Just one quick thing to share.  When the girls (college friends) came to my house on Saturday, it was all weddings, babies and . . . well . . . nature.  These darlings are brand new to the world and living right under my deck.  Lucky mommy I am!

So last week, I had prepared (and published for just a brief time) an incredibly pouty article about how I had contacted the local paper asking for a spot as a columnist.  They had seemed interested, writing samples were submitted, one head shot taken, and when the paper came last Friday, my article wasn't there.

I can totally retract my feelings about being rejected and instead report that I have officially been published (at least on a local level).  Since I take the liberty to publish writing and anecdotes quite regularly here, I decided it was time for more and longed for my name in black and white.

Well, in my ripe old age, or perhaps a ripe young age in writing terms, I was granted my wish.

You can see my very first newspaper column here, in the Sartell Newsleader.

Hopefully this is the tip of the iceberg and there will be many columns to follow.  For right now, I'm doing a little fist pump every time I think of it, and may just have a glass of long awaited champagne with some girlfriends tomorrow.

...and then I rescued a turtle.  (Literally, I rescued a turtle from sudden death on the highway today.)

Oh man!  And I thought we'd get a solid, rainy-night sleep last night.

As Jahred was putting Axel to bed, un-witnessed by me, there must have been some fooling around.  Something about spinning, twisting and a pull?

Minutes later we were bringing our writhing in pain little man to the ER with ice, his blanket and a whole lot of thanks for having "connections" at the local hospital.

Jahred's RN status, although great on it's own, gave us a "to the top of the list" pass above a full ER waiting room.  I felt a little guilty, but hey, he puts in his hours in that building.

Seriously, a great act by Axel.  He fooled four members of the medical staff into a believing his wrist was shattered.

While putting up a HUGE fit about having an x-ray taken, it seems that the broken joint was simply out of place and he managed to fling it back in, all on his own.  The result is a perfectly beautiful little image of one ready to grow arm.

I'm completely relieved that our first run to the ER ended in nothing but an exciting adventure for Axel, a little lost sleep for us and a few souvenirs for the road.

Being a family on the lamb means just one thing...little attachment to town, community or latitudinal coordinates.  This summer, knowing our move has more permanency than a snow fence, we've decided to take it all in!

On Saturday we were pleasantly surprised that our new home is just blocks from the famous Sartell Summerfest festivities.  (Insert cheering from people who refuse to drive/park at crowded events.)  I couldn't help myself from waking up before dawn, biking to a garage sale or two, and packing the stroller with parade essentials.  Among the gear was our under-used picnic blanket, three bottles of water and a plastic bag (for the candy of course).

Off we went, a bit early I admit, but what mother doesn't wish to procure the perfect curbside location for her toddler to witness Minnesota tradition?  I like to think other places in the world experience parades, but in Minnesota they're special; limited amount of decent weather in which to spectate them, and attending a parade could give you your first sunburn of the year.  Sunburn equals a bit of a swagger for the normally ghost-like complected.

What a parade it turned out to be!  I had no idea that such a small river town could produce 77 floats and nearly two hours of candy throwing action.  Axel was digging it.  Like every parade goer, Axel had to decide for himself which floats were worthy of a wave, a clap or an ear cover.

Police and Fire = definite wave
Flags = a darling hand over heart
Go-Carts and Old Cars = tight ear cover
Anything Throwing Candy = no time for anything but running and grabbing

With a parade under our belts by noon, we headed south to the old homeland for one swimming session, one grad party and several cupcakes.  One sleepy and overstimulated kid met once again with the driveway around nine, only to stroll up to the fireworks which I think he would have slept through had it not been for the "cowboy cover band" which he found quite loud, but worth the trip to the front of the stage.  (Picture a jaw hanging open and a the only dance move he could muster, a head bob).

Whew, a day that started and ended with Sartell, with community and with becoming involved. 

I just have to share our experience at the Munsinger Clemens Botanical Gardens today.  We started the week out at 103 degrees, today is a nippy 50, and the splash pad just wasn't going to work.  Based on a friendly suggestion, we threw on our wind jackets and went in search of these beautiful grounds.

I'll just roll the pictures since words won't do.  I really feel like we stumbled upon a private oasis where surely we'll become regulars.

First rule of becoming an explorer . . . find a GREAT stick.

Axel must have "taken a rest" on every memorial bench.  Sweet.

 . . . and then we found the upper gardens.  Although I begged, he simply wasn't going to turn around for the camera.  One word . . . FOUNTAINS!

Constant AWE!

Missing a photo opportunity with this duck . . .

 . . . I convinced him that a more subtle approach to duck photography is best (notice the mallard in the background).

Unbelievable.

So, because once again, Nikon's battery is dead, I'm forced to grab point-and-shoot from my purse.

A funny thing happens when you pull out the "emergency camera," you discover pictures that have been clinging to digital media for a while, just waiting to be uploaded and remembered.  Tonight is such an occasion.

The FedEx guy must work overtime around here because around 7pm, long after normal delivery hours, a long and slender package arrived at my door.  I knew exactly what it was.  AS Hanging System's top notch gallery track hanging supplies, coveted "for a long time" by me and recently purchased for my new walls.  Almost immediately, the cordless drill, ladder, level and the contents of my package were gathered and ready for installation.

Hanging just one track, on my tall purple wall, I became so proud of myself that the old Cybershot came out and I have the first cryptic photos to show you my new "gallery" (scratch that...home).

Now, here comes the fun.  Uploading the pictures I knew wouldn't do justice to the fabulous wall system, I discovered the final pic taken of our humble apartment.  It seems like we kissed it goodbye decades ago and a bit of nostalgia comes with seeing it's picture once again.  Sigh.

So, just to peak your jealousy, and encourage you all to display art (however trivial) in a uniform and respectable manner, here is the first glimpse of "gallery meets living space."  (Never mind that I still have no furniture.  I'm a big girl now, and I'd rather cross legs on the floor looking at beautiful walls than stare at unembellished space.  Besides, when's the last time you saw living room furniture in a GALLERY?)