In my head

Ah! Load up the bike and drive to Sioux City...this will be great.

I have no idea where the bike trail starts, but I think it's by the Pavillion.

I can't park where I want to, the road is blocked. I'll have to park here in the casino lot. It feels kinda weird to park in the casino lot.

What in the world is going on here? There are people everywhere!

I'll ask this man.

Hmmm, after my ride should I stay for the parade and fireworks? I'll decide later. I can't believe people are already gathering for this thing...it won't start for another 2 hours. I guess you have to in a place like Sioux City.

Whoa! Don't hit the little kids...just get off and walk it until you're clear.

Ok, all clear. How long will I ride? Honestly, I could go forever. The weather is great.

This is totally reminding me of the summer I rode my bike lots of times on the George Wyth bike trail in Cedar Falls...3 years ago.

That was before I was married. I lived with Paige. We watched Alias.

I've worked at camp since then. I wonder what they're doing at camp?

Ah. There's the river. Beautiful.

Whoa! Big bug! Duck! HA! Kelli would have freaked out!

It's fun to smile at all the people I see.

I love this part: the path is completely shaded by trees and it smells like Hidden Acres.

This must be where the path ends. Am I in South Dakota? Cool! A pool with a waterslide. Wow, this is going to be my new spot. Lots of grass to sit on and it all overlooks the pretty river.

Ok, heading back. Whoa, was that Liz Mathews?

Careful, that guy looks kinda scary. Look behind you...good he's not following you.

Why does it seem like there are more hills on the way back during every bike ride? Well, there probably isn't...it's just that I'm more tired. But my pace is still really good.

I'm back at the beginning. There are more people now. Loud music, mardi gras beads, colors, inflateables.

Boy, I'm glad I don't work at a public school. If I did I might know some of these people.

Maybe I should work at a public school because then I would know some of these people. So many are in need of a Christian influence it seems.

All done. I feel like I've just crossed through Arnold's Park...or Adventureland midway.

I'm not going to stay, there's just too many people and I have no friends to be with. Too bad Luke is at work.

How old am I?

Three reasons why I feel like I'm ten years old again:
1. I went to the public pool today
2. I walked home from the pool and there was a big hill, but it was nowhere near the size of the hill that we had to ride our bikes up when coming home from Crosby. I remember thinking there's nothing worse than having dead-tired legs from swimming, and then having to ride a bike up a horrible hill.
3. I looked in the mirror after swimming and my face was covered with freckles. It made me think that at any moment someone would come around the corner and say, "You must be Deborah because you have more freckles."

What snew?

Today I got to make a batch of Almond biscotti dough! It was really exciting because I knew I could do it and I have complete confidence that it will make the best almond biscottis that store has ever seen! Oh yeah!

Luke got me flowers today. 20 red roses. Whoa. This is the most amount of flowers he has ever gotten me. He felt bad about missing dinner tonight because of work, and he missed out on cleaning. We're having our Bible study over tomorrow night and, I'm going to be honest, I feel the need to impress. Everyone in our Bible study is an architect, literally. So, Luke was feeling bad...and now he's bummed b/c our new TV has no signal coming in.

Speaking of new TV, anyone interested in having a "new to you" TV? We have a very nice TV that needs a new home. Here are the details if anyone is interested:

This is a 30 in. widescreen 1080i tube TV. Comes with a free TV stand if you want it! I think Luke is selling it for $200.

And finally, Grey's Anatomy became my reality the other day. I was working at the bakery and it was way too hot!!! I'm talking over 100 degrees in the back where all the ovens are. There is an air conditioner, but obviously not a sufficient one. I work with about 4 high school aged girls and one of them got too hot. She sat down at a table and put her head down. I was sweeping near by and told her to drink some water and rest. Then I heard a loud "thump!" The bin she was carrying hit the floor and she was laying across two chairs. I ran over and called her name and quickly assessed the situation. I promise that I was thinking, "What would Izzie do?" Her eyes were open, and I realized she had hit her head on the chair next to her. I thought she had passed out, but wondered if I should check her pulse. I decided against it and just raised her up. She came to, and she put her head between her knees. I could feel that she was shaking. She was as white as a sheet. Her mom came and took her home. She has been at work this week, so everything is ok again, except that the heat problem is still ridiculous. However, I like the boss now because she let me use the mixer today! Woo hoo!

Summer Starts

Wow, this summer so far has been theraputic and amazing.

Yesterday I bought a pool pass for our town pool. I haven't had a pool pass since I was 12. It's no Crosby, but it will serve its purpose for Luke and I to swim some laps daily if possible.

I started my job at Peggy's Biscottis and I'm loving it. I do the same thing over and over again and that's wonderful. There's no homework, no prep involved...I just show up and wrap/ship biscottis for 3-7 hours depending on the day.

I've also taken on a student for the summer. One little boy from my school wants to skip a grade, fourth grade, so his mom asked me to catch him up this summer. It's mucho work, but good enough money to make it worth it.

I'm getting really excited for my trip to Alaska, the biggest state in the U.S.

The last time I had a summer like this (part time job, tons of free time) was the summer before I got married and I was living with Paige. Paige got me hooked on Alias. So, keeping in sync with that summer, I've gotten hooked on another ABC show: Grey's Anatomy. I've watched season 1 and am in the middle of season 2. The DVD was produced by the same company as ALIAS, so I hear the same little melody at the beginning of each Grey's Anatomy disc. It's these pleasant reminders of my time with Paige that keep me going. :)

My twin sister Elizabeth revealed to us that she's pregnant! I've been praying for this baby and feel like it's practically my own. Hey Liz, you know how we share everything...

It's 5:45 on Monday, I'm sitting in Panera, and I've had the whole day off. Yes, every Monday is my day off. I start the weekend early too: Friday at noon. Long weekends all summer...this is great.

No summer is complete without a family vacation. Luke and I have been to camp to visit friends already, this weekend we'll spend with my family in Marshalltown, and we are giving serious thought to a Disney World trip with camp friends. That trip won't happen until November. There are some reservations, but, that would be so fun!

I've had some luck with growing things. It's just too bad that everything that's bloomed is potted. I'm still waiting for my planted seeds to sprout and grow. I'm watering them faithfully and talk to them every once in a while.

Today I was walking home from my tanning appointment (because of Luke's brother's wedding in July. I'm a bridesmaid.) and I walked by Casey's. A man held the door open for me. I had no intention of going in, but I didn't want him to feel stupid, so I walked in. I pretended to look in the candy aisle, waited until he was distracted with the soda fountain, and split. In the end I was the one that felt a little stupid. Oh well, his feelings were spared.