Amana

My mom and I took a mini-vacation this week. She came down on Saturday afternoon and on Sunday we headed down to Amana, Iowa. I was in Amana for an art class with Gail in April and I knew it was a place my mom would like.

It was settled in the 1850s by a group of people who lived communally -- no one owned houses, they had communal kitchens, everyone worked for the good of all, and they had church 11 times a week! The communal living ended in 1932 but they still have a corporation that the church members run and people own stock in it. There are seven little towns that make a little circuit (Amana, Middle Amana, High Amana, West Amana, South Amana, East Amana, and Homestead). We hit a couple of towns on Sunday, but not many because most business aren't open that day, and if they are, are only open til 5.

Monday we spent the whole day in Amana. It got to be almost overwhelming. We hit the main museum first, then walked the town and hit some shops. This is where the Amana woolen mills are -- I got a blanket and a sweater! Nice quality stuff. They also have a brewery -- good beer. I brought home a couple 6-paks. Of course. :)

Tuesday we hit the other museums we hadn't seen, and the towns that weren't open on Sunday. It was a lot to see, but we had a great time. We also ate like we'd never seen food. The towns were settled by German immigrants, so most restaurants served EXCELLENT German fare. I had weinershnitzel, potato dumplings, German potato salad, just to name a few. We also got some terrific homemade breads and fudge. I don't need to eat for a week!

Anyway, it was a great trip. But Amana is definitely one of those places that you really only need to visit once. It's not exactly the place you'd go all the time, but I'm glad we had a chance this summer. Now, I'm back home for a few days.

The Joys of Renting

So, I called my landlord yesterday because my shower was leaking. Not in the shower, but in the pipes. It didn't sound too bad yesterday, but then I went into the basement to do some laundry, and it was like being in a rain forest. So I called him again today to let him know. He got here about 8 tonight -- but I could hear him go upstairs, first. I thought maybe he'd been confused by my message and thought there was a leak in the upstairs pipes. But he came back down and got the board off from in front of the pipes. He'd been unsuccessful in getting the upstairs renters to come to the door. I told him I knew they were home, because both cars were parked out front and no one had left since the girl got home about 6. He told me he was planning on evicting them since they hadn't paid rent yet this month. Goody!

He had to leave to get a part, and when he got back, told me that he'd called the police to "check out" the upstairs. Since the main door was wide open, but no one answered the door to the apartment, he was "concerned." :) He put a patch on the pipe while we waited for the cops (he will be back tomorrow to replace them). When the cops showed up, they also went upstairs and knocked and knocked. Then they came to talk to me. I shared what I knew (they were home, that was the only exit, etc.). Mike (the landlord) came back with the key, but the cops said they couldn't go in unless it was an emergency.

I went back inside, and the light in the stairway came on. Girl neighbor finally came downstairs. Apparently, she and her boyfriend are sick, and had been sleeping. Uh huh. They were just fine yesterday, and I heard them walking around while Mike ran to get the part. Arrgh!

So, Mike's going to evict them tomorrow when he comes to replace the pipe. Good times! I wish I owned my own home. But then, I guess I'd have to do yardwork. Toss up!

Free Association

What happened to summer? It was going along, warm as could be, I had a tan, wanted to spend time outside, and then POOF! Gone. It has been so cold (relatively speaking -- 64 in April seems a whole lot nicer than 64 in July!) and blecky lately. I went up to St. Cloud last week to see Chris and the weather just did not cooperate. However, it was icky enough to not feel guilty about sitting on the couch most of the day doing absolutely nothing!

I had a great couple days there, then we had "Dinner with the Amys." That's what Chris calls it, and since Amy and I don't have a better name for it, that's what it shall be called henceforth! This time, we thought we'd only do appetizers, since we usually have a ton of apps and then are too full to really eat. Seems like a good idea, until we had 400 appetizers! Oh my lord it was a lot of food, and we put a pretty good dent in it. Then we played 2 games of Trivial Pursuit. I won both times (or at least, I was on the winning team). Love it!

Now I'm back home for a few days. I will be in EC on Thursday -- going to Grease with Ang and the fam. Lunch (?) with Lisa, and then hopefully something with Jen & Mikki on Friday. Then back home because Jan is headed this way. We are going to Amana, IA, on Sunday to check it out. I was there this spring for a class with Gail, and knew my mom would love it.

It's hard to believe that it's nearly the end of July. I am so busy on weekends coming up and it seems like school is right around the corner!!!!! Oh NO!!!

A new Wii addiction?

Yesterday, I finally got Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 for my Wii. I played this for the first time about a week and a half ago with Kala at Gail's. I loved it! I went to wallyworld that night (I had to buy cat food) but their price was $49.99. Kala got her copy at Best Buy for $39.99. I was all about saving $10. And, I looked online, and it was the same price, with free shipping! Plus I still had an old gift card worth about $5, so I got it even cheaper! But, I had to wait for it to come by mail.

I didn't play yesterday, since I actually went golfing, and played 18. Today, though, was a different story. After I watched the Tour de France, I put in the new game. I set up my golfer (she's got HUGE jugs and a skinny waist, just like me! ha ha ha) and started to play. Of course, I have it set on the easiest settings, so I ROCK! :) I played a few courses and won two tournaments before I decided to try playing with the regular settings. I am not nearly as dominant without the nice cheats. I haven't decided if I will try and play real, or if I will still play with the help. I do like to win....

A little of this, a little of that

I was up in EC over the 4th. My mom and I went to Rock Falls for a parade -- a pretty nice one, too, considering RF is unincorporated and about 3 blocks long! Then we hung out in the beer tent for a bit and watched the kickball tournament. For grownups! It was funny. We watched fireworks from the deck with Lois. I think we can see 3 towns' shows from there, plus lots of other random people shooting off much bigger fireworks than my mom ever let me have. I usually got sparklers, smoke bombs, and snakes (you know, they looked like black pellets and when you lit them, they grew a long ash that curled around). Nothing that really made noise or was too flashy. :)

Today, I have lots on my agenda. Ha! Just kidding. I do need to go to the library and get more books, and then I'm going to paint some sample paints in my bedroom and the little room. I know in my head the colors I want; now it's a matter of finding them in paint! So, that's my agenda. I'm pretty sure I might sneak in a nap...