Today was a very pretty day outside! Ron and I played with the dogs in the yard until Ron had to go to work. Once he left, I was rather bored and didn't feel like sitting around. I didn't really feel like doing anything in particular... but I was craving a Dunkin Donuts Iced Coffee. I decided to run out to DD and get one. In the back of my mind I was thinking maybe along the way I'd find something fun to photograph so I can upload more "summerpics" to Gather. I grabbed my camera, my wallet and off I went. I didn't see anything too thrilling on the way to DD, but once there I came up with the idea to head to Wawayanda State Park.

With coffee and cranberry orange muffin in hand, I headed to the park. Normally during the summer it's supposed to be $10 to get in on weekends and $5 on weekdays. However, when I pulled in to the park, no one was around, so it was free! I guess maybe after a certain time of the day it's free!?! Who knows!

The place was packed! People were having BBQs and picnics and swimming and boating! Crazy! I decided to hit the trails and wander as far away from the noise as possible. Of course I hadn't planned on going hiking so I was wearing my flip flops. Makes for an interesting trek, let me tell ya! So far my feet feel okay, but I fear they'll start hurting soon.

I wandered and took pictures and enjoyed the lovely day. After awhile though it was getting to be a bit toasty and so I turned around and headed back. All told though I was out walking for about an hour and a half. Amazing how quickly time flies when you're out enjoying nature. I managed to take about 70 photos today and I plan on posting each and every one of them on Gather. hehe. That's 700 summerpics points! I posted 4 already as individual pics, but the rest I'll break down into photo essays because as long as the pictures are tagged right, they still count even if as a part of an essay. So I think 70 photos in a few essays is much better than 70 individual shots posted.

When I got back from the park I uploaded the pictures to my laptop and then took the doggies out for more playtime. Now we're just relaxing. Rogue's passed out on the couch next to me and Cheyenne is sleeping in her usual hiding space. Hehe.

So that was the excitement for the day. Much more thrilling than yesterday. Tomorrow I have to hit the post office to mail off 3 books... one requested on pbs and two purchased from me on half.com. Cool beans!

Oh and in awesome, awesome, awesome news! B is the bestest person in the whole wide world! She found a Wii Fit and picked it up for me! I was really getting annoyed with Nintendo and was actually considering selling my Wii to my brother-in-law because I was so irked at the fact that the Fit can never be found. Thankfully I didn't do that! Thanks so much B!

This week Ron has Tuesday & Wednesday off. Or is it Wednesday & Thursday? I forget, but I know it's two days in a row in the middle of the week. I wonder what the weather is going to be like. I still want to get camping soon!

Well, I finally spent my Amazon gift certificate from Stef. I also had a $5 one that I won on Winzy and so I put the two together and made quite a haul! Yes, I ended up going with books instead of movies or games. There's just something about Amazon gift certificates that cry out to be spent on books. hehe.

So, thank you Stef for the following books:

Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost
Treasures: Secret Star / Treasures Lost, Treasures Found by Nora Roberts
Scot On The Rocks by Brenda Janowitz
Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews
Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris

Speaking of Amazon... my "National Treasure 2" on Blu-Ray came in today. YAY! Also the sheets that I bought from there as well. Cool beans. No B&N order yet though. Wahhh... I want my books from Barbara and I want them now! haha. ;-)

It's been an icky day outside. The dogs are weirdos when it rains and I have to get all wet and ishy because they love being silly in the rain. Ah well. At least they have fun.

Well, I've got to get some chores done now that the dogs seem passed out from all the craziness. Ooh what was that? Ooh! Awesome awesome awesome! My B&N order is here! YAY! More books! hehe. Thanks Barbara! :-)

It took me a bunch of hours, but I finally settled on what I wanted to spend Barbara's B&N giftcard on. I just placed the order one minute ago. And I must say I went a little over, but I always do. haha. I actually had like 10 books in my cart at one point, but narrowed it down to 4, so that's not too bad. So Barbara... thank you very much for:

Blood Ties Book One: The Turning by Jennifer Armintrout
I Am Legend by Richard Matheson
Better Read than Dead: A Psychic Eye Mystery by Victoria Laurie
Into the Wilderness by Sara Donati

I've been wanting to read I Am Legend for some time. Even before I heard that the movie was no where near as good. (I didn't see the movie yet, but I want to read the book first anyway). I just wish they'd had that book in a regular sized paperback and not the expensively big ones. haha. Then I could have rationalized buying another book. Oh well. I'm sure it's worth it.

You know what's funny... I looked at my wish list on Paperbackswap and you'd think that would give me books to search for on B&N, but for some reason I didn't pick anything off my wish list and went randomly seraching all over the place. I have read the first book in Victoria Laurie's series, but otherwise I've never read anything by the above authors. Sometimes it's fun to find new names. I hope they're good names! haha

Well, now I've spent my B&N gift card, I think it's bed time. Ron got home a little after midnight and it took him over an hour to realize it's my birthday and to wish me a happy one. Men... they're a little slow at times. (Most times!) I don't know what we're doing today, but for now this birthday girl needs sleep.

It's so hot in here though that I know it's not going to be a good night for sleep. Blech.

Oh, and I forgot to mention. I started reading Blood Noir tonight. I guess it wasn't that difficult after all to pick which of the three books from Kristen I wanted to read first. haha. Anita and co. just called to me and I had to move them to the front of the list. ;-)

I got the mail this afternoon and in it was a couple more goodies for moi! My grandma sent me a card with stickers and a check. And the big surprise was a B&N gift card from Barbara! Weeeeeeee. I'm so eager to spend it that I can't take too long here to type this up because I want to head right over to the website! hehe. Thanks so much, B! That was so sweet of you! I'll think of you as I pick out my books. hehe.

I've been sitting outside much of that afternoon/evening so far. I had the dogs out and brought my book with me to enjoy the fresh air. I love it when it's not too hot and not too cold so I can sit and enjoy a good book outside. I definitely wore the doggies out too because they're sprawled across the floor sound asleep. Goofy girls!

I can't believe this is my last day of being 33 years old. That was kind of a fun age. It's neat to have two of the same numbers. ;-) I don't think 34 is any big deal so I can say good bye to 33 without any anxiety.

I think I'm going to pop open a bottle of wine and relax and enjoy my last night at this age. Sounds good to me!