Busy Days, Busy Nights 5:22 PM

It's getting closer to the move and I have finally started to see a dent in the surface instead of a scratch. With the books now gone, floor space available, Tim's help, all of the closets and shelves have been emptied, belongs sorted, packed, or disposed. Now the overwhelming pile of storage crates is mounding. More crating tomorrow, then the real work begins, moving furiture out, into storage. Once that is done, I will feel better, even though the most dreaded part of moving begins. . . cleaning the place up. Fun.

Boxes Of Books 10:04 AM

I have 100s of books. What to do with them all? I am boxing the majority of them up and going to donate them. I plan on keeping a number of them, one box full. Narrowing them down is going to take some time, some thought, some effort. Certain ones I will definitely hold on to, especially The Book Thief, others most assuredly will be put in the box to be sent off. I didn't realize how many I really had until I started cleaning out closets and shelves and cupboards. There are books everywhere!

Wall Space 5:42 PM

Spent much of the day taking down all the pictures and things hanging on the wall, wrapping them up and packing them. I'll continue with the process tomorrow. It is slowly starting to look barren even though there are boxes stacked everywhere, books stacked here and there, belongings pulled off shelves, etc. Eventually I will begin the process of hauling things to various outposts, Goodwill, Used Book Stores, and storage, narrowing down what is going with me to Florida. Of course I am torn by wanting it all, but knowing it doesn't all have to go with me. Picking and choosing is the fun part! At least I know the majority of winter clothes will not be heading out of state!

Already? 4:23 PM

They weren't kidding when they said time flies. I was making out some payments and wrote July on the checks. It wasn't until I jumped on the computer did I realize that it is the 1st of August. I was momentarily confused. I shouldn't be, having been to so many Summer festivals and such, but where did the time go?

Looking And Listening 5:31 PM

Shane and his friend Doug came up from South Bend for the Cold Play concert today, started out by going down to German Fest and the Air Show. Wandered around the festival grounds, catching the sights, sounds, smells of German culture, enjoyed a bratwurst, iced tea, bienenstich, stunt planes, and Thunderbirds.

More Like It 7:11 PM

Hot and sunny, just the kind of day I enjoy. Now this is how Summer should be. I woke up very early to the rumble of thunder, wondered if it would be another overcast day. It wasn't. Went for groceries, to the book store, bummed around Bastille Days for a while, and am considering my options for the evening. Tomorrow is going to be another great day, with plenty to do.

Happy Fourth of July 7:35 AM

To everyone who reads by choice, stumbles across, stalks through, random passers, enjoy the Holiday and celebrate!

Sun, Coffee, And Words 5:55 PM

The sun was just rising when I got up this morning. I showered, got dressed, went out for an early morning walk along the lake. Returned home, had a light breakfast, then read for a couple of hours. Headed over to the Fixx for a mocha latte and conversation with Jan. We sat and talked for over three hours. Did a little running around after that, then back home, been reading and watching TV. I started a book yesterday, and am close to finishing it, should be done sometime this evening. It's so easy to get lost in a good book.

Haunted 9:03 PM

Spent the day sorting through things to pack for the trip to Florida. I want to make sure I have something to wear for any ocassion that may present itself. This isn't just a vacation, so I can't just take flip flops and a swim suit! I wrestled with my concious over packing socks. Tonight on TV, I watched Haunted Mansion, based on the awesome ride at Disney World. I find it entertaining (the movie), find the ride even moreso. It got me thinking, maybe I need to make a day of it and head over to the Magic Kingdom while in Florida. Oh yeah, it's not a vacation. It's awfully tempting though!

Playing In The Yard 5:39 PM

The dogs were barking wildly, so I went to see what the commotion was. Scout and Gem were toying with an injured bird. I got the cats into the barn, tempting them with treats. The bird is alive, in shock, but hopefully it will recover.

Wheels In Motion 3:02 PM

a cool rainy morning made way for blue skies, sun, warmer temperatures. Ran out early and went grocery shopping before the crowds. Napped and read for a while. Got the bike out of storage and took it for a ride along the lake. Went the distance and only stopped to rest at a picnic table along the trail once on the way back. I definitely need to shape up a bit. I'll take it a mile at a time.

I have now made arrangements for my journey to Florida. I have book my flight and rental car for June 15th through the 23rd. I will be exploring the region, scoping out potential employment and housing. After all these years of talk, I am finally going to do something about my dreams.

Tomorrow looks to be a nice day weather-wise. Thinking about pulling out the bow and arrow and heading over to the archery field and giving that another try. I'm sure I'll have to condition myself for that too, but it is something I want to do and now's the time to do it. I'll see, lounging on the couch is just as appealling.

Changes Are Coming 10:41 PM

Over the next few weeks I am going to be tinkering with the format/layout of the blog. So things will look different on occasion until I figure out what I want to do with it. It's time for an overhaul.

Storm Chasing 9:53 AM

I am fascinated by storm chasers. I watch shows about this whenever I come across them on TV. There has been some pretty incredible footage of tornados captured by the chasers. I certainly wouldn't want to put myself in the path of an oncoming storm, but am intrigued by the people who do. I do appreciate a good thunderstorm though.

Cat Mechanic 4:19 PM

While changing the spark plugs, wires, distributor cap, and rotors, Scout (or Gem, not sure which) came to see what was happening in the barn.

Pretending To Be 6:51 AM

Car mechanic.

The Moon, The Stars, The Symphony 7:38 AM

Last night Tim, Julia, and I went out for dinner at the Carleton Grange, where we all enjoyed a fish fry. We had attempted to go to the South Shore Inn, but their kitchen is closed for renovations. After dinner, we headed over to the Wehr Nature Center, met up with Michael, and were going to go on the Moon Stroll/Astronomy Hike. It was a preregistered event, not show up and participate one so we ventured out on our own nature walk. As it grew darker, we stopped back at the car to get a flashlight and ventured back to the trails. we ended up near a lake sitting on a pier talking when we all noticed the geese were starting to become restless, noisy. They grew louder and louder, we saw geese fighting, flying across the water, it was chaotic. We watched in amazement as it continued on, the geese were definitely battling, their cries echoing, creshendoing, a cacophony of noise. As I listened, it reminded me of music, a song of nature. It was amazing. After a while the geese started settling down, the dance, the song over. We walked back to the car, went to Kopps, then to Barnes and Noble. I really enjoyed the night.

Networking (Notworking) 3:01 PM

I went and purchased my new laptop computer. It had to be done. It will be easier to research on the Internet now, look for jobs, stay connected. That is if I ever get my wireless network up and running. The simple install has become quite a process, spent many hours trying to get it to work, to no avail. At one time I couldn't even access the web with my old desktop. Yikes. I still haven't gotten the laptop to identify the wireless router even though it is working and the network has been created and identified by the desktop computer. I'll keep trying. In the meantime, I'll just use a wireless signal the laptop is picking up from someone else in the neighborhood . . .

Winds Of Change 7:26 PM

Today was a nice day out. Sunny, not bitter cold, the promise of Spring, beautiful days, no more snow, frigid weather. I am liking DST already, not so dark, at 5:00pm. Got out, went to the book store, then lunch with Jan at Baker's Square. Browsed books on job searches, resumes, found one on ancient Egypt that I ended up buying. I received my severance check in the mail today, closing out an 11 year run. Things are definitely different in my life, major changes coming down the pipeline. There's the shift in my circle of friends, one I really am sorry to see go. The job hunt will be amping up, and I will go where the job is. New places, new people, new responsibilities. Certainly change is in the air.

Rain 11:58 AM

The last two days have been warm, sunny. Today it's overcast and raining. Gray. I like it that we're starting to come out of the winter cycle. Been slowly getting things together for the job search, will start surfing the web and sending out resumes. Got down to the casino twice, once for dinner, once for lunch. Turned $10 into $90 so I have some fun money to throw around. Saw Watchmen last night, good, dark movie. Just kind of lounging today, who knows what I'll get myself into.

Trippin' 9:57 AM

Back from a wonderful trip to Orlando with Pat and Toni. Did a lot in the time I was there. Encapsulated: Florida Mall, Downtown Disney, Magic Kingdom with Pat, Tim and Julia, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom with Pat, Uncle Doug and Aunt Christine, Orlando Ale House, more Florida Mall, Airport and a live episode of the Jerry Springer Show (you are an effin' crackhead!). I had a great time, Thanks Pat and Toni! Now to unpack, relax, unwind. If only I could motivate . . .