At long last, a new post from the Shew box. Don't get your expectations too high though, one of the problems with waiting so long between posts is that it's hard to know where to start. I'm sure I've forgotten most of the worthwhile things that I've been meaning to post about. Anyway, let's summarize the summer thus far...
Camp is going well, good staff, etc. So much staff (because we were planning on being gone alot more than we are) that we have it alot easier than we've been used to - which is nice.
Took a vacation in the middle of the summer for the first time ever, which was cool. Saw Las vegas, Grand Canyon, Los Angeles and San Diego. Hit Disneyland, California Adventure, Knott's Berry Farm, Sea World, San Diego Zoo, Hollywood, lots o' beaches and lots o' California stuff. Was a jam-packed time - but very fun. Saw some family which was good, too. We decided we are an excellent jury to decide, once-and-for-all, the burning Disneyland vs. Disney World debate. We had, after all, been at both parks within 6 months of each other. The verdict was...(drumroll here) hands down Disney World. Now, don't get me wrong, Disneyland rocked...it was just kinda...Disneylite. Actually, some of the individual rides we preferred at Land - but World was far superior overall. We can't wait to go back.
After we'd been back from vacation for about a week, I rode in RAGBRAI for the first time. Highlights - we did the longest day of the week and also hit the day with the optional "century loop"...it's a longer route for the one day that makes you do 100 miles that day. So, we did, in our three days, 65 miles, 85 miles then 100 miles. Not bad. Low points - the BIGGEST bummer was not being able to finish the week. I really would have loved to, but couldn't be away from camp that long. Another bummer...we had the awesome surprise visitor of STEVE KALB!!! That's not the bummer part - the bummer was that he came when I was gone so I didn't get to see him. Next time, next time
Anyway, only 11 more days with campers till the summer's done - not that we're counting. Then we'll probably head out for a few days camping with friends before school. Hope all of you are doing well. I know this blog has been neither witty nor sarcastically biting, but hopefully it was mildly informative. Thank you for your time.
Thursday, August 04, 2005
Thursday, June 02, 2005
A New Month - A New Post
So, true to my disclaimer when initializing this blog, I suck at posting regularly. Yes, yes... I still read all your stuff...it's still great...just never take the time to add my own. Since, it's been awhile here's an update:
Keith's parents are in town to help with projects/kids during staff training. The biggest project is adding on an addition to the deck on our house. Since his Dad's name is Dick, and he's the one building it, I feel like it should be called Dick's Deck...or something. I feel like there's a joke there...but I can't quite find it. Any suggestions on naming the deck are welcome.
Staff training is in full swing, almost over actually. Nothing really to comment on there - you all know what that's like. Fill in the appropriate ancedote here___________________.
My birthday present rocks my socks off! See shayk's blog for details. I forgot to mention that my wonderful husband, along with buying the bike for me without my knowing...even though I had to get it fit to me, bought me a totally sweet bike computer to go with it. Now I know mathmatically, without a doubt, how much ass I'm kicking as I shred the road. You can't argue with numbers...it's science.
Looking forward to heading out soon for our trip. Well, actually, I'm not looking that much forward to it because I honestly haven't had time to think about it...but when I do think about it, I'm looking forward to it. We'll get to see the Kalb's - sweet.
Anyway, that's probably not all that's going on - but frankly, I'm tired and I want to go to bed. Thanks again for the birthday blogs...you guys rock!
Keith's parents are in town to help with projects/kids during staff training. The biggest project is adding on an addition to the deck on our house. Since his Dad's name is Dick, and he's the one building it, I feel like it should be called Dick's Deck...or something. I feel like there's a joke there...but I can't quite find it. Any suggestions on naming the deck are welcome.
Staff training is in full swing, almost over actually. Nothing really to comment on there - you all know what that's like. Fill in the appropriate ancedote here___________________.
My birthday present rocks my socks off! See shayk's blog for details. I forgot to mention that my wonderful husband, along with buying the bike for me without my knowing...even though I had to get it fit to me, bought me a totally sweet bike computer to go with it. Now I know mathmatically, without a doubt, how much ass I'm kicking as I shred the road. You can't argue with numbers...it's science.
Looking forward to heading out soon for our trip. Well, actually, I'm not looking that much forward to it because I honestly haven't had time to think about it...but when I do think about it, I'm looking forward to it. We'll get to see the Kalb's - sweet.
Anyway, that's probably not all that's going on - but frankly, I'm tired and I want to go to bed. Thanks again for the birthday blogs...you guys rock!
Thursday, May 05, 2005
Feliz Cinco de Steve!!
The world celebrates Mexican independance today...but in our house, today has been permanently set aside to celebrate that independant thinker - Steve Kalb. In honor of his day, a few tributes...
Haiku for Steve
Steve is so awesome
I wonder if he's human
Just too much talent
Ode to Steve
He brings his A-game
To the court
To the street
To life, man
Ever so cool
He's slightly euro
Yet has street cred in the hood
Racing around on the shredder
Who can stop him?
Only tiny dogs
Take that PS2!
Take some more Game Cube!
You're next X-box!
Domination!
Okay, friends of Steve, let the tributes flow. Let's show Steve how we celebrate blog-style!
Haiku for Steve
Steve is so awesome
I wonder if he's human
Just too much talent
Ode to Steve
He brings his A-game
To the court
To the street
To life, man
Ever so cool
He's slightly euro
Yet has street cred in the hood
Racing around on the shredder
Who can stop him?
Only tiny dogs
Take that PS2!
Take some more Game Cube!
You're next X-box!
Domination!
Okay, friends of Steve, let the tributes flow. Let's show Steve how we celebrate blog-style!
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Most awesome theater ever!!
Alright, so I know most of you live in big, cool town/cities and probably have awesomely cool theaters all over...but, I live in Spirit Lake, IA...and I don't. Let me fill you in....
We just got back from being in Des Moines for a few days. First, for the food show, then Keith had a team meeting. (sidelight - Steve and Shannon, remember when we went to the food show and Adam threw-up french silk pie all over the hotel room! Yeah!) Anyway, the day of the meeting I dropped Keith off at our brand-new, state-of-the-art, conference center where Nan gave me directions to the new Jordan Creek mall. I don't know if any of you are familiar with it, but it totally rocks! It's the perfect fusion between nature and retail. So, as I'm taking in the many branches of this fabulously decorated behemoth of shopping pleasure, I turn the corner and stumble upon their 20-plex movie theater. Now, 20-plexes I've seen before...okay, never actually attended, but seen. Anyway, I was surprised at how many people there were working...it was only 9:30 am. So, I read the marquee and the shows start at 9 and run all day! I'm very excited as I have many hours to kill and this would easily eat up 2. Also, they were showing some movies that I know will never come to the lakes. I decide to see the 11:55 showing of The Upside of Anger. The Interpreter would have been a close second, but Keith and I saw that on Friday. (sidelight...it wasn't as good as I expected, what with Sean Penn and all, but still good)
So, I continue shopping, explored the MP3 options at Best Buy for the 10th time...I know, we just need to decide and buy, then headed to the theatre for my flick. Well, inside the lobby there is a *gasp* Starbucks Stand!! Only for the theatre!!! Now, there were other Starbucks in the mall which I had enjoyed earlier in the morning (actually got a chai latte to shake things up and thought about you, choidog) but, the idea that I could have starbucks with a movie was almost more than I could bear! But, that's not all!! There was also an ice cream stand!! With Edy's and STARBUCKS ice cream!! So, I got a java chip milkshake as my movie treat/lunch! Awesome! But wait, there's more!! Then I walk to my designated theatre, past another snack bar might I add, and sit in my seat. Let me elaborate, my fully-cushioned like a lazy-boy, reclinable, even with cushy fold-down arm rests, seat. So there I sat, in the middle of the day, Starbucks milkshake in hand, in the most comfy theatre seat ever, ready to watch a film that would never come my way. It was priceless. The only drawback, I kept thinking the entire time how much Keith would have totally LOVED the whole experience, and how not only was he not there, he was doing something that was the complete antithesis of what I was experiencing. Bummer.
Other quick highlights of the week -
We went to that downtown Des Moines pub monday night by ourselves and ordered off the biggest beer menu I think I have ever seen
Yesterday's (one of my favorite restaurants) is now open for the season and we took in a little snapper monterey before the Interpreter friday night.
It's 29 degrees and almost May...wait that's not a highlight - that sucks!
Later!
We just got back from being in Des Moines for a few days. First, for the food show, then Keith had a team meeting. (sidelight - Steve and Shannon, remember when we went to the food show and Adam threw-up french silk pie all over the hotel room! Yeah!) Anyway, the day of the meeting I dropped Keith off at our brand-new, state-of-the-art, conference center where Nan gave me directions to the new Jordan Creek mall. I don't know if any of you are familiar with it, but it totally rocks! It's the perfect fusion between nature and retail. So, as I'm taking in the many branches of this fabulously decorated behemoth of shopping pleasure, I turn the corner and stumble upon their 20-plex movie theater. Now, 20-plexes I've seen before...okay, never actually attended, but seen. Anyway, I was surprised at how many people there were working...it was only 9:30 am. So, I read the marquee and the shows start at 9 and run all day! I'm very excited as I have many hours to kill and this would easily eat up 2. Also, they were showing some movies that I know will never come to the lakes. I decide to see the 11:55 showing of The Upside of Anger. The Interpreter would have been a close second, but Keith and I saw that on Friday. (sidelight...it wasn't as good as I expected, what with Sean Penn and all, but still good)
So, I continue shopping, explored the MP3 options at Best Buy for the 10th time...I know, we just need to decide and buy, then headed to the theatre for my flick. Well, inside the lobby there is a *gasp* Starbucks Stand!! Only for the theatre!!! Now, there were other Starbucks in the mall which I had enjoyed earlier in the morning (actually got a chai latte to shake things up and thought about you, choidog) but, the idea that I could have starbucks with a movie was almost more than I could bear! But, that's not all!! There was also an ice cream stand!! With Edy's and STARBUCKS ice cream!! So, I got a java chip milkshake as my movie treat/lunch! Awesome! But wait, there's more!! Then I walk to my designated theatre, past another snack bar might I add, and sit in my seat. Let me elaborate, my fully-cushioned like a lazy-boy, reclinable, even with cushy fold-down arm rests, seat. So there I sat, in the middle of the day, Starbucks milkshake in hand, in the most comfy theatre seat ever, ready to watch a film that would never come my way. It was priceless. The only drawback, I kept thinking the entire time how much Keith would have totally LOVED the whole experience, and how not only was he not there, he was doing something that was the complete antithesis of what I was experiencing. Bummer.
Other quick highlights of the week -
We went to that downtown Des Moines pub monday night by ourselves and ordered off the biggest beer menu I think I have ever seen
Yesterday's (one of my favorite restaurants) is now open for the season and we took in a little snapper monterey before the Interpreter friday night.
It's 29 degrees and almost May...wait that's not a highlight - that sucks!
Later!
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
Sweating the small stuff
I'm going to take this blogging opportunity to shine some light on some issues often thought of as mundane, when in reality they are not. Why? Well, to tell the truth, to many big things are going on in life and it makes me crazy - so, I get some much needed respite contemplating the 'finer' - as in smaller - things in life. For instance...
When a female uses the restroom, no matter what she's there for, she assumes the same position. Often, she'll think she's going in for a, how shall I say, "quick" visit, but while in this position, discovers she needs to spend a little more time - if you know what I mean. Well, what happens when a guy encounters this? Do they turn around and sit? Do they always stick with plan A?
Did you know that when ordering a bucket of chicken at KFC, and they ask you if you want original or extra crispy, you can reply "mixed, please." Why don't they advertise that?
Why did my 1986 Hyundai have the advanced technology of letting me know precisely which door was ajar, and my '98 Toyota and '04 Mini Cooper do not?
These, sadly, are only the tip of the iceberg of the idiosynchrosies of life I've noticed. Feel free to share your own.
When a female uses the restroom, no matter what she's there for, she assumes the same position. Often, she'll think she's going in for a, how shall I say, "quick" visit, but while in this position, discovers she needs to spend a little more time - if you know what I mean. Well, what happens when a guy encounters this? Do they turn around and sit? Do they always stick with plan A?
Did you know that when ordering a bucket of chicken at KFC, and they ask you if you want original or extra crispy, you can reply "mixed, please." Why don't they advertise that?
Why did my 1986 Hyundai have the advanced technology of letting me know precisely which door was ajar, and my '98 Toyota and '04 Mini Cooper do not?
These, sadly, are only the tip of the iceberg of the idiosynchrosies of life I've noticed. Feel free to share your own.
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
Get your motor runnin'...
So, spring has officially sprung. It has been in the lower 70's the last two days, and it's supposed to be 50's and rainy the rest of the week. This can mean only one thing...the motorcycle is out of hybernation. Keith is actually out on a ride right now, one of several in the last couple days. He took me out a couple times, it helps me remember that indeed...I was born to be wild.
Easter weekend was pretty good. The kids had wed-mon off from school, so that was nice. We spent one night at a hotel in Sioux Falls with an indoor waterpark. They just upgraded and added a longer slide, so the kids really rocked on that. Some shopping, dinner at Olive Garden, etc. The bunny found us on Sunday. He brought lots of chocolate and some fun toys, including Monkey Ball Jr. for Game Boy Advance. Which, when he plays, Adam says "Remember when I played this at Steve and Shannon's?" and I say "yes, I do. Good times." Then we went to Minerva's Easter brunch. We went last year as well. It's a spectacular spread and you end up eating just to the point of nausea. Ahh...the true meaning of the holidays.
Since we had spent the Sioux Falls weekend with friends, Saturday with other friends, and were having other friends over Sunday night...it was just the four of us for most of the day. It was so nice that we tried to spend alot of the time outside. I had the kids do their favorite chore of "cleaning Bailey's room" also known as scooping poop in the yard. I tried to spin it like, since it was Easter after all, we could pretend that we were hunting for eggs! Won't that be fun!! Yeah, they didn't buy it either.
Anyway, just wanted to post something 'cause I realized I hadn't for awhile. However, that doesn't mean that I haven't been reading posts...does anyone feel like they're being watched???
Easter weekend was pretty good. The kids had wed-mon off from school, so that was nice. We spent one night at a hotel in Sioux Falls with an indoor waterpark. They just upgraded and added a longer slide, so the kids really rocked on that. Some shopping, dinner at Olive Garden, etc. The bunny found us on Sunday. He brought lots of chocolate and some fun toys, including Monkey Ball Jr. for Game Boy Advance. Which, when he plays, Adam says "Remember when I played this at Steve and Shannon's?" and I say "yes, I do. Good times." Then we went to Minerva's Easter brunch. We went last year as well. It's a spectacular spread and you end up eating just to the point of nausea. Ahh...the true meaning of the holidays.
Since we had spent the Sioux Falls weekend with friends, Saturday with other friends, and were having other friends over Sunday night...it was just the four of us for most of the day. It was so nice that we tried to spend alot of the time outside. I had the kids do their favorite chore of "cleaning Bailey's room" also known as scooping poop in the yard. I tried to spin it like, since it was Easter after all, we could pretend that we were hunting for eggs! Won't that be fun!! Yeah, they didn't buy it either.
Anyway, just wanted to post something 'cause I realized I hadn't for awhile. However, that doesn't mean that I haven't been reading posts...does anyone feel like they're being watched???
Monday, March 14, 2005
Weekend in Iowa, etc.
First, I'd like to say I empathize with shayk, you'll see my previous post has a title only, the body is gone...don't know how that happened.
So, I was pretty excited for Sat., first free day for a long time. Keith had a few things in the morning, but not too much. I wake up to Adam watching cartoons already. That's cool, it is Saturday after all. But then I catch a little as I'm getting my morning java fix, and I say to my son "Hey bud, what's this show?" as I didn't recognize it. He answers me "Super robot monkey team hyper-force go". Now, maybe you all are way cooler than me and are thinking "oh yeah, I know that show". For me, it was a first. I thought he had to be mistaken. He wasn't, that's the name. That's awfully cool, by that I mean it's awful, but still cool.
We also went to see Robots Sat. night. The animation is INCREDIBLE! Lot's of little extras in the background too....there's a 2 second shot of a 'map of the stars' and the names include Britney Gears. Cute. It was no Finding Nemo, but it was good and the kids liked it.
Sunday we were all up super early to hit some churches in Sioux City. We went to Chuck E. Cheese's afterwards for lunch. The kids looked like they just needed a place to be a kid. Also, it was their consolation prize for having to leave before dawn and sit through a cumulative four services. The highlights...I wasted Keith at Skee Ball and got to play classic Space Invaders - sweet.
Anyway, it's another gorgeous spring day in the midwest...19 degrees right now and we've been having flurries off and on for about 4 days. suck. Hope you all had a great weekend!
So, I was pretty excited for Sat., first free day for a long time. Keith had a few things in the morning, but not too much. I wake up to Adam watching cartoons already. That's cool, it is Saturday after all. But then I catch a little as I'm getting my morning java fix, and I say to my son "Hey bud, what's this show?" as I didn't recognize it. He answers me "Super robot monkey team hyper-force go". Now, maybe you all are way cooler than me and are thinking "oh yeah, I know that show". For me, it was a first. I thought he had to be mistaken. He wasn't, that's the name. That's awfully cool, by that I mean it's awful, but still cool.
We also went to see Robots Sat. night. The animation is INCREDIBLE! Lot's of little extras in the background too....there's a 2 second shot of a 'map of the stars' and the names include Britney Gears. Cute. It was no Finding Nemo, but it was good and the kids liked it.
Sunday we were all up super early to hit some churches in Sioux City. We went to Chuck E. Cheese's afterwards for lunch. The kids looked like they just needed a place to be a kid. Also, it was their consolation prize for having to leave before dawn and sit through a cumulative four services. The highlights...I wasted Keith at Skee Ball and got to play classic Space Invaders - sweet.
Anyway, it's another gorgeous spring day in the midwest...19 degrees right now and we've been having flurries off and on for about 4 days. suck. Hope you all had a great weekend!
Wednesday, March 09, 2005
Wacky Wednesday
So, thought I should make an entry, nothing really of note, just a Top 10 happenings in our corner of Spirit Lake.
10. Abbie is feeling better and back to school
9. Tonight is church night. The pros:don't have to cook because they feed you there; they call the program 'wonderful wednesday' and Keith and I have fun "affectionately" calling it wacky wednesday. The cons: it's church night, and this ain't no AWANA baby
8. Keith and I put up the new furniture in New Hope today and it totally rocks
7. Bailey read the blogs about her and agrees that size is her trump card, she wins
6. Just found out our 7-plex movie theatre is expanding to a 10-plex this summer. That's cool, although I saw Million Dollar Baby in the new Spencer theatre. It was my first time there, and it was way better than ours...and a quarter cheaper too.
5. There are now, I think, 5 Mini Coopers in town. Don't know if this is bad or good, stay tuned
4. Guess what just opened 2 nights ago? A new KFC/Long John Silvers! Fried food for everyone!! Yeah!!
3. Saw Ladder 49 last night. A good friend has been gushing about how awesome it was for months. It wasn't awesome. It was barely a solid good.
2. Just finished book 5 of the series of unfortunate events. If you've never read them, DO IT!! There's 11 books, they're very fast reads (maybe 2 hrs for an entire book) and they're some of the funnist things I have ever read. Can't wait to start #6.
And the number 1 thing that's happening in our corner of Spirit Lake: Check out what our main news story is:http://www.exploreokoboji.com/news_local_sty.asp?sty=44456 and you people think you have it rough dealing with crime, poverty, etc. That'll shut you up
10. Abbie is feeling better and back to school
9. Tonight is church night. The pros:don't have to cook because they feed you there; they call the program 'wonderful wednesday' and Keith and I have fun "affectionately" calling it wacky wednesday. The cons: it's church night, and this ain't no AWANA baby
8. Keith and I put up the new furniture in New Hope today and it totally rocks
7. Bailey read the blogs about her and agrees that size is her trump card, she wins
6. Just found out our 7-plex movie theatre is expanding to a 10-plex this summer. That's cool, although I saw Million Dollar Baby in the new Spencer theatre. It was my first time there, and it was way better than ours...and a quarter cheaper too.
5. There are now, I think, 5 Mini Coopers in town. Don't know if this is bad or good, stay tuned
4. Guess what just opened 2 nights ago? A new KFC/Long John Silvers! Fried food for everyone!! Yeah!!
3. Saw Ladder 49 last night. A good friend has been gushing about how awesome it was for months. It wasn't awesome. It was barely a solid good.
2. Just finished book 5 of the series of unfortunate events. If you've never read them, DO IT!! There's 11 books, they're very fast reads (maybe 2 hrs for an entire book) and they're some of the funnist things I have ever read. Can't wait to start #6.
And the number 1 thing that's happening in our corner of Spirit Lake: Check out what our main news story is:http://www.exploreokoboji.com/news_local_sty.asp?sty=44456 and you people think you have it rough dealing with crime, poverty, etc. That'll shut you up
Tuesday, March 08, 2005
Get Well, Abbie
Today is Tuesday and it was going to be our day off. We've had groups/churches/travels the last several weekends so had been looking forward today for awhile. Abbie's stomach had other plans. That evil organ has been making her throw up most the day, so she's home from school. No day off for us. We have been watching lots of weird cartoons though, and price is right, so that's a little holiday in itself.
Nothings worse than seeing your kids sick. You can totally know what they're feeling, know it totally sucks, and there's nothing in the world you can really do about it. Sure, you can make Gatorade slushies, rent a special movie and allow unlimited weird cartoon watching, but in the end, you know they still feel awful. Get better soon, Abs!
Nothings worse than seeing your kids sick. You can totally know what they're feeling, know it totally sucks, and there's nothing in the world you can really do about it. Sure, you can make Gatorade slushies, rent a special movie and allow unlimited weird cartoon watching, but in the end, you know they still feel awful. Get better soon, Abs!
Blog-aholics
Choi-dog, let me start an intervention. You are a blog-aholic. Every time I check the blogs you have replied, almost instantaneously I might add. Don't you have a day job? I know what you're thinking..."hey, you wouldn't know I had replied if you weren't also on checking just as much." While that might be true, we're talking now about your problem, not mine. Also, I might point out that you were one of the influences into this horribly addicting world. So, you're sucking others into your addiction as well. Anyway, I leave with a question: how much is too much blogging? PS - Seriously, please don't stop blogging choi-dog, your responses are a gleaming light in an otherwise dark world.
Monday, March 07, 2005
Cyber-Stalker No More
So, I created my blog with a quick message. Then, I went and gave a shout out to my favorite bloggers (Steve, Shannon and Wyatt) to let them know I now exsist. So, if you guys check in here, I want you to know that someone in Iowa has been reading every word you have ever posted! Kinda creepy huh!
Anyway, now I'm legit, so can leave a passing comment on your notes. However, I honestly don't know how much I'll do that. Also, I have no idea how much I'll actually keep up my own blog. You see, once your family size increases beyond two, leisure minutes are somewhat limited. If I use some of my alloted minutes writing my own blog, that would - in accordance with the laws of time and space - decrease proportionately the number of minutes I can spend reading all of your blogs. I don't know if that's a sacrifice I'm willing to make being as they have become a great source of entertainment and joy for me.
So, this may or may not be the one and only real post here...stay tuned
Anyway, now I'm legit, so can leave a passing comment on your notes. However, I honestly don't know how much I'll do that. Also, I have no idea how much I'll actually keep up my own blog. You see, once your family size increases beyond two, leisure minutes are somewhat limited. If I use some of my alloted minutes writing my own blog, that would - in accordance with the laws of time and space - decrease proportionately the number of minutes I can spend reading all of your blogs. I don't know if that's a sacrifice I'm willing to make being as they have become a great source of entertainment and joy for me.
So, this may or may not be the one and only real post here...stay tuned
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