It was nice to come home today and be able to jump in a pool to cool off.  Splash around and have some fun.  I really enjoyed that.

And tonight we had a small campfire, with smores and everything.  It’s like a nice getaway that’s fun and relaxing.  And we can sleep in a comfy bed at the end of it all!

So, I like our house.

Do to popular demand (or Anders) I’ve been requested to talk about Jason Kubel.  Besides the fact that he’s from SD, he seems to be doing alrigh in the Big Leauges.  Batting .378 the last 10 games he’s doing pretty good.  With that I’ll say, if you want to see more about him you can here.

In other, better, news we went swimming today!  The pool is up and running, half way?  There is one drain that isn’t working so well so they’ll be out tomorrow to fix that.  But we were able to jump in today and enjoy some cool water.  It was great!  We’re going to enjoy the pool.

Saturday I spent the majoirty of the day with my dad at Back to the 50’s.  It was a good time.  A lot of old cars, nice weather, and a chance to hang out with the old man!  It was great.

But between it all it made the weekend go really quickly.  And tomorrow is Monday.  So it’s back to the daily grind.

Hey ya’ll,

A friend gave us a 1 month free trial for Netflix.  So we’re looking for good movie recommendations.  If you have seen a good flick lately let us know!  Either leave a comment or send me an email.

Yesterday the pool guys came to fix the bottom of the pool.  They had to put some new concrete stuff down.  The reason they hadn’t done it yet is because of the weather.  You see, it’s not supposed to get wet.

Today started out alright.  I slept in and then had some coffee on the porch.  It was a nice morning for that.  I even got some reading done for class.

Then around 12:15 I headed out.   You see, we were looking online at buying a pool cover (and reel) and a winter cover.  All stuff that we would need for our pool.  Online, brand new, it would cost us about $700-$800.  The other day I decided to check Craigs List.  I found the exact covers we were going to buy brand new, for half the cost!  So I went to Cottage Grove to pick it up.  I couldn’t find a truck to borrow so I took my car.  Luckly the reel came apart fairly easily and it all fit in my car.  It was packed though!

Got it all home, and out of the car.  Put the reel back together, whcih was an interesting task.  Then we decided to go to Lowes for a “quick trip”.  Okay, there is no “quick trip” to Lowes.  Or a cheap trip for that matter.  What I was hoping would have been about $50 turned into about 4 times that amount!  In the check out line, the lady was really nice, but a tad slow.  The guy behind us was a crowder, and didn’t know what personal space was.  I had to buy some nuts and bolts while I was there.  Those got spilled on the floor.  That was fun. Then the screen door we bought was more than I thought.

So Beth took the stuff to the car, I went back to the screen door area.  I realized that the one I had grabbed was in the wrong bay.  So we brought the one we had just purchased back in to return and we bought the cheaper one.

We take it out to the car.  It doesn’t fit.  We had laid the seats down, but the opening is rounded, and the door was 26 inches wide.  The opening was not that wide.  We couldn’t squeeze it in.  After trying a few other things, that didn’t work, I was very frustrated.  That’s when Beth pointed out our next vehicle should be a bit larger.

After it not fitting in the car I decided I’d just walk home with it.  (It’s only about 2 miles from our house).  I told Beth to see if it would fit in her car and then meet me.  So I started walking.  I had made it probably about 1.5 miles home carrying a screen door before Beth found me.  Apparently she made a guess as to how far I would have walked.  She guessed wrong.  Have you ever carried a screen door home?  I didn’t think so.  It was an interesting endeavor, especially when the wind picked up.

Then tonight, just 30 minutes ago, I was sitting on the porch reading the newspaper.  I thought I saw lightening.  (Remember the pool story from above).  So we try to see if the winter cover would work to keep the rain out.  But because we don’t have any anchors tied into the cemet we’d have to use bricks to cover it.  There wasn’t really enough leeway for the bricks to sit on.  So I’m really hoping that the cement stuff is dry enough and that this rain won’t ruin it.  We’ve waited for about a month since we ordered the stuff to get the pool fixed.  I was hoping it would have been finished today, but no.  So pool parties are on hold until July.

So between the rain, a small car, and carrying a screen door home, it’s been one of those days.

First off, we finally have pictures from 2008.  The Ahlquist Wedding (Kari Blair for most readers), and us doing some yard work around the house (it also includes some pool pictures, pre-fixing).

Secondly, WWDC was today.  For those non-techy savy, it’s where Apple announces all things new and good.  Topping the list is the iPhone 3G. It has great new features that I’m excited about.  The fact that it’s 3G which means faster.  GPS which would be useful.  AppStore sounds pretty sweet as well.  They discussed a number of good applications for it today.  I’ve been following the rumors around the new iPhone for a while.  The one rumor that didn’t come true like I had hoped it would was that you could video chat with other iPhone users via the phone.  That would have been pretty sweet.

Also at WWDC today they announced Mobile Me.  I’m not a huge fan.  First, that name sounds more like Windows than Apple.  Second, what’s the point?  You get some storage space in the clouds, but everything else you can use Google for free, instead of paying $20.  Back to my mac might be nice to have, but I don’t know how often I would actually use that. Needless to say, I won’t be purchasing.  But if anyone likes it (or has used it) sound off and let me know your thoughts.

Third topic of the day, gas prices!  Seriously they are high.  I wonder if it’s worth it to drill for oil in my back yard.  Probably not.  I’m guessing most people know about the site, but it’s worth mention again.  Twin Cities Gas Prices is a site that I’ve been using more often.  I’d encourage others to use it and participate by posting gas prices.  I’m not a fan when I see a price and get to the station and realize it’s much higher.  But I was able to buy gas for $3.98 when most other places were $4.09.  Ouch.  I didn’t pay over $3/gallon for gas until May of 2007, and almost one year later gas prices are hovering at $4.

Those are the topics on my mind today.  In other news the pool fixing was delayed again.  I’m hopeful that within a week and a half we’ll be swimming.  Cross your fingers.

I’m watching Hillary Clinton’s speeech right now, and she’s reminding me of Michelle Obama right now.  She’s talking about all the missed opportunities that we’ve had the last 7 years on the Supreme Court, environment issues, and education.  She talked about how her husband served 2 out of the 3 presidential terms that Democrats were elected to in the past 40 years.  It reminded me greatly of Michelle Obama’s comment that this is the first time in her life she is proud to be an American.

I think that type of comment is the exact opposite of what America needs.  I am always, and will always, be proud to be an American!  That is who I am.  For the people who are not proud to be an American, I ask why?  Why are you not proud to be an American?  You have freedoms and rights that many people do not enjoy.  Those rights and freedoms are enjoyed without regard to which political party occupies the Oval Office.

Don’t put partisan politics ahead of your love for your country.  We are Americans first and foremost.  Partisan political labels come second, or third, or fourth on that list.  Be proud of the country which you and I live in.  Be proud of the rights and freedoms we have.  Disagree with policies and politicians you don’t like, because that’s your right.

But love your country always.  Stand with me and be proud to be an American!