Cathy spend the weekend coming and going to Minnesota! Let's find out more!
1. Cathy, why did you go to Minnesota AGAIN?
To a wedding, of course, my nosy friend! My BFF's youngest son was married in Mille Lacs/Onamia.
2. Where/what the heck is Mille Lacs?!
It's a beautiful area about 2 hours north of Minneapolis, my geographically challenged friend. On an Ojibwe Indian Reservation, there's a big casino and resort. There's also a big lake. And did I mention the casino?
3. Okay, we'll bite on the casino. How'd you do?
Your concern is appreciated, my thoughtful friend. I'm chicken to play 21 and I suck at slots. Even penny slots. In other words: I did badly. But it was fun trying because they have free pop.
4. Free pop? Weren't you too sloshed from the free booze?
Unfortunately not, Kemosabe. Mille Lacs is a dry county. I mean, desert dry. Nada. Smoking at the casino--okay. Drinking at the casino--doesn't happen.
5. So how cold was it in Minnesota? We're sure winter has hit up there.
Not so much, my meteorologically inclined friend. While no record warm temperatures were set, it was a balmy 66, although much more cloudy with more chances for rain.
6. How about the fall color? Past peak?
I'd say, just at peak, my nature-loving friend. Many more reds and yellows than we see here. Also, more evergreens of the pine persuasion.
7. Okay, so you flew into Minneapolis. We know the airport is right next door to THE MALL of America and your personal Mecca, IKEA. Did you bite?
Fifty-fifty, my shopoholic friend. Indeed we could not pass THE MALL without a short lunch stop at Bubba Gump's and a quick dart into Marshall's. So sadly, IKEA must wait for another day.
8. In this time of financial crisis, how do you gauge the mood of the traveling/gambling public?
A discerning question, my inquisitor. Airports: busy. Airplanes: VERY full, to standby levels. Mall: Busy. Casino: Packed. Topics of conversation: Anything BUT the value of one's 401K.
9. And how was the wedding?
Tip-top and smashing, Miss Manners. The bride and groom, teachers both, were young and beautiful; the bridal party a fun-loving bunch; the families pleased with the union; the ceremony, heart-felt and joyous; the reception, a damn fine party. And did I mention the cake?
10. So, was the manic pace of the trip worth it?
Any trip that includes a visit to the Mall of America and wedding cake, my solicitious friend, is more than worth it. Plus, we saw two windmills on the way to the event. And, we got to dance to Hey, Ya! Now that's my kind of reception.
Showing posts with label weekend. Show all posts
Showing posts with label weekend. Show all posts
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Monday, October 6, 2008
About the conversations I overheard
Just walking around at the Apple Festival on Sunday.
"... I think there's a entrance in the fence over this way by the grandstand...."
"What is that?" "It's from the basket-weaving tent." "But what is it?" "It's a potholder or something."
"Did you see the debate the other night?" "Yea, I thought Sarah Palin...."
"Your candle looks like a banana."
"Do you want to make a doll?" "That's not a doll." "It's a doll made of corn husks." "That's not a doll."
"Mommy I need a drink." "Do you want some root beer?" "Mommy do I like root beer?" "Yes."
"I might buy that basket." "What's it for?" "For the cat." "I don't think the cat will sleep in that basket."
"Where are the elephant ears?" "That booth is closed." "But I saw people walking around with elephant ears!" "Don't ask me."
"Do they have caramel apples without the nuts?" "Do you want a whole apple or one cut up?" "I don't care, I just don't want nuts."
"And I think he is for McCain, but there's no sign in the yard...."
"Where did all these people come from?" "Can't just be Kendallville."
"Let's go listen to the music." "I want to dance." "You can dance." "You dance with me." "Ah, no."
"Let's go to the craft area." "It's in the livestock barn." "Well I hope they cleaned it out."
"They're shearing sheep over there." "Why do they do that?" "We make clothes from the wool." "Oh, yuck!"
"Did you hear this joke on Fox News? No African-Americans are going to vote for Obama because...."
"Did we have that last year? I thought we had the Caramel Apple Sundae...."
"Yea, it goes until 5...."
"Where'd we park?"
"... I think there's a entrance in the fence over this way by the grandstand...."
"What is that?" "It's from the basket-weaving tent." "But what is it?" "It's a potholder or something."
"Did you see the debate the other night?" "Yea, I thought Sarah Palin...."
"Your candle looks like a banana."
"Do you want to make a doll?" "That's not a doll." "It's a doll made of corn husks." "That's not a doll."
"Mommy I need a drink." "Do you want some root beer?" "Mommy do I like root beer?" "Yes."
"I might buy that basket." "What's it for?" "For the cat." "I don't think the cat will sleep in that basket."
"Where are the elephant ears?" "That booth is closed." "But I saw people walking around with elephant ears!" "Don't ask me."
"Do they have caramel apples without the nuts?" "Do you want a whole apple or one cut up?" "I don't care, I just don't want nuts."
"And I think he is for McCain, but there's no sign in the yard...."
"Where did all these people come from?" "Can't just be Kendallville."
"Let's go listen to the music." "I want to dance." "You can dance." "You dance with me." "Ah, no."
"Let's go to the craft area." "It's in the livestock barn." "Well I hope they cleaned it out."
"They're shearing sheep over there." "Why do they do that?" "We make clothes from the wool." "Oh, yuck!"
"Did you hear this joke on Fox News? No African-Americans are going to vote for Obama because...."
"Did we have that last year? I thought we had the Caramel Apple Sundae...."
"Yea, it goes until 5...."
"Where'd we park?"
Monday, February 18, 2008
About how good an ordinary day can be
It's when you get to sleep in a little, but not too much, 'cause while you need a little extra sleep, you don't want to waste the day.
It's when your husband goes outside to get the paper, then goes to get you pancakes and scrambled eggs, which means you don't have to cook.
It's when you have a minute to get your weekend chores started, like the laundry, and linen-changing, but know you've got more fun things to do.
It's when you go to a basketball game with a gym full of parents and kids, and not one person gets mad at a referee or a child. And your grandson makes some good passes and scores some baskets and, best of all, has a big smile on his face practically the entire time.
It's when you go out for lunch with your family and the two-year-old sleeps through the whole thing, and the four-year-old swipes the fries and eats all the pepperoni and wears her new purse over her shoulder the whole time, and it's full of Pokemon figures, her sparkly hand lotion, and a pretend hair dryer.
It's when you take an hour or so to help your daughter get her house picked up for a get-together in the evening, and you listen to Little Einsteins while you pick up toys and put clothes away. And you talk about what the kids are doing and which friends are coming over and "where do you want me to put THIS?"
It's when you go home and get some more chores down, like even MORE laundry!, and the dishes, and sweep the kitchen, and vacuum, and put away all the papers on the kitchen table that seem to appear magically EVERY WEEK!
It's when your son and daughter-in-law and baby Kenna come over for a "slumber party," and Kenna is in fine almost-two-year-old form, using the sectional sofa as her runway/trampoline. And you babysit for a bit after she goes to bed and her parents go to meet some old friends for a birthday celebration. And you watch I.U. basketball, under a cloud of embarrassment all week, play a great game and beat Michigan State.
It's when you go to bed, tired, but suddenly aware you've had a Saturday about as good as an ordinary Saturday gets.
How about you? How was your Saturday?
It's when your husband goes outside to get the paper, then goes to get you pancakes and scrambled eggs, which means you don't have to cook.
It's when you have a minute to get your weekend chores started, like the laundry, and linen-changing, but know you've got more fun things to do.
It's when you go to a basketball game with a gym full of parents and kids, and not one person gets mad at a referee or a child. And your grandson makes some good passes and scores some baskets and, best of all, has a big smile on his face practically the entire time.
It's when you go out for lunch with your family and the two-year-old sleeps through the whole thing, and the four-year-old swipes the fries and eats all the pepperoni and wears her new purse over her shoulder the whole time, and it's full of Pokemon figures, her sparkly hand lotion, and a pretend hair dryer.
It's when you take an hour or so to help your daughter get her house picked up for a get-together in the evening, and you listen to Little Einsteins while you pick up toys and put clothes away. And you talk about what the kids are doing and which friends are coming over and "where do you want me to put THIS?"
It's when you go home and get some more chores down, like even MORE laundry!, and the dishes, and sweep the kitchen, and vacuum, and put away all the papers on the kitchen table that seem to appear magically EVERY WEEK!
It's when your son and daughter-in-law and baby Kenna come over for a "slumber party," and Kenna is in fine almost-two-year-old form, using the sectional sofa as her runway/trampoline. And you babysit for a bit after she goes to bed and her parents go to meet some old friends for a birthday celebration. And you watch I.U. basketball, under a cloud of embarrassment all week, play a great game and beat Michigan State.
It's when you go to bed, tired, but suddenly aware you've had a Saturday about as good as an ordinary Saturday gets.
How about you? How was your Saturday?
Sunday, January 20, 2008
About what we do on Saturdays
On Saturdays we sleep in a little even when McKenna is around, cos she sleeps in too.
On Saturdays we make some turnovers and cinnamon rolls, and have them with our coffee and tea, and McKenna had pancakes too, and ate them all.
On Saturdays we read the paper and everyone takes showers, and Jayme gives McKenna a bath, and I start the laundry and change the sheets and do the dishes, and Greg lets McKenna watch Dora until she quits, then watches ESPN, and Tony drinks more coffee.
On Saturdays the phone rings and it's Angela and more plans are made and then we get ready and leave for Julian's basketball game. And we go to the school and watch Julian make some good passes and score a couple baskets and guard a little boy who dribbles too much, and Matt holds McKenna and gets her a snack, and we talk to everybody and clap when we're supposed to.
On Saturdays we go out to lunch at IHOP and try to decide do we want breakfast or lunch, and talk about work and what the kids said/did, and make more plans, and laugh about how we wait in the foyer while Matt comes to get Angela because we don't have room in the car to take her.
On Saturdays we head home to watch some ballgames or take naps or play video games, depending on who we are, or go to the grocery, like me. And if you're me you wander around the grocery about four times because you forget stuff like hamburger buns or bottled water, which you really shouldn't buy anyway. And you see two people you know and say hi.
On Saturdays, Taylor comes over to spend the night because Caroline is at Carlee's with Julian and Ang and Matt have a party. And after the girls take naps they play together better than they ever have before, and Taylor calls McKenna "Kenna" and McKenna calls Taylor "Tay-Tay."
On Saturdays the guys grill up the steaks that got bought at the grocery and we throw some potatoes in the microwave and put some salad mix in bowls and make some cookies for dessert. And sit at the table and watch the girls eat their mac-n-cheese.
On Saturdays our only lament is that if we cook at home we have to clean it up, but with help it goes fast, even with the girls running about and through the kitchen.
On Saturdays we get an On Demand movie like Even Almighty and don't try to analyze it too much, and watch the girls play kitchen and tear our every. single. book. on. the. kids. bookshelf. And eat their snacks and drink their juice.
On Saturdays the girls get tired and Tony and Jayme have to take McKenna home, and they pack up and kiss everybody goodbye an dgo out in the cold. And Taylor is tired and watches one more Dora and then goes to bed and makes it through three pages of a Little Golden Book Snow White story until she falls asleep.
On Saturdays Greg falls asleep on the couch and HGTV is on and I think back about everything we did all day.
And that's what we do on Saturdays.
On Saturdays we make some turnovers and cinnamon rolls, and have them with our coffee and tea, and McKenna had pancakes too, and ate them all.
On Saturdays we read the paper and everyone takes showers, and Jayme gives McKenna a bath, and I start the laundry and change the sheets and do the dishes, and Greg lets McKenna watch Dora until she quits, then watches ESPN, and Tony drinks more coffee.
On Saturdays the phone rings and it's Angela and more plans are made and then we get ready and leave for Julian's basketball game. And we go to the school and watch Julian make some good passes and score a couple baskets and guard a little boy who dribbles too much, and Matt holds McKenna and gets her a snack, and we talk to everybody and clap when we're supposed to.
On Saturdays we go out to lunch at IHOP and try to decide do we want breakfast or lunch, and talk about work and what the kids said/did, and make more plans, and laugh about how we wait in the foyer while Matt comes to get Angela because we don't have room in the car to take her.
On Saturdays we head home to watch some ballgames or take naps or play video games, depending on who we are, or go to the grocery, like me. And if you're me you wander around the grocery about four times because you forget stuff like hamburger buns or bottled water, which you really shouldn't buy anyway. And you see two people you know and say hi.
On Saturdays, Taylor comes over to spend the night because Caroline is at Carlee's with Julian and Ang and Matt have a party. And after the girls take naps they play together better than they ever have before, and Taylor calls McKenna "Kenna" and McKenna calls Taylor "Tay-Tay."
On Saturdays the guys grill up the steaks that got bought at the grocery and we throw some potatoes in the microwave and put some salad mix in bowls and make some cookies for dessert. And sit at the table and watch the girls eat their mac-n-cheese.
On Saturdays our only lament is that if we cook at home we have to clean it up, but with help it goes fast, even with the girls running about and through the kitchen.
On Saturdays we get an On Demand movie like Even Almighty and don't try to analyze it too much, and watch the girls play kitchen and tear our every. single. book. on. the. kids. bookshelf. And eat their snacks and drink their juice.
On Saturdays the girls get tired and Tony and Jayme have to take McKenna home, and they pack up and kiss everybody goodbye an dgo out in the cold. And Taylor is tired and watches one more Dora and then goes to bed and makes it through three pages of a Little Golden Book Snow White story until she falls asleep.
On Saturdays Greg falls asleep on the couch and HGTV is on and I think back about everything we did all day.
And that's what we do on Saturdays.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
About sports and stuff Saturday
Well, I've got plenty of chores to do, so I woke up thinkin' about all those. And there's a lot of college football games the guys are going to want to follow for various reasons, from our own St. Francis Cougars to the train wreck that is Notre Dame to our home state Buckeyes (can they avoid the curse?).
And of course tonight is Tribe Time, and there's no way I'm missin' that game, and I am very hopeful for an Indians win, as long as Curt Shilling avoids any blood on any part of his person, awakening memories of miracles in 2004, which we don't need. So, stay whole, Curt Shilling! And, go Tribe!
So I'm goin' to do my laundry and get some lunch and run a couple errands and some other home chores, and we'll get to help out with all the grandpeeps tonight, and have some dinner, so you can see my Saturday is way too full for me to sit here and write about what I'm thinkin', because mainly I'm thinkin' about what to do next!
So, hey, quit thinkin'! Your laundry called, and said, wash me!
And of course tonight is Tribe Time, and there's no way I'm missin' that game, and I am very hopeful for an Indians win, as long as Curt Shilling avoids any blood on any part of his person, awakening memories of miracles in 2004, which we don't need. So, stay whole, Curt Shilling! And, go Tribe!
So I'm goin' to do my laundry and get some lunch and run a couple errands and some other home chores, and we'll get to help out with all the grandpeeps tonight, and have some dinner, so you can see my Saturday is way too full for me to sit here and write about what I'm thinkin', because mainly I'm thinkin' about what to do next!
So, hey, quit thinkin'! Your laundry called, and said, wash me!
Sunday, September 16, 2007
About I lied yesterday
Because it was not a day of rest, it was a day of busy, and I woke up thinkin' about all the day would hold. And my head almost exploded.
Hold onto your wig:
Friday: Get up, go to work. Work all morning, go to lunch with friends. Work all afternoon. Leave work and take a friend to her apartment and then on to the airport. Go home. Tony, Jayme and McKenna come over to spend the weekend because they have so much to do in town. Go down to Jefferson Pointe for dinner and shopping. Meet Ang and the girls. Guys leave to go to a high school football game. Girls shop and have Starbucks. Ang takes little girls and heads for home. Jayme, McKenna and I go home. Guys arrive shortly after. McKenna goes to bed. We exchange stories of the evening, watch the local news, and go to bed.
Saturday: Up at 7:15. Fix breakfast. Load up cars and go to Julian's football game, meeting Ang, Matt, and little girls. Jayme and Angela leave to work at Johnny Appleseed festival. Matt has to go round at the hospital. After the game (our team won!), the remaining grownups take the little girls back to Ang's. Greg and Tony go to get some breakfast at McDonalds while I watch the little girls. We eat and chill awhile. Matt gets home. Then we pack up and head for the festival, which is Pioneer Central, yet way too full of post-modern attendees.
We load McKenna in the stroller, take Caroline and Taylor by the hand, and head for the crowd. As it turns out Ang and Jayme did not have to work due to over-zealous scheduling. We meet them by the food tent and start hitting all our favorite food spots (caramel apples, sarsaparilla). We take the girls down to the kids area; I stand in line for corn bread. On the way out, we also hit the corn on the cob. Tony and Jayme leave first to get McKenna down for her nap; Ang and Matt take the girls home; Greg and I hit Steve & Barry's on our way home.
Everyone has a rest back at our house (Ang and Matt, at their house). Tony and Jayme get ready and go to their concert. Greg and I take McKenna to dinner at Pizza Hut, then grocery shopping at Meijer. We head home, play with McKenna awhile, then she goes to bed. We watch some college football, Tony and Jayme get home, we chill awhile, then it's off to bed.
Sunday: up about 8, get some breakfast, watch Sunday Morning. Greg and Tony go to golf (9 holes). Jayme and I do some house chores, especially after McKenna goes down for her nap. I work on laundry, too. The guys get home about 12:30, McKenna is up, we load up and go to lunch at Buckets sports bar so we can watch the Colts game. After we eat we head for Lowe's to buy a cabinet for my laundry area.
After we get home, the guys try to get the cabinet up, but some parts are missing and they have to go back to Lowe's. Jayme takes a nap and I play with McKenna. The guys get back only to find another part is missing so they give up and just watch football. We fix a light repast since lunch was so late. Ang, Matt and girls come over, bringing fresh apple pie and chocolate ice cream, the perfect dinner. Ang and Matt hang around a little, then take off to get ready for vacation; they are leaving for Vegas tomorrow and we are keeping the girls all week and will have Julian on Tuesday (it's his week at his dad's). Tony, Jayme, and McKenna leave; it was a blast to have them all weekend and it's saved them gallons of gas.
The girls will have their baths in a few minutes and go to bed; we will crash and watch Sunday Night football.
Next week: stay tuned. And take a deep breath.
So, how about you? If you're not too exhausted by reading this, what's keepin' you busy?
Hold onto your wig:
Friday: Get up, go to work. Work all morning, go to lunch with friends. Work all afternoon. Leave work and take a friend to her apartment and then on to the airport. Go home. Tony, Jayme and McKenna come over to spend the weekend because they have so much to do in town. Go down to Jefferson Pointe for dinner and shopping. Meet Ang and the girls. Guys leave to go to a high school football game. Girls shop and have Starbucks. Ang takes little girls and heads for home. Jayme, McKenna and I go home. Guys arrive shortly after. McKenna goes to bed. We exchange stories of the evening, watch the local news, and go to bed.
Saturday: Up at 7:15. Fix breakfast. Load up cars and go to Julian's football game, meeting Ang, Matt, and little girls. Jayme and Angela leave to work at Johnny Appleseed festival. Matt has to go round at the hospital. After the game (our team won!), the remaining grownups take the little girls back to Ang's. Greg and Tony go to get some breakfast at McDonalds while I watch the little girls. We eat and chill awhile. Matt gets home. Then we pack up and head for the festival, which is Pioneer Central, yet way too full of post-modern attendees.
We load McKenna in the stroller, take Caroline and Taylor by the hand, and head for the crowd. As it turns out Ang and Jayme did not have to work due to over-zealous scheduling. We meet them by the food tent and start hitting all our favorite food spots (caramel apples, sarsaparilla). We take the girls down to the kids area; I stand in line for corn bread. On the way out, we also hit the corn on the cob. Tony and Jayme leave first to get McKenna down for her nap; Ang and Matt take the girls home; Greg and I hit Steve & Barry's on our way home.
Everyone has a rest back at our house (Ang and Matt, at their house). Tony and Jayme get ready and go to their concert. Greg and I take McKenna to dinner at Pizza Hut, then grocery shopping at Meijer. We head home, play with McKenna awhile, then she goes to bed. We watch some college football, Tony and Jayme get home, we chill awhile, then it's off to bed.
Sunday: up about 8, get some breakfast, watch Sunday Morning. Greg and Tony go to golf (9 holes). Jayme and I do some house chores, especially after McKenna goes down for her nap. I work on laundry, too. The guys get home about 12:30, McKenna is up, we load up and go to lunch at Buckets sports bar so we can watch the Colts game. After we eat we head for Lowe's to buy a cabinet for my laundry area.
After we get home, the guys try to get the cabinet up, but some parts are missing and they have to go back to Lowe's. Jayme takes a nap and I play with McKenna. The guys get back only to find another part is missing so they give up and just watch football. We fix a light repast since lunch was so late. Ang, Matt and girls come over, bringing fresh apple pie and chocolate ice cream, the perfect dinner. Ang and Matt hang around a little, then take off to get ready for vacation; they are leaving for Vegas tomorrow and we are keeping the girls all week and will have Julian on Tuesday (it's his week at his dad's). Tony, Jayme, and McKenna leave; it was a blast to have them all weekend and it's saved them gallons of gas.
The girls will have their baths in a few minutes and go to bed; we will crash and watch Sunday Night football.
Next week: stay tuned. And take a deep breath.
So, how about you? If you're not too exhausted by reading this, what's keepin' you busy?
Saturday, August 18, 2007
About it being Saturday
And all that implies. Mainly, that I don't usually have to jump out of bed at the crack of dawn.
Because I hate getting up early, and always have. I remember hating it even as a kindergartener, five years old. How many parents have (to me) horror stories of their kids who jump out bed at 5 a.m., ready to go? I've known a lot. I was not one of them, nor, thankfully, either of my kids.
Now, I work with people who are joyful early risers. These people, my friends, seem to thrive on awaking at 4:30 a.m.--or even earlier! -- and actually accomplishing things! They pray, write, exercise, do laundry, and God knows what BEFORE THEY GO TO WORK. Oh, the humanity.
Me? I calculate to the exact minute what I absolutely must do in the morning (1 minute, brush teeth. 10 minutes, wash and dry hair. 30 seconds, remember who I am). And walk out the door with just enough time to get to work in time to not be fired.
There's probably several things about myself I'd change if I could (more interest in my finances, less interest in shopping) but I always say that number one on my list is, I'd become an early riser.
Because, I feel guilty about wanting, or even needing to sleep in a little (and I do need seven hours). I don't know how people make it on 5 hours every night. Or less. And I also don't know how grownups go to bed at 8 p.m. (and I know some who do).
I think our national sleep patterns are really messed up, which might explain a lot of road rage and customer service nastiness.
Hey, wake up! What are you thinkin' about your nighty-night time?
Because I hate getting up early, and always have. I remember hating it even as a kindergartener, five years old. How many parents have (to me) horror stories of their kids who jump out bed at 5 a.m., ready to go? I've known a lot. I was not one of them, nor, thankfully, either of my kids.
Now, I work with people who are joyful early risers. These people, my friends, seem to thrive on awaking at 4:30 a.m.--or even earlier! -- and actually accomplishing things! They pray, write, exercise, do laundry, and God knows what BEFORE THEY GO TO WORK. Oh, the humanity.
Me? I calculate to the exact minute what I absolutely must do in the morning (1 minute, brush teeth. 10 minutes, wash and dry hair. 30 seconds, remember who I am). And walk out the door with just enough time to get to work in time to not be fired.
There's probably several things about myself I'd change if I could (more interest in my finances, less interest in shopping) but I always say that number one on my list is, I'd become an early riser.
Because, I feel guilty about wanting, or even needing to sleep in a little (and I do need seven hours). I don't know how people make it on 5 hours every night. Or less. And I also don't know how grownups go to bed at 8 p.m. (and I know some who do).
I think our national sleep patterns are really messed up, which might explain a lot of road rage and customer service nastiness.
Hey, wake up! What are you thinkin' about your nighty-night time?
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