I have found myself not able to sleep tonight, as I have been suffering from a bad case of bronchitis and a cough that has me banned from the bedroom.

Anyhow, after watching Nazi 101 on the History Channel, I flipped around and came across a special on the Travel Channel called: Cool Summer Camps for Adults.

I have been racking my brain to figure out what I want to do now that I hit the big 30 and what a perfect list. So I just may be taking a couple of weeks off to explore some summer fun!

These were my top favs:

1. Space Camp - I too wanted to be an astronaut growing up and my parents couldn't afford space camp, but now, for just $899, I can spend a week as an astronaut without all of the hassles. Certainly beats falling in love with a fellow astronaut and driving cross-country to revenge the love!
   
   
2. Skip Barber Race School - When my mother is in the car with me, she refers to me as "Mario A". Who wouldn't want to learn how to drive a race car (crash and burn baby).
   
   
3. Camp Winnarainbow - This is a camp for those wanting to learn the ropes of the circus business (oh sorry, performing arts).
   
   
4. Sankey Rodeo School - Well I am a Taurean Bull, so perhaps I should take the bull by the horns. But then again, I do bruise easily.
   
   
5. Aloha Surfer Girls - Did you see Blue Crush? Can I just be a spectator?
   

So, I now have additional options. I was originally going to go on a cross-country photography road trip, but frankly, with the price of gas right now, I could go to TWO summer camps and still have money left over. Now that's what I call a bargain!

Labels: adult camps, summer camp

While, I've been celebrating my 30th birthday all week, today I turned 30. I used to laugh at all of those straight girls who feared turning 30, but I succumbed to that panic earlier in the week.

I took a picture of myself last night (at 29) and was hoping that I would miraculously lose 25lbs overnight. It didn't happen so I figured the best way to celebrate was to go to my favorite diner for breakfast.

Here has been my day so far:

1. Went to Annie's Overflow for breakfast- Cheeseburger omelet with home fries and white toast. Oh and a hot chocolate and orange juice.
2. Had a fabulous 60-minute massage at the Common Man Inn
3. Came home and relaxed some more
4. Went to the Six Burner Bistro for lunch - Gazpacho soup with a Thai Duck Wrap
5. Drank champagne while I downloaded pictures.
6. Went back to the Spa for my manicure (just a nice buff and shine).
7. Returned home and my dad surprised us with a hanging basket of flowers, a mini-cake and a card (I was beginning to think both of my parents forgot my b-day).
8. And now, just getting ready for a lovely evening at Lago (a restaurant by the lake).

Last night when I came home from work a HUGE bouquet of flowers from Amanda were waiting along with a couple bottles of champagne and hor d'oeuvres. We sat outside until it got too buggy (see the pictures of the vermin in my glass of wine) and then Amanda went out and brought back some fried scallops, clams, onion rings and french fries from George's Seafood.

And the night before that, we went over to Gusti & Charlie's house and had the most incredible rib eye, corn on the cob and mashed potatoes of the season.

I have to admit - this has been the best birthday - EVER. There isn't more you can ask for in life: good health, a beautiful and amazing wife, good friends, great food and wine, and wagging tails from the dogs. Life is good.

I have again run out of room on my server so I'll be moving all of my pictures to a new server this weekend. In the meantime, check out my birthday week pics (I'll update tomorrow too).

http://pics.bloubear.com/05-10-07_gina_bday_week/

Labels: birthday, gina, love, over the hill

Well, I just got back from dropping our three little furry friends at a new dog sitter. It's heart breaking when they don't even pay much attention to you when you leave.

We found a new dog sitter in the local Penny Saver and came highly recommended from our vet.

We are very excited to have found someone that is willing to take the dogs anytime! We have been planning a trip to Boston for a few months, but we agonized over what to do with the dogs. That is how every day is, since Clementine has such separation anxiety.

But I think it's going to work out quite well. Clem, Buck & Henri were having a blast at "Barbara's" House - small bungalow style in the middle of no-where with 3 horses, a black lab, a rescued Jack Russell terrier and an African grey parrot!

Oh, and did I mention, there are 12 acres, no neighbors (nor college students), with about a half acre fenced in! I just hope they are excited to see us when we pick them up at the end of the weekend.

I came back to the house and it was DEAD silent, very empty and sad - so I ordered Chinese food!

Labels: dog sitter, pet sitting