Chapter 1

We are in the Twin Cities this weekend working on the Stillwater house.  Actually Boyd is working on the house, I am hitting garage sales . . . but only because I TAKE MY NEW JOB VERY SERIOUSLY.  I completely loaded up the truck.  I would have taken a picture but we unloaded it into our neighbors' garage.  Zollingers are out of town . . . . and will probably change their garage code when they get back.  Suckers! :)  Fortunately Boyd brought a trailer to bring back a bunch of brick.  Why, you ask?  I have no idea BUT I am thanking my lucky stars that he is a stubborn mule with silly ideas right now.  I'm also crossing my fingers that there is some extra room in that little trailer for some furniture (as I'm sure the Zollinger are too).

I also found a dog kennel and a cool leather jacket.  I tried to make the girl who sold me the jacket my new BFF but she didn't want to exchange email addresses.

We have been gorging ourselves every single meal.   I shoveled Chipotle down my throat for lunch like nobody's business.   We have been able to meet up with friends every night this weekend and it has been quite lovely - Tried the "Blue Door" tonight with Wendi and Tony.  My burger was stuffed with bacon and cheese.  Delicious.  Who knew that beer battered green beans could be so tasty?  Last night we hung out with Darren.  I tried to pace myself by just having a salad but 10 minutes later I was ordering Boyd to give me half of his chicken sandwich.

Lou and Mel were so excited to see their little "dog friend", Charlie.  How cute is that?  Yes, we make our dogs be friends with dogs of our friends.  We figured since that is what parents do . . . we shall be responsible dog parents and follow suit.

I keep telling people here that I run a little shop in South Dakota.  It makes me feel special.  And then they ask me how long I've been doing it and I have to tell them just a week.  BUT . . we have officially been open a week!  

Business Sidenote:  We are wanting to start spotlighting the different vendors who have products in the Shoppe.  We interviewed Donna.   Check out this blog to meet my business partner.  She is great and she even puts up with my hundreds of texts every single day.

http://shoppe-on-the-corner.blogspot.com/

Its time for bed.  Which means it is past 10:30 pm.  We are old.  And Tired.  And Full.  If Brother1 were here, he would say to me:  "Funny . . you don't look full."  Ahhh . . . . but that is a post for another day.

P.S.  I just tried to read this post out loud to Boyd to see if it sounded okay and he was snoring by the end of it ... so . . . I apologize . . . my "rapt" audience was unable to give it a thumbs up or down  . . . I'm going to take the snoring as a sign that I should hit "publish post".

Oli, Another Bridesmaid Dress and More

Remember how I said that Oli loves chapstick.  He is constantly stealing mine . . . . The other day I helped him take off his rainboots (which he also loves) and my chapstick fell out.  At different times he may just leave the chapstick cap on my nightstand with the tube nowhere to be found . . . its so "The-Godfather-Like".

Oli is very observant. Sister1 has caught him licking the table (Lou licks the floor after every meal); licking the dishes out of the dishwasher (Lou’s favorite) and carrying a stick in his mouth around the yard. He’s such an awesome kid.


Oli was kind enough to give Lou a few licks of the dishes also

Oli cleaning the table

I found my bridesmaid dress for Sister2's wedding!!!  You didn't know it was lost? She didn't either. :)  I proudly wore it around for awhile - so happy that I found it AND that it still fits.  Victory!  I then sat down to eat pizza in it when Sister2 kindly asked me if I thought that was a very good idea. She reminded me of my Mexico bridesmaid failure.   (I would link you back to the awful story of spilling nail polish on my dress . . . . but that would take me using the "Help" button to figure out how to do that)

I went to Salvation Army the other day and found a dresser for the Shoppe.  I asked if there was someone who could give me a hand loading it up and I was informed that there were 2 prisoners who could assist me.  Fantastic.

Our shoppe is going awesome.  Today was DAY2.  The grand opening was fun.  So many great people came out for it.  We kept getting flowers delivered and I was always confused as to WHY we were getting flowers . . . . oh . . . yes . . . . kindness.  For all of you that should have received flowers from me in the past for whatever achievements you have accomplished . . . consider this an apology.   I stink at thoughtfulness.   If you would like a cynical or sarcastic comment - - then you have come to the right person. :)

Amy, Donna, Sister1, Me, Sister2 - - such great helpers

If you would like to see more pictures of the event and the Shoppe - -check out the Shoppe blog:

http://www.shoppe-on-the-corner.blogspot.com/

I Never Have Any Good Stories

I find that I can't write a post that makes sense . . . has a beginning and an end.  I fail to follow rules of the English language . . therefore-hence-now-readysetgo- I will now not have complete stories.  *However, I give myself full power to change this statement*

We've had issues getting a loan for a home here.  Who knew that owning two rental properties would ruin us?  We are collecting appliance boxes . . please email me if you would like to make a donation to our new cardboard palace.

I've even been dreaming of the loan issue.  My last dream involved trying to "trick" a bank into giving us 5k to build a playhouse to live in.  My plan from there was to have Boyd "add on" to it.  Good heavens . . . I might be on to something.

We had a "mini-craft" night in the boathouse.  We were working on Sister2's wedding bouquet.  There was a little alcohol involved (not much, Mom!) and a lot of mocking/laughing.  One Sister said at one point:  "I think I just peed a little."  I think Sister2 is nervous and now believes that wedding bouquets should not be part of "craft nite".

Boyd has been trying to teach G "The sprinkler" dance move.  He's not quite there.

Speaking of Boyd . . . what possesses men to taste strange liquid puddles in the driveway?  I can understand kneeling down and smelling . . . but tasting?!  Its a good thing he's cute . . .

The shoppe opens tomorrow.  Enough said . . . must go to bed.

Champions

Breakfast of Champions:

An Assortment of Oddities

I have a hard time getting used to being recognized when I step out in public.  I can no longer wear pajama pants to get groceries. 

A man stopped in at the office I work at and belted out: “Hey Cutie – What’s your name?!” I almost got out my pepper spray.  However, the ladies at McDonald's call me "Honey" but that is okay since they know me there.

My chapstick is constantly demolished by the 2 yr old I reside with (Oli, not Boyd).  I think he sucks on it.  I still use it.

My motto:  Never put off procrastination. 

Sister1 says to me:  “I’m playing phone tag with ______, if she calls – interrupt me”.  She then walks into the bathroom.

I have consumed a lot of caffeine in the past few weeks.  It is no longer having its desired effects.  I'm taking suggestions for my next vise.  Or maybe I will just trying consuming MORE caffeine.  Or go to bed earlier.  Or get up later.

Boyd has been EAGERLY awaiting motorcycle weather and paintball weather.   He found his sparkly gold helmet for his bike the other day and has been riding all over the place.  I will try and get a picture.  Soon.  Once I get a new camera.

Ode to Trampoline.

The boys love jumping on the trampoline.  They also love it if adults jump with them.  Supposedly we weigh more and make them go higher.

G especially loves being "sended" or "skyrocketed".

A few nights ago, Boyd was jumping on the trampoline by himself.  I joined him.  I am used to COMMANDING the bounce since I only participate when begged, pleaded and/or bribed by the children.

I found myself squealing like a girl . . . .  I also found myself saying:  "Not so high!  My knees are going to give out!"  Oh dear . . when did I get so feeble?!

The weather has been gorgeous finally.   Another silver lining of SoDak:  The sunsets.

To Avoid Monotony . . .

Donna and I have a blog DEVOTED to Shoppe on the Corner.  I will try and just link over there when discussing shop stuff.   I have no idea if all of my "tens of readers" care to hear about my sole obsessiveness.   IF YOU ARE interested in Shoppe updates . . . . . please click on the link for the new blog.

http://shoppe-on-the-corner.blogspot.com

Enjoy.

Sneak Peak

I am consumed with the shop.  The Grand Opening is less than 2 weeks away.  A moment of silence please . . . .  can you hear my sanity slipping away?

Here is a sneak peak of the progress thus far.  The good news is . . .  the space is becoming quite darling. Sister1 is in charge of the quotes on the floor . . . . she is a rockstar.  Donna has been at the shop 24/7 and gets loads of work done - she is truly the energizer bunny.  And "The Boyd" has been the MVP.   I show up and make sure people are working.

I will try and write a different post on my birthday weekend.   However . . . one small comment:  Mom made my fave cake (Sour Cream Chocolate) and I had taken a piece home to have later . . . . Boyd packed it with his lunch.  I have had NO BIRTHDAY CAKE.   He keeps saying "It really wasn't that great."  I am pretty sure he is lying.

Nerd3

Time for a Nerd Section -  although, sadly, I haven't had as much time for reading lately.  However, the show shall go on - - I will review 3 books I have read since the last Nerd posting. (I did read another Mitch Rapp book - - but let's not kid ourselves - - they are all the same and all are good.)  Have I mentioned that I plan to have a "Recommended Reading" area in my new shop?!  Yes, tis true.  We will have a little library of books we like and then you, dear shoppers and readers, may check them out.  Who needs a library?! *This comment is not to be taken seriously.  I have a deep love for libraries.*

Okay.  Ready, set, go.

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest;  Stieg Larsson:  This is the final book of the trilogy of Mr. Larsson.  Lisbeth Salandar has survived her father's attempt at killing her.  This book wraps up the other 2 books nicely.  Hmmm . . . I don't know what to say that won't give too much away . . . if you have gotten this far with reading the series - - you don't need a review.   Thumbs Up.

Into Thin Air;  Jon Krakauer:  This is the account of the 1996 Everest disaster.  I have never had any interest in climbing a mountain and still don't.  However, I found myself completely intriqued by the different health issues that arise with that high of altitude, the pros and cons of bottled oxygen, etc.  Krakauer had signed on for the expedition to write an article about the over-commercialism of Everest.  He discusses dealing with survivor's guilt, etc.  I had very little prior knowledge of this disaster and found it to be a fast read.  *Side note - - while reading this book, it came out that Krakauer is attacking Greg Mortenson (author of Three Cups of Tea) about being "shifty" with the non-profit Central Asia Institute.  This bothered me.  Granted, I haven't taken the time to look into it, but I highly respect Mortenson's view on the education of women in the Middle East  . . . . seriously, Krakauer, why don't you dig into how the government spends their money . . . that might be more enlightening.  I'm done. I'm off my soapbox.

The Room: Emma Donoghu:  Oh my word.  Completely, insanely, disturbingly hard to put down.  The story is told from the perspective of a 5 yr old who was born to a girl kidnapped at the age of 19 and kept in a room for the past 8 years. 

Review of a Fave:

The Long Walk:  Slavomir Rawicz:  Not to be confused with the book by Stephen King (helpful hint).  The man who wrote this book was interviewing people who had claimed to see "Big Foot".  When he heard the story of the man who escaped from a  Siberian prison camp and traveled through the Himalayans where he claims to have sighted the creatures - - - the author realized the bigger story was the escape and I would agree.  I LOVED this book.  Maybe I'm weird.   I recommend this book to everyone and I am pretty sure I have gifted it to at least 4 people already.

*Side note - - I just googled this book to get the correct spelling of the author -- AND JUST FOUND OUT a movie came out called "The Way Back" on this book.  Good grief.  I have BEEN SAYING IT SHOULD BE A MOVIE forever and then it is a movie and I didn't even know about it.  Sister1 mocked me for my ignorance.  Obviously, I am a great source for entertainment news.  I am now on my way to rent it. 


Books on My Kindle
Mr. Impossible; Loretta Chase (I know, I know, this one on my last month's "to read" list.  HOWEVER, I am currently at 27% on my Kindle - - and loving it - - all the cheesiness included)

Bossypants; Tina Fey: (May's book club selection)

Unbroken: Lauren Hillebrand (WWII story of survival)

Birthday Week

I have a birthday week. Do you?  If not, you really should try it.  Its quite fun.

I even had family members wish me a "Happy Birthday Week" . . . . they all know how weird/psycho I am about birthdays.  Boyd texted me on Monday, "What should we do for Day 1 for Birthday Week?"  I text back: "Can you work on the shop floor?"  Frankly, I'm too self-involved right now to even selfishly "treat" myself to birthday week.  I will now throw a pity party in honor of myself.

The Expo last weekend went well.  I didn't take any pictures. Oops.  Thanks to all who stopped by and said hi!

I haven't been sleeping all that well.  Too many random tasks, etc to do.   This is a sample dialogue (and, yes, I actually wrote it down once I realized how bizarre it was):

(Night before Expo)

Ahhhh . . . so nice to be finally in bed.  I have to remember tape tomorrow!  Dang.  Tape. Tape. Tape. Tape.  Done - - - remembered.  And scissors . . . shoot!  Better write that one down.  . . . okay . . . go to sleep.  100, 99, 98, 97, 96, 95, . . . . . (still awake).  Going thru the alphabet backwards is always helpful:  Z, Y, X, W, V, U, T . . . . . (still awake).  I wonder how counting sheep is ever helpful.  It has never worked for me - - I shall not try it now . . . . Stop thinking!  Stop! . . . Collaborate and listen . . . Ice is back with my brand new invention . .  . . ha! Dustin was funny when he sang that at prom.  Prom was fun.

At this point, I realize I am in trouble with a sleepless night.  I get up to take a swig of Nyquil.  Yes, I keep a bottle in my room.  Its empty.  Maybe I have a bigger problem.  *sigh*

The weather today is decent.  I am taking advantage of spray painting.   I may only get 5 days without windy conditions a year.  Recently there was a "city wide clean-up".  Supposedly this is also called "Redneck garage sale".  I participated.

City-wide clean-up day scored me 2 shop items! 

My mom is on her way to town to discuss wedding plans with us.  Sister2's wedding is not too far away and we are woefully unprepared.  I am in charge of the map drawing for the invitations.  Boyd said he was "impressed".  I knew my 6th grade level artistic abilities would come in handy someday.  It is truly a work of art.

O begins his 1st year of baseball this summer.  Bob (Ry's dad) came over to help him learn.  Here's a few pics of Oli and O "playing ball":

I hope you all are having a beautiful Spring.