If you read the previous blog post, you know that Jason was in CA with the guys and I went to Chicago. After work last week Thursday, my friend Lindsey and her two kids(Ella and Kingston) and I drove to Chicago. We stayed with the Winslades who also have a home in Troy Burne. Our plan was to head back to Hudson on Sunday. Well, with all the snow, we decided Sunday morning that it would probably be best to wait until Monday to head back. Stretches of Hwy 94 were closed down and driving was not suggested. We were able to do a lot of fun things while in Chicago. Friday we just went shopping on Michigan Ave, visited the Zoo Lights at the Lincoln Park Zoo and went out to dinner with "the girls." Our friend Gina invited one of her friends, Laurie to join. We tried a newer sushi place downtown and ended up having a little sushi, but the best sweet potatoe fries ever (we had 2 orders!) and this donut filled with molten chocolate. On Saturday, we went to a Christmas Tea at the Palmer House Hotel. It was very fancy and fun. It was the four adult women and 4 little girls. The girls had lots of energy and excitement. Since we stayed another night, we were able to join the Winslades at the Joffery Ballet of The Nutcracker on Sunday afternoon. This was my first ballet and I thought it was wonderful. The dancers have amazing talent and the music was great. After the show, we went to an authentic Italian restaurant in the Winslades neighborhood. It was very good, but very filling. On Monday morning we headed back after the rush hour traffic died down.
I unfortunately wasn't feeling too well earlier in the week before we left. I felt fine on the trip and then when I got home on Monday, my ear started hurting. When I woke up on Tuesday morning, it felt like I was on a plane because of the pressure in my ear. I went to Urgent Care on Wednesday night because I was in a lot of pain. Turns out that I had an ear infection. The medication has helped with the pain, but I still cannot hear 100%. It is getting better though. This was my first trip to Urgent care, ever. I was not too impressed with the doctor. I was actually the only patient there and he was out the door so fast I didn't even get to ask him a question. I tracked him down though, but again very short with his answers.
We are looking forward to this weekend--tonight and tomorrow especially (read below). I hope everyone has a great weekend!
Nicole
The Wards
Friday, December 17, 2010
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Hello Again
I looked at the blog today and realized that we haven't written since the day before Thanksgiving. Here is a quick update.
We got into a car accident on Nov 24th (last day we wrote on the blog actually). We were driving home (I was driving) to Springfield and the roads were a little snowy and a car ahead of us lost control and slid sideways southbound on Hwy 169. I hit the brakes but couldn't stop in time and slammed into their passenger side. Luckily everyone was ok, I had a bloody nose from the airbag hitting me in the face and the passenger in their car was also bleeding from the nose. Damage to both cars was extensive and our car has been in the shop ever since. I get updates once/week on its progress, but they still won't give me an estimate on when they will be completed. They tell me parts take a long time to get, but I think with all the storms and accidents they are busy, maybe a little of both.
Anyway, enough about that, we are both happy to be healthy and glad no one was hurt.
After Thanksgiving we had 3 seminars, one at Jackpot Junction, one in Owatonna, and one in Clear Lake, IA. George and Michelle were nice enough to sit through the one we had at Jackpot. In my 11 years with Northstar this is the first time they have heard me speak, I hope they weren't too bored, but thanks for coming.
After the round of seminars we both took a little vacation, separately. I went to Palm Springs, CA for 5 days with a group of golf buddies. We have a friend who owns a house there on a golf course so we lived the good life for 5 days. Each day was the same, we got up, played 18 holes (one day we played 36 holes), came home and sat in the hot-tub or laid by the pool, had drinks, and then took a nap and then went out for a nice dinner. Pretty tough life. We had a great time with the all the boys! I wasn't feeling the best, I think I ran myself down a little with all the road time with the seminars. I was Dayquilled up during the day and Nyquilled up at night. I was the DD for all the boys so they could "let er' rip", which I think they appreciated. I still enjoyed the golf and just the warm weather. It was 80 degrees and sunny everyday, just fabulous.
We played the following courses for my golf friends who read the blog, for my relatives and friends who don't care about golf skip to the next paragraph.
Day 1: Silver Rock (18 holes) and Rancho La Quinta (private club) that I was able to play with one of the assistant pros from Troy Burne as he is working there over the winter. Played my best golf the first day. Shot 83, 79 and the 79 was from the tips so the hardest the course had to offer. I was quite pleased.
Day 2: We played the Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course at PGA West (one of the legs of the Bob Hope Classic). I'm not even going to make an excuse for how bad I played. I shot a 93. I haven't looked back in the computer at the club to see how long it has been since I shot a round in the 90's, but I know it has been years. The course was tough and I was simply off. I have had off stretches before but usually can get my game back in shape to keep the round reasonable. Not this day, I just never found it. It was UGLY!
Day 3: We played The Stadium Course at PGA West, ranked one of the 50 Toughest Courses in the World! If you are a true golfer, you want to take on the biggest and the toughest courses so we were "amped" up to play this track. This course has brought even some of the best PGA pros to their knees in tournaments. We were told we could not break 90 from the tips, but when we arrived we found out we could not even play the tips without a PGA card, which none of us have. So we played one up from the tips and I shot 87. I played very well on the front with a 40 (double at the last hole) and shot 47 on the back. It wasn't as hard as my mind was prepared for, in fact, I believe Whistling Straits (Kohler, WI) is harder. I feel if I played this course again, I could break 80, from the blue tees, not the tips. I would love a crack at the tips, so maybe I can steal Brent's PGA tour card and play them.
Day 4: We played a course called Desert Willow, it was an over-priced dump, I would much rather play Springfield.
While the boys went to Palm Springs we sent the girls to Chicago for the weekend to stay with our friends Chris and Gina Winslade. They have a home at Troy Burne, but live in Chicago 9 months/year. They took great care of Nicole while she was there. I'll let her put some updates about her trip.
We have a great weekend planned. Tomorrow I am going to take a half day of work and go with my brother Andrew to look at some new condos. Andrew is at an exciting time of his life, and we are very proud of him. He graduated from the University of Minnesota this past Sunday with a degree in Computer Science. We are celebrating tomorrow night with a family dinner at The Loring Kitchen and Bar. This celebration was scheduled for last Saturday night and because of the storm we rescheduled it for tomorrow. This is fortunate for Nicole and I as we were out of town last week, so we are excited to be able to attend. Andy has accepted a full-time position with Thrivent Financial where he has worked for the past year as an intern. Kudos Bro, we love you!
Saturday night we are celebrating my immediate family Christmas. My sister Shelly is hosting at her house in Apple Valley. We look forward to a great evening of family, great food, and some good wine.
Until next time...
We got into a car accident on Nov 24th (last day we wrote on the blog actually). We were driving home (I was driving) to Springfield and the roads were a little snowy and a car ahead of us lost control and slid sideways southbound on Hwy 169. I hit the brakes but couldn't stop in time and slammed into their passenger side. Luckily everyone was ok, I had a bloody nose from the airbag hitting me in the face and the passenger in their car was also bleeding from the nose. Damage to both cars was extensive and our car has been in the shop ever since. I get updates once/week on its progress, but they still won't give me an estimate on when they will be completed. They tell me parts take a long time to get, but I think with all the storms and accidents they are busy, maybe a little of both.
Anyway, enough about that, we are both happy to be healthy and glad no one was hurt.
After Thanksgiving we had 3 seminars, one at Jackpot Junction, one in Owatonna, and one in Clear Lake, IA. George and Michelle were nice enough to sit through the one we had at Jackpot. In my 11 years with Northstar this is the first time they have heard me speak, I hope they weren't too bored, but thanks for coming.
After the round of seminars we both took a little vacation, separately. I went to Palm Springs, CA for 5 days with a group of golf buddies. We have a friend who owns a house there on a golf course so we lived the good life for 5 days. Each day was the same, we got up, played 18 holes (one day we played 36 holes), came home and sat in the hot-tub or laid by the pool, had drinks, and then took a nap and then went out for a nice dinner. Pretty tough life. We had a great time with the all the boys! I wasn't feeling the best, I think I ran myself down a little with all the road time with the seminars. I was Dayquilled up during the day and Nyquilled up at night. I was the DD for all the boys so they could "let er' rip", which I think they appreciated. I still enjoyed the golf and just the warm weather. It was 80 degrees and sunny everyday, just fabulous.
We played the following courses for my golf friends who read the blog, for my relatives and friends who don't care about golf skip to the next paragraph.
Day 1: Silver Rock (18 holes) and Rancho La Quinta (private club) that I was able to play with one of the assistant pros from Troy Burne as he is working there over the winter. Played my best golf the first day. Shot 83, 79 and the 79 was from the tips so the hardest the course had to offer. I was quite pleased.
Day 2: We played the Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course at PGA West (one of the legs of the Bob Hope Classic). I'm not even going to make an excuse for how bad I played. I shot a 93. I haven't looked back in the computer at the club to see how long it has been since I shot a round in the 90's, but I know it has been years. The course was tough and I was simply off. I have had off stretches before but usually can get my game back in shape to keep the round reasonable. Not this day, I just never found it. It was UGLY!
Day 3: We played The Stadium Course at PGA West, ranked one of the 50 Toughest Courses in the World! If you are a true golfer, you want to take on the biggest and the toughest courses so we were "amped" up to play this track. This course has brought even some of the best PGA pros to their knees in tournaments. We were told we could not break 90 from the tips, but when we arrived we found out we could not even play the tips without a PGA card, which none of us have. So we played one up from the tips and I shot 87. I played very well on the front with a 40 (double at the last hole) and shot 47 on the back. It wasn't as hard as my mind was prepared for, in fact, I believe Whistling Straits (Kohler, WI) is harder. I feel if I played this course again, I could break 80, from the blue tees, not the tips. I would love a crack at the tips, so maybe I can steal Brent's PGA tour card and play them.
Day 4: We played a course called Desert Willow, it was an over-priced dump, I would much rather play Springfield.
While the boys went to Palm Springs we sent the girls to Chicago for the weekend to stay with our friends Chris and Gina Winslade. They have a home at Troy Burne, but live in Chicago 9 months/year. They took great care of Nicole while she was there. I'll let her put some updates about her trip.
We have a great weekend planned. Tomorrow I am going to take a half day of work and go with my brother Andrew to look at some new condos. Andrew is at an exciting time of his life, and we are very proud of him. He graduated from the University of Minnesota this past Sunday with a degree in Computer Science. We are celebrating tomorrow night with a family dinner at The Loring Kitchen and Bar. This celebration was scheduled for last Saturday night and because of the storm we rescheduled it for tomorrow. This is fortunate for Nicole and I as we were out of town last week, so we are excited to be able to attend. Andy has accepted a full-time position with Thrivent Financial where he has worked for the past year as an intern. Kudos Bro, we love you!
Saturday night we are celebrating my immediate family Christmas. My sister Shelly is hosting at her house in Apple Valley. We look forward to a great evening of family, great food, and some good wine.
Until next time...
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Happy Thanksgiving
I hope everyone is safe in their travels over the holiday. Nicole and I are headed to Springfield to see both of our families on Wednesday after work. We will split time between my mom's tomorrow and her parents. Nicole has an uncle flying in from Texas that we only get to see once/year so that will be nice to see them.
I hope everyone enjoys their holiday. We'll be back to Hudson on Thursday night as we both work Friday and Nicole is on call all weekend at the hospital. We are jam packed with Gopher sports this weekend with Gopher hockey on Friday night and Gopher Football vs. Iowa on Saturday afternoon.
Be safe in your travels and Happy Thanksgiving!
I hope everyone enjoys their holiday. We'll be back to Hudson on Thursday night as we both work Friday and Nicole is on call all weekend at the hospital. We are jam packed with Gopher sports this weekend with Gopher hockey on Friday night and Gopher Football vs. Iowa on Saturday afternoon.
Be safe in your travels and Happy Thanksgiving!
Many Things to be THANKful For!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING to our family and friends!
So many things to be thankful for....
7 wonderful and exciting years of marriage
a place we call home
FAMILY---supportive parents, siblings we couldn't image our lives without, neices and nephews who make us smile each day, and grandparents who we constantly look up to
FRIENDS---long time and new that we have made over the years
jobs that we look forward to each day
bosses that we love and treat us with respect
GOOD HEALTH
a sense of security
being able to travel
our education
gopher sports
THESE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE MANY THINGS THAT WE ARE THANKFUL FOR THIS YEAR!
SAFE TRAVELS TO EVERYONE. WE HOPE YOU ENJOY YOUR TIME WITH YOUR FAMILIES. WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING OURS.
jason and nicole
Sunday, November 21, 2010
11.21.2003 - 11.21.2010
7 years ago today (I feel like Abe Lincoln saying 4 score and 7 years ago) Nicole and I were married. It was a cold Friday night in November and we filled just a very small portion of the Basilica of St. Mary. Father O'Connell was instrumental in our getting married at the Basilica and we still respect him very much today. Nicole and I talk often about having 2 anniversaries. We were married on 11.21.2003, but we had our 1st date on 3.25.1994. We both remember that date as if it was our wedding day.
We started our anniversary weekend out with a little shopping on Friday night. We stopped at our favorite store JCrew at Rosedale. We then went to dinner in Stillwater at Reve 324, which is a cool little spot, nothing fancy. We went to bed early Friday because Saturday was going to be a long day of FUN!
We started Saturday off with breakfast at Good Day Cafe. We followed that up with a visit to Southdale and another visit to JCrew. We found some good deals and picked up a few items for a cruise coming up in January. We checked into the Westin Galleria where we stayed the night. We relaxed in the afternoon doing our favorite things, sipping coffee and strolling around. We had no plan and no care in the world, just like it should be on your special day. We had champagne and strawberries delivered to the room which was nice. We went for a swim and sat in the spa for a while. Then we got ready to go out. We chose to have dinner at Kozy which is a steak/seafood place in the Galleria. They also have Crave in the Galleria but we have never been to Kozy and they had an excellent wine list so we decided on that. The food was just "ok", but the wine was excellent. We had a bottle of Stag's Leap Cab which we have quite a bit of at home and it is excellent. We plan to visit Stag's Leap at the end of December. The Galleria is a happening place on a Saturday and Saturday night. I kind of get a kick out of the place because everyone gets all dressed up to shop at overpriced stores. Lots of Uggz and tall boots, everything my wife loves. I'm usually the guy hanging out on the bench outside the store reading sports scores on my phone.
As I write this we are at the Starbucks at the Galleria. The roads are bad this morning with drizzling freezing rain so we are waiting for it to warm up a bit before we make our way back to Hudson. We are going to have breakfast at the Loring Cafe right by our old place in Loring Park. We are also going to stop at the Basilica to say a quick prayer and see our "spot" again. It has been a wonderful 7 years and we hope to make it to 70 years. Have a wonderful day.
Jason & Nicole
We started our anniversary weekend out with a little shopping on Friday night. We stopped at our favorite store JCrew at Rosedale. We then went to dinner in Stillwater at Reve 324, which is a cool little spot, nothing fancy. We went to bed early Friday because Saturday was going to be a long day of FUN!
We started Saturday off with breakfast at Good Day Cafe. We followed that up with a visit to Southdale and another visit to JCrew. We found some good deals and picked up a few items for a cruise coming up in January. We checked into the Westin Galleria where we stayed the night. We relaxed in the afternoon doing our favorite things, sipping coffee and strolling around. We had no plan and no care in the world, just like it should be on your special day. We had champagne and strawberries delivered to the room which was nice. We went for a swim and sat in the spa for a while. Then we got ready to go out. We chose to have dinner at Kozy which is a steak/seafood place in the Galleria. They also have Crave in the Galleria but we have never been to Kozy and they had an excellent wine list so we decided on that. The food was just "ok", but the wine was excellent. We had a bottle of Stag's Leap Cab which we have quite a bit of at home and it is excellent. We plan to visit Stag's Leap at the end of December. The Galleria is a happening place on a Saturday and Saturday night. I kind of get a kick out of the place because everyone gets all dressed up to shop at overpriced stores. Lots of Uggz and tall boots, everything my wife loves. I'm usually the guy hanging out on the bench outside the store reading sports scores on my phone.
As I write this we are at the Starbucks at the Galleria. The roads are bad this morning with drizzling freezing rain so we are waiting for it to warm up a bit before we make our way back to Hudson. We are going to have breakfast at the Loring Cafe right by our old place in Loring Park. We are also going to stop at the Basilica to say a quick prayer and see our "spot" again. It has been a wonderful 7 years and we hope to make it to 70 years. Have a wonderful day.
Jason & Nicole
Friday, November 12, 2010
The GOLF season has come to an end.
Hello Family and Friends....
We hope that all of you are doing well and having a great week. It's FINALLY FRIDAY! I love listening to that song when I am done with work on Friday's.
Anyways....last Sunday was the End-of-the-Year golf event at TB. Jason and I were honored to play with two of the pros from TB, Brent and Jack. Courtney wasn't able to play with us this year because she was busy working. We didn't get the expected score we thought we were capable of in the scramble probably due to getting pars on all 5 Par 3s and no birdies on those holes. Also, Jason was not in prime form for some reason? Anyways, we had fun. We had to wait on a few holes, so Brent and I had a handstand/headstand competition. I can still do a headstand after 31 years.
I am excited to see my friend, Jess Watje tonight for her 31st Birthday! It's GIRLS ONLY and we are headed to The Flower Bar at Spruce, which is a floral shop in South Minneapolis. I think the plan is to drink some wine and create our own floral arrangement. I love to be creative so I am really looking forward to this. Most of you know Jess, but for those of you that don't.... Jess is a very special friend. I often say to Jason, "why can't everyone be like Jess." Our friendship started in college. We hit if off from the night we met on the 2nd or 3rd floor of the Rec center as we were watching AGR play a basketball game. Although I wish that I did see Jess more, when we do see each other, it is like there has been no lost time. We just seem to have a lot in common and enjoy the same things. Jess you are truly a beautiful person and wonderful friend. Happy Birthday!
I am not looking forward to the possible SNOW that may be on the radar for this weekend. Well, at least I hope that it doesn't stick around for too long. If anyone is looking for a good movie to watch, (I know, I don't watch movies, but I did this week!) The Karate Kid is a great movie. I used to watch that movie a lot when I was younger. Jaden Smith does a great job and it is a movie with a good story. Basically it is what I try to teach and foster in my clients every day....."if you don't like how you feel, you can change it." You have the power to make yourself happy and only you can do it!
Happy Weekend!
We hope that all of you are doing well and having a great week. It's FINALLY FRIDAY! I love listening to that song when I am done with work on Friday's.
Anyways....last Sunday was the End-of-the-Year golf event at TB. Jason and I were honored to play with two of the pros from TB, Brent and Jack. Courtney wasn't able to play with us this year because she was busy working. We didn't get the expected score we thought we were capable of in the scramble probably due to getting pars on all 5 Par 3s and no birdies on those holes. Also, Jason was not in prime form for some reason? Anyways, we had fun. We had to wait on a few holes, so Brent and I had a handstand/headstand competition. I can still do a headstand after 31 years.
I am excited to see my friend, Jess Watje tonight for her 31st Birthday! It's GIRLS ONLY and we are headed to The Flower Bar at Spruce, which is a floral shop in South Minneapolis. I think the plan is to drink some wine and create our own floral arrangement. I love to be creative so I am really looking forward to this. Most of you know Jess, but for those of you that don't.... Jess is a very special friend. I often say to Jason, "why can't everyone be like Jess." Our friendship started in college. We hit if off from the night we met on the 2nd or 3rd floor of the Rec center as we were watching AGR play a basketball game. Although I wish that I did see Jess more, when we do see each other, it is like there has been no lost time. We just seem to have a lot in common and enjoy the same things. Jess you are truly a beautiful person and wonderful friend. Happy Birthday!
I am not looking forward to the possible SNOW that may be on the radar for this weekend. Well, at least I hope that it doesn't stick around for too long. If anyone is looking for a good movie to watch, (I know, I don't watch movies, but I did this week!) The Karate Kid is a great movie. I used to watch that movie a lot when I was younger. Jaden Smith does a great job and it is a movie with a good story. Basically it is what I try to teach and foster in my clients every day....."if you don't like how you feel, you can change it." You have the power to make yourself happy and only you can do it!
Happy Weekend!
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Still Here...
Nicole and I are still here, just nothing blog worthy lately so didn't want to waste anyone's time. We're enjoying the beautiful fall weather. I'm still golfing (just got in from 9 holes) and Nicole is still running outside. We both played golf last night (4 holes before dark) and then went out for sushi. Troy Burne has its end of the year party this Sunday with 18 hole scramble and food/fun afterward. Troy Burne has a new owner now and he will address the group on Sunday. We are hearing a lot of good things about him (all good inside information). We are hearing an expanded clubhouse with a patio that overlooks the water on hole number 10 and an upgraded kitchen (badly needed). We'll see what the winter brings for changes.
I am looking forward to a golf trip in early December (too far away for my liking) and Nicole is going to Chicago with the girls that weekend.
We are also working on a trip over New Year's. The slate is wide open, we just have each other. We are looking at numerous places. Our original intention was to ski somewhere, but it's like a million dollars to ski anywhere over New Year's. The places we found in Tahoe are $700/night (too rich for our blood). We are looking at wine country both in Napa and Oregon. Oregon looks very interesting so right now that is the leader. We looked at Europe but with the value of the dollar as poor as it is my friends who have traveled overseas lately are advising against it. (Trust me, the dollar will be cheap for a long time with the debt this country has dug itself into). So Europe is probably 10 years away, which is fine because there are plenty of places we haven't seen in the US.
Other than that, catching Gopher football and Gopher hockey games (Wisconsin this Friday). The hockey team is on the upswing after a great weekend sweep at Colorado College, and the football team, well enough said.
Love you all, see most of you at Thanksgiving!
I am looking forward to a golf trip in early December (too far away for my liking) and Nicole is going to Chicago with the girls that weekend.
We are also working on a trip over New Year's. The slate is wide open, we just have each other. We are looking at numerous places. Our original intention was to ski somewhere, but it's like a million dollars to ski anywhere over New Year's. The places we found in Tahoe are $700/night (too rich for our blood). We are looking at wine country both in Napa and Oregon. Oregon looks very interesting so right now that is the leader. We looked at Europe but with the value of the dollar as poor as it is my friends who have traveled overseas lately are advising against it. (Trust me, the dollar will be cheap for a long time with the debt this country has dug itself into). So Europe is probably 10 years away, which is fine because there are plenty of places we haven't seen in the US.
Other than that, catching Gopher football and Gopher hockey games (Wisconsin this Friday). The hockey team is on the upswing after a great weekend sweep at Colorado College, and the football team, well enough said.
Love you all, see most of you at Thanksgiving!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)