We have been getting some much needed rain lately. I took this picture as I was exiting the liquor store buying wine. It's actually a giant double rainbow, but I'm not sure you can make it out here on the picture. Aint' it pretty?

Paige and Bryn are all registered for high school. Bryn will be a senior while Paige will be a freshman. Their first day of school is Sept 1st. Paige had a special freshman orientation today that was basically team-building exercises. This year, the high schoolers will begin their day at 8:01am, versus 7:20 previous years, and go until 3:15pm. And they made study halls mandatory. This totally screwed up Bryn's schedule to the point where she was having to come in early (0 hour) to fit in the study hall! We took care of that!

Seems that Bryn has rededicated herself to running this year. She's been chosen as one of the four captains for the girls Cross Country team this year. Those four have led practices all summer long. They've inspired a record number of freshmen to come out. Their first meet is tomorrow and I can't wait!

And Abby's looking forward to getting back to La Crosse. We move her back Sept 5th and her first day of classes is Sept 8th. She'll be moving into a new dorm with a new roommate. Still the 4th floor though... ugghh! Jeff was helping Abby get ready to go back by purchasing a new laptop computer screen online for Abby (she stepped on hers) and installing it himself. Way to go Dad! It was very detailed and the parts were super tiny. Abby attended a leadership retreat last weekend with fellow CRU members as she hopes to help with the Latino community next year.

Last weekend we had lots of parties to be seen at. Paige got invited to a party that lasted all weekend! Her friend invited her up to their family's place near Prairie du Chein on the Mississippi. Paige had a blast fishing, playing card games, and driving the tractor on the farm and the golf card around the trailer park. Bryn went paintballing and to a bonfire. Jeff and I had friends over for wine Friday night, to a neighbor's big barbecue Saturday night, and to Bryn's Mission Trip picnic Sunday.

I got to play hookey from work yesterday afternoon and play golf with a client and my co-worker, Kevin. Our client is quite good, but was patient with us who don't lead that Country Club life. The course was beautiful and very challenging. I just enjoyed being able to play again.

I can't keep my regular Sunday blogging schedule anymore. So it happens when it happens.

So last Friday (7th) was the funeral for Abby's friend's dad. This cut Abby's visit with Meg & family in Indy a little short, but it let us explore other means of travel. Abby ended up taking the Amtrak from Indy to Chicago. Meg had to have her to the train station by 5:30am!!! And I took the Metra train into Chicago from Waukegan and met Abby at Union Station. We dragged her bags from Union Station back to Ogilvie Station where we took the Metra back to Waukegan, and drove from there. Worked out great but Abby wouldn't let us take one extra minute to get a bite to eat because she wanted to get to the funeral and be there for her friend as soon as possible.

Jeff treated Theo to a nice cool sudsy bath in the kiddie pool last weekend. I think he really liked the cool water. And now he smells so nice!

Wednesday morning at 8am Bryn and her Cross Country teammates started their annual 24-hour marathon. They make a schedule so that someone is running the entire 24 hours, but each runner takes a 30-minute shift. In between they had fun playing Ultimate Frisbee, Ultimate Football and kickball. They also liked when the automatic sprinklers came on. The coaches brought in a spaghetti dinner. Paige is not digging the Cross Country thing right now and is holding out from going to practices. I'm having fun updating the Cross Country blog for the team and the school has even made it the Girls Cross Country link from their website!

So while Bryn was running and Abby was at State Fair with her posse, Jeff, Paige, her friend Miranda and I went to the Brewers game Wednesday night. A print vendor offered suite tickets and a preferred parking pass to my work so Kevin and John were there with friends as well. We enjoyed a good game - they almost won in the 9th - with great seats!

Jeff and I have been searching to replace our Honda CRV. After it barely passed the emissions test and the mechanic's quote of $2300 to fit it, we've had to get down to business. Jeff's always looking on the internet and we've test drove a couple so far. Think we've narrowed it down to a 2008 Mazda 3 or Subaru Impreza. Both are smaller hatchback cars with good gas mileage.

My life just isn't following a routine lately.

I am so thankful to my good friend, Tim, from high school and college called me July 22nd to let me know that our mutual friend, Guy, was going in for open heart surgery at Froedtert. I was able to have a long visit with Guy that Friday, the day after his surgery. We wished our meeting was under different circumstances, but we were grateful we were pulled together again. Both Jeff and I went back separately to visit him in the hospital the following week and this weekend we're going to visit him back at his house. Guy's doing well and feeling strong, but there's a lot to monitor during his recovery.

Jeff took Bryn to tour the University of Minnesota last Friday. They really liked it. I think Bryn's going to have a hard time deciding. Bryn came home with a t-shirt. Abby, Paige and I then met them up at the cabin Friday night. Meg & William were already up there and the kids had a blast together. Then Meg & William took Abby back to Indy for the week. Abby loves spending time with those kids and made sure it fit into her summer schedule.

Unfortunately, Abby's best friend's dad took very ill last weekend also and passed away yesterday. So Abby and I are going to meet at Union Station in Chicago Friday morning so she can make it back for the funeral that afternoon. I'm going to take the Metra train from Waukegan in and Abby's taking the Amtrak from Indy.

Bryn started her new job on Sunday. She will be working in the pharmacy at Walgreens. Great job! She was recommended for the position by a friend. She's done a lot of training this week: on the computer, on the register and shelving. I think she likes it. And it's pays way above minimum wage!

Paige got invited to go to Great America yesterday with one of her friends and her family. She had a blast and rode every roller coaster! And another milestone... Paige went out on her first date tonight. To a movie. We asked her to make it a group date which she complied to. Of course we haven't heard many details yet, but I think it went well.

My office is really shaping up! John drove down to IKEA and purchased our desks and Kevin and Mike did most of the assembly. We tore down the original countertops that John started the company with and now we're each in a corner with a bit more privacy and ownership of our own areas. I've done a lot of vacuuming with all the commotion.