No Lightning Bolt Scar for Me!

It's been awhile since a real update, but I can't say anything extremely out of the ordinary AND exciting has happened recently. A few weeks ago Tim, Mom, and I went up to a day trip to Minneapolis to do a bit of shopping, but nothing crazy (unless you count the amount of things we got at Whole Foods, or the receipt I had from Lululemon....).

I've also had more than a few battles with the scale, which has led me to start the Skinny Girl brand of Restore and Cleanse, just thought I might feel a bit better. And it has, if by better you think I mean I feel like I want to choke all the while drinking the two packets a day. Although if I mix it with half a lemonade packet, hold my breath, chug a few swallows, then still hold my breath while I chase it with a regular packet juice, the exhale, I can handle it. Kinda. Ugh. Its gross people. Really really gross.

Along the lines of probably too much information, I have been exiled from the land of yoga for too long (a few days), hopefully ending tomorrow *fingers crossed*. This coming from the fact that I have about an inch and a half of wire sewn into my back that I don't want to be torn out by an overly aggressive downward dog. Ok, that sounds much more exciting than it is. I had a suspicious mole on my back, they sliced it off with a razor, felt that it was an even sneakier bugger than they thought and went back with what seemed like a machete and took quite a chunk out that required lots of stitching. And really, the only thing that is hindered by it is yoga. Ugh. Although yesterday and today, it has been itching like crazy. Its all I can do to not take a hairbrush to it. But I wouldn't exactly like to revisit the Covenant Surgical Center if I can help it. It was quite the experience though, the nurses came in for quite the party and I got lots of pre-warmed sheets. Not too bad if he didn't slice and dice me.

But I swear not all of my life is a physical mess! The beginning of summer is taking a chill pill (or a sweltering hot pill) in preparation for the insanity that is coming up. 10 days in Africa is looming quite soon. Not exactly the way I thought I would be feeling about it, but there isn't much to do about it unfortunately. I'll go and try not to punch too many white people in the face. That will be that. Then the day after I get back is our 4th of July party which Tim has taken charge of. So at least I'll have that to directly look forward to while in Kenya.

Then a family vacation to Colorado for a week, which will be absolutely SPLENDID. I havent been to Copper Mountain in five-ish years and I want to go now. Like, yesterday. It's going to be perfect. I can just tell now.

A wedding weekend in Fargo. Then a fantabulous wedding outside of Boston which we are turning into a week long trip involving an Incubus concert, a Cirque du Soleil show, Boston vs Yankees game, few days in Boston, capped off with the wedding and subsequent wedding bonfire.

And then athletic season starts.....the football and volleyball schedule is already out. Seems like summer is already almost over before it's begun!

Real Life Yogi.

Living in Iowa and researching studios for my 200 hour yoga certification is not a fun combo. In fact, it is quite frustrating. I can't be driving up to Minneapolis twice a week for a few hours. No! No I can't. But I really really want to.

And so researching continues.

Blog friends that I don't know in normal life, any insight on locations to get certified? I am going to have to travel as it is, so even if it's where you live, let me know if you loved it! Who knows what will happen.

*fingers crossed*
Namaste ;-)

Throwback Thursday: Happy New Year 2011!

Remember when you were young and holidays weren't your own to decide? You had to do whatever your parents wanted you to do, which usually coincided with what they were doing? Especially on New Year's Eve. Most years I have to admit, we stayed home as the family, rented a ton of movies, played games, and ate too many appetizery foods. But this year in particular, the one pictured above. My parents dragged us (Tim included, which was at least a decent part of the trip) all the way up to a hotel near Cabella's in Minnesota. With NOTHING else around. With a bunch of their friends and the friends' kids. Mind you, no one my age. While a party of my own friends was happening back in Cedar Falls. Ugh. It was a less than awesome New Years. But it could have been worse. Much much worse. It just didn't seem like it at the time...

What are you kids up to for New Years this year?

Ryan and Bonnie, sittin in a tree.

Two weekends ago, Miss Bonnie and Mister Ryan got hitched. After a Ukrainian Orthodox ceremony in the woods (involving a crown ceremony, a three times walk around the altar, acapella singing only, and standing the whole time), we made our to the kickin reception. Absolutely gorgeous and the food....good lord, best wedding food EVER.

A woman asked if I was with catering. In my $350 dress I frickin hope not!

We don't see John very often, so when we do, its always a special and hilarious treat.

No ALPHA kids, he did not smell like chlorine....

Julie hooked Ryan up by flying in his bestest friend in the whole wide world (his heterolifemate) Lance up from Arizona. There was crying involved.

Oh Ryan.

This picture warms my heart beyond belief.

And then. Oh yes. A trip to Whole Foods. Its my Mecca.

Running Ragged!

Good Lord people! I feel like August is trying to kill me! The past two weekends have been crazy, Des Moines, Farmer's Markets, up to Minneapolis for shopping and Something Corporate, Des Moines, Tims work training, friend's birthdays, new yoga, more shopping, more friend time!

And now, the next two weekends will be even crazier. Next weekend (aka 5 days) is Boston for an engagement party and hanging with old friends and the madre. Then two days later Tim and I spend five days in San Francisco playing tourist and seeing more old friends. Then a few days later, back up north to see Ms. Lady Gaga. Insanity. Me and my Civic are the bestest of friends as of now. My back and I, do not share the same loving relationship. Here's the craziness so far!

Strawberry Rhubarb Coffeecake at the Farmer's Market.

Des Moines might actually be good for something! HUGE Farmer's Markets.

Lots of sunsets in the car.

I only have a few moments at home these days. Olivia misses me lots!

Tim saw these and asked if we were moving back to Boston. Skinny jeans still baffle me.

Not the dress I ended up getting, but I still totally dug it.

Something Corporate. I took video of the entire 9minutes of Konstantine. Love.

Emcal loves her some birthday $1 margarita.

Fall Fashions?

I know, how did I get so lucky to find someone with such a fashion sense ;) But its sad when I realize that this stuff was actually available for one to purchase at regular store. H&M in Minneapolis isn't as cutting edge as the one in Boston, we frequently find stuff at the MN one that was out in Boston two years prior. No joke.

But anyways, the whole fam took a journey up north this weekend. We usually go up closer to Christmas, but with UNI's schedule this year, I work every weekend between now and New Years (including Thanksgiving) so this was the weekend!

Good trip all in all, got some cute clothes, a brand new camera (finally!) and ate way too much food. But I think a good trip can be shown by what the people look like on the car ride home.....

Dad barely containing himself watching his new favorite show, Castle. Only to be interrupted by poking me and hitting me with water bottles...


Chris sleeps in the oddest positions in the car...how his neck works after this, I have no idea...

Up North!

Saturday, Tim and I woke up early and headed up North to meet up with a few friends of ours at the Minnesota Rennaissance Fair. We went a few years ago, with my family, including my mother who was in a wheelchair with a broken leg. The heat of that day, combined with the uneven terrain and wheelchair made it a less than pleasant day, so we wanted to try again! We mostly just walked around, ate some food, and looked at all the crazies dressed up to the nines in their outfits. I can appreciate the ones that get super into it and its detailed and nice, but wearing a Halloween costume? Fail. And then there is this guy....check out the tights!
We also got a chance to see the Cabor Toss as part of the Highland Festival Weekend. Tim was excited to see it, and it was interesting to watch for awhile. But we never really did figure out what the actual goal was. But the guys warming up were hilarious to watch.
After the Fair, we visited IKEA with everyone and hit up MOA for some shopping and dinner. I got the sweetest hat at my new favorite store. Sun Dog Trading. Love it.

Sunday, after some delicious bagels (I could never pass up a good bagel!) Tim and I (alone) went and got my National Park stamp at the Museum of Science, but ended up staying to see the Titanic Exhibit and omnimax. It was really pretty sweet. It was pretty interesting, and I learned new stuff about it even. Recommended.

It was a gorgeous day out, so before leaving town, we stopped at the Como Zoo. Parking was insane, and yet we managed the second row. Win. Passed some monkeys, zebras, and giraffes. Watched snow leopards sunbathe and lions snooze. It was a quick trip, but perfect.

How adorable is that? These were the lilypads outside the zoo. I have never seen anything that large. They were HUGE!!!!

It was a quick trip, but we did quite a bit and Sunday was awesomely relaxing and beautiful. But now I have a short time to prepare for Los Angeles on Thursday and the first UNI game of the season tomorrow night! More time please?

Last little bit of gradjumatation.

My bad. I meant to post this last week and just never got around to it. I think I was too busy trying to have free time after a solid four days of go go go! The photos are pretty self explanatory. My brother graduated. Ceremony and all! Crazy. It was super nice to have commencement in the McLeod Center as opposed to the Dome where mine was. I was surprised at how fast the actual ceremony took, despite the 333 kids graduation. Afterwards, a few family photos outside (of course, the High School Graduate still needs his Mommy's help)
Other people took our picture, but really, I just take the best photos myself ;)

And for some reason, I just really like this one.

We had cake at my parents house, and later there was lasagna, but I gladly stuck to left over graduation rolls. Something about Open House bread. Deliciously naughty.

We headed off pretty quickly after, to make it up to Minneapolis that night. Caught a lovely late showing of Angels & Demons (much better than the first movie) and crashed. The next morning was lackadaisical. Breakfast that we brought, hit up IKEA, almost bought a table, didn't think it would fit in the car (and we CERTAINLY did not want a recreation of the time the art wouldn't fit in the car) and then headed to the Red Sox/Twins game.

I was not aware that the Twins stadium was indoors. Here it was, Memorial Day, gorgeous, mid 70s, super sunny, and I was stuck inside of an indoor baseball stadium that was freezing cold (I had Tim's jersey on my legs, my bag on my arms and was still shaking) watching baseball. This was my view, note the lack of beautiful blue sky.
But with the help of my current reading book, the Kevin Smith diary, I was at least somewhat entertained for the game.

Then off to home! Ending a very long weekend. But yes, my brother really did earn a diploma. Major plus.

24 Hour Getaway

This weekend was a spur of the moment set of events. Last week was rough on my parents for some church reasons, so they left town Friday night and headed up north to Bloomington/Edina, while Tim and I were stuck down here due to the fact that I had a game on Saturday afternoon.

So after the game, which of COURSE, went into overtime, we hopped in our lovely little Civic and headed up to join them. It was a good time. We had been worried the weather would keep us in CF, but we made it in time to eat at our traditional joint of Fuddrucker's. It's a family favorite! And after a few rousing rounds of UNO at the hotel with SNL in the background (Christopher totally cheated!) we hit the hay for a busy Sunday.

Breakfast at the hotel, then we attended Evergreen Church, the church that we have always attended when we are in the area for at least the past decade. I have always enjoyed it more than usual churches, it always goes by fast without me getting too bored. Musics decent, talks are good, UNTIL THIS WEEK. Long story short, this church openly admits to only allowing men to be pastors. And while I am nowhere near being a feminist, I am not ok with this. I have a hard time now, respecting anything that comes out of their mouths knowing that in their heads, I am not as good as they are simply because i have boobs. Not kosher.

But then came the mall! I hit the jackpot this weekend. I got sweet stuff for spring break, and a few practical things too:
Teavana Joli mug (see below)


Roxy tank top at Quiksilver

Satay Spice Kit at Williams and Sonoma

Puma kicks to replace my shredded North Face ones (see below!)


Pasta and Tomato Sauce of glory at Harry & David

Swiss Army GPS case

Plain tee at Gap

2 American Eagle Tanks, same tank, two colors (see below!)


And while its nice to get material things, this weekend in particular was nice to just get out of town, away from certain stresses and monotony, and to hang out with the family. No stress, just laughter and trying not to run the wheelchair into too many clothing racks....minus the sexist church ;)