Monday hates me.

In a nutshell, today sucked.

I could go on and list the reasons, but I'll restrain myself and just summarize by saying it sucked. Thank God I have people in my life who will listen and a dog who stares at me like she's listening when I know she's really thinking, "get the food, get the food, get the food." To add to the equation, the Inland Northwest is hotter than a sweaty mule in a wool sock. To think that three weeks ago it was snowing in the mountains is just a ridiculous thought.

On the upside of life, I got a promotion last week. My title is now Communications Director and my salary got a hefty bump up from near-poverty to doing-pretty-well-for-almost-fresh-out-of-college. It's nice to see that they appreciate me working hard, even when the job isn't the most exciting at times. I just feel bad for some who probably deserve a raise just as much as me and probably won't see it anytime soon.

This weekend was adventurous and fun and made Monday that much harder to prepare for. Grant and I went golfing Friday night and on Saturday, I finally got to sleep in for the first time in what feels like forever, to sound utterly cliche. Saturday afternoon I got to watch Hannah compete in AJM (America's Junior Miss) and she did an incredible job. Congrats to her for winning a national talent award and for being naturally awesome. Sunday we woke up early to bid my parents farewell on their European vacation and then spent the day swimming, playing frisbee and trying the fishing thing again with no success. Guess there will be other days, more mosquito bites, and hopefully a fish or two that we can say we once caught.

Thank goodness it's almost Tuesday and here's to hoping that it's much better than this sucky monday.

Reason #163 that I Love Coeur d'Alene

Two words: Garage Sales.

You really cannot beat a Saturday morning in Coeur d'Alene going garage sale shopping. Well, sleeping in might be an alternative, but for an avid shopper like myself, garage sales are the perfect way to start the weekend. Here is a list of my recent finds:

• Boat Tube - $5
• Pyrex serving dishes (2) - $6
• 2 lb. hand weights - $1
• Picture Frame - $.50
• Giant dog water bowl - $.25
• 8 Kenny G CD's - $.50
• Stuffed animal for Jersey to destroy - $.25
• Lamp - $4

$17.50 later, I am a very happy camper with my new finds. Jersey is thrilled with her new water dish and stuffed rooster and Grant is content with the morning after a delicious donut at The Donut House in Hayden. Not too shabby for a few early morning hours of junk shopping.

On the flip side of doing garage sale shopping is the joy of having a garage sale of your very own. I had one over Memorial Day weekend and let me tell you, if you're a people watcher like me, have a garage sale. It's totally worth it to dig through your storage, dust off your junk and clutter your lawn with the remnants of your past. I guarantee that you will thoroughly enjoy the kinds of people who come out of the woods to catch a great deal or two. Garage sales also bring out the WORLD'S WORST DRIVERS. Drive ridiculously slow, slam on the brakes, and park in the middle of the road because that is clearly the best parking spot.

Reason #1 why I hate Coeur d'Alene - BAD DRIVERS.

Reason #2 why I hate Coeur d'Alene - The winter of 2008 that still has not ended. A few degrees cooler today and it would be snowing. In June.