RETIREMENT!!

It is pouring rain and I'm done watching the Walking Dead and also finished packaging up 12 dehydrated cans of chicken so I thought I'd do a quick update to highlight my first week of not working.  I keep thinking I need to get my clothes washed and ready to go to work, or get some errands done or things done around the house before I have to go to bed so I can get up for work.

Then I remember....I am retired.

This will take some getting used to.

This was taken on 2/25/18. 
Alan and Mishka chilling on the back porch together. 
Enjoying the sunshine and watching the birds.  One of them wanting only to eat the birds.

On 3/2/18 I took Mishka to the dog park in Papillion.
It pretty much wore her out.
Nothing better than a tired dog.

Here she was playing with a pack of goldens.

Thank you Ginny for the retirement gift!
A cool cooking pot / kettle.
It is one of those that collapses.

Alan hanging out with the dog.
You'd think the couch would be more comfy.

Making treats for the party.
These are twix tents. 
Graham crackers slathered with melted Hershey chocolate and wrapped in caramel.

Cake pop bears.
I'd rather run into a bunch of these in the woods vs running into a bunch of real bears.
These have M&M ears.

The temps forecasted for the long weekend in AR is looking promising!

This cracked me up.
So true.
Never fails.  Drop your pants and let the parade of people begin.

All set up for the party.
Cake pop bears.  Chocolate covered strawberries.

Tiramisu cups, peanut butter ritz campfires, edible almond pinecones, twix tents.

Dark chocolate cupcakes with vanilla pudding centers and oatmeal chocolate mountains.

A better view of the campfires and pinecones.
which are very yummy.

Thank you team for this awesome t-shirt!!

My computer screens on the last day.

That weekend I started working on the 256 blocks for a quilt I am making for our bed.
2 done.  Only 254 to go.

What else could be better on your FIRST Monday off than to head off for a day hike?
We went to Indian Cave State Park.
Never did see any mountain lions.

We are pack twins.
We decided we will have to bedazzle our packs to tell them apart.
I did straighten out my strap.  After the pic was taken.  I can't help but always look dorky in photos.
Hate photos of me.

Lunch break.  I showed Lori how I use my stove to boil water and make up a freezer bag meal.
I had curried chicken with peas and cashews.  She had broccoli cheese and chicken.
She said it was the best meal ever.
She decided her chair sucked.  She is going to return it.
My chair.....I love it.  Super comfy.

Action shot.  I am amazed that I caught this in a photo!
I showed her how to hang a bear bag.

I think we met our daily goal for steps.

We ended up with more miles than I planned but we survived.
Not bad for the first trip of the season.

The next day I took the dog for a hike around Lake Wehrspann.

Note the sign.
See what it says.
Then note the extra large doberman looking at me.
Note he is not on a leash.

Tired dog after our hike.
Tired dogs are the best.

I signed up to get the free pattern for this quilt.
I really like the border.

I laid out the Raven quilt on the guest bed to measure it so I could submit it to the quilt show.
(the show is June 21,22,23 at the Embassy Suites in LaVista)
It looks pretty nice on the bed.  I think I will leave it there.

8 blocks done.
Only 246 to go!

Thank you team for the air pad!
We did finally get to go to REI.
I also scored a fantastic deal on a pair of xc ski boots.  

What a great backpacking tent!!
If only I was a little shorter.  I might just fit.

We went to Scheels in KC. 

They have not only a ferris wheel but also this awesome fish tank arch thing.

All stocked up with fuel tanks for my upcoming trips.
I also scored some shoelaces on clearance.  They are my favorite laces.
Yay!!  (I know it's weird to be thrilled about shoelaces but hey, they were marked down to $.99)

Alan and Mishka hanging out on the dog bed.
(It used to be called a "couch" but now it is just the dog bed)

Heading out on 3/22 for AR for a 4 day trip along the Buffalo River.  Our goal is to see the waterfall at Hemmed in Hollow and as many other falls as we can squeeze in.  It will be Julie's first official backpacking trip.  I have sooooo been looking forward to this.  Then I head down to do the Eagle Rock Loop at a leisurely pace to get some more training miles in.  I will also visit friends who recently moved down to the Hot Springs area. 
I hope I don't forget to bring my National Park Stamp Book.
I am hoping to add more stamps to it.
I know, dorky.
Oh well, it's fun.
(Thx Ryan for getting me to buy one!)