Smarties is a Corporate Drone.

25 things

2009-01-27T00:46:00.002-06:00

i posted this on face book- figured i'd post it here too.
Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. Y
ou have to tag the person who tagged you.
If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.(To do this, go to “notes” under tabs on your profile page, paste these instructions in the body of the note, type your 25 random things, tag 25 people (in the right hand corner of the app) then click publish.)

1.St. Paul is my most favorite city in the world.
2. I don't like dogs.
3. Turning 30 doesn't seem as scary as i thought it woudl be.
4. i love beer.
5. i match up my socks like a freak. i recently discovered my dad does too.
6. people ask me questions about EVERYTHING- from medical problems, baby rabbits in the parking lot, how to do things, EVERYTHING- and i usually have the answer.
7. i value my friends more than they know.
8. sometimes i'm very shy, sometimes very outgoing
9.in october, i am marrying my dream boyfriend and i've known it since the 2nd time we hung out10. I love our house.
11.I'm a liberal democrat.
12. i drink over 3 liters of water a day.
13. i love hunting for the medallion.
14. i don't mind winter.
15.I don't think i would live anywhere other than MN again.
16. I lived in CA for a year.
17. I'm an overachiver in my job.
18. I collect Nutcrackers
19. I make myself laugh every day.
20. i show people i love them by feeding them delicous food.
21. my dream job would be having a show on the food network.
22.i will never get sick of watching my cats wrestle.
23. i am glad my parents got divorced. i wouldn't trade my step families for anything.
24. i am a perfect split of my parents personalities.
25. i love documentaries.

Ten 4 good buddy

2009-01-27T00:30:00.002-06:00

brad day 10...

well, it's clue ten, and brad's beard is nearing zztop proportions. after a futile day at harriet island, clue ten is still not telling us anything. i am waiting for 11's clue that simply reads, "don't be a homo, go to como". regardless, tomorrow we will be heading to Bruce Vento Regional trail. let me note that on clue 4 i mentioned that it probably wasn't in a "park" proper- it was probably on bruce vento trail. additionally- we refuse to believe it is in swede hollow. we were there again tonight with Klondike Kate's niece Katie and none of us think it is there- additionally- the park is very picked over. i don't know why we are avoiding that park-other than it seems to obvious and we think the writer is screwing with us.

so- here is clue ten.

Tho' hills abound, it's on level ground
A rivulet gurgles by
The answer's meshing with a beer refreshing
In the midst should seekers vie

apparently there is a warm spring running through BV trail (swede hollow has NO moving water, it's all frozen) so here is a website to help you on your way. i'm going to noodle a little more, have some more beer and watch the australian open. BTW- its 126 degree's in sydney right now...bastards....

http://www.nps.gov/miss/parknews/vento_auth-clark.htm

fiddle dee dee!

2009-01-26T12:18:00.003-06:00

One whistled Dixie so says a pixie

While another worked stern to stem

Though they never met, it's a darn good bet

Together they'll lead to the gem

we spent yesterday at harriet island. i love that park. we'll be heading back there today- to look at raspberry island (used to be called navy island and it could be considered "sweet") additionally we'll be checking out where "Belle St." runs into Water street. Belle (southern belle, whistling dixie, not doing a whole lot) is across from a small harbor filled with boats (sterm to stem). i'm kind of glad that no one has any better ideas. this is a tough hunt, and we are dealing with clue writers revenge. bastards....

It keeps going, and going...

2009-01-25T14:13:00.006-06:00

Here are more clues!

Clue No. 6
The dankness of the vale may your spirit impale:
The setting seems oh so gloomy!
But be brave, you endless knave,
You'll find it really quite roomy.

Clue No. 7
'Neath King and Court, they once did cavort
As though living in times quite feudal
But time brings change, so it's not so strange
To see an owner walk his poodle

Clue No. 8

Saints and sinners, losers and winners
Sped by at a quickened pace
While the gangster's moll, a German doll
Once played at this star-crossed place

after clue 7, we spent the afternoon at Swede Hollow yesterday. i don't know why we keep coming back to that damn park. it was pretty amazing though the difference from last year til this year. last year Phalen Creek was flowing and although there were some frozen areas most of it was water- this year everything was frozen solid. there was also a lot more snow. last year- this was a pond with water- this year, FROZEN. :)

Today i think we are headed out to Harriet Island.

More clues!

2009-01-23T15:26:00.002-06:00

Clue #2
Tramping hill and dell, you may hear tell
About the contests waged of yore
Much of the history remains a mystery
Which we hope to bring to the fore

Clue #3
All we see was done naturally
Water and ice are here
In this harbor of impressive arbor
Approach and have no fear

Clue# 4
Even those in detention during our recent convention,
Heard a politically hip chick
Is it a pig or pit bull, it was argued most fitful,
That looks more lovely in lipstick?

Clue #5
It takes all sorts to come and play sports
In this sweet land of fun and frolic
With bower enclosed and beasts exposed
You're bound to lose your colic

where are we at? who knows! we like swede hollow, battle creek, and i really like bruce vento regional trail....

It's ba-ack!

2009-01-17T18:56:00.001-06:00

Clue #1

Oh great King Boreas, make winter glorious:
Unleash the medallion quest!
We'll be up front: We devote the hunt
To Box, our friend, now at rest

Quick thoughts: in a box, Don, front ave. that's all we got. tune in tomorrow for the next clue. :)

We're Engaged!

2008-10-27T18:02:00.007-05:00

It's been a while since i've posted everything. so first and foremost, i am happy to announce that on October 4th at the apple orchard, Boyfriend proposed. it was very sweet and he was very nervous. :)

here are the pictures from that day:

Wow he looks happy! he was so nervous he was violently shaking even after i said yes.

Some random guy took this picture for us right after we got engaged.

After we got engaged, we went to the pumpkin patch and picked our own pumpkins.

We then went home and celebrated like no tomorow. we texted and called everyone we love and drank WAY TOO many glasses of wine. :) The kitties were happy too:

as promised

2008-09-24T21:31:00.002-05:00

I love this picture of Sebastian in my borealis yarn bag. :)

Our country tis of thee.....

2008-09-24T19:57:00.002-05:00

I was going to try to avoid blogging about the election. Anyone who knows me- knows where I stand in the political spectrum- but I think I just need to get some things off my chest. so this is my rant about the current state of our country and the hope that I see for the future. when I'm done, my next post will be pictures of kitties- don't want things to be too serious around here!

I love September. It is the gateway to fall. The month where you start curling up in your comforter instead of kicking it off. September hosts the autumnal equinox, and the first changing of our beautiful Minnesota leaves. Following August- the month of sweating, swearing, air conditioning and all consuming misery, September blooms like the sun on the horizon. I start to feel the vibrating hum of September's energy in late August. I begin dreaming of apples and pumpkins, of falling leaves and wearing sweaters. Once the weather cools and the days begin to shorten, I feel more alive than any other time of the year. I feel rejuvenated the same way some people feel after a long winter. Summer is my hell, and Autumn is my salvation. I bring all of this up to say that this year- I got nothing. I've had a few butterflies in my stomach during a cool rainy Saturday, but over all my autumn bliss has been missing. What I have finally determined after the past few weeks as I have pondered my lackluster excitement for my favorite time of year, is that the problem is not the weather, its not the 80 degree weather, it's not the lack of trips to the apple orchard, or the fact that my leaf garland is burnt out. It's the state of our country.

I know it sounds ridiculous. I know it sounds like I making an issue out of nothing, but in reality- in the last week alone, I have had 4 friends tell me that they are depressed, they are angry and they can't shake the funk that they are in. I used to watch the news religiously. Every night at 6 and again at 10. I can't anymore. Our country is making me depressed. I am sad that there are people out there that actually contemplating voting for McCain. I am sad that the majority of my friends work in finance, and we are on the eve of the greatest economic failure our country has seen since 1929. I am sad that the dream of home ownership is slipping further and further away for people in part due to business practices that I was a part of. I'm also sad that although Boyfriend and I have decent paying jobs, and very little debt- we will still be having a stay at home weekend.

Are we spending money differently then when we first moved in together? Nope, we actually have less bills. Hmm, do our jobs pay us less? nope, we're making a lot more. What has changed? Gas Prices. Food Prices. Huge Increases. After Bush was re-elected, I had a bumper sticker in my cube, which read "I live in a blue state" this statement cleared me of all blame for what was going to coming the next four years. Unfortunately, even though I know Bush isn't my fault i still have to live here. which brings me to our $700 billion dollar bail out. first let me wrap my head around this number. there are 6.7 billion people in the world. with that type of money, our government could give every person living at this moment $104- which i am sure would feed starving people in a third world country for quite a while. the population of the US is 305,247,000- which means every man woman and child could be given $2,293.25. now granted- it isn't a HUGE amount of money- not like winning the lottery- but if people used that money to pay their bills to their failing financial institutions, wouldn't everyone be better off? what about a coupon system where we don't even need the physical cash, but we can mail our coupons into our mortgage company and they redeem them from the government- obviously this would never work. as incompetent and inefficient as our government is run- it would just create more problems.

Luckily, all of that being said- we are at a point where we can change things. we can stop the direction our government is headed in. we can end the war which has drained our social security, and ruined our economy. i realize i am simplifying things, but i can not understand for the life of me why anyone would want to continue down the path we are on. Why would we elect someone who has voted with George Bush on more times than not? Why would we elect a man who obviously has no idea what it is like down here in the real world. Do you know how many houses you own? what about the fact that McCain has experienced the horrors of war. I have nothing bad to say regarding his history in the military or the things he has been through- but personally, I'd like to think had that been my experience, i would do everything within my power to prevent another human from experiencing that same hell. But McCain vows to stay in Iraq as long as it takes.

When Boyfriend and I went to the Obama rally at the Xcel Center, i felt hope. I believe that Obama can bring the change that our country needs. I felt for a brief second that i could be proud of the country i live in, with him at the helm. After years of "freedom fries" "evil doer's" and Bush's "we got ourselves a group of folks" aka the Taliban- i finally felt like i could settle into the same pride that rednecks and right-wingers everywhere have felt for the last 8 years. From the beginning, Obama has been a speaker of change. McCain and other opponents attacked this idea. now McCain, realizing he needs to separate himself from Bush is preaching the same thing and has coined himself as the "original Maverick" I'm assuming that is solely referring to his brief stint in the Old West as a Deputy, circa 1843. There is nothing original or maverick about John McCain and frankly i am really freaking sick of the cowboy shoot'em up lingo we have been subjected to for the last 8 years.

what am i getting at? I'm really just rambling, but i do not believe that a 72 year old, bad tempered, Bush supporting, pro-war, alternate reality living John McCain is the future of our country. it is time for my generation to step up to the plate and take this country for our own. our country is on the verge of collapsing and i want a leader in office who can relate to me and my family and make the right decisions for the next 4 years.

*steps off soap box*

must see!

2008-09-04T17:37:00.001-05:00

RIP Tim Russert

2008-06-13T20:44:00.002-05:00

Thank you Tim Russert for the knowledge and insight you have passed on to all of us.

I would not consider myself as politically savy as I am, had it not been for watching you on Meet the Press for the past 10 years. You are one weird crush I will never forget.

May 7, 1950-June 13, 2008

Last but not least!

2008-04-06T20:00:00.006-05:00

This is what i have been working on for the last two weekends.

Before & After

The new color is pumpkin patch. the old color was pink painted over with grey- which was neither purple, grey or brown. i hated it. i have no idea what the previous owners were thinking. we also got new towel racks, toilet paper holder and replaced the ugly light box with a new light fixture. we like it! the room seems bigger and it adds some brightness our hallway.

Spring is Here!

2008-04-06T19:55:00.004-05:00

Last week, i opened up the front door to let the warm 45 degree weather in. afraid that Black bastard was going to bust through the scream by hanging on it i set up stools, one for each kitty to look outside and sniff the fresh air.

yeah, they ran around like idiots for the next hour. FRESH AIR!!!!!

Gigantor's Easter Miracle!!!

2008-04-06T19:40:00.004-05:00

For years and years and years, my mom has owned Gigantor. Gigantor is the biggest Christmas Cactus on the face of the planet. We think he's older than me- but he's so old no one really remembers. Gigantor has babies all over Minnesota and Wisconsin. Anyhow...the best thing about Gigantor, is that he blooms flowers at Christmas (hence the name of his Flora) but also at Easter. I was really scared of inheriting Gigantor when they moved. i didn't want to kill him, and i didn't want the cats to eat him.

After having Gigantor for one month, i saw this- one week before Easter. :)

He only got one bloom, but i am just relieved that he likes me and is content in this house.

Bon Voyage!

2008-04-06T19:14:00.010-05:00

My parents recently moved to the Milwaukee area. We had a going away party for them. Due to the fact they are WAY too close to Green Bay, home of the Packers, we had a Packers Immunization Party. Here is part of the invite. Everything was Vikings themed.

As happy as we are that they have been reunited,
a dark, new fear looms on the horizon.

Not one of long road trips, or phone calls in place of hugs,
but the close proximity to Green Bay.

We need to prepare our loved ones for their journey.
They are pilgrims in an unholy land.
We must give them the strength to fend off
cheese heads and rabid Favre fans.

No parent of mine will ever sport green and gold.

It was a nice party. Everyone they wanted to see- actually everyone invited showed up. here are some pictures.

The Table.

Some of our guests grubbing on BBQ Beef, Chips and....

MMMMMM Rosemary Rollups. THE GREATEST APPETIZER OF ALL TIME.

In the middle, Betsy- Creator of the DELICIOUS Rosemary Rollups, and the 50,000 cupcakes. :)

It was also Sebastian's 8th Birthday. He didn't have any interest in his cupcake.

Thoughts of Oldness

2008-03-19T21:05:00.004-05:00

Well, i turned 29 last week. it was kind of a rough birthday. it was actually a good birthday, but it is scary to think how close 30 is. i don't think i would ever chose to go back a year or two or ten, but at the same time, i guess i never really thought i would be 29.

i was just sending my grandma an e-mail- she's cool like that! i was thinking back to when i used to write her letters when i was a kid and she would always make comments in my return letters about how she couldn't believe my teachers would let me write in print instead of cursive. letter after letter, she would ask if i had learned cursive and why i didn't use it.

thinking about it- all old people write the same- they have basically the same script handwriting. i guess as time has progressed, we have lost that. i think i could write fairly well in cursive in like 4th grade, but now i'm pretty sure my "cursive" handwriting would look the same as it did then- like a 4th grader wrote it. so where am i going with all of this??

as i was typing the e-mail- i realized how much i am slacking on my uppercase letters. i wondered if grandma would notice, and if she would think i was slacking again. at work i mostly type casual e-mails and put quick notes in our computer system. the majority of notes in FC8 are abbreviated which only adds to the laziness. Equipment becomes equip (i don't even put a period to show abbreviation. Received becomes recvd. not to mention all of the leasing terms.

every job i have worked at has different abbreviations for different words and procedures too. i think back to when my step brother came back from boot camp and spoke in nothing but acronyms, "i was down at the CMH standing in line for my LOR when my L3C came up to me and asked about my MFP's." WTF??? no idea what he was saying. so now in my life filled with TRAC's FMV's APR's UCC's and LP Options, i think of the recent mobile phone commercials when parents and kids are speaking in text. IDK my BFF Jill?

so what i am getting to is this. some day in the apparently not to distant future (29 years has gone by in a flash...) will my grandchild be sending me EPM's (Electronic Psychic Messages) to which i will respond- don't you use e-mails anymore? do you even own a sheet of paper and a pen?

Bad Luck

2008-03-04T18:32:00.002-06:00

My Dad & Stepmothers duplex burnt down for the 2nd time in a year. My step sister and her boyfriend were living there this time. check out the video of my dad on the news, and the related articles. crazy shit.

video:
http://www.kare11.com/video/player.aspx?aid=64363&bw=

article:
http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=500812

Happy Valentines Day!

2008-02-13T22:12:00.001-06:00

I love YOU!

Mmmmmmm, Valentines Day Cheesecake....

Final Medallion Post

2008-01-31T21:41:00.001-06:00

Clues, Pioneer Press Clue Writers explanations, and my responses. Enjoy!

Treasure Hunt clues explained
Here are the 12 clues our clue writers created for this year's medallion hunt along with explanations of their meanings.
Clue 1
You've joined the hunt for the regal runt
To prove searching does pay
Don't dig a hole or knock down a pole
And the golf course is out of play

Last year Jake took home the cake
With a clue a bit off level
This year we'll rinse off all our prints
Lest this hunt go to the devil

CW Explanation: We advise hunters not to dig or knock down anything, and to stay off golf courses. We refer to the hunter who found the medallion after the second clue last year, the fastest on record. He said he deduced "Cleveland" Avenue from the word "level," then followed our footprints to the prize. This year we vow to keep the hunt from going to the devil by making it more challenging and not leaving telltale footprints behind.

My Response: First off- let's try for some consistency in the explanations- #1. Wouldn't it make sense to have the WHOLE clue italicized instead of just the first stanza? It's called proof reading- I would like to think that newspapers do this…. #2. Last year Jake found the puck after THREE Clues. PP it's your hunt, your archives, I'd think that you would have done some fact checking- it took me two minutes to get this off your damn website (see below). Clue writer, I'd like to call YOU the devil- but I honestly think the devil is much more clever than you, and comparing you to him would be too much of a compliment.

St. Paul Pioneer Press (MN) - January 24, 2007 - B1 LocalTHAT WAS FAST WITH JUST 3 CLUES -- AND A LITTLE HELP -- DEDICATED HUNTER FINDS MEDALLION It was bound to happen. A dedicated -- some would say obsessed -- treasure hunter, Jake Ingebrigtson set a record for finding the Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt medallion with fewer clues than anyone in the 56-year history of the event. The 27-year-old set out to find the medallion this year as he has for the past decade: cocksure and ready to dig. Months earlier, he'd scoped out Hidden Falls Regional Park, a wooded area tucked below the Ford plant on Mississippi River Boulevard....

Clue 2
The point of all this is so that you won't miss
Your big chance to grab all the cash
Now gather your guys and a gal who is wise
You'll have to do something quite rash

Explanation: This is a reference to the proximity of Point Douglas Road to Indian Mounds Park, where the medallion was hidden. "Guys and wise gal" refer indirectly to the Order of the Eastern Star, a male-and-female fraternal organization that is an offshoot of the Masons, and which planted a star-shaped "Matron's Grove" of trees at Indian Mounds Park. A "rash" often accompanies a burn -- an indirect allusion to Burns Avenue near the park.

My Response: If I remember correctly, fraternities and fraternal organizations ARE NOT known for their intelligence. Have you seen Animal House? Or heard rumors of what masons make people do for initiation? To roughly quote my friend Amy from a conversation yesterday- "Lock them naked in a coffin and make them drink bad gin." I would be a little bit more sold on their "wisdom" if George Bush wasn't a free mason (or as he would say Wisdomness). Next, I would have thought the CW would come up with something clever pointing us to Matrons Grove, but no one has ever heard of it anyhow so it doesn’t really matter…Lastly, I’ve been burned many times over the course of my life. I’ve been sunburned more times than I can count. I have burned my hand on a light bulb and gotten my arm stuck in a hot oven- but I have NEVER I repeat NEVER gotten a rash along with my burn. I have had heat rash before, but that isn't a BURN. Idiots.

Clue 3
We've scanned the county to hide our bounty
And keep you on your toes
It may sound risible, but our puck's invisible
Although it might just stick to your nose.

Explanation: Hunters must be on their toes because we've hid it in hilly territory which we scanned from the top of a hill in the park. "Invisible" and "stick to your nose" refers to the "invisible tape" box in which the medallion is hidden.
My Response: if you are standing on a hill- looking down, why would you need to stand on your toes??? The invisible tape thing is the most logical thing I've read so far- but I’m still angry.

Clue 4
How fun is the snow how far will we go
You really ought to go see
Get up for the mission and not just the wishin'
Get into the game - it's all free

Explanation: Pretty darn obscure: "Game" is a reference to Obbs Sports Bar across the street from the park. Really obscure: "Far" and "go" are a reference to Wells Fargo Place downtown, which is visible from Indian Mounds Park.

My Response: Obscure? You think???? Because I know that I INSTANTLY thought of Obbs Sports Bar, not to mention their FREE beverages. Wells Fargo- WTF, I could name 6 other parks that you can see the Wells Building from, not to mention I bet every other park in St. Paul is less than a mile from a branch.

Clue 5
There once was a clue that drove you-know-who
To threaten a heinous act
We'd use it again, but we're afraid of his pen
My friend, that's an unfortunate fact

Explanation: This is a reference to a certain newspaper columnist who freaked out several hunts ago. He took issue with a clue referring obliquely to the location of a French immersion school - which is now at Parkway School, not far from Indian Mounds Park. The Pioneer Press had a short article about a play at the school called "Kaposia,'' which debuted during this year's hunt. The play dealt with the Native American community that once thrived at Indian Mounds Park.

My Response: The French immersion school is midway between Phalen and Indian Mounds- if I were to use their logic- nothing is really that far from any of the clues. Which is probably what they were thinking when they sent us on a wild goose chase around St Paul. New Brighton isn't far from any of these parks, and is really close to say…Burnsville. K-A-P-O-S-I-A. As a South St. Paul girl- their explanation of this clue left me stumped. I did a little google research and found out that prior to living in SSP/WSP the Kaposia had been in St. Paul in a number of different locations. They lived near Lake Phalen, and below Mounds Park in a swamp. I could be wrong, or possibly the parent who wrote Kaposia was, but in our very next clue- the CW mentions who built the mounds- and it wasn't the Kaposia. By the way- the article about the play states that it is about Native American's who lived in MN- it mentions NOTHING about Mounds Park.
Clue 6
All ye who look should honor the book
As one who stood for hope
Much was built in the name of the kilt
Look sharp now and never mope

Explanation: Calling all history buffs: Edward Duffield Neill was the first to conduct excavations at Indian Mounds Park. He was a Presbyterian minister and educator ("ye," "honor the book") who had been a presidential aide to Abraham Lincoln. In Minnesota, he founded Macalester College and the House of Hope Presbyterian Church ("hope.") These are two St. Paul institutions that honor the Scottish traditions ("kilt.") The word "hope" also invokes the Hopewell Indians, the ancient tribe that built the mounds.

My Response: Umm, seriously? I don't even have a response to how completely asinine this clue is.

Clue 7
If you should go look high then low
One could see it from a bower
If it's your bent you might seek a tent
To protect in case of shower

Explanation: The tent refers to the Indians who lived on the site of Indian Mounds Park. "High then low" refers to the hilly terrain where the medallion is hidden.

My Response: Yes, Indians lived in tents. Yes, Indians lived on the site of Mounds Park. But they aren't there anymore- so if it rains, I guess I am shit out of luck. Thank god I spent time researching the multiple meanings of the word bower, it'll come in handy when I am trying to outsmart my word of the day calendar.

Take note of the wood and do what you should
To extract the prize for yourself
Build a bridge to your dreams as high as they seem
Leave nothing behind on the shelf

Explanation: Another reference to the woods in the area in which it is hidden and to the bridge that crosses Warner Road from Mounds Park. The "shelf" refers to the side of the hill where the medallion is hidden.

My Response: It is all so clear now!!! I tell you what though- if any bridge coming from Mounds Park is the bridge of my dreams, I really need to re-evaluate my life's goals.
Clue 8
Look at the buck to acquire good luckI
n finding the grail this year
Link a jar, a line, a star lawyer divine
While crying in your beer

Explanation: There are deer in Indian Mounds Park. Jar, line and star lawyer refer to the word "Mason,'' a reference to the Masonic memorial in Mounds Park. There is also a reference to the beverage enjoyed at Obbs sports bar.

My Response: Deer?!? DEER?!?!?! Not only are there deer in EVERY SINGLE PARK in St. Paul- but you probably can't look at the buck if there aren't any deer permanently chained down in the park. I have been to Mounds dozens of times over the last 20 years, during every time of day, and have NEVER, I repeat NEVER seen a deer. We got the Masons reference, but again- vagueness!!! I'm not even going to revisit the line which made me momentarily hate beer.

He won, then lost and the nation was tossed
Into strife that was far from civil
The point I'm making is yours for the taking
Believe me - not the message board drivel

Explanation: Another reference to Point Douglas Road, located near the park, which was named after Stephen A. Douglas, who defeated Abraham Lincoln in the 1858 U.S. Senate race but lost to him for the presidency two years later. The Civil War followed shortly after the election. We also refer to the many message boards purporting to know where the medallion was hidden.

My Response: I feel this is a clever and acceptable clue.

Clue 9
This name brings tears, elation and cheers
And occasionally even outrages
It sits on walls and rides the halls
And fills a dozen pages

Explanation: The name is "Johnson," filling 12 pages in the telephone book. Johnson Parkway ends at Indian Mounds Park. There is also a bench at the park ("sits") named for a Minnesota "Johnson."

My Response: Considering my boyfriend is a Johnson and he's made me cry, made me happy and we've toasted many times, this clue should have been blatantly obvious. But it is seriously lacking. Other than my personal experience, what part of the first three lines actually pertains to Johnson Pkwy? I like the dozen pages- it is very clever, but who uses the phone book anymore? It's called Dexonline.com.

The hills are alive and you'll have arrived
Refrain from the very injurious
Be bold and be brave but your skin you must save
What's off-limits should frankly be obvious

Explanation: Another reference to the hills and potentially dangerous terrain in the area where it is hidden; "brave" is an Indian term. The "frankly obvious" area that is off-limits is the area of the ancient mounds themselves.

My Response: Let me go on record and state that I don't really feel like Mounds is HILLY. Other than the mounds themselves, there are very long slopes- the park from west to east is on very different elevation- but for the most part, it is flat park and the cliff- if that is a hill then I guess I'll have to take your word for it.

Clue 10
Look for the sight you hope is just right
You're doubtful and you're torn
Make the rounds for what rhymes with grounds
And part of a rose with a horn

Through flames and flow this park where you'll go
Is the site of sacred relics
Stay away from these and the cliffs if you please
Or you'll be in a heckuva fix

Explanation: Both stanzas clearly point to "Mounds" park, rhyming with "grounds,'' and to the "horn" of a rose, referring to nearby Thorn Street. We tell people to stay away from "sacred relics" - the actual Indian mounds - and from the cliffs. "Flames" refer to Burns and "flow" to Etna, two streets near the park.

My Response: Dear Clue Writer, Up until this point, you have made us noodle that fraternities are known for their knowledge, that mounds park has deer, that the name Johnson brings tears, elation and cheers, and that the bridge of my dreams is built on an east side park. After putting me through all of that, you are finally going to reveal the location by RHYMING??? Again this proves that you have the mental capability of a 5 year old. Can anyone tell me what rhymes with HICK? By the way, this clue made me so incredibly angry AND crabby that I didn't talk to my boyfriend for 10 hours. Home wrecker!!!

Clue 11
(This clue, released in the early edition of the newspaper at 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, led to the discovery of the medallion about midnight.)
Air and river sounds lead all to Mounds
Far from the graves take your entourage'
Twixt Burns and Thorn an icy pathway is born
Across Mounds from a gray house and tan garage

Hell no fury hath as those on the wrong path
Mounds and Warner form a woodsy perimeter
The path, not official, contains footprints beneficial
Some 300 trudges in - not a quest for a quitter

This trail you must follow goes down a narrow hollow
Under a fallen tree to an old rusted
here you must search for a hillside path perch
Wherein lies the center of fun

Explanation: These stanzas get the hunters into the area where the medallion is hidden in Indian Mounds Park. Between Burns and Thorn street, across Mounds Boulevard from a house-and-garage, begins an icy path worn by many footprints. It goes through a narrow hollow or creek bed, under a fallen tree, to an old rusted drum. We counted 300 steps from the street to the drum. We encourage hunters to look for a "hillside path perch" in this area -- on a hillside, near a path -- but we did not give the exact location.

My response: This clue tells me that A. you have not done this before, and B. you like to ruin people's lives. Show me in medallion history where clue #11 gives you the number of paces to the medallion. You don't give the exact location my ass. Were you getting bored with writing clues at this point? Jerks.

Clue 12
(This clue was scheduled to run in the newspaper on Thursday, Jan. 31)
Your blood will coagulate whilst you triangulate
From the drum at the heart of it all
A slope nearby you will espy
Fifty steps up the hill - careful, don't fall

Near a hollowed half-tree a fallen limb you will see
The cover for our precious goods
Across the path from the half-tree lift the limb and you'll see
There's gold in them thar' woods
Quick like a fox see the blue-and-white box
Away you casually sidleInside is the prize, two-domed and super-sized
Congratulations - you're our Minnesota Idol

Explanation: This identifies the exact spot where the medallion is located. It is close to a "hollowed half-tree" - a split trunk that is a marker for our treasure. Across the icy path from this half-tree are some dead limbs on the ground. The treasure is under one of them. It is in a blue-and-white box of 3M invisible tape. The marker tree is about 50 steps up the hill from the rusted drum.

Kari's Response: I can only thank god that I didn't have to read this piece of crap clue in the paper.

Pictures of Swede Hollow

2008-01-31T21:18:00.000-06:00

Searching Swede Hollow will remain one of my favorite hunt memories. it was peaceful and serene. here are a few pics from that day. :)

The plaque in the upper part of the park, where the Hamm Mansion once stood.

GIANT WALLS surrounding one side of the park. you can see boyfriend in the center digging for the puck.

The Old Hamm Brewery. When we got closer, you could smell the fire left over from the most recent blaze in 2004 (not sure on the year, i just remember i was living with Josh).

We thought that this rock formation at the beginning of the creek running through SH was what the clue writer was refering to as "leave nothing behind on a shelf". a very nice older lady spent an hour digging out the "shelves". I talked to her a couple of times during the course of the day. she was a trouper!!!

A view from the south end of the park.

My own dead tree picture. maybe i will frame it. :)

Pics and final clue thoughts

2008-01-31T20:37:00.000-06:00

Is it at Phalen Park?

Bundling up!

I can never take pictures of ourselves.

Is it under this tree?

Warming up in the car.

Study those clues.Monument to the 1986 Ice Palace. i think i went to this when i was 7.

Thinking about the clues.

Clues 9 & 10

2008-01-30T15:47:00.000-06:00

i thought i was really far behind on updating, then i realized that it just FEELS like time is standing still. it actually isn't. :) Now it is a few days later and i just realized i never actually posted this.

here are the two most recent clues-

Clue #9
This name brings tears, elation and cheers
And occasionally even outrages
It sits on walls and rides the halls
And fills a dozen pages

The hills are alive and you'll have arrived
Refrain from the very injurious
Be bold and be brave but your skin you must save
What's off-limits should frankly be obvious

Clue No. 10
Look for the sight you hope is just right
You're doubtful and you're torn
Make the rounds for what rhymes with grounds

And part of a rose with a horn
Through flames and flow this park where you'll go
Is the site of sacred relics
Stay away from these and the cliffs if you please
Or you'll be in a heckuva fix

My GOD. what a roller coaster the last two days have been. i honestly don't know where things end and other things begin. so sunday night- we had our revelation- our moment of genius- the moment when all time stood still. we pulled everything together. The answer we had been looking for laid in swede hollow. all the clues fit. from the 3M references to "sitting on walls and riding halls" even down to the 3m manufactured game "Aquired". as we researched Swede Hollow history i was fascinated by the community that a city forgot. i was especially touched by a excerpt from a documentary where a man who had lived down there growing up. he was reminiscing about living there, and later in life- he found out that Swede Hollow had officially been deemed a slum in 1933- he realized he was living down there at that time and was shocked to hear that- as they always had fun, and things were always provided for. kids ran in groups and played, parents watched everyones kids. There was a whole community living in shanties under huge mansions on Daytons bluff. in 1956, the remaining 16 families living in swedes hollow were evicted and the shanties were burnt to the ground

Yesterday, we spent 8 hours at swede hollow. it was a beautiful day, and an amazing park. it was calm and silent. it was a picturesque day. peaceful. there were about 30 people in the park through out the day hunting with us.

5, 6, 7 open up the pearly gates!

2008-01-26T11:56:00.000-06:00

A prize for the person who knows the song i am referencing above!!!

Don't ask me where i've been for the last 3 clues!!! i really meant to update this every day but the hunt, a little bit of booze and exhaustion has gotten the best of me.

here are the last 3 clues:

Clue #5
There once was a clue that drove you-know-who
To threaten a heinous act
We'd use it again but we're afraid of his pen
My friend, that's an unfortunate fact

- We think this is supposed to steer us toward Como. Joe Souchery (you know who) has been a popular guess as to who writes the clues. he disputes this fact and in 2003 blasted the clue writers for writing stupid clues that no one can figure out. Those clues lead us to Como.
http://www.coolercrew.com/archive.php?location=1052049141&start=1

Clue #6
All ye who look should honor the book
As one who stood for hope
Much was built in the name of the kilt
Look sharp now and never mope

- Now this one may send you running toward Highland- Kilt, etc. BUT we think they are just trying to fuck with us. the way the clues have been- they aren't going to give us something this obvious.

Clue #7
If you should go look high then low
One could see it from a bower
If it's your bent you might seek a tent
To protect in case of shower
Take note of the wood and do what you should
To extract the prize for yourself
Build a bridge to your dreams as high as they seem
Leave nothing behind on the shelf

-Hmmm, where do i begin with this one- again it seems they are trying to steer us toward Highland- High is in there twice (and i think the clue writers are....) and the tent COULD refer to Circus Jurveus or whatever- which is a childrens circus training program which performs in highland- BUT they don't perform in a tent- it is a big green dome building (thanks boyfriend for figuring that out, and reading over my shoulder... :) )

So where are we????? we spent yesterday in Como and Phalen. We are returning to Phalen today. i am 70% sure it is at phalen and about 30% sure about Highland. I really think they are trying to steer us in the wrong direction- or it is possible that they haven't revealed the park at all and are just pointing us toward where to look in the parks. i am excited about our 30+ degree temps and the steaming hot thermos of coffee and bailys waiting for us to drink. :)

hunt memory- so far this year my favorite hunt memory is from yesterday. as we were driving around parks we called my mom to see if she had any ideas for us. with us on speaker phone at her house and her on speaker phone in my car- i appreciate all of her help and she's going to keep noodling for us. :)

i will take some pics today while we are out and about!!!!!

Fore!!! I mean Four.

2008-01-23T20:12:00.000-06:00

This is a visual aid demonstrating my life for the last 4 days:

I AM TIRED.

Tomorrow is the last day of work until we are off for the hunt!!

I'm sure we'll be up until 2 again tonight.

There is something wrong with us.

Here is the 4th clue:

How fun is the snow how far will we go

You really ought to go see

Get up for the mission and not just the wishin'

Get into the game- its all free

We are planning to go out and scout Phalen tonight, but it is rather cold. it was negative 1 two hours ago. so we'll see. i like the last line of the clue- get into the game, it's all free. i think this is referencing Arcade Street- an arcade is where you play games, but unlike real arcades- the street or the game are free for use.

Hunt story? Digging up 3/4 of an hill leading down to a large amphitheater. my bad idea. i'm pretty sure boyfriend is still made about it. this was before we had adequate tools. i was using my feet and he was using a garden spade- as in a small handheld one. :)

Mission: Medallion, Day 3!

2008-01-22T21:24:00.000-06:00

Clue 3:

We've scanned the county to hide our bounty
And keep you on your toes
It may sound risible, but our puck's invisible
Although it might just stick to your nose.

We are focusing 90% of our energy on Phalen park/Keller Park. This is mostly because of Spoon Lake, the golf course, Sophia St. (meaning wisdom) surrounded by Frank, and a bunch of other male named streets. Damn you pioneer press!!! You steal 12 days of my life!

We are running on no sleep and plan to stay up for the clue again tonight. i'll be really freaking glad when it is friday and we can sleep in a bit before getting out and hunting.

hmmm.... favorite medallion memory for the day-

last year at Central there was some crazy lady wandering around yelling at people for litering and ruining the park. when i say crazy, i don't mean the endearing, charming quality that someone like myself posesses. i am talking screws loose, A finger short of a mitten, a sandwhich short of a picnic crazy. she came up to me as i was exploring the lake and told me that she " was sick and tired of treating the park like garbage." went on to say that the next dog she saw in the park she was " going to grab it from them and give it to a police officer. " I smiled and walked away and warned the on coming kid that she was going to yell at him about his cigarette. sure enough she did. aside from the crazies, we had a great time talking to a guy who found it a number of years ago, and two buddies who hunt with a group every year.

Mission: Medallion, Day 2!!

2008-01-21T20:31:00.000-06:00

We're ready! Are you?

Our Supplies.

Clue #2:

The point of all this is so that you won't miss

Your big chance to grab all the cash

Now gather your guys and a gal who is wise

You'll have to do something quite rash

Our thoughts so far:

*Regal Runt is either simply "the medallion" or possibly it is wrapped in a white castle or whopper junior package.

*gal who is wise could be referring to St. Kate's or Harriet Island (Parks namesake was the first teacher to organize schools in St. Paul.

*In a park with a golf course.

We are focusing on Highland and Hidden Falls at this point. I think all the Harriet Island hubbub is a red herring. I would like to note, that i find it curious that neither of these clues doesn't scream COMO!! Como usually works for every clue for the first couple and there are some die hards out there that continue searching there regardless of if the Clue Writer comes right out and says GO TO ROSEVILLE. Nothing matches Como so far. i just think its curious.

This noodling was brought you by this favorite hunt memory (courtesy of Boyfriend):

2005 Crosby (again). Being on the phone with Kate (our undercover espionoge agent) discussing last minute info that she had stolen from a co-worker. Watching the guy watching us. We are sure he was the PP on-site spy. Piecing together all of the clues. Finding the Life Saving device. Knowing 100% that we walked over the damn thing. Calling the Hunt Hotline (programmed in our phones) every 30 minutes.

Gloves, mittens, hats, scarves, granola bars, nuts, smokes, booze,

a flash light and a sweet ass head lamp(which is OBVIOUSLY mine).

Farve is a LOSER!

2008-01-20T21:52:00.000-06:00

HAHA bitches! No Green Bay Super Bowl!!!

Go ELI!

Official Day One!

2008-01-20T17:53:00.001-06:00

Boyfriend and have been "Noodling" for the last 24 hours. Let me mention, we have been noodling from the warm comfort of our home. Here's what we are confident of-

*In a park with or near a golf course.
*May be wrapped in something pertaining to photography, the news paper, or possibly Prince.
*It is probably not in New Brighton. Damn it!
*We think it's in a bigger park.

*We won't have to DIG for it, although it is probably under something.
*The puck may or may not be smaller than in previous years- although this is not helpful as no one really knows what it looks like.

We spent some time at Savers today and i managed to get a good deal on basically new boots... now i just need snow pants. we also bought snacks as we prepare for our long hunting days. on a side note- i really hope that Farve and the ass packers go down tonight.

I am going to try to write about a favorite hunt memory each day- or something we look forward to each year. there has to be a driving factor in why we continue to hunt in the cold every year.

One of the things i enjoy the most about the hunt is figuring out the clues. In 2005, i got us to the right park, we were there on the right day. After scouting out Crosby a few days before, we were confident we were in the right place. after a delicious meal at Denny's- we headed to the park. Boyfriend had used his Law & Order triangulation method to determine the spot we should look. turns out he was right. once in the park we became distracted and didn't stick to that plan, but he was exactly right. I've got to listen to him more often. it was a beautiful day for hunting- warm enough that once we were moving we could take off our coats and work in our sweatshirts. i am hoping for that type of weather again this year- but i have serious doubts that will happen.

Less than 6 hours til the next clue comes out!!!!!!

You Dig?

2008-01-19T17:35:00.000-06:00

It's finally here. we have been waiting with anticipation for the end of January. why? because we are crazy. we are looking forward to wandering the frozen tundra. The St. Paul Winter Carnival Medallion hunt officially begins tomorrow. The first clue is actually in the early edition of the Sunday Paper, so we already have our hands on the first clue. Here it is:

You've joined the hunt for the regal runt

To prove searching does pay
Don't dig a hole or knock down a pole
And the golf course is out of play

Last year Jake took home the cake
With a clue a bit off level
This year we'll rinse off all our prints
Lest this hunt go to the devil

The key words that stand out:
Runt, THE golf course, dont' dig a hole, rinse off all prints, devil.

We first started doing the medallion hunt in 2005. this is our third hunt. Our first year it was located in Crosby park. That still stands out for both of us as our favorite hunt. it was fun to get out in the winter and actually hunt- where we'd always just hoped to. in 2006 when it was found at battle creek, we knew the location, but it was found on the day we were planning on looking and we were both at work. last year at central park for hunt number two, we talked to a number of interesting people, and burned A LOT of calories. i will never forget being there on the final night when the final clue came out. people were waiting and there as such intense energy. it was truly the calm before the storm. one phone rang and this guy took off running into the woods. pretty soon 200 people were all running after that guy- we didn't know where we were going or what we were looking for. i have never ran so fast in my life. lanterns and flash lights bobbing, people digging everywhere- all for nothing. the medallion had been found 10 minutes before the final clue. good times. you dig?

Knitting Class!

2008-01-16T19:43:00.000-06:00

Got Knit?

I was recently asked by my boss to teach a knitting class. An e-mail went out and 7 people signed up! I sent out a list of supplies and on Monday, I held my class. I am still a fairly inexperienced knitter, so it was a little intimidating. What i was surprised to find was how much I actually knew, and it was interesting watching people struggle with the same issues that i did when i first started. here are some pictures. we're going to have a follow up class in 2 weeks to see how everyone is progressing. On the left you will see Alien, I mean Eileen being beamed up to the mother ship. :)

Most of the class- R to L Eileen, Brianna, Jackie, Anne, Stephanie & Kim.

Ann showing off her needle skills.

Broccoli Cheese Bake

2008-01-10T18:47:00.000-06:00

Here is one of my latest lo-carb creations.
I've lost 12lbs and still going strong.

Boyfriend loves chicken spaghetti. Now that I am back on south beach, I am choosing to not eat noodles. I prepared Boyfriend his regular chicken spaghetti and reserved some of the sauce for me. The following recipe was prepared as an individual meal, but the sauce recipe probably serves 3-4. Don't ask me why I didn't take a picture of this......

Broccoli Cheese Bake

For the Sauce:
1 Tbs Olive oil
1 garlic clove
1 onion
Salt & pepper
Oregano
Your favorite brand of spaghetti sauce
1 chicken breast

For the Bake:
1 cup broccoli
1/4 cup part skim ricotta cheese
Mozzarella cheese
Parmesan cheese

Sauce: Heat olive oil in a medium sauce pan, on medium heat. Mince garlic and onion. Sauté in oil until onions are near translucence. Cut chicken into cubes, add to onions and garlic. Season with salt, pepper and oregano to taste. When chicken is cooked through, add spaghetti sauce. Simmer to desired heat.

Bake: Put Broccoli in an oven safe bowl. Steam in microwave using saran wrap for 3-4 minutes. Drain water. Smooth ricotta over broccoli. Lightly sprinkle mozzarella and parmesan on ricotta. Bake at 325 until cheese melts and slightly browns. Top with chicken spaghetti sauce.

Sebastian the Camera Man

2008-01-05T10:29:00.000-06:00

a cute picture of Sebastian!!!

he was helping me take pictures of yarn.

he is very helpful!

Save Journeyman!!!

2007-12-19T20:14:00.000-06:00

Save Journeyman!!!

http://savejourneyman.net/

Halloween!

2007-09-20T18:20:00.000-05:00

MySpace Countdown

Funny Stuff.

2007-05-28T01:14:00.000-05:00

I was driving to pick up boyfriend from work so we could go out to lunch. Apparently, the Minneapolis Fire Department now sells advertising space on the back of their trucks. Much like the ads on buses. I found myself laughing uncontrolably when i realized the advertisement on the back of the truck was for Quit Plan. as in Quit Plan for Health- some insurance companies program to, get this.... stop smoking. stop smoking on the back of a fire truck. hilarious!

Strawberry-licious!

2007-04-18T14:42:00.000-05:00

On Sunday, I had to face the reality that Monday I would be doing a fast/cleanse of my body for 4 days. I decided we needed a delicious dessert to look back on and remember, long after the the last of delicious food had left my system. Here is what i created.

Smarties Strawberry Shortcake
425* 10-15 Mintes, yields 4 biscuits

Biscuits
1C Flour
1/2 Tbs. Baking Powder
1/4 Tsp. Salt
1 1/2 Tbs. Sugar
1/2 stick COLD Butter
1/3-1/2 C Milk
1 Large strawberry, or 2 med.

Strawberry's
Slice desired # of strawberries, coat with sugar, set aside for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally until syrup is created.

Directions
Combine Flour, Baking Powder, Salt and Sugar. Cut butter into flour mixture using a knife, fingers or pastry cutter. Desired consistancy has butter mixed in well, and a few small pea sized pieces. (think pie crust). Create a well in the middle of the four/butter mixture. Grate the strawberry(s) with the large end of a cheese grater, into the well, add milk and stir.
Divide dough into 4 parts, form into a ball. Bake for 10-15 Minutes until biscuits are slightly golden.

Tastiest Drink of All...

2007-04-16T13:06:00.000-05:00

How to make a kari

Ingredients:

3 parts intelligence

5 parts self-sufficiency

5 parts empathy

Method:
Combine in a tall glass half filled with crushed ice. Add a little cocktail umbrella and a dash of lovability

Personality cocktail
From Go-Quiz.com

Update City!

2007-04-01T22:59:00.000-05:00

This is a random blog of random things.

First and foremost, Winter in Minnesota. It wasn't so much "winter" anymore as we had crossed the threshold to spring, but sure enough March 2nd, 3 days before my Birthday, Winter reared it's ugly head again. Considering global warming and the mild, mild winters we've had the past couple of years, boyfriend and i took pictures to document the event. I'm not sure what the final snowfall total was, but i think it was somewhere in the 18" range. madness. i can't remember it snowing like that for a very long time.

This was the view from our Living room window:

This is the GIANT icicle outside our bedroom window:

This was our driveway. Please take notice that we don't own a shovel, and Boyfriend is in fact shoveling with a broom. The second picture is the wall surrounding our patio, it is about 4 feet tall.

NEXT!

Knitting. I finished this bag. It was the first "real" project I've completed. it has fake cables and multi colored yard. i am giving it to my friend for her birthday in April. i don't have a name for it. near the end of the project i started calling it the bitch bag because i was NOT HAPPY about having to do the kitchener stitch, and it looked like shit. but i am happy with the end result. it is a small bag. big enough for a wallet and your cell phone and not much else. the strap is long enough to cross over your chest. I'm not familiar enough with knitting verbiage or knowledgeable enough to even know what yarn i used, so if you want a GOOD knitting blog, check out Laura's. Boyfriend has been calling it the hippie bag, so i guess I'll run with that. i used sock yarn. what kind? what is it made out of? i have no freaking clue. Now the snow is gone, we pulled out the patio table and chairs last weekend, and enjoyed a day of 81 degree's last Monday(less than three weeks after the blizzard). welcome spring! next week on Easter we are headed to Vegas. welcome trouble!

Yummy Recipe

2007-03-21T09:27:00.000-05:00

I love to cook, and due to my new diet, i am limiting my carb intake. So here is what i had for dinner last night. Boyfriend wanted chicken spaghetti, i didn't want to eat the pasta, so i ate this!

1 chicken breast
1/2 cup FF ricotta
1 egg yolk or 1/8 C egg beaters
Oregano to taste
1 minced garlic clove
salt/pepper to taste
spaghetti sauce

Pound out chicken breast to flatten. flatten as thin as possible.
stir ricotta, egg yolk, oregano, minced garlic and salt and peper together to a smooth well mixed consistancy. Spray pan with cooking spray, lay chicken breaste on pan, pile ricotta mixture into the middle of the breast. pull two sides of chicken breast together and secure with a toothpick.
season the top of the breast with salt and pepper.

bake for 1 hour at 400 degrees.

cover with spaghetti sauce.

variations: i would love to make this with spinach, and or add parmesean to the ricotta mixture. i jsut didn't have any of that on hand. :)

enjoy!

Birthday Blog

2007-03-21T09:12:00.000-05:00

It was my birthday on the 5th. It was pretty un-eventful, and it was exactly what i wanted. Boyfriend gave me the first jewelry, diamonds even, of our relationship. He gave me a journey diamond penant. it is beautiful. other than a crappy ring from a former boyfriend, i have never gotten "real" jewelry from anyone, at least nothing of significance. :) Here is what it looks like!

Here Fishy Fishy Fishy!

2007-02-26T17:55:00.000-06:00

You Are a Mermaid

You are a total daydreamer, and people tend to think you're flakier than you actually are.

While your head is often in the clouds, you'll always come back to earth to help someone in need.

Beyond being a caring person, you are also very intelligent and rational.

You understand the connections of the universe better than almost anyone else.

What Mythological Creature Are You?

grrr arg.

2007-02-26T17:45:00.000-06:00

Your Monster Profile

Psychotic Dictator

You Feast On: Coffee

You Lurk Around In: Sewers

You Especially Like to Torment: Hairdressers

What's Your Monster Name?

More.

2007-02-20T18:16:00.000-06:00

While i am at it, i might as well upload my knitting so Laura will be proud of me. I made this hat for Boyfriend. he has wanted a white hat for a million years. so i made it. it kind of sucks. i had problems with the double pointed needles, so i have plans and enough yarn to make him another.

i am currently working on a new scarf, which i haven't named. but it has furballs on it. rabbit fur to be exact, but i am pretending that it is not made out of rabbits, rather some fake fur substance. it makes me feel better. I will post pictures when i am done.

Also, i be-grudginly have a stash now too:

Exactly.

2007-02-20T18:13:00.000-06:00

I have been saying for MONTHS that they look alike.

What do you think? I give you John Mayer-Scissorhands.

Nasty.

Slacker Slacker!!!

2007-01-12T09:34:00.000-06:00

Yikes! It's been a long time since i've posted anything. The holidays are over and I'm relieved. we're still trying to piece back together normal life, eating, finances, and routine.

I have left the mortgage industry indefinately, and i am relieved. it became increasingly difficult working with the Crazy Asian, and she was becoming increasingly un-reliable. so now, i am working with a professional organizer twice a week, and cleaning houses the other days.

But today i have nothing scheduled and i am getting a massage. after the massage, i am sure i will straighten up the house. Which used to be my joy, and now because i have been working so many hours, has become as much work as it is for the busy families i clean for. it's ironic. i've heard many times that the fix-it man has the house in the most disrepair, and i can tell you it must be true. :)

I have started knitting though (see Laura's blog to the right). I found that when i get home from a job, i am so wound up and have so much to do at home that i don't sit down, EVER. so after Boyfriend nagging me to sit and watch a movie with him, i finally decided i need a project which will keep my hands busy, but alow me to just sit. knitting it is.

it really was only a matter of time. Laura has been knitting for probably 6 years now, and i have patiently looked at yarn with her, studdied her projects, and of course been the recipient of many beautiful gifts. now it's my turn to make things. i completed my first project, a scarf for black bastard. i made it with cotton yarn, on size 7 needles. we put the scarf on him at least once a day, and he actually wears it. it tickles me pink when i see him tooling around the house in his scarf. here is a picture:

My Birthday

2007-01-09T15:47:00.000-06:00

Your Birthdate: March 5

You have many talents, and you are great at sharing those talents with others.

Most people would be jealous of your clever intellect, but you're just too likeable to elicit jealousy.

Progressive and original, you're usually thinking up cutting edge ideas.

Quick witted and fast thinking, you have difficulty finding new challenges.

Your strength: Your superhuman brainpower

Your weakness: Your susceptibility to boredom

Your power color: Tangerine

Your power symbol: Ace

Your power month: May

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Thanksgiving

2006-11-24T11:26:00.001-06:00

Seriously. How does time pass so quickly. i was just blogging about Halloween, and now i just finished a plate of Thanksgiving leftovers. yikes. we had thanksgiving here this year, here is a picture of our table setting: We had 10 people over. No one fought, everyone ate, and it was delicious. The menu consisted of:
Appetizers: Shrimp Cocktail, Hawiian sweet bread & spinach dip, Veggie tray.
Main Course: Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatos, butter steamed carrots, peas, corn, gravy, baked corn, rolls and even butter shaped like a turkey.
Dessert: Apple pie, apple crisp, pumpkin pie, pumpkin roll and home made whipped cream.

everything was made from scratch- no stovetop stuffing here!! as i've been saying for the past 3 days- Matha Stewart can kiss my ass. :)

after two days of cleaning, baking, cooking and entertaining, once everyone left last night, and i had eaten a turkey sandwhich, i fell asleep on the couch at 8 o'clock. good times. food coma complete.

Happy Halloween!!!!

2006-10-31T17:03:00.000-06:00

Ah, time it is a flying. i can't believe today is already Halloween. Tomorrow the withdrawl will begin. The patio is decorated with the tombstones and fog machine is ready. There is a giant spider climbing my house, and tonight, we will be dining on takeout pizza from the Haunted Pizza Hut in Columbia Heights.

It's the most wonderful time of the year!
With the kids trick-or-treating,
and everyone screaming,
BRING MORE CANDY HERE!
It's the most wonderful time of the year!!

Happy Haunting!!!

2006-10-11T16:19:00.000-05:00

You Are Beer!

You don't need to get totally wasted when you hit the bars.
More of a social drinker, you just like to have fun with your friends.
And as long as the beer keeps flowing, you're a happy camper.
But don't mix things up: "Beer Before Liquor, Never Been Sicker!"

What Alcoholic Drink Are You?

2006-10-11T13:42:00.000-05:00

Sex Candle
--------------

This candle was a gift from Boyfriend's Father. He was given it as a gag gift, and apparently thought that we needed it. As he gave it to Boyfriend, he explained that it was a candle showing all of the different positions to "Make Love." It is something straight out of the karma sutra. We have dubbed it, "The Sex Candle" we figured we might as well burn it.

As an AVID partylite consumer(bordering on obsession), I know the correct way and incorrect way to burn candles. When we started burning the sex candle, we only let it burn for an hour this is the incorrect way.... It should have burned for three, and it is burning straight down the middle. Determined to repair the sex candle, we left it burning for upwards of 19 hours this past Sunday. This is the sex candle:

After we left the candle burning for 19 hours, I blew out the candle as we went to bed. Last night, Boyfriend went to the mini fridge to grab us each a beer, and said,

"The sex candle melted everywhere, didn't you notice??"
"No." as I was turning on the TV.
"Smarties, look!!!!!" he was holding up the piece of wax which had melted from the sex candle. This is how they melted.

I have nothing more to say.

2006-10-09T21:14:00.000-05:00

In addition to cleaning out the garage this weekend, this was my project. eat your heart out Martha!!! I took the pots which originally had tomato plants, herbs and green beans, and added my own spooky touch. It works out perfectly that we have a black cat too. i freaking love halloween!!!!

2006-10-08T17:41:00.000-05:00

What movie Do you Belong in?(many different outcomes!)

Fight Club!
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2006-10-05T20:55:00.000-05:00

Cats, Baseball & Quitting
---------------------------------

Well, yesterday, the Boyfriend and I went to the Twins playoff game. Boyfriend is a big Twins fan, and it was nice to go to something as exciting as the playoffs. In Minnesota, we are used to disappointment. Everyone loves the Vikings, even though they hate them- we watch them week after week. So yes, the Twins lost, and even though we literally parked 30 blocks from the Metrodome- we both had a really good time. the thing i was bummed about is that Boyfriend was SO excited to go. We ordered tickets on e-bay. They arrived via Fedex a mear 3 hours before the game. other than the parking debacle, we had a wonderful time. There is so much energy in a place like that. So many people, so excited to cheer on their team. There is nothing else like it. So we'll wait til friday to see if the Twins Dreams of advancing the playoffs are squashed or if they make it another round, but then they'll have to win three in a row. GO TWINS! Actually the thing that i like best about the Twins and A's playing in the playoff's is that once upon a while ago- when i was a kid i loved the Oakland Athletics. My father bought my brother baseball cards, and he wasn't interested in them at all- but i was. from that point on, my father was diligent at taking me to games and playing a dice game about baseball. He took me to many oakland A's games to see Mark McGuire(pre-steriods) and would always try to get us seats along the first base line. out of 4 kids, i was the only one he ever brought. those are good memories. so in addition to the excitement of the playoff game, i got to see my old favorite team, and it made me feel good. :)

Cats, oh the cats. The Boyfriend and I don't have children. The debate as to whether we will or NOT is on going. i'm leaning toward no, he's leaning toward yes- in a few years. The miracle of birth control is keeping us child free for now, and we spoil our kitties rotten. we just bought black kitties a leash so we can bring him outside, and eventually i may bring him on walks. anyhow, today, my friend, TruckerChick brough over Nanner's her tiny adorable chiuahua over to my house to steal my WiFi, and hang out for the day. Needless to say the little rotten piglets did not like that. Poncho, aka Nanners, aka Nannies, aka Nanners Bannaners trotted into the house and encountered the kitties. Sebastian IMMEDIATELY ran upstairs and hid under the bed- where he frequently hides when he doesn't like what is going on- Black Kitties on the other hand stood his ground, hair raised, tail poofed, trying to be big and tough- not realizing he is three times nanner's size. eventually ran upstairs as well. when we left for lunch (McDonalds Asian Chicken Salad- AWESOME) the cats slowly made their way down stairs and i'm sure explored the damage. We sat and worked for a while longer and eventually black kitties made it back downstairs only to be chased by nanners into the basement. i locked nanners out of the basement to comfort black kitties when i realized sebastian was already down there. Black Kitties just wanted to be with his buddy to hide out in the basement. after Nanners left, they eventually came out of hiding and now they are comfortably sleeping on their respective blankets, by their respective owners, on our respective couches.

AND FINALLY. Quitting. I basically quit my job today. as i mentioned before, i have the luxury of working from home. i have a scatterbrained boss, who basically pays me to keep her thoughts intact from day to day. and i am actually a damn good loan processor. today the shit went down. i don't want to go into boring details, but basically the owner of the company who has been an ass the entire time she's worked with him, and with held my pay for multiple un grounded reasons (including a check i should have recieve 3 weeks ago) was an ass today. i am no longer working with that company. i will still work for the CrazyAsianBoss, and we have a good gig lined up, but i was on the phone for over 4 hours today making plans and changes and talking about the shit going down, and basically i'm done with the whole thing. the new gig will be basically the same, but just a different company.

that is all- here is a picture of Boyfriend at the twins game!

2006-09-25T19:36:00.000-05:00

This is Wylie. We don't call him Wylie. He has a wide array of affectionate names, including: Shitty Kitty, the Black Bastard., Most frequently we refer to him as Black Kitties.

He is a very sweet cat, but he is very strange. Abandoned on the side of the road when he was a tiny kitten, Boyfriend's sister the cop found him and Boyfriend took him home. He might sleep on your face, but he is very conversational, and actually gives you hugs when you pick him up. He and my cat Sebastian, are the best of buddies, and are frequently racing around the house wrestling and playing with each other.

I love black kitties, I really do. However, this morning, his strangeness crossed a new line. Boyfriend does not want me to feed our cats people food. Which I understand; we don't want cats jumping on the table while people are enjoying their meals, and we want to raise healthy cats. On rare occasion, I have given the kitties small pieces of chicken I have cooked, or in the past, Black Kitties has eaten something I have dropped on the floor, like raw potatoes. Black kitties doesn't really know what to do with the goodies I have given him. He'll bat the piece of chicken and walk away uninterested. The raw potato on the other hand- he gobbled that up and came looking for more.

This morning as I was preparing my morning coffee, I had left the coffee can on the counter with the lid off. Waiting for the coffee to brew, I called my mother. About 10 minutes into the conversation, I looked over to the counter and saw Black Kitties licking up tongueful after tongueful of Hazelnut coffee grounds. Despite my yelling, he didn't jump down off the counter, instead he kept licking. I had to walk to the counter and physically remove him. The kitties usually run around like crazy people from 9:30-11:30 AM. Then they nap on the couch until well into the afternoon. Black kitties has still not taken his nap yet, and it is after 7:30 PM. Sebastian hid somewhere in the house until well after 2:30, because black kitties had terrorized him so much.

Black Kitties, the java fiend. The funniest part is that this the picture i have posted with this blog- he is freaking exhausted.

2006-09-25T17:42:00.000-05:00

Hi. I am Smarties. I work in the Mortgage Industry out of my home. Which means that I am 60% house wife. At 27, I am too old for myspace, so I've made my home here. I love my boyfriend, our cats, and cooking. I don't mind being a 1950's housewife. And yes, i am a freak. Bear with me as i figure this thing out. but i'm pretty sure i am the only one reading it, so i will be patient. :)

2006-09-25T16:04:00.000-05:00

hello! more later.