So...

Below are pictures of a quick little side trip to Louisiana last weekend. Had a fabulous time. Updating this blog is my reward for getting 5 things done on my list. I would die without a list. It anchors me to reality since I never know where I am - or something like that. So other than trying to get my list done ... not much is going on. Oh here's a happy tale. Elise - I was working on my whatever it would be flat tire. Number 5 or 6. Anyway, my tire had a leak and I couldn't keep it full. Actually, it was pulling to the right really badly all the way home from Ohio and I assumed it was the wind. Duh. Got home and it was nearly flat. Anyway, On Tues. I took it in to the place that does my oil changes and the like - they patch tires - and they said they couldn't see anything and I would have to take it to a tire place. So I took it to the Tire Barn today after work and guess what they did!! They fixed it. And guess what else. FOR FREE!! Ya, and Grandpa always said nuthin was really free. But today I found something that was. So, I WIN! And you, my friend, can go first in double jeopardy.

Oh, I'm really excited about a conference I get to go to tomorrow. The speaker wrote one of my text books we used in the social work program and she's an expert of sorts on understanding poverty and the hidden rules of lower, middle, and upper class. So I get to get paid to listen to her talk all day. And since I'm not in bed right now, I'll probably sleep through part of it. I think I had something else to say, but for the life of me, I can't remember what. So I guess I'll just say good night and sign off.

Random pictures for your enjoyment, or endurement, or something

The capital building

Mississippi River

Don't tell God, but I'm sorta proud of this picture. Okay, that's probably the dumbest thing I've ever said, but I tried to line it up so you could see the ledge and the waffle looking thing and then I was happy cause I think it sorta worked. Or maybe not. Who knows.

How could I be so dumb?

My WONDERFUL and AMAZING and SELFLESS and GENEROUS and CARING and COMPASSIONATE and KIND and EMOTIONALLY STABLE and FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE friend Bethany has ever so graciously agreed to drive me to the airport, even unto picking me up at an unmentionable hour late into the night. Words cannot express my gratitude. Where would I be without her? Probably on my way to Mexico in search of the Columbus airport.

(see comments on previous post)

P.S. It's true, she is financially responsible. She should write a book. I would buy it if I had any money on hand at the time.

still uninspired

So I thought I'd wander on here and say HI. I still don't feel terribly inspired. But why should that stop me from talking. Well, first off, I'm so crazy excited for my sister and crew having a girl that I could plant a begonia in the back yard!!!!!! Well anyway, for those few who don't know what I'm talking about, my sister, after having 3 adorable boys, just birthed one of the female variety. There has been much rejoicing in the streets. Now I know it's not at all about me, but can I just say that when Jenni told me all calmly that it was a girl, I just freaked out. I didn't know if I should laugh or cry or scream so I think I did a little bit of all 3 at the same time. I just could not believe it. Well then I was flying high and called my friend down south soon after that. I guess lately when I've talked to him on the phone it's been in the evening and I've been crazy tired and half falling asleep. He made the comment, "Jenni should have a girl every day! It's really fun talking on the phone." So then my overactive imagination started picturing it - one year, 365 girls, 3 years, over 1000 girls... Dr. Zielke, I'm baaaaaack. Okay, so it's not that funny anymore but at the time, it hit me really funny. And I'm guessing it would get old really fast. Okay, what else.... I worked so crazy much overtime last week that I have time off this week so I'm taking a little side trip down south. Yeay! Looking forward to that a lot. Okay, that's about all that's new with me. I just have to survive the next few really crazy days at work. Adios for now.

for your viewing pleasure....

My fabulous friend Sue who is usually in Russia, but we both managed to be in Indiana before Christmas.

These pictures are all out of order because I accidentally deleted a bunch of them in the posting process. So, we went for a walk on the lake Christmas day and it was snowing the sunset was really pretty.

I got some really blue candy canes for Christmas.

Happy New Year (is that unoriginal enough?)

Okay, I apologize to the 2 of my fans who have been clamoring for an update for a long time now. What can I say, life is crazy. = ) So anyway, I'm feeling completely and utterly unmotivated and uninspired at the moment and don't know where to start or what you want to hear. Christmas break was phenomenal - parts of it were phenomenally awful, but at least it was always phenomenal. Most of this feels like old news by now and most of you probably already heard the story, so anyway, I'll be brief. The plan was to head from Iowa up to International Falls the Friday before Christmas (that would be by air) and then drive from the Falls and get to Red Lake in the afternoon. We got up at 3 to drive to the airport and were dropped off there and standing in line for quite some time when were finally informed that all flights were canceled due to bad weather. So Dave's dad came back and picked us up and we loaded all the luggage back into the car and then started driving. The plan was to drive to Minneapolis to see if we could catch a stand by flight up to the Falls. So once we got there, we unloaded our obscene amount of luggage and dragged it for what seemed like miles - turned out we were at the completely wrong terminal so we were taking trains and such things to get to where we needed to be and after finally arriving at the desk, the lady told us there were other people in front of us in line and there was a slim chance we'd get on the flight. So Dave tried to get money back for our tickets which turned out to be a lengthy process and then we loaded up all our luggage and again dragged it the miles to the car. Loaded it all up and continued to drive for what seemed like 18 hundred years. The further north we got, we experienced some snow and nasty roads. And Dave thought the 502 was a cultural experience (for you Red Lakers). So anyway, we arrived in Red Lake at 3 in the morning, 24 hours after we got up that morning. When things got really miserable was when we were both so tired it was very difficult for one of us to stay awake to drive. But anyway, then we had a fun time with family and then I got sick Christmas eve and struggled with said illness for the reminder of the trip. It frequently felt as though a knife was lodged between my throat and left ear, in case anyone was wondering. Driving from the falls back to Iowa I felt very not well and yeah, I've had more fun on other days of my life. We spent time with Dave's family in Iowa and got to see Leonard and Twila which was fun. We were delayed one day heading back to Indiana due to weather and then when we finally did head back, we got a very flat tire in Chicago. Which seemed really fitting, somehow. Anyway, we did have a lot of fun despite all the unplanned adventure. And like I said, I'm feeling very uninspired, so maybe I'll just post some pictures and relieve you of having to read this any longer.