Wisconsin Trip 2012....

Hey all!!  I'm back from my trip and it was a wonderful time seeing family and spending time with everyone!  Loved being with Kalyn and Sasha very much also!!  Here is a day by day depict of our activities...this is a LONG one!  Enjoy and until next time....

Road trip to Eau Claire, WI- May 2012

Me and mom left Sat. am and pulled out of the driveway at 5:59 am!!  We had great talks and only stopped about 3-4 times that day.  We drove over 900 miles and spent the night in Omaha, NE.  The next day we were on the road by 7 am and got to EC at 2:30pm.  We met Kalyn at the gas station by Gram's place and then drove over to Gram and Gramps.  Jenni and Trent showed up and we all ate a delicious Mother's Day meal of boxed lasagna!  We took some photos and then it was time to get over to Dad's place to see Sasha and Dad and Lori.  We had a good evening and got to sleep around 10pm. 

Mon the 14th...

Woke up about 8am and decided to finally get up about 8:30.  I got ready for a run and took Sasha with me.  It was a long one and wore Sasha out.  I then got stuff out to scrub the front of the cars and get all the bugs off.  I also fixed a part under K's car and attached it so it wouldn't drag/fall off!  Then, Kalyn and I got ready for the day and left the house about 11:20.  We drove over to Pizza Del Re and had lunch buffet!  It was delish!!!  Then, we drove both cars over to Gram's as Gram as a surprise guest for us!  We got there and Dianne from Gram's old job was there. She's a short, cute lady and very nice!  Mom and Gram had gotten Culver's for lunch so they were all eating and chatting.  Dianne left and so K and I got ready to go wash cars.  As we were leaving, Auntie Jean showed up, so we got to see her.  We took K's car and got a carwash and vacuum done and then drove back to Gram's to wash windows and dry it off.  Kalyn and I took my car next and just vacuumed it.  Then, Kalyn and I drove to Farm and Fleet to get Sasha's flea and tick stuff.  Next, we drove to Petsmart and Walmart and got a few things there and printed a few pics of Mother's Day.  Drove back to Dad's house to spend a bit of time with Sasha and got ready to go meet Tj and Diana as they were in EC for night!  We picked up Mom and us three met them at Azul Tequila for dinner!  We had a wonderful time chatting/drinking and snapping photos.  After 2 and a half hours, we headed out and said goodbye.  We drove over to North High School and watched a band concert!  We sat next to Jamie and Bev and Babe and Gram.  It was wonderful music!  We took pics after with Bruce and Jamie.  Drove Gram back home, got to say hi to Gramps and also dropped Mom off.  Came back to house and got ready for bed.  This time didn't get to full sleep until about 11pm. 

Tue the 15th...

Woke up early, but fell back to sleep.  Got Sasha going again for a shorter run as the weather didn't look the best out there.  I've got an oil change set up for the car as I wanted to have all that done before the long drive back next week.  Toyota took care of the car and got fully serviced!  Oil changed, tires rotated, etc.  Went back to Dad's and helped K finish her laundry and ate.  Around 12:30 we finally headed out for the day.  We drove out to the Oakwood mall and stopped at a few shops and then got a snack of ice cream at DQ and some Rocky Rococo pizza to share.  We tried to use the photo booth, but it was broken!  We stopped at a few Auto shops looking for a steering wheel cover for K and then stopped at the $1 store and got a few items.  We noticed my front license plate broke, so went to Gram and Gramps cuz I knew Gramps would fix it for me!  Got over there and sure enough he fixed it for me!  Hopefully it holds for awhile.  We chatted with them and then it was time to head back to Dad's to play with Sasha before Trent's ball game.  Kalyn dropped her phone in the couch and we helped her retrieve it, but for some reason it fell WAY down into the couch and so we all had to tip the couch over and eventually, Dad had to actually take the couch apart on the bottom to retrieve the phone.  I don't think Dad was very happy about this, but we apologized over and over and hopefully he's ok with it.  We ended up being very late for the game, but did make it down there and watch Trent's team win!  We got hugs from Wade and chatted with him as well.  Afterwards, we were Mom's ride back to Gram's so we stopped at Milwaukee Burger Co on the way to eat since we hadn't had dinner yet.  It was very delish and I had my very first deep-fried cheese curds!  Yummy!  We took Mom back to Gram's and went inside for a few to chat.  K and I were also looking for a lanyard for her, so we stopped at Mega before heading back to Dad's.  No luck, so got back to Dad's and got ready for bed. 

Wed the 16th...

Got up about an hour early as we are meeting everyone at Gram's at 10 to go shopping, etc.  Jenni, Trent, me, K and Mom are all spending the day together.  Jill and Tim will be in town later so there will be a party from 4-8 at Gram's.  Took Sasha for another run, this time it was a long one!  Got ready and we were at Grams before 10!!  Jenni and Trent arrived about 10:45, so we were already running a bit behind.  Jill, Tim and Michelle all showed up about 10:15, so we got to sit and chat with them for a bit before heading out.  Finally headed out and went to Walmart first to get some pictures printed up.  Went to Fazoli's for lunch and Mom paid!  Went back to Walmart and picked up pics.  I bought the movie "New Year's Eve" too.  Headed over to Oakwood and got a few items and took pics in the photo booth with Kalyn.  My mom did too as she has never done that before!  We thought we lost Trent as we were leaving the mall, and Jenni was a bit concerned, as we all were for a few minutes!!  A nice sales lady brought him to us and all was well after a few tears were shed.  We headed back to Dad's and let Sasha out and then drove to Chippewa to the Leinenkugel's brewery!  I had one beer and bought souvenirs.  Then, we drove over to a liquor store so I could purchase the beer I had wanted to bring back to New Mexico with me.  We then headed back to Gram's and there were several peeps there for the party.  We got there right at 4, so that was good.  Jacque's friend Jane was there as was Jill's friend Sandy.  Hadn't seen either of them for quite awhile.  About 20 people were there.  Very good snacks were served.  Right before 6, Kalyn and I needed to head out and get ready to drive to Minneapolis for the night.  Kalyn already missed two days of school, so I came back with her for one night.  I also had a facial scheduled with her too.  We got to Dave and Heidi's house right around 8:30.  Brought in all her stuff and our bags and then chatted for a few with D and H and then got settled in for the night.  Mom had texted that someone broke into Bev and Babe's house and come to find out it was their grandson, Tommy!!  Quite an exciting night!  K and I finally went to sleep about 10:30 after watching Army Wives.  I sewed a button on her pants and put her new fan together, so all my motherly duties were caught up!!

Thurs the 17th....

Slept pretty well at Kalyn's but had to wake up early and drive K to school, so that I knew how to get there for my facial!!  It was pretty simple finding it and after dropping her off, I came back to the house and showered and got ready to go back over there.  Arrived at Aveda and checked in, then they called my name after a few minutes and showed me upstairs.  Kalyn came and got me and gave me a very wonderful, relaxing facial!!  Her instructor came in twice to check on things and all turned out very well!!  I bought a couple of products and then we had a nice little lunch together, right there at the school cafe!  I left and stopped at a bank to pick up K's parking quarters and then got back to D and H's house.  I put on my makeup for the day and then decided I was bored and thought I would clean the house while I waited to go pick up Kalyn at 4:30.  I did dishes, scrubbed the bathroom shower floor, cleaned the stove, cleaned bathroom sinks, swept K's room, hall and stairs, then swept kitchen, bathroom and living room.  It is a cloudy and windy day today in Minneapolis!  I will be driving back to EC tonight.  I picked up K from school and we drove out to Roseville, where she used to work, and had Arby's for dinner.  We drove back over where she lives and stopped at Target for a few items and then the grocery store to get her some food for a couple of days.  Got back to the house and put her new steering wheel cover on and also a sticker for her car, saw Sasha, didn't see Dave or Heidi, but sent them a text saying "thanks", and then it was time for me to get on the road!  I got thru the cities just fine and made it back to Gram and Gramps about 8:15, after stopping at the gas station to scrub my windshield clean.  Mom showed back up at Gram's about 9-ish so we all chatted until almost 10.  I drove back to Dad's and did my nails and then fell asleep with the tv on.  Didn't sleep too well, but it was ok.

Fri the 18th...

Woke up on and off, but finally got up at almost 8.  Organized my suitcase and threw a load of laundry in the wash while I went for a long run!  Got back about 9 and then ate, showered and finished laundry.  About to head over to Gram's and then on the road to Madison!!  Should be nice to see the Aunties!  Drove over to Bud's hair salon and saw Gram and Gramp while she got her hair done.  Then, stopped at St. Pat's cemetary and visited Gram and Gramp Wilson graves.  I also snapped a pic.  Drove over to Gram's and we chatted and ate a quick lunch (gramp made me a grilled cheese) and then we finally hit the road to Madison about 12:30.  Had a nice drive and got there at 4 pm.  Chatted with the Aunties and Julie made margaritas and chips and salsa!  Finally had pizza and then watched "New Years Eve".  I fell asleep but woke up towards the end.  Me and mom slept in Jacque's bed.  Went to bed at midnight. 

Sat the 19th...

Woke up about 8 and chatted with the ladies, then got in the shower while Julie cooked French toast, eggs, sausage and fruit.  We all ate and chatted.  Finally got ready and snapped pics and said goodbye and then I was on the road back to EC at noon.  Got back at 3 and filled up with gas, etc, grabbed a Burger King burger and headed over to see Gram before meeting Kalyn back at Dad's house.  Gramp arrived before I left for Dad's so got to see him quick.  Drove over to Dad's and K arrived with Sasha. We unloaded her and then waited for a call from Ann to hook up with them for the evening.  In the meantime, the bathroom door got locked with no one in there, so had to deal with that chaos.  K finally got a hold of Ann, so we met up with her and Haley and Lori at Azul Tequila for snacks and drinks.  Matt, Haley's boyfriend, joined us and then later, Jenni and Trent showed up.  We had a great time with our waiter, Chi, as well.  We were all pretty sloshed from the margaritas, so went to play some drunken bowling at Wagner's.  The guy had us play a game where he would have one fluorescent pin and if it was in the 1 position, and we bowled a strike, we would win a $2 bill.  Both K and I each won one and Haley and Matt did too, but as a spare.  It was a great time of fun and drinking.  We got back to Dad's at midnight.

Sun the 20th...

Got up late and took Sasha for a long run/walk.  K got in shower and we just hung around the house for a bit.  K and Lori went to Starbucks and then me and K headed to Chippewa to see Cousin Becky.  Had a nice visit with her for an hour, then hit up Burger King and then stopped at Jenni's for a bit. We then drove to Gram and Gramps and hung out for awhile before the bbq at Dad's.  Got to Dad's right at 4...Dad got things ready to grill and Jenni and Trent showed up!  Had some delish burgers and talking.  Sasha disappeared and we figured out she opened the kitchen door and ran outside!  We thought we had lost her, but she was right across the street playing with the dog over there.  Got her under control and got rid of two ticks on her and then Kalyn and I said our goodbye's to Jenni and Trent and then K and I headed out to see the movie "The Lucky One".  We stopped at Walgreen's after and then headed back to Dad's.  Lori was still up so we chatted with her and I made a list for the things to get done for Monday.  Kalyn drives back to Minneapolis on Mon, eve...so gotta get her laundry and shopping taken care of. 

Mon the 21st...

Got up around 8 and started K's laundry and take Sasha for her final run with Gramma. Got back to the house and did dishes and a load of laundry for Dad, then after a bit, we got ready to run errands.  Kalyn filled up her car first and got most of the car packed so that she was ready to go.  We found another bag of dirty laundry so decided to take that to Gram's since we were going there for dinner (roast!).  First we drove out to Olive Garden and used my gift card I had won at the gym.  Then, we went to Petsmart and I bought Sasha a "kong" toy for her for while she is in her crate.  Then, we went to the $1 store and the grocery store so I could get a few items for my trip back and to make copies of a letter that Gram had typed up about Aunt Flo's life.  We did all that and then took everything back to Dad's and sat around there since Lori came home.  Then, we headed over to Gram's and ate a delicious dinner and did laundry.  Kalyn said her goodbye's and then her and I headed to the store again to get her some groceries!  Drove back to Dad's and she got loaded up and left!!  I hung around with Dad for a bit and then headed back to Gram's so Gramp could put that plate cover on my car, but it ended up not working out.  Gramps gave me meat to take home and Gram's friend was over at their house too.  We had a good goodbye session and then I went back to Dad's right before 10.  I went to bed and had everything ready for the am to just get up, dress and leave!

Tues the 22nd...

Got up at 5:30 and left Dad's house right before 6am.  I filled up with gas and was on my way.  I drove 17 hours this day and got all the way to Canon City, CO, to stay with Jill, and I'm glad I went!  No issues along the way at all.  I did miss the turn for the shortcut to Jill's, but oh well!  Got to her house about 10:15pm and I was beat!

Wed the 23rd...

Didn't sleep too well, but got up and got ready and then chatted with Jill and Tim and then Jill escorted me out of town (we had to pull over to hug goodbye!), and then I was on my way again!  I stopped for gas in Pueblo and cleaned out the car a bit and then headed off!  No issues at all....stopped in SF for gas, food then in Pojoaque for a car wash and then had to stop at Bruce's office to sign something, then pick up a pizza and then finally home!  I mowed and clipped the lawn and watered, cleaned up house, watered plants, got laundry going, ate, chatted with the neighbor, dishes and floor mopped. 

Awesome 12 day trip!!!