I wake up to the sound of my mom talking to my little brother. Next thing I know, my chest starts vibrating... My chest starts vibrating? My phone was pinned under me from when I fell asleep while texting the night before. It was my alarm going off, but I hadn't turned my volume on, so all I got was the vibration. I stretched and got up as I prepared to go into what I was quite sure would be a great day- little did I know it would top my summer.
I arrived at church, and, found myself coerced into ushering because there was only one person who showed up. As mass approached, we were still the only two. This would have been okay if the entire church was packed. It was crunch time when we decided I would take one side and he would take the other side of the congregation...both of us taking on the work of 3. Fortunately for us, we managed to find help for the collection and communion.
I leave church reciting my list. Snacks for the boat. Farm stand for an onion and a tomato for burgers. Wonder Foods for a couple bags of ice for the cooler. Check. Got it. Banvilles, move out.
I get home only to rush in to vaccuum the living room rug where the dogs had decided to loose their fur like trees lose leaves in the fall. I cleaned out the cooler, filled it with beverages, and raced to get the beach towels. In that time, my brother managed to find 5 glasses for us to use for lemonade on the boat. He makes Congress look efficient.
My brother's friend Kallie arrives, and I text Lauren to check their location. Another 30 minutes. Time to breathe. After chatting with my parents, those two head down to the boat. Lauren and Scott arrive, and after they change into their suits, we are off to the lake. The sun is shining, boats are everywhere, and I couldn't be happier.
We tour the lake since Scott, Lauren, and Kallie have never been on it. We then go to the island to explore, and then to the no wake zone where we drop anchor and swim. Or rather float with noodles and jump off the boat.
Kallie jumps off with a perfect flip, and we learn she is a power tumbler. So Scott decided to undertake the task of doing a front flip. He makes the arrangement that I have to do it if he manages. So next thing I know is I am on board trying to flip. Lauren is just laughing at me. Lane is making fun of me. Scott is telling me I can do it. And Kallie is coaching. Well, I somewhat did it.
We go in for burgers at the house, then Lane and Kallie go to Youth Group, and the other three of us head back to the lake. Scott is in charge of driving, and we go to the no wake zone again. Scott nails his flip. We even got video proof. Then we head to the island, where we wade, or Scott swims, I wade, and Lauren rides on my back to the nearby shore where we get on the playground for a bit. We left and Lauren and I walked around the outside of the island while Scott abandoned us for the boat. It was pleasant going around the island, and I wish the island could have been miles long so the tour didn't end.
We wrapped up the night with Scott driving, and then realizing I had to pick Lane up from church made us fly home.
It was a perfect day, and I wish it could have been extended even a couple more hours.
Moral to be extracted from this narrative: time spent with friends and those you care about is time will spent. Cherish every moment. Even the little ones have so much meaning, and will leave you smiling whenever you recall them. I know I will.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011
A Dry Week Amidst lots of Rain
Alas as the rain keeps pouring down on Northeastern Illinois, I have been ferrying drywall to my house. This week I began drywalling the unfinished side of the garage. It was quite the task; since I left for school last fall that wall seems to have become a magnet for items.
The task took longer than I thought. I didn't expect quite so much stuff to move, and I was only permitted to transport 3 sheets of rock at a time because my mom feared my truck couldn't handle more. True my brothers don't take care of her sensative needs like I did when I drove her, but she still has the spunk to transport a load. Regardless, the same cashier at Home Depot (plug) rang me up all three times I was there, and probably thought I was an idiot for not getting all 7 sheets at once.
The finished product is marvelous though. I also took a trip to pick up new shelving to help organize, and despite my not perfect drywalling (I didn't make it perfect because we aren't taping, mudding, or painting it), it looks amazing the way it is organized.
Shifting gears today I get to see my best friend and the most amazing girl in the world. Initial plans had been boating, but with a chance of thunderstorms all day, the plan changed to bowling today, while I was typing this entry. Boating has been moved to Sunday now, so all is good there.
I am going to go now and take an axe to the dresser that I removed from the garage yesterday to replace with the metal shelving. Then I am going to throw it on the burn pit and have a massive fire! It's okay though, my brother is a firefighter....
The task took longer than I thought. I didn't expect quite so much stuff to move, and I was only permitted to transport 3 sheets of rock at a time because my mom feared my truck couldn't handle more. True my brothers don't take care of her sensative needs like I did when I drove her, but she still has the spunk to transport a load. Regardless, the same cashier at Home Depot (plug) rang me up all three times I was there, and probably thought I was an idiot for not getting all 7 sheets at once.
The finished product is marvelous though. I also took a trip to pick up new shelving to help organize, and despite my not perfect drywalling (I didn't make it perfect because we aren't taping, mudding, or painting it), it looks amazing the way it is organized.
Shifting gears today I get to see my best friend and the most amazing girl in the world. Initial plans had been boating, but with a chance of thunderstorms all day, the plan changed to bowling today, while I was typing this entry. Boating has been moved to Sunday now, so all is good there.
I am going to go now and take an axe to the dresser that I removed from the garage yesterday to replace with the metal shelving. Then I am going to throw it on the burn pit and have a massive fire! It's okay though, my brother is a firefighter....
Saturday, July 23, 2011
My first Saturday home
Last night's storm was crazy. The ditches at the bottom of my street were filled with rainwater up to the road. The creek down the road has risen several feet, and the water is rushing faster than I have ever seen it go this far into the summer. After the ice on the lake melts, the creek rises, but never in the summer like this.
Today I met up with friends that I haven't seen in a while. First in Woodstock and then in Johnsburg. Went bowling, bowling a 100, 108, and then an 86. So much for improving every game. After bowling I watched Insidious with my friend. Scary movie. I am not one for scary movies, but I watched. And I freaked out. Horror movies and spiders have always been my Achilles heel.
I visited the restaurant I worked at through high school. It was like I never left. Except for the few new hires whom I had never met and were asking where some supplies could be found. Figures.
Tomorrow I get to go to church at my home parish for the first time in a while. It will be nice. My folks will be home after mass. There goes the peace of being in the house alone with my dogs Sadie and Scooper- a black and yellow lab respectively.
And the good news: less than a week before I see two special people in my life! They are somewhere in Colorado right now as they drive from California!
Today I met up with friends that I haven't seen in a while. First in Woodstock and then in Johnsburg. Went bowling, bowling a 100, 108, and then an 86. So much for improving every game. After bowling I watched Insidious with my friend. Scary movie. I am not one for scary movies, but I watched. And I freaked out. Horror movies and spiders have always been my Achilles heel.
I visited the restaurant I worked at through high school. It was like I never left. Except for the few new hires whom I had never met and were asking where some supplies could be found. Figures.
Tomorrow I get to go to church at my home parish for the first time in a while. It will be nice. My folks will be home after mass. There goes the peace of being in the house alone with my dogs Sadie and Scooper- a black and yellow lab respectively.
And the good news: less than a week before I see two special people in my life! They are somewhere in Colorado right now as they drive from California!
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