How'd I Do?

Ok, it's a little late in the month to be talking about New Year's resolutions but I've always been a little behind on this blog. Before I can talk about my 2014 resolutions, let's look back and how I did with 2013's resolutions.

My first resolution for 2013 was to go to Chicago. SUCCESS! M and I took a trip to Chicago in August 2013 and it was everything that I remembered it to be and more. It was M's first time to Chicago and we both would like to go back soon.

My second resolution was to take an out-of-state road trip. SUCCESS! This happened to be part of the Chicago trip. When I thought about us going to Chicago, I pictured us flying but we road tripped it there and much more. We also went to and through Wisconsin, Indiana and Michigan. It was great road trip and I'm up for doing another one, maybe down south or west next time.

Spending more time with my nephews Keith and Colton was the next resolution. SUCCESS! I don't think I spent any more time with Colton but I did spend more time with Keith. We took him to Vikings Training Camp and a preseason game. I brought him to a Twins game, overnight at our house and to the State Fair.
Try not to be a backseat driver was another one of my resolutions. I asked M if I was better and he said I did improve. SUCCESS!

Introduce my mom to new things. SUCCESS! My mom has had a lot more experiences than she ever had before including going to the Mall of America, many places to eat and the Bachman's Ideas House and she's more receptive to new things than she ever has been. I even got her to try (and like) Tofu Scramble!
Get engaged. FAIL! I kind of thought this was the year, but even after almost 10 years, Michael still has me guessing. I'm unsure if he's procrastinating or still trying to figure out if I'm the one. I'm half kidding on that one. While I said last year that it was important to me to get married, it still is but not as important. I know how M feels about me and our relationship and that's why I can joke and be candid about it. Believe me, I wouldn't be here in this relationship after this many years if we weren't something serious as a couple who are married. And I'm sure we're more serious than some married couples.

My last resolution for 2013 was to take care of myself in every.which.way. SUCCESS! Saying "every which way" sure encompasses a lot and while I didn't in some ways, I did a lot in others. First, my food intake was pretty good this year. What that means is I eat organic any time I can and avoid GMO's when I can. As for beauty products, I switched over to a combination of natural, organic, vegan or vegetarian makeup for all parts of my face, lips and eyes. I also converted to the same combination for shampoo and conditioner, body wash, soap, moisturizer and lotions, toothpaste and mouthwash. No more chemicals on my skin and hair if I can help it. The only thing I haven't converted is deodorant. I hate knowing there is aluminum in deodorant but until I find a solution for a deodorant and antiperspirant that is natural and actually works, I'm stuck for now. As for medication, I have pretty much limited myself to essential oils for any type of symptom I treat. I will avoid antibiotics as I can and I don't remember the last time I had to use them. Essential oils have also been used in my house to clean and disinfect without the use of chemicals Full disclosure: I do sell essential oils as I really believe in them and have had great success with them.

That sums up 2013's resolutions and to be honest, I have yet to come up with a set for 2014 so it might be a few days before I put them out there for everyone to see and for me to be accountable.
Here's to a happy and healthy 2014!

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Cold Italian Birthday

Monday, January 6th was supposed to be the day that my mom's side of the family would celebrate my grandpa's birthday at Yarusso's for dinner. Instead, it was unbearably cold and we decided to do it that Wednesday.

Yarusso's has a deal where you get a free birthday entree on the first Monday of your birthday month with a paid entree. Yarusso's was nice enough to honor the birthday deal for our party on Wednesday. Even though we got together for my grandpa's 79th birthday, M and I both got to take advantage for our birthdays too.
We had a good turnout but we can never get everyone together at once with everyone's schedule and location and a family member having the flu didn't help either.
I forgot to take pictures but fortunately, M took some of us while we were all chatting away. Can't wait until next month when we get to go there with the other side of the family!

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The Big 4-0

M's birthday was Sunday, January 5th. He turned 40 years young. M didn't want anything big for his birthday. In fact, the only thing he really wanted to do was to have a meal and watch football. Sounded perfect to me.

The morning of M's birthday was super cold.

We went to Pinstripes in Edina for brunch. M had never been there for brunch before but he enjoyed it. I don't know know why it but it felt very adult to be celebrating a birthday over brunch. We had a great table right next to the window overlooking some of the trees that are a part of Centennial Lakes. In the tree, there was a cardinal right next to us and he looked so beautiful with the green and white background.

There's the birthday boy!

Afterwards, we went home, got back into our cozies and watched football all day long. A low-key birthday but exactly what he wanted. Happpy Birthday, Michael. You were 30 when we started dating and look, you're 10 years older and we're still dating. Just kidding, Nietzsche. Love you!

 

 

 

 

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NYE

New Year's Eve was very low-key and they way it probably should be for people our age. Our friends Chris and Tanya came over with their son Asher and we had food and some drinks while listening to music and watching some TV. Despite being low-key, we all stayed up late with them leaving at 2:40 am. How'd you spend your New Year's Eve?

 

 

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7th Annual Cherrie Jones Tailgate Party

It was the latest it could possibly be to have this party, Week 17, the very last game of the year.  The 7th Annual Cherrie Jones Tailgate Party was held on Sunday, December 29th.  The weather the day before was in the 40's and on the of the party, not so much.

We woke up to around zero degrees and it would continue to get colder throughout the morning.  It was the wind chill that was really bad.  Good thing I had long underwear on under my jeans and wind pants, a long-sleeved shirt, a sweatshirt and my jacket, two scarves, two pairs of gloves and two hats because I needed it all.  If we weren't all true Minnesotans already, we sure were after Sunday. Too bad the feet heaters in my boots didn't work very well.  That's what you get when you ruin your feet ice skating as a kid when it was too cold or you stayed out too long.  

I kind of laugh at the temperature now thinking about what we just experienced in the last several days

We got out to the lot right at 8 am and fortunately we had a couple of tents that we put together and tied sides on them to block the wind out as best as we could.  The tent attempted to leave the ground numerous times but our group is smart enough and parked a truck next to the tent and tied them down to it.

With the weather as cold as it was and the fact that this was the last game we'd be tailgating for at the Metrodome and it was a hard ticket to get, we just wasn't sure how many people would actually show up for our party.  Turns out, a lot considering the circumstances.  To my best guess, we had about 50 people come out. We did our best to stay warm with our tents, multiple sunflower heaters, layers and drinks.

Cherrie's siblings - minus one

Double the hat, double the scarf

Our Lions crew representin'

Our last tailgate and our last Cherrie Jones Tailgate Party at the Metrodome, ever.

It would obviously be our last game in the Metrodome ever as well.  It was a little hard for me to realize that since it was also the end of the season so it didn't seem odd or sad at first because I knew I wouldn't be coming back again this year.  Maybe it will sink in next season when we're not there.

We typically play great against Detroit at the dome and this day was no exception.  The Vikings won, 14-13 with Cordarrelle Patterson scoring both touchdowns, one rushing (50 yards) and one receiving. 

Last SKOL Line

All the security in yellow coming out around the field

Last game moment- Vikings win

After the game, there was a 10 minute intermission before Matt Birk, Robert Smith, Adrian Peterson and Bud Grant addressed the crowd and their final farewells to the dome and the fans in the dome.  

I'll be writing about my personal experiences at and with the dome later this month.

Goodbye, Metrodome!  

Special Access

As an appreciation to Vikings season ticket holders, we were able to visit the Metrodome the evening of Saturday, December 28th, the day before the last game in the dome, ever.  We were allowed to walk on the field, have our pictures taken next to the goal posts and on the 50 yard line.  You could sit on the Vikings bench and tour the locker room.  Besides having our photos taken, we did all of the above.  The locker room was the big attraction with the longest line.  They did not allow you to take any pictures in the locker room and there security people all over the room.  The room was very small and I can only imagine they will have a state-of-the-art new locker room in the new stadium.  Even the locker room in TCF Stadium will be a huge upgrade. Everyone's uniforms and gear were already in place for tomorrow's game.  Most players had two to three pairs of shoes in their locker space but Adrian Peterson had 12-13 pairs of shoes.  

After the open house portion, there was an interview with Vikings alumni including Matt Blair, Bob Lurtsema, Randall McDaniel and Robert Smith, hosted by Paul Allen.  

At the end of the night, we each walked out with a commemorative poster of the All-Metrodome Team.