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!