Laser eye Lilly

Somehow I don't think she'll ever grow old. :^)

Good Morning and Welcome...

This was what I woke up to this morning. My eyes were still glued shut and I couldn't focus. I thought it was some kind of overgrown hairy bird at first! Ha! After a few rubs to the lids I realized it was antlers on a big ol' 10 point buck having a taste of the salt I put out this weekend. I ran down and got Rick outta the office and he took this picture. How fun to have nature so close. We usually don't see the bucks so close to the house. A Doe and her fawn(s) will come up without hesitation and sometimes we can even be on the deck and they will just wander about. Amazing, really. I just thought I would share this with all of you. Now don't any of you hunters out there think you'll be headin this way. Not over my dead body! They're too amazing!

Gettin' There

What a beautiful weekend! I would love to post a picture of my lovely gardens but since a certain cab driver decided that my new digital camera was to be his and not mine, I guess it will have to wait until next year. I could borrow Rick's camera but he's got it packed away in his "inspector gadget box" where I can't find it. Sooo, you'll just have to imagine how lovely it is. I pulled the hammock round to the patio so I could take a nap and listen to my fountain. It was sooooo relaxing I fell asleep and awoke to the birds chirping and the sound of a cool stream. I don't think anyone can imagine how much I love summer! I LOVE IT!! I've even gone on a few moonlight strolls in the neighborhood (all by myself with the moon as my guide)amidst a zillion fireflies floating in the woods and neighborhood yards. Looks like stars in the forest. So amazing. It makes me sit back and sigh. These are the images I keep with me for the long and cold winter. This is what gets me through it.

On another note...Jamey and Kate's wedding is just around the corner. Things are coming together. A lot of last minute things will need to be done in Roseau but we'll manage just fine. It will be so wonderful! I can hardly wait and I'm stocking up on my kleenex tissues- Hee Hee.

Hope you all had a great weekend.

Travel Safely....

Put out a prayer and send good thoughts for Rick, Gale, Jamey, Kate, & Megan all to come back home safely. (and the guys better bring me some yummy fish too!) Megan, please be safe in Philadelphia. I love you all!

Just For Fun!

I got to spend the night with my neice Alexandra and nephew Grant. We were never bored. Michelle, me, and the kids went shopping (Grant and I played a find the number game up to #20). When we got home, Alex was off to a slumber party and Grant got a baby sitter so Michelle and I could go out for supper and fun. Rick and Randy went to the Willie Nelson concert in Hinckley. They returned about midnight. We all went to bed and awoke to a beautiful morning! After bagels and coffee Grant and Uncle Rick and Randy built a fort outside. By the time I came out it was time to play baseball. Grant beat me by 1 point! He runs too fast and can really smack the ball. I think he takes some lessons from his sister, Alex. Alex returned home all tuckered out from staying up most of the night so we left for home. Thanks for the wonderful time Randy and Michelle! Tonight it's on to a b-day party south of Chatfield and then tomorrow it's A Neil Diamond Concert. I'm already tired! Adios Amigos!

Dumb Idea!

I spent last weekend with my lovely sis-in-law Michelle and went to the Basilica Block Party in Minneapolis. For those of you who don't know what that is...It's 2 nights of outdoor concerts with 2 stages set up on the grounds of the Basilica in Minneapolis. It's done as a fund raiser and is usually packed with people and lots of great music! We had a blast until I stupidly decided to bring my new 10 megapixel camera to capture the fun and left it in a taxi cab! Of course no one turned it in either. Soooooo...I won't be posting any new pics for awhile. I'm so mad and sad about it. Neither Michelle or I brought a purse so I was relying on a camera strap and my wrist to keep it glued to me. What a dumb idea! I guess you're never too old to live and learn. Tonight Rick and his brother Randy are going to the Willie Nelson outdoor concert and I'm going to spend the evening with Michelle again! Fun times! Tomorrow we have a 50th B-day party to go to and then back up to Minneapolis on Sunday for a Neil Diamond Concert. I'll have to go back to work on Monday to rest up. It took me all week to rest up from last weekend. I don't know if it's fair for a 47 year old to have this much fun! But I'll take that over sittin in a rocking chair on the porch any day! Enjoy your weekend everyone!

My Beautiful Summer. How I love Thee in all Your Glory!

No "Whining". Only wining allowed...

Yesterday started out as such a rainy dreary day Rick and I decided to do a tour of some of Minnesota's wineries. We headed up to Cannon Falls (this was my favorite) and got to sample some of the wine they were in the process of bottling. Of course Rick was more interested in the process of it than actually sampling (since he doesn't DO alcohol anymore). I was designated the official taster and updated him on the quality of each particular wine. I used to only drink white wines but have found myself preferring red wines now and find the white ones too sweet for my taste. Funny huh? We went to Hastings ( a picture of the barn style store and picnic area are included for you above. Then we headed over to REd Wing and visited the local winery there. It was very peaceful and after a glass of my favorite, we purchased a bottle and went to the local grocer for some cheese and crackers. Then we went to the local park at the river and sat and enjoyed ourselves munching and drinking (Rick his coffee and me and my wine). It ended up a beautiful and relaxing day. One I would do again. Anyone interested...just call. It's a lot of fun!

Full of Hot Air!

Rick and I attended the "Moon Glow" on Friday night. It is a special event done each year as part of Rochesterfest.Lots of balloon enthusiasts were there but because of weather related issues not all the balloons went up. Only about 5 of them did. It was really pretty though. They were really blowing a lot of hot air prior to the balloon raising! The kids around us were so excited. It was fun.

Lovely Day for Kate

It was a lovely day for Kate's bridal shower. We decided to focus on Beauty and Spa. There were stations set up for Facials, Manicures, Pedicures, and even a massage therapist! I believe everyone had a great time! Kate's Mom came all the way down from Roseau to share the day! Wow! Thanks Pam! It was fun introducing you to some of the family. And a huge THANKS goes out to Megan for helping me plan and organize the shower! I couldn't have done it without you! Thanks also to everyone who brought food and gifts. It was soooo appreciated! Congratulations to you Kate! We welcome you with a warm heart! For more pictures of the day copy and paste this in your browser window: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11910917@N06/sets/72157605748850730/

Kate's Graduation and some of her supporters ...

Kate's last time punching the time clock! Yeah!

- Megan and her best friend Diana!

What Megan Does For a Good Time...

Megan has always had a knack for entertaining herself! What a goof!
Megan's friend Jenna is a good sport and joins the fun!

MEGAN TAKING A NAP WITH HER BEST KITTY

Good Friends Getting Together

Birthday Dinner at Goonies Restaurant and Comedy Club

Jamey, Megan, Me and Gale and Mary all met at Goonies Pub and Restaurant to celebrate Rick's 49th birthday. Food and company was great! Thanks for joining us Gale & Mary! Afterwards, Jamey, Megan,Rick & I walked around the city a bit to show them the changes happening downtown. Then we surprised Rick leading him back upstairs to Goonies Comedy Club for the 7:30 show! We laughed our heads off! Kinda raunchy comedy at times but funny none the less! Afterwards we visited the DQ on the way home for a little sweet treat and then home to watch last Thursday's show "Lost" that was Tivo'd . Jamey and Megan stayed the night. I love it when our kids come home and stay for a bit. It's always good to reconnect. Thanks Jamey and Megan for taking the time to come down (again this weekend) and make your dad's birthday a special one! Love you all!

It's Your Birthday Rick!! You're How Old?!!

To My Wonnerful Hubby on his Special Day!
This is what a 49 year old deserves on his birthday. A nice sunny day and a nap in your new hammock!
Maybe someone nice could join you? Yes?

Mother's Day Flowers

Beautiful Cards and flowers galore! Thanks Jamey, Megan, Kate, & Rick! My life is complete!

Another Sign of Spring

Peep Toe Shoes!

Everything is New!

So I was busy preparing everything for my garage sale on Friday and Saturday and nearly done organizing the tables when Rick comes home from work bearing gifts! He always surprises me! It's wonderful! Well....last week at his last inspection the digital camera we usually use for miscellaneous pics broke so he comes walking in with 2 new camera's (one for his inspection business and one for me!)! Mine is much prettier(it's baby blue) and has a much bigger screen than his (& 10 MB!!) Wow! I am a happy camper! I have posted a few pics for you to look at. It is spring...and everything is new! Including cameras! Smile! You might be in one of my next pictures!

Rick is figuring out his new camera-notice the tilt of the head with the reading glasses...who does he resemble?
Abby and Lilly were sitting still as stone in hopes of snatching a little noonday snack! Aren't they cute?
Rick is enjoying the outdoors and reading up on his new toy!
Even Lilly likes these temperatures. Ahhhhh...spring!
Occasionally Lillian likes to view the world from a different perspective.