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Showing posts from October, 2006

Worry Wart

So here I sit on Halloween night. I sit here somewhere between totaly angst and being greatly annoyed. Steve went camping with 5 other guys on Thursday night. They went to the Boundary Waters loaded up with loads of supplies, canoes, whiskey - you know, the camping essentials. They were supposed to come back today....but I haven't heard from them. No word. Out of cell phone range. Dark. Cold. This is when I zoom into super-hyper-worry mode. My imagination is VERY fruitful and I've been trying to distract myself all evening with watching various things on television, writing wedding thank yous, handing out candy to trick-or-treaters (we had 17 tonight - pretty good considering it's only in the 20's) and well, that's about it. I spend a lot of time zoning out and trying not to think. I'm sure it just got late today and they decided - heck, it's getting late - we might as well just stay another night. But DAMN I would really like to know that. I feel like the w

This is Halloween! This is Halloween!

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Not only is today Halloween.... But it's also my Sweet Husband's birthday. And since he's still off in Canoe Country camping...he can't make any objection to me posting baby pictures of him on the internet. Isn't he cute??? HAPPY BIRTHDAY, my Sweetie Pie! I love you!

Spooktacular

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My Halloweening is pretty mellow this year. (Yes, I know that's not a verb...deal with it. :)) Saturday of course was the Pumpkin Train and that evening my friend Michelle came over for the Great Gorge Fest of 2006. She made the lovely graveyard cake pictured above...sadly we ate so much food that night we couldn't possibly eat cake TOO! So, we'll be eating that tomorrow at work. We feasted on veggies & Tastefully Simple Bacon-Bacon dip (my fave), Triscuits & a couple different cheeses, pretzels, TS Beer Bread & "Warm the Oven" warm cheese dip. Healthy, huh? We watched the first episode from the British version of THE OFFICE (and I will be watching more!) and a couple of creepy movies. An American Haunting which is the tale of the Bell Witch in Tennessee in....1818 or so. Interesting story - I enjoyed it. I love Sissy Spacek and though Donald Sutherland was pretty good too. Michelle figured this one out way before I did. The second flick we watched w

Lazy Sunday Afternoon

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From MY Pumpkin Patch

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We managed to grow one pumpkin this year. It was a new experience for me and rather fun...although I wish more flowers would've turned into pumpkins...and I wish this pumpkin had turned orange! I think it looks rather cute though sitting out on the front porch on orange fiestaware (Steve set this up and I want to squish him for it - in a good way).

Fall Back

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Miss M & I spent the day on the North Shore Scenic railroad and then at the (world's lamest) "secret pumpkin patch." More details tomorrow over here .

Not Cool - Update!

The fridge repair guy just left. He was here for 45 minutes so...$58 + $30 - not bad so far. The problem was the freezer's thermostat which wasn't working. So the heater coils that are in the bottom area of the freezer (technical, aren't I?) were all frozen up and then the air flow from the fridge wasn't getting up there to make it cold or something like that. I don't know. All I know is that for the first time in a week there is really cold air blowing around in my freezer and that makes me HAPPY! The part he has to order is about 20 bucks and should be here by early next week. Then it's that $20 + installation....at any rate, much cheaper than buying a new fridge. AND I get to have hard ice cream this weekend. :)

Not Cool

That's our freezer anyway. Last Sunday I pulled out the ice cream (Breyer's Cookies & Cream - yum) as I was finally over my cold enough to WANT ice cream. I dug in with the new superhero-esque ice cream scoop (shower gift) and it just went through the ice cream with an ease that I was not expecting. Our freezer has stopped being "really cold." We've rearranged things in there (who knew we had so many partial bags of buns??), we turned the settings down, up, off, on; we put in a couple thermometers and the prognosis is....22 degrees. Not really cold enough for a freezer. So far the meat is staying frozen (barely) but the ice cream is woefully not. I called a service tech today as I really REALLY would rather have it be FIXED instead of having to purchase a new one and luckily one of the repair people can come out today after 4:30 as they had a cancellation. Hopefully he'll look at and go "oh yes, you need a new freezdingalaptor" and then it'll

Book Review II

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A while back I wrote my nerdy book reviews from the books that I've read from January through June. Well, I'm back with more inept reviews of the books I've read June through, let's say October (although I may finish one more, we'll see...) Chesapeake by James Michener This book intrigued me because my boss (an avid reader) told me of the epic-quality of the story and how much research Michener did when writing. I am a geek for history, learning things, and books that have a lot of research. I like to (sometimes) feel like I'm learning something while reading fiction. This fit the niche perfectly. I enjoyed reading this (although it took me 2 months!!! egads!)book however, I missed knowing characters in a more intimate fashion. Sure, I learned what happened on this particular bay on the North American Continent from early native american tribes to present (well, the 70's) day but I missed the details of relationships, the moments of clarity as an object or

Self-Portrait 1

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Inspiration

When I'm feeling very blah or down or unenthused about what I'm doing, I visit certain websites which always lift my spirits and inspire me to get back to what I love to do - create! I find that I can read the lovely words written by these ladies (and occasionally men) and the photos fill me with delight and the projects make me want to bust out all of my crafty supplies at once and fill the kitchen with fresh baked goods wrapped in beautiful packages. Sometimes it's hard when I walk down these avenues because I am generally in a place where I cannot immediately run to my "craft room" (currently a card table in the den but soon to be an ACTUAL ROOM!!) to start a project. Often I can't wait til that last minute on my "work clock" when I can rush home and work on something between the magical hour of getting home from work and making dinner. These are some of the sites that have been inspiring me lately. Thank you. AfricanKelli - for amazing baked goo

An Anniversary

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Today is the 3-year anniversary of me being a home owner. I bought my 1896 story-and-a-half house in 2003. That is hard to believe. I closed on a Friday and had the afternoon off at my new house alone before my parents & my friend Sarah came up to help me move in the next day. I remember very vividly the feeling of parking in the garage and opening the back gate to MY back yard. Walking up to the back door and inserting my brand new key into my very own door. I remember just wandering from room to room marvelling at the fact that I owned this! I owned everything! (well, me & the bank....). I own that faucet! I own that mirror. I own that nasty carpet on the floor. I own those god-awful drapes. I own the cute little front porch and the skinny hall leading to my new bedroom. I own the bird bath in the back yard and every blade of grass. It's an amazing and daunting feeling. It was something that I'm very proud of myself for doing by myself. Well, my Dad did help me with t

Blogging Daily

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I've decided to give this a try . Blogging every day in November. It's all the rage . Join me & others to try to post a day every day in November. More details here . Even prizes & stuff!

One Month

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Today we are celebrating one month of wedded bliss! I cannot believe that it has gone so fast. Time really flies. It's a wee bit scary if you ask me. One month before the wedding I was excited to go to Vegas with my girlfriends. I can't believe that was two months ago! Now I am happily taking time to *breathe* and regroup and resettle now that life is returning to normal. I have a list of projects a mile long that I wish to tackle and the holidays & honeymoon are right around the corner. Happy One Month, My Sweet Sweet Husband! xoxo

Knitting by the Light of My Film

Well, this round of screenings of Newton's Disease are now over. I can breathe a bit of a sign of relief. They've gone well but I've just been so darn busy since...July...that it'll be nice to be done for a while and take a break and start to focus on upcoming events...holidays & honeymoon. For the three nights in Duluth we had about 90 people come and see the film. That doesn't sound like a ton, but for a town that doesn't seem to have a huge art house crowd I thought we did very well. We got some really great audience response, lots of people we didn't know at all showed up and we even sold a few DVDs. Each night's audience responded very differently and I find that interesting. Where the laughs come, the thougthful pauses, the "aha!" moments...and people's reactions afterwards are usually telling too. For instance - do people (friends and/or acquaintances) stop and say something either 1) out of honesty or 2) out of politeness or do

MEME

Stolen from Carrieoke and because I am bored! 48 Things You Could Care Less About 1. FIRST NAME: Carrie 2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Yes, Miss Universe 1972 (Sweden) 3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? Probably during the floor sanding process. No, I take that back...Monday night while watching a slideshow of our wedding pictures set to our first dance song. Bawling like a baby...*sigh* 4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? It's okay if I'm not too hurried. 5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCHMEAT? Smoked turkey 6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? heck yeah! 7. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? Yes...and a blog and a myspace account and and and.... 8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes. 9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Probably not. 10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Honey nut cherrios, cream of wheat/malt-o-meal 11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? I do if they have laces! 12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Not really. 13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Mint chocolate chi

Numbers

Today is Wednesday. One day before the Duluth Premiere of Newton's Disease . 3 days after the sanding was completed on my floors. 8 days after the World Premiere of my film. 13 days before Halloween & my husband's birthday. 25 days after we got married. There are 21 days til my Mom's birthday (gift already purchased); 36 days til Thanksgiving; 45 days til we leave on our MUCH NEEDED honeymoon; 68 days til Christmas (started shopping yet?); 70 days til my Dad's 60th b-day and 75 days til 2007. I have 291 minutes left to work. 2 knitting projects to complete in the near future. 200+ thank you notes to write (and only 40 bought so far - WHERE DID MY THANK YOU NOTES GO, TARGET???) 2 kitties at home probably dying for attention and 35 Friends on MySpace. In other words, I'm bored.

A Preview

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So, So Sore...

Every muscle in my body hurts. Even ones I didn't know I had. The floors, however, look fantastic...

Premiere Update

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The Premiere of NEWTON'S DISEASE went very well last Thursday. I only got to leave work at 4pm so it was a mad dash to get everything packed up & ready to go and to get down to Minneapolis by 7pm. Our screening was at the Riverview Theater and if you haven't been there and live in the Twin Cities, I highly recommend it. It is a fabulous "old school" theater decorated in pure 50's/60's fabulousness. I loved it! If I lived in the neighborhood I would go there all the time. Yes, I rented this theater without ever having been there. I only had heard good things and saw their pics online - check it out! (www.riverviewtheater.com) Our name was on the marquee w/our showtime. We weren't on the BIG marquee but at least we were up there. We also were able to hang a poster outside in one of the "now playing" slots as well as right inside the lobby. The audience was trickling in and I was a bit nervous initially that we wouldn't even make our rental

Gritty

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Happy 600 & Sanding Fun!

This is my 600th post. Whohooo! I wish it was going to be longer & more interesting.... We are in the middle of sanding our floors....well, I am taking a break as both of my favorite men in my life (my husband & my father) are using the two sanders and I am waiting for my turn (again). IT looks GREAT! I am so excited for the finished results. It is a ton of work. Whew. I will be feeling it tomorrow (heck, I'm already feeling it). The premiere went really well. We got a lot of positive feedback, a pretty good turnout and a fun party. More details and pics when my floors are sanded. :-) later!

TONIGHT!!!!!!

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Firstly EEEEEEEEEK! We were reviewed by the City Pages yesterday! Check out our review here . Secondly - WORLD PREMIERE TONIGHT! My stomach has started knotting (but in a good way?). I have gotten numerous emails today from well wishers and people (a lot of family!) saying that they will be there tonight! Tonight I will be sitting in the back somewhere (or near an exit) as I anxiously await laughter in the righ places and try to scan faces (which is hard to do from the back) to see if they're getting the poignant & deep moments. ha! Details again: WORLD PREMIERE Newton's Disease Thursday, October 12, 2006 Riverview Theater 3800 42nd Ave S. Minneapolis, MN 7:30pm tickets: $8 DULUTH PREMIERE Newton's Disease Thursday, Friday, Saturday October 19, 20, 21, 2006 The Playground (in the Tech Village) 11 E. Superior St Duluth, mN 7:30pm Tickets: $6

Knitflix Swap

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Although I was quite tardy on delivering my knitflix package to my partner (sorry!!) I received mine last week! Deb (sorry I'll have to add the link tomorrow...I'm not getting the option here: http://woundtootight.blogspot.com) sent me this fabulously fun gift full of knitting & movie goodies!! I was sooooo excited when I opened it. Now that the temps have really dropped here in Duluth I will be snuggly sitting in my living room watching movies, eating snacks and knitting! A very cute knitting note card. Ooh! Goodies wrapped and waiting for me...I think I have an idea as to what this might be!! Lovely hand dyed wool in Shrekalicious colors! My first "grown up" wool! Funny that is tied to Shrek (or very fitting rather...) Deb also included some Shrek animal cookies (frosted! yum), a box of Triscuits (my fave), some Halloween m&m's, some Nibs, a pattern for a hat & mittens (I've never tried either...), some place markers, some double-pointed bamb

WORLD PREMIERE TOMORROW!

Well, things here in the land of Optimism have turned to chaos! My film, Newton's Disease is premiering tomorrow in Minneapolis! This is the first public screening of my film and needless to say I'm a bit nervous. Here're the details: hypothetical productions presents NEWTON'S DISEASE Thursday, October 12, 2006 The Riverview Theater 3800 42nd Ave S. Minneapolis, MN 7:30pm Tickets: $8 HELP US SPREAD THE DISEASE!!! So yeah...there's the whole WORLD PREMIERE thing (what will I wear??) - I'm sending press releases, press kits, emails, phone calls and posts to MySpace at a rapid rate. We've rented the theater so we're responsible for getting butts in the seats. Egads. I'm also 150 miles from said theater so things like hanging flyers & distributing postcards have not been easy. We have some very cool people helping us out so hopefully that'll help. On top of that we have 3 screenings in Duluth the following week which we're trying to get some

Reception

After the ceremony (and a quick glass of wine), Steve & I (as husband & wife - ack!) headed back into the ballroom to greet our guests. We didn't really want a receiving line so this was in place of that. We moved through the rooms stopping at each table and saying hello, giving and receiving hugs, taking more pictures and chit-chatting. It took a long time, the room was very crowded but it was fun. It was so fun to finally actually SEE and talk to people that we had known were coming yet during the ceremony didn't really focus on (for obvious reasons). We also had to do some group photos. All of my family & Steve's family plus the bridal party went outside (in the drizzle) to take photos under the arbor where we were supposed to have been married! The pictures turned out much better than I thought they would, and you can't really tell it's cold and wet out at all. After the pictures we headed upstairs to the fireplace to take more photos and to really s
I could use a hug...you? I got sucked into this one. Take a few minutes to watch - good music too!! Via SuperHero Journal... {{{{{{{{{{{you}}}}}}}}}

Linky Goodness

You can see a few more wedding pics (professional ones!) at Sarah's website . We are the first on on the intro and also there are two more under Index>Wedding - a couple of black & whites. I saw all the proofs this afternoon and I'm so happy! Sarah takes amazingly beautiful pictures and I can't wait to sit down and watch the slideshows with Steve. It brings back so many happy memories of that day! And also clears up some details as everything was a bit of a blur as it was happening!

A Few More Pictures

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I'm still trying to collect pictures from my friends & family as I didn't take any myself (duh)... here are a few more.

To Continue...Or the Case of the Missing Pants

On our wedding morning I was awake early. I couldn't stay asleep yet I didn't really want to get up yet. My cousin and I laid in bed chatting away and giggling (as my aunt calls it) and it was a very nice mellow way to start the day. After a quick breakfast and a much needed diet coke. I headed over to the Lodge to start decorating. The crew included my parents, my sister, my brother-in-law, my autn & uncle, my cousin, Steve's sister, my friends Sarah & Sam and....I think that's it! My mind was fuzzy so my apologies if I've forgotten anyone. I supervised the setting up of the room! (naturally, what else would a Virgo do?) We placed real, pressed autumn leaves (collected by Steve & I last fall) on the center of each table (white linens). On top of that went a clear glass plate, a clear glass cylinder which was filled with Lake Superior rocks (which were returned, btw) and to top it off a floating candle in ivory. The look was just what I wanted and I love

More wedding soon...but for now autumn colors...

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There's obviously a reason I love living here.

Pre Wedding Festivities...

*sigh* It's already been over a week since our wedding day. That is truly unbelievable! The weekend started on Thursday the 21st. Our plan was to host a little bbq at our house for those that were in town from far away. A few friends and a few relatives. That's when the rain started. Almost coniciding with the grill-light-time exactly. Unbelievable. We didn't let the damp weather dampen our spirits though and had about 13 people happily munching away on burgers & calico beans in our very cozy house. Friday morning I went for a manicure with my very good friend Sam (in from LA). She got a pedicure and my Mom was along as well and enjoyed a massage. After our beauty appointments we headed into Bennett's on the Lake for lunch. Joined by Sarah (my bridesmaid) and Kathy (my sister/matron-of-honor). We sat looking at the lake and what we saw was HUGE white caps crashing into the shore and near-hurricane like winds pushing the rain sideways. Ugh. :-( After lunch and packin

More pictures...

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My family under the arbor where were were SUPPOSED to get married (but it was raining). It's actually drizzling in these pictures. Steve & I having some pictures before the ceremony. My Dad & I after the ceremony. Me & my beautiful bridesmaids - Sarah & Kathy. Some of my cousins & my Grandma R.