lxforever

This weekend was almost too perfect for words, but I will attempt to do so in an effort to record it.

FRIDAY. On Friday I worked from home, allowing me to work outside on the patio, which was perfect in the gorgeous weather. Quick bike ride at the end of the day then off to Crave for prepartying/amazing cocktails+dinner+dessert shooters with my historic, beloved, superfan friends. Roll call (copying Michael)! Kristin/Scott/Alyssa/John/Diana/Sarah/Mitch.

(Wait, let’s back it up. Also on Thursday I met Michael and Kaitlyn for some drinks at Kitty Kat Club. Hooray for cool cousins and kiddie [not kitty] cocktails!)

(Sorry, “ROLL CALL” made me think of that.)

In any case, Crave was actually pretty fun and we enjoyed wedding stalking/cougar watching. We then went over to Southdale for SATC2 (the PURPOSE of the gathering, yo), where John departed to see Iron Man 2 while Scott and Mitch joined us still, which was cool, haha. We wound up sitting next to what Alyssa deemed ‘our’ cougars! I pointed out to her that we would be ‘cougars’ long before 20 years from now (her initial declaration). We also discussed Alyssa’s future fake wedding which would ALSO take place at Crave. Anyway.

As the critics have said, the movie was terrible, but I enjoyed it WAY too much, because (in spite of its overall offensiveness) I saw it for its potential – like, it would have made a GREAT seventh season had they not had to rush and make everyone stupid. Alas! It was nice to see the characters again and even more wonderful to see it with my buddies. Yes, Kristin and I did spend a ridiculous amount of time in college/Apt 3 watching that show and eating nachos/black beans and rice, what can I say??

Anyway, dropped Diana off then came home and sat around with my eyes shut for awhile (third row hurts, man!) before bed.

SATURDAY. We slept in a bit on Saturday and then had a leisurely breakfast while watching Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles HAHAHAHA. It was actually pretty sweet because it was a new episode where they brought in the old (aka ones we knew) turtles, and showed how silly they looked. HA. Finally we got it together and headed out to Bachmann’s to being our day of landscaping. Hmmmmm. After a ridiculous amount of back and forth, consulting 4 or more (I can’t keep track) Bachmann’s people, and calling my mom, we finally settled on our purchases after three HOURS of browsing (I am not kidding). This was unfortunate as I got frustrated AND a bit burned/weird tan on my back bleahhhhh the only place I had not sunscreened it up (I am a sunscreen fiend). Whatevs, it should go away. In any case we were very pleased and loaded up the Civic and Accord and were on our way.

Oh yeah it was SUPER hot out, too. Which I loved. But Jeff hated. Oh well!

Took a cool down shower and had lunch inside/out of the sun, then began the day/afternoon/evening of planting. This involved Jeff cutting a zillion roots, poor guy, for literally HOURS. This was deemed beyond my expertise so I just did some easy gardening stuff/hung out while I waited. Finally we got going on planting everything ELSE and I have to say, our yard looks damn good now. DAMN GOOD. I am most proud of our work with this and the final result, EVEN IF we were working til 9pm (seriously). It looks AMAAAAAZING and I love, love, love our yard so much more now! Byebye graveyard! (Also notable, this was a year ago exactly that Jeff finished digging up the roots in the graveyard – this day was the roots by the grill.) We also enjoyed joking and talking with the neighbor kids and parents too. So the pain was worth it! (Not that I did much, but that’s OK.) Our neighbors even came out at 9pm to admire it. They are really cool.

Wrapped it up, ordered a pizza, and settled in to watch Friday Night Lights. Ahhhhh what a show! Looked in vain for Elevator Girl or some other horrible movie, but no dice. That’s OK. Then to bed.

SUNDAY. Sunday we woke up to a cloudier day. I made us some blueberry muffins which Jeff devoured and then I hopped on my bike while he mowed the lawn. Lovely bike ride around Calhoun. Hurried to get ready to go and went out to Cottage Grove for a little appetizer/dip party at Sue’s. We were supposed to hang out on the deck but it never happened? Hm. I guess it was too hot. I took some great pictures of the boys and Kelsey came over, too. Jeff also re-hooked-up the TV. He is so useful. On our way home stopped by Fort Snelling to visit Jeff’s Grandpa’s grave. At this point I realized that it was the first Memorial Day where we could truly memorial-ize my Grandpa. Wow. So in the almost-rain we visited his grave and thought of our Grandpas. Very peaceful, very good.

Back to the house where I called Katy and caught up with her while Jeff went grocery shopping. KATY!!! Sounds like she and Rob have the cutest cats ever. And she’s also got a sweet new job where she’s basically working on a cure for cancer. My friends never fail to impress me. I also managed to fit in a trip to Target to increase our stockpile of sunscreen, among other things. We had other dinner ideas but could not resist a trip to Culver’s. Um, amazing. Watched some old Mad Men, then dozed a bit while watching the Twins. I fell asleep ridiculously early and Jeff stayed up ridiculously late (playing videogames)—so late that, at one point I awoke and came out from the bedroom to find him still awake and realized I had slept enough and could even get up if I had to. HAHAHA. (But I went back to bed til like 6.)

MONDAY. I woke up pretty early today which was awesome. Took my time getting ready as it was a little bit chilly out (50s vs 60s) and did some chores. Finally got dressed and out for a run. Can I run 5 miles? ALMOST! I think I did, but am never quite sure on Map My Run, and had to quit to walk a bit early as my shins hurt. Anyway, ran to and around Nokomis and felt really good—kept going farther! It was beautiful out and cool and not too crowded. The sun sparkled on the creek. Bliss.

Home for eggs and cinnamon bread and berries on the patio. Jeff was still asleep. Finally he woke up and I cooked him some eggs and he debated going to the gym. I drew a little bit out on the patio and happily Jeff decided to skip the gym. HOORAY! Packed us some snacks and towels and put the basket on the bike and air in the tires and set off for an amazing bike ride (lakes again, yay yay yay. I am soooooooo excited to go up north this year, even moreso than usual). Rode our bikes to Lake Harriet, Lake Calhoun, then around Lake of the Isles twice, admiring the houses and marveling over the wonderful weather. Such a PERFECT day, seriously!

Finally we nixed Harriet for Nokomis and went there to set up camp. (Lots of riding—probably 18 miles, but easy and fun of course.) We put down our towels and had some snacks and people-watched, and eventually I went in the water. Super warm! Didn’t swim for long though as we wanted to get home to grill. What a most perfect bike ride.

Home and it was only 3! SUPER score!!! Sat outside reading and taking in the sun while Jeff watered the plants. Caught up with Diana and worked on dinner. Jeff grilled up some brats and potatoes and we had beers and salad too. Delicious and still soooooooooooo nice out. Sat outside and enjoyed, then back in for a few rounds of Mario Bros. Jeff saved me every time just like Jenny used to on Super Nintendo back in 1997/8. Hooray. Then I wrote this update.

This was a most fantastic weekend. I really can’t imagine how it could have been better. (Last year though this weekend I was in San Fran for Mason’s baptism, so that was pretty amazing.) So grateful.