Weekend Update

So this past weekend was RELAXING. Ah, let me say it again...it was relaxing. On Friday I hung out with the kiddos and played in the backyard. Like I mentioned Erik has been working crazy hours so I wasn't able to make it to the SATC2 showing with my girlfriends or to a baby shower at Mexican Village. But I was able to put  a dent into our laundry situation which by the way is a never ending battle. Please tell me that it is like that at your  house too? If I could afford it I would hire someone just to be my personal laundry attendant. It's like as soon as you feel you have been able to get it all put away you find yourself folding the same pair of shorts you swear you just got done washing.

On Saturday Erik worked so the boys and I did what we call Team Tortorice clean up. I have to give big kudos to Anthony, he really is a lot of help with chores. Alex is still trying but Anthony is really helping. He made his bed, threw his and Alex's hamper full of dirty clothes down the stairs for me, and picked up his bedroom. Once I was ready to put away the clothes he was ready to help with open arms. At Alex's nap time I peeked in on Anthony and he was quietly sitting in his room coloring. I was really proud of him. 

We made the big decision to shut off our cable for the summer. It is amazing how once that TV is not available to them they do function just fine without it. The movie requests have gone down and Anthony has become a lot more resourceful in finding things to keep his time. I thought it was going to be a painful transition, really the one that has complained the most is the biggest kid in the house-Erik. Because he can't watch his beloved Twins. 

Saturday my in-law's asked if they could have the kids so I dropped them off later in the afternoon. Alex was excited to show off his new sandals from Pout, he looks so stink-in' cute with them on. Plus they smell a heck of a lot better than his others. Man, that kids old sandals smelled like a grown mans, I am not kidding.

So, Erik and I took off to the lake. We picked up Leslie and headed to D.L. for dinner at Fireside. If you have not been there it is a must. Ambiance is good, food is good, service is great. It has the feel of Monte's but is on the lake in D.L. After dinner we made a couple of stops on our way back and ended the night at The Roadhouse. I met Erik's new boss whose hair kind of looks like Rod Stewart, but is a really nice guy.

Yesterday I started my garage sale planning. I decided to have one on  Friday night and Saturday morning this weekend. So if you are in the area stop buy and purchase some of my unworkables please. Also, if you want to sell some of yours feel free to drop them off, the requirement is they must be marked and you bring along a table. If you don't pick it up by Sunday it will be donated to The Dakota Boys Ranch.

So if you are looking for me I will be in the garage all week with a sharpie in my hand and masking tape in the other.

What we have been up to this spring...

Went to Bemidji for my Birthday-met my parents, had a fabulous time!

The boys live outside once it gets nice out and I love it too!!

We went to a MN Twins game with one of our favorite families or should I say train ride? Quick trip!

We went to the end of the year Skateland party with another one of our favorites...

I went to D.C. with my new co-workers for my new job that I am in love with.

A pretty good spring, looking forward to an even better summer.

Just straight up!

Last night was in one word: AMAZING!!! We did start out at the backstage pass party at the Radisson. There was a nice size crowd of people but it still felt very intimate. We all were able to take a picture with Jewel. I told her that we matched, she agreed. P.S. Not my most flattering pic but I am posting it because it's Jewel. You can tell she is a very private person but very polite, cordial, and FUNNY! It takes a lot for me to admit if I think someone is funny, that girl made me laugh. She came out for a quick Q&A session before she performed a song that has not been recorded yet. I believe it was called "Hole in My Heart". She explained that she had written it about a close friend of hers that died of cancer. It is still playing in my head this morning. It was also the last song she sang at the venue last night.

Let's talk about the venue. The Fargo Theater could not have been a better setting for her performance.  It was small, quaint, and intimate just like her. I thought it was really cool to watch the crowd and feel everyone mesmerized by this gorgeous little woman with a huge voice. There was no crazy outfits or people doing acrobats behind her. There was her, a couple of guitars, and a simple set that changed lighting when necessary. To me that defines a true artist. Oh and by the way she sang every song, definitely did not lip sync, and called out to the crowd to ask for song suggestions. Basically asking us,"C'mon Fargo what did you com here to hear?" Kris and I were both really impressed by a song she put together after googling Fargo-Moorhead. Hilarious! The FM Conventions Bureau must get a recording, it could be our city's new jingle.

By the way did I mention that the opening act Kip Moore was not only musically talented but GORGEOUS, You should have seen the line of women waiting to get their picture taken with him. I have a feeling we are going to be seeing a lot more of that man.

All in all it was a really great night. A big shout out to Country Financial to say THANK YOU for a fabulous evening. Kris and I both had a blast! Jewel's performance quite honestly could not have been any better and I am more in love with her talent than ever, especially being able to see her sing live. From her walking on stage and singing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" in a Capella to her hilarious rendition of "Race Car Driver" I am a fan for life.

Make sure you check out Kris's blog at Pout to hear her side of the story and if you are in St. Paul tonight, please do not miss this show-you can get tickets at Road Trips and Guitar Picks. I guarantee you will be so happy you treated yourself to this show.

Tonight...Jewel, here we come!

So tonight the festivities start at the Radisson. Kris and I get to go there for a private show with Jewel and get to munch on some appetizers as well as sip on some drinks. After her performance for a small group of people there will be an informal Q&A session for us to get to know her better. We also get to take a group photo with her. From there we walk to the Fargo Theater to see her live performance. Our tickets are VIP, backstage passes so we might just be able to sing with her. I mean I know she is looking for two hot chics to rock out with in Fargo, ND...right?!

Did I mention that I love Jewel, I love www.tripsandpicks.com, and I cannot wait for tonight!!!


I promise to post many pictures of our adventure tomorrow and give you full details. I still have no idea what I am going to wear...

I am so excited for Jewel!!! June 1st at the Fargo Theater...

 

Well I have been very lucky to have a gentleman named Jay Verner from Country Financial/ Cotton States reach out to me and ask that I become an official blogger for Road Trips and Guitar Picks (www.tripsandpicks.com)- if you don't have tickets for the upcoming Jewel concert at the Fargo Theater on June 1st it is a must that you visit their site to purchase yours.

I have always wanted to bare witness to a concert of Jewel's. Why you ask? Because she is one of those artists that speaks to you. Whether you are in the middle of celebrating our commiserating about a life event you can easily identify a song of hers that relates to you and/or your situation. Some of my favorite songs from Jewel's collections are: You Were Meant for Me, Intuition, and Stronger Woman. I am beyond thrilled to see these live rocked out at the historical Fargo Theater. The energy is going to be awesome! Not only am I going to be able to see Jewel in her finest form on stage but also backstage. Are you jealous yet? Because I know I would be!

Jewel is an artist that comes across as a person that you could speak with and I hope to do just that. I promise to post many great photos of the concert for you all to see. Also, give Kris a hard time because she is going to be my special guest. We will be thinking of you all as we are singing arm in arm to You Were Meant for Me. A great big thank you and hug and kiss to Country Financial as well as Road Trips and Guitar Picks. You are my newest hero and I hope that many of my blogger friends fall in love with you as I have today.
www.tripsandpicks.com

Memorial Weekend

Is one of my absolutely favorite weekends at the lake. We have been going to our lake since I was 16 for Memorial Weekend and no matter what the weather is I LOVE IT! It all began with going to hang with my beau at his best friend's lake. Now it is our place to bring our kids and hopefully they will bring their best friend's and have as many fun times as we have. The nostalgia runs deep for me when it comes to our lake. I love:

1. The lake-swimming, bathing, and tossing people in.
2. Heading out to the island and watching the guys try to prove themselves on the rope swing. I tried it once and dropped like a rock-not pretty. Now Anthony is getting into it and I am sure it won't be long before Alex jumps in too.
3. Having grand meals. Kid you not, we sometimes have shrimp and ribeyes with a dressed table.
4. Having simple bbq's...
5. Staying up late to shoot the the breeze over a bonfire. We usually solve the worlds problems and get up to date on the latest gossip.
6. Playing with the boys on the beach. Children will go into water at any temperature. As I get older I tend to shy more away from cold water.
7. Seeing who can get highest on the swings.
8. Fishing off of the dock. Anthony is in love with this. I am going to make sure we are fully stocked with night crawlers.
9. Sleeping with the windows cracked and absorbing the fresh air.
10. Reading a good book cracking sunflower seeds.

I could go on and on but those are all things I am looking forward to doing this weekend...ahhhhh....

Business 2 Blogger

If you check out the right side of my blog you are going to find this:




I think all of us are interested in doing reviews, finding out the latest gadgets, and sharing info on it. I say give it a shot, why not? On Gust's Gab (again you will find a link to this blog on your right) she has been doing reviews like crazy and I'm jealous. So I clicked on her banner ad and went to the site. I signed up as a Preferred Member, I always prefer preferred status. Come on say it again, it's kind of fun.
 
In other news I have a TON of new pics to share but have been to lazy to upload. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my new job and am so thankful I decided to take the risk. D.C was amazing, that is a trip added to my bucket list to go on with the boys.
 
Erik has been working like a dog so I am in single parent mode. Hard to jump right back in after being gone last week. That's all for now! Peace...