Weekend getaway

Nick and I decided last week that we should take advantage of this weekend. We had Sat-Mon that we didn't HAVE to do anything. We have a gift card from Bedandbreakfast.com that we thought would be a great get-away. I started looking into it. I was house-sitting this week, so I didn't have much internet access. Funny thing, when you want to do a weekend getaway, it seems that you need to book it more than one day before your desired Saturday. We discussed our options: not do a getaway at this time and do it in August or use Marriott points and stay at a hotel. We decided on the hotel.

We booked our stay at the Marriott in far away and exotic Coon Rapids. Yup, nothing like the exotic north metro.

I brought some scrapbooking supplies. Nick brought some "learning books" with and we pretty much hung out in the room watching cable. It was a very relaxing time. We ate at Fuddruckers which was not only close, but in the front yard of the Marriott. It has been years since I've eaten at one. It was pretty tasty. Appropriately greasy and cheesy.

Sunday we had breakfast at ihop. Very good. I had the New York cheesecake pancakes and even had eggs and hashbrowns. Nick had an omelet with lots of meat. We spent more time in the room on Sunday, watching movies on cable and just hanging out. We had supper at Kahn's Mongolian BBQ which took some time to find. It was pretty good, but overpriced. We did go to the Hot Tub on Sunday night. The whole pool area was deserted on Sunday. That worked out well for us. Then we spent the rest of the evening watching Shark Week on Discovery. I miss cable.

So, not a very exciting weekend, but we had a great time! It was so nice to get away from reality and responsibility, even if it was only for 2 days.

Ode to my daddy

I realized today that I posted a Mothers Day post in honor of my mom. By the time Fathers Day rolled around, it was 3 weeks until Relay and I got very busy with all things Relay. So, here we are, a month over due, but the following is just a snippet of the many reasons my dad is awesome!

1. He doesn't mind this post is a month overdue. He will love that I still took the time to do it.
2. He has a true servant heart. More often than not, the needs of others come first.
3. When the time calls for it, he steps up to the plate and does what is right.
4. When approaching the aisle at my wedding, emotional and all, he still gave me the opportunity to back out if that is what I wanted.
5. Even today he is willing to answer my barrage of sports related questions.
6. Always the hometown fan. It doesn't matter who is playing, or what the sport, my dad is there to support them.
7. My dad is a purist. The best way to enjoy a game is lying on the couch or bed or in your underwear, watching on tv, but listening to local live coverage on 'CCO
8. After a heart attack at age 49 (followed by surgery) he maintains a good balance between doing what the doctors say and making life worth living.
9. There is quite the lesson in work ethics from watching him. If they offer OT, you take it. Work hard and always give your best.
10. There are many things that can and should be done, but always make time to Golf.
11. Family is very important. Take the time to harass them and make sure they know you care.
12. Let someone else handle the finances, it makes you much happier in the long run.
13. If you don't have the money in your pocket, do you really need it?

I love you dad. Happy Fathers Day, a bit late.

A sweet suite!

Nick and I had the opportunity to go see the Twins yesterday. We were very excited, as the Twins beat the Rangers on Friday and Saturday. Saturday's game was 14-2. We were also excited that we were invited to go with Mary and Nate. Nate got seats in his companies Suite, and also got VIP parking. It was a good deal. Free tickets, free parking and seeing the game with friends. The Suite is in the outfield, on the third base side. They stock it with some pop and have pizza delivered.

Overall, it was a great experience. We have decided that Nick is no longer allowed to go to see games. Why? Because they lost. We have yet to go to a Twins game that they have won. It was a good game in that the final score was 1-0. It certainly wasn't a 14-2 loss, but still, we didn't even score. We came very close to a tie, or even a win thanks to Mauer and Morneau, but they came up short.

Despite the loss, we had a great time! Thanks Nate and Mary!!!

It's a boy!

Welcome Aaron Schutz. Aaron was born to Nick's youngest brother, Nathan and his wife,April on Friday, July 11 around 6pm. He weighed in at 8# 14oz and 21". He is our first nephew. We will be traveling to Texas to meet him and visit the family in August.

A Sigh of Relief

Friday marked the start, and the end to Relay For Life of the Cottage Grove Area 2008. I left work around 11. I came home and did a few last minute things, made lunch and Nick and I headed over to the Junior High. It was HOT. It was humid. It was windy. We started helping where we could with set up. There were a few people there, and a few things to work on. By the time 2:30 rolled around, many teams were streaming in to start their set up. It was comical to see teams setting up tents. It was so windy, many tents were not staying as they should.

Fast forward to 5:30. The "DJ" (also known as Stan, from theAlley Church) got there and was set up. We started with the tunes. We had a few large tents rented. They made it up, and stayed, but it wasn't easy. The opening ceremony started a tad late. We had the ceremony. We kicked off the event with our survivors lap, then a caregivers lap and then our "team lap." At this point in time, we were all well aware that severe weather was knocking on the door of the metro area. We had several of CG's finest on the task of watching the weather and keeping us updated. At 7:30 we announced we had about 30 minutes before the weather was going to be rolling in to us, and everyone should pack up and head to safety. We decided to return at 6am for the closing ceremony. I asked the Captain of the police (and friend of ours) if this was dangerous enough we should go home, or could we had to Carbone's for pizza and a beer. Off to Carbone's it was.

Saturday at 4:30, Nick and I got up and headed back to the track. We walked a few laps with our friend Tina. Others slowly started to arrive. There was probably around 100 people that showed up. We proceeded to have our "remember" and our "fight back" ceremonies. We then merged into the closing ceremony. From there, off to Applebee's for free breakfast.

While it was kind of a disappointment that the event was canceled so early, I was exhausted.

Our points of pride for 2008:
We had 54 survivors attend our event. (last year 15)
We had 21 teams excited to be there. (last year 7)
We had 290 participants (last year 100)
We surpassed our fundraising goal BEFORE the event even started. (We are one of 2 in recent history to do that)
We have raised over $45,000 so far (last year 18,000)

I am so proud of our committee for their dedication to getting this Relay planned. I am proud of our teams for their dedication and spirit. More than one person wanted to stay despite the weather, and many wanted to wait it out and come back. I am proud of our community for the support and generosity they showed our event. I was excited and proud to see 54 survivors and their caregivers, and all of their support at the relay. I was and am excited about 300 people wanting to Fight Back against cancer!

Now to start on that list of "things to do after Relay is over."

Happy Birthday America!

Today was the fourth 4th of July that Nick and I spent as a couple. It was the first time we saw fireworks together on the 4th of July. Our first, Nick was in Europe. Our second, Nick was flying to New Jersey watching them from a plane. Last year my father-in-law, Rollie, was in town and collectively we didn't feel like going out for them. Last year we did see the fireworks from Strawberry Festival. That was our first time seeing them together.

Was the anticipation worth it? Yeah, I guess it was. We arrived and saw lots of people set up near the Junior High, even parking on highway 19. Nick suggested we also park along 19 and walk to the spot we want to sit. It may take us a bit to walk back, but at least we wont be stuck in a parking lot waiting to get on a street, waiting to get on 19. So we did just that.

When we arrived, around 9pm, there were several houses in the neighbor hood setting off their own fireworks. I think one neighborhood in particular effectively stimulated the economy by themselves with their fireworks purchases. It kind of seemed like a friendly competition was happening. At least 4 times in the hour we sat there, we thought for sure one of the houses had caught fire.

Promptly at 10 the "real" fireworks started. Cottage Grove put on a pretty good display. There were some colors, some sound ones, sparkley ones, shimmery ones....certainly not the best I have ever seen, but still, not bad. It was about 25 minutes of near constant fireworks.

By the time we got back to the car, there wasn't much in the way of foot traffic. We passed long lines of people in the parking lot trying to get out. I climbed from the passenger seat to the drivers seat. Nick got in and we were ready to go. I pulled onto 19 from the shoulder and stopped to let a family cross....and we were off. Talk about a good idea. Way to go Nick!

Happy 4th of July! (yeah, it's over and I realize that) but enjoy the weekend.

There is no such thing as a free kitten...

or puppy for that matter. If someone says to you "hey, want a free kitten?" The appropriate response is "there is no such thing as a free kitten." Why do I bring this up. First, because it is true. Second, because in the veterinary world it is "baby season." We see all kinds of puppies and kittens in the early summer. That means lots of people asking, how much does it cost for vaccines? What does it cost to spay my cat? Do I really HAVE to do all that stuff? Why would I spend all that money on the cat? It was free! My favorite response/request lately... "The cat was free and I don't really want to pay that much. Can I make an offer, or will you price match if I can find it cheaper someplace else?" um... thanks, but no. If you can find it cheaper, go there. No, we don't price match, we are not Best Buy willing to sell it to you for the printed add price of our competitors. We are not a car dealership, our only offer is pay our price, or we don't do it.

This may sound a little harsh. But it really is a simple fact of life in the veterinary industry. It will cost a price for us to do it, and yes, we do expect to be paid when we do it. Can you go to Cub and ask if you can get groceries today, but not pay for a few weeks because you are going on vacation? Do you ask the gas station if you can make an offer or price match if you find it for less in Iowa? I guess, maybe some people do try....

Back to my point.... cost of cat litter, food and various supplies aside, there are very few times when a free cat is really free. Kind of like free lunch...no such thing. Most cats will encounter a vet visit at some time in their life....just because you didn't pay to get the cat doesn't mean it is free for life.

It's already the end of June...

So, we are currently at 17 days until our Relay For Life. That's cool, except we still don't have a DJ. I am also only about half way to my fundraising goal. It is starting to get a little stressful. It is kind of like when you are planning a wedding, or any big event really. The only difference for me, is I had big things like the DJ and Caterer taken care of well before 2 weeks prior to the event.

I am working very hard at not being stressed. I guess the nice thing is there is only 17 days left to be stressing.

I am pretty sure Micah is a Genius

Our niece, Micah, turned 2 at the end of March. I am pretty sure she is smarter than the average 2 year old. Of course, having no children and no other nieces or nephews (yet) I have nothing to base this on. Sure, I may be a tad biased.

Over the past few months, we have made it a point to visit Micah and her parents about once a week. Every time we visit Micah runs to door excited that Ni-ko Nick is there. (she says hi to me too) From there, the "LOOK!" and show us whatever happens to have her excited starts.

Friday Nick and I were going to the Relay For Life in Woodbury. Micah lives between my work and the park it was in. So we stopped for a visit. When I got there, Ni-ko Nick was already there. I walked into Micah telling us that Chesh-er says woof woof and that Mem-itt says meow meow. Neither Chester or Emmitt were there, but she remembers being at our house and Chester and Emmitt being there. She also knows most of her colors. She does insist if she said it was blue, it is.

The stories could go on and on, but I will just leave it at, she is a genius!

Wii love it!

It's been a month. I know, I have been a very neglectful blogger. I do apologize for that. After we got back from Florida there was so much going on to blog about, and things that took priority over blogging, that it became a daunting task. Then there was so much to blog about....I felt overwhelmed. So, here we are, clean slate. Ready to blog!

Shortly after receiving the Wii for our birthday's, Nick was "allowed" to set it up. I called dibs on the first game. I played around a bit with making a Mii and the sports package that comes with it. Nick went out buy a game we agreed on and controller. $100 later he came back with Lego's Star Wars and a controller. He did let me play the first round. It didn't take too long to figure out where I was going and what I was doing. Having never before owned a game system, and played very little, it did take some practice. Nick was very patient and did not tell me what I should be doing. I finished the first level! It didn't take long for me to beat episode 1. It was with in the first few days that Nick finished about twice as much as I did. It has remained that way since.

Tonight I accomplished quite a bit of coin collecting and achieving "true Jedi" and other fun things. I do really like the game. We have 2 other games, plus the sports package. We have played the other games very little.

We have had some friends over and have played the sports a little bit. Thats about it though.