Tuesday, April 27, 2010


So for our eight year anniversary, Chaz and I decided to take a trip up to Duluth. We headed up Saturday morning after sleeping in and getting caught up from the busy week. We took to the road and stopped past Forest Lake for a lazy lunch. There was no rush and this made it even more relaxing.

We got to Duluth and checked into our hotel room in Canal Park. The view as you are coming over the hill into Duluth is breathtaking. It is just vast, open water. And in the afternoon sun, it simply glistened. Luckily we had found a room right in Canal Park so we could see the water from our room.

Most of the trip consisted of us walking around Canal Park, enjoying the view from the lakeside, and trying some new restaurants. Saturday night we took a drive around Duluth but really didn’t see too much else that was interesting. I think if I go again I would love some pointers from someone.


We ended our trip as relaxed as it started. We got up, had breakfast, and headed out for a drive. We were going to head home and last minute decided we had nothing to get home for and could enjoy watching a large ship come in mid-afternoon. So we walked the port and checked out a few stores and were ready with cameras in hand as this huge ship came into port. It really was so cool to see.


We finished off f our trip with a late lunch/early dinner at this eclectic restaurant and started making our way home. It really was a nice relaxing way to celebrate eight years together.

Monday, April 19, 2010

I think we'll take in Eight with Cake!

“8 (eight) is the natural number following 7 and preceding 9. The SI prefix for 10008 is yotta (Y), and for its reciprocal yocto (y). It is the root of two other numbers: eighteen (eight and ten) and eighty (eight tens). Linguistically, it is derived from Middle English eighte.” Wikipedia

8…an interesting number. Even, symmetrical, easily divided. A pretty stable number. And eight years with someone, also pretty stable.
I thank God daily that I have found my love, my soul mate, my partner. I am stronger, freer, and more confident because of you. You make me feel complete and whole and I am so excited to see where we go on this adventure. I cannot even believe how far we have come in eight years. We are two completely different people, yet somehow, we were lucky enough to grow together!

Happy Anniversary Love!

Saturday, April 17, 2010

For the love of food!

Last week was a bit of a break for all of us on the healthy train. Maybe if I was more honest, I would say the last two weeks, but honesty is for the birds! lol...but I really feel like we are all back on track.

I am finally able to wear shoes! Yeah! I put on a pair of tennis shoes today and I have not even really realized my toe! I am already planning my first long walk (starting back slow). And I am at a hockey event all weekend but I have been making great food choices and not falling into the normal pitfalls like chips, donuts, candy...nope, yogurt, carrots, fruit, and meats for me! And of course a shit load of coffee on this hectic weekend!

Both Tonya and Laura are back to their lowest weights since we started this "life change"! Yeah! I have not stepped on a scale yet. I wanted to this morning but it was too early and I was running around cause I am always late! lol...but I want to step on and just be accountable in that area. I am done using my toe as an excuse, but as Tonya says, there is always a new excuse! I'll let you know when I figure my next one out!

Wednesday, April 14, 2010
























First off, Mikey and Mom are enjoying their first Twins game at the new stadium! They have been sending some pics and keeping us posted. Pretty sure they just want to make all us working folk jealous. However, it is raining, and the new stadium is outdoors, so, have fun Mike and Mom!

Ah, and today truly is a good rainy day. Truly, one every once in a while, cures the soul. When the sun is out, I want to play and run around; be crazy as hell. Pretty much go non-stop till the sun goes down. On rainy days, I feel like I am getting a break. There is nothing to do outside, so I can stay in, be productive, take some time to relax.

At work, I hunker down in my cube enjoying the lamps that I have brought in for a cozier atmosphere. Coffee, tea, anything warm and smooth is more inviting. In the way an ice cold beer and a walk around the lakes is on a sunny day.

When I get home, depending on if I am motivated or not, it is easier to get my homework done, clean the areas where I pile up shit on those sunny days, take the pictures off the camera; you know, the ones that have been on there for a few months! And it’s oh so easy to curl up on the couch, watch some tv, pull out a book, or partake in a little knitting. Sounds like a Minnesota winter only warmer (thank gosh for that)!

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

So it has been a little bit since I have updated. It seems like when I get home, I am either running around doing who knows what, or by the time I get on my computer, I am not in the mood or just too run down to update…even though it is something I thoroughly enjoy!

This past weekend Chaz and I ventured up to Duluth. It was a great, relaxing time. We took in some shopping and sightseeing, and drank some crazy huge 44 oz. Margaritas which inevitably lead to us only eating like ¼ of our dinner! May have also been the reason we were in bed by 11pm that night!

Sunday was probably the most fun. We had planned to check out, take one last little drive around and head out, but we decided to stick around and watch one of the freight ships come in. We just realized that we had nothing to get home for and did not need to rush.
After walking around a bit more, taking in some shopping, we made it back to port mid-afternoon and watched this huge boat come in. So amazing to see! It was just fricken huge! And when it was over, we decided to have a late lunch/early dinner before heading back. It was simply all around relaxing.

And now it is back to a crazy week. Work has been non-stop but I have enjoyed it. Of course the days go by faster but it is great to feel needed, appreciated, and useful throughout the day. I find it very rewarding.

Last week I got my in-grown toe nail taken out so I have not worked out. Obviously I have made the decision to not weigh myself during this time. I do not need that pressure, especially when I can’t even wear real shoes yet! Yesterday I tried wearing flats and it was too much so back to open toe sandals it is! Thank gosh my work is understanding!

Laura too has hit a plateau and she enjoyed a weekend of food while at Dave’s parents and Tonya is getting back on track from Easter but all around, we are in good spirits and motivated to get healthy! Hopefully this week will lead to extra willpower and we will see some numbers next week…I am thinking about doing an improvised workout tonight! We will see how it goes!

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Picture Above!

Just playing around with my blog, trying some new colors and layouts...I love the picture above. I took it while Chaz and I were in Hawaii. We were driving on the main Highway in Kauai, on the north-eastern side, and I asked Chaz to pull over so we could snap some photos. The above was one of the first photos I took and I love it! It truly captures just how beautiful the island is.

Monday, April 5, 2010

Tea Time!

I am a creature of habit. I drink coffee, every morning…often followed by a few more cups throughout the day. I generally need something sweet after each meal. I love checking my email and facebook as soon as I get home from work, and I generally try and make myself work out most nights of the week. Something I normally do not do is drink tea, but with coffee costing a good amount of money, I have been trying to decrease that habit by drinking tea whenever I am craving an afternoon coffee run. It is becoming quite a pleasant habit. I take my afternoon break to go downstairs and get hot water, and then I like to add splenda and milk to make a creamier concoction. Not only is it relaxing but I love the fact that I can buy a box of tea for $2-$5 dollars and have it available at my desk any time I want it. My favorite right now is a medium cup filled with a bit of milk (I use more than the average person!), 2 packets of splenda, and Starbuck’s Awake Tazo tea! I steep it for 4-5 minutes, a learned trait from my stint as a barista, and enjoy! Now I just need to work on getting someone to bring me rolls and jam or some cucumber sandwiches! Anyways, if you are looking to add a little something to your day, I highly suggest the above!

Sunday, April 4, 2010

A recipe of love!

First of all, Happy Easter. What a beautiful Minnesotan day it was. Sun, family, and good food. Nothing better. And in honor of this wonderful day, I thought I would share a delicious recipe. My great grandma's green salad. So so so good and every time we make it, which is every holiday, we are reminded of my great grandma and the huge role she played in making our family a true family. So take some time and make this delicious treat for your family. It may just become a tradition for your family too!

G.G. Olga's Green Salad

1 pkg. lemon jello
1 pkg. lime jello
1 cup boiling water
1 cup pineapple juice
1 cup cool whip
1 cup small curd cottage cheese
1 cup pineapple crushed
1 cup crushed walnuts

Dissolve lemon and lime jello in boiling water. Add pineapple juice taken from the can of crushed pineapple. Place in fridge to partially set. I usually put mine in the fridge for 45 minutes. Once it has thickened a bit, whip in one cup of cool whip. Once this is completely mixed, add the remaining ingredients. Put in the dish you want to serve in. We use a baking dish that is maybe 8x4x2...you could also use a square 8x8x2 dish or if you don't care about square pieces, you can place in a bowl. Put back in fridge and let it completely set. Enjoy!