You know how a smell can take you back to a moment? I am sure you also know that many people love that "new car" smell. I mean, hello, they even sell it as an air freshener...
Well, I think instead of bottling up that "new car" smell, they sell that "garage smell"... the smell of oil / concrete / tractor / tire. To me, there is nothing like it. Well, I got to smell that this weekend. Yeah, yeah, I MUST be crazy because I actually *LIKE* that... no, no... I LOVE IT! I couldn't get enough of that smell.
That and...
fireworks...
the colors of Northwest Minnesota (oh, great, now I am adding a geographical marker!) in the summertime...
the stars at night... (I didn't see the Northern Lights, dang it--- hopefully next time).
The stars just take me back. I can look up forever. BUT I GOT TO SEE THE NORTHERN STAR AND THE MILKY WAY! I love the milky way... it's just SO gorgeous. There really isn't anything like the stars / sky *there*... so I guess I didn't get to see my trifecta this time, but I am waiting patiently to head back there and see all three!
I just had a great, much needed time home. I got to see family, friends, AND fireworks. The fourth of July is definitely ranked up there in my list of favorite holidays (after Christmas). As I was growing up, I really never liked fireworks...
We always went camping at this place called "Washkish" (another marker, if you will!)... my paternal grandparents always went there ever since MY dad was little... and I went there since I was little... I could not have been more than five years old. We parked ourselves on the beach on a blanket. I loved the looks of them. Then, someone was rushed to the emergency room because as it was explained to me at the time (or what I remember) that he might go blind because sparks got him in his face. Of course I didn't grasp this concept at such a young age so I "watched" the rest of the fireworks from UNDERNEATH a blanket. Yep, I missed the rest of the show. And seriously that got me so dang scared of them--- it was like the fear of God in me that until I was about 15 *a whole 10 years later* I grew to appreciate them.
You see, C's parents always gave them money for fireworks and they could spend it as they pleased. It was always the same thing, too... shoot them off at his Grandma's place in the country.
I started small... those snake thingees (love those haha) and then sparklers. Well, starting at age 15 up until age 23 we spent time there on the fourth of July. I missed it two years ago because I got *here* on the third. It was a sad sad sad depressing fourth of July for me. Esp when the boy was back home shooting off fireworks without me... sniffle. So, yeah, alone and depressed my second day here. Last year we spent time with the DG and her friends so at least I wasn't alone. AND THIS YEAR I GOT TO DO IT AGAIN AND IT WAS FREAKING AWESOME. I swear we spent about $500 total on all of the loot. (We is a relative term. haha)
WE got everything under the sun... artillery shells, bottle rockets, roman candles, fountains, ground flowers, strobe lights, etc etc etc. It was AWESOME. We stopped at the border to stock up on a supply of fireworks. YAY!
So, we got back there at about 7 am on Thursday. Then I slept until about 3 pm. Then I saw my dear friends then headed out to my parent's house. My mom made me Hobo tacos (YUM!) and L came out to ride tractor with me! It was GREAT. Then we watched the "Bucket List"... good movie. Dad wanted me to start the "new" tractor (80 y old) and I didn't because we started the movie and he was tired.
Then I relaxed and took a long, hot, bubble bath in my parent's jet tub. It's huge; my mom is too short for it! lol...
I got up the next morning early--- about 5:45 am. Dad didn't have to work and he was up playing with the tractor. I could hear him out in the yard. Mom had to work at 7. I looked for my dad before I left, but couldn't see him. I regret not finding him, because I didn't see him for the rest of the weekend. It makes me sad, guys. Really sad. But I know that he is really busy with work (but I wish I would have had them out on the fourth with us to enjoy the fireworks ... shoot)... my dad put in over 160 hours on his last check which was only over TWO weeks! So he better visit later because life is too short!
So, I ran my first official race--- a 10k! My goal was 1:15. I did it in 1:07! I was pretty jacked. KVC rocked it and did it in 1:00 flat. I am very proud of the both of us. The end was the worst because the finish line was uphill! I got through and was gagging... and the chick took off my bib number and I went to the side and threw up about 2 or 3 times. It was only bile though because I only had water before the race and a banana at about 6:15 am. I haven't thrown up from exercising in a VERY long time... and let's keep it this way! ha. But unfortunately I didn't feel right for the rest of the day because of this! ha. But it was all good. Went shopping a little bit with KVC--- we were so tired! And finally had some carbs --- the pretzelmaker! yay! (plain w/ tex mex)...
wow, this is a LOT of details... hope that's okay! lol...
Got to play pinochle with C's gpa--- LOVE IT!
THEN GOT TO DO THE FIREWORKS! YAY!
Saturday I slept in a little bit --- Friday did a toll on me! Mom and me went to the Love Guru (do NOT see it!), went shopping and had supper together. It was very nice.
Then it was already Sunday! Which consited of about 10 hours of travelling total. Yuck! But it was worth it. And besides, I don't mind driving with C. He's the best. And you can see how short that weekend seemed?! But I loved every second of it. Wish I could have seen more friends and more of my dad, but overall amazing.
Now it is on to being productive and getting stuff done, ey?
Oh, and I started to backtrack on my food eating over the last four days. Friday was the only day I didn't go over ... but I guess that is what vacations are about.
I will be going to the rec later tonight.
AND I am NOT going to be weighing myself for the next couple of days... I know I gained like five pounds! It's maybe not THAT bad, but a definite gain, even though I woke up this morning and actually felt "skinny"... WEIRD!
I just can't handle myself! lol
