Things I'm Looking Forward To In The Near Future (in no particular order)

• Seeing the ocean again
• Fireworks (getting to see them, not just hear them!)
  
• Meeting in Mishawaka representing our office
• Vacation!
  
• Traveling to 3 new states
• Seeing Jac
• Relaxing
• 2 short work weeks in a row
• Having a clean bedroom
• Having people over again
• Meeting my friend's baby
• Having dark hair
• Getting the opportunity to wear my new pink polka dot halter dress
• Becoming less pale
• Canada Day (eh?!)
• The big event in Angola
• Hanging things on my walls
  
• Continuing to try new things

What are YOU looking forward to this summer?!?

I'm trying to get unburied from some of the photos surrounding me.

Here are some more of my fun trip to Lansing last month or whenever it was.



Who knew you could have so much fun with just a blanket?!

Last week I got a first hand experience with the Weinermobile. I had seen it once before back in high school. It was cool then.

This time though I was really interested in learning about life within the Weinermobile. I got to meet the drivers, Larissa and Amanda, whose official title is "Hot Doggers" and visit with them and get to know them.

They had just come from an event in Des Moines. The gig in South Bend was actually just their second event since they began traveling. They are with the Weinermobile for a full year with all their belongings packed into one suitcase (eek!).

I liked these girls because they are getting their full experience in each town they travel to. They stayed at a local historic B & B (The Oliver Inn, might as well give 'em a plug. I know the owners, and they're great!) to actually interact with other people rather than staying holed up in a generic Holiday Inn hotel room where you don't even know or care what city you're in.

They asked for recommendations of local places, cafes, restaurants, etc. to visit, which I was more than happy to provide! I love promoting local businesses! They certainly weren't looking to dine at an Applebee's that, again, would be no different from the Applebee's in the next town or state over.

So, I gave suggestions, and they took them. And I ran into them at other places around town. I went to see them out at their promotional event to take some pictures and make sure I got to say goodbye.

I got my official WeinerWhistle, was privileged enough to receive a private tour of the inside of the vehicle (which they weren't offering to anyone else at this event, woot woot!), and got to watch the Hot Doggers in action. Very fun & memorable for sure!

Me and my new buds Amanda & Larissa!

I saw this license plate on a vehicle at Super Target (the happiest place on earth).

There's this great store in Wisconsin with the best prices I've ever seen for Burt's - $2.50. When I went through the area a few weeks ago, it was on "seasonal markdown" for $1.99.


I stocked up.

This is what I had greeting me as I pulled into the parking lot this morning, the first person at my office.

Lovely, huh?

I can tell you who came out to clean our windows after calling on our scheduled appointment date to let us know they wouldn't be able to make it out as scheduled and had to reschedule us for 3 weeks later.

Then came out, tried to wash one window (that very window) and said it was taking too long to pull the windows off and put them back and that they are too busy to spend time on our windows. What?!?

2 weeks later, this is what happened to the one window they washed.

Fish Window Cleaners. Beware!

And if you happen to know of any good window cleaners in the area, please let me know. Someone who would actually want our business and wouldn't leave our windows loose enough to fall out and shatter.

Thanks.

Sometimes I have to force myself to slow down.

A lot of times.

And probably a lot more times that I should but don't.

I just realized today is my last free day before I will be flying out. I work tomorrow through Wednesday and then leave Thursday morning. So, as much as I like to plan things to do to keep me busy, I'm forcing myself to at least try to relax today.

Yesterday was a non-stop whirlwind of activities, just like last weekend.

• Send off Sarah
• Meet my parents for pancakes
• Home to shower, get ready, & go
  
• Art Festival in Niles (I was there for 4 hours)
• Meet friend for dinner
• Church with friend
• Over to Jen & Andy's with Dan to watch Goonies and sip smoothies
  
  

It was midnight by the time I got home.

Today's activities:

• Meet family for lunch
  
  

And I hope that's all. It will be a nice time together. It's been awhile, and Jim & Donna will have stories to tell about their latest adventure out of town and getting to see The Cos.

When I'm on the go so much, my home suffers. I don't have time to keep things clean and tidy. And when my home is so unorganized and cluttered, my life feels unorganized and cluttered, and I become stressed.

It's kind of a never ending cycle that I am trying to break. I have to actually force myself to stop, slow down, take a break, sit, breathe, just enjoy being, not doing.

It's hard. But I'm trying.

I'll be traveling Thursday and then no doubt running around being a tourist Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I was going to fly back Monday but instead decided I should actually take one day to rest, to truly have a vacation, to relax, to sit out by the ocean and just take it all in.

So that will be Monday, and Tuesday will be my day of traveling back.

I feel a lot more rested and at peace when my life slows down. I want to keep it that way.

You have to see this to believe it. A deer was running around yesterday in downtown South Bend!!!

Raw video here courtesy of WSBT.

Story from the Tribune:

By DAVE STEPHENS
Tribune Staff Writer

SOUTH BEND — Police had him cornered, the suspect panting and tired and probably unsure of his surroundings.

Trapped downtown behind the Diamond and Diamond Law Offices in the 400 block of Wayne Street, the young male – name and exact age unknown – might have been in search of a lawyer.

Instead, he did what came natural.

He ran.

Animal control officers, noose poles in hand, watched helplessly as the young male deer made his escape.

Where the deer came from, how he got downtown and where he was going Thursday afternoon is not known.

What was clear, by the dogged pursuit of officers, is that the deer was not wanted downtown.

Already he had been spotted near Century Center. He had paused, until pursued by officers, near the county courthouse.

He ran by the WSBT studios, where he was spotted by office staff, and soon a group of three women were in hot pursuit.

Later, as he bolted away from animal control officers and toward this group of onlookers, one of the women would curse and scurry for safety.

By the time he reached the 300 block of Jefferson Street about 1:15 p.m., the deer had gathered a following.

South Bend police dispatchers broadcast his every move. Animal control vehicles and squad cars scurried to set up a perimeter.

The deer – officers weren’t sure if it was a wild whitetail or a domesticated deer that had escaped from a farm – headed west along Western Avenue.

Officers stopped the deer again, this time in front of the Rabbi Albert Shulman apartment building. Police worried that it would run back across the busy road, but again it escaped.

"He’s headed eastbound," came the call across the police scanner. "Toward the Cove."

Near the baseball stadium, incoming animal control officers were able to box in and confine the animal.

A well-placed tranquilizer shot and the deer’s downtown adventure was over, 30 minutes after it began.

Animal control officers took the deer to their offices on Olive Street, where they set it in the outside fenced-in patio to sleep off the tranquilizer’s effects.

Animal control investigator Bob Baker said the deer was uninjured and doing fine at their shelter, but said he did not know the long-term plan for the deer.

"Right now, he’s just sleeping," Baker said.

The deer was taken to a veterinary clinic for a checkup and animal control officials said the Indiana Department of Natural Resources most likely would take possession of the animal.

The deer was not available for comment.

I'm doing a kids architectural camp this week. It's tiring. The kids go from adorable to annoying within minutes.

I had a GREAT visit with my new DO (Doctor of Osteopathy). I'm so grateful for good doctors! He did a lot of work on me, and I feel better. My X-rays were ok. He's more concerned with my sleeping problems of late. Also, apparently I use a lot of muscles when I should be using other muscles, so I'm meeting with a Physical Therapist to try and retrain my muscles.

I had an Oscar Mayer premium beef frank for dinner tonight, and it was actually REALLY good. I hope to go see the Weinermobile and the Hot-Doggers (the girls who drive the weinermobile) one last time tomorrow. It's been fun seeing them around town and getting to promote South Bend to them!

I spent the most money ever for a gas purchase in my car. It was below empty. I was fortunate enough to get it for 3.87. But to fill it up cost over $45. Wow, that's a LOT of money for just GAS!

I went for my first real bike ride this evening! Everything else before was about 60 second bike rides. I was very nervous, and I really struggled with 90 degree turns. I also got pretty nervous when I came across anyone else in my path.

Then I went for a walk and watched a bunch of people rafting down the East Race . I am thinking about trying it, but don't know how many fears I can handle facing at one time. Baby steps.

Right now I just need to be concerned with another day of getting up early for camp.

I really don't watch that much TV. But this is what happens when I turn on the TV instead of cleaning my apartment.

In flipping thru the channels I discovered reality TV shows called "I Survived A Japanese Gameshow" and "The Baby Borrowers". WHAT?!?

This is why I try to avoid reality TV. I'll stick with my Degrassi Junior High, thank you very much!

I'm back on another Degrassi Kick. Good times.

I just like having something simple to watch for a quick 30 minutes here or there. I think that's how I got addicted to Arrested Development.

I am VERY intrigued by the return of 90210. The only thing I have heard is that Tori Spelling AKA Donna Martin and Jennie Garth AKA Kelly Taylor will be back.

Other shows that I've been thinking of lately:

• Felicity (Scott Speedman!!)
  
• Dawson's Creek (I miss Wilmington)
  
• Grey's Anatomy (I'm thinking I should watch the most recent season online this summer)
  

Other random stuff:

• I practically got barked at by a guy downtown the other day. He shouted "Beautiful day, beautiful women!" and then made a sound that was basically a bark.
• Another guy (who shall remain nameless) recently said that I am "easily recognizable from the backside." How am I supposed to respond to that?
  
• I am out of groceries.
• I am out of gas.
• I am out of clean athletic socks.
  
• I didn't eat dinner tonight.
• I have to get up extra early the next 3 days. NOT looking forward to that.
• I'm going to a new doctor tomorrow (a specialist) and had to fill out like 20 pages of medical history and insurance forms for the appointment. LOTS of information. Too much.
• I had to get X-rays for said doctor and ended up having to be admitted to the hospital to do so. I was pretty nervous wearing the hospital ID bracelet and the hospital gown.
  
• I just bought a plane ticket for a vacation out East! First time to New England! I'm really excited about it!
  
• I decided the Chocolate Cafe's Oatmeal Chocolate Chip cookies are pretty much perfection.

Well, I should probably head to bed. Big day tomorrow.

R.I.P. Rufus

If you're in the area and want to check out the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile (and who wouldn't?!?), it's here til Wednesday! You may see it cruising around SB or Notre Dame.

Its official appearance will be at Martin's at Ironwood & 23 for U93's Roofsit (I would link this, but apparently U93 is retarded and doesn't currently have any info posted on their website about it, wow) to raise money and awareness to prevent child abuse.

If you can't make it out to Martin's and want to find it, let me know, and I can hook you up with their whereabouts.

Don't ask. Just trust. I have my secretive ways.

• Kids Triathlon
• Potawatomi Park
• July 26, 2008
• Ages 5-14
• Swim 25 yards
• Bike 1.3 miles
• Run 1/2 mile
• Every kid gets a medal (my favorite part!)

2ish, 4ish, 5ish, 7ish, 8:00ish tossing & turning. why aren't i sleeping?

9:00 i'm definitely awake. might as well listen to the 90's music on u93 & call my mom.

10:00 do some dishes, clean up some in the kitchen

10:30 shower, get ready

11:15 walk to eco fest, visit with lots of people, schmooze (this girl is always working or always working it...?)

12:15 walk to chocolate cafe, awkwardly eat ice cream while discussing the future of a relationship, try to enjoy the weather

1:30 walk towards home to grab umbrella

1:45 leeper park art fair in the light rain

2:15 walk to hospital, explore & visit with people

2:45 walk towards home, get in car and head to dan's

3:15 go out to my old cafe, the wonderful bella vita to visit old friend/barista jeremy

3:45 hang with dan, jeremy, danny, enjoying my almond mocha

4:00 cvs run

4:30 drive home

5:00 drive to church

5:30 good service

6:30 drive to south side

7:30 dinner with bill, sean, ali, jen, andy

8:30 wander around target with above company

9:30 admire the sunset

9:45 visit with everybody at sean's parents'

10:45 fashion show at sean's parents'

11:45 home

12:30 wondering if i'll be able to sleep tonight

This morning waking up in a Crowder Coma, I knew I was gonna need some coffee and decided to go with the classic Micky D’s.

I ordered my regular “Medium coffee with 3 splenda and 1 creamer. And could you stir it please?”

Somehow I ended up with a large. This is not the first time this has happened.

I always wonder why they do this. Do they recognize me/my order and know what I good regular customer I am? Doubtful.

Maybe the employees just don’t know their correct cup sizes.

Maybe just be looking at me this morning, she knew I really needed a large.

Whatever the case, on one hand, I’m grateful for the extra pick me up. But there’s also the fact that the different size of coffee = more coffee, which offsets the whole formula of the splenda & creamer.

Don’t people realize this??? Or am I the only one who is aware of such ratios?

Another example – sitting at a restaurant or diner with breakfast and a cup of coffee, my cup is CONSTANTLY being refilled. This irritates me for TWO reasons:

1) it’s the whole ratio thing again that’s off.
2) my half cup was cool enough to drink, and now it’s scalding hot again.

Coffee isn’t supposed to be this difficult. Then again, maybe I’M the difficulty, huh?. . .

I am so grateful for the opportunity to meet David Crowder Band and not only see them perform, but to also sing with them. David Crowder Band isn't just a group of people singing on a stage. It's a group of people leading the rest of the room in offering praise and worship to our God.

They post the lyrics to every song up on the wall behind the band so we can all sing along. We sure did! I'm left with half a voice today and also about half of my hearing as my ears are still ringing.

I had a great view from the front row (of course) and was surrounded by great company - my family - by birth, by marriage, and by Christ.

What an awesome experience! More pictures will be posted later.

• Downtown South Bend
• South Bend residents Free admission every Tuesday
• Extended hours 10 am - 8 pm
• Bring proof of residency

• Sunday, June 22
• Seitz Park
• 1:00 - 8:00
• Music
• Dancers
• Food
• Irish Beer Garden

Look at that terror.

Happy now!

Sweet little Stephanie is letting me borrow her bike while she's out of the country this summer, awww! YEA!

My Thursday is NOT off to a great start. I’m not sure what the deal is. Truthfully the last couple days have been rough. I start thinking about possible causes or anything that’s different with the last couple days.

Walking a lot, riding a bike, lots of get-togethers with friends. . .

These are all good things. Why would I be feeling so NOT good?

Is it just too much busyness? Too much going on?

Unfortunately my weekend is just as busy as my week has been. When do I get a break? When do I take a break?

For the second day in a row, I walked to and from work today. It takes a lot of thought to prioritize and figure out what I really need to take with me since I’m carrying it all.

Yesterday I used my sweet flowered shoulder bag from Nebraska’s Shop-Ko. I’ve gotten so many compliments on that thing followed by such disappointment when I tell people I got it in Nebraska. I should have bought a dozen to re-sell here in Indiana.

It’s a great bag, but it’s still pretty cumbersome to carry it while walking. So, today I switched to my red light back pack. I got it free at the MS Walk and hadn’t used it until today. That was GREAT! So lightweight, airy, and loose! The only negative is that it has no interior pockets. So everything is together and loose. Chapstick at the bottom of the bag, keys banging into my camera (yes, my camera is a necessity to take with me, otherwise I could miss great shots like these!), etc.

But it really makes such a difference to be able to walk without a big bag slowing me down. Yea for Red Bag!!

People named their Hottest Bachelor of the Year. Here. Or just look below at him with me!

I could get used to this.

Confession:

In the last 15 years or so I had ridden a bike once. Three years ago. For about 1 minute. Screaming and yelling the whole time, "I'M RIDING A BIKE! I'M RIDING A BIKE!"

As my brother & sister-in-law have recently been biking anywhere and everywhere, it's been on my mind a lot. Yesterday I had the perfect opportunity to try again. I had just had a great walking workout and was visiting with Andy outside their place when Jen showed up on her bike.

Plan:

Step 1: Get on the bike.
Step 2: Ride the bike.
Step 3: Get off the bike.
Bonus for not falling.

Achievement:

Awhile ago I had a little surgery that left a scar. The scar has not healed well. Turns out my body has a condition where it actually tries to prevent healing. My body fights against healing. How strange.

This has caused the scar to become enlarged and swollen. So, my doctor started the first round of steroid injections into the scar today. She said the scar is pretty hardened with the way it has become, so I probably wouldn't feel the injection. HA! I felt all 3, and it HURT! Even the last one, apparently it was in a location that she doubted would be felt and asked "Do you feel this one?" "Yes!" I yelped. She responded, "You are really sensitive!"

It will take months of treatment for the bad scar to become a good scar. This sucks. And I also need x-rays for another unrelated issue. It never ends...

And why am I sooooooooo tired?!?! My morning's coffee kick is apparently wearing off. Sigh...

Thank you all SOOOOOO much for your votes and for spreading the word in the David Crowder Look Alike contest!!!

I am so pleased to announce that I WON!!!!!!!

They were to announce the winner on the air this morning. I anxiously tried to find things to do to occupy my time while I waited for the big announcement at 8:20. I even started making my bed!

The morning DJ and the station manager were conversing on air. The drum roll started, and they said there was a landslide of votes for one contestant, and the contestant is a girl! I flung my arms up and shouted, "YES!!!!!" I knew! They continued to announce that "Jennifer is the winner with 57% of the votes!" I was literally jumping up and down with excitement, which I'm sure my downstairs neighbors appreciated.

As a side-note, my brother-in-law Dan, who was also a contestant, tied for 2nd! He, along with And & Jen will be joining me at the concert (in the FRONT ROW, did I mention that?)!

Dan phoned me to congratulate me as I was jumping up and down. Then I called Andy and then Jen. Then my mom and dad. I updated my facebook status, called Sean, drove to work, told one of the lawyers in our building (who had voted for me twice), emailed Pulse (the radio station that had the contest), then called Pulse at their request as I was listening to the station over the Internet; they really wanted to talk to me!, updated my myspace status, and wrote this. -- While also doing random bits and pieces of work also! Phew! What a busy hour!

Thank you again! I am so grateful!!! AND excited!!!

For you coffee connoisseurs... You know how you are supposed to make coffee with COLD water? What about coffee makes with timers? You put cold water in the night before, but by the time the coffee is made hours later, the water has become room temperature, right?

Thoughts?

• Gourmet Pancake Breakfast
• Fresh flowers
  
• Feeling accomplished
  
• Saturday church
• Lula's with friends
  
• A lazy Sunday
  
• A fresh pot of coffee
  
• A day spent with family
• Extended family
• An awesome meal
• Wedding/anniversary cake
• Old movies (the original Freaky Friday)
  
• Naps
• Safe return of my parents from WI
  
• Laughter
• Advice and conversation
• A common bond

Good Morning! It's a beautiful day here in South Bend! The sun is out. I am up, making coffee, and I'm not at work!

I'll be driving to one of our other offices for the day to work over there.

Then tonight is GIRLS NIGHT!! Periodically I get together with some other ladies from my church and always have a wonderful time together! Tonight 4 of us will be meeting up. I LOVE having an excuse to get dolled up to go out every now and then. Still trying to decide what I will wear.

Traveling so much recently I really haven't been home much. So I'm looking forward to tomorrow, after my breakfast plans and before my evening plans (I am a busy girl!) to hopefully get stuff done around the house like...

• laundry - 2 loads
• unpacking - my suitcase is in the middle of my bedroom
• trash

Yah, I've needed to take out my trash for a long time and just haven't gathered it all up. How often does THAT happen - that I'm too busy to take out my trash?!?!

Last night's sermon was about stress and busyness and taking time to get away and just be with God without interruptions of cell phones, internet, TV, Ipod, etc. I needed to be reminded of that.

Sometimes I am uncertain how much to share on here. Do you need a recap of everything I've done? Do you need to know that I recently had breakfast at a place called Lumpy's Cafe in Cambridge City, Indiana, and that my waitress was named Tilda? Do I need to share that information with you?

I don't know why I feel the need to share with someone the things I do. The other day I hung out at a bar for a couple hours with someone, and no one knew about it. Other than him and me and the other bar patrons. And, for some reason, it bothered me that nobody else knew. Now you know. So maybe I'll be able to sleep again. (Kidding. You can't read my tone of sarcasm, can you?)

A good comment in last night's sermon was "A pill can give you sleep, but only God can give you rest." Think about that with me.

Saw this on Jeanna's blog. It's worth watching.

Princess Ginny & Me

Me with the Bride and Groom

Ben and Me

Me killing time before the ceremony

I am dressed professionally today because I'm attending an event downtown. There will be many important people there including the mayor and local media. I plan on wearing my work name badge. I like feeling important. It will be a good event and nice weather for it.


Tomorrow I will have a 5:00 AM wakeup call. What? Did she just say 5:00 AM??? Yes, unfortunately, I did. We are having our quarterly staff meeting in Cambridge City and have to leave at 6:00 AM for it. At least I can sleep in the back seat.


Friday I will be driving to Gary to work over there all day. It will be tiresome, but nice to be out out of the office.


That's pretty much it. I'm working on lots of events, which is something I supposedly enjoy. Hmmmm...

It sucks to lose a filling. I hate dealing with teeth/dentist stuff. Although I do have THE sweetest and best dentist. Still, it doesn't make me any less nervous, thinking about going in for a refill (?) Thursday.

I also have the best doctor. I LOVE her. If you're looking for doctor or dentist recommendations, let me know.

I'm so glad I somehow managed to avoid all the recent thunderstorms. Apparently a lot of places were hit pretty badly. I just happened to be elsewhere when that happened.

I love getting stuff for free and/or a really good deal. I recently ordered seasons 1 & 2 of Arrested Development. I got free shipping and used a gift certificate. AND, when they arrived, the box also included coupons for McDonalds' new chicken biscuit sandwich and southern chicken sandwich for free, woo hoo!

Weddings are exhausting!!! Especially when you're in the wedding and do all the decorating and clean up.

I REALLY want to win this contest!!! Have I always been this competitive? When I heard that the David Crowder Band was going to be at the Elco, this is the way my thoughts went:

Pearl earrings from Mark & Jenny, pearl necklace from Ginny

Ok, friends, it’s time for your help!

Please go to http://www.pulsefm.com/Music/David-Crowder-Lookalike-Contest.cfm and vote for me, JENNIFER. It takes about 30 seconds, seriously! I NEED your help!

I have some harsh competition, so I need as many votes as I can get. I would really appreciate it if you SPREAD THE WORD to your friends through blogs, emails, etc. The deadline is midnight THIS SUNDAY, June 15.

The prize I could win is front row tickets to see the David Crowder Band. And the contest was to submit a photo of yourself looking like David Crowder. Here he is, and here I am.


They announce the winner Monday, June 16. I hope to report back to you good news of the results at that time! Thanks so much!!