Movie and Landscaping...What a Combination!!

   Today started out just like Miss Daisy's would have.  Barb picked me up, and we went to Curves.  After we finished our workout, we went to Mongo's Grill (YUM!!!!) and met Alison.  Following our awesome lunch, we headed to the movies and met Danielle. It was a very nice outing and fun for Dani as she knows Alison and Barb well and always manages to make them laugh!! :) Thanks for chauffeuring, Barb!!!

The four of us after the movie

     Things drastically changed after we got home from the movie.  Our neighbors, Katie and Freddie, discovered a huge mold issue in their entire basement.  Well, it was discovered accidentally when they were having an estimate for new windows done last weekend.  Katie's dad came from Alexandria, and once they started looking at the corners and removing a little bit of wallpaper and carpet, it didn't take long before they had to remove everything including the sheetrock.  Lots of hours were put in each night after work this week tearing walls and bleaching everything.  The problem was a result of a bad landscaping job from the previous owners.  Fortunately, Mathieu and Megann are in Canada for three weeks visiting Freddie's parents and family, so this "remodeling" job is much easier without having their schedules to juggle as well.

     So there was Katie and her dad hard at work.  They had a big job ahead of them, so I changed clothes, grabbed a water bottle, a shovel, and started helping. 

     This was the worst area and where most of the water was seeping in.  When Elmer opened that area up, he found a three foot "swimming pool with happy frogs."  He had to add almost three YARDS of sand to even it up to where it should have been!!!

 So we started digging up the rocks

    

Here I am digging up the hostas, and Elmer is leveling the sand before starting on the plastic layer just so we can put the rocks back in place!!

Here we are at the end of the evening...six hours later and much dirtier.

     Freddie did stop on his way home from work and got us all A&W root beer floats leaving Katie and I with big smiles!!!  We decided that we wouldn't be opening up a landscaping business anytime soon...we like our day jobs too much!!  We think we might have even lost a pound or two :) and were both in need of a good bubble bath.  Hopefully, we can walk tomorrow!!

Holty and Heidi

     Today I ended up having two impromptu visitors.  After attending Zumba with Barb this morning, my very good friend, Holty, called and was in Sartell.  He wanted to take me to lunch.  We had a great time catching up.  Darrell and I will be joining Holty and his wife, Brenda, soon for dinner at Coyote Moon.  YUM!!

     A couple of hours later, I met Heidi and her oldest daughter, Amanda, at Perkins in between her doctor appointments. She was in Sartell at the Cancer Coborn Center and sent a quick e-mail wondering if I could meet them, so I headed over to Perkins; they had lunch while I enjoyed some yummy banana cream pie!! :)  We had a great visit, looked at pictures, and made plans for a movie.  She is over halfway through her chemotherapy treatments and is planning on returning to school in November.  YEAH!! It will be wonderful to have her back!! :0)  Keep the faith, Heidi!! You can do it, and you are a very strong woman!!

Z is for Zumba!!

     Now that I am done with my family vacation, it's time to get serious about Zumba again.  I did walk our dogs three miles each day when I was in Wyoming, but I wasn't able to go to any Zumba or Pilates classes.  If you haven't tried either type of exercise, I highly recommend it.  I have really been loving the Zumba routine that I attend three times a week.  Our instructor, Cheryl, is amazing (of course, the skinny blond lady on the right hand side of the picture)!!  We all like to have fun during our workout, so it's always a great way to spend a stress-free 30 minutes. We really do get a great workout in while sharing some laughs and encouraging others along the way.
     I was able to go to Pilates last night for the first time in a few weeks, so that felt pretty awesome despite a few sore spots today.  "Movement is a medicine for creating change in a person's physical, emotional, and mental states."

Friday Night With the Kawuloks and Wii Dancing

     While Dad, Darrell, and Timmy were fishing and hanging out at the cabin in the Big Horns Tuesday-Friday of this week, Mom and I enjoyed some time together shopping, reminiscing, having lunch with other family members, baking, and just enjoying mother/daughter time.  It was so nice to be together!! :0)

We joined my sister-in-law, Melanie, for lunch on Thursday.

     On Friday night, we gathered at Bob and Debbie's for dinner, conversation, and a lot of laughs!!  Here we are in their backyard.  Isn't their view just beautiful??!!

     It was fun to see the interior makeover that has taken place in some of the rooms so far.  I love the new colors they have selected, and I am excited to see how their master bedroom and kitchen turn out when we are there for Christmas!! Debbie, Rachel, Rosie, and I are gathered in front of the fireplace for this picture.

     Mom made an appearance in this picture with us. :)

Rosie getting some lovin' from us

Rach, Rosie, and me

 (As you can see, Rach and I are definitely related!!)

Rachel and her boyfriend, Chase, (FINALLY she met a teacher!! Yeah!!!)

Rachel & Chase join Rosie on the patio...awww...aren't they cute??!! :0)

     The evening ended with lots of laughter as the rest of the clan enjoyed Wii dancing entertainment (?) compliments of Rachel, Bob, and me.  What a workout!!!

Congratulations, Debbie!!

     Congratulations goes out to my sister-in-law, Debbie, who opened up her new practice this week.  It is called Goose Creek Family Practice.  She has worked very hard to reach this point in her career, so I wanted to make sure that she knows that we are so proud of her and love and support her very much!!  Best of luck in this new chapter of your life, Debbie!!  Love you, Lulu & Darrell

  

 

 

Polish Food Fest and More...

     On Sunday we gathered together at my parents' house for a traditional Polish food fest (hosted by none other than my dad himself).  He loves to cook especially authentic Polish food.  It requires a lot of time and hard work, so a big food fest like the one he planned is only done yearly.  The main meal consisted of homemade potato pancakes, dad's homemade sauerkraut, and spareribs.  I provided the desserts. :)  Joining us were Bob, Debbie, Eric, Jessica, Rachel, Dave, and Melanie.  We enjoyed the meal immensely and had a lot of laughs while doing so!! :0)

Here we are...

 

     Dad's potato pancakes and homemade sauerkraut & ribs (doesn't look so appetizing in picture form..but it was certainly delicious)

My dad hard at work in the kitchen

Here is my mom...pretty in pink & sporting my TC baseball hat

     On Monday I had a nice visit with my best friend from childhood, Michelle.  I went to her house to visit and see the kids for awhile, and then we headed off to the Rib and Chop House for dinner.  After dinner she even took me to Holy Name Catholic School where I attended through the 8th grade.  She is the PTO President and carries the keys with her, so it was a great surprise for me when she decided to take me there.  She wanted to show me the "interior facelift" that the school is undergoing this summer.  WOW!! What a flashback!! I haven't been in that school for 30 years!!  It brought back a lot of memories for the two of us since that is where we met when I was in 2nd grade, and she was in 1st grade. It was so good to have a nice long visit with her.

     This is Gabby, her youngest child and only daughter.  She was showing me how she can water the flowers, but it was 99 degrees, so she had to stop for a cold drink from the hose. :)

     Here are her two sons, Michael and William, cooling down on such a hot day!!  She lives on the Country Club Golf Course and has a gorgeous view of the Big Horn Mountains as well.

Here is William in his birthday hat.  He turned 4 today!! Happy birthday, William!!

This is kind of a dark picture, but the kids love their momma; plus she doubles as a jungle gym!!!

More Adventures From Rodeo Week

     This has certainly been a fun-filled week of activities. :0) It's been so much fun to gather together with so many family members while we've been here.

 Mom and me at the spa on Thursday getting ready for our massage - a comfy robe, a heated neck wrap, and a blanket awaited us. :0)

A lavender foot bath (with reflexology) was next.

A nice relaxing atmosphere

After our massage...heaven!!

My niece, Faith, and Dakota

My brother, Dave, gave Ezra a better view of the parade.

 The Drum and Bugle Corps...the best part of the rodeo parade!!!!

 Another view of the parade

 All of us gathered together outside of Timmy and Donna Jo's place, Little Willow, for a great parade view.

 Friday night at the Sheridan Rodeo...

Friday night was "Tuff Enough to Wear Pink" night to raise awareness for breast cancer.

Getting ready for the Indian relay races

Rachel, me, Brittany, my dad, Danny, and Darrell

 Here I am with my niece, Rachel, and her best friend & roommate, Ashley.

A gorgeous evening view at the rodeo

Barrel racing

Darrell, Brittany, and me

 Future cowboys...

Brittany and grandpa after the rodeo festivities

     Saturday afternoon we gathered together at my brother's house for a BBQ.   It was so nice that my sister and her three kids were able to join us for a couple of days (as well as my sister-in-law, Stacy, and my nephew, Brandon).  It was especially great to see Danny who had quite the experience in the Philippines with the Peace Corps.  We are so glad he is back home in the USA safe and sound!!!

One last picture with my nieces and nephews before they headed back to Billings.