sometimes, in smalltown america, one must be creative when finding ways of entertainment.  the following is how we amused ourselves this evening:

they always told me that my love for cheese danish, cookies, ice cream, and cake would do me in, but i didn’t realize how awful it would feel.

i’m amazed that my friends continue to love me… even when i do such strange things (did i mention that i walked through town in this suit and purchased ice cream from our main street market?).

don’t worry.  we made sure i transformed back to my normal self after getting all the laughs we could from such a costume.

i’m about to partake of a sickeningly sweet cupcake ’cause it’s just been one of those days. i would like it if you were here to join the cupcake fest. also: my feet stink. this means that the leather flip flops i wear all summer long for the last two years are finally becoming a bit smelly. this makes me want to cry.

nothing like having someone use a ridiculously ugly photo of you for the world to see.

okay, fine.  more like hundreds of college students.

but still.

i think i would be very good friends with whoever markets food as any sort of “tidbit.”

it’s been another long one.  i was reminded today that come the end of august i’m suddenly kicked into high gear in my work world.  that just means that my world suddenly becomes work.  from the, “i  know you’ve been busy with work — you’re always busy with work,” i received last night as a friend asked what’s been keeping my days filled, i realized that people get tired of you talking about whatever you do to get yourself a few pennies every week.

but how can you not talk about work when you sit in an office longer than you sleep in  your bed at night (isn’t it supposed to be even?)?

i used the office paper cutter just a little bit ago as i finished the last task for the day.  my heart always beats a bit too fast whenever i have to lift the sharp blade, slide the paper underneath, and pull down the blade in one swift movement to make a clean cut.  and it all rather confuses me.  i use that thing at least once week and aren’t you supposed to get over your fear once you face it?  or am i just the only person that doesn’t work for?

why am i so nervous around this particular cutting board?  ah.  it’s a family favorite story of everyone happily putting together wedding programs for a sister one cozy december evening.  i, with pride, volunteered to man the cutting of paper since i had so much experience and had brought the office cutting board home with me.  too bad i got lazy with my focus after about the 50th program.  i sliced right into my thumb, let out the loudest curse this mouth will ever produce, and then walked calmly out of the room leaving everyone in utter confusion.

the real wretched part?  the stink produced by wearing a bandaid for so long.

i’m pathetic.  the above link (which i found after i started writing this) is about a long workday and the thumb incident.  repeat much?

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currently listening — please mr postman, the carpenters

my backside has gotten used to the incredibly uncomfortable seat and i didn’t notice it once.  (no, D, it’s not your bike.  i still need to get new tires for that one!)

i watched the most brilliant sunset of my existence.  the blues, purples, oranges, and reds radiating in front of clouds was enough to waken the coldest heart to inspiration.  for a second i was sure it was the start of Jesus’ second coming.  but then it set and He never arrived.

my tire happened upon an itty-bitty green caterpillar.  it’s dead now.

i’m not sure i’ve ever huffed and puffed so much through my usual bike route.  how does one start out more in shape at the beginning of summer than they are at the end?  i sure am talented.

i took the ride to get away.  no iPod, no people, no noise.  it was cornfields, a setting sun, the caterpillar, and myself.  i stopped to watch the sun dip below the earth and i tried to tell God all the jumbled things in my head.  the most i got out was, “God…  Jesus…  Father of All.”

but that’s all i needed.  i just needed my focus to not be on my jumbled-ness.  it needed to be on Him.

the ride was the best bit of fresh air i’ve gotten in awhile.

there’s a cricket right outside my bedroom window.  i don’t mind one bit.

my tummy feels a bit off.  that’s happening more and more recently.  annoying.

i’m realizing afresh how much i need God life in me.

the piles throughout the bedroom are a bit much.  time to go through and purge.

the family is tired but happy after a birthday celebration day.

one of the birthday girls with two of her presents:

i wasn’t keeping a very close eye on my 30 day commitment and technically i finished on the 10th of this month.  of course i realize this just now, august 13 @ 12:27am.  i’m bright like that.  i was tempted to just be done with the whole thing and not post anything tonight since i did just get home from a long day in the car and the last thing i want to do is take the three minutes to insert a photo on here.

BUT, i can’t just be done and not say anything to end this great event in my life!

so here, my final photo for my photo-a-day-for-30-days:

a shot from yesterday as a few of us finished our final day at the beach!

THE END.

and so ends my summer vacation.  tomorrow morning we will pack up and make our way back to our dear old north country and regular living.

have i ever wished so strongly that a break from life never end?  i don’t think so.  but i don’t want this to end.  i just liked it.  i just needed it.  and honestly, i just don’t want to go back to reality.  i’ve rather enjoyed leaving emails left unnoticed for an entire week and most of the time leaving the ever-present blackberry upstairs with not much checking of messages this entire trip either.

i’m sorry if you’ve felt ignored but it’s been a blissful respite for this girl.  she just needed a pause.  and the good news is, she got one.

just being on uncle huck’s boat