summer plans.

photo by Wolfgang Staut

This summer, the boyfriend and I will be making the 17 hour drive from here to Arizona.  I spent my junior high, high school, and college years in the Valley of the Sun and I still have family and friends there.  We'll be there in late July, early August.  If you've ever lived in or visited Arizona during that period of the summer, you may be wondering why, oh why(!) would we visit in the hottest portion of summer?  It's because my brother, who is currently serving in Afghanistan with the Army, will be taking his leave in Arizona at that time.  So, even though we Wyoming folk will shock our systems with unbelievable heat, it'll be worth it to see my little bro!  Bonus: the boyfriend will get to meet him for the first time, along with some more of my fam! 

When we're there, I hope we are able to float down the Salt River, hike Usery Mountain, spend an evening on Mill Avenue (the Big Bang!), swim in my pop's pool, see some good old friends, go to great restaraunts and pubs(In-N-Out Burger, Red, White and Brew, Four Peaks Brewery, Casey Moore's), and who knows what else! I'm excited!

 

photo of people floating the Salt River by joelstine

photo of Usery Mountain by bethany8183

Do you already have plans for the summer?

snow, snow, snow + knee update.

photos via Just be spLendid

All together now, check your calendars!  What day is today?  That's right, it's April 26.  And what did I wake up to this morning?  Right again!  Snow.  And what did I wake up to for the past three days?  Snow.  Snow, snow, snow.  It's everywhere!  Now, I'm not a Wyoming native so this whole year round winter thing is still a bit foreign to me, but really, it's time for a reprieve!  Laramie summers are lovely.  I've spent two here thus far, and while they certainly don't make the winters bearable, they do help.  So let's get on with it mother nature, bring on summer (or at least spring)!  I'm ready to have fun in the sun (like in the above pictures)!

As for my knee, there are no visible tears!  Woohoo!  So while I'm still not able to do any hard labor, I'm not destined for surgery either.  What a relief. 

I've decided to implement a spending freeze.  What is a spending freeze, you ask?  Maybe you don't need to ask this, because it's quite obvious, but I'll explain just in case.  A spending freeze (my definition) is a period of time that you don't spend any unneccesary fundage on anything.  This means, no eating out, no drinking out, no frivolous shopping, no going to the movies, no sushi (say it ain't so), etc.  It's tough, but is a handy way to cut down on spending, especially when it's gotten a bit out of control.   I'll make more time to bike outside, go on hikes, go to the gym, take a picnic, and all sorts of fun free activities!  I'll let you know how it goes!

Have a great week!

alright snow, you win.

photo by Miguel Virkkunen Carvalho

The weather has played an April Fool's trick on Laramie.  Forget about those pesky weather reports that predicted today's white stuff; nobody pays attention to those anymore. 

Yesterday's scene:

Weather: Warmish and springy! 
Clothing on me: Dress, tights and converse sneakers. 
Sleeping arrangements: Slept at the boyfriends.

Today's scene:

Weather: FOUR INCHES OF COLD, WET SNOW.  Wtf weather! 
Clothing on me: Still in a dress, tights and converse sneakers.  NOT appropriate clothing for snow.
Morning situation:  Woke up late (as usual), so I rushed outside, in my innappropriate spring clothing, heaved the snow off my car using my muscles, drove to my place, showered, put on appropriate, dumb, winter clothing, and got to work late (again, as usual). 

So the snow didn't change my schedule too much, but it did make me look silly for 5 minutes while I was outside in a dress (who is that crazy woman?!) and it soaked my poor little shoes.  But now I'm eating homemade bread pudding so it's alright. 

Either way, good one snow.  You certainly fooled me.

summer on the brain.

Woah!  Slooooooow down lady, it's not even Spring!  I know, I know...but I can't stop daydreaming about lovely summer activities.  Of course, all of the things I'd love to do right now wouldn't even be possible where I live at the best of times.  I suppose that means that I'm free to daydream since I'd have to travel somewhere warm and near water anyways!  What are the desired adventures, you ask?  Well, I'll tell you.

Scuba Diving

photo by Ilse Reijs and Jan-Noud Hutten

Sail in a little Sunfish

photo by Simonds

Sea Kayaking

photo by adrimcm

Visit Mackinac Island (my favorite place ever)

photo by humbertomoreno

What adventures are you dreaming of?

it's coming.

photo by Ken Schwarz

Spring is right around the corner.  We still have snow on the ground and even some coming from the sky, but it's melting at a rate faster than it's accumulating.  That means we're in the home stretch!  We no longer have weeks upon weeks of negative temps, nor do we even have days upon days.  I can see the temperature steadily rising and boy oh boy, I can feel it too.  It couldn't have come at a better time either.  Everyone (myself included) was starting to get the "this winter is too long" blues, but no longer!  Spring is in the air. 


Here are some things I can't wait to do:

Wear dresses!
Barbeque
Backpack/Camp
Rock climb
Hike
Bike around town
Play frisbee in the park
Not wear a jacket!
Walk barefoot
Smell the flowers
Take sunny pictures with the Diana
Feel the sun!

Spring is nearly here!

is it almost over?

photo by left-hand

Although I'm sure this isn't the case, it seems that this year's winter is the longest winter I've ever experienced.  As this is only my second "real" winter in about 12 or so years, I only have one other winter to compare it to (last year's), but this one seems extra long.  I'm not entirely sure why...Last winter, I cross-country skied a bit, and went snowboarding once.  This year I've either cross-country or downhill skied every weekend.  You think that would make the time go faster, eh?  Apparently not. Our first snow came in October. We've had a couple big snows since then but for the most part it's been snowless and miserably cold (we're talking -15s and such).  February is nearing it's end and March is nearly here (along with my birthday!) so hopefully some warmer weather will come soon too! 

I shouldn't get too excited though.  The bf and I went backpacking for the 4th of July last year and there was still snow on the ground! 

Oh spring, how I miss you.