iPod troubles

Let me just put it out there that I wish there was some way for me to put all the songs I like onto my little ipod. Reaching for my ipod while I'm at the computer, more often then not, I set it back down and decide to go to my playlists on playlist.com; which is really unfortunate, because my little ipod is consequently dealing with issues of abandonment and inferiority.

"It's not you little ipod, it's your songs."

Last Night's Dream

Kelly, Lilly and I were in this strange town. To make this make sense, I'd say we were probably visiting Grandma and Grandpa where they were camping a little outside of a bigger town. So it was evening, and Kelly, Lilly and I were walking around, completely bored down this sidewalk... trying to get into town which was taking a really long time on foot. We came across a couple who we may have recognized or not; the fact is they were "trustworthy". I went over and asked them if they could offer a ride into town, and they said they only had enough room for one person. So I told Kelly and Lilly to stay put and I would be back soon.

I went into town with the people and - I assume - had some fun. But when they gave me a ride back to the spot where I had told Kelly and Lilly to wait, they weren't there. I had already been panicking on the way over, thinking they probably wouldn't have stayed put. So I got back in the car and told the people my sisters were missing. They drove me into town again and I frantically searched in several shops and down streets for them. I searched for a long time and was quite tired, but still extremely worried. (I mentioned that we were probably visiting Grandma and Grandpa, and the reason is that between driving between places to find my sisters, I saw Grandma walking down the side of the road, as though on a nightly stroll out and then back to the campsite.)

So I was at one more place, standing in some parking lot in front of a restaurant or something when I see a strange figure wiggling their limbs and teasing me from the other end of the parking lot. OH MY GOD! I realize it's Kelly, and run after her. She runs through some trees to lose me, and I follow her. Through the trees, I see Kelly hopping into the driver's seat of Little Blue and she starts driving away from me! I don't know what to do- how to communicate to her that I want her to stay and be serious because I have been so worried! I run after the car and by some miracle catch up to them after they've slowed down or parked in some grass, I can't remember which. I open the driver's door and Kelly is sitting there laughing, and highly amused while Lilly is also amused and in the passenger seat. They thought it was very funny teasing me and driving away. I wasted no time in trying to fit them both into my arms as I gave them big hugs while explaining how worried I had been.

For Your Amusement

Open two tabs. In the first tab, type this URL into the address bar:
http://www.yogajournal.com/video/99

In the second tab, type this into the address bar:
http://www.playlist.com/playlist/13381461515
What should come up is my instrumental playlist, on my MuffinRuler15 account.
Go to track 2: Opus 23, and pause it at 3:15.

Go back into the first tab and press play on the video, immediately clicking it onto mute. Quickly go back to the second tab and press play on the Opus. Then go back and watch the video with it's new soundtrack.

The result should be amusing for at least 3 minutes.

What if every morning you woke up and watched video's of people doing yoga? To music?

Another Dream

The details are foggy. All I really remember is I was at the middle school (Only it was the high school, meaning I was attending senior classes) and I walked into this one classroom where the carpet was oddly slanted and in the center, extremely squishy. As I stepped across, my feet would sink down a foot. It was incredibly difficult to get in and out. Not to mention the teacher was this huge jerk, super arrogant.

There was also a part where I was in Michigan, or maybe the Trapp lake cottage, and I was running away from my family because they were chasing me. I guess I was afraid of something.

The Joys of Funerals by Alix Strauss

If this book had a rating, it would be PG-13. For sexual situations and some adult language.

A Novel in Stories. It isn't often I come across one of these, and the stories themselves - all tied together in the last - were something different.

There are 9 stories in this novel, each about a woman who has been affected by a loss, either past or present. Most, if not all, of these women could use help. Yet it is also implied more than once in this page-turner that therapy doesn't really help. What does help? Friends. Connecting with other human beings. This, I feel, is the theme. Of this novel. And of life.

I enjoyed this book. ...because it was different. It stressed the need for human connections, and the need to feel someone understands. This book is very honest, stating things people don't say out loud. The kinds of things that people think only to themselves and even as they wish to share with others, don't.

These are stories I feel anyone could identify with and benefit from. I recommend it to everyone.

The Rundown

It's been roughly a week since my last post, but I can't complain, because not being able to post means doing things, and if I didn't do things I would have nothing to post about anyway. So.. much reading has been done, but another review is still a couple days away since I was reading Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince for a second time [a refresher before going to see the movie with Rich tomorrow] - most of said reading having been done in the wee hours of the morning before collapsing and sleeping while the sun got up and traveled further than half way across the sky.
Apart from that (and making up a generous slice of my Week Pie) I was super-cleaning my room. To fill you in, for most of the summer my room had [before I cleaned it] been invaded by massive amounts of clean laundry, courtesy of the mother ship who had decided to put the newly clean clothes of three daughters into the bedroom of one. Needless to say, if my couch could talk, it would have kept me up all night with its complaining about being buried. By the end of my first cleaning day, I had not been able to finish folding and sorting through all the clothing. I vacuumed, wiped clean the lower walls (trust me, they needed it), rearranged some furniture, and organized my closet. I must say, through all the times I have rearranged my room, this is the best it has ever looked. Kiwi's cage is more accessible, the right side of the closet is accessible (not that you would want to access it), and I've been sleeping better with my bed up against the windows.
I've also started a new painting and a new writing project. (neither of which may I finish since I have AP Lit homework and a Kelly's contest to submit to, but here's hoping)
Thank you again to Katie and Amy for bringing me a 12oz. Dazzleberry Latte yesterday, because even though I paid for it and the lid was cracked, I appreciated it a lot.

P.S. Please don't see The Proposal without me... I was super sad yesterday when I thought you had left to see it while I was trapped in the house with that tall kid.

LOOK AT THIS CUTE DOGGY!

This is Precious, a five year old Lab St. Bernard mix, who is apparently very active and super cute. I know she's not a puppy, but hey- they can't stay puppies forever. Precious is available for adoption at the WCHS.

Reincarnation by Suzanne Weyn

As I've stated in previous posts, this book was first recommended to me by my friend who shall remain nameless (but DOES exist). And as was inevitable, it got me thinking about reincarnation and philosophy. It made me think it would be interesting to look into such things, because you know me, I'm a thinker. Anyway,

The book begins in the prehistoric age, when a man and a woman meet and fight over a green jewel, in a dispute which leads to their deaths. They are both reborn again, generations later in ancient Egypt only to meet again. The feeling that they have known each other before is prominent, and they fall in love, only to be separated again. This cycle continues, and in each life, small characteristics are the same and stay with each character through their lives.

I found this book initially slow and simple for me (it came out of the 'young adult' section), since I'm used to more complicated, adult, stories (and so is Lilly lately, who read this book before me). However, I really got into it as the story progressed and finished it within two days (I am just blowing through these books!). Even though the ending was happy, I didn't really like it. Nonetheless, everything else was interesting, and the bits of history throughout the book were especially intriguing. Overall, a good one!

RECOMMENDED FOR: romantics, people interested in reincarnation, and those who want a simple, good read.
AND NOT FOR: people who don't like reading at a level lower than 'adult', are not interested in the idea of reincarnation, or don't like history.

Bon Anniversaire, Kelly!

So moma came in my room talking at a level ten (completely uncalled for) and telling me what to do and who to help and where the table is going to be and the color of underwear I should be wearing for Kelly's birthday celebration.
I wake up, see Amy with her ice cream bar, point at her, say, "Good idea." and grab my own. Then we convene upstairs to wrap Kelly's gifts, one of which is a smiley bra marked 36C. I'm pretty sure moma only got this because it goes along with her smiley-face theme, because Kelly isn't a 36C. You know how I know? Because there's another bra too, marked B.

Flashback: One Christmas, I really wanted my own pet horse. I thought, I could keep it in the yard and ride it everyday. How great. On my Chirstmas list, I clearly wrote out, "HORSE." On Chistmas Morning, I opened my presents, one of them being a plastic horse for barbies. I was upset. I know they knew this isn't what I meant, so why? Oh, thanks for the crappy plastic horse I never wanted when you could have just not gotten me a live one and left it at that. Moral: this isn't the first time moma has completely ignored what we ask for and gotten us something she likes in its place.

The Wednesday Letters by Jason F. Wright

I finished this book within twelve hours! Was it the small print and larger spacing between lines over the 280 pages or just my super speed reading? *in high pitched, childish voice* Ah, Heidi you're so amazing! *in normal voice* Oh thank you, it was nothing, really. Anyways!

This is a lovely little book (relatively short too) about family. The book begins with death in the family, and takes place in the family B&B over the course of the near week with the funeral and all. The three children in the Cooper family discover letters their father wrote to their mother every week, 'Wednesday Letters', beginning on their wedding night. It's a simple, heartwarming story and being so short, has a short review. So here's what I thought: it was slow in the beginning, but picks up and becomes very interesting with no problem, wrapping up with a very satisfying end. I loved it.

RECOMMENDED FOR: People interested in letter writing, stories about families, shorter novels, and those with little conflict.
AND NOT FOR: Those with no patience for slow beginnings, prefer major conflicts, orphans who hate being reminded they have no family, or people with generally no hearts at all.

Things You Might Not Know About Me:

...I'm always dreaming about my teeth becoming crooked or coming out, from my two front teeth being bent back to half my upper teeth all coming out together (It scares me, and these dreams started after my orthodontia began).

...My favorite Star Wars movie is Episode 2, because of the romance between Anakin and Padmae.

...I'm very careful about not coming off as an idiot, and as a result have trouble jumping into things (I pause before and in between saying things to get my words right, and my french teacher told me I know my stuff and just need to jump into it-I'm too focused on making mistakes)

...I'm notorious for avoiding social interaction; especially when it comes to old teachers and people I am no longer friends with.

...I worry about being a good mother one day because I have no positive motherly-role models.

...As a habit, I bite off the skin in the upper corners of my finger nails.

...I think the worst thing about having a big family is people using your things without asking.

...I think 'accountant' is probably the most boring job in the world.

...I do not have any foods I 'DON'T EAT', I am very open to trying new things when it comes to food; like, I hear sheeps' bladders are delicious. Hahaha.

...I feel like there is something wrong with my room, or at least my bed; I wake up and still lay half-awake and half-dreaming for who knows how long usually until someone else comes to get me. It is wrong that I cannot get out of my bed of my own will most days. I wish I had an alarm clock that went off with "Get up, you lazy bum."

...My favorite music comes from movies, because I am such a visual person and I identify with the visual images and emotions I have already connected to songs.

The Guide

I know the playlist I just posted is very long and difficult to navigate if you don't know what you're getting, so I've assigned the track numbers to their correct movies. So you'll be able to use it better! Also, playlist.com is an excellent website for listening to the music you want without illegally downloading it.

1-12 P.S. I Love You
13-26 Twilight
27-28 He's Just Not That Into You
29-31 Slumdog Millionaire
32-39 Romeo+Juliet
40-46 The Holiday
47-51 She's The Man
52-55 Prince of Egypt
56-57 Joseph: King of Egypt
58-61 Quest for Camelot
62 Stardust
63-66 Anastasia
67-74 Elizabethtown
75-80 Marie Antoinette
81-87 Pride&Prejudice
88-91 My Best Friend's Wedding
92 The Perfect Man
93-97 The Princess Diaries
98-99 Matilda
100-104 Pan's Labyrinth
105-110 What Women Want
111-116 What a Girl Wants
117-121 Notting Hill
122-125 Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
126-135 Harry Potter
136-142 Lord of the Rings
143-147 Star Wars
148-151 Lilo&Stitch
152-154 Elf
155-158 Bewitched
159 Pretty Woman
160-165 Mrs. Doubtfire
166 Never Been Kissed
167-171 Moulin Rouge
172 The Road to El Dorado
173-182 Shrek
183 The DaVinci Code
184 Closer
185-188 The Hunchback of Notre Dame
189-191 Runaway Bride

Let's Go To The Movies

Dreams

I have been having dreams lately where I am Bella (this is different as I am usually always myself in dreams, even if I am dreaming about a story I read) and I am in love with Edward. Don't laugh. It's been - strange. I haven't been living through the story from the books though. I've been going through different stories. In the first one, Edward thinks I've died and he loses himself. At one point I am bent down in terror in a row of other people and Edward is killing some of us. He doesn't recognize me (which I thought at the time was strange, because wouldn't he smell me? But I guess if he was convinced I was dead, he would think his body were just tricking him). In the end, he realizes I am still alive and you know how it goes in New Moon.

Wow. I am a sucker for romance.

Maxwell Street Day

I am VERY pleased with my purchases today. I bought:

1. Cute stationary (with fishies and a ducky on it)
2. Wooden bracelet (nice, my style)
   
3. Awesome glass pendant necklace (good deal considering the last cool necklace I splurged on was twice as costly)
4. Very cute 8-12oz mug in chocolate brown and kelly green

Even though I told myself I would save all my money, I bought things I have been wanting, and don't feel bad. So it was great! We also so Grandma and Grandpa downtown, and they bought us a little bag of cinnamon sugar toasted pecans. We NEED to remember to go visit them at the lake cottage this weekend. Anyway, I don't have much more to say in details... :) I love my family!

My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

I had to finish reading this one first, before I dove into my fresh pile. I started reading My Sister's Keeper a summer ago. I was at the beach in Madison with Katie and my other sisters and (for something to do) had borrowed this random book from Katie's apartment. I read the first chapter and after we left the beach, I left the book too. A year later, and I see previews for the movie of the same name, loosely based off the book (or loose I have heard). I remember I had started this book, and suddenly have a reason to return to it. I ask for Katie to loan it to me, and she agrees, stressing it belongs to a friend and should be handled with care (And don't worry Katie, I have taken care).

The story is of a family with a son and daughter and when at the age of two, the daughter is diagnosed with leukemia, they birth another daughter to be a donor for her older sister. The book begins with thirteen year old Anna suing her parents for medical emancipation, and the whole book is basically dealing with this case, stories from Anna's family, and the lawyer and guardian ad litem assigned to Anna.

I knew the ending to this book before I ever knew I would read it. Katie had read it and was complaining of the bad ending to Amy, I think, when I was around. I never forgot. So I was not disappointed by a bad ending. The whole book got me thinking about cancer and the whole, "If you had cancer, would you want to know?" dilemma. It's a dilemma for me at least, because I don't think I would want to know. A big point in this story is that cancer enters a life like a monster who may leave the room but never leaves the house. I knew that from Kate's perspective, she would be dealing the best she could with what life had given her. But she wouldn't want others to continually suffer on her behalf. I was very satisfied with the last chapter. I also appreciated the technically unnecessary romance that shows up, because it creates a nice sub-plot and distraction from the main drama. I liked every character in this book and their inner struggles EXCEPT for Sara, the mom. She made me so angry with the way she handled everything. This isn't a very good review, I know. I liked this book, but I didn't love it. I didn't like all the talk about Kate's different ailments. I thought it was a bit longer than it could have been. I would definitely not call this Jodi Picoult's best book, but I liked it.

RECOMMENDED FOR: People who are interested in cancer, dysfunctional families, court cases, or Jodi Picoult.
AND NOT FOR: People who prefer action, mystery, suspense, or are bothered by diseases or cancer.

Miracles Happen (When You Believe)

If you think you know me, think again! This made me learn new things about myself. :) I had to construct an entirely new playlist for the pupose of this questionaire!

IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
Devil in Disguise

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
Carousel

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
If I Ever Leave This World Alive

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
Never Think

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
Say a Little Prayer For You

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Kissing You

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
In The Dark of The Night

WHAT IS 2+2?
Bella's Lullaby

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Accidentally in Love

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
4Ever

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Livin' La Vida Loca

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Come Pick Me Up (in other words, a free loader)

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Luck Be a Lady

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
La Traviata (an opera?!?)

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Same Mistake (sounds ominous but it would actually be a good slow song)

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
In The Beginning

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Bewitched (Ha! As in the old TV show theme)

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Sleigh Ride (You caught me!)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Imperial March (Oh God...)

WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
Dawn (OH NO!)

HOW WILL YOU DIE?
El Tango de Roxanne (Well, I've never been a good dancer...)

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
I've Got You Under My Skin

WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
Leave Out All The Rest

WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
Largo al Factotum -The Barber of Seville

WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
Holding Out For a Hero

DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
Escape [The Pina Colada Song] (make of it what you will)

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
I Will Learn to Love Again

WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
Little Bitty Pretty One

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
Miracles Happen (When You Believe)

And We're Up To Date!

Amy and I went to the Library and got piles of books. Amy wanted to stay longer and pursue the extreme sport of trying to read the entire library at once, but I reminded her that it would be extremely dangerous and she would most likely suffer from terminal brain implosion. My list of books is as follows:

1. The Lost Choice by Andy Andrews
2. The Secret Life of Josephine by Carolly Erickson
3. The Hidden Diary of Marie Antoinette by Carolly Erickson (an author I have read and liked before)
4. Reincarnation by Suzanne Weyn (loved by a friend)
   
5. The Joy of Funerals by Alix Strauss
6. The Wednesday Letters by Jason F. Wright (started reading it once at Walmart)
   
7. The Bachelor's Cat by L.F. Hoffman (looks short and funny)
8. The Secret of Lost Things by Sheridan Hay

I'm thinking I'll be reading The Wednesday Letters first, and I plan on writing reviews for each as I finish them. So I have quite a pile for myself. I encourage anybody to read along with me so we can discuss... I love discussing books. But anyway, just letting you know you have something different to look forward to!

Sunday

was spent babysitting again; this time with Amy, Kelly, and Lilly. We took Andy to the playground and acted like monsters. Sometimes it's hard to tell whether he thinks you're a cool playmate or a total weirdo. We taught him to flex his muscles and growl and also be a scary pirate who swipes at people with his hook-hand. This was after we had finished our last movie and hadn't enough time to watch another. We cleaned a lot in this time. I swept and mopped the floor (Swiffers are awesome). Amy cleaned the dishes. I fixed the couch cover and folded the blankets. Amy vacuumed. Another late night. Another Snapple Peach Tea.

...and Last Friday...

Moma woke me up, took me by Davey&Erin's new house and back to their apartment in Oconomowoc to watch Andy. Moma and Lilly started watching a movie with me but were quick to leave after eating some of the food (this upset me seeing as I brought Lilly along specifically to keep my company). So once Shrek 3 was over, I put Andy down for a nap and picked him back up sometime during Twilight which we followed up with Bolt (Andy loves Bolt) and Amy showed up with Moma in time to watch Meet the Robinsons.
During Twilight and while Andy was still sleeping, I made myself a sandwich of whole wheat bread, sliced turkey, iceberg lettuce, crumbled feta, and mayonaise. It tasted fine but I still made a mental note that feta is not the best choice in such a sandwich. I also ate some grapes mixed in with questionable cottage cheese (there was no expiration date, trust me; I checked for one three times before scooping it out into a short cup).
I was lethargic and would take several seconds to get up and follow Andy into the other room he had suddenly felt the spontaneous urge to revisit. I didn't realize until much later that this was caused by the stuffy apartment-the windows of which I had not thought to open for hours and air conditioner which I had not moved to turn on because it was partially hidden behind the piano.
Okay, so once I had company, I felt a lot better. Davey and Erin got in around 10:30pm and Erin took my hand and curled my fingers over $40. So the couple hours of stuffy lonliness was justified. I also took a Peach Tea Snapple to make up for anything else, heehee. Not that I haven't been telling people for the last few weeks I was hoping Davey and Erin would ask me to babysit...

Last Thursday

I went with Rich's mom and step-dad to pick Rich up from the summer camp where he's working as a counselor. 2hours and 20minutes to Shawno. But it was okay because they had triscuts and gouda (it was good-ah...). Beforehand, I made cookies and put them in a container to give to Rich. The whole thing was a surprise for Rich and I tried to keep it a big secret and throw him off any suspicions with questions: "When are you getting home, do you think?" and "Will you call me as soon as you're back?"
So when we got out of the car at his camp, Chris stood outside his passenger seat door and I stood behind him and tried to make myself smaller (not an issue because I'm already small and Chris is considerably taller and wider). Rich's mom went forward a little and I could hear Rich come over and start talking to hear. His tone made it clear he did not see me (it was a 'things-are-predictable-and-nothing-unexpected-has-caught-me-off-guard-today' kind of tone). Chris continued to stand by the car as though waiting for them to get in the car. Rich went past him and was curving to get in the back seat when I looked at him and said in a soft exclamation, "Hey!" His face completely lit up and his happiness was so genuine. I thought, 'Excellent, he had no suspicions.' He gave me a big hug and whispered, "Hi."
YAY! He told me later seeing me made him the happiest he's been in weeks.
So he showed us around his camp and all the food in the kitchen he has free reign over. The river the camp is located on never gets higher than hip-height which I found funny, but perfect for the 8-14 year olds who go to the camp. Between pointing out and naming the different builings we got to hear about pranks and how Rich likes to sign his camp name - Rolling Thunder - super big on the kids' camp shirts.
When we got back to the car, I gave him his cookies. "These were my backup plan in case you weren't happy to see me." It was really good to see him. So that was Thursday...

Happy Independence Day!

It's days like last yesterday I really wish I had a camera. For the Fourth of July, Rich's family goes to the beach in Sheboygan and watches the fireworks. This was the first time in three weeks Rich has been back home, so I was welcomed to go along. At the beach, the water was freezing cold and Rich dropped me into the water twice. I splashed him and pushed him over into the chilled mid-thigh-deep water and then in a struggle I initiated to knock him over, I ended up falling into the water again. We got out after that because the water was at a temperature that slowed your limbs down drastically and therefore was not safe to be in. When we got back to the sandy spot Rich's family (His Grandma *Sorzee, her daughter Julie, Julie's husband Mark, their three kids, cousins Gino and Shawn, and his mom and step-dad) was taking up, Rich proceeded to bury me alive. I wanted him to do just my legs, like I had done to him earlier, but he managed to pin me down. I finally managed to escape his evil plot when he accidentally got sand in my mouth, distracting him long enough for my other limbs to wiggle their way free. I was coated in sand in a way very much like a cinnamon sugared graham cracker would be coated.
After that, we laid down our heads on my towel and relaxed while the sun came out a little more. When we did get back up, we put shoes and clothes back on to walk up to the lighthouse. We sat and talked a little about the boats and that mysterious building off in the fog before Rich's family joined us at the lighthouse (I guess they ran out of things to do, too) and we all walked back together. On the walk back along the strip through the water, we saw some duckies that were super cute! Me: "Look, seven babies and a mommy! It's just like my family!" Rich: "Where's the Daddy?" Me: "He's at work." Rich: "Oh yeah, it is like your family, the mommy is trying to take the food away from that little one." (One of the babies caught a little silver fish) We walked a little further and sure enough, on the side opposite the family of ducks was a daddy duck splashing in the water-"working". It was funny.
We braved the water again before we ate dinner. As agreed, there was no more splashing or pushing. So we slow danced in knee deep water. When he went to spin me, I splashed through the water clumsily and thudded back into him. The second time was much smoother.
For dinner, Chris made tender and meaty brisket. And for dessert Rich's mom made 'Berry Tiramasu'; delicious, fluffy shortcake with raspberries, blueberries, and whipped cream. I want more just thinking of it.
We played with some little explosives Rich brought called 'snaps'. You take one between your thumb and finger and make like you're snapping and it explodes with a little fiery pop. Rich and I pooled our money together so I could get a $10 light-up sword-slash-light saber for $9. My souvenir from my first holiday with Rich (besides Valentine's Day).
The fireworks took place on the end of the beach and towards the end, it was so smoky from the explosions and all the fire's people had set up that you could only hear the fireworks. But it was okay. I can remember watching fireworks in Hartford in years past wondering when I would be able to watch them with a boyfriend, and so it was really great as that goes.
Well, there was no string cheese, or cheese curds. Or cupcakes with white frosting and blue and red sprinkles. But I didn't even miss those things, and it was the best way to spend the day with Rich before he went back to camp. So, all in all,
great day.

Happy July Everybody!

It was good to see Katie again

and I started writing a cool little story

and thank you Amy, for buying ingredients so I could have that yummy BLT sandwich which was my dinner.