Survival Run

This evening I tried to run out at Swiss Valley nature preserve. What I remember as a nice 2 mile loop with hills and flat stretches through fields was nothing of the sort. Because of all of the rain that Dubuque got this summer, the trails were washed away, bridges were missing, and parts were still a bit flooded. First I tried the way I though was right, but thought that there was no way when I saw the flooded plain. So I tried another, but after running for about 5 minutes, I realized the trail wasn't going to be turning around anytime soon. So I went back and braved the swampland. After treking through giant mud puddles and running up a rather large hill, I realized that that too was the wrong direction. So again I braved the swampland. While running, I somehow managed to get a bug right in my eye. And how it burned. I was almost immobilized. It was starting to get dark and I realized I needed to get back to the car. With a watering eye, and muddy shoes I kept running. When I got back to the point of frustration, which was already midway through the 2 mile loop, I realized that the bridge leading to the right path was missing. So, I made my way across the creek. Somehow I managed to leap across and keep myself dry. The once smooth, grassy path, was rocky and uneven. Finally I made it to the woods and found the all to familiar hill that 4 years ago had kicked my butt into walking the rest of the way to the car. But not today. I kept going because I was starting to get worried. Yes, I had my pepper spray bracelet, but you never know if anyone or anything is in the woods. And then a deer darted across the path in front of my scaring the crap out of me. Thats when I really took off. And when I made it back to the car, I was so relieved, because then it started to sprinkle, and I realized that if I had screwed around any longer looking for the right path, I would have been stuck in a rainy dark swampland in panic mode. Lets just say, I will not be revisiting that trail until next summer when they have a chance to make some repairs.

Sick Weekend

Well its been quite a while since my last entry, but I have finally started working and trying to get myself into a routine. Since Carson and Madison have been back at school, I havent had much to do during the day but unpack, run, and watch tv. With no money, and friends with jobs and school, it gets old pretty fast. Its great not feeling so useless. I've started working at the pharmacy, and my coworkers have all been great so far. Pretty welcoming and helpful. All I've been doing so far is counting pills, but this week, I get to move on to some more thought stimulating areas. I have also been working for the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the suites. That should turn out to be good money, and the girl I work with is pretty cool. Nothing too exciting happened this weekend, since I've had a pretty bad cold the entire time. Madison's birthday was Friday, and poor girl, mom was in Minneapolis, Carson got to go to the Wisconsin Dells with a friend, and Nicole and I were working. Just her and dad for her birthday. But luckily, sick or not, I was able to stay with her for the rest of the weekend. Yesterday while she was at a friends party and I got to veg on the couch the impossible happened. Spice World and Austin Powers were on tv!  Aside from that, nothing too exciting happening yet. We have family coming over tonight for Maddy's birthday, so maybe that will be eventful. Or not, but there is potential. New work week starts tomorrow.

Settling In

Getting settled isn't quite as easy as I'd anticipated. Partly because I don't want to be settled in, and also because my time is being bombarded by the rest of my family. Yes, its exciting for Carson and Madison to have me back, but I think they really underestimate just how long I will be here this time. We had a fun weekend though, and I would have rather spent it with them than cleaning and unpacking. This morning I finally got my lazy butt out for a run. It felt great, aside from some knee pain. When I got home I was determined to get some work done on my room so I decided to pump some Enrique. Well, that was a failure because I ended up booty shakin around my room instead. Time for a new plan of attack I suppose. I will let you know how it works out.

The Move

I made the big move Friday and Saturday. I made it to Ames an hour earlier than expected. I think the fantastic CD that Sarah made had me zoned out and cruisin along. But somehow I feel like  I stopped for gas much less than normal as well. Its like an hour of driving and a tank of gas just disappeared somewhere along I-80. When I got to Ames I stayed with Mary and Trevor, which was fantastic because it has been so long since I had seen them. All of this wedding talk was getting old on the phone and computer. I needed some real face time. Bridesmaids dresses have been decided on as well, and I am excited to wear it. Luckily she chose lapis, a color I can wear pretty darn well if I don't say so myself. But we didn't spend too much time with wedding stuff, and just hung out and had a good time. Watched some YouTube videos, drank some beer, tried to play f the dealer. It was great to finally sleep in a real bed again. Although it did take a while to fall asleep because I was too comfortable after spending the last month on an air mattress, Vegas excluded.

The drive from Ames to Dubuque was a bit brutal. It rained the entire way, and my windshield wipers are not the greatest. But as I entered to house I was "greeted" by my two golden retrievers. My legs are still scratched up today! Then came the family and we had a nice lazy day watching Rango and Rio. I had never seen either, and am already thinking about when I will watch them again. Rango isn't the greatest movie for kids, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Rio, is just wonderful for everyone. And of course I enjoyed it more when I realized that Nigel, the bad bird's voice was done by Jermaine from Flight of the Conchords. Fan-freakin-tastic! Now today I will spend my morning unpacking and doing laundry. Until after lunch of course when we get to go water skiing and jet skiing. Time to get my butt moving so it doesn't take two weeks to move in!