I’ve been busy lately, but I will try to limit my words to a paragraph on each little story and let you interpret the pictures.

A couple of weekends ago was the Breathe Easy Music Festival benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. I have spoken at this event in the past and I was honored to be asked to speak once again this year. There was a ton of music memorabilia that was included in the silent and live auctions and the bands were great!

Speaking at Breathe Easy Music Festival

After listening to some fun music with some great friends and raising money for an important cause, we said goodbye and headed to a birthday party.

Our friend, Kara, moved to Singapore a year ago but she was back in town visiting for the first time since she left. She was hosting a birthday party for her new fiance, Brent. They know all parties are better if there’s a theme, so they threw a Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) party. We changed in the car and I slapped some face paint on to both of our mugs.

Our friend Missy, Travis, & me

Whenever we have a themed party to attend, I always start by “shopping” at my parents house. They have stored several of my more fashionable clothing items from the last quarter century. When it comes to dressing in costume, I can almost always come up with something. Don’t hate me but last time I wore this dress, I was sixteen years old!! I couldn’t believe I could still squeeze into it!

Brent & Kara’s Dia de los Muertos Party

The next day, our neighbors hosted an old fashioned cider press party. They have done this in the past and we look forward to it every year. It is always the best cider you have ever tasted!

Jenni, Travis, Mike & Ken working hard making delicious cider

We were fortunate to spend some more time with Kara during her week long stay. I am elated that the next time I see her, I will be standing by her side as one of her bridesmaids while she marries the man of her dreams. Can’t wait to celebrate their impending nuptials in April.

Jay, me, Travis, Kara, & Brent

Me and my lovely Kara

This summer, Travis was on a lawn bowling team with a few of the guys. Proving once again that all gatherings are better with a theme; instead of a simple dinner with friends, we called this the “Lawn Rangers Team Banquet”.

Jose, Ben, Annie, me, Kimmy, Jay, & Travis

My brother had bought us tickets to the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre. Last week, we attended Mary Poppins. I took this picture of Travis without even knowing there was someone standing behind him, until a friend commented on his post ” Can we talk about your hair? Going for the man bun these days Trav??”

Travis’ man bun

I also met up with my friend Jennifer last weekend. We had our own little “Friday Farewell Tour” to say goodbye to a couple of restaurants downtown that were closing for good. Luckily, Travis and I also made it to La Belle Vie for dinner a couple of weeks ago.

The tacos at Masa were awesome!

Dessert after our last dinner at La Belle Vie

Our friend Julz gave us tickets to the Gopher Hockey Game this last Friday. It’s so fun to watch college hockey, thanks to her, we watched it live. Thanks Julz!

Gopher Hockey Wins

We were so excited to have our friend, jazz musician, Kat Edmonson, in town again playing at the Dakota Jazz Club on Monday night. We had a great crew to see her perform and brought some newbies, our friends Richie & Mickey. They fell in love with her just like we did the first time we heard her.

Mickey, Dana, Jeff, Richie, Michael, Kat, me, Rochelle, & Travis

Health report: I have finally kicked my “boot” to the curb!! I am now walking in regular shoes but my foot is definitely still in the healing process. It still hurts a little while walking. It throbs at night when I’ve walked too much. Hopefully, in a couple more weeks I won’t notice a thing.

The headaches are still prevalent. My medication level that triggers them is SLOWLY coming down. I have always been so sensitive to medications so they are cutting the dose in small increments. The headaches have been a little less intense, but I’m ready to be done with them.

Have a safe and Happy Halloween!