Man this is the longest 4 day work week evar!

Last weekend was pretty good, I could have done without all the rain on Monday, but we got a lot of things around the house completed.   Like ripping out all the existing plants in-front of the garage and replacing them with some different plants.

Then gardens and my trellises.  Yes, People must think I am nuts.  Well yea, so what.  We can now practice field goals in my backyard.  15' tall trellises I built in the garden for....hops.  Go big or go home I guess.  God I hope they grow for all this effort.

In case you did not read the travel blog...  I am reposting some fun facts about our trip here.  If you have Google Earth installed get the file in the link.


Breakdown the numbers of this vacation

Over 3900 miles driven
1043 of that on historic Route 66
$550.00 worth of gas or 158 gallons
8 different states
6 breweries/pubs
2 national park/monuments
2 wild West towns
2 Museums
2 Border patrol road stops
Crossed the continental divide 2 times
1 State memorial
1 State park
1 MLB game


If you are a real nerd you can download the Google Earth file to see the legs of the trip Here.

I don't know about everyone else, but I could use a long weekend.  What's that you say, Memorial weekend starts Friday?  Well talk about perfect timing.

Well after a nice long 10 days off, its back to the routine.  Man it's tough.  Almost like schools out ,but wait, I don't go to school.  Darn it.

Make sure you take a look at some of the photos from our trip (link on the right).  White sands and the Catalina mountains are excellent.

If you're not following the travelog

Sorry having way too much fun to keep up with the blogging.

Well I met Joel at Bagel Talk around 7:00.  Although he did not know I was going to do that.  It was before his 8:00 Calculus final and I thought I could give him some final encouragement.  Well he nervously ate his breakfast bagel.  His favorite.  Bagel, Egg, Sausage  maple cream cheese.  Call it the French toast.  I remember it's one of the first places he ate at and told me about during his first few weeks at school.  Now he was having his last one of the year.  I had eaten with him here during my impromptu September visit then again for Parents Weekend.  Now the last day of school for him.  Kind of like those first and last days of school for a kindergarten.  Only 15 years later.  Man I feel so old.

I walked him to the building and we hugged as he went to face his final and worse subject.  How horrible is that?  All the finals he had last week and the absolute last one is the one class that has been a pain in his side all semester.  He just dreaded it and I cannot tell you the uncertainty in his voice over the last few days as this test approached.  So much so I even felt sick for him.  I jogged back to the hotel  (hey I got lots of exercise in) and we then went to Paradise Bakery (like Panera) and had some bagels.  Nearing 10:00 am we walked next door for a Jamba Juice.  My phone rang, well......He was sounding super upbeat, he feels really confident that he did well.  Better that he expected.  Everyone sighs relief. Its over.  One year of college down.  "come meet us at Jamba Juice for a final smoothie!"  We see him crossing the street, grin from ear to ear.  Nothing makes a parent happier than to see their children happy.  At least thats how I feel.

After those we all had some Jamba, we went to move him out of the dorm.  Again feels like we just moved him in there.  Got the ok from his RA and we were off to the storage locker.  Moved everything in and went to the Mexican restaurant next door.  Last time Tracy had a freak out when ordering here.  This time would be different.  Even though we all had a laugh at her expense.  Tacos, Caramelos, Sonoran Dogs.  Yea good border food.

Did a few other things during the day, walked to Chik Fil A then hit a geocache on top of the Tyndall Ave Parking garage which also afforded us a great sunset view.

My kids are pretty cool.  What will Joel do for a summer job when he gets back home?   I don't know, oh wait he's already been hired!  Yea, an application mini resume and a 15 minute phone interview later he is now a West Bend Parks and Rec youth tennis instructor.   How cool is that? Get paid to teach tennis. Outside.  Man what could be better.  Now I just need a job that pays me to ride a bike or play basketball.

Love what you do, do what you love.

3 months

Hard to believe it's been 3 months since I had any measurable caffeine.  3 months   No coke, coffee, certain root beer etc.

Now if I can only lower my addiction to carbs:  Starches and other good things while upping my intake of nasty vegetables..  :D