dawnmarie

I'm nothing if not a follower

2007-08-31T08:10:00.000-05:00

Over the past few months, I've been thinking about what to do with my blog. I'm tired of Blogger, and I'm ready for a change. I seriously considered typepad, but I just don't think I'm serious enough to pay for a blogging service. Rachel and Sherry have both recently checked out wordpress. Rachel stayed, but Sherry returned to the loving folds of blogger. Based on Rachel's experience, I decided to check out wordpress myself. I've imported all my posts, and I'm liking it.

There is one thing different. The name. My blog address has already changed once, I started this fine adventure nearly two and a half years ago as aurorabaker. Tiring of that identity, i decided to be myself for awhile and I'm now dawnmarievan. Well, I'm getting married and my name is going to change, so it was time to think of a new identity. With some input from Carly, i decided to make a play off my soon-to-be last name, and so I present to you, the Life and Times of a Duchess. (No it is not spelled wrong, I looked it up) I decided to change it now, since I'm moving anyway, rather than move now and change again later.

Come visit, stick around, change your links. See you there.

Up up and away!

2007-08-30T07:09:00.000-05:00

Rachel answered my plea for help and asked me a question too. This one didn't require as much thought for me, but it was still fun to answer.

If you could have any one super power, what would it be and why?

In the past when I've answered this question, I've always said the ability to fly. I just like the idea of the freedom that would give me. Being asked and having to write about it though, I sat down and gave it some more thought.

Being invisible? No, being invisible would still leave me solid, and I'm too clumsy to not get discovered when I invisibly bang into walls and knock over things.

Being able to read minds? No way. I have enough nonsense running around in my head without putting other people's nonsense in there too. Besides, I can only think of the Buffy episode where Buffy can read minds, and she almost goes insane.

Telekinesis. Now here's a power that my lazy arse could get behind. Not having to get up off the couch to grab a soda, or the remote, I could open the door for the pizza guy and Theresa and I wouldn't have to rock, paper, scissors to see who has to get up. But, when you get right down to it, I don't get much exercise, so getting my bum off the couch is probably good for me.

I gave some strong thought to mimicry, to be able to absorb the superpowers of others, but seeing as no one I know has any powers I know about, there wouldn't be much use to that power.

My mind moved on here to the powers of the X-men. Accelerated healing, controlling the weather, those would be some handy tricks. I'd have the best sunset ever for my wedding... But I just don't think I could live up to the high standards set by Hugh Jackman and Halle Berry.

I briefly reconsidered flying, but then, out of nowhere, it hit me. My superpower would be teleportation. Talk about useful. To work and home in the blink of an eye. Forgot your lunch? Not a problem. Traffic sucks? Who cares, blink. Late for a cake-tasting appointment? Blink. Need to visit the captain in Sioux Falls? Blink. Blink. Blink. Blink. Blink.

Teleportation. That's what I want to do when I grow up.

And now I'm out of questions, feel free to ask me more, I loved answering these, seriously. I don't promise to answer any question, but send me an email, I love it.

Let them eat cake

2007-08-28T10:37:00.000-05:00

That was mostly for Carly. Since I'm answering the rest of her question, I thought it appropriate. Plus, Nick and I are doing a cake tasting tonight so it fits well.

The second question she asked me was What are three things that are on your list of things to do in the future?

I thought a really long time about this. I've always had things I thought would be great to do, but things that I actually am going to do? (which is how I read the question) That's harder.

1. This one is kind of a cheat. But go to Italy. Ever since I was about 13, I wanted to go to Italy. I never said much about it to anyone except my mom, but I've always wanted to go. And on October 19th, I leave. I'm heading over to visit Toni, whom I miss terribly, and I can't wait. I daily check her photobucket account for new photos, and just today I sent an email to my professors for fall semester telling them I'd be gone.

2. Buy a house. I want a yard, I want to be able to paint whenever and whatever I want, I want to be able to buy a puppy, or some other pet without getting permission. I want to not have 16-year old rap fan living above me, I want to walk in my front door and now have to open 3 more doors before I get into my house.

3. I'm going to say host a fabulous dinner party. Now, I host parties all the time (although it's been awhile, right guys?) but a real, grown-up dinner party with centerpieces, place cards, table settings, a group of my closest friends seated at a table where we have a fantastic dinner, perhaps prepared by Toni [:)]. An evening where the conversation flows freely and there is no need for entertainment because the company of each other is all we need.

So long, farewell, auf...

2007-08-27T09:58:00.000-05:00

more miscellaney...

Carly's hanging up her keyboard. One of the finest writers I've had the pleasure of "meeting", I'm quite sad to see her go, but I'm glad she'll have more time for whatever she wants more time for. Adieu Queenie.
~~~~~~~
Another exciting week looms here at work for me. I'm working 5 8-hour days, which is not something I've been able to do for quite awhile. I've spent time at the doctor, home in bed ill, and driving up to the cabin. I'm kind of looking forward to a simple week of normalcy. Except that I'm very very caught up with my work, and I don't have a whole heck of a lot to do.
~~~~~~~
This weekend brings Sarah to town. Friday and Saturday, Nick and I will be up northwest attending a wedding, but I look forward to some serious hanging out Sunday night. It is, after all the second birthday of team chipotle. I feel like there should be pancake cake and ghetto cub balloons.
~~~~~~~
Before all the weekend partying, there's work to be done. Tonight, the possiblity of dinner with a friend looms promisingly, and I'll probably be popping over to Kath's house to swap season one of Dr. Who for season two. Tuesday and Thursday, Nick and I are doing cake tastings at two different bakeries, in case we decide we want a cake at our wedding in addition to the dessert bar. Wednesday, I'm not doing much, but meeting up with a girl who is using my vases for her wedding next month.
~~~~~~~
This brings me to a dilemma I'm experiencing. Last night, Theresa and I were discussing how much we miss choir, and singing. My church choir starts up their practices again this coming Wednesday, at 7:00. I'm not gonna lie, I'm tempted to join up, just to get my vocal chords some use after sitting and rusting for a couple years.
~~~~~~~
That's about all I have, Hope everyone's weekend went well and the week ahead speeds by.

Friday ramblings

2007-08-24T06:56:00.000-05:00

When a week that starts out with two days in bed, it goes pretty fast. I can't believe it's already Friday. This afternoon, I'm leaving work a tish early (I was supposed to be off all day, but came in due to missing two days) and then Nick and I are headed up north-east to my step-families cabin where we'll chill for the weekend with my parents and the dog. I foresee a lot of lake time in our future.
~~~~
I am now the proud owner of 35 6-inch rectangular vases. That's right. 35. And 100 tealight holders and 100 tealights.
~~~~
On the very same day that Toni boarded her plane for Italy, my passport arrived in the mail. A co-worker of mine who renewed her passport had to wait three months for hers, so I was thrilled my renewal only took two months. Now I get to renew it again in April after my name changes. And now I can go to Italy in a little under two months and have no problems!
~~~~
I have zero zero zero desire to accomplish anything at work today, so we'll see how much I get done before I leave.
~~~~
I hope everyone has fabulous weekends.

Working in a gold mine going down down down

2007-08-22T10:07:00.000-05:00

And now I'm sure I'll get at least one rock lobster related comment.

I'm feeling almost 100% today. Things really turned around about 9:30 last night and things are looking bright today. Thanks to everyone for your well wishes, it was really an awful few days.

I did come back to a lot of work drama. They're talking about moving our unit about 8 blocks away, to an area where parking is twice as expensive and life in general would stink because we'd be farther away from the court building where we do most of our business. But, they've also opened up the telecommuting list, so there's a lot of rumbling about a portion of us going to work from home.

I'm not sure if I'd love it. Thoughts?

It's getting a little ridiculous

2007-08-21T09:40:00.001-05:00

I cannot in the span of my lifetime ever remember being this sick. Ever.

I'm doing better today, I haven't thrown up since yesterday, but the 2 hours I spent at work this morning made it clear to me that I needed to return home to the confines of my bed. So I'm back there. In bed. At least it's rainy, rainy days seem to go with being sick.

And Zeke has always called me Kitty.

I want my mommy.

2007-08-20T08:23:00.000-05:00

I'm sick. Like vomitously sick. I've been up all night, I can't keep down water, and just when I think I'm feeling better, I throw up again.

My tummy hurts. :(

You know that breaking uuuu-up is hard to do.

2007-08-18T12:58:00.000-05:00

This hurts. Really, it does. It's not you, it's me. I just want more. You see, there's this new kid in town, and well, he's more diversified, he offers me more than you do, I have choices, and the hot, gooey,

queso.

So I'm sorry Chipotle, but unless something changes, my affections are dwindling. When it comes to straight up burritos, there's no equal. Your size alone puts you above the rest, but size isn't everything, a girl needs different toppings, different vehicles, nachos, quesadillas, gumbo. Sometimes, in order to keep a relationship fresh, you just have to change things up a bit, and if you're not willing to diversify, well, then I'm going to have to go elsewhere.

When you're down, and troubled, and you need, a helping hand.

2007-08-16T06:31:00.000-05:00

To get me out of my blogging funk, Carly and Rachel have given me a few questions to answer.

From Carly:
What are three things you have done in your life that you consider to be imperative for others to experience?

1. Be in a foreign place for more than a 1-2 week vacation. Live there, get to know the differences from your own life. I say place, because you don't have to go to another country to completely change your environment. Even a move from oh, I don't know let's say Bismarck to St. Paul can be a huge, brave step and a monumental change. Even taking a month and renting a house at the beach can change your perspective. Make a temporary change, just to see what happens.
2. Order room service. It seems silly, and small, and perhaps a waste, but when we focus completely on the getting ahead, and the fast paced world we live in, always looking to the next thing, I say, step back, stay in a fancy-arse hotel (I say go historic), sleep on a cushy bed, don't do anything but cuddle with a loved one, and order breakfast in bed. You'll feel relaxed, pampered and it's a fabulous way to start the day. I recommend the banana pancakes. Don't forget to wear the plush robe they provide.
3. And, well, the teacher in me would be lax if I didn't say get an education. No high school diploma? Get your GED. Haven't gone to college? Sign up at your local community college and take some courses (for schools in Canada, click here). Have a college degree? Take some community ed classes. Take a cooking class, tennis lessons, or heck, go to graduate school. Just never stop learning something. You'll meet new people, you'll learn something, and you might even discover a passion you've never known about. It doesn't even have to cost a million dollars.

If you want to ask me a question, email it to me.

You're not as close as you think

2007-08-15T08:05:00.000-05:00

So, as most everyone knows, Toni is leaving for Italy next week. She's quit her job, and let me tell you, my days go a lot slower without her around to email me all day long.

Yesterday, in my wedding post, she commented that I should send her pictures of my dress.

Yesterday, I learned that I don't have her email address. I've always had her school or work addresses. I have her home address, her cell phone number, her mother's telephone number, and her mother's home address.

But I don't have her personal email address. Crazy, huh?

ETA: Sherry and toast, click here.

I know, I know

2007-08-14T09:32:00.000-05:00

I haven't been around, I'm awful, can you ever forgive me? Aside from my pointless post yesterday, and Theresa's commando operation where she stole my blog, I've been quiet.

It seems like my life revolves around wedding planning. I've found my dress, my veil (JoAnna was wearing it in this picture) and my shoes. I'm not going to post a picture of my dress, obviously, but my shoes can have some show time. I've decided to make them my something blue, and I love 'em.

Because I know everyone is on the edge of their seats, we've chosen our church, reception hall, photographer, got my dress, veil, shoes, and we've settled our wedding party. I go back to school September 10th, so we're trying to get as much as possible done before then. Our hope is to have the invites made (not mailed though), the girls dresses picked out, and maybe get started on the tuxes, by the time school starts up again. Jo's dress is picked, Carrie and I are going tonight after work, and then we just need to nail down Nick's sister, and life will be golden.

I promise, I will try to get back on the ball here. With something other than non-posts and a wedding update.

We did go to Spam-a-lot last weekend, and it was hilarious, I'm not a monty python fan, but it was well worth it. We stayed at the fancy schmancy St. Paul Hotel as a treat, and that was a wonderful time as well.

post

2007-08-13T11:20:00.000-05:00

I got nothin.

My little girl is growing up.

2007-08-03T07:25:00.001-05:00

Happy Birthday Toni Lee.

You'll always be priority mail to me.

Surreality

2007-08-02T06:06:00.000-05:00

What the bridge used to look like.

What it looks like now.

This is completely surreal. I'm sure most people have hear our national news here in Minneapolis, a major, and I mean major, interstate bridge has collapsed. Current totals, according to Minneapolis Mayor, are 7 dead, 20 missing, and at least 60 injured.

All of my loved ones are accounted for. There was a moment of panic for Rachel, knowing she drives over that river, in that area on her way from job to job, but as she's posted, she's fine. Theresa texted me to tell me she was drinking with my buddy Ty, so she was fine. All of my friends and family are fine. Thankfully.

I don't think I've driven on that bridge since Labor Day of 2005, the infamous beginning of Team Chipotle. But it collapsed between Washington Avenue and University Avenue. I take Washington home on those days when I need gasoline too badly to wait until I get home to St. Paul. This happens more often than not. I drove past the site this morning on my way to work, and it's surreal. I can't come up with another word. Surreal. That's all I got people.

Wow.

Never cut it as a poor man stealing.

2007-07-24T08:55:00.000-05:00

Dear Nickelback,

Your early stuff was great. With one notable exception (read: post title). Lately though, you've slid, further and further down a slippery slope of sell-outness.

However. Mr. Chad Kroeger. You are a damn fine entertainer. I fully enjoyed the show I was dragged to last night, even against my will, and despite my best efforts to remain crabby. So thank you. Good work. Thanks for playing the early stuff, and not spending too much time aiming to injure the audience with stuff from the newest album.

However. Rockstar? Crappy song. Stop playing it.

Fondly,
Dawn

I once heard a story on the radio that Chad Kroeger was tired of not being successful and not being signed, etc, so he wrote the most pop-friendly, horrible song he could think of, just to see if they'd have some medium of success. That song was How You Remind Me. Shortly after it's release, and soar to the top of the charts, they released other songs, which are what they truly sound like. It is because of this story that I was willing to give Nickelback a chance.

the golden compass

2007-07-18T10:53:00.000-05:00

And go here to learn about the books.

And go here to learn about the movie.

7,000 words

2007-07-10T08:47:00.001-05:00

I was an awesome girl scout.

2007-07-06T07:35:00.001-05:00

Today after work, JoAnna, Theresa, Zeke, Nick and I are headed to the wild, wild, woods of Wisconsin. We'll partake of marshmallows, chocolate, graham crackers, hot dogs, brats, perhaps some beer, water, canoing, hiking, air mattresses and the local wildlife.

I'm heading out at 1:30, to pick up new water bottles for myself and Nick, as his smells, and mine lost a battle with a dishwasher.

I'm ready to go now, however, and I'm a little perturbed with the concept of time that is not marching along quite as swiftly as I'd like.

Have fabulous weekends, everyone.

I'm hooked on a feeling.

2007-06-28T07:06:00.001-05:00

Is anyone else having trouble blogging these days? Sarah's taking a hiatus, Carly used to post every day,and is now pumping out two to three posts per week (still commendable) I'm trying to get a post or two up every week, but I'm struggling with topics and looking for information that would be interesting to people. Theresa hasn't posted in ages, and Laura and Lauren are long gone from the links list for lack of updating. Even Beth isn't updating as frequently. Let's not even talk about the teeth pulling necessary to get Toni to post. Comments in general are fewer and farther in between.

I know life "gets in the way" believe me. I have class three nights this week. Throw in one night to see Nick, and I have tonight to do homework, laundry, and hopefully make it to the used bookstore and grocery store.

What's up?

eta: Props to Rachel for updating very regularly.

I think I'm sick

2007-06-22T07:49:00.000-05:00

I do. I really really do.

It's the middle of baseball season, I still love baseball. I'm still pumped about the Twins, even though they're not doing as well as recent years.

But, Carly and Sarah are gonna love this, I'm finding myself looking for football stories on Yahoo! and other news sites. Not Vikings stories, good Lord, why do people do that to themselves? Not Chargers stories, not Falcons stories, not even Lions stories (I once claimed the Lions as my fav. team under duress) No, I'm reading all about the KC Chiefs and my man, Larry Johnson. Now, LJ might be traded, which I'm in favor of, because I don't want him running as much or he's gonna be crippled. So, in anticipation of having to pick a new KC boyfriend, I've started doing my research.

And I'm even kind of looking forward to going to Johnnie football games in the fall. *gasp* Nick's really gonna love that.

Am I ill? This is so not like me!

I'm almost glad it's Monday...

2007-06-18T09:55:00.000-05:00

Weekends? How were they?

Mine was busy, but mostly fabulous. Friday night, I sat through my four hour math class, and headed home. Theresa was going to text me with the location of herself and Sarah, but the text never came. I got home, and no one was there, but a phone call from Nick let me know he was on his way. Shortly after Nick's arrival, Rachel, Sarah and Theresa arrived, and we sat around chatting for a bit, and deciding that mojitos in a bottle are a bad idea.

Saturday morning, we got up and the four ladies headed to a Vietnamese-run French bakery. Croissants were tasted and declared delicious. After a crowded trip to the pro-shop where Rachel and Theresa became new t-shirt owners, and a quick duck into World Market, we headed to Snuffy's Malt Shop for some pretty darn good ice cream. The afternoon was spent relaxing, napping, and there was a crazy Nick vs. Theresa Mario Kart match.

Whenever Sarah comes to town, there must be baseball, so a the six of us (Shane joined us) headed to the dome to watch our boys lose, pretty badly, and enjoy the drunken ramblings of the many many Brewers fans seated in our midst. Some entertaining, some annoying, and one near life threatening altercation.

Next on the agenda was a trip to the Chatterbox Pub. I admit to some fear that it would be horribly crowded and we'd have a hard time hearing each other, but it was lovely and emptyish (although the owners probably weren't as happy as I that it was) and we spent a few hours drinking cider, playing Mario Bros., playing darts, and a rousing game of Apples to Apples. Not to mention the food. Cheese Curds, Beer Cheese Fondue, French fries with chili and red pepper sour cream. And then. Oh Lord, then. The chocolate fondue. Brownies, rice krispy bars, chocolate chip cookies, strawberries, and toffee cookies, with a bowl of melted fudge for dipping. I dont' really think anything more needs to be said about that. We got home around 2, 2:30 and started getting ready for bed, only to be interrupted by piercing alarms, because some punk pulled the fire alarm in my apartment building. The fire department came and we crawled into bed.

Sarah left around 9:30 on Sunday morning, and Nick and I headed to Wisconsin for an adventure with my little-visited paternal family. We arrived at the party, had some food, and were then dispatched to the emergency room to keep my Grandmother company after she had a panic attack. She's recovering nicely, but we're keeping an eye on her, because her breathing has been very labored of late, and there's a carbon dioxide issue with her not releasing enough on the exhale.

All in all a very busy weekend, and I'm kind of glad to be at my desk at work where I can zone out for awhile!

Law of Window Cleaning: It's on the other side

2007-06-14T06:55:00.000-05:00

A few days ago, Carly posted about her cleaning frenzy. While I don't hate cleaning, (except the dishes, ew) I do have to be in the mood, and oddly, I frequently do better when I have company over, or someone to talk to.

Last night, for the first night in what seems like weeks, I had nothing to do. I got to stay home, chill, do homework, read, whatever I wanted. So what did I do? I cleaned the apartment. And when I say cleaned, I mean, I cleaned. I re-organized the kitchen cupboards, moving small appliances and bake ware around so it was easier to access, I got out the fish tank, cleaned it up and prepared some water, cause T and I are thinking about adopting some fish. Randall the camel needs some company. I moved a bookshelf, a file cabinet and a smaller shelf, to fit better in the new living room arrangement T and I concocted the other night. I went through and organized/threw away/boxed up a bookshelf full of books and a dining room table covered in school-related materials. I washed the kitchen towels and rugs. I dusted the console table and picked up the few things in the living room that hadn't been resolved yet.

When I woke up this morning, and went to make my lunch for the day, there was a message from T, wondering what we were going to do tonight ("date night") since we'd planned on cleaning to a movie tonight. I guess we'll just have to relax and watch a movie. With no work to do at all. Or we could go adopt those fish we were thinking about.

For Theresa, mostly.

2007-06-12T07:20:00.000-05:00

And really, anyone in general who knows Nick and I pretty well.

It's another Saturday night, and I...

2007-06-09T08:42:00.000-05:00

It's actually Saturday morning, and T and I are just sitting here, waiting.

Plans for the weekend:
Look at two possible reception sites for the wedding.
Go to Nick's, because he forgot to bring fancy clothes.
Graduation Party
Wedding (not mine, a co-workers)
Anniversary Party.

Yeah, we'll be busy today.

Tomorrow:
Church
Baseball game.

Hooray for Weekends, right?

Cinematic Adventures

2007-06-04T07:49:00.000-05:00

So, knowing that we're likely to be very busy in the next few months, Nick and I decided to spend most of our weekend relaxing. Friday night I suffered through the hellish depths of my math class, and met Nick at Champp's for fries and dip. Saturday, we headed to blockbuster, intending to rent a game for the Wii, but ended up buying three movies instead. We'd never seen any of the movies before.

The first selection was Tenacious D: Pick of Destiny. I liked it quite a bit. I admit to being quite the snob and not normally enjoying "stupid humour" movies. I haven't been interested in a lot of comedies lately, because I don't like 1. Ben Stiller 2. Will Ferrell or 3. Vince Vaughn. Pretty much these days if you want to see a comedy, chances are it's going to have one of these three in it. Tenacious D is no different, as Ben Stiller makes an appearance. His role is minor, however. The plot of this movie is pretty awful, but it's worth seeing, because it's funny. It's just funny. It's not genious, it's not winning any awards, but it's just funny. I may be biased by my somewhat unnatural love of Jack Black, but it's funny.

Selection number two was Casino Royale. I'm not a huge Bond fan, I'd never seen any Bond movies until recently, when Nick made me watch GoldenEye. I wasn't against seeing the movies, I'd just never had the opportunity. Am I the only one who thinks Eva Green is one of the most beautiful women ever to walk the planet? I'm not big on girl crushes and stuff like that, but wow, that woman is gorgeous. As for the movie, I liked it. The action scenes didn't overpopulate the movie, allowing for some character development, which doesn't usually happen for me in mega-action flicks. I liked that you could see how new Bond was, the little slips he would make again and again. The recklessness.

The last title we picked up was Marie Antionette. Maybe my expectations were too high after reading Carly's excitement, and then her rave review and then her very first guest poster applaud it, maybe I expected too much. I loved the costumes, and the music, but the movie just moved toooo slowly for me. Maybe I shouldn't have watched on a Sunday night? (I didn't make Nick watch it with me, just Theresa). I'm wondering if I have to give the movie another chance. The beginning hour moved slower than, well, something super slow. I checked the clock thinking there had to be about a half hour left, and the movie wasn't even half over. I love Kirsten Dunst, I thought maybe that would carry me through, but I was just redy for it to end. By the time the movie picked up and started moving, there was little to no time left in the movie to enjoy the good parts. and the ending. Oy vey, very disappointed in the ending.

I never play the same joke twice.

2007-05-30T10:34:00.001-05:00

What are everyone's thoughts on weddings? I know Sarah and Rachel are not fans.

Me, I love weddings. Either you get to watch someone you know and love pledge to be with someone for life, it's a symbol of love, a beautiful, lasting expression of true, ultimate friendship. Most of us see that and think, "they're happy. someday, I'm going to find that person, my best friend, someone who loves me for me and not what I can become or what they can make me. Plus, sometimes there's free booze! I like me some wine and a chance to wear a pretty dress.

Or, it is an opportunity to be awed by ostentation and stupidity. To judge the decisions that others make, because come on, we can all make decisions for others better than they can. You would never do something "that ____" or "I can't believe he/she is marrying her/him!" Come on, everyone judges. If you say that you don't, well, I'll try my hardest to believe you, but there will be some skepticism there, but I'll try, I promise.

Me, I judge. Mostly family, but there are issues there I won't go into online. I've been to a couple weddings in my lifetime where I was truly happy for the couple.

Bottom line is, I love weddings. In fact, I love them so much, I think I'll have one of my own.

I love long weekends.

2007-05-28T12:46:00.000-05:00

I sincerely hope my stateside friends are truly enjoying their long weekends. For my Canadian readers, I hope you are enjoying your May 28th.

Nick and I have played tennis everyday this weekend, and we went to a Twins game on Saturday night with some friends. The game went into extra innings (13!) but we stuck it out to the end and were rewarded with a loss. Ah, well, them's the breaks when dealing with a sports team.

Today, I'm getting a roommate! Theresa is packing up the movie bus and coming on over to 'da hood.

How was everyone else's weekend?

Post #500

2007-05-24T16:58:00.001-05:00

Vacation used to be a luxury, however, in today's world, it has become a necessity.

2007-05-20T18:16:00.000-05:00

Nick and I headed up north this weekend, not a whole to say about the time, but here are a few photos. You can see the rest of them here. (there are only a few more)

For Carly, a photo of our hotel room (there's an unseen fireplace off to the side)

It rained all weekend, but we managed to get outside a little bit. Us with Lake Superior behind us.

Isn't he cute?

Another photo of the two of us.

The view off our patio.

And, I'm Outta here!

2007-05-18T13:52:00.003-05:00

I'm signing off now, out for the weekend to the north shore. Later, peeps.

Every Kiss begins with Kay...

2007-05-17T08:08:00.000-05:00

That's the tagline for Kay Jewelers here in the twin cities. Pretty creative, I think.

Anyway. Courtney and Carly have both posted about kissing yesterday. It's a part of a fundraiser you can read all about on Courtney's blog if you're so inclined. But it made me start thinking. I decided that instead of rambling on and on and on in Carly's comments, I'd post my own thoughts.

I love kissing. I love kisses. I just do. When I spent a few months in Brasil, I became accustomed to the double-cheek-kiss-greeting that is more known in countries other than mine.

Kissing in public. For the most part, not a fan. A greeting kiss, a goodbye kiss, a short peck for the heck of it, I'm all in favor. Some people hate it, and to each their own. I prefer to look at little things like that as signs of hope, and little reminders that there is still love in the world. A short, sweet peck can convey just as much, if not more affection and love than a deeply passionate kiss, in my opinion.

I do not, however, ever want to see someone else's tongue reaching into the mouth of another person. I'm not a prude by any means, I don't think anyone could argue that. But keep your tongue in your mouth. I also don't think that if you don't like kissing in front of people, or you don't want to see other people kiss, even a peck, that there is anything wrong with it :) I won't do it at your house, but feel free to do it at mine :)

Ace of Cakes

2007-05-15T08:00:00.000-05:00

I know Theresa is an Ace of Cakes fan, anyone else?

I watch it occasionally. But regardless of whether or not I catch the latest episode of the show, I want to take a class on cake decorating. The JoAnn's in Apple Valley offers classes, but they're currently seeking an instructor. You can bet I'll be watching to see when they find one.

I'm thinking of selling my brownies online. I need a catchy name, any suggestions?

Monday, monday, can't trust that day

2007-05-14T07:38:00.000-05:00

This is my mantra today. It was 75 degrees (Far.) at 5:00 this morning. In the MORNING. In MAY. Wrong, on so many levels.

We'll see how today goes, nothing exciting in my life, work, school, sleep. Good times. Oh yeah. Good times.

This weekend is going to be awesome, so this week is going to go slow.

How's everyone doing?

I chatter, chatter, as I flow, To join the brimming river, For men may come and men may go, But I go on forever

2007-05-10T17:40:00.000-05:00

~Tennyson

Last night, Wednesday, Nick wanted to play in a Nintendo Ice Hockey video game tournament, organized by a local blogger he reads every day. Theresa and I decided we would be supportive girlfriend and friend, and headed to the Chatterbox Pub in Highland Park to have some cider, eats and watch.

Chatterbox Pub?

Coolest.Pub.Ever.

Theresa and I headed over early, because we were planning on having dinner as well as watching geeks play Nintendo (I use "geeks" very lovingly). We were seated at a booth on the bar side, with a funky lamp as our table lighting. Red light bulb. Very fun. Hunger attacked, so we ordered ourselves an order of Beer Cheese Fondue. This stuff comes with an unlimited supply of tortilla chips, and we took full advantage of that. Gooooood Stuff. We both ordered sandwiches/burgers for dinner, but the star of our table was the fondue. There are plans in the works for a fondue night where we start with the beer cheese, and finish off with the chocolate fondue for dessert.

After dinner, during which T and I battled another patron for top trivia honors (we lost), we decided to play some darts. We scrambled for change, and headed over, asked the bartender for darts and change. Turns out? Don't need the change. Darts are free at the Chatterbox. After some darts and ice hockey watching, we tried our hand at free "Golden Tee golf" video game and then headed back to our table for some Operation old school style.

All in all, a fantastic time, and probably my new favorite place. Holy moly, that was a good time.

PS, Nick won the nerd tournament. Good job, honey.

So long, so long

2007-05-09T10:49:00.001-05:00

Couldn't sleep last night.

Tired.

Crabby.

Staff meeting.

ugh.

also, hungry.

For Rachel,

2007-05-08T09:31:00.000-05:00

With all apologies to Bowling For Soup

She said she needed a break.
To watch her sister get hitched.
So she went to Salem
but only the new one
To visit a cow.

There's nothing wrong with New Salem
Except it isn’t St. Paul
I really like angus beef
And I'd love to see the largest Holstein cow.

So when you're done doing whatever
And when your through drinking whatever
You know Ramsey County will be right here waiting for you....

Come back to St Paul
Its just not the same since you went away
Before you forget the kitty
And forget all about the Capitol.
There's a seat for you at the State Fair Stage
And I've got a parking spot saved
Besides the Mexican food sucks north of here anyway

We think we made a mistake
Its not that easy to take
You went to visit your sister
And watch her marry a mister
Guess we’ll sit here and wait

For your to come back home (We wish you’d come back home)
It shouldn't take very long (so long so long)
We bet you miss Old navy
And the retail Swedes but we could be wrong

So when your done doing whatever
And when your through drinking whatever
You know Ramsey County will be right here waiting for you....

Come back to St Paul
Its just not the same since you went away
Before you forget the kitty
And forget all about the Capitol.
There's a seat for you at the State Fair Stage
And I've got a parking spot saved
Besides the Mexican food sucks north of here anyway

Hubert Humphrey wants you back
Joe Mauer wants you back
Target wants you back
And Winona Ryder wants you back
And Prince, he wants you back
And Bob Dylan wants you back

I got a premonition
I'm taking a petition
And the whole city’s gonna sign

Come back to St Paul
Its just not the same since you went away
Before you forget the kitty
And forget all about the Capitol.
There's a seat for you at the State Fair Stage
And I've got a parking spot saved

Come back to St Paul
Its just not the same since you went away
Before you forget the kitty
And forget all about the Capitol.
There's a seat for you at the State Fair Stage
And I've got a parking spot saved
Besides the Mexican food sucks north of here anyway
Besides the Mexican food sucks north of here anyway
Besides the Mexican food sucks north of here anyway

weekends are for sleeping

2007-05-04T07:21:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday!! what's everyone up to this weekend? Rachel is in Bismarck watching her sister get married. I have no plans, other than to be in the B-ville all weekend, maybe take in a baseball game.

you?

Shamelessly pimping for love

2007-05-02T12:18:00.001-05:00

Leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember! Don't send a message, leave a comment on here. Next, re-post this in your notes and see how many people leave a memory about you!

Up close and personal.

2007-04-29T09:44:00.001-05:00

Carly asked me these questions after she posted the same thing on her blog. They were harder than I anticipated!

1. I know you hate the Vikings and I understand why, but if you had to pick an NFL team to cheer for, who would it be? (Hey, it's draft day!)
This is actually much easier than you think. It would be the Kansas City Chiefs. New Years Day a couple years ago, Nick made me watch football all day, and I kind of fell for Larry Johnson. So because of that, I pick the chiefs over any other team on a regular basis. Although when I was maybe 14? My cousin, Kegger asked me who my favorite football team was, and the only team I could think of other than the Vikings was the Lions. Kegger still remembers this and holds me to it every once in awhile.

2. What do you think has been the best thing to come from having a blog? The worst?
This is hard. Definately, the best thing would have to be "meeting" a couple really fabulous people. And really, even if I only have one, or maybe two people that came from this, it's really not to big a price to pay for a deep, dear, friendship, is it? The worst thing would probably be my ability to get too caught up in it, and the opinions and such of people who I've never heard of before, and be hurt by them. I should have a thicker skin.

3. What is your most prized possession?
I thought about this for awhile, I don't put a lot of sentimental value in material possessions, I like to reserve the sentiment for memories. I don't have a special piece of jewelry, or anything like that. So I am going to say my couch. I searched for three months for a couch for my first all-by-myself apartment. I had camping chairs in my living room for sitting, an entertainment center, bookshelves, a dinette table, kitchen supplies galore, a full bedroom, but I just couldn't find the couch I wanted. I finally found one, and I love it. It was the first piece of furniture I bought with my own money, and didn't inherit from someone, so I tend to see it as a solid symbol of my independence.

4. Name one thing that you have a really hard time spending money on.
Whoosh, this was really hard for me. if I see something I want, I buy it. I'm pretty selfish like that. I may wait awhile before I purchase it, but if it's something I want, I buy it. My friends hate it, because it makes me hard to shop for. Nick pointed out that I hate spending money on the doctor, specifically the chiropractor, who helps my headaches, but in general, I hate spending money on things like doctors and dentists. I recognize the importance of them, but for the most part, I can't see the results, and I want to spend my money on things I can see or remember, like clothes, furniture or dinner out with friends.

5. Did you ever imagine or pretend that you had a different name? What was it?
Oh my gosh. Funny story. When I was in college, I worked part-time at a gas station in Moorhead. One day at work, I forgot my name tag, and so I wore a name tag that said "Jamie". One of my younger co-workers came in one day and said "Dawn, why are you wearing a nametag that says Jamie?" My shift partner piped up saying that I wasn't Dawn, I was Dawn's twin sister Jamie. So for three months, we convinced this guy that I was a twin and we both worked there. My manager put both names on the schedule, and split my shifts between the two of us, I just worked them both. As Dawn, my hair was curly and I wore glasses. As Jamie, the hair was straight, or in a ponytail, and I wore contacts. I'm still shocked that he fell for, it but well he was not the smartest kid I'd ever met.

Now it’s YOUR turn to play:
Leave me a comment saying, “Interview me.”
I will respond by asking you five questions. I get to pick the questions.
You will update your weblog with the answers to the questions.
You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

[heart]

2007-04-27T12:21:00.000-05:00

This is a last ditch effort:

Tomorrow is the heart walk. My goal was $500.00. I completely dropped the ball and only raised 100. 25 of that was me donating. Thanks to Rachel, and Beth, who donated as soon as they heard.

If anyone, anyone at all has $25.00 to spare, click here and donate. i know it's a large amount, but it's the number one cause to me, and heart disease and stroke kill more women than breast and lung cancer. Help. please?

My mom's link is here, and she doesn't have any donations yet.

We've declined all prizes but the t-shirt, so all monies go directly to the organization.

eta: I only say $25 because that's the minimum online donation. There is a donation form you can print and mail on the page.

Got a call from an old friend, we used to be real close.

2007-04-23T19:41:00.000-05:00

I'm getting a roommate!

Ms. Theresa O. Is moving on up, to the east side. She needs a place to crash for a few months/undetermined amount of time, and it doesn't come much cheaper than hotel aurora. So she's coming to stay.

I've spent the evening making room. For those of you who've never visited, I have a lot of stuff. A lot.

Guest room - empty.

Living room - now housing the entire contents of the guest room.

Even if something happens and for some reason I don't get a roommate, man, this needed to be done.

Beat the drum, and hold the phone, the sun came out today.

2007-04-23T07:44:00.000-05:00

There's something elusive, something unknown, in recent years, in the state of Minnesota. A division championship? No, no, we have several of those. Hmm. An MVP? No, got one. An AL batting champ? Nope, got that too. Ah, we must not have a Cy Young winner. No, wait, check. Got a double winner there even. Hmm. What is it?

Ah. I know.

Outdoor baseball.

This past weekend, my mom, my step-dad, aunt, uncle, Nick and I headed down to Kansas City, Mo, to watch the Twins take on the Kansas City Royals. We rolled into town Friday night, just in time to drive by the stadium and see the fireworks shot off when the Royals won the game. 'Twas a wee bit depressing. But we persevered, headed to the stadium Saturday afternoon, took in some batting practice, and enjoyed the beautiful weather. The Twins won that game. The entire experience was a treat.

Now, what I would really like to talk about here though, is food. I exclaimed over and over again about all the great things sold at Kauffman. There were walking vendors selling sno cones, freezey pops, and huge glasses of lemonade. Best. Stadium. Ever. Our seats were towards the back of the lower level (ie: the very last row) so we were right by the food. The onion rings were too enticing to resist. They were among the best onion rings I've ever had. They rivaled Billy's for taste and goodness.

I didn't eat all the stuff listed, just the onion rings, but man, I was on the verge of moving to KC for the stadium food. yum.

Where have all the flowers gone, long time passing?

2007-04-18T07:39:00.000-05:00

It has been ten years since I graduated from high school. This August, I will drag Nick to downtown Minneapolis, to the Marriot to wander around a room full of 515 people, and assorted spouses, many of whom I never knew. Why am I doing this? I'm not entirely sure. Partially because these people (down there) have convinced me it will be fun.

L-r: Carrie, Morgan, Dawn, Sara (blue), Maureen (back) Sarah, Angie

Last July, my friend Carrie's grandmother passed away. Carrie's grandparents raised her, and they were a part of our lives as a result. Maureen and angie both came to Lois's funeral to pay their respects. A few months later, Carrie, Maureen, Angie and I staarted getting together for lunches, and a wedding shower. Last night, our friend Alison (not pictured) was in town from New Hampshire/Texas, long story, and so Mo, Angie and I joined her for dinner in Maple Grove. Next Sunday, Maureen, Carrie, Angie, our friend John, and their spouses are all coming to my place for dinner.

The thing that amazes me about my renewed relationships with these people, is how our friendships have picked up. We don't spend all or most of our time reminiscing about high school, which in this situation, would be easy to do. We're all in very different places from the last time we were together. Marriages, kids, careers, all leaps and bounds from where we left off. But we've adapted. We talk about our lives now, and it's like we were never apart.

Design on a Dime

2007-04-16T14:12:00.000-05:00

I'm Dawn, and I'm a design show addict. I love the show "Freestyle" because it's free! And I love rearranging things, so it's a show after my own heart.

I got my new duvet in last week, and finally have had a chance to upload the pic I took of my newly decorated bed. And of course the pictures above the bed that Theresa and I hung up way back when.

I love it. It's taken me forever to get it settled, find the right duvet, but I'm thrilled with the results of my "patience"

I've got waffle mix, and wine, someone bring the beer, and someone bring the bananas.

2007-04-15T16:55:00.000-05:00

My weekend wasn't a whole lot to talk about, there was a fabulous dinner (and wine!) with Toni in St. Cloud, a great lacrosse game (we won!)and a wHaffle searching adventure with Theresa and Zeke.

One thing I love about where I live, is how much there is to do. For instance, if someone were to come and visit me, say from, oh, I don't know Vancouver? They would find lovely things such as:

Como Park Zoo and Conservatory
The Muddy Pig
Twins Baseball, Swarm Lacrosse and Wild Hockey (season-dependent)
Tom Reid's for nachos(vegetarian) and darts.
Bonfire for killer ginger ale.
Cafe Latte for Turtle Cake
*sigh* The Mall of America (Which houses a Sephora)
Beautiful mansions
and of course, a Mary Tyler Moore statue.

ETA:
There's also Mississippi Market, an organic foods co-op within walking distance.
And Whole Foods Market. I hear there is a tea there random Canadians like.
and Target! I hear random Canadians like Target.

what else? Lots of you have been to my house, and Rachel, you live here, what else is in the neighborhood/area?

Dawn and Theresa save the day

2007-04-12T07:31:00.000-05:00

Fully recovered from their blockbuster hit, Dawn and Theresa go to Taco Bell, our two heroines have embarked on their next adventure.

Saving the day.

You see, the Twins, they have not been doing so well defending the world against hell's powers of darkness. They battled for two long days, watching ~~Damon~~ demon after demon score. There seemed to be no victory in sight, the demons were going to walk away, sweeping the Twins into tartarus.

Dawn and Theresa were called into action. Beth arranged for Dawn and Theresa to attend game three.

Hell's forces of darkness, as we all know, have evil powers at their disposal. They tried to keep our heroines from the game, they infected Beth with a deadly virus, distracting Dawn during her work day in the hopes she would have to work too late to attend. They rained down icy sulpher, making traffic an ordeal that Theresa would really rather not talk about. But they could not overcome the power of a true fan. Dawn and Theresa attended the game. And it's a good thing they did.

Theresa told Castillo to steal a base. He did. Dawn told Punto to act like himself, and get a hit. he didn't quite listen, still trying to hit to the outfield, but it dropped, so she let it slide. Theresa, with her tall, athletic stature, stepped in for Joe Mauer and brought in an RBI in the eighth inning to break the tie, and send us all home without spending the night at the metrodome in an epic battle for the good of all mankind.

Mankind - 1 Evil forces - 2 (sadly)

Bullseye!

2007-04-10T08:42:00.000-05:00

As most of you have already heard/read, Rachel and I are going lenten on Target. Our beloved Ghetto Target is being torn down to make room for parking at our brand-spanking new Super Target.

Wednesday we will have our very own "Fat Tuesday" ETA: on Wednesday, and make one last ambulatory trip through the barren aisles, looking, searching, for that one thing that we just didn't know we needed.

The hard part for me won't be avoiding Target stores, but I do a lot of Target-ing online. It fills my days up.

We each get one dispensation, Iam looking for specific pillowcases, to match my brand new duvet cover. (that's right, Nick, DUVET DUVET DUVET) Rachel has to do some wedding stuff there when her sister gets married.

But other than that, it's cold turkey. I don't think I'll have that big of a problem. Doesn't mean I'm not working on a list of things to pick up before we start though. . .

It's been one week since you loooked at me

2007-04-09T09:04:00.000-05:00

What are you up to this week? My plans:

Monday - Work, gym, clean, sleep.
Tuesday - Work, gym, Tom Reid's?, sleep
Wednesday - Work, gym, farewell to ghetto Target. ~~homework. Homework homework homework~~
Thursday - Work, gym, more homework.
Friday - Work, gym. nothing.
Saturday - nothing, Bowling, last swarm game of the year. (regular season that is.)
Sunday - Church? nothing.

I'm kind of excited for the boring week.

Gentlemen only.

2007-04-05T15:19:00.000-05:00

When I was just a wee pup, before I could even drink legally in the state of Minnesota, I took a spring trip to Arizona. I couldn't drink legally there, either.

I've taken a spring trip to Arizona many, many times in my life. My paternal grandparents live in Lake Havasu City, home of the London Bridge. I also have an aunt and uncle who live in Palm Desert, California.

Never before have I gone to Arizona over Easter weekend. In 1998, however, I did. Jay and his wife came too. The paternal side of my family are big on golf. For as long as I can remember, a large part of weekends at the cabin were spent at the Luck Golf Course, where any number of Van's could be found golfing their hearts out. I've never golfed.

There's this pretty big tournament that happens over Easter weekend here in the states. The Masters. We drove out to Palm Desert back in '98 (where Aunt and Uncle live on a, yes, golf course) and spent a large majority of the weekend watching the masters.

That year, the US Amateur champion was a youngster by the name of Matt Kuchar. I don't remember how he did, but I sure remember his smile. After every hole, the boy turned the cameras and smiled a big, toothy, happy grin. My little 19-year-old heart just couldn't take it. I developed my first athlete crush since Tim Laudner. He was my favorite that year, despite a steady fall in the rankings of the tournament, because no matter how he did, he just kept smiling.

Every year since then, I've picked a favorite and tried to watch as much of the tourney as I can. In 2004, I picked Phil to win, and that's the only year I've done it.

This year, I didn't give it much thought. I don't know about the rest of you, but this year is flying by, and April snuck up on me. Even my April Fool's Day joke was a few days late. At dinner last night, Nick asked me who my favorite was. I blurted out Vijay Singh (largely because his name was just mentioned on the tv). After a bit more research, I've chosen John Kelly as my guy. What can I say, I like the newbies.

Happy Birthday, Carly!!!!

2007-04-05T07:54:00.000-05:00

A few months ago, Carly had a birthday.

I was a horrible person on that day, and I didn't make her a birthday post, largely because I wasn't at home, it was the holiday season, I was working an extra job, blah blah blah.

Bottom line, I promised her a post on another, surprise day. So here it is! Happy birthday + 96 days!

And here's a picture of my actual hand as a birthday present.

Goooooooooooooing to the chapel...

2007-04-03T16:07:00.000-05:00

Rach: so anyway. what's new?
Dawn: Nick and I are engaged.
Rach: seriously?
Dawn: would I lie to you?
Rach: well, it is still pretty close to april 1.
Dawn: here's a picture for you.

Dawn: no response?
Dawn: hellloooooooooooooooo…
Rach: my gmail quit on me or something. and i can't see the picture
Dawn: i tried sending it from work
Rach: pretty.
Dawn: you got it then? Now do you believe me?
Rach: yep. congrats! so how did he propose?
Dawn: Well, i was sick all weekend, and he was taking care of me, so Saturday afternoon, he made me some malt-o-meal, and said "I like taking care of you, can I do it forever?" And showed me the ring. Needless to say, I said yes
Rach: awwwwwww.
Dawn: *blush*

Awhile later…

Rach: am i going to have to clean snuffy's litterbox tonight and leave a flaming bag in front of your door?
Dawn: you were a tough sell, anyway.

No, I am not engaged, but man was it fun teasing Rachel. The hand and ring belong to a co-worker of mine.

They say it's the most important meal of the day.

2007-04-02T08:25:00.000-05:00

Today's breakfast is special.

Now, I don't really like breakfast food as a rule. I like pancakes, and french toast, but no eggs for this girl, and no cereal as a general rule. Give me a nice tomato sandwich any day. But usually, I'll have a yogurt and some fruit.

But once in awhile, you just gotta have a special breakfast.
Happy baseball day everyone!

Someday I'm gonna be free

2007-03-31T16:26:00.000-05:00

I am on the mend. There was a minor setback yesterday evening, but I'm pretty sure that was my own darned fault.

I'd put myself at about 94% right now, spending the day in my pajamas wrapped in a nice cozy blanket has done wonders for me.

Off to the Swarm game. But first, cheesecake.

An apple a day.

2007-03-29T13:02:00.000-05:00

Does absolutely nothing. I think that whole "An apple a day keeps the doctor away" is a vicious lie moved forward by the health care industry.

I eat an apple a day, sometimes more than one.

I'm at home, in bed.

To be fair, I'm fairly sure it's allergies, not a cold, but still. Bitter.

He's going the distance. He's going for speed.

2007-03-26T07:17:00.000-05:00

This weekend was fun filled. Nick's parents were in town and Sunday afternoon was a bridal shower for Carrie. Who is already married, but we just changed things up a bit.

Sunday morning, I woke up, and layed around for a bit, waiting for nick and his parents to wake up. We rolled out of bed around 9:00, I cleaned my kitchen and everyone else got ready for the day. JoAnna arrived around 10:00 with all the groceries for food and stuff. She started wrapping presents for the dice game and I got to work on the food. We popped the cake in the oven.

Nick and his parents left to do some shopping around 11:00, after Nick stole cheese from my preparations. :glare: Around 11:30/12:00, JoAnna headed to Walgreen's to pick up beverages and I was frosting the cake.

The suicidal cake.

I swear to you, it was not my fault. There I was, putting a crumb layer of frosting on the cake, turning the cake plate with one hand, layering frosting on with the other (actually with a spatula, but you get the idea) I was puttering along nicely when all of a sudden, the cake LEAPT off the cake plate onto the counter. It was reminescent of Thelma and Louise.

The cake landed face down on a regular plate. "I can fix this!" I thought. I carefully placed the cake plate on the bottom of the cake, and flipped the entire thing over. There the cake was, in all it's glory, a little mussed in the frostal areas, but overall, it had been rescued. Then, before my eyes, the cake split. Right down the middle. It was the San Andreas Fault Line of cakes. The top half of the left side slid right off the cake plate back to the counter.

I stood for a minute, mourning. I calmly picked up the phone and called my mother. I asked her if she would be so kind as to stop at her local cub and pick up a cake. Undecorated was fine, yes, we can just write on it when it arrives.

I hung up the phone and turned back to the disaster on the counter. I grabbed a turner and shoveled the cake into a tin that Toni had given me Christmas cookies in. When JoAnna came back she and I grabbed forks and had ourselves a little chocolate snack. Carrie arrived early and had the same idea. As did my mom.

The rest of the afternoon went smoothly, the guests were mostly friends from high school and the stories told made JoAnna quite glad she wasn't friends with us when we were in high school. My mom was there, as well as Peggy, the mother of one of our high school friends. I'm quite gald these girls are back in my life, and Peggy commented at one point "It's like they've never been apart." And it is. We have just as much fun as adults as we did as teenagers.

And I have a tinful of chocolate cake.

Oh, the places you'll go.

2007-03-23T08:11:00.000-05:00

Where do you want to go? If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Me, I love camping. When I was 16 years old, I spent a summer working in Yosemite National Park. Two of the weeks I was there, we lived in the back country. Horizon Ridge, it was called. The general public isn't allowed in the Horizon Ridge area, we were employees, and we were doing fireline rehabilitation, so we were allowed back there. We dug holes in the ground for our coolers, we lived in tents, we "showered" in the creek using biodegradable soaps. It was lovely. I'd love to go back there.

I'd also love to go back to Brasil. The first time I ever saw an ocean was in Brasil. (I'd seen San Fransisco Bay, but that doesn't do an ocean justice).

But as for places I've never been that I want to see, the list is long, I had to narrow it down. I gave myself a limit of 5.

Greece - It would be cool to see all the history of Athens and such, but what I'd really like is to go to one of the smaller islands for a month and live like a native. Mmm. Olive oil.

Antarctica - My love of penguins is well known. I can only imagine the majestic beauty of a land of unremitting ice. I'll need new mittens though.

Italy - When I was in junior high, I decided I wanted to live in Italy. I picked Italy because all my friends were in love with France, and I wanted to be different. Luckily, thanks to Toni, this just might come true, not living, but a visit is most definately in order.

Mexico - I've never been to Mexico! With my love of tequila and a good margarita, I know this is hard to believe, but I've never been.

Canada - I lived in Fargo, ND for 6 years. Manitoba was just 3 hours away. Did I ever go? Nope. Tried to once, but customs just wouldn't let- I mean, a snowstorm wouldn't let us make the trip. I hear Vancouver is lovely...

United Kingdom - Is it cheating to put it all as one? I have a limit here, people. I have a friend who lives in Wakefield, England, and besides wanting to visit her, I just like fog? No, that's not quite right... I just want to go, ok?

Prague - What? That's 6. I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about. I counted on my toes. So I have an extra one, it's not cheating. . . My cousin and her mother went to Prague, and the pictures she brought back made me want to view all that history and beauty for myself.

What are your top 5 6 places (you've never been)?

So now I have the Partridge family in my head...

2007-03-22T08:02:00.000-05:00

It's quite amazing how fast time goes when you take two days off at the beginning of the week. I seem to be fully recovered now, which is good, because this weekend I have houseguests in the form of Nick's family, and a bridal shower on Sunday afternoon.

So, because of all this, I have a lot to do.

~~clean living room~~
mop kitchen floor
laundry started, anyway
~~dust~~
~~clean laundry room~~
~~take out boxes from guest room~~
~~clean dining room~~
do taxes
physics homework
~~buy new toothbrush (mine died in Arizona, and I've been using a crappy travel one)~~
~~clean bedroom~~
clean oven (i cleaned the stove on Tuesday night, it's sparkly)
~~clean bathroom~~

ETA: I forgot about the bathroom. Which is the worst and most tiresome chore. *sigh*

What is everyone up to for the weekend?

Hello world there's a song that we're singing...

2007-03-20T14:57:00.000-05:00

I've been home sick for the past couple days, in that time I've managed to grow a village full of people, a garden full of piñatas and watch an entire season of LOST.

I went to class last night, came home, took a couple shots of nyquil and slept until 10:45 this morning. I feel much better and hauled myself off to the grocery store. Now I'm wiped, but I bought myself some Orange soda, and i'm feeling much better :)

A long while ago, Courtney posted something about a notebook where she wrote down things that made her happy. Not long after that I started my own notebook. Orange and strawberry soda and high up there on my list.

I should pull my notebook out and add some things to it. What kinds of things are or would be in your book? Share!

New hair!

2007-03-16T10:10:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday! I got my hair changed last night!

Hey, Sarah!

2007-03-14T20:34:00.000-05:00

Name: Alexi Casilla
Position: Second Base
Socks: Tall

Mama said there'd be days...

2007-03-14T08:23:00.001-05:00

And then there are days like today where I start to wonder if I can afford to quit working right now...

I just wanna bang on a drum all day.

2007-03-13T08:23:00.000-05:00

I've been on vacation for 5 lovely days. Rising at 5:45 this morning and getting me to work on time was very difficult. My job is ok, but there are definite aspects about it that I don't like (she has a name I won't say here). I took this job hoping I would be happier here than I was in my old job, but I'm not.

I've posted several times about my teaching ambitions. I'm currently in graduate school to get my teaching license, with vague plans to continue after that (while teaching) to get certified in literacy.

When I started grad school, I planned on finishing the licensing portion of my class work in May of 2008. Feeling overwhelmed late in the first semester, I decided I would add on one semester, and finish in December of 2008. When I started this job, and once I knew I wasn’t entirely happy here, I figured out how I could rearrange my schedule to go back to my original plan of finishing in May.

I'm once again second guessing myself.

One of the best benefits of my job is the tuition reimbursement. I get $2000.00 per year to pay for my tuition. It's basically an additional 2000 bucks on my salary. The one thing I won't get reimbursed for is my student teaching. If I extend my school by one semester, I'll get another $2000.00 in tuition reimbursement.

Other benefits include:
It will be easier to go visit Toni in October, because I'll have less credits to worry about.
I may be able to take another vacation before student teaching, possibly in the beginning of 2008.
I'll have more time to save money for student teaching.
I make more money now than I will once I graduate.
I'll be less stressed school-wise

Not so much a benefit includes:
I will be working longer at a job I dislike.
I'll be spending nearly an extra year here.
My loans will be out longer so they'll earn more interest.

Back!

2007-03-12T19:17:00.000-05:00

Back! Sunburned, tired, no pictures taken *gasp*

will write more later, but I'm back and happy to be home. Less happy to go towork tomorrow, but eh...

London Bridge is falling down, falling down...

2007-03-07T12:17:00.000-06:00

Today looks like it will be my last day of work for the week. This weekend, Nick and I are headed to Lake Havasu City, Arizona to chat for a few days with my grandparents.

According to some website, Lake Havasu City is the #4 spring break destination. I have no idea why this is. I've spent a lot of Spring Breaks in LHC, due to the g-rents (that's right, i used g-rents) and let me tell you, it's pretty much all old people. Of course there is the lake. Very pretty, Lake Havasu.

Lake Havasu's big claim to fame is the London Bridge.Turns out, the nursery rhyme doesn't lie. The bridge really was falling down. When it was around 600 years old, they tore down the old bridge and built a new one. Some eccentric American bought the old bridge and brought it Lake Havasu City. They put the sucker up, and made a canal under it.

The weather should be lovely while we're there.
So I'm out for a few days, behave in my absence!

ETA: This new word verification requirement I have been struggling with, turns out Google thinks my blog is a spam blog! What?! I'm not a spam blog! Blogger is very quickly turning into not being worth it.

" "

2007-03-05T19:29:00.000-06:00

Found it.

Phew!

2007-03-04T19:47:00.000-06:00

I made it through last week, and I'm now down from 3 classes to 1. Thank goodness! I got an A on my teaching lesson, but no idea how I did in the classes as a whole. But overall, I'm just glad I'm done. Phew.

This week is a short one for me as I am headed to Arizona on Friday to visit my grandparents. I've posted before about my grandfather. I'm excited, and ready for the break. I am taking off on Thursday afternoon to get ready and do some shopping with JoAnna.

I have nothing else exciting to say, but I'm pretty pumped about the sunshine I'm about to experience.

ETA: I thought of something else I wanted to say last night, but now I can't think of it. I came into work at 6am today, and that is REALLY early. Just sayin. And I missed my shoes, so I put the picture back in my sidebar.

Dude

2007-02-28T20:04:00.000-06:00

I'm just here for the movies, Leo

2007-02-26T08:06:00.000-06:00

Weekend updates:
~~
Rachel's birthday was yesterday. A group of us headed to our recent-favorite, Bonfire, for some food, fun, and liquor for Rachel. Beth can always be counted on to bring birthday hats, so here are Rachel and Theresa sporting their Happy Birthday cone hats. Rachel got lots of socks (she has a fetish) and some fuzzy things.
~~
The Oscar's were on last night. While I've only seen two movies this year, I watched the first couple of hours while having a much-needed catch up chat with Sarah. I've never really had an opinion on Ellen Degeneres, if pressed I would have probably leaned towards disliking her. Last night however, she may have won me over. She was funny, and kept things moving at a nice pace. Jack Black, John C. Reilly and Will Farrell did a hilarious little song ending with "Helen Mirren and an Oscar are coming home with me tonight."
~~
The snow we got in the metro this weekend is INSANE. Nick and I had to shovel my car out, literally with a shovel, on Sunday morning, so I could go buy Rachel's birthday present and some new underwear. I love getting new underwear. Girls, you'll back me on this right? New underwear is great? Maybe it's just me.
~~
Nick showing off his CC Sabathia-esque birthday hat.

~~
This week promises to be hellish. I've got most of my homework done, I just need to come up with some creative ways of putting together my gym homework, and actually do my assessment for Wednesday. Once those are done (the assessment is going to kick my butt) I'll just have one project left for the semester. Shouldn't be too difficult. A co-worker is taking pictures of her son getting ready for bed so I don't have to draw any illustrations.
~~
I don't have much else to say, so I will leave you with the dancing chickens.

Don't cry little Rachel-Marie

2007-02-25T14:37:00.000-06:00

Happy Golden Birthday Rachel!I'm not at home so my picture options are limited.

You cannot teach a crab to walk straight.

2007-02-22T12:52:00.000-06:00

School is kicking my butt right now. I have three classes this week, the last class for two of them, so big projects are due, and I give a presentation in the other class. I don't think i was thinking straight when I signed up for my presentation date.

So, in the grand tradition of Sarah, my to do list for the evening.

~~Type up presentation packets~~
~~-table of contents~~
~~-activities~~
~~-bibliography of Konigsburg books~~
~~Chapter 8 reflection~~
~~Chapter 9 reflection~~
Reflection paper on Searching for Bobby Fischer
~~Reflection paper on heart disease~~
~~20 minute gym lesson plan~~
Put together gym portfolio
~~Read at least 1/3 of the book for Monday~~
Portfolio assignment for assessment (this is pending information from a classmate)
~~Write out the text for my children's book~~A co-worker is going to take pictures of her kids to use as illustrations, so I have to wait for those

Once I get most of that done, I get to ~~put together my stamps!~~

I wish that I knew what I know now when I was younger.

2007-02-19T19:45:00.000-06:00

Today is my birthday. It was among the best of the birthdays I've ever had. It encompassed an entire weekend, and my friends made it wonderful.

Friday I stayed in and got some cleaning done and rested up.

Saturday, Toni came down and we headed to lunch. Our plan was to go to Cafe Latte for lunch, but the line was long, and we weren't in sandwich-y moods, so we headed to Bonfire across the hall, and went to Cafe Latte for dessert.Saturday night, Toni, myself, Nick, JoAnna, Laura, Kurtis, Angela, Rachel, Beth and Erika headed down to Brooklyn Park to tackle some bowling and bumper cars. We had pizza, cake, and I had liquor, and then we headed over to the lanes to take in some bowling. I was the winner of the evening, scoring a 161 and a 113. At least, I declare myself the winner...

After bowling, there was bumper cars. We were all surprised by how enjoyable these babies were. They were so much fin, we all went twice. We also played some air hockey and skee-ball. The laser tag was deemed to spendy for our tastes, but we didn't miss it.

Sunday, after a relaxing morning, Nick and I went to church, and the grocery store. Some friends came over for dinner and to take in the Swarm game with us. The Swarm, naturally, kicked some New York butt, and we all won free chips and guac.

Today, thankfully having a day off for president's day, Nick and I ran some errands, Nick found a Wii, and we went to Granite City for lunch. At 5:15, we met Beth and Bobbi to skate at the Xcel center (home of the Wild and the Swarm). The evening was finished off with free chips and guac from Chipotle, Rachel joined us for this.

I made this entire post, and the whole thing went away, so I'll just post picture links instead of re-uploading all the pictures.

I had a fabulous birthday, and I sincerely thank everybody who joined me and celebrated with me. Thank you.

My photos

Beth's photos

Toni's

Kurtis and Angela

The read dealio

2007-02-16T07:17:00.000-06:00

I don't usually post these things, but this was was eerily accurate, so I thought I'd post it. Stolen from Sherry.

The True You

1.You want your girlfriend or boyfriend to be more relaxed, calm, and composed.

2. With respect to money, you spend as little as possible.

3. You think good luck doesn't exist - reality is built on practicalities.

4. The hidden side of your personality tends to be a little selfish. You only do what interests you.

5. You are tend to think about others' feelings a lot, perhaps because you are so eager to be liked.

6. When it comes to finding a romantic partner, you base your search on information from your friends.

Who's The True You?

1. I do like a calm, collected easy going man, but I don't think Nick needs to be more easy going. He's easy going enough.

2. This is true. I'm a big talker. I like spending money, and I like new things, but I'm cheap. I've been looking for a new dining room table for months now and haven't bought one because they're so expensive.

3. This is true. I'm not superstitious at all, and I don't believe in luck. I'm a baseball fan, and it drives me nuts when people say "I have to wear this because it's lucky." No it's not you nerd.

4. Holy crap am I selfish. I'm all about me.

5. This seems like it's contradictory to the last one but it's not. I do wonder what other people are thinking and feeling, because I need to know how it affects me.

6. I just picked out one of my friends.

It's a bruce-y kind of day

2007-02-15T18:05:00.000-06:00

I went into work at 6:30 this morning, and by 7:00 I was on my way home. I couldn't stop coughing, and I was feeling a bit nauseous and so I came home. I stopped at cub to pick up some essentials and I was in bed by 7:45.

I spent the day sleeping, sucking ginger ale, reading and watching movies. I watched Unbreakable and am currently watching Hostage.

I love Bruce Willis.

And Grey's Anatomy is on tonight. If only today were Friday, and I didn't have to go to work tomorrow.

The Wedding Planner

2007-02-11T20:09:00.000-06:00

My best friend since high school, Carrie, has been trying to plan her wedding for awhile. She and her fiancee, John, have been trying to pull things together to get married in the next couple of months, insisting they wanted a small wedding with 6 or so people there. Nothing fancy.

She called me on Friday, and asked what I was doing on the 18th, well, that's my birthday weekend, so I told her I was pretty sure I'd be hung-over. But if she wanted to do it then, I'm there. She jokingly said, let's just do it tomorrow. Let's get it done. I laughed, and said, sure, come to my mom's, she's having a skating party, it's like a built-in reception!

Well, she did it. Friday night at 10:00 Carrie called to tell me that she and John were getting married on Saturday night at my mom's house.

Saturday was a blur, the morning was spent shopping for a dress, we found a beautiful number at Penny's, ivory and gold Carrie looked fabulous. The afternoon I spent making food, making a sheet cake, finding a bouquet, champagne, wedding flutes, baby-sitting Dominic (Carrie's son) and skating with my family. JoAnna went off in search of a gift.

Around 8 or 8:30, Carrie arrived at my mom's house, groom, aunt, best man in tow. By 9:30 they were married.

My mom married them, here she is blessing the rings.

Carrie and John met in Junior high. Everyone in the wedding "party" was a graduate of Wayzata high school. Carrie, John, Me, and Brian the best man.

Rumour has it, Carrie's family is throwing a reception in April. Pretty excited about that, although I think I did a damn fine job pulling off what I did :)

And the happy couple.

(earlier in the day, Dominic [he's 4] managed to pull the fireplace mantel off :) my mom leaped to the rescue and nothing was broken as we all stood there gaping. Four adults in the room and we all just watched him do it.)

ETA: The rest of the pictures are here.

The boys are back in town.

2007-02-08T08:08:00.000-06:00

All right. The days have dwindled, and the birthday is coming up. A mere 11 days until the main event. I have a party planned for the 17th (anyone who is in the area, who wants to come, shoot me an email, I'll get you details) and possibly a wedding on the 18th, (and a Swarm game, stellar) and the actual day on the 19th involves nothing all day, including no work because it's presidents day.

I can't wait. Are you people shopping?

OMG! I totallly just thought of something I want, I totally want a label maker, Toni, you know, like the one we had in the union in college? [heart]. :nerd:

oh, and 4x6 picture frames. My new printer prints photos with ease.

Weekends are golden

2007-02-04T16:48:00.000-06:00

Apparently there's some big, important football game on right now. I am not watching it. Last year, I had some friends over, and we watched for the commercials. (I think Nick was watching for the game, but, well, he's Nick). This year, I just couldn't be bothered about it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I didn't get anything done Friday night, Nick's sister was ill, so I spent some time with her instead of doing my own thing. I did stop by and try to rent Searching for Bobby Fischer but they didn't have it. Seemed odd to me, but whatever. So I will try to get some of that stuff done this week. We'll see how it goes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I know I've been absent, and fluffy, and random and boring, but I've had nothing to talk about. I always have talked about my life and such, but the novelty of exposing myself and my life to the world has worn off. I'll try to come up with something.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I will leave you all with the picture of my new printer/copier/scanner/fax machine. It's pretty sweet.
I'm a nerd, and I bought heavy-weight paper to print school projects on, and I'm pretty darned pumped about it.

Friday

2007-02-02T07:26:00.000-06:00

I'm sitting here at work, It's 7:25, 40 minutes down, 7 hours, 50 minutes to go.
~~
I'm jealous of Sarah, who is leaving today for San Diego. Holy crap was my walk to work this morning COLD.
~~
Toni is going to Italy, while I'm very sad that one of my dearest friends is going to be 7 times zones away, I'm pretty pumped that she'll be there by the fall, just in time for me to take me a little vacation overseas. I'm going to do some pricing this afternoon. If anyone knows where to get cheap international airfare, I'm interested.
~~
I have no plans tonight. None. I'm kind of at a loss, and I'm kind of excited. It hasn't been that long since I've had alone time, but it's welcomed, nonetheless. I think I'm going to get my Barnes and Noble portion of my to-do list done tonight. And perhaps the Bobby Fischer part. That would be nice to get knocked down.
~~
my tuition reimbursement at work was just approved today, despite school starting nearly a month ago. But whatever, it's an extra bit of money. And it gives me a good reason to stay at my job. For awhile anyway. There's a yearly cap, and I'll hit it with one class.
~~
And in the time I wrote this post, there are now 7 hours and 20 minutes left in my day. woot. Hooray, hooray, here comes the end of the day. (I wasn't typing constantly, I was working, talking to co-workers, etc.)
~~

Motivated

2007-01-31T07:19:00.000-06:00

Motivated by Sarah, I decided to make a to-do list for this week. I have no exciting reason for it, I'm not going to San Diego or anything exciting like that. But I do have a bit of stuff that needs to get done.

Things to do ~~today~~ Thursday:
~~go to class~~
~~clean kitchen (it still looks like it did in the last post. I haven't been home much.)~~
~~clean bathroom (seriously, ew.)~~
type up assessement on The Mysterious Tadpole
~~buy binders for subejct portfolios~~
~~Run to Target and buy dividers~~
~~drop coat off at drycleaners~~
~~clean out guestroom closet (holy boxes, seriously)~~
~~set VCR clock in bedroom so I can tape LOST next week.~~

Things to do by next Friday:
~~buy groceries for Saturday night dinner with Kristen and Cam (2/2)~~
~~pick up coat at drycleaners~~
put together author unit on E. L. Konigsburg
write health paper on health topic
rent and watch The Search for Bobby Fischer
~~re-read the ending of The Tale of Desperaux and write my summary~~
go to Barnes and Noble
buy food for 2/9 and 2/10 parties

It doesn't look like as much when it's all listed out, which is, I guess, the comfort of lists for me. Organization is comforting to me.

I believe in getting into hot water - it helps keep you clean.

2007-01-28T10:21:00.000-06:00

My entire apartment building has no hot water. We haven't had hot water all weekend. I had a party last night, so my kitchen looks like this:
Now, can someone tell me how I'm supposed to wash all those dishes without hot water? hmm? And how I'm supposed to shower? We're not going to have hot water until tomorrow at the earliest.

I'm going to Nick's.

It takes a long time to grow young.

2007-01-21T17:45:00.001-06:00

Toni has been my friend for many years. January 19th is a special day for us. Because it's the day that Toni typically calls to wish me a happy birthday.

Well, my birthday isn't until February 19th, which is good, because everyone still has time to shop!

Last year, I asked for several things, handcuffs among them. I got some things on my list, and didn't miss the ones I didn't. Except maybe the handcuffs. (kidding)

I'm working on some stellar birthday plans, but in the meantime, start your shopping!

I started this post, hoping to post a list, but I couldn't think of anything.

It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society

2007-01-19T07:12:00.000-06:00

All right kiddos. The time is near. A few months ago, I signed up to walk in the American Heart Association's Heart Walk.

My grandmother had heart disease and heart problems all her life, and a close friend of mine had a stroke when she was twenty-two. So instead of talking and talking about maybe volunteering one day with the Heart Association, I just signed up.

The walk is on Harriet Island on April 28, 2007. I'll be walking, and I invite everyone to join me. If you can't join me, please consider donating to my walk. My goal is first $500.00, ideally I'd like to raise $1000.00. If you'd like to walk with me, send me an email.

Heart disease is the #1 killer of women, killing nearly 500,000 women annually.

ETA: It appears you can only make online donations of $25 and up. I would never expect anyone to donate that much, especially if you've never met me. But if you want to get together with a couple people and donate, go ahead, or if you'd like to send a check, there is an online donation form available for download. The form also says $25, but just make up your own box :) Thanks again.

Randomosity

2007-01-18T08:02:00.000-06:00

4-day weeks are the best. Thank you, Dr. King. Next week is gonna suck.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tonight, I shall recharge and work on my jedi-ninja skills. I might also buy a dining room table. I might not though. We shall see.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I woke up this morning at what I thought was 6:30, only to have it be 5:30. I should have still gotten up, since 6:30 is oversleeping, but I didn't. I went back to bed and woke up again at 6:30, again in a panic.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It has been brought to my attention that The Siren Song will be released on July 10, 2007. Whee!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm addicted to the Return to Me soundtrack. It's fabulous. It's also got me digging out Dean martin CD's.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Swarm suffered a disappointing loss last Saturday night. I forgot to bring my camera to work today, or I'd show some pictures. We're hoping to have a beautiful win tomorrow night.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
School is back in full swing. I'm currently working on an assessment tool for a second grade reading lesson on book parts, cover, title page, glossary, etc. It's gonna be fabulous. I also have to write a children's book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tomorrow is my last offical day of training in my new job. Only 3 months of training, not bad, considering my last job had a solid 6 months. I still don't feel like I have any idea what I'm doing, but in less than 2 years, I'll be quitting to do my student teaching redux, and I can tough it out for that long. Unless I lose my job to budget constrictions, which is a possibility.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This picture of Nick and I is from his college roommate Wade's wedding. Nick was in the wedding, he doesn't go around wearing tuxedos (oes?) on a regular basis, but I liked the way this picture looked, so I thought I'd share it. Because I love the shoes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have no plans this weekend, other than the Friday night Swarm game. Hopefully, I can crank out some homeowrk on Saturday and Sunday, it would be nice to be ahead in the semester for once, too. My reading class isn't all that much work, but my assessment class is short, just meets 8 times, so there's a lot in there to get done.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I just went and did a bunch of work there for a few minutes, and I felt like a SIM. What if I'm just a computer generated figment of someones computer programming. I hope they don't kill me off in a fire like I did to Rach the other night. Got a whopping $5 for her tombstone though. I'll bring her back. I have romantic plans for her and this guy in the neighborhood, Steve.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Friends are just enemies who don't have enough guts to kill you

2007-01-15T19:34:00.000-06:00

What are the qualities of a good friend?

Selflessness?
Honesty?

I need to know. I'm brutally honest, but am about the most selfish person on the face of the planet.

And the brutal honesty can be harmful too.

Now leave me alone and get lost!

2007-01-12T09:28:00.000-06:00

I'm tired. I'm chronically cranky, and I'm tired. I'm tired of feeling like I put more effort into certain things than other people, I'm tired of feeling used and unimportant. So I'm done. I'll be out for a little while, those of you who need to contact me know how.

I also hate it when people lie to me, so they should stop doing that.

ETA: The quote is Oscar the Grouch.

It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them.

2007-01-07T16:51:00.000-06:00

A few months ago, my good friend, Carrie's, grandmother died. At the visitation, our old high school friend Angie. We chatted a bit, and decided that we'd have to get together soon. It was one of those "let's do lunch" but we'll probably never do it, kind of things. The next day at the funeral, another old high school friend, Maureen, (and her mother) came, and we made the same comment about getting together sometime in the future.

Well, we did it. Today we met at Olive Garden, and we sat for two hours and talked and laughed and reminisced and had a fabulous time. We graduated high school ten years ago this June, and we haven't all seen each other since then. Carrie and I are in contact pretty frequently, and Maureen and Angie had talked quite a bit, but the four of us hadn't all been together in nearly ten years.

I'm kicking myself a lot, because I didn't bring my camera, but we made concrete plans to do it again at the end of next month. I'm really looking forward to it, and I promise I'll bring the camera next time.

It was hard to believe how much we'd all changed. You see people getting together with old friends, and hear choruses of "you haven't changed a bit". But we've all changed. All of us are involved with significant others, Angie and Maureen are married, Carrie is engaged, Maureen and Carrie have children, we've all transgressed to different places than we last knew each other.

We spent some time reminiscing about high school and our exploits, of which there were plenty, but it was amazing how even though we've all changed, a lot, I don't think any of us are in places we thought we'd be ten years ago, but we were still able to talk about things current in our lives. It was a fabulous time, and I think that it will be just as fun next time. We're planning on getting together one more time, just the four of us, and then getting together with all of our significant others.

I can't wait.

Does anybody know what time it is?

2007-01-06T08:53:00.000-06:00

My alarm goes off at 5:30 every weekday morning. Every morning this week, I've woken up at exactly 5:25. Including this morning when I didn't have to get up. Not 5:23, 5:24 or 5:26. 5:25. Without fail. It's eerie. I'll keep you posted on tomorrow, but I have a feeling I won't wake up at that time tomorrow. But Monday, I just might.

PS, Rachel is hot stuff on match.com

still c'est la barbe.

2007-01-04T19:47:00.000-06:00

Tonight I've:

finished the living room cleaning
finished the laundry (except the hang-dry stuff is still drying)
started on the dining room cleaning
measured my dining room in order to help me decide which kind of new table to buy
grocery shopped
tried to make butterscotch brownies (recipe try #1 - failed)
made my bed
watched a lot more HGTV
watched some 70's show
loaded/unloaded my dishwasher
eta: made a match.com profile for Rachel.

not quite as ambitious as last night, but still a noble effort.

and now I'm bored again.

C'est la barbe.

2007-01-03T20:49:00.000-06:00

I'm bored.

Tonight I've:
finished cleaning my bedroom
re-arranged my living room (complete with vaccuuming!)
Met Rach and Jo at Champp's for nachos
come home and been sick because of a nachos+medication equation
taken a hot hot bath because being sick makes me feel gross
brushed my teeth madly in preparation for the dentist next week
dusted my living room
read old blog posts
read a book for class next semester
watched 3 episodes of "Design on a Dime"
measured my stereo depth
searched the IKEA catalogue for a shelf deep enough
done four loads of laundry

now I'm out of things to do, and I'm bored. le sigh

Good Times

2007-01-01T21:54:00.000-06:00

Thanks to Erika for hosting a stellar snow-bound New Year's Eve.

A small crowd is a good crowd.

I'm glad no one died while driving in the stormy weather.

I felt so grown up for dinner.

Thanks!

Books are like Crack (paraphrased)

2006-12-29T10:36:00.000-06:00

This stack of books is sitting on my nightstand, just waiting to be read. Classes start again on Monday the 8th, and I don't know if I can finish them all!

I have read a couple of them. The top one was an easy read JoAnna gave me, and I finished that last night, I also finished "The Faerie Path" which is a free book I picked up at work. I'm currently working on finishing Freakonomics, as it's Nick's and I've had it for months. It's surprisingly interesting, even for a non-econ lover like me.

Oh, I also finished the purple one, which is Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh.

I have a lot of work ahead of me. Maybe I can finish a couple off on Monday.

If The Phone Doesn't Ring, It's Me.

2006-12-28T07:34:00.000-06:00

i got a new phone. finally. my old phone was causingme problems, I would randomly get cut off, the battery was shot, it wasn't pretty. Yesterday my contract with T-Mobile ended, and after 6 years of good, quality service, i moved over to Sprint. Nick and thought it would be best to be on the same network so we don't use minutes talking to each other, and it makes sense, really. So we evaluated and decided to go with Sprint, his carrier. Erika, I know you hate them, it's ok.

Last night Nick, JoAnna, and I went to the Sprint store, JoAnna to return a phone, Nick to just look at phones, and me to switch my service. I had to do it yesterday so I didn't have to pay a partial month on my tmobile phone, and I wanted to take my cell number with me, so I couldn't do it earlier.

Nick looked around, and didn't see any phones he wanted that were $30 or less, and so he was going to wait. I picked out the phone above, for 49.99 and sat down to get everything done. While I was calling Tmobile to get my account number, Brandon, the Sprint guy helping us, looked up what Nick's rebate would be if he re-signed his contract. Well, it turned out that if Nick re-signed up, he got the above phone for $29.99, and I'd get the same phone for $29.99, so Nick signed up, and we both got new phones.

I transferred all my numbers, and life is good. Now if I could just figure out how to work the mp3 player. . .

Tomorrow is always fresh with no mistakes in it. Yet.

2006-12-27T10:12:00.000-06:00

What are everyone's thoughts on New Years Eve? I don't really have an opinion, I'm ok with not doing anything, although as a rule, I like getting together with friends and stuff. Last year, Nick and I spent the evening with our then-closer friend, Kristie, just the 3 of us. It wasn't so bad. I'm ok with staying in with some champagne and a movie. I'm ok with being at someone's house with a bunch of friends and some games. we have no plans yet this year, if anyone waants to invite us somewhere...

I'm not a big fan at all of being in a bar, or really a public place of any kind. (Although the year we went to the Tim Mahoney concert was awesome).

What do you all think?

Merry Christmas to all*

2006-12-24T11:13:00.000-06:00

I hope your holiday celebrations are wonderful.

*except Rocket, to whom I wish a merry Sunday and Monday. :)

The weather outside isn't frightful. At all.

2006-12-20T19:23:00.000-06:00

My presents are wrapped, the tree is decorated, I'm done with my shopping, and I'm ready to party!

I know it's not the best picture of my tree, but my camera is acting silly.

All we need is snow. We live in Minnesota, we should have snow at Christmas. It's December! But we don't. and we might not.

I love Christmas.

Now if Nick would just tell me if my present is bigger than a breadbox. . .

"Great God, this is an aweful place" - R.F. Scott

2006-12-20T08:13:00.000-06:00

One thing that some, but not all people know about me is that I love Antarctica. I've loved penguins for a long time, long before the current craze due to Happy Feet. When I was younger, I read Madeline L'Engle's book Troubling a Star.

In the book, Vicki Austin receives a trip to Antarctica as a birhday gift. It's a rare gift, and a rare experience, but reading it created a longing for me to go to Antarctica. I can only imagine the beauty to be found there.

A few weeks ago, Nick was reading a nerd-blog about law stuff, and it had a link to this blog. David Ruth is an artist who received a grant to go to Antarctica to work with ice. Some of his pictures are fabulous, and I wanted people to be able to check it out.

Someday, I'll get to go there, hopefully through the Falkland Islands, but I'd settle for New Zealand...

I wonder how much it would take to buy a soap bubble, if there were only one in the world.

2006-12-19T07:18:00.000-06:00

Christmas, children, is not a date. It is a state of mind.

2006-12-18T08:12:00.000-06:00

i know i used the title quote before, but i just don't care, because i love the quote.

i made a decision this weekend. a few days ago, some friends were over, and a couple people made comments on my tree, and we talked a littlebit about my ornaments. i realized that i have never put an ornament on my tree that wasn't a gift. So i decided that i never will. i hereby resolve to not put any ornament on my tree unless it comes to me as a gift.

i bought my lights, and i think i'll buy some garland after the holidays for next year. But ornaments are going to be gift only. i love this idea. yay!

50 51 52 out of 150

2006-12-15T07:25:00.000-06:00

I stole this from Carly, who stole it from Retarded Rugrat.

Go through the list and put everything you have done in your lifetime in bold.

01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink
02. Swam with wild dolphins
03. Climbed a mountain
04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid
06. Held a tarantula
07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
08. Said “I love you” and meant it.
09. Hugged a tree
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars
20. Changed a baby’s diaper
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten drunk on champagne
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
27. Had a food fight
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen a total eclipse
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day (argh, matey)
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. Had two hard drives for your computer
40. Visited all 50 states
41. Taken care of someone who was drunk
42. Had/Have amazing friends
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
44. Watched whales
45. Stolen a sign
46. Backpacked in Europe
47. Taken a road-trip
48. Gone rock climbing
49. Midnight walk on the beach
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland
52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger’s table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow
56. Alphabetized your cds
57. Pretended to be a superhero
58. Sung karaoke
59. Lounged around in bed all day
60. Played touch football
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain
63. Played in the mud
64. Played in the rain
65. Gone to a drive-in theater
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
69. Toured ancient sites
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight
72. Gotten married
73. Been in a movie
74. Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted the snake river
82. Been on television news programs as an “expert”
83. Gotten flowers for no reason
84. Performed on stage
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music
87. Eaten shark
88. Kissed on the first date
89. Gone to Thailand
90. Bought a house
91. Been in a combat zone
92. Buried one/both of your parents
93. Been on a cruise ship
94. Spoken more than one language fluently
95. Performed in a Rocky Horror Picture Show
96. Raised children
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
98. Passed out cold
99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn't stop when you knew someone was looking
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an accident that you shouldn’t have survived
105. Wrote articles for a large publication
106. Lost over 100 pounds
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane
109. Touched a stingray (I've even eaten stingray)
110. Broken someone’s heart
111. Helped an animal give birth
112. Won money on a TV game show
113. Broken a bone
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a facial part pierced other than your ears
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. Ridden a horse
119. Had major surgery (define "major" it was major to me)
120. Had a snake as a pet
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
122. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states
124. Visited all 7 continents
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi
128. Had your picture in the newspaper
129. Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about
130. Gone back to school
131. Parasailed
132. Touched a cockroach
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes
134. Read “The Iliad”
135. Selected one “important” author who you missed in school, and read
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
137. Skipped all your school reunions
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn’t know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146. Dyed your hair
147. Been a DJ
148. Shaved your head
149. Caused a car accident
150. Saved someone’s life

I've only done ~~50 51~~ 52(I can't believe I missed alphabetized your cd's). So Carly's ahead of me. Maybe I'll run for commissioner again :) But, when one takes into account that I've done about 1/3rd of the list, and I'm about 1/3 of the way through my life, (I'm shooting for 90) I'm set :)

A girl's gotta have some secrets. . .

2006-12-14T06:25:00.000-06:00

Carly's making me share some secrets. I struggle with these ones, because I've given so much away on this blog, that sometimes I wonder if I have any secrets, but here you go.

Five things you may not know about me:
1. I hate wrapping presents. blech.
2. I'm shy. Most people don't think I am, but really, I am.
3. I love Christmas but my favorite holiday is Easter.
4. I've never been to Canadaor Mexico.
5. I love office supplies, love em. Sometimes I go to the supply cabinet, just to browse and feel happy.

I'll tag Carrie, John, Laura and Nerdine. I'm only doing ~~three~~ four.