Miscellaneous Thursday

I have been in a funky mood all week. It's like I woke up Monday morning and the world just sucked. Is this hormonal? I never blamed hormones for my emotions. Never had bad PMS or anything. Hate that excuse. But the new BC is messing with me. Though it cannot be all to blame.

John was in trouble the other night. Things are happy again, but man, I was really mad for 3 hours.

I had a dream on Halloween that John was attacked by 100 zombie ladies all trying to make out with him. He had a lot of fun killing them. Ladies need to stop wanting my man. Even zombie ladies who just want brains. I know they're nice brains, but back off!

And no, our fight had nothing to do with those ladies. He appropriately fends off their advances. But I think I am going to make that "Get too close and my girlfriend will kill you" t-shirt for those times when he's out with the guys (many of whom are single...why aren't the girls flirting with them?!). I just have to have a scary photo shoot to get the appropriate imagine.

Also, John's coming home with me in December!! Happy times! Well, he's coming with me, but leaving before me. I took a lot of time off and he just couldn't get away from the new job and family. I am trying to think of how best to spend our time there. He's been to the Arch, and Busch Stadium. What other STL things must one experience? Oh, and Monday's activities must involve teenage boys.

I flipped the fuck out last weekend when I realized Evan was turning 17. SEVENTEEN! When the hell did that happen? He's starting to think about COLLEGE. Since Sunday I pretended that I did not have this revelation. Until it was brought up when I was talking to Mom last night.

My step-father's dickhead nature is back in full force. Not that it went away... Anyway, he basically told his son he was too stupid to get into SLU. The kid who one day was telling me some crazy physics something that went way over my head. Which he just googled for fun. Sure, he slacked off last year and his grades slipped. But he stepped it up when he picked the school, and just got honor roll this quarter. And yet, he was called stupid. Still not in the running for father of the year.

John's going out of town this weekend. I may do nothing but bake. Oh, and plan. The following 2 weekends we'll be out of town and I need to figure a few things out. Plus the St. Louis trip. And I need to Christmas shop. With no ideas!

John's going to go to Africa and fight the diamond lords. "I can buy a diamond any time but it's just a rock like every other woman has. If I fight for a diamond it means something. Isn't it more a symbol of eternal love if I killed someone for it?" Dude, you don't have to make up elaborate excuses not to buy me a diamond. I told you I didn't need one.

We're going on a "Stashes and Lashes" brewery tour...so I'm off to get some fake lashes. What's the appropriate outfit for such an event?

My roommates need to clean he kitchen before I lose it. I did it last and I'm not giving in. Or maybe I will when I want to cook this weekend. Man.

Not only did John's family have a fire, but my coworker's family did too. It's made me a little paranoid. I didn't even light candles during my bubble bath!

Oh, you know what else happened? CARDINALS WON THE WORLD SERIES!!! Amazing happy times.

I got sappy and told John it was meant to be because we won 5 years ago when we had just started dating. And this year we're back on track. And 5 years is a big milestone. So, the Cards are going to win the WS every 5 years, just so we can prolong our anniversary happiness. It's been declared! (hoping for too much? Maybe)

This was me 5 years ago, the day after we won.

Autumn in Shenandoah

This past weekend we went on a group trip to Shenandoah with Mike and Marissa (OBX people), Dale, Mike's sister Erin, and some other people somehow associated with M&M. It was a perfect fall weekend, which means a lot of time was spent around the campfire drinking, chatting, and trying to stay warm. But that's pretty awesome in itself.

We hiked the Rose River Falls trail on Saturday. John and I started at the campground, hiked about 1.5 miles on the Appalachian trail, and then picked up the trailhead where it met the AT on Skyline Drive. Then we did the loop and hiked back the same part of the AT. So we had a total of 7 miles. Everyone else drove to the trailhead and just did the 4 mile loop.

We had some great views of the fall colors along the AT and at the overhead (before the real trail began). Although we had a small spat before starting the hike, the tension quickly died. I love that about us - we disagree and get back to happiness. Who doesn't disagree? Anyway...stupid sidenote. So, we sat on a rock not far into the hike and just looked out over the mountains. It was incredibly peaceful and the fall air was cleansing.

The falls were not the most impressive we've seen, but still a nice change of scenery from city life. I will always be happy with a waterfall, even small ones.

We met up with the crew about halfway through the real trail. Some were fighting injuries, so they were slower. John, as always, was happy to be around dogs. Dudley would later eat horse poop and rocks and end up at the emergency vet. Poor pup.

Back to the trail. We hiked with the group for awhile, but eventually got back to our real pace and passed them. Unfortunately, by the time we finished the loop, my back was sore. So the last 1.5 miles back to the campsite were not as enjoyable as the rest of the day. 7 miles shouldn't be too much for me, but I was tired. But I made it! And despite the rough end, was really glad we added the extra bit.

On our way back to the campsite, John stopped to use the facilities. I saw a chipmunk run into a kid's shoe and go flying. And I shouldn't have laughed, but I did. Especially when the kid ran to his dad, worried that he'd killed a mouse.

Back at camp, I ate way too much hummus and tostitoes (hint of lime!), and we all then proceeded to cook burgers and all kinds of other food, and ultimately smores. Dale and Erin got drunk and made out in front of everyone, even though they continue to maintain nothing is going on. Something about wanting different things. Really, as adults can't you just say "Hey, we're hanging out and making out, but it won't ever be serious because we want different things." Nothing wrong with that. Anyway, it was funny.

Also, Erin asked John and I to go hike Kilimanjaro next year. A trip she should be taking in a few months, but with her injured ankle she's thinking of postponing. Now if only I had 2 more weeks of vacation time...

John and I switched sleeping bags that night. Mine's a 20, his -20. I was cold Friday night because there's something wrong with me. He said he was chilly with my bag, but it was fine. He likes cold. In his bag I was all snug and warm and couldn't have been happier. So we'll probably switch for good. Until we go real backpacking, in which case I need something lighter.

Anyway...it was a pretty great trip. That's about all I can say. I hope we get in one more camp trip before winter, but it may be a cabin trip in November, if anything. Our weekends are filling up.