and he gave me a ready-to-operate object. I loved that! So did he. Like I said, it has a touch screen and a slide out keyboard. It's black and makes a lot of pretty noises. I'm super pumped. I finally have a mobile calendar! Maybe I can get rid of the hard-copy planner after all. We'll see. I'm not ready to commit to that.

Anyway, that's our big week. I need a couple slow ones after this. Yikes!

Unfortunately, no pictures

But I trust you can use your imagination.

Remember the post with pictures of Quincy in hilarious positions, including Burrito Kitty, Video Game Kitty, and Bible-Thumping Kitty?

Well, in the last week he's created two brand new positions that are definitely worth noting.

First is Mailbox Kitty. He sits in a nearly perfect rectangle and his head would act as the mailbox door. No tail visible, as it's tightly wrapped around his elbows (if cats had elbows, but you know what I mean).

Second is Roadkill Kitty, or Shot-on-the-Run Kitty. We walked around the corner of the kitchen yesterday to find him halfway out the computer room door, his head looked like he'd face-planted on the carpet while trying to outrun his friends in a rousing game of Cops & Robbers. His legs were all facing behind him at awkward angles. And he was dead asleep. We laughed for a long time on that one.

We love this animal. Can't believe we haven't been pet owners but for a few months.

Now do you know why we love him?

Look at the Book Thief title behind him.

A perfect explanation for what he is at this very moment.

Usurping my book collection and bookshelves!

But I wouldn't trade him for the world.

Big Stuff

So, Labor day weekend was busy. But Kyle got to do something really fun! He drove the tanker fire truck in the parade!

Here are the few shots I snapped (it was hard to get a good one while he was driving because I was sitting in between him and another firefighter...these are my efforts).

The driver.

The view while driving.

The view as he backed into the fire station

(mad skills here, folks).

The truck with all the families at the station.

The happy guy!

Oh, and before I sign off. First, his jersey, then his magnificent gift wrapping ability.

And, finally, a picture of Quincy to round out the family post!

It's the small things

Leaves crunched under my feet today as I walked across the really dry grass expanses of campus today.

How much do I love a job that let's me walk around on a beautiful day like today!

How I love the Fall!

I've already stated this in an earlier post, but as the chilly mornings have now arrived, I feel completely comfortable in saying it again: I love the Fall!

One of the main reasons I love it so much is because with its beginning comes my birthday and, more recently, my anniversary (two very good things in my life). Wrapped up in the celebration of my birthday is also that of my sister-in-law (Emily), my niece (Maddie), and a very close family friend (shout out to Tommy!), as well as a giant family reunion at my parents'. It's always a full weekend. This year we added a Wilson family reunion, too, and it rocked. So many people, so many good eats.

I know that chronicling the gifts given to me over the course of the last week isn't really all that exciting to anyone but myself, however, some of these gifts are super cool, and because I know you all love me and want to share in my joy, I am going to tell you about them.

Emily, always on top of things Emily, sent me a gift two days early, which was great seeing as we were gone all weekend and wouldn't have been around to receive it. I was not prepared for how perfectly packaged and displayed this awesome gift would be. Here it is online for you to drool over and perhaps order for yourself. In addition to two tins of the regular and mint varieties of sipping chocolate, I also received the tiny Bellagio mugs in which to serve it. I cannot WAIT to try this! Yum, yum, yum.

My parents fulfilled my wish to finally have a cast-iron griddle. Because of the weight of the iron and my bad hands, they so thoughtfully bought me a 10-inch round griddle, instead of a skillet, in which I can make perfect pancakes and quesadillas. They also got us the amazing coasters that actually soak up moisture. Revolutionary!

Today I'm wearing another beautiful gift: a green bead necklace from Leslie. It's gorgeous and fits with my outfit today, but also did on the day I received it and the day after! It's awesome. I might be wearing a lot more green from now on because, truly, it IS my favorite color.

Evan and Emily graciously gave me many pictures of Jane! How exciting. She was the one baby in our family of which I had no pictures and as I've been redecorating the home and office (removing the myriad wedding photos and replacing with our awesome families), these pics will come in super handy. She's precious!

In addition to these awesome gifts, Kyle has been on top of things, too. I finally for the first time in my life have an iPod. It's a tiny shuffle that clips to my clothes, so that I can run and work around the house without even knowing I'm wearing it. The thing weighs nothing. The sound is crystal clear. I love it. Then, because he's amazing, he also got me the first six Harry Potter films on Blu-ray. We'll be watching those for the next month or so and the picture quality is profound. You wouldn't even believe it.

In addition to the things listed above, I also received gift cards which I will use to purchase some much-needed work clothes, and a lovely smelling WoodWick candle and adorable little journals. Let me reiterate that it's not just about the gifts. Being with family is one of my favorite things in the world and this weekend was full of family.

Other things that are so great right now:

1. Kyle drove a fire truck in the Upland Labor Day Parade and I got to ride along!
   
   
2. I gave Kyle an extremely early Christmas present in the form of his choice of a Colts jersey to wear all season. He was so pumped.
   
   
3. It's time for soups, breads, and crock pot meals. I've not been good about making yummy breads, but I want to try harder this year. I love them, so why not? Banana, zucchini (although it might be a bit late for that now), pumpkin, lemon-blueberry...and on and on.
   
   
4. It's football season which means sleepy Sundays spent in front of the games on TV, breezes flitting through open windows and a very happy cat perched on his stool in front of said windows.
   
   
5. Cider. We love cider, and last year I discovered the best recipe ever for hot cider. Mmmm. Very exciting.

So, despite my lack of energy on the whole and, more specifically, motivation to get my school work done, life is GOOD in September, and I'm glad this month is here!