Perfect Vision

• Had a recheck appointment at the eye doctor.  My vision is 20/20 in both eyes!  Yay.  So glad I took the plunge and got the eye surgery.  I was nervous for years about it, and am so glad I did it now.

• Had dinner on Thursday at Fish Bones in Greektown to celebrate my BFF from law school and her husband moving back to MI!  Welcome home Julia.  Also got to see Julie, Jessica and Nancy. Food was awesome, company was better.

• Vito got sick again this week.  He was really lethargic and would not even eat a treat (which for Vito is unheard of) so Kurt took him back in to the specialist.  His blood sugar count was 7 times what it should be.  So, they had to keep him overnight to do more tests and try to regulate his sugar count.  Anyway, long story short, he was there three nights.  Ends up he now has diabetes and pneumonia.  He finally got to come home Saturday afternoon.  He had meds for the pneumonia.  He also has insulin shots for the diabetes.  We have to give him nightly shots of insulin.  We also have to for the pneumonia 4 times per day steam up the bathroom and take him in there for 10 minutes.  Most high maintenance dog ever.  Poor little guy.  We were really glad to have him home again, the house was pretty quiet without him and I think little Gretel missed her bestest friend.  

• had dinner on Saturday night with Ron, Erika, Ashleigh and John at Dolce.  Awesome time, even though it took forEVER to get our sushi.  It was crazy, almost 2 hours to get our food.  it was homecoming in Monroe, so I am guessing that had something to do with it.

• Went today and had a mani/pedi and went to the mall since Kurt was watching football and I like to avoid him on Sundays.  Got some amazing deals at the mall, two tanks on clearance at Express and at Macy's a dress, pair of leggings and two sweaters for winter.  I have been avoiding winter clothes since I will not need them in Costa Rica, but I needed some cardigans to wear over things, got white and black.  Those wear out so quickly since I wear them so much and I did not have any for winter.

Weekend Fun

Watching the bridal party come down the aisle.

Thursday night, my friend Jill and I hosted a party at the Monroe Country Club (she is a member and got us the hook up to use the facilities, thanks Jill!).  We had a CABI clothing and Premier Designs jewelry party.  It was a huge success.  Not sure how many people we had in and out, but I would guess around 25 or so.  Anyway, Jill and I each got $130 in free jewelry, a free scarf, as well as 6 half off CABI items and $30 in free CABI stuff.  I got some amazing jewelry already (and gifted my free scarf to Angie since I don't do scarves).  The CABI stuff I ordered today and cant wait to receive.  I got all stuff that can be worn now and in Costa Rica.  Jill and I had desserts available for everyone as well as wine and beer.  Anyway, it was a great time.

Me and Carolyn, the bday girl.

Friday, I got to attend the wedding of my "cousin", Susan.  "cousin" meaning my Mom's best friend's daughter who my sister and I grew up with.  Susan got married to her fiance, Mark, in Howell.  Kurt and I left work early on Friday, so I had a chance to work out and head to Farmington Hills so I could ride to the event with my family.  Got there and got ready, then headed to the wedding.  The facility was beautiful and the wedding was really nice.  It was really nice to see a lot of people, and I got to catch up with some people I have not seen in a really long time, as well as do some dancing and eat some great food.  Got home super late.

Me and My Momma.

Saturday, I went to Farmington Hills again for a family party.  My cousin Carolyn turned 17 so my Aunt had a late party. I got her some bath stuff from ULTA, and it was a fun afternoon of outside games and hanging out watching baseball and football.



Today, I slept in, then went running outside.  Headed into town to Carson's as I had a great coupon to use.  ended up getting some amazing deals.  I got a Nautica bathing suit coverup marked down from $71 originally to $14.  Also got three workout tanks and a pair of work out shorts super cheap.  I had a coupon for 25% off anything in the store and used it on all items.  Headed to Kroger next to pick up groceries for the week then did a bunch of stuff around the house.  Headed out with my camera to the yard to take some fall pics.  it was really peaceful walking around by myself taking random pictures. See pics here

Not happy it's the end of the weekend.

Skydiving Experience

Watching the video, pre-jump

Our office was at lunch a few weeks back and someone brought up skydiving.  Several at the table expressed an interest in going, so I called and set up a date and time for two weeks later.  I figured, if we did not set it up, it would never happen, and if it was too far off, people would chicken out and not go.  So, it was scheduled at Skydive Tecumseh for a Sunday in September.

It ended up being myself, Lauren from the office and Jennifer (Kory's girlfriend).  We were scheduled to show up at 1145 to start our journey.  Got a call that morning from the business asking us to get there as early as possible because of weather issues.  We all ended up showing at around 1130.  Signed in and signed all required paperwork, then were sent to watch a short video that was required.  After that, we were sent outside to wait for our names to be called to be fitted for harnesses, goggles, and meet our tandem jumper and cameraman.  Were called right away, and fitted, and met the guys jumping with us.  Then, the weather started to be overcast and they told us we had to wait for it to clear.  After about 30 minutes, we started walking towards the plane!  Eek!

Me and Phil, walking to the plane to board

There were three others on the plane jumping with us, but that meant there were like 17 people on the plane as well as the pilot and co-pilot.  Pretty crammed.  No seatbelts required.  We all sat on benches and we were already connected to our tandem jumper at this point.  Took about 20 minutes to climb to 14000 feet.  Once there, everyone started jumping out pretty quickly.  I think everyone was out of the plane in less than one minute total.

Free Fall Fun

The free fall was insanely weird.  I was almost breathless during it, you fall so quickly.  But, I was not dizzy and my stomach did not drop at all.  It was the strangest, most cool feeling.  Once we tumbled out of the plane, we leveled out and the video guy took a bunch of pics.  I was a little nervous during the free fall, I think just because it was so different than anything I have ever experienced.  then, the parachute was pulled, and that was the one time during the jump that my stomach jumped a little bit.  Right after that though, we were slowly floating towards the Earth.  It was amazing looking around, seeing everyone else's parachutes, seeing all the sites on the ground.  The person I jumped with asked how I was and then asked if I wanted to guide the parachute.  I said OK.  So, he handed me the handles and then told me what to do with them.  We went right, left, up, down.  It was awesome.  Just before landing, I had to put my legs straight out in front of me and he landed for us.  Anyway, the landing was what I was most nervous about, and it was simple.

After we all landed safely and happily, we waited about an hour for our pictures and videos.  We all got signed sheets that showed we skydived, which I plan on hanging on my office wall.  I bought a t-shirt to remember the experience and we watched some other jumpers land.

Lauren, me and Jennifer, post jump with certs

It was an incredible experience.  I would totally do it again, and such an adrenaline rush.  I was not an adrenaline high for the rest of the day and part of the next day.  Who needs drugs when you can skydive?  :).  Totally high on life.

My video is in the post below, and pics can be seen on facebook here.

If this is something you have ever thought about doing, DO IT.  and if if you are in MI in the metro Detroit area, do it at Skydive Tecumseh.  The staff was awesome and the experience was the best.

Skydiving at Tecumseh Skydive 9/15

Skydiving and SCUBA

Not at the same time, of course.

My new ModCloth pug shirt.  Love

At a firm lunch outing, we decided we are going skydiving.  Well, not all of us, but some of us.  Lauren and I are going for sure and have already paid our deposit and signed up.  Kory's girlfriend Jennifer is going, and I think she will talk kory into going.  Kurt and Megan for sure are not going, LOL.  My friend Stacy is going as well, and I think some others may sign up.  I think it would be super kewl to have a group.  We are going at Tecumseh Skydive, which is the most respected place around here.

Then, last week, I went for a quick appointment at a local place that does SCUBA training and certifying.  I think I am going to sign up soon for that as well.  And Kory may join me as he has been wanting to take the training.

Sunday, I went to the Lions game with my Dad.  :).  we had amazing seats, 50 yard line, row 6.  We had an awesome time.  Lions won, and the crowd was so pumped.  Loved it.  Hope to go to some more games as well.  Looking for tickets to the bears game now.  while there, I made some ticket connections, so hopefully I can buy direct and avoid the Stubhub middle man for future games.  I was very excited to wear my Lions personalized jersey as well which says Haskell 17.

Dad and I, Lions Opening day.

We had a composite picture taken last summer with the Monroe County Bar association.  Our pic was just put up on the wall!  Here it is!  Super kewl.

 First Downriver Bar meeting was this month as well.  The location switched to Niko's, and it was very nice.  got my pic taken with one of my fav District Court Judges.

Not much else going on, busy with work, and trying to be outside as much as possible as the weather starts to cool.  Not looking forward to winter one bit.  Ugh.

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

Had a nice weekend NOT working.

I have worked out a ton this weekend and am feeling it now.  Friday night, I biked 15.5 miles at the park.  Saturday, Kurt and I biked 18 miles.  Sunday, I ran 5 miles in the morning, then this morning, I ran another 5!  The weather has been perfect for working out.  I love working out when temps are in the low/mid 70s, which it has been in the mornings here.  And, I just like being outside in general, so it makes it less of a workout and more fun.  I am def feeling those workouts tonight though.  Sore.

Other fun things from this weekend:

• Deck party at Jessica and Eric's!  Got to talk to and see lots of friends and the party was only 4 miles from my house!  I proved to myself that I can still do gymnastics, when Meghan and Marisa did not believe I could do cartwheels and front handsprings.  can still do them, but boy, they make me dizzy now.  Getting old sucks, LOL.  jessica is so sweet too, she made "haskell pasta" with no meat, just for us.  :).  It was amazing too.
• Shopping with Auntie!  We went to the Howell Outlet Mall as she realllllly needed new work clothes.  She has worked from home for the past 2 years and has not had any dress code to follow, but just started in an office atmosphere again.  She really stocked up at Dress Barn and Christopher and Baird's.  I mostly helped her, but I ended up finding a dress for my cousin Susan's upcoming wedding, as well as a summer dress at The Loft, a skirt at Dress Barn, and another skirt at White House Black Market.  Super yay.
• Dinner with Cassie and Ken at J Alexander's.  Have not seen them in forever, and it was awesome to catch up and have an amazing meal.  forgot how much I like that place.
• And, after that dinner, came home to LUCIE!  After being gone 63 days, she came home!  We pulled into the driveway and noticed a cat sitting on our porch (which is pretty common since I feed the strays).  Anyway, Kurt says "I think that is Lucie".  We stop the car and he jumps out, and the cat starts running towards the wood.  Kurt stops and starts calling her.  She stops, turns and starts walking towards Kurt, slowly.  Finally, she got close enough for him to pick her up.  I got out then and ran to get some food.  She devoured three cans.  She looked skinnier than when we last saw her, but not too skinny.  She also had a pretty nasty scratch above her eye, but she was purring and seemed happy to see us.  We brought her inside and she has been upstairs sleeping since (and eating).  So glad she is home, we are still kinda shocked by it.

My nephew, nick, starts Kindergarten tomorrow, which is crazy to me!  He is going to a private Catholic School near where my sister lives.  I wish I could be there to take pics!  He has to wear a little uniform, I am sure it will be insanely cute.

I have decided that I want to learn how to scuba dive and become open water certified before we move, so I have an appointment this week to talk to someone at a place near the office.  Need something to do now that football season is starting and my husband will disappear.  :).

Hope everyone had an amazing holiday weekend.  Happy Labor Day!