I recently shared about fun times at Victual in the small town of Crosby, Minnesota. It wasn’t my first time there. I took my kids for our first Memorial Day weekend trip in 2022 as a family of four. We survived the first anniversary of my husband’s sudden death and then I packed up my kids and headed to Crosby, determined to enjoy the long...
Read MoreHockey has taken me to Crosby, Minnesota three times this season. It holds a special place in my heart. It was the first solo trip I took the kids on by myself over Memorial Day the year after Adam died. I’ll tell you about that trip later. Today, I’m talking Victual. The smallest liquor store in
Read MoreThe recent passing of Toby Keith had me reminiscing. I love his music - so many good singing songs. His patriotism. Adam loved country music and he loved America. Toby came over to Baghdad, Iraq when Adam and I were serving there in 2005. We waited patiently for him to fly in on a helicopter and put on a show in the middle of the
Read MoreWhen we moved to this house, we always planned on adding a bar. It’s a rambler with a large basement. One big main room that needed to be broken up and a kitchen/bar area was just the thing. We never got it done. If I wait another year or two it will never happen. I’ll be saying the kids only a have a few years left at home and then this house...
Read MoreI was off traveling the world for nearly two weeks. It was busy and exciting. So much to see and do. Not a relaxing vacation, but an adventure. When I finally arrived home and walked into my quiet house,
Read MoreI made it out for a solitary hike after all. I’m so glad I did. Getting away in the quiet of nature is good for the soul. Didn’t pass another person the whole time.
Read MoreMay is here again. I could feel it approaching. The dreaded day. An anniversary I never wanted. A day I don’t want to commemorate. The day my husband died and the world as I knew it shattered.
Read MorePearl Harbor. What a day. We were greeted by Pacific Historic Parks guides and they did a tremendous job ushering our family through the most amazing national park. We enjoyed self-guided tours through the battleship USS Missouri and had to have some dole whip. When it was time to explore the exhibits our guide, Westin, gave engaging explanations...
Read MoreWe found out in December that Band of Blue was sending our family to Hawaii and it was wonderful that my parents, my sister, and my niece were able to join us! When the day finally came, we sprang out of bed for those 3 a.m. alarm clocks and hopped an early flight to Chicago. From there we had a long flight to Honolulu, but the promise of warm...
Read MoreWe made it back home just in time for another blizzard, but what a time we had! Sun, beaches, Pearl Harbor - so many memories made. I learned the meaning of "Mahalo." An expression of gratitude in Hawaii. To say we’re grateful for this experience is an understatement.
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