Old??? ME??? WHAT????

So this Tuesday I was off to a luncheon for new teachers. I was ready to spread my knowledge on to a new teacher! Almost skipping and ready to share, share and share some more. The girl I was paired with was a nice, sweet girl and listened intently when I shared things. She even had some great ideas of her own that she gave to me!

It wasn't until this other girl...lets call her girl #2 came over and sat down by us. She was quiet for most of the time until lunch was almost over. "So, how long have you been teaching?" she asks. I reply, "this will be my 9th year." and to this she says "Wow, you don't even look that old!" WHAT?!?!?!?!?! I'm speechless.

RAGBRAI 2009

So, we did it. Justin completed four days of RAGBRAI and I one. One was enough for me, although I think that I could have gotten my sore butt on top of my bike for one more day. It was the hills though that were tough.

Justin always told me how much fun it was to bike, stop in a town for a beer, bike, stop, bike stop.....all 78 miles. And that is what we did. It was clearly an experience and one that I want to repeat again next year. So, are there any takers out there??? How much fun would it be to get a team together. Start thinking of a name the more creative the better. It truly is a party on two wheels.

My friend Julie took a disposable camera and I am waiting on those pictures to be developed. It should be fun to see what comes out of those pictures. Without the immediate gratification of a digital screen I don't know what to expect.

We started on Wed. driving to Chariton, IA only to realize that I, forgot the tent. So, Julie and I had to sleep in the back of the Rodeo, which turned out to be a blessing in disguise as it rained over an inch on Thursday morning. Justin got rained out of his tent and ended up in the passenger side of the car. Thursday morning we tore down camp, and climbed on top of our bikes to meet up with the route. Our first stop was in Bethlehem, IA for homemade donuts being peddled by a third grader. The boys got a delicious chicken sandwich.

Next, we stopped at Crazy Connies for Bloody Marys and beers. Along the route we found a state park that was serving micro brews...sure we said and had two there.
A little longer down the road we found a town with a beer garden. It was time for lunch so we grabbed walking tacos and beer. Our last stop along the path was a roadside homemade ice cream stand Beekman's. Justin and I had raspberry/chocolate ice cream. I saw a raccoon in a trap and got heckled by a little girl who thought I was crazy for thinking that the raccoon was kinda cute and should be let out. Apparently she thought the inhumane tiny trap was fine for it.

About that time it was looking like a storm was brewing so we decided to take the last 13 miles in one fell swoop and ended up in Ottumwa.

That my friends was my day in a nutshell on RAGBRAI 2009.
Maybe Justin will get on to share a bit about his experience. He's been a little lax on the blogging.

THE BIG SURPRISE

A great birthday celebration!

This weekend we went to Iowa for Justin's mom's birthday party. It was a surprise and a ton of fun. Let me back up a few days first. I got to spend a couple of days with my aunt and two cousins. We went to Chicago to spend a few days with Jen. She lives in Logan Square and her boyfriend, Barry lives three blocks from Wrigley. We shopped and went to a fun bar named Six Degrees. It is owned by someone from Springfield so naturally we had to say hi! Elton John and Billy Joel were putting on a concert that night so we grilled at Barry's to hear the musical delights while feasting on a delightful meat and potatoes meal.
The concert was fun, because after the meal we walked down to Wrigley to take part in the street party. Good times.
Friday, when I arrived back to Bloomington the car was packed and ready for our drive to Iowa where we went to a winery, rode a rhino and threw a surprise party. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.
Darla was truly surprised. Larry did a great job!

For other pictures you can always visit Josh and Kristin's website, Kristin is very good with capturing everything on camera! www.jkstanek.com

Call me a girl scout

Justin and I just got back from a great weekend in Door County. We had fun by the campfire, playing cards, reading, bike riding, and firework watching.
The campsite was very peaceful and the weekend was very relaxing. I have included pictures of the trip below!

Camping, The Great Urban Race, and Bump-Its

So, I was very bummed out that my summer school instructor gave me an extra assignment over the fourth of July. I thought I was being smart and working ahead in class so I wouldn't have anything to do this weekend. But NO she snuck one past me. That teaches me to try and be on top of things.
This weekend is my very first camping trip (in tents). Yes, in a tent. I am trying hard not to be too girly and pack only the essentials. We'll see what that comes to. Door County doesn't know what is going to hit it in two days. Check back here after the weekend to see if we made it through unscathed.
It has been brought to my attention that on Oct 16 in Normal, IL there is a great urban race. I have never ever heard of this but I visited the website and it looks AWESOME! I hope that I can convince someone to do this with me. I have a few feelers out there. What a great excuse to go crazy. JENNIFER are you reading this?!?!?!
The last thing I want to say is that I have figured out this thing called the bump-it. No, its not a Billy Mayes endorsed product (God rest his soul I was very sad to hear about his passing) but it is a hair tool to create those crazy bumps you see people wearing. Emily has it mastered and it looks great on her mommy head but it always looked freakishly weird on mine. BUT tonight things have changed. I have figured it out, and I feel good about that.