Make that 30 times…

Mike, Ryan and I spent Thanksgiving at my Dad’s having the same meal we’ve had for the last 30 years (well, 25 for Ryan).  We didn’t veer off the menu from that first year Mike was included.  Turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, yams, corn, peas, green beans, stuffing and brown-and-serve buns.  We thought we might have time to run up north and spend a couple hours with Mike’s family, but we didn’t have time. 

Now it’s evening and Ryan has gone back home, Mike is downstairs watching TV and I’m upstairs in my favorite chair.  It’s hard to believe it’s already the end of November and Christmas is just a few weeks away.  I won’t be shopping tomorrow unless it’s over the internet.  I’m thankful it didn’t snow today.  I suppose it’s too much to hope for no snow this winter?

Loss…

I will be spending time with family on Friday.  I hope I can find some words of comfort for my cousin who lost her husband and son.  I can’t even imagine how she feels or what she’s going through, I only hope having her family around will help in some small way.

Tea Party

Mike and I went to the Tea Party rally at the Capitol tonight.  It was interesting and I’m glad we went!

UPDATE:  I had to add to this post when I realized I’d use the Scandanavian equivalent of “I’m not sure I care for that”, which is the word “interesting.”  I really didn’t mean that.  I just wanted to do a quick post and not make it too political.  Although considering we went to the Tea Party (Taxed Enough Already) on Constitution Day, I don’t know how I thought I could avoid politics!

So, rather than rant about the current administration and the bad policies Obama is attempting to implement, I give you instead a link to the Constitution:

http://www.usconstitution.net/const.pdf

Happy Anniversary

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Originally uploaded by michelewithonel

Mike gave me these beautiful flowers for our anniversary. Hard to believe it’s been 29 years! Seems like only yesterday two fresh-out-of-high-school kids were getting married. We’ve been through a lot together and I consider myself one extremely lucky woman. I love you Goodyear!

Another busy weekend

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Originally uploaded by michelewithonel

I took this photo on Saturday. I met my friend Cheryl for breakfast in Stillwater. After we ate and talked for a couple of hours we did a little antique shopping.

After leaving Stillwater, I went to Savage for a picnic at my Aunt Kay’s. Mike met me down there. We stayed for a few hours and then headed home. We had a great time, but the heat and humidity were no fun at all!

Today is Ryan’s birthday so we took him out for breakfast. After breakfast we took him to Lowe’s to pick up his present. Once you buy a house you get practical presents like water heaters.

After we dropped Ryan and his new water heater off at home, Mike and I went to Fort Snelling for the Civil War Weekend. There were lots of reenactors there so I got plenty of great photos, which I will share over the coming days.

Crystal Ball

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Originally uploaded by michelewithonel

I suddenly became obsessed with this crystal ball today. I’ve had it for a long time, but today I was really focused on the way the light was pooling underneath and the way the heart-shaped box behind it was reflected in it. I ended up taking several pictures of it when I probably should have been doing something constructive. I think that means me and my camera need to spend some quality time together this weekend!

Groceries – and then some

Recently my Dad decided grocery shopping was too much for him, so Mike and I have been getting his groceries every couple of weeks.  The list is usually pretty standard and contains many things he shouldn’t have with his diabetes, but since eating is about all he does for entertainment, we don’t nag him too much about his choices.  So tonight, after dropping off the bananas, donuts, cinnamon bread, banana bread (my bad, he just wanted bananas AND bread, not a combination of the two) and about a dozen TV dinners, I reached into one of the many bags of groceries that have been sitting in the living room from when he did his own shopping and I grabbed something to eat on the way home (since I hadn’t had any dinner).

Please notice the date on this package:

Really makes me wonder what might be at the bottom of the freezer…

My weekend…

Sorry I don’t have a picture.  Half of my weekend was kind of awful and the other half kind of awesome.  First the awful part.  I lost a very dear friend last week.  Her name was Barb and she was my antique-ing buddy.  We worked together at Metro Transit and remained friends all these years later.  I hadn’t seen her much since her cancer was diagnosed.  But, I always thought there would be more time.  Unfortunately her disease had other ideas.

Mother’s Day was kind of awesome.  We spent the afternoon at Darlene’s.  We brought Famous Dave’s over and then the rest of the gang played cards.  Ryan got me an iPod dock so I can listen to my iPod at work.  I left a little early and came home to do laundry and finish organizing my office.  Just in case I get another late-night page and need somewhere to hang out so I don’t keep Mike awake.  Can you guess what I did Friday night????

Sunday at Ryan’s

This is the view from the patio set Mike, Ryan and I spent the weekend moving from our house to Ryan’s house.  Yesterday we moved the chairs and cushions, today it was the table and the umbrella.  It was a beautiful weekend, even if I did spend it working!

Saturday at the flea market

Claudia and I spent most of the afternoon at the flea market at the state fairgrounds.  We had a great time and we both found a few treasures.  We were pretty surprised at how high the prices were though.  When you consider the way the economy is, you’d think the prices would have been more reasonable.  Oh well, we still had a great day!