Yes Bandit, there is a Santa Claus

Merry Christmas to all! May God's blessings be ever abundant in the coming year!

I need a hug...no wait, I need french fries

Park Nicollet Clinic Christmas Party

Between work and Christmas shopping and doing the Christmas card letter I haven't had much time to post. I guess the latest thing was a work party last weekend. I volunteered to plan the party this year as a way to get to know more people and it really worked. Daniel DJ'ed it for a discounted rate and we had it at the American Legion Club in Apple Valley since my partner in planning (Jolene) knew a guy that knew a guy. We were able to keep the cost down. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. The legion provided the food and between that and the music everyone enjoyed themselves. Lots of visiting and some dancing filled the evening. I don't know if I'll do it again. Money is not something I enjoy managing for an entire clinic but it all worked out quite well.

visiting time

Michael fit right in since one of the husbands had ties to Delta

requesting a song

Jolene going over some of the music with Daniel and Karen

You Know Who You Are :)

I didn't post much from Camp this time because it happens so frequently but I had a request from a certain person whose name starts with K and ends with Y whose last name starts with S and ends with H whose neighborhood has enormous planes that fly over at all hours of the day and night whose grandchildren are many and live in both Twin cities who knows more people than anyone will in anyone's entire lifetime who is in the following picture who is in the top row with the dashing smile and also knows everyone in the following picture and is related to almost half!

I Give Thanks for Crafts

The place I work at is having a craft fair in the conference room. I decided at first to make garden lights. I nixed that because of cost. Then there was cross-stitch but that takes too long. Then I came upon a inexpensive pattern for booties. Boy, they are putzy but I sure had fun making them. Don't know if I'll sell any but it was fun anyway. Will try to post pics afterward. I finished them up today since tomorrow is Thanksgiving, I'm off work and I am going to someone else's house for turkey day!! David and Venessa are doing it for the first time. I think he is as excited as I am!

Cowboy Bandit - Hee Hah

Michael had Bandit's collar on so he could say hi to all the kids when they came to the door (I don't think the dog cared though but don't tell Michael)

 

 

 

Cristina & Christine

Just a short post about a fun event. I always love a parade and feel the same way about parties. I was at work this past Friday and a friend from my past (I visit him and his family in Owatonna once a year) called me and asked if I was going to Cristina's 60th birthday party. I said that I knew she was having one but I thought it was invitation only. He said it was most everyone on her Facebook page and he had already told her I was coming. Did I forget to mention I love parties. I told him "wow! I'll run home after I get off work, change clothes, grab the hubby and meet you there!" The rest is history. Just for background info most of the people there were from a Christian community I was in back in the 70s and most of them except for Cristina I hadn't seen in 20 years. I figured I wouldn't worry about looking 20 years older because we all did. They all knew me before and after I was married and we had all left the Christian community and had moved on to new adventures as we grew up and older.  Cristina, being spanish had her friends and family cook up a authentic mexican meal with all the trimmings. It was a wonderful way to spend a Friday night. Did I mention I love a party!!!!

Cristina & Christine

SW Wisconsin - Where Else Will I Ever Go?

This year's fall trip took us to the same places for the most part. Karen came along and enjoyed the Wabasha Eagle Center the most. The pic is of the trainer with Donald who fortunately only for him he had just finished eating a rat. (eeuh!!!).  We only had a weekend but were able to cram in some sights, apple orchards and a visit with friends and relatives. The picture of us is at the Irish pub (other picture) with Michael's cousin Monsignor Ken Fiedler. That's always my favorite time on the trip. He is a very caring, wonderful man and shares alot of my and Michael's beliefs concerning the Catholic Church. Because he doesn't adhere to alot of the conservative views of the Church he sometimes minces words with the Bishop in Wisconsin. He's kind of a rebel who loves Jesus and what He stands for which is probably why I enjoy him so much.  As you can see the dog came along and did real well and even got in some squirrel watching. The last picture is my "goofy" one (I always seem to be in the right place for these). It was raining that day and while walking the dog this lady was wiping down her mailbox. I mean really, the mailbox???? in the rain no less???? Anyway, enjoy the pics.








Gays Mills - All the orchards are around this area

 

The Irish Pub we ate in

Karen, Fr Ken, me and Michael

Lady cleaning her mailbox in the rain. Don't ask me to explain it. I can't

 

Fall Day Trip

Had lunch here

Michael and I decided to take this past Saturday and cruise down the Wisconsin side and back up the Minnesota side. It was the dog's first car trip and it went very well. It also was a first for having David and Venessa along. We had a wonderful time stopping at antique shops, craft shops and art fairs. Had lunch at a very nice place along the river. I wonder what the people who have warm weather all the time do for fun. The seasons bring out so much enjoyable sights, smells, and tastes (like caramel apples!).

The River Ladies in Wabasha

Getting to know your neighbors

Our neighborhood had it's 3rd block party since we lived here. Michael and I have watched the neighborhood turn over close to three times with new families. This event was the best yet. Food, fun and fellowship. Pets were welcome as well as musical instruments. Kids were everywhere and after they were put to bed some of the stragglers hung out over a glass of wine to gather and sing some John Denver tunes together. It seems we on Dupont have hit a high when it comes to having nice neighbors who care about their neighborhood and what goes on around them. I personally think it's a good thing to know who your neighbors are especially when in the dead of winter we can't get our cars released from those awful snow drifts. I also learned some new things about my neighbors. One is an OB/GYN doctor, one is a very talented guitar player, and having brand new neighbors right next door I had an opportunity to introduce myself and get to know them better. All good. We won the honorary award for the longest resident on the block at 29 years. Not sure if thats good or not but everyone else enjoyed it. They wanted to know what the neighborhood looked like in "the dark ages".

That Toddling Town

Went to Chicago last weekend and had a much different experience from the last time. Weather was about 20 degrees cooler, "Mr Ed", Michael's college buddy Ed R met us downtown for lunch at the oldest restaurant in Chicago called The Berghoff, German cuisine run by now 5th generation family. We stayed in a Comfort Inn in downtown Chicago rather than in one out by the airport and enjoyed a two room suite with kitchenette.  I highly recommend it. I really think the town never sleeps. We went to the Science Museum which was more educationally and historically oriented that the one here in St. Paul and in the evening we took in the sights. I had to admit even after 31 years of marriage it was quite the romantic evening taking a walk along one the streets that go over the Chicago river and enjoying all the night life. We decided to return another time. Being so busy with the orientation for my new job has been so exhausting in so many ways that spending the evening viewing the skyline from the 24th floor of our hotel room (definitely not for the vertically challenged), staying up past midnight, something I don't get to do anymore (you'd have to be me to really understand that) and walking along the boardwalk of the Chicago River with Michael really was a nice way to spend the weekend and time away from "brain" work. Enjoy the pics.




                                                            



    

Betty the Boop

"Eat your heart out, McDonalds!"

Recently after visiting my 89 yr-old mother I found a picture book that one of her friends gave her after moving to San Diego last year. There were many pictures of my mother with friends from Mainstreet where she lives. I couldn't resist posting a few. Her cancer doctor told her at her last visit that he and her primary doctor are placing bets on how long she will live since she has so many medical issues and keeps on ticking. She is such a "Timex watch".



Cards, cards, cards (notice the sucker)!

my birthday!

Life With Bandit

Bandit continues to amuse us or in some cases annoy us. For the first time, he got a hold of a full toilet roll. I was, as usually the case, on the computer and I heard him growling and barking in the living room. I didn't pay much attention because he does this fairly frequently with bones that I get from the butcher, not to mention that I really needed some time to myself. I usually let him have them outside until he totally cleans them off and then we have them stored in his toy basket (is this a toddler or what????). After about 10 minutes Bandit joined me at my feet in the computer room. Meanwhile  Michael comes down from upstairs and I hear him yell "Christine What the heck is going on?!" I come rushing into the living room only to see the living room has been t-peed by the dog. I couldn't stop laughing and my "Doom & Gloom hubby" keeps saying, "I don't see the humor in this". As I fell onto the couch from laughing I realized that it was just what I needed after a long day of work. I can only say God works in wonderful & mysterious ways! Laughing feels sooo good sometimes! Unfortunately I didn't take a picture so I put this one in of him after getting stung by a bee (he tends to leave them alone anymore).



Bandit's swollen lip. No more bees for him!

Another Odd Pic

I love looking around in my environment for interesting pictures to take esp. when I am traveling. When I went to Indiana for the annual Starnes family reunion I didn't take any pictures because it's always the same people, same place, same food, etc. etc. Michael asked me if I took pictures this year and I said only one. Unfortunately it was at the airport and there aren't any Starnes's for Fiedlers in it but it's another one I can add to my collection in interesting and odd pictures (if you click on the picture you can see a closer look at the little people and if you listen REAL close you can hear them squeeking out, "hurry, we're late for our flight!". I think I'll start an album!



At least they aren't in a landfill!

Birthday Time

Happy birthday Karen. Sometimes I wish I could stop time but of course it's not to be. Loved ya then and love ya now! Have a great 29th!!! Mom  :)

Aiden

enjoying a snack (first time having a pretzel I believe)

I got to babysit today even though I'm not a grandmother (yet). Daniel has a friend that has a little boy and she was in a pinch so he called me and the rest is history. I told Daniel since he was my youngest child he never really had to learn to share his toys so this would be his chance to do that. I rounded up some of his Hot Wheel cars, his legos and some books and I got busy having fun with 18-month-old Aiden. Had forgotten that children that age have the attention span of an ant so I decided not to worry about the mess that would inevitably fill my living space. He has a pretty good grasp of language even though he calls every female mom. I didn't mind knowing that he has full knowledge of who his mother really is. Following are some pics I took of our time together. Enjoy.



 Lego fun

of course we had to try out the piano



gettin' tired

Saints Alive!!

Alot been going on for me these past couple weeks. Received a call from Healthpartners about a possible job opening. They are opening a new clinic on 40 something Chicago and so did a phone interview with them. Then Park Nicollet called me about 2 openings at 28 to 32 hours which is doable. Did the same with them and they asked me out for a face to face. Very positive except my mouth went dry which makes it hard to talk but my answers were right on and they ended it with a nickel tour. Really hopeful even though it's in Eagan.
Then Karen called me about her summer "bucket list". She needed to go to a Saints game so we went Friday night. Had a blast and they won in the 11th inning. Tried to get a pic with the mascot (that would make 3 different ones so far) but so many kids there. The only "downer" was two kids behind Karen and myself. One was a preteen that must be a die-hard fan screaming through every hit and singing through every song in between innings and a 5 yr-old behind me occasionally kicking my backside. We took a break to get a hot dog and frozen lemonade and got back just in time for the 7th inning stretch and the preteen doing the macareena song. Unfortunately I didn't have any Ritalin with me. All in all we really had fun, parking was very easy to maneuver with all the tail-gaiters and the firewords were something beyond fantastic and that's putting it mildly. Enjoy the pics!

scoreboard in the 1st

tail-gaters

mascot pigs

Gert the Flirt