New Bike Shoes!!

I finally broke down and bought these shoes:

I have wanted them for an entire year and kept thinking they were too expensive for bike shoes. But then realized I spend almost this much on running shoes that only last 6 months. Plus even though I may not be the most talented rider, I have to at least be the most stylish rider! Can’t wait their arrival in the mail so I can go for a ride. The spring weather and promise of outdoor activities is putting me in a great mood.

Too funny not to share

I have been driving my brother’s truck (Ol Red) the past few days. Anyway it’s old school – as in no remote lock. You actually have to use a key! Shocking I know. Last night I had City Council where I hit the gym between study session and meeting. Drop my gym bag back off at ol Red and was distracted by a possible brawl between some of Council Bluff’s finest youth. I watch and contemplate my next course of action, luckily one party takes the high road and walks away. So I proceed into the meeting. Spend next hour and half or so at meeting (it’s now evening), on the way out realize I don’t have my keys. Perfect. Am assuming I locked them in ol red. I am not even sure if there is a spare – the Mayor gives me a hard time about this situation. Makes me feel even better. I walk out with my grandpa who had come to watch the meeting and lo and behold spot the keys. Turns out I left the keys… in the door. Ooops! Wow, for the entire meeting keys are in the door just screaming please steal me. Either no one was interested in the truck or its contents (should I be offended?) or the proximately (across the street) to the police station kept ol Red safe. Classic moment indeed!

California Dreaming

Today is going to be a long day as I have California on my mind….Sorry I have been an absent blogger. Don’t know what my problem is as of late. I promise to return next week with fun photos (Colorado, California, and more) and new blog posts. But first I am heading to sunny Huntington Beach, CA!! We are staying at the Hyatt:



It looks gorgeous. Just what I need to beat the winter blahs – sunshine, the beach, friends, family, and cocktails. Can’t wait to enjoy the California sun. It has been a very rough winter for this desert loving girl.

No wonder my trees are dying….

I spied not one, not two, but SEVEN deer munching away in my backyard. Lovely.(If you enlarge the photo you can see all seven - sorta like Where's Waldo for deer, oh wait is that Deer Hunter?)

Dear Bambi,
Feel free to munch away on the leaves that have fallen to the ground. You may also consume all the weeds your heart desires. However, please quit devouring my newly planted trees – you even ate the evergreens for goodness sakes! It would also be much appreciated if you would not eat my garden this year like you did last year. I will gladly provide you with corn and other goodies to fulfill your dietary needs, but based on your reputation that would only make the problem worse. There is a lovely park up the street - maybe you would have more fun there….

Any ideas on keeping deer out of your yard/plants/trees/garden? I know all about the soap trick and plan to implement it now that I can finally see the ground underneath the snow. But any thoughts on how I can successfully grow a garden with all these deer?

*On a side note I took the photos from my sunroom – looks like I need to clean the windows. Ooops.

I miss this!!!

I just received this email from Jazeera Airlines:

I miss being only a few hours away from multiple exotic locales. I miss warm weather. I miss weekend getaways in foreign countries…I need an adventure that involves a passport immediately.

Pothole Gardens

How about this ingenious idea for potholes? Springtime would be filled with an array of colors and flowers to brighten your day until all potholes are fixed?

Artist Pete Dungey is saving British roads one pothole at a time by planting a little garden. Yet another reason to love the UK.
Images via A Cup of Jo

My Dream Job is Opening

Image by Jonathan Ernst / Reuters
It has been reported in the Chicago Sun Times that White House Social Secretary Desiree Rogers will step down next month. Ms. Rogers is departing after achieving a major goal of President Obama and First Lady Michelle -- opening up the White House to make it the "peoples house." Lynn Sweet reports that Rogers is rumored to be replaced by Julianna Smoot, the chief of staff to the U.S. Trade Representative who was the Obama presidential campaign chief fund-raiser.

This is truly my dream job. Maybe they should consider replacing Ms Rogers with a Council Bluffs City Councilwomen. I am sure I am just as qualified if not more so than Ms Smoot. Joking of course! But I really would love this position. Looks like I need to hop on the fundraising campaign of a Presidential hopeful in the future.