Memorial Day Weekend

What a beautiful weekend so far. Nicole and I are just relaxing up north enjoying our 2 weeks together. The month of June is going to be a long one as I have seminars 2/week the entire month. This means I am in Hudson the whole month, our longest stretch apart this last year. Our basement is getting to the point though that someone is needing to be there more often as we make decisions about colors, design changes, etc.. so it will be productive, just not a lot of fun alone for either of us.
We started yesterday out with breakfast at home, Nicole ran 6 miles and then we headed to Virginia. While in Virginia we went to "Mine In The Sky", which is the local tribute to the mining industry. It is a big mine pit overlooking the "Queen City" and some local mines donated some machinery for display. Nicole has a personal connection to this area as her grandfather John used to work in the mines and drove one of these trucks. Her uncle Paul was born in Virginia. I think the picture will do justice as to how large these trucks are. The question is, can you find Nicole in the picture?

This a picture of the Queen City from the "Mine in the Sky"
Some of the specifics about the truck!
"King Of The Lode" We don't know what that means!








After the mine view we stopped at Starbucks in Virginia and headed to The Pebble, which is the spa in Virginia.
Then we played golf at the Quarry (Golf Digest's #20 Best Golf Course in the US). It was a perfect day and we both played very well. FINALLY! I still was spraying the driver all over the course and racked up 7 penalty shots, but managed to shoot 84, and Nicole broke 90, a great score (88) on a difficult course. The signature hole at the Quarry is their finishing hole, #18. You hit a drive straight ahead 276 yards and it goes right at the water. Then the hole turns to the left to give you a panoramic view of the deepest mine pit on the Mesabi Range, 550 feet deep. It is full of water now and I don't know how/why but it is Caribbean blue. I'll take a picture of it this afternoon and post it tomorrow. I was too busy yesterday looking in the woods for my ball. I hit 3-wood straight left into the woods, hit a provisional with the 4-iron into the trees on the right, and then hit a 3rd provisional with the driver into the same trees on the right. Thank God I found the 1st one and only had to take 1 penalty shot or it would have been another double digit hole for me. This is my typical experience on the tee box. Brent, I hope you are reading and realize the monumental task you have in front of you!
Below are some pictures of the Quarry!
The Quarry is very rugged, everything is left natural

I took a big chunk out of my 7-iron on this swing. I hit a rock on my practice swing, but at least I didn't hurt my wrist. My buddy Tom Kingsley will appreciate this: I had 182 yards from this lie and I closed my eyes and hit the 7-iron to 7 feet. I always amaze Tom with my ability to score from God's worst places on the golf course. I just tell him I have the most practice from those places.

She Slayed The Dragon

Well, I remember writing on the blog a few weeks back about Nicole never beating me in 18 holes of golf. She has beaten me many times in 9 holes, but never 18 holes. Well, that feat came to an end yesterday. We are enjoying 2 weeks together at the Ridge and the golf season has begun up here. We can play either course up here at a discounted rate of $25.00, not bad considering both are in Golf Digests' top 100 Public Golf Courses in the US. So we played the last 2 days and she almost beat me on Sunday and then last night she got me. It wasn't a real celebration because neither of us played very well. If we would have both played well and she beat me then it would be more enjoyable, but we both are struggling with our games right now, especially me. My driver is a foreign object in my hands and I honestly have no clue where it is going. I have 4 lessons coming up with Brent in June and boy does he have his work cutout for him. I have to be cured by the week of June 11th as my big golf trip with the boys is coming up fast. We are going to take on the #3 Golf Course in the US twice that weekend and our games need to be READY! That course is called Whistling Straits and it's in Kohler, WI. The PGA Championship is going to be held there next year, it was last held there in 2004.
I am proud of her that she beat me, but needless to say I am not happy about it. I was the last of my buddies to fall to her. I'll get her this weekend. Congrats Nicole!
This picture says "I may be a pretty face, but I will kill you on the golf course"
This picture says "This guy dresses way better than he plays" except for that belly, what's up with that?

Gopher Seat Selection

Today at 11:00 a.m. was the day that Nicole and I got to select our seats for Gopher Football. It was a long awaited day. I have been watching all the seats get picked the last 3 days crossing off my 1st choice, 2nd choice as they disappear. Then finally today is our chance. Then at 9:00 a.m. our power goes out. I walked up to the office and asked them what was going on and they said they were doing some planned work and had to shut the power down, but didn't think anyone was staying here so didn't bother to tell anyone. Nice. Since I was the only one here, why would they care if I have to work or more importantly pick my Gopher seats. Luckily, the phone still worked so I called the ticket office at 10:58 and was ready to go. We ended up in Section 107, row 7. By the way they describe this to me it is about the goal line with a little angle toward the field. The big scoreboard is directly to our right which is the open end of the new stadium. It is getting exciting to see Gopher Football outside again. Go Gophers!

Golf Pictures

On Saturday Nicole and I golfed 36 holes. We haven't done this since high school, and we were very sore the next day. At 8:00 a.m. we teed off with my college friend Mark Escen and his cousin. Mark has lived in Switzerland for the last 3 years and whenever he makes the trip back to the states we play 18 holes at Troy Burne. He tells me it is his favorite course in the Twin Cities (not sure if he just says that or really thinks it). We had a great day, Mark had not played in a year and it showed as he was very rusty and let's just say Troy Burne got the best of him.
Nicole took pleasure in beating him as she does everyone of my friends. She has beaten everyone of my friends except for my brother Ryan. Oh, and she hasn't beaten me in 18 holes yet either, 9 holes many times. Ryan, if we aren't careful this could be the year in which we both go down, so I advise you to take the same strategy that I have, never play 18 holes with her. :)
Saturday afternoon Nicole played with Kari Roiger (brother Ryan's fiancee) behind the guys who were playing for Jeb's birthday. Take a look at the picture below of Kari's shot on number 13. This is a tough par 3 with water all along the left side. She made a birdie, I believe her 1st birdie.

Birthday Weekends

The last 2 weekends for us have been excellent. The weekend of April 25th, my youngest brother Andrew turned 21. The whole family went out for dinner at Ike's (home of the $14.00 hamburger). The burgers were good, but come on, $14.00. They also charge $14.00 for a glass of Cabernet for Nicole and it was a wine I never heard of and I like to think I am an educated oenophile. Other than being expensive, we had a great time. There were 10 of us including Andy, Brianne, Nicole, Jason, Ryan, Kari, Carlyn, Chad, Vid, and Mom! After Ike's Mom, Brianne, and Carlyn headed home and the rest of us worked our way to some cool bars downtown. We started at Brit's Pub, which was busy, but the lawn bowling was not open. We then went to the Living Room at the W Hotel which was very happening and packed. I think Andy liked this place the best, mostly because they made a mistake on his Mojito order and gave him 2 for the price of 1.
We then went up 27 floors to Prohibition which is a great bar (my favorite) that has great views of the city. It too was packed and didn't allow a group our size a spot to sit. So we stood and visitied for a while before finishing the night off at Chambers' 5th floor lounge called, "The Red, White and !@#$king Blue Lounge! It was very loud but did give some neat photo ops of Hennepin Avenue. At the Living Room we met up with my boss and friend Mark Schultz and his wife Karen. They were celebrating their 17th Anniversary and were staying at the W. This meant more free drinks for Andrew! Overall, we had a blast of an evening, but I'll say this: I'm too old to close the bars down and didn't get to bed until 3:30. The weekend of May 3rd we had 2 more birthdays to celebrate. Nicole's youngest sister Allison also turned 21. They came out to our home in Hudson in the morning before spending a beautiful day at Billy's on Grand Ave. May 3rd also marked the 34th birthday of our friend Jeb Wilson. You all know Jeb (Jeb, is that a good thing that everyone knows you)?
We played golf on Saturday to celebrate Jeb's birthday with 7 friends and then had 16people over to our home afterwards for brats and porketta (trying to increase demand for pork after the H1N1 flu debachle).
Also on Sunday May 3rd we had our 1st tournament of the year at Troy Burne. It was a 2-man Best Ball tournament and I'm not so proud to say that my partner and friend Matt Layman finished last. We both had off days, really off days. I shot 91, my highest round in the last 2 years. It's time to get serious! My friend Tom Kingsley and his partner Scott Nelson won the tournament. Tom shot his career round at Troy Burne, a 71. This is no small feat in itself and especially with the wind conditions we played in on Sunday, wow, very impressive.
Nicole and I are back on the range this week trying to decide on which job offer is the best for her. She had another interview yesterday in New Brighton, and has her last one next week.
We'll be heading to Springfield this coming weekend for Mother's Day!

This is my brother Ryan buying Andy his 1st beer (Leinie's Honey Weiss). I think Ryan looks surprised by the $7.00 price tag for a Leinie's.

The Birthday Group
Andy getting carded for his beer purchase!

Andy and his girlfriend Brianne
Andy and I on the deck at Chambers Hotel

Weekend In Duluth

This weekend Nicole and I went to Duluth for their annual Art Hop. There are 10 art galleries in Duluth and there is a free trolley that takes you to each one. Nicole and I are not art junkies or anything, but we know what we like when we see it. It's pretty common that we walk into a gallery and gravitate toward the same piece as we almost always have similar taste. Our favorite artist is David Gross and his show was held at the Washington Gallery. He was their featured artist for the month of April so his paintings filled the gallery. DJ as his friends know him, has been on the Duluth art scene full-time for the past 6 years, and he has been in Duluth for 10 years including studying art at UMD. He spends his summers in Alaska taking tourists out to catch large halibut and salmon, but from September - April he paints full-time in Duluth. We absolutely think his life is amazing and comment each time we see him how refreshing it is to see someone doing exactly what they love to do. Not everyone is that lucky in life to do what it is they love to do. DJ commented on the recession and how it has affected sales this year, but he's getting by.

His latest artwork is more landscapes inspired by places he's been. 3 pieces of this show were from Texas where his new love is from, Sara, and a few are from the Wisconsin side of Lake Superior. He sold one of his pieces when we were there to a man from England. (Katy Moritz's father-in-law) To check out his work go to http://www.davidjgrossstudios.com/ He is a true talent and Nicole and I are happy to call him our friend.
After the gallery show and a long day of "drinking wine" and looking at art we never pass up the opportunity to eat at our favorite restaurant in Duluth, Va Bene. We then met DJ and some friends at Old Chicago for drinks.

One of the highlights for the day for Nicole was finding 2 new Root Beers that she has never tried...Point Root Beer from Stevens Point, WI and Gale's Root Beer. They were both pretty good. She is always excited to come across a new root beer she has never tried before.

On Sunday we had a great breakfast at Fittger's and then worked our way home. Nicole spent the afternoon working on her dissertation (I think my blog from last week motivated her).
We are headed to Hudson this Thursday as Nicole has a conference in Plymouth on Friday and Saturday.
Have a great week!

Heavy Heart, High Hopes

It has been a long 3 weeks for my family. We watched my dad's nearly 2-year battle with cancer come to an end. While I don't think our blog is the spot to talk about Hap, I want to make a few comments about his life. I thought his obituary was very good and wrapped it up very well. He was born in Fertile, IA (probably one of the smallest towns in IA) on May 10th, 1946. He was one of 4 boys. Hap had 2 older brothers, both still living Jerry and Paul. Hap also had a twin brother (younger) named Ronnie. He was killed in 1972 as he was hit by a drunk driver. This happened when he was serving in Vietnam.
Hap went onto college after high school at Waldorf Junior College, then finished his business degree at Mankato State. He started working at Heintz Pontiac, Cadillac, and Toyota while in college. He started in the wash rack cleaning up cars, then moved to mechanic, then after graduation he moved into sales. He worked with Heintz until 1985 when he bought his own dealership in Springfield, MN. We lived in Mankato until I was 7 years old. When he left Heintz he was as high up as he could ever get, right under the big boss Max Heintz. Max was always supportive in Hap buying his own place because he was grooming his son Ben to take over the Heintz dealership. Hap and my mom, working side by side for 17 years ran a successful business in the small town of Springfield. Can anyone imagine working side by side, everyday with their wife. I think that's remarkable.
The funeral service was beautiful, the music was very powerful. The weather was perfect, a sunny 60-65 degree day. It was everything Hap would have wanted it to be. We love him and will miss him every second of every day. We do however gain comfort in knowing that he is not fighting anymore with a powerful disease that everyone should take very seriously and continue to have and get your proper check-ups. I want to thank all of you for your support of Nicole and I through this difficult time. I will post some pictures of Hap when I get them sent to me. We created a beautiful DVD of them for the visitation and we are getting them set to music this week. I'll post it when it arrives.

After the funeral and everything was over Nicole and I worked our way back to Hudson. Her birthday was yesterday, April 15th. She turned 30, but is still as beautiful as when we started dating (March 25th, 1994) WOW!!! She spent the day doing what she loves. She started out the morning with Starbucks, Grande Non-Fat Latte. Then she had her hair done and did some shopping at her favorite store (La Rue Marche, downtown Hudson). Then she had a golf lesson with her favorite instructor (Brent Snyder) Troy Burne's Best! The she and I played 18 holes together. I had gotten her a new putter for her birthday, well actually Brent got it for her. He picked out the new Mizuno BC5. I think it is awesome but she did not putt well her 1st round with it. She played very well tee to green, but the putting was the worst it has ever been and ruined an otherwise good round. She did however, get a great phone call on the 1st fairway from Natalis Counseling and Psychology. She had an interview there last Friday for her postdoctorate work. They offered her a full-time job starting in September. We were especially excited about this because it gives us a chance to get back to our home in Hudson. She has offers now from 3 clinics, RMHC (where she currently works), Sioux Trails Mental Health in New Ulm, MN and now Natalis. She will continue to interview to see what other if any offers come and then we'll make our best guess, but we obviously would love to get HOME! This offer gives us that chance.
To read about the company go to http://www.natalispsychology.com/index.html
I don't have to tell you AGAIN how proud I am of her. Just a reminder, her residency here ends August 31st. She graduates in October (the 16th I believe) assuming she has her dissertation done (hey Nicole, how's that going?). She then will have her doctorate in Clinical Psychology. She then needs to work 2,000 hours (50 weeks at 40 hours/week) under clincial supervision, then needs to pass the state board exam for her licensure. Then she will be a Licensed Psychologist or L.P.
We are back on "the range" for 10 days now. This weekend we are heading to Duluth for their Art Crawl and my good friend DJ Gross has a show at the gallery where he displays his work. It is called the Washington Gallery and it is the closing reception to his month long show. My guess is he has sold out his work as he usually does. We are hoping to commission him for another painting this time for our basement, which should be done sometime late May/early June. I spent the day with Bill (our contractor) yesterday going over some final items. We have an electrical inspection today (haven't heard whether or not we passed). Next weekend we are headed back to Hudson, Nicole has a conference on Friday and Saturday and Saturday is a big day as my youngest brother Andrew turns 21. He is bravely letting his 3 older brothers take him out for his 21st. Don't worry Mom!
Anyway, I will take some pictures later today of the melting north and get some photos on the blog. It was great to see so many of you over the last week, albeit I wish it were under better circumstances.