I woke up thinking today would suck big rocks, but it was pretty ok.
It didn't start out so great, I'm looking all over for my copic markers. I'm pretty sure I brought them, and the place isn't that big - so where are they? Blair can't find them at home either, but I'll look next week.
I got my oil changed and the guy recognized me (or more likely my car - after all how many vans does he see with CT plates and a license plate holder from Haleakala Motors on Maui?)
Thence to Target for some essentials (TP, paper towels, ligthbulbs - such an exciting day so far huh?) and a floor lamp. It's so dark in my living room at night. I got one of those guys with five shades on flexible arms, so I can point them all around and really brighten up the place.
Next stop was the Rochester Scrapbooking Co, where I got some really cool glitter paper. It gorgeous!
Next up was Petco, Dumble is running low on kibble and treats (this day just keeps getting more and more exciting!) I also found him a little rubber chicken, it's not exactly like the dead duck he had at momento (it disappeared shortly before we closed), but it's pretty close.
I stopped in a nearby Hallmark to ogle the Vera Bradley bags. Then I wandered around Hobby Lobby (I've never been in one before.) It was OK, but there was nothing I wanted to buy.
I had dinner at Whiskey Creek (bacon cheeseburger, fries and a decadent desert involving some kind of chocolate cake/brownie thing with ice cream, hot fudge and whipped cream.) It was yummy, but if the burger was medium, I'm 17. (BTW, I'm 48 but I don't look a day over 47.) As I ate my dessert, I said "Happy Birthday to me."
I came home to a very happy doggy, and we had a nice long walkies. It was a lovely evening for it, cool and breezy, very pleasant, and it did good things for my mood, and Dumble was happy to, but not has happy as he was to get the rubber chicken when we got home.
I watched some TV with my guys, and now my day is done.
There was a one-legged man with a cardboard sign at a stoplight this afternoon. My window was rolled down and he asked if I was having a good day. I wasn't at the time, but compared to his, I wasn't going to say no. He asked if I could spare some change and I gave him a dollar. In a gentle voice, he thanked me and wished me a good day. It made me want to cry. But I'm still not sure if I was crying for him or me. Certainly being 2000 miles from my family sucks, but I have a job, and me and my guys have all our limbs. I suppose I'm entitled to the occasional pity party, but then I need to get over myself.
I got email and facebook birthday greetings from all over the country, and even from a couple others, and they really brightened my day. At the speed of light, love comes to me from my dear March moms, my friends and my family. Thank you all.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Sad and Bewildered
I had a very close friend, we were a matched set, with so many things in common, similar backgrounds, tastes, sense of humor. We'd been through a lot together, so I was caught completely flat-footed when, like a light switch turning off, my friend, who'd been as dear to me as a sister, was no longer my friend.
I've tried to find out why this happened, but my emails went unanswered. I'm so hurt, so confused, so sad. I don't know what I did to bring this on. And I'm having trouble letting go. So many times, I think of her, things happening that she'd appreciate, memories of time we spent together. And each time I think of her, I wonder why.
I know I have to give up on trying to find what went wrong. Continuing to email with no response would be stalker-like, but knowing and feeling are two separate things. How do I get my heart in line with my logical mind? How do I let go of the emptiness, the hurt? Maybe if I could get angry, but there's only sadness and bewilderment.
Has anyone had a similar experience? Do you have any advice?
I've tried to find out why this happened, but my emails went unanswered. I'm so hurt, so confused, so sad. I don't know what I did to bring this on. And I'm having trouble letting go. So many times, I think of her, things happening that she'd appreciate, memories of time we spent together. And each time I think of her, I wonder why.
I know I have to give up on trying to find what went wrong. Continuing to email with no response would be stalker-like, but knowing and feeling are two separate things. How do I get my heart in line with my logical mind? How do I let go of the emptiness, the hurt? Maybe if I could get angry, but there's only sadness and bewilderment.
Has anyone had a similar experience? Do you have any advice?
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Busy Guys!
Monday, they rented Segways and toodled around Rochester along the river paths. Then Blair revisited the local barbershop chorus.
Tuesday, they took a bus tour to the Mississippi River and Wisconsin. They had lunch in a town called Alta, and a town with only 352 residents (that's smaller than my high school graduating class!). They saw Lake Pepin, Lark Toys, and locks on the river, and visited an eagle sanctuary.
Wednesday, they took the self guided audio art tour of the clinic and saw the art that wasn't covered on the guided tour. Thursday was rainy and they went bowling again and Blair won two out of three games, then Daniel had lunch and kicked his tushie in the third game!
Friday, they went up to St Paul and visited the science museum including the Titanic exhibit. At the beginning, they give you a passport with a passenger's name on it and at the end, you see if you survived or not. Dan was John Astor, and Blair was someone from Norway (I'm assuming he was in steerage!). Neither of them made it though.
Last night, Dan and I had a disagreement, and when we apologized, I said that I didn't want to fight on their last night, and next thing I know, we're both crying and I'm saying to Blair, "He's my baby, and you're taking him away." It hurt so bad, and I hadn't wanted to lose it in front of Dan and upset him, but I couldn't help myself. We promised to video chat this afternoon when they get home. I tried all week not to think about them going away, because when I do, it hurts so much.
This morning early, they set off for home. Their plane left on time and they called from Chicago. They sounded fine.
Tuesday, they took a bus tour to the Mississippi River and Wisconsin. They had lunch in a town called Alta, and a town with only 352 residents (that's smaller than my high school graduating class!). They saw Lake Pepin, Lark Toys, and locks on the river, and visited an eagle sanctuary.
Wednesday, they took the self guided audio art tour of the clinic and saw the art that wasn't covered on the guided tour. Thursday was rainy and they went bowling again and Blair won two out of three games, then Daniel had lunch and kicked his tushie in the third game!
Friday, they went up to St Paul and visited the science museum including the Titanic exhibit. At the beginning, they give you a passport with a passenger's name on it and at the end, you see if you survived or not. Dan was John Astor, and Blair was someone from Norway (I'm assuming he was in steerage!). Neither of them made it though.
Last night, Dan and I had a disagreement, and when we apologized, I said that I didn't want to fight on their last night, and next thing I know, we're both crying and I'm saying to Blair, "He's my baby, and you're taking him away." It hurt so bad, and I hadn't wanted to lose it in front of Dan and upset him, but I couldn't help myself. We promised to video chat this afternoon when they get home. I tried all week not to think about them going away, because when I do, it hurts so much.
This morning early, they set off for home. Their plane left on time and they called from Chicago. They sounded fine.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Sometimes Airport Trouble is a Good Thing
There was bad weather in Chicago today, and Daniel and Blair's plane was going to be delayed so much that they would have missed their connection at O'Hare to LaGuardia. So they changed their tickets and aren't going home until next Saturday! I'm a happy girl!
Friday, they went to the Spam museum and enjoyed themselves. Saturday, we visited an antique show and a county fair in Zumbrota. The capper of the day was the "demo" or demolition derby. I've never seen anything like it, but we had a blast! At first it was just funny - mud flying and cars crashing into each other - but it was pretty impressive too, we couldn't believe the amount of damage some of the cars could take and still keep going. What a riot!
Friday, they went to the Spam museum and enjoyed themselves. Saturday, we visited an antique show and a county fair in Zumbrota. The capper of the day was the "demo" or demolition derby. I've never seen anything like it, but we had a blast! At first it was just funny - mud flying and cars crashing into each other - but it was pretty impressive too, we couldn't believe the amount of damage some of the cars could take and still keep going. What a riot!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Fun In Minnesota
Saturday, we visited the Mall of America, a little shopping (Dan got some magic tricks, Blair got some souveniers, I got some clothing and had fun in Brighton), a little eating (Tony Roma's for lunch and Coldstone for "dinner") and a little fun (a hall of mirrors and mini golf). The drive home was miserable, since the van my folks lent to me has no AC and it was warm and very humid.
On Sunday, we visited Heritage House and Dairy Queen. In the evening, we picked up dinner at Roscoe's (drive up BBQ), and listened to a free concert with the Smitherines.
Monday, they went bowling. That evening we picked up some groceries at Target and had dinner at Applebee's. Afterwards, Blair visited the local barbershop chorus, the Rochester Music Men and had fun!
On Tuesday, Dan and Blair went to Niagara Cave in Iowa, where they got soaked sluicing for minerals outside in a downpour. Later, it cleared up, and we went to a Honkers baseball game. Lots of fun food there, hot dogs, potato bites, mini donuts and funnel cake fries. The team won their playoff game. They also won last night, so tomorrow they have a game against another team, and we're planning to go.
Wednesday, they guys went to the Quarry Hill Nature Center followed by go-carting at Skyline Raceway. We had dinner at Dos Amigos.
Today, they hung out in the apartment until after lunchtime. Then they met me at the clinic and we took a tour of some of the amazing art they have here. They came back again (with the dog) at the end of the day and we visited the street fair they have every Thursday.
It's been lovely having the guys here, but I know I'll fall apart when they leave.
On Sunday, we visited Heritage House and Dairy Queen. In the evening, we picked up dinner at Roscoe's (drive up BBQ), and listened to a free concert with the Smitherines.
Monday, they went bowling. That evening we picked up some groceries at Target and had dinner at Applebee's. Afterwards, Blair visited the local barbershop chorus, the Rochester Music Men and had fun!
On Tuesday, Dan and Blair went to Niagara Cave in Iowa, where they got soaked sluicing for minerals outside in a downpour. Later, it cleared up, and we went to a Honkers baseball game. Lots of fun food there, hot dogs, potato bites, mini donuts and funnel cake fries. The team won their playoff game. They also won last night, so tomorrow they have a game against another team, and we're planning to go.
Wednesday, they guys went to the Quarry Hill Nature Center followed by go-carting at Skyline Raceway. We had dinner at Dos Amigos.
Today, they hung out in the apartment until after lunchtime. Then they met me at the clinic and we took a tour of some of the amazing art they have here. They came back again (with the dog) at the end of the day and we visited the street fair they have every Thursday.
It's been lovely having the guys here, but I know I'll fall apart when they leave.
Friday, August 7, 2009
County Fair
Last Saturday, Dan and I went to the Olmstead County Fair (right here in Rochester). We had a total blast. Dan got his (actually my) money's worth out of his ride bracelet - he rode the bumper cars at least 7 times. While we were waiting to buy pizza a nice lady who was leaving gave us three tickets, which was exactly how many we needed so that I could ride the Ferris wheel with him!
Dan had pizza for lunch and dinner. We tried fried cheese curds (I was proud of Dan for giving them a shot), he didn't like them, I thought they were OK, but wouldn't go out of my way to have them again (very heavy grease taste/smell) and we gave the leftovers to a couple of teenage boys. The famous mini donuts were a hit, however. We loved them. Last of all we had a spaghetti sundae. What a whimsical and yummy treat.
We walked through the craft hall and looked at cows and horses. Whenever we were eating, there was a band playing in one of the halls. We heard three very different groups. There was a little shopping too. There was a magician demonstrating some products, and he and Dan got to talking about tricks. He showed us how to do a couple of things and I bought him two trick decks of cards. Dan impressed the guy with his magical knowledge and he talked to Dan magician to magician - it was pretty cool.
Dan did pretty good with the midway games. His fantastic aim won him a small Stewie (from the Family Guy, one of his favorite shows - he quotes it constantly) that he was thrilled to get. We also spent a good deal of time (and money!) at the Sweeper booth. But we got a great deal of entertainment waiting for the pesky Garfield keychain to drop. Dan tried different strategies of aim and timing to maximize his winnings, and a nice man (whose family saves their loose change all year round so they can try to win the biggest prize in the booth) gave him a cup of tokens when we ran out. His prizes from that booth were some pop caps, a switchblade comb and (the perennial favorite) a whoopie cushion.
Daniel enjoyed his last two camps, and honed his public bus riding skills with two new routes. And last night he got a great big surprise when he rode with me to pick up a package at the FedEx office at the airport - the package was his Daddy! And Daniel was completely surprised. We all had lunch together when Daniel was done with College for Kids and then they did some supermarket shopping and went bowling afterwards. We were going to go to a ballgame tonight, but it's cold and drizzly so we're going to stay in and order pizza instead.
Blair got info from the tourism board and has lots of fun things he wants to do with Dan (like the Spam museum). And tomorrow we'll hit the Mall of America.
The dog was besides himself to see Blair, and spent a lot of time physically attached to Blair yesterday evening. I'm so thrilled to have my family together.
Dan had pizza for lunch and dinner. We tried fried cheese curds (I was proud of Dan for giving them a shot), he didn't like them, I thought they were OK, but wouldn't go out of my way to have them again (very heavy grease taste/smell) and we gave the leftovers to a couple of teenage boys. The famous mini donuts were a hit, however. We loved them. Last of all we had a spaghetti sundae. What a whimsical and yummy treat.
We walked through the craft hall and looked at cows and horses. Whenever we were eating, there was a band playing in one of the halls. We heard three very different groups. There was a little shopping too. There was a magician demonstrating some products, and he and Dan got to talking about tricks. He showed us how to do a couple of things and I bought him two trick decks of cards. Dan impressed the guy with his magical knowledge and he talked to Dan magician to magician - it was pretty cool.
Dan did pretty good with the midway games. His fantastic aim won him a small Stewie (from the Family Guy, one of his favorite shows - he quotes it constantly) that he was thrilled to get. We also spent a good deal of time (and money!) at the Sweeper booth. But we got a great deal of entertainment waiting for the pesky Garfield keychain to drop. Dan tried different strategies of aim and timing to maximize his winnings, and a nice man (whose family saves their loose change all year round so they can try to win the biggest prize in the booth) gave him a cup of tokens when we ran out. His prizes from that booth were some pop caps, a switchblade comb and (the perennial favorite) a whoopie cushion.
Daniel enjoyed his last two camps, and honed his public bus riding skills with two new routes. And last night he got a great big surprise when he rode with me to pick up a package at the FedEx office at the airport - the package was his Daddy! And Daniel was completely surprised. We all had lunch together when Daniel was done with College for Kids and then they did some supermarket shopping and went bowling afterwards. We were going to go to a ballgame tonight, but it's cold and drizzly so we're going to stay in and order pizza instead.
Blair got info from the tourism board and has lots of fun things he wants to do with Dan (like the Spam museum). And tomorrow we'll hit the Mall of America.
The dog was besides himself to see Blair, and spent a lot of time physically attached to Blair yesterday evening. I'm so thrilled to have my family together.
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