Wiiing in Our Pants

Last Friday Sam came home with a pretty awesome surprise: he bought us a wii. Since then, our days have been spent exploring deserted islands, racing mario karts, and punching/kicking/whipping the air around us. We must look like fools. But the wii has brought a lot of fun back into gaming for us - and by US I mean I will actually play something besides guitar hero.

I always loved my Super Nintendo, so much so that I still play it on the occasional rainy day - dominating Donkey Kong's jungles, or squashing those fucking goombas. But I never quite adjusted to my ps2... Thankfully the wii offers a no-brainer control/nunchuck && classic games that allow me to relive my childhood... or something. It's been a fun four days!

My favorite game so far (maybe because it reminds me of the old versions on SNES and N64) has been Mario Kart. Pure 90's Awesomeness... Updated.

My Fave Yoga Partner

I have recently started my yoga practice back up. I had abandoned it in the summer months, but am now hearing it call my name all over again. Yoga has such a multitude of benefits that I can't ignore: calming, grounding, strengthening, balancing, rewarding characteristics that hold so much appeal & power. And so I hope to practice it faithfully.

After the first session back in the swing of yoga things, I could immediately feel that this peace & connection was what I had been missing in my chaotic days.

Thankfully, whenever I pull out my yoga mat for a sequence, Leinie isn't far behind. He loves to lay on the corner of the mat: twisting, reaching, rolling and purring. I swear it seems like he's trying to do yoga with me. I have a slideshow of his yoga practice today that made me smile :)

Check out YogaJournal.com && their podcasts for sequences, poses & answers to your yoga questions.

Leinie && Simon

Our kit-cats enjoying an unseasonably warm November day out on the balcony.

Halloweenie '09

Sam & I decided to go against tradition, which is to attend some random house party hosted by any one of our friends, and spend this holiday with family & Sam's hometown buds.

Dustin, Mike, Dan & Sam


So we visited the small town hot-spots: the VFW, & a small Pub out on the town's lake. One thing we did keep in tradition was our alcohol intake. It was once again ridiculous, and made November 1st a miserable day to remember. All the day-after pain was worth it, though :) I would elaborate & recount some stories, but noooo sense is to made from them. At all. I vaguely remember all of us declaring that we were going to become fluent in Irish together (Jenny, Dan, Mike, Sam & I), & something about Dustin having a "raging clue..."

Glad we got to see everybody dressed up like d.bags :)

Grand Marais - 3 year Anniversary

It's been 3 years since Sam & I started dating. We've grown, changed, and loved each other on this crazy journey that we feel incredibly thankful for.

*Me, at the Duluth skyline park, bummed about the weather.


*Two of the coolest guys we never met. Perfect day for some Superior Surfing.


*Great Lakes Candy (it's tradition to stop && get a caramel apple, fudge, or some truffles!)


2nd Day: Sam & I woke up to lots of snow && were in need of some kayaking. We drove the 1/2 hour or so out to a small trout lake in the boonies. It was incredible. The sun was intense & shining, the trees & roads were dusted with snow; we were so grateful to be away from the city. Being stuck indoors, coping with asshole neighbors & traffic just isn't really our style... so it's nice to getaway & enjoy the important things in life. Here's some pics of our day:

*The road out to Trout Lake


*Sam Forgot Gloves so he Fashioned his Socks into some. My MacGyver.


After some fishing and kayaking, Sam decided that we should take a quick evening hike out to the Devil's Kettle (falls) north of Grand Marais. The hike to the falls was beautiful, but we both felt that it was a little over-hyped. Once we got out there either Sam or I said, "this is it?" One thing is to be said about this sentiment, in the falls' defense it was Autumn. Next time we hike out there I hope it'll be in the Spring when the waters are violently rushing down their course.

*The Lower Falls


*Sam & I Hiking out to the Falls


*Almost There


*Devil's Kettle


After our hike we decided to venture to a nearby beach in search of some beautiful views && smooth, flat rocks that Sam can use for hot stone acupressure :) Which I love.

*Paradise Beach


I feel so lucky to have been able to celebrate our 3 year mark in this beautiful way.

The Last 4 or so Months

I haven't written in a very long while... I guess the summer was too eventful, or homework was plentiful... but I feel like contributing to my online story this afternoon. Here's a visual recap of what we've been up to:

*Many June nights were spent around the bonfire pit w/ friends & family.



*At the VFW in Osakis - Mike & Sam (JUNE)


*Glensheen in Duluth, MN (JUNE)

*Bud in our Motel room in Silver Bay, MN (JUNE)


*Moondance Jam (JULY) Pictured: Grand Funk Railroad "We're an American Band"


*Leinie Bug (SEPTEMBER)


*Copper Harbor, MI (SEPTEMBER)


*Monks made Thimbleberry Jam here. Yum

*Harbor A.M.

*Ferry to Isle Royale National Park. (hopefully a destination for our '10 summer vacation!)

*Sand Dunes


*Our New Tent! Very excited! (SEPTEMBER) backyard camping

*Sam ♥

This was to be our first and last time camping for the summer. Soon the wind kicked up & it became a little too chilly for us, but we're looking forward to using our new tent next Spring/Summer/Fall!

Just a few snapshots from our life (&& it's a good one).