#89 Create a blog and post 20 times 12/4/11

This my 20th (or more) post.  I have now posted at least 20 times.  I think it is fun to write in here.  I don't know if any one is actually reading this besides my family.  I will continue to write as I complete more of my goals.  I am way behind and am not happy with myself for making many of items have many steps to complete.  I hope that you enjoy reading about my adventures. 

#85 Go to the Ballet 12/3/11

As my Christmas (early) this year Jason bought tickets to the Nutcracker Ballet.  Tsiolkovsky is one of my favorite classical composers, so this was a double treat.

I didn't realize that I could bring my camera, so all I had was my phone to take pictures at the Orpheum.  I had a really good time.  There were children from local Minnesota dance studios dancing with the dance troop.  At times I found myself watching them instead of the professionals.  That might be because Jenni has been in dance for years and I have sat at quite a few recitals.  I was amazed at the dancer that would walk around the stage holding the ballerina with one hand above his head.  There were also some great jumps by the men.  They would look like they floating for a few seconds when they did leaps.  I would definitely go back.  I had a great time!!!  Thank you so much Jason for the great Christmas present!!

# 83 Teach Nicole to Crochet 11/19/11

This goal was added by my son.  Nicole is engaged to Dan (my son) and they will be married on August 25, 2012.  For Christmas  of 2010 I gave Nicole crochet hooks and yarn, but we never seemed to find the time to get to me teaching her.  They came to visit and I was working on a hat.  The lesson started right then.  She caught on quickly and in no time finished a potholder using two different stitches.

#74 Learn a new recipe--not a dessert 9/24/2011

I have actually been trying quite a few new recipes.  I made Hot Pepper Jam for the first time this year.  I planted jalapenos peppers just for the jam.  I do like the way it tastes.  If you have ever had Sweet Chili Sauce, you have an idea of how it tastes.  I first tasted Sweet Chili Sauce in Australia.  They serve it with french fries and sour cream.  It is so good!!!!!! 

 I also tried making Salsa for the first time.  I am not much of a tomato eater, so this is really a stretch for me.  I used my Aunt LaVerne's recipe...with a few tweaks of course  :)  It turned out really good, I haven't gotten any bad press from anyone.  Jenni said that she ate a half of jar the first time she tasted it.  I think I added more jalapenos than it called for just because I had them.  I have to thank the people that donated garden produce to make it possible...my Mom and my friend Becky.

The last recipe that I would like to talk about is Drunken Chili.  I have it every year that I go to the Renaissance Festival in Shakopee.  They serve it in a bread bowl and there is only one stand that has it.  It isn't on the menu, you have to ask for it.  They fill half the bowl with chili and then fill the rest of the bowl with beer cheese soup.  So I have to thank Jerome for giving me the cook book where I found both of the recipes.  The recipes included Ben & Jerry's New York Super Fudge Chunk ice cream (my all time favorite).  The chili recipe was labeled Wendy's Chili and the Beer Cheese soup was from the 101st Airborne.  Being unable to follow directions, I added extras to each because I had them.  I have to admit it turned out really good.  I brought it to a potluck and there was only one serving of chili left.  There was more beer cheese soup, but I don't think that everyone knew to mix them together.  I will definitely make them again.  I just hope they turn out as well since I changed the recipes.

#32 Visit 5 new places on my bike 9/3/11

I love to ride my motorcycle.  The first time I got on a bike was when I was in High school and a guy asked if I wanted a ride home.  So, without a helmet, and knowing that my parents would be furious if they found out, I hopped on.  I knew the instant we took off that I would end up owning a bike.  It is almost like you are flying.  When I made this list I had nobody to ride with.  I wanted to make sure that I would get out on my bike the next summer.  My 5 rides started on Memorial Day Weekend with some friends from BE.  We drove around the Clearwater, Elk River area.  I'm not even sure where we went.  We ended up at my house because the guys didn't want me to have to drive an hour home by myself (very sweet of them).  I made supper for them as a thank you.

The second ride was a BE organized ride.  BE has a silent auction every spring to raise money.  For a few years now, some of the guys with bikes have sold their back seats with lunch for the fund raiser.  We went around Rockville and ended up in Hutchinson for lunch.  The third ride was to my friend Trina's cabin by Brainerd.  I had a route all planned out, unfortunately I got turned around in St. Cloud and lost my trail.  I then picked it up around Rice.  But Stearns County sucked me in and I spent a couple of hours going in circles.  The joke now is that Stearns county will always get me lost.  I tried to stop and ask for directions, but the corn field just didn't want to tell me anything.

The fourth ride was to see my grandparents graves in Onamia.  We then picked up Jeff's Mom and drove around Mille Lacs Lake.  It was a really good time with ice cream stops along the way, which was a good thing since it was such a hot day.  Trina took this picture from the back of Jeff's bike.  We were all over, Onamia, Rush Point, Zimmerman  were some of the stops.  I got home at midnight after driving through thick fog that kept me from seeing through my face shield.  I tried to wipe it off, but then I just smeared the bug guts all over.  The last 20 miles wasn't very fun.

The 5th ride was to Lake Itasca (where the Mississippi starts).  We had 6 riders and 4 bikes.  Have I mentioned that I love riding with this group?  The guys give my bike the once over before we take off and let me know if anything looks suspicious.  They have been telling me all summer that I am going to need a new front tire soon.  Jeff actually fixed my right front blinker for me before we went on the last ride.  It was a cold day and we dressed in many layers.  I drove to Alexandria on friday night  (met Jeff on the way, not a planned thing) and Ken, Glen and Sarah met us on saturday morning.  Things went really well.  We saw a lot of Sand Hill Cranes in the fields.  Itasca is beautiful.

We stopped in Dorset for supper.  Dorset is a small town with 7 restaurants where even a cat can be the mayor.  All you have to do is pay a dollar and put your name in the jar to be drawn for the mayor in July.   By the time we got to Long Prairie it was dark.  I had a little heart stopper in Eagle Bend when a little dog ran out in front of me.  I have no idea how I didn't hit him.  I'm glad I didn't, Glen said that a little boy was watching it all happen from the sidewalk with a look of horror on his face.  In Long Prairie we stopped for gas, the guys checked out my tire like they had been doing all day and discovered that there were cords showing.  Not a good thing.  After some debate and me being a stubborn german, I agreed to let them trailer my bike from St. Cloud home.  So off to St. Cloud we went being very careful about left turns.  In St. Cloud the guys loaded my bike on Jeff's truck and Glen offered to drive me home and bring Jeff's truck back for him.  Jeff went to Alexandria to drop off Trina.  I am very grateful to all of my friends for their concern and help.  I guess for the rest of the year I am going to have to be a passenger.  That will be fun too.

I hope to ride again next year with this group (after a new tire is put on).  They are great and we have fun adventures.

#37 participate in Postcrossing 8/29/11

This idea originated from my sister Rachel.  It is a whole lot of fun and  I am just getting started.  When you sign up for this site you request an address and then you send a random person a postcard.  After that person gets your card they register it on the web site and then you are eligible to receive a postcard. The nice thing about this is that you don't have to say much, I always struggle on what to say to people when I write a letter.  I have sent out 8 postcards so far and received one.  It was very exciting to get a postcard in the mail instead of ads or bills.  I am looking forward to both getting and sending more cards.

#88 Do the 30 day picture challenge 8/5/11

Floating around in facebook cyber-space is a 30 day picture challenge.  The instructions are to post a picture a day for 30 days.  It begins with a picture of yourself and 15 facts.  I tried to use pictures that I had taken whenever possible.  It was fun, but I kept forgetting to post everyday,so I sometimes posted for two days or when we went camping for the four days we were gone.  I would do another one, it made me think about things a little different, like who could you not imagine your life without. 

#38 Get a tattoo 7/23/2011

I have given a lot of though to this goal.  In fact I have thought about it for 26 years.  My friend Janet said it so well, I hope that I can explain it like she did:  When you are expecting a child you create hopes and dreams for that child and for your involvement with that child.  When things go wrong and you lose that child, for whatever reason, there is a void that can never be filled.  You are reminded of that void almost daily.  You're living children are tangible, you can call them, text them, or touch them.  Time lessens the pain but the void remains.  My friend Trina works with the M.I.S.S. foundation.  She has told me that many people get tattoos in memory of  their child to transfer the pain from within to an external memorial.  
That is what this goal is about memorializing my daughter in a tangible way that I can see everyday for the rest of my life.It is not about showing the world, it is about me and Sarah.  I have placed the tattoo in an area that is not visible except to people that I want to show.  Like I said I have thought about it for years, but I never had a design in mind.  One day I was on facebook on a high school classmate's page she had the design posted.  I knew the minute I saw it that it was exactly what I wanted.  I printed it out and taped it to my mirror so I could see it everyday.  It was taped there for months. 

I had a noon appointment at Jeff's Tattoo in St. Cloud.  Judy was my tattoo artist.  I have never had a tattoo before or even been to a tattoo parlor.  There was a little tweeking of the design, I wanted Sarah's name (in Hebrew) placed inside of the heart.  She had placed it above the heart.  We got down to business.  It did sting, at times it was very uncomfortable.  I liked that she would answer my questions, I always need to know what is going on.  She was very efficient and even with the time it took to finalize the design we were done in an hour.   The shading on my tattoo is a little different from the picture.  Judy showed me different shading options and I picked the one I liked.  Janet was there for the whole thing, I was grateful for the moral support.  The hardest part was not moving for the time that she was doing the tattooing.  I couldn't even laugh.  Now I have 2 weeks of special care (washing, and applying lotions) until it is completely healed.  Will I get another one?  I don't think I will, once is enough.

# 8 Make a bucket list 7/20/11

Since I was going to post the other things I had done, I decided to see if I could complete a goal today.  So in looking at the list I decided to write out a bucket list.  Some of these things overlap with my 101 goals.
1.  See the Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany.  This is the castle that Disney modeled the Disney world Cinderella castle after.  I have a soft spot for castles, dragons, fairies and all things fantasy.
2.  See the Colosseum in Rome.  As a bonus I may get to see Chiara, she was a foreign exchange student Jenni's senior year and they became very good friends.  She spent many hours at my house.
3.  Go to the Louvre.  As an Art major I have heard so much about this place that I can't imagine not seeing it.
4.  Have a picture (painting or photo) displayed in a gallery.  Another art major thing.
5.  Live in the country.  I miss the country, it's quietness and the space.
6.  Have a garden.  This goes hand in hand with the living in the country, right now I don't have the space to have a garden.  I have too many trees that block the sunlight that a garden would need .  I miss planting, watching the plants grow and produce.  I even miss weeding, just a little.  I have pots on my deck, but they don't mature due to the lack of space and sunlight.
7.  Get a German Shepherd dog.  Living in the city, it would be cruel to have a large dog that couldn't run and would have to be cooped up in a pen or in the house.  I have always wanted a German shepherd dog.  I think they are so beautiful.  If it is male I want to name him Gunther or Kaiser.  :)
8.  Move closer to my parents.  They are getting older and are in need of more help.  My brother does so much for them and I am so thankful that he does.  I would like to share the load.
9.  Go on another trip with my sister, Rachel.  I had a great time with her when we went to Australia.  I thought we traveled well together, I hope she thinks so too. I have MANY great memories of that trip.
10.  Go back to Australia and see the Great Barrier Reef and the Southern Cross.  Those were the two things that I would've like to see when we were in Australia that I didn't get to see. 

#7 Visit my Grandparents graves 7/16/11

This another goal copied off my sister's list.  This may sound like a morbid thing to do but with losing a child, it just makes sense to me.  My paternal grandparents are buried in the same cemetery as my daughter Sarah.  As a result I visit their graves briefly every time I go to Sarah's.  I try to make it back to the farm around Memorial Day and put a pot of flowers on Sarah's grave that stay there all summer.  My parents like to ride along and stop at Emma's and Otto's graves before we go to Sarah's.  After we are done with that cemetery we head over to the Taylor Cemetery to visit the graves of my Dad's grandparents.  Both of these cemeteries are within a mile (opposite directions) of my parent's farm.  I regret to say that have only visited my maternal grandparents graves once before this and that was when they were buried.  I was talking about this adventure to some friends and they thought it would make a great bike ride.  So off we went on our bikes on a misty Saturday morning.  It soon cleared up and became very hot.  The cemetery was a little hard to find, even with directions.  My Mom had given me descriptions and directions on how to find not only my grand parents but also both sets of great-grandparents from her side of the family (they are all buried in the same cemetery).  I did end up calling to clarify directions and found the sites.  I think that exceeded the expectations on this goal. I not only visited grandparents, but also 3 out of the 4 sets of great-grandparents also.  The last set is buried in Indiana, if I am ever down that way I will be sure to stop. 

#45 Go through my closet and get rid of 10 articles of clothing 7/12/11

I originally planned to go through my clothes in a very orderly fashion.   One night when I was putting away clean clothes I just started to pull out ones that I hadn't worn in over a year.  I surpassed the 10 mark and I know there are many more that need to be culled.  Some I can't throw for sentimental reasons (I get way too attached to objects, I know) others, it just doesn't seem to be the right timing. 

# 82 Do my optional Digital Photography booklet 6/5/11

I've been interested in photography for as long as I can remember.  To capture a moment in time and preserve that moment for all to see is a gift.  I got my first camera in high school (I think) and took many pictures of everything and anything.  I was thrilled to have the chance to use the high school darkroom (the same darkroom that my Dad used when he was in high school) to learn how to develop pictures.  I spent many hours in that small room with my friends.  The pictures weren't the best, but the thrill of watching them appear on the paper is still magic to me.  I took some photography classes in college, but had to drop them when I found out I was pregnant with Jason.  I was getting sick from the smell of the chemicals and wasn't sure how good those chemicals were for a developing baby.  So about 8 years ago I enrolled in another photography class through New York Institute of Photography.  It was a study at home course that you could take up to three years to complete.  I started out good and then about 2/3 rds of the way through life took over and I set it aside.  As the deadline approached I was determined to finish the course and I did with only weeks to spare.  As an option there was a digital pamphlet that we could complete.  This is the pamphlet that I completed on June 5th.  It was mostly about scanners and I didn't learn anything that I thought was useful, although it may prove useful down the road. 

# 20 Make 6 afghans for the NICU at Children's 6/1/2011

NICU stands for Newborn Intensive Care Unit.  My daughter Sarah was born 4 weeks premature.  She was rushed down to Children's Hospital in the Twin Cities.  Unfortunately after only 18 hours of life she passed away.  The people that work there have angel wings under their scrubs.  They were wonderfully supportive both that night and in the weeks after.  I used to donate money for teddy bears at Christmas time.  Then a daycare parent that volunteered in the NICU said that they accepted afghans.  I knew what my new project was. I have only donated two afghans to the NICU so far.  I have three more finished that haven't been sent, they will be sent with these six.  I have been crocheting since I was in the 3rd grade.  My best friend at the time Anna taught me how to make doll booties during the movie Bambi.  It is one of those snapshot moments, where you can remember exactly where you were and what you were doing.  Our third grade class had gathered in the school library for a movie, quite a treat for us.  Anna and I were at the back of the room (where there was light) whispering back and forth.  She had brought an extra crochet hook from home and extra yarn.  I know that my first attempt was not very good.  Over the years I have gotten much better and have been known to crank out a full size afghan in as little as 10 days.  I usually only work on afghans in the winter, they help to keep me warm while I am watching TV.  I really wanted to finish these, since they are smaller and quicker.  The last two were the solid color ones done with two strands of yarn.  My favorites are the round ones.  Mostly because they are different.  I think that they cover car seats better than the rectangle kind.  I also like to use bright colors instead of the pastels that are usually used for baby things. 

#22 buy a pair of capri's and wear them 10 times

Completed 6/4/2011

I don't like clothes that don't fit, although I have been known to wear things too tight.  Just ask my younger sister about the famous red satin pants.   Capri's (for me) fall into the category of ill-fitting clothes.  They are too short, high waders.  I wore pedal pushers as a child (I know I just dated myself), and hated them.  Mostly because they were my older sister's first (nothing against my sister).  Being the youngest of 4 children born with-in 4 years I grew up wearing hand-me-downs.  This was a necessary in our family due to finances and I did it with my kids as they were growing up.  Sometimes I would wait impatiently for a certain piece of clothing to make it to me.  The advantage of hand-me-downs is that they are broken in and very comfortable.  So that explains my aversion to capri's.  That and I think that they make most (not all) people who wear them look 'hippy'.  So in my search for capris I decided to go with a jean material that was tighter at the knees.  I thought this would make them seem less like high-waders to me.  Next was the sizing dilemma for me.  Gina happened to call as I was shopping.  I was told if they fit at the waist then they fit, so I bought a pair that seemed to fit.  The size down was too tight.  I think that they stretched in the wearing, because now I am constantly pulling them up and have tons of room in the waist.  I would love to tell you that I lost that much weight, but sadly not true. 
So, after wearing them 10 times, I have to admit that they are okay.  Days when it is too hot for pants, but too cool for shorts are perfect for capri's.  I am not going to run out and flood my closet with them ,but I am also not going to burn them in triumph (that I managed to wear them 10 times).  I'm glad that I chose the tighter ones around the knee.  I don't think I would've made it 10 times with the other ones.

#62 Go visit Cindy 4/18/2011

Cindy and I have been friends since we were nine.  Her Dad had a job at Honeywell and was transferred to Minneapolis from Florida to work on a project.  Her family came to stay with us on our farm through Farm Vacations.  Our farm was listed as a working farm that would accommodate guests during the summer months.  Cindy and I were inseparable during that summer.  I have so many fond memories of doing things with her.  We became pen pals, although we weren't very good at writing some of the time.  Our family was pleasantly surprised when they got in touch with us 7 years later and wanted to spend the summer again!  It was another wonderful summer with the two of us doing most everything together.  Since the summers of our childhood, we have kept track of each other.  Cindy has been up to visit me and I have been down to visit her.  Although we no longer write, we do call or send cards.  It is like we have never been apart, picking up right where we left off. 

I really wanted to surprise Cindy for her birthday, so I got in touch with her Mom who lives close to her.  Helen got in touch with Jack (her husband) and they helped me to plan the surprise on that end.  My plane was almost an hour late leaving Minneapolis and I missed my connection in Atlanta.  I was on the next flight out an hour and a half later.  Cindy and Helen were waiting at the airport the whole time.  Cindy was so shocked to see me, she was speechless.  The surprise was a success.  It was wonderful to go from 40 degrees to 80 degrees.  The sunshine was the best thing.  It has been so cloudy and gloomy in Minnesota.  Clearwater Beach is so beautiful,  pure white sand and turquoise blue water.  We had a late lunch on the beach and I got to walk around bare foot!  It was quite a treat for this Minnesotan gal.  I had a great visit with Cindy.  It was so nice to see her and get caught up with the goings on in the families.  We talked, shopped for my kids, hung out, and even played some ball with her son.  Did I say how great it was?  I have to thank my kids for buying me the plane ticket as a Christmas present and thanks Jenni for watching the Daycare kids.  Did I say yet that I have great kids?  Well, I think they are terrific!  Saturday evening we went down to the beach to catch the sunset.  We were treated to one of the best sunsets I have seen in quite a while.

Sunday we went to a county park near her house.  I spent time exploring in the warm sunshine, Cindy hung out near the playground so Michael could play.  It was a great day walking around in the warm sunshine.  I saw turtles, ducks, butterflies, a snake, and lots of different flowers.  Shadow (their dog) even got to play in the dog park.  Sunday evening we were invited to Helen's for a birthday party for Cindy.  The food was excellent and so was the company.  Another surprise for Cindy.  We had Strawberry Shortcake for dessert, Cindy's favorite. 

It was so great seeing Cindy.  I hope that I don't take so long to do it again.  Her family was so gracious to help me out with this and to put me up for three days.  Thank you!  It was  a treat for me to get away too.  Things have been stressful and the break was just what I needed.  Another item I regrettably cross off my list.  Oh, the letter that I couldn't send (from my 40 cards in 40 days) was to Cindy.  I didn't want to tip her off that I was going to come down to see her.

#12 Throw 2 menu mystery dinners

Completed 4/9/2011

For those of you that are not familiar with menu mystery dinners I will explain a little.  The mystery isn't 'who done it', the mystery is when during the course of the meal you are going to get what.  Included on the menu is all the silverware, napkin, drinks, a toothpick and of course the food.  To participate in this you must be willing to eat with your fingers.  I love having good friends that go along with my crazy ideas.  The first dinner was for my BE friends the weekend of Valentines Day.  Because we are all divorced or widowed, the theme was couples or widows that need to go to BE.   Janet D's daughter and friend graciously agreed to be wait staff, a huge help for us. 

The second dinner was an Australian theme and I had friends from Hutchinson over.  The clues were hard, but everyone had a good time.  There were many people eating with their fingers.  Thank you so much to everyone who made it.  I will be having more of these dinners.  It is so much fun to think of the clues and then anticipate the laughs.

#73 Writing 40 Notes to People who have Impacted my Life.

I have completed my 40 notes.  I decided that I would send cards that I had made using my photography skills.  I tried to match the picture on the cards  with something the person could relate to.   Writing them was a lot more difficult than I thought it would be.  I have a difficult time expressing my feelings and even more difficult when it is in writing.  There are many people in my life that have made an impact.  I know that I have missed some when I decided who to send cards to.  If you didn't get a card, it is not because I do not appreciate you in my life.  I just have a lot of people to thank, I have come to realize that even more in doing this project.   All of the cards have been sent out during Lent, I have one that I am holding on to until after the 18th.  You will find out the reason why in a later post. 

Where I have I been?

I do apologize for not being on my blog for a long time.  I decided to go back to school.  It was a rather quick decision.  I signed up for classes three days before the new semester started.  My extra time has been spent doing homework.  I haven't had a lot of time to work on my 101 projects.  I have been working on some.   Crocheting baby blankets for NICU at Childrens (I have 2 done and am working on the third of six).   I printed out the cards for Item#73.   I keep starting the not complaining for a week (it is really hard to do).   I threw a menu mystery party on Feb 12 with the help of my friend Janet (one more to go).   I have been making paper cranes (I'm up 220).  I have been keeping up with the holding a conversation with someone I don't know once a month.  I have adapted the hanging out the laundry once a month to hanging laundry.  I have put up lines in my laundry room and only put about one load a month in the dryer.  It has made a significant difference in my energy bill.  I have been reading the Bible, I found an on-line program to read the Bible in a year.  So as you can see I am still working on things, just not getting them done.  I'm off to do something on the list, it's spring break this week, so maybe I'll finish one.

#30 Go to Chanhassen Dinner Theater

For a Christmas present my sister Rachel bought me tickets to The Chanhassen.  She even agreed to be my date.  I would highly recommend her as a date.  She showed up at my door on Friday night with a dozen pink roses and chocolates.  Not just any chocolates, she brought Dove (my favorite) and Ghirardelli (a close second favorite).

We spent the night playing word and card games.  Jason and Michelle came to visit too.  It ended up being a late night.  Jason's game of 'Unexploded Cow' is one that I have wanted to play for a long time.  It was quite fun, even if I didn't win.

We had a difficult time finding the place.  It is hard to see the sign when the snowbanks are so high.  The snowbanks were also taking over the parking lots as they do in Minnesota, so parking was interesting.  I loved the way the entrance was lit with fairy lights (as I call them).  Our seats were VERY good!  We we sitting middle of the stage on the level just barely higher then the stage.  It was so close if an actor and I each stretched out our hands we could've touched.  Dinner was very good.  I had vegetarian Lasagna and Rachel had their chicken stuffed with wild rice.  I was going to get that, but it came smothered in a mushroom sauce.  Not being fond of mushrooms, I passed.  The vegetable was green and yellow beans with carrots in a butter sauce, very good.  I also tried some wine.  I'm not much of a drinker, so I rarely get a drink.  I actually liked this wine, it was Zonin Lambrusco from Italy.  I would have it again.  Which is high praise from me.  The company was good.  To my left was a couple from Zimmerman, who were celebrating an Anniversary.  and to my right was a mother and daughter.  I never did figure out where they were from.  Conversation was fun and interesting.  Getting in and out to go to the bathroom was fun and interesting also.  I was getting a chuckle out of the table behind us.  They kept asking for samples of wine, and from their conversation and actions, I think they had some before they got there.  Their waiter was a trooper, but I could tell he was getting frustrated with them.  I think they did end up buying a bottle of wine to share with the table.

The show was ABSOLUTELY wonderful.   I felt like I had my mouth open in amazement the whole time.  There were so many quirks the actors did to make the characters come alive to the audience.  I enjoyed the costuming.  :)  Wouldn't the world be a better place if people just burst into song at random times?  Especially if they used Elvis songs.  We (our table) was discussing the performance during intermission and we decided that the show is a mix of Happy Days and Grease.  Talking about intermission, that was when dessert was served!  I had the Berry Tirimasu, which was to die for.  The only thing that I have tasted that is better was the Creme Brulee that I had in Australia.  Rachel had the Hot Fudge Cake Sunday.  She let me have a bite, it was very good too.  The second half of the show went by in a flash.  It was over too soon.  I didn't want to leave, I didn't want it to end.  I had such a good time. The drive home was uneventful.  Rachel and I discussed things about the show.  At home it was time for bed.  What a wonderful night, what a wonderful Christmas present, What a wonderful sister I have.  Thank You so much Rachel for taking me there!!  I had a great time!  Now I want to go back to another production.  I reluctantly cross this one off my list, wishing I could go back and do it again.  Thanks again, Rachel!

# 51 Pedicure

Last night Jenni and I went to get pedicures.  This was a Christmas present from Jenni.  After going to the wrong store, we got to the mall and were seated in our pedicure chairs.  I have to say that I have a hard time understanding the accent of the people who work there.  We picked out our colors and began soaking our feet.  I loved the massage chair!  How relaxing to have my back massaged while soaking my feet in warm water.  I did have a problem with the scrubbing of the feet, because my feet are very ticklish.  About the only part of my body that is.  I grew up with two brothers that thought is was great fun to tickle me until I peed my pants.  I learned not to be ticklish.  Anyway...back to the pedicure,  as I was saying it was very nice.  It is something that I would do again.  The drying of the nail polish was very boring, but talking to Jenni made the time go quicker.  Now, see if you can guess which foot is mine and which is Jenni's.