To Work (or lack thereof)

Ever have a task to complete that feels like it's going to take you FOREVER (be it at the office, or at home).  Call me crazy, but chances are the task will feel like FOREVER because it's something we really don't like doing.  On the flip side, ever find yourself lost in something, all the while a smile is hidden somewhere on your face because, really, it's not THAT bad...

Surprise, people!  Losing yourself in something is simultaneously accomplishing something, otherwise known as WORK.

In the past five (+) years, I've been a person who has been able to say "I love my job."  At times, even though I didn't love my physical "work" tasks, I always had something uber positive about my office environment.  I took a leap of faith, and jumped to a new "company" (read: the University of Minnesota).  Sure, there have been times I've desperately missed my old office environment; the years spent with my coworkers, and the insane amount of professional and personal trust I had built with my former co-workers is irreplaceable.  I've chosen to keep looking forward to the next task, and to more "work."  I will still tell anyone and everyone, when asked of course, I love my job.

So a shout out to you, Work, for giving me something to do on a regularly and consistently.  You've had my back, and I'll do my best to have yours.

To Coffee

Same story, different day:

• Wake up groggy
• Stumble around to find something to wear
• Race out the door because you're about ten minutes behind schedule
• Walk into work, put coat/purse away, and attempt to conquer all emails from the night before
• Feel a little bleh
• Fix a hot cup of coffee, and sit back at my desk and smile
• Stay up that night about an hour past when I wanted to go to sleep because I want to resist the temptation to act like a tried and true, responsible adult.
• Rinse, wash, repeat.

 Today, I give a shout-out to coffee.  When you're around, all I can seem to do is smile.

The Vote

I, unlike some people, grew up in an environment where politics wasn't spoken about.  Period.  The end.  Even to this day, I'll try to strike up a political conversation with either of my parents, and it's stopped almost dead in it's tracks because that's how they roll.  To their defense (read: to my mom's defense) she was raised in an environment where political discussions because so ugly that fists were literally throw; hence, she decided to never. ever. speak. politics.
I love and respect my mom, although I'll be the first to tell you (and her) that her no talk-stance irritates me because what better person/people to gain insight into the crazy wild world of politics than your parents, I digress.
Today is a huge day for me, as an American and as a Minnesotan.  Today, in Minnesota, not only are we afforded the opportunity to cast our ballots for the next president of the US, but we're also allowed to vote on two hot topics: The Marriage Amendment, and the Voter-ID Amendment.
I have extremely strong beliefs on rejecting the proposed Marriage Amendment (mostly because people I love will and should eventually be able to have same-sex unions recognized by our state, and also because I have yet to find an individual present me with a VALID, SOUND reason for voting yes, I digress).
Honestly, I'm not here to harp about political this that or the other.  What I'm here to say is THANK GOD we have the right to speak our opinions without limitation (arguably to a certain extent).  The freedom of speech rocks, and so does our democratic society which gives us the power to choose (again, to a certain extent).  Shout-out to you, the voters who make an effort to have their voices heard through each and every ballot cast! 

The Focus

I have driven a ford focus for the last eight years.  From 2004 - 2011, and from 2011 - the present.  So here's a little shout-out to you, ford focus.  For getting me where I need to go.  For having heated seats on those cold Minnesota mornings.

You rock.  I'm glad to have you in my life.

My Money Maker

I recently switched jobs.  After spending close to five years in commercial real estate, I saw my future career looking uneventful had I stayed, so I chose to start looking around for other opportunities and see what was out there.

I had always wanted to work for the U of M...I wish I could tell you why.  Perhaps it was because college atmosphere's are absolutely electric.  Maybe it was because the environment of the U was so diverse.  I'd even go out on a limb and say the campus had a way of making me feel as if I were in a different world, even though it's boundaries fall within the Twin Cities.

After countless applications, one was finally passed forward to a department hiring manager.  After an interview, I was offered the position.  Many tears were shed at my new opportunity.  Tears of excitement for what was to come.  Tears of sadness for leaving my former office-mates.  Tears of sheer joy that I was actually going to be a U of M employee.

It has been four months since beginning my tenure with the U of M...four months I will never forget.  Four months of sheer continuous excitement.  I'm so lucky my money maker is a job that makes me smile...not many people can say that.

A shout out to the U for being U. 

To the Katies

Growing up, my parents nailed the thought expectation into my small brain that I would Graduate. From. College.

Must to my surprise, when it came time for me to select my post secondary institution I was faced with a tumultuous family situation (spell: divorce), and really really REALLY wanted to take some time to not go to school and figure my life out.  My mom saw things differently, and through many screaming matches I heard her words and enrolled in a school far enough away, but still within the border of Minnesota (read: UMD, the school the majority of city kids attend, if only for one year).

Since that path led me down some moments of failure, I took some time to reevaluate where I was heading.  My reevaluation wasn't the most scholarly at times, and I would often wind up bellied up to a watering hole drinking my weight in a local brew, then making a fool of myself before the night was over, I digress. 

One thing led to another, and I soon found myself a single mother, without a college education. 

I knew I needed to give my life reevaluation a second shot.  I churned my neurons to figure out a way for me to successfully raise baby boy, and afford him the many luxuries I was afforded growing up.  Since providing a father for him didn't pan out, I needed to get my education back on track. 

St. Kate's was and always will be a place of sanctity, peace, serenity (the list goes on...really).  It's an environment founded on an awesome liberal foundation.  It welcomed my single motherhood with judgement free arms, provided me with an awesome mentor who has been nothing but my own personal and professional cheerleader. 

The professors are passionate about their teachings.  The classmates are wonderful, respectful women who promote a safe, academic, challenging, and fulfilling learning environment. 

I know I'm still a good two years away from earning enough credits to have my bachelor's degree, but I've already decided I'll be a "Katie" for life. 

So today, a shout-out to all of the Katies out there!  Keep on rockin in the free world!!

2nd Time is a Charm

Two days in a row...see?  I've got this thing NAILED DOWN YO.

To expand on my first NaBloPoMo post, I want to send a special shout out to the person who persevered to make my home owning a reality. 

I've been working towards achieving home ownership since the day I found out I was pregnant.  I didn't necessarily go about the fastest way possible, especially considering the years I spent avoiding my HORRIBLE credit history prior to becoming pregnant...but I always had the goal of home ownership floating around in my head. 

My parents raised me in a single family home.  I can count on less than five fingers the number of friends growing up who lived in an apartment (pre-college, of course).  My first experience living in an apartment came when I was in college (with AND without roommates).  It's not that I had ill feelings towards raising my son in an apartment setting, but I knew the luxuries I was afforded as a kid wouldn't be available to him (read: immediate outdoor access, consistent outdoor toys that were his, a washer and dryer my parents could use without having to scrounge around for quarters, actual peace and quiet at all times (specifically at night when I was in bed)...you know, the "good stuff").

I'd begun looking with a realtor, but never officially signed an agreement.  Then came Shannon.  She was a former classmate of mine, and a very driven and dedicated Real Estate agent.  She was EXACTLY what I needed.  She took me on over a dozen different showings, set me up with a personalized online notification site, and was always on the lookout for the property that would fit me and my little man. 

In a way, she had no way of knowing how perfect the house we were finally able to close on really was for myself and my son....but I'll be dammed if I don't owe her an immense amount of gratitude for the way goal was finally accomplished.  I still find myself sporadically feeling overcome with excitement that my son is afforded the luxuries of growing up in a single family house (as funny as that may sound).

So a SHOUT OUT to you, Shannon.  You rock harder than granite.

NaBloWHAT?!

Why not reinvigorate this small corner of the internet?  I've always wanted to participate in NaBloPoMo, but never had the wherewithal to REMEMBER that I wanted to participate until November was half over.  Perhaps I tried a couple of years ago, but I'll tell you with great certainty that I failed with flying colors, I digress.

I suppose the trick for keeping this task interesting for the both of us is to come up with some wildly interesting topic and expand it over the next four weeks.  Eff.  Sure, it sounds easy, but my never-lies-to-me-mom-gut is telling me otherwise. 

To start off the month, I think I'll try to dedicate the post to a person I want to send a shout out to.  Today, that person is me (narcissistic much?).  Ok, ok, ok...I won't send a shout out to me, but instead to my wicked awesome neighborhood. 

I moved into my house in February of this year, and almost immediately it was as if I had moved into my niche.  My neighbors had children of a similar age to baby boy, and we lived on the same side of our street within four houses of each other.  There I sit amongst two awesome married couples, and me (the single-mom spinster). 

They're honestly some of the nicest people I've met.  They love to sit around bonfires drinking beer (which is exactly what we did last night, although it consisted of me downing a bottle of Hallowine, a neighbor drinking beer, and the other two neighbors sipping on soda). 

The kids went out trick-or-treating, chaperoned by the 17-year old neighbor, and life was good.  We even spotted a large buck (twice) two doors down.  (In case you're curious, when one of the neighbors shouted "look at the rack on that thing," I immediately responded with "stop talking about me, I'm right here!"...thank god my neighbors share in my same humor!!).

So, a huge SHOUT OUT to the Lois Drive Crew (LDC, as this post has now inspired me to form Shoreview's first neighborhood posse).

I'm Voting No

I was looking for a safe way for me to express my views regarding the upcoming "marriage amendment" vote in Minnesota (and let's be honest, I have far too many words to share my thoughts in a Facebook status message), so this was the first platform that came to mind.  I'll be the first to admit those who aspire against my beliefs and opinions will be able to dissect my words, however, they are my opinions and I will not feel bad for feeling the way I feel.

How I will vote in November, and why:

I will stand proud, and vote against the marriage amendment by checking the "no" box.

Raised in the catholic church, being taught to feel guilty for EVERYTHING, I currently label myself as a "recovering catholic."  Religious/spiritual views aside, how is this proposed amendment any different from the Civil Rights movement?  To those of you voting yes, why are you repeating the same mistakes made fifty years ago?  I just don't get it.

Sure, you could argue it violates your beliefs; but only because you feel the word "marriage" is religiously tied to your beliefs....

so let's take a look at the webster's definition of marriage:

1a (1) : the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband or wife in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law (2) : the state of being united to a person of the same sex in a relationship like that of a traditional marriage marriage

>

b : the mutual relation of married persons : wedlock

c : the institution whereby individuals are joined in a marriage

2: an act of marrying or the rite by which the married status is effected; especially : the wedding ceremony and attendant festivities or formalities

3: an intimate or close union marriage

of painting and poetry — J. T. Shawcross>

Nowhere in that definition do I see the word "religion".  I see the word ceremony, sure, so let's take a look at the word "ceremony":

1: a formal act or series of acts prescribed by ritual, protocol, or convention ceremony

>

2a : a conventional act of politeness or etiquette ceremony

of introduction>

b : an action performed only formally with no deep significance  

Voting "yes" on the basis of religion is invalid.  I don't care if your church or religious organization uses the word to define your religion's ceremony...the fact of life remains, a ceremony is something (anything, really) that YOU want it to be....NOT something that is ONLY DEFINED BY A CHURCH. 

Try to tell me you want to vote Yes because you think homosexuals abuse children (blah blah blah), and I'll find empirical studies that PROVE YOU WRONG. 

To be gay is not something you can "diagnose" or "treat with therapy."  To be gay is to be gay.  Period, the end.  Stopping this ridiculous amendment would allow homosexual relationships to be legally recognized, and rightfully so.

How would you feel if you were denied the opportunity to be legally recognized in a relationship, and your other half fell ill, or was tragically injured in a car accident?  Do you realize if you did not have legal recognition as being this person's partner, you would not be privy to medical information?  Do you realize you would not have the authority to keep your spouse on life support, or taken them off life support if that was the wish of your spouse?  The doctors wouldn't be able to speak with you.  You would have zero rights, and if you've ever been unfortunate enough to be in that position, having zero rights is a terrifying situation to find yourself in. 

Seriously, if someone, ANYONE could produce a valid, sound reason to vote yes, I dare you to try because I firmly believe a valid, sound reason to vote yes does not exist.  Why be discriminatory?  Why oppress the rights of humans?  Are you God?  And if you refuse to abandon your cowardly "religious beliefs", whatever happened to treating your neighbor as you would want to be treated? Do you honestly think it would be fair if a homosexually ruled government refused to pass a law recognizing a heterosexual relationship as legal?

To the people out there who want to pass the marriage amendment, I challenge you to open your hearts, and your minds.  Stop trying to act like god.  Stop trying to oppress a population of amazing people that completely deserve the right to have their relationships legally recognized.

Regardless of the outcome of the election in November, I know for certain I will shed tears.  Tears of joy that many people whom I love with all of my heart will have the legal recognition they deserve if the amendment is knocked down.  Tears of disgust if this ridiculous amendment passes.

I do exist!

Yes people...I do exist....

Honestly, just haven't felt compelled to write much about anything on here. There's no specific reason, really...I've had MANY things happen in my life recently. Perhaps it's a bit of a coming of age for me...I haven't relied on this corner of the net to vent my feelings, or to gain perspective on my life; instead, internalizing, reaching out to a select few whom are close to me, and gaining perspective through that route....a more personable, less public route.

Leh sigh.

I'm still a single, fully time working, single mother in her late twenties who struggles to find the right balance of friends, family, work, school and love (although, the love thing has been non existent for a loooooooooooooong time, I digress).

On the topic of love: How does a late 20-something get across her message that she's ready to have fun?? This so-called late 20-something is stuck at home, doesn't have the opportunity to go out and network in public, (nor does she really have time with her nutty work/family/school life to spend nights out), but in the same breath, this late 20-something has a void she's looking to fill. The void yearns for fun, laughing, and a splash of romance from time to time.

A little help please....?

Life is Good.

I received the nicest compliment today. A coworker of mine stopped at my desk this morning, and said:

“Ya know, I am so impressed with how much energy and enthusiasm you have with everything you are doing. You are a single mom, you work full time, you are in college, AND you’re coaching your son’s t-ball team…and you always seem to have a smile on your face.”

I was (and am) extremely flattered. My only response to him (besides saying Thank You) was “Well, I guess I’m extremely lucky that I’m doing things with my life that I love.”

And that’s the honest to god truth.

· I am fortunate to go to a job that I love…while I might not always like my assigned tasks, I absolutely love the company I work for, and the people I work with. Almost every day the stress of the traffic on Highway 100 fizzles knowing that I get to spend my day with people who are kind, and whom I have a LOT of respect for.

· I am lucky to be able to keep working towards my life goal of earning my bachelors degree. I have support from both of my parents (in that they are helping me with little man while I have classes), and it’s absolutely priceless.

· I have been blessed with a little boy who has changed my life in so many wonderful ways. He has kept me grounded, and reminded me that jumping in puddles and getting a little dirty. I’ve been graced with generous support from my friends and family, who have embraced my son with open arms, and are just as fond of him as he is of them…another gift that is truly priceless.

Sure, there are things in my life that would make it even sweeter, but I don’t have the time to focus on that. Heck, if anything, I need to reevaluate the lack of communication I’ve had with my friends from being all too consumed with school, work and being a single parent, I digress. All of my energy is being spent cherishing the things in my life that are current and tangible; friends, family, and work. I’m far from perfect, but I’m happy with me…and it feels good.

Needed Change

Want to hear an interestingly sad statistic? The ratio of the American dollar to the Euro is the same ratio of Men’s vs Women’s pay scales, where for every dollar a man makes, a woman makes roughly $0.75.

Sure, men can work longer hours because most men who choose to have families are allowed to do so.

Sure, women who choose to have families tend to sacrifice time at the office because most women are expected to do so.

Is the professional input of a man's brainpower vs. a women's brainpower really different? I think all people have valuable input in business and in life, and I think it's bogus that corporate America boasts equal opportunity, but is a .25/dollar pay scale difference based upon a sexual organ REALLY equal?

I call BS.

For people out there who don't think the difference is a big deal, go to Europe and tell me you don't feel like it's expensive....after all, 25 cents per dollar spent really adds up.

Just sayin'.
Just

A bit in shock

Less than a month was all it took to defeat him.

Boom.

The big C struck.

Boom.

Doing my best to emotionally get through today. The next week will be one of the biggest challenges I've faced in 2010...watching people I love deal with heavy hearts, and doing my best to be a shoulder for them to lean on, all the while dealing with my own internal dialogue.

Send me some good vibes if you have any extra to spare.

Jumping in Head First

I did it. I am one paper away from being 100% enrolled in college, with classes beginning September 7th. Damn, that feels great to write down!!!

How do I currently feel?

Well, a bit appalled at how long it has taken to wrap up my debunked financial past to become eligible for financial aid again (and to have my old transcripts released). Sure, in the grand scheme of life, six months isn't a long time...but SIX MONTHS of constant phone calls, letters, meetings, emails...it takes a toll on a person's psyche. At one point, I had almost thrown in the towel and given up, but I didn't. I stuck with it, forged ahead, and here I sit, my first semester's classes nailed down...waiting on one final letter to submit to my new college.

As much as a whine that I live a solo life, I had a lot of support throughout this process, specifically from my dad (which surprised me more than you could ever possibly imagine). Other friends family members have been encouraging as well, and I wanted to throw them an Internet shout-out to say how much it means to me, and how truly grateful I am for all of their kind words of encouragement and support.

I will also apologize in advance for any school related rants that I am OH SO STRESSED OUT that are sure to come in the near future.

kthanksbye.

Hair Raising Question...

I need a little help from my friends.

On Mother's Day, I decided to treat myself to a day at the salon, sans little man. I went for a funky hair cut and added color for the first time in over five years. I wanted something dramatic, different, fresh and single...I left looking almost exactly the same...nothing dramatic ensued, and frankly I was a little bummed.

Maybe I wasn't clear when I was there?
Maybe I wasn't meant to have dramatic color that day?
One can't be too certain.

Feeling a little daring (what, with my cutting sugary drinks sent from heaven out of my diet), I'm going to go back and REALLY shake up my look.

I want your thoughts and suggestions!!

Currently I have brown hair that has natural reddish highlights with very subtle blonde streaks left from my last trip to the salon.

Go. Comment away! I'm open for any and all suggestions!

Hello Mr. Coffee.

In an effort to shake things up a little in my life…I’m boldly going where I’ve sworn I’ll never go. People, I’m drinking coffee without sugar or cream.

(Insert gasps, screams and jaw dropping expressions here)

The first sip shocked my bitter taste buds. I almost threw up my hands in defeat and killed my coffee with the forbidden sweeteners….key word: almost.

After the third sip, it really wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be. During my food revolution the past few months, I’ve been trying to be as conscious as possible about what I’m actually fueling my body with. Throughout my process, I neglected to pay an ounce of attention (haha, no pun intended) to the sweetened beverages that I pour down my throat almost daily.

Regular soda, vanilla latte’s, white chocolate mocha’s (be still my heart!). You get the picture.

I’m not saying I won’t indulge on said sweet treats…what I’m saying is I’ll only indulge on them once or twice a month instead of daily (and at the very least give it my best attempt to cut back). I love my body too much to keep polluting it with unnecessary processed crap.

The Big C

Cancer. The big C. I hate it. Hate, hate, hate, hate, hate it.

While I was vacationing in the great outdoors last week, I learned a family member was diagnosed with Stage 4 Cancer. As I sit here, typing out my thoughts, tears are welling up in my eyes. Honestly, I hadn't cried once until this moment. It's all too surreal, death and mortality.

I think that I'd been denying my grieving process, instead revelling in shock and denial the past week.

In the face of the big C, my uncle has been amazing...although I haven't had the opportunity to speak directly with him, I've kept up on his status via a caring bridge website. He (and this is a direct quote) "doesn't want sympathy because it is between shit and syphilis in the dictionary." What a great way to look at life, especially considering.

All I want to do is hug little man, and curl up under my covers. I wish I could find a lighter side in this ugliness...I'm sure I will eventually, it's just right now I'm clouded by my own emotions. I've lost too many loved ones in my life. I try to live each day as if it were my last, but that's damn near impossible some (most) days, because as much as y'all think I'm perfect, I'm far from it.

I know, in my heart of hearts, I'll eventually find solace in this situation....It will take time, and patience (which, newsflash, I have very little of)...but I will survive. My family will survive. Life will go on.

Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery and today is a gift...that is
why it is called the present.

The Great Outdoors

2010 has been a treat thus far.

Last week, I was fortunate enough to spend time up north, at my Uncle's cabin. It's located 3.5 hours northwest of the cities...nestled on a small/medium lake.

As a child, I spent a lot of time at this cabin. Exploring the woods, fishing off of the dock, taking the row boat out to the island and pretending it was my own little oasis. They were great times, and I was extremely ecstatic to grant little man some of the same memories.

The week started out with a bang. We rented a pontoon for a few days, and anchored on the sandbar. The sun was out, the eagles and loons were letting their presence be known. Could you ask for anything more peaceful?

The only day it rained was a day I had planned on running errands, since I had only intended on staying up north for a few days instead of an entire week.

Oh, and let it be known, we also went to the local turtle races (don't be jealous).

It was a nostalgic week for me. Relaxing and just what the doctor ordered.

++++++++++++++++++++++

After spending some time up north, I've brainstormed a little bucket list for the remainder of 2010:

• Go canoeing on the St. Croix - it's something I've always wanted to do...any takers?
• Take a day trip to Duluth and go down the Timber Twister - I saw a news story about it, and it looks like an absolute blast...again, any takers?
• Explore one more state park before the winter frost sets in
• Schedule a couple of hours at the spa - because I'm worth it.

Do you have a bucket list going for yourself? Do you have any suggestions for mine?

The Simple Things in Life

Weekends spent with myself (and myself only) are as rare as a 90 degree day in January…in Minnesota.

This weekend spontaneously turned into one of those rare treats. It was a bit ironic that the week that both little man and I were sick was concluded by a weekend spent healthy and solo. Time spent away from each other is chicken soup for both of our souls.

What does a single late-twenty-something do with “free time”?

Hell if I know!

I started by meeting some friends for a pontoon ride on a local lake. Pure bliss. The sun beating down on the water, good company, and cold beverages were medicine for my soul. Sure, I had EVERY INTENTION of being productive at home….but to be able to get up and go, without making sure others have used the bathroom, have Blanket, or are in need of a nap, I digress.

I couldn’t resist traipsing around town, checking out a clothing store that is hell to bring a toddler to. Finding some AMAZING deals. Spontaneously spending my free Saturday night with a great friend from High School whom I don’t get to see often enough. Laughing. Having a few (more) adult beverages. Dancing to live music. Sleeping, uninterrupted.

My weekend was filled with a million simple things most single child-free people take for granted. It was blissful. It was calm. It was perfect….However, my heart prevailed and I was damn happy when life returned to me and little man. We might not live life to the beat of a single person’s drum, but I honestly do love the beat we live by.

It's been a while.

I have been extremely out of touch with this little corner of the internet...and I have zero excuses...well...except for the fact that life has been getting in my way.

Work life.
Family.
Friends.
Traveling (nothing huge, just a camping trip here and a trip to the cabin there....OH! I can tell you about CAMPING...exciting, right? Yeah yeah yeah...just bare with me!)

So...I got a little bug up my rear and decided I was going to take little man camping. Sure, I'm a girl who loves to wear a dress, but I am never afraid to get dirty. I had all of the supplies I'd ever need:

Tent
Air Mattresses
Car adapted pump for said air mattresses
flash light
swiss army knife
cooler
wicked awesome campfire starting skills
sleeping bags
bug spray
sunscreen

You get the point.

Because this was such a spontaneous idea, I planned on going to a State Park, but wasn't able to make a reservation...I was winging it.

OF COURSE that weekend, well, the particular friday we were set to leave, HUGE tornado producing storms were destined for my state park of choice. I was pretty bummed out until a little light bulb went off in my head that, duh, there are over 100 state parks...I could just head the opposite direction of huge said storm. Go me.

So, instead of heading north, I headed south. A very small voice inside of me shouted "southern MN has been TORNADO ALLEY THIS YEAR...SERIOUSLY" but doggone it, I was taking my little man camping if it was the last thing I did.

As we headed out of town, it was raining so hard you could barely see 10 feet in front of your vehicle. Little man thought it was awesome....all I could think was that I hoped it would stop raining by the time we got to the park (unbeknown to me, the highway we had been driving on flooded a mere 15 minutes after we had left town, I digress).

Friday night we really lucked out (weather wise). As it turned out, two huge cells were north and south of us...but we managed to set up shop in an area that avoided the danger.

Saturday morning came. Breakfast was had. We hiked to a small waterfall. Little man played on their small playground for a bit. We settled down for an early afternoon nap....and was woken up by the park ranger telling us we were under a tornado watch until 10pm that night.

Awesome.

In a nutshell, a call from my father at 7pm to warn me of a nasty storm headed in my direction was enough for me to pack up the site within 40 minutes and head home. We were only an hour out of the cities...I didn't want to press my luck two nights in a row. Life is too short to be taken out by a giant oak tree because I HAD TO GO CAMPING.

All in all, camping was a success. There are things I would do the same the next go-around...and things I would improve on. With the state parks sticker on my front window, I'm confident there will be at least one more trip in our near future.