I went rollerblading at the Metrodome. It was my first time on rollerblades in about a year and a half. I had a blast! It is so sweet to cruise the concourse plus 2.5 laps = a mile.

I then went to Sam's hockey game - he is getting so fast. This is his first year on the Squirt league. He had an assist tonight. Way to go SAMMY!

We celebrated Carissa and Megan's Birthdays today.

Megan (turning 16 on Valentines) and Carissa (17 earlier this month)



The neices: Carissa, Marie (Baldy) and Megan


The Nephews: Ben, Sam, JT and David


Mass Chaos erupted


Dad and Tom


Greg, Mom and Chris


Sister-in-laws: Jean, Me and Becky

Went to Axels in Mendota Heights. They had onion rings the size of your head! (JK) But check them out, they are large (Michele and Scott)

Michelle Derdzinski and I met up with Jacquie Berglund (Finnegans) and Deb Renshaw (Missing Link) . Jacquie and Deb gave great overviews of their organizations. Michelle is looking for volunteering opportunities so I hooked her up with two great organizations.


It was so great to enjoy dinner together at the Town Talk Diner. The food and drinks are unbelievable. The word is spreading and The Food Network is even going to check them out.



Astrid and Jeff met up with us later in the evening.

Got together with the Hubers last night. It was great to see them and get caught up. Cindy and Roland hosted the gathering. Roland is missing from the pix since he was the photographer.

Saturday

Buffie, Karla and I went to Bella in Blaine. We had an unbelievable four course feast! We made fast friends with Wayne. He selected our entire meal. We found out that he knew Carolyn Pool so we caught her coming back to Minneapolis from St. Cloud. It was a fantastic evening.




Went to JT's basketball game in Bloomington. He got the first score of the game, he is lightning fast on the court!


Friday Evening ~ Met up with Jill Pieri (a friend since 1st grade) at The View in Uptown.

Happy 4th Birthday to SPIKE! I made up some very delicious banana whole wheat cake Samson and Spike celebrated in style. You should have seen the drool dropping from Samson's lips.

Happy 17th Birthday Carissa!

Happy 80th Birthday, DAD!



Dad received a button stating 'I've Survived Damn Near Everything!' He thought that was quite special






Family Photo


Dad with his sister Dorothy


Couple of the girl cousins were sitting around the kitchen table - shocking
back row: Ruth and I
front row: Shari, Sonja and Lynn


Astrid (Ruth's daughter) and I


Ben, Sam and Marie ~ playing around


It was great to catch up with Mike and Jean Moeller

I have completed the 1,300 mile drive back to Minnesota. I am happy to have that chapter of my life behind me. My belongings are in storage in Raleigh and will be moved once I decide where I will be living. I am hoping to make a decision shortly. For the time being Spike and I are staying with John and Buffie (and Samson) in North Oaks.

I also wanted to give you a heads up that when you call me on my cell you will hear songs instead of ringing. It will either be U2 (Beautiful Day) or Justin Timberlake (Sexy Back) - depending on the time of day that you call.

I drove over 570 miles today. I am getting REALLY sick of driving. I drove from the most southern part of Indiana to Wisconsin Dells. This is definitely not my dream vacation (reference to the Gear Daddies).

I did have a wonderful break from driving and enjoyed a lunch with the Derdzinski family ~ Gloria, Kristen, Ray and Kimmee.

Drove over 550 miles today! (without a ticket) :-)

The journey back to Minnesota started this morning. I left North Carolina (special thanks to Sean and Ashley Allison for letting me crash at their house) at 9:00 am. I drove North to Virginia, then West Virginia and west through Kentucky. I am staying at the beautiful Holiday Inn in Clarksville, Indiania (slightly north of Louisville). I couldn't bring myself to staying in Kentucky.

Highlights of the drive:
- Andy Griffith Parkway, North Carolina (toward Mount Airy)
- Salt Lick, Kentucky - seriously who came up with that city's name?


I also never knew that West Virginia was so beautiful. Wow! This picture taken at 70 mph doesn't do it justice.

Buffie and I packed for a good portion of the day. We then went to Sean and Ashley's for a dinner party on New Years Eve. Here I am with Ashley, Laika and Sean. I worked with Sean at Motricity. Sean left Motricity in July and is really enjoying his new gig.