Sunday in Mpls last weekend...

Before I go into Sunday's fun...I forgot to post this pic of 2 idiots fishing on a hunk of ice. If you enlarge the pic you can see the crack that looks close to breaking them away from safety. S*T*U*P*I*D humans!

We wanted to go to breakfast at Hell's Kitchen (not related to the tv show) but the wait was an hour and we were STARVING...next time we'll make a reservation!!! We ended up eating at "The Local". It's OK for brunch but nothing to write home about.

We had 30 mins to kill before heading to the Metrodome for the NCAA Basketball play off games between KU and Dayton, and Mich. St vs USC. It was the first time we've seen a college bball game other than Division III games. WOW those guys are HUGE!!! It was a lot of fun and we'd do it again!!! Here we are waiting for the game to start!!!

This, I think, is the pic of the opening tip-off. Without a zoom it's hard to get good pics...but it proves we were there! LOL

SO...that about sums up our weekend. LOTS of together time that we thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated after losing Mark. It really brought home how important being together is for us.

I LOVE YOU STEVE!!!

Beauty in being together in Mpls!!!

In my previous post I mentioned the amazing weather/walk my dh and I took on Saturday. WOW...what a day!!!!! Here is a small peek at our day last Saturday!!!

After stopping at Target to get a disposable camera (left the digital at home in KS...OOPS), we headed toward the Mighty Missippi. I just had to have my pic taken next to the Mary Tyler Moore statue. If you ever watched the MTM show you know the beginning was filmed in Mpls and she throws her hat at the end of the opening. A bronze statue was put up in her honor!

Here I am in front of St. Anthony Falls...GORGEOUS!!!!!

We stopped for lunch at Town Hall Brewery. They have great food and AWESOME beer! We had a couple fo beers and headed off to finish our walk!!!

We crossed over the river and I took this pic of downtown Mpls. It was standing there very majestically!!!

We walked and walked and walked and finally were headed back to the apartment. A few blocks down on Hennepin Avenue I saw the striped awnings of Rock Bottom Brewery! MORE BEER!!!
Ahhhhhhhhhhh...a perfect day!!! Later...pics of Sunday!

Have a good!

A GREAT DAY!!!

Yesterday was a GORGEOUS day in Minneapolis. I have no clue what the high temp was but I'd guess it got in the low 60's, there was no wind and a bright blue sky! GORGEOUS!!!

Steve and I had an AMAZING day. We left the apartment at 12th St. and Marquette around 11am and walked straight to the Mississippi river. Took a right and ended up at Town Hall Brewery which is on the other side of Interstate 35. Had lunch and a couple of beers before heading back down the river and walked to St. Anthony, Nicollet Island, Boom Island, and finally crossed the river on the Plymouth bridge. Finally we headed back into downtown and towards the apartment when Rock Bottom Brewery's awning called my name and in we went. Had too many beers and watched the NCAA basketball games. The bartenders there are so AWESOME...the 4:00 shift came on and that's why we had 2 more beers after closing out the earlier tab...Steve was talking books/music with one of the bartenders! LOL...We figured it was about an 8-10 mile walk.


Today we'll walk to the Metrdome to as well to watch 2 NCAA Regional Bball games. KU plays at 1:30 so we're gonna root for the hometown boys!!! GO KU!!! (Pictures will follow in the next few days...I didn't bring the digital when I left home and had to buy a disposable...stay tuned!!!)

Rough Day

I got a call from my DH today while working at Old Chicago. I was busy so didn't answer the actual call but the server who did said my husband was on the phone. I knew it wasn't good news cuz DH NEVER calls OC for me.

DH said someone had died. I couldn't catch the name cuz DH's voice cracked. I had to ask DH who died and he said it was Mark Lindblad. He was dh's business coach for the past 10+ years.

Mark was so amazing because he never told DH what to do. He always could put things into question form so DH could figure it out on his own. He was a gentle giant who came to some of my kids' USA Cup soccer games in order to meet with dad. DH even shared a recent email (that I sent to him) with Mark. DH said Mark had tears in his eyes after reading it and said this is what life is all about.

Mark died yesterday unexpectedly of a heart attack. DH was choked up about it while talking to me on the phone. Our hearts are heavy. Mark was only 55 and he was an amazing human being.

I had just asked DH this morning if he had contacted Mark about meeting up again. DH was going to email him later today, but instead got a phone call from Mark's daughter telling him about her dad's death.

Life shouldn't be taken for granted and we should live each moment to its fullest. It makes me want to move ASAP to Mpls and be with DH.

Here's the link to the obit
http://www.legacy.com/StarTribune/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=125207733

Please keep the family in your prayers. Life has been full of sadness lately...
Thanks!

More from vacation...

One day we went on a hike in the Tahquitz Canyon. It was a 2 mile hike with a 3500 foot change in altitude. It was a gorgeous day!!!

The waterfall was the prize at the top of the hike!

Isn't it gorgeous???

Margarita anyone???

One of several sunsets!!!

The End!!!

Vacation in pictures...it was wonderful!

Dh and I got home last week from a vacation in Palm Desert. It was wonderful to be together. Over then next few days i will share pics from our trip!
the view from our resort room...notice the snow on the mountains

DH got into his sudoku right away! LOL

Beverage anyone? ;o)

gotta love the palm trees, blue sky, and wispy clouds...God's beauty at its finest!!!

Out for dinner! AH, gotta love time with the one you love!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAN!!!

My baby, Fireman Dan, is no longer a teenager! YIKES...where has the time gone? Here he is back when being a fireman was a dream.

And now, that dream is reality (even though this pic is from vacation!). Dan is now a full-time fireman and enjoying life!

Happy Birthday Dan!!! Love ya Buddy!

Time for a little R&R

It's ALMOST here...V*A*C*A*T*I*O*N!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DH and I are headed west to Palm Desert, CA tomorrow morning! Living apart since 9/08 we are excited to spend a week alone in the warmth. No responsibilities!!! Just focusing on relaxing and having a great time together!!!

My Son's new townhome!!!

My 19yo son, he'll be 20 by the time he moves in, just bought himself a brand spankin' new townhome!!!! It is in the city where he is a firefighter! He is SO proud and happy, as are we, his parents!!! Here Dan is in the front of the unit!

This is the kitchen...as you can see, the unit needs to be finished. He will be able to pick out the granite and his washer/dryer. The rest of it is already done, but it's nice and neutral!

This is the corner of the kitchen looking into the family room. That is a fireplace on the right and the patio door outside, with stairs up.

It's a 3 bedroom. This is the master bedroom with vaulted ceilings.

Here is Dan standing outside the back. The side yard is his so it's nice to have an end unit. He also already knows a neighbor in a single family development to the side of his unit. The guy is a fellow fireman!!!

Congrats Dan! You have done well to save and be able to afford to OWN and not throw money away on rent!!! Dad and I are SOOOOOOOOO very proud of you!!!

Tote Bag...

Well, here is the project of the day for me! WHEW...it took longer than I thought it would but I am so very pleased with the outcome!!! It is another Lazy Girl Design and as always, super directions!!! The directions called for steam-a-seam and my Joann's didn't have it on the bolt so I had to go with Pellon 72F and it was very firm. I am not sure what steam-a-seam is like but the Pellon 72F makes for a pretty stiff tote.

You'll notice (when you enlarge the pics) that I used red and yellow thread to topstitch. When finishing the edges of the bag, there is a ton of zigzagging and it used up my whole spool of red thread. I was NOT going to Joann's on a Sunday for another spool of red thread so I saw a design opportunity and switched to yellow! LOL...works for me!

This side of the tote is a shorter pocket than the above.


And here is the inside of the tote...pockets and bottom of the bag as well.

In 2 weeks DH and I are going on vacation to CA and I wanted a new pool tote for our books, ipods, cell phones and any other stuff that we drag to the pool with us. I think this suits my needs just fine!!!

Now for a shower (yep, still in my jammies) and reading the newspaper! I hope everyone had a super Valentine's Day.

FUN FUN FUN...

I was able to sit down and sew for a few hours today! WOOHOO!!! It sure felt good! I'm waiting for my husband to arrive home for a 4 day weekend. Time goes faster when one is busy! Here's what I made! Do you like????

This one is for a friend of mine. Hopefully she'll love it!!!

Here's a view of the interior.



I was on such a roll that I decided I NEEDED one too! LOL...isn't it too cute for words???!!!!

I just love the coordinating stripe in the interior! This will probably be my new workout bag!

The patterns are from Lazy Girl Designs and it's called Whimsy. I just love Joan's patterns...they are so simple and well written. Thanks Joan! I'm sure there are more bags to come...cuz I bought more patterns! LOL

Have a great night!!!

MIA...

I have been MIA for awhile. Not a lot is going on. I went to Mpls to see my hubby (surprised him) and had a great time. Ate too much but being together was AMAZING!!! He is coming home tomorrow night and I can HARDLY wait! We are going to house hunt with our youngest on Friday afternoon and then have a quiet Valentine's Day dinner at home! WOOHOO!!!

Hopefully I will have something "sewy" to show!

Super Bowl Sunday...

Well, this will be a different year for me...I will spend today watching the SB by myself!! Usually a couple of kids are here, maybe a friend or 2 of theirs, and my husband. I have made TONS of very bad food (but YUMMY food of course) on SBS but not this year. All kids are gone and DH is living in Mpls. SO, I am going to work on a project or 2 (after I finish watching the Australian Open Men's Final) in my sewing room and eat special food that I got from weight watchers. I will feel like I am indulging but I won't be!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm sure that the commercials (although there are likely to be fewer than in the past due to the economy) will be less funny by myself, but oh well...such is life!!!

Can you believe it's already February as well????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Where the heck has the time gone? I hope February goes better than January, but with the week upcoming, it looks to be stressful as well!!!

Enjoy your day and look for pics of my project!!!! I AM EXCITED about it!!!

Crazy Monday...

WOW...what a day this was. I was busy from the get go starting out by seeing this pathetic excuse of a plant in my husband's office!

My husband is in Mpls working now so I forget this darn thing is in there...translate that to mean it doesn't get watered!!! LOL...so I watered it at 8:15 this morning. I went to my fitness class, came home and the plant still looked the same. Showered and ran some errands and when I got home around 2pm it looked like "MAYBE" it was gonna perk up so I watered it one more time. And here it is, recovering, at 6:30pm! This thing just will NOT die! What a plant!!!

During the afternoon I made a tote bag for a friend. She came over yesterday and picked out fabrics for the Lazy Girl Designs pattern that I already owned. I like how it turned out. Lazy Girl does such precise and easy to follow directions. This particular pattern is called "Whimsy". Thanks Joan!!! I have ordered 3 more patterns and the acrylic bottoms as well!!!

GIRL'S NIGHT!!!

what fun! we did a jewelry exchange...

a little fondue for dinner...

don't forget the CHOCOLATE fondue for dessert!!!

OOPS...the chocolate dribbled on the chin!!!

After the food we watched a movie and then it was time to go home!!!
And this is why I want to stay here in KS...GREAT GIRLFRIENDS who are irreplacable!!!

Sad day...

A fellow quilter that I met at Alex Anderson's quilt retreat a few years ago has died. Marlene was a beautiful human being and I had another opportunity to visit with her 2 years ago when i was in California. Marlene had a heart of gold. She was a very quiet lady who was very sensitive. She had a zest for life and a passion for quilting. I know she made pincushions for retreaters at Alex's retreat. She will be missed...

RIP MARLENE.....

Girlfriend day...

Tonight will be spent with my 2 best girlfriends!! We're celebrating Denise's bday by fonduing at my house and watching a movie or two. It's D's choice!!! Look for pics tomorrow!!!

"YES WE CAN"

YES WE CAN...I woke up this morning to this gorgeous sunrise in Minneapolis. What a beautiful way to wake up and ask God for change for the USA...YES WE CAN!!!

Unfortunately, I forgot that the official swearing in occurs at noon EST...which is 11am CST. YIKES...I would be on the road driving back to KS from MN. I just KNEW I had to stop somewhere along the way and watch it live. SO...I was in Clear Lake, IA at a Bennigan's watching the swearing in! BOY am I glad I stopped. I had chills throughout the whole process.

I was impressed with the passion that Barack spoke with. He sure made me proud to be an American and an American who voted in November!!!

I must say that I was not sad to see the Bush's leave DC. It's been a long overdue stay. I don't want to bash GWB, but he was not a very competent leader of the great USA! Thanks, but adios!

And, welcome to the new and good luck! America NEEDS change! So today i say, "YES WE CAN"!!!!!

Shopping!!!!!!!!!!!

I am still in MN. It has warmed up and this is a GOOOOOOOOOOOD thing! LOL...on Friday I spent the day with my sister. My all time favorite quilt store here in MN is going out of business. The owner is retiring and Friday was the day everything went on sale at 50% off!!! Who could say NO to that!!! The second row from the top and the pink and 2 yellow batiks and the black stripe and coordinating floral, AND the bright multi-color floral and "pickup stix" coordinate are from that store!! OH...and the wide backing (black with bright swirls on it) is also from there! WOOHOO!!!!! My sister and I were shocked to see that about half of her fabrics were still there!!! (Mary, did you get over there on Saturday...if so, did you find anything?!!!)

The rest of the fabrics are from 2 other stores we visited. Who can go to just ONE quilt store? LOL

Yesterday Steve and I went to watch our nephews play basketball. That was a lot of fun. Afterward, we stopped at a condo place by the Mall of America. We went back to the apartment and I finished a binding. Then back for more bball and a visit with the BIL's fam at their house! All in all it was a great day.

Today might bring a movie and some condo open houses and football. Nothing too stressful!

Met a fellow blogger

I had the chance to meet Mary today. She braved the frigid temps in my previous post and walked 15 blocks to hook up at Starbucks. What a trooper and she's a southern gal at heart! Me on the other hand...I'm a native who's lived away for the past 7 years and have become a woos. I couldn't even fathom THINKING about being outside much less walking 15 blocks!!!

Thanks Mary! It was a nice afternoon chatting with you. We'll have to do it again sometime.
Laurie