Day 44

Us enjoying dinner on the patio of Noodles & Co. :)

--MMR

Day 43 - Birthday!

It was Abhay's 30th Birthday yesterday, July 29. He was traveling home during the evening yesterday, we so we celebrated today. We went out for dinner at Tre Bicchieri, a hip little Italian restaurant here in town. And of course, we had cake for dessert. :) I think he had a good day.

This is the cake I made for Abhay's Birthday. It's Black Magic Cake (chocolate with a hint of coffee flavor) with cinnamon/coffee flavored frosting. I must say, it was super yum!

Abhay and his birthday present from me: a Flip Video Camcorder. :)

--MMR

Day 42 - Dinosaurs!

While going through my children's books in my classroom, I ran across this book--Dinosaurs. This was my FAVORITE book as a child. See all the wear on the corners? That was from me! :) I loved dinosaurs and learning anything I could about them. (As an adult, I am still interested in dinosaurs) I find it kind of funny that I liked these ferocious creatures so much. I was a very meek, mild, timid child.

--MMR

Day 41

Abhay is out of town for some training this week. This is how I spent my evening without him: Buffalo Wild Wings, Ben and Jerry's, and the movie Julie and Julia from Netflix!

--MMR

Day 40

This is a picture of Nienaber's Farm Market. We love going to this place in the summer for fresh Corn-on-the-Cob (and today we got zucchini, squash, and cherries as well) and in the fall for pumpkins and Chrysanthemums!

--MMR

Day 39 - Gray skies

This morning we FINALLY painted the one room we've neglected to paint since buying our house...the master bedroom. (Yes, we're pretty much professional painters by now) The bathroom was a tan/khaki color, but now is gray! (The paint name is Empire State) I am really pleased with how it turned out. It really brightens up that little room.

--MMR

Day 38 - BB

A new Best Buy opened in town today! We're so happy to have one in town...no more driving to Indianapolis to go to Best Buy!

(Ps. I know I missed posting yesterday. SORRY! My posts may not be as regular now that I will be starting to get ready for school :))

--MMR

Day 37 - Boxes!

You guessed it, this is my classroom stuff that has been stuck in storage for 3 years! My wonderful husband retrieved all the boxes from the attic of our garage! It must have been at least 100 degrees up there...poor guy. But of course, he did it without complaint. I was be able to look through most of the boxes.... I had forgotten about a lot of the items I have! :) I still have a few more boxes in our storage shed in the backyard to get out and look through. I'll bring them all to my classroom next week and get it set up! I'm so excited!!!! :)

--MMR

Day 36 - Rain Watching

Here is Sheldon watching it rain outside! :)

--MMR

Day 35 - Target fun!

I splurged in the dollar aisle of Target today! I just couldn't pass up the fun (and cheap) teacher stuff. I bought sticky notes, birthday stickers, name tags, picture name plates, and name plates for desks!

--MMR

Day 34- Steaks

This evening Abhay grilled lamb steaks (for him) beef steaks (for me), and baked potatoes on the grill. We love summer grilling. Only thing that was missing was some fresh corn-on-the-cob! :)

The lamb steaks were bought in Minnesota and we brought them all they way back here to Indiana (17 hrs) in a cooler filled with ice. We have yet to find a meat place locally that sells lamb and goat meat.

The goods on the grill

The Master Griller

--MMR

Day 33 -Sunny!

We bought these beautiful, huge sunflowers at the Columbus Farmer's Market. We went to the farmer's market one time last year, and it was lacking a lot. We had heard this year it was a lot better, so we decided to swing by. It was great!!! The market had live music and lots of fun vendors. Along with the sunflowers, we also purchased a loaf of homebaked sourdough wheat bread. YUM.

--MMR

Day 32 - Kindergarten

This is my Kindergarten school picture. Don't you just LOVE my hair? The dress I'm wearing was my favorite--Winnie The Pooh-and I still remember it fondly.

The reason for me posting this picture today, is that yesterday I was offered, and accepted, a kindergarten teaching position. I am totally thrilled. As many of you know, I've struggled to find a teaching job in the 2 + years we've lived here. I've worked lots of odd jobs in schools and got my name out and work out there for people to see....and it's paid off. Now, I have 1, yes ONE, month to prepare before school starts. I'm so excited to be back in the classroom with Kinder-kids. (You might remember I taught kindergarten for 2 years in Minnesota)

Cheers to a new adventure!

Day 31 - County Fair

This evening Abhay and I went and checked out the Bartholomew County Fair. It was a boiling hot evening, around 95+ degrees and humid, so we only stayed for about an hour or so. We enjoyed some good food (I had the BEST homemade ice cream) and saw some neat things.

Here is a food stand that was selling a some odd stuff--a pork parfait? And a donut burger, which is a bacon cheeseburger in between two glazed donuts. YUCK!

Here is Abhay enjoying his dinner. Can you tell it was HOT out??

--MMR

Day 30

I left my book on the couch while I ran some errands this morning. Sheldon decided it would be a good thing to eat! Apparently, he was NOT happy that I left him at home.

--MMR

Day 29- Watermelon

Sorry for the lapse in postings. We got home from vacation--and life got busy!

One of the best things about summer--juicy watermelon!

--MMR

Day 28 - BUGS!

The front of our car was COVERED with bugs after our trip. I guess that's what happens when you drive at night in the summer. My dad told us about the best "bug cleaner"--it's whitewall tire cleaner.

--MMR

Day 27 - Wisconsin

This is a store in Wisconsin. I thought it was funny and random--Cheese, fireworks, and gifts.

--MMR

Day 26 - Treasures

Here is my Dad busy hauling stuff from their storage shed to the garage for a garage sale

A treasure I found in the stuff he was hauling--my childhood Barbie Ferrari!!!!! (yes, it's a little beat up)

--MMR

Day 25 - Doggie Friends!

Here is Sheldon and his buddies Dolly (on the left) and Wilbur (on the right). He has had a BLAST with my Mom and Dad's dogs. It's become interesting with 3 Shih Tzu in house--and two of them very dominant males. Sheldon is a pip squeak compared to them--we never realized Sheldon was such a small Shih-Tzu. I know Sheldon has had a blast playing with them all week. My Mom and Dad have fallen in love with Sheldon. In fact my Mom said, "We wouldn't mind if you forgot him here. " Don't think that's going happen...:)

--MMR

Day 24 - Bemidji!

This evening we went to Bemidji, MN. Bemidji is where I went to college and lived while teaching in Red Lake. So Bemidji was my home for 6 years. It's the place that I "grew up" at and made many wonderful friendships. I miss it everyday!

Here is Bemidji's Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox.

(This is me and my two friends Heather (on the left) and Jess (on the right). Both of these ladies are great friends and have played a huge impact on my life! )

We enjoyed dinner with Jess, Heather, and her husband Matt on the patio of The Green Mill on the shores of Lake Bemidji. It was the perfect evening.

--MMR

Day 23 - 3rd Anniversary

Day 23

Today marked our 3rd wedding anniversary. It's hard to believe that it's been 3 years already. Man, what an adventure it's been. I am so blessed and lucky to be married to Abhay. I couldn't ask for a better husband. I look forward to another 70+ years together...and can't wait to see where the journey of life takes us.

We enjoyed a dinner/movie out this evening and came back to my parents house to a Dairy Queen ice cream cake my mom bought for us. :)

--MMR

Day 22 - Mom and I

Day 22

Here is my mom and I at her family's farm in Lake Bronson, MN. We were lucky enough to drive up there and show Abhay the old "home place." My mom spent lots of time in the barn in back of us while growing up.

--MMR

Day 21 - 4th of July!

Day 21

This is the Red, White and Blue Trifle I made for a family get together today. (Yes, I like making different kinds of trifles :)) It has layers of red velvet cake, whipped cream, blueberries, and strawberries. Fun and festive for the 4th of July. We had a blast with family today...and even caught some neat fireworks. Happy Birthday, USA!

--MMR

Day 20 - Mint Condition

Day 20

My parents took us to Grand Forks, ND for dinner this evening. On the way home we swung by Caribou Coffee and I was able to get my favorite drink--a Mint Condition. YUM! I miss Caribou Coffee--there are no Caribou Coffees in Indiana. So I enjoy my Mint Conditions when I come back to Minnesota!

--MMR

Day 19 - Family Pic!

Day 19

Here is us at a rest stop on Friday in Illinois en-route to Minnesota. The drive was perfect--but long. We left 2:15pm (eastern time) and arrived 6:30am (central time)! It feels good to be home!

--MMR

Day 18 - Ready To Go!

Day 18

Sheldon is in the suitcase, all set to go to Minnesota. Ha! We ARE headed out on a road trip to Minnesota tomorrow. (Don't worry Sheldon will get the whole back seat to himself) I am ecstatic to see family and friends. We'll stay there all week and head back next Saturday. :) :) :)

--MMR