Has It Really Been a Week Since I Posted Last?

Where is the time going?  Wasn't it just New Year's?  And here we are, at the very end of April, and ready to turn the calendars to May.  I, for one, am very happy that the school year is closing quickly (only five more Mondays - but who's counting?) and that summer will be here soon. 

Sadly, I have nothing interesting to report from Fifty Below Zero.  We are living very normal, mundane lives.  But here are some random topics, thoughts, and updates.  Go ahead.  Discuss.

• I'm convinced Gizmo gets cuter by the day.  She has learned how to wave, and can wave at Mommy, Daddy and Grama Jersey Girl when they leave and arrive,  and is now waving at the painting, the panda, the door, the wall, the blocks.....you get the picture.  
  
• Speaking of cute, we'll know if Gizmo made the next round in the Cutest Baby Contest this weekend (I think).  Thanks for all of those who voted online - you guys are awesome!  
• Congratulations to our friends Cara and Barrett, who just had their very first baby boy - Lucas Augustine - yesterday evening.  We are so happy for them!
• I've been applying for jobs yet again.  There are some pretty good openings - so I'm hoping that things work out.  They always do.....but let's hope that they work out sooner rather than later.  
• Today I saw an old guy riding a bike with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth.  Who says you can't exercise and enjoy your vices at the same time?  (Now if I could only learn to run while holding my wine glass.....)
• My second grade boys at work are out of control.  They have been using racial slurs and swearing during P.E., fighting, and using the word "pimp" to complete the sentence "We love our earth because it is.....".  Oh, and don't even get me started on the constant grabbing of genitalia.  Seriously.  It's disgusting.  
• We are thisclose to getting a sitter finalized for the weekend.  Mitch and I are hoping that things work out and that we can go out and spend some quality time with friends.  
• I feel like my to-do list never gets shorter.  I'd like to think that I'll get a lot done this summer, but something tells me that going to the park and having play time might trump anything productive.  
• I LOVE the weather we've been having.  This is why Minnesota is so great.  

All of My Words are Ending in "D"

I can't believe it.  

Itchy eyes, screwed-up sinuses, scratchy throat...

I have allergies.  

I have NEVER had allergies in my entire life.  I grew up on a farm surrounded by all sorts of plants and trees.  Never once did I have a runny nose or that funny feeling that allergies give you.  I always just thought I was that lucky person who never had to worry about where her next hit of Claritin was coming from.  

Now, I'm jonesing for some.  

Darn Minnesota and their high pollen counts and dry weather and giving me allergies.  Ugh.  

Vote Early and Often on Tuesday!

OK, Blogosphere - it's time to get voting.

Starting Tuesday morning at 10:00am, Gizmo's picture will be up for voting.  Here's the link:

http://startribune.upickem.net/engine/Welcome.aspx?contestid=15579

(Once you get to the site, you'll have to search for "Giana".  She's the only one.)

Here's the bad news - you have to register with the Star Tribune site.  The good news - you can vote once an hour!  Get those votes in - we can only vote until 9am on Wednesday morning.

Get your office mates, students, friends, neighbors, and everyone else voting for Gizmo!  

And to respond to The Mrs.'s comment that I have become "that mom" - money talks, shawty!  

Thanks for your help!

How Could You NOT Help This Face?

OK, are you ready to help?

I have entered Gizmo in a Cutest Baby Contest, sponsored by one of our local newspapers, the Star Tribune.  She is by far one of the cutest of the 2000 entries, but for her to win I need all of you blog readers out there to help.  

Here is the link to her picture:

http://startribune.upickem.net/engine/Details.aspx?p=A&c=15579&s=3354982&i=1#SD

(You can also go on the Star Tribune web site, click on Cutest Baby Contest, and search for "Giana" to find her picture.)

They are showing 200 pictures every day for the next two weeks, but I'm not sure of the day that Gizmo's picture will show up.  When her picture is posted for voting, we'll only have ONE DAY to vote.  As soon as I see her picture, I'll post so you can go online and vote.  The top five winners from each day will move on to the semi-finals.  Then you'll need to vote again, and maybe a third time for the final round.

Did I mention that first prize is $1000?  So you can't slack off and let others do the voting for you.  YOU need to vote!

Who knows?  If she wins, maybe she'll be ready for the pageant circuit.....but we'll need to work on slimming down those baby thighs first.  

Gizmo (and her mommy and daddy) thank you, Blogosphere!

Target Field is Awesome and anybody who says otherwise is a Hater

Took my first trip to Target Field today to watch the Twins. The morning started off cool and rainy but it cleared up just in time for the first pitch


The light rail train was packed full of people going to the game, even though we left 2 hours early. It was already this crowded when we got on at the 2nd stop, with about 12-14 more stops to go between the Mall of America and Target Field. The train literally drops off at the stadium, just steps away from an entrance.

Matt gets a good look at the underarm of this guy on the train.

Minny and Paul light up and shake hands when one of the Twins hits a home run. You can't really see it during the day though.

The seats are so close to the action that this warning sign was posted nearby.

Twins third baseman Nick Punto smells like Old Spice. We were close enough to catch a whiff of his delightful, manly scent.

Mitch enjoys a Michelob Golden Draft Light, the #1 selling light beer in Minnesota.
Section 15, Row 2. Hard to find a better seat in the stadium.

The Target Center (home to the pathetic Minnesota Timberwolves), Wells Fargo and IDS towers, and other parts of the Minneapolis skyline are visible over the plaza in right field.

View of the field from the concourse.

There was no waiting at both the Espresso AND Gelato stands. Why would anyone think these are a good idea at a ballpark?

Denard Span talks about the awesome 8-0 win over the Red Sox during the postgame.

Even the garbage cans in the men's room have Target logos on them.

Anyone who enjoys Major League Baseball or Major League Hotdog Eating & Beer Drinking will enjoy a visit to Target Field. Believe the hype!

She Can Give Teenage Boys a Run for Their Money

Gizmo has really gotten good at making the "raspberry" - so good in fact, she can't stop.  Enjoy!

And if you're wondering, yes, she did that for another five minutes after I was done videotaping. 

Hello Spring! and Other Healthy Things

I am cautiously optimistic that spring is here to stay.  The trees are budding, the grass is green, the sun stays up just a little bit longer each night, the rainstorms are plentiful....this time of year is why we Minnesotans can bear the long wintertime.  People are out and about walking dogs, working out, and just enjoying the weather.  

The weather inspires me to work out, knowing that capris, shorts, and (gasp!) swim suit weather will be here in just a few weeks.  Mitch and I have also booked an anniversary vacation to Las Vegas in June (which cannot come soon enough!), and we look forward to spending many long hours drinking margaritas around one of MGM Grand's seven pools.  I'd prefer not to be the fat, pale Midwesterner who's wearing the swim skirt so that she can hide her flabby belly and oversized thighs.  

Mitch and I have talked about learning to enjoy all that the Twin Cities have to offer in terms of parks, trails, and other outdoor adventures.  It's so easy for us to talk about wanting to do those things, but actually doing them.....that's another story.  We'd like to be healthier.  We'd like to be more active.  

So I took the first step this week - Mitch, Gizmo and I are going to participate in our first 5K on May 1st.  We'll most likely walk the entire thing (I don't plan on trying to run and push the stroller at the same time), but it's one symbolic step towards the lifestyle we'd like to live.  

And hopefully we'll be the toned, pale Midwesterners in Vegas.  

OMG, Can We Be Done Talking About This Already?

Did you hear?  The Twins have a new outdoor stadium!

TARGET FIELD!!!  

Yes, I like baseball.  Yes, I root for the Twins.  I'm very excited to go check out the field, eat hot dogs, and drink beer.  I love going to outdoor games.  

But seriously, Twin Cities?  Can we be done talking about the field already?  It's been on the front page of the paper for weeks.  Over half of the news last night was about the Twins.  Even the weather discusses the "Twincast" for the next day.  

The stadium's great.  Blah blah blah.  Now let's move on to something else and let the Twins do their thing.

And now I'll stop complaining.    

Thank You

Dear Aunt Katie,

Thank you very much for coming to spend the week with me!  I am so glad that we got to spend that much one-on-one time together.  You made me laugh so hard!  I know you took lots of pictures, and so I'm going to show them off.  You should be a professional photographer.  

Sorry I spent most of the week having diarrhea.  I know that you did not have fun changing all of those poopy diapers and outfits.  Oh, and sorry we got you sick.  You can blame Mommy.  

Love, Gizmo

Gizmo's Latest Trick

Spring Break! Post #2 - The WORST of Spring Break

You know what isn't fun?  Being sick.  Sleeping on the bathroom floor.  Feeling as though you would rather have a baby again instead of feeling the way you do.  Having to stay inside when the weather could not have been more perfect for a week off because you are throwing up.   

You know what else isn't fun?  Watching poor Gizmo throw up.  A lot.  And trying to take care of someone who can't tell you what's wrong.  Luckily, she is a champ and has the sweetest temperament even when she isn't feeling well.  

Another not fun thing?  Listening to Mitch getting sick as I type.  Knowing that he is going to be sick tomorrow, and most likely will be laid up for the next 48 hours.

Yep, we've all got the flu.  Or at least some type of stomach bug.  Mine lasted for about 48 hours, Gizmo is on the mend, and Mitch is just starting his round.  

This is how we have spent Tuesday night through today.  No fun outings, no walks, no items crossed off my to-do list.  Mitch was a champ when I was sick taking care of Gizmo and me, and now I'll return the favor.  

Of course, we also have Katie at our disposal, who arrived this afternoon to take care of Gizmo for the week.  Looks like I'll add "nurse" to her list of duties this week.  

Here's to hoping summer arrives soon!

Spring Break!! Post #1 - The Best of Spring Break

When The Mrs. and I were little, our grandparents took us on a great vacation to California and Oregon.  While we were there, they asked us to journal every night about all of the things we did on our trip.  When we were doing it, I didn't think it was so cool.  Now, I laugh hysterically when I read the passages that I wrote.  (I'm sure The Mrs. had equally ridiculous comments.)  Channeling my inner fifth-grade writing skills, I will now describe the first half of my spring break.

Saturday, March 27, 2010

The Mrs. arrived in Minneapolis in the morning.  I, of course, was late, because I was trying to run too many errands before I went to pick her up.  We came home, had lunch, and played with Gizmo.  It was neat.

Gizmo was happy to show off for her guest.  She is so funny!  We showed the sights of St. Paul to The Mrs. when we went to Cossetta's for dinner.  It was busy, but we were able to still have pizza and cannolis.  They were delicious!  Then we had some beers and went to bed because we were tired.  Big day tomorrow!  Love, Tina

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Well, we woke up today.  I made breakfast:  waffles, bacon and fruit.  It was delicious!  Then Mitch took Gizmo to American Girl for lunch with his family and The Mrs. and I went to one of my favorite places - the WINERY!  Oooohhhh I love the winery!  It was so neat.  The Mrs. had a good time trying all of the different wines.

She did NOT like the honey wine.  I laughed, because I knew she wouldn't like it, but I didn't tell her.  It was neat.  

I also had a neat time.  I love wine.  After the winery, we had lunch, went back and played with Gizmo some more, and then after she went to bed we went to The Shout House, a dueling piano bar.  It was SO MUCH FUN!  We were really excited to go - we giggled like a couple of teenagers.  

When we went, it was "Diva Night".  We didn't see many divas, except ourselves, of course.

Nonetheless, we had a good time.  We thought we were so funny and cool!  Then after a few beers I decided I would start writing down things that were funny that we said.  I'm not so sure it will be funny to anyone else who is sober and wasn't there, but we sure thought it was neat!  Here are a few gems:

• "We need glow sticks!"
• "See that stupid girl over there dancing?  She looks the the bee girl from the Blind Melon video."
• "That was a funny one!  Write that down."
• "How does no one know the alternate lyrics to 'American Pie' that we sang at the U of I?  American Pie = epic fail = no cool points."
• "I'm gonna throw down if they don't play my song!"
• "We are CARRYING this crowd.  I fully expect to get paid for my services when we leave here tonight."
• "Yeah, Shawty!"
• "I'm way too white to yell that."
• "I can't stop laughing at myself!"

Author's note:  most of these were said by The Mrs.  The last three were done in a five-minute burst of laughter.  Yes, we were THOSE people.  And resume.

We had the most neat time at the piano bar.  Now I need to go to bed, because I had a few beers, and Gizmo will be up soon.  See you tomorrow!  Love, Tina

Monday, March 29, 2010

Today was a neat day.  We went to the Mall of America!  The Mrs. had a good time.  I had fun, too.  Gizmo particularly liked going to the mall.  The Mrs. bought a shirt, I bought a couple of sweaters, and Gizmo got a new Easter dress.  It was neat.  We spent so much of the day talking and laughing.  I forget how much fun I have when I am with The Mrs.  It is so nice to have those special people who you can not see for such a long time, and then just pick up like you have seen them every day for years.  Neat.  Love, Tina

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Today is NOT a neat day.  The Mrs. has to go home.  :(  :(  :(  But, we managed to squeeze in some more fun before she went.  We had lunch with Grandma Jersey Girl and Grandpa Sal, and then played a lot with Gizmo.

The Mrs. put her Snoopy on her head!  It was so neat and funny.  Then I took The Mrs. to the airport, waved goodbye, and went home.  It was pretty neat.  Then I started to feel sick.  That was NOT neat.  

Stay tuned for the conclusion of Spring Break!