Overall...

Christmas was saved due to my dear friends Randy and Amity. I called my bro to see when a good visit time for him would be, and as it turned out, his wife's parents drove her and his two girls out to the hospital to see him. After spending too much time with a hyper 4 year old who totally MISSED her DADDY, he wasn't up for more company. I felt a little sad, but understood. I've been trying to get a hold of him for a while today, but no avail. The nurse said he's been in with his doctors. I have to be at work at 4, so we'll see.

Ended up going over last night for Christmas Dinner at our friends, Randall and Amity. Their friend Mary was there too. We ate a lovely ham, au gratin taters, garlic cheese biscuits, and spicy shrimp. Then we played Wii bowling and some other game that was hysterical where stick figures try and break into your castle and you have to pick them up and smash them into the ground.

Later, our friends Brett and Erin called, and we met them for a drink Across The Street. I didn't stay late, and ended up at home watching "Eight Legged Freaks". One of the better B movies made recently.

I have a tattoo appt on Wednesday. Little anchor on my shoulder and talking drawings about the Edward Scissorhands/knitting one to match Jack Skellington on my right arm. Leftover Christmas money from the in laws!

Still holding tight for the New Year. I'm totally over 2009.

Merry????

Happy Birthday/Merry Xmas to me!

I spent some of the Birthday money on this ring that I got from my in-laws. I love it and will never take it off. I'll think of them when I wear it and keep that damn blue box! It was so cute, the check that they wrote out said in the memo line "NOT FOR BILLS". I love my in-laws.

Brett is still in hospital. He didn't get his day pass, and the wife and kiddos couldn't visit him due to the storm. Gar. So, I'm cupboard diving, trying to figure out a meal to bring to him. Nothing is open today, so this should be interesting.

Had planned to hit up church last night for midnight mass, but all the ones within walking distance (and there are A LOT around here) had cancelled. Or they heard that I was coming... Ended up knitting and watching Die Hard. Hey, it's a Christmas movie! I asked for Nightmare Before Christmas for Christmas, but we haven't had it yet. So, yippeekyeyay, motherfucker it was. And I'm okay with that.

Maybe hitting up my friend Randy's place for dinner tonight, after the hospital run, or just hanging out Across The Street.

Well, shit.

I'm sure if you've been following my blog, you know about this through G* or email. But I get some sort of sick pleasure out of posting this pic.

In a nutshell (in case you DON'T know for any bizarre reason), I was jumped and mugged last Friday. Seems like they got the kid. I couldn't ID him, so my girlfriend who I was with did, and the guys at the liquor store.

The trip to and from Bemidji was good. As far as 8 1/2 hours in a car with my mother who just lost her brother could be. The funeral was lovely, and I got to see cousins I hadn't seen in years. It's always weddings and funerals. OH, and it was a military burial. I'd never been to one. Uncle Gerry had served in Korea, and to be honest, it was really cool. On the way home, we stopped at Morey's Fish in Motley, MN (hah, the jokes about being The Motley Sheriff were neverending), and picked up some of the best dill herring I have ever had.

Back to work last night (my "safe place"). shadygrove from G* was in town, and she, her hub, Del, and Ms. Nutkin (and her boy) came by too! I was able to have a glass of wine with them after my shift. We talked a lot about G* topics (esp the power of words), and it was lovely. We need more G* meetups. I was dumb enough to not remember my camera, but Ms. N of course, had hers and took a ton. Will share soon.

Finished up the Mpls family Xmas shopping yesterday too. What a clusterfuck. I hate the mall, but mom mentioned something that she wanted that I didn't bother to order online in time, so I braved Rosedale. Scary. But I also replaced the Warm Vanilla Sugar lotion that was in my mugged purse with some of my Xmas money from the inlaws along with bath wash and cologne in the same scent. I like it, because the boys at work tell me I smell like a cookie. I think that's a compliment...

Brett is still in the hospital. His third surgery on his hand was postponed and it seems like they are going to let him home for the holiday. But he lives in New Prague, which is about an hour and a half from NE Mpls. If this storm that they are talking about hits tonight, I'm not driving out. Sorry. We can reschedule.

Gar.

Quick Update

Before I go to work. Uncle Gerry died on Tuesday, as many of you know. I didn't really know the man as an adult, but saw him a lot as a kiddo on family vacations up to the Iron Range. Yeah, some ppl get to go to Disneyland as kids, I get the Iron Range.

My brother was admitted to the hospital on Monday for a hand bleed. They did surgery on him on Wednesday and took him back into surgery at 4 am today. Ergo, the trip up to the Iron Range on Sunday for Monday's funeral is up in the air, as we have to see how he is doing. Looks like Xmas this year is a total bust, as he'll most likely be hospitalized. I have no idea what is going on anymore. I feel like I'm in the eye of the hurricane and don't know what is going to collapse next.

I'm almost scared to wake up tomorrow and see what else has happened.

"You Know, You Should..."

This was pretty much my morning, sans the black eye. Watch all of these little cartoons - they are brilliant. Woke up after going to bed at 3ish due to cats jumping on my head. I love P to death, but I can never get him to feed the monsters before he leaves for work. So, he leaves, they're all riled up, then want to eat. And there is no food in the bowl. I usually feed them before I go to bed, but with 3 of the critters, it doesn't always last 4 hours. Ergo, I'm up and will have to take a nap in a little bit.

My Snowflake got her package, and said she loves it! Yay! I was worried. To me, family shopping/gifting is easy, but there is such a high bar on G*.

On the job front...things are still great, but the honeymoon is OVER. We've been open for 2 1/2 months now, and already the "Well, you know, you should..." comments are starting. Here is a minor list of things we "should" do:

Knock out the wall and expand the restaurant
Be open for lunch
Carry merlot, as it goes better with fish
Change the name of the Shepard's Pie to Cottage Pie as we don't use pork in it
Deliver
Take reservations
Open before opening hours to let ppl in to have a beer while they wait (SERIOUSLY, I GOT THAT ONE YESTERDAY)

Don't get me started on the vegetarians. Please don't misinterpret that, I love v* food myself, but proper Irish FnC are fried in beef oil. And so are our chips. Which makes them so yummy!!! And we can't afford or have the space for a special fryer for just vegetable oil.

Oh, and one more crack about not having malt vinegar? Postal.

I love love love my job. But it never fails to amuse me how ppl think that they can make our restaurant "better" by taking their suggestions. Yep, there is usually a half hour to 45 min wait, especially on the weekends. We can only seat about 40 in the whole space. And your party of 12? Is probably going to have to wait a long time. :)

Birthday!

Okay, it was on Monday, but details, details. I had my 3rd annual Toys for Tots b-day party at Grumpy's NE. It was a huge success! That is me, Kathryn, Alisha, and Jenny. My new hair is great! Dark brown with red tips. Love it.

This is me and Lucinda - one of the best girls ever to cross my path.

Look at part of the haul! Hoping to make a bunch of kiddos really happy this year!

I don't really have anything else to say today, other than off to run errands and TCB. Life is good.

Home

Got home last night after the funeral. It was really surreal, and reminds me that I need to keep in better touch with my friends. Made some new ones too.

Back to work tonight - I'm looking forward to it. This story from The City Pages made my day. Except for the last paragraph, which I am still mildly mortified over. Yep, that was me. But, on the other hand, I've gotten a nice following of customers that request me.

Off to dry my freshly colored hair, via Jason the other day. I'd post a link to his sight, but he doesn't have one. If you live in Minneapolis, go see him. His shop is next to the Double Deuce, across the street from Grumpy's. You'll prolly get a beer during... And he's a cutie sweetie pie.