The One That Got Away
Jan 27th, 2010 by Shalee
I can’t wait to tell you all about Brainerd and ice fishing!
But it will have to wait until next year. The weather was bad, so my boss cancelled it with plans to go ice fishing some time in March. Bummer. We were all psyched about it too; we had our Hot Hands all ready to go for our hands AND our feet.
Do we learn quickly or what?
So instead of hitting the frozen lake, we decided to take our umbrellas and visit parts of the Winter Festival in St. Paul. We saw ice sculputers, heard live bands and ultimately we decided to ice skate at Landmark Center. A rink was set up outside the building – nothing big, but perfect for the likes of the inexperienced, such as we are.
We approached the tent, money at the ready, to don ice skates and to fall down quite a bit. To our surprise, it was free ice skating that day since it was sponsored by Toyota! Woo hoo! Free is always good with me! In addition to free skating, they supplied hot chocolate to visitors to keep them toasty and sweet on the inside.
Can I just tell you that ice skating in the rain is a blast! All of us were laughing and having a great time. The extra bonus was that there were only a handful of others out on the rink. We had it mostly to ourselves, leaving us free to make fools of ourselves with nary a worry of the comedy that was surely occuring. Some time in the middle of our skating, the rain tapered off and the temp held steady so that we could skate without freezing to death.
During the skate time, there was a parade that passed directly in front of the rink. We were able to watch it, listen to the bands and skate inbetween the marching. That was like a little special bonus to this incredibly fun day.
All I can say is that we were like the family on the Hallmark cards, holding hands, laughing, enjoying every single blessing of the day. Mr. Right and I held hands often, the kids skated together with no arguing and all of us tried our hands at skating backwards. The Boy’s favorite activity was to fall into each and every puddle on the ice. He was sopping wet, but thanks to his “new” snowsuit (Thanks Amelia!!!), he had a blast in the rink sized slip and slide. And I didn’t have a cow about any ensuing cold that might occur afterwards.
On the way home, we drove past a Trader Joe’s and I made Mr. Right turn around to find it. I’d heard so much about them and I already had a few others tell me that I HAD to visit one, so we combined it all in one day. We loved the cheese section which was huge! We loved the ready made pizza dough (regular or whole wheat!)! We loved the friendliness of the workers who told us that if we wanted to try anything before we buy it we could or if we bought something and didn’t like it we could take it back no questions asked! We LOVED finding the 3 Buck Chuck – a $3 wine bottle section in the liquor part of the store. (It’s really good with food, but neither Mr. Right or I cared for it as much on its own. We would definitely buy it again though.)
We topped the day off by going home to make the pizzas and to watch a movie. I’m telling you. A Saturday doesn’t get any better than that! Actually, it was probably the best day I’ve had here so far. No pressure and all fun – a day to escape all the other responsibilities on our shoulders.
(BTW, I’m sorry that I’m not posting as regularly. Work is still overwhelming and by the time I get home, I’m too beat to think straight. I’ll get settled into it soon enough and get back to sharing the mundaneness of it all with you. Doesn’t that make you want to keep coming back for more?)
How has your week been so far? Do tell because I’m missing having close friends who are around to share their news!
Oh, I’m SO GLAD you had a great weekend. I actually thought about you on Saturday and winced at the thought that you might be Up North enduring the slog of drizzle, fog and nastiness. Sounds like your plans were much more fitting.
And how have you NOT shopped at Trader Joe’s before? Did they not have them around you in Kansas? They are the best. If you want, I could send you to some great posts where people share their favorite TJ’s products.
Sounds like y’all are having a great time. We didn’t go to Trader Joe’s much when we lived in CA, but we did love to stop in every now and then for a bottle of their French Lemonade. You must try it sometime…. it is really good!
We are still looking for a local church (but think we may have found it!), still unpacking and trying to set up house, and trying to get into a routine with our schoolwork. Days like today (I had to go meet the new family dr. we were assigned to so I could get some meds refilled) play havoc with the schedule, though!
Now you have me thinking about Trader Joe’s… I’ll have to see where the closest one is!
I was thinking about you guys all day on Saturday. And ive been holding my breath to hear all about it, so thanks for posting today.
How i wish i could have seen it all! had my nose in my sewing room all day. Tenni, by the way, has decided that the thread on the sewing machine is a new toy for her to attack as it goes from the spool to the shuttle.
And what a yokel i am… ive never heard of Trader Joes. Out here in the middle of cornfields and cow patties, im lucky to find a Gag n Save.
Is it something like World Market? I went to one of those in Tenn.
I love hearing about your new adventures! It sounds like a whole new world you’re apart of now. Glad you had such a fantastic day.
Love you!
Well, since you asked…I’ve spent time in the ER, at the doctor, and in agony. Waiting to get my gallbladder removed!
I smile, but it’s a phony smile.
At this moment, though, I’m watching my hubby install a new kitchen sink and faucet! YAHOO! 
That was a REAL smile.
Glad that you are all settling into your new life and home well. Prayers for the house and for adjustments!
Sounds like a wonderful time. You’re settling right into being a Minnesotan, yeah der. I’m working on the finishing touches for a reenacting congress and gala which is next weekend.
Glad to hear you had a fun, relaxing day as a family. Those are the most cherished times we can have.