Just an FYI:

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY MONTH!!
Time to party!
Joe said I could to tell everyone because I get to be special all month long!
YEAH ME!

The Inaugural Voyage of S.S. Callypso!

This past weekend was wonderful. Joe and I got to take our canoe our for "spin" with two good friends, Seth and Traci. It all started off Sunday morning with Joe and I getting a call at 5:45am from a co-worker calling for Joe saying she was sick and needed him to come into work to cover for her. I felt bad for her, but Joe stood up and said No! because he had plans for the day! Way to go Joe for once! After that we really didn't get back to sleep, just tossed and turned for two more hours. Finally we got out of bed, headed down stairs to make a shake for breakfast, and then headed out the door to get the canoe on the car. Let's just say, that's a feet in itself. I can't lift anything straight over my head very well, so it was a difficult task at 8 in the morning for two non-morning people. But, somehow it got done and was there for the trip to Seth and Traci's house. After meeting them there, we headed to the gas station to fill up for the ride out to Lake Nebagamon to their cabin to get their canoe as well! Joe and I talked on the way and decided on our canoe's name: S.S. Callypso the Canoe. From there, we decided to refere to our trip as the Inaugural Voyage of the S.S. Callypso! Catchy phrase isn't it!?

During our drive out to the cabin, we acquired some problems with the canoe on the car, slipping and sliding back and forth, almost to the point of it coming off the car! IT was freaking me out, so we had to stop to tighten everything down. During this process, we lost sight of Seth's truck, thus leaving us out in no where without any sense of direction of where to go! Lucky, they noticed we slipped back and waited for us before they turned a corner! Once we made it to the cabin and got out of the car, I thought I was going to freeze. Traci and I were just shivering as the boys rounded up the canoe. I was hesitant about the voyage, but tried to think positive that it would be warmer up at the river. We decided to take the trailer for the two canoes, although the tires on the trailer were low, and needed air. So, we got the canoes on, the trailer on the truck and headed to the little town of Lake Nebagamon for air. Joe and I followed with my car. Once we got air, turned around and headed to the Winneboujou landing, where we would finish. Joe and I got into the truck with the other two and headed up north to Stones Bridge, our departing spot, 12 miles away.

Once we made it to the landing, we unloaded, got a couple of pictures and jumped into the canoes to start our adventure! It was great, a comfortable temperature outside, with some wind but not too much. It, needless to say, was a perfect day for a trip with friends.

Along our way, we got to see many different things and we even had a little picnic on the side. The scenary was great, fishes, birds, landscaping. It was awesome. Great photo ops throughout the day as well! Traci had a waterproof digital camera and was the one taking most of the pictures. Thanks to her, I was able to put them on here for everyone to see! I, of course, had a little waterproof fun camera, which I have not developed yet, so I'm taking advantage of these! Great pictures Traci!




Along our way, Traci and Seth came across a rock and decided to call it the Nipple Rock! I think the picture explains itself! As you all know, I usually come up with comments like that, but this time it was someone else!*S* But honestly, the rock looked like a nipple, what can I say!


Here's a cute picture of Joe and I lagging behind the other boat! Just relaxing along the way!









Traci was doing great with the camera and taking pictures of all of us together! Usually when I try to get a good angle for a picture, they don't turn out this well!






Like I said there were great photo ops along the way. This was taken near Cedar Island I believe. Cedar Island is a little area along the way were many US Presidents would visit to be secluded from the public. A perfect summer home away from the White House.

On the river, there were two sections of small little "rapids" as one would call. The last time I ventured down them I was in a canoe with my mom, and we ended up tipping the canoe over. Well, this time, that didn't happen, but we also weren't entirely lucky. Seth and Traci went first and made it throughout unscathed. Joe and I went, hoping to make it through, but unfortuntately, we ended up traveling alittle too far to the left of the rapids, and our canoe ended up getting jammed between two rocks, and wouldn't budge!!

Literally, Joe had to get out of the canoe, and try pushing enough to get us unstuck. As he did this, we ended up getting unstuck, then stuck on another rock! Traci and Seth were at the other end, laughing as we were too! Joe was complaining because the water was so cold, but I just kept on laughing. What are the odds that we'd get stuck. Now seriously, it just wouldn't be a trip without something happening, right?!

After the rapids, we had to travel across the "Big Lake". Lets just say, it was more difficult than I remember. We had a little bit of a head wind, not making it any easier. But as we made across, we knew were nearing the landing point. Here's another picture of a neat bridge we saw. As we neared the finish, I was getting tired, especially my upper trap muscles which I have been having problems with since I got hurt at work. Joe told me to just relax and he'd push, but I felt too bad. It was a great trip. A little bit of arguing happened, which happens all the time with us. That's just how we are. If we didn't argue al ittle, it wouldn't be an outing with us!*S* I love you, Joe! At the landing, we had to pull our canoes up over the ledge. Joe and Seth took my car to go and get Seth's truck at Stones Bridge. Traci and I sat and waited. Once we got everything loaded, we headed back to the cabin, unloaded the trailer and their canoe and then back to Superior. Seth helped Joe unload our canoe from my car, we changed clothing, then went back to Seth and Traci's for pizza and some Nintendo Wii. After a couple of hours there, Joe and I headed home for a good nights rest! It was a great weekend with great friends. We can't wait to do it again!

Relaxation and vacationing!

Vacations are wonderful! But the return to reality itsn't. Joe and I were on vacation for 10 days and even though we didn't go too far, it was still a blessing and we actually enjoyed every minute of it! It all started off with us stopping at Cold Fusion in Duluth, a new store for utilizing Herbalife as a weight loss basis. Anyways, the store is fun and you get to try different drinks and mixes and loss weight! Now who wouldn't wante to try that! After that, we decided to head up the North Shore to the Tettegoochie State Park, just north of Silver Bay, MN. I had never been there before so this was fun and great to be outside! We just walked around for awhile, got lost because of bad directions and signs in the park. Who could imagine bad signage in the middle of the woods in a state park. We didn't, that's for sure! So we added about a two-mile hike extra onto our ventures! It was fun, but tiring. Worth while though.
And of course we have to have pictures of us!! It just wouldn't be a vacation without those!

Here's a cute one of me, too!! Joe, of course, has all of those great ideas for pictures, even in the woods!

After our outdoor adventure in Northern MN, we decided to head on down to the Minnesota State Zoo and the Como Zoo in St. Paul, MN. It was great! I was like a little kid running around seeing different animals and hearing different noises! It was awesome! Here are a couple of picuters from those trips to the zoos. And, as you all remember the Two-Can nickname I acquired during school, Joe thought this would be a good picture to go with the theme of the vacation!

Here are a couple of cute and fun picture throughout our trips at the zoos!

Me having fun on the turtle! And as soon as we entered this facility, the monkeys started making monkey noises!! It was great! I almost got a the best picture, but then they moved! Their arms were around each other like "Hey Buddy!"

This one was perfect too!! If only the moose looked up too!

And don't forget the lions, tigers and bears! Oh my! Okay, there isn't any bears here, and the tigers were actually hiding, but here's a lion!! He was roaring loudly! It was just amazing to hear the noises they produce! It was amazing!

Don't forget Joe likes to play and have fun too! Smile for the camera!

These lilies were at the Como Zoo. The lily pads were seriously HUGE! I had never seen anything quite like them! And the colors were beautiful! Something we don't see up here all too often! And during the vacation, I almost forgot to tell you all! I, missy who hates to garden, decided to make a garden, flower one, in my back yard! It was a lot of work, and my mom came up and helped a lot as well! There is over 800 pounds of extra top soil sitting in the corner of my back yard, but it was worth it! I have lilys, a rose bush in the corner and a couple of other flowers, ones I don't really konw what they are! But it turned out great and looks nice! The true test is to see what happens next year, in pray they will return again! Man, this was a lot of work! I never expected it to be that much but it was worth it. And I got to spend good time with my mom!

And to finish it all off, Joe and I decided to make a purchase for the both of us! We have been talking about getting a canoe for awhile, but just haven't found something in our ranges. Low and behold, our last day turned out great! We called a couple of places and were able to find this Old Towne Canoe, 160 series, about 84 pounds! We got it on sale, and it is brand new! This of course is our birthdays, anniversary, and christmas presents to ourselves. We thought instead of buying multiple gifts, we'd go this route and get something out of a gift we'll both enjoy! Our first outing is going to be this weekend traveling down the Brule River in WI. Wish us luck!! I'll get pictures from there as well!

The Class of '98 Reunion!

Well, it has finally happened, (and I have finally had the time to write about it) and I can say it was pleasant! We had out 10 high school class and out of the 65 classmates we had, these are the ones that were able to make it! Fifteen of us!! Even though we were all not there, it was still a good time. The reunion was held out at a bar called the Pub and Grub, a small little bar about ten minutes out of Washburn. Joe got to meet a some of the friends from H.S. which was nice. I haven't seen several of these people for quite some time, so catching up was nice. Some are married and have children, so just have children, some have jobs and some don't. But honestly, who cares! Life is life and we do what we want to do as long as we like it and are enjoying ourselves. Some people have changed, where some people have stayed the exact same. It's amazing how our personalities keep with us. You would think over time it they may mellow, but they don't. But that's why we are the way we are, right?!

One thing I find funny, ironically funny that is, there were a couple of people I haven't seen in TEN years. What was nice was people were actually excited to see me as I was excited to see them! Even though time has passed, its amazing the bonds you have with people and how they have impacted your life. Seeing these people made me realize that no matter what happened in the past really doesn't matter. I was so worried about seeing some people, and worried about what they would think of me. But it didn't matter. I didn't care nor do I think others really cared about others thought.

These three girls, Rachel, Cary and Hannah were they ones I spent a lot of time with throughout the good ol' days! I often saw Cary at SMMC where I work, but now she's moved down to the Cities for a job. Rachel is in Eau Claire working and Hannah is over in Green Bay for her job. We are all scattered around, but still keeping in touch one way or another.

All in all, it was a good reunion. Who knows where we'll all be in the next ten years, but hopefully more will show up for the next one. If not, I'd be content with the ones who were there this time.

Possibilities and Outcomes

A couple of weekends ago, Joe and I went for a venture in Jay Cooke State Park and walked around there for awhile. Here is a picture from the walk! It was a great day, although we walked along the river for quite some time, he had to hike back up, and it was a hike "Back Up" the trail. Joe was panting at the end, but it was good!

This is day four of my six days off from work, without having to take vacation time! During these past couple of days, I've had the opportunity to think about things and clarify some questions in my mind I haven't been able to answer. And see some people whom I haven't seen in quite awhile.

This past weekend, I got a phone call from my friend Zack. It caught me off gaurd because the number on the phone was his cell phone. I thought to myself, he couldn't be back from Bosnia already, but I was wrong! He was back here in Duluth, at least for the next school year!! So I hurried up, called Joe and told him to meet me at the bar so we could catch up! It was great! I hadn't seen Zack in over a year because he was stationed in Bosnia for some peace keeping trip. Needless to say, it really didn't turn out the best but he made it home safely. It was great to catch up on things. Lots to talk about and just chill. I don't drink as much as I didn't back in the day, so the three drinks I had was enough! Joe finally met up with us at the bar and enjoyed the time as well. The only thing that would have made this a better evening would have been the people signing karaoke, not sign! They were absolutely horrible, but the time was pleasant.

On Monday, I made a new goal for myself. I am hoping this is something I'll be able to reach, but we'll see what happens between now and then: I am hoping to run the 1/2 marathon on Ashland, WI called the Whistle Stop. It is on October 10-11 this year and it is a great run. I follows the corridor along the highway from Iron River to Ashland (that is the full marathon and the 1/2 starts halfway through). It is a fairly flat run, on a paved limestone gravel trail run. I am hoping this is something I'll be able to attain, but we'll see what happens. I may not be able to run it in 2 hours, but i really want to try again. I didn't run Grandma's 1/2 twice during college. I know it can be done and with this course being a fairly "easier" course, I figure I should give it a try! So wish me luck with training. If anyone has any tips or ideas, please send them this way, I'd appreciate them! Here is the link to the website for the marathon/half. http://www.whistlestopmarathon.com/

Something that has also been bothering me, in a good way was thing: Why have I been so positive lately? For some reason, I have been looking at the bright side of things/life, something I am not known for. And you know what, it actually feels kinda good. I don't really know why it is happening, but I am actually happy with where things are in our lives right now. Don't know why, but I think I'll take it while it is here. Hopefully things will keep on traveling down this route, cause I kinda like it!

Plus, on July 20th, Joe and I will be down in the Cities for the Neil Diamond concert at the XCel Energy Center! Joe is a huge fan of Neil and he thinks this is something I'm going to enjoy. So we decided to get tickets and see where it takes us. I am hoping while we are down there, we may be able to see a couple of friend while we are there, but not too sure what'll happen or if we'll have time. But it is always a good idea to have a couple of plans/ideas of what to do. So wish us luck!