lxforever

“My! My! Time flies! One step and we’re on the moon, next step into the stars / My! My! Time flies! Maybe we could be there soon, a one way ticket to Mars / … / My! My! Time flies! A new day is on its way”

—Enya

My! My! Time flies! One step and we’re on the moon, next step into the stars
My! My! Time flies! Maybe we could be there soon, a one way ticket to mars

My! My! Time flies! A man in a winter sleigh, white white white as the snow
My! My! Time flies! A new day is on its way, so let’s let yesterday go
Could be we step out again
Could be tomorrow but then,
Could be 2010

“The cuckoo she’s a pretty bird / She sings as she flies / She brings us glad tidings / And tells us no lies”

—The Cuckoo

“It’s that time of year / when the world falls in love / Every song you hear seems to say / ‘Merry Christmas, may your new year dreams come true’ // And this song of mine / in three quarter time / wishes you and yours / the same thing, too”

—Frank Sinatra

Oh my what a wonderful year. With the exception of a few things, and of course black, dark Mortality May 2012, so far, so good on this year. Heck yes.

I just got some AMAZING news from a friend about whom I was pretty worried. Not only did she have one piece of good news, she had TWO. YES!!! That made me very very happy, what great stuff!

Some less-good things did happen:
-My Uncle Joe passed away a few weeks ago. It was going to happen but it was still really sad and difficult, especially for his dear wife. And not to be qualifying one life over another, but he was just a really great person that this Earth deserved. Rest in Peace.
-Diana’s grandma passed away last weekend. It was semi-sudden and was of course hard for her and her family. Thinking of them (and her).

BUT yes. I don’t have time to update…sorry…but I did want to record this:

I open the door to my parents’ house and Ian is barging in. “Oh good you’re here,” he says and pushes past me. “Where’s Jeff?”
“Um he’s showering upstairs, he’ll be down soon,” I replied.
*sigh* “OK” Ian says and settles down on the stairs to play with his Touch and wait for Jeff, so he can intercept him IMMEDIATELY. Ha!

There was also a horrible moment where Chloe displayed her complete lack of understanding of history and Todd said sadly “and I was a history major…” HA! Oh poor Todd. Chloe and “Lenin/Lennon’s” tomb…

We also had a dart tournament, my dad and Erik smoked EVERYONE, Jenny and I gave up our spot to Jeff/Ian (“Team Jiff”) since they were whiners and Ian wasn’t fairly positioned in the first round. They still lost.

And anyway, I am extra thankful this year. ESP. for Jeff. THANK. YOU!

It was a nice weekend! And the house is all Christmassy! And now I’ve gotta dash. Happy Christmastime!!!

Oh Hello Mr. President and my favorite gymnastics superstahs…YES! My fave 2012 celebs all in one pic (well, it should include Michelle/Malia/Sasha, but, close…and Mustafina!)…LOVE IT.

Anywayyy…sorry I have not been updating. I’ve been feeling sick, so sleeping a lot to ward off sickness, so between that and work being busy, Super Duper Important Things like blogging (HA!) fall by the wayside.

And also there is not a whole lot going on…the election was awesome (duh), it is November which is fine, I went to St. Cloud to see Rachel play volleyball w/ Christie (I went w/ Christie not that she played, OK I should have just redone that sentence, anyway, she did serve at ‘halftime’ though), it is almost Thanksgiving!, I still can’t figure out how to make jqPlot print ughhhhh (work thing), had a graphic-design happy-hour reunion FINALLY on Monday (‘remember that party with the breathalyzer?’ ‘oh we were all friends so long ago’ ‘and still are’) plus super-deep chat w/ Brigette that I think Jeff/Heidi would rather have avoided, Jeff got a really cool jersey that he plans to wear to Gophs-Badgers tomorrow w/ his friend Matt, ummmmmmmm I think that’s it.

OH! I taught my last parks class last night…sadness! It was a really nice night though. (1) The troublemakers did not show (2) ALL of the students in my last aka favorite class showed (this is the class w/ 4-5-6-7-8-9-year-olds [yes wide range] who are rather advanced (3) K-glasses boy’s parents wrote a note ‘from’ him about how much he liked class (so cute) and S-superstronggirl wrote me a little note about how much she would miss me (she is going on to Richfield, she is so good and talented and strong so this is great news!) (4) My last class is just so fun, Ka. stayed after to play around and I chatted w/ her Dad who gave me lots of compliments on how good I am with kids…a lot of parents said that actually! I mean I know this, duh, b/c I like kids, hello, but it feels extra-good to have wooed those parents because I know they probably see a lot of not-as-kid-loving instructors out there. I should’ve been a 1st grade teacher after all!…JK.

OK I have to jet Jeff is finally picking me up! Yay! Byebye. (I sounded like Jenny right there, whoa.)

“You come at the king, you best not miss.”

—Omar, The Wire (Thanks Jeff)

“Happiness hit her like a train on a track / coming towards her stuck still no turning back … / the dog days are over / the dog days are done / the horses are coming / so you better run”

—Florence + The Machine

Wow.

Sometimes I still can’t believe we have a nonwhite man named Barack Obama as our president. And now we have him again.

Amazing.

This election was near-perfect. Just as with the London Olympics. The only things missing (Bachmann losing, marriage equality passing in Washington / Olys: event finals medals, men’s gold) were things I’d be getting too greedy for, after all of the fantastic things that did turn out: The President! MARRIAGE AMENDMENT FAILING!!! Voter ID not being passed!! Women women winning EVERYWHERE (even in ND – thanks Andrea) everywhere everywhere! Rape apologists losing losing losing, as they should. Elizabeth Warren! Tammy Baldwin! Marriage equality in Maine and Maryland! It really felt like a tide started turning, and I am so hopeful for that.

(You can’t get greedy after you get your hoped-for president/amendment outcomes and team gold/AA gold for Gabs. I mean, really.)

The only thing now that strikes me is that now, I have nothing to work for for Obama. I mean – don’t get me wrong – I want to see great, great things come of this second term, and I think they just might; and I’m (almost always) happy to support him; but now, what’s left? After becoming the first nonwhite president and making it two terms? (Just like with Gabby – so happy she won, but a little bit sad, because this truly is the pinnacle, and she’s so young yet. Alas.)

Ehhhh that’s fine. I’ll take it! I can’t imagine a better Oly/Election year in my lifetime, though, so I will soak this up while I can. (Crazy to think this may have been the pinnacle in that way, too.)

I woke up in the middle of the night to eat (yes…I know) and couldn’t resist checking the amendment races. When we’d gone to bed (um…after I passed out on the couch…classy), the marriage amendment in particular was neck and neck, and it was too scary to keep watching. The first thing I saw was Sara’s tweet at me saying my costume must have had something to do with it…and I got so hopeful and so excited. And then, there it was. We didn’t vote against equality after all; Minnesota was the first state not to vote such an amendment in once it was on the ballot. And I started crying right there in the kitchen, in the dark. So happy.

Also, Nate Silver/538 is a rock star. Just sayin’.

I’m also hopeful that this will bring the Repubs back to reality. Stop legislating morality, pushing your church on everyone, and trying to remain a rich-white-men-only club, and things might just work out for them. I’d be happy to see it, honestly. Hell, maybe they’ll become fiscal conservatives again, too. I can get behind that. But maybe that’s asking too much. It would be wonderful to see, though, some lessons learned from this, somehow. Let the Teaparty have their religion-crazed folks and get back to the basics, Rs. Hmmmm.

Maybe too hopeful.

Maybe Chris Christie can be it? (Or not. Hmmm.)

But whatever, today is a day to celebrate. Here’s to equality for all!!! HOORAY!!!!!!!!!

Happy birthday tomorrow to Andrea and Amy, Friday to Waning Moon, and Saturday to Katy and Tiffany!!

“A politician thinks of the next election. A statesman, of the next generation.”

—James Freeman Clarke

Well well well. Here we are. The last big event(?) of this big, big year. And here we go.

First, some proselytizing: if you are somehow still undecided, and you are reading this blog, and you don’t hate women…..well OK if you are still undecided something is seriously wrong with you to begin with but whatever. But here you go: if you are voting for R-money because you are worried ‘about the economy’, you are worrying about the wrong things (“baby / you worry ’bout the wrong things / the wrong things” -Kanye). Number 1, if ‘the economy'(AKA YOUR MONEY) comes before human equality, you have some serious thinking to do about your priorities. Number 2, I can more or less guarantee we will see ’12 million jobs’ (or whatever) created in the next four years REGARDLESS OF WHO IS PRESIDENT. This recovery has legs, people, if Congress does its job and does not send us over the fiscal cliff (um…no idea about that, but, I hope they have their sh*t together…), this Recession will grind its way out and 2016 will be a glorious year.

That is all.

(No. Not really. I never stop. I’ll NEVER stop. And while we’re at it, VOTE NO TWICE, Minnesota. Don’t hate on marriage equality, don’t deny people equal rights, and, god damn it, do NOT change the constitution to say so. Also vote against sleazy voter ID, duh.)

OK now I’ll stop. For now.

What’s been up! Last Saturday I went to Mike’s Halloween party dressed as a lawn sign (a VOTE NO lawn sign…duh). It was most lovely. There were fantastic costumes, excellent drink, a great midnight surprise, and, most importantly, many wonderful people with whom to converse, all so friendly, too. Aw yeah!

Then I went to Duluth for a work event. It went very well and I felt pretty cool. But…it reminded me why I do not like being away from home/Jeff/working too much! What can I say…balance, man. But it was fine/good. It was a crazy busy week at work which is fine/good. This week…and the next…and the next…promises more of the same.

The hurricane hit NYC/East Coast and it sounds so awful awful awful for all. I feel so lucky to have power/heat/water right now and feel awful for those who do not. (I mean, not that I was in danger of losing those things, just that I am grateful.) “It’s Global Warming, Stupid” -Bloomberg Businessweek cover, which should hit my mailbox tomorrow. Still…regardless, ugh. What a nightmare, I can’t imagine.

Also, should I be impressed w/ Chris Christie? I kind of am…not sure what that says. But whatever. Good for him.

Halloween…we had a lot of trick-or-treaters! Lots of cute little kids. Only one rude group of kids, which was surprisingly comprised of a bunch of 9-year-old girls…WTF? So that was fun.

Anniversary! We went to the ballroom and relived our wedding a bit. It was open and all set up with the tables and everything which was so lovely to see. Awwww, wedding! What a great day. It was chilly, much chillier than the 60 degrees of 11/1/08, but that was fine. Then to Lowry for dinner…tasty but memorable. Ha.

FRIDAY we continued the celebration by hitting up the Gopher hockey game. I also met Amber/A-K for lunch at Wilde Roast. LOOOOOOOOOONG and amazing lunch/catchup! Amber is reevaluating life in Eugene. Her business has become multinational and she is about to take it to The Next Level, though, so that is also overwhelming/cool. A-K is in love. Lots of great news! Anyway. Worked a bit more then picked Jeff up at the eye doctor where they gave me a peanut butter eyeball(?). We headed over to Noodles at my demand and I had amazing mac and cheese. Jeff decided Noodles was cooler than he remembered. We were the creeper old folks wearing UMN stuff (just like a true old folk couple seated by us, LOL).

MUCH TO MY DELIGHT I discovered that Yogurt Lab, which I had expectantly walked by on Monday at mentor event, was now OPEN, and we went there afterward. AMAZINGNESS! They have sour yogurts, international yogurts, wonderful toppings, and a really cool/nerdy setting. We ate it up like college kids…+8 years. Heh. We then went to the game. Great game! Lots of excitement! Woman cheering for MN State in front of us! Teddy Ruxbin costume! Ski-U-Mah M-I-N-N-E-S-O-T-A! Pretty fantastic. I loved the energy and spirit and competitiveness, and Rau and Marshall. Woohoo! And Jeff has 3 more games to attend yet this year (me = 1, the Chicago one).

This weekend has been great. Slept in and then grocery-shopped/raked yesterday. Noodles Round 2 at night (no seriously I have a problem). Made cards/swam/laid around reading today (I finished my book, Defending Jacob, still pretty mystified to be honest). Soon to make dinner. Then another week awaits…and the election. The final game.

I’m not sure what to make of Tuesday (and Wednesday?). In 2000 I was generally clueless, despite being voting-eligible, and didn’t think much of either candidate. So I wasn’t too worried about the outcome (Ha! little did I know). By 2004 I hated Bushie so much I was absolutely devastated when Kerry lost. Even though Kerry was also a chump. I just hated GWB’s wrongly-sought war and I was SO ANGRY for days after 11/2/04. Drat. In 2008 I was completely confident in Obama by the time we got there, but was not in the USA to fret about it on The Day, and the results came in while we were sleeping. Then, the magic (ha. but seriously).

This year I will be here…duh…which makes me nervous. I’d much rather be on an Italian honeymoon blissfully unaware/then soaking up the glory. But. I still feel like this will be good. Just like Gabby and the US women (still so proud! tear!). It’s a year of gold.

Happy November!

Dear Jeff,

You are THE BEST!

I am so happy to be married to you.

love
your lucky lucky wife

“Wildflower in the wilderness outside / take your chance with love and laughter / And every word I write, yeah / from that body will never learn / when it’s far too gone I’d move on”

—Smashing Pumpkins, Wildflower

“Yeah, they probably send it on a ship down to Mexico and through the Panama Canal!”

—Jeff, 10/20/12, to his friend Nate, making fun of how Duluth mails things…GOD he said something else SO FUNNY I wish I had written it down!!!

“Joe, NOOOOooOOOOO!”

—Nate, 10/20/12, to Joe as he was going to cross the street…hmmm.

Well I guess I don’t have much to say this month. Or do I? I can’t tell, because I am B U S Y busy! Not nearly as busy as Jeff, but, enough going on…which is good, actually. I like being productive!

HIGHLIGHTS OF LATE:
-great weekend with Jeff. Lots of yard work! And cooking. And cookies!
-Smashing Pumpkins concert. Billy is a jerk, we will probably not go again, concert was not great. The Legacy is what matters…the 90s, man! BUT we met up with Jeff’s HS friends Nate/Joe randomly/accidentally and THAT was HILARIOUS! So much fun…goofiness.
-I also had a toasted marshmallow shake. I think I am becoming lactose intolerant 🙁 BUT that was COMPLETELY WORTH IT it was so amazing. Have you had one? YOU SHOULD.
-Chatted with Katy yesterday. WHAT UP KATERS.
-Lunch with Tiffany today, oh yeah…so lovely!
-Diana and I visited Kings in…you guessed it, Kingfield. Have you been there?? It is quite incredible. You should go there.

Next up:
-FUN dinner with Kelly
-Halloween party…I need a costume. DANG IT, SELF.
-traveling for work a bit
-HALLOWEEN
-Anniversary
-Election!

Whoa dudes. Happy fall. Gotta go eat.

as in zzzzzzzzzzzs.

as in I slept through the night (well, basically, I only woke up once) for the first time in I don’t even know how long!!!!!!

YEAH!!!

(Yes this is so great it merits this very short post.)

Happy Tuesday and GO OBAMA.

whaaaaat

is up.

(this reminds me of ‘uh-what’/Peaches, FYI.)

Sorry I totally went MIA. Now the added pressure to perform is TOO GREAT. Soooooooo I’m going to pretend this is, like, 2006 or 9 and just do whatever.

NO QUOTES!

In fact, here is the format…an INCOMPLETE SUMMARY of What is Up.

EVENT:
We went on a vacation to the North Shore.
OUTCOME:
HUGE success. Chilly but wonderful. Loved spending alldayeveryday with Just Jeff. OBSESSED (sorry, I know that scares him…ha ha ha!).

EVENT:
I got a terrible cold.
OUTCOME:
It seems to be subsiding, BUT it really kicked my butt for a few days and left me unable to update.

EVENT:
We are doing some cool projects at work.
OUTCOME:
I am working on them…and not updating. So. There is that. That is good.

EVENT:
My favorite coworker had her baby.
OUTCOME:
She is filled with joy and her baby is adorable, and HUGE CONGRATS/yay to her; however, SELFISHLY that means I (a) am missing chatting with my fave coworker and (b) have a bit of work to pick up. Eh WCYD it’s fine.

EVENT:
Jeff got me a Kindle.
OUTCOME:
I am way way into it and will probably put us in the poorhouse by buying books (so easy! so fun!). The ‘read a chapter then buy’ thing is addicting. THANKS JEFF!

EVENT:
I got a lot of really cool other birthday presents.
OUTCOME:
I am SO SUPER SPOILED!!! Thank you family and friends :).

EVENT:
One of these was an electric toothbrush!!!!! (yes I am super excited about this!) Thank You Parents!
OUTCOME:
I used it for the first time today. REALLY AWESOME!

EVENT:
I went to Madison last weekend to celebrate birthdays (mine/my Dad’s).
OUTCOME:
Very fun! Including a great homemade meal by my mom and a night out at Quivey’s for Oktoberfeast (for my Dad, I just had fish).

EVENT:
Madison got a lot of rain.
OUTCOME:
I had forgotten what rain was like…

EVENT:
Our garbage disposal broke.
OUTCOME:
We tried very hard to replace this right before our vacation, leading to a day without power/heat(unrelated) and me drawing my candlelight, LEADING TO us turning the heat on EARLY…dang it! but I was so cold…..

EVENT:
Smashing Pumpkins concert this weekend.
OUTCOME:
TBD

EVENT:
Andrea found out she is an INTJ!
OUTCOME:
Very cool. I feel this explains so much.

EVENT:
VP debate
OUTCOME:
Biden is still really cool…even if neither of them mentioned the whole ‘separation of church and state’ thing, come ON people!

EVENT:
dinner with Sarah L for birthday/catchup
OUTCOME:
She is in Love with her new phone (as she should be!) and she/Jeff/I are in LOVE with Tavern on France.

EVENT:
Another shoutout to our amazing trip to the North Shore/hanging out/Gooseberry Falls/the TWO rainbows we saw/reading outside/etc.!
OUTCOME:
LOVE!

EVENT:
I finished a really good book that was written from a dog’s point of view (no seriously) and set in Seattle and about racing (sort of) (so, things I don’t really care about, but I LOVED the book) -The Art of Racing In The Rain.
OUTCOME:
It was lovely. You should read it. Thank you Jeff! (this was a real book, pre-Kindle)

EVENT:
Halloween
OUTCOME:
TBD. I need a costume.

EVENT:
It got really cold.
OUTCOME:
Garden is done. Fall seems oddly chilly.

Well OK that is all I’ve got for now. Let’s just be happy I did something, dang it! Now off to do many more somethings…busybusy bee. Happy October!

ETA: So this entry is not a complete waste, here is a nice little blog entry by Jennifer Sey (former elite gymnast) about privacy/public-ness/etc that I really appreciate.

Also they are re-showing the Olympics tonight (gymnastics)! WATCH!

“Hold on tight to your dream / when you see your ship go sailing / when you feel your heart is breaking / hold on tight to your dream”

—Electric Light Orchestra(??)

“running down a dream / that never would come to me / working on a mystery / going wherever it leads / running down a dream”

—Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

BOOM.

Welcome back to my happy life.

I know better than to trust how long it will last, but for now, I am living in the moment! SO HAPPY today and optimistic and full of hope. AND it doesn’t hurt that it is October, probably my second favorite month (after July). Welcome, October!

Things feel back on track. I am sleeping OK, I am feeling less woozy in general, and there are many wonderful things happening for many wonderful people in my life. AND, to top it off, simply it is that I HAVE many wonderful people in my life. As Thursday-today illustrated brightly! Thank YOU.

This weekend was smashingly splendid, and it led into a very happy Monday, too. So let’s start there:

EOTW
Friday. Friday. I had taken the day off. Lucky me. Jeff got up and went to work 🙁 bye Jeff! BUT we had had a lovely evening the night prior so that made it OK. I did some yoga/meditating and watched some shows. SCANDAL. So totally obsessed with that show. It is not very good but I can’t stop. I want the whole first season…kind of. Not really. Ha. Admired the hilarious/weird drawing Anna made me of me as an “Aunt Alien,” clearly we are related…hmmmmm. I’m actually a little afraid of that drawing, haha. Got a sneaky bike ride in around Lake Harriet then darted off to meet Susan for lunch.

We dined at Foxy Falafel at her suggestion and it was HEAVENLY. I was thrilled to receive the #3 for my order AND to find grapefruit/blood orange San Pelligrino. WHAT UP. We each tried a different one (grapefruit for me) and Susan had a pita while I had the falafel platter. DIVINE. The service was spectacular and the setting superb. The sun was shining and I had a very long, very lovely chat with Susan. She is Really Important at her place of work and that is Really Cool. We talked a lot about that and also about pig butchering. (I may go watch with them/help out next spring, we’ll see.) It was WONDERFUL to catch up and made me so, so happy. I was going to take a tour of her workplace then, but we had to postpone, as I was slotted to meet…

A-K at Gigi’s for a coffee treat (hibiscus tea!) and a gorgeous walk around Lake Calhoun. Oh my. Being by water = the best. It was seriously so calming and glorious to walk and talk around such a lovely lake. A-K had so much awesomeness to fill me in on and I soaked up every last bit of enthusiasm and joy. SO GREAT!!! She has so many good things coming in to her life and she deserves every single one of them, and I am so happy for her. She was just GLOWING. Filled with joy!

Off to the grocer’s, annoying BUT it went fast, then the liquor store. Then home. Eventually Jeff came home too. Dark out. I made us shrimp fried rice (new ELR fave, actually it’s her veggie fried rice just w/ shrimp) and started falling asleep shortly after dinner. So. To bed!

What a beautiful day filled with sunshine and happy friends. So great.

Saturday. Woke up early. Watched Grey’s (yes I know, stupid…but I can’t quit now!). It was hilarious to see Cristina Yang in “Minnesota”/subjected to Minnesota-nice/Midwestern-awkwardness/Mayo-focus. I can’t remember what else I did. Eventually Jeff got up too. We went to the hardware store to pick up a gift for my Dad. What a cool store! He would love it. Then to Caribou to score some breakfast sandwiches/tea/smoothie. Scoreeee! Then to Target to stalk their Halloween selection (which was disappointing, mostly). There was a little boy hitting ‘play’ on all the music-skulls that played the Halloween theme. His dad: “Oh wow. OK.” Then a little girl: “Mom can you come under here?” as she crouched under a display. HA!

Home where we did some chores/laundry, then Jeff hopped on the elliptical to watch Gophers (BOOOO they lost even though I wore my lucky shirt) and I caught up on correspondence. Eventually went for a short bike ride. Did some gardening? Can’t recall. Jeff investigated the garbage disposal…no good! We will have to call in a pro. Eh well it happens. (“But then let’s do the countertops too…” “NO!”) We showered up and got ready and went out for a DATE/birthday celebration! Jeff gave me two choices, I chose Tavern on France followed by a movie. Tavern was pretty spectacular, we had a lovely server and incredible onion rings. Then over to the theater! Looper. I love Joseph Gordon-Levitt (no seriously) and time travel, AND dystopian futures, so this was a great recipe for success. It was pretty good, I won’t spoil it but it was definitely worth seeing, just not OUTSTANDING. Still. Good stuff! And so fun to attend with JEFF!

Home and bed. Jeff stayed up to play his game again. Lovely day together, just what I always dream of.

Sunday. Got up, the usual, stretching/meditating/food, etc. Off to meet Andrea at Wilde Roast for brunch! We had zero wait for a table and then lovely tea and breakfast. It was so great to see her and catch up! Somehow she knows just what to say, I think when people are like this it catches me off guard because I’m so sure that most people will Fail (and I don’t blame them), so, that is pretty badass. We discussed jobs/working world, children, puppies, families, and holidays, more I am sure. FAILED to discuss my traffic woes, ha! Next time. We plotted to reunite at the Hockey City Classic in Chicago in February (and we shall! Jeff snagged 6 tickets this AM, aw yeah!!!!). Sad that it will be that long but happy to have her back in my life (and apparently as my mom’s Facebook friend, cute).

Back home, we could not get ahold of anyone…not cool! Decided to just drive out to the Grove/Hastings anyway. Saw our first VOTE YES billboards, very sad 🙁 while I am nearly certain Obama will win, I am also nearly certain those amendments will pass. NO! NO no no. Ugh. Anyway. Suburbs. But. It was a beautiful day out, so lovely to drive in and take in all the gorgeous fall colors. “Country drive!” We blew past the Grove and headed toward Hastings. Stopped at Walgreen’s for a gift then off to see Jeff’s Grandma. She was in great spirits, even if she didn’t remember who I was, though I don’t blame her, haha! We chatted with her for a good hour or so and she insisted we try a chocolate. Oh Grandmas. She remarked upon how handsome Jeff is and I said that yes, I worry some woman will snatch him up. Her response was “you bring them here and I’ll straighten them out” and shaking her fist. LOL!!! She is a great lady. Her birthday was two days before mine (hence the visit). We vowed to visit more, though she did not demand that, simply asked that we don’t tell her how to live her life. Um, no problem! It was a really fun visit and it put me in even better spirits (than I already was, which = already great).

Back to CG where we encountered Sue and Greg sitting out on the deck. They gave me a very lovely present (this cool UMN shirt that I plan to wear tonight to coach) and we got our jewelry cleaned. Score! Chatted and hung out with Barney then Erik joined us, and eventually we were on our way to McDougall’s Apple Junction. (WHO ARE THE MCDOUGALLS?) We were starving, so after securing our Honeycrisps I had some apple doughnuts while the boys had a hot dog/a brat and chips. Fueled, we went off to explore. The apple orchard was looking very sad. Short thin trees and a corn maze suited for people who are 2′ tall. Alas. We checked out the goats then went on a walk. We encountered some bleachers so Erik and I put on a show for Jeff – he sang and I talked about apples/apple facts/things you can eat with apples. Jeff was not impressed (or was he?) ;). We walked through the FORBIDDEN N. KOREA ZONE of SweeTangos but no one stopped us. Jeff wanted to pick some and Erik wanted to sell them on the black market. NO NO!

On our way out who should we encounter other than MR. MCDOUGALL HIMSELF. OMG! Erik complimented him on his orchard and we were thrilled to have made his acquaintance, if briefly. Wow! Perfect end to the excursion. We took Erik home and then we went home, where I got cookin’ and tried a NEW recipe. Margaret’s sweet potato chili. And oh my it was divine. So fun to try a new recipe and to have so much success! YES! It was almost too spicy for me but it was really fun to make, and so flavorful. NICE! Then I tried to stay up to read but instead fell asleep quickly and easily and happily.

Sunday may have been my favorite day even! So much fun.

Today is Monday, and October, and I am very very happy today!! Not sure why, but I am. I’ll take it! My favorite coworker bought me tea AND I had free tea at the dermatologist’s office, who, FTR, is an amazing doctor. (I honestly don’t think I need to see him anymore but he is so nice that I can’t help myself, ha.) I drove to work through campus and marveled at the students. Oh students! Oh UMN.

ON THE DOCKET:
-tonight I am coaching Caroline’s team practice…we’ll see what happens
-tomorrow I am hanging out with Jeff!
-Weds the usual, parks gymnastics and D
-Thurs, hanging out with Jeff!
-Friday, eye doctor and visit the cheesemonger.

THEN vacation. So that is that! I hope you all are doing well and as happy as you can be, too.