Finally back to the good ol blogger after being ragged on about it so bad in Streator this past weekend. We had so much fun at my sis-in-law's surprise party. Good going Race...you sure can plan a good one!
It is always so fun to go hang with our fam and friends back in Illy. We had the best of both worlds having our good friends from Chicago there with us. BTW thanks so much for putting us up for the night Simkins. And Brian - for the hearty goodnes of breakfast burritos and the best pancakes ever (although I wish you hadn't told me they were just plain old Aldi cakes!) Sat. morning.
Thanks mom-in-law for introducing me to the chocolate fountain. YUM!! And for supplying us with the plentiful supply of your famous taco salad. Double YUM! You're the best.
Can anyone tell that I like food a little?
Thanks Jen for turning 30. It isn't that bad, right?
Thanks little brother for making the trip. Love ya man!! Come to Minny next.
Thanks Streator for all those personal 8 buck buckets o beer you served up. And the five shots you sold me for a pidly ten bucks. P.S. Sreator thanks for not making me barf Saturday.
Thank you wife, for being the remarkable girl you are. Everyday with you in my life is like a party in Streator!
Lastly, thank you to the prick who smashed in my headlight and front quarter panel on my new used car last night so now my door creeks when I open it. I was getting worried about what I'd spend this five hundred bucks that's burning a hole in my savings account on, but you have solved my problem. A BRAND NEW HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY!!!!!!!! YYAAAYYYY! You a-hole, you'll get yours one day. But I forgive you.

Man it's good to be back

So I think I'm finally healed from the worst sun burn ever. After riding bikes, a picnic, and beach time with Shells, my sis, and nephews all day, I had a burn on my shoulders so bad that they were pretty much on huge blister. After a couple few days, those blisters turned to scabs which turned to flakes. It was funny but for several days while I worked these thick flakes sounded like I had stuffed my shirt with tissue paper whenever I moved. I wonder what my customers thought? Maybe that I was wearing a diaper or even a man-pon? Who knows but I'm much better now.

What a freaking view!!

I read an article about the best view and best picnic spot in the Twin Cities. So we went to check it out.
This old historical water tower was cool. It looked like a witch hat.
Our picnic. Chinese take out. We really roughed it.

Top five best views I've seen in my lifetime.

And yes that was a picture of Shelly reading a book.

Taylors Falls, MN

Just a cool little hike with my honey. We did save a couple of plants dying of thirst.

hello again

Wow it's been so long. Shelly and I are back on-line finally. Sorry to anyone who has missed us. Things have been going great for us this spring.
Had some of my favorite in-laws come to visit. We had a great time just hanging out. Hopefully they come back soon!
We've made it out to Il a couple times. Once for Shells to sing at CCC and celebrate my big brother's birthday, and once was for the Maui in May party at the Simkins'. Both trips were unbelievably awesome. It's always great to see friends and fams.
Shelly and I have been really outdoorsy so far this spring hiking and biking alot. She has a curse for getting flat tires though so maybe biking will be a solo venture for me from now on. We're just loving it here. After living out in the desert for just a short time, we are in complete awe of the beauty of all the lush greenery, the lakes, and the animals everywhere. We have compiled a long list of too do's for the summer. A list of activities, sites to see, restaurants to try, and of course bars to visit.
Last night we went to this wine bar that offered what they called "flites" of wine to try. They bring you four small glasses of the same wine variety, but from different vinyards around the world. Shelly went with the reisling flites and settled on the one from Germany (of course). And I had the Shira flite followed by the Pinot flite. My favorite was a pinot from the Russian River. While sipping wine on the front patio lounge, we listened to a great little reggae band perform live. Lots of Marley with some Clapton and even a couple worship tunes. The moment seemed like a dream. The weather, the wine, the mood, the company felt like a dream. It's amazing to me how times like these that were so great that they seemed not real only happened once in a blue moon. But since I've been with Shelly, times like these are happening often for us. We were talking last night about how it feels like we're walking on clouds at this point in our lives. As we close in on our one year one June 10th, I want to say to all the people who warned us that the first year of marriage is the hardest.....I'm sorry for you.
After wine tasting we walked across the street to a theater built in the 50's and saw the movie Lucky Number Slevin (which was awesome). This theater was so cool. It still had all the retro decor. And the popcorn was made with REAL butter, melted one pound at a time they say.
We haven't even scratched the surface of all the stuff we want to do and see this summer. I must say, I have no regrets about being in Bakersfield for that short time. If I could go back, I wouldn't trade that experience for the world. After all, that's where it all started for us and the stuggles we faced ther made us strong as a couple.
But it's such a treat after all that living in a place with such life and possibilities.

heading "uptown"

So we got the call today that we're getting the apt. that Shells and I have been dreaming about the last couple weeks. It's in the city in a hoppin little area called "uptown". We move in on the first of April. Now if you don't mind, a list of details.....

-first of all, walk out our front door, half way down the block, look to the right, and there's the lake. Lake of the Isles is surrounded by paved paths for running or biking or whatever with sandy beach areas picnic areas, and the other lakes inMinneapolis are connected by all these paths. Its's so sweet. I also here that there are some good size fish in the lake if anyone wants to come wet a line with me in the city (Brian).
-look to the left, and there's our little neighborhood coffee shop. It's called Lake of The Isles Bun and Bean. They make fresh cinn rolls daily and let you frost them yourself. You can smell them from our apt!
-1 block away is the underground library
-1 block to the Uptown Theater which shows alot of foreign films and sundance type shows
-1 block to Williams peanut bar, Old Chicago, and several other cool pubs and not to mention all the wine bars everywhere in uptown.
-3 blocks to the Minneapolis Art Institute (Scotty)
-10 blks to downtown where all the night clubs are
-ten minutes from the U of M where my uptown girl can go to learn
-about five minutes from the Metrodome where the Twins and Vikings play
-it's 1 block from a chruch called "the Rock" that we've been wanting to check out and about 15 blocks from another one called Solomon's Porch that sound really cool.
-and the list goes on and on. it's basically where all the suburbanites go on weekends to enjoy the lakes and beaches, to people watch, and of course to party.

Who's coming?

Goodbye old friend.

Tonight, my city weeps.
Tonight, I weep.
I love you #34.
Your legacy will be in my thoughts forever.
I will never forget you.
Kirby Puckett.
My hero.