whirlwind week

It’s been a long time since I was as busy as I was last week (actually, from August 23-31). Of course I was busy by choice, doing only fun stuff, so this is not a complaint. Darren had a couple friends visiting from out of state (Matt from Nebraska, & Jorim from Louisiana), so we decided to do All the Things.

As previously noted, I ended up going to the State Fair three times – that was the 23rd, 24th, and 31st. Day one was a nine-ish hour day I think, with the Wulfs. Day two was with Darren, Matt, and Jorim, and after the downpour none of us were keen on walking around with soaked shoes so we wrapped up early. Day three happened because I wanted a re-do, and the boys were up for anything, so we went back for six hours or so. Many miles were walked and much food was consumed. I regret nothing, but will probably stick to one or two days in the future.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bm2CLB1BDz5/?taken-by=trinalobax

We headed out to the Renaissance Festival on the 26th. Matt and Jorim met up with another friend that Darren wasn’t interested in seeing, so D and I bopped around together. It’s been a few years since we were there last. Good times were had.

I worked for a few days (while Darren took the boys to the Mall of America), then saw Hamilton on the 29th. I bought a season package this year way up in the cheap seats, so I’m looking forward to that. Hamilton was great, the hype is true. It didn’t change my life, but not every show needs to. It was 2 hours and 45 minutes of non-stop entertainment, worth every penny, and I would definitely see it again.

On the 30th, we went to Valleyfair. I hadn’t been to VF since 2007, but we went to Disneyland in 2015. Still, I wasn’t sure how it was going to go because I am getting Old. I skipped the upside down stuff and had to close my eyes on the one spinning ride we tried because motion sickness. Darren and I preferred the lazy river and the wave pool in the water park. As we were leaving, I was very aware of the fact that I may never return to Valleyfair again, although who’s to say, really. When I went to bed that night, every time I closed my eyes I felt like I was back on a roller coaster and was immediately nauseated. I had to sleep on my stomach. Old.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BnG-Ny1h1RH/?taken-by=trinalobax

The boys left our house on Friday night, and everything is back to normal, so I think that about wraps it up. Although I also started a new hobby during this time, so I’ll blog about that soon (hint: it’s cross stitch).

Fair Day and other things

It’s nearly September and I’m a little hurt by that. I do love fall, but it’s a bit spoiled by what comes after. That said, the end of summer means one big thing: the Great Minnesota Get Together. That’d be the State Fair for you non-Minnesotans. As has been tradition for the past decade plus, I went with Kate, Kelsey, their father, and of course Robin. Kate’s boyfriend joined us for the first few hours and did very well.

We spent about 14 hours there, although about an hour of that was spent taking our customary nap/break behind the dairy building. At the end of the day, it all comes down to one thing: the food list. What did we eat this year? Let’s see…

• Cinnamon rolls w/ milk (or coffee)
• Mini donuts
• Footlong
• Beef sticks
• Giant turkey sandwich
• All-you-can-drink milk
• Lemonade
• Beer gelato
• Four beer flights
• Fried green tomatoes
• Pretzel curds
• Oven fresh brownie w/ milk
• 1919 root beer
• Sweet corn
• Corn & blue cheese fritters
• Coconut macaroons
• Cream puffs w/ milk
• Sweet corn ice cream
• Lobster roll w/ fries
• Dairy barn sundaes (or a cone)
• Deep fried Snickers
• Porketta wings
• (Kelsey and Robin had schnitzel strips without us)
• Another footlong
• Red velvet funnel cake

Over all the summer has been pretty standard. The annual Ladies Cabin Weekend happened at the end of July. My oldest brother, Cody, got married at the beginning of August, then Darren and I celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary a few days later. Probably the most exciting thing is learning that I’m going to be an aunt again – Kyle and Jenna are expecting a wee one in March. Hooray! I’m going to teach him (or her) all about Doctor Who and musical theatre. Nerd child.

I started going to yoga last week and it’s one of the best thing’s I’ve done for myself. Once upon a time I did Core Power’s free week, but most studios are so expensive to join and even drop-in classes are spendy. Since then I’ve practiced a little at home, but mostly just in the form of simple stretching. Tula Yoga & Wellness in St. Paul is donation-based, so you can take most of their classes for as little as $5. They also have aerial yoga which I am excited to try eventually. /accidental commercial

Summertime, and the living is… easy?

Here’s a quick list of ALL THE THINGS, in no particular order.

We made it down to Wisconsin to see the grandparents. That was over a month ago, on June 7. Grandma is not doing well- at the time she was still staying at a care facility, but they were able to bring her home recently. A nurse comes to the house four hours a day. I’m glad we made it down; it had been far too long. We were able to celebrate grandma and grandpa’s 63rd anniversary with them (anniversary was June 8) which was very special.

Grandpa told us we should “take something to remember grandma,” which was a little awkward. She’s still alive. Still, this little glass chicken dish caught my eye, and now it’s in our living room.

Darren lost his plumbing job yesterday, only because his boss decided he doesn’t like having to teach him everything. He still works for Papa John’s, so it’s not like we’re suddenly in a financial panic. He intends to go through the process of getting a union apprenticeship, so I think in the end it will work out in his favor. Cross your fingers he passes all the tests! That said, if we turn down plans, please know it’s only because we’re trying to avoid spending money. Feel free to come over and drink at our place.

I had a four-day weekend for Independence Day. I learned that I only enjoy fireworks from a safe distance, so when we went to a party that involved yard explosions I spent most of the evening inside with the dogs (our dog and a friend’s). No regrets. Brenna was in town that weekend for her dad’s 60th birthday, and we were able to get together on Sunday. We went to the beach, then to Grumpy’s Bar in Roseville where Tara met us. Afterwards, we headed back to the Muddy Pig in St. Paul where we were joined by Sean, Dave, and of course Darren.

I told you this was in no particular order.

Last night I took Kate, Rebekah, and Michelle to RiffTrax Live: Sharknado. They broadcast from one of our – my company’s – theatres and I managed to get us comps. I was the only one that had seen the movie previously, but I tend to forget a lot about movies if I have only seen them once (and often twice, or even three times…). That plus the riffing made for mega good times.

Legendary.

Now it is Friday. This coming Tuesday I am dragging Darren with me to see Welcome To Night Vale on tour, because they’re coming to another one of our theatres and once again I was able to nab some comps. Until then, I think I’m going to spend some time binge-watching House on Netflix. Haters to the left.

documenting gluttony

So, the State Fair happened. Actually it is happening now, but we – the Wulfs and I – went on opening day. We looked at stuff, but mostly we ate, as per usual. Let’s see if I can remember everything we had.

• mini cinnamon rolls
• footlong hotdog
• mini donuts
• three flavors of beef jerky/sticks
• fried green tomatoes
• 1919 root beer
• bacon wrapped shrimp (on a stick)
• two beer flights
• bloomin’ onion
• Tremblay’s chocolates
• all-you-can-drink milk
• Turkey to Go sandwiches
• sundaes from the dairy building
• lobster mac & cheese
• coffee/tea break at one point
• cheesecake on a stick
• dosant/cronut
• porketta wings
• sausage on a stick
• cannoli
• double bacon corn dog
• english toffee fudge puppy
• more beer
• sweet corn ice cream
• cream puffs
• bull bites
• some kind of delicious sandwich
• second footlong

I think that’s the complete list? Close to it, at least. My vote for best new fair food goes to Mancini’s. They serve the sausage on a stick and the porketta wings, plus a bunch of other probably wonderful meaty items. Skip the bacon wrapped shrimp. The lobster mac was pasta, a little bit of lobster, and what we suspect was nacho cheese. Meh.

I am already looking forward to next year.

Cabin Weekend

Oh hey there.

I have many mosquito bites.

Fact: when I was in 4th or 5th grade I lost a spelling bee for misspelling mosquito and I have never spelled it wrong since.

Anyway, annual Kate’s Birthday Weekend Cabin Extravaganza was this past weekend. We – me and Kate, Rebekah, Becky, Susanna, Michelle, and Amanda – left Thursday evening and returned yesterday afternoon. Plus Heather came to visit on Friday and we got to meet baby Soren! He is the cutest.

Bek had to leave for a good chunk of the time because she double-booked us and had to go spend time with her family. Lame. The rest of us spent the weekend swimming, floating, drinking, and eating too many things cooked over the fire. I’m paying for it today, but regret nothing. Well, mostly. I maybe shouldn’t have eaten quite so much, but whatever. Cabin Weekend only happens once a year, so a day of suffering afterwards probably won’t kill me.

Here are some Instagram photos. I only took a few, because lazy.

Michelle and Kate

Northern Spark 2013

Northern Spark was a week ago. We got there around 9:30 and left at 4am. It was busy and there were a lot of long lines, but over all it was very, very cool. Have some pictures!

Kate modeling her headgear.

I made a huge bow at one of the booths.

Michelle made a veil.

Graffiti wall. We all added some.

Gossip Orchestra.

The Gossip Orchestra was the coolest thing. Here is a video. People could go in the middle of the circle and conduct the orchestra using lights.

Michelle, Sam, Susanna, Kate, Me.

the cake to end all cakes

Hello.

I have a question for you.

Are you familiar with this cake from the Internet?

I suspect you are. It is everywhere.

Yesterday I went over to Kate’s. We ate an entire pizza, watched Kitchen Nightmares, and this happened:

Yeah, so maybe it could have used another layer. But it happened, and that is what’s important. We each ate a slice and probably have diabetes now. The rest will presumably be eaten by Kate’s coworkers.

Anyway, what else?

The State Fair happened. Per tradition, on opening day I headed out with the Wulfs to spend fourteen hours walking, eating, and looking at stuff. It’s the best day of the year.

I went the next day with Darren, for three hours.

After which we celebrated his birthday and I spent the rest of the weekend recovering.

Two weeks worth of fun in one post. Can’t go wrong.

Sometime this month D and I will roll out to the Renaissance Festival. The question is, do I wear a costume? Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps. Until then, I’ll spend the rest of the time working, interneting, exercising, and pet wrangling.

As always, try not to be too jealous.

of Instagram and bullet points

• A lot of people in the last week have been finding this blog with search terms related to “ugly couch.” What? We used to have an ugly couch, but I think it’s been like a year.

• Kate and I took a random adventure to Wisconsin a few weeks ago. It mostly involved bars.

• I have twice attempted to get a tattoo. I was thwarted both times. Next time I’m making an appointment like a normal person.

• Everyone’s cats are dying. First Jack, then our Buck, then Grendel, and now Bella. It’s breaking my heart. Stop the madness!

• It was our second wedding anniversary on Tuesday. We celebrated by spending a lot of money. Also, eating amazing sushi. And Darren bought a shitload of tea.

• Kate and I went to a St. Paul Saints game tonight. They lost, but it was amazing.

Tomorrow is Irish Fair. Yay!

your songs remind me of swimming

I’ve been neglectful, and for that I am sorry. It mostly just means I haven’t had any stories.

But! This past weekend was Kate’s birthday, and with that comes our annual trip to the Wulf Den.

Kate, Rebekah, Amanda, Susanna, and I rolled north Friday morning to spend a few days at the lake. We were joined Friday night by Heather and Stephanie, and Marsha (and her baby!) swung by for a few hours on Saturday.

Sadly I did not take many pictures. We spent most of our time in the water, and who wants to ruin their camera like that?

That said, I do have a few Instagram goodies that I managed to snap.

We stopped at Treasure City.

We made a pit stop at Treasure City in Royalton, because why not? If you haven’t been there, stop by. It is insanity.

Shark treasure.

They have so many treasures.

We had to stop for some groceries before we got to the cabin. These groceries consisted of a few fruits and veggies, but mainly s’mores stuff and Oreos. And liquor.

Triple Decker Double Stuf

These are a thing.

After some swimming and drankin’, there were shenanigans. Including, but not limited to, drunk headstands. I have photos of ALL the headstands, but here is mine.

FACE!

Alas, after Friday no pictures were taken. But there was plenty of eating, drinking, and merrymaking. And skinny dipping, natch.

We returned to St. Paul on Sunday afternoon. I am still tired.

This weekend? Toga party.

Green was the silence, wet was the light; the month of June trembled like a butterfly.

It’s weekends like this that remind me how great Minnesota summers are.

Friday night, Kate and I went to a going away party for Shelly, who is moving to Arizona. I failed to take any pictures of the event. I also left a pan of brownies there, which I somewhat regret. I’ll have to get my pan back from Eric at some point. And then make more brownies, because they were delicious. After the party, Kate and I sat on her porch for people-watching outside the bar. It was chode night at the Rec, and I’m glad we weren’t there.

As for yesterday, here are some photos.

Lake Josephine

Kate, Amanda, Susanna, Christine, and I squeezed into one car and headed to the lake for a few hours. After being very diligent about sunblock reapplication, I managed to avoid burnination. I achieved a slight tan, actually, which is a nice change from the ghostly winter hue.

We stopped for ice cream when when left. Worth noting because ice cream is never not delicious.

I took an accidental nap when I got home, and then Darren and I went to the Rec for a celebration thing. The crowd was small and not made up of frat boys, thank goodness.

I snapped some pictures of bathroom graffiti.

There are a lot of ridiculous thing written in the ladies’ room. It makes me curious about the mens’. Not curious enough to find out.

We got charged for more drinks than we ordered, so I’m hoping I secretly paid for friends’ drinks and not the drinks of strangers. We left earlier than usual and got to bed at a reasonable enough time for a Saturday night.

Today: gyro brunch (Dino’s opens at 10! Come on. 10:30 gyro breakfast FTW), grocery shopping, sitting in air conditioning. I did manage a workout, just because the 30 Day Shred is mercifully only 20 minutes long. I don’t think Jillian would approve of my food/drink choices this weekend, but I’ll make up for it during the week. Probably.

I want to win the lottery so I can spend all summer just like this.