Purple Pride

One of the things I like best about fall is football,especially Vikings Football. I used to like fall because of my birthday but I got over that a loooong time ago.
2 weekend's ago I took my friend Susan to her first professional football game,pre-season but I don't think she cared. Sanford has several season tickets that you can sign up for a chance to buy every home game. I usually get to one a year, this year happened to be a pre-season game.

After a rocky start we left on Friday for Glencoe. The plan was I was going to get off work at 1:00 and pick Susan up at Brandon then stop at Manleys Tire and Oil by Valley Springs to get new tires put on the car(it was getting dangerous), then proceed on our way to Glencoe to spend the evening with Joan. Well you know what they say about the best laid plans.

It must have been about 11:30 when Susan called me at work and I knew right away something was wrong. She had made her last stop on her list before leaving town, went out to her car and nothing. She was very upset but I said there was nothing going on that night that we had to be there for so we would just play it my ear. Actually things went really well. She had her car towed to Graham Tire, they thought they could have it done in about 3 hours. Turned out she did not have her packing done so after I left work I picked her up took her home to pack and I went to get the new tires put on. That did not take long! I barely got sat down, read about two pages in my book and they were calling my name. I headed back to Susan's we got her stuff in the car stopped at the post office then went to get her car. We only had to wait about 15 minutes, a new battery,a starter and about $400 and we were out the door. Since I had not had any lunch I told her I was running through Micky D's for a hamburger so I would meet her at her house. Who ever thought it would take longer to get a Big Mac then to get new tires on your car! But it did and I am not exaggerating! Susan thought I got lost.

Anyway back to the trip. We finally got on our way and made really good time to Joan's where we had a really nice dinner.

Saturday Joan and I let Susan sleep and we went off to search the Glencoe citywide garage sales for bargains. Found a few. (no books, I could have bought some but I restrained myself)Back at the house Susan had awoke and was ready for the day. She and I headed to Hutch to have lunch with a co-worker of mine who just moved to Hutch and my girlfriend Maureen, after which we went to Maureen's shop and tried on some REALLY expensive clothes. OMG I had no idea that expensive clothes feel that different! If I only had the money! Sadly I had to put them all back on the hangers and walk away. We headed to the cities where we went to the Mall of America and I settled for 2 pairs of $12 jeans at Old Navy.

So here is where the Purple pride comes in... we drove into Mpls and found a primo parking place, that we did not even have to pay for right across from the Dome. I am sure Susan had no idea what to expect but she was so excited even though she did not really know a thing about football. It was fun for me to explain the game and answer her questions of "why did they have to give them the ball." Being a pre season game it was not very exciting for me but it was for her. We had alot of fun and Susan being Susan made friends with everyone around us. I hope someday I can take her back for a real game! Doubtful that I could embarrass her with my enthusiasm for the Purple and Gold, I mean this is a women who yells at the screen in the movie theatre,but I sure think it would be fun trying!

Hate to see summer go but I sure love the fall!

Olympic Spirit

I have been spending most of my evenings watching the Olympics. I have watched every Olympics since I was in high school going back to Olga Korbit making history with her unbelievable moves on the uneven bars. What seemed like an impossibility in the 70's is now routine. And so it goes. I remember Mark Spitz and his 7 gold medals won with out a swim cap and a store bought swimming suit. No doubt Michael Phelps accomplishments are amazing but they still do not take away from Marks amazing feat 30 some years ago. I love watching these amazing human specimens do things with their bodies that most of us consider impossible. I love the emotion of it all and can feel the joy of the winners and feel the pain and disappointment of those who fall short. I have seen some of the most heartwarming moments some absolutely unforgettable. Who will ever forget the rag tag American Hockey team that was not even supposed to medal win Olympic Gold. Hard not to be proud to be an American when you watch history like that being made. There was the gymnast named Kerri who landed a vault on one leg after she sprained her ankle so that she could help the US win a medal. What do these athletes have that the rest of us don't beside the talent. What drives them do be so disciplined to train for so many years for one brief moment. Even more heartwarming then the winners are those who do it all knowing there is absolutely no chance of winning a medal. This year the women's beach volleyball team who play for gold tonight have captured my attention. Go USA!
I guess when they talk about someone having heart they had these amazing people in mind.

Catching Up, Again

I got in trouble again today from my daughter. "Mom I am tired of looking at the same blog." I guess sometimes my life is just that boring that I really do not have much to say. But I suppose I should be able to find something to talk about after 2 weeks.

Toby and I are doing pretty good.The training is going really well and he is really catching on. We are starting to develop a kind of routine. We try to take a walk in the morning and in the evening. He has started to go to the door and just sits there until I let him out then he always goes poop or potty. The leash is going well too. He no longer flops around on it like a fish on a fishing pole. He does love the kids and is always distracted by them. They love him as well. There are a lot of dogs in the neighborhood and some tend to go a little crazy when we walk by but so far he has not barked back. He rarely barks at all but he does know how to cry when he has to go into the kennel. At night when it is time for bed he is always ready to settle down. He has only woke me up 3 times in the night since I brought him home. One evening I decided to get comfortable pretty early and as usual he followed me up the stairs then cried to get up on the bed he thought that is where we were headed so I guess he has figured that out too. I know he has grown quite a bit but since I see him everyday I do not notice it as much as someone else might so I am anxious to see how much weight he has gained when we go back to the vet this month. I love my Toby he will probably be the only male I ever have in my bed again.

Lets see, I did make a trip back to Glencoe to go to the shower for the kids cousin Michael's fiance's shower. Even though Bob and I are divorced I still think of all the kids as my nieces and nephews so I am just going to call him that. Michael is Lora's age and I know she is really bummed that she cannot get home for his wedding. Anyway it was so nice to see everyone there. I was so happy to see everyone and Bob's Mom made me feel so good. The minute she saw me walk in the door she held her arms out for me to come to her. I honestly wanted to cry. She has been my mother-in-law longer then she has not and I divorced him not his family. I love them all as much as ever.

Toby and I stayed with Joan and her puppy Charlie. Joan really liked Toby but I am pretty sure that Charlie was very happy for us to go. He does not like to share Joanie with anyone.

Last Friday night my friends and I got together to watch the opening ceremonies of the Sumner Olympics. It was amazing and I can only imagine what it must have been like to actually be there. I remember the year after my high school graduation the Olympics were going to be in Canada,a bunch of us had talked about going to see them. It did not happen but it would have been a good time.