Toochis ofn tish!!!

Yesterday was a day like any other day. Though it was Bastille Day in France, and I would love to go there sometime for the festivities. I loved being in France so much! And I think about going back quite often. I was there for a bit of time 4 summers ago, I can't believe it has been that long now! I spent time in the French Riviera and then Paris, which was by far my favorite city in France. But when I was there I vowed to go back and experience it with someone I really loved a lot. Maybe someday... ooh la la! Today we will celebrate Bastille day and I will write all about it tomorrow. So back to yesterday. I spent a big chunk of the day with my mom and my brother at Walmart shopping for much needed necessities. We let Buddy pick out some movies and my mom said that I could get whatever I wanted. But I settled on a shirt, underwear, batteries and a magazine... nothing too exciting, but now i think I should've asked for a new Ipod!!! I think it was good to get my mom away from all the house worries. For dinner we were invited to our friends Vanessa & Brett's home. They have a beautiful home in the country. It's so idyllic because it has a river running through it and an apple orchard, something I have always wanted in a home. Vanessa has the 3 most adorable children. Which in a way is kinda funny, because she has only been married 4 years and now there are 3 kids! How fun! and yes I said Fun! I can't wait to have a whole tangle of kids running around. After dinner I met up with my friends Cindy and Jaime down in Belle Plain. Cindy has this group that she works with and they were some crazy guys! Or I guess more obnoxious than anything. So I spent my night there and had some laughs and Herrgie's Pizza. Oh and funny thing about Jaime. Her mom and my mom were good friends in high school and on. So I have known Jaime a long time. But just started more recently hanging out with her. Funny how life comes full circle.

A Dome, A Dog, and an Ex-Patriot

Well it's the end of one long week... Tonight I went to see my Beloved Twins at the not so loved Dome! Speaking of the Dome, what are they going to call Dome Dogs when they move to the new stadium? Hmmmm? So Kelly, Kyle, Erin, Lori and I went to see the Twins play and share some laughs. Afterwards was probably the goofiest part and only because I have insane cousins who are as demented as me and like to say and do crazy things! Kyle, Erin and I went to Byerlys for a treat, that was fun too. Everything is more fun with people who know how to be silly without fear of others judgement. Who really cares what other people think anyway? But then this goes back to my blog posting, "Known vs. Alone"... people want to be known, but they are too afraid to put themselves out there... so they end up alone. Sad.

Oh and i had one of my favorite sandwiches for lunch. For $2.50 you can get a lovely Pork Rind Banh Mi sandwich at Saigon Restaurant on Dale & University. Their Pho isn't bad either! Meow! Yummy French Bread, pork rind, cilantro, jalapenos, carrots, cucumbers and head cheese. And yes I said head cheese!

Speaking of French... tomorrow is Bastille Day! And I will be celebrating on Sunday at Barbette http://barbette.com/events.html.

The Irish have St. Patrick's Day but we French have our Bastille Day!

Je suis beau et français !

Er makht mir a shvartzeh khasseneh

So my Yiddish phrase for the day is the title for this posting which means "He's making a lot of trouble for me", or literally: "He's making me a black wedding"

Now I don't know who "He" is, but yeah there is a lot of trouble for me... So I have come to terms that this isn't going to be the July of my dreams, but at the same time, does that even matter? Life is so short and people are so precious. One minute they can be there, and the next they are gone. I know I take for granted even the smallest of moments. So I am learning to find contentment in the small things, and in the everyday moments and conversations with those that I love. Even in this time, I am blessed with friends who want to make sure I am happy and having fun... I was talking with Sarah tonight and I was really touched by what she said. She said that she would be praying for my family, but even more so that i would be immensely blessed! I do feel blessed as it is, so I don't know what i would do with more blessings... hopefully I would turn around and bless others. In the mean time, I am blessed by family and friends and those simple moments i cherish. There is a sign above my parent's door, and it's funny because it's the one thing that wasn't removed but it says, "Making Memories" and that we are!

My aunts and uncle and cousins came out to my parent's house tonight to hang with us. We had laughs aplenty, and it's awesome to see families come together in time of need.

My cousins Chris & Kelly took turns with the "phantom" horse. And I hope they had fun! :)

Tomorrow my cousins Kelly, Erin, Kyle and my aunt Lori and myself are going to a Twins game! Ah Yeah!

Hollyhocks

Since everything in my life right now is related to what is going on at my parent's house. I thought I would post some pics of my favorite flowers: Hollyhocks. Actually, they are my favorite garden flowers and Dahlias are my favorite cut flowers. Anyway, I saw these Hollyhocks on the way to visit my grandma, and I made my dad pull over so I could take some pictures. It's nice to look at something beautiful for a change.

Farmutshet

I spent all day out at my parent's house. They had a fire this weekend (see previous blog) and I went out to more or less lend them support. The house is a complete wreck! So my parent's have a long road ahead of them. So many people have been very kind and generous to my family. And we are very appreciative.

It's strange because if you were to see the outside of the house you would think nothing was wrong... but when you step inside it looks like a war zone!

I'm very tired so I am off to bed...

Like an Episode of Rescue Me...

This became the never ending weekend. Which was funny because I actually watched the NeverEnding Story with my mom this weekend. But I digress.... It was quite eventful, to say the least. I'm not sure if I should begin with today and go backwards to Friday? Well I think I will, just because today was the craziest day! Hmmmm... Lightening struck my parent's house! We were coming home from my Grandmas house and we received a call from a friend who works for the Fire Dept. So we rushed home to find a bazillion fire trucks all along our driveway!

There are so many "Thankfullys" that it it makes me want to cry! Because God was very good to us.

Thankfully the neighbors who live across the field smelled smoke and decided to see what was going on. Thankfully those same neighbors work for the fire dept. Thankfully they rushed over and called the fire dept. Thankfully our other friend Vanessa, who works for the fire dept, though on maternity leave, rushed over to our house and saved 2 dogs, 1 cat and 2 birds! Thankfully the local fire dept responded so fast and were able to contain the fire to the attic. Thankfully they were able to move all the furniture out of the house before they took down the cieling and thankfully my paren't have a huge barn to put all their stuff. Thankfully we were all together and no one was hurt! We are so grateful to all the fire departments that came out, probably about 5 different ones. They did a great job! I respect what they do sooooo much!

So it was scary, but we are ok, the animals are ok... and that is what matters... everything else can be replaced. Ahhhh... God was good to us! But then again isn't he always?

Well before the fire fiasco I was at my grandma's house. We were celebrating her birthday and my cousin Erin's birthday who just returned from Cambodia. We hardly get to see Erin so it is such a treat to have her back for awhile! My other cousin Chris just moved back from Colorado, so it was great to have my cousins back home! I made red devil cake with cream cheese frosting, and to color the cream cheese I used beet juice! It was very pretty... and it was also very pretty when Chris wore his new wig! :)

On Saturday I spent the day with my two friends from High School, Shannon and Cindy...

We went up to Cindy's cabin on Friday night after waiting for Shannon to get done with her job at the restaurant she works for. In high school the three of us were Trouble! And I can't even begin to tell about all the crazy things we did together! Back then we used to be Beaner, Tweaker & Sindy... And we were insane!

But truly, I had such a great time with Shan & Cindy at the cabin. We went out on the boat and enjoyed the hot day. I also made steaks on the grill! First time for me because usually a man makes them... but little miss independent was able to make them all by herself! And I must admit they weren't too bad! After steaks, we went swimming with our air mattress. We were complete idiots out on the water... but we laughed and it was so nice to be crazy with some great girlfriends! I love you guys!

My bad A$$ Steaks!

Well to begin my weekend... I spent most of the day on Friday with my friend Monika. We decided to get crafty and make things. Monika went for decoupaging a bench, and i did some needle pointing. Which I'm not as good as I thought I would be. But nonetheless, it was great to hang out with Monika and be completely silly!

Beach Day!

Day 5: Today was a beach day with Kelly... ahhh

Sun, Sand & Swimming

With my Frida bag, sunglasses and big hat...

Ooh and this is going to be a busy weekend, so my posts may be on the few and far between... but here is a preview:

Friday will be spent with Monika who is back from the Dominican Republic... Friday night i am meeting up with Shannon & Cindy to head to Cindy's Cabin to spend the night & Saturday having fun out on the lake... Saturday night I'll be at my parent's place making a cake for the birthday party on Sunday. I'm making Red Devil Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting. Though Kelly gave me the brilliant idea of adding beet juice to the frosting to naturally color it! I love it!

Sunday we will be celebrating my Grandma's 79th birthday and my cousin Erin's birthday! And even better, Erin is back from Cambodia and it's been ages since we've seen her!

And I will top Sunday night off with Connecting the Body group...

And then I will start all over again on Monday!

Peace.