Walk for Animals Review

Last Saturday I participated in the Humane Society's Walk for Animals for the 9th time.  There were 8,000 participants and 4,000 animals there. Michael and our friends Tanya, Chris, their son Asher and their dog Cosmo also joined us again this year.  The weather was cool and rainy/misty in the morning before the walk but by the time we actually started walking the rain held off for the entire five miles.

Thanks to wonderful people like yourself, I raised more money that I ever had in all my years doing this walk.  I raised a total of $540!  THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!  For my fundraising efforts, I received a bandanna, a t-shirt, a water bottle and a sweatshirt. 

Thank you, my peeps!

1. Grandpa
2. Ed
3. Heidi
4. Justin
5. Scott and Julie
6. Pat
7. Van
8. Steffanie, Tuanis and Bentley
9. Heather
10. Deanna
11. Adam
12. Seaberg Family, Smoky & Bandit
13. Urtel Family
14. Jill
15. Carrie
16. Julie
17. Tara
18. Brenna
19. Jared
20. Andrea
21. Amelia
22. Sara
23. Ang and Boomer
24. Kristi (In loving memory of Pharaoh and Dusty)
25. Jenni, Sassy, Buddy, Honey and Nika
26. Michael, Fuzzer, Powder

The Humane Society is still short $60,000 of their $1 million goal (as of May 10)  What does $60,000 provide?

To put that in perspective, $60,000 provides nine days of housing and love for the animals in our care.

Here are some facts as provided by the Humane Society about the walk:

Fun Facts

• Donations came in from all 50 states and 10 different countries.


• The average fundraiser raised $20.68 more than they did last year.


• 329 volunteers came to the Walk and contributed 1,400 hours in a single day!


• Hundreds of people signed the Law of the Paw and received free ID tags to ensure their pets could be found if ever lost.


• The Walk caught the attention of pop singer Ke$ha who sent a link of photos from the day to her over 3,000,000 followers on Twitter.


• It took 156 gallons of water to keep the pets well hydrated along the Walk route.

We didn't see any out of the ordinary animals that we normally have seen in the past.  We did see a tons of dogs, several cats, some rabbits, a hamster and several ferrets. 

At the half-way, turn-around point, they had chips, granola bars and water for people as well as they had a short demonstration with some frisbee dogs. 

After the walk, M and I were exhausted and came home and took showers right away.  We feel the dirtiest after this walk as there is so much dog poop smell in the air, which lingers in your nose and makes you feel it's you that smells!  

Cosmo's tired but she made it the whole five miles

I like this kind of dog

At the half-way point

Trying to show Asher's shirt but he was all squirmy. It has a bulldog on it.

Asher enjoying Michael's goofy face and sounds

To see some of the other Walk for Animals I've participated in since I've had this blog, click the links below.

2011

2010

2009

It's Done

The debacle that has been haunting the Minnesota Vikings and fans for many, many years is over.  We're getting a new stadium and the Vikings will stay in Minnesota for at least the next 30 years.  I'm very happy and relieved.  SKOL!

One Day Late

I couldn't meet with my grandpa on our regularly scheduled Wednesday due to the going away happy hour the day before so we met on Thursday instead.  It was just my grandpa and me this time and we went to a bar called Riley's, which is just minutes from his house.  They had a great special on ribs so my grandpa ordered those and I had jumbo shrimp and both of our meals were very good.  I guess I was surprised at how good the food was for just a neighborhood bar.  I used a Crowd Cut voucher and we didn't have to pay anything but the tip!

Thanks to the lady having a cigarette outside that I bothered to take our picture

Goodbye, My Friend

Last Wednesday my company had a happy hour after work for one of my coworkers. He's been with the company for a little over five years.  We've worked in the same department and on the same team since February 2010 and we've grown close over that time.  We have made each other laugh so many times and we've laughed harder than we've ever laughed at work before.  We talked sports whether it was Twins or Vikings and we always caught up with each other after the weekend.  We talked TV shows like Archer, Dexter and Lost and recommended movies to each other.  He's like a brother to me.

He's going to start a new career and in a new place, Cumberland, Wisconsin.  I'm excited for him and his path but I'm also sad that I won't see him anymore at work.  Today was the first day without him and it felt weird.  We did exchange our contact info we didn't already have on each other and we did have a proper goodbye on Friday before he left, including me in tears and a big hug.  

I hope to see him again at some point as his family still lives in Minnesota and I bet they'll be an opportunity for a happy hour when he's back.  

Good luck and we miss you, Vince!  

(I hope you're now reading my blog.)

RIP, MCA

On Friday, Adam Yauch, maybe better known as MCA from the Beastie Boys died at the age of 47 from a three year battle with cancer.  I don't normally do many tributes on my blog for actors or musicians that have passed but being the age that I am, the Beastie Boys were a big part of growing up in my era if you paid attention to music.  I remember being 10 years old in 1987 and watching MTV waiting for the video, "(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party)" to come on because I loved that song.  Their first album, License to Ill had so many great songs on it, including Brass Monkey which is still played around in clubs and sporting events today.  I remember in May last year being in Florida with Michael and listening to their latest album, Hot Sauce Committee Part Two and having a conversation with Michael about that album being delayed for release for two years as MCA was sick.

I've owned multiple Beastie Boys albums throughout the years and when someone passes, I feel lucky if I was able to see them in person.  I saw the Beastie Boys live in 1994 as part of the Lollapalooza tour.  There are outdoor music festivals that you pay more attention to some artists than others and the Beastie Boys were one artist I remember being excited to see.  I remember exactly where I stood and my perspective of the stage like it's a photo in my mind.  I thought it was awesome that they played all their own instruments on stage and also remember the Tibetan-chant-type-thingy that I'm not sure what it was called but remember thinking it was different and interesting.

Just yesterday, HBO aired the 2012 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony, which the Beastie Boys were one of the 2012 inductees, but the ceremony was filmed in April and Adam was too sick to attend. 

Rest in peace, Adam.  Whenever I thought of the Beastie Boys, I always pictured your face first and to me, you were the face of the group. 

The New Yorker

People

Laughing Squid

Hip Hop Wired

Birchbox/Zoya Collaboration

Birchbox and Zoya teamed up to offer a trio of nail polishes that were colors inspired by three bloggers as shown below as voted by fans.  I really loved these colors and decided I needed to get them.  The set cost $22 with free shipping but since I had some Birchbox points accumulated, I was able to knock off $10 and get it for $12.  The package arrived early last week and the colors are so beautiful and perfect for summer.  I'm pretty sure I need to be done with Zoya for awhile now.  I have PLENTY of colors to last me through the whole year, but I can't promise anything when it comes to addictive little company.

Birchbox

Baby on Board

My sister and I went to my cousin's wife Jen's baby shower last Sunday.  It was hosted by my cousin Laura at her house.  Jen's due in early June and she's been on bed rest for well over a month and I'm sure she was happy to get out a little bit and mingle with the fam for the afternoon.

Just a quick sign my artist uncle whipped up that day

We started out the day going downstairs and making a onesie for the baby, whose sex is yet to be determined.  I love that they are waiting.  If I were to ever have a baby (which I won't), I don't know if I would find out either.  I've heard of people making onesie's with markers and puffy paint and such at baby showers before but not like what we did.  There were lots of different fabrics and stencils and patterns we could trace onto the fabric, cut out and then adhere to the onesie with an iron.  If you didn't want to go through the work of cutting and making your own, there were applique's that were store-bought that you could iron on instead.  I choose to make an owl.  Everyone's onesie's looked so great and so professional.  Jen will have lots of designs to choose from and all of them made with love of course.

We ate and talked a bit and then we played a game.  The baby shower had a camping theme, as my whole side of that family are big campers.  The game was the memory game, where you usually see a tray of baby items and memorize it and then you have a set amount of time to write down everything you remembered. All the items were baby related but also camping related.  I tied for first place with 15 items and received what I think is a fabulous prize.

Another great idea was that we were to bring a book or two to build the baby's library.  I ordered a book from Amazon that I absolutely loved when I was a kid.  The Berenstain Bears and The Messy Room.  I re-read it when it came in the mail and it was exactly as I had remembered and I've remembered the illustrations on the last two pages for my whole life because I love how clean and organized the room looked after being cleaned.  I remember wishing that I had could have my room like that.  I still love organizing things today and I'll never look at it as a chore.

Amazon

Jen and baby received a lot of great presents and it was a fun afternoon. And an extra special congratulations to Jen as she is the Cottage Grove Chamber of Commerce 2012 Educator of the Year!

What The?

I've sort of become an organic snob this year.  Ok, not really but I try my best to buy organic when it comes to fruits and vegetables at least.  When I went to Target with my sister, I needed some groceries so I bought some conventionally grown romaine lettuce and actually felt guilty for buying it but hey, I needed some lettuce and I've been eating this kind for the last 34 years so it definitely wasn't going to kill me to eat it again.

Fast forward a week and I'm finally getting around to using this lettuce.  I was making my version of BLT's and took each leaf of lettuce off one by one and was washing it.  Only after a couple of layers, I see something big and brown and then it thumps down on the counter standing upright.  I freak out because out of the corner of my eye, it's a dead mouse.  Upon quick examination, it's actually a huge piece of dirt/clay.

First of all, GROSS.  This was the dirtiest lettuce I have ever seen in my life.  So much so that I could not even wash the dirt off because it was stuck on there and clay-like, therefore I had to throw the whole thing out.  Have you ever had anything unwanted in any produce or food you've purchased? 

Back to organic.  

BBQ

When my friend Jared invited me to his house for a BBQ back in March, I'm sure he would have assumed it would have been nice weather for April 28th.  It turns out that last Saturday was one of the worst weather days this spring.  It was cloudy and rainy and no more than 45 degrees, which meant that most of the time was spent indoors.

That didn't stop us from having fun though.  M and I arrived a little before 3 pm and there about 10-12 people there and starting mingling.  I guess there were about 20 people that would have come and go before the night was over.

Jared had bought 29 lbs of meat and spent the overnight on Friday smoking it in his meat smoker.  He made beef brisket and pulled pork so I had to indulge.  Both were fabulous but beef brisket is my favorite.  Add a little bit of Sweet Baby Ray's to it and mmmmm..mmm!  Besides a few crackers, that's all I ate at the party despite some yummy looking dips and desserts his wife made.

I really wanted to take pictures but sometimes it's weird pulling out your camera at a party, therefore I didn't.  I wanted to get a picture of all us girls that I know well and now regret that I didn't.  I've decided I'm pulling out my camera whenever going forward. Besides, having photos makes for a better blog post, so now I have to put in some generic ones.

Credit

Somehow I do not think cows are this happy to be slaughtered

Whole Living Thoughts-May

Happy May Day!  Here's this month's Whole Living thoughts:

1. Time for an energy audit--your own.  Slowing down could be just the boost you need.  
2. Want to witness a small miracle?  Plant a seed.
3. Working with your hands, even for a few minutes, seems to clear the mind.
4. Listen up!  Your inner voice would love to be heard.
5. Eggs are a lot like life: rich in possibilities and full of surprises.
6. Hiking mountains: Far more enjoyable than trying to move them.
7. Ever notice that the things we worry about most in life tend to be the ones that never happen?
8. Clearing Clutter is as good for the soul as it is for the living room.
9. Teachable moments are not just for kids.
10. Take a less from your hair: When a situation can't be controlled, take a looser approach.

Vikings Draft Party

As big of Vikings fans as M and I claim to be, we've never gone to the official draft party.  That is, until this year. Last Thursday, we went to Mall of America Field, ahem, the Metrodome, and went to the draft party.  It was free for all season ticket holders and anyone could go for as cheap as $10.  M opted for us to be VIP so he paid extra for us to have a table by the stage.

This was the first time the draft was held at the Metrodome.  Prior to this year, it's always been at Winter Park.  When we walked in, we were greeted by a cheerleader and given a map of the events and a Miller Lite scratch off card.  This is the point where we got to walk through the ship.  You know, the same ship that the Vikings run through when being announced on game day.  I found this to be pretty exciting.

There were multiple activities going on like a rock climbing wall, a Vikings store, beer and food stands, tossing around the football, a stadium booth, autograph zone, auctions, drawings, etc. We ran into our friends Sean and Beth pretty much right away when we got there. We talked with them for a bit before venturing to our final location, The Red Zone.  

We entered into The Red Zone, checked in and we received a folder full of stuff.  We received a coupon for a free tailgate meal and free water and pop all evening.  We found our assigned table and sat while KFAN broadcasted from the stage in front of us.  KFAN had special guest Chris Doleman on air and the SKOL line entertained us for a couple of songs. 

Chris Doleman and Dan Barreiro

We received autographs from Carl Eller and Joe Webb.  

Adrian Peterson visited on air with Paul Allen on KFAN.

I have to say, I did feel kinda cool being in VIP while everyone else looked in from the outside of the area.

The Vikings had 3rd pick in the draft but traded down with the Browns and switched spots from 3rd to 4th. That move got us an extra 3 draft picks and  Roger Goodell announcing, "With the fourth pick in the 2012 NFL draft, the Minnesota Vikings select....Matt Kalil, tackle, USC."  The fans were on their feet cheering and happy with that choice.

Remember that scratch off ticket we received when we got there?  M's was a winner and he collected a big glass mug that said Vikings Draft Party on it.  

I had so much fun at the party and it really got me excited for the season. Thank you Michael for VIP and Skol Vikes! 

Makeup Makes Me Happy

Sometimes it pays to talk about the things that interest me on this blog.  An advertising agency contacted me and sent the following goodies to me because I talk about makeup and beauty items.  I was more than surprised when I received all this stuff including items from Smashbox, Bath & Body Works, Sally Hansen, Burt's Bees, John Frieda and a few other brands that are new to me.  Yay for beauty!

Alpha Together Again

It had been since January since the Alphabet Gang got together and even then, it wasn't the full group, just like this time.  We were missing our A, Aaron, because he wasn't feeling good, but sometimes you need to be with just the girls too and it was definitely fun catching up.

We met at Pepito's in South Minneapolis last Thursday.  This place has been a favorite of mine for years and due to diet changes, I do not frequent there often so it was nice to get my favorite menu item, Lupitas. 

I'm hoping we get a date scheduled for May and I hope it's warm enough for patio weather.

Deanna, Catha, Me, Carrie---Beth took the picture and she told me right away it wasn't a picture night for her!

Patriot's Tavern

This past Wednesday, we took my Grandpa to Patriot's Tavern in Stillwater.  I've been wanting to try this place for so long.  M and I went there on Independence Day (get it, Patriot's Tavern?) but they were closed.  I had high hopes for this place and it was even more awesome that I had a Groupon deal for it as well.

Things didn't go as planned.  To start off the bad night, our server didn't even come to greet us for five minutes. Then he took our drink order and was already walking away before M had finished ordering his drink.  It took another handful of minutes to get our drinks but we weren't ready to order.  Again, another big delay for the server to come back.

We finally ordered and my grandpa ordered a cheeseburger.  The server rudely said, "what kind?"  My grandpa said, "a cheeseburger" not knowing what he meant.  He again rudely said, "what kind of cheese? I guess I should be more clear in what I'm asking for."  Despite that last part of the sentence, he still had a tone and definitely no patience.  I should also state that the place is very small and when we arrived, there weren't that many people in there.  The place did start to fill up though as the time passed.  I ordered and then M ordered his meal, omitting both greens and mayo from the burger.

The order came out and of course, M's had greens and mayo on it.  He told the person who brought it out, who wasn't our server, that that wasn't what he ordered and what it wasn't supposed to have on it.  They came back two minutes later with greens removed and mayo scraped off.  Now, maybe that would be good enough for some of you but I think it's poor.  If someone doesn't like mayo, do you think they want a bun that still has a thin layer of mayo on it?  The burger is ruined because someone cannot either take directions or follow directions.  The burger sat there on the edge of the table because M had lost his appetite and it wasn't for another 10 minutes before the server came over to check on us for the first time since receiving our food.  He asked what the deal was and pretended to be pissed when he found out they scraped off the mayo from the bun.  I'm sure they do it all the time.  If you are a picky eater, scraping stuff off doesn't cut it. Imagine the condiment you hate the worst on your bun and having them scrape it off and bring it back out to eat.  It's still there and at that point, there's no use trying to take it back again because who knows what they'll do to your burger then.  

Our server later showed us the ticket he put in to the cooks and it did show the server got the order correct and it was the cook's error.  I guess he still wanted to try and get a good tip out of this experience.  Never once did the server apologize for the mistake.

We received our bill and of course he had taken off the burger and the $3 additional charge for fries also was removed as when you enter in a burger in the system and then fries, they get grouped together as the server explained therefore it was a "bonus" that we received the fries for free as he stated.  Only then, did he apologize for the issues we had.  After taking off M's food, we barely made the minimum amount needed to use the Groupon so the bill ended up being cheap.

I was so excited to come here and now I know I'll never be back.  The whole place and experience has left a horrible feeling for us.  You win some and you lose some.  At Patriot's Tavern, we lost but at least I was still with my grandpa and my honey.