Lobsterland

What a gorgeous weekend, a gorgeous weekend to wreck myself. We did the Lakeville Ironman Ride and wow I am not feeling like an iron person. I feel more like someone cracked me with a rod of iron in the butt and then in the neck, oh big hurt. Here is our whole gang along with Dave's new aluminum friend, all very happy because the ride was over.In more riveting news Ben and I are heading to Lobsterland and we couldn't be more excited. Ben is loading up the car and heading out next Wednesday to start his new job in Bangor ME, I am here until we get our house sold (cross your fingers people)! Then the real fun begins as we plan on moving all our treasures 1700 miles via U-Haul. A wise older cousin told me driving a U-Haul pulling your vehicle across the country is a rite of passage that every young couple should experience. Hmmm I guess we will see. On any note please keep us in your thoughts and prayers, we are going to need them in the coming weeks.

Done, Finished, Finito

And every single piece was there. I claimed I would mess my pants if all the pieces showed up, we are still waiting for that to happen.

Freaky Friday the 13th

Hey we made it to our 3 month anniversary. I guess not that big of a deal if you consider my grandparents just celebrated their 59th YEAR and both of our parents have 30+ years in. Yep we are not a big deal yet. At least not a big deal like the city of Willmar has been.

Willmar has been the headline in both the Pioneer Press and Star Tribune multiple times in the last couple of weeks. Not for anything cool though, mostly for really stupid stuff like blowing a red light, smucking into an oncoming car and then driving your vehicle through a storefront, you know typical spring fever behavior.

For those of you interested, yes the puzzle is close to being complete, so close I can taste it. In fact it is a hundred pieces better than what you see here. I am almost dragging my feet to not finish because the puzzle is the special place I go when I cannot deal with the stress of living with a man who doesn't hear half of what I say. Yes, the same bearded man who runs outside in his underwear and carhartt jacket, shotgun in tote, to shoot the bastard raccoon that is eating the cat food for our imaginary pet, the same man I love dearly. Oh giant ugly puzzle you are the glue keeping our marriage intact, don't leave me now.

Speaking of pets, we housesat the week before last in Uptown and got to care for a trio of flying squirrels. Being as they live on the outside of the stucco house they are very little work and just require a nightly feeding. Alot like our imaginary cat but you can see them and you don't have to imagine them. I got a decent picture of the fat dominant one, Rocky. As you can see they are really cute but really ugly at the same time, kind of just like the dude who drives the 7:30 bus. (You saw me running at the bus, I was 10 feet from the door, why didn't you wait? I hate you!)

Turning the Page

That doesn't look safe you say, well you are right it wasn't. But hey somebody has to paint the corners in the stairwell. Believe it or not I did not fall off the plank, spill the paint or drop my brush. Not even once! Our basement remodeling project is all but done, we took the final step last night and picked out carpet. Painting, staining, mopping and scrapping has all been great fun, but hallelujah we are done.

Lately I have been requesting people pose for photos that I remember my mom asking me to pose for as a kid, which of course I hated. You know what I mean, like go stand by that sign or let me take your picture with your new christmas underwear. Ben is mostly a good sport about it but he doesn't fully cooperate. Usually he gives me a not cute face, this time I got a pretty nice smile with his Easter eggs but HEY you put that naughty finger away. Jeez what a poor example for the next generation.

Yesterday was a sad day for Northeast Minneapolis. My all time favorite coffee shop closed down over the weekend. Boo-Hoo StoneArch Espresso and Tea is no more. I really don't know where I will find an iced americano or homemade chocolate chip cookie quite as tasty. Brothers Chad and Deric ran this mom and pop shop and did a great job. I hope their bluegrass band The High 48's took off and they don't have time for coffee shops anymore but I am doubting that is the case. Ode to you StoneArch Espresso, you helped me make it through many a tired and godawful boring afternoon at this desk. Your point is taken, sometimes it is just time to move on. RIP