Oh, Mocha....I love you!

On my recent trip to Grand Marais, I was able to stop by my most favorite coffee shop: The Java Moose.

I love this place. They take their time to make each guest the most delicious coffee drink/concoction, and I really appreciate that. Its a far cry from the crazy busy Caribous and Starbucks I am used to in the sky ways of Minneapolis, let me tell you.

I really went for it at the Java Moose and ordered my most favorite coffee drink; the Mocha. As an adolescent and teenager I would get them every year on our family vacation. I had not a care in the world that the whipped cream on top was pretty much my daily allowance of calories, or that I would have to run and /or bike for miles and miles to burn them off. I had no clue, nor did I care. All I cared about was that it was delicious - and it was, every single time. So I ordered one, whipped cream and all. And let me tell you it was heaven. Yum-0, in the purest sense of the word (or phrase).

Hello, My Name Is: Margaret

I feel that I should re-introduce myself because I haven't updated my blog in such a LONG time. There are quite few updates - so, let me waste no time.

After applying for 36 jobs and hitting dead end after dead end Greg decided to go back to school. He is now a student at the University of St. Thomas in the School of Engineering - going for his Master of Science in Technology Management. Yay! I am so proud of him.

The pros vs. cons list was a little lopsided when we sat down to talk about him going back to school it was an obvious 'yes' decision - he just had to get in to the program. Maybe its just me, but I always thought that getting into grad school was kind of tough and filled with lots of stress and anxiety. The night of my birthday was spent helping Greg perfect his personal statement. The two days later he took his application with the personal statement to the admissions office at St. Thomas - and as soon as he handed the paperwork to the admissions counselor, she asked him "o.k.! do you want to sign up for classes?" Greg was taken aback by that - and so was I. Crazy right!?! Greg was like "wait, so you mean I am in?" She said, "Yep, the paperwork is just a formality". WHAT!?!? That is CRAZY! I can't even tell you how overjoyed I was when Greg called me to tell me the good news. I haven't prayed for something that hard in LONG LONG time. It always feels so good when your prayers are answered.

Next: The adjustment of living with a student again. It has been 4 years since Greg or myself were students - so getting back into the swing of things. The biggest change is that I usually go to bed alone. Greg is kind of a night owl, and likes to just work until he is tired. To be honest, I have no idea how late that is. I am long gone to dreamland by that time.

BUT, just because Greg is a student doesn't mean that we don't have fun anymore. Late in october we were able to take a mini - VERY mini- vacation to Grand Marais. It was loverly. That's right, I said loverly. I love that quaint little town. The drive into it is so beautiful, and I could feel the stress just leave my neck and shoulders...seriously. It has special powers over me. I just love it. I love the harbor and the sound of the waves crashing onto the shore. Calming, relaxing and COLD. My favorite part about the entire trip was our dinner at my favorite Grand Marais restaurant, The Angry Trout. It is just this tiny little place that serves some of the best food I have ever eaten. The coolest thing about it is that its all local and/or organic. All the meat and dairy products served or used in the cooking is free range and or organically grown. They get most of their produce from local farmers in the summer time. And they get all of their fish from the neighboring fisherman/smokehouse. Also, after you devour your delicious meal - if there is any left and you want to take it with you, it will either be wrapped in paper, or given to you in a reusable container (that is to be returned at a later date). I love it. I love the whole idea of the restaurant. Even the tables and chairs were made by local craftsmen. So cool.

Other than that, here is a super quick rundown of stuff that has happened since I last posted in July.

My baby sister started her Freshman year at Minot State

I turned 26 years old

Greg applied to and was accepted into St. Thomas

We went to the cabin - kind of a lot

We went to the State Fair (2x)

We went to the VERY last Twins game at the home (and had to watch them lose to the Yankees, boo!)

We went to Grand Marais

Found out that Meredith (my older sister) is FOR SURELY coming home from Korea for Christmas!

My parents' sweet black lab, Tubby, turned 2 on Halloween.

In a nutshell that is it. I hope you all had a fun-filled Halloween - and continue to enjoy the fall. Hopefully by next post is sooner than 3 months from now!

Whoa Baby! Its been a while....

So it has been a few days (or months) since I have blogged about anything. Some things have changed, but most things have stayed the same. To bring you all up to speed, I am going to samich the not-so-good things between some of the best things that have happend these past 'few' days.

~ Summer finally arrived, even though it is still a bit chilly every couple of days - it is here, and I am lovin' it (thanks McDonalds for the catch phrase)

~ Greg and I were able to spend 10 days, that's right, 10 DAYS at the cabin - and it was wonderful. I loved waking up, making my coffee and taking that and my book to the dock (along with my husband) and sitting there. SOaking in the rays, caffeine-ating and reading all about the wonderful wold of wizardry and witchcraft at Hogwarts was awesome!

~ Sadly, Greg is still unemployed. He looks everyday. He applies to at least 3 new places a week... and still nothing. He also is looking at going back to school - but for what? is the real question.

~ Whilst at the cabin, a few of our good friends joined us for the last weekend we were up there. We all ran the Race for the Cure in Baxter, MN - as the team: Ga Ga for Ta Tas. It was fabulous. My first 5K ever was pretty good. I am not going to say what my time was - but just that I was glad to finish and that my team raised $500! Woot! Woot!

~ My dad bought Greg a boat. Yup. We don't own a home - so why not own a boat?!? Good questions. Actually, its kind of a cool boat, and I am excited for when it is all finished. Its a 1954 Wagemaker. An old wooden boat that needs a bit of TLC. Well, what better time to work on re-finishing a boat then when one is unemployed. *Thanks dad for keeping my husband busy!

~ Most recently, my baby sister, Michaeala, turned 19. Ugh, that makes me feel really old. She came to stay with me last weekend for a girls night out Saturday. Kendra, Vanja, Rudy and I went to Salut to celebrate her big birthday. It was so fun, and the food was delish!

So, not much happened and yet we have been so busy - ALL THE TIME. I am sad that the summer is already more that half over. I am trying my hardest to really enjoy the every moment of the summer. There are so many reasons why summer in Minnesota is wonderful, but it goes so fast I hardly ever get to experience them all. I hope all of you are having a wonderful summer - and enjoying it to it's full potential! :0)

ugh

Sometimes people just make you want to go 'ugh'. It can be for any number of reasons. How do you deal with it? How do you brush it off? That is my struggle.

it was the best of times, it was the WORST of times

Life.  Its a crazy journey.  Everyday brings something new - good, bad, indifferent.  Everyday something new.   A month ago I never thought my life would take such a crazy, drastic turn.   I am not going to say turn for the worse (even though it feels like a nose dive/face plant on the cement) but definitely not a turn for the better.  Last Tuesday, Greg in had to break the terrible news to me that he would no longer be employed by Rehkamp Larson Architects.   That my friends is something I hope none of you have to experience.   It is a total gut wrenching, hand shaking, hot tears welling up and streaming down the face uncontrollably moment - and it is awful.    Some people might try and sugar coat it - well not me!  It is terrible.   I mean a month ago we were talking about starting to talk with banks about what our options are for home loans and starting to look for homes in the areas we want to live and in our price range.  It seemed like such a good time, we both had good jobs and were ready to commit to something more permanent.    Even the "Baby" word came up once or twice!  I mean that is serious business.   Now everything is at a screeching halt all because of this awesome recession our country is in.   

A job. It is such a mundane thing - get up, go to work, do your job, come home, sleep and start all over again.  Its funny how now a JOB is the most important thing in the world.   

A lot of people tell me "everything happens for a reason", and I am sure there is a reason - but I WANT TO KNOW WHAT THAT REASON IS!  

The thing that is the hardest isn't the financial stress, its the fact that this job was one that Greg truly enjoyed going to everyday.  He enjoyed the work he did, he enjoyed his co-workers, he enjoyed the neighborhood the office is in.   He liked everything about it.  That is what is so hard for me - is that now and perfectly happy, hard working employee has nowhere to go.   

M-I-N-N-E-S-O-T-A!

Minnesota hats off to thee

to our colors true we shall ever be

firm and strong united are we

rah rah rah for SKI-U-MAH

rah rah rah rah

Rah for the U of M!

Way to go Gophers on a winning season and making it to the tourney.   Can't wait 'til next season!

A New Adventure

Hello All! 

It has been a little too long.  We are still in this weird time of year where the weather can't decide if it wants to be spring or winter still.

Spring is coming however and I am super excited.  Less than two weeks people!  It will be glorious....whenever it gets here :)

Anyway, my new adventure....

Yesterday was my first day as an intern for YES (your extraordinary Saturday) that is run through MITY (MN Institute for Talented Youth).  I help teach a 3-D pop-up class for gifted 1st through 4th graders.  

I forgot how funny little kids can be - and how curious they are ALL THE TIME!  It can be quite exhausting.   However, I am looking forward to the next 3 Saturdays to see what my talented pupils will create! 

WHAT?

Its raining in February - which means we will most likely get 20 inches of now in March. NICE! I love MN weather.

Continued Random Facts

I can't really think of anything to blog about - so I will continue on with some more random facts about me.

4. I have this weird love for bowls. I don't know why - there is just something about the shape. I love bowls of all sizes and colors. Love them! (especially ones from Crate and Barrel :) )
5. I have never been snowmobiling in my life - NEVER. I know, I live in MN and its some kind of sin or something. But I just never have. It doesn't appeal to me.
6. I ran for my hometown's Miss contest. Yes, I ran for Miss Hutchinson in hopes of winning a college scholarship. Didn't pan out for me - oh well, I still got to wear beautiful dresses, get all made up and and dance the night away with my friends. It really worked out for the best that I didn't win because that summer Greg and I got engaged, and that wouldn't have been able to happen if I would have won the crown.

There you go. More will follow shortly I am sure.

One of my most favorite poems

Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening , by Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

BRRRRR!

Today when I woke up in my nice warm bed, I rolled over to kiss my husband good morning. His couter action was to show me that it was negative 22 degrees outside from the weather page on his iPhone. Dude, that is not a way to help me get out of bed. All I wanted to do was throw my nice warm covers over my head and stay in bed for the rest of the day. Alas, work beckoned.

While I was getting ready this morning, listening to the radio announce all the school delays or cancellations I wondered, "what would it take for a work place to cancel work? would would or could an office actually close because of the cold?" I mean think about it. They cancel school because it is dangerous for the kids to be outside even a short period waiting for the bus. Well, I know plenty of grown-ups that have to sit outside and wait for the bus to take them to work. I think that it should be a consideration to cancel work when it is this flippin' cold outside. Who's with me?
Even though I know cancelling work because of the cold will never happen (especially in my line of work. if the market is open - we are open), I still yearn for the good old days of 2 hours late and snow days.
I hope everyone stays bundled - Snuggle a little closer, and an extra blanket (in Kendra's case, make it electric!) and have a warm cup of cocoa. Its winter in Minnesota people!

MMIX

Welcome to 2009 one and all. We are full steam ahead into the new year and so far its been.....COLD! Freezing cold, with an occasional ice storm and lots of snow. I do love the snow; however, that is one thing I will not complain about!

I had the pleasure of spending the weekend after New Year's at my family's cabin. When we got there, no less than 18 inches of snow blanketed the forest floor - and I had the great pleasure to be there and watch 5 more inches of snow fall ever so daintily down from the sky to make it ~2 feet of SNOW! I loved it.

We went sledding and played with Tubby, my family's black lab. Poor Tubby didn't really understand the whole sledding thing because as soon and one of us would go down the hill, he would barrel down it and meet us at the bottom with a thud. He would not move out of the way, and its kind of hard to stop the sled - near the bottom of the hill - so we would actually run in to him. The dog thought it was a game or something. Whatever, he didn't get hurt and looked awful cute running down the hill to beat us to the bottom.

ANYWAY,

I hope the beginning of 2009 is off to a good start for all of you. I know some ended the year on a rough note (minor surgery, car accidents, illness). So, lets put the past behind us and forge ahead into what has the potential to be a wonderful year (except for the economy, the continuing fight over who is our MN state senator, corruption on Wall Street, failing housing markets and rising food prices). But seriously, 2009 is a clean slate. New goals have been and can STILL be set and old problems are gone, never to resurface...hopefully.

I will keep you up to speed on how MMIX is going for me, and look forward to hearing/reading how it goes for you. My best wishes to all of you for health and happiness in the new year.

XOXO