Raking Season

We've had a couple of cold snaps, a lot of rain and some wind. What does this all add up to? It means pine needles and leaves are all over...........LOTS of them. Hence, raking season. We had 40 bags! Two of our kind neighbors let us put 10 bags in each of their driveways - that saved us a $40 charge - the garbage haulers take 10 bags free and charge $2 for each bag over that.

Misty enjoyed her time outside..........she was supervising and I'm happy the supervisor didn't run away..............she likes to chase down "furry burritos" in the neigborhood. She's just being vigilant in case there are terrorist squirrels and rabbits lurking.

Happy Halloween

A post from Misty.................here I am in all my cuteness; ready for the trick or treaters. I like to bark when I hear the door bell - need to protect the house and my humans.

Don't look at me like that; I'm a "dog squirrel." Haven't you ever seen one before? Geez, quit staring like that.

Help...........I can't see.

Now I'm hungry. Happy halloween everyone!

Busy Life?

Sorry for the lack of posts. Being gone a week put me behind at work and it took two more weeks to actually catch-up...........sort of. Days are going by quick because this is what my weekdays are like:
8 a.m. - noon, student appointments each half hour.
noon - 12:15 inhale lunch
12:15 - 1:00 answer e-mails
1:00 - 4:00 student appointments (still two per hour)
4:00 - 4:30 prepare for the next day and answer e-mails


This has been going on since Oct. 19th and won't abate until Thanksgiving; this is the only way I can fit my 250 advisees in.

Life is busy but good; thankful I have a job, thankful I love my job, thankful for good health insurance coverage. Lookin' forward to Thanksgiving.

Malasadas

I was recently home to visit my grams; while there cousin Todd came over for a visit; I picked up a half dozen, Leonard's malasadas to munch on. YUM! Miles - doesn't it look delicious?

26.2

Marathon weekend - Todd participated in the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon this past Sunday, here he is getting ready, 6:45 a.m.


Mile 11.5, go Todd, go!


Here he is at about 14.5 miles, still lookin' good.

Todd's mom waiting to cheer him on at mile 23.

Here he is, still smilin'. At mile 23 there was a small hill and by this time, some people looked like they were going to collapse and many were walking.

At the finish, the capitol in St. Paul, with his medal! WOW!

When it rains.............

When there's enough moisture, you get mushrooms. This one was quite large and pretty; except for the bits of pine needls on it.

The side view is even better. I knew it wouldn't last long; in a few days, it got knocked over - I'm pretty sure it was Misty.

Fall Fun

The fun continued on Saturday - a beautiful fall day. We started out early and biked around a huge neighborhood garage sale adjacent to the university, then to breakfast at Grand Ave. Cafe (the best bread pudding), and the final stop was at the farmer's market. Here's Jodi enjoyin' the sun.

We were also enjoying the bluegrass music by a local band. By the time we biked home, it felt like we had put in a full day. But the weather was good so I decided to get my rear in gear and proceeded to spend 3+ hours mowing the lawn and other miscellaneous yard work. I didn't have to worry about the calories from the bread pudding - I think I worked them off.

B-day Fun Part II

After the great dinner, we headed over to Misty's day care. The Humane Association was having a fundraiser; there were some adorable animals up for adoption.

In addition to dogs, there were cats and rabbits too - all needing a good home.

I decided to do my part and bid on some of the silent auction items. I figure it was my duty to get the bids higher. I was the highest bid on a few items - here's what I came home with.

Of course Misty knew it as soon as she saw it, the pink pig was all hers. It "oinks" and she figured it out right away; it's her new, favorite.


While she enjoyed the new toy, I enjoyed my tiramisu cup cake. It was so rich I only ate a quarter of it.

B-Day Fun

A Korean restuarant opened in Eau Claire - I'm SO HAPPY! I've gone there a few times already and I usually order kal bi. Todd usually order's one of the two Japanese items on the menu, chicken katsu. He doesn't eat his serving of rice, so I do - 'cause they give too little.


We also love the assortment of pickled veggies. I got to eat Korean food twice this week; Todd took me once, then I went again with my friend, Jodi, on my b-day. She had never been there so we had to go.

Carmel Apple

My first carmel apple - yeah!


A very nice and thoughtful student, Susie, bought it for me. Thanks Susie!


Doesn't it look yummy?


Somebody else thought so too; here she is hoping I drop it.


I tried to take a bit, but couldn't.


So, I cut it and have been enjoying a lil' bit each day. It was a tart apple - perfect to balance all that sugar.