accomplishments

 

Brad worked hard grooming trails at the cabin and I spent a few hours preparing two moveable alphabets for my classroom. It was a day of accomplishment.

Mother Nature is powerful

River Falls had a tornado this evening! I was at work and started to listen to the current radio station. They started talking about severe weather so I wrapped up my work and headed home. As I was driving, Osten called to check on me. We hung out in the basement when I got home and watched a YouTuber announce the specifics of the storm. There was a tornado and it hit a friend’s house—-looks like tree damage. So happy everyone was safe! 

open house Back To School!

Osten and I both had back to school open house today. All 21 of my students and families were there. I think it’s going to be a fun year! As a treat to myself, I got my hair cut and styled—-open house day is long and filled with excitement. 

Osten is in 8Blue this year.

new hair color and a drenched early morning walk

After my first day of workshop yesterday, I got a hair refresh from Joanne. This morning, Petra and I started our 5am walking routine. The sky was like strobe lights for most of the walk, but about 2/3 the way through, the humidity spiked and shortly after, the wind raised, Hagrid the dog started freaking out and it started to pour rain. I opted to split as we were about 4 blocks from our house. Normally I would walk Petra home, but that would have added about 12 blocks to my walk and with the high winds and rain, I streaked home. The humidity should be improved after that deluge! 

first day of college, heavy rain and bye bye minivan

Today Katie started classes at MSU. So excited for her! This evening, Brad and I drove the 2007 caravan to Little Canada as a gift to their family of now three drivers. We were going to stay to visit, but the weather went CRAZY. Thankfully Brad drove the Prius through extremely heavy showers. Osten was home alone and really thankful when we returned safe and sound. 

transitioning

We got home from our eastern Wisconsin get away to continue work on Osten’s new downstairs bedroom. It first was Anders’ room. When he moved out, Katie immediately moved in. Now that Katie has moved out for the school year, Osten is moving in. There is still work to do in cleaning out the bookcase and moving Osten’s posters, hanging clothes and books downstairs, but we’re getting closer! 

swell day walking to the UP

We woke early on the 24th and walked over to the UP from our little place on an island in the Menomonie river that borders Michigan and Wisconsin. Super fun day eating good food, seeing some sweet water falls, playing ping pong and playing games with the Kniers. 

We finally were served grasshoppers after trying

to order three times. I guess Wisconsin people love to drink and were overwhelming the bartenders. 

far eastern Wisconsin

We’re spending the night at a resort on the far eastern region of Wisconsin. We’re on an island and when we walk across a bridge tomorrow, we’ll be in the upper Peninsula of Michigan. We’re hanging out with Jen, Jerry and Julia Knier for the next few days on our final day of summer vacation. 

and we’re a house of 3

We dropped Katie at school today. It was seamless with carts, great parking and easy check in process. Met her cute roomie, went grocery shopping and help set up her room. We were home by 5. Now we’re adjusting to a quieter house with a family of 3. 

packing up

Today we spent packing up our Katie cat for her move to  MN state Mankato tomorrow. Clothes on the line, road trip to hang out with Anders in Eau Claire and pick up odds and ends and dinner with Theo at Philanders in Prescott. Now it’s bed time and we’ll be up bright and early! I saw a really beautiful movie on in my evening walk…fall is on its way 

soak city

Currently lounging in soak city while Osten and his buddy Austin are running around and trying out different rides. Katie, Anders and Ally are also exploring some big person rides in the greater park. I went on a few rides. But it all ended with a ride on the wild thing…I got super dizzy, so now I’m just relaxing and people watching. It’s been a super fun day at Valley Fair!