So much to do...

Sorry for the lack of posting, but it's been a very busy week. I have a big meeting today, so I'll be able to post a few interesting tid-bits tonight. But for now, 8 hours in a conference room for me!

The future Mrs.

This was a letter we received recently. Note who it is addressed to...

I've downloaded the papers from the social security administration to legally change my name. And I'm fairly certain I'll fill them out and send them in. I will continue to publish reports in my maiden name, so it will sort of be my professional name. Did any other woman out there have any hesitation in changing her name?

18 days to go!

Major upgrade!

The deck is done! Ok, well one more board across the bottom, but that barely counts.

Back to the Northwoods

Last weekend I took my last trip before the wedding. This time it was a fun trip! Thursday I flew into Minneapolis/St. Paul and my best friend from college, Krista, and her boyfriend, Chris, picked me up. Chris grilled us burgers and took a walk down to the local park. Although I don't have a picture to prove it, but the "creek" that runs through the park (which dumps into the Mississippi River 1/4 mile downstream) is just as big, if not bigger than most "rivers" in the west. Friday Krista and I drove up to Ashland, WI, where we both went to college--Northland College. It was really strange to be back...a few things have changed, but not much. It's just not the Northland I knew, different people, different times. But nonetheless, it was good to be back. Now is a beautiful time of year to visit. Friday night we ate at the Deepwater Grille, (nut brown beer-cheese soup, served with popcorn on the side), hit a few old college bars and then met my friend Ralph for drinks. Saturday, it poured down rain, but Ralph's ceremony and reception were just beautiful! We had breakfast at the Black Cat and visited Northland between the ceremony & reception and I even ran into my old geology professor, Tom Fitz! It was good to see him and he said I started a path for geology students to come to UNR and study hydrology. 2 students have followed my lead since 2003. It was a great trip!

Butler engagement announcement

We've been in the Las Vegas newspaper and now we've also made it into the Butler Eagle!

Safe & minimal damage

My brother and his family, I'm happy to report, are safe in the aftermath of hurricane Ike. They evacuated before sunrise on Thursday morning and rode out the storm in San Antonio. Rob and the pets traveled back to the house and found no visible damage, although the back fence is going to need some love. No power yet, but the generator is doing fine thus far. Melissa and the kids will be back soon, I believe. See Rob & Melissa's blog for more details. Thanks for all your prayers!

No comment

I really can't believe that not a single person had a comment about my "Poopy Times" post. I just got back from my weekend trip to Northland. Pictures and stories to come soon.

Poopy times

Often times when I talk about the school I went to for my undergraduate, the story about how I lived in an environmentally conscious dorm for 3 years comes up. The newest dorm, when I started at Northland College, was the ELLC (pronounced "elk")...the Environmental Living and Learning Center. Most of the furniture was made from recycled milk bottles (so the bed frames & desks had that waxy feel to them), and the solar panels outside supposedly supplied some amount of power to the building....and the windmill, when it was working. Anyway, my story goes to senior year when I lived in apartment #1 with Krista, Jon, Kane, Mike & Eric. Four bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. One normal bathroom and one bathroom with a composting toilet.

Funny how when most of us showed up a few weeks early for our various pre-season sports and all 4 guys flocked to the normal bathroom that Krista and I looked at each other, shrugged, and happily took the composting toilet bathroom. It was fine! No need to clean it, no smell. All ya had to do was throw a handful of wood chips down after you went #2. Until...............

...we went downstairs. We were told that once a semester (thank goodness there's only 2 semesters) that we had to scoop out the poopy vault. So.............

Krista and I had to do our poopy duty. I leave Thursday to go back to Northland with Krista to visit and attend a good friend's wedding.....woohoo!

My fiance, the raft guide

Here's a little blast from the past. Justin was a river raft guide on the American River for a summer. Yup, same guy I'm marrying!

Fancy utencils

My parents got Justin and I a new set of silver-plated silverware for our wedding shower. I finally got it all out and replaced our hodge-podge of random, seldom matching silverware. I really like it! Last night I made salmon with a pineapple-cilantro sauce and steamed green beans for dinner (see I told you I'm going outside my "cooking box") and was able to use a few of the serving pieces that came with this set...I have a ladle!

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Yes, I post-dated this listing so that it would look like I was on time. But September 2nd was my Dad's birthday. This time last year Dad, Mom and I were on our California roadtrip that took us to Mt. Shasta, Fort Brags, San Fransisco and Yosemite. Wish I could be there with you this year, Dad! I love you! Happy Birthday!