Dear Miss P.,

I've been getting a handful of people asking me for advice lately...not sure what propelled me into "Dear Abby"land or whether I'm qualified at all, but I'm always happy to give my two (or three) cents worth. I'm sure it can be attributed, in part, to my former students (6th graders now in college, 2nd graders now entering high school) experiencing relationships. Ah, young love. You remember, right?

This question came to me this morning, and I thought I'd let some of you help me out. The context is: college sophomore, first dating relationship. She comes from a divorced family. Her boyfriend has broken up with her in the past and tends to be fairly argumentative.

So this is where my question lies, the person you love, is it ok for them to treat you bad on occasion? Is it a good thing that he affects me so strongly? I’m lost I know a relationship takes work but if I’m trying so hard to be the best I can be then why do I get hurt? Do married couples or even couples that have been together for a long time still hurt each other? Do they ever worry that the person they love is going to break up with them after an fight or argument? What am I suppose to do with this man? I love him and a lot of his traits and the way he is but he hurts me so bad at times with the few bad traits he has. ?????? Hope you can give me some good advice Miss P. if not then its cool.

What say you, married couples?

When COLD Happens.

Sometimes I can't believe I live here.
Like, when it's almost 40 BELOW zero with windchill.
I've been a champ most of the time.
One night I couldn't get feeling in my toes for quite some time.
I was NOT prepared for the amount of static-electricity now found in my dry, dry hair.

But, in most ways, we work around the cold.
There are coat hangers in restaurants.
I can have my groceries loaded for me at a drive-up.
And I bring gloves EVERYWHERE.

When it gets a little warmer, it's always good for skiing! :)



Or a good, hot meal!

Now, THAT would be a sacrifice.

SO, Ash Wednesday is approaching...February 8th is the beginning of Lent.
I usually choose something to give up until Easter.
In the past, I've thrown down chocolate.
Soda is a given.
Cheese was difficult.
Chocolate, cheese AND soda was terrible.
One year, I threw out using elevators (tough for a college student parking on the top floor of the parking structure, believe me.)

I'm starting to mull over this go-around, and THIS thought made me cringe...

Starbucks. The Bean. Caribou.

Do I dare?

Conductor of the Crazy Train

Ladies and gentlemen, the sweetheart of Scientology is at it again, this time by video...I don't know if he is trying to hypnotize you with his good looks, blurry graphic, or overuse of the word "it" (what IS "it", anyway??) but I DO know that listening to Charlie Brown's mom preach at me for 9 minutes in "wa wa" would be about as productive as listening to this:


(By the way, the term "SP" stands for "Suppressive Person". The term is often applied to those whom the Church of Scientology perceives as its enemies, i.e. those whose "disastrous" and "suppressive" acts are said to impede the progress of individual Scientologists or the Scientology movement.)

If he offers you a glass of kool-aid, don't take it.

Is It Possible To Be In Love

...with a laptop?
In lust, anyway.


Never before has an apple made me drool.

The Juno Report

My boxes here weren't even unpacked before Chris had visitors for the weekend...his sister, Carrie, and two of her girlfriends. They really wanted to go see the late showing of "Juno" that evening, which I've been wanting to see since it opened. Thank goodness these girls breezed through Duluth, because Chris opted out on this chick-flick (I didn't expect any different from someone who fancies The Military Channel and NHL on a regular basis). What he missed was a charmingly unique film with a previously untapped premise. I really enjoyed it, and find the movie's star completely deserved of the Golden Globe nod she received.

Anyone else wishing they had a hamburger phone?

And the Award Goes To...

Becky, for the most creative comment!
(I had to bump it to the main-page so it doesn't get overlooked in comment-land.)


M is for the MOCHAS that you will consume.
I is for the ICE storms that keep you in your room.
N is for the NATURE that I'm sure greatly abounds.
N is for the lack of NOISE and other city sounds.
E is for the ELEMENTS which you must now endure.
S is for the SNOW that makes you say "brr brr."
O is for The OFFICE which needs no explanation.
T is for the TIME it takes to fly across the nation.
And A is for the AMAZING way you keep updating us with blogs and also for the AWESOMENESS that will help you find a job!


Thank you, Becky!
Your procrastination warms my heart.
And any warmth right now is welcomed. :)

Why Does Japan get to have all the Fun?

JUST because I feel like throwing a little randomness into your day...


Thanks, Rob.

Dorothy, You're Not In L.A. Anymore.

I'm HERE! And I apologize for making you faithful readers look at that yellow California map for so long...but, I know you'll extend to me a little bit of grace as I get settled in to my new life! There is SO much to chronicle- most WITH pictures, though I haven't figured out how to upload them from my camera yet- so I'll be letting my dreams of chronologically-ordered updates slide for the time being.

The big question lately seems to be, "How do you like Minnesota?!"
So...here is the official initial report!

What I'm looking at:
*the snow outside my dining room window. It's really beautiful when the trees are white, however the current "heat-wave" has melted all the pretty off.
*Our furnished house! (I'm blogging from Chris' place since internet at the lake is tragically slow).
*Yesterday I came across a man, sitting on a roof with a snowball in his hand. There were 2 officers approaching him on the roof and 4 officers on the ground. Three squad cars were at the scene. I can't imagine what scenario would warrant this police response, but I know I'm not in L.A. anymore.

What I'm learning:
*My coche is a champ in the snow.
*It's not as cold here as "they" say.
*How to cook. I've had a couple successful attempts already...and I'm not talking about Mac'n'cheese.
*Don't be fooled by it's pristine whiteness...snow is DIRTY!

What I'm wearing:
*Lots of Columbia jackets.
*BOOTS...all the time.
*Long underwear. I'm such a wimp.

What I'm DOING:
*Trying to get a job...more on that front later.
*Watching T.V. My new favorite show..."Intervention" on A&E. (Roxeanne, I miss you!)
*Organizing. Unpacking is done...time to whip out the label-maker!
*Tomorrow I'm going skiing for the first time in YEARS.
*Planning a wedding (I forget about that one from time to time. Yipes)

What I'm enjoying:
*The "warm" weather! I survived the -15 degree weather last week...so this week's 40 degree forecast is like paradise. I might even leave my coat at home today.
*Campfire Mochas at Caribou Coffee.
*Having my clothing and furniture back!
*Spending time with Chris.

I hope that is sufficient for the time being- there are many more stories to be told, so please check back often! It's good to have friends around...even if it has to be "virtually". Be sure to leave some love below!