tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-152631672024-03-23T13:10:21.064-05:00OK boys & girls...Hot4Teachahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17250002813577679076noreply@blogger.comBlogger128125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15263167.post-20450760584117915762011-06-06T08:58:00.005-05:002011-06-06T09:11:00.548-05:00Witch's Hat Tower<div align="center">Jarad & I checked out the "Witch's Hat Tower" in the Prospect Park neighborhood of Minneapolis. This historic landmark is an old water tower that was built on the highest peak of land in Minneapolis in 1913, and it is awesome!! They open it up to the public once per year, on the Friday following Memorial Day weekend. Its name comes from the unique top, which resembles a traditional witch's hat.</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">We climbed up this narrow staircase to get to the top, and then we could see both downtown Minneapolis and downtown St. Paul from the observation deck. Great view - although it was a bit hazy so our pics aren't great. Maybe another year it'll be clearer...but for now, it was fun seeing a landmark in our own city!</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiicJ3lsM_kH-SZ_hzvnoedm6Jcyv8ahIyheHK6FUcYyqs7gqn7WPf3v-TJXGjpkg3RDKQIr3YqTFhuD5kX1nLMlm-jRcXFrrNH8DDdt3JRjLVImHBuaBIgAjPzmNNMXGkCOFVhA/s1600/Witch+Tower.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 297px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615106100958040706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiicJ3lsM_kH-SZ_hzvnoedm6Jcyv8ahIyheHK6FUcYyqs7gqn7WPf3v-TJXGjpkg3RDKQIr3YqTFhuD5kX1nLMlm-jRcXFrrNH8DDdt3JRjLVImHBuaBIgAjPzmNNMXGkCOFVhA/s400/Witch+Tower.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div align="center">Hard to tell, but that is downtown Minneapolis behind us. <br /></div>Hot4Teachahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17250002813577679076noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15263167.post-48638664461283103592011-01-19T11:23:00.003-06:002011-01-19T11:28:39.222-06:00It's Official!<div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Jarad & I went out to dinner at Murray's last night to celebrate our 2-year anniversary. </span>Before the most delicious steak I've ever had arrived, Jarad asked me to be his wife. I, of course, said YES!</span></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit1P4U5MZzw0grcC4hjcf5i4dqVPhImEDAEbVt565YADVExrPBoYKOBfxIeDwGZ0tBejGargqtwHL0wTX9HmryaBSQAMienteBY91SaUz80ghQylTEYzXlNEy7CPcu_9dH6yeWyg/s1600/IMG_5266.JPG"><span style="font-size:180%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563949239668610226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit1P4U5MZzw0grcC4hjcf5i4dqVPhImEDAEbVt565YADVExrPBoYKOBfxIeDwGZ0tBejGargqtwHL0wTX9HmryaBSQAMienteBY91SaUz80ghQylTEYzXlNEy7CPcu_9dH6yeWyg/s400/IMG_5266.JPG" /> <p align="center"></span></a><span style="font-size:180%;">Happiest day of my life, bar none. We are now waiting for E-Harmony to call, as they can now feature us on one of their "success stories" commercials. Who knew a cup of coffee on a cold January day would lead us here?<br /></p></span>Hot4Teachahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17250002813577679076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15263167.post-20005424398702952892010-12-28T17:54:00.007-06:002010-12-28T18:00:15.011-06:00My Birthday<div align="center">I had a great birthday - thanks to so many people </div><div align="center">who remembered me! My cards were hilarious,</div><div align="center"> starting with this one from my friend & neighbor, Allie:</div> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 275px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555886398734905010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggHJXg7voteNTPKAdUvwFcsPeo6H00M182Wr_U_TL5hQut85jrWCo7Cp8HvVxrqg0kxuFIJvdRkU0BgOQLyENPrESp_Us-Nm_skpoWVzYeFhyphenhyphenGlynuY5S9osSTfL3YDPi_WzHDGw/s400/img242.jpg" /><br /><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Then, my cards took on a definite theme:</div><div align="center"> </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNhr1dJBnCDBk0zhcJ0WEFrY9fkKpvIp0Oy26M7P9jbLn05Ugnw7MiJFHrIDfj0NdR5sgTrJgpgmnes3HS47fS5wzKe-xxl8K0XOXQ-5sZCeyGOfx8Aakk0hdKdoUrbIPuXrOHkg/s1600/img243.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 261px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555886511282529842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNhr1dJBnCDBk0zhcJ0WEFrY9fkKpvIp0Oy26M7P9jbLn05Ugnw7MiJFHrIDfj0NdR5sgTrJgpgmnes3HS47fS5wzKe-xxl8K0XOXQ-5sZCeyGOfx8Aakk0hdKdoUrbIPuXrOHkg/s400/img243.jpg" /></a> <br /><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyhOiYkBv8eC-JfYOWIOzShYz9daboi2gJOVfNNhIO4HuLeiCizD-9JJrgBT4zQoZPik4noMriV0XUg4_qCbM9UW-cbQ4pLOJSk4oi0FjwSN7BkT-jJJgj2Bhvnt2QP4paurDtOg/s1600/img244.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 222px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555886281477631698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyhOiYkBv8eC-JfYOWIOzShYz9daboi2gJOVfNNhIO4HuLeiCizD-9JJrgBT4zQoZPik4noMriV0XUg4_qCbM9UW-cbQ4pLOJSk4oi0FjwSN7BkT-jJJgj2Bhvnt2QP4paurDtOg/s320/img244.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbh6BVkyps68n98yMhpmthKn5INtbTAJoM6MRZmt5CsU9Yud8_pj6fHnxkdhi3z6_HmJRe40KLY5WCQBhPWGOQXAZrhfveSeqQSg7wb4z0OHb5DzsUis43ZVqGoxajcFB7biMtiA/s1600/img245.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555886200022532050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbh6BVkyps68n98yMhpmthKn5INtbTAJoM6MRZmt5CsU9Yud8_pj6fHnxkdhi3z6_HmJRe40KLY5WCQBhPWGOQXAZrhfveSeqQSg7wb4z0OHb5DzsUis43ZVqGoxajcFB7biMtiA/s320/img245.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Y6_fyGb0Cec7ftBzH93HKTA5kEL0nXryfBUlyijGZ70cshIx87P-bqwTOA6NRC4Js3TrvbLAzU4zm0K_MDicFqlmd90FRFLtbDZyy24ke3qqrFWYJTMuBTzuWhjC6jLOfZk9Ag/s1600/img246.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 207px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555886105897848402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Y6_fyGb0Cec7ftBzH93HKTA5kEL0nXryfBUlyijGZ70cshIx87P-bqwTOA6NRC4Js3TrvbLAzU4zm0K_MDicFqlmd90FRFLtbDZyy24ke3qqrFWYJTMuBTzuWhjC6jLOfZk9Ag/s320/img246.jpg" /></a><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 226px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555886036004013298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGH3HmrgAe4MEwqBZ835uLXgQgVrVu0HZvu0GE4-T698mX5H4lKr8Exx_CN3lfHeCdIl7xYs9o131SwBy9ajqs1do79zMPQ_B5UWgg0FAJAez7KtVBo2eB9bXXIAwXPVzAssHC4g/s320/img248.jpg" /><br />All said, I'd say this is a nice pictoral of my cards, </div><div align="center">and tells me something - </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">my friends sure know me well!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div align="center"></div></div></div></div></div>Hot4Teachahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17250002813577679076noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15263167.post-47879283451218985392010-12-28T16:37:00.006-06:002010-12-28T16:46:09.643-06:00Holiday Fun<div align="center">Just a few pictures from Christmas 2010...</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglV3RgzXQAnmcYmDLkHiHHHddYTK3xSzsu_HgkZ89ROLHPc6pwh6NXdE24yfZGlYC95VAWlV8xVeB9J9L1EvZhjbrjOXLBE1KfB_OT78mTNP109obQJbHMshZ1GjzRSq0bstFohA/s1600/Xmas+2010+025.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555867353608916066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglV3RgzXQAnmcYmDLkHiHHHddYTK3xSzsu_HgkZ89ROLHPc6pwh6NXdE24yfZGlYC95VAWlV8xVeB9J9L1EvZhjbrjOXLBE1KfB_OT78mTNP109obQJbHMshZ1GjzRSq0bstFohA/s400/Xmas+2010+025.jpg" /></a> Livia spends some quality time with her new pets!</div><div align="center"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy5dDeiCUIl2rxusBq16i0ShLkZ43PtdwYA1M0f4fkeILK644G0ffGYToh5LAXWB7mbIEw-Lx32Mj3wZlXyxEUIJ298Hfc60_pOBcSwzkZBdlOZXClsNifQrVxdNEjmjX2JXpmRA/s1600/Xmas+2010+044.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555866647986159298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy5dDeiCUIl2rxusBq16i0ShLkZ43PtdwYA1M0f4fkeILK644G0ffGYToh5LAXWB7mbIEw-Lx32Mj3wZlXyxEUIJ298Hfc60_pOBcSwzkZBdlOZXClsNifQrVxdNEjmjX2JXpmRA/s400/Xmas+2010+044.jpg" /></a> Jarad & I stop along Hwy 61 to see Splitrock Lighthouse.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyS2DDzLYh4Zc9nJ57aRDBBBaxP4lcbhxX29Omsed7MF5BG4MjvgcAEfY3cfkmBCaqS4dkvRohrdPwAZdJmkO-dXdNQFoWjuOZ11qW_wzJymd_Wbt8XAJeWB6tvNgnXOUHNuvGmA/s1600/Xmas+2010+005.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555866300003739746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyS2DDzLYh4Zc9nJ57aRDBBBaxP4lcbhxX29Omsed7MF5BG4MjvgcAEfY3cfkmBCaqS4dkvRohrdPwAZdJmkO-dXdNQFoWjuOZ11qW_wzJymd_Wbt8XAJeWB6tvNgnXOUHNuvGmA/s400/Xmas+2010+005.jpg" /></a> Not sure who's cuter, Livia or Auntie Lora!!</div><br /></div>Hot4Teachahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17250002813577679076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15263167.post-30017800917711914782010-08-31T10:26:00.008-05:002010-08-31T10:35:13.104-05:00Our Trip to Colorado<div align="center">Jarad and I ventured west...to Estes Park, CO, in August. Jarad's grandma, Betty, is an alum of the University of CO, and a member of their hiking club. This club has met for reunions every 5 years (and sometimes more often) since the '40's!! We were happy to escort Betty out there and to and from various destinations. We stayed at the YMCA of the Rockies, a beautiful location. Below are pictures from our trip...</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">The three of us at a picnic site in Rocky Mountain National Park...</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMaQ6LzJDYKK6-lVj36xVkPeo38xTG73neEfZ3Ayqd0JhfffO_fuqv1lgmsXCDdnkPCLiHW8_jYgDE_aTJyE7h6CqbzhV8KthBsByD4sRmkfWpN4F39DyK1dJMLnwZ1lxoAS8hgg/s1600/All+of+us.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511596835638066834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMaQ6LzJDYKK6-lVj36xVkPeo38xTG73neEfZ3Ayqd0JhfffO_fuqv1lgmsXCDdnkPCLiHW8_jYgDE_aTJyE7h6CqbzhV8KthBsByD4sRmkfWpN4F39DyK1dJMLnwZ1lxoAS8hgg/s400/All+of+us.jpg" /></a><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifWAjZ-kGZhyphenhyphenjMQq5kSfm1BO85PxdnavqVSWdh2WYsJpqg5Fv0DjsIbqZRs0CccE0rHp6QwmHmiw7EGtkD1tvbDWElIlqoZAB4u7NueQGziGBk5mJmiq1jYhCZIgdzr_kcSOp8MQ/s1600/Jarad+%26+Di.jpg"></a>The lodge we stayed at in the YMCA of the Rockies...</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPYY49P0UMBN53qMKRbaIX-g9zhbmhupaHoXoZOyVRL7CUx_63GscbP4S7KcFgH5S_sBB8imu9UbkNCVWuVbDf1wcx-KU36L-6PGRMmtBnY14w7bcwwOg0McMPUB518qU5jZzhaw/s1600/Lodge.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511596515820679490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPYY49P0UMBN53qMKRbaIX-g9zhbmhupaHoXoZOyVRL7CUx_63GscbP4S7KcFgH5S_sBB8imu9UbkNCVWuVbDf1wcx-KU36L-6PGRMmtBnY14w7bcwwOg0McMPUB518qU5jZzhaw/s400/Lodge.jpg" /></a><br /><br />The three of us at Bear Lake, one of the most popular destinations for hiking and sightseeing in Rocky Mountain National Park...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMvwPZrMbtPzDGizWARlhlR_Kw15ROWQAY4T2d5kLMivvgmUtnLC3vOpkzJ3YKmOdyuYWWtzVmS01kr_1GV0upzZmEpk4XSLSU07k_X2kvcQkg31DpXSSomUVr-6JWxTLyLfcJbQ/s1600/Bear+Lake.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511596359457398178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMvwPZrMbtPzDGizWARlhlR_Kw15ROWQAY4T2d5kLMivvgmUtnLC3vOpkzJ3YKmOdyuYWWtzVmS01kr_1GV0upzZmEpk4XSLSU07k_X2kvcQkg31DpXSSomUVr-6JWxTLyLfcJbQ/s400/Bear+Lake.jpg" /></a><br /><br />I made some new friends when I spotted these elk at the entrance to the YMCA. They were pretty content in their meadow, and didn't seem to mind intrusive people with cameras (like me!)...<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIekQ_rAsQCFwcBA4Cyz1KBtLkPFa3SeI2_pvsreAEyCUfVkDbTXYvvs_3YTPhdzGT33EOcROvgbg1A0E6MvqSmaX7T8LivO-FSCxAIEiyloWFUbF8-7ErfLD72CaGvpgsFRbf3w/s1600/Elk.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511596189782460834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIekQ_rAsQCFwcBA4Cyz1KBtLkPFa3SeI2_pvsreAEyCUfVkDbTXYvvs_3YTPhdzGT33EOcROvgbg1A0E6MvqSmaX7T8LivO-FSCxAIEiyloWFUbF8-7ErfLD72CaGvpgsFRbf3w/s400/Elk.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Jarad & I stop for a quick pic at Bear Lake...you just can't beat the view! Oh, and the mountains are nice, as well!!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZBKk3Mg0fXqxXZlDByg9KtjB8Y98TsiFsziX4mV-liMueAtw7Ylvbmhd1tqYSZgEYKp1AwlF2zkJ02y6uAjir_lcQOZPG8zrEWYN_5yKRlUamIzgmSAUkg_2ME2CQ530SKFwoaA/s1600/Jarad+%26+Di.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511596000421778226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZBKk3Mg0fXqxXZlDByg9KtjB8Y98TsiFsziX4mV-liMueAtw7Ylvbmhd1tqYSZgEYKp1AwlF2zkJ02y6uAjir_lcQOZPG8zrEWYN_5yKRlUamIzgmSAUkg_2ME2CQ530SKFwoaA/s400/Jarad+%26+Di.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div><br /></div>Hot4Teachahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17250002813577679076noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15263167.post-33656761703383023612010-07-09T09:41:00.004-05:002010-07-09T09:48:51.729-05:00Fun Happenings<div align="center">We've been having fun this summer! On July 6, we attended the John Hiatt & Levon Helm show at the MN Zoo Ampitheatre - good times!! </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 247px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491917149695869074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFwG_95vXoWZtUFS2OpTB8P_O7EtvnMArj6gRPTelZ-A1iEVTDB8WoRe_aUX9HkLUO-zFg7bh2UZqHWZqz5IJTnMQsl5kAVEc7DXemuPAWDVFn5k8TFDmKSIQcVZvMBCbwMNzWJw/s400/Levon+couple.jpg" /></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">We cheered on our friend, Joy, at Grandma's Marathon in Duluth on June 19th. This is us, waiting on the final turn near the finish line.</div><div align="center"> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491918087117210114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMCl57bo_kPnk5wpgfkxtYKDBKHKigcxK-D74t4M4J4_67KREWqWsMtMw6g4dU8K4u_WcB3XOx_7WQGShQVpJKeVuvBhWQLv92wc4Yw7IyIzMcXmgEJzQRjVNQsHB1qQ3kkEq8Kg/s400/Grandmas+2010+011.jpg" /></div><br /><div align="center">We made it to Target Field for the first time on June 12th (Twins vs. Atlanta). It was part of my TCF branch's "Best Branch" award...totally a blast!!<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtZvK5LXYqybc9eiP0vFPKMcZI58vzHx1wMqeXooeL286NfHb6i-5EU21Wrqy0P5GZWuQadlN4CZlj-2lV5I32sxHy7P_Avb0cXS5FOC6ty7ccoY_HSI60NFQJX7XdUBVBvMhkJA/s1600/Twins+Game+couple.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491916754559550530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtZvK5LXYqybc9eiP0vFPKMcZI58vzHx1wMqeXooeL286NfHb6i-5EU21Wrqy0P5GZWuQadlN4CZlj-2lV5I32sxHy7P_Avb0cXS5FOC6ty7ccoY_HSI60NFQJX7XdUBVBvMhkJA/s400/Twins+Game+couple.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div></div>Hot4Teachahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17250002813577679076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15263167.post-9435577228579656282010-04-26T18:17:00.004-05:002010-04-26T18:22:32.665-05:00Random Happenings<div align="center">Just some random pics...nothing too crazy happening lately. Enjoy!</div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdeO3Mw-2d2dr8kEp33bsFXLfdUgJo9fDeUHOKdjMGW2YfNPJw5mJeSGUZT19ygZX9ZyHkYe3CbZR97rbh4Q-WxYbudDVg5urWqYrik2IdcjbxclIgf25Hc1Lkc5XptsR2JBZJ1A/s1600/Winter+Pics+037.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464590215197790850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdeO3Mw-2d2dr8kEp33bsFXLfdUgJo9fDeUHOKdjMGW2YfNPJw5mJeSGUZT19ygZX9ZyHkYe3CbZR97rbh4Q-WxYbudDVg5urWqYrik2IdcjbxclIgf25Hc1Lkc5XptsR2JBZJ1A/s400/Winter+Pics+037.jpg" /></a> Pudder, in full lounging mode...</div><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI1w4FWdZ_0oexrb9KLBNAB9_qM_MZwWMCq1i0WdOWLe9tsaqm9T4obT7moqkaHq-BpLkW3bf2u0gC6DVOXsku0dJCoOvqlbbrVtuF8T8Pppd3htryPxQ0a7ThY1iACzPZnqOJHQ/s1600/North+Dakota+2010+032.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464589942446540226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI1w4FWdZ_0oexrb9KLBNAB9_qM_MZwWMCq1i0WdOWLe9tsaqm9T4obT7moqkaHq-BpLkW3bf2u0gC6DVOXsku0dJCoOvqlbbrVtuF8T8Pppd3htryPxQ0a7ThY1iACzPZnqOJHQ/s400/North+Dakota+2010+032.jpg" /></a> Tulips growing outside in Dickinson, North Dakota...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhktHiGLTPzTr9Qj0qe41Hkf6lSA-J7dy0HIjj2ogYGNI3FOjGEq-lZMkhNY3z6norIMxxj3RGoHOlu9cLeux7NC1ejZQE96TlPEgo4uhsVrb379nBdE7qKWggQqBslBrwsXcW36g/s1600/J%2520&%2520D%2520outside%25202.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 297px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464589571092987762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhktHiGLTPzTr9Qj0qe41Hkf6lSA-J7dy0HIjj2ogYGNI3FOjGEq-lZMkhNY3z6norIMxxj3RGoHOlu9cLeux7NC1ejZQE96TlPEgo4uhsVrb379nBdE7qKWggQqBslBrwsXcW36g/s400/J%2520&%2520D%2520outside%25202.jpg" /></a> Jarad & Di in Wadena, MN a few weekends ago.<br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /></div>Hot4Teachahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17250002813577679076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15263167.post-21000813236883541572010-03-05T10:51:00.003-06:002010-03-05T10:56:49.325-06:00A Touch of Spring<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiteaT0Gq2-yxNOuKH-dT-ez3GpqEaUNAg54_gX-e5E5GKqsnVwuNt07358vPAD1JIgSghvJZLz93aiLbo0Z6zwD-vwmblJXnvF9gtznzFLLw80vApWXOC82UjOjW5kFn_A5TYFpA/s1600-h/Winter+Pics+034.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445194254151750834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiteaT0Gq2-yxNOuKH-dT-ez3GpqEaUNAg54_gX-e5E5GKqsnVwuNt07358vPAD1JIgSghvJZLz93aiLbo0Z6zwD-vwmblJXnvF9gtznzFLLw80vApWXOC82UjOjW5kFn_A5TYFpA/s400/Winter+Pics+034.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Jarad got me the most <strong>beautiful</strong> get-well tulips recently - they were this wonderful, rich shade of pink, and were just amazing!! I caught them in some of the nearly-springtime sunlight coming through the window a week ago...I can almost <strong>feel </strong>spring when I look at them!!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI6C_glc6H3WKPU3wmyLCeYKFdxcMqZHsDQlJK7HIgHbdBg-Q_1txSCwj_2Rwxucubic58FqMVYkMXP4HnW3HMcaKWzAI1teapgrq8ObeD2pIxcCWJd237rAzRCG1bNRZl7voMtA/s1600-h/Winter+Pics+032.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445193884082740178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI6C_glc6H3WKPU3wmyLCeYKFdxcMqZHsDQlJK7HIgHbdBg-Q_1txSCwj_2Rwxucubic58FqMVYkMXP4HnW3HMcaKWzAI1teapgrq8ObeD2pIxcCWJd237rAzRCG1bNRZl7voMtA/s400/Winter+Pics+032.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div></div></div>Hot4Teachahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17250002813577679076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15263167.post-29183782810309451472010-02-04T13:44:00.003-06:002010-02-04T16:24:36.911-06:00Music TherapyJarad's friend, Rick, asked if he could come jam with him at his mother-in-law's senior care home last weekend. I asked to come along, and ended up really enjoying the experience. The guys (and Rick's son Alec) played a nice mix of tunes, and the residents and staff really had a good time. It felt good to do something nice for others, just to do it. I think we'll go back for an encore!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs2xvZd0sg90lPJDIBoh_11uTXDi-ZAhMQ1JNU_dXRWw7GcTF9jRzaZn9jbDQ8iW3cQ034w9Zkf5WI7gljKvrLp1GVVSRc87ZitKYciLl96j6Hx_2g8G7dUCi6oP_5L2OyyYTYcw/s1600-h/Emerald+Crest+022.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434476646931736098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs2xvZd0sg90lPJDIBoh_11uTXDi-ZAhMQ1JNU_dXRWw7GcTF9jRzaZn9jbDQ8iW3cQ034w9Zkf5WI7gljKvrLp1GVVSRc87ZitKYciLl96j6Hx_2g8G7dUCi6oP_5L2OyyYTYcw/s320/Emerald+Crest+022.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div>Hot4Teachahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17250002813577679076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15263167.post-63892189983623275352010-01-21T13:56:00.002-06:002010-01-21T13:57:56.274-06:00True Love<div align="center"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;"><strong>The Vikings beat Dallas on Sunday (our 1-year anniversary). It must be true love.</strong></span></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkOCwHAGzoX3mAzkD_HKPQPGeuvkhNkksY1Q8mN6Ylm7Z19awLGGEwfw6278cUgu622WjzYUdXt7WPFRKCcW9CtGw9OsltjXMuerY-4dhiGOV_HVayNTBfkiwwYYO8mushP_RpUA/s1600-h/One-Year+Anniversary+001.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429284564159895490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkOCwHAGzoX3mAzkD_HKPQPGeuvkhNkksY1Q8mN6Ylm7Z19awLGGEwfw6278cUgu622WjzYUdXt7WPFRKCcW9CtGw9OsltjXMuerY-4dhiGOV_HVayNTBfkiwwYYO8mushP_RpUA/s400/One-Year+Anniversary+001.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div>Hot4Teachahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17250002813577679076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15263167.post-910462465596419962009-12-28T09:23:00.005-06:002009-12-28T09:32:24.439-06:00Christmas FunSo we ventured up north this week to celebrate Christmas with my vast array of relatives. A winter storm hampered travel conditions quite a bit, but we made it. Jarad & I stopped in the east end of Duluth, near Lester River, to get some pics of Lake Superior and the snow. Self portrait below:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKMCyavqDjHoFvNkR2vHrpiEpv5qfIQ49tZTxuKdO3v71DP84J5nj1AlKc_QA0ZUvGpJg296VvPIs7cb0lkz1cN2lVrSBzGwdSjftu7SjTx9ma_127hc_hR01Aj3HRKh_rQLieBg/s1600-h/Xmas+003.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420308464248259298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKMCyavqDjHoFvNkR2vHrpiEpv5qfIQ49tZTxuKdO3v71DP84J5nj1AlKc_QA0ZUvGpJg296VvPIs7cb0lkz1cN2lVrSBzGwdSjftu7SjTx9ma_127hc_hR01Aj3HRKh_rQLieBg/s320/Xmas+003.jpg" /></a><br /><br />We made it to my brother's house in Two Harbors, then carpooled back to Hermantown for the Christmas Eve feast at Mom & Bob's. Opening gifts came after stuffing ourselves - and what do we have here, but some damn good-looking siblings in some damn nice Vikes jersies? Heck yeah! (Mine was a birthday gift, the boys got theirs for Xmas.)<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZE9w3fwLSs5K_GaDrHOkeeamQb9q2xrKIegkjqEGq113lvsd_o0cdVZNLHVhvE8aZZ2xIp4iQEwMulqw191NnXoMlFRyyN3twHBlXrYNgsM6ANoyPw_UZErnrse_PJuB4vizm7g/s1600-h/Xmas+030.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420308120746904338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZE9w3fwLSs5K_GaDrHOkeeamQb9q2xrKIegkjqEGq113lvsd_o0cdVZNLHVhvE8aZZ2xIp4iQEwMulqw191NnXoMlFRyyN3twHBlXrYNgsM6ANoyPw_UZErnrse_PJuB4vizm7g/s320/Xmas+030.jpg" /></a> We were pretty much snowed in on Christmas Day, so we spent it just hanging at Brian & Jessica's. Intermittent trips outdoors to shovel proved to be plenty - that stuff was heavy!</div><div> </div><div>The day after Christmas, we made it to Dad & Colleen's, where we once again stuffed ourselves with good food. All seven Gjerdahl/Beck/Dugas siblings were present, so a family picture was demanded (by me, of course). It's been 15 years since we last accomplished this feat - it seemed like a good time!</div><div> </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420308242889653458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5OiKKWG1w0NFdiQPlUPbiU_dZwI8Fg3OCsMfwkJ81Cm99O8lMseep2tOJJ756QWeCgtAShFGn8IuoLL2V8stVjSeXzxUF49QS3TVNIzsFyfjbsRSfL2MQHwFmG1MOVnoT-CxaqQ/s320/Xmas+062.jpg" /></div><div>We headed back to the Cities on Saturday night. It wasn't too bad, but I was glad Jarad was driving - he took very good care of us on the roads! Pudder was ecstatic to have us back, and our own bed was a welcome sight. Now, to get ready for New Year's...</div>Hot4Teachahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17250002813577679076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15263167.post-29725593208319620672009-11-25T11:52:00.003-06:002009-11-25T11:57:16.314-06:00Vikings Visit<div align="center"> No, I wasn't visited by Vikings - football Vikings or other Vikings. (Although, Jared Allen could visit and I wouldn't be too upset!) </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">My brother Brian & his wife Jessica went to the Vikings game last Sunday against Seattle, so I got to host them and my niece, Livia, on Saturday night. Come game day, it was Auntie Di's chance to babysit!! </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Fun was had by all - the Vikes won, Auntie Di & Livia played and had an indoor "picnic" and fed the ducks...it just made my weekend to see them!! </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408101188389333106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIX1uwdiy8UE9_5_h-LhRzbZt6UJ7v0hXpc0s3cXe70jDwfHl-iPtkJ0EzIbi3buGdCmr5rLqztyZQ1ukWxqbLMkexdMzZz68o-lI6XTJK342IfcZVA77Afdx4H7liJB0yycwYNA/s320/IMG_4031.jpg" /></div><div align="center">Now, only a month 'til Christmas, when I get to see them all again!!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div>Hot4Teachahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17250002813577679076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15263167.post-26855653634940712372009-11-12T09:11:00.004-06:002009-11-12T09:16:12.571-06:00Love Me, Love My Cat<div align="center">Without a doubt, I think cats are excellent judges of character. They fluff up and hiss when something isn't right, they purr when things are fine and dandy, and they seek out those with whom they are comfortable and safe. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Pudder has definitely found someone else she can cuddle up with, and they seem to get along just fine. She is even allowed to bed down in the empty guitar case when Jarad is practicing a new tune...yep, love me, love my cat!</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio4KwLtf6A6tq7lcSaLI1zZGQZ-c5JKgR_gHuv7nb_2n3yP5AXXwgdPIYnPBxnHXX7ZppWrVs1QHBFGtM-9m6jIP__-sa76sPVP-d4cYtVAPobVDSJspNKwjvnLuJo0fe9nOwzKw/s1600-h/Halloween+2009+004.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403235654790404226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio4KwLtf6A6tq7lcSaLI1zZGQZ-c5JKgR_gHuv7nb_2n3yP5AXXwgdPIYnPBxnHXX7ZppWrVs1QHBFGtM-9m6jIP__-sa76sPVP-d4cYtVAPobVDSJspNKwjvnLuJo0fe9nOwzKw/s320/Halloween+2009+004.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvkPcgPHc_wjBD6CDwVgWEE77T-4VRplBbQJe1z6IA_AUXlKcxNGnKeZs9U815tLfQG5T0mqhP593YgEyYrS-v5dRlcvXxGhVeP516nTuCe_Xvtrv_7491oUMkJdEIleX1mnwC5g/s1600-h/Halloween+2009+020.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403235491898431298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvkPcgPHc_wjBD6CDwVgWEE77T-4VRplBbQJe1z6IA_AUXlKcxNGnKeZs9U815tLfQG5T0mqhP593YgEyYrS-v5dRlcvXxGhVeP516nTuCe_Xvtrv_7491oUMkJdEIleX1mnwC5g/s320/Halloween+2009+020.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFoWXjgNbxPiNuGRAe2S2kNnghLbOzTxf4lN_fEyYgmXlFeiQ3iOnBiZNJKxWELwoly07rrKr9qMn9yjwORRU5gVCi9V0MO5YaGzZOImJPFriKCDValBKW2hMeJHd3b86VfgeuPw/s1600-h/Fall+Fun+006.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403235283232620626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFoWXjgNbxPiNuGRAe2S2kNnghLbOzTxf4lN_fEyYgmXlFeiQ3iOnBiZNJKxWELwoly07rrKr9qMn9yjwORRU5gVCi9V0MO5YaGzZOImJPFriKCDValBKW2hMeJHd3b86VfgeuPw/s320/Fall+Fun+006.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9GCWkQsaNPPzWioZZzEotBn5_Pq0ppNtyhM1sFvQUDYZ9wtOBl8fxAR9btpDQjBgKJs3SJulLjMwY-jEMNVj2XMSiPgfsgMnTZhaAQLy7779RPfThWXrJiCE_KuQAI2CSZWhbcQ/s1600-h/Fall+Fun+003.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403235170094774354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9GCWkQsaNPPzWioZZzEotBn5_Pq0ppNtyhM1sFvQUDYZ9wtOBl8fxAR9btpDQjBgKJs3SJulLjMwY-jEMNVj2XMSiPgfsgMnTZhaAQLy7779RPfThWXrJiCE_KuQAI2CSZWhbcQ/s320/Fall+Fun+003.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Hot4Teachahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17250002813577679076noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15263167.post-31228767846527337572009-11-11T15:26:00.003-06:002009-11-11T15:30:45.009-06:00Minnehaha Creek Adventures<div align="center">Just this past weekend, with a bit of sunshine and some late-fall temperatures on our side, Jarad & I took some time to walk along Minnehaha Creek. What a beautiful gem, right within the Cities! We will definitely be back, possibly with bikes, to explore some more.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402960902813525522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzbzWYWRmRsog2do6QG0RCyVVs5xxI_kJxNn5AJGh6C2yXPRI-v-GOUO83eT69TWnUgpPweDrt96EtQI1yHJcKLufdEv4M3pyuW6eOSKXWdicn3NyiFFJiKk1V187je81_X-duXA/s320/Fall+Fun+013.jpg" /></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Self-portrait on a bridge passing over the creek...</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim9nZgSKEDHaQnv7C_ymijOL6I2-h81xibF6dZKSO3dZWNKr78riQJz1K0zeLYFL56PkMsUbq5-N2dX6iNCzIYMK0DIy4VRFt63NBDJLgJ83V2evFZyzjPHz7HOlDiEvSl7bprTA/s1600-h/Fall+Fun+011.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402961100558608610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim9nZgSKEDHaQnv7C_ymijOL6I2-h81xibF6dZKSO3dZWNKr78riQJz1K0zeLYFL56PkMsUbq5-N2dX6iNCzIYMK0DIy4VRFt63NBDJLgJ83V2evFZyzjPHz7HOlDiEvSl7bprTA/s320/Fall+Fun+011.jpg" /></a> ...just a great day altogether!!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwiuflV5CuRMSdDNlUJeusQV44shkTZZok0_mZbKt-zOWjqB83emmZPtwIKIt8QYxH0B52Y6-SY_vDzs-947lgjraVK6hAAIh8weh2CNUGvsldV_wwjGduwtyMEmynGRGfgME8KA/s1600-h/Fall+Fun+008.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402960727975323010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwiuflV5CuRMSdDNlUJeusQV44shkTZZok0_mZbKt-zOWjqB83emmZPtwIKIt8QYxH0B52Y6-SY_vDzs-947lgjraVK6hAAIh8weh2CNUGvsldV_wwjGduwtyMEmynGRGfgME8KA/s320/Fall+Fun+008.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div><br /></div>Hot4Teachahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17250002813577679076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15263167.post-57698691930656884002009-10-22T14:45:00.005-05:002009-10-22T14:52:16.320-05:00Autumn<div align="center"><em><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;color:#990000;"><strong>"Autumn is a second spring when </strong></span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;color:#990000;"><strong>every leaf is a flower." </strong></span></em></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;color:#990000;"><strong>~ Albert Camus</strong></span></em></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHOdgrr8LpmWWj3WYHE823Oy3NJvNrWwX6wg51fhLWN24OM5Us3qcJv3WJZyK3cX-u-FRbG7V75Vq-yknod3Aci0rSw5glhe8xhYKdvee_wmyqeS9MrKY1N-z9qmwQ0dLtqlFaUw/s1600-h/Fall+Colors+002.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395513003421012610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHOdgrr8LpmWWj3WYHE823Oy3NJvNrWwX6wg51fhLWN24OM5Us3qcJv3WJZyK3cX-u-FRbG7V75Vq-yknod3Aci0rSw5glhe8xhYKdvee_wmyqeS9MrKY1N-z9qmwQ0dLtqlFaUw/s400/Fall+Colors+002.jpg" /></a> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;">A quick visit to </span><a href="http://www.cityofpriorlake.com/parks_lakefront.shtml"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Lakefront Park</span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> in Prior Lake this week turned up some beautiful fall colors. I wish we'd had more of these images this autumn, but for now, I will take what I can get. And...<br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </div></span><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxyTEGcDEYQ_1RIj7zdfEf2EW85QiObyfarnhRDCpbcEM3Pk23HlvNZrNpMPlRiviT4SEeAz2y5N5YTFS_H5WX6N3aI3altJxZu4YDSp3TxXj3skRXWvit6scQc7bFZOh4vFcRw/s1600-h/Fall+Colors+005.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395512893508602882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxyTEGcDEYQ_1RIj7zdfEf2EW85QiObyfarnhRDCpbcEM3Pk23HlvNZrNpMPlRiviT4SEeAz2y5N5YTFS_H5WX6N3aI3altJxZu4YDSp3TxXj3skRXWvit6scQc7bFZOh4vFcRw/s400/Fall+Colors+005.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">...there's always next year!<br /></span><br /></div>Hot4Teachahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17250002813577679076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15263167.post-21261629198049044572009-10-19T11:22:00.002-05:002009-10-19T11:27:08.815-05:00Nine Month Anniversary<div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;">Saturday marked nine months since a very special person came into my life. I could get sappy, but sufficed to say, I'm a lucky gal. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;">We went to Maynard's in Excelsior for dinner, then out to Dunn Bros. to listen to some live acoustic music. It was a great night to be out with the one I love.</span></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUC3yFdTYUQBaBK3F_QQizECMI0cRrZ9f06zjiCHyY9PzN0NrN7Kkcb1bHG6DEmGnVrMu9DftRw28XvxW9_oIEAL3eR-9J3fGVaxKCWHxgNUvqMxfjeGiB7NiMty8fHVeVt-442w/s1600-h/Colorado+Pics+033.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 272px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 192px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394347768150829522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUC3yFdTYUQBaBK3F_QQizECMI0cRrZ9f06zjiCHyY9PzN0NrN7Kkcb1bHG6DEmGnVrMu9DftRw28XvxW9_oIEAL3eR-9J3fGVaxKCWHxgNUvqMxfjeGiB7NiMty8fHVeVt-442w/s320/Colorado+Pics+033.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div>Hot4Teachahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17250002813577679076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15263167.post-22869759369739933062009-09-28T14:25:00.006-05:002009-09-28T14:31:13.363-05:00Fall Fun at the Corn Maze!!<div align="center"><br /> So I finally got to visit Sever's Corn Maze - this totally random fall attraction in the Cities. This farm near Canterbury makes a maze out of their cornfield - awesome! They also have a pumpkin catapult called "The Slinger", pig races, a petting zoo, and all kinds of fun. I convinced Jarad, Joy, and Scot to come with me - good times were had by all!! (Well, by me for sure - I think everyone else enjoyed it, too!)<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386602516876342818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXKkstgVFosg-UOS7jYPX2xGThVd9qOncDS2lHPQ38BU6dxnfFMDF74nJUhDjxWQSKIAsld7LYqYzZWHWZupobG0E72Vu-Qtr9r9AYQA5mllAx7AsTudAIeVLQpOxppJELVSNrVA/s320/IMG_3824.jpg" /><br />Jarad and I get acquainted with our agricultural sides...<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386602338807194178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJSt_VbfgM_UK8iBK8FkXB-fXKvhvVxpfITP8lnevqCYcwmiCocen51VT0SDl7GZIFKyRz5yyQqyuqrLvgJlNozOORvtdgj1UrgceNRpeZgL3ESRLSQyerKf0hDqUlTd8BwEKgQ/s320/IMG_3827.jpg" />Joy and I bask in our cuteness...<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386602134238103202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGB7QiiURmcv5hFkHcB8-fuA21kKeAvH6hPu1rZ6SkLii9rWV-rRGhhmbX1RB5gRaSBeQuF8FTdHsVQXHzYpR4PeB8AFPs7yPs887q8t0V8MfaEHb-uE8u1DjrrWe6CzonJczn5g/s320/IMG_3807.jpg" />and I wind up for the pumpkin catapult...way too much fun!<br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /></div>Hot4Teachahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17250002813577679076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15263167.post-24367609265388404972009-09-15T10:26:00.007-05:002009-09-15T10:35:32.726-05:00My Family is AwesomeThis weekend, we held the 2nd annual Smoger/Dugas/Otten/Rubesch fall picnic in Lester Park (Duluth, MN). My brother Jeff, his wife Sarah, and their son Ben were in attendance - I finally got to meet this cutie nephew of mine! We had a beautiful day and really got to enjoy one another! <div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5SL3KjsLXUEgR5MM5KINg6Dv76XkN1wBWDhyVYpaOr7-Dl5kcq9PKa7PcAkB7G3_ZQBewMM7qeFOcx8HhZLdbz-WwbTe2zi6AtKZIf_45PpxC8QjSRBV4U36B4s0BUhsainyMvg/s1600-h/IMG_3769.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381716963722603602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5SL3KjsLXUEgR5MM5KINg6Dv76XkN1wBWDhyVYpaOr7-Dl5kcq9PKa7PcAkB7G3_ZQBewMM7qeFOcx8HhZLdbz-WwbTe2zi6AtKZIf_45PpxC8QjSRBV4U36B4s0BUhsainyMvg/s320/IMG_3769.jpg" /></a>Sunday brought a chance to watch the Vikings season opener together, which is always a treat. Jarad & I stayed through the 3rd quarter - the Vikes had it in the bag by then! My mom sported her Adrian Peterson jersey, and Bob enjoyed an amazing Skyline Bloody Mary - check that bad boy out, people!! </div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381717833474643858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGTkV_pmzbtSUo9Vpo_OxcJ0eLoBvYRNO8grxFkq6cUMqwqXgUYT2PVtm9OVJs-bFi1cb-ul_v6xANKQvwgTMTCKC8K9ak3LNFV5kFbaZ1Gzu7-RldSyFn2fDQKh4G8Kqueln_Bw/s320/IMG_3792.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381717457902041458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBT7IQqpC7kkdMRjdVB4fCX9LdAK69HSxcgiwjkmcqttwKkXKgYfGSy28s6GUMS21CgAEO2_kixdtej3OH1OgpxETtdhw2LZNIUIvac6WaPQm3a0AsyODyW_DHrAwdAoLk9ZO0wg/s320/IMG_3791.jpg" /></div></div>Hot4Teachahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17250002813577679076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15263167.post-20036467875031916002009-08-31T10:51:00.006-05:002009-08-31T11:03:36.271-05:00Weekend GetawayThis weekend, I took a few days off from TCF so Jarad & I could head up north for a little getaway. Destination: Leech Lake. Along the way, Jarad made a special trip into St. Cloud so I could see the Munsinger Clemens Gardens. This beautiful garden features various sections of beautiful flowers, foliage, and fountains. I particularly liked the hibiscus:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIax6Nh0ar33lBOWeZM5EKckFEevHyl8ryj_zFKQ3LGl52NX3SjtJC6erN4IC-o9Dh_ByWg61YnNVxDAGKTXveqDWxZMe94Qbp7UloEJr94G08qNdDCdMvQgD-iRzzLBFA73NdNg/s1600-h/Leech+Lake+Excursion+014.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376156823853936962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIax6Nh0ar33lBOWeZM5EKckFEevHyl8ryj_zFKQ3LGl52NX3SjtJC6erN4IC-o9Dh_ByWg61YnNVxDAGKTXveqDWxZMe94Qbp7UloEJr94G08qNdDCdMvQgD-iRzzLBFA73NdNg/s400/Leech+Lake+Excursion+014.jpg" /></a><br />And there are several working fountains that just begged me to take pictures:<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizhQY7jjjKRdz82P2ijrIQ6_Q5gA0cl3OhsoHP7kl6RsYjOhm9439cIgd39Ze9lhyphenhyphenJmkl21__VC2OQ0c7ltg1Fh6avp1XiU0OwYlTAEfEdZMWq80pG6nQzZFTulv4tVH7hg9H2Sg/s1600-h/Leech+Lake+Excursion+026.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376156591976611362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizhQY7jjjKRdz82P2ijrIQ6_Q5gA0cl3OhsoHP7kl6RsYjOhm9439cIgd39Ze9lhyphenhyphenJmkl21__VC2OQ0c7ltg1Fh6avp1XiU0OwYlTAEfEdZMWq80pG6nQzZFTulv4tVH7hg9H2Sg/s400/Leech+Lake+Excursion+026.jpg" /></a> After this delightful pit stop, we were on our way up to Leech Lake. Jarad's mom and stepdad have a sailboat, <em>The Renaissance</em>, which they keep in a Marina at the Shores of Leech Lake. We were able to get up there and out on the water for a lovely sail. We anchored in a shallow end of the the bay, and had a great lunch cooked on the grill. Jarad and I both took turns sailing - I even learned a bit of sailor language (not the dirty kind - I already knew that!). But I think I figured out which side is "port" and what it means to "tack". Very exciting!!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFVw5c1taOL89s_vELiLTny0xoBRlbQUInOISvYmcy9lSrSTqrH4vKsva3cu8D8-qw54sUizumrSAQLK0MGhevf1FCPBNAUvKwjhNK3VUDMV_x6D5GYTjS68A6VQe0ednIwParhw/s1600-h/Leech+Lake+Excursion+029.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376156321380804274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFVw5c1taOL89s_vELiLTny0xoBRlbQUInOISvYmcy9lSrSTqrH4vKsva3cu8D8-qw54sUizumrSAQLK0MGhevf1FCPBNAUvKwjhNK3VUDMV_x6D5GYTjS68A6VQe0ednIwParhw/s400/Leech+Lake+Excursion+029.jpg" /></a><br />Sunday morning, Jarad & I woke up early enough to see the sun rise over Leech Lake. There was a beautiful fog on the water, and the clouds were just striated enough for a really cool effect. It was chilly - down in the lower 40's - but it was worth it to get this view!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_XIhmtkVL3Lr5Oq3v7GeMPGJVsTdE7kTNJ9GFthifKZGBxVuMQ7uPt-2EFs3HfLG-HZQJM6AoNh-6oeLoeRXfAx09aOdlGZ_EVrpzhf_NenVrqL4mx-FFOxDxj5t2HzLB78VawA/s1600-h/Leech+Lake+Excursion+055.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376156186143566770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_XIhmtkVL3Lr5Oq3v7GeMPGJVsTdE7kTNJ9GFthifKZGBxVuMQ7uPt-2EFs3HfLG-HZQJM6AoNh-6oeLoeRXfAx09aOdlGZ_EVrpzhf_NenVrqL4mx-FFOxDxj5t2HzLB78VawA/s400/Leech+Lake+Excursion+055.jpg" /></a><br />After a nice breakfast and some coffee, we took a bike ride of about 7 miles, seeing some more of the lake shore and enjoying the great trails that run around the lake. All in all, a wonderful little weekend getaway - I felt refreshed and ready to face Monday when we got back to town!<br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Hot4Teachahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17250002813577679076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15263167.post-39321557279066587592009-08-16T20:56:00.003-05:002009-08-16T21:00:14.675-05:00The Real Deal<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGKs5XDkcdngtF3vOtoPgZLXy8rw9g-iZOOH8o9usku4_ZCcvgpWCH3cPH7Tn_PLYqi2_1FLSYVPeATx9fJCdgZ-5YMcXXWseYreRUHctnUVscpymHqCykcUN9bT30CbPM4rHUw/s1600-h/North+Shore+042.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370746016973175954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGKs5XDkcdngtF3vOtoPgZLXy8rw9g-iZOOH8o9usku4_ZCcvgpWCH3cPH7Tn_PLYqi2_1FLSYVPeATx9fJCdgZ-5YMcXXWseYreRUHctnUVscpymHqCykcUN9bT30CbPM4rHUw/s400/North+Shore+042.jpg" /></a><br /><div>It's been 7 months - seven amazing, wonderful, exhilirating months - since Jarad & I first met. This is the real deal, people...bask with me...c'mon, you know you want to! </div>Hot4Teachahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17250002813577679076noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15263167.post-89742065956002927742009-07-27T09:23:00.006-05:002009-07-27T09:35:27.281-05:00A Killer in My MidstJarad & I were hanging out at my place the other day, having just finished breakfast and coffee. As we were planning our next steps for the day, in from the great outdoors walks Pudder...with something in her mouth! And this wasn't a little thing, like a grasshopper. Nope, it was BIG and gray and had a tail!<br /><br /><div>Pudder sauntered right past us and sat down over by the kitchen, where she proceeded to drop said item and hunker down as if to (gulp) gnaw on it. I, being the untutored cat owner that I am, leaped to my feet to get her away from it. She had it clamped back in her mouth by now; I scooped her up by her belly and had to admonish her into dropping it again. </div><br /><div>There it lay, gray unmoving mouse on my living room floor. Meanwhile, I'm cuddling Pudder to keep her away from it, and I'm trying not to cry. I think this is where I should have praised her and been impressed with her hunting skills, because she obviously caught it and brought it into the house for <strong>me</strong>. But I was too distraught to have this reaction...maybe next time.</div><br /><div>Jarad, gallant hero of mine, got rid of the mouse (it <strong>was</strong> dead, thank God...half-alive would have been even more awful) and I was able to put Pudder back down. She prowled around the house for a while, as if trying to find her newly captured prey. Eventually, she gave up and went back to hanging out on the stoop. No big deal, apparently - she was able to resume her normal activities, no problem.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363148031347505730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsy5z5C6BJZVYSSW46n6RA3a8AgDLnR3-YaqDZZRzx1BA8zaP8tvG4WiC8Ji-zA_9oRzrs5BZPw5T85qCujqe8LdbdOD3fym7P2EsPMhA2TBNR6HU_xgnm8V0vGjsdC6TxC6kYQg/s320/March+2008+001.jpg" /><br /><div>I, however, may never be the same. My gentle, sweet, loving Pudder...a killer. Why did she have to go and remind me she's actually a cat? Why, Pudder, why?</div>Hot4Teachahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17250002813577679076noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15263167.post-15804374531853969842009-07-20T16:58:00.003-05:002009-07-20T17:11:30.401-05:00Good Times in WisconsinYes, you read the title right - we had a good time. In Wisconsin!!<br /><br /><br /><br />Jarad's band, <em>North of Nowhere</em>, played a grand opening this weekend at The Windsor Supper Club, owned by Rick's sister. (Rick is the singer in <em>North of Nowhere</em>.) The guys put on a great show, played 50 or so songs, and had a really good time!<br /><br /><br /><br />I managed to snap some pictures (shocker) and consume some beer (double shocker) throughout the day. Yes, I know - I <strong>never</strong> do either one of those things! We did deviate a bit from the norm, though, when we decided to do a shot up at the bar...yikes. I'm too old for that crap, seriously. But it wasn't so bad, I just washed it down with more beer and went back to the party!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxisndrBqFJbXWvIi35PwTlh1xangwuljTPlyfq794__v0aXIQ_nlGV8wfBCBQS3_k3HwK6biRvUDtZAFrFFR15KV9Ht6q4rCpeeD_ICqYjhrZjht_6K2XeyML8K2bsWBg_2Bn6A/s1600-h/Jarad+%26+Di.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360665675864471314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxisndrBqFJbXWvIi35PwTlh1xangwuljTPlyfq794__v0aXIQ_nlGV8wfBCBQS3_k3HwK6biRvUDtZAFrFFR15KV9Ht6q4rCpeeD_ICqYjhrZjht_6K2XeyML8K2bsWBg_2Bn6A/s320/Jarad+%26+Di.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Jarad rocked out his new-but-used "band shirt" and looked awesome. The guys had some lights set up on the stage and looked especially cool after sunset - it was a fun day overall!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360665562585396770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrEYhDklrmPWzBCnaAhGQI4lnVCKs7UrzI89eIah80jmHbIbkIHinna-dF3NShvuxn2tk5uRVpHuh6XntwsUqpEn8_zQ7IFUJlH0dDsrf9jX5_V5I0PmvFplHg5y_hpr9Sum5b3A/s320/July+18,+2009+Gig+069.jpg" /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Keep on rockin' in the free world, honey. You sounded great!!</div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSs31N8td0bkSe8kXr97Cm1YHrLCgAkMiEHbiCL_gf8uQ1WH8gYZYuOxg-OpNkSQqeQaMLi5Kd7GBl_-mOSgyZq2Mki4H8_pA9hFqBYX7Sn1ohXpvTrxpgq3OsHkYnq93_hTSNBw/s1600-h/July+18,+2009+Gig+029.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360665399091376306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSs31N8td0bkSe8kXr97Cm1YHrLCgAkMiEHbiCL_gf8uQ1WH8gYZYuOxg-OpNkSQqeQaMLi5Kd7GBl_-mOSgyZq2Mki4H8_pA9hFqBYX7Sn1ohXpvTrxpgq3OsHkYnq93_hTSNBw/s320/July+18,+2009+Gig+029.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div></div></div>Hot4Teachahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17250002813577679076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15263167.post-20813835211994545542009-07-09T09:09:00.006-05:002009-07-09T09:35:05.998-05:00Our Trip to ColoradoSo for the holiday weekend (July 1st - 5th), Jarad & I flew out to Colorado. He has family out there, and they were all gathering for his grandma's 85th birthday. We flew into Denver, and then drove out to a small town outside of Colorado Springs for our stay.<br /><br />While on the trip, Jarad's immediate family and I went atop Pikes Peak, and then visited the rock formations at Garden of the Gods. Colorado is unlike anything I've seen in the Midwest. It's beautiful, rugged, and just plain amazing!<br /><br />Garden of the Gods had gorgeous red rock formations and these great old trees that grew in between the rocks. They were this awesome shade of burnt orange, and some of the formations looked like specific things - ships, camels, etc. What a neat place to explore! We scrambled around on the rocks like kids at a playground - very cool.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356462917144597362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_mEsEEyexsXvKm5Q6TLPsSToFb3rTZyTS3Dfrz9Gz9XU_OB9E__9gkYS2Ovt9b4MwphU5nIfmcJxA5hv1FB91rCbSAtn2ZGHOwbcCn7iXbFe7fRNRZYBxaCPYwUzIWedeES2PmQ/s320/Colorado+Pics+069.jpg" />From the top of Pikes Peak, the view was surreal. We were literally in the clouds, but could also see quite a way across the mountains and down into the valleys. Pikes Peak is over 14,000 feet high, so it was quite a bit chillier at the top than at the bottom. Even so, it was breathtaking to see the view from there, and I would recommend it to anyone visiting the area.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356462672202146658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmoohEPZdjyHN19vhY_DobE9dtL2S-a_SbAMPrbz-svfpu_Vb8ohpJp2RsgSNsJ18aMxg9eWjPb-5fCYkLHfuG2IVaZzsn7bWeCvEv_1HNoiOsaGF49vbp7dFCMVqQ2c_1wz9Yg/s320/Colorado+Pics+017.jpg" />And of course, once were back down the mountain, there was ample opportunity for me to traipse around with my camera, shooting at will. One of my favorites is of the natural wildflowers found in the area:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwzq57QgXsOvoj8JlsVQhRkxodqWh1PoFtV_hbP22N6lAsE9FiTf7Alo6fwlOwx5aOYNEOHHOWrI67mLHkTtDwYuf7E_42m4w-wmbnm0DE18xFX_iVM3-YEwCrtBY1xqJxxrIwWw/s1600-h/Colorado+Pics+106.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 170px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 246px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356463120626730322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwzq57QgXsOvoj8JlsVQhRkxodqWh1PoFtV_hbP22N6lAsE9FiTf7Alo6fwlOwx5aOYNEOHHOWrI67mLHkTtDwYuf7E_42m4w-wmbnm0DE18xFX_iVM3-YEwCrtBY1xqJxxrIwWw/s320/Colorado+Pics+106.jpg" /></a> And last, but certainly not least, Colorado has 7-Eleven!! I was so excited to see this as we drove into the town of Monument... Jarad's family likely thought I was nuts, but I miss 7-Eleven and their delicious Slurpees!! It was a family favorite when we were kids, and I still get one anyc hance I get. I managed to wrangle a ride from Jarad's sister Kimi with the express purpose of obtaining a Slurpee...mission accomplished! (See how sassy and happy I look?!)<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 181px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 270px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356462493619400802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFhLQ6huLz64jM40ThrHyCNnzeHKvLNctD49IwP1XsUqx5Yw_8GmXpPoTK3wnZhrmoSVUMESVubBoLQtm1bS2URF5UBM9KIQC9JNdRKKEtC5AkUVRUBPLv1P4ZaPLp9f4LfWOug/s320/Colorado+Pics+083.jpg" /> Overall, it was an excellent trip. I met a lot of Jarad's extended family, who were really nice. We celebrated Grandma Betty's birthday as planned, and rang in the 4th of July, Colorado-style. I'll definitely go back to that area - I see why people are so enthused about it when they travel there. My experience was certainly a good one...no, scratch that. It was GREAT!!<br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356467806927709138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjG2-4JG0H5OH5Gdv3i5hlSIaa5_EqrZogSJJx64ofNYFKSbTCmiY7olh69HZ3G_dlHEveHMYhYaBb5gyKKrqzKi67FWH92QG3cn7ifocZdW-TedtbUPJCDfj76qmzw4eAH2DM3A/s320/Colorado+Pics+105.jpg" /></div>Hot4Teachahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17250002813577679076noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15263167.post-79935504892360887692009-06-30T08:42:00.002-05:002009-06-30T08:50:46.026-05:00How I Became a Cat PersonI never thought it would happen to me...<br /><br />Despite an allergy to felines, I have become a cat person to some degree. Don't get me wrong - I am still very fond of dogs, love puppies, and of course, want a slew of guinea pigs some day. But over the course of a few years, I've really come to appreciate cats, too.<br /><br />I think it started in earnest when I moved in to Charlie's, up in Forest Lake. In residence was Pokey, the enormous, testy tabby. Pokey and I were very slow to warm up to one another, but after Charlie went to New Zealand for two months and left Pokey's care to me, Pokey & I were best buds. He still remembers me when I visit Charlie's house - how cute is that!?<br /><br />In the course of falling in love with Pokey, and seeing how much he meant to Charlie, I encouraged Charlie to get another cat. Enter Pudder. She came from a foster home, where she had been for awhile after being in the shelter. But it wasn't meant to be - Pudder did not want anything to do with Pokey, and spent the whole first month of her residence with us in hiding -- in my room. <br /><br />So, when it came time for me to move to my condo in St. Louis Park, Charlie decided to give me a housewarming present -- Pudder. She's been my little baby ever since then. She has made coming home a delight, and I look forward to her snuggling and purring and various cat antics. She makes me laugh, drives me nuts, and just generally rounds out my life. <br /><br />So I get it. I get what Natalie and others have long tried to explain or express to me about cats. I'm one of "those people" now, and darn proud of it. So is Pudder...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVNCNJOAlsGKo2RhL1S6l4ANo3VG74IvA7odwlFmwFLOHNxOqT3m1rX1zWpGJXmz8Y53tWSkyONElSK0O3J8SvMC4MrLJIUts4Ni9ixeQQm9b44o-PVy9HQqkgJ1NsSxIKeJl-kg/s1600-h/June+2009+001.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353115781758367490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVNCNJOAlsGKo2RhL1S6l4ANo3VG74IvA7odwlFmwFLOHNxOqT3m1rX1zWpGJXmz8Y53tWSkyONElSK0O3J8SvMC4MrLJIUts4Ni9ixeQQm9b44o-PVy9HQqkgJ1NsSxIKeJl-kg/s400/June+2009+001.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div>Hot4Teachahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17250002813577679076noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15263167.post-85322298711893945772009-06-23T11:15:00.008-05:002009-06-23T11:28:42.721-05:00Such A Big GirlMy adorable little niece, Livia, turned 4 this weekend - sooooooo big!!! She is beautiful, articulate, and just plain amazing (not that I'm biased or anything). We had a great time together over the weekend!<br /><br />And boy, can she work the camera...check out the modeling action here!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0fe5_-iD2klVfWUs5C96zqmd9LukujhoQgX8RCAh8VipBWOHPXs1Myi4AsaJ_QJjntX2PPnfO4pTn6lyS4IBEuW7zpuFzCJlQPOQciP7Kp07_Db9ZnSaTE8qTtK6E0nCbK_IDvA/s1600-h/June+2009+061.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 313px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 206px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350558271570839650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0fe5_-iD2klVfWUs5C96zqmd9LukujhoQgX8RCAh8VipBWOHPXs1Myi4AsaJ_QJjntX2PPnfO4pTn6lyS4IBEuW7zpuFzCJlQPOQciP7Kp07_Db9ZnSaTE8qTtK6E0nCbK_IDvA/s400/June+2009+061.jpg" /></a> </div><div>We had a lot of fun celebrating; she got a BumbleBee Transformer of her very own from her Daddy. Here she is playing with BumbleBee and StarShooter - chip off the ol' block, I'd say!</div><div> </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 201px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 290px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350557616522199026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLkzCGYuGfMejxWI9huU0NvyqlGsIAxFtWF-x0BFCEOeW66STm4AGHoTMto7tvBXfNg16nl8jCMsq1qe14f7j6W4dE6SXWuuKUCn7iV9OIY5D5M_ON82Qj3WL7XFYgXs7Tzu1WQ/s400/June+2009+054.jpg" />Her birthday also fell on Father's Day this year, so she spent some time with Daddy and all her Grandpa's. Good times, playing on the jungle gym and fishing, both with Daddy:</div><div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 208px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 310px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350559669505109842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkRca_KLF6oovZ_wVPUESJ1DiR-hF6rDMfS4oohQjFZ9sYP-CDobb_Oh6Fhyphenhyphen_s-9WUA5nP7lUc6W-QIDOuqEyGcXgLY2EKFeWXo0BWOOD3kgIjJXI50EWmRbswLfMh70zcdcpOPA/s320/June+2009+079.jpg" /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 191px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350558967562961490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrTOwWzYxZbzhyQ3SQSqBdkhYdGEIEUoAPZVrLtkuhFYtdRr5SiIz5qF8xdHwjml-q7THCSfQdhOkzEnUHXPtTP22oJkpYcNSNIZnJ84YBffoOwLNlXZNDzJIwOYSAJ4VheNSkJg/s400/June+2009+072.jpg" /> </div><div>Can it get any more frickin' cute? I think not.<br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Hot4Teachahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17250002813577679076noreply@blogger.com0