What I have been doing

Lately, in addition to work and home, I have had another project that has been consuming my time. I have been meaning to blog about it, but I have been too busy. There are a lot of details, so I may be able to spread this out over a few posts........... if I can find time to sit at the computer.

It all started a few months ago with an idea. We were sitting at a meeting at work talking about Darlene, our office manager. She is the kind of women I can barely even find words to describe. Inspirational, thoughtful, energetic, compassionate.... the list could go on. She has been battling cancer for the past decade, and after every round of chemo has been able to triumphantly overcome, pack her bags and head off on vacation. She also is one of the few people I know who has been able to successfully balance her job with her passions in life. She always walked to work, is an avid gardener, a gourmet chef, and a gracious hostess. She also is my "go-to" person at work. Since I have taken this management job I have had to have some of the most awkward and uncomfortable conversations with employees, and she always backs me up or gives me wonderful advice on how to deal with people. So, back to the meeting - we were talking about Darlene. She is batting her cancer again, but this time we aren't so sure she is going to win. We were talking about something special we could do for her, and no one had any ideas.

Fast forward a few weeks and I was driving in my car listening to Lynne Rosetto Kasper on NPR. I love that lady, and you know what? She lives in the Twin Cities. So I thought to myself, "Wouldn't it be amazing if we could plan an event where Darlene could meet Lynne?" I could imagine them sitting down over a glass of wine and recounting tales of pasta's they enjoyed in Italy.

So how to get a hold of Lynne........ I hand-wrote a letter to her and I also emailed her show. And do you know what? I had a phone call within two days!!!! Unbelievable! Unfortunately however, Lynne is on book tour and cannot plan anything for the fall, but would love to send Darlene an autographed cookbook.

I took a picture of the package - I was so excited. No pre-made address labels, this was hand-addressed to me, from her home address. I have a little celebrity crush on her, so I just stared at the package and kept it in my desk, unopened for a good week or two.

Finally I opened the package and found this book, with a lovely note for Darlene. I wanted to wait and give it to her at the party but I just couldn't wait. What if the party never happened, or worse yet - she has been so sick - what if she doesn't make it to the party? So I gave her the book but instructed her that she wasn't allowed to ask me any questions because I want the whole thing to be a surprise.

Okay. So that is Chapter One in the party planning story. Stay tuned, there is more to come!

autumn

we have been enjoying the last few weeks. This seems to be the perfect fall - I can't remember Minneapolis having one quite so perfect for at least 5-6 years. I have been working on some projects, Aidan has enjoyed playing with the neighbor kids, and we also got a new roof last week! Next week we drive to Nebraska to visit my parents. Aidan is excited to be missing school. he thinks it is really cool if you plan to miss so your teacher sets you up with schoolwork for your trip. Its the little things, right?

Seeing Clearly

This past week I did something I never thought I would ever do.

Lasik surgery.

James had his eyes done a few years ago and had nothing but problems so after seeing his recovery I thought to myself, "There is no way I will ever do that!"

However, this year my eyes really started to rebel against my contacts. I tried new contacts, better contacts, less contacts, and they just weren't happy. Suddenly Lasik didn't seem like such a bad option. I mean, have you ever tried swimming in the ocean with glasses on? or yoga? or what about jogging? Not to mention the nice little line of inflamed pores under my frames. So I signed myself up and had the procedure on Tuesday. My dear friend Steph kindly gave me a ride home and entertained Aidan for the evening, and when I woke up the next morning everything was clear.

Amazing.

If only life could be that easy, eh?

I haven't been able to try my "new eyes" out yet - no yoga or jogging for a week, but I have to say that seeing the alarm clock in the middle of the night is wonderful. James also had halos at night from day 1 of his recovery, but I do not seem to have that problem yet.

So if you are on the fence about Lasik - I would say to go for it. The cost was about the same as 4 years of eye exams and contact refills, or 2-3 pair of new glasses. Totally worth it.

Happy Friday

why, yes i can

i have been busy lately, you may have already assumed this is the case by my lack of posts. the first day of school has come and gone, the last flowers are leaving my garden and soup weather has arrived. i have been to the Boundary Waters, the Junk Bonanza and all sorts of places in between. it is not for lack of things to blog about, I just can't seem to find any words right now.

so if you don't mind, i will just give you some pictures. i had a great time in the BWCA with two friends a few weeks ago.... maybe i will start there.

so..............

.............it's been about a month. I am so behind I don't even know if I will try to catch us up. I have a few pictures, even less words to share.





But right now I am packing my bags and heading to the BWCA with some girlfriends. That's right, a girls only trip.





I am planning to sit here again and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors, some good company, a good book and some Bailey's in my morning coffee.

I am hoping to come back refreshed and inspired to share again. Enjoy your weekend - I plan to do the same with mine.

a little detour

i still have a few vacation pics to post, I am determined to make it through them all, for posterity's sake.

in the meantime the rest of my life is flying by and i have blogged nothing.

so i am going to take a little detour and tell you that Steph and I ate here and went here last week.

wow.

the food was good, (they make a mean beet salad and i think even Steph may become a beet lover eventually if she keeps eating salads like that.

but even better than the food, (but not quite as good as the company) was the play.


I had watched the original movie a few weeks ago and I wondered who on earth they could find to fill Marlon Brando's role.



I had no idea until after the play when I was commenting to Steph on the actors' muscles that it was actually Ricardo Antonio Chavira from Desperate Housewives. Nicely done, Guthrie.

Looking forward to the next one Steph!