Happy Valentine’s Day to you all!
Today I get the very distinct pleasure
of photographing a couple that just over
a year ago experienced a horrific loss.
It was a NILMDTS session where their daughter,
Alliah went home to be with the Lord.
Today, I will be shooting a pregnancy
session for Kelly & Jeff (and their dog!).
They are expecting a boy very soon!
Later, a movie with my sweetie and for
dinner, an early hamburger with Gary and
his Mom! Her treat for V-Day! 
Enjoy your day!
Our carpet came today!
However, the edge that is nearest the bar
requires some sort of puttsy process that we didn’t
know about so we have to postpone the installation
to next week! waaaaaaaa! It’s so close to being
completed that the setback is so very frustrating.
The lovely gents decided to go ahead and unload the
pad & carpet anyway, and why wouldn’t you, right?
So I can at least stare at it and envision it complete!
Nonetheless, Nicki is venturing over to re-plaster
the bar (that’s for YOU Sandi!) to remove some of
the gold shimmer. I decided that I liked it without.
Ordinarily, I’m not so HM but anytime I can get
re-plastered in a bar…right? Okay, I’m kidding 
I’m taking my SCUBA exam on Sunday and heading to
a pool for a review so that I can finish up my
certification in Playa…I am soooo pumped and I
NEVER use the word “pumped” so you know I’m excited!
You see, you have to finish with “Open Water” dives
which, in Minnesota in the winter, isn’t possible.
So, I’ll be diving in Mexico! Hi, how you doin’?!
We are into the “10 day” weather outlook on the web
and it’s looking good. Not that we can do anything
about it but it’s just fun to see..”85, feels like 92″
I think I haven’t mentioned yet that we have recently
learned that Nedi is no longer working at the hotel that
we always stay at. Therefore, we have to ask around
and find out where he is so we can get together.
It just won’t be the same without going to his home and
seeing his family. I miss them so much and it will just
be so different without that experience. 
Woops, I just discovered that Gary ripped out my external
TB hard drive when he was measuring flooring last night.
CRAP! I gotta go…that’s where ALL of my photo are!
More later.
If it rains in Minnesota in February,
it just means is warm…and I’ll take it!
Back from the gym, Boo at my feet, a fresh
Vienna roast press and lots to blog about.
I’ll start with Reese’s birthday brunch that
took place on Sunday. She turned 1 on Wednesday.
She is so darn cute and at the tender age of
1 she is already fascinated with opening and
discovering gifts.
Owen helped a ton and I have to say that it
was remarkable how Owen didn’t get the least
bit jealous…most kids do…he just helped!
Good job Owen!
Today is my sister and Pete’s wedding
anniversary! 13 years?…wow! Congratulations!
I recently told Gary that I wanted to try
something different. I told him it had been
years since I had done it but I remember the
sensation and satisfaction being pretty
terrific. I also remember that it took a bit
of planning, preparation and on occasion, timing.
PEOPLE! Get your heads out of the gutter, I’m
talking about clipping COUPONS here!!!
(btw…do you say “Koo’-pon” or “Kyoo’-pon”?)
I guess after years of just running out and
picking up what we need all “willy nilly”,
I thought that perhaps taking a stab at
saving some cash might be fun, addicting or
just plain smart, right?
Anyway, so I get up this morning, pour my
coffee, grab my “cheater/readers”, a scissor
and I sit down to the kitchen counter.
I start with the ads to see where the stuff we
need is on sale then move to the coupons to see if
I can save anymore money. This proves to be
a total bust. If you don’t eat cereal, drink
ensure, use disposable batteries, need diapers,
consume canned fruits-meats or veggies….
you simply can’t save money. I laughed out loud.
Gary thinks that I’m crazy. I knew that already!
So after studying this weekends ads & coupons
today for about 45 minutes, I have come to the
conclusion that I am already in the red. :\
Happy Birthday to Stacey Thon! *<):-D
February 7th…
One week down. That feels good.
Not to mention the warmer temps here in MN!
41 was the official high yesterday and with the high,
thin clouds I wonder what it could have been
without them!
Had a great time at the Gopher Bar yesterday.
Gary and I were joined by Mike & John H., Mike O
and Tom R. This was Mike H. and Tom’s first
trip to the GB and I learned that first-timers pay
(apparently unless you have breasts!).
Gary and I later ran up to PUNCH PIZZA for our
“buy one-get one” and it was about a THOUSAND
degrees in there! Hadn’t been in awhile and the
pizza was still just as awesome!
Watched Gran Torino. I sobbed.
I don’t know why exactly, but I sobbed.
Well, off to the gym so I can eat at Reese’s birthday
brunch later this morning! ;P
Today’s high will be about 41 or so.
Remarkable because it’s February and we
Minnesotan’s don’t see (or feel) those temps
until sometime in March or even April! :\
The other night when the meteorologists
showed the horribly low temps in northern
Minnesota, Gary said… “My God, why do
people live there?” and of course all I could
think of to say was…”That’s what people
say about US, hon.” It’s all relative, right?
It’s Friday and I was told that I would get
another opportunity to go to St. Paul to the
Gopher Bar with the boys for a Coney Dog!
What could I say…I love it there!
But I asked Gary if George would kick me out
for not drinking cuz I’m sorta on the wagon
for a bit.
Enjoy the warm weather today!
T minus 16 days.
Today’s high will be about 41 or so.
Remarkable because it’s February and we
Minnesotan’s don’t see (or feel) those temps
until sometime in March or even April! :\
The other night when the meteorologists
showed the horribly low temps in northern
Minnesota, Gary said… “My God, why do
people live there?” and of course all I could
think of to say was…”That’s what people
say about US, hon.” It’s all relative, right?
It’s Friday and I was told that I would get
another opportunity to go to St. Paul to the
Gopher Bar with the boys for a Coney Dog!
What could I say…I love it there!
But I asked Gary if George would kick me out
for not drinking cuz I’m sorta on the wagon
for a bit.
Enjoy the warm weather today!
T minus 16 days.
Each year I seem to remark at how quickly the
time passes. Winter doesn’t even seem to last
as long, it’s already February!
I always say that I look forward to the time
when all the months that end in ‘ber’ and ‘ary’
have passed us by! Being full into the first
week in February I can’t help but cheer a little
inside about our pending vacation!
Talisman, Jose Maria, Indiana (Nedi & Verana’s kids)
I’m having trouble reaching Rene’ at the Mimi
so I’m concerned that he may not be managing it
anymore which would, of course, be a HUGE bummer!
18 days and counting!
To my surprise, the editors elected to
place me in this month’s newsletter as
a spotlight…cool!
Gary informed me right away that “lei”
should be spelled “lay”…men.
The Arizona Cardinals, while a valiant effort
was made, lost to the Pittsburg Steelers in
the 43rd Super Bowl 27 to 23.
I was amazed at the play, the amount of penalties,
the unsportsmanlike conduct and the officiating
on both sides. All the while, I watched the entire
game (a rarity for me). I even watched the 1/2 time
show with Bruce Springsteen and his E Street Band.
Altho’ I wasn’t as impressed with his show as I
was with Prince a couple of years ago, I felt
he redeemed himself with his last song selection.
I simply don’t appreciate it when all I can here
is the crowd singing and I HATE it when an artist
holds the microphone out over the audience to sing
for them! Now, I know I’m pissing off some “Boss” fans
here but it’s not my fault… The NFL tries to put
a 4 hour concert on in 12 minutes and frankly I think
a marching band might serve the time frame better!
OMG, moving on!!!
Today, picking out tile and carpet with Gary for the
basement, clearing out all the junk and getting
things looking near completion is our goal. I’ll
keep you posted.
I have a ton of photos and video from our trip to
Arizona, I’ll share when I get the chance.
Back to the cold today….YUCK!
20 days and counting! 
