Ho! Ho! Ho!

Joel & I returned today from the land of the whirlpool jets. There's something so nice about escaping from home--even if it's only an hour away and even if it's only for a few days. We got to relax, play, and just spend time together without the intrusions of work and kids. We returned to Moondance Inn, where we spent our honeymoon. Moondance is a beautiful bed and breakfast located in Red Wing. I know there are lots of nice b & b's out there...and part of me wants to explore others, but a bigger part of me just wants to return to Moondance again and again. It is such a comforting place to be and feels so homey. I think this little respite will help me get thru the busy holiday season.

We shifted gears dramatically when we returned home. We had a brief stop at home and then Joel went with me to work. Tonight we had our annual holiday party for our program families. Joel played Santa and I was his helper. The parties are always a little chaotic...there are lots of families, adults and kids of all ages, and not nearly enough staff to keep it feeling sane. Actually, the prep always seems to be the worst part. Once the families arrive, everything just seems to happen. Fortunately, our families don't seem adverse to the craziness.

Joel was a great Santa. He handled equally well the kids that were scared of him and the kids who were determined to find out if he was "real". One kid said to him "You work for the little people." Joel responded, "They work for me."

It was a fun night. There will pictures soon--of Moondance and Santa!

From the land of whirlpool jets...

Just a quick note from Moondance Inn...it's beautiful, quiet, and restful here. This room is incredible...decorated in maroons and golds. I want to transfer the whirlpool tub to home...it's a little slice of heaven. I've been in it 3 times already...and I'll be in it at least that many times more. Joel & I are going to venture out to the antique malls and then come back to the whirlpool.

I'll post pictures when we get back (not of us in the tub!). I'm thinking about all you fools at work...and oh so glad I'm not there with you.

Until tomorrow--

Surrounded by friends and love

Wednesday was my birthday. It was an awesome day surrounded by friendship and love.

As I laid in bed sleeping in the morning I noticed that the neighbors were cooking bacon or sausage (their kitchen is next to our bedroom). Wrong. Joel brought me breakfast in bed, complete with flowers (he also sent me flowers at work on Monday). The morning was filled with phone calls, text messages and such from friends and my kids wishing me a happy birthday (the calls continued throughout the day).

Joel drove me to work (I went in late). We had our team meeting at 11. Several of my teammates brought gifts and treats for my birthday. It was a fun day and it felt good being at work with people who are also good friends and helped make my birthday a celebration.

Joel and I had a quiet evening (I'm fighting a cold and not feeling 100%). Eventually we went out to Cafe Latte for dinner...one of my favorite places. Joel and I are celebrating my birthday and 6 month anniversay with a trip to the b & b we honeymooned at in Red Wing. We'll be leaving on Sunday and return Tuesday. I can't wait to soak in that hot tub.

So, yup, I turned 47. I don't care much about the number. This has been an incredible year for me...with the biggest change in my life being getting married. It doesn't matter how "old" I am, I like where I am. Life is good.

The joys of winter

It's been a long day. It started off with me sluggish after only 5 hours of sleep. I felt like I was coming down with a cold. UGH. The weather report for the day forecasted the second snowstorm in just 4 days. I'm a wimp driving on snowy winter roads and I decided I did not want to drive to work and then risk having to drive home in the storm. Joel drove me to work...which was definitely a bonus.

Work itself wasn't bad...it's Secret Santa week, so there is plenty of fun associated with that. But Tuesday is the day I work late...it's Family Night when we have programming for our families. I don't get out of work on Tuesdays till at least 7:30pm. I was skeptical at the beginning of the day whether we really would hold it tonight...but initial reports was it was a go. But around 3:30 the decision was made--cancel Family Night.

That meant I could make my venture home by bus far earlier...but that did not mean it would be an easy ride. I caught a ride up to Lake Street and then waited 20 minutes for the bus (it should have been a 5 minute wait at best). My toes were numb with cold. But getting on wasn't the hard part. It took an hour to make it to Marshall/Snelling--which would normally take 20 minutes. The entire ride took 1 hour 20 minutes. I was cold to the bone, but it was still better than driving those horrid roads myself.

I took a hot bath and drank a hot cup of tea. Now I'm just chillin in front of the t.v.

Winter can be beautiful, but it can also be a bitch.

6 months and counting

Can't sleep. Way too much caffeine, yesterday, I guess (2 McD's vanilla iced coffees...I gotta swear off those!). One of those nights when I can't turn off the brain.

Joel & I went out to dinner last night to celebrate our 6-month anniversary. My daughter says we're corny. Earlier in the day, Joel surprised me by having a beautiful flower arrangement delivered to me at work.

I love how corny love can be.

Thanks, babe.

First snow

It had to happen...the first snow. It was a good day to stay home...or at least off the road. We went out to the Farmer's Market and I took some pics of the Christmas tree lot at the Market. Later I spent some time at the studio painting...it's awesome having the studio to escape to--even when the weather is awful. I baked cookies tonight just to make things a bit more cozy.

I hate driving on snowy/icy roads...so I have a feeling I'll be staying home again tomorrow. Sounds like a good deal to me.

A few of my favorite holiday things...

Borrowing a page from Mindy's blog, here are a few of my favorite holiday/winter things...

1. The first snow...throwing the season's first snowball, watching dogs play in it, and maybe even being snowed in (and unable to make it to work!)
2. Setting up my Santa collection
3. Decorating the christmas tree...taking out the ornaments that have special history--like the vintage ornaments from my childhood, the bread dough ones I made with my kids when they were young, and definitely the ones that came from our mystery santa years ago
4. the smell of real Christmas trees
5. Going to the "Dayton's" 8th floor display multiple times, at least once with my daughter (and now for the second year, with Joel & Bree)
6. Baking/decorating holiday cookies/treats...like my ginger shortbread that makes the house smell so good
7. Secret Santa at work (which I love to organize...it's next week...let the games begin!)
8. The period rooms at the Mpls Institute of Arts decorated for the holidays
9. coming in from the cold and soaking in a hot bath
10. warm wool sweaters
11. curling up next to my honey to watch a movie
12. escaping to a bed and breakfast (with a whirlpool in the room)
13. snuggling under the covers on a cold morning
14. 2 weeks off from work (yea, Southside!)
15. making Christmas crafts & gifts
16. soup and fresh baked bread (think Panerra Bread!)
17. celebrating my birthday
18. getting Christmas cards in the mail
19. walking through Mears Park with all the Christmas lights
20. and of course, opening Christmas presents with family