Hilton Garden Inn

It is official. I am employed yet again.

On Monday, January 28th, I began computer training at the Hilton Garden Inn in Maple Grove. My official title is Front Desk Representative/Super Hero. OK, the Super Hero part is a lie.

In college, I worked the graveyard shift at the Super 8 in Morris, MN and loved it. Basically, I watched campy horror flicks, folded towels, checked the pH balance in the pool, ran the night audit, and set up the continental breakfast in the morning. In between all that other stuff, I studied, read, or did homework. Total cake, right!

Life at the Hilton is a bit different. First, I have a uniform-black blazer, blue button-up shirt, and black pants. Second, talk about extensive computer training. Yikes. Am I setting up hotel reservations or dismantling bombs....in the service/hospitality biz, maybe both. I do get to drive the shuttle w/i a 5 mile radius of the hotel, and there is always the hope of random tasks, but nothing as cool as checking the pH balance in the pool.

Wish me luck.....

Window Garden

Last year around this time, I bought two herb garden potting kits at Target Boutique. Each contained an earthenware pot, compacted soil and a tiny packet of seeds, cilantro & parsley in this case. Of course, I totally forgot about them until this Wednesday when they were rediscovered among the spice jars in my kitchen cabinets. Nice!!

It just so happens that Target has two new potting kits available for Valentines day, strawberry and lavender, so I purchased them as well for a buck each. The lavender one has a cute pink pot!

Nick helped me "plant" the seeds on Thursday and then we placed them in the window sill to grow.

On Friday night I went to check on my plants. Mysteriously, one was missing and in its place was a flower pot photo holder. A scene very reminiscent of this summer, when I came home from work to find a full grown cantaloupe resting among the seedlings in our garden.

Yes, Nick had struck again. So sly, so very sly.

Happy Holidays!!!

December 25th may have come and gone, but Christmas still lives on!!

Nick and I are on the road to South Dakota to visit the family and exchange gifts. Nick was nice enough to scan the holiday photo on the left. It was taken in the year 1983 when my family was living in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. I was seven years old. Teresa, in the gray sweatshirt sporting a nice hickey, was dragged away from her friends at the last minute and didn't have a chance to change clothes before our appointment. I think her "devil may care" smile adds a little something extra to the photo. Who doesn't love a little scandal.

Tis the Season!!

YMCA Commercial

I love these YMCA Commercials. I have met a few "barbies" in my lifetime!!

2008 New Year

The holidays are officially over and what did I do for New Years this year? Nada. I was sick w/ a horrid sinus infection which robbed me of 1 month and two weeks of 2007-2008. On the up side, wait, there is no up side. It all was bogus.

Nick did set the web camera up to snap a pick of us at midnight so I at least have a picture of the big event. Next year I plan on changing out of my pjs at least......

2008 New Year Questionnaire

1. What did you do this year that you've never done before?

I rented a convertible PT Cruiser while on vacation, planted a garden, learned to knit, volunteered as a co-teacher for the English as a Second Language program, tried escargot, shopped at the Dollar Store, attended my first support group meeting, studied Italian, worked in downtown Minneapolis, shopped at the Minneapolis Farmers Market, saw the "Blue Man Group" in concert.....I am sure that there is more, but I can't remember it all right now.

2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year??

I didn't make any last year, but I would really like to learn how to sew this year.

3. Any new births this year?

Kira & Matt had a baby girl named Ellis on October 2nd, Chris & Aimee had a baby boy named Jonah Allan on August 21st, Jake & Melissa had twin girls named Mariana Kaye & Emmarene Grace on July 9th, and Kevin & Laurie had a boy named Grey in the fall, but I forget the exact date.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Louise Bell passed away this year. I knew her as a child and grew up w/ her grandson, Sam.

5. What countries did you visit this year?

No new countries, but I did go to Florida for the first time.

6. What would you like to have in the next year that you lacked this year?

A sense of direction. Good health. An apartment in Portland, OR.

7. What date from this year will remain etched upon your memory.

September 12th-The day I was diagnosed w/ Narcolepsy.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

The garden-peas, tomatoes, cucumbers, melon, & pumpkin.
Co-Teaching English as a Second Language.

9.What was your biggest failure of the year?

Staying in Minneapolis for another long winter.
Forgetting to pick up the pottery I made during a community education pottery class.
Not finishing the book I have been working on for the last year.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Yes, but I am hopeful for the future.

11. What was the best thing you bought this year?

Enrollment in a community education pottery class.

12. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Britney Spears...just kidding.

13. Where did most of your money go this year?

The mortgage.

14. What did you get really, really, really excited about this year?

Family vacation to Disney World.

15. Compared to this time last year, are you:- happier or sadder? richer or poorer? thinner or fatter?

Neither happier or sadder, definitely poorer, and my weight is the same...

16. What do you wish you'd done more of?

Camping!!!!

17. What do you wish you'd done less of?

Job searching.....

18. How did you spend the holidays?

With family.

19. Did you fall in love this year?

Yes, w/ my husband, w/ my cats, w/ my family & w/ my friends.

20. What is your favorite memory for the year?

A rather stunning fall by my friend Chris before seeing the "Blue Man Group" in concert.

Playing Catch Phrase during Christmas at the Farm in Iowa......Thank you, James for the following: "Someone who tells everything they know and then empties a container of vegetables" a.k.a "Spill the Beans".

21. What was your favorite TV program for the year?

The Office. I hope the writer's strike is over soon.

22. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?

Nope. I hate all the same people.....HA! HA! HA!

23. What was the best book you read this year?

The Working Poor: Invisible in America by David K. Shipler

24. What was your favorite film of the year?

Either Knocked Up or Super Bad.

25. How would you describe your personal fashion concept this year?

3 words: Cheap....sale....clearance!!!

26. Whom did you miss this year?

Dustin. My mom & dad being together.

27. Who was the best new person you met this year?

Renee, Luke, Jake & Samara. I didn't meet them this year, but I got to know them better.

28. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned for this year.

Be thankful for what you have.