Short and Sweet

This past Sunday was another enjoyable Sabbath day--though I'll admit, it was hard not to be productive. I relaxed on the couch and read "Real Simple" and Steve Martin's autobiography, Born Standing Up. Tomkin and I took Chloe for a walk. It was an absolutely gorgeous day--in the 60s. Sure, it's been back into the 30s again this week, but at least now we know the worst is behind us. Hallelujah!

We even sat out on the front porch and read for a while. That evening we exercised to "Project Runway" and then watched the last three episodes of "Manor House." If you haven't seen that series, I highly recommend it!

Monday morning I had a premarital counseling session and then did my weekly shopping trip to Target. Why anyone ever gets in line behind me there, I don't understand. My cart gets so full and so heavy, I can barely push it. Obviously, I'm going to be a while.... Anyway, Tomkin and I took Chloe for a walk--it was another gorgeous day. I was supposed to meet with a couple that evening, but they had to reschedule. So Tomkin and I just enjoyed some downtime at home. Later that evening we went to Loto to meet Helena and Marcus for late-night happy hour. We closed the place down, then spent more time lingering outside! I just can't get enough of those two. Helena told us about her recent trip to India, where she participated in an intense meditation, then went to a spa in the Himalayas. Marcus recently traveled to New York City, where he got to talk with a contemporary artist whose work he's really interested in. And Tomkin and I had adventures from Spain to relay! It was a really fun evening with great friends.
Yesterday (Tuesday) morning we walked Chloe to the Grand Avenue Veterinary Center for her annual check-up. (This was our first time going to this vet, and we were very impressed.) Chloe weighed in at 114 pounds, which is 8 pounds higher than last year. So big girl's going on a diet! She was very good at the vet, except for occasionally wanting to sit when she was supposed to stand. Thank goodness she's food motivated! We got her blood work results today, and she got a clean bill of health. We ran a few other errands on Grand Avenue, then Tomkin headed into the office, and I got some stuff done at home. Last night I chatted with my mom (her birthday is coming up on March 28th--same day as Tomkin's!). She said my grandma is doing really well and enjoying her new home. I watched "Dancing with the Stars" and spent a little time on the computer. Those Facebook games really suck me in!

Chloe watching squirrels on the bird feeder from inside the front porch.

Today (Wednesday) I was scheduled to go to an editorial luncheon, but it got canceled. That was actually kind of nice because it gave me a good chunk of time to get stuff done around the house. I worked on a couple projects, did laundry, cleaned the bathroom, and watched last night's "American Idol." Tomkin and I walked Chloe to the library. She's such a trooper, carrying all our books! Now Tomkin is at poker. I had a premarital counseling session, then had to do a little editing work. Now I'm going to go find out who made into the "American Idol" top ten....

Brussels Sprouts and Jellyfish

I'm a little behind in my blogging for the week. Sometimes the days just fly by! And sometimes--I'll be honest--I choose to watch a reality show instead of blogging. (Now I've got both "Dancing with the Stars" AND "American Idol" to keep up with!)
Way back on Thursday the 5th, Tomkin and I took Chloe to Grand Groomers. She was getting pretty stinky, it's still too cold to wash her outside, and she's afraid of the bathtub. So the groomers, it is! During our walk home, we stopped to play, and Chloe enjoy catching some snowballs.

That evening, I met with a couple for premarital counseling, and Tomkin went to the library. On Friday the 6th, the new rug for our basement library arrived (the old one made its way to Tomkin's office).
Tomkin and I went to Target and picked out new window sheers and a couch cover. He went into the office to work, while I worked at home, researching federal grants for an upcoming project. Eventually that lulled me into a nice little nap.... We took Chloe for a walk (it was in the 40s!), and that evening we drove out to Woodbury to have dinner with our friends Bill and Karen. They made a delicious gumbo, and we drank some fabulous wine and enjoyed a fun, relaxed evening at their beautiful home.
On Saturday the 7th (Mondrian's birthday), we walked Chloe, played on our computers, and took a nap. We also put up the new sheers and replaced the couch cover, and we moved some of the art around. I think the living room and dining room have a much lighter feel to them now. In person, they almost have a "seaside" feel.

The living room before...

...and after.

The dining room before......and after.

Tomkin also installed a new "stop-a-squirrel" birdfeeder (we leave out separate food for the squirrels) and a birdhouse that my mom gave him for Christmas. Already the birds have started to flock to the feeder! And so far the squirrels haven't figured it out.
Saturday evening we went over to Peter's house for a Game Night with him, Mandy, and their friends Dan and Laura. We sat and chatted for a long time, then played Apples to Apples and Trivial Pursuit. It was a lot of fun!

On Sunday the 8th we enjoyed a day of Sabbath. We slept in, and I spent three hours curled up on the couch reading "Vogue." We took Chloe to the Minnehaha dog park, but the snow that had melted earlier in the week had turned into sheer ice. As we were sliding down the entrance hill, we saw two guys walking out. One was holding onto his bleeding face, and the other told us his friend had just slipped and busted open his jaw. We decided it probably wasn't worth the risk. As we were heading out, we ran into Tomkin's friends Mike and Polly and their bulldog, Cosmo.
We decided to check out the dog park near the airport--we'd never been there before. It was cool--basically just a big open field with planes flying low overhead. But it was a great alternative on an icy day, and Chloe enjoyed running around.


The rest of the day we just relaxed at home. I showed Tomkin a couple of my high school scrapbooks, we curled up with Chloe on the couch and read, and I watched "Amazing Race."
On Monday, I met my Profitlancers group at the Coffee Bene (the Dunn Bros where we used to meet just closed), and we talked about resources that we use for our freelance work. That evening I had a photography class. The classes I've been taking came free from ProEx when we purchased our camera there. They're held in a coffeehouse next to the ProEx shop in a little mall on Grand Ave. I got a cup of coffee and then sat in the meeting room...waiting...waiting...waiting. By 7:05, no one else had shown up. Finally I decided to peek into the ProEx shop and find out what was up. Much to my surprise, the shop was closed--like, forever. No more classes there, I guess! With my unexpectedly free evening, Tomkin and I started watching "Manor House." It's so harsh, but so good!Tuesday it was snowy, and I had a productive day at home. The most notable thing that happened was that Tomkin fixed brussels sprouts with dinner, and I enjoyed them. Some of my family members are now wondering if I was adopted! Tomkin met with a couple, and I ended up with another free evening because my counseling session for the night was cancelled. I enjoyed the opportunity to watch a little TV and another episode of "Manor House" with Tomkin.

Wednesday it was really cold out. There were a lot of Facebook status updates griping about the weather. We just start to get a taste of spring...and then it's snatched away by winter's icy grip! I know that part of living in Minnesota involves long, cold winters, but that doesn't mean we don't get a little sick of the cold and snow after six months of it. Anyway, Tomkin and Chloe and I went over to Tom and Nancy's house for lunch, which was fun. I hadn't seen them since we got back from Spain. That evening, Tomkin had his weekly poker game, and I had a premarital counseling session. Then I talked with my mom and got an update on my grandma. She left the hospital and went into an assisted-living facility. It sounds like she's in much better spirits now. She likes the food and has been eating (which she wasn't doing much at her previous home), and she's already making the rounds and getting to know people. She'll be getting some physical and occupational therapy, which is great. I'm glad that she's feeling so much better now. When Tomkin got home, I actually got him to watch "American Idol" with me! I'm not sure how much he enjoyed it, but it was fun to watch (and critique) it together. Right now I'm rooting for Adam as my #1 choice and Danny as my #2.
On Thursday, I met up with Becca and Leo for lunch at Tum Rup Thai. Leo is getting so big! He's looking more like a little boy now and less like a baby. It was great, as always, to catch up with Becca. I really don't know how she does it.... That evening I did more premarital counseling, and we watched more "Manor House."

Tomkin wasn't feeling well on Friday, so he slept in. I brought my car in for an oil change, went to the bank, got a spray tan, popped by Kowalski's, had a hair consultation with a new stylist at Estetica, and went to the Paper Patisserie. Tomkin had lunch with his dad, and then we went over to Kris and Dave's to let their dog, George, out. Chloe came along, and the dogs had fun playing in the backyard.
Tomkin spent the evening relaxing at home with Chloe, and I went over to my friend Jill's house to chat and watch the "Sex and the City" movie. She had made a bunch of food, and I brought along some sparkling juice (no alcohol for her since she's pregnant). It was fun to see her and to have a girls' night in.
Today (Saturday) Tomkin and I went to the Semple Mansion Wedding Fair. We had gone last year, about a month before our wedding, and really enjoyed it. This year we went more for business purposes. Tomkin found a few great niche businesses to blog about, and we got to see some other people in the business who we know. Plus, I got to enjoy some free cake, cookies, appetizers, and espresso! (One of the vendors brings an espresso/smoothie bar to weddings. I love that!)

Tomkin with the guys from La Vita Espresso Catering

Tomkin with Robin of Gateaux Inc. in front of her Minnesota-themed cake

It was an absolutely gorgeous day, so as soon as we got home, we took Chloe for a walk. I still had a gift card to use at Patina, so we walked there, and I found a bunch of cool stuff.
When we got back, I talked with Carrie D. from Chicago. She had also done the Vaughan Town program in Spain, and we hadn't had a chance to compare notes yet, so it was fun to do that. (And, yes, I'm still planning to blog about the trip! Will try to do that soon....) Tonight Tomkin and I met up for dinner at Little Szechuan with Roxanne, Jim, Sheri, and Raj. We hadn't been there before, and it was amazing! (So good, in fact, that Bill and Karen were there, too!) We ordered I-don't-know-how-many dishes and passed them all around. I tried a couple new things, including jellyfish.

Okay, I will try the jellyfish....

I'm not quite sure what to make of this....

Sorry--it's not really the food for me!

Now we're winding down and are looking forward to a quiet, restful Sabbath day tomorrow. Have a great week, and thanks for reading!

Hip to Be Square

Hello, blog readers! As you can see, Musings & Amusements now has a new look. (Just in time for Piet Mondrian's birthday on March 7th.) Unfortunately, in switching over to this new template, I lost all the text and links I had to the side. Argh! I'm not going to try to re-create all the lists/links. (Thankfully I had most of the blogs plugged into my Google Reader.) So it goes with change sometime, I guess!

No news on my grandma. Thanks for the kind words and questions you've offered! I'll keep you posted.

March Roars in Like a Lion

Last Thursday started out just fine--there were foreboding tales of the Snowpocalypse to come, but we didn't see any sign of it. Tomkin drove down to Northfield to have lunch with a former professor. I joined the Creatives Group for a tour of the Nomadic Press in St. Paul. The tour was fun and interesting, and we even got to partake in some hands-on activities. Kent Aldrich, who owns the print shop, has been in business for about 20 years and does beautiful work. If you need anything printed via letterpress, this really is the place to go!By the time I left at 1:30, the blizzard was in full force. Driving home was absolutely treacherous. I honestly wasn't even sure if I would make it up the very steep Ramsey Hill--thankfully, a salt truck pulled out right in front of me and paved my way! Even so, my little Lancer had to fight to reach the top of the hill. But we made it! I was so, so thankful to get home. I assumed that Tomkin would probably just spend the night in Northfield, but no--he spent two hours driving home through whiteout conditions. He said there were cars and trucks in the ditch at various spots along the way. I was really relieved when he finally made it home. Both of us were scheduled to meet with couples that night, but we postponed the meetings. Tomkin did some work, I went through Spain photos, and we both took a nap. It was nice to have an unexpectedly free evening at home.
Friday it was sunny out and seemed extra bright thanks to all the new snow. (I think we got about 8 inches.) One thing that keeps me feeling good throughout the winter is getting a spray tan every week. So I made my way through the snowy streets to get to Palm Beach Tan on Grand Avenue. That afternoon, Tomkin and I met with our tax accountant. Until this year, my taxes have always been fairly straightforward. But now with four freelance businesses and a partnership LLC between us, things are really complicated. Tomkin has been working hard to get all our info together, and I think it's finally out of our hands. Phew! Friday night Tomkin officiated a wedding, and I went along. The reception was at the St. Paul Hotel. It was a beautiful wedding, and we really enjoyed visiting with some of the other guests. And even though it's Lent, I did have a slice of the delicious chocolate wedding cake.
Saturday morning I led a premarital counseling session, and then I pretty much spent the rest of the day cropping, deleting, and labeling Spain photos. I finally finished up all the photos from Vaughan Town (nearly 1,000), and now I still need to finish the photos from Madrid and Toledo. Tomkin had a rehearsal and a wedding on Saturday afternoon/evening. Wedding season is already starting to pick up!
Sunday morning, Tomkin and I picked up Pete, and we all went to church at Plymouth Congregational in Minneapolis. We met our friends Joe and Jennifer there and sat with them. There were some things we liked about the service and the church (the people were really friendly, and they're very liberal), but the congregation was--how shall I say it--mostly on the other side of retirement. (Way on the other side....) In other words, I don't think we're going to find a lot of peers to hang out with at this place. We stayed for the brunch and talked with two other couples (both retired), who were really nice and interesting. But I think I probably want a place where more of the congregants are closer to our age. Like Holy Covenant.... We're going to give it one more shot in a couple weeks and then decide if we want to go back or continue church-shopping elsewhere. Tomkin and I got home about 2:00 and spent the rest of the day in Sabbath mode. We took a two-hour nap, walked Chloe, and I read a People magazine and watched "Amazing Race" while Tomkin met with a couple. I kept my computer off all day, which was quite a challenge! But I'm really trying to embrace the idea of a Sabbath day with no plans (expect maybe church or yoga), no computer, no phone, no work, and no cleaning. Right now it's surprisingly tough, but I think it will get easier with practice. I love being busy and having a lot on my plate, and I always feel like there are more projects I could be working, more activities I could be involved in, more friends I could be spending time with. But I think it will be good for me to have a day of rest, quiet, and stillness. I'm learning that the world just keeps on turning even if I take a day off!
Monday morning I dove into Facebook and my e-mails and spent much of the morning responding to work inquiries. Tomkin went into the office and had lunch with Chris Hagerman, who was in town because his grandmother-in-law passed away. I went to the library and Target, and then we both took Chloe for a walk. That evening, Tomkin met with a couple, and I had a premarital education session. I'm really thankful that we've both been getting so much work.
On Tuesday (yesterday), Tomkin's car needed a jump before he headed into the office. I spent the day working at home, and we both walked Chloe in the afternoon. Last night we went to "The Two Gentlemen of Verona" at the Guthrie. It's a Shakespeare play that was set as though it was being filmed as a live performance in the 1950s. I would say that it was not their most successful effort. (Tomkin thought it was crap.) We did both like the dog, though.
I went to bed last night feeling a little stuffed up, and when I woke up today I could tell that a cold had settled into my head. I opted not to join Tomkin for lunch with his folks. Instead I stayed home and worked on editorial blog posts and Web text for my premarital counseling site. Tomkin's car wouldn't start again, so we jumped it and then drove it to an auto repair shop on Grand. We brought Chloe with us and all walked back home (it was gorgeous out! nearly 40 degrees), then picked up the car later. (It just needed a new battery.) Now Tomkin is at his weekly poker game, Chloe is snoring on the couch, and I'm going to watch "American Idol" after I wrap up here. I talked to my mom earlier, and she said that my Grandma Tack is in the hospital. She fell in her apartment and hasn't been eating much lately, so she's pretty weak. It looks like she'll probably be heading into a nursing home when she's released, which she said she's okay with. But of course we're all concerned. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers!

Have a good week, and thanks for reading!

Vaughan Town Photos

I don't have time to do a full write-up now, but I at least wanted to post links to the photos I took during our Vaughan Town program in Salamanca, Spain. Be warned: There are nearly 1,000 photos total! But they're all captioned, so at least you'll have a sense of what you're looking at. The photos are in two Picasa albums, which you can find here (for group #1) and here (for group #2). Enjoy!