soundtracks...

for some reason i decided to listen to 'the last kiss' soundtrack today. haven't listened to it in a really long time. there was a period - during late summer and early fall of 2006 when i listened to it a lot. listening to it tonight brought me back to that time in my life and everything that was going on. i then proceeded to sit and read through a bunch of e-mails from that time period. i had intended to come home and clean as i am hosting a book club meeting this saturday and my apartment is in no way ready to have guests...but alas i find myself sitting in front of the computer...it's 9:49pm...i'm still listening to the soundtrack and have yet to start cleaning.

Happy Birthday Kristin!

dear kristin,

i know you don't look at my blog and will therefore probably never see this (thank god because you'd kill me for putting that picture up...but you know...you really should let me take more so i have more options :)) but i just wanted to write you a little note and say 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY OLD WOMAN!!!'

yes, yes, i know you are actually younger than me - but i can't help the fact that i look younger, can i? (kidding! kidding!) remember how in the 7th grade we were science lab partners and you thought i was incredibly annoying? well - some things never change, eh?

it just occured to me that you're one of the oldest friends i have (not age wise - that would be chris - ha!) but one of the friends i've had the longest and that i continue to talk to on a regular basis. pretty amazing! you're a terrific friend kristin - always there for me, always giving it to me straight and never sugar coating it. i can always count on you - thank you. i hope you can count on me too (except remembering you're actual birthday - i lucked out this year. i always know that it's the day before or after V-Day....).

i'm glad we've become closer this past year. playing tennis, walking in the dog park, drinking cheap alcohol and/or expensive bourbon (i know how you love that stuff!). thank you for continuing to play Monopoly with me despite the fact that i kicked you at Gina's house that one time. thank you for continuing to let me drive - despite the fact that i turn into a horrid driver whenever you're in the car with me (i swear - only you would make me stop in the middle of a freeway!). thank you for letting me lodge at your house for awhile (and for letting me continue to use it for a lot of my stuff) - for letting me use your squeeky bed! (ah memories...that sounded bad...)

alright. i'm gonna get going here. hope you had a fantastic birthday. sorry i bailed early on the celebrations - i'll make it up to you next week with a cake! maybe i'll even back into your car and knock your plates off for old times sake :)

love you, michelle

a walk in the park

today was absolutely beautiful! the skies were clear! the breezes were warm! it was fantastic! chris and i took nattie for a walk in the st. croix state park - we just got passes for the parks yesterday (with a deal of buying your second pass for only $10 chris bought me one as well :) isn't he a sweetheart?).


i wish i were a great writer. i can never fully get across exactly what i mean to. some writers can just take you and drop in a place - so much so that you really feel like you're there. seeing the sights. smelling the smells. i cannot do that. i wish i could though. i've decided that i don't have a favorite season - although if forced to pick i'd say fall - but i more enjoy the changing of the seasons. right now spring is on it's way. buds are on the trees - green things are sprouting up all over the place. and the smell! i wish i could bottle it up - i love it! it's strange how strong a memory trigger scent can be. just on our walk this morning i was taken back to sixth grade camp (remember that Kari?) and girl scout camp, 4-h camp - it was awesome! i love the sound of the leaves crunching underneath your feet. i love the sound of the birds chirping. i love feeling the breeze on my skin. of not being able to see any cars. any people. any reminder of the suburbia that surrounds the park. i just love it.


i've included a lot of pictures to let you enjoy it to - too bad the blogger doesn't come with a scent attachment. hope you are all enjoying the changing of the seasons as well :)

chris and nattie

my favorite picture of the day
old railroad ties along the st. croix river

nattie

blue skies - smiling at me. nothing but blue skies - do i see

the only semi-good picture of myself

chris and i holding hands - again...i'm still a dork :)

st. croix river

creek bed