Today we went on our first real vacation since last year's fateful trip to Hawaii (where we learned we'd be leaving the tundras of MN for the hills of TN). We've taken a couple of weekend trips (Asheville, NC & New Orleans, LA) but this was our first full week away in a long time.
Can I say that early morning flights SUCK? In a big way. Unfortunately, when flying out of Nashville it seems like your more affordable choices are either at the crack of dawn or later in the day. In order to enjoy a full day in CO, we opted for the 6 a.m. flight on Frontier.
This was my first flight on Frontier. I'm hooked. Each seat has a personal TV with a variety of channels. I alternated between snoozing and watching some dog show on Animal Planet. (I totally want a 13" Beagle. ) They proudly brew Caribou Coffee.
You may also know from their commercials that their planes feature cute and cuddly animals on the tails of their planes. Each of these animals has a name, and when exiting the plane, the staff thanks you for flying with them on behalf of the airline and the animals! Our plane featured Snow & Klondike - the Polar Bear Cubs. My hope someday is to fly on the plane with Lucy, The Canadian Goose.
Denver had some beautiful weather today - warm and sunny and just perfect for jet-skiing. Would you believe that with all the lakes in MN I have never ever once been on a jet-ski until now? David's friend Steve hooked up his two Sea-Doo's and took us to Chatfield Lake.
A few hours later of skiin' and beerin' and it was off to Breckenridge.
More vacation stories to come!
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Sunday, September 24, 2006
I don't know what it is about those Predators scoring...
But I like it.
I love it.
I want some more of it.
Last night David surprised me with tickets to the corporate box to see the Nashville Predators play a pre-season game against the Carolina Hurricanes.
The Preds spanked the Hurricanes, 7-3.
In between periods, they bring out the Zamboni. If you look closely, there's an extra seat right behind the driver. For a charitable donation, fans can ride with the Zamboni driver during a game. How cool is that?
After the game we went out for a drink. We ended up at the Market Street Pub, where Scott Dorman was playing. We've seen his show a few times, and always have a blast. He does mostly covers, but from time to time will pull out an original from his CD. I'm always willing to buy a CD from a local musician and his is one of my favorites.
I love it.
I want some more of it.
Last night David surprised me with tickets to the corporate box to see the Nashville Predators play a pre-season game against the Carolina Hurricanes.
The Preds spanked the Hurricanes, 7-3.
In between periods, they bring out the Zamboni. If you look closely, there's an extra seat right behind the driver. For a charitable donation, fans can ride with the Zamboni driver during a game. How cool is that?
After the game we went out for a drink. We ended up at the Market Street Pub, where Scott Dorman was playing. We've seen his show a few times, and always have a blast. He does mostly covers, but from time to time will pull out an original from his CD. I'm always willing to buy a CD from a local musician and his is one of my favorites.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Apparently, my city's the shit. Who knew?
This morning, David tells me he has a present for me.
Now, I know most women would jump up and down with glee at the thought of a present from their man, but after 2 1/2 years I have learned to simply raise my eyebrow and reserve judgement until I see what it is.
Last night he went out for dinner with his new training class, and ended up going downtown to hit some bars. A gentleman was selling his CD's on the street, so David decided to buy me one.
He knows I'm a sucker for anyone selling their CD. There's tons of live music here in Nashville, and most musicians will also have copies of their CD for about $10. Not a bad deal - the CD is usually decent, and I figure a greater part of that $10 is going into a struggling musicians pocket than if I bought a CD at Best Buy. I get to listen to some new music while supporting the local music scene, so everybody wins.
Fast forward to this morning. I pop the CD in while driving to work. In hindsight, the "Parental Advisory" sticker should have given me a clue as to what I was in for. The first tracks had lyrics along the lines of:
I been to lots of places
I've seen lots of faces
I've smoked weed in my basement
and
Cashville is where I lay my head
I don't know about your city
But my city's the shit
I couldn't listen to anymore and switched to the radio. Fortunately JackFM was playing "Sweet Home Alabama" and I followed that up with some NPR until my ears stopped bleeding.
But thanks for the present, honey. You're the shit.
Now, I know most women would jump up and down with glee at the thought of a present from their man, but after 2 1/2 years I have learned to simply raise my eyebrow and reserve judgement until I see what it is.
Last night he went out for dinner with his new training class, and ended up going downtown to hit some bars. A gentleman was selling his CD's on the street, so David decided to buy me one.
He knows I'm a sucker for anyone selling their CD. There's tons of live music here in Nashville, and most musicians will also have copies of their CD for about $10. Not a bad deal - the CD is usually decent, and I figure a greater part of that $10 is going into a struggling musicians pocket than if I bought a CD at Best Buy. I get to listen to some new music while supporting the local music scene, so everybody wins.
Fast forward to this morning. I pop the CD in while driving to work. In hindsight, the "Parental Advisory" sticker should have given me a clue as to what I was in for. The first tracks had lyrics along the lines of:
I been to lots of places
I've seen lots of faces
I've smoked weed in my basement
and
Cashville is where I lay my head
I don't know about your city
But my city's the shit
I couldn't listen to anymore and switched to the radio. Fortunately JackFM was playing "Sweet Home Alabama" and I followed that up with some NPR until my ears stopped bleeding.
But thanks for the present, honey. You're the shit.
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Dear pasty white "Sandwich Artist" at Subway:
Just because you can grow a mustache at the age of 17, doesn't mean you should.
And guys that are descended from Vikings -- such as yourself -- should know that no matter how thick you can grow it, white blonde hair on pale white skin just isn't a good look.
Your 'stache does NOT make you look older, just silly.
And guys that are descended from Vikings -- such as yourself -- should know that no matter how thick you can grow it, white blonde hair on pale white skin just isn't a good look.
Your 'stache does NOT make you look older, just silly.
Monday, September 18, 2006
A day in the life of a stripper....
This weekend's activities involved stripping.
No, I haven't invested in a pole and a copy of The S Factor. On Saturday, David decided it was high time we started stripping the hideous wallpaper in our master bathroom. Think dark green with a horrid pink & cream floral pattern. And while it just SCREAMS 1992, I can't believe wallpaper that ugly was EVER in style.
After about 10 hours of work and a bottle of wallpaper remover, it's about 75% gone. The walls are pretty yucky looking, but without the dark wallpaper, the room is MUCH brighter! It will be a few weeks before we can finish all the stripping and prep for paining, but the end results will be totally worth it.
No, I haven't invested in a pole and a copy of The S Factor. On Saturday, David decided it was high time we started stripping the hideous wallpaper in our master bathroom. Think dark green with a horrid pink & cream floral pattern. And while it just SCREAMS 1992, I can't believe wallpaper that ugly was EVER in style.
After about 10 hours of work and a bottle of wallpaper remover, it's about 75% gone. The walls are pretty yucky looking, but without the dark wallpaper, the room is MUCH brighter! It will be a few weeks before we can finish all the stripping and prep for paining, but the end results will be totally worth it.
Saturday, September 09, 2006
Au revoir, Marshall Field's
The classic department store that believed in giving "the lady what she wants" is no more. As of today, all Marshall Field's stores have been re-named Macy's.
As a former Twin Cities resident, I remember when Field's used to be Dayton's. Their former owner, Target Corporation, changed the name of all their department stores to Marshall Field's. That change did not sadden me the way this one does. All that really changed then was the name. The stores still looked the same, the bags were still green, and we all knew Field's was based on those same Midwestern values and style that Dayton's had been.
At Field's, we still had our Frangos, the Holiday Show, and with a quick flash of our Regards card, a free cup of coffee to drink while browsing the new Jimmy Choo's.
The Frangos and Holiday Show still remain, but you can't buy Jimmy Choo at Macy's. Or Prada. And your Regards card won't get you that complimentary beverage. They've eliminated their "Locate" service - if the merchandise you want is in another store, they'll make you pay shipping charges instead of sending it for free to your doorstep.
It's the end of an era. Farewell, Fields.
As a former Twin Cities resident, I remember when Field's used to be Dayton's. Their former owner, Target Corporation, changed the name of all their department stores to Marshall Field's. That change did not sadden me the way this one does. All that really changed then was the name. The stores still looked the same, the bags were still green, and we all knew Field's was based on those same Midwestern values and style that Dayton's had been.
At Field's, we still had our Frangos, the Holiday Show, and with a quick flash of our Regards card, a free cup of coffee to drink while browsing the new Jimmy Choo's.
The Frangos and Holiday Show still remain, but you can't buy Jimmy Choo at Macy's. Or Prada. And your Regards card won't get you that complimentary beverage. They've eliminated their "Locate" service - if the merchandise you want is in another store, they'll make you pay shipping charges instead of sending it for free to your doorstep.
It's the end of an era. Farewell, Fields.
Thursday, September 07, 2006
10 years ago tonight
I was at my BFF Michelle's wedding. How time flies!
Ten years later, she and John are still happily wed, and have two adorable little girls.
Happy Anniversary.
Ten years later, she and John are still happily wed, and have two adorable little girls.
Happy Anniversary.
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Here Comes the Bride!!
This last weekend we went back to the Twin Cities for a wedding.
My friend Julie (aka Bunny!) married her fiance, Tony at a winery in Wisconsin. I met Julie my very first night in my MBA program. When I discovered she carried finger puppets in her purse I knew we had to be friends. Who knew that 7 years later I'd be living in TN and she'd be walking down the aisle towards one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet?
It was an awesome wedding. I think most women look beautiful in their wedding finery, but Bunny was absolutely one of the prettiest brides I've seen. Tony should make a habit of wearing a tux on a regular basis.
From what I gathered, they had originally planned for the ceremony to be held outside, but due to the threat of rain moved it under the tent. I have to say this was handled really well, because you never would have known that it wasn't the original plan.
One of my favorite things about a wedding is the flowers. I was not disappointed! They were beautiful. The table flowers were in those tall vases so they were elevated above the table, which makes conversation easier. The bridesmaid's all carried hydrangeas - one of my favorites.
During the cocktail hour we got to sample some of the winery's offerings - if you ever get a chance to try the St Croix Vineyards Cabernet - I'd highly recommend it.
So, congrats Bunny and Tony - and when are you coming to visit?
My friend Julie (aka Bunny!) married her fiance, Tony at a winery in Wisconsin. I met Julie my very first night in my MBA program. When I discovered she carried finger puppets in her purse I knew we had to be friends. Who knew that 7 years later I'd be living in TN and she'd be walking down the aisle towards one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet?
It was an awesome wedding. I think most women look beautiful in their wedding finery, but Bunny was absolutely one of the prettiest brides I've seen. Tony should make a habit of wearing a tux on a regular basis.
From what I gathered, they had originally planned for the ceremony to be held outside, but due to the threat of rain moved it under the tent. I have to say this was handled really well, because you never would have known that it wasn't the original plan.
One of my favorite things about a wedding is the flowers. I was not disappointed! They were beautiful. The table flowers were in those tall vases so they were elevated above the table, which makes conversation easier. The bridesmaid's all carried hydrangeas - one of my favorites.
During the cocktail hour we got to sample some of the winery's offerings - if you ever get a chance to try the St Croix Vineyards Cabernet - I'd highly recommend it.
So, congrats Bunny and Tony - and when are you coming to visit?
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