snubbed

I was in Target just the other day in a particularly good mood. I was in my favorite store (not kidding) with a short list, and no kids. No hideously large "2 kid" cart that I can never turn without hitting something or someone. No chasing Claire down the isles. No telling Ella "no" at everything she asks for. Nope. Just me in Target in the middle of the day. Bliss.

Everything was just peachy-keen while I was unloading my cart at the cash register. I, of course, browsed the tabloids while I was waiting, and saw a cover that just hit me wrong . . . it was a photograph of some middle-aged, surgically enhanced, housewife-of-who-knows-where, sitting in a designer dress with the headline reading, "I am sick of being broke" . . . WHAT?!?!

I was appalled. Who does this B-word think she is? I don't care if you are going through a divorce and think your "broke". Come live in my two-teacher-income-world for a couple of weeks, and then re-consider your brokenness! Pa-leeease.

I shared my outrage with the lady whom was checking out in front of me.

"Did you see this? SHE thinks she's broke?! Come on!" . . . .

The lady (late-twenties/early thirties, mother of one . . . seemed liked she'd be cool) looked at me, gave me daggers, then went back to digging in her purse. I thought, "she can't be this rude", maybe she didn't think I was talking to her . . . so I restated my earlier outrage to her. Then she proceeded to give me "I heard you the first time" daggers, turned around and (I swear) turned up her nose and walked away.

Sheesh! I was about to ask the check-out girl if I had mistakenly pulled up to Neiman Marcus instead of Target, but I didn't want to piss her off too, so I just kept my mouth shut.

When I was pushing my cart full of generic-brand items out into the parking lot, I saw to snob pulling out in a Lexus . . . figures.

18 again

Pop Quiz. What do you get when you have 9 high school friends and take away all husbands, boyfriends and children. Then add them to their home town, dress them up in heels and give them an entire weekend to "reminisce" in their teenage memories? Two nights and 1 full day of shenanigans that will be cherished by the Brat Pack of 1997.

Of course I can't show you all photos that were taken. Some are considered "classified", and may not be shared with anyone outside the Pack. But here are a few that can be seen by the public.




A tribute to our former selves . . . all of our maiden names were left on our table at Rombus Pizza




two necessities when with friends in East Side . . . Boones Farm and Village Hot Sauce

Looking at old photos (and some from the previous night) and sharing old stories over breakfast at the Bergs on Saturday morning.



What to do on a lazy, cold, Saturday afternoon? None other than Bingo at South Gate . . . this would have been more appropriate in twenty years from now, but we still rocked it.





Oh, how I love these ladies!

Thanks ladies for the great time and for all of the great quotes that have been flying through my head ever since. Cannot wait until next year, when we will all come back to East Grand Forks for out next little reunion!

Amelia

This past extended weekend (5 days to be exact), we made the fairly short trip up to the Alexandria area to visit Lake Amelia with the whole Adolphson crew. Every summer, Dwaine and Judy get us all together at a lake resort for a little family R&R. This was the second year we stayed at Shady Rest Resort, and yet again, we had a fantastic time!

What do you do at the lake when it's in the high 90's and the humidity levels are off the chart? That's right, you park your butt in the water, and stay there . . . as long as you can!

We pretty much did every activity you can do at the lake. We swam, we built things out of sand, we played yard games, we grilled, we ate (a lot), we drank (a lot), we boated, we fished, we canoed, we floated, we sang around the camp fire (well . . . they sang . . . I wish I could sing), we read books, we swatted mosquitoes, we visited, we played cards, we put TONS of sun block on, and pretty much just had a fabulous time!

Here are just a few scenes of our lake vacation:



cutie-cousin Annika

Jocie worked really hard creating this sand city. So cool!





Then King-Kong Claire destroyed it . . . two seconds after I took the above pic . . . right when Jocie went to wash up.

in this movie, King Kong gets a time-out.

Did I ever tell you that Ella usually likes to pose for the camera?

and that Claire like to run . . . at all times?

(would have loved to have a "Jocie Collage", but it's "not cool", so I was out of luck)

but she held the sun up for me, so I forgave her :)

Thanks Adolpshons for another great stay at Lake Amelia!

discombobulated

We are in the middle of some home improvement projects. We opened up the regular sized doorway in between our kitchen and living room to over 6 feet wide. We are getting new carpet in all main-floor bedrooms, and also laying laminate hardwood flooring in the kitchen, living room and down the hallway. I cannot wait to see the results! But right now . . . all I feel is . . .



disarray. disorganization. distress. disgusted.

(we found out we had 4 layers of different flooring underneath of our laminate wood. gross.)

Welcome to my Hell












All the things people say about home improvement is true. It's always more expensive that you thought it would be. It always takes longer than you hoped. And it's always WAY more work than you planned on . . . and I am saying this when we are no where near being done.

One good thing? We are headed to Lake Amelia with the Adolphsons for 5 days, so I can get out of this horrible mess!

Mini-Van Confessions

For my third Mini-Van confession, I have picked a hobby that I really enjoy. Reading. What would I need to confess about reading, you ask? Well . . .

I confess . . .

that I love teen action/romantic/dramatic novel series! I don't only love them, but I actually get almost obsessed with them. I can't wait for nap or bed time so I can curl up in bed or on the couch with these lovely little stories.

You name the teen series, and I have read it.

Harry Potter? Yep!

The Twilight Series? Double YEP!! (read it twice) Even though I am long finished with the books, I can revisit my past obsession by watching the movies.

My latest obsession? The Hunger Games Trilogy!

OMG, I can't get enough! The action! The strategies! The love triangle!! Oh, it's just too many things! I am smack dab in the middle of the second book, and I AM HOOKED (thanks Kristine)! I even did a post-midnight google search to find out who the cast would be in the up coming movie! HA!

Why would a 32 year old married woman with 3 daughters enjoy reading about 16 year old kids who are in danger and in love? I have no idea.






But I do know that I love it, love it, love it!!

Off to read.

Yankee Doodle

It's been awhile . . . . a lot longer than I would have hoped. However, the reason why it's been awhile is because we have been busy celebrating the 4th of July at Maple Lake!

We take our Freedom-Fest-ing every seriously at the Lake. We spent our extended weekend pontooning, swimming, sunning, fishing, sipping, scarfing, lounging, chasing, camp-fire-ing (it's a word!), visiting, laughing, launching, and above all, enjoying!

Here are just a few snaps from the Holiday:



(I love this saying that hangs above the guest bed . . . oh, how true it is)

Little Miss Liberty herself, decked out in her americana-styled bikini (which I usually think is horribly inappropriate for toddlers . . . but what the hell)

Carl's favorite part of the weekend . . . the fishing!

the golf cart parade



Jocie and daysha rippin' it up!



Lighting up the night . . .

Not only were new friends made, but also new business partners. These girls had a very profitable lemonade stand.





As always Mom and Denny, thanks for the memories! We hope to to be back to the Lake soon!