uncoooked cards

Check out these absolutely crazy adorable random hilarous cards! These are my favorites but there are a BUNCH here. It's worth your time to look -- i promise.


Gretchen and I gave this one to our dad :)

Grandma's, Green Mill Guys, Good Times.

Yesterday my friends ran the Grandma's 1/2 marathon in Duluth, MN. This post is to congratulate them (kinda). CONGRATS GUYS!
but it's also to recall our Grandma's experience one year ago. After the race and later that night we went out in Duluth to find something to eat/see what was going on. It was one of those not-planned, not expecting to stay out late, not knowing where to go nights that turned into 12 free coronas, free apps, flattery and conversation from rich older men, free admission into a dance bar, getting to watch 30 year old men who can't dance try, money for calling in sick to work, and a date for Gretchen. WOW, what a great night! I hope you missed us this year guys....

yay gretchie - mile 13!

this is what started it all . . . parallel parking.

Elaborate Design Creates Usability Hassles

I hate when simple tools are made complex and elaborate. I'm not even sure why designers believe it is a good idea -- or why consumers choose to purchase them. My sister and I searched the beach house for a simple server/pocket wine bottle opener only to find a box lined with velvet housing this massive bottle opener (that even looks intimidating) a separate foil cutter, stopper and pourer. We laughed commenting on the ridiculousness of it all but the worst part was how hard it was to figure out. The back of the box included directions -- who wants to read directions to use their wine bottle opener? Shouldn't this be a mindless task made simple by a pocket sized opener with a foil cutter built in? The thing was clunky, awkward to hold, too big to control with one hand, and extremely inconvenient to use and store. After a few minutes of trying to figure it out on my own, a few minutes reading the directions, and a few more minutes struggling through the process of them, the cork finally released from the bottle! Goodness -- how frustrating! Please don't ever let me be this kind of designer.

The Oregon Coast

I'm experiencing a bit of heaven right now. Gretchen and I are on the Oregon coast staying in a beautiful beach home. From almost everywhere in the house you can hear and see the ocean. I've found my favorite spot upstairs on a comfy, cozy, corner chair with blankets and pillows overlooking the ocean. Next to me is a deck -- so I've got that door propped open and the waves are my music! Life couldn't get any better right now. ahhhhh h h h h h h h . . . .


outside on the ocean chairs!


this is the view from where I am blogging (the waves don't look big but they are....promise!)


sisters :)


in my spot!

ps: this blog took me forever to write because I'm so enralled with the waves. They sound like thunder bolts when they hit -- i think i may be jealous of myself.