A Friday Afternoon Excursion

India asked me to go with her to get her tongue pierced. She wanted someone there to make sure she didn't back out of it. It was interesting to watch, but I decided not something I would like to do to my own tongue. She kept trying to talk on the way home, but it was all muffled and I had trouble understanding. Ha.

But the most exciting thing happened while I was at the piercing shop. I was looking at a Simpsons calendar they had with odds and ends written on almost every day - kind of reminded me of the mod calendar. Anway, I noticed that today is the Tri-State Band Festival in Luverne, MN. "Dawn is from Luverne!" I exclaimed aloud in the shop. So are you planning to go, Dawn? If I was still in Sioux Falls I would totally go.

Taos, NM

Last week was eventful for me. After the house purchasing went down on Monday, I rode with my museum class instructor to Taos, New Mexico for the 2006 Mountain-Plains Museum Conference. I had a wonderful time.

Previously, I had only been through the four-corners area of New Mexico so it was nice to see some more of the state (northeast and north central). It was much more mountainous and less desert-like than I thought it would be - very beautiful. I kept saying "wow, this is so pretty" on the way to Taos, I hope I didn't annoy Jerry. He goes to the Santa Fe Taos area at least once a year so it was all old hat for him.

The information at the conference was great. I love all that exchange of knowledge, it really gets one excited about the museum field. Going to the conference gave me two other opportunities. I got to see an old coworker, April Woodside, and her husband, Matt. We went out for drinks one night and it was nice to catch up with them. At the end of the week Sarah drove up to Taos and we spent Friday afternoon through Saturday afternoon together. I had such a blast with you, Sarah. I am glad you made it back alive considering all the night driving you probably ended up doing.

Sarah drove me to Trinidad, CO so I could pick up an Amtrak train back to Newton, KS. Waiting for the train was an experience because the station was unstaffed and the lounge area door locked so I had to wait outside in the gravel parking lot right next to a permanently closed Pizza Hut and some other abandoned buildings. But the weather was nice and I had an anthropological theory tome to read. Closer to the train arrival time I heard some keys jingling around the corner. I looked over and this lady was unlocking the lounge. She said some crazy guy keeps hanging around the station locking the door. She gave me a description and 50 cents for the pay phone and told me to call her if I saw him. She would bring the cops. Obviously, that scared me. I couldn't believe I was just waiting outside for the train with this creepy guy hanging around. Good thing the train came 5 minutes later.

When I got to Newton, I completely missed Jeremy (and he missed me) waiting for me at the station. I walked three or four blocks to Nick's house, ate part of a terrible hot dog in his fridge (I gave the rest to the dog), and was just getting into bed when Javers walks into the room. For the second time that night I got a little freaked out, but it was nice that he came so I could go home. I also want to mention that I believe the bite of hot dog I had gave me food poisoning. My stmoach and intestines were not at their best Sunday. Nick, DON'T EAT THE HOT DOGS and I hope that minature Collie didn't get sick, too.

The End of an Era

Our house hunting has come to an end. Jeremy bought an acrage about six miles north of Wichita. It's really exciting, but I don't exactly feel mature enough for this whole home owner thing. I am not looking foward to actually moving so for anyone around Wichita in the next month you are more than welcome to help us. Don't feel bad if you do not want to help. Honestly, I hate moving and probably would never help you move.

Last week when I was in Taos, NM for a museum conference I made an important purchase for the house - art. Woah, big step. I bought two micaceous clay pots, which I believe will beautifully compliment all the wood paneling in our 1955 ranch-style farmhouse.

Squirrely

I think the squirrels on the WSU campus have become way too acculturated. One little bugger actually ran toward me on my walk from the parking lot to Neff Hall. Maybe it had rabies or something.

Hey, anyone associated with my time in Keystone, remember Squirrel? Ha.

Deep Fat Fried Fat

I did go to the State Fair Sunday, but no Lynyrd Skynyrd. Ern, I did not see your parents, but I'm sure they were rockin' out. We weren't at the fair long so all we did was search for the best junk food, look at a few exhibits, and view the large butter sculpture of a girl riding a horse getting stung by bees. As far as the food goes, I thought the fried green tomatoes were the best. A young girl was taking a bite out of a deep fat fried Snickers bar as I was waiting for my fried pickles. I wonder what that tasted like.

On Saturday and Sunday Jeremy and I drove around looking at houses. We visited around twelve on Saturday. By Sunday we had narrowed the list down to four and a realtor took us inside those. We found one we kind of like, but this is a hard decision. Nothing really jumped out at us as a "dream" property. Oh, except the one that was $350,000. Yeah, that was nice, but definitely out of the budget.

House Hunting

I think Jeremy and I might go look at some houses this afternoon. It is very weird to think I might be at that point in my life when I go house hunting. We have some different opinions about what makes a house "nice" so this could get interesting. Wish us luck.

Whoa, What Happened?

I decided to change my blog template for now. Mix it up a little. It's orange and reminds of fall and pumpkin pies. Yummy.

Weekend Excitement

I am pumped it's Friday. This weekend begins the Kansas State Fair and I'm hoping to eat a corn dog and maybe some deep fat fried Oreo's. Amidst all the country music concerts is Lynyrd Skynyrd this Sunday night. I should say what is left of Lynyrd Skynyrd. I'm not sure there are any original band members - probably just original groupies. Javers and I might attend.

I think the last time I went to the KS State Fair was with Jeanette, Sarah, and Rachael when we lived in 9C. Good times. The last time I went to the SD State Fair was with Rob. I love this story so you might have already heard it. He wanted to see the Martina McBride / Gretchen Wilson concert and didn't want to go by himself. I consented conditionally - we had to go early to walk around, get free junk, and hit the rides. That was good times too, but it rained while McBride was singing and the electrical equipment started to smell like it was burning so they cut the concert short. We were drenched and the line for the men's restroom was too long so Rob just pissed himself right there in front of the stage. He said he was all wet anyway so it didn't matter. Um, okay. At least we drove back in his car. Oh Rob, bless your soul. I hope you are doing alright.

Last weekend was Labor Day. I thought it would be un-American not to spend time outside grilling and eating. Javers, Chris (Jeremy's friend who moved down here this summer to work at ICM) and I went to Sedgwick County Park. When we got to the park it was very crowded. We drove around for a few minutes and then spotted a recently vacated grill and picnic table combo. Javers jumped out to save the spot while I turned the car around to park. Ever since I bought that tiny charcoal grill from Sarah last spring, Jeremy has developed a keen interest in grilling. We made way too much food, thoroughly stuffed ourselves and then tried to throw a Frisbee around without getting sick. Someone from our group remarked we looked like we were in the Special Olympics.