I am going to start blogging once again, I have been gone for over 6 months. Once I discovered facebook, I got away from my blog. But I want to start again, it's a great way for me to release my thoughts and emotions.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Sunday, September 6, 2009
The Apartment
Well my daughter is all moved into her first apartment!
It has been a stressful ordeal but we finally got things in. She was supposed to have been moved in over a week earlier, but the apartment wasn't cleaned on schedule. The former tenant was in the military and got orders, and left the place a mess. He was also a smoker and must have burned a lot of candles, so there was actual black soot on the walls. After having a second inspection they decided they would need to paint the place.
The building has to be close to 100 years old, and is really a cool place with all the old charm. But the things it does not have is off street parking for all the tenants and no plug ins for the car for those cold North Dakota winter nights. I am sure we will be getting some calls this winter for some rides when the old jitney doesn't start.
She does not have cable or internet access, she is now realizing how she took for granted quite a few things. I think she will be getting the basic cable all 15 channels, and has to have internet for college. So more expenses ahead.
It has been a stressful ordeal but we finally got things in. She was supposed to have been moved in over a week earlier, but the apartment wasn't cleaned on schedule. The former tenant was in the military and got orders, and left the place a mess. He was also a smoker and must have burned a lot of candles, so there was actual black soot on the walls. After having a second inspection they decided they would need to paint the place.
The building has to be close to 100 years old, and is really a cool place with all the old charm. But the things it does not have is off street parking for all the tenants and no plug ins for the car for those cold North Dakota winter nights. I am sure we will be getting some calls this winter for some rides when the old jitney doesn't start.
She does not have cable or internet access, she is now realizing how she took for granted quite a few things. I think she will be getting the basic cable all 15 channels, and has to have internet for college. So more expenses ahead.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Where did the summer go????
Here it is almost the end of August and like everyone else I am asking "where did the summer go?" And as far as summers go this is one of the coolest and wettest I can remember.
Now it's time to prepare for fall and then the dreaded winter, the older I get the more I really hate the thought of that first snowfall. I have never been one for going outside and doing any winter activities, so it tends to be a long 5 months.
I have always said that fall is one of my favorite times of the year, but this year I don't feel that way, probably because we have had many summer days that have felt like fall already.
We ran the AC only once this entire summer, that certainly says something.
Ron is on a plane right now as I write this heading to a very hot Texas, he is going to be in Dallas for the next 7 days for work. While he is gone, it will be a busy week for Laura and I, as she is moving into her very 1st apartment. While I am excited for her to spread her wings, I know it's going to be very hard for me. I am always worried about everything. I know she will do fine, she will be so busy between working 2 jobs to pay the rent and going to UND full time. She is going into Graphic Arts,, following in her brothers footsteps. Chris and his fiance Katie are busy working and living in Minneapolis, I foresee
one day Laura living somewhere like that too.
We will post pic's of the new pad soon, it's in an very old building just a few blocks from downtown. It's one of those buildings where the ironing board drops out of the wall. It's just her style, Laura is an old soul and likes things from the past.
So here we are to the next step in Laura's life, and to the next step in Ron and my life, truly empty nesters.
Now it's time to prepare for fall and then the dreaded winter, the older I get the more I really hate the thought of that first snowfall. I have never been one for going outside and doing any winter activities, so it tends to be a long 5 months.
I have always said that fall is one of my favorite times of the year, but this year I don't feel that way, probably because we have had many summer days that have felt like fall already.
We ran the AC only once this entire summer, that certainly says something.
Ron is on a plane right now as I write this heading to a very hot Texas, he is going to be in Dallas for the next 7 days for work. While he is gone, it will be a busy week for Laura and I, as she is moving into her very 1st apartment. While I am excited for her to spread her wings, I know it's going to be very hard for me. I am always worried about everything. I know she will do fine, she will be so busy between working 2 jobs to pay the rent and going to UND full time. She is going into Graphic Arts,, following in her brothers footsteps. Chris and his fiance Katie are busy working and living in Minneapolis, I foresee
one day Laura living somewhere like that too.
We will post pic's of the new pad soon, it's in an very old building just a few blocks from downtown. It's one of those buildings where the ironing board drops out of the wall. It's just her style, Laura is an old soul and likes things from the past.
So here we are to the next step in Laura's life, and to the next step in Ron and my life, truly empty nesters.
Monday, August 3, 2009
VEGAS BABY!!!!
We finally got to Vegas! We went on Thursday, July 30th and returned Sunday.
We went with 8 other people, 5 of us have, or will be turning 50 this year, so that was our "excuse" for taking the trip. Ron and I have never been to Vegas before, it is hard to know what to expect until you are there in the midst of the craziness.
Eat, drink and be merry was the motto, and for the most part.... and of course some gambling. None of us came home any richer, but it was fun hoping for that big win that would change your life. We went down to Freemont St. on the first night, this is the old part of Las Vegas, and for me I think the most fun. We listened to music from the summer of '69, and they have this amazing light show that bounces to the music. We discovered the bar Hogs and Hefers, which I think was much better that Coyote Ugly which we also visited on another night.
We sat by the pool by 9AM every morning, with pina colada in our hands by 9:05. It was hot but I enjoyed every minute of it, it's hardly been 80 degrees here this summer. It topped out at 107 degrees, but as they say it's a dry heat.
The only celebrity sightings we had were Carrot Top, and our friend Cindy saw Dog the Bounty Hunter and his wife Beth, whom she spoke to. Also a sad looking Pete Rose signing autographs in a sports store if you bought something. Oh the fallen heroes!
We stayed at the Luxor, which is the hotel shaped like a pyramid, the hotel itself was beautiful, but the rooms no better than a Holiday Inn, nothing special, but of course you are not in the room much..
We will definitly go back someday, cuz you can always find a cheap flight and find some good deals on hotels, but not anytime soon. I think I prefer the beauty of nature, rather than the glitz of the lights.
It was fun and some great memories with good friends were made!
We went with 8 other people, 5 of us have, or will be turning 50 this year, so that was our "excuse" for taking the trip. Ron and I have never been to Vegas before, it is hard to know what to expect until you are there in the midst of the craziness.
Eat, drink and be merry was the motto, and for the most part.... and of course some gambling. None of us came home any richer, but it was fun hoping for that big win that would change your life. We went down to Freemont St. on the first night, this is the old part of Las Vegas, and for me I think the most fun. We listened to music from the summer of '69, and they have this amazing light show that bounces to the music. We discovered the bar Hogs and Hefers, which I think was much better that Coyote Ugly which we also visited on another night.
We sat by the pool by 9AM every morning, with pina colada in our hands by 9:05. It was hot but I enjoyed every minute of it, it's hardly been 80 degrees here this summer. It topped out at 107 degrees, but as they say it's a dry heat.
The only celebrity sightings we had were Carrot Top, and our friend Cindy saw Dog the Bounty Hunter and his wife Beth, whom she spoke to. Also a sad looking Pete Rose signing autographs in a sports store if you bought something. Oh the fallen heroes!
We stayed at the Luxor, which is the hotel shaped like a pyramid, the hotel itself was beautiful, but the rooms no better than a Holiday Inn, nothing special, but of course you are not in the room much..
We will definitly go back someday, cuz you can always find a cheap flight and find some good deals on hotels, but not anytime soon. I think I prefer the beauty of nature, rather than the glitz of the lights.
It was fun and some great memories with good friends were made!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
36 hours together!
Laura, my wonderful daughter and I got to spend 36 hours together this past weekend! I can't remember the last time we spent this much time together alone. We only got in one shouting match, this happened when I was trying to give her some advice about work, and for some reason my advice to her, comes across as nagging.
This one and only argument came in the first 2 hours of our trip, the rest of the time was really great.
The reason for the trip was to check out the Art Dept at UMD in Duluth, MN.
I have to say I was a bit nervous about driving to Duluth as I have not navigated in a bigger city in some time by myself....(I have become quite dependent on Ron to get us to places safely. Duluth is really not even a big city, but I am a little challenged when it comes to directions and reading maps.) Thank Goodness for the Christmas present I gave Ron last year, the Tom Tom, GPS. Without our little guide, I don't know where Laura and I would have ended, once we were in Duluth.
Laura and I went down to Canal St, and sat by the water on Sunday night, and then went and had supper at Old Chicago, it was really nice to spend time together.
The next day we were able to go downtown Duluth and do some shopping at some really cool little shops before we needed to at campus for her tour.
We had a private tour, and Laura seemed impressed by the department. She did find out that it would be advantageous for her to do her art courses here at UND and have her portfolio ready to be reviewed by UMD art dept for acceptance next fall. So I believe she is going to enroll back here at UND, hopefully it is not too late to get her ducks in a row for the fall semester. I think she now knows the path that she wants to take and will be succesful doing so.
This one and only argument came in the first 2 hours of our trip, the rest of the time was really great.
The reason for the trip was to check out the Art Dept at UMD in Duluth, MN.
I have to say I was a bit nervous about driving to Duluth as I have not navigated in a bigger city in some time by myself....(I have become quite dependent on Ron to get us to places safely. Duluth is really not even a big city, but I am a little challenged when it comes to directions and reading maps.) Thank Goodness for the Christmas present I gave Ron last year, the Tom Tom, GPS. Without our little guide, I don't know where Laura and I would have ended, once we were in Duluth.
Laura and I went down to Canal St, and sat by the water on Sunday night, and then went and had supper at Old Chicago, it was really nice to spend time together.
The next day we were able to go downtown Duluth and do some shopping at some really cool little shops before we needed to at campus for her tour.
We had a private tour, and Laura seemed impressed by the department. She did find out that it would be advantageous for her to do her art courses here at UND and have her portfolio ready to be reviewed by UMD art dept for acceptance next fall. So I believe she is going to enroll back here at UND, hopefully it is not too late to get her ducks in a row for the fall semester. I think she now knows the path that she wants to take and will be succesful doing so.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Fair Food!!!!
Now is there anything better than the food at the fair?
Ron and I took the new bike and went down the road on Friday and went to the Polk County Fair in Fertile, MN. Now we did not go to ride any rides, we went with only one thing on our minds, what delicacies we could devour, and devour we did! Our first goal was to find a batter dipped corn dog, they were great!. Then Ron's other goal was a funnel cake, and as we were eating the funnel cake sitting next to the mini donut stand, I decided that was my next choice. We had to wash these wonderful items down, and what could be better than a big chocolate milkshake, and of course a DIET coke.
It was just a great way to spend a summer afternoon with each other, we sure do like the same great things in life!
Monday back to the same old grind and back to counting points!
Ron and I took the new bike and went down the road on Friday and went to the Polk County Fair in Fertile, MN. Now we did not go to ride any rides, we went with only one thing on our minds, what delicacies we could devour, and devour we did! Our first goal was to find a batter dipped corn dog, they were great!. Then Ron's other goal was a funnel cake, and as we were eating the funnel cake sitting next to the mini donut stand, I decided that was my next choice. We had to wash these wonderful items down, and what could be better than a big chocolate milkshake, and of course a DIET coke.
It was just a great way to spend a summer afternoon with each other, we sure do like the same great things in life!
Monday back to the same old grind and back to counting points!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Summer Vacation 2009
We had another fun-filled vacation to Wisconsin last week. We left last Sunday and spent the night in Mpls. We got to spend some time with Chris and Katie. Chris showed us where he worked, and they showed us the new apt that they moved into a few days later. We went out for a wonderful Italian dinner and topped it off with cheesecake from the Cheesecake factory, that was the start of my one week binge. Oh and it was all so good!
We spent the next night in Eau Claire Wi. , got to see Ron's 95 year old Grandma and his Aunt Sharlene, it was off the the local buffet for supper. We then went for drinks with Ron's step sister and brother, it was a nice day. The next day we headed to the Dells, on the way we stopped and test drove a Harley and then headed for the casino, won over 400$.
Ron's Mom lives in Baraboo, which is about 7 miles from the Dells, we went out for supper with her and then later that night Ron and I walked the downtown of the Dells. Stopped in some old fun bars and had a few Leinies and cheese curds, with a stop to the candy store to have some treats to eat in bed.
We have now arrived in Janesville on Wednesday, after a stop in Madison, where Ron's newest dream came true, we traded the Goldwing for a new 2009 Harley. He is like a little boy with a new toy, I love seeing his face when he starts it up. That evening we went to Rons son Dan's house, where he and his wife Brandi bbq'd supper for us, it was very good and a fun evening of visiting.
Thursday we headed to Milwaukee with Ron's sister Vicki and her husband Ken to the Harley Museum, a few hours there and a lunch at the Harley restaurant made for a nice day. That evening Dan and Brandi took us to a Japanese restaurant, where they prepare the food in front of you, that was a fun experience. Plus, I tried sushi for the first and probably last time.....thank you Dan.
Friday we went back to Madison and picked up the new bike, and came back and took a ride and then in the evening we went to supper with both Ron's sisters and brother in law.
Saturday was the big ride for MDA, there was about 1200 bikes and 1800 riders, it was a 80 mile ride in beautiful weather, it was great on the new bike.
The last evening Dan again made us supper on his grill, we enjoyed pork chop sandwiches, boy were they good, and then we topped it off with a trip to the local Tastee Freeze, mmm good...a wonderful way to end the week
Sunday was an 11 hour drive home, we were tired and ready to be home.
It's so true, there is no place like home!
We spent the next night in Eau Claire Wi. , got to see Ron's 95 year old Grandma and his Aunt Sharlene, it was off the the local buffet for supper. We then went for drinks with Ron's step sister and brother, it was a nice day. The next day we headed to the Dells, on the way we stopped and test drove a Harley and then headed for the casino, won over 400$.
Ron's Mom lives in Baraboo, which is about 7 miles from the Dells, we went out for supper with her and then later that night Ron and I walked the downtown of the Dells. Stopped in some old fun bars and had a few Leinies and cheese curds, with a stop to the candy store to have some treats to eat in bed.
We have now arrived in Janesville on Wednesday, after a stop in Madison, where Ron's newest dream came true, we traded the Goldwing for a new 2009 Harley. He is like a little boy with a new toy, I love seeing his face when he starts it up. That evening we went to Rons son Dan's house, where he and his wife Brandi bbq'd supper for us, it was very good and a fun evening of visiting.
Thursday we headed to Milwaukee with Ron's sister Vicki and her husband Ken to the Harley Museum, a few hours there and a lunch at the Harley restaurant made for a nice day. That evening Dan and Brandi took us to a Japanese restaurant, where they prepare the food in front of you, that was a fun experience. Plus, I tried sushi for the first and probably last time.....thank you Dan.
Friday we went back to Madison and picked up the new bike, and came back and took a ride and then in the evening we went to supper with both Ron's sisters and brother in law.
Saturday was the big ride for MDA, there was about 1200 bikes and 1800 riders, it was a 80 mile ride in beautiful weather, it was great on the new bike.
The last evening Dan again made us supper on his grill, we enjoyed pork chop sandwiches, boy were they good, and then we topped it off with a trip to the local Tastee Freeze, mmm good...a wonderful way to end the week
Sunday was an 11 hour drive home, we were tired and ready to be home.
It's so true, there is no place like home!
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