Tina Blogs About It All

It seems as though there is a lot of catching up that needs to be done on this blog - a lot of stuff is happening around Casa Fifty Below!  All of it has happened in a few short summer days, when things are supposed to be slow and lazy.  So much for easing our way back into reality from vacation!

First, the good news - I have full-time employment for next year!  WOO HOO!!!  I had an interview on Thursday morning for an elementary band position in my current district, which when combined with my elementary music job, gives me full-time status.  'Bout time, is all I have to say.  Now, if they can just keep me for one more year, I'll have my tenure.....

Now, the not-so-good news - we've been having some nasty summer storms in the Northlands! On Friday night it rained, hailed, and blew a hell of a mess into our yard.  We were hoping for some serious hail that would damage our siding and roof to the point of insurance replacement (without damaging our beautiful new windows!), but alas, Mother Nature had other plans for our landscape.

One of our backyard trees lost a pretty big branch.  Mitch got most of it cleaned up, but to cut the rest of the dangling part down might take out a large chunk of the tree.  Stay tuned for whether or not the tree has to go, or whether it can be saved.  Let's hope we can keep it - Gizmo's new (but gently used from The Mrs.'s garage sale - thanks!) swing just got installed!

Our garden also took a pretty good hit, as you can see from my tomato and corn plants that got practically bowled over with wind and rain.

Finally, the really bad news - Gizmo is sick, again.  This time, she's been diagnosed with roseola, a common viral disease that should hopefully have run its course by Wednesday.  She's been awfully irritable, has run a fever, is choosing not to eat and sleep, and has a nasty-looking rash.  Poor thing was put through the wringer at the doctor's office on Saturday, as they suspected it was a bladder infections, and so she was poked and prodded for blood and urine samples, and then given a shot.  It was ugly.  Luckily, she hasn't lost the ability to flash a smile when the camera is on her.

Such a ham, that one is.

Here's to hoping that this week is a little bit slower than the last few days!

What Happens in Vegas....Goes On the Blog

Oh, Las Vegas.  How I missed you so.  

Mitch and I had a great three-day getaway/anniversary celebration/catch up on sleep/sanity check.  And, as the good little blogger that I am, I attempted to take pictures of everything, when I remembered.  

First stop when we got into town: In-N-Out Burger!  We went through the drive-through in the cab and took it back to the hotel room.  It was freaking delicious (even though it was cold).

We spent two days lounging by the pool with enough alcohol to keep us hydrated.

Notice the view?  We stayed at the MGM Grand, the biggest hotel in the world.  And it was.  The hallway to our room from the hotel went on for honestly, a good quarter-mile.  It was two hundred seventy-five steps from the elevator to our room.  I counted.

We spent one night at the Palms Hotel, having dinner at Gardunos, a great Mexican restaurant.

Mitch enjoyed some coffee to perk up for the evening -

- but I went for something a bit stronger.  Two, in fact.  Damn, I love those Patron margaritas.

The Palms were hosting the NHL Awards that week, and so all of the trophies were on display.  Mitch, being the native Minnesotan that he is, got very excited.

We went to both clubs at the Palms - The Playboy Club and the ghostbar - where we had drinks and someone, who shall remain nameless, lost a significant amount of money in a very short amount of time.  Good thing he's cute.

While walking through Mandalay Bay on our last night, I FINALLY found "my" machine - Leprechaun's Gold.  I always play this machine in Vegas, but apparently it's a little old, because we only saw it in two casinos.  

This year?  The Leprechaun wasn't so kind.  I never even got a Lucky's Bonus or anything.  My new game?  Kitty Glitter.  (Sorry no picture for this one, but while I was playing Mitch declared, "How many damn cats do you have to see on the screen to win something?"  It was hilarious, especially after a few drinks.)

We also hit another of our favorite bars, Red Square, which is a classic Russian vodka bar.  The mojitos and martinis were delicious.

We made a quick stop at the Luxor on our way back to the hotel Tuesday night. 

Who knew this would be the sight of Mitch's greatest triumph of the week?  The Playboy Club may have taken his money, but he took it back from the Luxor.  

That's two hundred dollars, baby!  The cocktail waitress was quick to bring Jameson and Ginger Ales - my new favorite drink - to his sideline cheerleader while Mitch was gambling.

We really had a great time.  It felt so good to relax, sleep in, and just see where the day took us. 

And on Thursday morning at 6:00am, it was back to reality as Mitch went to work and Gizmo was up for the day.  So much for easing our way back into things.

My First Trip To Target Field...I Will Now Retract All Of My Hatin'

While Boston and Katie were in the Northland to visit last weekend, we found time to take in a game at the new Target Field.  This was my first trip to the field, and while I was looking forward to a beautiful outdoor baseball game during the summer (it's what everyone has been so damn excited for for months!), I instead got to enjoy rainy, April-like conditions.  It sucked.  I missed the temperature control of the dome.  But, the field and entire stadium is very nice, and it did stop raining in the 5th inning.  I have no doubt that on a summer evening, this is the best place to be.

Despite the weather, the four of us managed to have a good time.  (Read:  drank enough overpriced beer to forget that it was raining.)

One of my favorite parts of the new field is the sign above center field of Minny and Paul, who shake hands and light up when a home run is hit.

Yeah, the Twins lost, and so they  never got to shake hands.  Boo.

The weather was just awful - while it stopped raining halfway through the game, it was cold and dreary - you couldn't even see the tops of the buildings in downtown Minneapolis.  But man, what a great view.

Our seats weren't too shabby either - we were in the second row right off of the third base line. We were so close, I could practically smell the Old Spice on the third base coach of the Braves.

While it was all fun, the best part of any ballpark experience (or any experience, for that matter) was the food.  Boston, Katie and I ate the obligatory hot dogs with grilled onion (they were quite good, but not as good as the Cell in Chicago), but Mitch decided to eat a cuban sandwich.

He clearly enjoyed it.

In the middle of the game, Boston decided to get nachos - he needed them to soak up the beer.  "Fun Boston" made an appearance at the game - so wonderful to see him again!

But by far the most entertaining part of the night was the consumption of cheese curds.  I was very excited to try the curds at the ballpark, and was even more excited to see that they come in a cute Leinie's canoe.

After I went to get mine, Katie decided that she wanted some, too.  She jealously sat as I enjoyed piece after piece of delicious fried cheese.

(Those jowels are produced by cheese curds from state fairs past.  Nice, I know.  Normally I would not post such a hideous picture of me, but Katie's face sums up the whining that she was doing about not having her own cheese curds.)

All gone!

(That look from Katie?  "Matt, you best get your ass up and get me some cheese curds now before I drink more $7 beers!) 

And this is how I felt after eating a whole boat of breaded cheese - 

Thankfully, Boston "got his ass up" and got Katie some cheese curds.  She still drank at least one more $7 beer.

We had a great time with Katie and Boston while they were in town.  I'll finally admit it - I enjoy spending time with my little sister now that she's all grown up.  The whining after I beat her in Clue the next night doesn't count.

Summer Fun

Gizmo and I had a very busy, fun-filled first day of summer vacation!  We chewed on stuff...

...read some books and laughed with Buddy....

...helped with the laundry....

...caught up on our issues of Pottery Barn...

...hugged the furniture....

...and practiced piano.

Tomorrow:  shopping!

Watch Out - She's Mobile!

Gizmo has been diligently working to figure out how to get around the house.  While she has been scooting backwards and can even walk around the furniture, she just couldn't crawl across the floor.

This week, it has changed - she's finally crawling!  The series of videos shows you her struggles and successes.

First thing on the "Summer To-Do" List - install baby gates and baby-proof the house.   

For Rachel

Gizmo is showing everyone the sound a deer makes....

Well, Maybe Just a Little Piece

If you were a Seinfeld watcher, I'm sure you remember the episode where Elaine's coworkers were eating cake at every "celebration", including birthdays and sick days.  

My job at the elementary school is very similar to Elaine's reality.  Every day is some kid's birthday, and they inevitably show up at my door to share their classroom treats with their favorite music teacher.  (OK, maybe I've elaborated the "favorite" part.  I am their only music teacher, so by default I am their favorite.)  Anyway, each day is a new treat - cupcakes are popular, but sometimes it's candy bars, cookies, and today it was an ice cream sandwich.

This job has certainly not helped in any weight-loss goals I have set for myself.  But, it sure is nice to have the sugar rush after dealing with a crappy group of third graders.  I fear what next week will bring when school is out and there are no cupcakes in the house.  I'll need to find the nearest bakery.  Stat.

She Just Keeps Getting Cuter and Cuter