what I did this weekend

Monday, August 18, 2003

Truly, kids. I've so been planning to update this journal. I even got all my pictures back from my vacation in a timely manner (the next day!), immediately scanned them (the day after that!). Then. Obviously. I haven't gotten back to any of it. In fact, the scans are still sitting there in their native photoshop format. Just waiting for a batch process. Which means I am not only neglecting you, dear journal readers. But I'm also neglecting my family and friends who are waiting to see these photos. These and those from the triathlon which was, ahem, over a month ago.

I'm a procrastinator. It's a bad thing. I blame it on genetics. And all of you who are waiting on CDs know this. The sad thing about the CDs is that they were burnt in June. I just haven't gotten around to the lousy track list. Hence you wait.

If it makes anyone feel better, I still have a wedding photo album that I've been meaning to assemble for my mom for over four years. I was married almost 9 years ago. Bad, bad.

Procrastination aside, I decided to update anyway. You'll have to wait for the photos. You'll have to wait on my trip recap. But I can tell you about weekend because, once upon a time, I used to do that.

I am of the firm belief that someone with vast amounts of power is stealing time from my weekends. Possibly at small increments of 5 minutes at a time in hopes that I wouldn't notice. But I have. I know. I just don't have the time I used to. Where did it go? And why won't you, Mr. Time-Stealing-Man give it back? I have cycling to do and basements to organize. I have trim to paint and knitting that wants attention. But no, I can never fit any or all of it in. I haven't gone to a movie all summer. I can barely read one book per month (which always ends up being my book club book so I don't have time for some yummy trash!). I haven't cooked as much as I used to. I just don't know what is up.

Sure, I've been training. Yes, a long cycle takes a few hours. But the parties and weddings and other invitations from friends and family add up. Traveling hurts, too. Hence my dogs are in desperate need of a good grooming because mommy doesn't have time for them. Poor girls.

I can't lie. I have been having fun. It's not like I'm working too much or having to, eck, study for grad school. So, in theory, I shouldn't complain. But. But I miss having an afternoon to wallow away reading. Or to spend sitting in a temperature-controlled movie theater watching the Blockbuster du jour. We've just had so much to do.

This weekend was no exception. We started off Friday night with a St. Paul Saints game. Buddies of ours bought the tickets and they were tailgating. Now, I hate baseball. I find it incredibly boring. And I was resentful that James agreed to go. But it ended up being just fine. The tailgating was yummy. And the game was, as I was promised, unique. The Saints are probably the lowest of the low in professional ball teams. But they keep their fans entertained with numerous antics including the "Fan of the Game" who is some random Joe selected upon entering the ball park. The challenge to this Joe is that he has to stay velcro-ed to a billboard for the entire game. If he does, he wins something. Of course, that means he can't pee which eventually rules out drinking. And what's the fun in that?

There was also the notorious P.I.G. mascot (whom, I'm afraid to disclose, "takes part" in a end of the season roast). There were many other mascots including a bear in some nasty pink costume that looked like it had been stored in your aunt's attic for 30 years. And, my favorite, the mystery beer cooler. $2.50 a grab. James fished out a Leinie's (that's winning), but he also got a couple Milwaukee's Best as well.

Before I knew it, the game was over. Painless.

On Saturday, we got up early. James had a spin class to teach and I knew I wanted to get a workout in before the weather got nasty. I did a brick workout: 1 hr. cycling followed by 4.25 mile run. I elaborated on that in the blog. When I got back, I was sweatier than I ever think I've been in my entire life. Really. Nasty, nasty, gross. I even walked through the sprinkler in our yard and then attempted to dry off on the deck. I knowthis humid, hot weather is very typical of a Midwest summer. But it was only 10 am and already almost unbearable.

When it was safe and sweat was no longer pouring off my body (just dripping, really) I slipped into the house for a shower. Our neighbor's 30th birthday surprise party was in the early afternoon and we still needed to get her present. In record time, I showered and primped. We hit Restoration Hardware where I picked up a door knocker for the girl. She's lived in her house for over 3 years, and the front door knocker still reads Martinson. (And if that comment needs explanation: her last name is *not* Martinson. Yep, the Martinson's are the people who owned the house before her). I thought it was a witty gift idea. ThankYouVeryMuch. Of course, she's the one who got me the groovy Chinese Take-out Purse. So I have some major competition.

After we'd picked out her gift, we had 45 minutes until we needed to be at the party in time for the "surprise." The party was in Shakopee. We were, what, 20 miles away. I considered squandering some time on Grand Ave but we headed out anyway and it was a good thing. Traffic was terrible and we got there an hour later. Luckily, traffic was terrible for the birthday girl, too, so everyone was assembled and ready for her arrival.

The party was nice and a complete surprise to her. I enjoyed meeting her friends and we spent a lot of time drinking and eating and laughing so heartily that my mascara was running (and not from the heat). We ended up staying until 6pm. At the end of the night the b-day girl smiled and said, "Everyone deserves a surprise party once in their life." I'm so glad we were part of hers.

James and I didn't get home until after 7. We picked up a movie rental and fixings for a quick salad. We took the dogs for a walk at dusk and then plopped on the sofa to watch The Ring. And while it is not fine art, it was quite creepy. Especially with the lights off and candles burning. So much better than Identity, too. (Why oh why did you do that, John Cusack?)

It was hard to get out of bed on Sunday morning. I had planned on getting a long cycle in. But something was wrong with my stomach. I was having gas-type cramps and not feeling 100%. James said he could use the rest, too. So we stayed in bed until 9 am. I then got up to do some quick grooming of the dogs (note: shedding blade + outdoors + windy day = fur all over the metro area).

James then suggested we hit the Farmer's Market. A stellar idea. Until we got there and my stomach started to bother me even more. I became Miss Grouchy-Grouchy and made James pick out all the vegetables. I tried to enjoy it, but I couldn't. My belly ached. We did get zucchini and broccoli and cauliflower and potatoes and corn and flowers. The gladiolas look beautiful in my dining room and I'm so happy now that we have them. I'm just disappointed I didn't enjoy the Market because normally that's one of my favorite things to do.

After the market, we drove home. We'd planned on hitting the store, too. But I just didn't feel good (and my flowers needed water!). I laid on the couch. James started to wash his car. Eventually, I felt lazy and went about the housework inside since the weather outside was so hot again. We'd planned on taking in a movie. Like I said, we haven't seen one movie all summer long. I'm still dying to see Pirates of the Caribbean. But housework soon overcame us. I vacuumed the living room and cleaned the bathroom. I scrubbed the kitchen and dusted the shelves. I even removed the "baby-safe" lock on our stove that has lived there since we moved in. I've always found it annoying and finally took the initiative to make it go away.

Before we knew it, it was after 5 pm. James went to the grocery store. I hit Target. And by 7pm, I sat out on the deck with my book for book club (I need to finish by Tuesday) while James cooked us a nice dinner.

Unfortunately, after dinner, my stomach kind of went nuts on me again. Not sure what is up. But I fell asleep on the chair in our living room while James, bless him, cleaned up the kitchen and put the new rug I bought at Target down in the office. He woke me after 10 to put me to bed.

I feel better now. I'm still not sure what was up with my stomach. And our weekend was good despite the fact that I was crabby and didn't feel great on Sunday. Our house is clean. There is food in my fridge. And there are gladiolas on my dining room table. Pretty, pretty.

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